Patents by Inventor James B. Shepard

James B. Shepard 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).

  • Patent number: 5633924
    Abstract: A plurality of telecommunication switches are coupled to agent communication terminals (ACTs) which are used by agents for handling incoming calls. An integrated control system is coupled to the ACTs and controls the distribution of incoming calls among the ACTs. An intelligent node in the system can access an agent queue that stores data indicating availability of ACTs to handle the call and a call queue which stores data concerning calls waiting for ACD service. A database stores processing instructions for the handling of incoming calls based on data contained in the agent and call queues, and subscriber specified instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Kaish, Eugene P. Mathews, Nigel G. Matson, Carlos A. Perea, George J. Ryva, James B. Shepard, Smita P. Sheth, Robert J. Thornberry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5475746
    Abstract: A telephone subscriber to a long distance telecommunication system is permitted, in accordance with this invention, to enter changes in real time utilizing a conventional Touch-tone telephone to control the routing or handling of incoming calls. A real-time update network control point (RTU NCP) is accessed by subscribers and contains input steps which controls the entry of changes by the subscriber. Upon the completion of the entry by the subscriber of the desired changes in RTU NCP, the latter causes the changes to be transmitted to the subscriber's NCP (SUB NCP) which controls the processing of incoming calls to a directory number associated with the subscriber based on subscriber data stored in the SUB NCP. The SUB NCP data corresponding to the subscriber is modified in accordance with the changes, so that incoming calls will be handled in accordance with the changed subscriber data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Eileen O. Miller, James B. Shepard
  • Patent number: 4953203
    Abstract: A high capacity information forwarding system for use with originating screening offices of a telephone network. Apparatus periodically accesses a centralized data base within the telephone network and translates a predefined telephone number dialed by a calling telephone station into a destination telephone number of a called telephone station. The apparatus, upon determining the information forwarding service capability of the called telephone station, stores the predefined and translated destination telephone numbers at the originating screening office. Upon subsequent receipt of the dialed predefined telephone number, the originating screening office accesses the information stored therein and establishes a telephone connection between a calling telephone station and a called telephone station identified by the stored destination telephone number and forwards information of the calling telephone station thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: James B. Shepard