Patents Assigned to MCI Communications Corporations
  • Patent number: 6574587
    Abstract: A system and method for extracting and forecasting computing resource data such as workload consumption of mainframe computing resources using an autoregressive model. The system and method forecast mainframe central processing unit (CPU) consumption with ninety-five percent accuracy using historical performance data. The system and method also provide an upper ninety-five percent confidence level and a lower ninety-five percent confidence level. The system and method retrieve performance records from a computer platform in one second intervals, statistically collapses the one second performance data into fifteen minute performance data, statistically collapses the fifteen minute performance data into one week performance data, and generates a time series equivalent to collecting performance data at one week intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony C. Waclawski
  • Patent number: 6574661
    Abstract: A Web/Internet based toll-free network management tool that enables customers of telecommunications network providers to modify the configuration of their toll-free networks via a Web/Internet-based graphical user interface. The tool provides customers Web/Internet access to toll-free call routing plans and associated routing plan details via a secure Web/Internet-based connection, and additionally provides a customer with the ability to specify implementation of a specific call routing plan for a toll-free number at a predetermined time, and the ability to re-configure an existing call routing plan. Additionally, the tool enables a roll-back of a particular call-routing plan or call plan detail to a prior configuration at a user-specified time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: P. Alex Delano, Carol Y. Devine, Robert W. Hall, Robert A. Pfister, Garrison M. Venn
  • Patent number: 6560646
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Barnhouse, Doug Cardy, Kelvin Porter, Ken Rambo, Carol Waller, Wendy Wong, George Yao
  • Patent number: 6556538
    Abstract: A centralized restoration system and a distributed restoration system for restoring a network are integrated. Trunks within the network that have failed are first processed by the distributed restoration system to attempt restoration of the failed trunks. Trunks that cannot be restored by the distributed restoration system and trunks that are designated for restoration by the centralized restoration system are then restored by the centralized restoration system. The centralized restoration system and distributed restoration system communicate to keep each other aware of their respective actions. Mechanisms are utilized to prevent conflict between the two types of restoration systems. The integration of the two types of restoration systems causes high-priority trunks to be quickly restored by the distributed restoration system and lower-priority trunks to be restored by the centralized restoration system to balance the workload of restoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventor: William D. Croslin
  • Patent number: 6556539
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing undesirable phase transients caused by revertive switchover in a telecommunications network. Selector switch settings are assigned priorities. The priorities indicate an order of preference in which to assign selector switch source inputs or outputs. Selector switch sources connected to equipments that are to be used as backups of one another are assigned the same priority level. Assignment of the same priority level prevents undesirable phase transients by controlling revertive switchovers. In addition, network topology is controllable using the priority table. The controllable characteristic of the network topology provides flexibility to a network designer to provide diversity among network paths such that the network is made more robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Scott Henderson
  • Patent number: 6553427
    Abstract: The present invention provides an abstract, object-oriented encapsulation of the communications interface between intermediary, lower-level protocol handlers, such as TCAP server programs, and service providers, such as service application programs, that run on transaction server computers within an enhanced services platform, such as a network intelligent platform of a telecommunications carrier. The TCAP server programs exchange INAP messages with network switches through the SS7 protocol interface, forwarding the INAP messages received from network switches to service application programs, and receiving response messages from service application programs to be sent back to the network switches. The specialized INAP protocol handling software previously developed specifically for each different service application program is abstracted by the object-oriented communications interface into a set of library routines that can be shared in common by all service application programs and TCAP servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Chen-Huei Chang, James Edward Patterson, Paul Thomas Schultz, Richard Charles Stilborn
  • Patent number: 6510216
    Abstract: An intelligent network provisioning system (20) has a client platform (22) with a user interface for order entry. A server platform (24) is connected to the client platform (22) by a network (26). The server platform (24) is capable of sending a query to a calling card provisioning system (28). An application server (30) upon receiving an order from the server platform (24) downloads the order to the intelligent network (32) and transmits a state change message to the server platform (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Shawna M. Burr, Riel DuToit, Steven S. Shuman, Jeffrey P. VanBemden, William Z. VanBlack, William C. Vann, Jhoanne J. Vinuya, Hilmar C. Wiesner
  • Patent number: 6496567
    Abstract: An advanced resource management system for an interactive voice response (IVR) service node allows multiple network ports to be served by one application port thereby increasing efficiency. An IVR with a plurality of network ports can now be efficiently configured with a plurality of application ports with varying capabilities. The resource management system determines which of the plurality of application ports on the service node has the capability to service an incoming call and then dynamically assigns a time slot to one of the network ports and to one of application ports to perform IVR services. The dynamic allocation of application ports to network ports also allows for a more simplified connection of the service node to the telecommunications network in which it is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Bjornberg, Patrick Hamilton, Daniel Hutton
  • Patent number: 6493447
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond G. Goss, Donald Ravenscroft
  • Patent number: 6493433
    Abstract: The multi-threaded database system manages access to a plurality of databases. A separate thread is assigned to each of the databases so as to encapsulate activities relative to the databases. Threads may be performing separate activities independently of each other. As a result, a first database may be modified, added, or deleted while a second database is being accessed. The database system is especially well-adapted for use with an interactive voice response platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Lonnie S. Clabaugh, Kolin G. Hogue, Gregory J. Kelsey, Shailesh Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 6493353
    Abstract: A signaling gateway allows a next generation of service nodes to be deployed in any communications switch network without requiring any further development or customization. The signaling gateway encapsulates multiple signaling systems into a single interface embodied in a telecommunication service provider's proprietary signaling protocol. The signaling gateway also performs call and resource management. A next generation of service nodes may then be designed to process a reduced set number of messages that have a common format and that perform fundamental functions common to all signaling systems. Any differences in implementation of any signaling system, as well as detailed functions performed for call setup and resource management, are transparent to the service node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J Kelly, David Phelps, Lou Severini
  • Patent number: 6490350
    Abstract: An automated monitoring system monitors telephone resources in a call center. The call center may include agent stations at which agents are stationed to handle calls. A monitoring server monitors calling activity by the agents to maintain state information about the agents and to gather statistics about the calling activity of the agents. These statistics are forwarded to a client program run on a workstation or other type of computer system. The client program provides a graphical user interface and depicts the state information about the agents as part of the interface. The graphical user interface may also display statistics regarding the calling activity of agents, agent supervisors, business clients of the call center, and the call center in aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Richard McDuff, Wesley Jon Atkinson, Donald L. Ravenscroft, Gopi Shankar, Craig Kaley, Craig Alan Baxter
  • Publication number: 20020175929
    Abstract: A monitoring system monitors calling activity within a call center. The monitoring system includes a client program that may be run on a workstation. The monitoring system also includes a computerized tool for building a model of the call center's physical layout. The client program displays a graphical user interface that contains status information about agents in the call center and statistics regarding calling activity within the call center. The graphical user interface may depict a model of all or a portion of the call center's physical layout. A builder prepares a computerized model of the call center using the call center layout tool. The builder may use the call center layout tool to update the computerized model of the call center. Information about agents, supervisors, and business clients may be obtained from the graphical user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: J. Wren Hunt, Wesley J. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20020175943
    Abstract: A monitoring system monitors calling activity within a call center. The monitoring system includes a client program that may be run on a workstation. The monitoring system also includes a computerized tool for building a model of the call center's physical layout. The client program displays a graphical user interface that contains status information about agents in the call center and statistics regarding calling activity within the call center. The graphical user interface may depict a model of all or a portion of the call center's physical layout. A builder prepares a computerized model of the call center using the call center layout tool. The builder may use the call center layout tool to update the computerized model of the call center. Information about agents, supervisors, and business clients may be obtained from the graphical user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: J. Wren Hunt, Wesley J. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6487198
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Forrest L. Pierson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6480597
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: George Kult, Sharadha Vijay
  • Patent number: 6473762
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Knoblock, Gregory G. Carlson, Paul Michael Golobay
  • Patent number: 6466673
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Hardy
  • Patent number: 6463477
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Douglas Fontenot
  • Patent number: 6457050
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel E. Cowan, Gerard Lawrence Commerford, Mark B. Turner