Patents by Inventor Percil Watkins

Percil Watkins 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: 10732361
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical plug connectors and optical receptacles for making optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical plug connector includes an optical portion having an optical interface and a cover for protecting the optical interface. The cover can translate toward the optical interface when connecting the optical plug connector and a portion of the cover allows transmission of optical signals therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Davide Domenico Fortusini, Micah Colen Isenhour, James Phillip Luther, Jürgen Matthies, Percil Watkins
  • Publication number: 20190101706
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors for making optical connections. The optical plugs and optical connectors disclosed have a nosepiece that is easily removed and replaced for allowing access to the optical interface for cleaning and the nosepiece may also protect the optical interface when installed. The nosepiece may be a single component or an assembly as desired. The devices disclosed may be hybrid devices providing both optical and electrical connectivity or they may solely have optical connectivity if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, James Phillip Luther, Percil Watkins
  • Patent number: 10185094
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors for making optical connections. The optical plugs and optical connectors disclosed have a nosepiece that is easily removed and replaced for allowing access to the optical interface for cleaning and the nosepiece may also protect the optical interface when installed. The nosepiece may be a single component or an assembly as desired. The devices disclosed may be hybrid devices providing both optical and electrical connectivity or they may solely have optical connectivity if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, James Phillip Luther, Percil Watkins
  • Patent number: 10025042
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors having one or more integral alignment features used for making optical connections. In one embodiment, an optical connector comprising an optical body and at least one magnetic attachment. The optical body comprises a front side with a first surface, an optical section comprising at least one optical channel, and a datum section disposed on a second surface of the front side and comprising one or more integral alignment features. The optical body also comprises a circuit mounting portion disposed at a rear side of the optical body. The datum section may be arranged on opposite sides of the optical section. Further, the one or more integral alignment feature may be arranged at a top and a bottom of the datum section for alignment in a first direction. The first surface may also be recessed from the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, James Phillip Luther, Andreas Matiss, Percil Watkins
  • Patent number: 9952633
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical connectors for electronic devices that are disposed at a hinge of the device. The electronic device has an optical connector comprising a base portion having a hinge with a hinge attachment structure and a base connector having one or more base optical channels, and a display. The display comprising a display attachment structure and a display connector having one or more display optical channels for mating with the base connector. The concepts disclosed allow an optical connection for electronic devices having a display that is separable from a base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, James Phillip Luther, Percil Watkins
  • Patent number: 9921372
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical plug connectors and optical receptacles for making optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical plug connector includes an optical portion having an optical interface and a cover for protecting the optical interface. The cover can translate toward the optical interface when connecting the optical plug connector and a portion of the cover allows transmission of optical signals therethrough. The cover has a sliding fit relative to a portion of the housing and may translate on at least one guide surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Davide Domenico Fortusini, Micah Colen Isenhour, Christopher Paul Lewallen, James Phillip Luther, Percil Watkins
  • Patent number: 9389371
    Abstract: A fiber optic connection system is disclosed for optically connecting a fiber optic connector to an internal optical interface of a device through a display surface of the device. Connecting the connector to the device causes a display alignment feature of the connector to be retained against the display surface of the device. This causes a connector optical interface in the connector to optically connect to a device optical interface through the display surface of the device when the connector is connected with the device. One benefit of this arrangement is that a device, such as a smartphone or other small form-factor device for example, may include optical communication hardware that leverages the excellent clarity and flatness of the display surface, such as a display glass for example, to form and maintain a strong fiber optic connection between the connector and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Llewellyn Butler, Davide Domenico Fortusini, Micah Colen Isenhour, Christopher Paul Lewallen, James Phillip Luther, Claudio Mazzali, Percil Watkins
  • Publication number: 20160187591
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical plug connectors and optical receptacles for making optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical plug connector includes an optical portion having an optical interface and a cover for protecting the optical interface. The cover can translate toward the optical interface when connecting the optical plug connector and a portion of the cover allows transmission of optical signals therethrough. The cover has a sliding fit relative to a portion of the housing and may translate on at least one guide surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Davide Domenico Fortusini, Micah Colen Isenhour, Christopher Paul Lewallen, James Phillip Luther, Percil Watkins
  • Publication number: 20160109660
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical plug connectors and optical receptacles for making optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical plug connector includes an optical portion having an optical interface and a cover for protecting the optical interface. The cover can translate toward the optical interface when connecting the optical plug connector and a portion of the cover allows transmission of optical signals therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Davide Domenico Fortusini, Micah Colen Isenhour, James Phillip Luther, Jürgen Matthies, Percil Watkins
  • Publication number: 20160077287
