Patents Assigned to AT&T Intellectual Property
  • Method and apparatus for reducing access delay in discontinuous transmission packet telephony systems
    Patent number: 7584106
    Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium are disclosed for operating a communications network. The method aspect comprises receiving a signal and removing a first portion of a frame of the signal, and generating an overlap-added segment from (1) a first segment of the frame, the first segment being located before the first portion; and (2) a second segment of the frame, the second segment comprising an endmost portion of a terminal section of the frame. The method preferably operates in a discontinuous transmission packet telephony network having a channel access delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Piotr Vandervoort Cox, David A. Kapilow
  • System and method for providing service technicians access to dispatch information
    Patent number: 7584259
    Abstract: A secondary source of dispatch information is provided in the event of a failure of a primary source of dispatch information. The second source of dispatch information can be accessed electronically by service technicians in the field when the primary source of dispatch information fails so that service technicians do not have to contact operators in a central office to obtain the dispatch information. The secondary source of dispatch information can distribute the dispatch information in a number of ways including e-mail, web and other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gary J. Dennis, Charles W. Garris, Robert T. Ingman, Terri H. Pifer, Diana S. Allen
  • System and method for providing services access through a family home page
    Patent number: 7584263
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing computerized services access through a family home page are described. A family home page in a service provider network provides a mechanism for accessing a variety of services, executing on computers that form part of a home network and on computers in the service provider network. A subscriber registers for a particular service and is then provided access by a link being automatically placed on the user's family home page. The actual physical location of the service and the manner in which it operates are transparent to the subscriber. The subscriber may perform functions to control access to the services based on which member of the household logs onto the service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventors: John Alson Hicks, III, Randy S. Zimler
  • Methods, systems and computer program products for detecting tampering of electronic equipment based on constrained time to obtain computational result
    Patent number: 7584366
    Abstract: Tampering of electronic equipment may be detected by instructing the electronic equipment to perform at least one computational operation at the electronic equipment, such as hashing of at least some of the memory of the electronic equipment, to produce a result. The result is received from the electronic equipment. Tampering of the electronic equipment is detected if the result is not received within a constrained time of the instructing, even if the result is correct. Tampering also may be detected if the result is not correct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Aaron
  • Method and system for training a text-to-speech synthesis system using a domain-specific speech database
    Patent number: 7584104
    Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium that trains a text-to-speech synthesis system for use in speech synthesis is disclosed. The method may include recording audio files of one or more live voices speaking language used in a specific domain, the audio files being recorded using various prosodies, storing the recorded audio files in a speech database; and training a text-to-speech synthesis system using the speech database, wherein the text-to-speech synthesis system selects audio selects audio segments having a prosody based on at least one dialog state and one speech act.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Horst Juergen Schroeter
  • Switched-access network optimization methodology
    Patent number: 7583795
    Abstract: A methodology for optimizing the access charges paid by a long distance carrier involves the use of a “sizing” operation to determine the optimal balance between direct trunks and access tandems (on a per LATA basis) so as to provide minimal access charges. Once the sizing has been completed, a mixed integer program is used to find the optimal MUX assignments for each LATA. The sizing operation is then re-visited, based on the MUX assignments, to determine if adjustments are required to reduce costs. Any changes in the sizing are then reviewed in the MUX assignment mixed integer program. The end result is a definition of the quantity of direct trunks, access tandem trunks and overflow minutes-of-use charges for each end office, as well as the number of high capacity facilities required for each MUX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Mary Klavetter Florence, Sharon Gauert, David Frederick Lynch, Moshe Segal, Kenneth S. Wonnell
  • Service interface for QoS-driven HPNA networks
    Patent number: 7583700
    Abstract: An in-band signaling model media control (MC) terminal for an HPNA network includes a frame classification entity (FCE) and a frame scheduling entity (FSE) and provides end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) by passing the QoS requirements from higher layers to the lower layers of the HPNA network. The FCE is located at an LLC sublayer of the MC terminal, and receives a data frame from a higher layer of the MC terminal that is part of a QoS stream. The FCE classifies the received data frame for a MAC sublayer of the MC terminal based on QoS information contained in the received data frame, and associates the classified data frame with a QoS stream queue corresponding to a classification of the data frame. The FSE is located at the MAC sublayer of the MC terminal, and schedules transmission of the data frame to a destination for the data frame based on a QoS requirement associated with the QoS stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Wei Lin
  • Method, systems and computer program products for monitoring files
    Patent number: 7584230
    Abstract: A method for monitoring files including receiving a folder including at least one file path specifying a server machine and a directory. For one or more of the file paths in the folder, a query is transmitted to the server machine requesting current directory data corresponding to the directory. The current directory data includes a file name, a created date, a modified date and a file size for files included in the directory. Current directory data is received from the server machine in response to the query and the current directory data is stored in a monitoring database. The method also includes creating a monitoring report including the server machine, the directory and the current directory data for the one or more file paths. The monitoring report is transmitted to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.
