Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Barnett, JR.

Thomas C. Barnett, 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).

  • Publication number: 20210266234
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for an OTT access framework and distributed NFVI architecture are provided. A system includes a first user device associated with a first customer, a distribution point unit, a layer 3 switch defining a network edge, a captive portal host located at a central office, a network enhanced gateway located in the central office, the network enhanced gateway coupled to the layer 3 switch, and the captive portal host. The network enhanced gateway is configured to determine, via the captive portal host, one or more services to be provided to the user device, wherein the one or more services includes internet service at a contracted speed, authenticate, via an authentication, authorization, and accounting service, the user device, and establish, via a policy manager, quality of service for ingress traffic to the user device at the distribution point unit according to the contracted service speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Kevin M. McBride
  • Patent number: 10931474
    Abstract: A system includes a first distribution point unit comprising a first backhaul interface coupled to an access network via a backhaul connection, a first distribution interface coupled to a downstream distribution point unit, one or more first drop cable interfaces coupled to at least one first customer premises via at least one first drop cable, and a first reverse power section. The system further includes a second distribution point unit communicatively coupled to the first distribution point unit, the second distribution point unit comprising a second backhaul interface coupled to the first distribution interface of the first distribution point unit, a second distribution interface configured to be coupled to a subsequent downstream distribution point unit, one or more second drop cable interfaces coupled to at least one second customer premises via at least one second drop cable, and a second reverse power section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Thomas C. Barnett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10832665
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, microphones of an IoT human interface device might receive user voice input. The IoT human interface device and/or a computing system might identify explicit commands in the voice input, identify first IoT-capable devices to which the explicit commands are applicable, receive sensor data from IoT sensors, and analyze the voice input in view of previous user voice inputs and in view of the sensor data to determine whether the voice input contains any implicit commands. If so, second IoT-capable devices to which an implicit command is additionally applicable might be identified, instructions based on a combination of the explicit and implicit commands may be generated and sent to the second IoT-capable devices. Instructions based only on the explicit commands are generated and sent to first IoT-capable devices to which implicit commands are not applicable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Thomas C. Barnett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200351117
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for a network access system are provided. A system includes a distribution point unit coupled to an access network on an upstream side, and one or more copper wire drops on a downstream side, wherein the one or more copper wire drops are terminated at a respective one or more customer premises. The system further includes a bridge coupled to the distribution point unit via at least one of the one or more copper wire drops, the bridge configured to interface with existing customer premises wiring. The bridge further includes a G.now client interface coupled to the distribution point unit, a G.hn master interface coupled to a G.hn client coupled to the existing customer premises wiring, and a reverse power section including a reverse power powered device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas C. Barnett, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200351118
    Abstract: A system includes a first distribution point unit comprising a first backhaul interface coupled to an access network via a backhaul connection, a first distribution interface coupled to a downstream distribution point unit, one or more first drop cable interfaces coupled to at least one first customer premises via at least one first drop cable, and a first reverse power section. The system further includes a second distribution point unit communicatively coupled to the first distribution point unit, the second distribution point unit comprising a second backhaul interface coupled to the first distribution interface of the first distribution point unit, a second distribution interface configured to be coupled to a subsequent downstream distribution point unit, one or more second drop cable interfaces coupled to at least one second customer premises via at least one second drop cable, and a second reverse power section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas C. Barnett, JR.
