Patents Represented by Attorney W. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 5226071
    Abstract: A wireless telecommunications system where call path resources are allocated in an orderly manner by queuing call requests during, for example, radio channel unavailability, and assigning radio channels to queued call requests as they become available. To accomodate movement of the mobile station within the service area, a plurality of queues are provided for different locations and a call request is sequentially placed in different queues as the mobile station moves. The system is usable for both incoming and outgoing calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Brian D. Bolliger, Charalambos G. Constantinides, Steven L. Stevens
  • Patent number: 5150358
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting constant and variable bit rate traffic in a broadband ISDN switch. Data from constant bit rate sources such as television cameras is entered into a group of queues. Each member of the group for queuing data of a different band of bit rates. Data is transmitted from these queues with highest priority from the queue storing data of the highest band of bit rates. If the longest enqueued entity of data in one of the other queues has been enqueued for more than a prespecified period, its priority is increased. Analytic studies have shown that use of three queues for constant bit rate traffic and a fourth queue for variable bit rate traffic allows a high occupancy in the output channels to be maintained with a negligible number of data entities excessively delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Vikram Punj, Albert K. Wong
  • Patent number: 5101451
    Abstract: An arrangement for routing calls from a source switch to a destination switch in a telecommunications network. If a direct trunk is available between the two switches, that trunk is used. Otherwise, the destination switch is queried to obtain availability data of trunks to that switch from intermediate switches of the network. This availability data is then compared with availability data of trunks from the source switch to the intermediate switches. A route is then selected using an intermediate switch having available trunks from the source switch and to the destination switch. If a route using lightly loaded trunk groups is available, that route is selected in preference to the use of a route using more heavily loaded trunk groups. Advantageously, routing is performed to dynamically optimize selection of a route based on the current state of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Gerald R. Ash, Jin-Shi Chen, Alan E. Frey, Andrew W. Peck
  • Patent number: 5068892
    Abstract: Traffic measurements and network management controls are applied in an exchange in real-time on a per-route basis. Selection of an idle circuit between two exchanges is done by first selecting a route and path based on a route busy/idle status map, a source destination restriction map defining restriction on a route for certain sources, and a second connection map defining availability of a second link in a two link connection. A circuit group busy/idle map for a selected route is consulted to find an idle circuit group and finally, a circuit is selected from a circuit group which is known to have at least one idle circuit. Traffic measurements, including measurements of attempts, seizures and answers are recorded on a per-route basis with a specific indication as to the source of the traffic in the event of a direct route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Konstantin Livanos
  • Patent number: 5067074
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for throttling request messages to an overloaded database and for throttling overload traffic to a particular destination. The database sends a gap value to the sources of messages or traffic; following any message or call to the destination, no messages will be sent or calls to the destination completed for one gap interval. In a departure from the prior art, the gap interval, a function of the number of request messages flushed or overload calls to the destination is not recurrently calculated anew, but is instead recurrently adjusted from its previous value. Advantageously, this arrangement permits a relatively stable value of the gap to be maintained and reduces overhead for preliminary processing of request messages that cannot be handled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Richard A. Farel, Mohan Gawande
  • Patent number: 5063592
    Abstract: Foreign exchange subscriber service is provided via a local ISDN exchange which selectively establishes switched connections between a customer's ISDN terminal and a trunk circuit dedicated to the foreign exchange line. The same ISDN subscriber line may be used for local service and foreign exchange service to several different foreign exchanges. The customer's ISDN terminal has a separate call appearance for each foreign exchange line and call appearance information is used in ISDN messages transmitted between the local exchange and the customer's terminal to uniquely identify local and foreign exchange service connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Stephen J. Cannella, Ali R. Zaringhalam
  • Patent number: 5057877
    Abstract: A structure connecting superconductor transmission lines to integrated circuits comprises a plurality of interconnection substrates having superconducting transmission path deposited thereon in contact with metallic contact areas, and integrated circuit chip carrier substrates for mounting integrated circuits and having metallic contact areas. The substrates are mounted in a retainer structure and are separated by spacers which have apertures in registration with the contact areas. Contact devices are selectively inserted in the apertures to establish an interconnection pattern between the substrates. The retainer structure applies force to the substrates to assure physical contact between the substrates and the contact device. The structure may be assembled and disassembled for replacement of parts or reconfiguration of interconnections, without the application of heat or other processes which are incompatible with relatively brittle and heat sensitive superconducting materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Bruce E. Briley, Mikiel L. Larson, John Montsma
