Patents Assigned to Embarq Holdings Company LLC
  • Patent number: 8213366
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for monitoring and optimizing network performance to a wireless device that includes determining network performance information of a wireless router and communicating data packets containing the network performance information between said wireless router and a packet network switch. The data packets are communicated from said packet network switch to a network management device. The network management device is configured to instruct the said packet network switch to adjust at least one of encoding/decoding rate and power amount to optimize said network performance to said wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Kozisek, Carl M. Coppage, Robert J. Morrill
  • Patent number: 8212855
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for enabling a user to participate in a videoconference. For example, in one embodiment, a video conferencing eyewear apparatus that includes a network interface for receiving a data stream from a video conference server, the data stream including a video and audio associated with a first party, and a shared presentation. In addition, the video conferencing eyewear apparatus includes a data storage component that stores computer executable instructions; and a processor that executes the computer executable instructions to display the video on a first display of the video conferencing eyewear apparatus; display the shared presentation on a second display of the video conferencing eyewear apparatus; and output the audio to an audio output component of video conferencing eyewear apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Mike A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8208001
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting resolution for a video conference through a set-top box. An invitation to accept a video conference is accepted through a set-top box. A line resolution for the video conference is set based on user input. A determination is made whether available bandwidth is at a threshold to support the line resolution. The line resolution is adjusted based on the determination. The video conference is implemented utilizing the adjusted line resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis E. Tucker, Shekhar Gupta, Robert J. Morrill
  • Publication number: 20120150845
    Abstract: A system and method for collapsing search results. User input is received to perform a search of a communications network. The search results and multiple selection elements are displayed for removing each of the search results. A user selection of a selection element associated with a search result is received. A determination is made of irrelevant results that are similar to the search result. The search results are collapsed to remove the search result and the irrelevant search results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Shekhar Gupta
  • Patent number: 8199653
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating network performance information of a node segment of a packet network may include generating network performance information indicative of transmission characteristics of a node segment on a packet network. The network performance information may be included in a data packet and communicated using in-band signaling to a network communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Robert J. Morrill, William L. Wiley
  • Patent number: 8194643
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the connection of a first end-user device to a network includes determining the amount of bandwidth present, tracking the amount of bandwidth in use by different classes of traffic, and tracking performance of the connection to detect when a threshold crossing has been reached. The threshold associated with a decline in quality of a connection between the first end-user device and the network. The method further includes generating data in response to the determined reaching of the threshold and communicating the data to a session controller or a second end-user device that is in a communications session with the first end-user device. The method further includes changing the communications session in response to additional data received from the second end-user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 8194555
    Abstract: A network communications device may include an input/output (I/O) unit configured to communicate first data packets with at least two network communications devices over respective node segments on a packet network. A processing unit may be configured to receive second data packets from the network communications devices. The second data packets may include network performance information generated by the network communications devices in response to receiving the first data packets. A memory may be in communication with the processing unit and be configured to store a table containing network performance information associated with the node segments over which the second data packets are communicated. The processing unit may be further configured to process the second data packets to store the network performance information in the table. The network performance information may be utilized to alter communications of data packets over the node segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Morrill, William L. Wiley, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 8189468
    Abstract: A system and method for interconnecting networks. In one embodiment, a message is received from a first network to be communicated to a target device of a second network. Data within the message is identified. A determination is made whether the data is allowable based on a policy. The message is communicated to the target device of the second network in response to determining the data is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings, Company, LLC
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20120131096
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for Internet service providers to enable enhanced user control over content delivery. In an aspect of certain embodiments, these tools can allow the customer to select, on a variety of different bases, whether content should be obtained from the Internet or from a lower-cost source, such as a metropolitan content delivery network (“CDN”) operated by the ISP or a private peering connection with a content source. Both of these options can, for example, avoid accessing content over the Internet and thus can reduce ISP delivery costs. In some embodiments, these cost reductions can be passed to the consumer in the way the ISP accounts for the content delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20120131466
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques to give a customer greater visibility into network performance and/or utilization, particularly with respect to the customer's broadband connection to a provider's access network (and/or the Internet more generally). Some tools can track the amount of bandwidth assigned to each class of service on a customer's broadband connection, and/or the bandwidth provided to each of the devices on the customer's premises network. These values can be used as inputs to a state machine that governs the use of the broadband connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20120126976
