Christopher L Rutledge

US Patent:

6381055, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Apr 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/061534

Inventors:

Joel I. Javitt - Hillside NJ
Christopher Lee Rutledge - Somerset NJ

Assignee:

ATT Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

359159, 359152, 359169, 359170

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for safe and reliable telecommunication using a telecommunication network that employs substantially unguided, free-space, point-to-point, electro-magnetic radiation are provided. Most methods include the use of a retro-reflector near a transceiver assembly. The retro-reflector can be used to rapidly calibrate, align, and/or realign one or more assemblies by reflecting a beam of light back toward its source, providing an opportunity for optical detection of the reflected beam.

US Patent:

7155126, Dec 26, 2006

Filed:

Mar 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/084997

Inventors:

Christopher Rutledge - Somerset NJ, US
Arul Arasan - North Brunswick NJ, US

Assignee:

Uhuru Networks - Somerset NJ

International Classification:

H04J 14/00

US Classification:

398 50, 398 56, 398 57, 398 49, 398 48, 398 45

Abstract:

A method and apparatus provide a network element and associated control system in a broadcast optical communications network, including an optical switch (switch fabric), to cross-connect selected wavelengths input to the switch to pre-determined output ports, under the control of a control (supervisory) channel for efficient upstream and downstream delivery of optical communications services. The network element includes an optical switch controller to monitor the communications traffic input to and output from the optical switch ports in order to dynamically change output port connections for the input wavelengths as controlled by the control channel.

US Patent:

57708509, Jun 23, 1998

Filed:

Apr 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/846937

Inventors:

Donald John Bowen - Madison NJ
Gregory M. Durant - Plainfield NJ
Christopher L. Rutledge - Somerset NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Corp - Middletown NJ

International Classification:

G01J 120

US Classification:

2502031

Abstract:

A system is provided for tracking a free-space optical communications beam. The incoming beam is split by a beam splitter. One portion of the incoming beam is focused onto a high-speed photodetector. Another portion of the incoming beam is passed through a target pattern optical element. A resulting target pattern is formed on a two-dimensional active pixel sensor array. The alignment of the system can be adjusted based on the position of the target pattern on the sensor array.

US Patent:

62053213, Mar 20, 2001

Filed:

Jan 2, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/775914

Inventors:

Christopher L. Rutledge - Somerset NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Corporation - New York NY

International Classification:

H04Q 710

US Classification:

455 312

Abstract:

A method and system for retrieving pages from a remote location. In one embodiment, pager users can access their pagers from a remote location, via a public switched telephone network, to retrieve messages (i. e. numeric, alphanumeric and voice messages) and/or perform any other pager operation by engaging in an interactive wireless dialogue with the pager via a public switched telephone network and the paging system, wherein the pager uses digital voice encoding techniques to provide verbal feedback to the remote user. The remote can dial the number of the individual pager from a remote location and enter a preprogrammed command sequence to initiate wireless dialogue with the pager. Once the wireless dialogue is initiated, the remote user can enter other pre-programmed commands to control the operation of the pager from the remote location (e. g. to retrieve messages sent to the pager).

US Patent:

58447059, Dec 1, 1998

Filed:

Feb 13, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/799885

Inventors:

Christopher L. Rutledge - Somerset NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Corp - Middletown NJ

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

359167

Abstract:

The cells of a wireless communications system can be subdivided into smaller subcells, in each of which the available radio frequencies can be re-used to allow denser use of the system. To avoid having to run hard-wired communications links to broadcast antennas of the subcells, substantially unguided, free-space, optical communication is used between the antenna that formerly served the cell and the subcell antennas. The existing hard-wired connection from the central antenna to the remainder of the wireless communications system infrastructure continues to be used for communication to and from the cell.

US Patent:

61542970, Nov 28, 2000

Filed:

Mar 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/818690

Inventors:

Joel I. Javitt - Hillside NJ
Christopher L. Rutledge - Somerset NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Corp - New York NY

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

359152

Abstract:

An optical transceiver that is particularly adapted for free-space optical telecommunication uses the same optical path for received and transmitted light to a large extent to avoid duplication of optical elements. Received light is split so that different portions can be sent to physically spaced photodetectors, one of which is for detecting optically received information, and others of which are for detecting misalignment of the transceiver. In this way, the alignment detectors do not interfere with light reception by the information detector.

US Patent:

61220841, Sep 19, 2000

Filed:

Mar 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/033236

Inventors:

David Michael Britz - Rumson NJ
Jeevan Prakash Dodley - Parsippany NJ
Christopher Lee Rutledge - Somerset NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

H04B 1000
H04B 1006

US Classification:

359172

Abstract:

A free-space optical communications system and method in which a transmitter transmits a free-space optical communication beam to an optical receiver. The receiver includes an optical detector, an optical input level sensor and an optical attenuation device. The optical detector detects the optical communication beam, while the optical input level sensor senses an optical input level of the optical communication beam at the optical detector and outputs a control signal corresponding to the sensed optical input level. The optical attenuation device is responsive to the control signal by attenuating the optical input level of the optical communication beam to be less than a predetermined input level. The optical input level sensor includes a detector optical level sensor, a comparator circuit and a controller. The detector bias level sensor senses an optical level of the optical detector.

US Patent:

60162120, Jan 18, 2000

Filed:

Apr 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/848370

Inventors:

Gregory M. Durant - Plainfield NJ
Christopher L. Rutledge - Somerset NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Corp - New York NY

International Classification:

H04J 1402

US Classification:

359124

Abstract:

A free-space wavelength division multiplexing system is provided having a demultiplexer and receiver arrangement. The demultiplexer and receiver arrangement may be based on a rotatable interference filter. A desired wavelength can be selected by adjusting the angle of the interference filter with respect to the incoming light beam. Alternatively, the demultiplexer and receiver arrangement may be based on a diffraction grating. Multiple wavelengths of light are diffracted at different angles, which spatially separates each wavelength in the system. A corresponding multiple-element linear photodetector array is used to receive the spatially separated optical signals.