Patents Examined by Binh K. Tieu
  • Patent number: 7831473
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for crediting an account. An advertisement is received, and the advertisement includes an account number that uniquely identifies an account associated with the advertisement. The advertisement is presented at the communications device. A request for credit is sent including the account number and a device number that uniquely identifies the communications device. The request seeks credit for presenting the advertisement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Jerome Myers, John Ruckart
  • Patent number: 7817791
    Abstract: An approach provides fraud detection in support of data communication services. A list of single-event attributes (e.g., hot or cold attributes) is generated and includes a network address of an end user host originating a data call or a calling party identification (e.g., Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or an originating Calling Line Identification (CLI)) for network access, wherein entries of the list specify values of the hot attributes. An attribute value associated with the data call is compared with the entries. A fraud alert is generated if the attribute value matches one of the entries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: Saralyn M. Mahone, Matthew J. Gilbert, Thomas E. Stepp, Arthur L. Springer, John Hans Van Arkel
  • Patent number: 7813487
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for use in billing a toll-free telephone call over a telephone network, the telephone call corresponding to a first toll-free telephone number and initiated by a calling party from an initiating telephone number. In one embodiment, a toll-free telephone call is received at a service node, and routed to a first termination corresponding with the first toll-free telephone number, where the service node remains within the call path of the toll-free telephone call. A first call record is initiated for the toll-free telephone call at the service node, and it is determined at the service node whether the toll-free telephone call is to be connected with a second toll-free telephone number. A second call record is initiated at the service node, where a connection with a second termination corresponding with the second toll-free telephone number has been established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Susanne M. Crockett, Robert B. Lasken
  • Patent number: 7809122
    Abstract: A telecommunications service implements an account code reporting feature by storing an account code associated with a subscriber at a service control point (SCP) in the public switched telephone network (PSTN). When a call is initiated from the subscriber's terminal, the SCP receives outgoing call data, including the subscriber's telephone number, a called party number and an account code entered from the subscriber's terminal. The SCP determines whether the call is subject to the account code reporting service and, if so, stores the call data. The SCP transmits the call data to a service management system accessible by the subscriber via a graphical user interface through a packet switched data network and an interactive voice response through the PSTN. The call is subject to the account code reporting service when the called party number is in the same local access and transport area as the subscriber's telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Dianna Inara Tiliks, Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Susanne Marie Crockett, John Wesley Moss, Nancy Ann Book, William M Moy
  • Patent number: 7804946
    Abstract: A system (100) and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information can not be provided, even when a subscriber to the service has per line blocking. A service control point (106) detects the directory number to which a terminating attempt trigger is assigned and places this directory number in a parameter for transmission to a service switching point (102) using a forward_call message (206). The per line blocking function does not interfere with transmission of this parameter so that the called party's directory number can be passed for processing and call completion by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain
  • Patent number: 7804941
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sending and receiving a message between a nonresident and a resident of a controlled environment facility that associates an identifier to the message, wherein the resident does not associate the identifier to resident created messages. The identifier my take the form of a barcode printed directly onto the message form or printed onto a detachable sticker that is affixed to the message form. Embodiments may allow the searching of a message for prohibited words, phrases, or ideas and notifying a relevant authority to the existence of such prohibited content. Embodiments may also allow a nonresident to select a delivery medium that is incompatible with the format of a message created by a resident by converting the resident created message to a message format compatible with the delivery medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Keiser, Michelle L. Polozola, Peter Keahon
  • Patent number: 7804945
    Abstract: A telecommunications messaging architecture efficiently routes messages to the appropriate support systems which process the messages. The messaging architecture is a partially merged architecture in which selected previously independent processing systems (e.g., customer relationship management systems) have been merged. Despite the partially merged architecture, a routing system flexibly routes messages between the merged systems and the appropriate supporting systems. The supporting systems may multiple independent billing systems which have not been merged, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH
    Inventor: Adriano Ottavi
  • Patent number: 7804943
    Abstract: An exemplary method implements load management for large granularity processes on application processors, APs. First data associated with the primary processes running on each AP is periodically collected, where the first data is proportional to processor occupancy, PO, for the primary processes running on each AP. Second data associated with auxiliary processes running on each AP is periodically collected where the auxiliary processes directly support the primary processes running on the respective AP. The second data is proportional to PO for the auxiliary processes running on each AP. A processor scaling factor and an overhead scaling factor are calculated for each AP based on the first and second data, respectively. The total amount of additional PO a second AP would incur to run a first large granularity process is determined by two aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Mrinmoy Bhattacharjee, Christopher D. Liesen, Alejandro Maya, Barrett D. Milliken, Carol A. Toman
  • Patent number: 7801288
    Abstract: A fraud detection method for generating a first fraud or fraud attempt probability, within an at least one captured or recorded interaction, is provided. The method comprises a scoring step for scoring an at least one voice belonging to an at least one tested speaker in the at least one captured or recorded interaction against an at least one voice print within an at least one entry in a voice print collection, the scoring step generating an at least one probability that the at least one voice in the captured or recorded interaction belongs to an at least one second speaker associated with the at least one voice print, said at least one probability represents the probability that the at least one captured or recorded interaction is fraudulent; and an auditing step for auditing the at least one probability and the at least one captured or recorded interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Nice Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Wasserblat, Barak Eilam, Oren Pereg, Ilan Kor
  • Patent number: 7796969
    Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) RF switch adapted for improved power handling capability using a reduced number of transistors is described. In one embodiment, an RF switch includes pairs of switching and shunting stacked transistor groupings to selectively couple RF signals between a plurality of input/output nodes and a common RF node. The switching and shunting stacked transistor groupings comprise one or more MOSFET transistors connected together in a “stacked” or serial configuration. In one embodiment, the transistor groupings are “symmetrically” stacked in the RF switch (i.e., the transistor groupings all comprise an identical number of transistors). In another embodiment, the transistor groupings are “asymmetrically” stacked in the RF switch (i.e., at least one transistor grouping comprises a number of transistors that is unequal to the number of transistors comprising at least one other transistor grouping).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Dylan J. Kelly, Mark L. Burgener
  • Patent number: 7796742
    Abstract: A system and method for simplified provisioning is provided. The method comprises storing information associated with a user during a non-provisioning event. The information is utilized to pre-fill a registration related to a provisioning event. One or more communications are forwarded to the user requesting information to complete the registration for the provisioning event based on the information stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: SEVEN Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Sutaria, Brian Daniel Gustafson, Robert Paul van Gent, Ruth Lin, David Merriwether, Parvinder Sawhney
  • Patent number: 7796972
    Abstract: A method for automatically replenishing vehicle calling units is disclosed herein. The method includes selecting, in response to a user input, a call unit rate plan including parameters designating automatic replenishment of calling units for loading into a telematics unit. A calling plan configuration signal is transmitted to the telematics unit, where the calling plan configuration signal is indicative of the selected call unit rate plan parameters. The telematics unit is configured with the selected call unit rate plan parameters. A current cycle of the rate plan is monitored, via the telematics unit, for its expiration; and the telematics unit determines whether an additional cycle is available in a plan duration upon expiration of the current cycle. If the additional cycle is available, the telematics unit automatically replenishes the calling units to a number of calling units available per cycle upon the expiration of the current cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventor: Nada S. Jiddou
  • Patent number: 7792259
    Abstract: Irrespective of the distance of a line through which a video signal is taken by the camera of a main entrance station, a satisfactory image having not deterioration but excellent visibility is displayed in a monitor of a residential master station. A distance decision unit of a residential master station for displaying a video signal taken by a camera of an main entrance station in a monitor decides the distance of the line length of a master station line in terms of the voltage drop of the DC power supply fed from a controller to the residential master station. A level compensation unit of the residential master station compensates the level of the video signal in accordance with the decided distance. A distance decision unit of the main entrance station decides the distance of the line length of an entrance line in terms of the voltage drop of the DC power supply fed from the controller to the main entrance station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Aiphone Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiya Yamakawa, Yoshiyuki Hirahata
  • Patent number: 7783019
    Abstract: An approach provides fraud detection in support of data communication services. A threshold corresponding to a geographic location is set. The threshold corresponds to duration of a call supporting data communications. It is determined whether the call duration exceeds the threshold. A fraud alert is generated if the monitored call duration exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: Saralyn M. Mahone, Matthew J. Gilbert, Thomas E. Stepp, Arthur L. Springer, John Hans Van Arkel
