Patents by Inventor Gregory L. Bella

Gregory L. Bella 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: 20230166622
    Abstract: A charging system includes first and second ports supported by a single power supply, which is configured to support Universal Serial Bus (USB) Power Delivery (PD) power levels. A controller is configured to provide a negotiated PD power level from the single power supply to the first port when, in operation, only a single first device is connected to the charging system via the first port. The controller is further configured to reduce the power available to the first and second ports to a preset level from the single power supply when, in operation, a second device is connected to the charging system via the second port such that the first and second devices are both connected to the charging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Luis Ramses Rubio ROMERO, Gregory L. BELLA, Jeffrey R. CIARLETTE
  • Patent number: 11114837
    Abstract: A ground overcurrent control system includes ground circuit with a first section and a second section. The first section is electrically connected to a ground member of an electrical connector and the second section is electrically connected to a ground reference. A switch element is positioned between the first section of the ground circuit and the second section of the ground circuit. A controller is configured to determine the current within the ground circuit while current is passing through the switch element and, upon the current exceeding a current threshold, the switch element is modified to an open condition. Upon determining that the voltage between the first section of the ground circuit and the ground reference is less than a voltage threshold, a command is generated to modify the switch element back to a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bella, Jeffrey R. Ciarlette
  • Publication number: 20200195005
    Abstract: A ground overcurrent control system includes ground circuit with a first section and a second section. The first section is electrically connected to a ground member of an electrical connector and the second section is electrically connected to a ground reference. A switch element is positioned between the first section of the ground circuit and the second section of the ground circuit. A controller is configured to determine the current within the ground circuit while current is passing through the switch element and, upon the current exceeding a current threshold, the switch element is modified to an open condition. Upon determining that the voltage between the first section of the ground circuit and the ground reference is less than a voltage threshold, a command is generated to modify the switch element back to a closed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. BELLA, Jeffrey R. CIARLETTE
  • Patent number: 10574049
    Abstract: A ground overcurrent control system includes ground circuit with a first section and a second section. The first section is electrically connected to a ground member of an electrical connector and the second section is electrically connected to a ground reference. A switch element is positioned between the first section of the ground circuit and the second section of the ground circuit. A controller is configured to determine the current within the ground circuit while current is passing through the switch element and, upon the current exceeding a current threshold, the switch element is modified to an open condition. Upon determining that the voltage between the first section of the ground circuit and the ground reference is less than a voltage threshold, a command is generated to modify the switch element back to a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bella, Jeffrey R. Ciarlette
  • Publication number: 20170179712
    Abstract: A ground overcurrent control system includes ground circuit with a first section and a second section. The first section is electrically connected to a ground member of an electrical connector and the second section is electrically connected to a ground reference. A switch element is positioned between the first section of the ground circuit and the second section of the ground circuit. A controller is configured to determine the current within the ground circuit while current is passing through the switch element and, upon the current exceeding a current threshold, the switch element is modified to an open condition. Upon determining that the voltage between the first section of the ground circuit and the ground reference is less than a voltage threshold, a command is generated to modify the switch element back to a closed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. BELLA, Jeffrey R. CIARLETTE
  • Publication number: 20100301775
    Abstract: Systems and methods to gradually reduce power to a load are disclosed. A method includes initializing a control circuit that is configured to transition from an initial state to a steady state. A first portion of an AC power cycle that is received at the input terminal is selectively blocked from passing to a load terminal. A second portion of the AC power cycle is selectively passed to the load terminal based on an output of the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 7577189
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes selectively engaging impedance circuits one at a time from a plurality of selectable impedance circuits in-line with a communication channel. Each of the plurality of selectable impedance circuits includes a hybrid circuit responsive to a modem and to the communication channel. The method further includes determining a performance characteristic for each of the impedance circuits and selecting one of the plurality of selectable impedance circuits for transmission based on the respective performance characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bella, Thomas J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 7305006
    Abstract: A front end, such as can be used in a Home Phoneline Networking Alliance network, may connected to a plurality of transmission lines. Each of the plurality of transmission lines may connected to one or more devices, such as a plain old telephone service device or an asynchronous digital subscriber line device. Devices connected to different transmission lines may then communicate with each other over the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 7145943
    Abstract: An XDSL system comprising a hybrid circuit in operative communication with a transmission line and an XDSL modem associated with a subscriber premises. The hybrid circuit comprises a plurality of selectable impedance circuits having different impedance values. A controller selectively engages each of the impedance circuits in-line with the XDSL modem and the transmission line. The controller records the performance of the modem with each circuit engaged, and selects the desired impedance circuit as a function of the performance characteristics associated with each of the impedance circuits. The impedance circuit which provides the best performance characteristic is selected as the impedance circuit for normal modem operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignees: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P., Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Gough, Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 7106854
    Abstract: An XDSL system comprising a hybrid circuit in operative communication with a transmission line and an XDSL modem associated with a subscriber premises. The hybrid circuit comprises a plurality of selectable impedance circuits having different impedance values. A controller selectively engages each of the impedance circuits in-line with the XDSL modem and the transmission line. The controller records the performance of the modem with each circuit engaged, and selects the desired impedance circuit as a function of the performance characteristics associated with each of the impedance circuits. The impedance circuit which provides the best performance characteristic is selected as the impedance circuit for normal modem operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignees: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P., Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Gough, Gregory L. Bella, Thomas F. Nielsen, Charles Feucht, Thomas J. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20040037352
