Patents by Inventor Thomas J J Starr

Thomas J J Starr 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: 20170111497
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a communication device that includes a communication interface that facilitates a call from a user of the communication device to a communication device of a called party via a network, the call including voice communications of the user. An imaging sensor captures video of the user. A processor compares the video of the user to the voice communications to determine if the video of the user is consistent with the voice communications. The video of the user is analyzed to determine if an identity of the user is authenticated. An indication of user authentication is generated, responsive to determining the identity of the user is authenticated and to determining the video of the user coincides with the voice communications. The indication of the user authentication is sent to the called party in association with the call. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas J J Starr
  • Publication number: 20160330316
    Abstract: A method includes applying, with a test device, a test signal to a transmission line coupled to a customer premises device. The method includes measuring, at the test device, a reflection of the test signal. The method also includes determining, at the test device, whether the transmission line supports a transmission service based on the reflection of the test signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J.J. Starr, Carlton L. Brown
  • Patent number: 9484958
    Abstract: Systems and Methods for controlling an interleaver are disclosed. Generally, a first and second signal are received, wherein the first and second signals are selected from the group consisting of a signal to noise ration signal, a data rate signal, and a bit error rate signal. An interleaver control signal is then generated based on the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas J. J. Starr
  • Patent number: 9426282
    Abstract: A method and device for transmission line testing are provided. The method includes applying, at a customer premises device, a test signal to a transmission line coupled to the customer premises device. The method further includes measuring, at the customer premises device, a reflection of the test signal. The method also includes determining, at the customer premises device, a characteristic of the transmission line based on the reflection of the test signal. The method includes determining, at the customer premises device, whether the transmission line supports a transmission service based on the characteristic. The method further includes generating an output, at the modem device, the output indicative of whether the transmission line supports the transmission service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas J. J. Starr, Carlton L. Brown
  • Publication number: 20160080000
    Abstract: Systems and Methods for controlling an interleaver are disclosed. Generally, a first and second signal are received, wherein the first and second signals are selected from the group consisting of a signal to noise ration signal, a data rate signal, and a bit error rate signal. An interleaver control signal is then generated based on the first and second signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas J.J. Starr
  • Patent number: 9225464
    Abstract: Systems and Methods for controlling an interleaver are disclosed. Generally, a first and second signal are received, wherein the first and second signals are selected from the group consisting of a signal to noise ration signal, a data rate signal, and a bit error rate signal. An interleaver control signal is then generated based on the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Thomas J. J. Starr
  • Publication number: 20140211926
    Abstract: A method and device for transmission line testing are provided. The method includes applying, at a customer premises device, a test signal to a transmission line coupled to the customer premises device. The method further includes measuring, at the customer premises device, a reflection of the test signal. The method also includes determining, at the customer premises device, a characteristic of the transmission line based on the reflection of the test signal. The method includes determining, at the customer premises device, whether the transmission line supports a transmission service based on the characteristic. The method further includes generating an output, at the modem device, the output indicative of whether the transmission line supports the transmission service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas J.J. Starr, Carlton L. Brown
  • Patent number: 8755406
    Abstract: Example multiple channel systems for a twisted pair telephone wire local loop system are disclosed. An example method includes implementing, via a digital filter at a subscriber gateway, a frequency translation received from a first controller of a switching office in response to a bandwidth allocation request, wherein the frequency translation moves a signal to an available frequency band identified by the first controller of the switching office; operating a second controller at the subscriber gateway to control the digital filter; and transmitting a plurality of frequency division multiplexed signals via a first transceiver configured to send and receive via multiple independent channel located at the subscriber gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Phillip George Skeba, Dale Brian Halling, Nelson Leon Ledbetter, Edward R. Folds, Thomas J. J. Starr
  • Patent number: 8737572
    Abstract: A method and device for transmission line testing are provided. A particular modem device includes a transmission line interface to connect to a transmission line. The modem device also includes a memory to store a plurality of transmission line tests. The modem device also includes a controller coupled to the memory and to the transmission line interface. The controller selects one or more tests of the plurality of transmission line tests from the memory. The controller also performs the selected one or more tests on the transmission line and detects an electrical characteristic of the transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Properties, I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas J. J. Starr, Carlton L. Brown
  • Patent number: 8396077
    Abstract: The system (50) has a subscriber digital filter system (54) connected to the twisted pair telephone wire (56). A subscriber controller (52) sends control signals to the subscriber digital filter system (54). An office digital filter system (58) is connected to the twisted pair telephone wire (56). An office controller (60) sends control signals to the office digital filter system (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Phillip George Skeba, Dale Brian Halling, Nelson Leon Ledbetter, Edward R. Folds, Thomas J. J. Starr
  • Patent number: 8154995
    Abstract: A method of managing data transmission is provided and includes measuring a first number of payload bits communicated over a bearer during a first time period. The first number of measured payload bits is divided by a length of the first time period to yield a short term average bit rate for the first time period. Also, a bit rate margin is added to the short term average bit rate for to yield a total bearer bit rate for the first time period. Further, a bearer bit rate can be selectively provisioned based on the total bearer bit rate for the first time period. The bearer bit rate can be provisioned based on whether the bearer is a fixed bearer or an adaptive bearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas J J Starr, Eugene L. Edmon
