Patents by Inventor Christopher Richards

Christopher Richards 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: 12249746
    Abstract: Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks require a significant nominal compressive loading for proper operation and sealing. This loading is typically provided using relatively thick end plates and tight straps. In certain fuel cell applications, one or more solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks are secured in larger enclosures (e.g. for isolation and crashworthiness in automotive applications). The enclosures however can themselves be sturdy enough to provide the necessary loading on the fuel cell stacks within. The present invention takes advantage of that to allow for use of thinner end plates and/or weaker straps which would otherwise be insufficient for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: CELLCENTRIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Rae Hartwell, Christopher Richards, Elisabeth Funk Woolliams, Kathleen Megale
  • Patent number: 12231907
    Abstract: Embodiments of a wireless access node for dynamically transmitting an identification signal and/or detecting identification signals from other transmit nodes when operating in unlicensed spectrum and embodiments of a method of operation thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method in a wireless access node that operates in an unlicensed frequency spectrum comprises determining, based on one or more parameters, whether the wireless access node is to transmit an identification signal and/or detect identification signals from other transmit nodes. The method further comprises operating in accordance with a result of the determining whether to transmit the identification signal and/or to detect identification signals from other transmit nodes. In this manner, throughput can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Christopher Richards, Roland Smith
  • Publication number: 20240380510
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed for a waveform detection interface. In one embodiment, a waveform detection interface includes processing circuitry configured to exchange management plane information between a application and the waveform detector, the management plane information including capability information related to waveform detector capabilities. The processing circuitry also exchanges control plane information between the application and the waveform detector, the control plane information including configuration information related to a configuration of the waveform detector. The processing circuitry also exchanges user plane information between the application and the waveform detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventor: Christopher RICHARDS
  • Publication number: 20240258548
    Abstract: Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks require a significant nominal compressive loading for proper operation and sealing. This loading is typically provided using relatively thick end plates and tight straps. In certain fuel cell applications, one or more solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks are secured in larger enclosures (e.g. for isolation and crashworthiness in automotive applications). The enclosures however can themselves be sturdy enough to provide the necessary loading on the fuel cell stacks within. The present invention takes advantage of that to allow for use of thinner end plates and/or weaker straps which would otherwise be insufficient for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Rae Hartwell, Christopher Richards, Elisabeth Funk Woolliams, Kathleen Megale
  • Publication number: 20240251249
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method performed by an Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) service provider database is disclosed, where the AFC service provider database maintains records of AFC service providers and/or AFC systems. In some embodiments, the method can include receiving, from a network node associated with an AFC service provider or AFC operator, a request to add, modify, delete, or view information about the AFC service provider and/or an AFC system of the AFC service provider. In some embodiments, the method can also include performing one or more actions responsive to the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventor: Christopher Richards
  • Patent number: 11984631
    Abstract: Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks require a significant nominal compressive loading for proper operation and sealing. This loading is typically provided using relatively thick end plates and tight straps. In certain fuel cell applications, one or more solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks are secured in larger enclosures (e.g. for isolation and crashworthiness in automotive applications). The enclosures however can themselves be sturdy enough to provide the necessary loading on the fuel cell stacks within. The present invention takes advantage of that to allow for use of thinner end plates and/or weaker straps which would otherwise be insufficient for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: CELLCENTRIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Rae Hartwell, Christopher Richards, Elisabeth Funk Woolliams, Kathleen Megale
  • Patent number: 11943829
    Abstract: There is provided a method for establishing a connection between a Neutral Host (NH) network and one or more virtual radio access networks (vRANs), under a service level agreement (SLA) therebetween. The method comprises: sending a message to the one or more vRANs, the message including an identity of the NH network and at least a first radio parameter; in response to the message, receiving an identity of the one or more vRANs and at least a second radio parameter; and establishing the connection between the NH network and the one or more vRANs, based on the identity of the one or more vRANs, the identity of the NH network and one of the at least first radio parameter and the at least second radio parameter. The method is implemented in a network node, such as a Distributed Unit of a gNB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Sago Strategic Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Richards
  • Publication number: 20240045744
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a node for managing data exchange between a first communication layer-second communication layer interface and a plurality of hardware accelerator queues is provided. The first layer is different from the second communication layer. The node including processing circuitry configured to: receive a first messaging from the first communication layer-second communication layer interface, determine that the first messaging is associated with at least one predefined messaging characteristic, and communicate the first messaging to a first hardware accelerator queue of the plurality of hardware accelerator queues based on the at least one predefined messaging characteristic of the first messaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventor: Christopher RICHARDS
  • Publication number: 20240016692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for applying pressure to a body part of a subject, wherein the device comprises a plurality of pressure units and each pressure unit comprises a support structure and a movable member having three translational degrees of freedom relative to the support structure, wherein each pressure unit is connected or connectable to a control unit adapted to control the movement of the movable member relative to the support structure of the pressure unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Nagarajan Muthuraman Thoppey, Geoffrey Spinks, Christopher Richards, Kevin M. Tucker
  • Publication number: 20230209361
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to radar metadata in fronthaul control and/or management plane signaling are disclosed. In one embodiment, a radio unit network node is configured to detect a radar signal; and based at least in part on the detection, send a message to one of a digital unit, DU, network node and a management network node, the message comprising information about the detected radar signal. In one embodiment, a network node is configured to receive a message from a radio unit, RU, network node, the message comprising information about a radar signal detected by the RU network node; and as a result of the received message, perform an operational task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher RICHARDS
