Patents Assigned to Level 3 Communication, LLC
  • Patent number: 8270421
    Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for communicating voice and data over a packet-switched network that is adapted to coexist and communicate with a legacy PSTN. The system permits packet switching of voice calls and data calls through a data network from and to any of a LEC, a customer facility or a direct IP connection on the data network. The system includes soft switch sites, gateway sites, a data network, a provisioning component, a network event component and a network management component. The system interfaces with customer facilities (e.g., a PBX), carrier facilities (e.g., a LEC) and legacy signaling networks (e.g., SS7) to handle calls between any combination of on-network and off-network callers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Isaac K. Elliott, Steven P. Higgins, Andrew John Dugan, Jon Peterson, Robert L. Hernandez, Rick D. Steele, Bruce W. Baker, Rich Terpstra, Jonathan S. Mitchell, Jin-Gen Wang, Harold Stearns, Eric Zimmerer, Ray Waibel, Kraig Owen, Shawn M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8265245
    Abstract: A system and method for processing telephone calls and providing enhanced services is presented. The call processing system includes a network control processor for controlling the processing and routing of the calls and for providing enhanced features, and a matrix switch for routing calls from an originating location to a terminating location. Operator consoles can be included to provide operator assistance to the caller. The network control processor comprises a central message processor that receives call data, determines the type of call, determines the processing required, and determines whether operator assistance is required. A call route distributor allocates an operator console to the call if required. A billing server is used to track billing information for the call while it is in progress. A database server is provided for database look-ups and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Hogan, Kristi T. Feltz, Douglas R. Murdock, Todd A. Goodman, David J. Vercande, Michael R. Tangeman, Eric M. Busch, Raghavan Kripakaran, Madhigubba G. Jayasimha, Keith E. Smith, Mark A. Austin, Dana Bruce Berry
  • Patent number: 8265258
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for local number portability in a telecommunication network are disclosed. An embodiment of a method includes submitting a local number portability (LNP) order for the TN directly to a first telecommunications carrier that the TN is to be transferred from, triggering a port of the TN in accordance with the LNP order, and porting the TN from the first telecommunications carrier to the second telecommunications carrier, wherein the second telecommunications carrier is bypassed by the customer during the submitting and the triggering of the LNP order. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory K. Brown, James Carlson, Maria Farnon, Greg A. Land, Bill Long, Troy D. Lynette, Richard D. Moore
  • Patent number: 8265250
    Abstract: A calling network capable of accepting voice and data information includes a voice distribution server, wherein the voice distribution server is communicably coupled to an integrated access device, wherein the voice distribution server is associated with a computer readable medium, and wherein the computer readable medium includes a customer profile; and wherein the customer profile includes at least one registered access number associated with the integrated access device, and at least two quasi-registered access numbers associated with the integrated access device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl William Malas, Richard D. Terpstra
  • Patent number: 8265970
    Abstract: A method for managing a business process in an enterprise includes executing a business process model, wherein executing the business process model comprises generating a plurality of business level messages associated with business level tasks, generating one or more system level messages associated with system level tasks to be performed by one or more enterprise subsystems, wherein the one or more system level messages are in a common format that is accessible by the one or more enterprise subsystems, and broadcasting the one or more system level messages over a communication channel communicably coupling the plurality of enterprise subsystems. A system includes a communication channel carrying system level messages in a generic format, a plurality of business subsystems communicably coupled to the communication channel, adapters operable to translate messages from the generic format into associated business subsystem specific formats and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Conroy, Jay Miller, Edward C. Ericson, Steven Rdzak, John Andrew Huth, Chris Swift, Douglas E. Naufel
  • Patent number: 8265259
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for local number portability in a telecommunication network are disclosed. An embodiment of a method includes receiving a telephone number (TN) to test for its porting activity as part of a local number portability (LNP) order, accessing a LNP call tester (LCT) to determine a current local routing number (LRN) for the TN, and determining, based on the TN and current LRN, whether the porting activity is completed for the TN in relation to a core telecommunications carrier servicing an owner of the TN. The porting activity may include at least one of port in, port out, and migration of the TN. In one embodiment, the planned porting activity for the TN associated with the LNP order is known prior to determining whether the porting activity has been completed. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory K. Brown, James Carlson, Maria Farnon, Greg A. Land, Bill Long, Troy D. Lynette, Richard D. Moore
  • Publication number: 20120224675
    Abstract: A method includes collecting route parameters from a first intermediate node and a second intermediate node that can be configured to communicatively couple a source node to the destination node, determining at least a first route through the first intermediate node and a second route through the second intermediate node, and determining which route among the first route and the second route is optimal according to one or more criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Troy Lynette, Gregory Brown, Brad Smeal
