Patents by Inventor James M. Adkins, III

James M. Adkins, III 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: 11909445
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for an optical domain controller for managing and maintaining a record of network component configuration and interconnections. The optical domain controller detects changes in a configuration of optical network elements in response to a requested service from the network, coordinates additional changes in configurations to optical network elements that may be affected by the detected change, communicates with the optical network elements to incorporate the changes to the configurations of the network element, and stores the configurations and states of the network elements. The use of the optical domain controller may thus replace or supplement a database storing network configuration information by automatically managing changes to the network as new services are instantiated directly on the optical network elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: William Feight, Tara Joseph-Labrie, James M. Adkins, III, Clyde David Cooper, III
  • Publication number: 20240022639
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for managing network connections. A computing device accesses a request to provision a network connection associated with a first device. The request includes a plurality of connection parameters defining desired specifications for a network connection from the first device to a second device. The connection parameters are validated against information from a database and other predetermined rules. A network connection path is generated to connect the first device with the second device. The network connection path is generated by selecting network elements for the network connection that satisfy the connection parameters. Configuration information for the network elements of the network connection path is aggregated for a configuration system. The configuration information is used to provision the network connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Gen Wang, Michael Nyhus, Craig Tystad, James M. Adkins, III
  • Patent number: 11736575
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for managing network connections. A computing device accesses a request to provision a network connection associated with a first device. The request includes a plurality of connection parameters defining desired specifications for a network connection from the first device to a second device. The connection parameters are validated against information from a database and other predetermined rules. A network connection path is generated to connect the first device with the second device. The network connection path is generated by selecting network elements for the network connection that satisfy the connection parameters. Configuration information for the network elements of the network connection path is aggregated for a configuration system. The configuration information is used to provision the network connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Gen Wang, Michael Nyhus, Craig Tystad, James M. Adkins, III
  • Publication number: 20220407923
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for managing network connections. A computing device accesses a request to provision a network connection associated with a first device. The request includes a plurality of connection parameters defining desired specifications for a network connection from the first device to a second device. The connection parameters are validated against information from a database and other predetermined rules. A network connection path is generated to connect the first device with the second device. The network connection path is generated by selecting network elements for the network connection that satisfy the connection parameters. Configuration information for the network elements of the network connection path is aggregated for a configuration system. The configuration information is used to provision the network connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Gen Wang, Michael Nyhus, Craig Tystad, James M. Adkins, III
  • Patent number: 11431808
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for managing network connections. A computing device accesses a request to provision a network connection associated with a first device. The request includes a plurality of connection parameters defining desired specifications for a network connection from the first device to a second device. The connection parameters are validated against information from a database and other predetermined rules. A network connection path is generated to connect the first device with the second device. The network connection path is generated by selecting network elements for the network connection that satisfy the connection parameters. Configuration information for the network elements of the network connection path is aggregated for a configuration system. The configuration information is used to provision the network connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Gen Wang, Michael Nyhus, Craig Tystad, James M. Adkins, III
  • Publication number: 20220209867
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for an optical domain controller for managing and maintaining a record of network component configuration and interconnections. The optical domain controller detects changes in a configuration of optical network elements in response to a requested service from the network, coordinates additional changes in configurations to optical network elements that may be affected by the detected change, communicates with the optical network elements to incorporate the changes to the configurations of the network element, and stores the configurations and states of the network elements. The use of the optical domain controller may thus replace or supplement a database storing network configuration information by automatically managing changes to the network as new services are instantiated directly on the optical network elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: William Feight, Tara Joseph-Labrie, James M. Adkins, III, Clyde David Cooper, III
  • Patent number: 11290354
