Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Willis, III

Thomas M. Willis, III 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: 20220094030
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that facilitates directing a first electromagnetic wave to a device positioned along a transmission medium, the device facilitating a perturbation of the first electromagnetic wave, and the first electromagnetic wave having a first field intensity near an outer surface of the transmission medium, and generating, by the device, a second electromagnetic wave having a second field intensity near the outer surface of the transmission medium that is lower than the first field intensity of the first electromagnetic wave. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Peter Wolniansky, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 11283177
    Abstract: A transmission device includes a coupler configured to convert a transmit signal to transmitted guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, the coupler further configured to convert to a receive signal, received guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. A housing is configured to provide environmental protection to the coupler. The housing includes an aperture section configured to pass the transmitted guided electromagnetic waves from the coupler through an aperture side of the housing, the aperture section further configured to pass the received guided electromagnetic waves to the coupler through the aperture side of the housing. The housing also includes a non-aperture section configured to absorb radio frequency (RF) signals in a frequency range of the transmit signal and a frequency range the receive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Irwin Gerszberg, Peter Wolniansky, Robert Bennett, Thomas M. Willis, III, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar
  • Patent number: 11277159
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that facilitates receiving electromagnetic waves having polarized modes propagating along a transmission medium, detecting according to an analysis of the electromagnetic waves that the transmission medium is birefringent thereby causing a differential delay between the polarized modes, and adjusting a configuration of a receiver receiving the electromagnetic waves to mitigate the differential delay between the polarized modes. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Byoung-Jo J. Kim, Paul Shala Henry, Peter Wolniansky, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Robert Bennett, Thomas M. Willis, III, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Publication number: 20220045880
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving a plurality of communication signals, and generating, according to the plurality of communication signals, a plurality of electromagnetic waves bound at least in part to a dielectric layer of a conductor. The plurality of electromagnetic waves propagates along the dielectric layer of the conductor without an electrical return path, where each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves includes a different portions of the plurality of communication signals, and where the plurality of electromagnetic waves utilizes a signal multiplexing configuration that at least reduces an interference between the plurality of electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Publication number: 20220029745
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a transmission device operates by: generating a transmit signal conveying transmit data in accordance with an HARQ protocol; converting the transmit signal to transmitted guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a transmission medium; converting to a receive signal received guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along the surface of the transmission medium; generating, based on the receive signal, corona discharge data that indicates a corona discharge in proximity to the transmission medium during a first time period; identifying, responsive to the corona discharge data, a first packet of the transmit signal that was converted to transmitted guided electromagnetic waves during the first time period; and regenerating the transmit signal to include the first packet for retransmission via the transmitted guided electromagnetic waves, without waiting for a repeat request to be received from the remote device indicating the first packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci, Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, Peter Wolniansky, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 11223098
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that facilitates directing a first electromagnetic wave to a device positioned along a transmission medium, the device facilitating a perturbation of the first electromagnetic wave, and the first electromagnetic wave having a first field intensity near an outer surface of the transmission medium, and generating, by the device, a second electromagnetic wave having a second field intensity near the outer surface of the transmission medium that is lower than the first field intensity of the first electromagnetic wave. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Peter Wolniansky, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 11212138
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving a plurality of communication signals, and generating, according to the plurality of communication signals, signals that induce a plurality of electromagnetic waves bound at least in part to a dielectric material. Each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves conveys at least one communication signal of the plurality of communication signals, and the plurality of electromagnetic waves has a multiplexing configuration that reduces an interference between the plurality of electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 11205853
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system having a plurality of transmitters for launching, according to a signal, instances of first electromagnetic waves having different phases to induce propagation of a second electromagnetic wave at an interface of a transmission medium, the second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency, wherein the plurality of transmitters has a corresponding plurality of antennas. A reflective plate is spaced a distance behind the plurality of antennas relative to a direction of the propagation of the second electromagnetic wave. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 11206552
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, different groups of network devices mounted on utility poles. The different groups of network devices can be arranged along different paths. A communication path for transmitting wireless signals can alternate between the different groups of network devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III, Farhad Barzegar, Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 11189930