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors for making optical connections. The optical plugs and optical connectors disclosed have a nosepiece that is easily removed and replaced for allowing access to the optical interface for cleaning and the nosepiece may also protect the optical interface when installed. The nosepiece may be a single component or an assembly as desired. The devices disclosed may be hybrid devices providing both optical and electrical connectivity or they may solely have optical connectivity if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, James Phillip Luther, Percil Watkins
  • Publication number: 20160041348
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical connectors for electronic devices that are disposed at a hinge of the device. The electronic device has an optical connector comprising a base portion having a hinge with a hinge attachment structure and a base connector having one or more base optical channels, and a display. The display comprising a display attachment structure and a display connector having one or more display optical channels for mating with the base connector. The concepts disclosed allow an optical connection for electronic devices having a display that is separable from a base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, James Phillip Luther, Percil Watkins
  • Publication number: 20160011381
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors having one or more integral alignment features used for making optical connections. In one embodiment, an optical connector comprising an optical body and at least one magnetic attachment. The optical body comprises a front side with a first surface, an optical section comprising at least one optical channel, and a datum section disposed on a second surface of the front side and comprising one or more integral alignment features. The optical body also comprises a circuit mounting portion disposed at a rear side of the optical body. The datum section may be arranged on opposite sides of the optical section. Further, the one or more integral alignment feature may be arranged at a top and a bottom of the datum section for alignment in a first direction. The first surface may also be recessed from the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, James Phillip Luther, Andreas Matiss, Percil Watkins
  • Patent number: 9164246
    Abstract: Docking stations, electronic devices, fiber optic cable assemblies, and display devices incorporating optical connections including a magnetic coupling portion are disclosed. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a docking station for an electronic device having a major surface. The docking station includes a mating surface operable to contact a major surface of an electronic device, and an optical connection disposed in the mating surface. The optical connection includes an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion positioned adjacent to the optical interface portion. Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to an electronic device including a major surface having a cavity, and an optical connection disposed in the cavity. The optical connection includes an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion positioned adjacent to the optical interface portion. The optical interface portion is offset from the major surface. Display devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther, Percil Watkins
  • Publication number: 20140072261
    Abstract: Docking stations, electronic devices, fiber optic cable assemblies, and display devices incorporating optical connections including a magnetic coupling portion are disclosed. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a docking station for an electronic device having a major surface. The docking station includes a mating surface operable to contact a major surface of an electronic device, and an optical connection disposed in the mating surface. The optical connection includes an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion positioned adjacent to the optical interface portion. Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to an electronic device including a major surface having a cavity, and an optical connection disposed in the cavity. The optical connection includes an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion positioned adjacent to the optical interface portion. The optical interface portion is offset from the major surface. Display devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther, Percil Watkins
  • Patent number: 8622625
    Abstract: A method for closing the holes on the end face of a nano-engineered fiber having a core, a cladding with non-periodically disposed voids, and at least one of a coating and a buffer, comprises the steps of: (i) cleaving the fiber portion, thereby forming a cleaved end face; and (ii) applying a predetermined amount of energy via a laser beam to the cleaved end face, the amount of energy being sufficient to collapse and seal the voids exposed at the cleaved end face only to a depth of less than 11 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Seldon David Benjamin, Robert Stephen Wagner, Percil Watkins
  • Patent number: 8385703
    Abstract: Multimode optical fibers with a large core diameter and high numerical aperture are disclosed herein. Multimode optical fibers disclosed herein comprise a core region having a radius greater than 30 microns and a cladding region surrounding and directly adjacent to the core region, the cladding region comprising a depressed-index annular portion comprising a depressed relative refractive index. The depressed cladding region is surrounded by a titania doped cladding region. The fiber has a total outer diameter of less than 120 microns, and exhibits an overfilled bandwidth at 850 nm greater than 200 MHz-km.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Wallace Bennett, Scott Robertson Bickham, James A Derick, Percil Watkins
  • Publication number: 20110217011
    Abstract: Multimode optical fibers with a large core diameter and high numerical aperture are disclosed herein. Multimode optical fibers disclosed herein comprise a core region having a radius greater than 30 microns and a cladding region surrounding and directly adjacent to the core region, the cladding region comprising a depressed-index annular portion comprising a depressed relative refractive index. The depressed cladding region is surrounded by a titania doped cladding region. The fiber has a total outer diameter of less than 120 microns, and exhibits an overfilled bandwidth at 850 nm greater than 200 MHz-km.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin Wallace Bennett, Scott Robertson Bickham, James A. Derick, Percil Watkins
  • Publication number: 20100303419
    Abstract: A method for closing the holes on the end face of a nano-engineered fiber having a core, a cladding with non-periodically disposed voids, and at least one of a coating and a buffer, comprises the steps of: (i) cleaving the fiber portion, thereby forming a cleaved end face; and (ii) applying a predetermined amount of energy via a laser beam to the cleaved end face, the amount of energy being sufficient to collapse and seal the voids exposed at the cleaved end face only to a depth of less than 11 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Seldon David Benjamin, Robert Stephen Wagner, Percil Watkins