Patents by Inventor Robert A. Bennett

Robert A. Bennett 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: 10812123
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that facilitates receiving a radio frequency signal conveying data, magnetically coupling the radio frequency signal to a transmission medium as an electromagnetic wave that propagates along the transmission medium, and directing propagation of the electromagnetic wave in a first direction along the transmission medium and preventing at least in part propagation of the electromagnetic wave in a second direction opposite the first direction. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Giovanni Vannucci, Peter Wolniansky, Thomas M. Willis, III, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 10812142
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a waveguide device including a coupler that transmits or receives electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, where the electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium. The waveguide device can include a housing that houses the coupler, where the housing has a first portion comprising a material that reflects particular wavelengths of light. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Jeffrey J. Farah, Farhad Barzegar
  • Patent number: 10811779
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a solid dielectric antenna having a non-uniform spatial distribution of relative permittivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III, Donald J. Barnickel, Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 10812189
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a coupler that includes a tapered collar that surrounds a transmission wire. A coaxial coupler, that surrounds at least a portion of the transmission wire, guides an electromagnetic wave to the tapered collar. The tapered collar couples the electromagnetic wave to propagate along an outer surface of the transmission wire. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10812291
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium, generating, according to the electromagnetic waves, first signals and second signals; wirelessly providing, via a first dielectric antenna of a first waveguide system, the first signals to an access point; and wirelessly providing, via a second dielectric antenna of the first waveguide system, the second signals to a second waveguide system. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Peter Wolniansky, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 10804964
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a waveguide system including a circuit disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB coupled to an outer surface of a cable, and the circuit facilitating generation, via a radiating element, electromagnetic waves, and a coupler that facilitates inducing propagation of the electromagnetic waves along the cable without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the coupler is not coaxially aligned with the cable. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10804961
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by each of a plurality of receivers, one of a plurality of electromagnetic waves, each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves guided by a different one of a plurality of twin-lead transmission lines, each twin-lead transmission line sharing a wire, and each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves including a different one of a plurality of communication signals, and obtaining, by each of the plurality of receivers, one of the plurality of communication signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10804968
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a coupling device includes a circuit that receives a signal. At least one passive electrical circuit element generates an electromagnetic field in response to the signal. A portion of the electromagnetic field is guided by a surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave longitudinally along the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10804959
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a transmission device includes a transmitter configured to generate a transmit signal conveying transmit data in accordance with a communication protocol having first protocol transmit parameters. A coupler is configured to convert the transmit signal to transmitted guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. The coupler is further configured to convert to a receive signal, received guided electromagnetic waves from a remote device that propagate along the surface of the transmission medium, wherein the remote device is configured to receive the transmitted guided electromagnetic waves. A corona discharge detector is configured to generate, based on the receive signal, corona discharge data that indicates corona discharge activity in proximity to the transmission medium during a time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci, Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, Peter Wolniansky, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10804965
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving wirelessly a first transmission of data from a network interface device, wherein the network interface device includes a receiver and a transmitter. The network interface device receives, via the receiver, electromagnetic waves that propagate on a surface of a dielectric transmission medium. The network interface device converts, via the receiver, the electromagnetic waves to an electrical signal, and transmits, via the transmitter, a first transmission of the data based on the electrical signal. A determination is made that the data is to be directed towards a recipient device connected to at least one electrical circuit and, based on the determination, a second transmission of the data is initiated as a power line communication transmission of a utility power line via the at least one electrical circuit. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg
  • Patent number: 10804960
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a waveguide system detecting a degradation of an electromagnetic wave propagating along a transmission medium. The waveguide system launches a modified electromagnetic wave including a hybrid wave mode according to the degradation that is detected. The modified electromagnetic wave propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10804585
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that performs operations including receiving first electromagnetic waves on an outer surface of a transmission medium, detecting a degradation of a signal quality of the first electromagnetic waves due to first electric fields of the first electromagnetic waves inducing first currents in an obstruction disposed on the outer surface of the transmission medium, and generating second electromagnetic waves having second electric fields that induce second currents in the obstruction that are lower in magnitude than the first currents, the electromagnetic waves having a cutoff frequency. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10797781
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a client node device having a radio configured to wirelessly receive downstream channel signals from a communication network. An access point repeater (APR) launches the downstream channel signals on a guided wave communication system as guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium and to wirelessly transmit the downstream channel signals to at least one client device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10797370
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a launching device including a transmitter configured to generate a radio frequency signal on a transmission medium, wherein the transmitter is included in a launching circuit with the transmission medium having an electrical return path. A cylindrical coupler launches the radio frequency signal from an aperture of the cylindrical coupler as a guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to an outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the outer surface of the transmission medium without an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Shikik Johnson, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett
  • Patent number: 10797756
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for modulating a first electrical signal to generate first modulated electromagnetic waves, and transmitting the first modulated electromagnetic waves on a waveguide located in proximity to a transmission medium. In one embodiment, the first electromagnetic waves can induce second electromagnetic waves that propagate on an outer surface of the transmission medium. The second electromagnetic waves can have a first spectral range that is divided into, contains or otherwise includes a first control channel and a first plurality of bands. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10790593
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, antenna structure that includes a dielectric antenna having a dielectric lens and a dielectric body, and a feedline coupled to the dielectric antenna, wherein an endpoint of the feedline is configured to reduce a reflection of an electromagnetic wave transmission, wherein electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave transmission are guided along the feedline without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate through the dielectric body to the dielectric lens to generate wireless signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Aldo Adriazola, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Brandon Pimm, Mitchell Harvey Fuchs, Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10790569
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving, by a waveguide system, a communication signal that conveys data; transmitting, via a coupler of the waveguide system, electromagnetic waves, where the electromagnetic waves propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and where the electromagnetic waves convey the data; and mitigating, by the waveguide system, interference to the electromagnetic waves associated with residual electromagnetic waves propagating along the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Patent number: 10784721
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, regulating an alternating magnetic flux in a magnetic core having a first portion separable from a second portion of the magnetic core. The regulation of the alternating magnetic flux causes a coupling force between the first portion of the magnetic core and the second portion of the magnetic core. Responsive to detecting a signal, modifying the regulation of the alternating magnetic flux to reduce the coupling force between the first portion of the magnetic core and the second portion of the magnetic core. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Farhad Barzegar, Harold Rappaport, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 10784555
    Abstract: A dielectric waveguide coupling system for launching and extracting guided wave communication transmissions from a wire. At millimeter-wave frequencies, wherein the wavelength is small compared to the macroscopic size of the equipment, transmissions can propagate as guided waves guided by a strip of dielectric material. Unlike conventional waveguides, the electromagnetic field associated with the dielectric waveguide is primarily outside of the waveguide. When this dielectric waveguide strip is brought into close proximity to a wire, the guided waves decouple from the dielectric waveguide and couple to the wire, and continue to propagate as guided waves about the surface of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10784670
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna support includes a stabilizer configured to align an antenna on a projection of a longitudinal tangent of a transmission line along a horizontal plane. A holder is configured to secure the stabilizer to the transmission line. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III