US 8031654

Here's a concise summary of US patent 8031654:

US Patent 8,031,654

• Title: Wireless communication system, apparatus for supporting data flow and methods therefor
• Current Assignee: Integral Wireless Technologies LLC
• Inventor: Timothy J. Speight
• Filing Date: March 20, 2007
• Issue Date: October 4, 2011
• Abstract: The patent describes an apparatus for allocating resources in a wireless communication system that uses Transfer Communication Protocol (TCP) for data transfer between a network and a wireless subscriber communication unit. This apparatus includes a scheduler in the network that buffers TCP data segments for downlink (DL) transmission. A transmitter sends the buffered TCP data segment to the User Equipment (UE). Crucially, the message transmitting the data also indicates an allocation of DL resources and sufficient uplink (UL) resources to send a stand-alone Acknowledgment (ACK) data segment. This approach aims to reduce latency and improve throughput, particularly for large bulk data transfers, by pre-allocating uplink resources for ACKs, thereby overcoming limitations imposed by TCP window size rather than air interface throughput.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Apparatus for allocating resource in a wireless communication system): This claim describes an apparatus within a network for managing TCP-based data transfers. It features a scheduler that buffers TCP data segments for downlink transmission to a user equipment (UE). The apparatus also includes counting logic, coupled to the scheduler, which counts the number of data segments sent to the UE. When this counting logic reaches a predetermined number of transmitted segments, the scheduler is configured to allocate uplink (UL) resources for the UE to send a stand-alone acknowledgment (ACK). A transmitter then sends an allocation message to the UE, first indicating the downlink resources for the TCP data segment, and then transmitting the TCP data segment. If the predetermined number of segments has been counted, this allocation message also includes the sufficient uplink resources for the stand-alone ACK.
• Claim 5 (Wireless subscriber communication unit): This claim describes a wireless subscriber communication unit (UE) designed to acknowledge resource allocations. It comprises a receiver that gets an allocation message along with a TCP data segment. Processing logic within the unit interprets this allocation message to identify both the downlink (DL) resources for receiving the TCP data segment and the sufficient uplink (UL) resources to transmit a stand-alone ACK. The key here is that the allocation of these UL resources is based on a count performed by the network of a predetermined number of data segments sent to the UE. A transmitter then sends the stand-alone ACK data segment in response to this message.
• Claim 9 (Method for allocating resource in a wireless communication system): This claim outlines a method performed by the network for allocating resources. It involves buffering a TCP data segment for downlink transmission to a wireless subscriber communication unit and counting the number of data segments transmitted. Uplink (UL) resources for a stand-alone ACK from the unit are allocated after the counting step has reached at least a predetermined number of data segments. An allocation message is transmitted to the wireless unit, first indicating DL resources, and then the buffered TCP data segment is sent on those resources. If the count of data segments meets or exceeds the predetermined number, the allocation message also includes UL resources sufficient for the stand-alone ACK.
• Claim 12 (Method for acknowledging an allocation of resource in a wireless communication system): This claim describes a method performed by a wireless subscriber communication unit for acknowledging resource allocations. It involves receiving an allocation message and a TCP data segment, processing this message, and then identifying the allocated DL resources for the TCP data segment plus sufficient UL resources for a stand-alone ACK. Similar to claim 5, this UL resource allocation is based on a predetermined count of transmitted segments performed by the network. Finally, the stand-alone ACK data segment is transmitted in response to the allocation message.
• Claim 16 (Non-transitory computer program product): This claim covers a non-transitory computer program product containing executable code that, when run on a communication unit, performs the method steps of Claim 9 (buffering, counting, allocating UL resources based on count, and transmitting allocation message with UL resources for ACK).
• Claim 17 (Wireless communication system): This claim describes an entire wireless communication system. It includes a radio access network that facilitates communication with multiple wireless subscriber units. The system incorporates a scheduler (located in the network) for buffering TCP data segments for downlink transmission. It also has counting logic, coupled to the scheduler, to count transmitted segments. The scheduler allocates UL resources for a stand-alone ACK when the counting logic reaches a predetermined number of segments. A transmitter sends an allocation message indicating DL resources, then transmits the buffered TCP data segment, and includes UL resources for the ACK in the allocation message when the predetermined segment count is met.
• Claim 21 (Apparatus with memory and processor for allocating resource): This claim describes an apparatus (hardware-based) for resource allocation, comprising a memory, a processor, and program code stored in the memory. The program code is executable by the processor to perform the steps of buffering, counting, allocating UL resources based on a predetermined count, and transmitting an allocation message with UL resources for the ACK, consistent with Claim 9.
• Claim 22 (Apparatus with non-transitory logic for allocating resource): This claim describes an apparatus specifically defined by "non-transitory logic" components. These logic components perform the actions of buffering, counting data segments, allocating UL resources for a stand-alone ACK based on a predetermined count, and transmitting an allocation message that indicates DL resources and, when the count is met, also includes sufficient UL resources for the ACK. This effectively claims the functionality of Claim 9 implemented in non-transitory logic.
• Claim 23 (Apparatus with memory and processor for acknowledging resource): This claim describes a wireless subscriber communication unit as an apparatus (hardware-based) for acknowledging resource allocation, comprising a memory, a processor, and program code. The program code is executable by the processor to perform the steps of receiving an allocation message and TCP data segment, processing the message, identifying DL and UL resources (where UL allocation is based on a count external to this apparatus), and transmitting the stand-alone ACK, consistent with Claim 12.
• Claim 24 (Apparatus with non-transitory logic for acknowledging resource): This claim describes a wireless subscriber communication unit as an apparatus defined by "non-transitory logic" components. These logic components perform the actions of receiving an allocation message and TCP data segment, processing the message, identifying DL and UL resources (where UL allocation is based on an external count), and transmitting the stand-alone ACK, consistent with Claim 12.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

As of April 26, 2026, a search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 8,031,654 did not yield any specific litigation cases mentioning this patent number. The search results indicated various other patent and trade secret cases being heard or decided by the Federal Circuit in 2026, but none directly related to US8031654.