Patents Assigned to Northern Telecom Limited
  • Patent number: 8687773
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server, a proxy interface and a message protocol convertor. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol convertor to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Julia Skladman, Robert J. Thornberry, Jr., Bruce A. Chatterley, Alexander Siu-Kay Ng, Bruce L. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20080165888
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus and a method for operating the apparatus comprises means for controlling flow of frame based data transmitted from a local frame based data channel interface over a synchronous digital network. The method of operation comprises the transmitter receiving frame based data at a first rate whereafter a buffer is configured to receive the frame based data. A data amount threshold level for the buffer is predetermined whereafter, with respect to the threshold level, an amount of transmitted frame based data that has been received is monitored. In response to monitoring the amount of data received, a signal, in the form of a pause frame, is generated wherein the signal is configurable to adapt the rate of transmission from the frame based data channel interface. Working in conjunction with the transmission means there is also provided a receiver for controlling flow of frame based data, received from a synchronous digital network, to a frame based data channel interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: NORTHERN TELECOM LIMITED
    Inventors: David William Wiggins, John Paul Russell, David Michael Goodman, Christopher David Murton, Christopher Thomas William Ramsden, James Shields
  • Patent number: 7162014
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server, a proxy interface and a message protocol converter. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol converter to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignees: SBC Properties, L.P., Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Julia Skladman, Robert J. Thornberry, Jr., Bruce A. Chatterley, Alexander Siu-Kay Ng, Bruce L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6868144
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server a proxy interface and a message protocol convertor. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol convertor to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignees: SBC Properties, L.P., Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Julia Skladman, Robert J. Thornberry, Jr., Bruce A. Chatterley, Alexander Siu-Kay Ng, Bruce L. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20040234046
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server, a proxy interface and a message protocol converter. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol converter to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Northern Telecom Limited and SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Julia Skladman, Robert J. Thornberry, Bruce A. Chatterley, Alexander Siu-Kay Ng, Bruce L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6782079
    Abstract: A method and system for processing messages in a unified messaging system. In particular, the system enables legacy e-mail, voice mail and facsimile systems to be integrated with a unified messaging system. The system includes a filter or mechanism which enables the user to filter certain message attributes such as the identification of the sender, recipient or the subject header or the message type to enable messages to be processed in accordance with the recipients wishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignees: SBC Properties, L.P., Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Julia Skladman, Robert J. Thornberry, Jr., Bruce A. Chatterley, Alexander Sio-Kay Ng, Bruce L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6584111
    Abstract: A flow control system and methodology controls and avoids congestion in an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network. The congestion state of a network switch is determined based on incoming Available Bit Rate (ABR) traffic, Constant Bit Rate (CBR) traffic, and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) traffic. High-frequency fluctuations due to VBR traffic are filtered out of the CBR/VBR traffic to determine the underlying trend of network traffic. A filtering mechanism is based on wavelet transforms. The switch congestion state is determined based on the current ABR traffic, the filtered CBR/VBR traffic, and the current status of buffers in the switch. The congestion state can then be used to adjust the ABR rate according to a feedback scheme such as Explicit Forward Congestion Indication (EFCI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: James Aweya, Delfin Y. Montuno
  • Patent number: 6563814
    Abstract: A digital switchboard is controlled from a remote station to enable the remote station to behave in the same fashion as a local extension and thus have the same facilities as a local extension. This is achieved using a data communications path providing control and data signals to the switchboard to modify the operation of a digital line card to cause a voice terminal at the remote station to be called from the modified line card which then is available to become part of any voice traffic being handled by the switchboard. A computer terminal at the remote station operates as a softphone and together with the voice terminal simulates a call center management console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Ray Rowan, Barry O'Sullivan, Barry McGuire
  • Publication number: 20030063582
