Patents by Inventor Thomas Schwengler

Thomas Schwengler 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: 20170302392
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network timing functionality. In some embodiments, a grand master clock(s) might receive a first timing signal from a global positioning system (“GPS”) source via a GPS antenna(s), and might send a second timing signal (which might be based at least in part on the first timing signal) to a slave clock(s), in some cases, via one or more network elements or the like. A computing system might calculate various transmission times for the second timing signal to be transmitted between the grand master clock(s) and the slave clock(s), and might calculate any time delay differences in the transmission times, might generate a third timing signal based at least in part on the calculated time delay differences (if any), and might send the third timing signal to one or more network elements, thereby providing Accurate Synchronization as a Service (“ASaaS”) functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jeff Farra, Paul Johnson, Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 9786997
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing antenna structures to optimize transmission and reception of wireless signals from ground-based signal distribution devices, which include, but are not limited to, pedestals, hand holes, and/or network access point platforms. Wireless applications with such devices and systems might include, without limitation, wireless signal transmission and reception in accordance with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af standards, UMTS, CDMA, LTE, PCS, AWS, EAS, BRS, and/or the like. In some embodiments, an antenna might be provided within a signal distribution device, which might include a container disposed in a ground surface. A top portion of the container might be substantially level with a top portion of the ground surface. The antenna might be communicatively coupled to one or more of at least one conduit, at least one optical fiber, at least one conductive signal line, or at least one power line via the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, John M. Heinz, Michael L. Elford
  • Patent number: 9780433
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing antenna structures to optimize transmission and reception of wireless signals from ground-based signal distribution devices, which include, but are not limited to, cabinets, pedestals, hand holes, and/or network access point platforms. Wireless applications with such devices and systems might include, without limitation, wireless signal transmission and reception in accordance with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af standards, UMTS, CDMA, LTE, PCS, AWS, EAS, BRS, and/or the like. In some embodiments, an antenna might be provided within a signal distribution device, which might include a container disposed in a ground surface. A top portion of the container might be substantially level with a top portion of the ground surface. The antenna might be communicatively coupled to at least one conduit, at least one optical fiber line, at least one conductive signal line, and/or at least one power line via an apical conduit system installed in a roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, John M. Heinz, Michael L. Elford
  • Patent number: 9769827
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a wireless network with several access points connected to a communication infrastructure. Residential or business customers of the Internet are provided an Internet interface (e.g., a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem) having a wireless transceiver. Two or more users may access the Internet or other network through the Internet interface. Each user can be assigned a unique Service Set-Identifier (SSID) with each SSID associated with a type of service (e.g., user video service, backhaul service, etc.). The amount of bandwidth assigned to the type of service (and user) may be governed by the equipment according to the assigned SSID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 9749442
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for providing application levels of service over a network. Embodiments of the invention maintain a list of registered applications (or application providers) that have registered with a network resources provider. Customers of the network resources provider may authenticate some or all of the registered applications, indicating a desire to allow traffic relating to those applications over their access networks. Customers may further set application levels of service with respect to those authenticated applications. Certain embodiments may manage network traffic to accord with the application levels of service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Gilman R. Stevens, Charles I. Cook, Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20170245159
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for distributing a broadband wireless signal in a building. The disclosed methods and systems feature a wireless broadband transmitter associated with multiple base antennas, where the base antennas are inserted into one or more ducts of the ventilation system of the building. Communication between the transmitter and receivers within the building may be optimized by selecting, modifying or controlling a configuration parameter of at least one of the multiple base antennas to enhance distribution of the wireless broadband signal within the ducts of the ventilation system and between the transmitter and device receivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 9681308
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for distributing a broadband wireless signal in a building. The disclosed methods and systems feature a wireless broadband transmitter associated with multiple base antennas, where the base antennas are inserted into one or more ducts of the ventilation system of the building. Communication between the transmitter and receivers within the building may be optimized by selecting, modifying or controlling a configuration parameter of at least one of the multiple base antennas to enhance distribution of the wireless broadband signal within the ducts of the ventilation system and between the transmitter and device receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20170118351
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for delivering plain old telephone service (“POTS”) telephony over high speed data networks. In particular, various embodiments provide tools and techniques for concurrent transmission of POTS voice signals and data signals over the same wire(s) of high-speed data lines or data cables. Various systems and methods might, in some instances, utilize upbanding or rebanding of the POTS voice band to a higher frequency band above the data stream band spectrum for transport of voice concurrent with data over the same wire(s) in the cable. The system might comprise interface devices at either end of a cable segment, one interface device to reband the voice signal and to combine the voice signal with the data signal for each dual-transport wire in the cable, and another interface device at the other end to separate the voice signal from the data signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford
  • Publication number: 20170110784
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing telecommunications signal relays, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing telecommunications signal relays using radiating closures (either aerial, below grade, and/or buried, etc.), or the like. In various embodiments, a signal distribution system, which might be disposed within a radiating closure, might receive a first communications signal. A wireless transceiver of the signal distribution system might send the first communications signal, via one or more wireless communications channels, to one or more devices that are external to the radiating closure. In some embodiments, antennas—which might comprise first antennas disposed within the radiating closure or second antennas embedded in a housing material of the radiating closure, or both—might direct the first communications signal that is sent from the wireless transceiver to the one or more devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Vermes, Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 9571662
