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: 10659105
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for determining a usage pattern, and sending instructions to a plurality of waveguide systems to transmit or receive electromagnetic waves along a surface of each of a plurality of wires according to the usage pattern. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Publication number: 20200153096
    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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20200153095
    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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20200153511
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a node device includes an interface configured to receive first signals. A plurality of coupling devices are configured to launch the first signals on a transmission medium as a plurality of first guided electromagnetic waves at corresponding plurality of non-optical carrier frequencies, wherein the plurality of first guided electromagnetic waves are bound to a physical structure of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10652054
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system can include a plurality of uninsulated conductors that is stranded together. The plurality of uninsulated conductors can form a hollow pathway that is bounded by internal conductive surfaces of at least three of the plurality of uninsulated conductors. The system can further include a communication device coupled to a first plurality of external conductive surfaces of the plurality of uninsulated conductors, where the communication device facilitates generating transmission signals at the first plurality of external conductive surfaces, and where the transmission signals induce electromagnetic waves that propagate along the hollow pathway without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Martin Birk, Shikik Johnson
  • Patent number: 10650940
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium for propagating electromagnetic waves. The transmission medium can include a conductor for guiding electromagnetic waves longitudinally along the conductor, and a shell surrounding at least a portion of the conductor for reducing exposure of the electromagnetic waves to an adverse environment that increases propagation losses of the electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, William Scott Taylor, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III, Ed Guntin
  • Patent number: 10651564
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a waveguide including a plurality of devices that facilitate generating scattered electromagnetic waves from electromagnetic waves propagating on a surface of a transmission medium. The scattered electromagnetic waves combine to generate a wireless signal having a directionality based on a separation between plurality of devices and a wavelength of the electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 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: 20200145049
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a medium voltage power line, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the medium voltage power line. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are mounted on the medium voltage power line. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the medium voltage power line, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the medium voltage power line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: 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: 20200145333
    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: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20200145046
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a waveguide system detecting a degradation of an electromagnetic wave propagating along a transmission medium. The waveguide system launches a modified electromagnetic wave including a hybrid wave mode according to the degradation that is detected. The modified electromagnetic wave propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 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: 20200145055
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a coupling device includes a circuit that receives a signal. At least one passive electrical circuit element generates an electromagnetic field in response to the signal. A portion of the electromagnetic field is guided by a surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave longitudinally along the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: 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: 20200145048
    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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Publication number: 20200144728
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a solid dielectric antenna having a non-uniform spatial distribution of relative permittivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III, Donald J. Barnickel, Paul Shala Henry
  • Publication number: 20200145054
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes a first coupler that guides a first electromagnetic wave to a first junction to form a second electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the transmission medium via one or more guided-wave modes. These mode(s) have an envelope that varies as a function of angular deviation and/or longitudinal displacement. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Bruce Stuckman, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Publication number: 20200145047
    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: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Barnickel, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett
  • Publication number: 20200145051
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium having a core. A conductive layer forms an uninsulated outer surface of the transmission medium. The conductive layer is configured to impede accumulation of water to support propagation of first electromagnetic waves guided by the uninsulated outer surface. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Publication number: 20200145786
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting, by a first receiver of the first group of receivers, a first disturbance in one of a first group of electromagnetic waves and detecting, by a second receiver of a second group of receivers, a second disturbance in one of the second group of electromagnetic waves. A processing system can determine a position of a physical object in proximity to the transmission medium according to locations of the first and second receivers with respect to the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Publication number: 20200145050
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a coaxial cable of a broadband cable network, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the coaxial cable. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, and a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are also mounted on the coaxial cable. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the coaxial cable, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the coaxial cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 10644372
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a coupling module that includes a waveguide that guides a first electromagnetic wave conveying data from a transmitting device. A dielectric coupler receives the first electromagnetic wave from the waveguide to form a second electromagnetic wave, and that guides the second electromagnetic wave along the dielectric coupler adjacent to a transmission medium, and wherein the dielectric coupler has a length that supports a cancellation of at least one cancelled wave mode from a coupling of the second electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 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: 10644831
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a waveguide system for detecting a condition that adversely affects a propagation of electromagnetic waves generated by the waveguide system on a surface of the transmission medium, and adjusting characteristics of the electromagnetic waves generated by the waveguide system to reduce adverse effects caused by the condition. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 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