    Abstract: A dynamic provisioning system includes a computer-executed portal that controls a router to, when a request message is received over a broadcast virtual local area network (VLAN), control the router to establish a dedicated VLAN between the customer communication device and the portal over a dedicated VLAN. The dedicated connection directing communication traffic from the customer computing device to the portal while inhibiting other communication traffic from the customer computing device. The portal also generates a user interface at the customer computing device using the dedicated connection in which the user interface to receive unique identifying information from the customer computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Nyhus, James M. Adkins, III
  • Patent number: 11283523
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for an optical domain controller for managing and maintaining a record of network component configuration and interconnections. The optical domain controller detects changes in a configuration of optical network elements in response to a requested service from the network, coordinates additional changes in configurations to optical network elements that may be affected by the detected change, communicates with the optical network elements to incorporate the changes to the configurations of the network element, and stores the configurations and states of the network elements. The use of the optical domain controller may thus replace or supplement a database storing network configuration information by automatically managing changes to the network as new services are instantiated directly on the optical network elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: William Feight, Tara Joseph-Labrie, James M. Adkins, III, Clyde David Cooper, III
  • Publication number: 20210226704
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for an optical domain controller for managing and maintaining a record of network component configuration and interconnections. The optical domain controller detects changes in a configuration of optical network elements in response to a requested service from the network, coordinates additional changes in configurations to optical network elements that may be affected by the detected change, communicates with the optical network elements to incorporate the changes to the configurations of the network element, and stores the configurations and states of the network elements. The use of the optical domain controller may thus replace or supplement a database storing network configuration information by automatically managing changes to the network as new services are instantiated directly on the optical network elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: William Feight, Tara Joseph-Labrie, James M. Adkins, III, Clyde David Cooper, III
  • Patent number: 10999128
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-computer-readable storage media for repairing a Network Element (NE) to transport data within a network. When a NE on the network encounters an error, such as a port not receiving data, that NE will issue an alarm. Unlike previous mechanisms for resolving the alarm, systems configured according to this disclosure provide for an automatic mechanism to repair the alarm. In some instances, this can mean automatically deploying resources to re-connect the NE according to a network plan. In other instances this can mean verifying the status of the NE matches a planned status (i.e., that the loss of signal, and the subsequent alarm, were planned for). If neither of these actions resolves the problems of the NE, the system can issue a notification for a network engineer to perform maintenance on the NE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bernie C. Lehman, James M. Adkins, III
  • Patent number: 10979144
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for an optical domain controller for managing and maintaining a record of network component configuration and interconnections. The optical domain controller detects changes in a configuration of optical network elements in response to a requested service from the network, coordinates additional changes in configurations to optical network elements that may be affected by the detected change, communicates with the optical network elements to incorporate the changes to the configurations of the network element, and stores the configurations and states of the network elements. The use of the optical domain controller may thus replace or supplement a database storing network configuration information by automatically managing changes to the network as new services are instantiated directly on the optical network elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: William Feight, Tara Joseph-Labrie, James M. Adkins, III, Clyde David Cooper, III
  • Patent number: 10965526
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for configuring a Network Element (NE) to transport data within a network. A system configured accordingly may include a Transport Automation Tool (TAT) which can initiate, at a server on a network, a communication channel with a NE on the network. The TAT can determine or receive a network plan providing information about a circuit to be initiated or decommissioned on the network. The network plan may include a first port on the NE which is to be connected via a cross-connect (or disconnected) to a second port on the NE. The TAT can then establish or remove, using the communication channel, the cross-connect on the NE such that the NE is added to or removed from a circuit design utilizing the NE as a transport NE within the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bernie C. Lehman, James M. Adkins, III, Kevin J. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20200344134
    Abstract: A dynamic provisioning system includes a computer-executed portal that controls a router to, when a request message is received over a broadcast virtual local area network (VLAN), control the router to establish a dedicated VLAN between the customer communication device and the portal over a dedicated VLAN. The dedicated connection directing communication traffic from the customer computing device to the portal while inhibiting other communication traffic from the customer computing device. The portal also generates a user interface at the customer computing device using the dedicated connection in which the user interface to receive unique identifying information from the customer computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Nyhus, James M. Adkins, III
