Patents by Inventor Timothy A. Thomas

Timothy A. Thomas 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: 20160041197
    Abstract: A pitot tube includes a substantially cylindrical body portion having an interior defining a flow passage, and a tip portion extending along a pitot tube axis from the body portion. The tip portion includes an inlet opening, a radially tapered outer surface extending from the body portion toward the inlet opening, one or more bulkheads disposed at the interior to limit travel of particles ingested into the interior, at least one drain opening disposed directly adjacent to one of the one or more bulkheads, and one or more electrical coils comprising one or more coil wraps disposed at an interior of the pitot tube. The one or more coil wraps establish a variable watt density along the interior of the pitot tube. The one or more coil wraps also establish a variable watt density downstream of one or more of the one or more bulkheads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Greg Seidel, Timothy Thomas Golly, Paul Robert Johnson
  • Patent number: 9207253
    Abstract: A pitot tube includes a substantially cylindrical body portion and a tip portion extending along a pitot tube axis from the body portion. The tip portion includes an inlet opening and a radially tapering outer surface extending from the body portion toward the inlet opening. Another pitot tube includes a substantially cylindrical body portion and a tip portion extending along a pitot tube axis from the body portion. The tip portion includes an inlet opening. One or more electrical coils including one or more coil wraps are located at an interior of the pitot tube. One or more bulkheads are located between a forwardmost coil wrap and a drainage feature to limit travel of particles ingested into the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC.
    Inventors: Greg Seidel, Timothy Thomas Golly, Paul Robert Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150341097
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software related product for using elevation beamforming with standardized CSI feedback for evolving deployment scenarios (e.g., in LTE and LTE-A wireless systems). According to an embodiment of the invention, a network element such as eNB may send to a UE reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS) on a plurality of resources or PRBs (e.g., frequency subbands), each resource can be transmitted with one of a plurality of downtilt angles/values. In response, the network element may receive from the UE a feedback report including selected by the UE one or more of the plurality of resources/frequency subbands and related information on PMI/CQI/RI for each selected resource/frequency subband. Then, based on the feedback report, the network element can determine/identify at least one preferred downtilt angle to use for future transmissions to the UE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Weidong YANG, Eugene VISOTSKY, Frederick VOOK, Timothy THOMAS, Bishwarup MONDAL
  • Patent number: 9197284
    Abstract: A wireless communication system is provided that spreads pilot signals, or channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs), using a spreading code chosen from a set of mutually unbiased bases (MUBs). The advantages of such spreading with MUBs are that multiple base stations can send their pilot signals on a same time-frequency resources, making the pilot signal design very efficient and also improving channel estimation at a user equipment through orthogonal and quasi-orthogonal spreading which gives a gain above noise and interference. A short spreading code chosen from MUBs may be used for spreading pilot signals transmitted from each antenna of a base station within a time-frequency resource comprising multiple closely-spaced subcarriers in frequency and/or multiple closely-spaced symbols in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Thomas, Bishwarup Mondal
  • Publication number: 20150311986
    Abstract: A group of data symbols for a current block of data symbols in multiple blocks received over a communication channel is equalized, based on a pilot block, to generate a group of equalized symbols. The group of equalized symbols is de-rotated as a function of a current phase estimate to determine initial de-rotated equalized symbols. The phase estimate is an estimate of phase caused by noise for blocks previous to the current block. Additionally, a phase metric is calculated from real and imaginary parts of the initial de-rotated equalized symbols, wherein the phase metric estimates phase caused by noise for the current block. The current phase estimate is updated with the phase metric. The initial de-rotated equalized symbols are de-rotated by the phase metric to determine final equalized and de-rotated symbol estimates. The final equalized and de-rotated symbol estimates are output. Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Timothy Thomas, Mark Cudak
  • Patent number: 9161241
    Abstract: A method to use RSs for per-user elevation beamforming is described. An eNB sends, to a UE, an indication of which RSs in a plurality of RSs sound in the elevation dimension and which RSs in the plurality of RSs sound in the azimuthal dimension. Then, the eNB sends, to the UE, the plurality of RSs using a plurality of antenna. The UE separates the plurality of RSs into the first portion and the second portion based at least in part on the indication and sends elevation and azimuthal feedback based on the received RSs to the eNB. The eNB determines beamforming weights for the plurality of antenna based at least in part on the elevation feedback and the azimuthal feedback. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Timothy A. Thomas, Frederick W. Vook, Bishwarup Mondal, Eugene Visotsky
  • Patent number: 9154206
