Patents by Inventor Sheryl Leigh Woodward
Sheryl Leigh Woodward 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).
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Patent number: 7990977Abstract: A method of sending data from a transmit site to a receive device includes dividing a first transmit data stream having a first bit rate into multiple data streams with each of the multiple data streams having a bit rate that is lower than the first bit rate. Each of the multiple data streams is transmitted over a cable network having multiple radio frequency channels. The multiple data streams are recombined at the receive device to provide a receive data stream having a bit rate equal to the first bit rate. A second transmit data stream is transmitted over one of the radio frequency channels to a legacy user connected to the one radio frequency channel between the transmit site and the receive device.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Bhavesh N. Desai, Nemmara K. Shankaranarayanan, David Hilton Shur, Aleksandra Smiljanic, Todd J. Totland, Jacobus E. van der Merwe, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 7865081Abstract: Disclosed is an architecture enabling premium services to be provided over fiber to high-end users/customers. This architecture has a plurality of nodes and a passive optical device inserted prior to one of the nodes. The optical device allows wavelengths provisioned for original service(s) to pass through with minimal loss, while other wavelengths provisioned for the premium services are diverted onto a new fiber. This new fiber may be installed at the time of the upgrade, but, sometimes, dark fiber is available. Dark fiber is fiber that carries no optical signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventor: Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 7831147Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Publication number: 20100265942Abstract: A receive device includes a plurality of demodulators and a tunnel destination. The demodulators are configured to receive multiple data streams, each of the multiple data streams having a bit rate that is lower than a bit rate of a transmit data stream. The tunnel destination is configured to recombine the multiple data streams to provide a receive data stream having a bit rate equal to the bit rate of the transmit data stream. At least one of multiple radio frequency channels is connected to a legacy user between a transmit site and the receive device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Bhavesh N. Desai, Nemmara K. Shankaranarayanan, David Hilton Shur, Aleksandra Smiljanic, Todd J. Totland, Jacobus E. Van der Merwe, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 7783196Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Publication number: 20100208751Abstract: A method of sending data from a transmit site to a receive device includes dividing a first transmit data stream having a first bit rate into multiple data streams with each of the multiple data streams having a bit rate that is lower than the first bit rate. Each of the multiple data streams is transmitted over a cable network having multiple radio frequency channels. The multiple data streams are recombined at the receive device to provide a receive data stream having a bit rate equal to the first bit rate. A second transmit data stream is transmitted over one of the radio frequency channels to a legacy user connected to the one radio frequency channel between the transmit site and the receive device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Bhavesh N. Desai, Nemmara K. Shankaranarayanan, David Hilton Shur, Aleksandra Smiljanic, Todd J. Totland, Jacobus E.Van der Merwe, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 7734179Abstract: A communication system between head-ends and end-users is provided which expands bandwidth and reliability. A concentrator receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more fiber nodes and/or one or more mini-fiber nodes. The concentrator demultiplexes/splits received signals for the mini-fiber nodes and the fiber nodes and forwards demultiplexed/split signals respectively. The mini-fiber nodes may combine signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local medium access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and/or fiber node and transmitted to the concentrator. The concentrator multiplexes/couples the mini-fiber node and the fiber node upstream signals and forwards multiplexed/coupled signals to the head-end.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Publication number: 20100124391Abstract: A multi-degree expandable reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer (ROADM) based on a wavelength-selective crossconnect (WSXC), and method for upgrading the same. The WSXC generally consists of an outer layer of optical fan-out devices, and an outer layer of optical fan-in devices. At least one inner layer of optical fan-out or fan-in devices, including at least one wavelength switch, is disposed between the outer layer of optical fan-out devices and the outer layer of optical fan-in devices in a cascaded arrangement relative to the outer layers. At least one output port of an optical fan-out device in the outer layer of optical fan-out devices is connected to an input port of an optical device in the at least one inner layer, and at least one output port of an optical device in the at least one inner layer is connected to an input port of an optical fan-in device in the outer layer of optical fan-in devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Inventors: Mark David Feuer, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Publication number: 20090290543Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of radio frequency (RF) channels in parallel at a receive site, and demodulating the RF channels using a plurality of demodulators of the receive site to generate a plurality of streams of packets, each stream of packets having a first address space. The method also includes combining the plurality of streams of packets at a tunneling destination of the receive site to generate a first stream of packets having a second address space.