Patents by Inventor Max Ward Muterspaugh

Max Ward Muterspaugh 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: 11202113
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided with a solution to adjacent channel interference when a multi-carrier modulation system (e.g., OFDM) replaces a legacy modulation system and co-exists with it for a period of time. The adjacent channel interference can be reduced by blocking (setting to 0) and not using some of the carriers at the edge of the spectrum during the transition period. This effectively reduces the bandwidth of the channel and consequently, the adjacent channel interference caused by the multi-carrier signal. However, at some point in time, the legacy system will be turned off and the adjacent channel interference into the original channels will no longer be important. The present principles propose a mechanism to allow for the unblocking of the removed carriers once the interference problem becomes less strict.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL CE PATENT HOLDINGS
    Inventors: John Sidney Stewart, Max Ward Muterspaugh
  • Patent number: 9661791
    Abstract: An RF interference suppressor for satellite receivers and more specifically those that employ the MOCA standard is provided. The RF interference suppressor shields the connection point of the center conductor of the F-connector to the PC board from spurious signals emanating from the high speed digital portions of the receiver. In addition, the RF interference suppressor shield includes a tab portion that encompasses the threaded portion of the F-connector and operates to shield the path for RF interference resulting from the gap between the F-connector body and the inner shield wall of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: THOMSON Licensing DTV
    Inventors: Max Ward Muterspaugh, William John Testin, Darin Bradley Ritter, Mickey Jay Hunt
  • Patent number: 9479818
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying signals into a filter circuit is disclosed. The apparatus includes a filter circuit that filters an input signal and outputs a signal in a first frequency range, and a filter circuit that filters the input signal and outputs a signal in a second frequency range that is different from the first frequency range, wherein the second filter circuit includes an interface circuit for inserting a signal used to receive the first frequency range signal. The method includes receiving a signal containing content from a first source in a first frequency range and content from a second source in a second frequency range, providing filtering to produce a signal containing the first content, providing filtering to produce a signal containing the second content, and applying a signal to second content signal processing circuitry, the signal provided used for receiving the content from the first source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Max Ward Muterspaugh, Daniel Mark Hutchinson, Rejimon Gnanammal Varghese
  • Patent number: 9413327
    Abstract: A simplified filter structure, and method thereof, for filtering signals received on a network are provided. The present disclosure is directed to a simplified filter structure, arranged as a dual unbalanced cascade diplexer for a plurality of received signals, including satellite, terrestrial, and home networking signals, e.g., Multimedia Over Cable Alliance (MoCA) signals. The simplified filter structure is designed such that signals within a certain predetermined frequency range are passed, while the impedance is matched in the stopband frequency range both above and below the frequency range of the passed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Max Ward Muterspaugh, Lincheng Xiu
  • Publication number: 20160219331
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided which utilize the preamble of a multi-carrier modulated digital transmitted signal to indicate whether or not a special message (e.g., Emergency Alert System messages) is available for reception. When in power saving mode the receiver periodically detects the preamble, which requires limited functionality and power, to check for the presence of such special messages. The receiver only completely wakes up additional functionalities if a special message is detected in the preamble. This results in advantageous savings in power consumption, particularly for portable and handheld devices, while having the capability of receiving special messages anytime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: John Sidney STEWART, Max Ward MUTERSPAUGH, Loic FONTAINE
  • Publication number: 20160212451
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided with a solution to adjacent channel interference when a multi-carrier modulation system (e.g., OFDM) replaces a legacy modulation system and co-exists with it for a period of time. The adjacent channel interference can be reduced by blocking (setting to 0) and not using some of the carriers at the edge of the spectrum during the transition period. This effectively reduces the bandwidth of the channel and consequently, the adjacent channel interference caused by the multi-carrier signal. However, at some point in time, the legacy system will be turned off and the adjacent channel interference into the original channels will no longer be important. The present principles propose a mechanism to allow for the unblocking of the removed carriers once the interference problem becomes less strict.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: John Sidney STEWART, Max Ward MUTERSPAUGH
  • Publication number: 20150303891