    Abstract: A method includes transmitting reference signals to user equipment from an active antenna array system including a multiple of antennas arrayed in at least a vertical direction. The active antenna array system is configured to perform the transmitting of the reference signals using multiple vertical beams having vertical patterns designed to provide desired vertical patterns after codebook feedback from a codebook is applied on transmissions from logical ports of the antenna array. The method includes receiving codebook feedback from the user equipment in response to transmitting the reference signals. The method includes transmitting information to the user equipment at least by applying selected entries of the codebook corresponding to the codebook feedback to the logical ports of the antenna array, wherein application of the selected entries causes the active antenna array system to perform transmitting information using multiple beams having the desired vertical patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Timothy Thomas, Frederick Vook, Eugene Visotsky
  • Publication number: 20150280802
    Abstract: An example technique may include: receiving, by a mobile station from a base station, a plurality of copies of a broadcast information including a broadcast control message, wherein a copy of the broadcast information is transmitted via each of a plurality of basis function beams; determining, by the mobile station, a gain and phase value for each copy of at least a subset of the plurality of the received copies of the broadcast control message transmitted via different basis function beams. The technique may also include, for example, determining, by the mobile station, a combined broadcast control message based on at least the subset of the plurality of the received copies of the broadcast control message and the gain and phase value for each copy of at least the subset of the plurality of the received copies of the broadcast control message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy THOMAS, Frederick VOOK, Rapeepat RATASUK
  • Patent number: 9146631
    Abstract: A computing device can obtain information about how the device is held, moved, and/or used by a hand of a user holding the device. The information can be obtained utilizing one or more sensors of the device independently or working in conjunction. For example, an orientation sensor can determine whether a left hand or a right hand is likely rotating, tilting, and/or moving, and thus holding, the device. In another example, a camera and/or a hover sensor can obtain information about a finger position of the user's hand to determine whether the hand is likely a left hand or a right hand. In a further example, a touch sensor can determine a shape of an imprint of a portion of the user's hand to determine which hand is likely holding the device. Based on which hand is holding the device, the device can improve one or more computing tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Thomas Gray, Dong Zhou, Kenneth Mark Karakotsios, Jennifer Silva
  • Patent number: 9136995
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a number of indicators from a number of UEs. Each value of an indicator corresponds to entry(ies) of a codebook the corresponding UE recommends to be used for transmission. The method includes assigning the UE to a number of groups, including a first group of UEs having values of indicators corresponding to first codebook entries that when applied to an antenna array produce a pattern in elevation that steers a beam away from an underlying cell, and a second group of UEs having values of indicators corresponding to second codebook entries that are different from the first codebook entries. The method includes transmitting, in a first set of RBs having a first characteristic, to the UEs in the first group and transmitting, in a second set of RBs having a second, different characteristic, to the UEs in the second group. Apparatus and program products are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Timothy Thomas, Bishwarup Mondal, Frederick Vook, Eugene Visotsky
  • Publication number: 20150229375
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for carrier aggregated beamforming using elevation control. A base station determines a first elevation to be used for transmission to a user device using a first carrier, for example, based on information received from the user device. A second elevation, for transmission to the user device based on the second carrier, is determined based at least in part on the elevation information determined for the first carrier. The first and second carriers may be used by the same base station or by different base stations, and using elevation information determined for the first carrier to determine elevation information for the second carrier avoids computation and signaling needed for separate determination of the elevation information for the second carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Frederick Vook, Amitabha Ghosh, Timothy Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150215077
    Abstract: Communication systems may employ transmission of feedback information and responses thereto, on a wireless connection such as a millimeter wave connection. The feedback information itself may be used to influence the beamforming or beam direction used for the transmission of the feedback information. A method can comprise determining a feedback indicator regarding reception of a transmitted waveform. The method can also comprise tailoring, for example beamforming, a signal for transmitting the feedback indicator based on a content of the feedback indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS OY
    Inventors: Rapeepat Ratasuk, Timothy Thomas, Frederick Vook, Amitabha Ghosh, Mark Cudak
  • Publication number: 20150196164
    Abstract: Implementations of a food fryer are provided. In some implementations, the food fryer comprises a body portion, a stand, burners, and a drain. In some implementations, the body portion of the food fryer may be a curved hollow tube having an opening on each end. The body portion is configured to hold liquids therein for the purpose of frying or cooking food. In some implementations, the food fryer may include a storage container comprised of a body portion, a lid, and two extension members. In some implementations, the two extension members of the storage container may be configured to individually or collectively secure about the openings of the food fryers body portion such that the storage container is positioned above the food fryer. In some implementations, the storage container comprises openings from which the extension members extend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Lisa M. Waylor, Tina M. Griffith, Timothy A. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150201368