  • Patent number: 7778401
    Abstract: A communication apparatus that includes: an operation unit; a line connection unit that operates in response to the operation of the operation unit; a number input unit; a dial signal transmitting unit that transmits a dial signal corresponding to a telephone number inputted by the number input unit; an operation detection unit that detects the operation of the operation unit; a measuring unit that measures a predetermined time when the operation of the operating unit is detected; and a number memory that stores the telephone number inputted by the number input unit before the measuring of the predetermined time by the measuring unit ends. A standby unit suspends a transmission of the dial signal corresponding to the telephone number stored in the number memory to the line until the measuring of the predetermined time by the measuring unit ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shozo Kabeya
  • Patent number: 7769140
    Abstract: The present invention is a new solution of line and relay in an analog subscriber board, which has a less number of relays and can decrease the cost and save the space while realizing the basic functions in a voice network. The technical solution of the invention provides each subscriber with two relays to connect the subscriber line interface circuit, the subscriber line, the ring bus and the test bus, realizing the basic functions relevant to the talking, such as talking, ringing, etc. In order to add the auxiliary functions such as the testing function and the monitoring function, the subscriber lines are grouped, and at least one relay is supplemented in a subscriber group, the subscriber group relays together with above two subscriber relays will be used to connect the subscriber line interface circuit, the subscriber line, the ring bus and the test bus to perform the basic functions relevant to talking and the auxiliary functions such as testing, monitoring, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent
    Inventors: Lei Liu, Jun Chen, Ying Chen, WeiJun Gu
  • Patent number: 7769152
    Abstract: A multifunction device previously stores a line connection condition of when a line interface received caller ID information in an EEPROM, and determines that a line with an exchange is connected based on a first ringing signal or a second ringing signal. When it is determined based on the first ringing signal that a line connection is a first type of connection, the line is connected according to the line connection condition. On the other hand, when it is determined based on the second ring signal that a line connection is a second type of connection, the line is connected using a line connection condition, which is adjusted by an adjustment device at the time of determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunobu Asai
  • Patent number: 7764775
    Abstract: A distributed intercom system including a centralized interconnection unit with a central control device for receiving, processing and transmitting signals, a power distribution device for transmitting a power signal for distribution and at least one cable connection port for receiving a cable connection therein. The system includes a cable with a cable connection element for connection to the cable connection port, and the cable transmits a control signal, a line-level, analog audio signal and the power signal. One or more remote user interface units are connected to and in communication with the centralized interconnection unit through the cable, and the remote user interface unit includes an amplifier, a speaker device and a microphone device. At least one component of the remote user interface unit is powered by the power signal transmitted by the power distribution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: ONQ/Legrand, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Tarkoff, Donald R. Fletcher, Amy J. Hahne, William E. Bruggemeier, Matthew T. Miller
  • Patent number: 7760862
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing fraud in collect calls from a domestic origin point to an international terminating point through a long-distance telecommunications system is described. In the system and method, a Screening for International Calls database is added to the call processing platform. This Screening of International Calls database contains records keyed by country codes, and each record has a blocked collect call field listing destination numbers that are blocked from receiving collect calls. When a domestic-to-international collect call is made, the record corresponding to the country code of the international terminating point of the collect call is retrieved from the Screening for International Calls database. This record is checked to determine if the destination number of the collect call matches any destination numbers listed in the blocked collect call field of the country code database record. If there is a match, the call is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: Dean C. Marchand, Arthur Lance Springer
  • Patent number: RE41535
    Abstract: A telecommunications system and method for providing access to the Internet on a pre-paid or pay-per-use basis that utilizes an Advanced Intelligent Network (“AIN”) to set up a dial up connection between a subscriber and an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”). The telecommunications system communicates with the ISP's computer systems to coordinate verification of callers attempting access to the ISP. The system uses features of the AIN to identify a call as a pre-authorized call so that the ISP grants access without requiring a username and a password from a caller. If the ISP receives a call that is not so identified, the caller is treated as regular ISP subscriber, and requires a username and a password to authenticate the caller prior to granting access to the ISP's resources. The present invention further utilizes the telephone service provider's billing systems to aggregate bills and collect revenue from subscribers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Dale W. Malik