Patents by Inventor Donald J. Barnickel

Donald J. Barnickel 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: 10545301
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving first optical power signals via an optical fiber connected with a light source of a network device, converting the first optical power signals to electrical energy utilizing an optical power converter where the electrical energy is utilized as power by the system, and transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey data. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Irwin Gerszberg, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 10547545
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a first waveguide system that receives first electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium where the transmission medium comprises an external surface where the first electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and where the first electromagnetic waves convey data. The first waveguide system can generate, according to the first electromagnetic waves, first signals, where the first signals convey the data. The first waveguide system can provide the first signals to a switching device that facilitates generating and providing, according to the first signals and routing information conveyed by the first signals, second signals to a second waveguide system selected from among a group of waveguide systems communicatively coupled to the switching device, where the second signals convey at least a first portion of the data. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Donald J. Barnickel, Robert Bennett
  • Patent number: 10547348
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for transmitting signals by first electromagnetic waves guided by a first transmission medium, and, responsive to a determination of an undesired condition, adjusting the first electromagnetic waves to cause cross-medium coupling between the first transmission medium and a second transmission medium resulting in the signals being transmitted by second electromagnetic waves guided by the second transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Barnickel, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett
  • Patent number: 10547349
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a network element of a distributed antenna system, a reference signal, a control channel and a first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency, the first modulated signal including first communications data provided by a base station and directed to a mobile communication device. The instructions in the control channel direct the network element of the distributed antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in a first spectral segment. The reference signal is received at an in-band frequency relative to the control channel. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10541471
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna assembly that includes a dielectric antenna having an integrated dielectric feedline and a dielectric antenna element. The integrated dielectric feedline communicates inbound guided waves and outbound guided waves that are bound to the integrated dielectric feedline. The dielectric antenna element transmits outbound free space wireless signals in response to the outbound guided waves and generates the inbound guided waves from received inbound free space wireless signals. An actuated gimbal mount controls an orientation of the dielectric antenna element based on control signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Henry Kafka, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10541458
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium for propagating electromagnetic waves. The transmission medium can include a plurality of cores for selectively guiding an electromagnetic wave of a plurality of electromagnetic waves longitudinally along each core, and a shell surrounding at least a portion of each core for reducing exposure of the electromagnetic wave of each core. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, William Scott Taylor, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10536190
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes a transmitter that generates a first electromagnetic wave to convey data, the first electromagnetic wave having at least one carrier frequency and corresponding wavelength. A coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium having at least one inner portion surrounded by a dielectric material, the dielectric material having an outer surface and a corresponding circumference, wherein the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the dielectric material via at least one guided-wave mode that can include an asymmetric mode, wherein the at least one carrier frequency is within a microwave or millimeter-wave frequency band and wherein the at least one corresponding wavelength is less than the circumference of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10535928
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna structure that includes a dielectric antenna and a dielectric core. The dielectric antenna can include an antenna lens that operates as an aperture. The antenna lens can have a structure configured to direct a beam pattern generated by the dielectric antenna from a center axis of the dielectric antenna. The dielectric core can be coupled to a feed point of the dielectric antenna. The dielectric core can supply electromagnetic waves that are converted by the dielectric antenna to the beam pattern directed away from the center axis. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10535911
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a guided wave switch that selectively aligns an end of the first dielectric core of a first conductorless guided wave cable with an end of a selected one of a plurality of second dielectric cores of at least one second conductorless guided wave cable to facilitate coupling of the first guided waves from the first dielectric core to a selected one of the plurality of second dielectric cores. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Barnickel, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, Henry Kafka, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10536212
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, an analog surface wave multi-point repeater includes a first launcher configured to transmit and receive first guided electromagnetic waves that propagate on an outer surface of a first segment of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. A transceiver includes a splitter coupled to a second launcher and the third launcher and a low noise amplifier configured to receive a second microwave signal from the second launcher and the third launcher via the splitter. A directional coupler is configured to couple the second microwave signal from the second launcher and the first microwave signal to the splitter to facilitate transmission of the second guided electromagnetic waves by the second launcher on the second segment of the transmission medium and to further facilitate transmission of the third guided electromagnetic waves by the third launcher on the third segment of the transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Publication number: 20200014115
