Patents by Inventor William E. Rollins

William E. Rollins 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: 10057668
    Abstract: A network interface device (NID) demarcates an access network and a premises network. The NID receives a broadband signal via an access network and transmits optical device signals to pieces of premises equipment. The broadband signal may be a single-mode fiber (SMF) optical signal transmitted over an SMF cable. In these embodiments, the NID may include a transponder including a first stage to convert the SMF signal to an intermediate electrical signal and a second stage to convert the intermediate electrical signal to a premises optical signal. In other embodiments, the broadband signal may be a very high bit rate digital subscriber line (VDSL) or other type of electrical signal and the NID's transponder may convert the VDSL signal to the premises optical signal. The NID may further include a multiplexer to multiplex the premises optical signal into the optical device signals for delivery to premises devices via corresponding premises device ports and plastic optical fiber cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: William E. Rollins, Eric S. Forbes, Arvind Ramdas Mallya
  • Publication number: 20160205452
    Abstract: A network interface device (NID) demarcates an access network and a premises network. The NID receives a broadband signal via an access network and transmits optical device signals to pieces of premises equipment. The broadband signal may be a single-mode fiber (SMF) optical signal transmitted over an SMF cable. In these embodiments, the NID may include a transponder including a first stage to convert the SMF signal to an intermediate electrical signal and a second stage to convert the intermediate electrical signal to a premises optical signal. In other embodiments, the broadband signal may be a very high bit rate digital subscriber line (VDSL) or other type of electrical signal and the NID's transponder may convert the VDSL signal to the premises optical signal. The NID may further include a multiplexer to multiplex the premises optical signal into the optical device signals for delivery to premises devices via corresponding premises device ports and plastic optical fiber cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: William E. Rollins, ERIC S. FORBES, ARVIND RAMDAS MALLYA
  • Patent number: 9325416
    Abstract: A network interface device (NID) demarcates an access network and a premises network. The NID receives a broadband signal via an access network and transmits optical device signals to pieces of premises equipment. The broadband signal may be a single-mode fiber (SMF) optical signal transmitted over an SMF cable. In these embodiments, the NID may include a transponder including a first stage to convert the SMF signal to an intermediate electrical signal and a second stage to convert the intermediate electrical signal to a premises optical signal. In other embodiments, the broadband signal may be a very high bit rate digital subscriber line (VDSL) or other type of electrical signal and the NID's transponder may convert the VDSL signal to the premises optical signal. The NID may further include a multiplexer to multiplex the premises optical signal into the optical device signals for delivery to premises devices via corresponding premises device ports and plastic optical fiber cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: William E. Rollins, Eric S. Forbes, Arvind Ramdas Mallya
  • Patent number: 8348691
    Abstract: A multimedia cable may include a grip at a first end of the multimedia cable, where the grip includes a first release. An insertable connector at the first end of the multimedia cable may include a first retainer and at least one electrical connection contact. Pushing the first release inwardly toward a central axis of the multimedia cable may cause the first retainer to move inwardly toward the central axis of the multimedia cable via a first retainer arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Arvind Ramdas Mallya, William E. Rollins
  • Publication number: 20120027416
    Abstract: A network interface device (NID) demarcates an access network and a premises network. The NID receives a broadband signal via an access network and transmits optical device signals to pieces of premises equipment. The broadband signal may be a single-mode fiber (SMF) optical signal transmitted over an SMF cable. In these embodiments, the NID may include a transponder including a first stage to convert the SMF signal to an intermediate electrical signal and a second stage to convert the intermediate electrical signal to a premises optical signal. In other embodiments, the broadband signal may be a very high bit rate digital subscriber line (VDSL) or other type of electrical signal and the NID's transponder may convert the VDSL signal to the premises optical signal. The NID may further include a multiplexer to multiplex the premises optical signal into the optical device signals for delivery to premises devices via corresponding premises device ports and plastic optical fiber cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: William E. Rollins, Eric S. Forbes, Arvind Ramdas Mallya
  • Publication number: 20110124216
    Abstract: A multimedia cable may include a grip at a first end of the multimedia cable, where the grip includes a first release. An insertable connector at the first end of the multimedia cable may include a first retainer and at least one electrical connection contact. Pushing the first release inwardly toward a central axis of the multimedia cable may cause the first retainer to move inwardly toward the central axis of the multimedia cable via a first retainer arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Arvind Ramdas Mallya, William E. Rollins
  • Patent number: 7824206
    Abstract: A system includes a digital multimedia connector of a digital multimedia cable. The digital multimedia connector includes a first housing enclosing a first plurality of electrical contacts, a retainer adjacent and external to the first housing, and a release. The system includes a digital multimedia receptacle. The digital multimedia receptacle includes a second housing to receive the first housing of the digital multimedia connector, a second plurality of electrical contacts to couple to the first plurality of electrical contacts, and a support to receive at least a portion of the retainer. The digital multimedia cable is inhibited from separating from the digital multimedia receptacle and an electrical connection between the first plurality of electrical contacts and the second plurality of electrical contacts is maintained when the retainer of the digital multimedia connector is received by the support of the digital multimedia receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Arvind Ramdas Mallya, William E. Rollins