Patents by Inventor Michael Watford
Michael Watford 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: 20240069003Abstract: An apparatus and methods for characterizing and communicating carbon dioxide presence in a subterranean formation traversed by a wellbore including collecting fluid from the wellbore at a wellhead, analyzing the fluid for the presence, concentration, or both of the carbon dioxide using an instrument connected to a line collecting the fluid from the wellhead, and communicating the instrument analysis information within 24 hours of analyzing the fluid. Some embodiments may control the introduction of carbon dioxide into the formation. An apparatus and methods for monitoring the presence of carbon dioxide in a fluid produced from a wellbore including continuously collecting and conditioning a sample line from a wellbore, analyzing the sample line with an instrument at the wellsite, recording information from the analyzing continuously over time, and controlling the collecting, conditioning, analyzing, and recording with a process control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Patina IP LLCInventors: John Jeffrey Pechiney, Jason Michael Watford
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Publication number: 20230296018Abstract: An apparatus and methods for characterizing and communicating chemical tracer presence in a subterranean formation traversed by a wellbore including collecting fluid from the wellbore at a wellhead, analyzing the fluid for the presence or concentration or both of the tracer using a gas chromatograph connected to a line collecting the fluid from the wellhead, and communicating the gas chromatograph analysis information within 24 hours of analyzing the fluid. In some embodiments, the tracing chemical is a perfluorocarbon. In some embodiments, the collecting fluid is continuous. Some embodiments condition a flow of fluid. Some embodiments control the collecting, analyzing, and communicating using a controller that may include an autonomous system that includes a multiplex valve that controls for multiple inputs. The multiple inputs may include time, wellhead identity, calibration, signals from the gas chromatograph or the controller, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Jason Michael Watford, John Jeffrey Pechiney
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Patent number: 10951508Abstract: Systems and methods of end-to-end data path integrity validation of a service with a data path at Layer 1 and Layer 2 implemented by a network element include, responsive to initiation of a test, messaging between network elements in the data path to coordinate defect and statistics collection at each of the network elements in the data path; receiving results for the defect and statistics collection from each of the network elements in the data path; and summarizing the received results to form a consolidated report for the test across all of the network elements in the data path.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Ross Caird, Michael Watford
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Patent number: 10567352Abstract: Systems and methods for Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) encryption implemented by a first network element communicatively coupled to a second network element include encrypting a Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) signal based on a first encryption key with encryption applied to a 64b/66b bit stream associated with the FlexE signal at one or more of a FlexE client layer and a FlexE shim layer; switching to a second encryption key at a predetermined point in the FlexE signal; and encrypting the FlexE signal with the second encryption key subsequent to the switching.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Sebastien Gareau, Timothy L. Norman, Marc W. Leclair, Michael Watford
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Patent number: 10396972Abstract: An optical system supporting timing synchronization, alignment and deskewing across optical modules includes a plurality of optical devices each providing an Optical Tributary Signal (OTSi) which are part of an Optical Tributary Signal Group (OTSiG); and a management communication mechanism between the plurality of optical devices, wherein each of the plurality of optical devices are timing synchronized using the management communication mechanism and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) messaging. Each of the plurality of optical devices can include delay circuitry configured to deskew an associated OTSi with respect to other OTSi signals in the OTSiG.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Sebastien Gareau, Daniel Claude Perras, Michael Watford
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Publication number: 20190260570Abstract: An optical system supporting timing synchronization, alignment and deskewing across optical modules includes a plurality of optical devices each providing an Optical Tributary Signal (OTSi) which are part of an Optical Tributary Signal Group (OTSiG); and a management communication mechanism between the plurality of optical devices, wherein each of the plurality of optical devices are timing synchronized using the management communication mechanism and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) messaging. Each of the plurality of optical devices can include delay circuitry configured to deskew an associated OTSi with respect to other OTSi signals in the OTSiG.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2018Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Sebastien Gareau, Daniel Claude Perras, Michael Watford
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Publication number: 20190215261Abstract: Systems and methods of end-to-end data path integrity validation of a service with a data path at Layer 1 and Layer 2 implemented by a network element include, responsive to initiation of a test, messaging between network elements in the data path to coordinate defect and statistics collection at each of the network elements in the data path; receiving results for the defect and statistics collection from each of the network elements in the data path; and summarizing the received results to form a consolidated report for the test across all of the network elements in the data path.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2018Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Ross CAIRD, Michael WATFORD
