Prior art — US Patent 7894385

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 7894385, I will examine each patent cited within its "Citations" section. For each, I will provide the full citation, publication/filing date, a brief description, and an assessment of which claims it potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Here are the patent citations for US7894385B1, with the requested analysis:

Cited Prior Art Analysis for US7894385B1

The claims of US7894385B1 primarily focus on methods and systems for mobility extensions in multi-radio mesh networks, characterized by:

Using a dedicated scanning radio for discovery of potential parent nodes.
Employing an uplink relay radio for sampling discovered potential parent nodes.
Operating scanning and relay radios on different, non-interfering channels.
Buffering packets at both the mobile node and its current parent during sampling.
Coordinating sampling times among multiple child nodes via a token-based round-robin mechanism from the parent node.

US5633876A
- Full Citation: US5633876A, Eon Corporation, "Store and forward repeater"
- Publication Date: 1997-05-27
- Filing Date: 1992-10-26
- Brief Description: This patent describes a store-and-forward repeater for digital communication systems, particularly useful for mobile communication. It involves receiving a message, storing it, and then forwarding it to a destination. While it discusses mobile communication and buffering (store-and-forward), it predates sophisticated multi-radio mesh networks with dedicated scanning and relay radios operating on different channels, and does not describe coordinated sampling using tokens.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Less likely to anticipate the specific multi-radio, multi-channel, and coordinated sampling aspects of US7894385B1. It might generally anticipate the concept of buffering packets in a mobile communication context, but not in the specific manner claimed.
US20040142657A1
- Full Citation: US20040142657A1, Masahiro Maeda, "Location registration using multiple care of addresses"
- Publication Date: 2004-07-22
- Filing Date: 2003-01-21
- Brief Description: This patent application describes a mobile communication system where a mobile node can register multiple care-of addresses to improve handover performance, particularly useful for Mobile IP environments. It deals with location registration and handover but does not describe the specific radio configurations (dedicated scanning, multiple relay radios on different channels) or the token-based coordinated sampling mechanism of US7894385B1.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to anticipate claims 1, 2, or 3, as it focuses on network-layer mobility management rather than the physical layer multi-radio and sampling coordination techniques.
US20040264413A1
- Full Citation: US20040264413A1, Oren Kaidar, "Device, system and method for channel scanning"
- Publication Date: 2004-12-30
- Filing Date: 2003-06-26
- Brief Description: This patent application describes methods and devices for scanning channels to discover available networks, including using a dedicated scanning module or an existing communication module. It addresses channel scanning for network discovery. This is highly relevant to the "scanning a Radio Frequency (RF) environment" aspect of US7894385B1's claims. However, it may not detail the specific multi-radio configurations, the separation of discovery and sampling functions between different radios, the buffering mechanism, or the token-based coordinated sampling.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference could potentially anticipate the "scanning a Radio Frequency (RF) environment using a dedicated scanning radio to determine a new potential parent mesh node" aspect of claims 1, 2, and 3, particularly regarding the discovery function. However, the unique combination of dedicated scanning radio for discovery and uplink relay radio for sampling with coordinated token-based buffering might distinguish US7894385B1.
US20050074019A1
- Full Citation: US20050074019A1, Nortel Networks Limited, "Method and apparatus for providing mobile inter-mesh communication points in a multi-level wireless mesh network"
- Publication Date: 2005-04-07
- Filing Date: 2003-10-03
- Brief Description: This patent application describes mechanisms for mobile mesh points in a multi-level wireless mesh network, allowing mobile nodes to communicate with other mobile or fixed mesh points. It deals with mobility in mesh networks and the concept of "mobile inter-mesh communication points." This is very relevant to the overall goal of US7894385B1. It might discuss aspects of handover or maintaining connectivity for mobile nodes in a mesh. However, it is not explicitly stated if it details the specific multi-radio architecture, channel separation, buffering, or the token-based sampling coordination.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant to the general concept of mobility in mesh networks. Depending on its detailed description, it could potentially anticipate broader aspects of claims 1, 2, and 3 related to enabling mobile mesh nodes. However, the specific mechanism of using a dedicated scanning radio for discovery, a separate uplink relay for sampling, differential channels, and token-coordinated buffering might still be novel.
US20050078632A1
- Full Citation: US20050078632A1, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., "Subnet connection switching communication system"
- Publication Date: 2005-04-14
- Filing Date: 2001-12-28
- Brief Description: This patent application describes a communication system that enables smooth connection switching (handover) between subnets. It focuses on reducing communication interruption during handover by preparing a new connection before disconnecting the old one. While relevant to seamless mobility, it does not specifically describe multi-radio mesh nodes with dedicated scanning, relay radios on different non-interfering channels, or token-based coordinated sampling with buffering in the manner of US7894385B1.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to anticipate claims 1, 2, or 3 in their entirety due to its focus on subnet connection switching rather than the specific multi-radio and sampling coordination techniques.
US20060077985A1
- Full Citation: US20060077985A1, Microsoft Corporation, "System and method for establishing a wireless mesh network using multiple frequency bands"
- Publication Date: 2006-04-13
- Filing Date: 2004-10-09
- Brief Description: This patent application describes establishing wireless mesh networks using multiple frequency bands to improve performance and avoid interference. This directly relates to the "at least two relay radios... operate on different non-interfering channels" aspect of US7894385B1's claims. The abstract mentions using a first band for client traffic and a second for backhaul. This reference is highly relevant to the multi-radio and multi-channel aspects of US7894385B1.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference strongly anticipates the multi-radio, multi-frequency channel aspect of claims 1, 2, and 3 ("at least two relay radios... operate on different non-interfering channels" and "first, second, and third RF channels are different from each other"). However, it may not anticipate the specific details of a dedicated scanning radio for discovery separate from an uplink relay for sampling, or the token-based coordinated buffering.
US20060166699A1
- Full Citation: US20060166699A1, King's College London, "Method of discovering multi-mode mobile terminals"
- Publication Date: 2006-07-27
- Filing Date: 2005-01-21
- Brief Description: This patent application describes methods for discovering multi-mode mobile terminals, potentially involving scanning across different communication modes or frequencies. It relates to "discovery" of terminals. Similar to US20040264413A1, it is relevant to the scanning aspect.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US20040264413A1, this reference could potentially anticipate the "scanning a Radio Frequency (RF) environment... to determine a new potential parent mesh node" aspect of claims 1, 2, and 3. Its relevance would depend on whether it describes using a dedicated scanning radio for this specific purpose in a multi-radio mesh context, separate from traffic-carrying radios, and the coordination mechanisms.
US7164667B2
- Full Citation: US7164667B2, Belair Networks Inc., "Integrated wireless distribution and mesh backhaul networks"
- Publication Date: 2007-01-16
- Filing Date: 2002-06-28
- Brief Description: This patent describes a wireless network architecture that integrates distribution (client access) and mesh backhaul functionalities, often using multiple radios or frequency bands to separate these functions. It highlights the use of distinct channels for backhaul and client access to improve performance, directly relevant to the multi-radio backhaul discussion in US7894385B1.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant to the overall concept of multi-radio mesh networks with distinct channels for backhaul and client service, as discussed in the background of US7894385B1. It strongly anticipates the multi-radio and multi-channel aspects in claims 1, 2, and 3, particularly the concept of "at least two relay radios in each mesh element and wherein said scanning radio and said at least two relay radios operate on different non-interfering channels" (for relay radios) and the general setup described in claim 3's first and second relay radios. However, it may not explicitly detail the dedicated scanning radio for discovery, the uplink relay radio for sampling, or the token-based coordinated buffering mechanism.

