Patents by Inventor Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
Frank A. McKiel, Jr. 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).
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Publication number: 20110170857Abstract: To verify the integrity of optical paths through and among optical switches, optical signals are provided with co-propagating supplemental signals. The supplemental signals preferably have at least one characteristic which allows distinguishing one supplemental signal from another. Associated with a port of a switch, means are provided for detecting a supplemental signal and determining if the supplemental signal indicates that a desired optical signal is passing through the port as expected and desired. Means for imparting or changing the distinguishing characteristic of a supplemental signal may also be employed to facilitate verifying the passage of optical signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: VERIZON BUSINESS GLOBAL LLCInventors: John A. Fee, Frank A. McKiel, JR.
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Publication number: 20110072475Abstract: A system instructs that a first carrier signal that is modulated with a first digital media stream be sent to a first receiver, where the first digital media stream uses a first bandwidth. The system receives a second request from a second receiver to send a second digital media stream, where second digital media stream uses a second bandwidth that is greater than the first bandwidth, and determines that transmitting the second digital media stream will require use of the first bandwidth. The system instructs that a second carrier signal be modulated with the first digital media stream and sent to the first television receiver, and sends to the first television receiver an identifier of the second carrier signal as carrying the first digital media stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING, INC.Inventor: Frank A. MCKIEL, JR.
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Publication number: 20110071656Abstract: An approach is provided for template model view generation for home monitor and control interface. A platform receives a model view specified by a user, where the model view includes a floor plan of a premise. The platform generates a template model view based on the received model view by removing identifying information associated with the user. Also, the platform stores the template model view for access by another user, where the template model view is used to capture location information of one or more sensors or one or more actuators within the floor plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.Inventor: Frank A. McKiel, JR.
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Patent number: 7653002Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring perceived quality of a packet-switched voice service in a network. The method includes the step of receiving a packetized voice communication via the packet-switched voice service. At least one objective measurement is obtained from the received packetized voice communication. User perceived quality of voice data is derived from the at least one objective measurement. The user perceived quality of voice data is provided to a user. The steps of receiving, obtaining, deriving, and providing are performed in real-time.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLCInventors: William Christopher Hardy, Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090245787Abstract: An apparatus and method are applied to characterizing an dispersion-affecting element for use in controlling chromatic dispersion in an optical communications link. Information regarding the behavior of the dispersion-affecting element is recorded and stored in a medium that is provided for deployment with the dispersion-affecting element to enable improved management and active control of the dispersion-affecting element. The suitability of the dispersion-affecting element for operating under different conditions may also be characterized.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: VERIZON BUSINESS GLOBAL LLCInventors: John A. Fee, Frank A. McKiel, JR.
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Publication number: 20090245477Abstract: An emergency contact platform provides emergency contact services where usual communications have been disrupted. The emergency contact platform may include a server to receive registration information including a phone number associated with a phone when communication using the phone is impracticable. The server may also be configured to receive an information request identifying the phone number. The emergency contact platform may also include a database to store the received registration information. The server may be also configured to perform a lookup in the database based on the phone number and provide a result of the lookup based on the received information request.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: MCI, LLCInventors: Shanyu GER, Ayat ALIHASSAN, Frank A. MCKIEL, JR.
