Patents Assigned to Ameritech
  • Patent number: 6148069
    Abstract: A system and method of processing calls in a telephone network having advanced intelligent network (AIN) capabilities is provided. The method includes the step of coordinating the use of an indirect interface and a direct interface over direct and indirect data paths between a service control point and an intelligent peripheral in the telephone network. The system includes a service control point having an interface mediator for coordinating the use of the direct and indirect interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Gayle Roberta Ekstrom, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Howard Mark Nodell
  • Patent number: 6148070
    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: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Meek, Rodney T. Brand, Conita K. Vandevender, John D. Curtis, Marianne J. Stanke, Judy A. Snider
  • Patent number: 6145000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Stuckman, Barry James Sullivan, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Richard Omanson, Jordan Howard Light, Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr., James Richard Morse, Kent E. Genin
  • Patent number: 6141409
    Abstract: A method of operating a virtual private network includes the steps of: (a) dialing a custom number; (b) receiving the custom number at a switch (20) of a first carrier; (c) routing the call to a switch (18) of a second carrier based on having received the custom number; and (d) when the call to the switch (18) of the second carrier includes a plain old telephone number translation of the customer number, routing the call over the second carrier to a service switching point (26) of a third carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech
    Inventors: Pitsa Madoch, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Christopher Michael LeBeau, John Wesley Moss, Dianna Inara Tiliks, Walter Martin Malinowski
  • Patent number: 6141356
    Abstract: A method and device for distributing both high-speed data service, such as digital computer, video and multimedia data, and lower speed data service, such as POTS voice telephone signals, throughout a customer premises. High-speed digital data and lower speed POTS voice signals are separated by a POTS splitter and distributed throughout the customer premises on separate distribution networks. The lower speed POTS is carried on a wireless distribution network and the high-speed data carried on the existing customer premises wiring ordinarily used for POTS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventor: Michael George Gorman
  • Patent number: 6137873
    Abstract: A system and method for processing orders for telecommunication services received by a telecommunication services provider include receiving an electronic message in a first predefined format from a telecommunications customer, automatically processing the electronic message to identify information related to a telecommunications service offered by the telecommunications services provider, and automatically generating an order for the telecommunication service based on the information so as to reduce manual intervention. In one embodiment, the system and method automatically generate an order by separating information related to each telecommunication service from the electronic message and translating the first predetermined format into a second predetermined format to facilitate further processing by the telecommunications services provider. Information relative to the order is generated by the services provider and converted to the first format before being forwarded to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy Mark Gilles
  • Patent number: 6134311
    Abstract: A method and system for treating telephone calls at a services node prior to completing the telephone call. The services node may provide a variety of services to treat the telephone call such as a Personal Access Service or playing a pre-recorded message. After treatment at the services node, the system recognizes that the telephone call has already been treated at a services node and the call is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventor: Gayle R. Ekstrom
  • Patent number: 6130934
    Abstract: A method and system for transmitting a facsimile message uses a public-switched telecommunications network, the public-switched telecommunication network having a messaging platform capable of storing a plurality of facsimile messages. The initiation of a telephone call to a destination is detected, the content of the call including the facsimile message. If the destination is available at a first time to receive a telephone call, the facsimile message is transmitted. The facsimile message may be stored on the messaging platform only if the destination is unavailable at the first time, or every time a telephone call is initiated by the originating party. The method also provides for situations where a telephone call is redirected, where an inter-NPA seven digit dialing case has occurred, and where "busy" or "no.sub.-- answer" triggers are implemented. If the facsimile message was stored, the facsimile message is transmitted at a second time if the destination is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey James Meek, William Harvey Meek, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein
  • Patent number: 6125171
    Abstract: A method and system for transmitting a facsimile message uses a public-switched telecommunications network, the public-switched telecommunication network having a messaging platform capable of storing a plurality of facsimile messages. The initiation of a telephone call to a destination is detected, the content of the call including the facsimile message. If the destination is available at a first time to receive a telephone call, the facsimile message is transmitted. The facsimile message may be stored on the messaging platform only if the destination is unavailable at the first time, or every time a telephone call is initiated by the originating party. The method also provides for situations where a telephone call is redirected, where an inter-NPA seven digit dialing case has occurred, and where "busy" or "no.sub.-- answer" triggers are implemented. If the facsimile message was stored, the facsimile message is transmitted at a second time if the destination is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey James Meek, William Harvey Meek, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein
  • Patent number: 6112127
    Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6108407
    Abstract: A method and system for transmitting a facsimile message uses a public-switched telecommunications network, the public-switched telecommunication network having a messaging platform capable of storing a plurality of facsimile messages. The initiation of a telephone call to a destination is detected, the content of the call including the facsimile message. If the destination is available at a first time to receive a telephone call, the facsimile message is transmitted. The facsimile message may be stored on the messaging platform only if the destination is unavailable at the first time, or every time a telephone call is initiated by the originating party. The method also provides for situations where a telephone call is redirected, where an inter-NPA seven digit dialing case has occurred, and where "busy" or "no.sub.-- answer" triggers are implemented. If the facsimile message was stored, the facsimile message is transmitted at a second time if the destination is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey James Meek, William Harvey Meek, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein
  • Patent number: 6104999
    Abstract: A system and method for electronically exchanging information related to telecommunication services includes separating data representing the information to be exchanged into predefined segments corresponding to telecommunication services, associating a segment identification code with each segment, and grouping each segment identification code with corresponding data. The system and method also include concatenating the segment identification codes and associated data according to a predefined sequence to form an electronic transaction and transmitting the electronic message to a telecommunications wholesaler or reseller. Preferably, the information is exchanged over a TCP/IP connection in an interactive, transaction-based exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Gilles, Therese A Wierzbicki, Donna Jean Marie Motto
  • Patent number: 6101246
    Abstract: The invention uses the advanced intelligent network to provide caller identification for calls placed over the internet (24). A long distance call placed with an internet carrier results in the originating SSP (14) forwarding the call to an originating POP (22) for the internet carrier. The caller ID information is routed through the signaling system 7 network (16) to the SSP (32) in the terminating network. The call is routed to a terminating POP (26) and then to the SSP (32) in the terminating network. The SSP (32) inserts the caller ID information received through the SS7 network (16) and routes the call to the terminating line (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr., Bruce Edward Stuckman
  • Patent number: 6097805
    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: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignees: Ameritech Corporation, DSC Telecom LP
    Inventors: Duane M. Figurski, Ronald Bradley Bell
  • Patent number: 6084872
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a network which routes telephone calls to the dial-up access line of on-line data services, such as an Internet Service Provider. The calls are routed over, over data trunks to a circuit-switch that consolidates access to on-line data services. The data trunks are separate from trunks carrying normal voice telephone calls. At the originating office where the telephone call originates, the call is recognized as a call to a telephone number associated with the dial-up access telephone number of an on-line data service. A database selects a route over a data trunk to the terminating office having a circuit-switch that consolidates access to the on-line data services. The consolidation of access to on-line data services over segregated data trunks to a single circuit-switch reduces congestion in the network by relieving the network from handling a large volume of long duration telephone calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Leonard Munson, Melissa Maes-Wolfson, Donna Marie Steadman, Efrain Cortez
  • Patent number: 6076055
    Abstract: A speaker verification method consist of the following steps: (1) generating a code book (42) covering a number of speakers having a number of training utterances for each of the speakers; (2) receiving a number of test utterances (44) from a speaker; (3) comparing (46) each of the test utterances to each of the training utterances for the speaker to form a number of decisions, one decision for each of the number of test utterances; (4) weighting each of the decisions (48) to form a number of weighted decisions; and (5) combining (50) the plurality of weighted decisions to form a verification decision (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech
    Inventors: Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr., Rapeepat Ratasuk
  • Patent number: 6067546
    Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-network related information about a calling party. First, the called party receives a telephone number of a calling party. The called party's customer premises equipment (CPE) or elements in a telephone network then use the telephone number to index a database, which contains combinations of telephone numbers and computer-network addresses. Once the calling party's computer-network address is retrieved, calling-party-customized information present at the computer-network location specified by the computer-network address can be sent to and displayed on the called party's CPE. Also, the calling party's telephone number can be sent to an application in the computer network, causing the calling-party-customized information to be automatically displayed on the called party's CPE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventor: Arnold M. Lund
  • Patent number: 6067646
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J J Starr
  • Patent number: 6055304
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Thomas Baldwin
  • Patent number: D428868
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignees: Siemens Information and Communication Products LLC., Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Bryant, Jennifer Kelley, James J. McDermott, Wade A. Butcher, Lu Ann Paletta, Doug A. Erwin, William J. Morris, Eileen Schwab