Patents Assigned to Technology Resources, Inc.
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Patent number: 7050560Abstract: A method of providing a caller with a directory assistance dialog. The dialog is configurable, at any level of the dialog, from an automated speech recognition (ASR) dialog to an operator-assisted (OP) dialog. The dialog is handed off to an operator if any level of the speech recognition dialog fails. Also, a configuration switch may be set to cause the dialog to be handed off to an operator even if a response at some level of the ASR dialog is successfully recognized.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: John M. Martin, Robert R. Bushey, Hisao M. Chang
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Patent number: 7050423Abstract: Method and apparatus for a distributed switching system supporting a plurality of services. A service request is initiated by an initiating customer. The service request is then executed using, for example, a user-to-network interface setup. A terminating setup is then performed to either accept or reject the requested service. Multiple service requests are correlated with respective services to enable at least one appropriate policy and logic.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Marco Schneider, Philip Cunetto
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Patent number: 7046787Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring service between local exchange carriers. The method includes connecting a second local exchange carrier switch to a first local exchange carrier distribution frame while a first local exchange carrier switch is connected to the first local exchange carrier distribution frame. The method also includes initiating a disconnection of the first local exchange carrier switch from the first local exchange carrier distribution frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: SBC Technologies Resources, Inc.Inventor: Royce D. King
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Patent number: 7043243Abstract: 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: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Kobylinski, Milap V. Majmundar
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Publication number: 20060067488Abstract: A method for providing spectral containment over telecommunications service lines is provided. The method includes selecting a filter having spectral characteristics corresponding to a predetermined passband. The method also includes connecting the filter in series to at least one loop used to provide at least one telecommunications service to a customer. The method further includes activating service over the at least one loop. The filter attenuates signals transmitted on frequencies outside of the predetermined passband over the at least one loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Applicant: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Mark Russell, Stephen Weinert
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Patent number: 7020275Abstract: A filter passing only desired frequencies is selected according to a desired level of service for copper lines. At a point of access between a loop plant and Central Office, the filter is interposed in series over a telephone service line to provide spectral containment by restricting the frequencies of transmission passing along the line. The filter is preferably mounted within a 5-pin module used in a protector block at the Central Office or remote terminal facility, interfaces with a 5-pin module, or is placed upstream or downstream of a protector block such that it does not interfere with the operation thereof. Service is activated, and the spectral containment apparatus prevents the transmission of unexpected or unintended services over the line.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Russell, Stephen Weinert
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Patent number: 7016842Abstract: A method and system for evaluating telephone services provided by speech recognition interfaces an evaluation engine with a voice recognition service over a telephone system to submit speech utterance samples to the voice recognition service, receive the response of the voice recognition service to the sample utterances, and determine error and recognition of the sample utterances by the voice recognition service by comparing actual voice recognition service responses to expected responses. The evaluation engine permits evaluation of a voice recognition service for plural glossaries in different contexts, such as through predetermined nodes of a voice recognition service menu having plural glossaries.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Scott H. Mills
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Patent number: 7010169Abstract: A scene of an image sequence is compressed using a number of foveation zones, each foveation zone being weighted based on a probability of a viewer looking at a corresponding portion of the first scene. Another scene of the image sequence is compressed using a different number of foveation zones, each foveation zone being weighted based on a probability of a viewer looking at a corresponding portion of the second scene.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Philip Ted Kortum, Marc Andrew Sullivan
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Publication number: 20060013374Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium are provided for defining a service area served by a service location of a telecommunications network customer. The method includes ascertaining a geographic designator of a geographic area. The geographic area includes a plurality of geographic sub-areas that each correspond to a geographic sub-designator. The method also includes determining whether any two of the plurality of geographic sub-areas are not served by the same service location. When any two of the plurality of geographic sub-areas are not served by the same service location, the service area is defined by only the sub-designators corresponding to the geographic sub-areas served by the service location. When each of the plurality of geographic sub-areas are served by the same service location, the service area is defined by the geographic designator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2005Publication date: January 19, 2006Applicant: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Harold Fleischer, Gwen Gaffney, Susan Eiffert, James Merlotti, Michael Boeckman, Brenda Thompson
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Patent number: 6985587Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a method and system for calling line authenticated key distribution. In one preferred embodiment, an authentication key is provided to a calling party if the calling party is phoning from a calling line associated with an authorized user. This preferred embodiment provides a more secure authentication key distribution method as compared to the prior art since preventing an unauthorized user from gaining access to an authorized user's calling line is more feasible and reliable than attempting to prevent an unauthorized user from obtaining an authorized user's password. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Lee Adams
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Patent number: 6985568Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a control point and a switching point for discounting a customer's billing for telephone calls completed in a wide area centrex/PBX network that includes an abbreviated dialing plan. The control point receives, from the switching point, a query that is generated based upon receiving a telephone call. The control point determines a call type code that is based upon a calling station type and a called station type. When the call type code is eligible for discounted billing, the control point generates a billing record of a first type for the call. The billing record of the first type is used to discount the billing for the call. The control point forwards, to the switching point, the billing record of the first type for the call. The switching point generates a billing record of a second type for the call and, when the call type code is eligible for discounted billing, the billing record of the first type is used to modify the billing record of the second type.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Harold C. Fleischer, III, Louis Michael Morales, John E. Simino, Kenneth Robert Stroud
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Patent number: 6981062Abstract: Wireless access protocol-capable wireless devices are able to synchronize displayed Web content. A first WAP device requests a synchronized session through the sync Proxy of the network. The sync Proxy, through a WAP Push Proxy, sets up the synchronized session. One or both wireless devices may then request content from a Web site. This content is transmitted from the Web site to the first device, and through a WAP proxy to the second device.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2001Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Lalitha Suryanarayana
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Patent number: 6981228Abstract: A computer-based monitoring system provides interactive topology information about a synchronized optical network (SONET). The monitoring system utilizes a trunks integrated record keeping system (TIRKS) connected to the SONET for collecting status data in a raw format. A computer system retrieves the raw format status data from TIRKS and provides the data in a simple graphical user interface to a user. The interface includes several menus from which the user may specify specific components of the SONET, and a graphical output for providing a graphical representation of the SONET. The graphical output illustrates each node and link and interactively provides more detailed information about any user selected link or node.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Chuxin Chen, Ralph Gnauck, George T. Noll
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Patent number: 6980987Abstract: The invention includes a system for data file archival management including: a robotic data storage system having multiple non-volatile storage media, input and output means for reading and writing to the storage media, adapted and configured for storing data files, and having a command-line software code portion adapted and configured to provide a command-line user interface to control the robotic tape data storage system; a server; a business logic software code portion resident in memory on the server, configured and adapted for adding and searching metadata about the data files, where the metadata is organized as a relational database; a plurality of personal computers or workstation clients connected to the server computer over a network; a GUI software code portion resident in the memory of the personal computers, workstations, or of a server in communication with the personal computers or workstations, configured and adapted for providing a graphical user interface to at least a portion of the businessType: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Alto Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: William W. Kaminer
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Patent number: 6980636Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium are provided for defining a service area served by a service location of a telecommunications network customer. The method includes ascertaining a geographic designator of a geographic area. The geographic area includes a plurality of geographic sub-areas that each correspond to a geographic sub-designator. The method also includes determining whether any two of the plurality of geographic sub-areas are not served by the same service location. When any two of the plurality of geographic sub-areas are not served by the same service location, the service area is defined by only the sub-designators corresponding to the geographic sub-areas served by the service location. When each of the plurality of geographic sub-areas are served by the same service location, the service area is defined by the geographic designator.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Harold C. Fleischer, III, Gwen H. Gaffney, Susan D. Eiffert, James C. Merlotti, Michael W. Boeckman, Brenda S. Thompson
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Patent number: 6973170Abstract: A high-speed data transmission network system (8) is provided. The system (8) includes a plurality of subscriber premises (12) that transmit a first upstream signal (28) on a first frequency band to a central office or a remote terminal (10), which is in communication with the plurality of subscriber premises (12). The central office or the remote terminal (10) broadcasts a downstream signal (30) to each of the plurality of subscriber premises (12) on a second frequency band, which is higher in frequency than said first frequency band. The downstream signal (30) contains one or more subscriber group signals and a plurality of subscriber specific signals. A controller (44) provides each of the subscriber premises (12) access to one or more of the one or more subscriber group signals and to a corresponding subscriber specific signal of the plurality of subscriber specific signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. J. Starr
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Patent number: 6970512Abstract: A method comprises determining a plurality of time intervals Tp and Tn within a variable bit rate (VBR) representation of an image sequence. The time intervals Tp are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is greater than a baseline value. The time intervals Tn are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is less than the baseline value. A second representation of the image sequence is created in which some blocks of information Bp are removed from the time intervals Tp and interlaced with blocks of information Bn in the time intervals Tn to reduce a variation in a number of blocks of information per unit time between the time intervals Tp and Tn.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2001Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Pierre Costa, Ahmad Ansari, John Robert Erickson
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Patent number: 6970698Abstract: A central host performs an automated method of updating multiple remote devices. In one embodiment, the host recognizes a predetermined download time and, in advance of the download time, transmits a calendar update to multiple remote devices. The calendar update includes the download time, and the remote devices may utilize the download time to set calendar reminders for entering an active state. Within a short time after reaching the download time, the host pushes download data to the remote devices by broadcasting the download data. In one aspect, the host may receive message acknowledgements from remote devices in response to a first calendar update, and the host may automatically transmit additional calendar updates to any remote devices that did not receive the first calendar update. Additional embodiments involve related methods and the terminal devices that receive the updates.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Milap V. Majmundar, David R. Wolter
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Patent number: 6957058Abstract: A service control point transmits a recharge request message or advice of charge to a mobile client resident in a wireless communications device. The message is first received by a wireless telephony application server that then forwards the message to a wireless access protocol gateway. The wireless access protocol gateway then sends the request to the mobile client. The user of the mobile client responds with an affirmative or negative answer to the request to recharge the prepaid telephone airtime account. The service control point then either recharges the account as instructed or lets the account expire, depending on the response from the user.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2002Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.Inventors: Jim H. Chan, Lalitha Suryanarayana, Richard Carl Schmidt
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Publication number: 20050190907Abstract: Outgoing call log data associated with a call from a subscriber's terminal is provided by a system including a switch, which receives the call from the subscriber's terminal and launches a query in response to the call, and a service controller, which receives the query and forwards call data to an interface server in response to the query. The switch continues to process the telephone call after querying the service controller. The interface server obtains additional information from a directory database based on at least the received call data. An outgoing call log database receives and stores the call data and the additional information from the interface server as the outgoing call log data. A web server retrieves the outgoing call log data from the outgoing call log database, in response to a query from a web client, and displays the outgoing call log data at the web client.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Applicants: SBC Technology Resources, Inc., SBC Services, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Brandt, Bojana Mamuzic, James Miller, Stephen Mueller