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Bhavesh N. Desai, Nemmara K. Shankaranarayanan, David Hilton Shur, Aleksandra Smiljanic, Todd L. Totland, Jacobus Van der Merwe, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Publication number: 20090205007Abstract: A system is provided for combining conventional HFC plants with fiber-optic access systems (e.g., fiber-to-the-home or fiber-to-the-curb) that share a head-end and other equipment. A robust modulation format, such as QPSK, having a sufficient SNR to transmit information (e.g., data, digital audio and digital video) downstream to users' premises via a fiber-optic access system is used. Also, a method and apparatus is provided for converting a first modulation format for information received via a fiber-optic access system to a modulation format compatible with customer premises equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventor: Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Publication number: 20090067841Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 7450850Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 7394984Abstract: Disclosed is an architecture enabling premium services to be provided over fiber to high-end users/customers. This architecture has a plurality of nodes and a passive optical device inserted prior to one of the nodes. The optical device allows wavelengths provisioned for original service(s) to pass through with minimal loss, while other wavelengths provisioned for the premium services are diverted onto a new fiber. This new fiber may be installed at the time of the upgrade, but, sometimes, dark fiber is available. Dark fiber is fiber that carries no optical signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventor: Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 7283749Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 7190903Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 7095958Abstract: Disclosed is an architecture enabling premium services to be provided over fiber to high-end users/customers. The architecture has a plurality of nodes and a passive optical device inserted prior to one of the nodes. The optical device allows wavelengths provisioned for original service(s) to pass through with minimal loss, while other wavelengths provisioned for the premium services are diverted onto a new fiber. This new fiber may be installed at the time of the upgrade, but, sometimes, dark fiber is available. Dark fiber is fiber that carries no optical signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventor: Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 7068937Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Charles D. Combs, Thomas Edward Darcie, Bhavesh N. Desai, Alan H. Gnauck, Xiaolin Lu, Esteban Sandino, Oleh J. Sniezko, Anthony G. Werner, Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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System and method for monitoring and controlling light propagation in an optical transmission system
Patent number: 7068940Abstract: According to the present invention, a system and method provides for monitoring and controlling light propagation in optical transmission systems. The system either includes an optical circulator coupled to an optical add mechanism and is used to detect light propagation, or an optical monitoring device is coupled to the optical circulator and to the optical add device via a feedback path to control light propagation.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2002Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventor: Sheryl Leigh Woodward -
Patent number: 7007297Abstract: A system is provided for combining conventional HFC plants with fiber-optic access systems (e.g., fiber-to-the-home or fiber-to-the-curb) that share a head-end and other equipment. A robust modulation format, such as QPSK, having a sufficient SNR to transmit information (e.g., data, digital audio and digital video) downstream to users' premises via a fiber-optic access system is used. Also, a method and apparatus is provided for converting a first modulation format for information received via a fiber-optic access system to a modulation format compatible with customer premises equipment.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventor: Sheryl Leigh Woodward
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Patent number: 6993353Abstract: A method for sending data from a transmit site to a receive site which includes dividing a transmit data stream having a first bit rate into multiple data streams with each of the multiple data streams having a bit rate which is lower than the first bit rate, transmitting each of the multiple data streams over a plurality of RF channels and recombining the multiple data streams at the receive site to provide a receive data stream having a bit rate equal to the first bit rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Bhavesh N. Desai, Nemmara K. Shankaranarayanan, David Hilton Shur, Aleksandra Smiljanic, Todd J. Totland, Jacobus E. van der Merwe, Sheryl Leigh Woodward