Patents Assigned to MCI Communications Corporation
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Patent number: 6697465Abstract: A computer controlled communications switch for use at a communications center having an agent interface unit for conducting communication calls to and from an agent over both a telephone network and a computer network. The computer controlled communications switch comprises a switching unit having first and second states. When the switching unit is in the first state, the switching unit connects the agent interface unit to the telephone network, and when the switching unit is in the second state, the switch connects the agent interface unit to the computer network The switching unit is controlled by a computer including a predetermined program so that the switching unit is in the first state when a call is made to or from the agent interface unit via the telephone network, and the switching unit is in the second state when a call is made to or from the agent interface unit via the computer network.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1998Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Raymond G. Goss
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Patent number: 6690663Abstract: A system and method for automatically answering a call from a calling party to a called party that originates via the Internet, includes and involves a data storage system and processor that is coupled to the data storage system. The processor is operative to initiate an automated call answering service in response to an Internet telephony call from the calling party which is intended to be received by the called party, to receive a message from the calling party via the Internet in accordance with the automated call answering service, and to store the message in the data storage system for processing by the processor in accordance with the automated call answering service.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1998Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Timothy Culver
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Patent number: 6690654Abstract: A method of communicating with a plurality of remote parties allows for multi-media collaboration. A first party, which may be a call center, receives requests for access from first and second remote parties. Each of these remote parties is provided a computer program and a session is initiated for each party. The first party can then independently communicate with the first and second remote parties via the computer program.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1998Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Isaac Elliott, Rick Steele, Jim Verlare
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Patent number: 6683870Abstract: A method for communication over a network, which can be both analog and digital includes simultaneously transmitting a call notification to a plurality of communication devices. These communication devices include devices such as telephones, pagers, computers, and voice mail systems. The addresses (e.g., telephone numbers) are stored in a database which is queried based on the call notification. For example, this method can be used in a find-me/follow-me system or to initiate a conference call.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1998Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Michael Archer
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Patent number: 6678255Abstract: A system for transmitting process control information from remote sites is disclosed. In one embodiment, data is collected by a remote monitoring device or devices and transmitted to a first Cellular Digital Packet (“CDPD”) modem via one or more RS232 interfaces. The applications program in the first CDPD modem transmits a signal to a second CDPD modem initiating communications. The applications program in the second CDPD modem returns a signal, indicating the status of the interface. Data transmission is initiated when the status of both serial data interfaces is established.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: George Kuriyan
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Patent number: 6654815Abstract: The present invention is a Contact Server that enables customers to submit call-back requests to a call center via the Internet, or virtually any other communications technology available. A call-back to the customer can be placed via any communications technology available. In its preferred embodiment, the Contact Server enables a call-back request to be submitted by a customer directly from an HTML page on a Web site, and have that same HTML page be presented to the agent that receives the call-back request. The agent can then place a telephone call to the number provided by the customer who submitted the call-back request, and at the same time, establish a TCP/IP communications session with the customer. This TCP/IP session can proceed between the agent's Web browser and the customer's Web browser, and the visible actions performed by the agent are transferred to the customer and displayed on the customer's browser.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1999Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Raymond G. Goss, Donald Ravenscroft
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Publication number: 20030216625Abstract: A portable unit worn by a subject, comprising a medical monitoring device, a data processing module with memory and transmitter for collecting, monitoring, and storing the subject's physiological data and also issuing the subject's medical alarm conditions via wireless communications network to the appropriate location for expeditious dispatch of assistance. The unit also works in conjunction with a central reporting system for long term collection and storage of the subject's physiological data. The unit may have the capability to automatically dispense chemicals that may alleviate or assist in recovery from an illness.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Eric T. Phipps
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Patent number: 6647111Abstract: A service execution environment for an advanced interactive voice response (IVR) service node. The service execution environment functions within a next generation service node (NGSN) IVR platform in a telecommunications network. The environment uses individual service-independent building blocks (SIBBs) that allow the creation of customer applications with simple references to the individual primitive SIBBs or composite SIBBs, with branching available. Functional calls to a sequence of SIBBs along with customer specific data stored in a database comprise a complete customer application. When a call is received by an IVR service node, the application is executed by calling the SIBBs to apply certain treatments to the call. The use of the SIBBs allows increased efficiency in the network because calls can be routed to any NGSN node. Each NGSN needs no customization to perform a particular customer application.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Greg Bjornberg, Dale Cobb, David Phelps, Phyllis D. Santa
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Patent number: 6636597Abstract: 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 20, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Kelvin Porter, Carol Waller
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Patent number: 6636868Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for auditing and reconciliation of a telephone service provider's database and a central or regional repository. Both the database and repository contain data records. The data records include telephone number porting information that facilitates tracking and porting of telephone numbers. The system comprises interface means between a service provider's database and the repository. The method includes user interface which facilitates selection of auditing and reconciliation choices, including amount of date to be analyzed and downloaded, the type of data and data processing application and time of operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1998Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Deborah L. Bauer, Samuel S. Howlette, Kevin Germann, Susan Jane McQuigge Ernst, Francis S. Sommers, Mike Cavanagh, William Kayln, Ross Edward Button, Steve Sauve, Ralph Holmes
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Publication number: 20030195399Abstract: A portable unit worn by a subject, comprising a medical monitoring device, a data processing module with memory and transmitter for collecting, monitoring, and storing the subject's physiological data and also issuing the subject's medical alarm conditions via wireless communications network to the appropriate location for expeditious dispatch of assistance. The unit also works in conjunction with a central reporting system for long term collection and storage of the subject's physiological data. The unit may have the capability to automatically dispense chemicals that may alleviate or assist in recovery from an illness.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Eric T. Phipps
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Patent number: 6633562Abstract: Voice services provided over a packet switched facility such as a Frame Relay network are enhanced with routing capability by providing for attachment devices which, on initialization with the network, attempt to discover other similar attachment devices on the network. Thereafter the attachment devices exchange information on terminal accessibility to improve connectivity over the network.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Boyd, Hassen Pruitt
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Patent number: 6633566Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product of interfacing a time-domain multiplexed (TDM) link with a cell-switched network. The TDM link supports one or more active channels and one or more idle channels and supplies TDM frames with a sample of each channel in a dedicated timeslot. The TDM link is terminated at a first network node. One or more idle timeslots are removed from each TDM frame to create a compressed TDM frame, where each idle timeslot carries a sample of an idle channel. One or more compressed TDM frames are loaded in a cell that is sent over the cell-switched network to a second network node. The compressed TDM frames are unloaded from the cell. Idle timeslots are inserted in the compressed TDM frames to restore the compressed TDM frames to complete TDM frames. The bandwidth of the cell switched network is efficiently utilized because idle channel samples are not carried over the cell-switched network.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Forrest L. Pierson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6628705Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting serial digital data across wireless modems is disclosed. In one embodiment, data is collected by a remote monitoring device and transmitted to a first Cellular Digital Packet Data (“CDPD”) modem via one or more RS232 interfaces. The applications program in the first CDPD modem transmits a signal to a second CDPD modem initiating communications. The applications program in the second CDPD modem returns a signal, indicating the status of the interface. Data transmission is initiated when the status of both interfaces is established.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: George Kuriyan
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Patent number: 6604137Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for verifying spare capacity in a communications network comprising a database containing the 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 generating alarms on the switching elements, a code segment for receiving the alarms from the switching elements, and a code segment for updating the database to reflect the spare capacity based upon the alarms.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1997Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Daniel Edward Cowan, Gerard Lawrence Commerford, Jr., Barbara A. Paul
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Patent number: 6601048Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for processing event records. The present invention includes a detection layer, an analysis layer, an expert systems layer and a presentation layer. The layered system includes a core infrastructure and a configurable, domain-specific implementation. The detection layer employs one or more detection engines, such as, for example, a rules-based thresholding engine and a profiling engine. The detection layer can include an AI-based pattern recognition engine for analyzing data records, for detecting new and interesting patterns and for updating the detection engines to insure that the detection engines can detect the new patterns. In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a telecommunications fraud detection system. When fraud is detected, the detection layer generates alarms which are sent to the analysis layer. The analysis layer filters and consolidates the alarms to generate fraud cases.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1997Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: John Gavan, Kevin Paul, Jim Richards, Charles A. Dallas, Hans Van Arkel, Cheryl Herrington, Saralyn Mahone, Terril J. Curtis, James J. Wagner
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Patent number: 6587867Abstract: A telecommunications system includes multiple services. For example, the system provides multiple communications services with a single number for a subscriber. The subscriber can easily configure, manage and update these services via the Internet, by accessing a service or subscriber profile detailing the services specific to the subscriber The subscriber profile specifies which communication services the subscriber wishes to provide to different people who call the subscriber' telephone number. The system provides a World Wide Web access method to the subscriber's profile. The system includes security safeguards to ensure security to the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1997Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: James Allen Miller, Ram S. Vaidya
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Patent number: 6587890Abstract: Switch controller application programmer interfaces (SCAPIs) are described herein. The SCAPIs allow for communication with routines of an application program that resides in memory of a switch controller. The switch controller is a component within a telecommunications network that provides an interface between a public switched telephone network via programmable switches and intelligent service network components. Intelligent service network components may provide an interface to other networks and/or perform enhanced service call processing. Functions performed using SCAPI procedures include interface with the programmable switches, health monitoring, requesting processes to perform tasks, interface with intelligent service network components, and enhanced service call processing.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1998Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: George Kult, Sharadha Vijay
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Patent number: 6580782Abstract: 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: June 17, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: William C. Hardy, Earl L. Mannas
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Patent number: 6579231Abstract: A portable unit worn by a subject, comprising a medical monitoring device, a data processing module with memory and transmitter for collecting, monitoring, and storing the subject's physiological data and also issuing the subject's medical alarm conditions via wireless communications network to the appropriate location for expeditious dispatch of assistance. The unit also works in conjunction with a central reporting system for long term collection and storage of the subject's physiological data. The unit may have the capability to automatically dispense chemicals that may alleviate or assist in recovery from an illness.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1998Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Eric T. Phipps