{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9820021","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9820021","title":"Methods and apparatus for determining a path in a communications network","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-07-17T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-11-14T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04Q","H04B","H04J","H04J","H04J","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04Q","H04Q"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"A method for determining a path in an optical network, implemented by one or more controllers associated with a control layer, includes receiving a path request specifying start and end points, an associated bandwidth, and a longevity parameter providing an anticipated length during which the path is required; determining a route in the optical network through a routing algorithm executed by the controller, wherein the routing algorithm utilizes the start and end points, the associated bandwidth, and the longevity parameter to determine the path; and provisioning the path through a plurality of switches along the route."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Methods and apparatus for determining a path in a communications network","description":"A method for determining a path in an optical network, implemented by one or more controllers associated with a control layer, includes receiving a path request specifying start and end points, an ass","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9820021","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9820021","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Methods and apparatus for determining a path in a communications network\" (US-9820021). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9820021","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9820021","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9820021","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T07:42:47.922Z"}