Patents by Inventor Farni Weaver

Farni Weaver 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: 9088930
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention direct a mobile device to communicate using a particular radio access technology when multiple access technologies are available. Many mobile devices have the capability to use multiple radio access technologies. The process of providing access guidance to the mobile device at a point in time is described herein as a radio access discovery and selection event. Embodiments of the present invention may complete the event using only two messages. In one embodiment, the first message is a SIP OPTIONS message communicated from the mobile device to the access guidance component. This message identifies the mobile device and the mobile device's present location. In one embodiment, the location identification information is communicated within the PANI header. In response, the access guidance component communicates a preferred radio access technology within a SIP 200 OK message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Asfaw Negeri, Rajil Malhotra, Imtiaz Ahmad, Farni Weaver
  • Patent number: 8739236
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for invoking third-party call control via a cable-television host device. A video signal is received into a cable-television host device, the video signal comprising an identifier associated with a first telephony endpoint. A command is received into the cable-television host device, the command requesting establishment of a communication session between the first telephony endpoint and a second telephony endpoint. A message is transmitted via a packet-switched network from the cable-television host device to a network entity, wherein the message comprises content based at least in part on the identifier, and wherein the message further comprises content for causing the network entity to invoke third-party call control to attempt to establish the communication session between the first telephony endpoint and the second telephony endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Donald D. Dunham, Arun Santharam, Shingara S. Dhanoa
  • Patent number: 8526426
    Abstract: A method to providing VoIP telephony to a plurality of users of a VoIP network includes authenticating and registering a primary user to a VoIP device to support call signaling associated with the primary user. A guest user subscriber of the VoIP network having a guest user directory number is authenticated in response to a password. The guest user directory number is mapped to the unique hardware identifier of the VoIP device, and a second set of VoIP parameters are downloaded from the VoIP network to the VoIP device in order to support call signaling associated with the guest user. VoIP calls are then within the VoIP network in response to the mappings of the primary user directory number and the guest user directory number to the same unique hardware identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Wen Xue, Talat Jamshidi, Nocolas A. Nehme, Ihab Amin Guirguis, Saurindra M. Basu
  • Patent number: 8281355
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for invoking third-party call control via a cable-television host device. A video signal is received into a cable-television host device, the video signal comprising an identifier associated with a first telephony endpoint. A command is received into the cable-television host device, the command requesting establishment of a communication session between the first telephony endpoint and a second telephony endpoint. A message is transmitted via a packet-switched network from the cable-television host device to a network entity, wherein the message comprises content based at least in part on the identifier, and wherein the message further comprises content for causing the network entity to invoke third-party call control to attempt to establish the communication session between the first telephony endpoint and the second telephony endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Donald D. Durham, Arun Santharam, Shingara S. Dhanoa
  • Publication number: 20120076137
    Abstract: A method to providing VoIP telephony to a plurality of users of a VoIP network includes authenticating and registering a primary user to a VoIP device to support call signaling associated with the primary user. A guest user subscriber of the VoIP network having a guest user directory number is authenticated in response to a password. The guest user directory number is mapped to the unique hardware identifier of the VoIP device, and a second set of VoIP parameters are downloaded from the VoIP network to the VoIP device in order to support call signaling associated with the guest user. VoIP calls are then within the VoIP network in response to the mappings of the primary user directory number and the guest user directory number to the same unique hardware identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Wen Xue, Talat Jamshidi, Nicolas A. Nehme, Ihab Amin Guirguis, Saurindra M. Basu
  • Patent number: 8139564
    Abstract: A VoIP device stores a first set of VoIP parameters downloaded from a VoIP network to support call signaling associated with a primary user. The primary user enables a guest set-up mode by storing a guest access code to be associated with the guest user. The guest user enters a code on the VoIP device which the VoIP device compares to the stored guest access code and activates a guest profile if a match is detected. A second set of VoIP parameters is downloaded from the VoIP network and stored as part of the guest profile on the VoIP device to support call signaling associated with the guest user. SIP signaling is initiated between the VoIP device and the VoIP network including the directory number of the guest user, whereby the directory number of the guest user is mapped by the VoIP network to the VoIP device of the primary user. When the primary user initiates a call from the VoIP device, then the call is initiated using the first set of VoIP parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Wen Xue, Talat Jamshidi, Nicolas A. Nehma, Ihab Amin Guirguis, Saurindra M. Basu
