Patents Assigned to Ameritech Corporation
  • Patent number: 6382845
    Abstract: The present method and kit provide for effective and efficient patching of fiber optic cables. The kit comprises mechanical fiber optic splicers, a fiber optic patch, a splice housing, and a protective housing. The mechanical fiber optic splicers can be used to splice the fiber optic cable and the fiber optic patch. The mechanical fiber optic splicers, the fiber optic patch, and a portion of the fiber optic cable can be enclosed within the splice housing. The splice housing can then be enclosed within a protective housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Glen Edward Gould, Andrew Matulica, Dennis Joseph Byrne
  • Patent number: 6385309
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Walden Bennett, III, Karen Jeanne Pelletier, Laura Marie Griffith, Michael Steven Pickard, Jordan Howard Light, Robert Welsey Bossemeyer, Jr., Edmond W. Israelski, Bruce Edward Stuckman, Wayne Robert Heinmiller
  • Patent number: 6381323
    Abstract: A method of routing incoming telephone calls and programming routing options and apparatus that allows incoming calls to be routed according to various criteria programmed by a subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Eileen Cecilia Schwab, Gayle Roberta Ekstrom, Gisele Arlette Marcus, Edward Alan Ossello
  • Patent number: 6377676
    Abstract: A signal transfer point distributes a plurality of messages to a plurality of service control points in accordance with a distribution plan. The distribution plan includes each of the service control points. Each of the plurality of messages from the signal transfer point is distributed to a corresponding one of the plurality of service control points in accordance with the distribution plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignees: Ameritech Corporation, DSC Telecom LP
    Inventors: Duane M. Figurski, Ronald Bradley Bell
  • Publication number: 20020044640
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Meek, Rodney T. Brand, Conita K. Vandevender, John D. Curtis, Marianne J. Stanke, Judy A. Snider
  • Publication number: 20020041664
    Abstract: An improved system and apparatus for providing 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: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Teresa Farias Latter, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, James Thomas MacIejewski, Mary Louise Hardzinski
  • Patent number: 6370149
    Abstract: A telecommunication system includes a digital switch, a local loop coupling the digital switch to a subscriber location, wherein a segment of the local loop includes copper twisted pair and wherein an asymmetrical digital subscriber line is carried by the local loop, the asymmetrical digital subscriber line including a plurality of data packets capable of carrying a plurality of derived digital telephone lines. The telecommunication system further includes a subscriber unit coupled to the asymmetrical digital subscriber line. The subscriber unit monitors the content of at least one of the plurality of data packets, receives an off-hook signal in response to an action of a user, and initiates a first derived digital telephone line of the plurality of derived digital telephone lines in response to the off-hook signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Michael George Gorman, Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr., Michael Steven Pickard, Denise Violetta Kagan, Scott Christopher Goering, Bruce Edward Stuckman, Michael Tisiker, Jeffrey Neumann, David Orwick
  • Patent number: 6370233
    Abstract: A security system with call management functionality is coupled to a telephone network for providing a telephone service and at least one telephone line. This system also includes a call management controller for enabling, disabling or changing telephone service based on user presence and identity. User presence and identity is determined by a security controller coupled to a plurality of sensors for providing at least one home security function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Walden Bennett, III, John Roland Beardsley
  • Patent number: 6370137
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadband conferencing services is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing a voice channel over a circuit switched telephone network and a virtual data channel over a packet data network between at least two parties. The apparatus includes a telephone line and a digital data line sharing a single subscriber loop in addition to a system for establishing a virtual data channel over a packet data network. Further, an advanced intelligent network telephone network having a first database of customer premise equipment and a second database having data addresses associated with the customer premise equipment is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventor: Arnold M. Lund
  • Patent number: 6366655
    Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein include a method and system for billing for the use of a service control point (“SCP”). In one presently preferred embodiment, an SCP receives a query from a service switching point (“SSP”) and accesses data in a database in response to the query. The accessed data is associated with a data owner. The SCP tracks that the SSP sent the query and that the data owner's data was accessed in response to the query. After a plurality of queries have been received and tracked, the SCP creates a billing record and sends it to a billing center. Using the billing record, the billing center can charge the SSP for the use of the SCP. These preferred embodiments provide an efficient way for charging for the usage of an SCP, especially when the SSP querying the SCP is owned by a different telecommunications company.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Nancy Ann Book, James Daniel Kovarik, Martha Lynda Marek, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Ronald Stephen Urban
  • Patent number: 6366571
    Abstract: A method of interconnecting a CDMA cellsite having signal advancing capabilities with at least one remote microcell without re-synchronization capabilities. The method of the present invention sufficiently advances the signal to compensate for the time delay induced by communication signal travel over a fiber optic connection between a base station cellsite and a remote microcell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Douglas Fiut, Timothy Jason Joyce
  • Publication number: 20020037004
    Abstract: A home gateway system (20) includes a transceiver (50) connected to a switch (52). A processor (54) is connected to the switch (52) and provides intelligent functions for the switch (52). A router (56) is connected to the switch (52). The router (56) upon receiving a data packet from an internal port where the data packet has an external address, routes the data packet through the switch (52) to the processor (54). The processor (54) directs the transceiver (50) to establish a telephony connection with an internet service provider (34) and sends the data packet to the internet service provider (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Donald Bernard Liebrecht, Raymond Walden Bennett, Barry James Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20020034286
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying call waiting information in a communication system is particularly well suited for correcting mispronunciation of caller identification information provided for a call waiting call. A current pronunciation of the call waiting information is provided to the calling party who is prompted to change the current pronunciation. The system receives a new pronunciation of the call waiting information and stores information about the new pronunciation for subsequent retrieval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Susanne Marie Crockett, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Mary Louise Hardzinski, Robert Wesley Bossemeyer
  • Publication number: 20020031143
    Abstract: A wide area communications network (500) includes a first digital subscriber line (502). A first network interface device (504) connects to the digital subscriber line (502). The first network interface device (504) separates an ISDN channel (508) from a digital subscriber channel (510). An ISDN telephone (508) is connected to the network interface device (504). A protocol translator (512) is connected to the network interface device (504) by the digital subscriber channel (510). A hub (514) is connected to the protocol translator (512). A plurality of devices (516, 518) is connected to the hub (514). A digital subscriber line access multiplexer (506) is connected to the first digital subscriber line (502). The digital subscriber line access multiplexer (506) separates the digital subscriber channel from the ISDN channel (522). A public switched telephone network (523) is connected to the ISDN channel (522).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Dale Brian Halling, Scott Christopher Goering, Michael George Gorman, Denise Violetta Kagan, Jeffrey Neumann, Michael Steven Pickard, Michael Tisiker, Bruce Edward Stuckman
  • Publication number: 20020021691
    Abstract: A system (500) that provides facsimile service over a digital subscriber line (502) has a facsimile machine (504) coupled to an ATM switch (506). The ATM switch (506) is coupled to the digital subscriber line (502), wherein the digital subscriber line (502) includes a first virtual circuit and a second virtual circuit. An interworking unit (508) is coupled to the second virtual circuit. The second virtual circuit is connected to the facsimile machine (512). A public switched telephone network (510) is connected to the interworking unit (508). A facsimile machine (512) is connected to the public switched telephone network (510).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Dale Brian Halling, Scott Christopher Goering, Michael George Gorman, Denise Violetta Kagan, Jeffrey Neumann, Michael Steven Pickard, Michael Tisiker, Bruce Edward Stuckman
  • Patent number: 6349289
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring remote computer access and associated costs is provided. The system includes a remotely located communication server in communication with multiple host computer networks and in communication with a network access server. First and second memory devices contain a list of authorized users for the host computer networks and a user log for use by a billing computer to generate bills. The method includes the steps of creating starting and ending time stamps for each authorized user accessing a respective one of the multiple host computer networks and creating a user log to generate bills and monitor host computer network usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Peterson, Christina Ellen Clayton, Michael Stephan Farmer
  • Publication number: 20020018548
    Abstract: A system and method for providing call information query stores modified call information associated with a telephone number within the local databases of a service provider's local network. The modified call information enables a service provider to unilaterally alter how calls are routed and rated. The service switching points (SSPs) located within a same local network are equipped with modified intelligent network or advanced intelligent network software that enables the local SSPs to receive remote call information resulting from a remote query performed by a remote SSP. The local SSPs analyze the remote call information and generate queries to their local databases to obtain modified call information. New services requiring modified call information can then be implemented based upon the modified call information received as a result of the queries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Thomas Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6346894
    Abstract: A method and system for intelligent text entry on a keypad. First, a user selects a key on a keypad. Then, an application predicts which character of those corresponding to that key is intended by the user. The predicted character is then presented to the user for confirmation. If the user confirms the selection, the character is stored. If the user rejects the character, the application presents a new character to the user until a character is finally confirmed. It is only when the predicted character is not the intended character that the user is required to iterate through character choices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Connolly, David H. Lundy
  • Publication number: 20020016938
    Abstract: A method a system for automatically controlling an adaptive interleaver involves monitoring performance parameters of a transmission system and controlling the adaptive interleaver in response to the performance parameters. The SNR and the data rate of the transmission system are preferably determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the SNR. Alternatively, the BER and the data rate of the transmission system are determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the BER. Alternatively, any one of the SNR, BER or data rate can alone be monitored and used to the adaptive interleaver. The system provides a effective system for adjusting an adaptive interleaver in response to performance parameters of a transmission system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J.J. Starr
  • Patent number: D454540
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Christopher Sifter, Russell J. Schweizer