Patents Assigned to SBC Knowledge Ventures
  • Publication number: 20080130621
    Abstract: A method includes partitioning a set of hopping carrier frequencies into disjoint sets including a first set and a second set such that a frequency correlation between a first hopping carrier frequency of the first set and a second hopping carrier frequency of the second set is approximately zero. The method also includes generating at least one copy of a signal, which includes a plurality of time division multiple access (TDMA) frames. The at least one copy of the signal has a fixed delay and a random phase relative to the signal. The method further includes transmitting the signal and the at least one copy of the signal using selected hopping carrier frequencies from the first and second sets such that a TDMA frame is sent using the first hopping carrier frequency from the first set and an adjacent second frame is sent using the second hopping carrier frequency from the second set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventor: Arunabha Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20080130856
    Abstract: At least one telephone network element receives an attempt by a caller to place a telephone call to a telephone number of a callee. The telephone number is registered in a telephone number mapping (ENUM) database to receive incoming telephone calls via a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network. The at least one telephone network element determines a preference to carry the telephone call via a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a public land mobile network (PLMN) instead of the VoIP network. Based on the preference, the telephone call is forwarded to a gateway to carry the telephone call to the callee via the PSTN or the PLMN instead of the VoIP network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Bernard Siu-Man Ku, Alex Huang, Armstrong Soo
  • Publication number: 20080130633
    Abstract: A method of establishing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications is provided. The method includes establishing a virtual circuit to carry VoIP traffic via a first Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) session and to carry other data traffic via a second PPPoE session. The first PPPoE session and the second PPPoE session are supported by a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Goangshiuan Shawn Ying, Eugene L. Edmon, Steve M. Aspell
  • Publication number: 20080125095
    Abstract: A method of recognizing an event transpiring at a terminal device is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a User Interface (UI) element that radiates at least one among a light emission pattern and a tactile emission pattern for recognizing one among a caller ID during an incoming call initiated by a calling party and a voicemail associated with the calling party when the incoming call is unanswered. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
    Inventors: DAVID MORNHINEWAY, EDWARD WALTER, ANUP D. KARNALKAR, LARRY B. PEARSON
  • Publication number: 20080125185
    Abstract: A mobile telephone comprises a ringer to provide an audible alert of an incoming telephone call. The mobile telephone has a ringer control schedule. The ringer control schedule indicates times at which a parameter of the ringer is to change. The mobile telephone further comprises a ringer controller to automatically change the parameter of the ringer according to the ringer control schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventor: Martha Karen Boyd
  • Publication number: 20080125098
    Abstract: A method for providing call information is disclosed and includes receiving information related to a call at a set-top box device, the call received at a wireless phone. The method also includes sending the information related to the call to a display device coupled to the set-top box device when the wireless phone is within a pre-defined region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Les D. Bruce, Jeffrey L. Brandt, Marc A. Sullivan, Mark B. Hubscher
  • Publication number: 20080124086
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for delivering data to an end user device, the method including receiving an optical signal containing broadband digital data; converting the optical signal to a first radio frequency signal; transmitting the first radio frequency (RF) signal from an RF transmitter to a first RF receiver in a first local region associated with the end user device; and converting the received radio frequency signal to a digital data signal. A system and computer program for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures L.P.
    Inventor: Adrian S. Matthews
  • Patent number: 7379449
    Abstract: Method and system of supporting abbreviated dialing. The method and system may be used in conjunction with calls between affiliated phones if at least a portion of the signals associated therewith are transmitted over a non-affiliated network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Michalski, Wayne Heinmiller, Dianna Tiliks, Carol Gruchala, Louis M. Morales
  • Patent number: 7379650
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a trough for routing jumpers along a surface of the trough. The apparatus further includes a spool assembly having a spool supported on a mount. The mount has an adhesive surface. The adhesive surface is attached to the trough surface to attach the spool to the trough such that the spool stores slack of jumpers routed along the trough surface upon the jumpers being wrapped around the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Weinert, Michael L. Yeilding
  • Patent number: 7379448
    Abstract: Methods and systems for updating subscriber service parameters in a communications network wherein a central provisioning unit automatically locates subscriber ports having subscriber service parameters that require updating and which automatically issues commands for updating the subscriber service parameters of the ports requiring updating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Tim R. Klos, John A. Vallely, Cynthia P. Green, Rebecca A. Trehy
  • Publication number: 20080117922
    Abstract: In a particular illustrative embodiment, a portable personal media player includes a first interface, a second interface, a display, an audio output, a keypad and a processor. The first interface communicates via a network with a residential gateway that is communicatively coupled to a plurality of electronic devices. The second interface may communicate wireless commands directly to at least one of the plurality of electronic devices. The display is adapted to display alphanumeric data and video content. The processor is responsive to a selection received via the keypad to transmit a request for selected media content to the residential gateway via the first interface. The processor receives media content related to the request via the first interface, processes the media content and provides video data to the display and audio data to the audio output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Roger A. Cockrell, Steven Michael Wollmershauser, Thomas S. Webster, Brian Wilson, Alison Raphael
  • Publication number: 20080119180
    Abstract: A system for managing a communication system is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system having a network configuration element that identifies for each of a plurality of wireless base terminals (WBTs) a resultant communication path to a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) according to a plurality of performance characteristics and a delay injected into at least one of a plurality of alternative communication paths connecting combinations of the WBTs to the MTSO. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, LP
    Inventors: DAVID SMALL, CHRISTINA QUON
  • Publication number: 20080120639
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing emergency information. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a video emergency alert at a set-top box device from a video head-end. The method also includes receiving a command at the set-top box device to request information related to the video emergency alert. The method also includes receiving the information at the set-top box device from the video head-end, where the information includes data retrieved via a public data network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Edward Walter, Yolius Diroo, Steven Michael Wollmershauser
  • Patent number: 7376112
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices provide seamless communication service for a wireless multi-mode communication terminal. A multi-mode communication terminal with an intelligent call forwarding module automatically forwards calls in a multi-mode network environment. A backbone communication network links at least two modes of the multi-mode environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventor: Huitao Liu
  • Publication number: 20080114648
    Abstract: A method for delivering targeted advertisement data to opt-in subscribers in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system is disclosed, the system comprising selecting an advertising target group of opt-in IPTV subscribers based on an advertiser's advertising target request; and multicasting an advertisement from an IPTV advertising server to the advertising target group. A system for performing the method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures L.P.
    Inventors: Wenge Chen, Eric Puetz, Guangtian Liu, Yetik Serbest
  • Publication number: 20080107017
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes receiving a data packet at a first video distribution hub via a first link. The method also includes determining whether a second link has failed, wherein the first video distribution hub communicates with a second video distribution hub via a primary network path that includes the second link. When the second link has failed, a backup network path to send the data packet, or a copy thereof, to the second video distribution hub, is determined based on data stored at the first video distribution hub. The method also includes sending the data packet, or the copy thereof, to the second video distribution hub via the backup network path, wherein the backup network path does not include the second link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Chin Yuan, Kuo Hui Liu, Christopher Chase
  • Publication number: 20080109838
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of multimedia access. In an embodiment, an authorization signal can be received from a multimedia distribution system at a multimedia receiver having a peripheral device interface. The authorization signal can authorize data transfer via the peripheral device interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Elaine Zureczki, Roger Cockrell, Brian Wilson
  • Publication number: 20080109839
    Abstract: Methods and systems of message notification and access via a video distribution network are disclosed. A method may include receiving, via an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network, a data stream including video content. The method may also include receiving, via the IPTV network, a notification of a message directed to a communication address associated with a subscriber. The method may also include selecting a first visual message indication based at least partially on the communication address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Les D. Bruce, Jeffrey L. Brandt, Marc A. Sullivan, Mark B. Hubscher, Carissa Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20080104630
    Abstract: A method is presented of providing voice communication, including receiving at a set-top box device a selection of a first contact, receiving data indicating that a first call has been placed to a phone associated with the first contact, and sending data to a display device coupled to the set-top box device indicating that the first call has been placed to the phone associated with first contact. The method may further include sending data identifying the first contact and the user phone to a communication server of an Internet Protocol Television system, wherein the communication server places the first call to the phone associated with first contact and routes the first call to the user phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Les Bruce, Jeffrey L. Brandt, Marc A. Sullivan, Mark B. Hubscher
  • Publication number: 20080101588
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed that includes receiving an incoming call including caller identification information at an input responsive to a network. An audio alert and display information associated with the incoming call are sent to a multimedia device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Les Bruce, Jeffrey L. Brandt, Marc A. Sullivan, Mark B. Hubscher