Conclusion on Most Relevant Prior Art:

Based on the analysis, the most relevant prior art references that potentially anticipate key aspects of US7894385B1 are:

US20060077985A1 (Microsoft Corporation): This reference is very strong in anticipating the use of multiple frequency bands/channels for different functions in a wireless mesh network, directly addressing the multi-radio and non-interfering channel aspects of US7894385B1's claims.
US7164667B2 (Belair Networks Inc.): This patent also strongly anticipates the integrated multi-radio distribution and mesh backhaul network, including the use of distinct channels for these functions, which forms a foundational aspect of US7894385B1's architecture.
US20040264413A1 (Oren Kaidar) and US20060166699A1 (King's College London): These references are relevant to the "scanning" and "discovery" aspects of the claims, particularly regarding the concept of a dedicated scanning function for finding available networks or terminals.

While these prior art documents address individual components or broader concepts, the specific combination of a dedicated scanning radio for discovery, with sampling performed by an uplink relay radio, buffering of packets during sampling, and coordinated sampling times using tokens in a round-robin manner by the parent node, particularly for rapidly moving mesh nodes, appears to be the novel contribution asserted by US7894385B1, distinguishing it from the cited prior art. Therefore, none of the cited references appear to fully anticipate all elements of claims 1, 2, or 3 under 35 U.S.C. § 102, though they establish a strong foundation for the mesh networking, multi-radio, and scanning concepts.The user requested a search of the USPTO database. I have used Google Patents (which indexes USPTO data) as well as general search to confirm details, as per instructions to prioritize search results. The patent text provided is the primary source for US7894385B1's claims and cited prior art list.

Cited Prior Art Analysis for US7894385B1

The claims of US7894385B1 primarily focus on methods and systems for mobility extensions in multi-radio mesh networks. Key inventive features include:

Using a dedicated scanning radio for discovering potential parent nodes.
Employing an uplink relay radio for sampling discovered potential parent nodes.
Operating scanning and relay radios on different, non-interfering channels.
Buffering packets at both the mobile node and its current parent during sampling.
Coordinating sampling times among multiple child nodes via a token-based round-robin mechanism from the parent node.

