Patents by Inventor Mark Childers

Mark Childers 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: 20250166474
    Abstract: The disclosed universal emergency alarm system is capable of alerting occupants of one or more emergencies through one universal alarm system with the use of one or more decentralized alarm panels and one or more alarms. Certain embodiments of the alarm system also comprise one or more centralized alarm panels and emergency dispatch. Emergencies can include weather or natural disaster emergencies, manmade or criminal activity emergencies, dangerous situation emergencies, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) from state or local government authorities, or the like. A mobile app can be used to create and communicate with one or more connectivity zones, zone members, connectivity communities, community members, and emergency dispatch authorities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2024
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventor: Mark Childers
  • Patent number: 7965950
    Abstract: The present invention provides a performance optimized receiver with a bandwidth adaptive optical filter for high speed long haul wavelength division multiplexed systems, such as 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s wavelength division multiplexed systems. The performance optimized receiver includes: a bandwidth and wavelength tunable optical filter, wherein the bandwidth and wavelength tunable optical filter is operable for receiving a plurality of wavelengths associated with a wavelength division multiplexed signal and passing one or more selected wavelengths, and wherein the bandwidth and wavelength tunable optical filter is operable for adjusting the bandwidth of each of the one or more selected wavelengths; and a receiver coupled to the bandwidth and wavelength tunable optical filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Childers, Shan Zhong, Xiaohui Yang
  • Patent number: 7693357
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for mitigating polarization changes associated with an optical communication signal caused by mechanical disturbances to an optical fiber dispersion compensation module of an optical communication network. The methods include disposing a first damping material between an optical fiber and a housing associated with the optical fiber dispersion compensation module; wherein the first damping material is selected and positioned such that it mitigates relatively fast polarization changes. Optionally, the methods also include disposing a second damping material between the optical fiber and the housing associated with the optical fiber dispersion compensation module; wherein the second damping material is selected and positioned such that it mitigates relatively slow polarization changes. Thus, frequency range specific optical fiber dispersion compensation module mechanical perturbation isolation methods and systems are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Abdellatif Marrakchi El Fellah, Jean-Luc Archambault, Michael Y. Frankel, Mark Childers
  • Publication number: 20100008617
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for mitigating polarization changes associated with an optical communication signal caused by mechanical disturbances to an optical fiber dispersion compensation module of an optical communication network. The methods include disposing a first damping material between an optical fiber and a housing associated with the optical fiber dispersion compensation module; wherein the first damping material is selected and positioned such that it mitigates relatively fast polarization changes. Optionally, the methods also include disposing a second damping material between the optical fiber and the housing associated with the optical fiber dispersion compensation module; wherein the second damping material is selected and positioned such that it mitigates relatively slow polarization changes. Thus, frequency range specific optical fiber dispersion compensation module mechanical perturbation isolation methods and systems are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Abdellatif MARRAKCHI EL FELLAH, Jean-Luc Archambault, Michael Y. Frankel, Mark Childers
  • Publication number: 20090097849
    Abstract: The present invention provides a performance optimized receiver with a bandwidth adaptive optical filter for high speed long haul wavelength division multiplexed systems, such as 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s wavelength division multiplexed systems. The performance optimized receiver includes: a bandwidth and wavelength tunable optical filter, wherein the bandwidth and wavelength tunable optical filter is operable for receiving a plurality of wavelengths associated with a wavelength division multiplexed signal and passing one or more selected wavelengths, and wherein the bandwidth and wavelength tunable optical filter is operable for adjusting the bandwidth of each of the one or more selected wavelengths; and a receiver coupled to the bandwidth and wavelength tunable optical filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Mark Childers, Shan Zhong, Xiaohui Yang
  • Patent number: 6877117
    Abstract: An optical receiver configuration and method of controlling an optical signal receiver adjusts a decision threshold to reduce the bit error rate (BER). The receiver includes a comparator having a data input and a digital data output. An error detection & correction circuit provides an error signal representative of the number of corrected “1”s and “0”s in the data output from the comparator. Based on the error signal, a control circuit modifies the comparator decision threshold in a direction to reduce the BER of the receiver. Dynamic modification of the decision threshold may also be accomplished. A relative percentage error indicator is preferably used as the basis of changing the decision threshold value. The relative percentage error indicator may be used to determine how much to adjust the decision threshold at each iteration of the method to more quickly arrive at an acceptable decision threshold and prevent overshoot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Childers, Arthur P. Massaro, Jr., Jeff Werner, John Kai Andersen
  • Patent number: 6484806
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a blowout preventer stack. The apparatus comprises a control pod having a plurality of direct operated solenoid valves in electronic communication with a surface controller through one or more dedicated electronic control wires. The solenoids translate electronic control signals from the controller into hydraulic control signals that are in communication with a hydraulically operated pilot valve to cause delivery of hydraulic fluid from a power fluid source to a critical function of the blowout preventer stack (i.e., closing of a blowout preventer). The system also provides a plurality of hydraulically operated pilot valves that deliver hydraulic fluid from a power fluid source to a non-critical function of the blowout preventer stack upon receiving a hydraulic control signal directly from the controller through the umbilical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignees: Atwood Oceanics, Inc., Oceaneering
    Inventors: Mark Childers, Michael Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20020100589
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a blowout preventer stack. The apparatus comprises a control pod having a plurality of direct operated solenoid valves in electronic communication with a surface controller through one or more dedicated electronic control wires. The solenoids translate electronic control signals from the controller into hydraulic control signals that are in communication with a hydraulically operated pilot valve to cause delivery of hydraulic fluid from a power fluid source to a critical function of the blowout preventer stack (i.e., closing of a blowout preventer). The system also provides a plurality of hydraulically operated pilot valves that deliver hydraulic fluid from a power fluid source to a non-critical function of the blowout preventer stack upon receiving a hydraulic control signal directly from the controller through the umbilical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Childers, Michael Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6000571
    Abstract: A new trash receptacle for permitting easy removal therefrom of a filled trash bag. The inventive device includes outer and inner portions each having a base and a side wall. The inner and outer portions are spaced apart to define an air space therebetween. The inner base of the inner portion has a plurality of apertures therethrough into the air space between the inner and outer bases to permit air flow from the air space into the interior space of the trash receptacle to help relieve the vacuum formed when a trash bag is removed from the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventors: Michael A. Brooks, Mark Childers