Patents Assigned to Ameritech
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Publication number: 20020041672Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a call trace system and method that is simple to establish in a short amount of time. The call trace is implemented through a Web browser page which remotely programs central offices to trace calls to particular number. When a trace is established a message is sent back to the Web browser which displays the calling number, the called number and the central office detecting the call. Also, a page is sent to a pager which displays the traced information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Applicant: Ameritech Services Inc.Inventors: Paul W. Fellner, James F. Langdon
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Publication number: 20020041664Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Applicant: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Teresa Farias Latter, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain, James Thomas MacIejewski, Mary Louise Hardzinski
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Patent number: 6370137Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Ameritech CorporationInventor: Arnold M. Lund
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Patent number: 6370564Abstract: An architecture is disclosed for a computer system that runs applications serving multiple users. The computer system includes multiple processors, some of which run quick applications, i.e., requiring real time response, while others run applications with less stringent requirements. Each real time processor can be dedicated to running just one instance of an application. The processors can be of disparate types running disparate operating systems and optimized for disparate applications. The system is centrally controlled with the processors communicating among themselves over a shared LAN or via a communications switch. The system may also facilitate simultaneous voice and data communications among users. Users communicate with the system using any of a number of standard techniques: including dial-up telephone lines, ISDN, packet access services, ADSL, cable TV and the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Ameritech, Services, Inc.Inventor: John Bretscher
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Patent number: 6370149Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 20, 1998Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Ameritech CorporationInventors: 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
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Patent number: 6370233Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Raymond Walden Bennett, III, John Roland Beardsley
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Patent number: 6366655Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Nancy Ann Book, James Daniel Kovarik, Martha Lynda Marek, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Ronald Stephen Urban
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Patent number: 6366571Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 1998Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Brian Douglas Fiut, Timothy Jason Joyce
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Publication number: 20020037004Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Applicant: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Donald Bernard Liebrecht, Raymond Walden Bennett, Barry James Sullivan
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Publication number: 20020034286Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Applicant: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Susanne Marie Crockett, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Mary Louise Hardzinski, Robert Wesley Bossemeyer
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Publication number: 20020031143Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Applicant: Ameritech CorporationInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20020021691Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Applicant: Ameritech CorporationInventors: 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
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Patent number: 6349289Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 16, 1998Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Bruce Lee Peterson, Christina Ellen Clayton, Michael Stephan Farmer
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Publication number: 20020018548Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Applicant: Ameritech CorporationInventor: Brian Thomas Baldwin
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Patent number: 6346894Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Dennis Connolly, David H. Lundy
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Publication number: 20020016938Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Applicant: Ameritech CorporationInventor: Thomas J.J. Starr
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Publication number: 20020015483Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Applicant: Ameritech Corporation.Inventors: Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, Douglas Marshall, Roger Albert Sosa, Carlos Donoso
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Publication number: 20020013830Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Applicant: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Bruce Edward Stuckman, Barry James Sullivan, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Richard Omanson, Jordan Howard Light, Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, James Richard Morse, Kent E. Genin
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Publication number: 20020003870Abstract: A method for determining the name of a calling party where the calling party's name and corresponding telephone number are found in a remote database. The method first identifies whether the calling party's telephone number is contained within the local database. When it is determined that the telephone number is not within the local database, the method attempts to locate the telephone number in a remote database. A query is formed according to a basic signal transmission protocol to ensure that a database which receives the query will be able to respond to it. The query requesting the name associated with the telephone number is sent across a network. The method receives a response to the inquiry and checks to ensure that a name was returned to the local database before delivering the name to the called party.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2001Publication date: January 10, 2002Applicant: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Ron Urban, Jim Kovarik, Bill Wojtczak
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Patent number: D454540Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1999Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Ameritech CorporationInventors: Craig Christopher Sifter, Russell J. Schweizer