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).
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Patent number: 8674778Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Philippe Wu
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Patent number: 8655301Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Alain Roussel, Charles W. T. Nicholls
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Publication number: 20140029604Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: Rockstar Consortium US LPInventors: Charles W.T. Nicholls, Michel Ouellette
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Publication number: 20130295860Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Alain Roussel, Charles W.T. Nicholls
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Patent number: 8571543Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Scott Widdowson
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Patent number: 8559412Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LPInventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Michel Ouellette
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Patent number: 8498584Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Alain Roussel, Charles W. T. Nicholls
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Patent number: 8401491Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Scott Widdowson
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Patent number: 8351889Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Alain Roussel, Charles W. T. Nicholls
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Publication number: 20090278616Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITEDInventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Philippe Wu
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Publication number: 20090224892Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2005Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITEDInventor: Charles W. T. Nicholls
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Patent number: 7519331Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: Charles W. T. Nicholls, Scott Widdowson