Patents by Inventor Charles D. Combs

Charles D. Combs 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).

  • Publication number: 20130188954
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for RFoG CPE devices with wavelength collision avoidance using local and/or remote tunability. A method includes tuning each of a plurality of optical transmitters to a plurality of non-overlapping frequency bands to avoid wavelength collisions in an upstream portion of a multipoint-to-point RFoG network where multiple optical transmitters from different RFoG CPE units transmit at the same time to a single shared optical receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph P. Lanza, Charles D. Combs
  • Patent number: 7831147
    Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
  • Patent number: 7783196
    Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
  • Publication number: 20090067841
    Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
  • Patent number: 7450850
    Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
  • Patent number: 7283749
    Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
  • Patent number: 7190903
    Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
  • Patent number: 7068937
    Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
  • Patent number: 6751417
    Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
  • Patent number: 6304444
    Abstract: An underground equipment vault for power and electronic equipment includes an airflow system in combination with an above ground forced air source. The airflow courses through separate first and second chambers including a first chamber for power supplies and a second chamber for energy storage equipment. This airflow, sequentially traversing both chambers, dissipates heat from the equipment and further dispels hydrogen gases from the batteries to the outside air. An airflow system, utilizing fans, provides positive pressure to force the desired airflow through the chambers. The vault is closed with a dual lid structure to supply supporting strength and also supply a secure seal for closing the vault. The dual construction provides an insulating space for further insulating the vault from ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Larry Ernest Cox, George L. Hanlon