  • Patent number: 11381979
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to defining and using unlicensed band, or sub-band, combinations for Carrier Aggregation (CA) for a wireless communication system that utilizes a standalone unlicensed technology (e.g., MulteFire or Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR)). In general, a wireless device is configured with a CA combination that includes a Primary Cell (PCell) in a non-Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) spectrum and one or more Secondary Cells (SCells), at least one of which is in a DFS spectrum. In this manner, standalone operation in unlicensed spectrum utilizing DFS spectrum is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Christopher Richards
  • Publication number: 20220210661
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided. In an example aspect, a method in a wireless communication device is provided. The method comprises receiving, from a network node, an indication of useable frequencies for unlicensed wireless communication by the wireless communication device, selecting one or more of the useable frequencies for unlicensed wireless communication, and sending an indication of the selected one or more of the useable frequencies to the network node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Richards, Stephen Rayment, Martin Sjödin
  • Publication number: 20220174512
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collection and reporting of Channel Occupancy (CO) statistics for network tuning are provided. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for tuning one or more parameters of a network comprises obtaining a configuration for CO measurement and reporting. The method also includes obtaining a plurality of CO measurements based on the obtained configuration for CO measurement and reporting. One or more of the plurality of CO measurements are obtained when a Radio Resource Control (RRC) state of the wireless device is RRC_INACTIVE or RRC_IDLE. One or more of the plurality of CO measurements are obtained when the RRC state is RRC_CONNECTED. The method also includes reporting a result of one or more of the plurality of CO measurements to a network node. This might allow improved tuning of networks such as tuning of mechanisms that are used to compensate for potential CCA/LBT failures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Johan Rune, Peter Alriksson, Marco Belleschi, Stephen Grant, Robert Karlsson, Christopher Richards, Iana Siomina
  • Patent number: 11343868
    Abstract: There is provided a method for establishing a connection between a Neutral Host (NH) network and one or more virtual radio access networks (vRANs), under a service level agreement (SLA) therebetween. The method comprises: sending a message to the one or more vRANs, the message including an identity of the NH network and at least a first radio parameter; in response to the message, receiving an identity of the one or more vRANs and at least a second radio parameter; and establishing the connection between the NH network and the one or more vRANs, based on the identity of the one or more vRANs, the identity of the NH network and one of the at least first radio parameter and the at least second radio parameter. The method is implemented in a network node, such as a Distributed Unit of a gNB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Christopher Richards
  • Publication number: 20220158901
    Abstract: A network node, wireless device and various methods are provided. For example, a network node for operating in an unlicensed frequency band is provided. The network node includes processing circuitry configured to: modify at least one function of at least one carrier in a frequency band edge of the unlicensed frequency band where the frequency band edge being located, in a frequency domain, in a non-transmission portion of a spectrum mask that is configured to reduce leakage into an adjacent frequency band, and perform a communication function using the at least one carrier having the modified at least one function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher RICHARDS
  • Publication number: 20220095402
    Abstract: There is provided a method for establishing a connection between a Neutral Host (NH) network and one or more virtual radio access networks (vRANs), under a service level agreement (SLA) therebetween. The method comprises: sending a message to the one or more vRANs, the message including an identity of the NH network and at least a first radio parameter; in response to the message, receiving an identity of the one or more vRANs and at least a second radio parameter; and establishing the connection between the NH network and the one or more vRANs, based on the identity of the one or more vRANs, the identity of the NH network and one of the at least first radio parameter and the at least second radio parameter. The method is implemented in a network node, such as a Distributed Unit of a gNB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Christopher Richards
  • Patent number: 11258663
    Abstract: A network node, wireless device and various methods are provided. For example, a network node for operating in an unlicensed frequency band is provided. The network node includes processing circuitry configured to: modify at least one function of at least one carrier in a frequency band edge of the unlicensed frequency band where the frequency band edge being located, in a frequency domain, in a non-transmission portion of a spectrum mask that is configured to reduce leakage into an adjacent frequency band, and perform a communication function using the at least one carrier having the modified at least one function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Christopher Richards
  • Publication number: 20220022050
    Abstract: Embodiments of a wireless access node for dynamically transmitting an identification signal and/or detecting identification signals from other transmit nodes when operating in unlicensed spectrum and embodiments of a method of operation thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method in a wireless access node that operates in an unlicensed frequency spectrum comprises determining, based on one or more parameters, whether the wireless access node is to transmit an identification signal and/or detect identification signals from other transmit nodes. The method further comprises operating in accordance with a result of the determining whether to transmit the identification signal and/or to detect identification signals from other transmit nodes. In this manner, throughput can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Richards, Roland Smith
  • Patent number: 11224083
    Abstract: There is provided a method for establishing a connection between a Neutral Host (NH) network and one or more virtual radio access networks (vRANs), under a service level agreement (SLA) therebetween. The method comprises: sending a message to the one or more vRANs, the message including an identity of the NH network and at least a first radio parameter; in response to the message, receiving an identity of the one or more vRANs and at least a second radio parameter; and establishing the connection between the NH network and the one or more vRANs, based on the identity of the one or more vRANs, the identity of the NH network and one of the at least first radio parameter and the at least second radio parameter. The method is implemented in a network node, such as a Distributed Unit of a gNB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Christopher Richards
  • Publication number: 20210234185
    Abstract: Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks require a significant nominal compressive loading for proper operation and sealing. This loading is typically provided using relatively thick end plates and tight straps. In certain fuel cell applications, one or more solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks are secured in larger enclosures (e.g. for isolation and crashworthiness in automotive applications). The enclosures however can themselves be sturdy enough to provide the necessary loading on the fuel cell stacks within. The present invention takes advantage of that to allow for use of thinner end plates and/or weaker straps which would otherwise be insufficient for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Rae Hartwell, Christopher Richards, Elisabeth Funk Woolliams, Kathleen Megale