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Publication number: 20190173856Abstract: Systems and methods for Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) encryption implemented by a first network element communicatively coupled to a second network element include encrypting a Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) signal based on a first encryption key with encryption applied to a 64b/66b bit stream associated with the FlexE signal at one or more of a FlexE client layer and a FlexE shim layer; switching to a second encryption key at a predetermined point in the FlexE signal; and encrypting the FlexE signal with the second encryption key subsequent to the switching.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Sebastien Gareau, Timothy L. Norman, Marc W. Leclair, Michael Watford
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Patent number: 10193688Abstract: Systems and methods for Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) encryption implemented by a first network element communicatively coupled to a second network element include utilizing an encryption messaging channel to establish an authenticated session and exchanging one or more encryption keys with a second network element; encrypting a signal, based on the one or more encryption keys; and transmitting the encrypted signal to the second network element.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Sebastien Gareau, Timothy L. Norman, Marc W. Leclair, Michael Watford
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Patent number: 9768870Abstract: A method includes automatically detecting an association between members based on their relationship to one another; sharing topology and cluster information between the members; and determining roles for each member, based on the topology and cluster information and rules, wherein the roles are used to automatically provision at least one resource on each member, without user intervention. A method of configuring network devices sharing a pool of available resources is also described, wherein the network devices have management connectivity between one another through a plurality of point-to-point connections. The method includes, after a point-to-point connection in the management connectivity is formed based on cabling of associated network devices, determining a resource index number for each of the associated network devices; and uniquely assigning the resources from the pool to each of the network devices based on their respective resource index number.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: David J. Miedema, Michael Watford, Xiaoqing Hu, Ross Caird, Rodd Lamarche, Zenon Slodki
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Publication number: 20170171163Abstract: Systems and methods for Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) encryption implemented by a first network element communicatively coupled to a second network element include utilizing an encryption messaging channel to establish an authenticated session and exchanging one or more encryption keys with a second network element; encrypting a signal, based on the one or more encryption keys; and transmitting the encrypted signal to the second network element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Sebastien Gareau, Timothy L. Norman, Marc W. Leclair, Michael Watford
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Publication number: 20160248510Abstract: A method includes automatically detecting an association between members based on their relationship to one another; sharing topology and cluster information between the members; and determining roles for each member, based on the topology and cluster information and rules, wherein the roles are used to automatically provision at least one resource on each member, without user intervention. A method of configuring network devices sharing a pool of available resources is also described, wherein the network devices have management connectivity between one another through a plurality of point-to-point connections. The method includes, after a point-to-point connection in the management connectivity is formed based on cabling of associated network devices, determining a resource index number for each of the associated network devices; and uniquely assigning the resources from the pool to each of the network devices based on their respective resource index number.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Applicant: CIENA CORPORATIONInventors: David J. MIEDEMA, Michael WATFORD, Xiaoqing HU, Ross CAIRD, Rodd LAMARCHE, Zenon SLODKI
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Patent number: 8879904Abstract: An optical network and method of protection switching between first and second transceivers where dispersion compensation is effected electrically in the transmitters. The method includes detecting, at the second transceiver, a signal failure of a signal transmitted from the first transceiver and, upon detecting the signal failure, signaling the first transceiver to change its compensation function. The signaling can be done by encoding overhead bits in a signal transmitted from the second to the first transceiver. Another method of protection switching includes both transceivers toggling alternate reception paths upon detecting a signal failure and changing their dispersion compensation function to that of their respective alternate path.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LPInventors: James Harley, Gerard Swinkels, Michael Watford
