Patents Examined by Binh K. Tieu
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Patent number: 7924991Abstract: A system for reporting telecommunications system usage data related to a telecommunications service. The system includes a network controller that captures telecommunications service billing data and reporting data, and populates a base module with the billing data and a local use module with the reporting data. The system also includes a storage system that stores the base module and the appended local use module, and a reporting system that generates billing reports from the base module and various user-selectable reports from the appended local use module.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Nancy Ann Book, Brian Smith, Susanne Marie Crockett, Denis F. Nolan
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Patent number: 7920876Abstract: A method (38) and system (56) evaluate the accuracy of an Automatic Location Identification (ALI) system (36) deployed within an environment (20) and configured to location a wireless communication device (24) originating an emergency call (22) through a wireless communication network (26). The method (38) includes a subprocesses that identify a validation region (144) in which a service area (106) of a public service answering point (PSAP) (32) and an RF coverage area (129) overlap, classify sub-regions within the validation region (144) according to a predetermined set of test scenarios (148) representing unique calling environments, and select test points (200) within the validation region (144) from which test calls, that simulate emergency calls, will be performed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignees: Verizon Corporate Services Group Inc., Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.Inventor: Iftekhar Rahman
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Patent number: 7916844Abstract: To facilitate real-time pricing, an embodiment of the invention retrieves multiple quotes from multiple databases associated with multiple service providers. Information regarding a customer's location, and the locations of multiple service providers are used to determine the cost of services associated with each of the multiple service providers in real-time. The retrieved quotes are compared, and quotes below a pre-determined price threshold are provided to a user in real-time (e.g., via the Internet). The user can select a desired quote from the quotes provided, and purchase or request more information regarding the desired quote online.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Telarus, Inc.Inventors: Patrick K. Oborn, Aaron J. Lieberman
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Patent number: 7912183Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, user devices and computer program products for providing network status information. Methods include receiving alarm data for an event from a plurality of sources. The alarm data includes a plurality of alarm records each including a site identifier. The alarm data is processed to create report data. The processing includes assigning an attribute of failed to each of the site identifiers that are specified in more than a threshold number of the alarm records. The report data comprises at least digital loop carrier information. The report data is transmitted to a mechanized loop test (MLT) testing system capable of generating MLT test results. The MLT test results are used to adjust the digital loop carrier information included in the report data, wherein the digital loop carrier information specifies a quantity of digital carrier loop lines that are out of service.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Aaron Harrell, Jackie Walker, Jr., John Jopp, Roy Allen, Kirk Brown, Joel Wilson, Barron Cain, Thomas Prange
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Patent number: 7912194Abstract: A system and method for providing caller ID in a multi-region cable network. Caller identifying (CID) information of an incoming VoIP call is provided to a digital telephone subscriber through a video termination device (VTD) using a path that is different from the path by which the VoIP call packets are delivered to the digital telephone subscriber. The telephone number of a digital telephone subscriber is associated with the IP address and/or MAC address of the subscriber's VTD. The called number of the incoming VoIP call is used to select the VTD to which the CID information is delivered. A message is then sent through an out-of-band channel to the digital telephone subscriber's VTD comprising the CID information for display on video display equipment. Alternatively, the VTD is DOCSIS-compliant and a message is addressed to the VTD using the IP address of the VTD DOCSIS modem.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Time Warner Cable, Inc.Inventors: Tom Gonder, Scott Ramsdell, Howard Pfeffer, Matthew Cannon, James Balasalle, Albert Straub
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Patent number: 7899180Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing communications of a contact center are provided. A representative system incorporates a first computer application operative to reconstruct progress of a communication through the contact center such that information corresponding to the progress of the communication is presented to a user.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Verint Systems Inc.Inventor: Christopher Douglas Blair
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Patent number: 7894583Abstract: This invention provides a method for automatically integrating and assembling the timestamp of a communication event with the identification of the communicating parties and available event attributes, presenting prompts for user entries on a terminal or interface device, storing user annotated information related to said communication event, and transmitting saved information of said communication events to another terminal device or information system. The invention also relates to a computer program, a device, and a system encapsulating computer programs realizing the method.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Elmobile Inc.Inventor: Huoy-Yu Liou
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Patent number: 7881454Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of handling calls received from customers. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a call from a customer who called a promotional telephone number. The phone call is connected to an IVR system. The IVR system maintains a set of rules for handling calls. The method further includes creating a call detail record, which includes a unique identifier, a source telephone number, and the promotional telephone number. A customized greeting is then played to the customer based on the promotional telephone number the customer dialed. Based on the rules for handling calls, the call is redirected from the IVR system to an agent along with transmitting and displaying the call detail record to the agent.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Teletech Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Intae Myong, Bruce Sharpe, Henry Truong, James Radzicki
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Patent number: 7876886Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method. The method includes assigning a unique telephone number to an advertiser; providing an advertisement on a media channel on behalf of the advertiser, the advertisement including one of the unique telephone number and a reference to the unique telephone number; monitoring telephone calls to the unique telephone number; and billing the advertiser for telephone calls to the unique telephone number in accordance with a predefined model.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: UTBK, Inc.Inventors: Ebbe Altberg, Marc Barach, Scott Faber, Michael Fordyce, Chris Hickson, Ron Hirson, John Somorjai, Sean Van Der Linden
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Patent number: 7873538Abstract: A process of creating incentives for wireless hotspots by a service provider is disclosed. An access point is provided to a wireless hotspot for wireless devices to wirelessly connect to a larger network in a publicly accessible location. Use of the access point for a portable device is authenticated by requesting submission of an account identifier to the service provider and billing data for a user of the portable device for use of the access point is generated. Use statistics are evaluated of the access point of the wireless hotspot by portables devices and an inducement is provided to the publicly accessible location based on the evaluated use statistics.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Nambi Seshadri
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Patent number: 7873150Abstract: A communications device such as a mobile telephone (1) responds to the input of a dialed number for a call destination (2) by generating and outputting a request message transmitted to a control centre (7) via a telecommunications system (3). The device receives a response message from the control centre containing routing data and credit data representing remaining credit within an account limit of the subscriber. An outgoing communications session is then initiated using the routing data which may for example enable a dialed telephone number to be modified to achieve optimum routing to the call destination via one or more preferred networks. The device also includes a credit control application (83) for limiting the duration of the communication in accordance with the credit data. Mobile telephones may thereby be used with a prepayment subscription account even during roaming operation in which the mobile telephone registers with a network other than the subscriber's home network.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Interoute Communications LtdInventor: Leon De Beer
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Patent number: 7864933Abstract: A prepaid card management method and system which can comprehensively manage an issuance of personal identification numbers (PINs) of various affiliated prepaid card companies and even when each generation system of each PIN is different for each affiliated prepaid card company, can adaptably issue the PIN. A prepaid card management method and system according to the present invention can adaptably issue PINs of prepaid cards of various affiliated prepaid card companies by including an operation system to comprehensively manage a plurality of PIN issue systems.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Galaxia Communications Inc.Inventor: Chang Wan Ryoo
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Patent number: 7860222Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide availability of information on a network wide basis, with the network or information technology (IT) fabric spanning a wide range of institutions and other sources of information, including correctional facilities, without regard to which jurisdiction the source of information belongs, e.g. police, courts, federal investigation agencies, public databases etcetera. Embodiments provide an electronic based capability to identify useful information and for locating, collecting, compiling, aggregating, distilling, and/or reporting robust data.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James S. Sidler, John J. Viola, Michelle L. Polozola
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Patent number: 7860499Abstract: An RF switch circuit and method for switching RF signals that may be fabricated using common integrated circuit materials such as silicon, particularly using insulating substrate technologies. The RF switch includes switching and shunting transistor groupings to alternatively couple RF input signals to a common RF node, each controlled by a switching control voltage (SW) or its inverse (SW), which are approximately symmetrical about ground. The transistor groupings each comprise one or more insulating gate FET transistors connected together in a “stacked” series channel configuration, which increases the breakdown voltage across the series connected transistors and improves RF switch compression. A fully integrated RF switch is described including control logic and a negative voltage generator with the RF switch elements. In one embodiment, the fully integrated RF switch includes an oscillator, a charge pump, CMOS logic circuitry, level-shifting and voltage divider circuits, and an RF buffer circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Mark L. Burgener, James S. Cable
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Patent number: 7844040Abstract: A telecommunications device and/or service are provided that enable a user to identify a particular call announcement to be used when announcing an incoming call from the user on the call recipient's telecommunications device. The call from the user includes call data that identifies the particular call announcement. When received, the recipient's device processes the incoming call and announces it with the requested announcement.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Stephen A. Sprigg, Paul E. Jacobs, Nikhil Jain
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Patent number: 7844033Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for performing a trace of a communications transaction using a dynamically generated endpoint identifier list are disclosed. According to one method, a first endpoint identifier for identifying a communications endpoint is received. A list including the first endpoint identifier is created. A signaling message including the first endpoint identifier may be searched for in the list. A parameter from the signaling message having the first endpoint identifier may be extracted that is distinct from the endpoint identifier. Further, the method may include searching for signaling messages having the extracted parameter. The method may include adding to the list any endpoint identifiers found in the search for signaling messages having the extracted parameter. The method may include searching for signaling messages having any of the endpoint identifiers in the list and thereby tracing a communications transaction involving endpoints in the endpoint identifier list.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: TekelecInventors: Michael J. Drum, Peter J. Marsico
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Patent number: 7831027Abstract: A system extension for a billing system adapted to generate customer bills associated with the delivery of telecommunications products and services, wherein the billing system includes software instructions adapted to be executed on a computer server platform, a database for storing product configuration data for a plurality of product offerings and charging tariffs attached to the product offerings, and a user interface allowing a user to interact with and configure portions of the system, the system extension comprising: an editable derived attributes table that identifies a unit charge rate for tariffs attached to product offerings; and a charge calculation function for calculating a charge for a tariff attached to a particular product offering based on the unit charge rate identified in the derived attributes table for the tariff.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Accenture Global Services LimitedInventors: Andrea Cesarini, Allessandro Cugno Garrano
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Patent number: 7831028Abstract: A system for collecting caller information comprises an interexchange switch adapted to extract caller information associated with a call directed to a telephone number, the interexchange switch further adapted to forward caller information to a server manager, the server manager adapted to forward caller information to a server. The server stores the caller information and parses campaign information from the caller information. The system accumulates the campaign information and forwards the campaign information over the Internet. The server manager may be adapted to execute a script. The script may include executing an option selected from the group consisting of: recording the call, activating voicemail, recording a lost lead capture, requesting the caller's name, and forwarding the call.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Inventors: Nicklaas D. Newsom, Mathew A. Grofsky
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Patent number: 7831679Abstract: A sensing and context management architecture that can detect that a user is interacting with a given device and in an associated context, and in response thereto, manages device processes as the user moves from device to device, location to location, and/or context to context. The invention comprises a system that facilitates management of a user situation or context. A sensing component is provided that senses a context of a user by way of one or more sensors and/or a particular device with which the user is interacting in the context, for example, and a management component that manages the device and/or one or more services in the context according to rules or inferences user preferences, sensed observations, and user input data.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Johnson T. Apacible, Eric J. Horvitz, Murugesan S. Subramani
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Patent number: 7831025Abstract: A method and system for administering a subjective listening test to remote users. A user can participate in a subjective listening test, such as an MOS listening test, over a telephone call. The telephone call is received and audio recordings are sequentially played over the telephone call. Quality ratings corresponding to the audio recordings are input by the user over the telephone call. The user can input digits corresponding to the quality ratings. This allows a user to take part in a subjective listening test without traveling to a lab.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: John D. Francis, Laurie F. Garrison, James H. James