Patents Assigned to U S West, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7324631
    Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignees: MediaOne Group, Inc., U S West, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Beveridge
  • Patent number: 7289485
    Abstract: A system that provides real-time communications over a data network, such as the worldwide web, between a system user who has accessed a Party's web page and a service agent employed by the Party. Functionality is provided via executable software associated with the web page such that when an icon on the web page is selected, a mode of communication is established. This mode may be IP telephony over the world wide web. In addition to the establishment of real-time audio communications, functionality is provided which translates the web page(s) which the system user is viewing or viewed already into HTML language which is transmitted as an E-mail and stored in a database until the phone call is assigned to a service agent. Included with the E-mail is identification information for the system user. Once a telephone call is assigned to a service agent, the E-mail memory is searched and the particular E-mail relating to the system user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: U.S. West, Inc
    Inventor: Thiru Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20070043618
    Abstract: A method for managing information and rendering discounts in a billing system utilizes a rule-based engine. Customer records are processed with a rule-based accumulation engine to accumulate the data in a plurality of predetermined target accumulators. A plurality of target accumulators are processed with a rule-based discount engine to render discounts applicable to the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: U.S. West, Inc.
    Inventors: Chase Hafner, William Mutschler, Brian Walker, David Joyce
  • Publication number: 20060113843
    Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicants: MediaOne Group, Inc., U S WEST, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Beveridge
  • Patent number: 7010803
    Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignees: MediaOne Group, Inc., U S West, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Beveridge
  • Patent number: 6862349
    Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignees: MediaOne Group, Inc., U S West, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Joseph Beveridge
  • Publication number: 20050034168
    Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Applicants: MediaOne Group, Inc., U S WEST, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Beveridge
  • Publication number: 20040233860
    Abstract: Data signals from a telecommunication network are routed to a gateway which generates analog signal distributed to receivers within a customer premises. A network interface device receives digital signals from the telecommunication network. A first diplexer has a digital signal port connected to the network interface device. The first diplexer combined signal port is connected with the combined signal port of a second diplexer. The gateway receives digital signals from the second diplexer digital signal port and provides analog signals to the second diplexer analog signal port. Analog signals are then available to receivers at both the first diplexer analog signal port and the second diplexer analog signal port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: U S West, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt A. Campbell, Bruce A. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6430273
    Abstract: A system for providing a bi-directional digital subscriber line connection to a network includes a digital subscriber line access multiplexer with a pool of digital subscriber line modems, and switching logic connecting customer premises to the modem pool. The switching logic has more inputs than outputs, and is configured to share access to the modem pool among the inputs on a per-session basis. A session has a dedicated modem connection to the network to provide a limited number of simultaneous dedicated digital subscriber line bi-directional connections to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: U.S. West, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Shaheen
  • Patent number: 6393105
    Abstract: An apparatus. and method of powering a cable telephony service platform (CTSP) in a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network are provided which utilizes a combination of power from a local AC driven power source having a back-up battery for powering the CTSP within a network interface unit (NIU) during interruptions in normal AC power, and a network generated charging current which maintains the battery at full float voltage charge irrespective of the duration of any such interruptions in AC power delivery. Thus, the present invention minimizes power required to be delivered by the network while still ensuring support of reliable lifeline telephony service for cable telephony on an HFC network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignees: MediaOne Group, Inc., U S West, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Beveridge
  • Patent number: 6385207
    Abstract: A method for managing MAC messages is provided which supports dynamic resource reservation for upstream data traffic in a broadband cable system. Three specialized MAC management messages of Dynamic Session Addition, Dynamic Session Deletion, and Dynamic Session Acknowledgment are used to control setting of a filter spec parameter in a cable modem. The present invention provides upstream bandwidth resource reservation which allows packet scheduling to occur at a CMTS, and packet classification to occur at a cable modem. Such an arrangement allows the RSVP protocol to be adapted for use at the OSI protocol layer of a typical cable modem, thereby improving efficiency of network bandwidth/resource allocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignees: MediaOne Group, Inc., U S West, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Woundy
  • Patent number: 6301568
    Abstract: An integrated service management architecture supporting configuration and accounting management functions for multiple services includes a database for storing configuration and accounting data. At least one service application independent from the database has the ability to use, act upon, change, and update the data stored in the database for facilitating service delivery and control of service provided by at least one service application. A predefined application program interface is utilized having a set of communication rules and protocols permitting two-way exchange of information between the database and at least one service application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignees: Mediaone Group, Inc., U S West, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Globuschutz