  • Patent number: 7995730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for masquerading the identity of a first communication device returning a missed call placed by a second communication device to a third communication device. The first communication device receives a missed call notification indicating the second communication device placed a first call to the third communication device. Thereafter, the first communication device initiates a second call to the second communication device and directs a network to deliver to the second communication device caller identification information that indicates the second call originates from the third communication device. Moreover, the first communication device may include a missed call log that includes missed call notifications for missed calls placed directly to the first communication device as well as missed call notifications for missed calls originally placed to another communication device. The first communication device can present to a user missed call notifications stored in the missed call log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Baoquan Zhang, Von McConnell, Farni Weaver, Arun Santharam
  • Patent number: 7869794
    Abstract: A system is provided for managing timely delivery of electronic messages, such as short message service (SMS) messages sent by the short message peer to peer (SMPP) protocol. In particular, the system determines an expected delay for the delivery of electronic messages, so that a sender can avoid sending messages when they will take an excessive amount of time to deliver. In one embodiment, a sender of electronic messages, such as a news service provider, sends a session initiation protocol (SIP) “subscribe” message to a delay manager. The delay manager determines when the expected delay of message delivery at a bulk message gateway falls below a threshold delay. When the expected delay falls below the threshold, the delay manager informs the sender, and the sender may create and send an electronic message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventor: Farni Weaver
  • Patent number: 7697667
    Abstract: A voicemail apparatus comprises a voicemail database for storing messages awaiting retrieval by a subscriber, wherein each stored message comprises a message header and message data, the message header including a calling party phone number and calling party network information. A voicemail controller is coupled to the voicemail database for handling an incoming call from a calling party to the subscriber. The voicemail controller compares the calling party phone number of the incoming call with calling party phone numbers of each of the stored messages for the subscriber. If the calling party phone number of the incoming call matches at least one calling party phone number of the stored messages then the incoming call is authenticated by comparing the calling party network information for the incoming call with calling party network information stored for the calling party phone number matching messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Wageman, Mark R. Bales, Farni Weaver
  • Patent number: 7406330
    Abstract: An IP PBX system that serves enterprise telephones via a landline IP network connection is be expanded to serve cellular wireless communication devices (WCD) via a cellular wireless carrier's radio access network (RAN). Calls to and from the cellular WCD are connected through the cellular carrier's RAN and the IP PBX system, so that the IP PBX system can control and manage the calls just as the IP PBX would control and manage calls involving other extensions on the IP PBX. A cellular WCD thereby becomes an IP PBX client station, i.e., an extension on the IP PBX system. As such, the cellular WCD can seamlessly benefit from many of the same IP PBX features that other more conventional IP PBX client stations (e.g., desk phones) enjoy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Von K. McConnell, Jeffrey F. Phillips, Dorene Weiland, Charles E. Woodson, Farni Weaver, Lyle W. Paczkowski
  • Patent number: 7395336
    Abstract: A wireless device may connect to a telecommunications network and register with a Session Initiation Protocol server. The Session Initiation Protocol server may notify a network element on the telecommunications network of the wireless device's registration. In response to a disconnection of the wireless device from the telecommunications network, the network element may notify the Session Initiation Protocol server of the wireless device's disconnection. The Session Initiation Protocol server may then responsively deregister the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Arun Santharam, Farni Weaver, Piyush Jethwa, Debashis Haldar, Lyle Bertz
  • Patent number: 7277858
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for communicating a interpreted sign-language communication in a communication system having a plurality of nodes including at least a source node, a destination node, and a network node. To facilitate communicating the interpreted sign-language communication, the network node receives from the source node non-sign-language content. The network node stores sign-language-interpreted content in a network queue for retrieval by the destination node. The sign-language-interpreted content defines at least one sign-language translation of the non-sign-language content. When the destination node retrieves and displays the sign-language-interpreted content, a user of the destination node, such as a hearing-impaired individual, can receive communications from the source node that originate in a form other than sign-language format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Piyush Jethwa
  • Patent number: 7245908
    Abstract: A method and system for processing communications based on altitude is provided. When a network receives a request to connect a communication to or from a mobile station, the network will determine the mobile station's current altitude. The network can make this determination by acquiring a GPS reading of the mobile station's current location, which can include an indication of altitude as well as latitude and longitude. Based at least in part on the altitude, the network can then decide whether to allow the requested communication to proceed. For instance, if the altitude is greater than a predetermined threshold level, then the network may preclude the communication. A network can also take into consideration other factors in addition to the altitude of a mobile station, such as the latitude and longitude coordinates of the mobile station, in deciding whether to allow a requested communication to proceed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Piyush Jethwa, Jesse Grindeland, Alex Zhang, Wen Xue
