Patents Assigned to MCI Communication
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Patent number: 6487198Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for unloading one or more T1 payloads from a target ATM cell where a target ATM cell has traveled over an ATM network that is emulating a T1 link. A plurality of ATM cells are stored in a cell buffer at a first rate. A buffer controller selects the target ATM cell from the bottom of the cell buffer. The buffer controller sends the T1 payloads carried in the target ATM cell to an elastic store buffer. The elastic buffer sends a plurality of timeslots in each T1 payload to a switch matrix at a second rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Forrest L. Pierson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6480597Abstract: The present invention is a switch controller that provides an interface between a public switched telephone network and intelligent services network components. The switch controller controls the operation of one or more programmable switches that accept calls from the public switched telephone network. Intelligent service network components are used for enhanced service processing, interconnection to external networks, and other call functions. The switch controller includes a switch controller application program. Within the switch controller application program are multiple routines that perform call processing. The design of the switch controller application program hides vendor-specific processing and service-specific processing from routines not needing the vendor-specific and service-specific details.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1998Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: George Kult, Sharadha Vijay
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Patent number: 6473762Abstract: A system and method for placing articles of manufacture or pieces of equipment at a remote site uses a central database and graphical representations. A site hierarchy, comprising a site, a building at the site, and a floor within the building, is created in the central database. The user can then create graphical objects on a floor at a building, which are also represented in the central database as sequences of points. Specifically, graphical objects are created for a floor within a structure, a zone within the floor, a planning unit within the zone, a row segment within the planning unit, and a footprint (where the article or piece of equipment is placed) within the row segment. The central database can also store tabular (non-graphical) data, regarding the physical characteristics of physical objects (such as the actual area of a row), as well as particular information for each footprint (such as an installation date, an activation date, etc.).Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Terry Knoblock, Gregory G. Carlson, Paul Michael Golobay
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Patent number: 6466673Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing an induced intracranial noise or vibrational signal within a patient's head due to a drilling or cutting medical instrument. The apparatus includes a mechanism for sensing the intracranial vibrational signal induced within the patient's head. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for adaptively generating an intracranial vibrational suppression signal from the intracranial vibrational signal as a function of time. In addition, the apparatus provides a mechanism for applying the intracranial vibrational suppression signal to the patient's head for suppressing the induced intracranial noise or vibrational signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1998Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: William C. Hardy
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Patent number: 6463477Abstract: A method, system and computer program product is provided which automatically detects multiprotocol encapsulation in a protocol data unit (PDU) to determine whether a Frame Relay/ATM service interworking function should operate in translation or transparent mode. A multiprotocol encapsulation detection module first reads a control field value in a received PDU. The control field value is then compared to a predetermined value representative of the presence of multiprotocol encapsulation in the PDU. An indication of the detected presence of multiprotocol encapsulation in the PDU is then provided when the control field value equals the predetermined value. An FR/ATM service interworking function module is then operated in translation mode when multiprotocol encapsulation has been detected and indicated. Otherwise, the FR/ATM service interworking function module is operated in transparent mode when multiprotocol encapsulation has not been detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1996Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Michael Douglas Fontenot
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Patent number: 6457080Abstract: A system and method by which bearer channels within high-speed communication channels can be directly accessed without completely breaking down the high-speed data communication channel. The present invention provides a flexible approach in which individual bearer channels can be accessed and in which data within an accessed bearer channel can easily be changed.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1998Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Frederick A. Sherman, Ranga R. Dendi, Robert G. Leonard, Daniel Hutton, Joseph A. Scivicque
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Patent number: 6457050Abstract: A system and method for dynamically restoring communications within a network following an outage comprising a database containing the current configuration of switching elements within the network and a plurality of instructions resident on a memory device for operating a control computer wherein the plurality of instructions includes a code segment for receiving alarms from the switching elements identifying an outage, a code segment for selecting restoration switching elements based upon the configuration of the switching elements in the database, and a code segment for implementing a restoration route utilizing the restoration switching elements to restore communications within the network are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1997Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Daniel E. Cowan, Gerard Lawrence Commerford, Mark B. Turner
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Patent number: 6453037Abstract: The network control system, servicing a long distance carrier switching office, is provided with a caller's automatic number identification (ANI) when a calling party calls a called party. Using a database, a processor of the network control system determines call type characteristics of the telephone call based on the received ANI for wireless and land-line telephone calls. The network control system then returns either an index or routing information to the long distance carrier switching office. After the ANI is screened by the network control system, subsequent call processing takes place in the long distance carrier switching office.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1996Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: William G. Welter, Jr.
