Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Willis, III

Thomas M. Willis, III 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: 10931330
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a reference signal, a control channel and a first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency, the first modulated signal including first communications data provided by a base station and directed to a mobile communication device. The instructions in the control channel direct the network element of the distributed antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in a first spectral segment. The reference signal is received at an in-band frequency relative to the control channel. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10924942
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for generating electromagnetic signals that resonate in a cavity having a plurality of reflectors resulting in resonating electromagnetic signals and combining the resonating electromagnetic signals to form an electromagnetic wave that traverses a reflector and couples onto a physical transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Giovanni Vannucci, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar
  • Patent number: 10924158
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a target position of a particular physical location, accessing an image system that provides a number of images based on physical locations including the particular physical location, and obtaining a target image from the image system based on the particular physical location. The target image includes imaged features based on physical features of the particular physical location. Image processing is applied to the target image, and a particular physical feature is identified as a candidate deployment site based on the applying of the image processing, wherein the candidate deployment site is configured to accommodate equipment of a distributed communication network that facilitates transmission of electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Pamela A. M. Bogdan, George Blandino, Ken Liu, Leon Lubranski, Eric Myburgh, Tracy Van Brakle, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 10916969
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining power, by a communication device, from a current passing through a transmission medium via an inductive coupling between the communication device and the transmission medium where the communication device is physically connected with the transmission medium and providing communications, by the communication device, by electromagnetic waves that propagate without utilizing an electrical return path, wherein the electromagnetic waves are guided by one of the transmission medium or a dielectric core of a cable coupled to a feed point of a dielectric antenna. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David M. Britz, Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III, Donald J. Barnickel, Pamela A. M. Bogdan, Brandon Pimm, Ken Liu, Dorothy Zarsky, James Gordon Beattie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10916863
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna system that includes a selector and a dielectric antenna array. The selector is coupled to a number of dielectric cores and selectively launches electromagnetic waves on a selected dielectric core of the dielectric cores. The selected dielectric core corresponds to one of the dielectric cores, and the electromagnetic waves propagate along the selected dielectric core without requiring an electrical return path. The dielectric antenna array is coupled to the dielectric cores and includes a number of dielectric antennas, wherein a dielectric antenna of the dielectric antennas transmits, in response to the electromagnetic waves received from the selected dielectric core, a controllable beam. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, William Scott Taylor, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10914904
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving first optical power signals via an optical fiber connected with a light source of a network device, converting the first optical power signals to electrical energy utilizing an optical power converter where the electrical energy is utilized as power by the system, and transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey data. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Irwin Gerszberg, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 10886629
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include a planar antenna configured to transmit first signals as a first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the planar antenna includes an array of patch antennas that generates first near field signals in response to the first signals, and wherein a portion of the first near field signals combines to induce the first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to the surface of the transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10887891
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a transmission device includes a receiver configured to receive an interfering signal via an antenna. A controller is configured to generate interference data based on the interfering signal. A communications interface is configured to send the interference data to a network element of a network and further configured to receive an allocation of a plurality of guided electromagnetic wave resource blocks. A transmitter is configured to generate electromagnetic signals conveying data, in accordance with the allocation of the plurality of guided electromagnetic wave resource blocks. A coupler configured to generate guided electromagnetic waves in response to the electromagnetic signals, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves propagate, without requiring an electrical return path, along a surface of a transmission medium of a distributed antenna system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Willis, III, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 10886972
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for determining from one or more conditions a range of energy that can be obtained from a transmission medium to power the first waveguide system, selecting according to the range of energy a group of components of a plurality of selectable components of the first waveguide system, and enabling the group of components and powering down a remainder of the plurality of selectable components, wherein the group of components facilitates an exchange of electromagnetic waves between the first waveguide system and a second waveguide system via the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 10840602
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes an antenna having a feed point and an aperture. A feedline is coupled to the feed point of the dielectric antenna. A multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transceiver is coupled to feedline, the MIMO transceiver facilitating a transmission of first electromagnetic waves to the feed point of the antenna, wherein the first electromagnetic waves are guided by the feedline, wherein the first electromagnetic waves propagate along the feedline via a plurality of guided wave modes without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the first electromagnetic waves convey first data in accordance with one or more MIMO techniques and wherein the first electromagnetic waves generate first free-space wireless signals at the aperture of the antenna in accordance with the one or more MIMO techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10834607
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, wirelessly receiving test signals when an unmanned aircraft is at different positions in proximity to a transmission medium where the first group of test signals is transmitted from different locations, determining RF parameters associated with each of the test signals, and generating placement information indicative of a target location for a communication device to be positioned, where the placement information is generated based on the RF parameters. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III, Dorothy Zarsky, Ken Liu, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Pamela A. M. Bogdan, Brandon Pimm, David M. Britz, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, James Gordon Beattie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10833729
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a medium voltage power line, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the medium voltage power line. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are mounted on the medium voltage power line. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the medium voltage power line, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the medium voltage power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Patent number: 10827492
    Abstract: A distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment. Rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable, embodiments described herein disclose using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure. Above ground backhaul connections via power lines and line-of-sight millimeter-wave band signals as well as underground backhaul connections via buried electrical conduits can provide connectivity to the distributed base stations. An overhead millimeter-wave system can also be used to provide backhaul connectivity. Modules can be placed onto existing infrastructure, such as streetlights and utility poles, and the modules can contain base stations and antennas to transmit the millimeter-waves to and from other modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, George Blandino, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10826562
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a coaxial cable of a broadband cable network, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the coaxial cable. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, and a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are also mounted on the coaxial cable. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the coaxial cable, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Patent number: 10827365
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes a dual-band antenna array configured to transmit first radio frequency (RF) signals to a remote device in an RF band and to transmit first millimeter wave (MMW) signals to the remote device in a MMW frequency band, wherein the MMW frequency band is above the RF band. A base transceiver station is configured to generate a consolidated steering matrix in accordance with the transmission of the first RF signals to the remote device in the RF band. A remote radio head is configured to convert the consolidated steering matrix to a converted steering matrix that facilitates the transmission of the first MMW signals to the remote device in the MMW frequency band via the dual-band antenna array in accordance with an antenna beam pattern having at least one selected null direction, and further configured to generate the first MMW signals in accordance with the converted steering matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10826548
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a MIMO transceiver generates first electromagnetic signals convey first data in accordance with one or more MIMO techniques. The MIMO transceiver generates, responsive to the first electromagnetic signals, first electromagnetic waves on a plurality of transmission lines, wherein the first electromagnetic waves are guided by a plurality of surfaces of the plurality of transmission lines, wherein the first electromagnetic waves propagate along the plurality of transmission lines without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the first electromagnetic waves convey the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10818991
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that performs operations including detecting a signal degradation of guided electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium without utilizing an electrical return path, the guided electromagnetic waves having a non-optical frequency range, and adjusting an alignment of at least a portion of fields of the guided electromagnetic waves to mitigate the signal degradation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10819034
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, detecting a communication device in transit, determining a trajectory of the communication device, selecting a section from a plurality of sections of an omnidirectional array of dielectric antennas according to the trajectory of the communication device, where the section corresponds to a set of one or more dielectric antennas from the omnidirectional array of dielectric antennas coupled to a set of launchers, and directing the set of launchers to launch electromagnetic waves directed to the set of one or more dielectric antennas to generate a beam pattern directed to the communication device while in transit. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Shikik Johnson, David M. Britz, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10820329
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, generating electromagnetic waves that convey data, receiving a wireless signal generated by a communication device, determining that the wireless signal is transmitted during a first resource block used for transport of the electromagnetic waves that convey the data, detecting an interference condition caused by the wireless signal, and adjusting the electromagnetic waves to generate adjusted electromagnetic waves that convey the data in a second resource block that does not overlap with the first resource block. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Patent number: 10819542
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving a communication signal, and generating an electromagnetic wave that propagates along an outer surface of a dielectric layer environmentally formed on a cable. The dielectric layer can be a liquid disposed on an outer surface of the cable that enables the electromagnetic wave to propagate along the dielectric layer of the cable without an electrical return path, and conveys the communication signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel