Patents Represented by Attorney Nora M. Tocups, Esq.
  • Patent number: 6275872
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining capacity in the storage of an intelligent peripheral or other network element for additional entries without losing information relating to entries that have already been held in the storage. Such capacity is obtained by selecting certain entries from the storage, by sending the entry information as opposed to the certain entries to a repository, and by deleting the certain entries from the storage. Also, methods and apparatus are provided to retrieve the entry information that has been sent to the repository when such entry information is needed. Further, methods and apparatus are provided to update as necessary the entry information that has been sent to the repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Koch, Dale W. Malik, Scott Crandall Holt, Ward M. Chewning, III
  • Patent number: 6259914
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing international wireless roaming allows an international “roamer” to enter a visited system in a foreign country and originate calls. Upon entering the visited region, the roamer's mobile station initiates a registration request containing the mobile station's mobile identification number to the mobile switching center in the visited region. The mobile switching center initiates a message to an appropriate home location register. The home location register compares the mobile station's mobile identification number to a set of stored values. If an agreement is in place between the home location register provider and the roamer's home service provider, the home location register will return an appropriately formatted North American Numbering Plan mobile directory number to the mobile switching center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: Karl H. Koster
  • Patent number: 6252954
    Abstract: With respect to processing a communication, a method and system for delaying the ringing of a line until the status of the communication is determined when providing an advanced service. Upon transmitting the communication for forwarding to a forwarding number, a switch timer for a first predetermined time period is started at a first network element, such as a service node. Upon receiving the communication at the first network element, an acceptance timer for a second predetermined time period is started. The second predetermined time period is less than the first predetermined time period and may be referred to as the service node acceptance timer. During the processing of the communication, a determination is made as to whether the acceptance timer has expired. If so, then the communication may be accepted at the first network element and a ring signal may be played to the calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: Dale W. Malik
  • Patent number: 6160794
    Abstract: A method and system to obtain test information regarding an advanced service in a telecommunications system. A communication associated with identification information including a test indicator such as a test calling line number is received. The processing of the communication is paused while instructions are obtained regarding an advanced service. In obtaining instructions, the test indicator is recognized. In response to the recognition, test information is obtained regarding the advanced service. The test information is associated with the communication and may be substituted for the test indicator in the identification information. After association, the processing of the communication is resumed so that the advanced service is applied to the communication. In particular, the communication is routed with the test information through the telecommunications system. The test information may be displayed on a calling line ID unit or otherwise obtained at a terminating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Dale W. Malik, Robert A. Koch
  • Patent number: 6157464
    Abstract: A local router interface couples a conventional facsimile device to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to communicate with a remotely located facsimile store and forward facility (F-SAFF) to perform a host of improved facsimile service methods, including a never no answer or busy send (NNABS) method, a never no answer receive (NNAR) method, a private facsimile method, a will call facsimile method, a pager facsimile method, a facsimile mail method, a facsimile information retrieve method, a facsimile information send method, a facsimile cover method, a facsimile speed cover method, a facsimile broadcast method, a facsimile flexible broadcast method, a facsimile access restriction method, a facsimile conversion method, an urgent facsimile method, and a facsimile addition method. Innocuous call progress monitoring with fast busy detection, post-fax line holding, F-SAFF-to-remote and remote-to-F-SAFF bridging are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: PTEK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Bloomfield, Edward F. Castro, Joseph T. Dyer, Deborah J. Jackson, Charles E. Lemons, Bruce A. McCown
  • Patent number: 5991377
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing billing information and maintaining original calling party information when providing an enhanced communication service. A communication is received from a first network element and directed to a feature access code. In connection with the communication, a string of data is received containing call information for correction of parameters of a call structure. In response to receiving the communication directed to the feature access code, the string of data is manipulated within the parameters of the call structure based on instructions provided by a database, whereby original calling party information located in the call structure is retained and billing information is ultimately synchronized with an associated subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: Dale W. Malik