Patents by Inventor Charles W. T. Nicholls

Charles W. T. Nicholls 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: 8674778
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting oscillator frequency drift due to crystal aging. Correction signals that reflect a difference between an oscillator timing signal and a reference timing signal over a reference timing signal interval are modeled so that auxiliary correction signals can be generated in the event of loss of the reference timing signal. A temperature curve is generated to model how temperature variation impacts oscillator frequency drift. A rate of frequency drift due to crystal aging is also determined. During loss of a reference timing signal, auxiliary correction signals can be generated to maintain the oscillator at a desired frequency until the reference timing signal becomes available again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Philippe Wu
  • Patent number: 8655301
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an electronically adjustable signal filter system, which comprises, in some embodiments, a first filter coupled to an antenna coupling network and a second filter, a power amplifier coupled to the first filter, an antenna connected to an antenna coupling network, a pilot tone generator coupled to the first filter, and a first signal source connected to the power amplifier and first filter. In some embodiments, the power amplifier amplifies the first signal, the first filter places a notch into the first signal transmitted to the antenna coupling network, the antenna coupling network combines the first signal and a second signal received from the antenna and transmits a third signal to the second filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Alain Roussel, Charles W. T. Nicholls
  • Publication number: 20140029604
    Abstract: A first node in a network receives a timing packet containing time information, where the timing packet is originated by a time server. The first node then updates the time information in the timing packet to reflect a delay associated with communicating the timing packet over a network link. The first node then updates the time information in the timing packet to reflect the delay associated transfer of the timing packet through the node. The first node sends the timing packet with the updated time information to a second node to enable the second node to use the updated time information for synchronization of the second node. The process repeats across an arbitrary number of nodes to enable time alignment between the first node and final destination node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventors: Charles W.T. Nicholls, Michel Ouellette
  • Publication number: 20130295860
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an electronically adjustable signal filter system, which comprises, in some embodiments, a first filter coupled to an antenna coupling network and a second filter, a power amplifier coupled to the first filter, an antenna connected to an antenna coupling network, a pilot tone generator coupled to the first filter, and a first signal source connected to the power amplifier and first filter. In some embodiments, the power amplifier amplifies the first signal, the first filter places a notch into the first signal transmitted to the antenna coupling network, the antenna coupling network combines the first signal and a second signal received from the antenna and transmits a third signal to the second filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Alain Roussel, Charles W.T. Nicholls
  • Patent number: 8571543
    Abstract: A method and system for maintaining a basestation system is provided. The basestation includes a basestation module. The system includes a translating system for translating at least a portion of the basestation module between a first position and a second position. The system includes a connection module for detachably connecting to the portion of the basestation module when the portion of the basestation circuitry is at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Scott Widdowson
  • Patent number: 8559412
    Abstract: A first node in a network receives a timing packet containing time information, where the timing packet is originated by a time server. The first node then updates the time information in the timing packet to reflect a delay associated with communicating the timing packet over a network link. The first node then updates the time information in the timing packet to reflect the delay associated transfer of the timing packet through the node. The first node sends the timing packet with the updated time information to a second node to enable the second node to use the updated time information for synchronization of the second node. The process repeats across an arbitrary number of nodes to enable time alignment between the first node and final destination node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Michel Ouellette
  • Patent number: 8498584
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an electronically adjustable signal filter system, which comprises, in some embodiments, a first filter coupled to an antenna coupling network and a second filter, a power amplifier coupled to the first filter, an antenna connected to an antenna coupling network, a pilot tone generator coupled to the first filter, and a first signal source connected to the power amplifier and first filter. In some embodiments, the power amplifier amplifies the first signal, the first filter places a notch into the first signal transmitted to the antenna coupling network, the antenna coupling network combines the first signal and a second signal received from the antenna and transmits a third signal to the second filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Alain Roussel, Charles W. T. Nicholls
  • Patent number: 8401491
    Abstract: A method and system for maintaining a basestation system is provided. The basestation includes a basestation module. The system includes a translating system for translating at least a portion of the basestation module between a first position and a second position. The system includes a connection module for detachably connecting to the portion of the basestation module when the portion of the basestation circuitry is at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Scott Widdowson
  • Patent number: 8351889
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an electronically adjustable signal filter system, which comprises, in some embodiments, a first filter coupled to an antenna coupling network and a second filter, a power amplifier coupled to the first filter, an antenna connected to an antenna coupling network, a pilot tone generator coupled to the first filter, and a first signal source connected to the power amplifier and first filter. In some embodiments, the power amplifier amplifies the first signal, the first filter places a notch into the first signal transmitted to the antenna coupling network, the antenna coupling network combines the first signal and a second signal received from the antenna and transmits a third signal to the second filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Alain Roussel, Charles W. T. Nicholls
  • Publication number: 20090278616
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting oscillator frequency drift due to crystal aging. Correction signals that reflect a difference between an oscillator timing signal and a reference timing signal over a reference timing signal interval are modeled so that auxiliary correction signals can be generated in the event of loss of the reference timing signal. A temperature curve is generated to model how temperature variation impacts oscillator frequency drift. A rate of frequency drift due to crystal aging is also determined. During loss of a reference timing signal, auxiliary correction signals can be generated to maintain the oscillator at a desired frequency until the reference timing signal becomes available again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
    Inventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Philippe Wu
  • Publication number: 20090224892
    Abstract: A system is provided for tracking a RFID tag within or outside of a cellular network. Upon receiving a request to track the RFID tag, the cellular network instructs each mobile host within the cellular network to track the RFID tag. When the RFID tag enters a coverage area of one of the mobile hosts, the ID of the RFID tag is communicated to the mobile host. Then, the mobile host obtains its location. At this point, if the mobile host is outside of the cellular network, the mobile host communicates with other mobile hosts within its coverage area such that all of the mobile hosts within its coverage area have the location and time stamp for the RFID tag. When one of these mobile hosts enters the cellular network, the mobile host communicates the location and time stamp for the RFID tag to the cellular network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
    Inventor: Charles W. T. Nicholls
  • Patent number: 7519331
    Abstract: A method and system for maintaining a basestation system is provided. The basestation includes a tower and basestation circuitry placed in the tower. The system includes a translator for translating at least a portion of the basestation circuitry between a first position of the tower and a second position of the tower. The system includes a connection module for detachably connecting to the portion of the basestation circuitry when the portion of the basestation circuitry is at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Scott Widdowson