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Patent number: 7580639Abstract: An apparatus and method are applied to characterizing an dispersion-affecting element for use in controlling chromatic dispersion in an optical communications link. Information regarding the behavior of the dispersion-affecting element is recorded and stored in a medium that is provided for deployment with the dispersion-affecting element to enable improved management and active control of the dispersion-affecting element. The suitability of the dispersion-affecting element for operating under different conditions may also be characterized.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLCInventors: John A. Fee, Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 7573984Abstract: An emergency contact platform provides emergency contact services where usual communications have been disrupted. The emergency contact platform may include a server to receive registration information including a phone number associated with a phone when communication using the phone is impracticable. The server may also be configured to receive an information request identifying the phone number. The emergency contact platform may also include a database to store the received registration information. The server may be also configured to perform a lookup in the database based on the phone number and provide a result of the lookup based on the received information request.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLCInventors: Shanyu Ger, Ayat Alihassan, Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 7562861Abstract: A system includes a duct, a pressurized fluid source, and a valve. The duct receives one or more cables and the pressurized fluid source couples to a first end of the duct and produces fluid pressure within the duct. The valve couples to a second end of the duct and is closed for a time to build pressure within the duct, and then opened to permit the fluid under pressure within the duct to escape rapidly from the duct and propel the one or more cables through the duct.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2005Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLCInventors: John A. Fee, Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090175188Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring perceived quality of a packet-switched voice service in a network. The method includes the step of receiving a packetized voice communication via the packet-switched voice service. At least one objective measurement is obtained from the received packetized voice communication. User perceived quality of voice data is derived from the at least one objective measurement. The user perceived quality of voice data is provided to a user. The steps of receiving, obtaining, deriving, and providing are performed in real-time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: VERIZON BUSINESS GLOBAL LLCInventors: William Christopher HARDY, Frank A. MCKIEL, JR.
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Patent number: 6980736Abstract: To verify the integrity of optical paths through and among optical switches, optical signals are provided with co-propagating supplemental signals. The supplemental signals preferably have at least one characteristic which allows distinguishing one supplemental signal from another. Associated with a port of a switch, means are provided for detecting a supplemental signal and determining if the supplemental signal indicates that a desired optical signal is passing through the port as expected and desired. Means for imparting or changing the distinguishing characteristic of a supplemental signal may also be employed to facilitate verifying the passage of optical signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2002Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: MCI, Inc.Inventors: John A. Fee, Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 6697472Abstract: To prevent fraud perpetrators from using a public pay telephone to illicitly collect account numbers, authorization codes or personal identification numbers from an unsuspecting user of the telephone, the instant invention disables the keypad of the telephone if an incoming call is being received at the time that the handset is lifted from the phone by the user. In one method, the ringing signal and the off-hook condition are detected and a control output is provided which disengages the dialing tone generating circuits of the telephone until the handset is placed back on-hook. According to an alternative method, after the handset is lifted, a dial tone is sensed and evaluated by a dial tone discriminator to determine whether the dial tone is likely to be a valid dial tone from a legitimate service provider. If the dial tone is determined to be invalid, then the keypad of the telephone is disabled until the handset is placed back on-hook.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2000Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.Inventors: David Jordan, Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 6650842Abstract: An optical communication system and method of use thereof which uses dispersion compensators to intentionally create a dispersive condition at the output of subsequent inline optical amplifiers. The present invention reduces four-wave mixing and increases the allowable spacing between optical amplifiers, thus reducing the required number of amplifiers and dispersion compensators for a given length of optical fiber. In one embodiment, dispersion compensators and optical amplifiers are alternately spaced from one another along a length of an optical fiber such that the dispersion compensators render a dispersive condition at the amplifiers allowing each amplifier to be run at a higher power level. In another embodiment, the dispersion compensator is collocated with the amplifier, but is positioned between a pre-amp stage and a high power output stage to overcompensate both the slope and absolute dispersion of the fiber up to that point.