  • Patent number: 5056134
    Abstract: This invention relates to the application of an audible logo to a telecommunications call, for identifying the common carrier serving that call. A call is received in an operator assistance system. After applying a calling card prompt tone and prior to connecting the call to an operator position or receiving further digits such as those for a calling card number, the operator assistance system connects an audible logo, identifying a common carrier, to the call. Advantageously, a telephone customer receives the information necessary to identify whether his/her preferred common carrier is going to be used on this call at a sufficiently early time to make it convenient to disconnect and reoriginate. This information is particularly important for calls originated away from home or office, calls that are likely to be operator assistance (0 or 0+ directory number) calls. Subsequently, the operator assistance call is processed as in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Thomas M. Bauer, Thomas A. Dunn, Christina M. Gurke, John W. Hopkins, Richard D. Nafziger
  • Patent number: 5048081
    Abstract: In a telecommunication system having a plurality of cooperating exchanges and using a separate signaling network, an existing exchange is replaced by a new exchange by a piecemeal transferring of interexchange trunks from the existing exchange to the new exchange and testing the trunks on the new exchange. All signaling messages pertaining to trunks originally resident on the existing exchange are addressed to the existing exchange, are intercepted and are selectively forwarded to the new exchange on the basis of recorded data defining trunks moved to the new exchange. One embodiment uses a point code converter connected between a signal transfer access point for the signaling network and both the old and the new exchange. The converter receives all messages addressed to the existing exchange and transfers the messages to either the old or the new exchange, depending on the present location of the trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: George W. Gavaras, Albert S. Loots, Praful B. Shanghavi
  • Patent number: 5046183
    Abstract: An operator assistance call handling arrangement is disclosed featuring the use of an intelligent telecommunications station (intelligent phone) for the collection and transmission of call data to an operator assistance system for setting up a call without the intervention of an operator. The intelligent phone is equipped to handle CCITT (International Consulative Committee for Telephone and Telegraph) standard Layer 3 (Q.931) call control messages defined for message associated user-to-user information (MA-UUI). The operator assistance system is part of a central telephone office switching system, and is connected to the intelligent phone via an integrated services digital network (ISDN) basic rate interface (BRI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Gary L. Dorst, Francis J. Pope, III
  • Patent number: 5043983
    Abstract: A time and charges information delivery arrangement is disclosed utilizing an intelligent telecommunications station (intelligent phone) for displaying that information after a termination of a call. The intelligent phone is equipped to handle CCITT (International Consultative Committee for Telephone and Telegraph) standard Layer 3 (Q.931) call control messages defined for message associated user-to-user information (MA-UUI), and is connected to a central telephone office switching system via an integrated services digital network (ISDN) basic rate interface (BRI). After an operator assistance call is terminated, the operator assistance system that processed the call sends a Q.931 SETUP message to the intelligent phone over an ISDN signaling channel (D-channel). The message includes a data block, comprising time and charges information. When the intelligent phone receives the message, it ignores the call setup request, and simply displays the information sent in the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Gary L. Dorst, Francis J. Pope, III
  • Patent number: 5033076
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and a method for use in conjunction with a service wherein a called telephone customer receives a display of the number of a calling telephone customer. In conjunction with this service, customers are offered a class of service and/or an option to dial a privacy request wherein their telephone number will not be displayed to the called telephone customer. In accordance with this invention, the customers are offered a class of service wherein they will receive calls only from telephone customers willing to have their telephone number displayed. If a call is made from a caller who does not wish to have his number displayed to a called customer who will not accept calls from customers unwilling to identify themselves, the caller is given a special announcement; in response to this announcement if the caller keys a special privacy override code then the call is completed with the caller's number displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: William C. Jones, Wayne R. Kalbow, Eric T. Larsen, Elizabeth M. Mazur
  • Patent number: 5033079