    Abstract: An XDSL system comprising a hybrid circuit in operative communication with a transmission line and an XDSL modem associated with a subscriber premises. The hybrid circuit comprises a plurality of selectable impedance circuits having different impedance values. A controller selectively engages each of the impedance circuits in-line with the XDSL modem and the transmission line. The controller records the performance of the modem with each circuit engaged, and selects the desired impedance circuit as a function of the performance characteristics associated with each of the impedance circuits. The impedance circuit which provides the best performance characteristic is selected as the impedance circuit for normal modem operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory W. Gough, Gregory L. Bella
  • Publication number: 20010048716
    Abstract: An XDSL system comprising a hybrid circuit in operative communication with a transmission line and an XDSL modem associated with a subscriber premises. The hybrid circuit comprises a plurality of selectable impedance circuits having different impedance values. A controller selectively engages each of the impedance circuits in-line with the XDSL modem and the transmission line. The controller records the performance of the modem with each circuit engaged, and selects the desired impedance circuit as a function of the performance characteristics associated with each of the impedance circuits. The impedance circuit which provides the best performance characteristic is selected as the impedance circuit for normal modem operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory W. Gough, Gregory L. Bella, Thomas F. Nielsen, Charles Feucht, Thomas J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 6278769
    Abstract: A network interface device intended to be placed approximate to the customers equipment and remote from a central office of a telephone company (“TELCO”). The purpose of the network interface device is to allow the twisted pair transmission line between the central office and the customer's port to be selectively switched from a normal monitoring mode into a test mode. The test mode has two phases. In the first phase, the NIU transmits a signal back to the central office. This allows the central office to determine whether there are any problems with the transmission line, the potential bandwidth for the transmission line and related parameters concerning the efficacy and suitability of the transmission line for a variety of communication services. In the second phase, which is entered into upon completion of the first phase, the customer-end ADSL low pass filter is bypassed so that the central office can test the customer's POTS equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 6212258
    Abstract: A network interface device intended to be placed approximate to the customers equipment and remote from a central office of a telephone company (“TELCO”). The purpose of the network interface device is to allow the twisted pair transmission line between the central office and the customer's port to be selectively switched from a normal monitoring mode into a test mode. In the test mode, the NIU transmits a signal back to the central office so that the central office is able to determine whether there are any problems with the transmission line, the potential bandwidth for the transmission line and related parameters concerning the efficacy and suitability of the transmission line for a variety of communication services. A network interface device in accordance with the present invention has a monitor circuit which looks for a request signal from the central office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bella, Michael Clegg
  • Patent number: 6181775
    Abstract: A network interface device intended to be placed approximate to the customers equipment and remote from a central office of a telephone company (“TELCO”). The purpose of the network interface device is to allow the twisted pair transmission line between the central office and the customer's port to be selectively switched from a normal monitoring mode into a test mode. The test mode has two phases. In the first phase, the NIU transmits a signal back to the central office. This allows the central office to determine whether there are any problems with the transmission line, the potential bandwidth for the transmission line and related parameters concerning the efficacy and suitability of the transmission line for a variety of communication services. In the second phase, which is entered into upon completion of the first phase, the customer-end ADSL low pass filter is bypassed so that the central office can test the customer's POTS equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 6144735
    Abstract: A dual-mode filter network for an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) has a first frequency response when the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephone is on-hook and has a second frequency response when the POTS telephone is off-hook. A detector is used to determine the on-hook/off-hook status. The dual-mode filter network may be situated at the central unit and connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) while the detector at the remote unit connected between the POTS low pass filter and the POTS telephone. In such case, the detector outputs a signal which is transmitter via the twisted pair on an overhead channel. Alternatively, the dual-mode filter and the detector may be co-located at either the central unit or at the remote unit. Regardless of where it, or the detector are located, the dual-mode filter network has at least different combinations of components which are activated, depending on the on-hook/off-hook status of the POTS phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 6137880
    Abstract: A dual-mode filter network for an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) has a first frequency response when the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephone is on-hook and has a second frequency response when the POTS telephone is off-hook. A detector is used to determine the on-hook/off-hook status. The dual-mode filter network may be situated at the central unit and connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) while the detector at the remote unit connected between the POTS low pass filter and the POTS telephone. In such case, the detector outputs a signal which is transmitter via the twisted pair on an overhead channel. Alternatively, the dual-mode filter and the detector may be co-located at either the central unit or at the remote unit. Regardless of where it, or the detector are located, the dual-mode filter network has at least different combinations of components which are activated, depending on the on-hook/off-hook status of the POTS phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 6115466
    Abstract: A dual-mode filter network for an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) has a first frequency response when the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephone is on-hook and has a second frequency response when the POTS telephone is off-hook. A detector is used to determine the on-hook/off-hook status. The dual-mode filter network may be situated at the central unit and connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) while the detector at the re-mote unit connected between the POTS low pass filter and the POTS telephone. In such case, the detector outputs a signal which is transmitter via the twisted pair on an overhead channel. Alternatively, the dual-mode filter and the detector may be co-located at either the central unit or at the remote unit. Regardless of where it, or the detector are located, the dual-mode filter network has at least different combinations of components which are activated, depending on the on-hook/off-hook status of the POTS phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella