Patents by Inventor Ashley Pickering
Ashley Pickering 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: 9548914Abstract: The invention measures the rates of a whole population of existing lines together with a line characteristic, such as capacitance, that can be measured prior to provisioning. Using these measures, a rating we refer to as a “quality figure” is generated for each distribution point by looking at the rate of the lines running through that distribution point, and comparing those rates to the rates of other lines having the same line characteristic across the whole population of lines. Distribution points that have lines operating better (faster) than the average for their given line characteristic will have higher quality figures. To estimate the rate of a new line, the quality figure of the distribution point that the new line passes through is used in conjunction with the measured line characteristic as a look up on the whole population of lines.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS public limited companyInventors: David Michael Rohlfing, Philip Antony Everett, Ashley Pickering
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Patent number: 9497316Abstract: A method and corresponding device for determining a data connection profile for a data connection (15) between one of a plurality of end-user devices (14, 16, 18) and an aggregation transceiver device (24, 34), the data connection belonging to one of a plurality of predetermined categories, each category being associated with one of a plurality of service providing entities (62, 64, 66), the method comprising receiving performance data indicative of the performance of a data connection; receiving an entity identifier indicative of one of said plurality of service providing entities, and determining in dependence thereon the category to which the data connection belongs; and determining a data connection profile for the data connection in dependence on the performance data and on the category so-determined, the data connection profile specifying a set of values for one or more parameters associated with the data connection.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS public limited companyInventors: Christopher Marcus Croot, Ashley Pickering, Philipp Anthony Everett, Alan Edson Cooper, Ian Edwin Horsley
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Patent number: 9166871Abstract: A management device is used in an access network including a plurality of data connections between end user devices and an aggregation transceiver device where the connections are aggregated for onward connection through the access network. The access network stores a plurality of different profiles, each of which specifies a set of values for a plurality of parameters associated with each data connection. The device applies one of the stored profiles to each connection, and receives a notification in the event of one of a predetermined set of notifiable events occurring on the connection. It is determined if more than a predetermined number of notifications are received within a predetermined period for a respective connection and, in the event of such a determination being made, a different one of the profiles is caused to be applied to the connection.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: British Telecommunications PLCInventors: Ashley Pickering, Trevor Philip Linney, Christopher Marcus Croot, Philip Anthony Everett, Gary John Dalby
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Patent number: 9154638Abstract: A management device (100) for use in an access network (10, 19, 20, 30, 40, 100) including a plurality of data connections (18, 19, 20) between end user devices (10) and an aggregation transceiver device (20) where the connections (18, 19, 20) are aggregated for onward connection through the access network (20, 30, 40), the access network storing in association with each data connection a Dynamic Line Management, DLM, profile which specifies a set of values for a plurality of parameters associated with the respective data connection. The device includes initial profile selection means for, when a line is to be caused to operate in a rate adaptive mode, selecting an initial profile for the line from among the plurality of stored different profiles in dependence upon one or more measurements, or a parameter or parameters derived from one or more measurements, made in respect of the connection while operating in another mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANYInventors: Philip A Everett, Christopher M Croot, Trevor P Linney, Ashley Pickering
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Publication number: 20150063141Abstract: The invention measures the rates of a whole population of existing lines together with a line characteristic, such as capacitance, that can be measured prior to provisioning. Using these measures, a rating we refer to as a “quality figure” is generated for each distribution point by looking at the rate of the lines running through that distribution point, and comparing those rates to the rates of other lines having the same line characteristic across the whole population of lines. Distribution points that have lines operating better (faster) than the average for their given line characteristic will have higher quality figures. To estimate the rate of a new line, the quality figure of the distribution point that the new line passes through is used in conjunction with the measured line characteristic as a look up on the whole population of lines, which have also been given quality figures according to their line characteristic and line rate measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: David Michael Rohlfing, Philip Antony Everett, Ashley Pickering
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Patent number: 8958308Abstract: A method of operating an access network including a plurality of data connections (19) between end-user devices (12, 14, 16, 18) and an aggregation transceiver device (20) at which the connections (19) are aggregated for onward connection through the access network, the method comprising storing a plurality of different profiles, each profile specifying values for parameters associated with each connection (19); and, for each connection, obtaining connection data relating to a monitoring period, said monitoring period comprising a plurality of shorter periods, said connection data comprising, for each of said shorter periods, an indication of whether said connection has experienced instability during said shorter period, and an indication of user activity on said connection during said shorter period; monitoring the performance of the connection in dependence on said connection data; selecting one of said stored profiles to be applied to the connection in dependence on the results of said monitoring; and applType: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: British Telecommunications Public Limited CompanyInventors: John Wolsey Cook, Philip Anthony Everett, Christopher Marcus Croot, Ashley Pickering
