Patents by Inventor Lawrence D. Wolcott
Lawrence D. Wolcott 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: 10187397Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to determine whether a non-linear signal impairment is present in a network communication channel. For instance, a computing device may transmit equalization coefficients to a user device to modify future signals generated by the user device. If the equalization coefficients are unable to reduce a signal impairment, the signal impairment may be a non-linear signal impairment. The computing device may generate symbol placements based on signals received from the user device and transmit status messages.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Publication number: 20190014579Abstract: A wired network may be used to carry signals for a wireless network, in a frequency-shifted manner, to extend the range of the wireless network. A wired network may detect signal interference emanating from a wireless service provider, and received through a leak in the wired network's infrastructure. Devices may be installed or leveraged in the vicinity of the interference to extend the wireless service to geographic areas that may have poor reception. The devices may amplify wireless downstream signals and transmit them wireles sly, and may receive upstream wireless communications and transmit them upstream in the wired network's protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: January 10, 2019Inventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Kevin Johns
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Publication number: 20180198798Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to determine whether a non-linear signal impairment is present in a network communication channel. For instance, a computing device may transmit equalization coefficients to a user device to modify future signals generated by the user device. If the equalization coefficients are unable to reduce a signal impairment, the signal impairment may be a non-linear signal impairment. The computing device may generate symbol placements based on signals received from the user device and transmit status messages.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2017Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Patent number: 9888475Abstract: A wired network may be used to carry signals for a wireless network, in a frequency-shifted manner, to extend the range of the wireless network. A wired network may detect signal interference emanating from a wireless service provider, and received through a leak in the wired network's infrastructure. Devices may be installed or leveraged in the vicinity of the interference to extend the wireless service to geographic areas that may have poor reception. The devices may amplify wireless downstream signals and transmit them wirelessly, and may receive upstream wireless communications and transmit them upstream in the wired network's protocol.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Kevin Johns
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Publication number: 20170094661Abstract: A wired network may be used to carry signals for a wireless network, in a frequency-shifted manner, to extend the range of the wireless network. A wired network may detect signal interference emanating from a wireless service provider, and received through a leak in the wired network's infrastructure. Devices may be installed or leveraged in the vicinity of the interference to extend the wireless service to geographic areas that may have poor reception. The devices may amplify wireless downstream signals and transmit them wirelessly, and may receive upstream wireless communications and transmit them upstream in the wired network's protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Kevin Johns
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Patent number: 9602518Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to generate a symbol placement associated with a transmission scheme by transforming a retrieved set of equalization coefficients. Symbols included in the symbol placement may be analyzed and quantified in terms of their distance from a decision boundary. Symbols may be synthesized on an iterative basis in order to obtain visibility into the underlying performance of the transmission scheme over time. If equalization is unable to reduce a signal impairment below a threshold value within a predetermined amount of time, then a determination may be made that a non-linear distortion source is present in a network or communication system. Signals received from a plurality of user terminals may be compared with one another in order to determine a probable location or cause of the non-linear distortion.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Patent number: 9537680Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which a network induces different distortions in signals traversing different segments of the network. The distortions may be used to identify locations on the network of devices that transmit and receive the signals. The distortions may be reflected in equalization coefficients programmed into transmitting or receiving devices, which may be used to pre or post filter the signals to compensate for the distortions.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang, Bryan Scott Johnston
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Patent number: 9479515Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are provided for determining a location of an error source. Equalization coefficients may be retrieved and an average period of time between localized peak amplitudes may be determined. The average period of time may be multiplied by a velocity of propagation associated with a communication channel to determine an approximate location of the error source. The equalization coefficients may correspond to the inverse of the frequency response associated with the communication channel and may be updated over time using replacement or combination (e.g., convolution) techniques.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Philip F. Chang
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Patent number: 9473613Abstract: A wired network may be used to carry signals for a wireless network, in a frequency-shifted manner, to extend the range of the wireless network. A wired network may detect signal interference emanating from a wireless service provider, and received through a leak in the wired network's infrastructure. Devices may be installed or leveraged in the vicinity of the interference to extend the wireless service to geographic areas that may have poor reception. The devices may amplify wireless downstream signals and transmit them wirelessly, and may receive upstream wireless communications and transmit them upstream in the wired network's protocol.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Kevin Johns