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Patent number: 8787147Abstract: The present disclosure provides protection systems and methods for Ethernet ports. In particular, the present invention may provide a form of facility protection for any two facilities, located on any two cards. The facilities are provisioned as a protected pair and using automatic ITU-T Y.1731 control frames for control. In an exemplary embodiment, provisioning includes creation of an L2 protection service and associating it to a pair of facilities. One facility is identified as a working facility and the other as a protection facility. Under normal conditions (i.e., no facility fault), the working facility is in an active state and not conditioning while the protection facility is in a standby state and transmitting conditioning to subtending equipment. If a facility fault is detected at the working facility, then the working facility transmits condition Remote Fault (RF) and the protection facility removes it's transmit conditioning and becomes the active facility.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Ross Caird, Michael Watford, Onder Yazar, Marc Holness
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Patent number: 8761602Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling the flow of video over Ethernet (VoE) traffic in a network are disclosed. The method can include originating the VoE traffic from an add node in the network. A first control signal can be received from a first drop node in the network containing a drop port configured to receive the VoE traffic. The add node can determined if the first drop node contains the drop port based on the first control signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Ross Caird, Michael Watford, David Diep
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Patent number: 8682179Abstract: A method of protection switching between first and second transceivers where dispersion compensation is effected electrically in the transmitters. The method includes detecting, at the second transceiver, a signal failure of a signal transmitted from the first transceiver and, upon detecting the signal failure, signalling the first transceiver to change its compensation function. The signalling can be done by encoding overhead bits in a signal transmitted from the second to the first transceiver. Another method of protection switching includes both transceivers toggling alternate reception paths upon detecting a signal failure and changing their dispersion compensation function to that of their respective alternate path.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LPInventors: James Harley, Gerard Swinkels, Michael Watford
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Patent number: 8667374Abstract: The present disclosure provides video transmission systems and methods with video data flows transmitted over a Carrier Ethernet Network at Layer 2 with redundancy in order to provide hitless protection switching and uninterrupted video service delivery, such as during periods of asymmetric congestion or hard network failures. In an exemplary embodiment, the video transmission systems and methods provide the redundancy in a manner similar to 1+1 linear protection with hit-less protection switching. In another exemplary embodiment, the video transmission systems and methods provide encapsulated video signals over Ethernet using standardized Carrier Ethernet frames with additional sequencing information. Optionally, the video transmission systems and methods may also include packet-based forward error correction information for additional resiliency.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Michael Watford, Ross Caird
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Publication number: 20130132789Abstract: The present disclosure provides video transmission systems and methods with video data flows transmitted over a Carrier Ethernet Network at Layer 2 with redundancy in order to provide hitless protection switching and uninterrupted video service delivery, such as during periods of asymmetric congestion or hard network failures. In an exemplary embodiment, the video transmission systems and methods provide the redundancy in a manner similar to 1+1 linear protection with hit-less protection switching. In another exemplary embodiment, the video transmission systems and methods provide encapsulated video signals over Ethernet using standardized Carrier Ethernet frames with additional sequencing information. Optionally, the video transmission systems and methods may also include packet-based forward error correction information for additional resiliency.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: CIENA CORPORATIONInventors: Michael WATFORD, Ross CAIRD
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Publication number: 20130028601Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling the flow of video over Ethernet (VoE) traffic in a network are disclosed. The method can include originating the VoE traffic from an add node in the network. A first control signal can be received from a first drop node in the network containing a drop port configured to receive the VoE traffic. The add node can determined if the first drop node contains the drop port based on the first control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: Ciena CorporationInventors: Ross Caird, Michael Watford, David Diep
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Publication number: 20120092985Abstract: The present disclosure provides protection systems and methods for Ethernet ports. In particular, the present invention may provide a form of facility protection for any two facilities, located on any two cards. The facilities are provisioned as a protected pair and using automatic ITU-T Y.1731 control frames for control. In an exemplary embodiment, provisioning includes creation of an L2 protection service and associating it to a pair of facilities. One facility is identified as a working facility and the other as a protection facility. Under normal conditions (i.e., no facility fault), the working facility is in an active state and not conditioning while the protection facility is in a standby state and transmitting conditioning to subtending equipment. If a facility fault is detected at the working facility, then the working facility transmits condition Remote Fault (RF) and the protection facility removes it's transmit conditioning and becomes the active facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventors: Ross Caird, Michael Watford, Onder Yazar, Marc Holness