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Publication number: 20150003596Abstract: A method and corresponding device for determining a data connection profile for a data connection (15) between one of a plurality of end-user devices (14, 16, 18) and an aggregation transceiver device (24, 34), the data connection belonging to one of a plurality of predetermined categories, each category being associated with one of a plurality of service providing entities (62, 64, 66), the method comprising receiving performance data indicative of the performance of a data connection; receiving an entity identifier indicative of one of said plurality of service providing entities, and determining in dependence thereon the category to which the data connection belongs; and determining a data connection profile for the data connection in dependence on the performance data and on the category so-determined, the data connection profile specifying a set of values for one or more parameters associated with the data connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Christopher Marcus Croot, Ashley Pickering, Philipp Anthony Everett, Alan Edson Cooper, Ian Edwin Horsley
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Patent number: 8918498Abstract: A management device (100) for use in an access network (10, 19, 20, 30, 40, 100) including a plurality of data connections (18, 19, 20) between end user devices (10) and an aggregation transceiver device (20) where the connections (18, 19, 20) are aggregated for onward connection through the access network (20, 30,40), the access network storing in association with each data connection a Dynamic Line Management, DLM, profile which specifies a set of values for a plurality of parameters associated with the respective data connection, together with a stability level specifying a desired level of stability for the data connection.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited companyInventors: Philip A Everett, Christopher M Croot, Trevor P Linney, Ashley Pickering
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Patent number: 8819221Abstract: A management device for use in an access network including a plurality of data connections between end user devices and an aggregation transceiver device where the connections are aggregated for onward connection through the access network, the access network storing in association with each data connection a Dynamic Line Management, DLM, profile which specifies a set of values for a plurality of parameters associated with the respective data connection, together with a stability level specifying a desired level of stability for the data connection. The device includes means for receiving monitoring data specifying the stability of each respective data connection over a predetermined period of time; means for selecting a DLM profile to be applied to the connection in dependence on both the monitoring data and the stored stability level associated with the data connection; and means for requesting an OSS system of the access network to apply the selected profile to the data connection.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: British Telecommunications Public Limited CompanyInventors: Christopher Marcus Croot, Trevor Philip Linney, Ashley Pickering, Philip Antony Everett
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Patent number: 8811571Abstract: A telecommunications access network includes a plurality of telecommunications lines (1), a plurality of aggregation devices (51-54), a plurality of data collector modules (71-73) and a line provisioning and de-provisioning system (90), wherein each line is connected between customer premises equipment (11-13,21-23,31-33,41-43) and a line aggregation device (51-54). The access network is operable to provide data connections through at least a first sub-set of the lines (1) to a core network whereby network services may be provided over the network to the customer premises equipment. The access network further includes a management module (80) for managing at least a second sub-set of the lines (1) within the access network, the management module (80) being operable to receive aggregated data from a plurality of data collector modules, each data collector module (71-73) being operable to receive data from a plurality of the line aggregation devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited companyInventors: Christopher M. Croot, Ashley Pickering, Philip A. Everett, Trevor Linney
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Patent number: 8792361Abstract: A Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) for operation within an access network includes a plurality of digital subscriber line modems for terminating a plurality of corresponding digital subscriber lines and aggregating them for onward connection through the access network. The DSLAM is operable, each time a data connection is established or re-established over one of the digital subscriber lines, to generate line data about the data connection at the DSLAM, to store the line data, to wait a predetermined period of time, to determine if the data connection is still operating successfully since the establishment of the connection without having suffered loss of connection during the predetermined period and then to transmit the line data to a management device which performs dynamic line management based on the data.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: British Telecommunications Public Limited CompanyInventors: Christopher Marcus Croot, Ashley Pickering, Trevor Philip Linney, Philip Antony Everett, John Wolsey Cook
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Patent number: 8582460Abstract: In a method and system for operating an ADSL access network which has a plurality of data connections (19) between the access network and end user devices (10), and in which the access network controls the rate at which data is transferred between the user devices and an onward connection (50), the access network stores a plurality of capped profiles each of which specifies a respective upper data rate to which the connection is limited and which is below the maximum achievable rate for the connection.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: British Telecommunications PLCInventors: Christopher M Croot, Trevor P Linney, Philip A Everett, John W Cook, Ashley Pickering
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Publication number: 20130201836Abstract: A method of operating an access network including a plurality of data connections (19) between end-user devices (12, 14, 16, 18) and an aggregation transceiver device (20) at which the connections (19) are aggregated for onward connection through the access network, the method comprising storing a plurality of different profiles, each profile specifying values for parameters associated with each connection (19); and, for each connection, obtaining connection data relating to a monitoring period, said monitoring period comprising a plurality of shorter periods, said connection data comprising, for each of said shorter periods, an indication of whether said connection has experienced instability during said shorter period, and an indication of user activity on said connection during said shorter period; monitoring the performance of the connection in dependence on said connection data; selecting one of said stored profiles to be applied to the connection in dependence on the results of said monitoring; and applType: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANYInventors: John Wolsey Cook, Philip Anthony Everett, Christopher Marcus Croot, Ashley Pickering