    Abstract: A wireless communication system constructed according to the present invention includes at least one base station controller (BSC) that couples to a packet data network to service packet data communications between the packet data network and a mobile unit. The BSC is serviced by a mobile switching center (MSC) and services a plurality of base stations. The BSC includes circuitry that perform necessary interfacing functions to service the packet data communication requirements of the mobile unit. The mobile unit requests the wireless communication system to initiate this operation via a request made to a servicing base station. The base station forwards the request to the BSC which interacts with the MSC to initiate the packet data session. The BSC allocates a digital signal processor (DSP), processor and packet data network interface to service the packet data session for the mobile unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: NORTHERN TELECOM LIMITED
    Inventors: Jerry Mizell, David Lauson
  • Patent number: 6501766
    Abstract: A communication system consisting of a number of modules that communicate with one another through a shared communications bus which accommodates different protocols. The system includes a bus clock for defining a frame having a plurality of time slots for communicating signals on the bus; and a bus management algorithm for specifying a receive assignment definition and a transmit assignment definition. The receive assignment definition defines a receive channel for each of the modules representing a set of the time slots, where the modules receive signals from the bus during the set of time slots prescribed by the receive channel. The transmit assignment definition defines a transmit channel for each of the modules representing a set of the time slots, where the modules transmit signals to the bus during the set of time slots prescribed by the transmit channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Melhem I. Chaar, George F. Irwin, James L. Watchorn, David A. Fisher, Michael F. Kemp, Osama Bahgat
  • Patent number: 6421328
    Abstract: A method for assembling a microsystem neighbor list that defines control channel usage within a common operational band used by the microsystem, the overlying macrosystem and any computer microsystems. Such a method can be implemented by a frequency planning controller within the microsystem, the microsystem itself or, in the case of the computer-controlled microsystem, in a computer program product defining such method. Assembly of the microsystem neighbor list includes defining preferred and non-preferred members, wherein the preferred members of the macrosystem neighbor list include at least one control channel identified within the common operational band which determined to be available for use by the microsystem. The non-preferred members of the microsystem neighbor list will include control channels being used by adjacent macrocells of the overlying microsystem, or any competing microsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Scott Larribeau, Luong Duy Duong
  • Patent number: 6411629
    Abstract: Data packets are transmitted over a communications link in an interleaved manner. The link comprises a series of time-division multiplexed (TDM) frames, each frame comprising a plurality of time slots, a time slot being shorter than a data packet. Data packets are transmitted over a series of the TDM frames, one time slot in each of the series of frames being used to transmit a portion of that data packet. Different ones of the data packets begin in different TDM frames. Received data packets are allocated a modified header for use over the communications link. The modified header has a shorter address than the address in the received packet header and the modified header can be split into a plurality of parts which are distributed across the length of the transmitted packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Mark Bentall, Philip Charlesworth
  • Patent number: 6407438
    Abstract: A rear light entry photodetector array chip is secured face-down with solder on to the front face of a ceramic submount provided with electrically conductive vias. A frame-shaped mass of solder seals the chip to the submount to provide a hermetic enclosure protecting sensitive semiconductor surface areas of the photodetector chip array where electric fields are liable to be present in the vicinity of a pn or metal/semiconductor junction. The place of the photodetector array can be taken by a similar construction array of semiconductor light-emissive opto-electronic devices, such as VCSELs, or a mixed array including emitters and detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: John Kenneth Severn
  • Patent number: 6400698
    Abstract: The software and hardware within a base station controller and within a mobile station are modified to redefine a flag which is used for controlling communications there between. Additionally, a new flag is created. The system with the modified flag and the new flag allow a channel which is carrying communication control information to be temporarily interrupted so that a data burst may be transmitted on the same channel. In general, the base station controller transmits to the mobile station a plurality of signals which include specified counter values and information relating to a plurality of flags. The preferred embodiment includes six flags and three counters. The flags include the Not Received flag, Received flag, Busy flag, Reserved flag, Idle flag, and Check flag. It is the functionality of the Idle flag which has been redefined. The Check flag is new. The methods for determining when to transmit a data burst are responsive to multiple combinations of the flags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: Kamel Shaheen
  • Patent number: 6381219