  • Patent number: 7716557
    Abstract: A method a system for automatically controlling an adaptive interleaver involves monitoring performance parameters of a transmission system and controlling the adaptive interleaver in response to the performance parameters. The SNR and the data rate of the transmission system are preferably determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the SNR. Alternatively, the BER and the data rate of the transmission system are determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the BER. Alternatively, any one of the SNR, BER or data rate can alone be monitored and used to the adaptive interleaver. The system provides a effective system for adjusting an adaptive interleaver in response to performance parameters of a transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas J J Starr
  • Patent number: 7716558
    Abstract: A method a system for automatically controlling an adaptive interleaver involves monitoring performance parameters of a transmission system and controlling the adaptive interleaver in response to the performance parameters. The SNR and the data rate of the transmission system are preferably determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the SNR. Alternatively, the BER and the data rate of the transmission system are determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the BER. Alternatively, any one of the SNR, BER or data rate can alone be monitored and used to the adaptive interleaver. The system provides a effective system for adjusting an adaptive interleaver in response to performance parameters of a transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas J J Starr
  • Publication number: 20100098097
    Abstract: The system (50) has a subscriber digital filter system (54)connected to the twisted pair telephone wire (56). A subscriber controller (52) sends control signals to the subscriber digital filter system (54). An office digital filter system (58) is connected to the twisted pair telephone wire (56). An office controller (60) sends control signals to the office digital filter system (58).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Phillip George Skeba, Dale Brian Halling, Nelson Leon Ledbetter, Edward R. Folds, Thomas J. J. Starr
  • Patent number: 7664138
    Abstract: The system (50) has a subscriber digital filter system (54)connected to the twisted pair telephone wire (56). A subscriber controller (52) sends control signals to the subscriber digital filter system (54). An office digital filter system (58) is connected to the twisted pair telephone wire (56). An office controller (60) sends control signals to the office digital filter system (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Phillip George Skeba, Dale Brian Halling, Nelson Leon Ledbetter, Edward R. Folds, Thomas J. J. Starr
  • Patent number: 7596211
    Abstract: A high-speed data transmission network system (8) is provided. The system (8) includes a plurality of subscriber premises (12) that transmit a first upstream signal (28) on a first frequency band to a central office or a remote terminal (10), which is in communication with the plurality of subscriber premises (12). The central office or the remote terminal (10) broadcasts a downstream signal (30) to each of the plurality of subscriber premises (12) on a second frequency band, which is higher in frequency than said first frequency band. The downstream signal (30) contains one or more subscriber group signals and a plurality of subscriber specific signals. A controller (44) provides each of the subscriber premises (12) access to one or more of the one or more subscriber group signals and to a corresponding subscriber specific signal of the plurality of subscriber specific signals. A method of performing the same is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas J. J. Starr
  • Patent number: 7564797
    Abstract: A system for implementing multiple communication channels on a single twisted pair transmission line is disclosed. The system derives additional communication channels by way of a separate transceiver unit for each derived line. Each transceiver unit communicates in a separate predetermined frequency band. Each transceiver unit, upon connection to the transmission line, automatically utilizes the lowest unoccupied frequency band by monitoring each frequency band for the presence of signal power. Thus, as many derived lines as will be supported by the customer transmission loop can be readily added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas J. J. Starr
  • Publication number: 20090031178
    Abstract: A method a system for automatically controlling an adaptive interleaver involves monitoring performance parameters of a transmission system and controlling the adaptive interleaver in response to the performance parameters. The SNR and the data rate of the transmission system are preferably determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the SNR. Alternatively, the BER and the data rate of the transmission system are determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the BER. Alternatively, any one of the SNR, BER or data rate can alone be monitored and used to the adaptive interleaver. The system provides a effective system for adjusting an adaptive interleaver in response to performance parameters of a transmission system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas J. J. Starr
  • Publication number: 20080313508
    Abstract: A method a system for automatically controlling an adaptive interleaver involves monitoring performance parameters of a transmission system and controlling the adaptive interleaver in response to the performance parameters. The SNR and the data rate of the transmission system are preferably determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the SNR. Alternatively, the BER and the data rate of the transmission system are determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the BER. Alternatively, any one of the SNR, BER or data rate can alone be monitored and used to the adaptive interleaver. The system provides a effective system for adjusting an adaptive interleaver in response to performance parameters of a transmission system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas J.J. Starr
  • Patent number: 7460619
    Abstract: A method and system for optimizing coding gain that alters the backsearch buffer length and/or the input buffer length of a decoder in response to one or more transmission performance characteristics of the system. The performance characteristics are monitored to determine the performance of the system. The measured transmission performance characteristics are used to control the lengths of the backsearch buffer and the input buffer. The measured transmission performance characteristics along with the backsearch length and/or the input buffer length are analyzed and compared with simulated decoding results. In accordance with the simulated results, the system determines the optimal size of the backsearch buffer and the input buffer needed to achieve a desired performance target. The system adjusts the size of the backsearch buffer length and/or the input buffer length to equal the determined optimal lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas J J Starr, Michael John Rude, Joseph Martin Charboneau