Patents Represented by Attorney V. Lawrence Sewell
  • Patent number: 6519321
    Abstract: A power fault testing apparatus for testing telecommunications interfaces to BellCore's 2nd Level AC power fault standards. The apparatus is powered by a three-phase 480 VAC, 600 A power service. A plurality of transformers and load resistor banks are coupled to the power source in a network organized as a plurality of selectable and switchable power paths for interfacing to tip-and-ring interfaces or broadband coaxial cable interfaces of telecom equipment. Power relays are provided for interconnecting the transformers and load resistor banks in the network arrangement. Computer-controlled output relays are included for effectuating precise, repetitive time duration control of output power applied to the telecom interfaces under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Gary L. Swale
  • Patent number: 6519331
    Abstract: A telecommunications system, service control point and method are described that can pre-screen a telephone call to help prevent telephone toll fraud. More specifically, the telecommunications system includes a service control point capable of receiving information about a telephone call originated by a calling party, and further capable of determining whether the telephone call has a fraudulent attribute. If the telephone call has a fraudulent attribute, then the calling party is informed that there is a possibility of telephone toll fraud occurring if the telephone call is connected to a called party. And, if the telephone call does not have a fraudulent attribute, then the telephone call is automatically connected to the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Gilman R. Stevens, Babu V. Mani
  • Patent number: 6512755
    Abstract: A system for providing wireless telecommunications access is presented. The system includes a wireline assembly that provides access to a telecommunications system for one or more wireline subscribers. The system also includes a wireless assembly that provides access to a telecommunications system for one or more wireless subscribers. A common control and switching system is connected to the wireline assembly, the wireless assembly, and a switched network. The common control and switching assembly establishes telecommunications channels between the wireline assembly, the wireless assembly, and the switched network, and controls the telecommunications channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Deschaine, Mark A. McDonald, Richard J. Briggs, Jr., Marcus C. Mertsching, Michael B. Flohr
  • Patent number: 6493346
    Abstract: A high density frame relay circuit within a digital cross-connect matrix converts TDM based DCS matrix data containing frame relay data to/from a DS3 ATM physical interface and provides adaption processing between the frame relay and ATM domains. The circuit is controlled by a DCS administrative subsystem and a simple network management protocol based network element manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Cantwell, Clay Potter, Mike Plummer
  • Patent number: 6493337
    Abstract: The time slot interchange capabilities of modern digital loop carriers are utilized to provide direct connectivity from the calling modem's line to an internet access modem bank through the digital loop carrier, thereby bypassing the local central end office. A call which is to a telephone number of an internet access provider's modem is routed to a bypass initiator. If the bypass initiator detects that the call is from a number which is serviced by a digital loop carrier having a local central end office bypass capability, then the bypass initiator issues a bypass command. The digital loop carrier establishes the bypass connection, but does not break the signaling connection on the initial call which was routed from the digital loop carrier through the local central end office to the bypass initiator. Once the bypass connection has been established, the bypass initiator sends a disconnect signal through the signaling connection of the initial call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L. P.
    Inventor: K. Martin Stevenson, III
  • Patent number: 6480890
    Abstract: A web interface (12) to a service creation environment (14) includes a service logic parser (42) adapted to receive a service logic description (32) from the service creation environment (14), parse the service logic description (32), and generate a web browser readable service data file (44). At least one web page (22) is adapted to display information in the service data files (44) and prompt for user input in response thereto. A call scripting process (62) continuously receives the user inputs entered on the at least one web page (22) and communicates the user inputs to the service creation environment (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles C. Lee, Jr., Jeff J. Desando, Scott D. Mock
  • Patent number: 6477178
    Abstract: A method of trafficking telecommunication signals having various formats, includes providing, at a first network element, a synchronous payload envelope having a first format, the synchronous payload envelope comprising a synchronous path and associated overhead portion and a payload portion, mapping the synchronous payload envelope into a transport signal having a second format without terminating the synchronous path or associated overhead portion of the synchronous payload envelope, and transmitting the transport signal to a second network element over a network supporting the second format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Kameel I. Wakim, Joseph A. Crossett, III, Anthony Mazzurco
  • Patent number: 6473224
    Abstract: A system for configuring an optical amplifier in a fiber optic communications network including a safety shutdown input, includes a non-volatile memory for storing optical amplifier parameters. Circuitry is provided for inputting amplifier parameters into the memory and for changing previously stored amplifier parameters. Configuration of the optical amplifier parameters cannot be changed until a hardware control input is actuated. The system also provides for an indication of a mismatch between newly input parameters and previously stored optical amplifier parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: J. Michael Dugan, David Eugene Bath, Mike R. Moothart
  • Patent number: 6473436
    Abstract: A telecommunications system has identical access terminal shelves and an intershelf bus interconnecting each shelf. Each access terminal shelf has transmission card slots constructed to accept different types of transmission cards that use different types of transmission media to communicate with remote telecommunications equipment and a processor programmed to determine whether transmissions from the remote telecommunications equipment are to be transferred to the intershelf bus for connection completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Giordano, Martin P. J. Cornes, Robert E. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6470028
    Abstract: A system for switching communications signals between a first communications network and a second communications network is provided. The system includes a J1 interface coupled to the first communications network by a J1 span, a E1 interface coupled to the second communications network by an E1 span, and an interface processor in communication with the J1 interface and the E1 interface. The interface processor is then operable to translate signals formatted for the J1 span into an E1 format for transmission on the El span. The interface processor is further operable to translate communications signals formatted for the E1 span into a J1 format for transmission on the J1 span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Perry, Gary Leon Smith, Stephen A. Harner, Hong Li
  • Patent number: 6466792
