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: 20200187017
    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 via the dual-band antenna array in accordance with an antenna beam pattern having at least one selected null direction, and further configured to generate the first MMW signals in accordance with the converted steering matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Publication number: 20200185837
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include a planar antenna configured to transmit first signals as a first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the planar antenna includes an array of patch antennas that generates first near field signals in response to the first signals and a plurality of directors configured to guide a portion of the first near field signals from the array of patch antennas to the surface of the transmission medium, and wherein the portion of the first near field signals combines to induce the first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to the surface of the transmission medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10680308
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a first waveguide system that includes a transmitter that facilitates generation of an electromagnetic wave, and a directional coupler that facilitates inducing propagation of the electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium. The electromagnetic wave can be directed to a second waveguide system coupled to the transmission medium, and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Giovanni Vannucci, Paul Shala Henry, Thomas M. Willis, III, Farhad Barzegar
  • Patent number: 10680309
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for generating first electromagnetic waves and directing instances of the first electromagnetic waves to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of second electromagnetic waves having a dominant non-fundamental wave mode. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    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: 10679767
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium for propagating electromagnetic waves. The transmission medium can include a conductor for guiding electromagnetic waves longitudinally along the conductor, and a shell surrounding at least a portion of the conductor for reducing exposure of the electromagnetic waves to an adverse environment that increases propagation losses of the electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, William Scott Taylor, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III, Ed Guntin
  • Publication number: 20200177238
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving 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 the telecommunication line without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Giovanni Vannucci, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel
  • Publication number: 20200177239
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for generating a plurality of electromagnetic waves having differing signal characteristics, each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves conveying a communication signal, and the plurality of electromagnetic waves propagating along a transmission medium without radiating into free space. The system can be further configured for generating, by an antenna coupled to the transmission medium, a plurality of wireless signals according to the plurality of electromagnetic waves. The differing signal characteristics of the plurality of electromagnetic waves thereby enables a device to obtain the communication signal by combining the plurality of wireless signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Publication number: 20200176848
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a guided wave launcher includes a dielectric cable having an unexposed dielectric core portion that is surrounded by a dielectric cladding portion. The unexposed dielectric core portion is configured to receive a first electromagnetic wave at the end of the dielectric cable and to guide the first electromagnetic wave along the first unexposed dielectric core portion. An exposed dielectric core portion of the dielectric cable, that is not surrounded by the dielectric cladding portion, is configured to couple a portion of the first electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium in proximity to the exposed dielectric core portion, wherein the portion of the electromagnetic wave coupled to the transmission medium propagates as a second electromagnetic wave along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry
  • Publication number: 20200174185
    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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20200177234
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a surface wave repeater includes a transceiver that generates a pilot signal that identifies the surface wave repeater. The transceiver adds the pilot signal to a microwave signal to create a combined signal. The transceiver couples the combined signal to a launcher to facilitate transmission of guided electromagnetic waves conveying data along with the pilot signal on a segment of a transmission medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20200178087
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes an antenna array configured to receive first millimeter wave (MMW) signals from a remote device in a millimeter wave (MMW) frequency band and to transmit second millimeter wave (MMW) signals to the remote device in the MMW frequency band. A base transceiver station is configured to generate a consolidated steering matrix in accordance in a radio frequency (RF) band based on a consolidated feedback matrix in accordance with the RF band, wherein the MMW frequency band is above the RF band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Publication number: 20200176879
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a surface wave launcher is configured to transmit and receive guided electromagnetic waves via the aperture that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. The surface wave launcher includes a coaxial port having an inner conductor and an outer conductor. A conductive tray is coupled to the inner conductor and is configured to surround, at least in part, a portion of the transmission medium. A dielectric layer surrounds, at least in part, a portion of the conductive tray. A conductive cone, is coupled to the outer conductor at a feed-point of the conductive cone, and coaxially surrounds the transmission medium, wherein the conductive cone is adjacent to the dielectric layer at the feed-point and forms an aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Peter Wolniansky, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III, Paul Shala Henry, Donald J. Barnickel, Giovanni Vannucci, Robert Bennett
  • Publication number: 20200176880
    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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    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: 20200176888
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a guided wave launcher includes an array of antennas configured to generate near field signals. A controller is configured to: select, in response to a first control signal, at least one of a plurality of guided wave modes; and adjust beam steering parameters of the array of antennas according to the selected one(s) of the plurality of guided wave modes. The near field signals combine to induce a guided electromagnetic wave having the selected one(s) of the plurality of guided wave modes, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave is guided by the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Donald J. Barnickel, Harold Lee Rappaport, Giovanni Vannucci, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Publication number: 20200174189
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving first optical power signals via an optical fiber connected with a light source of a network device, converting the first optical power signals to electrical energy utilizing an optical power converter where the electrical energy is utilized as power by the system, and transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey data. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 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: 20200177237
    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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 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
  • Patent number: 10673116
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that can be configured for generating an electromagnetic wave and coupling the electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium with a reduced loss of radiation of the electromagnetic wave into free space. The system can also be configured to receive an electromagnetic waves form the transmission medium with a reduced loss of radiation of the electromagnetic wave into free space. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10673115
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a connector that includes a first port configured to receive electromagnetic waves guided by a first dielectric core of a first transmission medium. A waveguide is configured to guide the electromagnetic waves from the first port to a second port. The second port is configured to transmit the electromagnetic waves to a second dielectric core of a second transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 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: 10665942
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for adjusting an operational parameter of electromagnetic waves supplied to a feed point of a dielectric antenna to modify a beamwidth of far-field wireless signals generated by the dielectric antenna, the electromagnetic waves propagating along the feed point without an electrical return path, detecting that the beamwidth of the far-field wireless signals needs to be adjusted to improve a reception of the far-field wireless signals by a remote system, and adjusting the operational parameter of the electromagnetic waves to adjust the beamwidth of the far-field wireless signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Donald J Barnickel, Farhad Barzegar, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Henry Kafka, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10666323
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: 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