Patents by Inventor Robert H. Locklear, Jr.

Robert H. Locklear, Jr. 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: 8116298
    Abstract: A communication system (500) includes a plurality of subscriber systems (510) coupled to a plurality of twisted pair data lines (520). Each subscriber system (510) has an availability guarantee value, which may specify a level of service for the subscriber system (510). A communication server (502) is coupled to the plurality of subscriber systems (510). The communication server (502) selectively couples a subscriber system (510), responsive to a request for service, to either a first modem pool (530) or a second modem pool (540) based on the availability guarantee value associated with the subscriber system (510). Communication server (502) can also provide a soft-termination state and dynamic network address allocation for subscriber systems (510).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Robert M. Burke, II
  • Patent number: 6895041
    Abstract: A communications system includes an xDSL communications device coupled to customer premises equipment via an xDSL link. The communications device trains the link, determines an available bandwidth for downstream communications, allocates a portion of the available bandwidth based on provisioned parameters of the link, and adjusts operational characteristics of a line driver to reduce the power consumption of the communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason F. Mccullough, Robert H. Locklear, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6870834
    Abstract: A communication system (500) includes a plurality of subscriber systems (510) coupled to a plurality of twisted pair data lines (520). Each subscriber system (510) has an availability guarantee value, which may specify a level of service for the subscriber system (510). A communication server (502) is coupled to the plurality of subscriber systems (510). The communication server (502) selectively couples a subscriber system (510), responsive to a request for service, to either a first modem pool (530) or a second modem pool (540) based on the availability guarantee value associated with the subscriber system (510). Communication server (502) can also provide a soft-termination state and dynamic network address allocation for subscriber systems (510).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Robert M. Burke, II
  • Patent number: 6483870
    Abstract: A communication system includes a number of communication devices coupled to a data network using communication servers. The communication system supports communication sessions between a variety of networks and devices using, at least in part, XDSL communication techniques. Specifically, information associated with a session passes between a device and an associated server using a modifiable number of XDSL modems and associated twisted pair lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Craig S. Cantrell, Kip R. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 6385203
    Abstract: A communication server maintains profile information on twisted pair lines in a profile table. This profile information may be generated in a training session and then retrieved to train a modem or transceiver unit to communicate data over the associated twisted pair line using XDSL communication techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., James R. Sisk
  • Patent number: 6282273
    Abstract: A communication server (58) includes a plurality of pairs of frequency agile modulators (638) and demodulators (640) each set to operate at a unique frequency and associated with a twisted pair data line (54). The communication server (58) also includes a plurality of pairs of demodulators (644) and modulators (646) that each have a designatable operation frequency and are associated with one of a plurality of XDSL modems (648). A mixer (642) operates to combine signals from the frequency agile modulators (638) and provide the combined signal to the demodulators (644). The mixer (642) further operates to combine signals from the modulators (646) and provide the combined signal to the frequency agile demodulators (640). A detector (634) operates to detect a need for data service on a selected twisted pair data line (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, James R. Sisk, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Jason McCullough, Clifford L. Hall, Ronald E. Ham
  • Patent number: 6278728
    Abstract: A remote XDSL transceiver unit (16) includes an XDSL transceiver (19) and a control block (18). The XDSL transceiver (19) is operable to establish and communicate across an XDSL physical layer. The control block (18) is coupled to the XDSL transceiver (19) and operates to transmit a request for service to a loop termination point. The control block (18) also operates to identify a signal received from the loop termination point (14) and respond based upon a current context of the remote XDSL transceiver unit (16). Further, the control block (18) operates to control power-up and training of the XDSL transceiver (19) such that the XDSL physical layer can be dynamically brought up and down. In one embodiment, the control block (18) operates to store profile information for an established XDSL physical layer to use for future re-establishing of the XDSL physical layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., James R. Sisk, Craig Cantrell, Kip McClanahan, Jonathan Harrod
  • Patent number: 6252878
    Abstract: A communication system includes an access server that communicates information between a wide area network (WAN) and a local area network (LAN). The access server includes a WAN interface, a switch fabric, a number of route processors, and a LAN interface. The switch fabric directs information from the WAN interface to a selected route processor based on its loading characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Craig S. Cantrell, Kip R. McClanahan, William K. Brewer, Anthony J. P. Carew
  • Patent number: 6169788
    Abstract: A communication server includes a modem pool (652) that comprises a plurality of XDSL modems (660). The communication server also includes a plurality of line interface modules (650). Each line interface module (650) has a plurality of inputs each coupled to a twisted pair data line and has a plurality of outputs each coupled to one of the XDSL modems (660). Each line interface module (650) operates to detect a need for data service on a requesting twisted pair data line and to couple the requesting twisted pair data line to an output associated with a selected XDSL modem (660). A controller (653) is coupled to the XDSL modems (660) and to the plurality of line interface modules (650). The controller (653) operates to select one of the XDSL modems (660) in response to a detected need for data service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, James R. Sisk, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Jason McCullough, Clifford L. Hall, Ronald E. Ham
