Patents by Inventor Michael L. Elford

Michael L. Elford has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9571662
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for delivering plain old telephone service (“POTS”) telephony over high speed data networks. In particular, various embodiments provide tools and techniques for concurrent transmission of POTS voice signals and data signals over the same wire(s) of high-speed data lines or data cables. Various systems and methods might, in some instances, utilize upbanding or rebanding of the POTS voice band to a higher frequency band above the data stream band spectrum for transport of voice concurrent with data over the same wire(s) in the cable. The system might comprise interface devices at either end of a cable segment, one interface device to reband the voice signal and to combine the voice signal with the data signal for each dual-transport wire in the cable, and another interface device at the other end to separate the voice signal from the data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford
  • Patent number: 9531174
    Abstract: This document discloses novel conduits for telecommunications lines, such as optical fibers. In an aspect, a conduit might have a body defining one or more channels into which optical fibers can be inserted. In another aspect, the body might have a first face that is substantially planar and a second face opposing the first face. The second face might a low-rise arc profile and/or might be configured to be installed into a depression in a material. Also disclosed are methods and tools for installing, using, and/or removing such conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Robert J. Morrill, Michael Paul Winterrowd, Thomas Charles Barnett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9466966
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for installing lines or cables, including, without limitation, power lines, low voltage lines, telecommunications lines or cables (e.g., telephone cables, network cables, television cables, etc.), and/or the like, and, in particular, installing optical fiber and/or other lines, slightly below ground level in a roadway or other ground surface. In some cases, a method might include creating a channel in the ground surface, placing one or more lines (e.g., power lines, low voltage lines, telecommunications lines, and/or the like) in the channel, and placing a capping material in the channel, thereby encapsulating the lines. In some cases, placing the one or more lines in the channel might include placing a conduit (containing the one or more lines) in the channel, and encapsulating the one or more lines might include encapsulating the conduit. The capping material might include polyurea, thermosetting material, and/or any other suitable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC, Louisiana Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Erez N. Allouche, Bryan Cady, Michael L. Elford
  • Publication number: 20160226231
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing MediaLink Interconnection Boxes (“MIBs”). In some embodiments, a plurality of MediaLink Interconnection Boxes (“MIBs”) or media interconnection devices, which may be disposed throughout a recreational vehicle (“RV”) park or other bulk service provider application sites, or the like, may serve as demarcation units designed to each provide an accessible indoor or outdoor interface where long-term or temporary/transient customers can directly connect to land line service (e.g., POTS service), video or television service, and/or Ethernet or Internet services provided by one or more service providers. Fiber-to-Drop-Point (“FTDP”) and/or point-to-point fiber insertion within a passive optical network (“PON”) communications system may be implemented using apical conduit systems in conjunction with the MIBs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Diana L. Unser, Pete A. Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20160109678
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing FTTx, which might include Fiber-to-the-Home (“FTTH”), Fiber-to-the-Premises (“FTTP”), and/or the like. A method might include routing an F1 line(s) from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot. From the FDH, an F2 line(s) might be routed, via any combination of various apical conduit components, to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing one or more customer premises. An F3 line(s) might be distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 line(s), to a network interface device (“NID”) or optical network terminal (“ONT”) at each customer premises, via any combination of the apical conduit components, which include channels in at least portions of roadways. In some embodiments, at least one wireless access point is disposed in each of one or more channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160112779
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing point-to-point fiber insertion within a passive optical network (“PON”) communications system. The PON communications system, associated with a first service provider or a first service, might include an F1 line(s) routed from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot, an F2 line(s) routed via various apical conduit components to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing customer premises, and an F3 line(s) distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 Line(s), to a network interface device or optical network terminal at each customer premises via various apical conduit components (e.g., in roadway surfaces). Point-to-point fiber insertion of another F1 line(s), associated with a second service provider or a second service, at either the NAP or the FDH (or outside these devices).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20160109036
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing point-to-point fiber insertion within a passive optical network (“PON”) communications system. The PON communications system, associated with a first service provider or a first service, might include an F1 line(s) routed from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot, an F2 line(s) routed via various apical conduit components to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing customer premises, and an F3 line(s) distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 Line(s), to a network interface device or optical network terminal at each customer premises via various apical conduit components (e.g., in roadway surfaces). Point-to-point fiber insertion of another F1 line(s), associated with a second service provider or a second service, at either the NAP or the FDH (or outside these devices).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20150288578