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include a generator that facilitates generation of an electromagnetic wave, a core, and a waveguide that facilitates guiding the electromagnetic wave towards the core to induce a second electromagnetic wave that propagates along the core. The core and/or the waveguide can be configured to reduce radiation loss of the second electromagnetic wave, propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave, or a combination thereof. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 11183767
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system having an antenna for launching, according to a signal, a first electromagnetic wave to induce a propagation of a second electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, the second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency. A reflective plate is spaced a distance behind the antenna relative to a direction of the propagation of the second electromagnetic wave. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 11184050
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for transmitting signals by first electromagnetic waves guided by a first transmission medium, and, responsive to a determination of an undesired condition, adjusting the first electromagnetic waves to cause cross-medium coupling between the first transmission medium and a second transmission medium resulting in the signals being transmitted by second electromagnetic waves guided by the second transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Barnickel, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett
  • Patent number: 11177981
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving a plurality of communication signals, and generating, according to the plurality of communication signals, a plurality of electromagnetic waves bound at least in part to a dielectric layer of a conductor. The plurality of electromagnetic waves propagates along the dielectric layer of the conductor without an electrical return path, where each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves includes a different portions of the plurality of communication signals, and where the plurality of electromagnetic waves utilizes a signal multiplexing configuration that at least reduces an interference between the plurality of electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 11171764
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include a communication system including a full duplex transceiver is configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals simultaneously over a transmission medium; a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitates the performance of operations, including: transmitting, via the full duplex transceiver, electromagnetic wave signals that convey a plurality of data frames, wherein the electromagnetic wave signals propagate along the transmission medium to another transceiver, wherein the electromagnetic wave signals propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; monitoring, via the full duplex transceiver, the transmission medium for an interference; identifying, via the full duplex transceiver, one or more data frames of the plurality of data frames that were transmitted during a period of the interference; and retransmitting,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Peter Wolniansky, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 11165642
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving second signals from a switch responsive to the switch receiving first signals a first waveguide system, wherein the first waveguide system facilitates generating the first signals responsive to receiving first electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium. The system further facilitates selecting a communication device according to the second signals, and transmitting a first wireless signal directed to the communication device, wherein the first wireless signal conveys first data supplied by the second signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Irwin Gerszberg, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 11145948
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for receiving a communication signal, generating an electromagnetic wave from the communication signal, and inducing the electromagnetic wave on a portion of a transmission medium having an insulation layer with a tapered end covering at least part of a conductor. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 11146916
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting, by a first receiver of the first group of receivers, a first disturbance in one of a first group of electromagnetic waves and detecting, by a second receiver of a second group of receivers, a second disturbance in one of the second group of electromagnetic waves. A processing system can determine a position of a physical object in proximity to the transmission medium according to locations of the first and second receivers with respect to the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 11139580
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna structure that includes first and second dielectric antennas that each redirect a beam pattern generated by the first and second dielectric antennas away from a center axis of the of the first and second dielectric antennas. Each of the first and second dielectric antennas can be coupled to at least one dielectric core via a feed point of each dielectric antenna. The at least one dielectric core can be configured to supply electromagnetic waves that are converted by the first and second dielectric antennas to first and second beam patterns redirected away from the center axis. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 11108126
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a dielectric coupler includes a neck portion configured to receive a first electromagnetic waves from a hollow waveguide. A plurality of arms is configured to generate, responsive to the first electromagnetic waves, second electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of arms each end at differing azimuthal orientations relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. A splitter portion is configured to split the first electromagnetic waves among the plurality of arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 11082091
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving communication signals that convey data, obtaining energy from a telecommunication line of a telecommunications network where an AC or DC power signal is injected into the telecommunication line and where the energy is utilized by at least a subset of components of a waveguide system, and transmitting electromagnetic waves that convey the data where the electromagnetic waves propagate along a power line of a power grid without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Irwin Gerszberg, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel