Patents Assigned to MCI Communications Corporation
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Patent number: 6272128Abstract: A method and system of emulating a T1 link over an ATM network. A T1 line carrying a stream of T1 frames is terminated at a first ATM Data Terminating Equipment (DTE). T1 frames are loaded into ATM cells and sent over an ATM network to a second ATM DTE. The T1 frames are unloaded at the second ATM DTE, and sent to a switch matrix to be de-multiplexed. In one example of T1 emulation, two T1 payloads are inserted in each ATM cell payload. The corresponding T1 frame bits replace the two least significant bits in the VCI field of the ATM cell header. For quasi-fractional T1 emulation, three or four quasi-fractional T1 payloads can be carried in the ATM cell payload. For fractional T1 emulation, multiple fractional T1 payloads are carried in a fractional payload field, and a frame bit field is created in the ATM cell payload to carry the T1 frame bits. The use of a T1 framer at the second DTE is avoided by insuring the T1 frame bit positions are constant over successive ATM cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Forrest L. Pierson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6270351Abstract: An individual education program tracking system provides an automated means for creating and administering an entire individual education plan. Embodied in a computer software program and network, the individual education program tracking system enables teachers, school administrators, counselors and parents to enter a student profile, create an individual education plan for the student based on the student's profile, track the student's progress, and perform periodic evaluations and assessments. The individual education program tracking system also automates the completion and submission of various forms as required by a school district or state department of education. The individual education program tracking system integrates and automates procedures that meet a state's or district's legal requirements for administering an individual education plan, such as entry qualification evaluations and parental authorization.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1998Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Tracy D. Roper
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Patent number: 6263366Abstract: A system for mapping an incoming protocol message to an operations system protocol message employs data tables each linked relationally to other data tables. At least one of the data tables represents an autonomous message to event map listing incoming protocol messages and their corresponding operations system protocol messages, and at least another of the data tables represents a non-autonomous message to directive map listing incoming protocol messages and their corresponding operations system protocol messages.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1996Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Andrew R. Jacobs, Paul L. Koch
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Patent number: 6263370Abstract: A TCP/IP-based client-server interface for sending service requests from a client computer to a Network Information Distribution Services server. The TCP/IP-based client-server interface is an easily implemented and economical alternative to the proprietary UDP/IP-based client-server interface developed for communication between client computers and Network Information Distribution Services servers. A service request is sent to a specific TCP/IP logical port associated with a particular type of service. A process associated with the specific TCP/IP logical port formats the request in the same manner as requests received through the proprietary UDP/IP-based client-server interface are formatted, and then directs the formatted requests to the Network Information Distribution Services server process that executes the requests.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1997Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Michael C. Kirchner, David C. Scharf, Thomas J. Herder
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Patent number: 6259679Abstract: A system and method for managing a telecommunications network. The system and method employs a network management architecture that provides an overlay in which network management functions are performed. The network management architecture includes a workstation function that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for a user to interact with an object model of the physical telecommunications network, a telecommunications network management subsystem that provides an object model of the network including object models of network equipment and connectivity between the equipment, a database subsystem that stores “current” and “future” views of the network, and an object request broker that translates objects from a first object-oriented paradigm to a second object-oriented paradigm for use by the GUI. The network management architecture facilitates network design by determining network performance metrics.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Gregory Scott Henderson, Wayne B. Perry, Thomas Dennie Franklin, Ed J. Sanders, Jr., Von A. Cooley
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Patent number: 6260067Abstract: 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: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Robert Barnhouse, Doug Cardy, Kelvin Porter, Ken Rambo, Carol Waller, Wendy Wong, George Yao
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Patent number: 6259782Abstract: A one-number communications service system for a subscriber that allows completion of calls to designated wireless or wireline communications terminals through the use of a single assigned telephone number. The system includes a local wireline switch that is coupleable to a wireline terminal, and a wireless switch that is coupleable to a wireless terminal. A switched telephone network is coupled between the switches to thereby define a combined switching arrangement for directing and completing a call to and from the terminals upon receiving routing instructions. A data signaling network is coupled to the combined switching arrangement for controlling switching operations when the call is made. A database management system is coupled to the data signaling network and accessible to the switches. The database management system includes a telephone number assigned for use by the subscriber and routing instructions assigned to the telephone number for allowing access to the terminals.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1998Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: John Kenneth Gallant
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Patent number: 6256659Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for performing hybrid preemptive and cooperative multi-tasking in a computer system executes a number n of logical units of work before interrupting a task. A logical unit of work is defined as a set of one or more computer instructions, the completion of which is a logical stopping point with few or no temporary variable to store. A logical unit of work can be, for example, one or more instructions in a stream of instructions, where each instruction requires a number of individual computer code instructions to execute. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented as a controller application which operates under an existing operating system. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is implemented as an integral part of an operating system. In operation, the present invention performs a number n of logical units of work for a first task or process.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1997Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: John V. McLain, Jr., Damon Curnell
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Patent number: 6249813Abstract: An automated method of and apparatus for Internet address management is provided. The method and apparatus receive requests for a host name/IP address assignment and automatically performs error checking on the request. The method and apparatus determine if there are available addresses in the address space for the requested subnet and if the new host name meets the requisite criteria for a valid host name. Once error checked, the requested amount of IP addresses are created and inspected for uniqueness. Individual host names are created and inspected for uniqueness prior to being assigned to respective IP addresses. Once assigned, the new host names/IP addresses are entered into the DNS database. Accordingly, the automated method and apparatus is less time consuming while being free from errors arising in prior Internet address management methods.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1998Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Thomas R. Campion, Michael A. SoRelle
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Patent number: 6246405Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of objects on a GUI to perform common and routine tasks. A windowed application program is provided that allows the user to define an object chain containing handles to application objects appearing on the user's GUI. Each object chain is associated with a particular keystroke sequence which is selected by the user when defining the corresponding object chain. The user may toggle through many applications, and associated objects, by depressing the corresponding hot-key. A pointer in a chain table keeps track of the next application in the chain. The chain table can be temporary or permanent.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1997Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: William J. Johnson
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Patent number: 6243039Abstract: A system that tracks the current and historical locations of a GPS locator device carried by a person provides widely available access to data referencing these locations, so that a parent can easily and frequently monitor the location of a child. Monitoring of a child's location may be conducted via a Web site, which provides graphical maps of location data, or via calling into a call center. The present invention also provides a means for a parent to trigger the automatic transmission of the device's location, via a Web site or call placed to a call center agent or a VRU. The present invention also provides a process of auto-notification of a device's movement that exceeds a pre-specified threshold. The present invention also includes a capability to function as a proximity alert device.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Bruce D. Elliot
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Patent number: 6236644Abstract: A method of setting up a conference has the following steps: 1) selecting a conference bridge (68) and a conference number; 2) dialing a conference number; 3) when a private branch exchange (52) seizes an off-network trunk (55), receiving the conference number at a interexchange carrier service switching point; 4) routing the conference call to a local exchange carrier service switching point (74); 5) routing the conference call over a dedicated access line (78) to an on-network service switching point (76); 6) triggering on the conference call at the on-network service switching point (76); 7) sending a query to a service control point (58); 8) receiving a routing instructions from the service control point (58); and 9) routing the conference call to the conference bridge (68).Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1997Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Steven S. Shuman, William A. Sims
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Patent number: 6233072Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provide restoration of coincident line and facility failures. The system of the present invention includes light termination equipment (LTE) that is capable of detecting failures, determining the type of component that failed, determining which restoration facility to use based on the type of component that failed, and providing restoration. The system of the present invention also includes spare capacity for restoration, including protect channels and an optical restoration network. In addition, the system of the present invention includes an optical cross connect switch (OCCS) that is capable of switching electrical signals to the optical restoration network. The method of the present invention is involves detecting a failure, determining the type of component that failed, and sending an alarm to a centralized management center.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1997Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Shoa-Kai Liu, Glenn Wellbrock
