Patents by Inventor Francis C. Sommers

Francis C. Sommers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • System and method for achieving local number portability
    Patent number: 6370548
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for achieving local number portability. Two databases are interfaced so that message data from one database is selectively passed to the other database and processed for transfer to corresponding requesting software applications. More specifically, a regional interface broadcast agent is interfaced to an interface broadcast agent repository so that message data from the regional interface broadcast agent is selectively passed to the interface broadcast agent repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: MCI WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Bauer, Ross Button, Mike Cavanagh, Susan Jane McQuigge Ernst, Kevin Germann, Ralph Holmes, Samuel S. Howlette, William Kalyn, Steve Sauve, Francis C. Sommers
  • System for achieving local number portability
    Patent number: 6366663
    Abstract: A system for maintaining a customer's telephone number when a switch from one service provider to a second provider is made interfaces with a regional customer number database to keep track of local numbers and the corresponding local service provider which services each number. Service providers interface with the database and obtain information at the telephone number level that permits individual providers to determine which carrier is providing service to which telephone number. A neutral third party maintains and administers the database allowing free access by any participating provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Deborah L. Bauer, Ross Edward Button, Mike Cavanagh, Susan Jane McQuigge Ernst, Kevin Germann, Ralph Holmes, Samuel S. Howlette, William Kayln, Steve Sauve, Francis C. Sommers