Patents Assigned to Ameritech Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130003949
    Abstract: A system and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information is invalid or cannot be provided. In one disclosed embodiment, the Caller ID information must include a valid number of digits and a valid area code. If the Caller ID information is not valid, a calling party is prompted by an announcement to provide the audible caller identification information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. via transfer from Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: John Wesley Moss, James Daniel Kovarik, Kenneth Robert Stroud, Rick Anthony Cherye
  • Patent number: 7386106
    Abstract: A database for a telecommunication service includes a first record for a first number having a predetermined NXX, and a second record for a second number having the predetermined NXX. The first record includes an indication that a call having an automatic number identification associated therewith is acceptable for the first number. The second record includes an indication that a call having at least one of an automatic number identification and a calling party identification associated therewith is acceptable for the second number. Associated methods and systems for providing a telecommunication service for the predetermined NXX are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Meek, Rodney T. Brand, Conita K. Vandevender, John D. Curtis, Marianne J. Stanke, Judy A. Snider
  • Patent number: 7359492
    Abstract: A telephone call is established between a local telephone (110) associated with a local party and a remote telephone (104) associated with a remote party. The local telephone (110) receives a voice signal from the remote telephone (104) responsive to establishing the telephone call. The voice signal represents directory assistance information, a name, a phone number or directions provided by the remote party. The local telephone (110) stores the voice signal in a memory unit (212) in the local telephone (110) responsive to receiving the voice signal. The local telephone (110) converts the voice signal to a text signal responsive to storing the voice signal. The local telephone (110) stores the text signal in the memory unit (214) in the local telephone (110) responsive to converting the voice signal to a text signal. The local telephone (110) edits the stored text signal in the memory unit responsive to storing the text signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore James Myers, Patrick Jay Walsh, Muna Nabilsi, Kevin D. Kaschke
  • Patent number: 7283807
    Abstract: The method operates in a telecommunications network having at least one subscriber terminal corresponding to at least one subscriber at a subscriber location. The method implements a message waiting indication service for indicating the presence of a data message corresponding to the at least one subscriber in a data message platform. The method begins in step 100 by receiving the data message at the data message platform. A message waiting signal is generated as shown in step 102. The message waiting signal is transmitted to the telecommunications network as shown in step 104 and a message waiting indication signal is generated at the telecommunications network as shown in step 106. Finally, a message waiting indication signal is transmitted to the subscriber terminal in response to the message waiting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr., Bruce Edward Stuckman, Crystal Roney, Neil Eugene Cox
  • Publication number: 20060203983
    Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicants: Ameritech Corporation, SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianna Tiliks, Carol Gruchala, Susanne Crockett, Nancy Book, John Moss, Thomas McBlain, Gordon Blumenschein, William Moy, Kenneth Stroud
  • Patent number: 7095832
    Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignees: Ameritech Corporation, SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianna Inara Tiliks, Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Susanne Marie Crockett, Nancy Ann Book, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, William M. Moy, Kenneth Robert Stroud
  • Patent number: 7095826
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an enhanced call waiting announcement to a called party that is busy on a first call and receives a second call. Information provided by a second calling party is recorded and played back to the called party after the first call is over. The called party is not interrupted during the duration of the first call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Susanne Marie Crockett, Karen Jeanne Pelletier, Tricia Ehlers Henry, Roberto Carrion, Mary Louis Hardzinski, Thomas Joseph McBlain
  • Patent number: 7027576
    Abstract: A method of screening incoming telephone calls and programming screening options and apparatus that allows incoming calls to be screened according to various criteria programmed by a subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Eileen Cecilia Schwab, Gayle Roberta Ekstrom, Gisele A Marcus, Edward Alan Ossello
  • Patent number: 7020458
    Abstract: The method operates in a telecommunications network having at least one subscriber terminal corresponding to at least one subscriber at a subscriber location. The method implements a message waiting indication service for indicating the presence of a data message corresponding to the at least one subscriber in a data message platform. The method begins in step 100 by receiving the data message at the data message platform. A message waiting signal is generated as shown in step 102. The message waiting signal is transmitted to the telecommunications network as shown in step 104 and a message waiting indication signal is generated at the telecommunications network as shown in step 106. Finally, a message waiting indication signal is transmitted to the subscriber terminal in response to the message waiting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr., Bruce Edward Stuckman, Crystal Roney, Neil Eugene Cox
  • Publication number: 20050078813
    Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicants: Ameritech Corporation of Hoffmann, SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianna Tiliks, Carol Gruchala, Susanne Crockett, Nancy Book, John Moss, Thomas McBlain, Gordon Blumenschein, William Moy, Kenneth Stroud
  • Patent number: 6850605
    Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignees: Ameritech Corporation, SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianna Inara Tiliks, Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Susanne Marie Crockett, Nancy Ann Book, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, William M. Moy, Kenneth Robert Stroud
  • Publication number: 20040109550
    Abstract: A computer readable storage medium storing computer readable program code, the code configured to provide caller identification information to a called party when standard Caller ID cannot be provided. If standard caller ID information cannot be provided for a call, the call is interrupted by the present service and the calling party is prompted for audible caller identification information. In one embodiment, when the audible caller identification is provided, the call is presented to the called party with a distinctive ring at the called telephone station. In another embodiment, the calling party may enter a personal identification number (PIN) to bypass the requirement for audible caller identification information. In still another embodiment, when the PIN is entered, the call is presented with a distinctive ring at the called communication station. In still another embodiment, the called party may send the incoming call to a voice mail system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: AMERITECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teresa Farias Latter, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, James Thomas Maciejewski, Mary Louise Hardzinski
  • Publication number: 20040105530
    Abstract: A method of screening incoming telephone calls and programming screening options and apparatus that allows incoming calls to be screened according to various criteria programmed by a subscriber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Eileen Cecilia Schwab, Gayle Roberta Ekstrom, Gisele A. Marcus, Edward Alan Ossello
  • Publication number: 20040086103
    Abstract: A telephone set comprises a help key, a telephone service key to initiate a telephone service, and a logic circuit. The logic circuit detects a simultaneous actuation of the help key and the telephone service key, and in response thereto, retrieves help information specific to the telephone service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Stuckman, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Karen Jeanne Pelletier, Edmond W. Israelski
  • Publication number: 20040071276
    Abstract: A method of automatically sharing and transferring information between a Work at Work (WAW) ISDN telephone and a Work at Home (WAH) ISDN telephone. This information includes, calling line identifier delivery from the WAW telephone to the WAH telephone, facilitating subsequent transferring of the call to the WAH telephone if desired. Message waiting status is also shared, facilitating the coordination of message waiting lamps at both the WAW and WAH telephone. Information from one telephone to the other is carried transparently through the ISDN network as user-to-user information, calling party subaddress, D channel X.25 packet message, lower layer compatibility or a combination of these elements. The telephones automatically establish ISDN calls between themselves and swap information pertaining to the status of the companion telephones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Michael Hickey, Robert John Laitman
  • Publication number: 20040062371
    Abstract: A system and method for providing prepaid dialtone services. The system includes a prepaid dialtone service center having an applications server that maintains a prepaid dialtone subscriber database including subscriber identification and service period information. The applications server is configured to automatically remind subscribers to renew their prepaid dialtone account and communicates with a local exchange carrier to place a hold on, or cancel, an expired subscriber account. The method includes the features of determining and monitoring a service period for a prepaid dialtone subscriber, communicating a reminder to the subscriber prior to expiration of the service period, and communicating with a local exchange carrier servicing the subscriber upon expiration of the service period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel George Maropis, John Wesley Moss, David D. Brezinski, Mark Joseph Thabit
  • Patent number: 6687261
    Abstract: The system (50) has a subscriber digital filter system (54)connected to the twisted pair telephone wire (56). A subscriber controller (52) sends control signals to the subscriber digital filter system (54). An office digital filter system (58) is connected to the twisted pair telephone wire (56). An office controller (60) sends control signals to the office digital filter system (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip George Skeba, Dale Brian Halling, Nelson Leon Ledbetter, Edward R. Folds, Thomas J. J. Starr
  • Publication number: 20040013249
    Abstract: A system (10) and method (40) are provided permitting cookie files to be used with telephonic customer premises equipment (CPE) (12). The caller CPE (12) can be an intelligent telephone adapted to generate, store, transmit and receive cookie files. The cookie files can include information tokens describing a caller profile. The CPE (12) can provide a template cookie file upon request from a called party during a conversation between the caller and called party. The template file can then be transmitted to the called party and modified. The modified cookie file can then be returned to the caller CPE (12) for future use during subsequent calls to the called party. The cookie file can reduce the processing time of calls placed to automated dial-up service centers and also reduces its computer resources required by the service system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Walden Bennett, Karen Jeanne Pelletier, Laura Marie Griffith, Michael Steven Pickard, Jordan Howard Light, Robert Welsey Bossemeyer, Edmond W. Israelski, Bruce Edward Stuckman, Wayne Robert Heinmiller
  • Publication number: 20040005043
    Abstract: A system and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information can not be provided. A calling party is prompted by an announcement to provide the audible caller identification information. The announcement may be tailored by changing the language of the announcement, for example, to conform to the majority of calls received by the called party. A special designator may be stored in association with account information when the service is ordered. The designator is read before the announcement is played to the calling party. The audible caller identification information is recorded and played to the called party in a message. The message may be tailored by changing the language or format of the announcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Teresa Farias Latter, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain
  • Publication number: 20030220098
    Abstract: An enhanced Calling Party Pays (CPP) or Paging Party Pays (PPP) system that enables 1) billing of calls originating from traditionally non-billable sources, 2) routing of incoming calls to voicemail if the caller does not wish to incur the additional charges, 3) allowing the caller to complete the call and charge the cellular (or paging) subscriber for additional air-time usage when the caller enters a PIN or security code, also referred to as a billing override code, and 4) allowing the caller to block CPP/PPP charges from being billed to the calling party
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation.
    Inventors: Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, Douglas Marshall, Roger Albert Sosa, Carlos Donoso