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Patent number: 6453158Abstract: The telecommunications networks of the present invention include a wireless enhanced service platform which is coupled to a home location register database and a prepaid platform. The telecommunications networks of the present invention may also include a mobile switching center for accepting calls from a wireless handset, an interexchange network that carries calls to the prepaid platform, and a local network for terminating calls. The present invention also includes a method for setting up a call in a telecommunications network comprising sending transaction capabilities application part messages containing prepaid parameters between a wireless enhanced service platform and a prepaid platform. The prepaid parameters are the information needed to process and bill a debit call. The present invention also includes a method for sending transaction capabilities application part messages containing prepaid parameters between a mobile switching center and a prepaid platform.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1999Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Steven Donovan, Kathleen McMurry, Raghavan Devanathan, John Kenneth Gallant
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Patent number: 6449341Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing a software system based on analysis of call center trouble ticket data. The apparatus and method include and involve a data storage subsystem that has a database for storing data related to call center trouble tickets which are generated in response to corresponding trouble reports related to a software system. Also included and involved is a processor that is coupled to the data storage subsystem and which is operative to process the data stored in the database by producing statistics related to the software system and particular subsystems thereof, and to store the generated statistics in the data storage subsystem. The apparatus and method also include and involve an output subsystem that is coupled to the processor and to the data storage system and which is operative to automatically retrieve the statistics from the data storage subsystem to generate at least one report based on the statistics.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Mark Adams, Don R. Bridges, Marty Holmes, Ken Lockie
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Patent number: 6445774Abstract: Methods and systems for automating the dissemination and processing of alarm reports received from a telecommunications network are provided. Alarm reports, which are provided to network monitors by a network management system, correspond to alarms that are generated by the telecommunications network. Network monitors view these alarm reports and group them together to form event reports. The network monitors then use the event reports to produce trouble reports that are processed by a trouble management system. The trouble management system dispatches field engineers to repair networks anomalies in accordance with these trouble reports. An automated workflow system provides automated alarm report dissemination and processing. The automated workflow system provides a graphical interface to view and manipulate alarm reports and to automatically create and handle event reports and trouble tickets.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1997Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Karen L. Kidder, James M. Haring, Reid J. Bishop, James D. Trent, Lan D. Pham
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Patent number: 6434611Abstract: A system and method for reconfiguring a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of network elements is disclosed. The reconfiguration process begins by identifying a new configuration for the telecommunications network. Next, the process stores the new configuration with the old configuration for the telecommunications network. The system then identifies new connection information associated with the new configuration. The system then downloads the new connection information to the plurality of network elements. After the connection information has been downloaded, the connection information is stored with the old connection information at the plurality of network elements. Next, a message is broadcast to the plurality of network elements to activate the new configuration and deactivate the old configuration. The activation of the new connection information stored by the plurality of network elements occurs substantially simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Neal Alan Wilson, Clinton Allen Wagner
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Patent number: 6421438Abstract: A distributed and scaleable Intelligent Service Network (ISN) architecture provides a global card mobility platform for enabling global card services. An ISN point of presence (POP) or node that comprises a scaleable matrix switching platform and voice call processing systems, is deployed to each country. These are referred to as Local Nodes. Extensive and generally expensive data and support systems are deployed in Regional Hubs, with multiple Local Nodes being connected to a single Regional Hub. This allows an inexpensive and minimized ISN node to be deployed in each country or shared by several countries. The other expensive components of a full-scale ISN are deployed and maintained by a large central company, and are shared by the multiple ISN Local Nodes in the region.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Leonard Denton, Gary W. Leopold, Dennis Morton, Sharadha Vijay
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Call and circuit state machine for a transaction control layer of a communications signaling gateway