  • Patent number: 10721140
    Abstract: A dynamic provisioning system includes a computer-executed portal that controls a router to, when a request message is received over a broadcast virtual local area network (VLAN), control the router to establish a dedicated VLAN between the customer communication device and the portal over a dedicated VLAN. The dedicated connection directing communication traffic from the customer computing device to the portal while inhibiting other communication traffic from the customer computing device. The portal also generates a user interface at the customer computing device using the dedicated connection in which the user interface to receive unique identifying information from the customer computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Nyhus, James M. Adkins, III
  • Patent number: 10673710
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include an activation, consolidation, and transformation system (ACT) for a telecommunications network. A request is received to provision one or more devices in a network and includes a key and key value. The request is routed to a data source associated with the key or key value of the request. Data is queried from the data source and validated by the ACT. At least one template is identified from a plurality of digital templates based upon attributes of the data that is applied to the at least one template and the template transforms the data to an output. The output comprises instructions for configuring a device for a telecommunications service based on the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Adkins, III, Craig Tystad, James C. Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20190306012
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-computer-readable storage media for repairing a Network Element (NE) to transport data within a network. When a NE on the network encounters an error, such as a port not receiving data, that NE will issue an alarm. Unlike previous mechanisms for resolving the alarm, systems configured according to this disclosure provide for an automatic mechanism to repair the alarm. In some instances, this can mean automatically deploying resources to re-connect the NE according to a network plan. In other instances this can mean verifying the status of the NE matches a planned status (i.e., that the loss of signal, and the subsequent alarm, were planned for). If neither of these actions resolves the problems of the NE, the system can issue a notification for a network engineer to perform maintenance on the NE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bernie C. LEHMAN, James M. ADKINS, III
  • Patent number: 10355918
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-computer-readable storage media for repairing a Network Element (NE) to transport data within a network. When a NE on the network encounters an error, such as a port not receiving data, that NE will issue an alarm. Unlike previous mechanisms for resolving the alarm, systems configured according to this disclosure provide for an automatic mechanism to repair the alarm. In some instances, this can mean automatically deploying resources to re-connect the NE according to a network plan. In other instances this can mean verifying the status of the NE matches a planned status (i.e., that the loss of signal, and the subsequent alarm, were planned for). If neither of these actions resolves the problems of the NE, the system can issue a notification for a network engineer to perform maintenance on the NE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bernie C. Lehman, James M. Adkins, III
  • Publication number: 20180026857
    Abstract: A dynamic provisioning system includes a computer-executed portal that controls a router to, when a request message is received over a broadcast virtual local area network (VLAN), control the router to establish a dedicated VLAN between the customer communication device and the portal over a dedicated VLAN. The dedicated connection directing communication traffic from the customer computing device to the portal while inhibiting other communication traffic from the customer computing device. The portal also generates a user interface at the customer computing device using the dedicated connection in which the user interface to receive unique identifying information from the customer computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Nyhus, James M. Adkins, III
  • Publication number: 20170257439
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for managing network connections. A computing device accesses a request to provision a network connection associated with a first device. The request includes a plurality of connection parameters defining desired specifications for a network connection from the first device to a second device. The connection parameters are validated against information from a database and other predetermined rules. A network connection path is generated to connect the first device with the second device. The network connection path is generated by selecting network elements for the network connection that satisfy the connection parameters. Configuration information for the network elements of the network connection path is aggregated for a configuration system. The configuration information is used to provision the network connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Gen Wang, Michael Nythus, Craig Tystad, James M. Adkins, III
  • Publication number: 20170207959
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for configuring a Network Element (NE) to transport data within a network. A system configured accordingly may include a Transport Automation Tool (TAT) which can initiate, at a server on a network, a communication channel with a NE on the network. The TAT can determine or receive a network plan providing information about a circuit to be initiated or decommissioned on the network. The network plan may include a first port on the NE which is to be connected via a cross-connect (or disconnected) to a second port on the NE. The TAT can then establish or remove, using the communication channel, the cross-connect on the NE such that the NE is added to or removed from a circuit design utilizing the NE as a transport NE within the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Bernie C. Lehman, James M. Adkins, III, Kevin J. Bennett