US 7420952

US Patent 7420952, titled "High performance wireless networks using distributed control," was issued on September 2, 2008, from an application filed on May 8, 2003. The original assignee was Mesh Dynamics Inc, and the current assignee is Dynamic Mesh Networks Inc. The inventors are Francis da Costa and Sriram Dayanandan.

Abstract:
The patent describes a new type of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) design with a focus on self-contained, embedded operating system (OS) units for each Access Point (AP) node. All network control algorithms reside within the AP node's OS, allowing for autonomous day-to-day operation and secure software upgrades via a communications interface supported by the OS kernel. The proposed wireless network offers several benefits: it is self-configuring upon installation, provides redundancy through mesh network support and multiple communication paths, includes load balancing to prevent congestion, eliminates single points of failure, utilizes decentralized execution with central control for setting system-level parameters, is application-aware (catering to diverse latency/throughput needs), and features automatic channel allocation for RF interference management, bandwidth optimization, and seamless roaming between Basic Service Sets (BSS). It also supports wireless switching for seamless roaming requirements.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim):
This claim describes a method for managing a wireless network with multiple wireless communication devices. The core idea is that a central "access server" sets general network goals, specifically desired levels of latency (delay) and throughput (data speed). These goals are then met by the wireless devices themselves, which contain their own "resident control algorithms." These devices intelligently adjust how they connect to each other and to a "root node" (which links to the wired network) to achieve the performance targets set by the server. The network essentially self-organizes to meet the access server's specified latency and throughput needs.

Independent Claim 22 (System Claim):
This claim describes a wireless communication device designed for such a network. The device includes a processor, memory storing the control algorithms, and at least one radio for wireless communication. It also has an interface to connect to other network devices, ultimately linking to a wired Ethernet connection. Crucially, the device's built-in algorithms allow it to dynamically adjust its connections and behavior based on latency and throughput goals received from a central access server, thereby configuring its relationships within the wireless network.

Litigation and Legal Status (as of April 26, 2026):
According to the Google Patents entry, US7420952B2 expired on May 21, 2025. The patent family has been involved in litigation. Unified Patents lists the following cases, all filed in 2025:

• US case filed in California Northern District Court (3:25-cv-06441).
• US case filed in Texas Eastern District Court (2:25-cv-00472).
• US case filed in Texas Eastern District Court (2:25-cv-00781).
• PTAB case IPR2025-01523 filed (Not Instituted - Procedural).

As of April 26, 2026, a search for "US7420952B2 CAFC 2026 dockets" did not yield specific docket information for this patent in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for the year 2026. Given the patent's expiration in May 2025, any ongoing litigation in 2026 would likely be appeals of the 2025 cases or related to past infringement rather than new infringement claims.