  • Patent number: 6160843
    Abstract: A communication system (500) includes a plurality of subscriber systems (510) coupled to a plurality of twisted pair data lines (520). Each subscriber system (510) has an availability guarantee value, which may specify a level of service for the subscriber system (510). A communication server (502) is coupled to the plurality of subscriber systems (510). The communication server (502) selectively couples a subscriber system (510), responsive to a request for service, to either a first modem pool (530) or a second modem pool (540) based on the availability guarantee value associated with the subscriber system (510). Communication server (502) can also provide a soft-termination state and dynamic network address allocation for subscriber systems (510).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Robert M. Burke, II
  • Patent number: 6014431
    Abstract: A communication server (58) is provided that includes a plurality of line interface units (500) each coupled to an associated twisted pair data line (54) and to an associated receive data pair (506) and transmit data pair (504). A plurality of XDSL modems (510) are coupled to associated modem receive data pairs (514) and transmit data pairs (512). A switch (502) operates to couple a selected subset of the receive data pairs (506) and transmit data pairs (504) of the line interface units (500) to the modem receive data pairs (514) and transmit data pairs (512) of the XDSL modems (510). A detector (508) operates to detect a need for data service on a receive data pair (506) of a selected line interface unit (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, James R. Sisk, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Jason McCullough, Clifford L. Hall, Ronald E. Ham
  • Patent number: 5999565
    Abstract: A communication system includes a number of communication devices coupled to a data network using communication servers. The communication system supports communication sessions between a variety of networks and devices using, at least in part, XDSL communication techniques. Specifically, information associated with a session passes between a device and an associated server using a modifiable number of XDSL modems and associated twisted pair lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Craig S. Cantrell, Kip R. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 5905781
    Abstract: A communication server (700) is disclosed and includes a plurality of XDSL transceiver units (710) and a plurality of line interface modules (702). Each line interface module (702) has a plurality of inputs each coupled to a twisted pair data line. Each line interface module (702) also has a plurality of outputs each associated with one of the XDSL transceiver units (710). Each line interface (702) is operable to couple a requesting twisted pair data line to an output associated with a selected XDSL transceiver unit (710). The communication server (700) also includes a network interface (714) that has a plurality of inputs coupled to associated XDSL transceiver units (710). The communication server (700) further includes a system controller (712) coupled to the XDSL transceiver units (710), to the plurality of line interface modules (702) and to the network interface (714).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, James R. Sisk, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., William K. Brewer, Clifford L. Hall
  • Patent number: 5898761
    Abstract: A communication server (58) using digital signal switching is provided. A plurality of twisted pair subscriber lines are split into twisted pair data lines (54) and twisted pair phone lines (52). Analog signals received on the twisted pair data lines (54) are converted into incoming parallel digital words and outgoing parallel digital words are converted into analog signals for transmission on the twisted pair data lines (54) using first converters (614) coupled to each twisted pair data line (54). The incoming parallel digital words are converted into incoming serial bit streams and outgoing serial bit streams are converted into the outgoing parallel digital words using second converters (616) coupled to the first converters (614). A need for data service is detected on a selected twisted pair data line (54), and one of the XDSL modems (620) is selected in response to detecting the need for data service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, James R. Sisk, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Jason McCullough, Clifford L. Hall, Ronald E. Ham
  • Patent number: 5852655
    Abstract: A communication server includes a modem pool (652) that comprises a plurality of XDSL modems (660). The communication server also includes a plurality of line interface modules (650). Each line interface module (650) has a plurality of inputs each coupled to a twisted pair data line and has a plurality of outputs each coupled to one of the XDSL modems (660). Each line interface module (650) operates to detect a need for data service on a requesting twisted pair data line and to couple the requesting twisted pair data line to an output associated with a selected XDSL modem (660). A controller (653) is coupled to the XDSL modems (660) and to the plurality of line interface modules (650). The controller (653) operates to select one of the XDSL modems (660) in response to a detected need for data service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Cisco Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, James R. Sisk, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Jason McCullough, Clifford L. Hall, Ronald E. Ham
  • Patent number: 5781617
    Abstract: A communication server (58) includes a plurality of pairs of frequency agile modulators (638) and demodulators (640) each set to operate at a unique frequency and associated with a twisted pair data line (54). The communication server (58) also includes a plurality of pairs of demodulators (644) and modulators (646) that each have a designatable operation frequency and are associated with one of a plurality of XDSL modems (648). A mixer (642) operates to combine signals from the frequency agile modulators (638) and provide the combined signal to the demodulators (644). The mixer (642) further operates to combine signals from the modulators (646) and provide the combined signal to the frequency agile demodulators (640). A detector (634) operates to detect a need for data service on a selected twisted pair data line (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: NetSpeed, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. McHale, James R. Sisk, Robert H. Locklear, Jr., Jason McCullough, Clifford L. Hall, Ronald E. Ham