    Inventor: Charles Atchison
  • Video display screen segmentation
    Patent number: 7583274
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the format of a video display. The apparatus includes a profile module for defining at least one profile. The profile has at least one display characteristic of video information associated with a type of application. The apparatus also includes a runtime engine in communication with the profile module. The runtime engine accepts the video information, modifies the video information according to the profile, and outputs the modified video information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Linda A. Roberts, Hong T. Nguyen, Edward Michael Silver, Robert G. Hensey, John L. Bradberry
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING DIGITAL CONTENT DELIVERY TO PORTABLE DEVICES
    Publication number: 20090216892
    Abstract: Systems and methods to download digital data files are provided. A particular method includes sending authentication data and a request to download a digital data file from a portable computing device to a remote network device via a first network access point. A first portion of the digital data file is received at the portable computing device. The first portion does not include a remaining portion of the digital data file. Communication is established between the portable computing device and a second network access point after communication is lost between the portable computing device and the first network access point and before the remaining portion of the digital data file is received. The remaining portion of the digital data file is received at the portable computing device without sending a second request related to downloading the digital data file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Grannan, Lalitha Suryanarayana, David Patron
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED ROUTING OF REPAIR CALLS TO A CALL CENTER
    Publication number: 20090214021
    Abstract: Processing a communication received at a communications center over a communications network includes determining whether a sender of the communication sent previous communications to a communications center based on identification information obtained from the communication. Communication is routed to an agent, from a first group of agents, when it is determined that the sender did not send previous communications to the communications center. The communication is processed by generating a report by the agent from the first group of agents. Communication is routed to an agent, from a second group of agents, when it is determined that the sender sent send previous communications to the communications center. The communication is re-processed by retrieving an existing report by the agent from the second group of agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robin WILLIAMS
  • Voice over IP method for developing interactive voice response system
    Patent number: 7580511
    Abstract: A personal Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system includes a plurality of IVR servers communicating personal IVR service node information in a network and a plurality of personal IVR service node clients coupled to the plurality of IVR servers communicating the personal IVR service node information. The plurality of personal IVR service node clients have a client—server relationship with the plurality of IVR servers. The personal IVR system further includes facilities for managing transmission of the personal IVR service node information using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas F. Reynolds
  • Duct mapping device using sonde
    Patent number: 7579962
    Abstract: A duct mapping tool comprises a sonde for transmitting a locate signal detectable above the ground and locomotion means for providing movement through the underground duct. A user above the ground detects the transmitted location signal using a signal receiver, and maps the location of the underground duct. In one embodiment, a GPS receiver generates location data at locations associated with the received location signal. The GPS generated location data may be used in conjunction with appropriate mapping software to generate street level maps of underground ducts. Locomotion can be provided in a variety of ways, such as a flexible rod attached to the duct mapping tool and operated by a technician, air motors, or electric motors. Movement control signals may be sent to the underground duct mapping tool via a remote device controlled by a technician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Hossein Eslambolchi, John Sinclair Huffman
  • Method and system for routing emergency data communications
    Patent number: 7580405
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to locate, route, and/or otherwise process an emergency communications signal from a VoIP communication device equipped with a location positioning system and an emergency communications computer software product. The software identifies an emergency Internet Protocol-based communications address, activates the location positioning system, and communicates location coordinates and other emergency information with the emergency communications signal to the emergency Internet Protocol-based communications address via an Internet Protocol-based communications network or via a hybrid communications network that includes the Internet Protocol-based communications network and a telecommunications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventor: Donald R. Laliberte
  • Electronic financial assistant
    Patent number: 7580873
    Abstract: Preferred embodiment of electronic financial assistant systems includes a device adapted to capture information from a financial record and a computing device that is operatively coupled to the device. The computing device is adapted to compare financial transactions incurred by a user with the information captured from the financial record. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Edward Michael Silver, Linda Ann Roberts, Hong Thi Nguyen
  • Employing different signal thresholds based on type of information transmitted
    Patent number: 7580681
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining whether to transmit from a first unit to a second unit, where the transmission is one of a first type and a second type. In the method, a signal from the second unit is received at the first unit, and the strength of the signal as received at the first unit is measured. A determination is made of whether the transmission is of the first type or the second type, and a first threshold is selected if the transmission is of the first type, or else a second threshold is selected if the transmission is of the second type. The measured signal strength is then compared to the selected threshold, and the transmission proceeds only if the measured signal strength exceeds the selected threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Mohammad Ali Jabbary
  • Method and system for protocol feature communication
    Patent number: 7580720
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating support or absence of support of a plurality of protocol features are disclosed. Generally, a plurality of bits is received, each individual bit indicating support or absence of support of a different protocol features. The received plurality of bits are analyzed to determine which protocol features are supported by a first telecommunications station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Balasubramaniam Kulasekaran Thandu
  • Systems and methods for setting future teleconference calls
    Patent number: 7580374
    Abstract: Systems and methods relate to setting-up a future telephone conference between a host party and at least one participant party. The host party dials into a system and enters the meeting date/time and meeting parties' telephone numbers. At the meeting time, the system retrieves the information from its database and dials the meeting participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.
    Inventor: Lanny Gilbert
  • Method and system to improve the transport of compressed video data
    Patent number: 7580462
    Abstract: A method comprises determining a plurality of time intervals Tp and Tn within a variable bit rate (VBR) representation of an image sequence. The time intervals Tp are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is greater than a baseline value. The time intervals Tn are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is less than the baseline value. A second representation of the image sequence is created in which some blocks of information Bp are removed from the time intervals Tp and interlaced with blocks of information Bn in the time intervals Tn to reduce a variation in a number of blocks of information per unit time between the time intervals Tp and Tn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property 1, L.P.
    Inventors: Pierre Costa, Ahmad Ansari, John Robert Erickson
  • Method and apparatus for managing lightpaths in optically-routed networks
    Patent number: 7580632
    Abstract: A system and method that utilizes digital coding techniques to combine a high-rate data stream with a lower rate side data stream to produce a combined data stream in such a way that the side data can be extracted by an inexpensive, low-bandwidth receiver. The method generally comprises the steps of: combining at least one payload data stream with at least one side data stream into a composite electrical data stream; applying the composite data stream to an optical transmitter to produce an optical signal; detecting the optical signal with an optical receiver having a maximum frequency of operation less than one-half of the rate of the composite data stream; and recovering the side data stream from the electrical output of the optical receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, LP
    Inventors: Mark D. Feuer, Vinay V. Vaishampayan