Patents by Inventor Phillip F. Chang
Phillip F. Chang 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).
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Patent number: 10187397Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to determine whether a non-linear signal impairment is present in a network communication channel. For instance, a computing device may transmit equalization coefficients to a user device to modify future signals generated by the user device. If the equalization coefficients are unable to reduce a signal impairment, the signal impairment may be a non-linear signal impairment. The computing device may generate symbol placements based on signals received from the user device and transmit status messages.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Publication number: 20180198798Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to determine whether a non-linear signal impairment is present in a network communication channel. For instance, a computing device may transmit equalization coefficients to a user device to modify future signals generated by the user device. If the equalization coefficients are unable to reduce a signal impairment, the signal impairment may be a non-linear signal impairment. The computing device may generate symbol placements based on signals received from the user device and transmit status messages.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2017Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Patent number: 9602518Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to generate a symbol placement associated with a transmission scheme by transforming a retrieved set of equalization coefficients. Symbols included in the symbol placement may be analyzed and quantified in terms of their distance from a decision boundary. Symbols may be synthesized on an iterative basis in order to obtain visibility into the underlying performance of the transmission scheme over time. If equalization is unable to reduce a signal impairment below a threshold value within a predetermined amount of time, then a determination may be made that a non-linear distortion source is present in a network or communication system. Signals received from a plurality of user terminals may be compared with one another in order to determine a probable location or cause of the non-linear distortion.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Patent number: 9537680Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which a network induces different distortions in signals traversing different segments of the network. The distortions may be used to identify locations on the network of devices that transmit and receive the signals. The distortions may be reflected in equalization coefficients programmed into transmitting or receiving devices, which may be used to pre or post filter the signals to compensate for the distortions.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang, Bryan Scott Johnston
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Patent number: 9438605Abstract: An analyzer can obtain data regarding signal characteristics in each of multiple communication channels within an access network. The analyzer can use that data to create signatures corresponding to each of the multiple channels. Based on similarities between signatures, the analyzer may then identify clusters of signatures associated with devices that share channels or portions of channels.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Patent number: 9386025Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to generate a symbol placement associated with a transmission scheme by transforming a retrieved set of equalization coefficients. Symbols included in the symbol placement may be analyzed and quantified in terms of their distance from a decision boundary. Symbols may be synthesized on an iterative basis in order to obtain visibility into the underlying performance of the transmission scheme over time. If equalization is unable to reduce a signal impairment below a threshold value within a predetermined amount of time, then a determination may be made that a non-linear distortion source is present in a network or communication system. Signals received from a plurality of user terminals may be compared with one another in order to determine a probable location or cause of the non-linear distortion.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Publication number: 20150256430Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which a network induces different distortions in signals traversing different segments of the network. The distortions may be used to identify locations on the network of devices that transmit and receive the signals. The distortions may be reflected in equalization coefficients programmed into transmitting or receiving devices, which may be used to pre or post filter the signals to compensate for the distortions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang, Bryan Scott Johnston
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Patent number: 8971394Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which a network induces different distortions in signals traversing different segments of the network. The distortions may be used to identify locations on the network of devices that transmit and receive the signals. The distortions may be reflected in equalization coefficients programmed into transmitting or receiving devices, which may be used to pre or post filter the signals to compensate for the distortions.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang, Bryan Scott Johnston
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Publication number: 20150046982Abstract: An analyzer can obtain data regarding signal characteristics in each of multiple communication channels within an access network. The analyzer can use that data to create signatures corresponding to each of the multiple channels. Based on similarities between signatures, the analyzer may then identify clusters of signatures associated with devices that share channels or portions of channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Patent number: 8856535Abstract: An analyzer can obtain data regarding signal characteristics in each of multiple communication channels within an access network. The analyzer can use that data to create signatures corresponding to each of the multiple channels. Based on similarities between signatures, the analyzer may then identify clusters of signatures associated with devices that share channels or portions of channels.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Publication number: 20140241409Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to generate a symbol placement associated with a transmission scheme by transforming a retrieved set of equalization coefficients. Symbols included in the symbol placement may be analyzed and quantified in terms of their distance from a decision boundary. Symbols may be synthesized on an iterative basis in order to obtain visibility into the underlying performance of the transmission scheme over time. If equalization is unable to reduce a signal impairment below a threshold value within a predetermined amount of time, then a determination may be made that a non-linear distortion source is present in a network or communication system. Signals received from a plurality of user terminals may be compared with one another in order to determine a probable location or cause of the non-linear distortion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Patent number: 8693530Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to generate a symbol placement associated with a transmission scheme by transforming a retrieved set of equalization coefficients. Symbols included in the symbol placement may be analyzed and quantified in terms of their distance from a decision boundary. Symbols may be synthesized on an iterative basis in order to obtain visibility into the underlying performance of the transmission scheme over time. If equalization is unable to reduce a signal impairment below a threshold value within a predetermined amount of time, then a determination may be made that a non-linear distortion source is present in a network or communication system. Signals received from a plurality of user terminals may be compared with one another in order to determine a probable location or cause of the non-linear distortion.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Patent number: 8416697Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are provided for determining a location of an error source. Equalization coefficients may be retrieved and an average period of time between localized peak amplitudes may be determined. The average period of time may be multiplied by a velocity of propagation associated with a communication channel to determine an approximate location of the error source. The equalization coefficients may correspond to the inverse of the frequency response associated with the communication channel and may be updated over time using replacement or combination (e.g., convolution) techniques.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Publication number: 20110243214Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which a network induces different distortions in signals traversing different segments of the network. The distortions may be used to identify locations on the network of devices that transmit and receive the signals. The distortions may be reflected in equalization coefficients programmed into transmitting or receiving devices, which may be used to pre or post filter the signals to compensate for the distortions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang, Bryan Scott Johnston
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Publication number: 20110197071Abstract: An analyzer can obtain data regarding signal characteristics in each of multiple communication channels within an access network. The analyzer can use that data to create signatures corresponding to each of the multiple channels. Based on similarities between signatures, the analyzer may then identify clusters of signatures associated with devices that share channels or portions of channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Publication number: 20110194597Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to generate a symbol placement associated with a transmission scheme by transforming a retrieved set of equalization coefficients. Symbols included in the symbol placement may be analyzed and quantified in terms of their distance from a decision boundary. Symbols may be synthesized on an iterative basis in order to obtain visibility into the underlying performance of the transmission scheme over time. If equalization is unable to reduce a signal impairment below a threshold value within a predetermined amount of time, then a determination may be made that a non-linear distortion source is present in a network or communication system. Signals received from a plurality of user terminals may be compared with one another in order to determine a probable location or cause of the non-linear distortion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Publication number: 20110194418Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are provided for determining a location of an error source. Equalization coefficients may be retrieved and an average period of time between localized peak amplitudes may be determined. The average period of time may be multiplied by a velocity of propagation associated with a communication channel to determine an approximate location of the error source. The equalization coefficients may correspond to the inverse of the frequency response associated with the communication channel and may be updated over time using replacement or combination (e.g., convolution) techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang