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).

  • Method and apparatus including an antenna comprising a lens and a body coupled to a feedline having a structure that reduces reflections of electromagnetic waves
    Patent number: 10790593
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, antenna structure that includes a dielectric antenna having a dielectric lens and a dielectric body, and a feedline coupled to the dielectric antenna, wherein an endpoint of the feedline is configured to reduce a reflection of an electromagnetic wave transmission, wherein electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave transmission are guided along the feedline without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate through the dielectric body to the dielectric lens to generate wireless signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Aldo Adriazola, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Brandon Pimm, Mitchell Harvey Fuchs, Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Method and apparatus for mitigating interference in a waveguide communication system
    Patent number: 10790569
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving, by a waveguide system, a communication signal that conveys data; transmitting, via a coupler of the waveguide system, electromagnetic waves, where the electromagnetic waves propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and where the electromagnetic waves convey the data; and mitigating, by the waveguide system, interference to the electromagnetic waves associated with residual electromagnetic waves propagating along the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Methods and apparatus for coupling and decoupling portions of a magnetic core
    Patent number: 10784721
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, regulating an alternating magnetic flux in a magnetic core having a first portion separable from a second portion of the magnetic core. The regulation of the alternating magnetic flux causes a coupling force between the first portion of the magnetic core and the second portion of the magnetic core. Responsive to detecting a signal, modifying the regulation of the alternating magnetic flux to reduce the coupling force between the first portion of the magnetic core and the second portion of the magnetic core. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Farhad Barzegar, Harold Rappaport, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Waveguide system and method for coupling electromagnetic waves from a coupling device to a transmission medium and an antenna coupled thereto
    Patent number: 10784555
    Abstract: A dielectric waveguide coupling system for launching and extracting guided wave communication transmissions from a wire. At millimeter-wave frequencies, wherein the wavelength is small compared to the macroscopic size of the equipment, transmissions can propagate as guided waves guided by a strip of dielectric material. Unlike conventional waveguides, the electromagnetic field associated with the dielectric waveguide is primarily outside of the waveguide. When this dielectric waveguide strip is brought into close proximity to a wire, the guided waves decouple from the dielectric waveguide and couple to the wire, and continue to propagate as guided waves about the surface of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Antenna support for aligning an antenna
    Patent number: 10784670
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna support includes a stabilizer configured to align an antenna on a projection of a longitudinal tangent of a transmission line along a horizontal plane. A holder is configured to secure the stabilizer to the transmission line. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Apparatus and a method for coupling an electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium, where portions of the electromagnetic wave are inside the coupler and outside the coupler
    Patent number: 10784556
    Abstract: A dielectric waveguide coupling system for launching and extracting guided wave communication transmissions from a wire. At millimeter-wave frequencies, wherein the wavelength is small compared to the macroscopic size of the equipment, transmissions can propagate as guided waves guided by a strip of dielectric material. Unlike conventional waveguides, the electromagnetic field associated with the dielectric waveguide is primarily outside of the waveguide. When this dielectric waveguide strip is brought into close proximity to a wire, the guided waves decouple from the dielectric waveguide and couple to the wire, and continue to propagate as guided waves about the surface of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Transmission medium and method of communication comprising a cable with a core, a cladding, and at least one metallic conductive layers
    Patent number: 10784554
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium for propagating electromagnetic waves. The transmission medium can include a core for propagating electromagnetic waves guided by the core without an electrical return path, a rigid material surrounding the core, wherein an inner surface of the rigid material is separated from an outer surface of the core, and a conductive layer disposed on the rigid material. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Methods and apparatus for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves
    Patent number: 10778286
    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: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar
  • Method and apparatus for mounting network devices
    Patent number: 10777873
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system with a mounting carriage connectable with a cylindrical member, where the mounting carriage includes an opening for receiving an antenna mount of an antenna. The mounting carriage when in an unlocked state slides along the cylindrical member and rotates about the cylindrical member. The mounting carriage when in a locked state does not slide along the cylindrical member and does not rotate about the cylindrical member. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David M. Britz, Donald J. Barnickel, Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett
  • Waveguide systems and methods for inducing a non-fundamental wave mode on a transmission medium
    Patent number: 10770800
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for generating first electromagnetic waves and directing instances of the first electromagnetic waves to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of second electromagnetic waves substantially having a non-fundamental wave mode. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 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, Ed Guntin
  • Dual mode antenna systems and methods for use therewith
    Patent number: 10763916
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include an antenna having a feedline configured to receive a first signal and a second signal. A dielectric antenna body is configured to transmit the first signal as a first free space wireless signal and further configured to transmit the second signal 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. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III, Aldo Adriazola, David M. Britz, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Transmission device with mode division multiplexing and methods for use therewith
    Patent number: 10756842
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes at least one transceiver configured to modulate data to generate a plurality of first electromagnetic waves. A plurality of couplers are configured to couple at least a portion of the plurality of first electromagnetic waves to a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of couplers generate a plurality of mode division multiplexed second electromagnetic waves that propagate along the outer surface of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Client node device with frequency conversion and methods for use therewith
    Patent number: 10756805
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a repeater device having a first coupler to extract downstream channel signals from first guided electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium of a guided wave communication system. An amplifier amplifies the downstream channel signals to generate amplified downstream channel signals. A channel selection filter selects one or more of the amplified downstream channel signals to wirelessly transmit to the at least one client device via an antenna. A second coupler guides the amplified downstream channel signals to the transmission medium of the guided wave communication system to propagate as second guided electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Methods and apparatus for measuring a signal to switch between modes of transmission
    Patent number: 10756806
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium, responsive to a signal quality of the electromagnetic waves satisfying a threshold: generating updated electromagnetic waves by conditioning the electromagnetic waves without modifying digital signals conveyed by the electromagnetic waves and inducing propagation of the updated electromagnetic waves along the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    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
  • Surface wave repeater with pilot signal and methods for use therewith
    Patent number: 10749569
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a surface wave repeater includes a transceiver that generates a pilot signal that identifies the surface wave repeater. The transceiver adds the pilot signal to a microwave signal to create a combined signal. The transceiver couples the combined signal to a launcher to facilitate transmission of guided electromagnetic waves conveying data along with the pilot signal on a segment of a transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 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
  • Method and apparatus for coupling an antenna to a device
    Patent number: 10741923
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a dielectric core coupled to the feed point without an electrical return path, where at least a portion of the dielectric antenna comprises a conductive surface, directing, by the feed point, the electromagnetic waves to a proximal portion of the dielectric antenna, and radiating, via an aperture of the dielectric antenna, a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves being received at the aperture. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Method and apparatus for coupling an antenna to a device
    Patent number: 10742243
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a dielectric core coupled to the feed point without an electrical return path, where at least a portion of the dielectric antenna comprises a conductive surface, directing, by the feed point, the electromagnetic waves to a proximal portion of the dielectric antenna, and radiating, via an aperture of the dielectric antenna, a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves being received at the aperture. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Method and apparatus for directing wireless signals
    Patent number: 10743196
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving a request to steer wireless signals generated by a plurality of dielectric antennas, and adjusting, by the controller, a plurality of adjustable delays coupled to a transceiver to adjust an orientation of wireless signals received or generated by the plurality of dielectric antennas, each of the plurality of dielectric antennas comprising a feed point coupled to a different one of the plurality of adjustable delays, the transceiver facilitating reception or transmission of electromagnetic waves propagating via a different one of the feed points of the plurality of dielectric antennas along corresponding dielectric feedlines without an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Henry Kafka, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Method and apparatus for steering radiation on an outer surface of a structure
    Patent number: 10727583
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that includes a coupler having a structure that facilitates guiding electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and a device coupled to an outer surface of the structure, wherein the device facilitates steering a wireless signal generated by a flow of an electrical current on the outer surface of the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Method and apparatus for reducing flow of currents on an outer surface of a structure
    Patent number: 10727898
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that can include a coupler that facilitates propagation of electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and a suppressor coupled to an inner surface of the structure that facilitates at least a reduction in a flow of an electrical current from the inner surface of the structure to an outer surface of the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III