Patents by Inventor Hopeton Walker
Hopeton Walker 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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Patent number: 8711735Abstract: In an internet telephony system, toll-free service and the calls that are accepted and paid for can be specified by the IP telephony system user to be limited according to the calling party's identity, time of day, day of week or other criteria. Data that is used to screen or filter incoming calls is programmed into a call manager by the IP telephone system user's broadband residential gateway. Using such a system the user can carefully screen calls that are paid for and more closely control telecommunications service costs. More generally, the user has the ability to store predefined call handling criteria, which may be executed by the broadband residential gateway and/or the call manager.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, II, L.P.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Anish Sankalia, Spencer Wang, Hopeton Walker
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Publication number: 20120307686Abstract: In an internet telephony system, toll-free service and the calls that are accepted and paid for can be specified by the IP telephony system user to be limited according to the calling party's identity, time of day, day of week or other criteria. Data that is used to screen or filter incoming calls is programmed into a call manager by the IP telephone system user's broadband residential gateway. Using such a system the user can carefully screen calls that are paid for and more closely control telecommunications service costs. More generally, the user has the ability to store predefined call handling criteria, which may be executed by the broadband residential gateway and/or the call manager.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Anish Sankalia, Spencer Wang, Hopeton Walker
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Patent number: 8218527Abstract: In an internet telephony system, toll-free service and the calls that are accepted and paid for can be specified by the IP telephony system user to be limited according to the calling party's identity, time of day, day of week or other criteria. Data that is used to screen or filter incoming calls is programmed into a call manager by the IP telephone system user's broadband residential gateway. Using such a system the user can carefully screen calls that are paid for and more closely control telecommunications service costs. More generally, the user has the ability to store predefined call handling criteria, which may be executed by the broadband residential gateway and/or the call manager.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Anish Sankalia, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Patent number: 7760711Abstract: A method of billing a variable bit rate communication between a first terminal and a distant terminal to a broadband subscriber permits changing billing parameters during a call in real time in response to user inputs including user requested changes in quality of service, changes in data rate and changes in preferred service provider. A variable bit rate communication to be billed has a variable quality of service related to the degree of utilization of a plurality of different networks. The billing method comprises the steps of i.) receiving user identification data at a first terminal and data representing a required bit rate and a default quality of service selected by the user, ii.) verifying the user identification data to be associated with the broadband service subscriber, iii.) determining least cost alternative network resources available for achieving the communication at the user selected default quality of service and the required bit rate, iv.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Anish Sankalia, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Patent number: 7734908Abstract: Communication information transmitted in the broadband communication system may be in a packet format and secured using encryption techniques, for example encryption software, including a means for providing an initial security key and updated security keys to the various pieces of communication equipment located throughout the broadband communication system. When communication equipment, for example a gateway, is first registered with, for example, an IP central station, the IP central station assigns an initial encryption key to the gateway that is assigned and retained by a server, for example a call manager server, and the gateway (e.g., broadband residential gateway). This initial encryption key may be used to establish a secure two way communication between two pieces of communication equipment as an originating point communication equipment and a terminating point communication equipment.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Patent number: 7558251Abstract: A broadband communication system including an Internet Protocol Telephony Network and public switched telephone network, including apparatus and methods for placing a call on hold in a way that significantly reduces the amount of network bandwidth utilized by the call while the call is on hold. When a call is placed on hold, embodiments of the architecture of the telephony network of the present invention allows the network to essentially “forget” about the call placed on hold. In other words, a call that is on hold may require very little, or even zero, bandwidth within the telephony network. Accordingly, the total necessary bandwidth capacity of the telephony network may be smaller than it would be if calls on hold were to consume precious network bandwidth as is found in existing telephony systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: Laura Huang, Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Patent number: 7289489Abstract: A method of billing a variable bit rate communication between a first terminal and a distant terminal to a broadband subscriber permits changing billing parameters during a call in real time in response to user inputs including user requested changes in quality of service, changes in data rate and changes in preferred service provider. A variable bit rate communication to be billed has a variable quality of service related to the degree of utilization of a plurality of different networks. The billing method comprises the steps of i.) receiving user identification data at a first terminal and data representing a required bit rate and a default quality of service selected by the user, ii.) verifying the user identification data to be associated with the broadband service subscriber, iii.) determining least cost alternative network resources available for achieving the communication at the user selected default quality of service and the required bit rate, iv.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Anish Sankalia, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Publication number: 20060159116Abstract: The present invention provides a facility management platform to monitor and view the status of a plurality of individually addressable downstream devices including, but not limited to, addressable terminals, IRG's, settops, cable modems, taps, nodes, and/or hubs at a network control center. The FMP may display problems at these downstream devices, for example, power loss, and/or may automatically notify the appropriate companies and/or personnel to correct the problem.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2005Publication date: July 20, 2006Inventors: Irwin Gerszberg, Jeffrey Martin, Thomas Oplinger, Philip Treventi, Hopeton Walker
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Patent number: 7075918Abstract: A residential private branch exchange (PBX) allowing IP telephones, analog telephones and computers to connect to an IP communication network. A broadband residential gateway (BRG) PBX provides residences with multiple phone lines capability and the implementation of complex calling features traditionally associated with complex and expensive business PBX systems. The BRG PBX provides an open architecture interface minimizing problems during installation and operation, minimizes interoperability problems across multi-vendor equipment platforms and may provide customers with an option to bypass the local telephone company's high cost infrastructure. The BRG PBX may also provide a range of services from basic calling with few features to highly sophisticated calling features servicing multiple phone lines to the residence. The BRG PBX may be configured to connect multiple BRG PBX systems together in a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Spencer Wang, Hopeton Walker
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Patent number: 6889321Abstract: Communication information transmitted in the broadband communication system may be in a packet format and secured using encryption techniques, for example encryption software, including a means for providing an initial security key and updated security keys to the various pieces of communication equipment located throughout the broadband communication system. When communication equipment, for example a gateway, is first registered with, for example, an IP central station, the IP central station assigns an initial encryption key to the gateway that is assigned and retained by a server, for example a call manager server, and the gateway (e.g., broadband residential gateway. This initial encryption key may be used to establish a secure two way communication between two pieces of communication equipment as an originating point communication equipment and a terminating point communication equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Patent number: 6836478Abstract: A broadband communication system including an Internet Protocol Telephony Network and public switched telephone network, including apparatus and methods for placing a call on hold in a way that significantly reduces the amount of network bandwidth utilized by the call while the call is on hold. When a call is placed on hold, embodiments of the architecture of the telephony network of the present invention allows the network to essentially “forget” about the call placed on hold. In other words, a call that is on hold may require very little, or even zero, bandwidth within the telephony network. Accordingly, the total necessary bandwidth capacity of the telephony network may be smaller than it would be if calls on hold were to consume precious network bandwidth as is found in existing telephony systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Laura Huang, Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Patent number: 6826173Abstract: A method of alerting a user of a variable bit rate communication between a first terminal and a distant terminal over alternative networks including a circuit switched network and a packet network permits the user the opportunity to change alerting preferences from a remote location or locally and to predetermine instructions for a calling party.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Anish Sankalia, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Publication number: 20040228336Abstract: In an internet telephony system, toll-free service and the calls that are accepted and paid for can be specified by the IP telephony system user to be limited according to the calling party's identity, time of day, day of week or other criteria Data that is used to screen or filter incoming calls is programmed into a call manager by the IP telephone system user's broadband residential gateway. Using such a system the user can carefully screen calls that are paid for and more closely control telecommunications service costs. More generally, the user has the ability to store predefined call handling criteria, which may be executed by the broadband residential gateway and/or the call manager.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Anish Sankalia, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Patent number: 6816469Abstract: An Internet Protocol Telephony Network and public switched telephone network that allows one or more call waiting callers to dynamically join in an existing and to establish a multiple-party conference call including the call waiting call. A call waiting call may also be added to an existing conference call.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Patent number: 6785560Abstract: The instant invention discloses a method and system for providing a novel wireless centrex service that untethers subscribers from the immobility associated with traditional desktop telephones. Essentially, the present invention extends the benefits of wireless voice and data services to subscribers having a need to move within a plurality of localities such as business and hospital campuses. In accordance with the invention, a wireless telephone subscriber can use a standard cellular/PCS telephone as a wireless extension of their desktop phone, while in the proximity of a miniature radio base station capable of communicating with the PCS/cellular telephone. The advantage of such a system is that a subscriber can use the same cellular/PCS telephone that provides service in the public network in the wireless centrex environment. Additionally, the wireless centrex system provides services and features which are similar to those offered to regular centrex telephone subscribers.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1999Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Albert Chow, Jinman Kim, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang, Wenchu Ying
