Patents by Inventor Paul S. Smithey

Paul S. Smithey 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: 8019353
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating location of a wireless communication device communicating via a communication path that includes a fiber optic cable is disclosed. The delay associated with a communication propagating through a fiber optic cable can be used to more accurately determine inputs used when locating a device using triangulation. The delay introduced by the cable may vary with the temperature of the cable. Therefore, the temperature associated with the cable is measured and used to determine a delay associated with the fiber optic cable. An indicator of the delay may then be used by a positioning system to more accurately locate a wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Paul S. Smithey, Gene S. Mitchell, Jr., Timothy W. Sill
  • Patent number: 7764924
    Abstract: Controlling a cellular radio frequency repeater amplifier and their gain factors. In preferred embodiments, the method is used in personal home repeaters that may be used by wireless services users. The repeaters are preferably configured to automatically control their setting without requiring supervision or control by the wireless service provider. The wireless provider also need not have knowledge of where the repeater devices are placed within the network. The preferred system and methods reduce potential problems that may arise when repeaters with fixed gain are placed within close proximity of a cell site. The preferred methods shut down the forward and reverse amplifiers based on the received signal level from the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Paul S. Smithey, Gene S. Mitchell, Timothy W. Sill
  • Patent number: 7734249
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting, at a repeater, that a communication passing between a wireless communication device and radio access network infrastructure via the wireless repeater has a predefined characteristic and responsively outputting a reporting signal is disclosed. The reporting signal may be sent to a database which is accessible to a positioning system. The reporting signal may contain information regarding attributes of the repeater. Using the attributes of the repeater, the positioning system may be able to perform more accurate triangulation when locating the wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Gene S. Mitchell, Jr., Paul S. Smithey, Tim W. Sill
  • Patent number: 7643936
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for analyzing drive test data in conjunction with geographical data such as population distribution, geographical data as to wireless device usage, location of high-value customers, or other geographical data. The results of the analysis are reported to a human operator, such as a manager overseeing the drive test routes in a particular region. The results enable the operator to revise drive test routes, or select new routes, that provide improved measurement data for the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Scott D. Boxberger, Marion B. Lawver, Paul S. Smithey