Patents by Inventor Christopher Barber

Christopher Barber 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: 20250350540
    Abstract: A method for optimizing network performance using reinforcement learning (RL) agents is disclosed. The method includes identifying multiple network segments within a network, each including network nodes; generating and training respective RL agents for at least a subset of these segments based on performance metrics indicative of data flow within each segment, independently of specific segment topology information; receiving outputs from the trained RL agents, including policies or performance evaluations; generating recommendations based on the received outputs; and causing network actions to be implemented based on these recommendations. In various embodiments, the RL agents utilize metrics such as Quality of Service (QOS), Quality of Experience (QoE), or radio resource management parameters. Recommended actions may include switching traffic paths, adjusting wireless parameters, and proactively preventing network congestion to enhance network operation and user experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2025
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Applicant: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Barber, Sa'di Altamimi, Shervin Shirmohammadi, David Côté
  • Publication number: 20250335483
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media are provided for conducting user query searches. According to one implementation, a process includes a step of, in response to receiving a user query directed to subject information retrievable from documentation stored in a private database, using a section-based chunking procedure to obtain, from the private database, a relevant section of the documentation as context. The process further includes a step of feeding the user query and the relevant section as context to a Large Language Model (LLM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Applicant: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Barber, Ahmed Khaled, Shervin Shirmohammadi
  • Publication number: 20250323835
    Abstract: An automated network inventory discovery method, including: at a network inventory discovery engine coupled to a network data source, receiving unstructured network configuration data associated with a network element (NE); and, using a trained machine learning (ML) model, parsing named entity attributes from text of the unstructured network configuration data and mapping the named entity attributes to a common information model having a predetermined data structure. The trained ML model includes a trained named entity recognition (NER) model and/or a trained large language model (LLM). Alternatively, the trained ML model includes a trained NER model that is used to pre-process the text of the unstructured network configuration data prior to feeding resulting data into a trained LLM. The trained ML model serves the function of a custom parser script that is specific to one or more of the unstructured network configuration data or the network data source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Publication date: October 16, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher Barber, Ashley Woods, Balaji Subramaniam, Sudhan Puranik, Marc-Antoine Boutin, David Cote
  • Patent number: 12388719
    Abstract: Methods are provided for recommending actions to improve operability of a network. In one implementation, a method includes acknowledging a plurality of subnetworks in a whole network, each subnetwork including multiple nodes and being represented by a tunnel group having multiple end-to-end tunnels through the subnetwork. The method also includes selecting a first group of subnetworks from the plurality of subnetworks and generating a Reinforcement Learning (RL) agent for each subnetwork of the first group. Each RL agent is based on observations of end-to-end metrics of the end-to-end tunnels of the respective subnetwork. The observations are independent of specific topology information of the subnetwork. Also, the method includes training a global model based on the RL agents of the first group of subnetworks and applying the global model to an Action Recommendation Engine (ARE) configured for recommending actions that can be taken to improve a state of the whole network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Barber, Sa'di Altamimi, Shervin Shirmohammadi, David Côté
  • Patent number: 11894969
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing one or more root causes of service degradation events in a network or other environment. A method, according to one implementation, includes a step of monitoring a plurality of overlying services offered in an underlying infrastructure having a plurality of resources arranged with a specific topology. In response to detecting a negative impact on the overlying services during a predetermined time window and based on an understanding of the specific topology, the method further includes the step of identifying suspect components from the plurality of resources in the underlying infrastructure. The method also includes the step of obtaining status information with respect to the suspect components to determine a root cause of the negative impact on the overlying services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Barber, David Côté, Thomas Triplet, Yinqing Pei
  • Publication number: 20230216747
