Patents by Inventor Royal Dean Howell
Royal Dean Howell 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).
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Patent number: 8306887Abstract: A system is provided comprising a computer, project forecast, workflow allocations, and incurred expense databases, and an application on the computer extracting from the project forecast database a list of costs and revenues associated with a first and second project, costs comprising approved expenses described in the workflow allocations database and incurred expenses in the incurred expense database. The system determines the first project is operational and for a first subscriber base and the second project is incomplete and is to be for a second subscriber base, completion of the second project pending release of a remaining cost item. The system analyzes an alternate allocation of the cost item to improve the profitability of the first subscriber base, delaying the second project. The system determines the proposed alternate allocation increases the first subscriber base profitability more than a reduction of second subscriber base profitability resulting from the proposed alternate allocation.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Gregory H. Bucholtz, Royal Dean Howell, Mir Islam, Robert Eugene McGuire, Steven Charles Russell, Christopher Schultz, Bhanumathi Tenneti
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Patent number: 7693974Abstract: A system and method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for network development, management, and monitoring includes a GUI front end that provides a graphical representation of a telecommunication network comprised of communication devices represented by GUI network elements. A network proxy provides a communication layer between the GUI and a network server and allows the GUI to connect to multiple instances of a network server without having to hard code the connections to the network servers. The network proxy transmits commands and messages between the network server and the GUI. The network server determines how to handle traffic in the network model, such as how to provide call setup, call routine, and call tear down. The network server transmits call routing commands and messages to the network proxy which dispatches them to the GUI. An external systems interface provides the mechanism for which the network server communicates with communication devices in an external system.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Ye Huang, William Lawton Crowe, Royal Dean Howell
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Patent number: 6961339Abstract: The invention comprises a telecommunications signaling processor that processes Signaling System #7 (SS7) telecommunications signaling messages to select Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) virtual connections and provide control messages indicating the selected ATM virtual connections.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie, William Lyle Wiley, Royal Dean Howell, Joseph Michael Christie
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Patent number: 6888833Abstract: A system and method for transmitting, receiving, generating, and processing call signaling comprises a signaling point to receive and transmit call signaling over access links to, for example, time division multiplex (TDM) communication devices. A signaling interface receives and processes message parameters and call signaling and transmits call signaling and message parameters between the signaling point and a call processor. A call processor processes call signaling and can transmit call signaling message parameters to an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) matrix for transmission through an ATM network or to the signaling interface for transmission of call signaling messages from the signaling point. An ATM matrix transmits call signaling message parameters on designated virtual paths/virtual connections (VP/VCs) to communication devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventor: Royal Dean Howell
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Patent number: 6888820Abstract: The invention comprises of a telecommunications signaling processor that processes signaling system #7 telecommunications signaling messages to select asynchronous transfer mode virtual connections and to provide control messages indicating the selected virtual connections. The telecommunications signaling processor also processes non-call associated signaling messages for call maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventor: Royal Dean Howell
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Patent number: 6885671Abstract: A system and method connect a call in a broadband system using the asynchronous transfer mode protocol for switching. Calls are connected over a SONET ring that has SONET multiplexers coupled by SONET paths. The SONET multiplexers are adapted to add calls to, and drop calls from, the SONET ring. An ATM cross connect system that has ATM cross connect devices is coupled to the SONET ring. The ATM cross connect devices provide provisioned ATM connections over the SONET ring. ATM interworking units are coupled to the ATM cross connect system. The ATM interworking units interwork calls with selected ATM connections in response to control messages. The selected ATM connections are provisioned between the ATM interworking units by the ATM cross connect system over the SONET ring. A signaling processor system receives call signaling for the calls, processes the call signaling to select the ATM connections for the calls, and sends the control messages to the selected ATM interworking units.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: William Lyle Wiley, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, Royal Dean Howell, Albert Daniel DuRee
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Patent number: 6850534Abstract: A system and method for processing a call comprises a signaling interface to receive and process call signaling and transmit call signaling between a call processor and communication devices such as a local number portability service control point. A call processor processes call signaling to determine call connections. A local service control point (local SCP) provides information such as, for example, for N00 routing and virtual private network (VPN) routing. The local SCP resides with the call processor on a single platform so that they are connected, for example, through a backplane or bus architecture. In this configuration, transaction capabilities application part messages do not have to be transmitted between the signaling interface and the local SCP. Instead, direct communication can occur through control messages transmitted between the local SCP and the call processor thereby realizing increased speed and processing efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventor: Royal Dean Howell