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for delivering plain old telephone service (“POTS”) telephony over high speed data networks. In particular, various embodiments provide tools and techniques for concurrent transmission of POTS voice signals and data signals over the same wire(s) of high-speed data lines or data cables. Various systems and methods might, in some instances, utilize upbanding or rebanding of the POTS voice band to a higher frequency band above the data stream band spectrum for transport of voice concurrent with data over the same wire(s) in the cable. The system might comprise interface devices at either end of a cable segment, one interface device to reband the voice signal and to combine the voice signal with the data signal for each dual-transport wire in the cable, and another interface device at the other end to separate the voice signal from the data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford
  • Publication number: 20160345182
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for optimizing the distribution of a broadband wireless signal in a building. The methods and systems include at least one antenna inserted into a building ventilation system and transmitting a wireless broadband signal from a transmitter in communication with the antenna. The wireless broadband signal will include multiple orthogonal subcarriers. The methods and systems further include detecting the wireless broadband signal with a receiver in the building. In selected embodiments, the methods and systems may include the steps of analyzing a parameter of the detected wireless broadband signal and optimizing the wireless broadband signal based at least in part upon the analyzed parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 9445281
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for optimizing the distribution of a broadband wireless signal in a building. The methods and systems include at least one antenna inserted into a building ventilation system and transmitting a wireless broadband signal from a transmitter in communication with the antenna. The wireless broadband signal will include multiple orthogonal subcarriers. The methods and systems further include detecting the wireless broadband signal with a receiver in the building. In selected embodiments, the methods and systems may include the steps of analyzing a parameter of the detected wireless broadband signal and optimizing the wireless broadband signal based at least in part upon the analyzed parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20160162666
    Abstract: A license manager includes a processor and non-transitory computer readable media having encoded thereon a set of instructions executable by the at least one processor to receive a request, from a virtual machine, to reserve an individual license of the set of authorized licenses for a vendor software instance, determine the availability licenses for the requested vendor software, register a unique identifier of the virtual machine in association with an available individual license, grant the individual license to the virtual machine, and prevent the granted individual license from concurrent use by other virtual machines or devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Thomas Schwengler, Kevin M. McBride, Felipe Castro
  • Publication number: 20160109036
    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 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20160109678
    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: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas C. Barnett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160112779
    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 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas C. Barnett, JR., Michael L. Elford, Michael P. Winterrowd, Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20160014614
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for optimizing the distribution of a broadband wireless signal in a building. The methods and systems include at least one antenna inserted into a building ventilation system and transmitting a wireless broadband signal from a transmitter in communication with the antenna. The wireless broadband signal will include multiple orthogonal subcarriers. The methods and systems further include detecting the wireless broadband signal with a receiver in the building. In selected embodiments, the methods and systems may include the steps of analyzing a parameter of the detected wireless broadband signal and optimizing the wireless broadband signal based at least in part upon the analyzed parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 9198056
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for optimizing the distribution of a broadband wireless signal in a building. The methods and systems include at least one antenna inserted into a building ventilation system and transmitting a wireless broadband signal from a transmitter in communication with the antenna. The wireless broadband signal will include multiple orthogonal subcarriers. The methods and systems further include detecting the wireless broadband signal with a receiver in the building. In selected embodiments, the methods and systems may include the steps of analyzing a parameter of the detected wireless broadband signal and optimizing the wireless broadband signal based at least in part upon the analyzed parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Itellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Schwengler
  • Publication number: 20150333979
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for invoking virtualized network functions. In some embodiments, a programmable service backbone might comprise at least one virtualized network function, and might provide virtualized network functions required to provision a service offering. In some cases, at least one application programming interface might be configured to invoke the at least one virtualized network function of the programmable service backbone. An application programming interface gateway might be configured to manage access to the at least one application programming interface, and the application programming interface gateway might comprise a security layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Steven M. Casey, Kevin M. McBride, Felipe Castro
  • Publication number: 20150332351
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are utilized or implemented for providing a cloud services marketplace. In some embodiments, a method might include providing an index of product offerings for selection. The index of product offerings including at least one product offering, each of the at least one product offering in the index of product offerings including a respective qualifier. The method might also include receiving a customer selection of one or more product offerings among the at least one product offering, and providing at least one network service needed to provision the one or more customer selected product offerings based on the respective qualifier. The at least one network service might be associated with at least one virtualized network function. The method might further include provisioning network resources to perform the at least one virtualized network function, based on the respective qualifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin M. McBride, Steven M. Casey, Thomas Schwengler, Felipe Castro