    Abstract: Methods are provided for recommending actions to improve operability of a network. In one implementation, a method includes acknowledging a plurality of subnetworks in a whole network, each subnetwork including multiple nodes and being represented by a tunnel group having multiple end-to-end tunnels through the subnetwork. The method also includes selecting a first group of subnetworks from the plurality of subnetworks and generating a Reinforcement Learning (RL) agent for each subnetwork of the first group. Each RL agent is based on observations of end-to-end metrics of the end-to-end tunnels of the respective subnetwork. The observations are independent of specific topology information of the subnetwork. Also, the method includes training a global model based on the RL agents of the first group of subnetworks and applying the global model to an Action Recommendation Engine (ARE) configured for recommending actions that can be taken to improve a state of the whole network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Barber, Sa'di Altamimi, Shervin Shirmohammadi, David Côté
  • Publication number: 20230011452
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing one or more root causes of service degradation events in a network or other environment. A method, according to one implementation, includes a step of monitoring a plurality of overlying services offered in an underlying infrastructure having a plurality of resources arranged with a specific topology. In response to detecting a negative impact on the overlying services during a predetermined time window and based on an understanding of the specific topology, the method further includes the step of identifying suspect components from the plurality of resources in the underlying infrastructure. The method also includes the step of obtaining status information with respect to the suspect components to determine a root cause of the negative impact on the overlying services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Barber, David Côté, Thomas Triplet, Yinqing Pei
  • Publication number: 20200256999
    Abstract: A Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system comprises a memory configured to store LIDAR measurement data obtained by the LIDAR system representative of a three-dimensional (3D) space in a field of view of the LIDAR system and signal processing circuitry. The signal processing circuitry is and configured to convert the LIDAR measurement data to a voxel characteristic of voxels of the 3D space, process and adjust a voxel characteristic of a first voxel of the 3D space using a voxel characteristic of other voxels within a specified distance of the first voxel in the 3D space, continue to process and adjust the voxel characteristics of all voxels in the 3D space, and generate an indication of presence of an object in the field of view according to the adjusted voxel characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Atulya Yellepeddi, Ravi Kiran Raman, Jennifer Tang, Sefa Demirtas, Miles R. Bennett, Christopher Barber
  • Patent number: 9394558
    Abstract: Methods for purification and extraction of GM1 ganglioside from cells derived from sheep afflicted with GM1 gangliosidosis or from cells derived from human patients with GM1 gangliosidosis as stable and renewable sources of GM1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: LZ Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Schneider, Gerri Henwood, Robert Florentine, Christopher Barber
  • Publication number: 20120220763
    Abstract: Methods for purification and extraction of GM1 ganglioside from cells derived from sheep afflicted with GM1 gangliosidosis or from cells derived from human patients with GM1 gangliosidosis as stable and renewable sources of GM1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Jay S. Schneider, Gerri Henwood, Robert Florentine, Christopher Barber
  • Patent number: 7520981
    Abstract: An in situ desalination apparatus comprising a reverse osmosis unit (15) having a reverse osmosis medium, the reverse osmosis unit in use to be located within a body of water under ambient bio-physico-chemical conditions often different from those at the surface, the unit having an inlet (17) opening to one side of the reverse osmosis medium, in use the inlet to be located below the upper surface of a body of water, the unit having a concentrate outlet (25) opening to the one side of the reverse osmosis medium and opening into the exterior of the unit at a position spaced below the inlet to return concentrate into the water body, the unit having a permeate outlet (27) opening to the other side of the reverse osmosis medium, the permeate outlet communicating with a delivery line extending from the body of water, a pump (23) between body of water and the reverse osmosis unit and adapted to pressurize the water located at the one side of the reverse osmosis medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Desaln8 Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher Barber
  • Publication number: 20070220349
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing software performance testing. The results of a test may be determined valid if the test reached a defined test criteria after performing N number of iterations. If the test has not reached the defined test criteria and if N is less than a maximum value, one may be added to N and additional iteration of the test may be performed until the test reaches the defined test criteria or until N reaches the maximum value. If the test reaches the defined test criteria after any additional iteration of the test before N reaches the maximum value, the results of the test may be deemed valid. Moreover, if the test reached the defined test criteria with an outlier removed from the results, the results of the test may be deemed valid. Otherwise, the results of the test may be deemed invalid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hui Zhu, Christopher Barber, Ryan Beegle, Jeffrey Piira
  • Publication number: 20070151915
    Abstract: An in situ desalination apparatus comprising a reverse osmosis unit (15) having a reverse osmosis medium, the reverse osmosis unit in use to be located within a body of water under ambient bio-physico-chemical conditions often different from those at the surface, the unit having an inlet (17) opening to one side of the reverse osmosis medium, in use the inlet to be located below the upper surface of a body of water, the unit having a concentrate outlet (25) opening to the one side of the reverse osmosis medium and opening into the exterior of the unit at a position spaced below the inlet to return concentrate into the water body, the unit having a permeate outlet (27) opening to the other side of the reverse osmosis medium, the permeate outlet communicating with a delivery line extending from the body of water, a pump (23) between body of water and the reverse osmosis unit and adapted to pressurise the water located at the one side of the reverse osmosis medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: Desaln8 Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher Barber
  • Publication number: 20060178408
    Abstract: This invention relates to nicotinamide derivatives of general formula (I): in which R1, Z and R2 have the meanings defined herein, and to processes for the preparation of, intermediates used in the preparation of, compositions containing and the uses of such derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher Barber, Mark Bunnage, John Harvey, John Mathias
  • Publication number: 20050143367
    Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) herein comprising reacting a compound of formula (II), (III), (IV) or (V) in the presence of ?OR3 and a hydroxide trapping agent or in the case of compounds of formula (IV) reacting in the presence of an auxiliary base and a hydroxide trapping agent ( i.e. ?OR3 is substituted by the auxiliary base), wherein X is a leaving group and R1 to R4 are as defined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Charlotte Moira Allerton, Christopher Barber, Keith Devries, Laurence Harris, Philip Levett, Joanna Negri, David Rawson, Albert Wood
  • Publication number: 20050107412
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): where Q is a group of formula: These compounds inhibit cyclic guanosine 3?,5?-monophosphate phosphodiesterases (cGMP PDEs). More notably, the compounds are potent and selective inhibitors of the type 5 cyclic guanosine 3?,5?-monophosphate phosphodiesterases and have utility therefore in a variety of therapeutic areas. In particular, the present compounds are of value for the curative or prophylactic treatment of mammalian sexual disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Graham Maw, Christopher Barber
  • Publication number: 20050043326
    Abstract: This invention relates to nicotinamide derivatives of general formula (I): in which R1, Z and R2 have the meanings defined herein, and to processes for the preparation of, intermediates used in the preparation of, compositions containing and the uses of such derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Christopher Barber, Mark Bunnage, John Harvey, John Mathias
  • Publication number: 20050032838
    Abstract: This invention relates to nicotinamide derivatives of formula (I) and to processes for the preparation of, intermediates used in the preparation of, pharmaceutical compositions containing, and the uses of such derivatives: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl or halo; R7 is attached to the 3- or 4-position of the phenyl ring and is S(O)pR8, R8 is (C1-C4)alkyl optionally substituted by (C3-C6)cycloalkyl; p is 0, 1 or 2; R6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, (C1-C3)alkyl and (C1-C3)alkoxy; m is 0 or 1; L is a (C3-C8)carbocyclic non-aromatic ring; R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy, (C1-C3)alkoxy, (C1-C3)alkyl (optionally substituted by hydroxy or by (C1-C3)alkoxy), CO2R9, NR10R11 or CONR10R11; R3 is hydrogen or (C1-C3)alkyl; R9 is hydrogen or (C1-C3)alkyl; R10 and R11 are each independently hydrogen, or, are selected from the group consisting of: (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by phenyl or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring incorporating 1 to 3 het
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Simon Bailey, Christopher Barber, Paul Glossop, Donald Middleton
  • Publication number: 20050020587
    Abstract: This invention relates to nicotinamide derivatives of general formula (I): in which X, Y, n, Z, L and R have the meanings defined herein, and to processes for the preparation of, intermediates used in the preparation of, compositions containing and the uses of such derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Simon Bailey, Christopher Barber
  • Publication number: 20050020611
    Abstract: This invention relates to nicotinamide derivatives of general formula (I): in which R1, Z and R2 have the meanings defined herein, and to processes for the preparation of, intermediates used in the preparation of, compositions containing and the uses of such derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Christopher Barber, Mark Bunnage, John Harvey, John Mathias