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).

  • Patent number: 10727955
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving, via an optical fiber, optical power signals where the optical fiber is connected with a light source, converting, by an optical power converter, the optical power signals to electrical energy, where the electrical energy is utilized as power, and transmitting or receiving, via a coupler, electromagnetic waves that convey data where the electromagnetic waves propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Patent number: 10727902
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving a signal, and launching, according to the signal, an electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, where the electromagnetic wave propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and where the electromagnetic wave has a phase delay profile that is dependent on an azimuth angle about an axis of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Peter Wolniansky, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10727559
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium that includes a dielectric core comprising a plurality of rigid dielectric members configured to propagate guided electromagnetic waves. A dielectric cladding is disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the first dielectric core. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, William Scott Taylor, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10727901
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes a dielectric antenna having a feed point and an aperture. A cable comprising a conductorless core is coupled to the feed point of the dielectric antenna. A transmitter is coupled to the cable and facilitates a transmission of first electromagnetic waves to the feed point of the dielectric antenna. The first electromagnetic waves are guided by the conductorless core and propagate along the conductorless core without requiring an electrical return path, and the first electromagnetic waves generate free-space wireless signals from the aperture of the antenna in accordance with a circularly polarized antenna beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10720962
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that guides electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and at least reduces radiation on an outer surface of a structure reducing a flow of an electrical current from an inner surface of the structure to the outer surface of the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Publication number: 20200228160
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for receiving first electromagnetic waves via a transmission medium without utilizing an electrical return path, and inducing second electromagnetic waves at an interface of the transmission medium without the electrical return path. In an embodiment, the first and second electromagnetic waves have a non-optical frequency range. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10714803
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a cable can include a core, a plurality of strips of cladding disposed on the core, and a coupler that facilitates inducing electromagnetic waves that propagate along the core, where a first dielectric constant of the core exceeds a second dielectric constant of each strip of cladding of the plurality of strips of cladding, and where the electromagnetic waves propagate along the core without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Aldo Adriazola, Mitchell Harvey Fuchs, Brandon Pimm, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Paul Shala Henry, William Scott Taylor, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10714831
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes a dual-band antenna array configured to transmit first radio frequency (RF) signals to a remote device in an RF band and to transmit first millimeter wave (MMW) signals to the remote device in a MMW frequency band, wherein the MMW frequency band is above the RF band. A base transceiver station is configured to generate a consolidated steering matrix in accordance with the transmission of the first RF signals to the remote device in the RF band. A remote radio head is configured to convert the consolidated steering matrix to a converted steering matrix that facilitates the transmission of the first MMW signals to the remote device in the MMW frequency band, and further configured to generate the first MMW signals in accordance with the converted steering matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10714824
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a planar surface wave launcher includes a substrate having a planar substrate surface. A planar antenna having first and second antenna elements on the planar substrate surface, the first and second antenna elements having edges on an aperture side of the planar surface wave launcher and opposing edges, is configured to transmit and receive first guided electromagnetic waves on a surface of a transmission medium. A conductive ground plane is provided on the planar substrate surface and coplanar to the planar antenna, the conductive ground plane having a mating edge with a shape conforming to the opposing edges of the first and second antenna elements, the mating edge electrically isolated from the opposing edges of the first and second antenna elements, wherein the transmission medium is spaced a distance apart from, and parallel to, the conductive ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Publication number: 20200213873
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for generating electromagnetic signals that resonate in a cavity having a plurality of reflectors resulting in resonating electromagnetic signals and combining the resonating electromagnetic signals to form an electromagnetic wave that traverses a reflector and couples onto a physical transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Giovanni Vannucci, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar
  • Publication number: 20200204208
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for determining from one or more conditions a range of energy that can be obtained from a transmission medium to power the first waveguide system, selecting according to the range of energy a group of components of a plurality of selectable components of the first waveguide system, and enabling the group of components and powering down a remainder of the plurality of selectable components, wherein the group of components facilitates an exchange of electromagnetic waves between the first waveguide system and a second waveguide system via the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Patent number: 10694379
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for use in a waveguide system that includes: receiving a wireless authentication request from a communication device, the wireless authentication request including a fiber authentication key; comparing, by the waveguide system, the fiber authentication key to fiber authentication data of the waveguide system to determine when the fiber authentication key is authenticated, wherein the fiber authentication data corresponds to a microwave fiber of the waveguide system; and when the fiber authentication key is authenticated, enabling communications with the communication device, wherein the communications include generating, by the waveguide system and in response to first wireless signals received from the communication device, first electromagnetic waves on a surface of a transmission medium, and wherein the first electromagnetic waves have a frequency within a microwave frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Ken Liu, Harold Rappaport, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J. Barnickel, Pamela A. M. Bogdan, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Robert Bennett
  • Publication number: 20200195303
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for determining from one or more conditions for a retransmission of electromagnetic waves received by the waveguide system via a transmission medium, a duty cycle for retransmitting the electromagnetic waves, retransmitting the electromagnetic waves utilizing a first repeater type of the waveguide system during a first portion of the duty cycle, and retransmitting the electromagnetic waves utilizing a second repeater type of the waveguide system during a second portion of the duty cycle. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Farhad Barzegar, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Irwin Gerszberg, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Publication number: 20200195302
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a surface wave repeater or other surface wave device includes a heating and cooling unit. The heating and cooling unit is configured to control the temperature of the surface wave repeater or other surface wave device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, Jeffrey Farah
  • Publication number: 20200195304
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a waveguide device including a coupler that transmits or receives electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, where the electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium. The waveguide device can include a housing that houses the coupler, where the housing has a first portion comprising a material that reflects particular wavelengths of light. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Jeffrey J. Farah, Farhad Barzegar
  • Publication number: 20200195338
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium, responsive to a signal quality of the electromagnetic waves satisfying a threshold: generating updated electromagnetic waves by conditioning the electromagnetic waves without modifying digital signals conveyed by the electromagnetic waves and inducing propagation of the updated electromagnetic waves along the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20200194863
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving, by a waveguide system, a communication signal that conveys data; transmitting, via a coupler of the waveguide system, electromagnetic waves, where the electromagnetic waves propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and where the electromagnetic waves convey the data; and mitigating, by the waveguide system, interference to the electromagnetic waves associated with residual electromagnetic waves propagating along the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci
  • Patent number: 10686496
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna structure that includes a dielectric antenna comprising a dielectric feedline having a feed point, and a collar that facilitates aligning a port of a waveguide system to the feed point of the dielectric feedline for facilitating transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves exchanged between the port and the feed point of the dielectric feedline, the electromagnetic waves guided by the dielectric feedline without an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellecutal Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Aldo Adriazola, Mitchell Harvey Fuchs, Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10686516
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a repeater device having a first coupler to extract downstream channel signals from first guided electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium of a guided wave communication system. An amplifier amplifies the downstream channel signals to generate amplified downstream channel signals. A channel selection filter selects one or more of the amplified downstream channel signals to wirelessly transmit to the at least one client device via an antenna. A second coupler guides the amplified downstream channel signals to the transmission medium of the guided wave communication system to propagate as second guided electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J. Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10686493
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium, generating, according to the electromagnetic waves, signals that convey data and routing information, and providing the signals to a switch that facilitates routing, according to the routing information, a first portion of the data conveyed by the signals to an access point, a second portion of the data conveyed by the signals to a second waveguide system, or a combination thereof. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    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