Patents by Inventor Stephan V. Schell

Stephan V. Schell 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: 8555067
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus enabling programming of electronic identification information of a wireless apparatus. In one embodiment, a previously purchased or deployed wireless apparatus is activated by a cellular network. The wireless apparatus connects to the cellular network using an access module to download operating system components and/or access control client components. The described methods and apparatus enable updates, additions and replacement of various components including Electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) data, OS components. One exemplary implementation of the invention utilizes a trusted key exchange between the device and the cellular network to maintain security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, Arun G. Mathias, Jerrold Von Hauck, David T. Haggerty, Kevin McLaughlin, Ben-Heng Juang, Li Li
  • Patent number: 8553806
    Abstract: Transmitters, receivers and associated methods are disclosed for providing phase and amplitude modulation in a carrier-less communication system (e.g., an ultra-wide band communication system). An approximate quadrature signal is provided by delaying the in-phase signal by an amount determined by various criteria, such as the bandwidths of the component signals, minimizing the mean square error between an approximate quadrature signal and the true quadrature signal, and minimizing the auto-correlation function of the in-phase signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ultrabit Communications LLC
    Inventor: Stephan V. Schell
  • Publication number: 20130122824
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communication circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches that receive radio-frequency antenna signals from antennas. The wireless communications circuitry may include switching circuitry interposed between the MEMS switches and the antennas. The switching circuitry may protect the MEMS switches from radio-frequency signals that are received by the antennas by temporarily isolating the MEMS switches from the radio-frequency signals during MEMS switch configuration processes. The switching circuitry may include a crossbar switch formed from solid state circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include control circuitry that controls the MEMS switches and the switching circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Stephan V. Schell
  • Patent number: 8331490
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conditioning communications signals based on detection of high-frequency in the polar domain. High-frequency events detected in a phase-difference component of a complex baseband signal in the polar domain are detected and used as a basis for performing hole-blowing on the complex baseband signal in the quadrature domain and/or nonlinear filtering either or both the magnitude and phase-difference components in the polar domain. Alternatively, high-frequency events detected in the phase-difference signal that correlate in time with low-magnitude events detected in a magnitude component of the complex baseband signal are used as a basis for performing hole-blowing on the complex baseband signal in the quadrature domain and/or nonlinear filtering either or both the magnitude and phase-difference components in the polar domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Paul Cheng-Po Liang, Richard W. D. Booth, Stephan V. Schell, Thomas E. Biedka
  • Publication number: 20120135710
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for maintaining hardware history profiles for a software-based emulator. In one embodiment, the disclosed software-based emulator monitors the history of the actual hardware device in a secondary device history, the history of the emulated hardware is presented within a primary device history. However, the primary device history is linked to the secondary device history, and receives the device wear history therefrom. In another aspect of the present invention, wear-leveling strategies are disclosed for handling various update sizes. Unlike existing solutions which are optimized for a single SIM that receives small data updates; various embodiments of the present invention are suitable for handling varying data sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, Arun Mathias
  • Publication number: 20120115441
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering access data from a malfunctioning device. In one embodiment, trained service personnel are provided a specialized apparatus for retrieving access data from a malfunctioning device. For example, in the instance the device comprises a cellular device having an unrecoverable hardware failure, trained service personnel can connect to the secure element and retrieve the one or more electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs) stored thereon. The eSIMs are then “reclaimed” and reprogrammed/distributed to a new device. In one implementation, security and integrity measures are taken to protect and control distribution of sensitive access data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Stephan V. Schell
  • Publication number: 20120117635
    Abstract: A simulacrum security device and methods. In one embodiment, a simulacrum or likeness of a physical security device is provided for use in conjunction with a software emulation of the security device. In one implementation, a “faux SIM card” is provided that does not contain Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) information itself, but instead enables a user to download Electronic SIM (eSIM) information (e.g., from a network or eSIM server) which is loaded into a software emulation of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) device. The faux card is printed with an activation code, scan pattern, or other activation or access information. The subscriber purchases the faux card, and enters the activation code into a device; the entered activation code enables the device to log onto a network, and download the appropriate eSIM data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, Jerrold Von Hauck
  • Publication number: 20120108295
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for activating a purchased or previously deployed device by a subscriber. In one embodiment, activation includes authenticating the device to a service provider or carrier, and providing the device with data necessary for enabling the service to the device. In one variant, a user device is activated at a retail store, with the assistance of a carrier representative. In another variant, user equipment is activated via a communications network without the assistance of a representative. In yet another variant, the user equipment is activated via the Internet without the assistance of a representative. The provision of access data includes pre-assigning eSIM from a population of unassigned eSIMs to certain devices for various carrier networks. Alternatively, the eSIM may be assigned on an as-needed basis. Unassigned and/or unused eSIMs can be released (or sold back to the vendor) and/or reused. Solutions for eSIM backup and restoration are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, David T. Haggerty
  • Publication number: 20120108207
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus enabling programming of electronic identification information of a wireless apparatus. In one embodiment, a previously purchased or deployed wireless apparatus is activated by a cellular network. The wireless apparatus connects to the cellular network using an access module to download operating system components and/or access control client components. The described methods and apparatus enable updates, additions and replacement of various components including Electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) data, OS components. One exemplary implementation of the invention utilizes a trusted key exchange between the device and the cellular network to maintain security.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, Arun G. Mathias, Jerrold Von Hauck, David T. Haggerty, Kevin McLaughlin, Ben-Heng Juang, Li Li
  • Publication number: 20120108204
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing multiple user access control entities or clients. For example, in one embodiment, a “wallet” of electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) may be stored and used at a user device and/or distributed to other devices for use thereon. In another embodiment, a networked server may store and distribute eSIM to a plurality of user devices in communication therewith. A database of available eSIM is maintained at the wallet entity and/or at the network which enables request for a particular eSIM to be processed and various rules for the distribution thereof to be implemented. Security precautions are implemented to protect both user and network carrier specific data as the data is transmitted between networked entities. Solutions for eSIM backup and restoration are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, David T. Haggerty
  • Publication number: 20120047227
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for distributing electronic access client modules for use with electronic devices. In one embodiment, the access client modules are virtual subscriber identity modules (VSIMs) that can be downloaded from online services for use with cellular-equipped devices such as smartphones. The online services may include a point of sale (POS) system that sells electronic devices to users. A broker may be used to facilitate the selection of a virtual subscriber identity module. A provisioning service may also be used to provision the selected VSIM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: David T. Haggerty, Jerrold Von Hauck, Stephan V. Schell, Arun G. Mathias
  • Publication number: 20110306318
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for provisioning wireless devices for operation in one or more networks. In one embodiment, a provisioning service may provide access client (e.g., Subscriber Identity Module) data to a secure element in the wireless user device. The device may be preloaded with a provisioning SIM profile. The device may use the provisioning profile to roam onto a carrier, and communicate with a provisioning service, which may present the user with a list of available wireless carriers, such as carriers that service the user's current geographic location. In response to a user selection, the provisioning service may load a SIM profile associated with the selected carrier onto the secure element. The loaded SIM profile can be used to obtain wireless service from the selected carrier. The user may add multiple SIM profiles, and/or may delete SIM profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Clive Edward Rodgers, Stephan V. Schell, Achim Pantfoerder, Mohit Narang
  • Publication number: 20110286496
    Abstract: Transmitters, receivers and associated methods are disclosed for providing phase and amplitude modulation in a carrier-less communication system (e.g., an ultra-wide band communication system). An approximate quadrature signal is provided by delaying the in-phase signal by an amount determined by various criteria, such as the bandwidths of the component signals, minimizing the mean square error between an approximate quadrature signal and the true quadrature signal, and minimizing the auto-correlation function of the in-phase signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ULTRABIT COMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Stephan V. Schell
  • Publication number: 20110269423
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for authenticating and granting a client device (e.g., cellular telephone) access to a network. In one embodiment, a network service provider such as a cellular telephone company may distribute user access (e.g., Universal Subscriber Identity Module or “USIM”) credentials to a services manager via a USIM vendor. The services manager may maintain a list of authorized users. A user at a client may authenticate to the services manager. Once authenticated, the services manager may provide the user with a set of USIM credentials. When the user desires to use wireless network services, the user equipment may establish a wireless link between the user equipment and the network service provider. During authentication operations, the user equipment may use the USIM credentials to authenticate to the network service provider. Following successful authentication, the network service provider may provide the user equipment with wireless services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, Mohit Narang, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 8050352
    Abstract: A pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) signal generator that injects a copy of a pulse into the PAM baseband signal prior to frequency upconversion and power amplification. The pulse comprises a function of, or an extra copy of, a pulse in the PAM baseband signal. The pulse injector analyzes the PAM baseband signal for times when a predetermined threshold is exceeded and forms a pulse that is constructed and arranged to reduce the amplitude of the PAM baseband signal to a desired peak amplitude when the pulse is added to the PAM baseband signal. In other embodiments the peak-to-RMS amplitude ratio reducing methods and apparatus used to process PAM signal are adapted for reducing peak-to-RMS amplitude ratios of amplitude modulation signals in polar modulation transmitters. Peak-to-RMS amplitude ratio reduction is performed in the quadrature domain, the polar domain, or both the quadrature and polar domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, Richard W. D. Booth
  • Patent number: 7953182
    Abstract: Transmitters, receivers and associated methods are disclosed for providing phase and amplitude modulation in a carrier-less communication system (e.g., an ultra-wide band communication system). An approximate quadrature signal is provided by delaying the in-phase signal by an amount determined by various criteria, such as the bandwidths of the component signals, minimizing the mean square error between an approximate quadrature signal and the true quadrature signal, and minimizing the auto-correlation function of the in-phase signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ultrabit Communications LLC
    Inventor: Stephan V. Schell
  • Patent number: 7755422
    Abstract: This invention controls and modulates switched-mode power amplifiers to enable the production of signals that include amplitude modulation (and possibly, but not necessarily, phase modulation), the average power of which may be controlled over a potentially wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Stephan V. Schell, Wendell B. Sander, Ronald A. Meck, Robert J. Bayruns
  • Patent number: 7675993
    Abstract: This invention, generally speaking, modifies pulse amplitude modulated signals to reduce the ratio of average power to minimum power. The signal is modified in such a manner that the signal quality remains acceptable. The signal quality is described in terms of the Power Spectral Density (PSD) and the Error Vector Magnitude (EVM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. D. Booth, Stephan V. Schell, Thomas E. Biedka, Paul Cheng-Po Liang
  • Publication number: 20090257526
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conditioning communications signals based on detection of high-frequency in the polar domain. High-frequency events detected in a phase-difference component of a complex baseband signal in the polar domain are detected and used as a basis for performing hole-blowing on the complex baseband signal in the quadrature domain and/or nonlinear filtering either or both the magnitude and phase-difference components in the polar domain. Alternatively, high-frequency events detected in the phase-difference signal that correlate in time with low-magnitude events detected in a magnitude component of the complex baseband signal are used as a basis for performing hole-blowing on the complex baseband signal in the quadrature domain and/or nonlinear filtering either or both the magnitude and phase-difference components in the polar domain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Paul Cheng-Po Liang, Richard W.D. Booth, Stephan V. Schell, Thomas E. Biedka
  • Publication number: 20090257528
    Abstract: Transmitters, receivers and associated methods are disclosed for providing phase and amplitude modulation in a carrier-less communication system (e.g., an ultra-wide band communication system). An approximate quadrature signal is provided by delaying the in-phase signal by an amount determined by various criteria, such as the bandwidths of the component signals, minimizing the mean square error between an approximate quadrature signal and the true quadrature signal, and minimizing the auto-correlation function of the in-phase signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Stephan V. Schell