  • Patent number: 8259713
    Abstract: Embodiments of a network architecture include a backbone node having a plurality of independent routers or switches connected in a matrix, wherein the matrix includes a plurality of stages of routers or switches, to form a node having a node switching capacity that is greater than the node switching capacity of the individual routers or switches. A method includes assigning one of a plurality of backbone networks to a destination network address, associating a next hop loopback address with the destination network address, and advertising the destination network address in combination with the next hop loopback address through the selected backbone network address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Lawrence, Nassar El-Aawar, Darren Loher, Steven Craig White, Raoul Alcala, Niclas Comstedt
  • Publication number: 20120219012
    Abstract: A system for the end-to-end delivery of digital television signals. In a preferred embodiment a digital television signal is: received from production equipment, typically in BD format at approximately 1.4 gigabits per second (Gbps); the received signal is transmitted to a venue point-of-presence; converted for transmission via a 270 Mbps local loop; transmitted to a fiber network point of presence/video service edge; packetized into TCP/IP packets in a video gateway; and routed to one or more destination addresses via the fiber network; received at one or more video service edge destinations; converted to a digital television format, typically SDI; and either transmitted via a second 270 Mbps local loop for delivery to a customer site and subsequent conversion to a 1.4 Gbps HD signal, or converted directly to a 1.4 Gbs HD signal at the receiving video service edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Beaudoin, Scott Jones, Scott Brillhart, Michael Brown, Ryan Korte
  • Patent number: 8254275
    Abstract: A communication line is installed in a network by automating a design phase and a configuration phase for the service and by automating failure recovery in either of the phases. In the design phase, an optimal route for the communication line is found, and the network components are provisioned and assigned. If the assigned network components are not available or can not be validated, the components causing the failure are marked, and the design phase is retried without the marked components. After the design phase, the configuration phase begins. The circuit design is tested against actual network components. If the test is passed, the actual network is configured according to the circuit design and the circuit is activated. If there is a network component failure during the configuration phase, the good route elements in the design are released while the failed network components are marked. The design phase is retried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Wall, Gary L. Ryczek, James A. Loukatos, Alex J. Henes, Jeffrey L. Martin, Brett P. Hollman, Thomas G. Hoople, George T. Joseph, Troy Kau
  • Publication number: 20120215779
    Abstract: Example embodiments herein include a system having one or more edge servers disposed in an edge site of a content delivery network (CDN). The system can include a collector for collecting analytics associated with requests for content in the CDN. One or more additional collectors can be instantiated in the system, for example, in response to an increase in recordable events detected in the CDN. The system can include an aggregator for aggregating the collected analytics with analytics collected from other edge stages of the CDN. The system can also include a data store that stores the aggregated analytics according to a configurable data model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Laurence R. Lipstone
  • Patent number: 8238252
    Abstract: A system for automated installation of a communication line using an optimal route between a source location and a destination location is disclosed. The system includes a routing engine providing an automated design process for rendering the optimal route. The routing engine utilizes a routing algorithm to select the optimal route from a graph of capacity links defining a plurality of possible routes between the source and destination locations. If, at any time during the design process, the optimal route or capacity links defining the optimal route are detected as unavailable for any reason, the routing engine re-initiates the design process and thereafter selects a new optimal route based upon a new capacity graph built without the previously unavailable capacity link. Once designed, the available optimal route is provided to a command and control engine, which, in turn, manages the installation of the communication line using the optimal route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Brett P. Hollman, Jeffrey L. Martin, George T. Joseph, Alex J. Henes, Christopher M. Bonewitz, Kaveh Asalian, Geoff R. Yaworski, Gary L. Ryczek, Colin G. Train
  • Publication number: 20120198517
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method includes receiving a content request including a first set of attribute values, using at least one of the attribute values from the first set of attribute values to determine a second set of attribute values, traversing a hierarchy of decision nodes, wherein each decision node implements business logic based on one of the attribute values from the first set of attribute values or the second set of attribute values, and generating a decision from a last node in the hierarchy, wherein the decision dictates how to respond to the content request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Gen Wang, Bill Hopkins, David Reisfeld, Steven P. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8230065