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of establishing facsimile (fax) connections. If a call is originated from a fax source and the destination is a voice station, then the call will be automatically redirected to a fax machine designated to receive fax messages for the voice station. A fax call is detected by a class of service indication in a local switching office, or by having a number forwarded to a toll office from a local office by Automatic Number Identification (ANI) of the caller that is one of a list of fax numbers. When it is determined that a call is a fax call, a fax indicator is sent with Common Channel Signaling (CCS) messages for that call. If a call with a fax indicator is received in a destination switching office, then the destination office checks to see if the called number is a fax number; if not, translation is made to find the number of a fax station for serving fax calls to the called number, and the call is completed to that fax station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Nancy A. Catron, Joseph V. Fodale, Karrie J. Hanson, Robert A. Koch, Ronald E. Large, Susan M. Zoccolillo
  • Patent number: 5012512
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for communication between an operator or agent position and a switching system and databases. The position includes a display screen and keyboard. Data for controlling a plurality of displays for the screen is stored in the switching system. In response to an operator's logging into the system, the position is connected to a plurality of databases by switched virtual channels, carried over the data channel of an ISDN connection from the position to the switch, and via switched virtual channels to the databases. A special section of the screen is devoted to parameters which are automatically transferred from one display to another whenever a new display is requested. When an operator wishes to set up a call, the call will be set up in accordance with the latest version of the parameters, whether or not the operator requests a display of a call control screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Richard J. Basso, Randall S. Hansen, Edward P. Kolasa, Mark L. Reynolds, Chun P. Tam
  • Patent number: 4996705
    Abstract: A lottery system using a public switched network to enter a lottery and to receive an indication of winning while connected on a lottery call. A lottery customer dials a telephone number to enter the lottery. The customer has his eligibility verified by a credit card number or the telephone number of the calling station. The customer is then prompted to speak or key a lottery entry which may be a full number, partial number, or an indication that a lottery comparison number is to be generated by a lottery processor. From the customer's lottery entry, a lottery comparison number is generated. This is compared with a random lottery target number generated by the lottery processor. If the comparison number and target number match, the customer is informed of his winning. Advantageously, lottery customers are quickly notified of their winnings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: John K. Entenmann, John A. Hooke, Eric E. Kampmeier, Barry L. Posterick
  • Patent number: 4993014
    Abstract: This invention relates to a dynamically shared facility network (DSFN) providing private network service to a plurality of customers using switched facilities of a common carrier network. A plurality of serving offices are connected via access links to customer telecommunications equipment. A pool of channels is dedicated to providing communications for private network service among these serving offices. In response to a request from a customer, connections are set up in the serving offices between access links and members of the pool of channels, in order to interconnect the serving links sought to be connected by the request. Where tandem connections between serving offices are necessary, connections are set up between members of the pool of channels. In case of failure of one or more channels, a new connection is automatically established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Travis H. Gordon
  • Patent number: 4992623
    Abstract: An electronic system having components operating at low temperature at various locations within the system, cryogenic fluid and electrical power are distributed by means of the same conduit. In one embodiment, the conduit consists of a supply section and a return section with each section comprising a channel for conveying cryogenic fluid having superconducing walls for conveying electrical power. In another embodiment of the invention, the conduit comprises a copper rod having channels formed therein for the transport of cryogenic fluid and a channel for supporting a rod of superconducing material therein. The superconducing rod conducts electrical current to a subsystem while being cooled by cryogenic fluid in nearby channels and the cryogenic fluid is used at its destination for cooling purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Bruce E. Briley, Mikiel L. Larson, John Montsma
  • Patent number: 4487464
    Abstract: A socket connector (10) for printed wiring boards (37) in which signal or voltage connections may be made between the connector pins (14, 15) rather than by wiring printed on the board. A typical connector (10) is formed to present two lengthwise slots (19, 20) in either side wall (21, 22) of the connector housing (11) to provide access to the connector pins (14, 15). Electrically conductive strips (23, 30, 33, 40, 43) having bifurcated tabs (26, 27, 31, 32, etc.) extending therefrom are fitted into the housing slots (19, 20), the tabs clasping the selected pins (14, 15) to make the electrical connections required. The four slots and the underside of the connector housing make possible a number of pin interconnection combinations. Surface areas of the board are thus freed for other circuit purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Bernard Kirschenbaum