  • Patent number: 10774948
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing point-to-point fiber insertion within a passive optical network (“PON”) communications system. The PON communications system, associated with a first service provider or a first service, might include an F1 line(s) routed from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot, an F2 line(s) routed via various apical conduit components to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing customer premises, and an F3 line(s) distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 Line(s), to a network interface device or optical network terminal at each customer premises via various apical conduit components (e.g., in roadway surfaces). Point-to-point fiber insertion of another F1 line(s), associated with a second service provider or a second service, at either the NAP or the FDH (or outside these devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, Jr., Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 10687377
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless communications, and, more particularly, for implementing multiple simultaneous wireless services using a universal wireless station. In various embodiments, a universal wireless station (and/or a computing system(s)) might determine a first set of wireless communications frequencies and protocols for communications with a second device and might determine a second set of wireless communications frequencies and protocols for communications with a third device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Thomas C. Barnett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10613284
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing FTTx, which might include Fiber-to-the-Home (“FTTH”), Fiber-to-the-Building (“FTTB”), Fiber-to-the-Premises (“FTTP”), and/or the like. In some embodiments, a method might include routing an F1 line(s) from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot. From the FDH, an F2 line(s) might be routed, via any combination of apical conduit main slot(s), cross slot(s), far-side slot(s), missile bore(s), bore hole(s), and/or conduit(s) (collectively, “Apical Conduit Components”), to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing one or more customer premises. An F3 line(s) might be distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 line(s), to a network interface device (“NID”) or optical network terminal (“ONT”) at each customer premises, via any combination of the Apical Conduit Components, which include channels in at least portions of roadways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Thomas C. Barnett, Jr., Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 10578825
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing FTTx, which might include Fiber-to-the-Home (“FTTH”), Fiber-to-the-Premises (“FTTP”), and/or the like. A method might include routing an F1 line(s) from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot. From the FDH, an F2 line(s) might be routed, via any combination of various apical conduit components, to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing one or more customer premises. An F3 line(s) might be distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 line(s), to a network interface device (“NID”) or optical network terminal (“ONT”) at each customer premises, via any combination of the apical conduit components, which include channels in at least portions of roadways. In some embodiments, at least one wireless access point is disposed in each of one or more channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10536759
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing point-to-point fiber insertion within a passive optical network (“PON”) communications system. The PON communications system, associated with a first service provider or a first service, might include an F1 line(s) routed from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot, an F2 line(s) routed via various apical conduit components to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing customer premises, and an F3 line(s) distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 Line(s), to a network interface device or optical network terminal at each customer premises via various apical conduit components (e.g., in roadway surfaces). Point-to-point fiber insertion of another F1 line(s), associated with a second service provider or a second service, at either the NAP or the FDH (or outside these devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, Jr., Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 10426358
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, an IoT-capable personal tracking device might receive sensor data from each of a plurality of sensors, and might analyze the sensor data to identify one or more external IoT-capable devices with which to interact and to determine one or more tasks to be performed by the identified IoT-capable devices, each based at least in part on the sensor data. In some cases, the plurality of first sensors might comprise at least one of one or more sensors that monitor physical conditions of a user's body and/or one or more sensors that monitor environmental conditions external to the user's body. The personal tracking device might subsequently autonomously send, via machine-to-machine communication, control instructions to each of the identified external IoT-capable devices, based on the determined tasks. Multiple personal tracking devices may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas C. Barnett, Jr., Kevin M. McBride, Charles I. Cook, Robert J. Morrill
  • Publication number: 20190293895
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing FTTx, which might include Fiber-to-the-Home (“FTTH”), Fiber-to-the-Premises (“FTTP”), and/or the like. A method might include routing an F1 line(s) from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot. From the FDH, an F2 line(s) might be routed, via any combination of various apical conduit components, to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing one or more customer premises. An F3 line(s) might be distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 line(s), to a network interface device (“NID”) or optical network terminal (“ONT”) at each customer premises, via any combination of the apical conduit components, which include channels in at least portions of roadways. In some embodiments, at least one wireless access point is disposed in each of one or more channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, JR.