    Abstract: A simplified filter structure, and method thereof, for filtering signals received on a network are provided. The present disclosure is directed to a simplified filter structure, arranged as a dual unbalanced cascade diplexer for a plurality of received signals, including satellite, terrestrial, and home networking signals, e.g., Multimedia Over Cable Alliance (MoCA) signals. The simplified filter structure is designed such that signals within a certain predetermined frequency range are passed, while the impedance is matched in the stopband frequency range both above and below the frequency range of the passed signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Max Ward Muterspaugh, Lincheng Xiu
  • Patent number: 8515482
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for controlling transmission of a transmitted signal in a communications device. The apparatus includes a first antenna for receiving a first signal using a first polarization, a second antenna for receiving the first signal and a second signal and transmitting the second signal in a second polarization, and a controller coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna for adjusting the transmitting by the second antenna in response to the first signal received by the first antenna and the second antenna. The method includes the steps of receiving a first signal using a first polarization, receiving the first signal using a second polarization, transmitting a second signal using the second polarization, and controlling the transmitting step in response to the step of receiving using the first polarization and the step of receiving using the second polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Max Ward Muterspaugh
  • Patent number: 8418210
    Abstract: A satellite television ground system, particularly for a make or break satellite television signal system, includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are in communication with each other via a single coaxial cable and an optional separate single conductor for power. The satellite television ground system is operative to measure and reverse frequency conversion errors utilizing DSP techniques, allowing for more precise generation and transmission of uplink signals from the satellite television ground system. Control data for the system is sent via a low data rate connection on a power cable thereof, or by a narrowband signaling channel via a coax cable. The system also utilizes a single reference oscillator to drive the various frequency synthesizers and the like. The satellite television ground system utilizes related oscillators for the uplink and downlink sections. Carrier frequency offset in the downlink is measured in a carrier tracking loop part of a television signal demodulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Paul Gothard Knutson, Kumar Ramaswamy, Max Ward Muterspaugh
  • Patent number: 8401482
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for controlling transmission of a signal in a communications device in order to prevent interference. An apparatus is described that includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal, an antenna coupled to the transmitter for radiating the signal in a radiated polarization pattern, and a controller for adjusting the transmitter when the radiated signal exhibits an undesired polarization pattern. A method is also described that includes the steps of producing a signal for transmission, radiating the signal in a polarization pattern, and adjusting the production of the signal for transmission when the radiated signal exhibits an undesired polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Max Ward Muterspaugh
  • Publication number: 20120287588
    Abstract: An RF interference suppressor for satellite receivers and more specifically those that employ the MOCA standard is provided. The RF interference suppressor shields the connection point of the center conductor of the F-connector to the PC board from spurious signals emanating from the high speed digital portions of the receiver. In addition, the RF interference suppressor shield includes a tab portion that encompasses the threaded portion of the F-connector and operates to shield the path for RF interference resulting from the gap between the F-connector body and the inner shield wall of the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Max Ward Muterspaugh, William John Testin, Darin Bradley Ritter, Mickey Jay Hunt
  • Patent number: 8234684
    Abstract: A Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) receiver comprises a transceiver for communicating with a wireless network over one of a number of channels, and an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) signal detector for use in forming a supported channel list comprising those ones of the number of channels upon which an ATSC signal was not detected, wherein the ATSC signal detector is a threshold-based detector and detects an ATSC signal as a function of at least one threshold, and wherein the ATSC signal detector is responsive to at least one of a carrier tracking loop lock signal, a symbol timing recovery lock signal and a synchronization (sync) lock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Ivonete Markman, Gabriel Alfred Edde, Max Ward Muterspaugh
  • Publication number: 20120025929
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a bandstop filter for preventing signals of frequencies used for inter-device communications in a television signal distribution system from interfering with a signal source. The filter is designed to work with a signal splitter and reduce the negative impact on inter-device communication through the splitter caused by conventional bandstop filters. The filter adds a section to a bandstop filter to provide a resistive load and high output impedance at the port feeding the splitter largely through the action of a parallel resonant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Max Ward Muterspaugh, Daniel Mark Hutchinson, Andrew Eric Bowyer