    Abstract: A system for nearly instantaneous service provisioning includes a customer premises pre-configured to receive one or more network services. The customer premises is coupled to a service edge device connecting the customer premises to a service provider network. The service edge device is configured to receive identifying credentials from the customer premises, and determine, via an authentication server, whether a walled garden flag has been set for the identifying credentials. In response to determining that a walled garden flag has been set, the service edge device configures a tunnel into a walled garden, and restricts access from the customer premises, wherein access is limited to the walled garden. In response to determining that a walled garden flag has not been set, the service edge device allows immediate access outside of the walled garden to receive the one or more network services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford
  • Publication number: 20150288161
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for installing lines or cables, including, without limitation, power lines, low voltage lines, telecommunications lines or cables (e.g., telephone cables, network cables, television cables, etc.), and/or the like, and, in particular, installing optical fiber and/or other lines, slightly below ground level in a roadway or other ground surface. In some cases, a method might include creating a channel in the ground surface, placing one or more lines (e.g., power lines, low voltage lines, telecommunications lines, and/or the like) in the channel, and placing a capping material in the channel, thereby encapsulating the lines. In some cases, placing the one or more lines in the channel might include placing a conduit (containing the one or more lines) in the channel, and encapsulating the one or more lines might include encapsulating the conduit. The capping material might include polyurea, thermosetting material, and/or any other suitable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Erez N. Allouche, Bryan Cady, Michael L. Elford
  • Patent number: 9143196
    Abstract: Methods and systems of distributing a radio frequency (RF) signal to a wireless device. The methods and systems include providing a RF transmitter having an antenna output, coupling a first end of an existing in-building wire network to the antenna output and transmitting a RF signal from the RF transmitter into the in-building wire network such that the in-building wire network operates as a waveguide. The methods and systems further include transmitting the RF signal from a second end of the in-building wire network to free air and receiving the RF signal with one or more wireless devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford
  • Publication number: 20150230008
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing point-to-point fiber insertion within a passive optical network (“PON”) communications system. The PON communications system, associated with a first service provider or a first service, might include an F1 line(s) routed from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot, an F2 line(s) routed via various apical conduit components to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing customer premises, and an F3 line(s) distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 line(s), to a network interface device or optical network terminal at each customer premises via various apical conduit components (e.g., in roadway surfaces). Point-to-point fiber insertion of another F1 line(s), associated with a second service provider or a second service, at either the NAP or the FDH (or outside these devices).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 9062423
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for installing lines or cables, including, without limitation, power lines, low voltage lines, telecommunications lines or cables (e.g., telephone cables, network cables, television cables, etc.), and/or the like, and, in particular, installing optical fiber and/or other lines, slightly below ground level in a roadway or other ground surface. In some cases, a method might include creating a channel in the ground surface, placing one or more lines (e.g., power lines, low voltage lines, telecommunications lines, and/or the like) in the channel, and placing a capping material in the channel, thereby encapsulating the lines. In some cases, placing the one or more lines in the channel might include placing a conduit (containing the one or more lines) in the channel, and encapsulating the one or more lines might include encapsulating the conduit. The capping material might include polyurea, thermosetting material, and/or any other suitable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC, Louisiana Tech University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Erez N. Allouche, Bryan Cady, Michael L. Elford
  • Publication number: 20150110453
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing FTTx, which might include Fiber-to-the-Home (“FTTH”), Fiber-to-the-Building (“FTTB”), Fiber-to-the-Premises (“FTTP”), and/or the like. In some embodiments, a method might include routing an F1 line(s) from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot. From the FDH, an F2 line(s) might be routed, via any combination of apical conduit main slot(s), cross slot(s), far-side slot(s), missile bore(s), bore hole(s), and/or conduit(s) (collectively, “Apical Conduit Components”), to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing one or more customer premises. An F3 line(s) might be distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 line(s), to a network interface device (“NID”) or optical network terminal (“ONT”) at each customer premises, via any combination of the Apical Conduit Components, which include channels in at least portions of roadways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20150109753
