Patents Assigned to SBC Services, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7215757
    Abstract: A disclosed method provides automated scripting to guide a customer service representative (CSR) in handling a call from a customer. Operations within the method may include displaying products and two or more purpose classifications for selection by the CSR. The purpose classifications may include (a) an add classification for customer requests to add a new product to an account and (b) a remove classification for customer requests to remove an existing product from the account. A page generator may receive input from the CSR selecting one of the purpose classifications and one of the products as pertinent to the call. In response, the page generator may automatically displaying a customized page with scripted text for the CSR to read to the customer. The scripted text may correspond specifically both to the selected purpose classification and to the selected product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignees: SBC Services, Inc., Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford E. Pennington, Jr., Melissa L. Oldenburg, Benjamin J. Schubert, Kurt M. Joseph, Mary K. Griffitt, Krisinda A. Guerrero
  • Publication number: 20070041537
    Abstract: A service for presenting billing information to a customer according to a hierarchal structure defined by the customer. The customer assigns telephone numbers to company units and defines how each of the units relate to each other in the hierarchal structure. The billing information associated with each assigned telephone number is processed in accordance with the hierarchal structure. Thereafter, the bill is presented to the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicants: SBC SERVICES, INC., PACIFIC TELESIS SHARED SERVICES, SOUTHWESTERN BELL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Bonnie CLARK, Emma ESPINOZA, Catherine HARRIS, Margaret HASSEL, Anita NERODA, Michael PAQUETTE, Danny ROPER, Carolyn UKENA, Stephen VOTAVA
  • Patent number: 7154998
    Abstract: A service for presenting billing information to a customer according to a hierarchal structure defined by the customer. The customer assigns telephone numbers to company units and defines how each of the units relate to each other in the hierarchal structure. The billing information associated with each assigned telephone number is processed in accordance with the hierarchal structure. Thereafter, the bill is presented to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignees: SBC Services, Inc., Pacific Telesis Shared Services, Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bonnie Clark, Emma M. Espinoza, Catherine E. Harris, Margaret M. Hassel, Anita Elizabeth Neroda, Michael Thane Paquette, Danny Lee Roper, Carolyn Marie Ukena, Stephen James Votava
  • Patent number: 7139385
    Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a method for NPA split processing on a service control point. These preferred embodiments can be used to overcome problems encountered during a permissive dialing period of an NPA split and yield several advantages over prior art approaches to this problem. Specifically, these preferred embodiments do not require changes to be made to an existing call processing record to include a pointer to a new call processing record identified by a telephone number with a new NPA. Additionally, unlike prior approaches that require changes to be made to all incoming query messages to a service control point, these preferred embodiments do not require extra processing for services that are not NPA sensitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignees: SBC Technology Resources, Inc., SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Robert Stroud, Rick Anthony Cherye, Laura Kay Culli
  • Publication number: 20060203983
    Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicants: Ameritech Corporation, SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianna Tiliks, Carol Gruchala, Susanne Crockett, Nancy Book, John Moss, Thomas McBlain, Gordon Blumenschein, William Moy, Kenneth Stroud
  • Patent number: 7099447
    Abstract: A disclosed method allows service subscribers to modify service subscriptions online. Operations within the method may include receiving an order for a service package from a subscriber, wherein the service package includes multiple features. In response to the order, the features in the service package may automatically be cross referenced with a list of existing features for the subscriber to detect any overlap between the features in the service package and the existing features. In response to detecting an overlap, a subscription change request may automatically be computed, wherein subscription change request includes only the features in the service package that do not overlap the existing features. The subscription change request may then be submitted for implementation by a service provider, possibly after receiving confirmation of the change request from the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignees: SBC Services, Inc., SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Meredith Lyn McQuilkin, William Gerritt Demzik, Jr., Christopher Benjamin Bujanda
  • Patent number: 7095832
    Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignees: Ameritech Corporation, SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianna Inara Tiliks, Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Susanne Marie Crockett, Nancy Ann Book, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, William M. Moy, Kenneth Robert Stroud
  • Patent number: 7065201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a customer call routing menu employing an interactive voice response system (IVR) to process a call in a customer service center. The menu messages are provided in terms of customer tasks to be performed, rather than in terms of corporate units. Further, the menu messages are arranged and played to the caller in the order of the most frequently requested tasks and include terminology commonly used by customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignees: SBC Technology Resources, Inc., SBC Services, Inc., Pacific Bell Telephone
    Inventors: Robert R. Bushey, Yanira Marbella Bowen, Ruth Elaine Lawrence, John Mills Martin, Denise Quackenbush, Rachel Beth Simon
  • Patent number: 6965668
    Abstract: A service for presenting billing information to a customer according to a hierarchal structure defined by the customer. The customer assigns telephone numbers to company units and defines how each of the units relate to each other in the hierarchal structure. The billing information associated with each assigned telephone number is processed in accordance with the hierarchal structure. Thereafter, the bill is presented to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignees: SBC Services, Inc., Pacific Telesis Shared Services, Southwestern Bell Communications Services Inc.
