Patents Assigned to Qwest Communications International Inc.
  • Patent number: 8260191
    Abstract: Wireless telecommunications is inhibited within a limited region by generating a noise signal within a frequency range of the wireless telecommunications and broadcasting the noise signal into the limited region. A system for inhibiting wireless communications includes a radio frequency noise generator generating a noise signal within a frequency range of the wireless telecommunication. At least one antenna broadcasts the noise signal into the region. Control logic initiates or suspends broadcasting of the noise signal based on at least one control input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Arend, Alfredo E. Gonzalez, Charles I. Cook
  • Patent number: 8261321
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating digital assets in relation to a telecommunications network. In various cases, the systems include a network interface device associated with a customer premises. The network interface device includes a local authentication authority operable to authenticate one or more digital assets maintained in relation to the customer premises. In some cases, a global authentication authority can authenticate the network interface device, and implicitly authenticate the one or more digital assets. Many other cases and/or embodiments are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Bruce A. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20120213353
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques that provide enhanced wireline services at one or more known wireline locations. In some cases, these tools and techniques involve determining that a subscriber is at one or more of the known wireline locations based on a detected location of the subscriber's wireless device (e.g., wireless phone, portable computer, etc.). Once the subscriber's presence at that wireline location has been detected, enhanced services can be provided to a wireline telephone at that location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Ashish Agarwal
  • Publication number: 20120214454
    Abstract: Methods are provided for managing communications over a communications routing network. A data store is maintained of records of communications links established over the communications routing network between a first endpoint of the communications routing network and multiple second endpoints of the communications routing network distinct from the first endpoint. A frequency analysis is performed of the second endpoints to identify a frequency of establishing a communications link between the first endpoint and each of the second endpoints. A list is generated of a subset of the second endpoints in accordance with a result of the frequency analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Joel Frederick
  • Publication number: 20120201239
    Abstract: Network architectures, methods, and operations for routing telephone calls are disclosed. A customer premise includes a conventional POTS dedicated communication line to a central office switch and a broadband connection to a data network. The central office switch and the data network are connected by a communication link. A first telephone call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the dedicated communication link. A second or subsequent call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the data network. Optionally, the same call identifier may be assigned to the first and second or subsequent calls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: J. Clark Stevens, F. Joseph Glynn
  • Patent number: 8238559
    Abstract: Tools are provided for distributing access-restricted content in an internet protocol television (“IPTV”) environment based on portable entitlement keys. Such tools can include a decoder, an encoder, and a network entitlement handler. The decoder may be configured to receive a key associated with entitlement information, and transmit the entitlement information over a network. The encoder may be configured to receive content from content providers, and to encode the content to create IP-compatible content, with access restrictions based on entitlement. The network entitlement handler may be configured to receive a request for requested content from the decoder; receive the access-restricted content including (including the requested content) from the encoder; and transmit the requested content over the network to the decoder using IP, when the decoder is entitled to receive the requested content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Gnanasegeran Selvadurai, Felipe Castro, Waqar Khan
  • Publication number: 20120174120
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for tracing application execution and performance. Some of the tools provide a framework for monitoring the execution and/or performance of applications in an execution chain. In some cases, the framework can accomplish this monitoring with a few simple calls to an application programming interface on an application server. In other cases, the framework can provide for the passing of traceability data in protocol-specific headers of existing inter-application (and/or intra-application) communication protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Igor I. Malkiman, Chauncey G. Powis, Tyson Matthew Bunch
  • Publication number: 20120173582
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for identifying location based rules related to a network connected device are described. A network connected device may transmit a set of data identifying the location of the device and an identifier unique to the device to a server. The server may also receive an action request, wherein the action request is associated with the identifier. The server may select a rule in a database to address the action request, the rule applicable to the identifier and location of the device. Various embodiments related to financial card transactions, access to financial information, emergency services contact, and electronic message filtering are also addressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Gilman R. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20120173429
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for identifying location based rules related to a network connected device are described. A network connected device may transmit a set of data identifying the location of the device and an identifier unique to the device to a server. The server may also receive an action request, wherein the action request is associated with the identifier. The server may select a rule in a database to address the action request, the rule applicable to the identifier and location of the device. Various embodiments related to financial card transactions, access to financial information, emergency services contact, and electronic message filtering are also addressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Gilman R. Stevens
  • Patent number: 8214469
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed to provide common perspectives across multiple end devices of potentially diverse types. In one embodiment, a method of providing common perspectives to multiple end devices can comprise reading one or more common perspectives from a central repository. The one or more common perspectives can define a manner in which the end devices will present data of one or more types. The one or more common perspectives can be applied to selected data and which can then be presented consistent with the one or more common perspectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Alperin, Rich Cerami
  • Patent number: 8213458
    Abstract: According to the invention, a method for establishing a personal communication between an originating end and a terminating end of a communication system is disclosed. In one step, a first number of personal communication modes associated with the originating end is retrieved. A determination is made if a second number of personal communication modes associated with the terminating end comprises any personal communication modes compatible with the first number of personal communication modes. A compatible personal communication mode from the first number of personal communication modes and the second number of personal communication modes is chosen to indicate the compatible personal communication mode to the terminating end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Norby
  • Patent number: 8204950
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed to provide a search of contents of a webpage, where the search feature is provided as part of the webpage. In one embodiment, a method of providing such an in-page search of contents of a webpage can comprise reading a user's search criteria through an element of the webpage. The contents of the webpage can be searched to identify text matching the search criteria. Formatting instructions can be inserted into the webpage to change the appearance of the identified text relative to other text on the webpage. The webpage can be redisplayed with the inserted formatting instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventor: Jordan Alperin
  • Patent number: 8201220
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for generating a network usage profile. Certain embodiments of the network usage profile include a devices-by-node profile, indicating the set of customer devices available for use in communicating with a customer-side network node located at a customer side of an access network over a period of time, where some of the customer devices are not in operative communication with the customer-side network node during a portion of that time. Other embodiments associate the network usage profile with customer information to generate device-by-customer profiles. Still other embodiments associate the network usage profile with network traffic information to generate traffic-by-device profiles. Even other embodiments associate the multiple sources and types of information to generate traffic-by-customer profiles and/or traffic-by-device-by-customer profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Amie Elcan, John Butala
  • Patent number: 8196171
    Abstract: A method and system for provisioning a specific device to receive video and/or data services from a plurality of service providers at a physical drop in a digital broadband network serviced by a telecommunication services provider utilizes a broadcast manager for transmitting an electronic message in a modified format determined by the telecommunication services provider, wherein the electronic message contains information identifying the physical drop associated with the specific device. A broadband digital terminal, in communication with the broadcast manager and the physical port, receives the electronic message, stores the information, and upon receiving a sign-on request from a requesting device that is requesting access to one of the video and/or data services, determines whether the requesting device is authorized to access the requested video and/or data service based on the stored information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Brodigan, Gerald F. Baker, Patricia A. Dodson
  • Patent number: 8194842
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for implementing feature interactions between an AIN-based service and a switch-based call-forwarding service. In the present invention, the switch-based call-forwarding generates an Off-Hook Delay (OHD) trigger. In response, the SSP suspends call processing and sends the forward-to number to the SCP. Based upon the SCP's determination of whether the forward-to number is for voicemail and other criteria such as time of day, day of the week, etc, the SCP determines whether the switch-based call-forward should be permitted or inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Bruening, Marcus Roman, Don Gillespie
  • Patent number: 8189562
    Abstract: Methods are provided for managing communications over a communications routing network. A data store is maintained of records of communications links established over the communications routing network between a first endpoint of the communications routing network and multiple second endpoints of the communications routing network distinct from the first endpoint. A frequency analysis is performed of the second endpoints to identify a frequency of establishing a communications link between the first endpoint and each of the second endpoints. A list is generated of a subset of the second endpoints in accordance with a result of the frequency analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Frederick
  • Publication number: 20120127986
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for providing a subscriber with converged voice services, in which calls to one of the subscriber's telephone numbers is routed to some or all of the subscriber's telephone numbers (e.g., sequentially or simultaneously, depending on system configuration and/or subscriber preference). Some implementations employ a VoIP switch to handle call distribution among the subscriber's various phone lines, even if some (or all) of the subscribers telephone lines are not VoIP lines. In such implementations, upon receiving an incoming call directed to one of the subscriber's lines, a service switching point will route the call to a VoIP switch. Instructed by an application server, the VoIP switch will set up call legs (e.g., via the PSTN) to one or more of the subscribers' telephone numbers. Optionally, when one of the call legs is answered, the application server will instruct the VoIP switch to disconnect the other call legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John Verbil, Richard Cerami, Tammy S. Brown, Joel Frederick
  • Publication number: 20120127942
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a wireless network with several access points connected to a communication infrastructure. Residential or business customers of the Internet arc provided an Internet interface (e.g., a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem) having a wireless transceiver. Two or more users may access the Internet or other network through the Internet interface. Each user can be assigned a unique Service Set-Identifier (SSID) with each SSID associated with a type of service (e.g., user video service, backhaul service, etc.). The amount of bandwidth assigned to the type of service (and user) may be governed by the equipment according to the assigned SSID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Thomas Schwengler
  • Patent number: 8184793
    Abstract: Network architectures, methods, and operations for routing telephone calls are disclosed. A customer premise includes a conventional POTS dedicated communication line to a central office switch and a broadband connection to a data network. The central office switch and the data network are connected by a communication link. A first telephone call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the dedicated communication link. A second or subsequent call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the data network. Optionally, the same call identifier may be assigned to the first and second or subsequent calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: J. Clarke Stevens, F. Joseph Glynn
  • Publication number: 20120113978
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for providing enhanced services to telephone subscribers with multiple telephone lines, which can include one or more traditional telephone lines, wireless telephone lines, Internet protocol-based telephone lines, and/or the like. For example, certain tools can provide a subscriber with a unified voice mailbox for a plurality of the subscriber's telephone lines. In some cases, the subscriber does not need to check multiple voice mailboxes (each associated with one of the subscriber's telephone numbers) in order to ensure that the subscriber has received all messages intended for that subscriber. Instead, any incoming call on any of the subscriber's lines can be routed to a converged voice mailbox for easy retrieval by the subscriber of all messages from one location. Some tools employ a VoIP switch to handle routing of the incoming call to the correct voice mailbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Cerami, John Verbil, Paul D. Jaramillo