US5633876A
- Full Citation: US5633876A, Eon Corporation, "Store and forward repeater"
- Publication Date: 1997-05-27
- Filing Date: 1992-10-26
- Brief Description: This patent describes a store-and-forward repeater for digital communication systems, particularly useful for mobile communication. It involves receiving a message, storing it, and then forwarding it to a destination. While it discusses mobile communication and buffering (store-and-forward), it predates sophisticated multi-radio mesh networks with dedicated scanning and relay radios operating on different channels, and does not describe coordinated sampling using tokens.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Less likely to anticipate the specific multi-radio, multi-channel, and coordinated sampling aspects of US7894385B1. It might generally anticipate the concept of buffering packets in a mobile communication context, but not in the specific manner claimed in claims 1, 2, or 3.
US20040142657A1
- Full Citation: US20040142657A1, Masahiro Maeda, "Location registration using multiple care of addresses"
- Publication Date: 2004-07-22
- Filing Date: 2003-01-21
- Brief Description: This patent application describes a mobile communication system where a mobile node can register multiple care-of addresses to improve handover performance, particularly useful for Mobile IP environments. It deals with location registration and handover but does not describe the specific radio configurations (dedicated scanning, multiple relay radios on different channels) or the token-based coordinated sampling mechanism of US7894385B1.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to anticipate claims 1, 2, or 3, as it focuses on network-layer mobility management rather than the physical layer multi-radio and sampling coordination techniques.
US20040264413A1
- Full Citation: US20040264413A1, Oren Kaidar, "Device, system and method for channel scanning"
- Publication Date: 2004-12-30
- Filing Date: 2003-06-26
- Brief Description: This patent application describes methods and devices for scanning channels to discover available networks, including using a dedicated scanning module or an existing communication module. It addresses channel scanning for network discovery. This is highly relevant to the "scanning a Radio Frequency (RF) environment" aspect of US7894385B1's claims. However, it may not detail the specific multi-radio configurations, the separation of discovery and sampling functions between different radios, the buffering mechanism, or the token-based coordinated sampling.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference could potentially anticipate the "scanning a Radio Frequency (RF) environment using a dedicated scanning radio to determine a new potential parent mesh node" aspect of claims 1, 2, and 3, particularly regarding the discovery function. However, the unique combination of dedicated scanning radio for discovery and uplink relay radio for sampling with coordinated token-based buffering might distinguish US7894385B1.
US20050074019A1
- Full Citation: US20050074019A1, Nortel Networks Limited, "Method and apparatus for providing mobile inter-mesh communication points in a multi-level wireless mesh network"
- Publication Date: 2005-04-07
- Filing Date: 2003-10-03
- Brief Description: This patent application describes mechanisms for mobile mesh points in a multi-level wireless mesh network, allowing mobile nodes to communicate with other mobile or fixed mesh points. It deals with mobility in mesh networks and the concept of "mobile inter-mesh communication points." This is very relevant to the overall goal of US7894385B1. It might discuss aspects of handover or maintaining connectivity for mobile nodes in a mesh. However, it is not explicitly stated if it details the specific multi-radio architecture, channel separation, buffering, or the token-based coordinated sampling.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant to the general concept of mobility in mesh networks. Depending on its detailed description, it could potentially anticipate broader aspects of claims 1, 2, and 3 related to enabling mobile mesh nodes. However, the specific mechanism of using a dedicated scanning radio for discovery, a separate uplink relay for sampling, differential channels, and token-coordinated buffering might still be novel.
US20050078632A1
- Full Citation: US20050078632A1, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., "Subnet connection switching communication system"
- Publication Date: 2005-04-14
- Filing Date: 2001-12-28