  • Patent number: 7206573
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically providing to a network entity in a wireless network, a location of a mobile station where a call is dropped (i.e., a call-drop location). The mobile station or base station may determine that a call in which the mobile station was engaged has been dropped. In response to determining that a call has been dropped, the mobile station or base station may obtain the location of the mobile station. The call-drop location can be used to identify those areas of the wireless network needing improved radio coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Shiva Narayanabhatla, Piyush Jethwa, Jesse Grindeland, Wen Xue
  • Patent number: 7149504
    Abstract: A method and system for managing location polling intervals is provided. A location determining element will determine a mobile station's current location and will compare the current location to a designated location. Based on the comparison between the current location and the designated location, the location determining element will compute a next time to determine the mobile station's current location. This process will repeat until the mobile station is located at or within a range of the designated location. Once the mobile station is located at or within the range of the designated location, the location determining element will notify a content server, which will provide specific content to the mobile station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Piyush Jethwa, Jesse Grindeland, Scott Wilson
  • Patent number: 7142840
    Abstract: A system for authenticating and/or authorizing users of a service includes one communication interface with an access communication channel and another communication interface with a confirmation communication channel. Requests for a user to access a service are received over the access communication channel, and confirmation codes for the user are received over a trusted confirmation channel, such as an SMS text messaging system. Confirmation codes may be received from the user requesting access to the service or by a third party acting as a gatekeeper to the service. The system tests the validity of received confirmation codes, and enables the user to access the service if a valid confirmation code is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Martin Geddes, Farni Weaver, Piyush Jethwa, Christopher Ginn, Von McConnell, David Anderson
  • Patent number: 7050569
    Abstract: The present invention, relates to an automated call distribution platform that has the ability to analyze a call queue and determine if a call qualifies for participation in an interactive application, invite a caller to participate in the application and, if the caller agrees, execute the application, then after completion of the application the call advances in the queue to a position ahead of where it currently resides. Thus, the present invention has both the benefit of lessening the caller's wait in a call queue and allows that automated call distribution platform owner to have its customers participate in an application. An exemplary application may be a survey, that can collect valuable information from the callers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Piyush Jethwa
  • Patent number: 7043230
    Abstract: A system for authenticating and/or authorizing users of a service includes one communication interface with an access communication channel and another communication interface with a confirmation communication channel. Requests for a user to access a service are received over the access communication channel, and confirmation codes for the user are received over a trusted confirmation channel, such as an SMS text messaging system. Confirmation codes may be received from the user requesting access to the service or by a third party acting as a gatekeeper to the service. The system tests the validity of received confirmation codes, and enables the user to access the service if a valid confirmation code is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Martin Geddes, Farni Weaver, Piyush Jethwa, Christopher Ginn, Von McConnell, David Anderson
  • Patent number: 7031700
    Abstract: A method and system for location-based group conference initiation is provided. A server will receive a request from a user to initiate a media conference, and the server will then initiate a conference with members of a group who are located in a designated location. The request may indicate a group of users who are candidates to be invited to the conference, and the location at issue. Given the request, the server will determine which of the candidate users are currently located within the zone at issue. And the server will then invite each of those candidate users to participate in the conference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint SPectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Farni Weaver, Piyush Jethwa, Jesse Grindeland, David Welch, Wen Xue, Mike McMullen, Edward Ross
  • Publication number: 20060030357
    Abstract: An IP PBX system that serves enterprise telephones via a landline IP network connection is be expanded to serve cellular wireless communication devices (WCD) via a cellular wireless carrier's radio access network (RAN). Calls to and from the cellular WCD are connected through the cellular carrier's RAN and the IP PBX system, so that the IP PBX system can control and manage the calls just as the IP PBX would control and manage calls involving other extensions on the IP PBX. A cellular WCD thereby becomes an IP PBX client station, i.e., an extension on the IP PBX system. As such, the cellular WCD can seamlessly benefit from many of the same IP PBX features that other more conventional IP PBX client stations (e.g., desk phones) enjoy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Von McConnell, Jeffrey Phillips, Dorene Weiland, Charles Woodson, Farni Weaver, Lyle Paczkowski