    Inventors: Bonnie Clark, Emma M. Espinoza, Catherine E. Harris, Margaret M. Hassel, Anita Elizabeth Neroda, Michael Thane Paquette, Danny Lee Roper, Carolyn Marie Ukena, Stephen James Votava
  • Publication number: 20050243985
    Abstract: A service for presenting billing information to a customer according to a hierarchal structure defined by the customer. The customer assigns telephone numbers to company units and defines how each of the units relate to each other in the hierarchal structure. The billing information associated with each assigned telephone number is processed in accordance with the hierarchal structure. Thereafter, the bill is presented to the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicants: SBC Services, Inc., Pacific Telesis Shared Services, Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bonnie Clark, Emma Espinoza, Catherine Harris, Margaret Hassel, Anita Neroda, Michael Paquette, Danny Roper, Carolyn Ukena, Stephen Votava
  • Publication number: 20050190907
    Abstract: Outgoing call log data associated with a call from a subscriber's terminal is provided by a system including a switch, which receives the call from the subscriber's terminal and launches a query in response to the call, and a service controller, which receives the query and forwards call data to an interface server in response to the query. The switch continues to process the telephone call after querying the service controller. The interface server obtains additional information from a directory database based on at least the received call data. An outgoing call log database receives and stores the call data and the additional information from the interface server as the outgoing call log data. A web server retrieves the outgoing call log data from the outgoing call log database, in response to a query from a web client, and displays the outgoing call log data at the web client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicants: SBC Technology Resources, Inc., SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brandt, Bojana Mamuzic, James Miller, Stephen Mueller
  • Patent number: 6904137
    Abstract: A system and a method store, display and report outgoing call log data associated with telephone calls from a subscriber's telephone. The system includes a switch in one network that receives a telephone call from the subscriber's telephone and launches a query in response to an AIN trigger to a service control point. In response, the service control point forwards associated call data to an interface server in another network via a generic data interface. The interface server obtains additional information from a directory database and sends the call data and the additional information to an outgoing call log database, which stores the call data and the additional information as the outgoing call log data. A web server retrieves the outgoing call log data and displays it to the subscriber at a web client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignees: SBC Technology Resources, Inc., SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lewis Brandt, Bojana Mamuzic, James Thomas Miller, Stephen Mark Mueller
  • Publication number: 20050088974
    Abstract: A method and system enable optimization of trunk group design in a public switched telephone network (PSTN). A community of interest, including two end offices connected by a direct trunk and at least one tandem switch, is identified using out-of band signaling data collected from the PSTN. An application server interfaced to the PSTN determines whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the tandem switch during a predetermined time period. When traffic passes through the tandem switch, the application server further determines whether the direct trunk between the end offices experienced an overflow condition during the same predetermined time period. When the direct trunk did not experience an overflow condition, an exchange code associated with the traffic passing through the tandem switch is designated as a misrouted code. The misrouted code is flagged so that associated traffic is redirected through the direct trunk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Applicant: SBC Services Inc.
    Inventors: Raghvendra Savoor, Andre Fuetsch, Frederick Armanino, Baofeng Jiang, Peter Wong, Mengfeng Tsai, David Kimble
  • Publication number: 20050078813
    Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicants: Ameritech Corporation of Hoffmann, SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianna Tiliks, Carol Gruchala, Susanne Crockett, Nancy Book, John Moss, Thomas McBlain, Gordon Blumenschein, William Moy, Kenneth Stroud
  • Patent number: 6856679
    Abstract: A disclosed method provides automated scripting to guide a customer service representative (CSR) in handling a call from a customer. Operations within the method may include displaying products and two or more purpose classifications for selection by the CSR. The purpose classifications may include (a) an add classification for customer requests to add a new product to an account and (b) a remove classification for customer requests to remove an existing product from the account. A page generator may receive input from the CSR selecting one of the purpose classifications and one of the products as pertinent to the call. In response, the page generator may automatically displaying a customized page with scripted text for the CSR to read to the customer. The scripted text may correspond specifically both to the selected purpose classification and to the selected product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignees: SBC Services Inc., SBC Technology Resources, Inc., Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
    Inventors: Stanford E. Pennington, Jr., Melissa L. Oldenburg, Benjamin J. Schubert, Kurt M. Joseph, Mary K. Griffitt, Krisinda A. Guerrero
  • Patent number: 6852923
    Abstract: A device and method for imparting movement to a selected line are disclosed. A device incorporating teachings of the present invention may include a motion arm extending through an opening in the housing of the device. The arm may be coupled to a connection clip that can grip a selected line. The selected line may include, for example, twisted pair, coaxial cable, optical cable, shielded high-gauge wire, etc. In some embodiments, the arm of the device is coupled to a motion generator that imparts movement to the motion arm in at least one direction. In operation, the imparted movement may be conveyed through the motion arm and the connection clip to the selected wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignees: SBC Services, Inc., Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.
    Inventors: Donald L. Perry, Russell W. White
  • Patent number: 6850605
    Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignees: Ameritech Corporation, SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianna Inara Tiliks, Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Susanne Marie Crockett, Nancy Ann Book, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, William M. Moy, Kenneth Robert Stroud
  • Patent number: 6829345
    Abstract: A method and system enable optimization of trunk group design in a public switched telephone network (PSTN). A community of interest, including two end offices connected by a direct trunk and at least one tandem switch, is identified using out-of band signaling data collected from the PSTN. An application server interfaced to the PSTN determines whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the tandem switch during a predetermined time period. When traffic passes through the tandem switch, the application server further determines whether the direct trunk between the end offices experienced an overflow condition during the same predetermined time period. When the direct trunk did not experience an overflow condition, an exchange code associated with the traffic passing through the tandem switch is designated as a misrouted code. The misrouted code is flagged so that associated traffic is redirected through the direct trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Raghvendra G. Savoor, Andre Fuetsch, Frederick Michael Armanino, Baofeng Jiang, Peter Wong, Mengfeng Tsai, David Lewis Kimble