    Abstract: A system and method for effectuating selective triggerless local number portability (TLNP) processing in a telecommunications network having a cellular network portion and a wireline network portion. When an IAM message is received at a signaling node from an MSC on a TLNP-enabled link set, a determination is made at an STP associated therewith whether the NPA-NXX of the received dialed number is marked as portable. If not, the TLNP processing is discontinued and the message as originally received is forwarded to the wireline network portion for further processing. Otherwise, another determination is made if the dialed number is a ported number. If it is determined that the dialed number is not a ported number, the IAM message is marked as dipped and forwarded to the wireline network portion based on the Destination Point Code (DPC) associated with the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Copley
  • Patent number: 6466577
    Abstract: A mechanism for providing point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connections in an ATM network converts VPI/VCI information at an ingress ATM device on incoming cells from a source endpoint to internal VP/VCI information that is used to switch the cells through an ATM network to an egress ATM device. At the egress ATM device, the internal VPI/VCI information is converted back to the source VPI/VCI information for transmission of cells to the destination endpoint. In such a manner, an ATM switch network is able to provide point-to-point connections without requiring individual configuration of VPI/VCI information at the ingress and egress ATM devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre A. Humblet, Bruce D. Miller, Raj Shanmugaraj, Steven Sherry
  • Patent number: 6456708
    Abstract: A method of providing local number portability capability includes the steps of capturing all initial address message transmitted on at least one predetermined SS7 link set to a signal transfer point, where each initial address message has a called party number parameter containing a dialed telephone number. A determination is made as to whether a predetermined FCI bit is set to one or zero and in response to the predetermined FCI bit being set to zero, the following steps are performed. A local number portability database lookup is done using the dialed telephone number to obtain a corresponding local routing number. The local routing number is then inserted into the called party number parameter of the initial address message, and the dialed telephone number is inserted into a generic address parameter of the initial address message. The predetermined FCI bit is then set to one. The initial address message is then sent to a destination specified by the called party number parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Copley, Richard E. Milne
  • Patent number: 6456088
    Abstract: A portable power fault testing apparatus for testing telecommunications equipment's line cards to BellCore's AC power fault standards. A switched transformer unit is coupled to a single-phase AC line voltage source for generating a switched voltage output in 0-220 volt range or in 0-1100 volt range. A primary control relay is coupled to the switched transformer unit for applying the switched voltage output for selected time durations under control of an external computer. A test selector switch coupled to the primary control relay connects the switched voltage output to either a resistive test circuit portion or an inductive test circuit portion, each of which is designed to comply with the respective AC power fault testing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventor: Gary L. Swale
  • Patent number: 6452944
    Abstract: A subscriber bus interface (SBI) frame format provides discrimination between asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) signal traffic and non-ADSL traffic. In the frame format, ASDL identification tag (AIT) bits are assigned to a higher order byte of an SBI time slot of an SBI frame for identifying whether or not a line card transmitting the SBI frame is an ADSL line card. Further, an overhead byte is assigned to a lower order byte of the SBI time slot. The overhead byte includes cell type indicator bits for indicating if the SBI frame contains asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) payload bytes found in ADSL signal traffic. The AIT bits of the higher order byte include an alternating pattern of binary “0”s and “1”s to prevent accidental generation of the AIT bits by a non-ADSL line card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Prakash Appanna, Hamid Baradaran, Hans Christian Mogensen, Jim Lotz
  • Patent number: 6446074
    Abstract: A system for defining, building, and maintaining database files includes a database builder, a user interface, and a memory. The database builder provides screen displays to the user interface to allow access to databases within the memory. The database builder provides a capability to manage binary files of databases in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald W. Miller, Jr., Michael E. Hellemn
  • Patent number: 6445778
    Abstract: To alleviate the frustration of telephone tag, if the called party is unavailable (32), the calling party is offered the chance to participate in a game (36). The user can accept or reject the offer (38). If the offer is accepted, a game is played (40), if the offer is rejected, the calling party is connected to the called party's voice mail (42). The game could involve purchase of a lottery, participation in a guessing game, or participation in a knowledge-based game. After the game is played, the calling party is connected to the called party's voice mail (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventor: Gilman R. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6442032
    Abstract: An apparatus and system is provided for coupling an ethernet switch to communication link(s) in a communication network without requiring the disconnection and reconnection of the communication link(s). A module is configured to accommodate components of an ethernet switch, and can be modularly introduced into a communication rack and quickly engaged with rack-mounted mating connectors which are coupled to the communication link(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel, societe anonyme
    Inventors: Ignacio A. Linares, James C. McKinley, Teck Q. Chin, Dennis J. Harkin
  • Patent number: 6438188
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the phase difference of a first clock signal (48) and a second clock (50) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a phase indicator (42) which receives a first clock signal (48) and a second clock signal (50) and determines a phase relationship. A microprocessor (44) outputs a digital value related to the phase relationship. An analog to digital converter (46) receives the digital value and outputs an analog value based on the digital signal. After that a voltage controlled constant current source (47) receives the analog value and outputs a constant current source proportional to the analog value. Finally, a phase lock loop circuit (10) receives the constant current source and adjusts the phase relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventor: David J. Streett
  • Patent number: 6434155
    Abstract: A weighted round robin (WRR) engine includes components to arbitrate emission of ATM cells assigned to different flows. In one embodiment termed an inter-QoS WRR, the flows are linked to quality of service (QoS) parameters. A tag value is further assigned to each QoS parameter. Whenever the QoS is selected by the Inter-QoS WRR to have a flow emit an ATM cell, the tag value for the QoS is incremented by a weight assigned to the QoS. The QoS selected by the Inter-QoS WRR is the QoS with the lowest tag. If two or more QoSs are tied with the lowest tag, the highest numbered QoS is selected by the WRR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: James W. Jones, Michael Nelson