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Publication number: 20040155900Abstract: A system and method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for network development, management, and monitoring includes a GUI front end that provides a graphical representation of a telecommunication network comprised of communication devices represented by GUI network elements. A network proxy provides a communication layer between the GUI and a network server and allows the GUI to connect to multiple instances of a network server without having to hard code the connections to the network servers. The network proxy transmits commands and messages between the network server and the GUI. The network server determines how to handle traffic in the network model, such as how to provide call setup, call routine, and call tear down. The network server transmits call routing commands and messages to the network proxy which dispatches them to the GUI. An external systems interface provides the mechanism for which the network server communicates with communication devices in an external system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Ye Huang, William Lawton Crowe, Royal Dean Howell
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Patent number: 6747975Abstract: An interworking system and method connects calls through the use of an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch and interworking units. The ATM switch and interworking units may either be controlled by a signaling processor or not controlled by the signaling processor for particular calls to make connections. In some instances the signaling processor processes call signaling to determine connections for calls and transports control messages to the ATM switch and the interworking unit identifying the connections. The interworking unit interworks user communications from time division multiplex (TDM) formats to ATM for the selected ATM connections, and the ATM switch cross connects the user communications for the other selected ATM connections. In other instances, either of the ATM switch or the interworking unit may automatically cross connect or interwork the user connections to a connection without receiving a control message from the signaling processor that identifies the connection.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.Inventors: Royal Dean Howell, William Lyle Wiley
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Patent number: 6744770Abstract: The invention comprises of a telecommunications signaling processor that processes signaling system #7 telecommunications signaling messages to select asynchronous transfer mode virtual connections and to provide control messages indicating the selected virtual connections. The telecommunications signaling processor also processes non-call associated signaling messages for call maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventor: Royal Dean Howell
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Patent number: 6724765Abstract: A system and method for processing and connecting a call has the communication devices in the system connected through a Fiber Data Distributed Interface (FDDI) network ring. A signaling processor, an interworking unit, and an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) matrix are configured as stations on the FDDI ring. The signaling processor receives, generates, and processes call signaling to select connections for the call. The interworking unit interworks calls between ATM and non-ATM connections. The ATM matrix connects calls between different ATM connections. Because the call processing system devices are connected through the FDDI ring, efficiencies of speed and cost can be gained for transmissions between the devices. Additional devices may be added or removed from the ring structure without disturbing the configuration or call processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.Inventor: Royal Dean Howell
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Patent number: 6714217Abstract: A system and method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for network development, management, and monitoring includes a GUI front end that provides a graphical representation of a telecommunication network comprised of communication devices represented by GUI network elements. A network proxy provides a communication layer between the GUI and a network server and allows the GUI to connect to multiple instances of a network server without having to hard code the connections to the network servers. The network proxy transmits commands and messages between the network server and the GUI. The network server determines how to handle traffic in the network model, such as how to provide call setup, call routing, and call tear down. The network server transmits call routing commands and messages to the network proxy which dispatches them to the GUI. An external systems interface provides the mechanism for which the network server communicates with communication devices in an external system.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Sprint Communication Company, L.P.Inventors: Ye Huang, William Lawton Crowe, Royal Dean Howell
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Patent number: 6621815Abstract: A communications interface system receives an initial address message for a call into a circuit process and transferring the initial address message to a call process. The call process processes the initial address message to generate and transfer set-up information to a bearer system. The bearer system receives user communications for the call and routes the user communications in response to the set-up information. The circuit process receives a release message for a call and transfers the release message to the call process. The call process processes the release message to generate and transfer tear-down information and a disconnect message. The circuit process generates and transfers a release complete message in response to the disconnect message. The bearer system terminates the routing of the user communications in the in response to the tear-down information.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1999Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventor: Royal Dean Howell