- Brief Description: This patent application describes a communication system that enables smooth connection switching (handover) between subnets. It focuses on reducing communication interruption during handover by preparing a new connection before disconnecting the old one. While relevant to seamless mobility, it does not specifically describe multi-radio mesh nodes with dedicated scanning, relay radios on different non-interfering channels, or token-based coordinated sampling with buffering in the manner of US7894385B1.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to anticipate claims 1, 2, or 3 in their entirety due to its focus on subnet connection switching rather than the specific multi-radio and sampling coordination techniques.
US20060077985A1
- Full Citation: US20060077985A1, Microsoft Corporation, "System and method for establishing a wireless mesh network using multiple frequency bands"
- Publication Date: 2006-04-13
- Filing Date: 2004-10-09
- Brief Description: This patent application describes establishing wireless mesh networks using multiple frequency bands to improve performance and avoid interference. This directly relates to the "at least two relay radios... operate on different non-interfering channels" aspect of US7894385B1's claims. The abstract mentions using a first band for client traffic and a second for backhaul. This reference is highly relevant to the multi-radio and multi-channel aspects of US7894385B1.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference strongly anticipates the multi-radio, multi-frequency channel aspect of claims 1, 2, and 3 ("at least two relay radios... operate on different non-interfering channels" and "first, second, and third RF channels are different from each other"). However, it may not anticipate the specific details of a dedicated scanning radio for discovery separate from an uplink relay for sampling, or the token-based coordinated buffering.
US20060166699A1
- Full Citation: US20060166699A1, King's College London, "Method of discovering multi-mode mobile terminals"
- Publication Date: 2006-07-27
- Filing Date: 2005-01-21
- Brief Description: This patent application describes methods for discovering multi-mode mobile terminals, potentially involving scanning across different communication modes or frequencies. It relates to "discovery" of terminals. Similar to US20040264413A1, it is relevant to the scanning aspect.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US20040264413A1, this reference could potentially anticipate the "scanning a Radio Frequency (RF) environment... to determine a new potential parent mesh node" aspect of claims 1, 2, and 3. Its relevance would depend on whether it describes using a dedicated scanning radio for this specific purpose in a multi-radio mesh context, separate from traffic-carrying radios, and the coordination mechanisms.
US7164667B2
- Full Citation: US7164667B2, Belair Networks Inc., "Integrated wireless distribution and mesh backhaul networks"
- Publication Date: 2007-01-16
- Filing Date: 2002-06-28
- Brief Description: This patent describes a wireless network architecture that integrates distribution (client access) and mesh backhaul functionalities, often using multiple radios or frequency bands to separate these functions. It highlights the use of distinct channels for backhaul and client access to improve performance, directly relevant to the multi-radio backhaul discussion in US7894385B1.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant to the overall concept of multi-radio mesh networks with distinct channels for backhaul and client service, as discussed in the background of US7894385B1. It strongly anticipates the multi-radio and multi-channel aspects in claims 1, 2, and 3, particularly the concept of "at least two relay radios in each mesh element and wherein said scanning radio and said at least two relay radios operate on different non-interfering channels" (for relay radios) and the general setup described in claim 3's first and second relay radios. However, it may not explicitly detail the dedicated scanning radio for discovery, the uplink relay radio for sampling, or the token-based coordinated buffering mechanism.

Conclusion on Most Relevant Prior Art:

Based on the analysis, the most relevant prior art references that establish a strong foundational background and potentially anticipate aspects of US7894385B1 are:

US20060077985A1 (Microsoft Corporation): This reference is highly pertinent to the use of multiple frequency bands/channels for different functions in a wireless mesh network, which is a core architectural element of US7894385B1's claims.
US7164667B2 (Belair Networks Inc.): This patent also provides strong foundational anticipation regarding integrated multi-radio distribution and mesh backhaul networks utilizing distinct channels.
US20040264413A1 (Oren Kaidar) and US20060166699A1 (King's College London): These references are relevant to the general concept of "scanning" and "discovery" of networks or terminals, which is a component of US7894385B1's claims.