John Huffman

US Patent:

6792079, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Sep 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/245664

Inventors:

Patricia J. Boggs - Conyers GA
Hossein Eslambolchi - Los Altos Hills CA
John Sinclair Huffman - Conyers GA
Robert K. McConkey - Bonifay FL

Assignee:

ATT Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

H04M 124

US Classification:

379 905, 379 14, 379 12, 379 19, 379 22, 379 2202

Abstract:

A system for transmitting operational control messages to a plurality of remotely-disposed cable-locating transmitters uses a spare communication line associated with each transmitter to carry the control messages from unit to unit. In the case of a fiber optic cable, the control message is transferred from an incoming telephone line associated with a first cable-locating transmitter to a spare optical fiber. The control message then propagates down the fiber to the next transmitter (where this transmitter does not otherwise have accessibility to a telephone line). This transmitter converts the optical signal to an electrical signal and either uses the control message (if indeed destined for that particular transmitter), or re-converts it to optical form and sends it further along the spare fiber to the next remote cable-locating transmitter further down the line.

US Patent:

6912329, Jun 28, 2005

Filed:

Oct 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/273793

Inventors:

Patricia J. Boggs - Conyers GA, US
Hossein Eslambolchi - Los Altos Hills CA, US
John Sinclair Huffman - Conyers GA, US
James F. Kirkpatrick - Conyers GA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

G02B006/00

US Classification:

385 12, 25022711

Abstract:

A fiber color detector is presented. A magnifying glass and a receptacle are formed in a housing. In addition, a platform including a first side facing the magnifying glass and a second oppositely disposed side is located within the housing. A light source located within the housing is positioned relative to the second side of the platform and radiates light, which emanates through the platform. A fiber is inserted into the receptacle and is positioned between the first side of the platform and the magnifying glass. As such, when the light source generates light, which emanates through the platform, the color of the fiber is contrasted against the color of the platform, when viewed through the magnifying glass. As such, an operator may view and detect the color of the fiber through the magnifying glass.

US Patent:

6989893, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Jul 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/897929

Inventors:

Michael Asher - Conyers GA, US
Hossein Eslambolchi - Los Altos Hills CA, US
Chuck Giddens - Conyers GA, US
John Sinclair Huffman - Conyers GA, US
Harold Stewart - Alpharetta GA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

G01N 21/00

US Classification:

356 731

Abstract:

The present invention relates to method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a likely cause for a length measurement to be shorter than a reference length. One technique uses a chi-squared best fit of an array reflectance spike occurrences along the fiber to a historical reference array. In that way, it can be determined whether the missing portion of the tested fiber is at an end or between the ends, providing evidence that the short length measurement results from a fiber break or from the intentional removal of a reserve loop.

US Patent:

7006750, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Feb 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/068150

Inventors:

John Huffman - Conyers GA, US
Michael Belew - Columbus OH, US
Hossein Eslambolchi - Los Altos Hills CA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385140, 385135

Abstract:

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a fiber-optic cable attenuator is presented. An assembly is presented for encasing a cable and providing an airtight chamber around the fiber-optic cable. The fiber-optic cable is then deflected within the assembly to allow a reading of the deflection point by an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). In one embodiment, the fiber-optic cable is deflected with pressurized air. In another embodiment, the fiber-optic cable is deflected with indenters fitted through the airtight chamber. As a result, initial reference data and cable location may be obtained and found without damaging the cable (i. e. , using splices and other disruptive means).

US Patent:

7075632, Jul 11, 2006

Filed:

Oct 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/263495

Inventors:

Michael Asher - Conyers GA, US
Hossein Eslambolchi - Los Altos Hills CA, US
Chuck Giddens - Conyers GA, US
John Sinclair Huffman - Conyers GA, US
Harold Stewart - Alpharetta GA, US

International Classification:

G01N 21/00

US Classification:

356 731

Abstract:

The present invention relates to method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a likely cause for a length measurement to be shorter than a reference length. One technique uses a chi-squared best fit of an array reflectance spike occurrences along the fiber to a historical reference array. In that way, it can be determined whether the missing portion of the tested fiber is at an end or between the ends, providing evidence that the short length measurement results from a fiber break or from the intentional removal of a reserve loop.

US Patent:

7082252, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Oct 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/262610

Inventors:

John Huffman - Conyers GA, US
Michael Belew - Columbus OH, US
Hossein Eslambolchi - Los Altos Hills CA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385140

Abstract:

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a fiber-optic cable attenuator is presented. An assembly is presented for encasing a cable and providing an airtight chamber around the fiber-optic cable. The fiber-optic cable is then deflected within the assembly to allow a reading of the deflection point by an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). In one embodiment, the fiber-optic cable is deflected with pressurized air. In another embodiment, the fiber-optic cable is deflected with indenters fitted through the airtight chamber. As a result, initial reference data and cable location may be obtained and found without damaging the cable (i. e. , using splices and other disruptive means).

US Patent:

7256878, Aug 14, 2007

Filed:

May 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/434357

Inventors:

Michael Asher - Conyers GA, US
Hossein Eslambolchi - Los Altos Hills CA, US
Chuck Giddens - Conyers GA, US
John Sinclair Huffman - Conyers GA, US
Harold Stewart - Alpharetta GA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

G01N 21/00

US Classification:

356 731

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a whether a reference trace is valid by comparing that trace to a more recent test trace. One technique uses a chi-squared best fit of an array reflectance spike occurrences along the fiber to a historical reference array.

US Patent:

7397545, Jul 8, 2008

Filed:

Jul 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/879102

Inventors:

Michael Asher - Conyers GA, US
Hossein Eslambolchi - Los Altos Hills CA, US
Chuck Giddens - Conyers GA, US
John Sinclair Huffman - Conyers GA, US
Harold Stewart - Alpharetta GA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

G01N 21/00

US Classification:

356 731

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a whether a reference trace is valid by comparing that trace to a more recent test trace. The reference trace may be replaced or an alarm may be transmitted under certain conditions.