Patents Assigned to MCI Communications Corporations
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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: 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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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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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: 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: 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: 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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