Patents by Inventor Michael Asher
Michael Asher 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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Publication number: 20100161359Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to optimizing a minimum cost function associated with buried asset lines by using a GIS application to generate a “dynamic buffer” around each asset line based on a risk management algorithm. A risk management algorithm, by which a GIS application can generate a “dynamic buffer”, is employed to minimize asset line damage risk and operating costs by balancing potential costs from damage against the fixed labor costs of manually screened and located tickets. Embodiments of the invention utilize the geography of the situation as well as factors for the asset itself.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventor: Michael Asher
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Publication number: 20100153418Abstract: A rule-based system for improving accuracy of geocoding results is provided including a communications device configured to transmit a query including a textually identified location and a geocoding accuracy module configured to receive the query from the communications device and successively remove constraints from the textually identified location until a match is located. Related methods and computer program products are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Michael Asher, Christopher Giles
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Publication number: 20100149964Abstract: Method, system and computer-readable medium for handling a dig ticket to mitigate physical cable damage are disclosed. In accordance with the method, a network alarm indicating a logical circuit is received. The logical circuit is mapped to at least one physical cable segment associated with the logical circuit. One or more other physical cable segments diversity of which is affected by the at least one physical cable segment are determined. The diversity associated with the one or more other physical cable segments is updated. The dig ticket is processed based at least on a risk factor that accounts for the diversity of at least one physical cable segment of the one or more other physical cable segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventor: Michael Asher
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Publication number: 20100125560Abstract: System frameworks and methods are described that convert textual location data into physical location data and perform precise operations upon the results regardless of the uncertainty inherent within the data. Embodiments may yield one or more location candidate and per-candidate uncertainty data is natively preserved in a manner which allows precise statements to be made against the imprecise location data. The data representation of the geocoding result is not a single latitude-longitude coordinate, but one or more polygons or a polypolygon.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Inventors: Michael Asher, Harold Jeffrey Stewart
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Publication number: 20100049765Abstract: A process for evaluating and geocoding of GIS data elements utilizes a plurality of “locate” tests and a weighting scheme to express the match results as a multidimensional vector. Multiple inputs and data sources, as well as ambiguous and partial input data, are used to generate an output with improved precision by applying a weighting function to each input element and generating a set of test vectors (i.e., in the input data element weighted by the known accuracy of the element/source). A sum of a plurality of tests is then generated as the “characteristic vector” of the test set. By using two (or more) different sets of tests, two (or more) characteristic vectors are formed. Various well-known algebraic techniques can then be used to evaluate the results of each set of tests and select the “best match” result.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Michael Asher, Charles Giddens, Hossein Eslambolchi, Harold J. Stewart
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Patent number: 7627545Abstract: A process for evaluating and geocoding of GIS data elements utilizes a plurality of “locate” tests and a weighting scheme to express the match results as a multidimensional vector. Multiple inputs and data sources, as well as ambiguous and partial input data, are used to generate an output with improved precision by applying a weighting function to each input element and generating a set of test vectors (i.e., the input data element weighted by the known accuracy of the element/source). A sum of a plurality of tests is then generated as the “characteristic vector” of the test set. By using two (or more) different sets of test, two (or more) characteristic vectors are formed. Various well-known algebraic techniques can then be used to evaluate the results of each set of tests and select the “best match” result.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2005Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, LP.Inventors: Michael Asher, Charles Giddens, Hossein Eslambolchi, Harold J. Stewart
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Patent number: 7605912Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a whether a reference trace is valid by comparing that trace to a more recent test trace. The reference trace may be replaced or an alarm may be transmitted under certain conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2008Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: AT&T CorpInventors: Michael Asher, Hossein Eslambolchi, Chuck Giddens, John Sinclair Huffman, Harold Stewart
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Publication number: 20090154360Abstract: A least-cost path between a pair of nodes A and B of a network is realized by segmenting the network into three or more segments, with nodes A and B being in different ones of the segments, with the third or more other segments being interposed between the segments to which nodes A and B belong, concurrently process the different segment to identify paths and their associated costs, and processing results generated by the different processing units to compute the least-cost path. Advantageously, the segmenting is chosen to equalize the work load of the different processing units so that the units finish their task roughly at the same time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Michael Asher, Christopher Giles
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Publication number: 20080288267Abstract: Disclosed is an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system that automatically manages work tickets. The IVR system receives a work ticket (e.g., a dig ticket) from a Call Center. The work ticket corresponds to work to be performed by a contractor. The IVR system transmits a notification of the work ticket to a technician. The IVR system then receives a response to the notification from the technician. The IVR system then transmits the response to the contractor and/or Call Center.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2007Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Michael Asher, Maryna Liublinska, Harold Stewart
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Publication number: 20080256291Abstract: Disk drives are synchronized by a timing signal generated in a master disk drive. The timing signal is transmitted over a power distribution network common to the disk drives. A slave drive receives the timing signal and synchronizes at least one disk based on the timing signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P.Inventor: Michael Asher