  • Patent number: 10330882
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing FTTx, which might include Fiber-to-the-Home (“FTTH”), Fiber-to-the-Premises (“FTTP”), and/or the like. A method might include routing an F1 line(s) from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot. From the FDH, an F2 line(s) might be routed, via any combination of various apical conduit components, to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing one or more customer premises. An F3 line(s) might be distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 line(s), to a network interface device (“NID”) or optical network terminal (“ONT”) at each customer premises, via any combination of the apical conduit components, which include channels in at least portions of roadways. In some embodiments, at least one wireless access point is disposed in each of one or more channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190124425
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing point-to-point fiber insertion within a passive optical network (“PON”) communications system. The PON communications system, associated with a first service provider or a first service, might include an F1 line(s) routed from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot, an F2 line(s) routed via various apical conduit components to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing customer premises, and an F3 line(s) distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 Line(s), to a network interface device or optical network terminal at each customer premises via various apical conduit components (e.g., in roadway surfaces). Point-to-point fiber insertion of another F1 line(s), associated with a second service provider or a second service, at either the NAP or the FDH (or outside these devices).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 10154325
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing point-to-point fiber insertion within a passive optical network (“PON”) communications system. The PON communications system, associated with a first service provider or a first service, might include an F1 line(s) routed from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot, an F2 line(s) routed via various apical conduit components to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing customer premises, and an F3 line(s) distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 line(s), to a network interface device or optical network terminal at each customer premises via various apical conduit components (e.g., in roadway surfaces). Point-to-point fiber insertion of another F1 line(s), associated with a second service provider or a second service, at either the NAP or the FDH (or outside these devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, Jr., Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20180295405
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include set-top box (STB) devices, systems and apparatus providing integrated video projection and Internet of Things (IoT) control functionality. Device embodiments include an internal power supply, logic and wireless radios providing for connection to various networks. Therefore, device embodiments are portable and typically provided in a small housing. Alternative embodiments include methods of providing STB, video projection and IoT control functionality with a relatively small and easily transported self-contained, self-powered device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Aamir Hussain
  • Patent number: 10015570
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing point-to-point fiber insertion within a passive optical network (“PON”) communications system. The PON communications system, associated with a first service provider or a first service, might include an F1 line(s) routed from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot, an F2 line(s) routed via various apical conduit components to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing customer premises, and an F3 line(s) distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 Line(s), to a network interface device or optical network terminal at each customer premises via various apical conduit components (e.g., in roadway surfaces). Point-to-point fiber insertion of another F1 line(s), associated with a second service provider or a second service, at either the NAP or the FDH (or outside these devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas C. Barnett, Jr., Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20180168464
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, an IoT-capable personal tracking device might receive sensor data from each of a plurality of sensors, and might analyze the sensor data to identify one or more external IoT-capable devices with which to interact and to determine one or more tasks to be performed by the identified IoT-capable devices, each based at least in part on the sensor data. In some cases, the plurality of first sensors might comprise at least one of one or more sensors that monitor physical conditions of a user's body and/or one or more sensors that monitor environmental conditions external to the user's body. The personal tracking device might subsequently autonomously send, via machine-to-machine communication, control instructions to each of the identified external IoT-capable devices, based on the determined tasks. Multiple personal tracking devices may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Kevin M. McBride, Charles I. Cook, Robert J. Morrill
  • Publication number: 20180084596
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless communications, and, more particularly, for implementing multiple simultaneous wireless services using a universal wireless station. In various embodiments, a universal wireless station (and/or a computing system(s)) might determine a first set of wireless communications frequencies and protocols for communications with a second device and might determine a second set of wireless communications frequencies and protocols for communications with a third device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Thomas C. Barnett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170345420
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, microphones of an IoT human interface device might receive user voice input. The IoT human interface device and/or a computing system might identify explicit commands in the voice input, identify first IoT-capable devices to which the explicit commands are applicable, receive sensor data from IoT sensors, and analyze the voice input in view of previous user voice inputs and in view of the sensor data to determine whether the voice input contains any implicit commands. If so, second IoT-capable devices to which an implicit command is additionally applicable might be identified, instructions based on a combination of the explicit and implicit commands may be generated and sent to the second IoT-capable devices. Instructions based only on the explicit commands are generated and sent to first IoT-capable devices to which implicit commands are not applicable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas C. Barnett, JR.