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Patent number: 8462648Abstract: A management device is used in an access network including a plurality of data connections between end user devices and an aggregation transceiver device where the connections are aggregated for onward connection through the access network. The access network stores a plurality of different profiles, each of which specifies a set of values for a plurality of parameters associated with each data connection. The device applies one of the stored profiles to each connection, and receives a notification in the event of one of a predetermined set of notifiable events occurring on the connection. It is determined if more than a predetermined number of notifications are received within a predetermined period for a respective connection and, in the event of such a determination being made, a different one of the profiles is caused to be applied to the connection.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: British Telecommunications PLCInventors: Ashley Pickering, Trevor P Linney, Christopher M Croot, Philip A Everett, Gary J Dalby
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Patent number: 8406135Abstract: A Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) is modified to monitor when a line synchronizes (i.e. sets up a DSL connection) and to automatically generate a notification to be sent to a management device of the access network if the rate has changed from the last time the line synchronized.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: British Telecommunications Public Limited CompanyInventors: Ashley Pickering, Philip Everett, Norwin Simms, Gary Dalby, Trevor Linney
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Publication number: 20130028392Abstract: A telecommunications access network includes a plurality of telecommunications lines (1), a plurality of aggregation devices (51-54), a plurality of data collector modules (71-73) and a line provisioning and de-provisioning system (90), wherein each line is connected between customer premises equipment (11-13,21-23,31-33,41-43) and a line aggregation device (51-54). The access network is operable to provide data connections through at least a first sub-set of the lines (1) to a core network whereby network services may be provided over the network to the customer premises equipment. The access network further includes a management module (80) for managing at least a second sub-set of the lines (1) within the access network, the management module (80) being operable to receive aggregated data from a plurality of data collector modules, each data collector module (71-73) being operable to receive data from a plurality of the line aggregation devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANYInventors: Christopher M. Croot, Ashley Pickering, Philip A. Everett, Trevor Linney
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Patent number: 8300528Abstract: Providing an interface device interfacing between an access network and a back-bone network comprises: providing a management device, receiving data readings from a transceiver device indicative of the current or recent line rate of a DSL connection of the access network, and providing the interface device to restrict data flowing to the DSL connection to a new maximum rate selected in accordance with the received data readings from the transceiver device indicative of the current or recent line rate of the DSL connection. When the new maximum rate is greater than the existing maximum rate for the DSL connection at which the interface device is currently provided, the interface device is provisioned (or re-provisioned) only after a delay period. The delay period depends upon the increase amount of in the new maximum rate compared to the existing maximum rate so that the greater the increase, the shorter the delay period.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited companyInventors: Philip Everett, Trevor Linney, Gary Dalby, Christopher M. Croot, Ashley Pickering
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Publication number: 20120099424Abstract: A Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) for operation within an access network includes a plurality of digital subscriber line modems for terminating a plurality of corresponding digital subscriber lines and aggregating them for onward connection through the access network. The DSLAM is operable, each time a data connection is established or re-established over one of the digital subscriber lines, to generate line data about the data connection at the DSLAM, to store the line data, to wait a predetermined period of time, to determine if the data connection is still operating successfully since the establishment of the connection without having suffered loss of connection during the predetermined period and then to transmit the line data to a management device 100 which performs dynamic line management based on the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANYInventors: Christopher Marcus Croot, Ashley Pickering, Trevor Philip Linney, Philip Antony Everett, John Wolsey Cook
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Patent number: 8144580Abstract: A management device for automatically provisioning a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) for use in connecting Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to an Internet Protocol (IP) network via a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) and the BRAS, the management device comprising: a first interface for receiving from time to time data readings from the DSLAM indicative of the current or recent line rate of the DSL; a processor unit for calculating from the received data readings a consistent rate indicative of a consistent line rate of the DSL based on a plurality of data readings for the DSL from the DSLAM; and a second interface for transmitting provisioning messages to the BRAS for provisioning the BRAS to restrict data flowing to the DSL to a maximum rate selected by the management device in accordance with the calculated consistent rate.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: British Telecommunications Public Limited CompanyInventors: Ashley Pickering, Philip Everett, Norwin Simms, Gary Dalby, Trevor Linney
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Publication number: 20110191472Abstract: A management device for use in an access network including a plurality of data connections between end user devices and an aggregation transceiver device where the connections are aggregated for onward connection through the access network, the access network storing in association with each data connection a Dynamic Line Management, DLM, profile which specifies a set of values for a plurality of parameters associated with the respective data connection, together with a stability level specifying a desired level of stability for the data connection. The device includes means for receiving monitoring data specifying the stability of each respective data connection over a predetermined period of time; means for selecting a DLM profile to be applied to the connection in dependence on both the monitoring data and the stored stability level associated with the data connection; and means for requesting an OSS system of the access network to apply the selected profile to the data connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANYInventors: Christopher Marcus Croot, Trevor Philip Linney, Ashley Pickering, Philip Antony Everett