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques to allow enhanced distribution of emergency messages and other public information. In one aspect, these tools can provide a secure channel for an emergency message source to prevent compromise of the distribution system, to ensure the integrity of alerts distributed by the system. In another aspect, these can employ a universal signaling point that can receive an emergency message intended for a particular consumer and ensure that the message is distributed appropriately among the consumer's devices. The customer signaling point might register customer devices and/or maintain a state machine that devices can access once registered with the customer signaling point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 8180045
    Abstract: A method of directing a call includes receiving a call connection request, the call connection request including an identifier associated with a called party. The method also includes determining a network category associated with the called party in response to receiving the call connection request and generating an instruction operable to direct the call connection request to a selected one of at least two networks accessible for communication by the called party. The network is selected by the instruction in response to the determined network category associated with the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventor: Carl M. Coppage
  • Publication number: 20120117630
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for managing customer premise equipment according to one embodiment includes establishing a secure connection between a first transport unit and a second transport unit. The secure connection includes an embedded operations channel and is operable to isolate a management plane from a data plane. The method further includes the first transport unit receiving a request for access to the first transport unit from the second transport unit. The method further includes establishing a secure terminal session between the first transport unit and the second transport unit using the embedded operations channel in response to receiving the request for access. The first transport unit then receives a management command from the second transport unit and the first transport unit performs at least one management function in response to receiving the management command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. West
  • Publication number: 20120108269
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located within the cabin of an airplane. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located within an airplane and further in response to the determined condition parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Christopher Howarter, Charles Michael Lesher, Jeffrey Sweeney, Robert J. Morrill, Heather Hull
  • Patent number: 8171080
    Abstract: A method and system for generating meeting maker requests as efficiently and with as few steps as possible. Here, a software API or program automatically generates and populates a meeting maker request by using information already located within an electronic message, such as an e-mail, to compose the meeting maker request. One embodiment includes a method for converting an electronic message into a meeting maker. The method comprises receiving an electronic message. Meeting information is located within the received electronic message. Invited attendees to the meeting are determined based on information within the electronic message. A meeting maker request is automatically generated using the determined information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC
    Inventor: Shekhar Gupta
  • Publication number: 20120088500
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating through a host repeater. Data is received from a remote repeater communicating with a wireless device. The host repeater registers as the wireless device on a wireless network. The data is reformatted for transmission between the wireless devices and the wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Carl M. Coppage
  • Patent number: 8156182
    Abstract: A system and method for preventing unwanted communications. A communication is received from a sending party. Input indicating the communication is to be filtered is received. Filtering information is extracted from the communication. The filtering information is distributed to multiple telecommunications platforms. The communication and future communications are blocked across the multiple telecommunications platforms utilizing the filtering information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC
    Inventor: Johnny Hawkins
  • Patent number: 8156130
    Abstract: A system and method for collapsing search results. User input is received to perform a search of a communications network. The search results and multiple selection elements are displayed for removing each of the search results. A user selection of a selection element associated with a search result is received. A determination is made of irrelevant results that are similar to the search result. The search results are collapsed to remove the search result and the irrelevant search results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC
    Inventor: Shekhar Gupta
  • Patent number: 8155283
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system, method, and apparatus for facilitating wideband audio communication and digital subscriber line data communication includes a filter configured to be coupled to a line conditioning coil. The line conditioning coil includes a frequency response having a first passband extending over a portion of a narrowband voice frequency range, a second passband extending over a portion of a digital subscriber line frequency range. The line conditioning coil further includes a frequency notch having a frequency range between the first passband and the second passband. The frequency notch attenuates signals over a portion of a wideband audio frequency range. The filter has a cut-off frequency below the frequency notch and a passband extending over at least a portion of the frequency notch. The filter is configured to amplify signals within the frequency range of the frequency notch to compensate for the attenuation caused by the frequency notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventors: Amar Nath Ray, James E. Goggans
  • Publication number: 20120081224
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide a user customizable monitoring system. For example, in one embodiment, the user customizable monitoring system includes a set of user-programmable portable sensors and a communication hub for enabling a user to customize features associated with the set of user-programmable portable sensors. In one embodiment, the communication hub is further configured to receive data from the set of user programmable portable sensors and perform a user specified action based on the received data. In some embodiments, a user selects any desired combination of different types of user-programmable portable sensors that come preconfigured to operate with the communication hub. Additionally, in some embodiments, a user may configure particular parameters associated with a user-programmable portable sensor using the communication hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Kweku David Fleming