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Patent number: 6597701Abstract: A system and method for processing a call comprises a signaling interface to receive and process call signaling and transmit call signaling between a call processor and communication devices such as a local number portability service control point. A call processor processes call signaling to determine call connections. A local service control point (local SCP) provides information such as, for example, for N00 routing and virtual private network (VPN) routing. The local SCP resides with the call processor on a single platform so that they are connected, for example, through a backplane or bus architecture. In this configuration, transaction capabilities application part messages do not have to be transmitted between the signaling interface and the local SCP. Instead, direct communication can occur through control messages transmitted between the local SCP and the call processor thereby realizing increased speed and processing efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventor: Royal Dean Howell
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Patent number: 6563918Abstract: An architecture for connecting a call comprises a call processor, a signaling interface, a call process control system (CPCS), and an interworking unit. The signaling interface receives, transmits, and processes call signaling so that call signaling is received into, or transported from, the architecture through the signaling interface. The call processor processes the call signaling to select connections for calls. The CPCS receives data fills from translations, processes the data to be in a format compatible with the call processor, and fills the data into tables in the call processor. The CPCS also interfaces through the signaling processor with other systems, such as accounting systems and operations centers. The interworking unit interworks user communications between time division multiplex and asynchronous transfer mode connections and between time division multiplex connections and other time division multiplex connections.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1998Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, LPInventors: Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley, Royal Dean Howell, Michael Joseph Gardner, Albert Daniel DuRee
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Publication number: 20030071840Abstract: A system and method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for network development, management, and monitoring includes a GUI front end that provides a graphical representation of a telecommunication network comprised of communication devices represented by GUI network elements. A network proxy provides a communication layer between the GUI and a network server and allows the GUI to connect to multiple instances of a network server without having to hard code the connections to the network servers. The network proxy transmits commands and messages between the network server and the GUI. The network server determines how to handle traffic in the network model, such as how to provide call setup, call routing, and call tear down. The network server transmits call routing commands and messages to the network proxy which dispatches them to the GUI. An external systems interface provides the mechanism for which the network server communicates with communication devices in an external system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 1998Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: YE HUANG, WILLIAM LAWTON CROWE, ROYAL DEAN HOWELL
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Patent number: 6483837Abstract: An interworking system and method connects calls through the use of an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch and interworking units. The ATM switch and interworking units may either be controlled by a signaling processor or not controlled by the signaling processor for particular calls to make connections. In some instances the signaling processor processes call signaling to determine connections for calls and transports control messages to the ATM switch and the interworking unit identifying the connections. The interworking unit interworks user communications from time division multiplex (TDM) formats to ATM for the selected ATM connections, and the ATM switch cross connects the user communications for the other selected ATM connections. In other instances, either of the ATM switch or the interworking unit may automatically cross connect or interwork the user connections to a connection without receiving a control message from the signaling processor that identifies the connection.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1998Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Royal Dean Howell, William Lyle Wiley
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Patent number: 6470018Abstract: A system and method connects a call in a broadband system using the asynchronous transfer mode protocol for switching. Calls are connected over a SONET ring that has SONET multiplexers coupled by SONET paths. The SONET multiplexers are adapted to add calls to, and drop calls from, the SONET ring. An ATM cross connect system that has ATM cross connect devices is coupled to the SONET ring. The ATM cross connect devices provide provisioned ATM connections over the SONET ring. ATM interworking units are coupled to the ATM cross connect system. The ATM interworking units interwork calls with selected ATM connections in response to control messages. The selected ATM connections are provisioned between the ATM interworking units by the ATM cross connect system over the SONET ring. A signaling processor system receives call signaling for the calls, processes the call signaling to select the ATM connections for the calls, and sends the control messages to the selected ATM interworking units.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2000Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: William Lyle Wiley, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, Royal Dean Howell, Albert Daniel DuRee
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Patent number: 6470019Abstract: The invention comprises a telecommunications signaling processor that processes signaling system #7 telecommunications signaling messages to select asynchronous transfer mode virtual connections and to provide control messages indicating the selected virtual connections. The telecommunications signaling processor also processes non-call associated signaling messages for call maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1998Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventor: Royal Dean Howell
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Publication number: 20020089986Abstract: The invention comprises a telecommunications signaling processor that processes Signaling System #7 (SS7) telecommunications signaling messages to select Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) virtual connections and provide control messages indicating the selected ATM virtual connections.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2002Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie, William Lyle Wiley, Royal Dean Howell