    Abstract: An Omedia panel may be provided that includes an at least one network interface device, a housing, and a front panel. The at least one network interface device might be in communication with a service provider network. The housing may be integrated into a wall of a customer premises and positioned within a wall cavity of the wall. The housing might be configured to support the at least one network interface device. The front panel may be communicatively interfaced with the at least one network interface device such that a user can access one or more ports of the at least one network interface device via the front panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Joe Fife
  • Publication number: 20150070221
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing antenna structures to optimize transmission and reception of wireless signals from ground-based signal distribution devices, which include, but are not limited to, cabinets, pedestals, hand holes, and/or network access point platforms. Wireless applications with such devices and systems might include, without limitation, wireless signal transmission and reception in accordance with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af standards, UMTS, CDMA, LTE, PCS, AWS, EAS, BRS, and/or the like. In some embodiments, an antenna might be provided within a signal distribution device, which might include a container disposed in a ground surface. A top portion of the container might be substantially level with a top portion of the ground surface. The antenna might be communicatively coupled to at least one conduit, at least one optical fiber line, at least one conductive signal line, and/or at least one power line via an apical conduit system installed in a roadway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, John M. Heinz, Michael L. Elford
  • Publication number: 20150049756
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for delivering plain old telephone service (“POTS”) telephony over high speed data networks. In particular, various embodiments provide tools and techniques for concurrent transmission of POTS voice signals and data signals over the same wire(s) of high-speed data lines or data cables. Various systems and methods might, in some instances, utilize upbanding or rebanding of the POTS voice band to a higher frequency band above the data stream band spectrum for transport of voice concurrent with data over the same wire(s) in the cable. The system might comprise interface devices at either end of a cable segment, one interface device to reband the voice signal and to combine the voice signal with the data signal for each dual-transport wire in the cable, and another interface device at the other end to separate the voice signal from the data signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford
  • Publication number: 20150035704
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing antenna structures to optimize transmission and reception of wireless signals from ground-based signal distribution devices, which include, but are not limited to, pedestals, hand holes, and/or network access point platforms. Wireless applications with such devices and systems might include, without limitation, wireless signal transmission and reception in accordance with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af standards, UMTS, CDMA, LTE, PCS, AWS, EAS, BRS, and/or the like. In some embodiments, an antenna might be provided within a signal distribution device, which might include a container disposed in a ground surface. A top portion of the container might be substantially level with a top portion of the ground surface. The antenna might be communicatively coupled to one or more of at least one conduit, at least one optical fiber, at least one conductive signal line, or at least one power line via the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, John M. Heinz, Michael L. Elford
  • Patent number: 8855293
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a surge protection module that includes an overvoltage protection component and a ground pin configured on a bottom end of the surge protection module. The ground pin is in electrical communication with the overvoltage protection component. The surge protection module also includes a pair of outside plant tip and ring pins configured on the bottom end of the surge protection module. The pair of outside plant tip and ring pins in electrical communication with the overvoltage protection component. The surge protection module is configured to receive a wire wrap pair consisting of a central office tip wire and a central office pin wire. The central office tip wire and the central office pin wire are configured to be in electrical communication with the overvoltage protection component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Pete Kawamoto, Diana Unser, Warren Novak
  • Publication number: 20140270971
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for installing lines or cables, including, without limitation, power lines, low voltage lines, telecommunications lines or cables (e.g., telephone cables, network cables, television cables, etc.), and/or the like, and, in particular, installing optical fiber and/or other lines, slightly below ground level in a roadway or other ground surface. In some cases, a method might include creating a channel in the ground surface, placing one or more lines (e.g., power lines, low voltage lines, telecommunications lines, and/or the like) in the channel, and placing a capping material in the channel, thereby encapsulating the lines. In some cases, placing the one or more lines in the channel might include placing a conduit (containing the one or more lines) in the channel, and encapsulating the one or more lines might include encapsulating the conduit. The capping material might include polyurea, thermosetting material, and/or any other suitable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: Louisiana Tech University Research Foundation, a division of Louisiana Tech University Foundation, CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Erez N. Allouche, Bryan Cady, Michael L. Elford
  • Publication number: 20140134944
    Abstract: Methods and systems of distributing a radio frequency (RF) signal to a wireless device. The methods and systems include providing a RF transmitter having an antenna output, coupling a first end of an existing in-building wire network to the antenna output and transmitting a RF signal from the RF transmitter into the in-building wire network such that the in-building wire network operates as a waveguide. The methods and systems further include transmitting the RF signal from a second end of the in-building wire network to free air and receiving the RF signal with one or more wireless devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford