Patents by Inventor Gerald B. Schmidt
Gerald B. Schmidt 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: 9807722Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for determining propagation delay of communications in distributed antenna systems are disclosed. The propagation delay of communications signals distributed in the distributed antenna systems is determined. If desired, the propagation delay(s) can be determined on a per remote antenna unit basis for the distributed antenna systems. The propagation delay(s) can provided by the distributed antenna systems to a network or other system to be taken into consideration for communications services or operations that are based on communications signal delay. As another non-limiting example, propagation delay can be determined and controlled for each remote antenna unit to uniquely distinguish the remote antenna units. In this manner, the location of a client device communicating with a remote antenna unit can be determined within the communication range of the remote antenna unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLCInventors: Igor Berlin, Dragan Pikula, Michael Sauer, Gerald B. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20160286509Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for determining propagation delay of communications in distributed antenna systems are disclosed. The propagation delay of communications signals distributed in the distributed antenna systems is determined. If desired, the propagation delay(s) can be determined on a per remote antenna unit basis for the distributed antenna systems. The propagation delay(s) can provided by the distributed antenna systems to a network or other system to be taken into consideration for communications services or operations that are based on communications signal delay. As another non-limiting example, propagation delay can be determined and controlled for each remote antenna unit to uniquely distinguish the remote antenna units. In this manner, the location of a client device communicating with a remote antenna unit can be determined within the communication range of the remote antenna unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Igor Berlin, Dragan Pikula, Michael Sauer, Gerald B. Schmidt
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Patent number: 9369222Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for determining propagation delay of communications in distributed antenna systems are disclosed. The propagation delay of communications signals distributed in the distributed antenna systems is determined. If desired, the propagation delay(s) can be determined on a per remote antenna unit basis for the distributed antenna systems. The propagation delay(s) can provided by the distributed antenna systems to a network or other system to be taken into consideration for communications services or operations that are based on communications signal delay. As another non-limiting example, propagation delay can be determined and controlled for each remote antenna unit to uniquely distinguish the remote antenna units. In this manner, the location of a client device communicating with a remote antenna unit can be determined within the communication range of the remote antenna unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLCInventors: Igor Berlin, Dragan Pikula, Michael Sauer, Gerald B. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20160065320Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for determining propagation delay of communications in distributed antenna systems are disclosed. The propagation delay of communications signals distributed in the distributed antenna systems is determined. If desired, the propagation delay(s) can be determined on a per remote antenna unit basis for the distributed antenna systems. The propagation delay(s) can provided by the distributed antenna systems to a network or other system to be taken into consideration for communications services or operations that are based on communications signal delay. As another non-limiting example, propagation delay can be determined and controlled for each remote antenna unit to uniquely distinguish the remote antenna units. In this manner, the location of a client device communicating with a remote antenna unit can be determined within the communication range of the remote antenna unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Igor Berlin, Dragan Pikula, Michael Sauer, Gerald B. Schmidt
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Patent number: 9184843Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for determining propagation delay of communications in distributed antenna systems are disclosed. The propagation delay of communications signals distributed in the distributed antenna systems is determined. If desired, the propagation delay(s) can be determined on a per remote antenna unit basis for the distributed antenna systems. The propagation delay(s) can provided by the distributed antenna systems to a network or other system to be taken into consideration for communications services or operations that are based on communications signal delay. As another non-limiting example, propagation delay can be determined and controlled for each remote antenna unit to be uniquely distinguish the remote antenna units. In this manner, the location of a client device communicating with a remote antenna unit can be determined within the communication range of the remote antenna unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLCInventors: Igor Berlin, Dragan Pikula, Michael Sauer, Gerald B. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8977133Abstract: Distributed communications systems employing one or more free-space-optics (FSO) links, and related components and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a distributed communications system is provided in which one or more links of a communications path located between a central unit and a remote unit include FSO provided by one or more FSO components. The FSO component(s) can replace optical fiber (or copper) cable assembly and the associated electrical/optical and optical/electrical converter circuitry. Note that FSO and fiber cable links may be used in a mixed fashion depending on the particular requirements of a given installation project for a distributed communications system. Use of such FSO components may allow temporary installations to be effectuated with greater ease and more economically since physical cable is not required for the FSO portion of the communications path.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLCInventor: Gerald B. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20140050482Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for determining propagation delay of communications in distributed antenna systems are disclosed. The propagation delay of communications signals distributed in the distributed antenna systems is determined. If desired, the propagation delay(s) can be determined on a per remote antenna unit basis for the distributed antenna systems. The propagation delay(s) can provided by the distributed antenna systems to a network or other system to be taken into consideration for communications services or operations that are based on communications signal delay. As another non-limiting example, propagation delay can be determined and controlled for each remote antenna unit to be uniquely distinguish the remote antenna units. In this manner, the location of a client device communicating with a remote antenna unit can be determined within the communication range of the remote antenna unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Igor Berlin, Dragan Pikula, Michael Sauer, Gerald B. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20130322884Abstract: Distributed communications systems employing one or more free-space-optics (FSO) links, and related components and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a distributed communications system is provided in which one or more links of a communications path located between a central unit and a remote unit include FSO provided by one or more FSO components. The FSO component(s) can replace optical fiber (or copper) cable assembly and the associated electrical/optical and optical/electrical converter circuitry. Note that FSO and fiber cable links may be used in a mixed fashion depending on the particular requirements of a given installation project for a distributed communications system. Use of such FSO components may allow temporary installations to be effectuated with greater ease and more economically since physical cable is not required for the FSO portion of the communications path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventor: Gerald B. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8548330Abstract: Embodiments disclosed provide sectorization in distributed antenna systems, and related components and methods. The antenna units in the distributed antenna systems can be sectorized. In this regard, one or more radio bands distributed by the distributed antenna systems can be allocated to one or more sectors. The antenna units in the distributed antenna systems are also allocated to one or more sectors. In this manner, only radio frequency (RF) communications signals in the radio band(s) allocated to given sector(s) are distributed the antenna unit allocated to the same sector(s). The bandwidth capacity of the antenna unit is split among the radio band(s) allocated to sector(s) allocated to the antenna unit. The sectorization of the radio band(s) and the antenna units can be configured and/or altered based on capacity needs for given radio bands in antenna coverage areas provide by the antenna units.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLCInventors: Igor Berlin, William P. Cune, Jason E. Greene, Michael Sauer, Gerald B. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20110268449Abstract: Embodiments disclosed provide sectorization in distributed antenna systems, and related components and methods. The antenna units in the distributed antenna systems can be sectorized. In this regard, one or more radio bands distributed by the distributed antenna systems can be allocated to one or more sectors. The antenna units in the distributed antenna systems are also allocated to one or more sectors. In this manner, only radio frequency (RF) communications signals in the radio band(s) allocated to given sector(s) are distributed the antenna unit allocated to the same sector(s). The bandwidth capacity of the antenna unit is split among the radio band(s) allocated to sector(s) allocated to the antenna unit. The sectorization of the radio band(s) and the antenna units can be configured and/or altered based on capacity needs for given radio bands in antenna coverage areas provide by the antenna units.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Igor Berlin, William P. Cune, Jason E. Greene, Michael Sauer, Gerald B. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7905241Abstract: Systems and methods of protecting service personnel and electronics in an antenna hub from inclement weather are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of an antenna hub shelter has an attachment member secured to a hub, wherein the attachment member is located above an access door of the hub and a top portion defined by a first edge and a second opposing edge. The first edge is attachable to the attachment member. The second edge is secured to a handrail of an access platform of the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: James David DeVries, Gerald B. Schmidt, Geoffrey Shaffer, Aubrey Zwicke, Mark Foytik
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Publication number: 20100147343Abstract: Systems and methods of protecting service personnel and electronics in an antenna hub from inclement weather are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of an antenna hub shelter has an attachment member secured to a hub, wherein the attachment member is located above an access door of the hub and a top portion defined by a first edge and a second opposing edge. The first edge is attachable to the attachment member. The second edge is secured to a handrail of an access platform of the antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: EchoStar Technologies, LLCInventors: James David DeVries, Gerald B. Schmidt, Geoffrey Shaffer, Aubrey Zwicke, Mark L. Foytik
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Patent number: 5659641Abstract: Apparatus for packaging a fiber optic device along with electronic and opto-electronic components upon a printed circuit board. Bend members having arcuate shaped guide surfaces for directing fibers between various components are strategically mounted upon the top surface of the board. Passive fiber optic components are also mounted upon support means between bend members so that the fibers entering and exiting the passive component run tangent to the bend radius of the bend members. The radius of curvature of the bend members is within the bend tolerance of the fibers used in the device. The bend members and support members are formed of a material having a thermal coefficient of expansion that is about equal to that of the board material whereby thermally induced stresses on the board mounted components are minimized.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Corning, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery A. DeMeritt, Gerald B. Schmidt, Robert J. Walker, Paul A. Jakobson
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Patent number: RE38310Abstract: Apparatus for packaging a fiber optic device along with electronic and opto-electronic components upon a printed circuit board. Bend members having arcuate shaped guide surfaces for directing fibers between various components are strategically mounted upon the top surface of the board. Passive fiber optic components are also mounted upon support means between bend members so that the fibers entering and exiting the passive component run tangent to the bend radius of the bend members. The radius of curvature of the bend members is within the bend tolerance of the fibers used in the device. The bend members and support members are formed of a material having a thermal coefficient of expansion that is about equal to that of the board material whereby thermally induced stresses on the board mounted components are minimized.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1999Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Jeffery A. DeMeritt, Gerald B. Schmidt, Robert J. Walker, Paul A. Jakobson