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Patent number: 6230205Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing delivery of data, also referred to as “content”, by a data processing system in a communications system in which a number of content providers and content consumers are located within the communications system. The data processing system receives a request to accept delivery of content at the data processing system, wherein the request originates from a requesting content provider. A determination is made as to when the content may be received from the requesting content provider and when the content may be transmitted to content consumers based on contents already scheduled to be delivered from the number of content providers. Delivery of the content from the requesting content provider is accepted based on a determination of when the content may be received and when the content may be transmitted.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Martin Michael Garrity, John Coyle Heneghan, James L. Howser, Heinrick Sinnreich, Edward D. Willis
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Patent number: 6229815Abstract: A method of assigning capacity and routing flow in a bi-directional line switched SONET ring based upon ring topology and demand data defines for each pair of links of the ring a two-edge cut. Each two-edge cut divides the ring into two sets of nodes. For each two-edge cut, the capacity assignment method calculates a demand equal to the sum of all demands between nodes on opposite sides of the two-edge cut. The capacity assignment method then determines the maximum demand and sets the capacity of each link equal to one-half the maximum demand plus one-half of one demand unit. The flow routing method of the present invention calculates a cut difference for each two-edge cut. A critical cut is a two-edge cut having a cut difference equal to or less than one. If there is a critical cut with demands greater than zero on the same side of the critical cut, the method performs a first processing routine.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Jennifer Shu-Chen Huang, Sridhar S. Nathan, Jonathan Weston-Dawkes
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Patent number: 6229819Abstract: An advanced intelligent network gateway that allows communication between telecommunications network component that use different protocols. In one embodiment, the advanced intelligent network gateway is used to communicate between a manual operator console that are processing a customer's telephone call and a service data point which is a database containing information needed to process the customer's telephone call. However, the advanced intelligent network gateway may also be used to receive and transmit messages between other telecommunications components. In addition, methods for protocol conversion are described. One method for protocol conversion is for the conversion of a transaction capabilities application part message from a user datagram protocol/internet protocol implementation to a transmission control protocol/internet protocol implementation or vice versa. Methods for receiving and transmitting transaction capabilities application part messages are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1997Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Timothy Darland, Robert F. Dickerman, Christopher P. Tofanelli
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Patent number: 6226260Abstract: A method and system for resilient internetwork connection of frame relay (FR) networks and/or end systems. For FR relay networks interconnected by a self-healing network, a standard protocol is provided which allows a resilient network-to-network interface NNI to automatically respond to physical interfaces failures detected by the self-healing network. Switching gateways in the resilient NNI, re-route further traffic to avoid the failed physical interface. In one embodiment, a simple set of interacting protocols and mechanisms control communication between FR/ATM gateways and ATM switches. Each FR/ATM gateway includes interworking function (IWF) processing modules for converting user data between frame relay packets and ATM cells and for processing status signaling messages to achieve a resilient NNI.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1997Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: David E. McDysan
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Patent number: 6226784Abstract: A reliable and repeatable process for specifying, developing, distributing, and monitoring a software system or application within a dynamic environment includes the steps of specifying a set of software system requirements during a discovery process within a data processing environment, establishing a development and delivery schedule for distribution of the software system, developing a software system corresponding to the software system requirements during a development process, and developing and testing an install package to be used to install the software system in a test environment within the data processing environment. The install package includes the software system and routines configured to automatically instantiate the software system in the test environment. The developing and testing step takes a first amount of time.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1998Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Marty Holmes, Imran Jan, Kenneth Lockie, Kimberley L. McGuire
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Patent number: 6222821Abstract: To revert the topology of a network to its original or normal state after an alternate route has been found for bypassing traffic away from a malfunctioned link that has since been repaired, an Operation Support System (OSS) sends to each of the custodial sender/chooser nodes and the tandem nodes that form the alternate route respective commands to revert the operation(s) that each node had performed during distributed restoration. The OSS is able to identify the custodial nodes by the fact that those nodes perform more operations than the tandem nodes. The operations that were performed during the distributed restoration process were recorded and the thus restored topology of the network is mapped and stored. Upon receipt from the different nodes that the malfunctioned link has been repaired, the OSS sends to each of the nodes a specific command to perform the inverse of the operation(s) that that node had performed during the restoration.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1995Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Mark Wayne Sees, Will Russ, Lee Dennis Bengston, Clinton Allen Wagner
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Patent number: 6219802Abstract: A system for generating test data (40) has a data structure definition system (42), a message creation system (46), and an execution system (44). The execution system (44) executes the message creation system (46) to create a message (48) having a record built according to the data structure definition system (42).Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: Scott A. Beeker, Cornelius J. Falvey, Mark P. Mullally