Patents Assigned to SBC Technologies Resources, Inc.
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Patent number: 7246062Abstract: A method and system for error prevention and recovery of voice activated navigation through a menu having plural nodes provides situation dependent utterance verification by relating confirmation to utterance determination confidence levels. In one embodiment, a high confidence level results in implicit confirmation, a medium confidence level results in explicit confirmation and a low confidence level results in a concise interrogative prompt of a single word that requests the user to repeat the utterance. In situations where voice recognition is difficult, dual modality with DTMF navigation is provided as an option for menu selections.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Anthony Knott, John Mills Martin, Robert Randal Bushey, Tracy Leigh Smart
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Patent number: 7242938Abstract: A system and method for improved mobile assisted handoff in a digital cellular communication system that gives the mobile station the ability to synchronize to candidate base station transmissions in order to read the transmitted digital voice color code (DVCC) of the candidate station. This process is performed during the idle period between two designated time slots in a TDMA frame. The invention is an enhancement to the existing mobile assisted handoff procedures described in the existing IS-136 standard. The present invention improves on the IS-136 standard's use of received signal strength measurements in that it allows the mobile station to acquire and report information regarding the digital verification color code (DVCC) of the candidate base station channels. Since the DVCC uniquely identifies the cell site to which a channel belongs, it is used to distinguish the candidate base station channel from its co-channel interferers, allowing the network to make a more informed handoff decision.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Kobylinski, Milap V. Majmundar
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Patent number: 7231741Abstract: A mobile cellular telephone tower comprises a self-propelled base and a tower connected to the base. The tower includes a base segment and at least a first extendable segment operatively connected to a second extendable segment. A winch is connected to the base, and a first cable is connected between the base segment and the first extendable segment to extend the first extendable segment. A second cable is connected between the winch and the second extendable segment to retract the second extendable segment. Cellular telephone network testing equipment mounted on the tower.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Rodney Earl Norwood
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Publication number: 20070133778Abstract: A method is provided to implement a subscriber local number portability migration request. The method includes sending a trigger signal to a cross-connect device to cause the cross-connect device to switch between a first communication channel and a second communication channel. The first communication channel is between an originating switch associated with a subscriber's directory number and a distribution frame. The second communication channel is between a porting switch and the distribution frame. The method also includes validating that the cross-connect device switched between the first communication channel and the second communication channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2007Publication date: June 14, 2007Applicant: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Kieren
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Publication number: 20070121927Abstract: A digital signal line echo reduction adaptor is configured to connect adjacent to a first end of a bridgetap line. The bridgetap line has a second end connected to a carrier communication line. The digital signal line echo reduction adaptor reduces an effect of echo from the bridgetap line on a rate of data transmission over the carrier communication line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: May 31, 2007Applicant: SBC TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES INC.Inventor: Gregory OLSON
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Patent number: 7224790Abstract: A method is provided that identifies and categorizes the reason a customer contacts a customer service center, i.e. the customer's goal or problem. In addition, the method allows the customer to be categorized into a set of behavior-based groupings. This integration of goal and customer categorization establishes the foundation to optimally direct the customer's request through an appropriate center. This method can collect information regarding the customer's behavior and can use that behavioral information to determine the optimal manner for handling the customer request.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Bushey, John M. Martin, Jennifer M. Mauney
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Publication number: 20070112765Abstract: A method is disclosed for adaptably maintaining a taxonomy defined by a plurality of nodes arranged hierarchically.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2007Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Claire Vishik
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Patent number: 7215757Abstract: A disclosed method provides automated scripting to guide a customer service representative (CSR) in handling a call from a customer. Operations within the method may include displaying products and two or more purpose classifications for selection by the CSR. The purpose classifications may include (a) an add classification for customer requests to add a new product to an account and (b) a remove classification for customer requests to remove an existing product from the account. A page generator may receive input from the CSR selecting one of the purpose classifications and one of the products as pertinent to the call. In response, the page generator may automatically displaying a customized page with scripted text for the CSR to read to the customer. The scripted text may correspond specifically both to the selected purpose classification and to the selected product.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignees: SBC Services, Inc., Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Stanford E. Pennington, Jr., Melissa L. Oldenburg, Benjamin J. Schubert, Kurt M. Joseph, Mary K. Griffitt, Krisinda A. Guerrero
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Patent number: 7209549Abstract: The present embodiments provide an efficient and effective method and system for routing calls to predetermined destinations to facilitate communication in a customer's preferred language. The present embodiments allow for an indication of a customer's language preference to be stored in some fashion and also allow for that indication to be accessed when the customer places a call that may require communications in a specific language. The indication of the customer's language preference can be accessed upon receipt of the call and appropriate information can be retrieved that enables the call to be routed to a destination to facilitate communication in a customer's preferred language.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Douglas F. Reynolds, Jeffrey L. Scruggs
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Patent number: 7209761Abstract: A protocol feature communication method and system is disclosed. The method defines a bit stream identifying each feature of a protocol version. Each bit of the bit stream is set in either a first logic state indicating support of the corresponding protocol feature or a second logic state indicating an absence of a support of the corresponding protocol feature. The bit stream is stored within a mobile station. The system comprises the mobile station and base station. The mobile station is operable to transmit the bit stream to the base station and the base station is operable to determine each protocol feature supported by the mobile station by identifying each bit of the bit stream that is set in the first logic state.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2003Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Balasubramaniam Kulasekaran Thandu
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Publication number: 20070086466Abstract: A method for using broadband network resources includes providing simultaneous access to an asynchronous transfer mode switched virtual circuit for a plurality of sessions. The access for each session is provided based on an internet protocol session request being received at a service gateway for the sessions. The method also includes tearing down the asynchronous transfer mode switched virtual circuit when all of the sessions are terminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2006Publication date: April 19, 2007Applicant: SBC TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES, INC.Inventors: Keith ALLEN, Weijing CHEN, Anna SALGUERO
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Patent number: 7206398Abstract: A new service destination determination switching system is provided for a telecommunications environment in which a called party has discontinued an old service destination and obtained a new service destination. The new service destination determination switching system is used to obtain the new service destination when a calling party places a call to the old service destination. The switching system includes a hub switch that receives a rerouted call from an old service destination switch. The hub switch corresponds to a routing number prefix used to reroute calls from the old service destination switch to the hub switch. The routing number prefix causes the hub switch to initiate a trigger to a network platform that obtains the new service destination.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Laura Culli, M. Lourdes Coronado, Mark Tamasi, John E. Simino, Michael E. Kolker
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Patent number: 7206744Abstract: A wireless mobile station transmits a request to a Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P) Web site for an XML version of the site's privacy policy. If the mobile station's user preferences are set to audio, the mobile station transmits a request to the Web site for the natural language version of the privacy policy in audio format. The Web site responds with the audio version of the privacy policy.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Lalitha Suryanaraya
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Patent number: 7200415Abstract: A communications system having a pre-defined calling group with a plurality of members is disclosed. A plurality of personal communication devices (PCDs) each have a system ID and a group ID, and each member of the group is assigned one of the PCDs. The system ID and the group ID both have a predetermined characteristic, where each system ID has a first variation thereof and each group ID has a second variation. A first group member having a first PCD contacts a second member having a second PCD by entering into the first PCD the second PCD group ID. The first PCD transmits the first PCD system ID and the second PCD group ID to a communications switch. Based on the first PCD system ID, the communications switch locates a record for the first PCD in a switch database and determines therefrom that the first PCD can contact the second PCD by way of the second PCD group ID. A group database in switchable communication with the communications switch has the system ID and group ID for each group member PCD.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Karen Tirabassi, Andrew Goldberg, Greg Butz, Patrick Melampy, Mary Stanhope, Andrew Coppola
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Patent number: 7197077Abstract: A single compression engine determines a plurality of discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients based on a discrete cosine transform of a plurality of blocks of data. The single compression engine provides first and second DCT-encoded signals. The first DCT-encoded signal uses at most t coefficient bits to represent each of the DCT coefficients. The second DCT-encoded signal uses at most u coefficient bits, where u is less than t, to represent each of the DCT coefficients.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: SBC Technologies Resources, Inc.Inventors: Brad Allen Medford, Ahmad Ansari, Pierre Costa, John Robert Erickson
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Patent number: 7194082Abstract: A cross-connect switch (16) for implementing local number portability between a current local service provider originating switch (14) and a desired local service provider ported switch (18). The cross-connect switch (16) is connected in a line associated with a subscriber's directory number between the originating switch (14) and a main distribution frame (12) to establish a first active communication channel. The cross-connect switch (16) is also connected in-line between the ported switch (18) and the main distribution frame (12) to establish a second inactive communication channel. The cross-connect switch (16) is signaled to automatically deactivate the first communication channel and activate the second communication channel thereby routing communications associated with said subscriber's directory number to the ported switch (18).Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Raymond Kieren
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Patent number: 7190767Abstract: A method, apparatus and system is provided for testing a communications line. The method comprises removing a repeater from an access case connected to a telecommunications line, connecting a test adapter to the access case and a test extension apparatus to the test adapter. The method further comprises connecting a plurality of diagnostic equipment devices to the test extension apparatus and testing the communications line with the diagnostics equipment via the test extension apparatus. The apparatus comprises a spool having a plurality of terminals, and a length of wire wound on the spool. The wire includes a plurality of subpairs of wires each of the subpairs of wires having a first end electrically connectable to the communications line, and a second end electrically connected to a corresponding terminal on the spool.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Denis Joseph Kracker, Michael Wayne Snider
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Publication number: 20070047714Abstract: Subscriber profile data associated with a communications service subscribed to by a subscriber is managed by a profile management system. The subscriber profile data is stored on a communications network which executes the communications service in accordance with the subscriber profile data. A subscriber request to view the subscriber profile data is received from a client which hosts a user interface configured to allow the subscriber to view and update the subscriber profile data. The subscriber profile data is retrieved from the communications network based upon receiving the subscriber request to view the subscriber profile data from the client. The subscriber profile data is forwarded to the client. A subscriber request to update the subscriber profile data is received from the client. An update for the subscriber profile data is forwarded to the communications network based upon receiving the subscriber request to update the subscriber profile data from the client.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2006Publication date: March 1, 2007Applicant: SBC TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES, INC.Inventors: Paul BANIAK, Kristin CHAMBERS, Katherine KREIN, Christopher ROLWES, Terry VIETH, Tracy BROKAW, Mary CLARK
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Publication number: 20070008977Abstract: Narrowband signaling from a transfer node for a call originating at an end office is received at a centralized control and signaling interworking function device in an asynchronous transfer mode switching network. The received narrowband signaling is converted to broadband signaling. The broadband signaling is provided to a plurality of trunk interworking function devices via the asynchronous transfer mode switching network, to establish a connection across the asynchronous transfer mode switching network, when the centralized control and signaling interworking function device and the plurality of trunk interworking function devices are determined to be members of a closed user group.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2006Publication date: January 11, 2007Applicant: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Haifeng BI, Matthew STAFFORD, Tina SIGARTO
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Patent number: 7162494Abstract: A data processing method and network for collecting, storing, and providing user profile data. The network comprises a number of persona agents, interconnected to a hub. The persona agents and the hub are stored within the data communications network. Each persona agent is associated with a user of the data communications network, and is operable to collect observational data from an application being executed by the user, as well to receive queries for profile data from the application and to respond to the queries with context-based profile data.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Javier B. Arellano