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.Inventors: John A. Fee, Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 6469812Abstract: An optical communications link including a low-level subcarrier to identify the optical carriers that are contributing to an unwanted mixing product. The subcarrier is added to each of the optical carriers, and then the presence or absence of the subcarrier is detected in the mixing product to identify which optical carriers are contributing towards the generation of the mixing product. The subcarrier will appear in the mixing product if its associated optical carrier is participating in the mixing product. The identified optical carriers that contribute to the mixing product can then diminished in amplitude or shifted in wavelength to reduce the impact of the undesirable signals. Several embodiments are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.Inventor: Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 5956165Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are described that allow for the updating and transmittal of a low data rate signal providing ancillary network data as a rider on a high data rate optical signal. This subcarrier modulated signal can be processed and updated by using a drop/insert facility without having to alter the high data rate signal component of the data signal. Since the subcarrier signal can be detected by inexpensive equipment without having to detect and demultiplex the high data rate signal, the approach described offers a cost effective solution to the problem of network monitoring. Ancillary network management information can be communicated regardless of the quality or loss of the high data rate signal. In addition, by updating the subcarrier signal rider in a cumulative manner, a complete history of the fiber link the modulated optical signal travels on is provided to network management.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: John A. Fee, Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 5953140Abstract: An efficient and inexpensive system and method for reducing crosstalk between adjacent channels in a high density WDM transmission. The technique provided herein cancels out the effects of crosstalk by processing signals in the electrical domain after the optical WDM transmission has been demultiplexed. Specifically, a WDM transmission is received and demultiplexed into its constituent channels via a plurality of optical filters. Each channel is then transduced into an electrical signal using a photodetector or the like. Each electrical signal is then inverted, attenuated and added to one or two adjacent channels to cancel crosstalk therein.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventor: Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 5513311Abstract: A method and system for efficiently creating connections between a new graphic object and at least one of a plurality of existing graphic objects displayed within a graphic editor. In response to a placement of a new graphic object in a location within the graphic editor, each existing graphic object within the plurality of graphic objects located within a predetermined distance from the new graphic object is identified. A connection is automatically created between the new object and each identified existing graphic object. A position for each identified existing graphic object is determined, wherein the position for each identified existing graphic object is determined with respect to the location of the new graphic object.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1994Date of Patent: April 30, 1996Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 5448679Abstract: A method and system for creating a compressed data representation of a human speech utterance which may be utilized to accurately regenerate the human speech utterance. First, the location and occurrence of each period of silence, voiced sound and unvoiced sound within the speech utterance is detected. Next, a single representative data frame which may be repetitively utilized to approximate each voiced sound is iteratively determined, along with the duration of each voiced sound. The spectral content of each unvoiced sound, along with variations in the amplitude thereof is also determined. A compressed data presentation is then created which includes encoded representations of a duration of each period of silence, a duration and single representative data frame for each voiced sound and a spectral content and amplitude variations for each unvoiced sound. The compressed data representation may then be utilized to regenerate the speech utterance without substantial loss in intelligibility.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1992Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 5374924Abstract: Disclosed is a computer audio interface having stereo and filtered sound effects to enable blind users to operate a graphical user interface. Stereo balance and incremental filtering are used along separate axes to guide a blind or visually impaired user within an area of a graphical user interface, particularly the client area of a window. As the pointer approaches the left boundary of the client area, the sounds representing the client area come more and more exclusively from the left audio channel. Likewise, when approaching the right boundary, the sound shifts to the right channel. Additionally, as the pointer is moved toward the top of the window client area, the pitch of the sound increases in stepwise fashion.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1993Date of Patent: December 20, 1994Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
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Patent number: 5287102Abstract: Disclosed is a computer audio interface adapted to enable blind or visually impaired users to locate icons positioned in rows in the background of a graphical user interface. Whenever the pointer of the interface is positioned on the background, the system produces a distinctive tone. Whenever the pointer is positioned in an icon row that is occupied by one or more icons, the system produces a distinctive chord. Whenever the pointer is positioned in the background and not in an occupied row, the system produces stereo effects that give the user information as to the relative left/right position of the pointer. Whenever the pointer is positioned in an occupied row, the amplitude of the left and right stereo channels is controlled such that whenever the pointer is to the left of the leftmost icon, substantially all of the volume is produced by the left speaker and whenever the pointer is to the right of the rightmost icon, substantially all of the the volume is produced by the right speaker.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1991Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Frank A. McKiel, Jr.