    Abstract: A plurality of repeater servers form a shared content delivery network (CDN) to serve resources to clients on behalf of a plurality of content providers. First and second resources are associated with a first content provider, the first resource referencing the second resource. The second resource is associated with a domain of the shared CDN. Responsive to a request that causes the first resource to be served to a client from a server in a domain associated with the first content provider, a CDN server is identified in the domain associated with the shared CDN to serve the second resource to the client. The CDN server is selected based, at least in part, on load conditions on at least some of the CDN servers, and on the client's location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Farber, Richard E. Greer, Andrew D. Swart, James A. Balter
  • Patent number: 8213442
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for performing inbound call screening in a packet-based network, such as an H.323 Voice over IP (VoIP) network. The inbound gateways on the network are registered with inbound gatekeepers, and standard messages are used between an inbound gateway, an inbound gatekeeper and an inbound screening database to decide: whether an inbound call to a particular called number (DID) is to be allowed into the network; whether the called number should be translated into a different called number; and whether a routing index should be included in the called number to indicate the destination of the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Edward Mussman, Tanrushree Singh, John Joseph McCabe
  • Patent number: 8203938
    Abstract: A method for routing communication traffic in a network includes detecting that a link in a parallel link configuration has failed and in response to detecting that the link in the parallel link configuration has failed, adjusting one or more metrics associated with other links in the parallel link configuration to indicate that none of the links in the parallel configuration are available. A router connected to a direct link in a parallel link configuration including one or more other routers connected to one or more indirect links, respectively, includes a memory storing configuration parameters specifying a minimum number of links required to be operational in the parallel link configuration and an artificially high cost, and a link metric adjustment module operable to set a metric of the direct link to the artificially high cost until the minimum number of required links are operational after startup of the router or failure and reactivation of the direct link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher J. Gibbings
  • Publication number: 20120151057
    Abstract: A system and method of providing virtualized connectivity in a cloud services environment. A service provider network defines at least a first virtual private network and a second virtual private network for a respective first customer network and a second customer network. The service provider network includes at least one physical connection with a cloud services provider network where the at least one physical connection includes a first private virtual connection between the first virtual private network and the cloud services provider and a second private virtual connection between the second virtual private network and the cloud services provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Salvador Paredes, Nasser Nabih El-Aawar, Gary Randall Ratterree, Todd James Williamson, Ted Wagner
  • Patent number: 8175020
    Abstract: A system for the end-to-end delivery of digital television signals. In a preferred embodiment a digital television signal is: received from production equipment, typically in HD format at approximately 1.4 gigabits per second (Gbps); the received signal is transmitted to a venue point-of-presence; converted for transmission via a 270 Mbps local loop; transmitted to a fiber network point of presence/video service edge; packetized into TCP/IP packets in a video gateway; and routed to one or more destination addresses via the fiber network; received at one or more video service edge destinations; converted to a digital television format, typically SDI; and either transmitted via a second 270 Mbps local loop for delivery to a customer site and subsequent conversion to a 1.4 Gbps HD signal, or converted directly to a 1.4 Gbs HD signal at the receiving video service edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Beaudoin, Scott Jones, Scott Brillhart, Michael Brown, Ryan Korte
  • Patent number: 8155009
    Abstract: A system for automated installation of a communication line using an optimal route between a source location and a destination location is disclosed. The system includes a routing engine providing an automated design process for rendering the optimal route. The routing engine utilizes a routing algorithm to select the optimal route from a graph of capacity links defining a plurality of possible routes between the source and destination locations. If, at any time during the design process, the optimal route or capacity links defining the optimal route are detected as unavailable for any reason, the routing engine re-initiates the design process and thereafter selects a new optimal route based upon a new capacity graph built without the previously unavailable capacity link. Once designed, the available optimal route is provided to a command and control engine, which, in turn, manages the installation of the communication line using the optimal route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Brett P. Hollman, Jeffrey L. Martin, George T. Joseph, Alex J. Henes, Christopher M. Bonewitz, Kaveh Asalian, Geoff R. Yaworski, Gary L. Ryczek, Colin G. Train
  • Patent number: 8156066
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method includes receiving a content request including a first set of attribute values, using at least one of the attribute values from the first set of attribute values to determine a second set of attribute values, traversing a hierarchy of decision nodes, wherein each decision node implements business logic based on one of the attribute values from the first set of attribute values or the second set of attribute values, and generating a decision from a last node in the hierarchy, wherein the decision dictates how to respond to the content request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Gen Wang, Bill Hopkins, David Reisfeld, Steven P. Higgins