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments of the invention provide at least a method and an apparatus to determine a beacon signal for a network node, where the network node is configured to connect with a cluster of access points in a wireless communication network, and where the beacon signal identifies the cluster; and send the beacon signal towards the wireless communication network. Further, the exemplary embodiments of the invention provide at least a method and an apparatus to determine a dominant access point of a cluster of access points based on signaling from at least one access point associated with the cluster of access points; and in response to the determining, direct communications towards the dominant access point of the cluster of access points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Mark Cudak, Amitabha Ghosh, Thomas Kovarik, Rapeepat Ratasuk, Alan Rottinghaus, Timothy Thomas, Frederick Vook
  • Patent number: 9058761
    Abstract: An LCD controller includes a charge pump for generating a charge voltage responsive to an external voltage and a clock signal. The controller further includes an oscillator for generating the clock signal responsive to an oscillator control signal. An LCD driver voltage circuit generates a plurality of LCD driver voltages for driving segments of an associated LCD display. A loop control circuit within the LCD controller monitors an LCD driver voltage from the LCD driver voltage circuit and generates the oscillator control signal responsive thereto to enable and disable the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Piasecki, Thomas S. David, Timothy Thomas Rueger, Stefan Mastovich, Jia-Hau Liu
  • Patent number: 9059878
    Abstract: A method of operating an array of antennas in a wireless communication system to provide user-specific azimuth and elevation beamforming is described. The method includes providing a product codebook structure consisting of both an azimuth and elevation portion. A receiver receives reference signals from a transmitter corresponding to both the azimuth and elevation portions of the array of antennas. The method also includes determining the index of the azimuth codebook portion of the product codebook from the azimuth portion of the received reference signals and determining the index of the elevation codebook portion of the product codebook from the elevation portion of the received reference signals. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Timothy A. Thomas, Bishwarup Mondal, Eugene Visotsky, Frederick W. Vook
  • Publication number: 20150163036
    Abstract: A method includes scheduling a selected UE operating in a FDD mode to transmit sounding information on a downlink carrier frequency using selected resource(s) from a downlink radio frame, and communicating using the downlink radio frame by transmitting to UEs in resources other than at least the selected resource(s) and by receiving the sounding information on the downlink carrier frequency from the selected UE in the selected resource(s). Another method includes scheduling a selected UE operating in a FDD mode to receive sounding information on an uplink carrier frequency using selected resource(s) from an uplink radio frame, and communicating using the uplink radio frame by receiving from UEs in resources in the uplink radio frame other than at least the selected resource(s) and by transmitting the sounding information on the uplink carrier frequency to the selected UE in the selected resource(s). Apparatus and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Timothy THOMAS, Frederick Vook, Weidong Yang
  • Patent number: 9014311
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for an interleaved multi-beam acquisition waveform providing concurrent beam selection, automatic gain control (AGC) and automatic frequency correction (AFC) are provided. The access point (AP) may send an acquisition waveform on multiple beams, then return and retransmit an AFC on the multiple beams thus interleaving beam switching with the acquisition and frequency correction waveforms. AGC correction can be deferred until the end, relying on the fact that the transmitter may be detected at close range using a one of the multi-beams that is attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Mark Cudak, Timothy Thomas, Thomas Kovarik
  • Publication number: 20150103937
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for an interleaved multi-beam acquisition waveform providing concurrent beam selection, automatic gain control (AGC) and automatic frequency correction (AFC) are provided. The access point (AP) may send an acquisition waveform on multiple beams, then return and retransmit an AFC on the multiple beams thus interleaving beam switching with the acquisition and frequency correction waveforms. AGC correction can be deferred until the end, relying on the fact that the transmitter may be detected at close range using a one of the multi-beams that is attenuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Mark CUDAK, Timothy THOMAS, Thomas KOVARIK
  • Publication number: 20150082145
    Abstract: Approaches enable three-dimensional (3D) display and interaction with interfaces (such as a webpage, an application, etc.) when the device is operating in a 3D view mode. For example, interface elements can be highlighted, emphasized, animated, or otherwise altered in appearance, and/or arrangement in the renderings of those interfaces based at least in part on an orientation of the device or a position of a user using the device. Further, the 3D view mode can provide for an animated 3D departure and appearance of elements as the device navigates from a current page to a new page. Further still, approaches provide for the ability to specify 3D attributes (such as the appearance, action, etc.) of the interface elements. In this way, a developer of such interfaces can use information (e.g., tags, CSS, JavaScript, etc.) to specify a 3D appearance change to be applied to at least one interface element when the 3D view mode is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: CHARLEY AMES, DENNIS PILARINOS, PETER FRANK HILL, SASHA MIKHAEL PEREZ, TIMOTHY THOMAS GRAY