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Patent number: 6775273Abstract: The present invention includes a number of systems and techniques for service control for a broadband communications system that includes voice, data and multimedia audio and video communication. One variation of the present invention includes service control based on multiple relationships between equipment specific unique media access control (MAC) addresses, system addresses and directory numbers to enable the properly route traffic between the broadband communication system and legacy telephone systems. In this case, one server, for example a dynamic host control protocof (DHCP) server is used to assign system addresses to equipment unique MAC addresses and another server, for example a call manager (CM) server is used to assign directory numbers to the system addresses.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Patent number: 6775267Abstract: A method of billing a variable bit rate communication between a first terminal and a distant terminal to a broadband subscriber permits changing billing parameters during a call in real time in response to user inputs including user requested changes in quality of service, changes in data rate and changes in preferred service provider. A variable bit rate communication to be billed has a variable quality of service related to the degree of utilization of a plurality of different networks. The billing method comprises the steps of: i.) receiving user identification data at a first terminal and data representing a required bit rate and a default quality of service selected by the user, ii.) verifying the user identification data to be associated with the broadband service subscriber, iii.) determining least cost alternative network resources available for achieving the communication at the user selected default quality of service and the required bit rate, iv.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: AT&T CorpInventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Anish Sankalia, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang
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Patent number: 6745025Abstract: The instant invention discloses a method and system for providing a novel wireless centrex service that untethers subscribers from the immobility associated with traditional desktop telephones. Essentially, the present invention extends the benefits of wireless voice and data services to subscribers having a need to move within a plurality of localities such as business and hospital campuses. In accordance with the invention, a wireless telephone subscriber can use a standard cellular/PCS telephone as a wireless extension of their desktop phone, while in the proximity of a miniature radio base station capable of communicating with the PCS/cellular telephone. The advantage of such a system is that a subscriber can use the same cellular/PCS telephone that provides service in the public network in the wireless centrex environment. Additionally, the wireless centrex system provides services and features which are similar to those offered to regular centrex telephone subscribers.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1999Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Albert Chow, Jinman Kim, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang, Wenchu Ying
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Patent number: 6738615Abstract: The instant invention discloses a method and system for providing a novel wireless centrex service that untethers subscribers from the immobility associated with traditional desktop telephones. Essentially, the present invention extends the benefits of wireless voice and data services to subscribers having a need to move within a plurality of localities such as business and hospital campuses. In accordance with the invention, a wireless telephone subscriber can use a standard cellular/PCS telephone as a wireless extension of their desktop phone, while in the proximity of a miniature radio base station capable of communicating with the PCS/cellular telephone. The advantage of such a system is that a subscriber can use the same cellular/PCS telephone that provides service in the public network in the wireless centrex environment. Additionally, the wireless centrex system provides services and features which are similar to those offered to regular centrex telephone subscribers.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1999Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Albert Chow, Jinman Kim, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang, Wenchu Ying
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Patent number: 6728239Abstract: A scaleable PBX (Private Branch exchange) is provided for use in a powerful, facilities-based, broadband communications system that guarantees voice, data and video communication reliability and security to users for an multimedia system including integrated telephone, television and data network. The scaleable PBX includes one or more broadband gateways. Each broadband gateway may be provided on a slot card (i.e., broadband gateway card) compatible with servers and personal computers (PC). One or more slot cards may be include in a server to provide PBX feature/function capability to a broadband communication system. The server based broadband gateway PBX is scaleable for any size company or facility using, for example, one or more network servers. Alternatively, the broadband gateway card may be installed in a PC and provide a low cost small business or home PBX system.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Hopeton Walker, Spencer Wang