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Patent number: 7397545Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a whether a reference trace is valid by comparing that trace to a more recent test trace. The reference trace may be replaced or an alarm may be transmitted under certain conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Michael Asher, Hossein Eslambolchi, Chuck Giddens, John Sinclair Huffman, Harold Stewart
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Patent number: 7320192Abstract: An apparatus for moving particulate matter includes a body having a drive mechanism that operatively connects a motor to a shaft of a paddle assembly. A drive housing is disposed on the body and houses the drive mechanism. A cavity having a first side, a second side, and at least a partial semi-circular cross-sectional shape is disposed in the body, and the paddle assembly includes the shaft and a plurality of paddles disposed therefrom. Each paddle includes a bottom wall that is sized and shaped to extend along a width of the paddle in a substantially planar manner between the first side wall and the second side wall of the cavity, and a distal end that travels along the semi-circular cross-sectional shape of the cavity during operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Inventors: Barry Algren, Michael Asher
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Publication number: 20070199387Abstract: A test stand (10) for testing hoists (16) includes a test frame (12) and a tensioning device (14) to apply a tensile load to the hoist (16) being tested. The hoist (16) is connected to the test stand (10) at two connection points (26, 28) to which the tensioning device (14) applies a tensile load. Support legs (18, 20) are mounted to the test frame (12) for orienting the test frame (12) in either a generally vertical orientation or in a generally horizontal orientation to facilitate attachment of heavy hoists (16) for testing. Test frame (12) mounted receptacles (44) cooperate with forklift blades (122) for facilitating the transport of the test stand (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2006Publication date: August 30, 2007Inventor: Michael Asher
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Patent number: 7256878Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a whether a reference trace is valid by comparing that trace to a more recent test trace. One technique uses a chi-squared best fit of an array reflectance spike occurrences along the fiber to a historical reference array.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Michael Asher, Hossein Eslambolchi, Chuck Giddens, John Sinclair Huffman, Harold Stewart
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Publication number: 20060245572Abstract: A process for evaluating and geocoding of GIS data elements utilizes a plurality of “locate” tests and a weighting scheme to express the match results as a multidimensional vector. Multiple inputs and data sources, as well as ambiguous and partial input data, are used to generate an output with improved precision by applying a weighting function to each input element and generating a set of test vectors (i.e., the input data element weighted by the known accuracy of the element/source). A sum of a plurality of tests is then generated as the “characteristic vector” of the test set. By using two (or more) different sets of test, two (or more) characteristic vectors are formed. Various well-known algebraic techniques can then be used to evaluate the results of each set of tests and select the “best match” result.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2005Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventors: Michael Asher, Charles Giddens, Hossein Eslambolchi, Harold Stewart
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Publication number: 20060169169Abstract: A drive system and mounting system for an vehicle mounted alternator is provided wherein such an alternator system may be mounted to the structure directly above the axel/bearing combination by means of a mounting plate and associated spacers that are is adaptable to a wide range of rail freight cars, associated bearing adapters, bearing sizes and types, and side frames. This alternator system employs automatic tensioning devices similar to those in automobiles and is enclosed to provide protection from the elements and vandalism.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventors: Robert Martina, Michael Asher, James Brannon, Carl Chance
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Patent number: 7075632Abstract: The present invention relates to method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a likely cause for a length measurement to be shorter than a reference length. One technique uses a chi-squared best fit of an array reflectance spike occurrences along the fiber to a historical reference array. In that way, it can be determined whether the missing portion of the tested fiber is at an end or between the ends, providing evidence that the short length measurement results from a fiber break or from the intentional removal of a reserve loop.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Inventors: Michael Asher, Hossein Eslambolchi, Chuck Giddens, John Sinclair Huffman, Harold Stewart
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Patent number: 6989893Abstract: The present invention relates to method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a likely cause for a length measurement to be shorter than a reference length. One technique uses a chi-squared best fit of an array reflectance spike occurrences along the fiber to a historical reference array. In that way, it can be determined whether the missing portion of the tested fiber is at an end or between the ends, providing evidence that the short length measurement results from a fiber break or from the intentional removal of a reserve loop.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Michael Asher, Hossein Eslambolchi, Chuck Giddens, John Sinclair Huffman, Harold Stewart
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Publication number: 20050172594Abstract: An apparatus for moving particulate matter includes a body having a drive mechanism that operatively connects a motor to a shaft of a paddle assembly. A drive housing is disposed on the body and houses the drive mechanism. A cavity having a first side, a second side, and at least a partial semi-circular cross-sectional shape is disposed in the body, and the paddle assembly includes the shaft and a plurality of paddles disposed therefrom. Each paddle includes a bottom wall that is sized and shaped to extend along a width of the paddle in a substantially planar manner between the first side wall and the second side wall of the cavity, and a distal end that travels along the semi-circular cross-sectional shape of the cavity during operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2004Publication date: August 11, 2005Inventors: Barry Algren, Michael Asher
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Publication number: 20040250684Abstract: Apparatus for removing carbon dioxide from a stream of air or other gas, which includes a vertical gas absorption reactor containing loosely packed mixing units submerged in a carbon dioxide absorbent liquid; gas to be treated is admitted at or near this base of the rector, is broken into small bubbles by the mixing units, and passes through the absorbent liquid to remove a high percentage of carbon dioxide; treated gas leaves from the top of the reactor, a regenerator associated with the reactor continually or intermittently regenerates the absorbent liquid and is arranged to receive absorbent liquid to be treated through an outlet from the reactor which is located higher up the wall of the reactor than the inlet for returning treated liquid to the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Susan Pran Krumdieck, Kenneth Neil Marsh, Matthew Lloyd Brill, Michael Asher Brown, James Richard Cleland, Matthew Donald Green, Jamie Stuart Wallace