  • Publication number: 20100216414
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for controlling transmission of a signal in a communications device in order to prevent interference. An apparatus is described that includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal, an antenna coupled to the transmitter for radiating the signal in a radiated polarization pattern, and a controller for adjusting the transmitter when the radiated signal exhibits an undesired polarization pattern. A method is also described that includes the steps of producing a signal for transmission, radiating the signal in a polarization pattern, and adjusting the production of the signal for transmission when the radiated signal exhibits an undesired polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Max Ward Muterspaugh
  • Publication number: 20100184386
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for controlling transmission of a transmitted signal in a communications device. The apparatus includes a first antenna for receiving a first signal using a first polarization, a second antenna for receiving the first signal and a second signal and transmitting the second signal in a second polarization, and a controller coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna for adjusting the transmitting by the second antenna in response to the first signal received by the first antenna and the second antenna. The method includes the steps of receiving a first signal using a first polarization, receiving the first signal using a second polarization, transmitting a second signal using the second polarization, and controlling the transmitting step in response to the step of receiving using the first polarization and the step of receiving using the second polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Max Ward Muterspaugh
  • Publication number: 20100171877
    Abstract: A Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) receiver comprises a transceiver for communicating with a wireless network over one of a number of channels, and an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) signal detector for use in forming a supported channel list comprising those ones of the number of channels upon which an ATSC signal was not detected, wherein the ATSC signal detector is a threshold-based detector and detects an ATSC signal as a function of at least one threshold, and wherein the ATSC signal detector is responsive to at least one of a carrier tracking loop lock signal, a symbol timing recovery lock signal and a synchronization (sync) lock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Ivonete Markman, Gabriel Alfred Edde, Max Ward Muterspaugh
  • Patent number: 7710503
    Abstract: A signal processing arrangement has a signal source for providing a radio frequency (RF) signal, a signal output point, and first control means coupled between the signal source and the signal output point for controlling the selection of a low noise figure amplifier in response to the magnitude of an RF signal on a tuned channel frequency and the magnitude of an RF signal in the vicinity of said tuned channel frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Pugel, Max Ward Muterspaugh
  • Publication number: 20090154537
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a cable system comprises a first port for use in coupling to a portion of a cable network for receiving an upstream signal having a frequency spectrum including a first frequency band; and a reflector for reflecting the received upstream signal back downstream via the first port; wherein the first frequency band is different from those frequency bands used by a head-end of the cable network for Internet communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Gothard Knutson, Max Ward Muterspaugh, Kumar Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20090113510
    Abstract: A cable network tap comprises a first port for coupling to an upstream portion of a cable network and for receiving a downstream signal; a second port for coupling to a downstream portion of the cable network and receiving an upstream signal; and a filter for filtering at least one of the downstream signal and the upstream signal. The filter has a bandwidth that is adjustable in accordance with a plurality of cable network bandwidth configurations, each cable network bandwidth configuration allocating bandwidth differently between upstream communications and downstream communications over at least a portion of the cable network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Gothard Knutson, Max Ward Muterspaugh, Kumar Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 7508459
    Abstract: A technique for performing channel detection in a device such as a television signal receiver is capable of quickly determining the analog and/or digital broadcast channels available in a given area. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for performing channel detection includes tuning a first frequency channel, determining whether a signal parameter associated with the first frequency channel exceeds a predetermined threshold, and enabling a first channel acquisition operation responsive to determining that the signal parameter exceeds the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Mayer, Michael Anthony Pugel, Max Ward Muterspaugh