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Patent number: 9444719Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting and locating ingress of an over-the-air signal into a wired communications network. Computing devices located in a plurality of different areas may be configured to identify amplitude of signals transmitted over the wired communications network as it varies by signal frequency. In one embodiment, the system may determine expected amplitude of the over-the-air signal at the plurality of different areas. In other embodiments, the system may identify amplitudes received over the wired communication path at the computing devices. The system may determine a location at which the over-the-air signal has entered the wired communications network based on a comparison of the identified and expected amplitudes of the over-the-wire signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Philip Chang, Wilfredo Colon, Paras Kharwal
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Patent number: 9438605Abstract: An analyzer can obtain data regarding signal characteristics in each of multiple communication channels within an access network. The analyzer can use that data to create signatures corresponding to each of the multiple channels. Based on similarities between signatures, the analyzer may then identify clusters of signatures associated with devices that share channels or portions of channels.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Patent number: 9386025Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to generate a symbol placement associated with a transmission scheme by transforming a retrieved set of equalization coefficients. Symbols included in the symbol placement may be analyzed and quantified in terms of their distance from a decision boundary. Symbols may be synthesized on an iterative basis in order to obtain visibility into the underlying performance of the transmission scheme over time. If equalization is unable to reduce a signal impairment below a threshold value within a predetermined amount of time, then a determination may be made that a non-linear distortion source is present in a network or communication system. Signals received from a plurality of user terminals may be compared with one another in order to determine a probable location or cause of the non-linear distortion.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Publication number: 20150326464Abstract: System and methods for analyzing a network are disclosed. One method can comprise determining a parameter for each of a plurality of devices, generating a signature for each of the plurality of devices based upon the determined parameters, comparing the signatures of two or more of the plurality of devices, and grouping the plurality of devices based upon the comparison of the signatures of the two or more of the plurality of devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Jonathan A. Leech, Nicholas A. Pinckernell
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Publication number: 20150256430Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which a network induces different distortions in signals traversing different segments of the network. The distortions may be used to identify locations on the network of devices that transmit and receive the signals. The distortions may be reflected in equalization coefficients programmed into transmitting or receiving devices, which may be used to pre or post filter the signals to compensate for the distortions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang, Bryan Scott Johnston
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Patent number: 9065554Abstract: System and methods for analyzing a network are disclosed. One method can comprise determining a parameter for each of a plurality of devices, generating a signature for each of the plurality of devices based upon the determined parameters, comparing the signatures of two or more of the plurality of devices, and grouping the plurality of devices based upon the comparison of the signatures of the two or more of the plurality of devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Jonathan A. Leech, Nicholas A. Pinckernell
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Patent number: 8971394Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which a network induces different distortions in signals traversing different segments of the network. The distortions may be used to identify locations on the network of devices that transmit and receive the signals. The distortions may be reflected in equalization coefficients programmed into transmitting or receiving devices, which may be used to pre or post filter the signals to compensate for the distortions.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang, Bryan Scott Johnston
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Publication number: 20150046982Abstract: An analyzer can obtain data regarding signal characteristics in each of multiple communication channels within an access network. The analyzer can use that data to create signatures corresponding to each of the multiple channels. Based on similarities between signatures, the analyzer may then identify clusters of signatures associated with devices that share channels or portions of channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Publication number: 20150029869Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting and locating ingress of an over-the-air signal into a wired communications network. Computing devices located in a plurality of different areas may be configured to identify amplitude of signals transmitted over the wired communications network as it varies by signal frequency. In one embodiment, the system may determine expected amplitude of the over-the-air signal at the plurality of different areas. In other embodiments, the system may identify amplitudes received over the wired communication path at the computing devices. The system may determine a location at which the over-the-air signal has entered the wired communications network based on a comparison of the identified and expected amplitudes of the over-the-wire signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Philip Chang, Wilfredo Colon, Paras Kharwal
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Patent number: 8856535Abstract: An analyzer can obtain data regarding signal characteristics in each of multiple communication channels within an access network. The analyzer can use that data to create signatures corresponding to each of the multiple channels. Based on similarities between signatures, the analyzer may then identify clusters of signatures associated with devices that share channels or portions of channels.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang
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Publication number: 20140241409Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to generate a symbol placement associated with a transmission scheme by transforming a retrieved set of equalization coefficients. Symbols included in the symbol placement may be analyzed and quantified in terms of their distance from a decision boundary. Symbols may be synthesized on an iterative basis in order to obtain visibility into the underlying performance of the transmission scheme over time. If equalization is unable to reduce a signal impairment below a threshold value within a predetermined amount of time, then a determination may be made that a non-linear distortion source is present in a network or communication system. Signals received from a plurality of user terminals may be compared with one another in order to determine a probable location or cause of the non-linear distortion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventors: Lawrence D. Wolcott, Phillip F. Chang