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system having a plurality of transmitters for launching, according to a signal, instances of first electromagnetic waves having different phases to induce propagation of a second electromagnetic wave at an interface of a transmission medium, the second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency, wherein the plurality of transmitters has a corresponding plurality of antennas. A reflective plate is spaced a distance behind the plurality of antennas relative to a direction of the propagation of the second electromagnetic wave. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Publication number: 20200014112
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, detecting a communication device in transit, determining a trajectory of the communication device, selecting a section from a plurality of sections of an omnidirectional array of dielectric antennas according to the trajectory of the communication device, where the section corresponds to a set of one or more dielectric antennas from the omnidirectional array of dielectric antennas coupled to a set of launchers, and directing the set of launchers to launch electromagnetic waves directed to the set of one or more dielectric antennas to generate a beam pattern directed to the communication device while in transit. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Shikik Johnson, David M. Britz, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10530647
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a first waveguide system for obtaining instructions that reconfigures operations thereof, receiving first electromagnetic waves propagating along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, where the first electromagnetic waves convey first data. The first waveguide system can further facilitate processing the first electromagnetic waves, according to the instructions, to selectively generate repeated electromagnetic waves for delivery to a second waveguide system, regenerated electromagnetic waves for delivery to the second waveguide system, first signals for delivery to a routing device, or any combinations thereof. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Irwin Gerszberg, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 10531232
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a receiver of a first device, electromagnetic waves that are generated by a transmitter of a second device at a physical interface of a transmission medium, where the electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical return path, and where the electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium to the receiver of the first device. The first device can detect a physical object in proximity to the transmission medium according to a change in the parameter associated with the electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 10530505
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, launching, by a plurality of launchers of a waveguide system, a wave mode that propagates along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, detecting, by the waveguide system, that the wave mode has a propagation loss caused by an obstruction, and generating, by the plurality of launchers, an adjusted wave mode having an electric field structure that reduces the propagation loss of the obstruction. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Peter Wolniansky, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10531357
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving second signals from a switch responsive to the switch receiving first signals a first waveguide system, wherein the first waveguide system facilitates generating the first signals responsive to receiving first electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium. The system further facilitates selecting a communication device according to the second signals, and transmitting a first wireless signal directed to the communication device, wherein the first wireless signal conveys first data supplied by the second signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Irwin Gerszberg, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 10530031
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a launching device including a transmitter configured to generate a radio frequency signal in a microwave frequency band. A planar strip antenna is configured to launch the radio frequency signal as a guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to an outer surface of a transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the outer surface of the transmission medium without an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10530459
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes extracting first channel signals from first guided electromagnetic waves bound to an outer surface of a transmission medium of a guided wave communication system; amplifying the first channel signals to generate amplified first channel signals in accordance with a phase correction; selecting one or more of the amplified first channel signals to wirelessly transmit to at least one client device via an antenna; and guiding the amplified first channel signals to the transmission medium of the guided wave communication system to propagate as second guided electromagnetic waves, wherein the phase correction aligns a phase of the second guided electromagnetic waves to add in-phase with a residual portion of the first guided electromagnetic waves that continues propagation along the transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Publication number: 20200006837
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium for propagating electromagnetic waves. The transmission medium can have a first dielectric material for propagating electromagnetic waves guided by the first dielectric material, and a second dielectric material disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the first dielectric material for reducing an exposure of the electromagnetic waves to an environment that adversely affects propagation of the electromagnetic waves on the first dielectric material. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10523269
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for generating electromagnetic signals that resonate in a cavity having a plurality of reflectors resulting in resonating electromagnetic signals and combining the resonating electromagnetic signals to form an electromagnetic wave that traverses a reflector and couples onto a physical transmission medium. One or more of the reflectors is implemented via a programmable substrate. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Bruce E. Stuckman