Patents Assigned to SBC Properties, L.P.
  • Patent number: 7224789
    Abstract: A system and method of routing both caller-paid and toll-free telephone calls includes a local exchange network and an interexchange network in communication with a call routing processor. The call routing processor receives status information on at least two call service centers and provides routing instructions to both the interexchange and local exchange networks. The method includes the steps of a call controller in a local exchange network communicating with a call routing processor also in communication with an interexchange network, the call controller identifying calls to call service centers and requesting instructions from the call routing processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Gayle Roberta Ekstrom, Robert Francis Manning
  • Patent number: 7221685
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a system and method of measuring transport utilization of data that is to be multiplexed and transmitted over a digital transport facility. In a particular embodiment the method includes receiving at least one frame of a data channel at a time division multiplexing device, padding an unused portion of the frame with a number of stuff bits, determining a user traffic utilization measurement based on the number of stuff bits and based on the size of the data payload, and reporting the traffic utilization measurement. In this embodiment, the frame has a fixed data payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventor: Arvind R. Mallya
  • Patent number: 7222072
    Abstract: A speaker identity claim (SIC) utterance is received and recognized. The SIC utterance is compared with a voice profile registered under the SIC, and a first verification decision is based thereon. A first dynamic phrase (FDP) is generated, and a user is prompted to speak same. An FDP utterance is received, and compared with the voice profile registered under the SIC to make a second verification decision. If the second verification decision indicates a high or low confidence level, the speaker identity claim is accepted or rejected, respectively. If the verification decision indicates a medium confidence level, a second dynamic phrase (SDP) is generated, and the user is prompted to speak same. An SDP utterance is received, and compared with the voice profile registered under the SIC to make a third verification decision. The speaker identity claim is accepted or rejected based on the third verification decision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventor: Hisao M. Chang
  • Publication number: 20070101248
    Abstract: A structured document browser includes a constant user interface for displaying and viewing sections of a document that is organized according to a pre-defined structure. The structured document browser displays documents that have been marked with embedded codes that specify the structure of the document. The tags are mapped to correspond to a set of icons. When the icon is selected while browsing a document, the browser will display the section of the structure corresponding to the icon selected, while preserving the constant user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Schumacher, James Matthews
  • Patent number: 7209551
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method of assigning identifications for unified messaging system subscribers is provided. The method includes assigning a unique temporary identity to a subscriber of a unified messaging service and upon the subscriber's first access to the unified messaging service, receiving a second identity selected by the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Schroeder, Melody Ho, David Dudley
  • Patent number: 7206793
    Abstract: A master file is updated based on a plurality of transaction files by reading the master file exactly once. A record and its associated key value are read from each of the files. A current key value is set to an optimum of the last-read key values for all of the files. A record in the updated master file is based on the last-read record from each of the files whose last-read key value equals the current key value. A record and its associated key are attempted to be read from each of the files whose last-read key value equals the current key value. For each file being read, the last-read key value is updated, and the above acts are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties L.P.
    Inventor: Partha Sarathi Majumder
  • Patent number: 7203296
    Abstract: Upon receiving a service code from a calling party, a list of parties previously called by the calling party is retrieved. An audio message is generated based on the list, and communicated to the calling party. A dialed input indicating a selected party from the list is received from the calling party. Based on the dialed input, a call between the calling party and the selected party is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond Walden Bennett, III, Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr., Gayle Roberta Ekstrom, Laura Marie Griffith, Edmond W. Israelski, Denise Violetta Kagan, Richard Peter Krupka, Donald Bernard Liebrecht, Jordan Howard Light, Karen Jeanne Pelletier, Michael Steven Pickard, Bruce Edward Stuckman, Barry James Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7197960
    Abstract: A method and system enable the automatic generation of a call processing control record. A user creates a schedule entry comprising a plurality of data entries on an electronic scheduler. The data entries are transmitted from the electronic scheduler to a call processing control record generator. The data entries are compared with stored data. In response to the data entries, the call processing control record generator generates a call processing control record which can be stored in a call processing control record database. The call processing control record can be used to forward calls or transmit an announcement to the calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties L.P.
    Inventors: Gavin Sueo Lew, Thomas Steven Woods
  • Patent number: 7200794
    Abstract: A method a system for automatically controlling an adaptive interleaver involves monitoring performance parameters of a transmission system and controlling the adaptive interleaver in response to the performance parameters. The SNR and the data rate of the transmission system are preferably determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the SNR. Alternatively, the BER and the data rate of the transmission system are determined. The data rate is analyzed and the adaptive interleaver is adjusted in response to the data rate and the BER. Alternatively, any one of the SNR, BER or data rate can alone be monitored and used to the adaptive interleaver. The system provides a effective system for adjusting an adaptive interleaver in response to performance parameters of a transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas J J Starr
  • Patent number: 7197131
    Abstract: A monitoring tool for use with one or more automatic call distributors (ACD) which automatically and continuously polls or queries the ACDs to monitor not only alarm conditions but other conditions, such as agent staffing levels, call answering time, call routing and traffic conditions. Such continuous and automatic monitoring and querying of the ACD in accordance with the present invention is thus able to improve the overall efficiency of such ACDs by improving the service response time of such ACDs. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the status records of the ACDs maybe directed to a website, for example, on an enterprise Intranet website to enable any of the company representatives with access rights to access the performance of the ACD network from any location. Other data, such as the trunk inventory record keeping system (TIRKS) may also be displayed on the web site to facilitate troubleshooting of alarm conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Alan Hahn, Bruce Lee Leatherman
  • Patent number: 7190777
    Abstract: A method for determining the name of a calling party where the calling party's name and corresponding telephone number are found in a remote database. The method first identifies whether the calling party's telephone number is contained within the local database. When it is determined that the telephone number is not within the local database, the method attempts to locate the telephone number in a remote database. A query is formed according to a basic signal transmission protocol to ensure that a database which receives the query will be able to respond to it. The query requesting the name associated with the telephone number is sent across a network. The method receives a response to the inquiry and checks to ensure that a name was returned to the local database before delivering the name to the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Ron Urban, Jim Kovarik, Bill Wojtczak
  • Patent number: 7190780
    Abstract: A method of operating a virtual private network includes the steps of: (a) dialing a custom number; (b) receiving the custom number at a switch (20) of a first carrier; (c) routing the call to a switch (18) of a second carrier based on having received the custom number; and (d) when the call to the switch (18) of the second carrier includes a plain old telephone number translation of the customer number, routing the call over the second carrier to a service switching point (26) of a third carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Pitsa Madoch, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Christopher Michael LeBeau, John Wesley Moss, Dianna Inara Tiliks, Walter Martin Malinowski
  • Patent number: 7181201
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for routing a call to a called party's landline or wireless communication unit based on the availability of the wireless communication unit. A call placed to a called party's landline communication unit is routed to the called party's wireless communication unit if the wireless communication unit is determined available, otherwise, the call is routed to the called party's landline communication unit. Unlike past attempts to facilitate communication with a called party having wireless and landline communication units, these preferred embodiments operate automatically (without called party intervention) before a call is terminated at the landline communication unit and are responsive to the availability of the called party's wireless communication unit. Further, there preferred embodiments do not rely on complex, pre-determined hunting sequences or expensive adjunct customer premises equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties L.P.
    Inventors: Richard N. Roberts, Todd August Bartels, Terrence J. McCarthy, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Rodney T Brand, Leslie Bernard Moore, Carlos H Donoso, Kara Elisia Ford
  • Patent number: 7180989
    Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: James A. Kearns, Crisella S. J. Chipman, Keith C. Smith, Neil M. Briskman, Thomas L. Linton
  • Patent number: 7181495
    Abstract: A messaging system (10) for notifying subscribers of incoming e-mail messages includes an e-mail system (12) communicating with a notification system (14). The e-mail system (12) includes a user interface (22) that permits subscribers to populate filter lists (16) with e-mail message attributes, such as sender e-mail addresses. The filter list (16) is provided to the notification system (14), which selectively notifies subscribers of incoming e-mail messages based on the contents of their respective filter lists. The notification system (14) can alert subscribers to incoming e-mail messages by pager, facsimile, voice mail, synthetic speech via cellular or conventional telephones, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Julia Skladman, Robert Joseph Thornberry
  • Patent number: 7180995
    Abstract: A telecommunication product demonstration system is comprised of three major components, including customer facility equipment, sales agent facility equipment, and telecommunication service simulation equipment. The system allows a sales agent to demonstrate various long distance services and telecommunications services to potential customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond Walden Bennett, III, Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr., Michael Steven Pickard, Jordan Howard Light, Barry James Sullivan, Edmond W. Israelski, Denise Violetta Kagan, Richard Peter Krupka, Jose M. Cruz, Philip Martin Stebbings, Bruce Edward Stuckman
  • Patent number: 7181421
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring remote computer access and associated costs is provided. The system includes a remotely located communication server in communication with multiple host computer networks and in communication with a network access server. First and second memory devices contain a list of authorized users for the host computer networks and a user log for use by a billing computer to generate bills. The method includes the steps of creating starting and ending time stamps for each authorized user accessing a respective one of the multiple host computer networks and creating a user log to generate bills and monitor host computer network usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Peterson, Christina Ellen Clayton, Michael Stephan Farmer
  • Patent number: 7174555
    Abstract: A test harness tests an element management system (EMS) via a network management system (NMS) interface for compliance with a particular interface standard. The test harness may be used by a party other than a vendor of the EMS to verify compliance of the EMS to the particular interface standard, such as Q.834.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Linda Jean Freede Garbanati, Mark Yampanis, Mehrad Yasrebi
  • Patent number: 7171101
    Abstract: The present method and kit provide for effective and efficient patching of fiber optic cables. The kit comprises mechanical fiber optic splicers, a fiber optic patch, a splice housing, and a protective housing. The mechanical fiber optic splicers can be used to splice the fiber optic cable and the fiber optic patch. The mechanical fiber optic splicers, the fiber optic patch, and a portion of the fiber optic cable can be enclosed within the splice housing. The splice housing can then be enclosed within a protective housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Glen Edward Gould, Andrew Matulica, Dennis Joseph Byrne
  • Patent number: 7171650
    Abstract: A method for integrating a resource in a network includes receiving at a first adapter a command associated with a function to be performed by a resource. The method also includes receiving a first script associated with the command, and interpreting the first script to produce one or more first byte codes. The method further includes causing a second adapter to receive a second script. The second adapter is operable to interpret the second script into one or more second byte codes. In addition, the method includes executing the one or more first byte codes, and invoking execution of the one or more second byte codes at the second adapter. The execution of the byte codes at the first and second adapters is operable to invoke the function in and facilitate communication with the resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles S. Fenton, Ryan P. Harris