    Abstract: An application and method for analyzing a virtual circuit in an asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”) network is disclosed. The ATM network may include multiple switches and connects two telecommunications networks through two interface devices, one for each telecommunications network. A virtual circuit is created in the ATM network between the two telecommunications networks, connecting to the first telecommunications network through a port of the first interface device and the second telecommunications network through a port of the second interface device. The method transfers a data value from the port of the first interface device to the port of the second interface device before or during a call. The data value identifies the two ports. In this way, the data value can later be examined to determine if it still identifies the two ports. By so doing, the examining interface device can determine a status of the virtual circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Matthew R. Holiday, David Wesley McKnight
  • Patent number: 6370654
    Abstract: An apparatus that networks fault-tolerant computing platforms with non fault-tolerant computing platforms includes at least one fault-tolerant computing platform, a plurality of non fault-tolerant computing platforms, and communication links connecting the fault-tolerant computing platform to the non fault-tolerant computing platforms. The fault-tolerant computing platform includes application software and a fault-tolerant extension layer. Each non fault-tolerant computing platform includes application software and a fault-tolerant extension layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Albert G. Law, Jr., Jay Woods, Peter M. Willenbring
  • Patent number: 6363187
    Abstract: An optical waveguide provided with a linearly chirped Bragg reflective grating can be employed as a device that provides linear dispersion compensation. The amount of the linear dispersion thereby provided can be rendered adjustable by adjustment of the magnitude of axial strain imposed upon the grating. If the chirp is purely linear, and if also, the strain is at all times uniform along the length of the grating, adjustment of the strain magnitude will have no such effect. This requires the presence of a quadratic chirp term, but such a term introduces its own transmission penalty. This penalty is compensated at least in part by causing the light to make a reflection in a further Bragg reflection grating whose quadratic component of chirp has the opposite sign to that of the other Bragg reflection grating, but a substantially matched modulus. The effect of the strain is to scale the effective pitch of the Bragg reflection grating by scaling its physical pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Julian A Fells, Andrew J Collar, Howard N Rourke
  • Patent number: 6363262
    Abstract: To accommodate for a release of uncleared spectrum in a wideband communication system (10) while improving isolation in a receiver (FIG. 4) between wideband carriers, a common intermediate frequency converter down-converts differing but relatively high frequency carriers, incident to the receiver, to corresponding differing but relatively low frequency carriers. Receiver chains (174-176) response to the plurality of relatively low frequency carriers each have a filter (140-144) arranged to isolate selected ones of the relatively low frequency carriers. In a radio frequency communication system having three or more frequency sequential carriers, the receiver chains (174-176) may include branches that have filters that further isolate carriers within the receiver by applying non-sequential carriers to the branches in each receiver chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: John Duncan McNicol
  • Patent number: 6345047
    Abstract: For use at a subscriber site with a subscriber line, for simultaneously sending a telephone call from a PSTN compatible telephone terminal on the subscriber site, and IP packets from a first computer, over the subscriber line, the adaptor has a converter for converting signals from the telephone terminal into IP packets, and a multiplexer, for sending simultaneously the IP packets representing the telephone call and those from the computer, along the subscriber line. The adaptor is also arranged to handle calls without conversion to IP packets, when the subscriber telephone line is not used for carrying IP packets. Using one subscriber line, all phones in a household can remain operational, to make and receive calls, while one or more PCs are concurrently accessing online services, without needing a second line, or special equipment to increase the bandwidth transmissible over the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: Jean Michel Regnier
  • Patent number: 6344851
    Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention display an overview of a first set of data that resides on a first server, where the first server includes a set of instructions and associated elements, for example multimedia elements, for displaying the first set of data on a display device. A web browser retrieves the set of instructions from the first server such that the associated elements remain un-retrieved by the web browser, and identifies a first set of links that link the first set of data to one another. The web browser then displays an overview, which includes a representation of the first set of data, using, for example, icons. Furthermore, the web browser identifies a second set of links that link one or more of the first set of data to a second set of data that resides on a second server, identifies electronic mail addresses that are included in the first set of data, and identifies the last modification dates associated with the first set of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Jobe L. W. Roberts, Michel A. Brisebois