Patents Examined by Allan Hoosain
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Patent number: 6937699Abstract: A system and method for providing advertising and advertising services using a telephone system. A data network telephony system includes a commercial message server that communicates with a telephony connection server to communicate commercial messages to display devices on data network telephones. A caller uses the data network telephone to make a telephone call to a callee. The commercial message server receives information about the connection and retrieves commercial messages, or advertisements to communicate to either the caller, the callee or both.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1999Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: 3Com CorporationInventors: Guido M. Schuster, Ikhlaq S. Sidhu, Jerry J. Mahler, Frederick D. Dean, Jacek A. Grabiec
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Patent number: 6937703Abstract: The present invention relates to a telephone system, an exchange and a method for setting up telephone connections between a computer, which is an extension of the exchange, and the exchange via a computer network. The exchange comprises a switch core, a switch control means for setting up connections and a network connection device connected between the switch core and the computer network. The computer comprises a function for use as a telephone and has a computer network address. The network connection device registers the computer as a telephone to which calls can be made in the switch control means, sets up at least one traffic channel via the computer network for sending speech signals, and, receives data packets containing telephony from the computer over the traffic channel and removes a signal structure suitable for telephony from the data packets. The switch control means allocates a telephone number to the computer.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1997Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM EricssonInventor: Per Tomas Andreason
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Patent number: 6928155Abstract: A method for incorporating functions of an automatic call distribution system into an interactive voice answering system wherein the interactive voice response system coupled to an automatic call distribution system is influenced by communication terminal equipment such that a request for reserving an available agent to the automatic call distribution system is communicated. Given the reservation of a requested agent, the allocated communication system is influenced such that the communication terminal equipment is transferred to the reserved agent communication terminal equipment.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1997Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Reinhard Knitl, Alois Ranzinger, Alexander Schliwa
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Patent number: 6928307Abstract: A cellular phone includes (a) at least two annunciators each of which informs a user of at least one of receipt of an e-mail and content of a received e-mail, (b) an e-mail analyzer which detects an address of a transmitter of the received e-mail and characteristics of the received e-mail, and transmits a first detection signal in accordance with the detection, (c) a first detector which detects whether the cellular phone is folded, and transmits a second detection signal in accordance with the detection, (d) a second detector which detects whether the cellular phone is connected to an adapter in a vehicle, and transmits a third detection signal in accordance with the detection, and (e) a controller which selects one of the two annunciators in accordance with the first to third detection signals, and operates the thus selected annunciator.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Michihito Ohtsuki
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Patent number: 6925312Abstract: A first radio base station (281) and a second radio base station (282) are co-located at a base station site (20) and share the base station site's common antenna (22). The common (shared) antenna is connected through an amplifier (321) of the first radio base station (which serves as a master amplifier) and an antenna sharing unit 50 to remaining components (341) of the first radio base station, and also through the master amplifier and the antenna sharing unit to an amplifier (322) and remaining components (342) of the second radio base station. The antenna sharing unit (50), also known as the “coupler”, includes a tower mounted amplifier simulator (64).Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)Inventor: Ulf Skarby
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Patent number: 6925167Abstract: An information handling system comprises a TCP/IP network connecting a hub to a multimedia server and the hub to a data server, and the hub to an IP telephony device that is then coupled to a network device. Data sent from the network device is addressed for transmission to the data server and is transmitted through the IP telephony device to the TCP/IP network. The present invention allows a user, such as a supervisor, to monitor the audio conversations of users on the system and current display information of another station. This can be done between remote systems so that the monitoring individual does not have to be in the same system as the user who is being monitored.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Estech Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric G. Suder, Harold E. A. Hansen, II
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Patent number: 6920316Abstract: A regulation circuit, incorporated in a single integrated circuit with a first circuit load, which as an input coupled to a power supply which produces a source voltage, and a first output coupled to the first circuit load. The regulation circuit comprises an input capacitor for reducing the magnitude of a voltage change at the first output, and at least a first voltage regulator for producing a predetermined voltage at the first load.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence Edwin Connell, Neal W. Hollenbeck, Michael Lee Bushman, Daniel Patrick McCarthy
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Patent number: 6917678Abstract: Telephone users desiring directory assistance services are connected via standard telephone procedures to a directory assistance provider, such as an operator. An operator provides the destination number and initiates a connection to that number. Once that connection is initiated, the connection is monitored for the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as a busy signal. If no such condition is detected, the caller proceeds with the call in the normal manner. If, however, such a condition is detected, the caller is automatically transferred to a directory assistance provider for further help.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.Inventors: Patrick M. Cox, A. Peter Powell, Paul W. Filliger, Michael A. Kepler, Christopher A. Huey
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Patent number: 6912275Abstract: A coupler includes an analog port for interfacing with a telephone answering system a network port that is adapted for connection to an insecure network. The security problem associated with eavesdropping over insecure network is overcome by encrypting the messages that exit through the coupler's network port. In one embodiment, the coupler and the telephone answering system are distinct hardware elements and the coupler is connected to the TAD. In another embodiment, a single processor and associated memory perform the functions of the coupler's controller and of the telephone answering system, thus forming a single device that has an analog port for connecting to the public switched telephone network, as well as a port for connection to the insecure network. In yet another embodiment, the coupler/TAD combination includes a control port to allow connection to the control port of an ISDN telephone.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: AT&T CorpInventor: Alan Edward Kaplan
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Patent number: 6912272Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing communication, such as telephone calls. One or more of a plurality of predetermined values are assigned to each of one or more of a plurality of predetermined characteristics relating to a received communication. A destination is selected based on the assigned values and the communication is routed to the selected destination. Scripts can be generated to route the communication to a specified device of the destination.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2001Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Talkflow Systems, LLCInventors: Julian P. Kirk, Randal J. Kirk
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Patent number: 6885734Abstract: The interactive delivery of voice serve messages communicating financial, personal or other news telecasts can be accessed at a subscriber's convenience on an inbound telephone, network enabled or other call. A voice service bureau may generate voice messages for individual subscribers according to their natural language queries. For instance, a subscriber may inquire “What was the closing Dow today” and the system converts the request to digital form, discriminates search terms, interrogates a database and annunciates to the call “The closing Dow was 11,000 today”. Responses to those or other inquiries may be delivered in real time or substantially real time.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2000Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: MicroStrategy, IncorporatedInventors: Hannes Eberle, Christopher S. Leon, Bodo Maass, Anurag Patnaik, Alberto Santa Ana, Michael Zirngibl
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Patent number: 6879823Abstract: A mobile station, base station and method for data transmission in a mobile radio system, wherein for the purpose of observing GSM base stations, interruption phases are inserted in a UMTS transmission. To reduce the number of these interruption phases, the maximum effective duration of the interruption phases is chosen to be shorter than is needed under optimum transmission conditions for secure detection of a data packet which is to be detected and is sent from a GSM base station. A shrewd choice of parameters provides a better ratio of effort (effective duration of the interruption phase) to result (detection probability).Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Bernhard Raaf
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Patent number: 6879666Abstract: A method of automatically sharing and transferring information between a Work at Work (WAW) ISDN telephone and a Work at Home (WAH) ISDN telephone. This information includes, calling line identifier delivery from the WAW telephone to the WAH telephone, facilitating subsequent transferring of the call to the WAH telephone if desired. Message waiting status is also shared, facilitating the coordination of message waiting lamps at both the WAW and WAH telephone. Information from one telephone to the other is carried transparently through the ISDN network as user-to-user information, calling party subaddress, D channel X.25 packet message, lower layer compatibility or a combination of these elements. The telephones automatically establish ISDN calls between themselves and swap information pertaining to the status of the companion telephones.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.Inventors: Edward Michael Hickey, Robert John Laitman
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Patent number: 6879665Abstract: A method and apparatus in a computer for processing voice messages. A voice message is recorded. Responsive to recording of the voice message, an identifying string is automatically inserted into a text message identifying a presence of a voice message. Responsive to recording the voice message, the voice message is automatically appended to a text message to form an appended voice message. The text message is sent with the appended voice message. When a message is received, the text in the received message is parsed to see if an identifying string is present indicating that the received message is a voice message. Responsive to a determination that the received message is a voice message, a graphical user interface including controls for presenting the voice message is displayed.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1999Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John Andrew Cook, Jianming Dong, John Martin Mullaly, Craig Ardner Swearingen, Alan Richard Tannenbaum
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Patent number: 6868140Abstract: In a communications network, a method and apparatus are disclosed for using a graphical user interface for telephony call control. A method is also disclosed for sending a datagram from a called party to a calling party. Call control of a call is diverted to a voice-mail system. The IP address of the caller is determined. The IP address of the caller is determined by either a search on a look-up table or from a voice over Internet call set up message. Call control information, or a datagram is sent to the caller. In the case of call control information, the caller inputs call control commands which are received by the voice mail system. The invention provides an easier method and apparatus to navigate voice-mail menus and reduces the problem of “voice-mail jail”.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1998Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: John C. Myers, Brian Cruickshank
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Patent number: 6868143Abstract: Systems and methods for providing advanced unified messaging are described. The subscriber specifies preferences based on message type, access device type, the subscriber's schedule, and other information. A message server utilizes this information to extract keywords and develop abstracts of particular messages. Subsequently, when the subscriber requests access to a message, the message server has the capability of tailoring delivery of messages to the subscriber on a specific access device.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual PropertyInventors: Jai Menon, Marlon Osbourne, Hitesh Shah, Donna K. Hodges
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Patent number: 6868144Abstract: A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server a proxy interface and a message protocol convertor. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol convertor to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignees: SBC Properties, L.P., Northern Telecom LimitedInventors: Julia Skladman, Robert J. Thornberry, Jr., Bruce A. Chatterley, Alexander Siu-Kay Ng, Bruce L. Peterson
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Patent number: 6865258Abstract: A method and system for performing enhanced transcription is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a transcription application may automatically transcribe information provided in a message. For instance, the application may automatically convert audio (e.g., voice) data, and/or other data types provided within a message to textual form. Additionally, the transcription application may automatically populate data entry fields with corresponding data from a message. Moreover, the transcription application may indicate a level of confidence for the data automatically transcribed. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the transcription application may monitor the transcriber's activity and automatically adjust the presentation of data to be transcribed according to such activity. For example, the transcription application may monitor the transcriber's focus, e.g., by determining the location of the cursor, and the application may automatically adjust the presentation of data to correspond with such focus.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Intervoice Limited PartnershipInventor: Michael J. Polcyn
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Patent number: 6859525Abstract: A novel device to facilitate digital network, such as the internet, telephony by connecting a standard telephone handset to a computer sound card so as to allow voice communication using an integrated microphone and speaker is provided in which a specialized cable having a four-wire handset or equivalent telephone jack at one end and a pair of jacks adapted to engage the input and output ports of a computer soundcard at a second end connects a standard telephone handset to a computer soundcard or, in a second embodiment, in which a telephone handset is provided with a cable having a pair of jacks adapted to engage the input and output ports of a computer soundcard.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1996Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Riparius Ventures, LLCInventor: David McElvaney
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Patent number: 6850603Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for creation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic and interactive voice services, including information derived from on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems and other data repositories. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method that enable personalized delivery of information in real-time, via natural language voice communication with a voice-enabled terminal device. The system and method combines personalized information broadcast technology with an active voice page. An active voice page is created by the system, stored in a call database and used to generate dynamic voice menus. A call server retrieves the AVP from the call database and delivers the content of the service by dialing a subscriber's telephone number, speaking message text to the subscriber and recording the subscriber's input in response to the call menus. A unique AVP is generated for each subscriber scheduled to receive voice service content.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1999Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: MicroStrategy, IncorporatedInventors: Hannes Eberle, Christopher S. Leon, Bodo Maass, Anurag Patnaik, Alberto Santa Ana, Michael Zirngibl, Benjamin Reyes, Wolf Mosle