Patents by Inventor Robert J. Flask

Robert J. Flask 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: 11901965
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for determining and mapping potential net service impairments using multiple datasets associated with a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Raleigh Benton Stelle, IV, Robert J. Flask, Mark R. Darragh
  • Patent number: 11626935
    Abstract: A test instrument can be coupled to a test point in a network and measure signals in the network that are received via a port connected to the test point. The test instrument may connect to the network via multiple test points. The measurements of the signals received through one or more of the test points are correlated to detect a problem in the network and determine a suggested action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Flask
  • Publication number: 20220109612
    Abstract: An intelligent monitoring and testing system for a cable network determines measurements for a cable plant (CP), including cable modems (CMs) and common network elements, Metrics determined from the measurements are analyzed to detect a service issue and a service sub-issue. Machine learning is applied to the metrics and other related data to determine an optimized workflow for diagnosing, locating, and remediating the service issue and service sub-issue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: John J. BUSH, Robert J. FLASK, Raleigh Benton STELLE, IV, Alvin R. RUTH
  • Publication number: 20220006542
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for determining and mapping potential net service impairments using multiple datasets associated with a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Raleigh Benton STELLE, IV, Robert J. FLASK, Mark R. DARRAGH
  • Publication number: 20200287636
    Abstract: A test instrument can be coupled to a test point in a network and measure signals in the network that are received via a port connected to the test point. The test instrument may connect to the network via multiple test points. The measurements of the signals received through one or more of the test points are correlated to detect a problem in the network and determine a suggested action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. FLASK
  • Patent number: 10644748
    Abstract: A test instrument can be coupled to a test point and measure signals in the network. The test instrument may determine whether the test instrument is connected to a cable of the network and provide notification if the test instrument is not connected to a cable. The test instrument may also detect when it is connected to a customer premises that has been previously been tested through reflected signal signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Flask
  • Patent number: 10615894
    Abstract: A test instrument can be coupled to a test point in a network and measure signals in the network that are received via a port connected to the test point. The test instrument may connect to the network via multiple test points. The measurements of the signals received through one or more of the test points are correlated to detect a problem in the network and determine a suggested action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Flask
  • Publication number: 20170077988
    Abstract: A cable network tester includes separate ports for receiving downstream and upstream signals, and separate signal processing circuitry for parallel processing the downstream and upstream signals. Results of the upstream and downstream testing, including upstream and downstream frequency scans and other tests related to incoming subscriber services and home wiring integrity, may be simultaneously displayed in real time. The tester may be configured for automatic port connection detection and routing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Robert J. Flask
  • Publication number: 20170063478
    Abstract: A test instrument can be coupled to a test point in a network and measure signals in the network that are received via a port connected to the test point. The test instrument may connect to the network via multiple test points. The measurements of the signals received through one or more of the test points are correlated to detect a problem in the network and determine a suggested action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. FLASK
  • Publication number: 20170063429
    Abstract: A test instrument can be coupled to a test point and measure signals in the network. The test instrument may determine whether the test instrument is connected to a cable of the network and provide notification if the test instrument is not connected to a cable. The test instrument may also detect when it is connected to a customer premises that has been previously been tested through reflected signal signatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Robert J. FLASK
  • Publication number: 20150009340
    Abstract: Downstream channel parameters of a cable network are displayed in graphical form as a function of the channel number or center frequency. Such parameters, including digital channel demodulation parameters, may be plotted concurrently as frequency spectra, revealing frequency signatures of particular network impairments. Frequency spectra of MER, BER, IUC, carrier level, and in-band spectral response may be plotted concurrently in various combinations, providing a concise summary view of a condition of a downstream path at a particular location in the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel K. CHAPPELL, Robert J. FLASK, Ching-Chang LIAO
  • Patent number: 7949039
    Abstract: A home network testing device includes an input port with any one or more of a variety of different connectors for receiving different types of communication cables, e.g. coaxial cable, telephone cable, and electrical cable; and a testing apparatus section with a variety of different testing apparatuses for testing for the presence of different forms of home networks, e.g. MoCA, HomePlug, and HPNA. The present invention uses discrete components to analyze the physical layer in the time domain, looking for a specifically timed RF power pulse that is characteristic of and different in each of the network protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Acterna LLC
    Inventors: Walter Miller, Michael D. Gotwals, Robert J. Flask
  • Patent number: 7873322
    Abstract: The testing device of the present invention includes an RF input for connecting to a subscriber network, which has been disconnected from a communication network, for receiving ingress RF signals leaked into the subscriber network from outside sources. The device includes a signal processor for scanning the RF signals for power levels at a plurality of frequencies, and generating power level signals based at least in part on the power levels. Ideally, the power levels are compared to a threshold power level representing an acceptable amount of ingress, and a pass/fail indicator is displayed based on whether the power levels exceed the threshold power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Acterna LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Flask, Kevin J. Oliver
  • Patent number: 7589535
    Abstract: A system for identifying elements in a cable network utilizing frequency domain reflectometry includes initial filtering stages to remove noise, second and third harmonics and side lobes, and subsequent identification stages to identify and display various elements, e.g. splitters, barrels and opens, in the cable network and their relative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Acterna LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Gotwals, Robert J. Flask, Walter Miller
  • Patent number: 7403486
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a coupling, a signal level measurement circuit, a communication circuit and a processing circuit. The coupling is configured to connect to and received broadband RF signals from a coaxial cable termination of a communication network. The signal level measurement circuit is operably coupled to the coupling, and is operable to generate signal level measurements regarding a first set of the broadband RF signals. The communication circuit operable to obtain voice over internet protocol data packets from a second set of broadband RF signals. The processing circuit is operably connected to the communication circuit, and is operably connected to receive signal level measurements from the signal level measurement circuit. The processing circuit is operable to obtain diagnostic data relating to the second set of broadband RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Acterna
    Inventor: Robert J. Flask
  • Patent number: 5378993
    Abstract: The invention is a device that senses the presence of detergent, sanitizer, or rinse agent in chemical feed tubes. More specifically, the device is a non-invasive chemical sensor which alleviates any need for direct contact with fluid or extra connections in the chemical feed tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Premark FEG Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Flask, Charles E. Warner