  • Patent number: 6238290
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering a software program over a cable network includes a head-end server operative to compress a plurality of software programs and transmit the compressed software programs over the cable network at a plurality of corresponding predetermined scheduled times. A primary processor in communication with the cable network receives a selected one of the plurality of software programs at the corresponding predetermined scheduled time, decompresses the program and stores it. A secondary processor in communication with the primary processor includes navigational software and drivers to enable the primary processor to select and receive the software program from the cable network without upstream communication to the head-end server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignees: Mediaone Group, Inc., U S West, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Tarr, J. Clarke Stevens, Jeffrey C. Lutz
  • Patent number: 6216000
    Abstract: A system and method for registering a wireless telephone which is normally operative in its corresponding wireless telephone network to a selected wireline of the Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) wherein upstream signaling takes place out-of-band. A base station in electrical communication with one or more selected PSTN wirelines detects when the wireless telephone comes within its registration range. A Set-Top Terminal (STT) in electrical communication with the base station and the broadband network provides the interface to send upstream signaling to the PSTN and the corresponding wireless telephone network through the broadband network. The STT coordinates the delivery of upstream signaling, sets up the physical connections between the PSTN and the STT for billing and other purposes and coordinates the delivery of the upstream signaling to other service providers, where applicable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: U S West, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Blumhardt
  • Patent number: 6119113
    Abstract: A method and system for efficiently searching a master database includes a memory device for storing a subset of the master database in an auxiliary data-base. A computer program receives an input signal corresponding to the search and processes the input signal with the auxiliary database to determine the presence or absence of qualifying search targets. Thus, target information is determined prior to actually accessing the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignees: U S West, Inc., MediaOne Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward A. Youngs
  • Patent number: 6115035
    Abstract: A digital audio/video archive and distribution system (10) and method utilize a signal capture and compression encoding subsystem (12) to translate an analog signal from at least one media source (14) into at least one digital signal segment. The digital signal segment is automatically correlated with identifying information (18) input via an Internet connection, and both are stored in a searchable database subsystem (24). Upon a user request (28) received via an Internet connection, or programming prompt, a graphical user interface (GUI), such as a web-based user interface, is created to distribute one or more of the stored digital signal segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignees: MediaOne Group, Inc., U S West, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Compton, Gene Walter, James McElhiney
  • Patent number: 6104797
    Abstract: A partitioned communication system includes a shared switch network system in communication with an Intelligent Network Processor (INP). A terminating Intelligent Communication Device (ICD) located outside the management and control of the network defines a boundary therebetween and permits multiple inter-dependant parts of the communication service to be distributed to increase functionality without modifying an existing network switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignees: U S West, Inc., MediaOne Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jafar S. Nabkel, Donald E. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 6104789
    Abstract: A method and system for transmitting a text message from a caller to a subscriber at an unknown address based on a known address or number associated with the subscriber includes a server application having a database. The database contains addresses and phone numbers associated with the subscriber. The caller transmits a first signal to obtain access to the database, and then transmits a second signal representative of one of the known address and number upon accessing the database. The caller then receives either a text-based address or number, or both, associated with the subscriber in response to the second signal. A text-based address or number is an address or phone number capable of receiving text messages, such as an e-mail address or fax number. The caller then transmits a text message to one of the text-based address and number for receipt by the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignees: U S West, Inc., MediaOne Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold M. Lund
  • Patent number: 6104800
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for providing a first party, engaged in a data call, i.e. a data transmission or communication between machines, call waiting notification without interrupting the data call the first party is engaged in. One embodiment of the present invention includes a central office adjunct which detects a third party call to a first party already engaged in a data call, generates a call waiting data portion compatible with the data call, when said third party call is detected, and merges the call waiting data portion with the data call. One aspect of the present invention includes the first party's computer, loaded with appropriate software, detecting the call waiting data portion and using the computer's output devices to notify the first party of the presence of the third party call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignees: MediaOne Group, Inc., U S West, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey J. Benson
  • Patent number: D430875
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: U S West, Inc.
    Inventor: Troy C. Beecroft