Patent number: 6418205Abstract: A transaction control layer for a signaling gateway that encapsulates multiple signaling systems into a single signaling interface for use by an advanced service node deployed in a telecommunications network. The transaction control layer performs call and resource state management functions for the advanced service node. The single state machine process has the capability of tracking different types of states for both calls and network resources (i.e., circuits) while using industry standards for call processing.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: James A. Capers, John Macedo, David Phelps, Shannan E. Trousdale -
Patent number: 6418461Abstract: The present invention provides an intelligent call processor, an intelligent switching node and an intelligent communications network for use in a communications system. The intelligent call processor comprises a logical platform having a plurality of functions wherein at least one of the functions is service processing function, at least one of the functions is call processing, and at least one of the functions is facility processing, and a processor for executing the plurality of functions. The intelligent switching node comprises an intelligent call processor and, a resource complex communicably linked to the intelligent call processor and logically separated from the intelligent call processor.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1998Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Robert Barnhouse, Doug Cardy, Kelvin Porter, Ken Rambo, Carol Waller, Wendy Wong, George Yao
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Patent number: 6415028Abstract: The present invention allows a telephone data repository to communicate with an external system, the interface system comprising a first communications link connecting the telephone data repository to an interface, a second communications link connecting the interface to the external system, and the interface configured to retrieve a plurality of telephone data from the telephone data repository via the first communications link, format the plurality of telephone data into a plurality of formatted telephone data that is compatible with the external system, and to send the plurality of formatted telephone data to the external system via the second communications link.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1998Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Deborah Bauer, Samuel S. Howlette, Kevin Germann, Susan Jane McQuigge Ernst, Francis Cornelius Sommers, Mike Cavanagh, William Kayln, Ross Edward Button, Steve Sauve, Ralph Holmes
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Patent number: 6414940Abstract: In a distributed restoration environment, a node, upon detecting an alarm indicating a failure, after a predetermined period of time, converts the received alarm signal into a modified alarm signal and transmits the thus converted signal to the node adjacent thereto that should have received the same alarm signal to thereby effectively force the failure to be bidirectional if the original failure were a unidirectional failure. The converted signal is sent only after a predetermined period of time has passed to ensure that the failure detected indeed is an actual failure.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1998Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Jasvantrai C. Shah, Lee Bengston
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Patent number: 6415026Abstract: A method of and system for enhanced call waiting in a telecommunications network in which the handling of an incoming call is based on a set of user preferences. When a request for completing an incoming telephone call to a destination number is received, the system determines whether the destination number is busy. If the destination number is not busy, the system completes the telephone call to the destination number. If, however, the destination number is busy, the system determines whether the incoming telephone call corresponds to several parameters contained in one or more sets of user preferences. These parameters may include: whether the set is activated; the source of the incoming call; and the date and time of the incoming call. If the incoming telephone call does not correspond to any of these parameters, the incoming telephone call is handled with call waiting.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1997Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Robert James Shores Flood
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Patent number: 6411805Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for continuing a telephone call placed by a caller to a call center in a telecommunications network. When a caller attempts to make a call to a call center that is unavailable, the system obtains callback information for the caller including a telephone number where the caller can be reached. The call is then ended. When the call center is again available, the system continues the call by placing a call to the caller at said telephone number, placing a call to the destination, and joining the two calls.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1997Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Steven C. Becker, Christine S. Chaney, Shaun McNerney
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Patent number: 6411598Abstract: To readily isolate a fault in a network adaptable for distributed restoration of disrupted traffic, each node of the network is provisioned with the functionality of being able to detect an incoming alarm signal and convert such alarm signal into a non-alarm signal with an embedded message for further propagation to nodes downstream thereof. Thus, the custodial nodes that first detected the alarm resulting from the malfunction would convert the alarm signal into a non-alarm signal and propagate the non-alarm signal to their respective downstream nodes. By thus changing the alarm signal into a non-alarm signal by the nodes that first detect the alarm, the management of the network ensures that the alarm is detected by only two adjacent nodes, thereby making the fault isolation quick and simple.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1998Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Bryan J. McGlade