Patents Assigned to MCI Communication
-
Patent number: 6411698Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for achieving local number portability. Local number portability is a feature that allows a customer desiring to change local telephone service to maintain the same telephone number regardless of the service. To achieve local number portability, the present invention maintains and manages a communication scheme between and among regional telephone service providers throughout the country. The present invention includes interface applications between the invention and regional providers, regional telephone data repositories, invention telephone data repositories, and downstream data processing applications. The present invention is particularly directed towards the interface between the present scheme and the downstream processing applications. The interface includes subsystems which assist in communicating data records between the present scheme telephone data repositories and the downstream applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1998Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: MCI Communication CorporationInventors: Deborah Bauer, Samuel S. Howlette, Kevin Germann, Susan Jane McQuigge Ernst, Francis Cornelius Sommers, Mike Cavanagh, William Kalyn, Ross Edward Button, Steve Sauve, Ralph Holmes
-
Patent number: 6404887Abstract: System and method for controlling a telecommunications device such as an echo canceller within a telecommunications system. The system and method include and involve a switching system that is configured to receive a call from a calling station and to route said call within said telecommunications system, and an ancillary telecommunications device that is configured to control a call processing parameter to affect said call. The switching system and the ancillary telecommunications device are coupled to each other via a channelized call data network. The channelized call data network is configured to communicate data corresponding to the call over at least one data channel. The ancillary telecommunications device may control the call processing parameter to affect the call based on a directive issued by the switching system to the ancillary telecommunications device during the call. The directive is contained within at least one channel of the channelized call data network.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1998Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Robert Born, Clint Wagner
-
Patent number: 6405294Abstract: A method and system for migrating computer applications and volumes of data from a source DASD connected to a source computer system to a target DASD connected to a target computer system. The method comprises ensuring data integrity on the source DASD, initiating one or more processes to mirror all data and all data updates from the source DASD to the target DASD, ensuring synchronization of data updates to the source DASD by the source computer system with data updates to the target DASD, deactivating all applications executing on the source computer system, mirroring one or more remaining data updates to the source DASD by the source computer system to the target DASD, disconnecting the source computer system and the source DASD from the target computer system and the target DASD; and bringing the target computer system and the applications executing on the target computer system on-line.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1995Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Jim Hayter
-
Patent number: 6396916Abstract: Fraud prevention in a telecommunications network using call initiation equipment including intelligence capable of authentication is described. In order to initiate a call via a telecommunications network, the call initiation equipment sends authentication data to an adjunct platform. The adjunct platform uses the authentication data to determine if the call initiation equipment is authorized to use the customer wireline that interconnects the call initiation equipment to the telecommunications network.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1997Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: David Jordan
-
Patent number: 6393476Abstract: 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: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Robert Barnhouse, Doug Cardy, Kelvin Porter, Ken Rambo, Carol Waller, Wendy Wong, George Yao
-
Patent number: 6389129Abstract: A generic interface is provided for interfacing multiple client application programs with multiple network devices. The client application programs may differ from each other and may include application programs for performing a network restoration, network maintenance, and network administration. The network devices may be of different device types. The interface converts communications between the client application programs and the network devices so that the communications are compatible with the requirements of the destination. The interface may include added functionality, such as an automatic auditing mechanism and a data link manager mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1997Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Daniel E. Cowan
-
Patent number: 6389015Abstract: A method of and system for managing a SONET ring computes an optimally balanced demand loading for the SONET ring and generates an updated time slot assignment map for each node of the SONET ring based upon the optimally balanced demand loading. The method causes each node of the SONET ring to switch substantially simultaneously to its updated time slot assignment map, thereby reconfiguring the SONET ring.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Jennifer Huang, Anis Khalil, Sridhar Nathan
-
Patent number: 6389126Abstract: A system and method for provisioning application and data files to a plurality of real-time processing nodes within a telecommunications network. The system comprises a user interface for accepting commands from a user to deactivate, activate, deploy, or delete application and data files, an application database for storing the application and data files, and an interface to monitor the operational state of the plurality of real-time processing nodes. The method includes the steps of using a plurality of state tables to monitor the state of the application and data files and deploying the application and data files to the plurality of real-time processing nodes according to commands received from the user interface, the plurality of state tables, and the operational state of the nodes. The invention is particularly suited to provisioning a network of advanced interactive voice response (IVR) service platforms with customer IVR application and data files.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Greg Bjornberg, Dale Cobb, David Phelps, Phyllis D. Santa
-
Patent number: 6389453Abstract: A method of and system for transmitting multicast packets unidirectionally from a transmitter of a source network to a receiver of a client network and unicast packets bidirectionally between the source network and the client network by configuring a selected router of the client network to accept multicast packets from the receiver, establishing a virtual connection between the selected router of the client network and a selected router of the source network, and advertising in the client network that the virtual connection is the shortest path from the client network to the source network.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Edward Dean Willis
-
Patent number: 6385647Abstract: Data files, video and audio data, telephone calls, and other multimedia information is multicast through a hybrid network which includes orbiting satellites and the Internet. The multimedia information is multicast to a receiving facility via an orbiting satellite or the Internet. If the status of the transmission indicates that the transmission was unsuccessful, the receiving computer will transmit a failure status to the source, and the source will transmit the multimedia information to the receiving computer, thus providing reliable data delivery. The multicast data is received by a receiving facility and the data is transmitted via industry standard non-proprietary mechanisms utilizing Internet Protocol to each of the destination computers that are members of the multicast group.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1997Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationsInventors: Dean Willis, Jim Howser, Marty Garrity, Jack Heneghan
-
Patent number: 6385296Abstract: A system and method for testing a telephone connection using an interactive telephone response module (ITRM). In one embodiment, the ITRM is connected between the handset and station set of a telephone terminating one end of the connection to be tested. In another embodiment, the ITRM is connected between the telephone connection and the station set of a telephone terminating one end of the connection to be tested. By operating switches on the ITRM, a user can impose predetermined conditions on the connection. A test coordinator located at a test point or other termination in the telephone network then tests the connection under the predetermined conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: William C. Hardy, Earl L. Mannas
-
Patent number: 6377374Abstract: An method, apparatus, and computer program product for restoring a failed system in an optical mesh network. A system includes a first light termination element (LTE) and a second LTE. A first node in the network includes an optical switching unit (OSU) coupled to the first (LTE) of the system. A second node in the network includes a second OSU coupled to the second (LTE) of the system. The first node is coupled to the second node by a path. Optical data traffic can be transmitted between the first node and the second node via the path. Upon detection of a failure of the system, the first OSU and second OSU are notified of the failure. A primary role is assigned to one of the first and second OSUs, and a secondary role is assigned to the other one of the first and second OSUs. A primary restoration plan is determined by the primary OSU. Information identifying the primary restoration plan is sent from the primary OSU for effecting the restoration path to restore the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Gary B. Davis, Reddy Urimindi, Andrew N. Robinson, Rainer Iraschko, George Georgiou
-
Patent number: 6377567Abstract: A distribution system makes reports available to customers of call centers. The report may provide information regarding calls handled by the call center on behalf of the customer. For example, the report provide call statistics, including summary call statistic and individuals call statistic. The report may also include billing detail records. The reports are automatically generated and distributed for access by the customers via computing resources. The distribution may be accomplished in near real time. The reports may consolidate data gathered from multiple agent consoles and from multiple call centers, including geographically call centers. Separate reports may be provided for each of the customers served by the call centers.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1997Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Timothy M. Leonard
-
Patent number: 6366663Abstract: A system for maintaining a customer's telephone number when a switch from one service provider to a second provider is made interfaces with a regional customer number database to keep track of local numbers and the corresponding local service provider which services each number. Service providers interface with the database and obtain information at the telephone number level that permits individual providers to determine which carrier is providing service to which telephone number. A neutral third party maintains and administers the database allowing free access by any participating provider.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1997Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Deborah L. Bauer, Ross Edward Button, Mike Cavanagh, Susan Jane McQuigge Ernst, Kevin Germann, Ralph Holmes, Samuel S. Howlette, William Kayln, Steve Sauve, Francis C. Sommers
-
Patent number: 6366658Abstract: A telecommunications network that handles call center calls by providing advanced interactive voice response (IVR) services using a next generation service node (NGSN). The NGSN nodes combine with several other interacting network components to provide a scaleable architecture which allows several different, customized and flexible call center services to be performed for telecommunications service provider customers. In addition the network includes virtual call routers, parking managers, host connect gateways, report servers, advanced network databases, data access points, and data gateways to deliver calls to customer call centers with various features enabled.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Greg Bjornberg, Patrick Hamilton, Allen Holmes, Daniel Hutton, Judy A. Moldenhauer, Phyllis D. Santa
-
Patent number: 6353608Abstract: The present invention provides a customer host connect gateway that connects any Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform with any customer host computer. The customer host connect gateway enables IVR applications to perform transactions with the customer host computer during the processing of a customer call in a call center. The customer host connect gateway satisfies all interoperability requirements, freeing IVR applications from the need for specifying any hardware or software information related to a host computer and from the need for providing a network address for the customer host computer. The customer host connect gateway includes a separate application for each customer host connection. The IVR platform issues a transaction to a customer host computer by sending a message to the customer host connect gateway.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: William R. Cullers, Greg L. Underhill
-
Patent number: 6347074Abstract: A method and system for excluding restoral routes from use in bypassing a failed component. Prior to failure of a segment, the restoration system identifies each path in the communications network. A path is a unique sequence of installations that a segment traverses. The restoration system then creates a mapping of the ports of the restoration nodes to the paths of the segments connected to each port. The restoration system then identifies for each path the set of paths that are interdependent. A pair of paths are interdependent when both paths traverse a common pair of installations. Following failure of a segment, the restoration system uses the port on which the failure was detected and uses the mapping to identify the path of the segment that failed. The restoration system then excludes each restoral route that includes a segment that has a path that is interdependent with the identified path.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1997Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: William D. Croslin, Lawrence Commerford, Mark Sees
-
Patent number: 6335927Abstract: Telephone calls, data and other multimedia information is routed through a hybrid network which includes transfer of information across the internet. A media order entry captures complete user profile information for a user. This profile information is utilized by the system throughout the media experience for routing, billing, monitoring, reporting and other media control functions. Users can manage more aspects of a network than previously possible, and control network activities from a central site. The hybrid network also contains logic for responding to requests for quality of service and reserving the resources to provide the requested services.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1996Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Isaac K. Elliott, Tim E. Reynolds, Sridhar Krishnaswamy
-
Patent number: 6332023Abstract: A system for providing services in a communications network includes a service processing function, a universal directory function, and a nodal resource manager. The service processing function receives service requests, formulates requests for interworking functions based upon service requests, and formulates resource requests based upon service requests and interworking functions. The universal directory function receives addresses from the service processing function and returns interworking functions based upon addresses. The nodal resource manager receives resource requests and allocates resources to the service processing function in response to resource requests. The nodal resource manager maintains a resource database that includes an entry corresponding to each network resource managed by the nodal resource manager.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1998Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Kelvin Porter, Carol Waller
-
Patent number: 6330079Abstract: A platform for use in a communications system integrates voicemail and faxmail functionality. The platform collects, stores, and retrieves voicemail and faxmail messages for numerous subscribers. Each subscriber accesses his or her account with, for example, a single telephone number assigned to the subscriber. The integrated voicemail and faxmail platform collects, stores, forwards, distributes, saves, deletes, and retrieves voicemail and faxmail messages for the numerous subscribers based on the single number. The platform also provides capability for enhanced features such as automatic callback to individuals who leave a message for a subscriber, broadcasting of fax messages to multiple recipients, and the creation and management of distribution lists for voicemail and faxmail messages.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1997Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Dugan, Robert M. Wise, Lâm V. Há, M. Kevin McHugh