Patents by Inventor John R. Reformato

John R. Reformato 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: 9392120
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a call in real-time are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention manage a call in real-time based on input from a user. A service center receives information pertaining to a call to the user from a service control point and sends a notification of the call to a device associated with the user. The service center receives a response to the notification from the user. Thereafter, the service center instructs the service control point to connect the call based on the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Chingon, Stephen P. Brennan, Christopher L. Helbling, Nagendra Kunuturi, Ravi Penumatsa, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Craig L. Reding, John R. Reformato, John H. Wurster, Sandeep Chakraverty, Byron M. Pinto
  • Publication number: 20140378110
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a call in real-time are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention manage a call in real-time based on input from a user. A service center receives information pertaining to a call to the user from a service control point and sends a notification of the call to a device associated with the user. The service center receives a response to the notification from the user. Thereafter, the service center instructs the service control point to connect the call based on the response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Robert A. CHINGON, Stephen P. Brennan, Christopher L. Helbling, Nagendra Kunuturi, Ravi Penumatsa, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Craig L. Reding, John R. Reformato, John H. Wurster, Sandeep Chakraverty, Byron M. Pinto
  • Patent number: 8774380
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a call in real-time are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention manage a call in real-time based on input from a user. A service center receives information pertaining to a call to the user from a service control point and sends a notification of the call to a device associated with the user. The service center receives a response to the notification from the user. Thereafter, the service center instructs the service control point to connect the call based on the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc., Verizon Services Corp., Verizon Data Services LLC
    Inventors: Robert A Chingon, Stephen P Brennan, Christopher L Helbling, Nagendra Kunuturi, Ravi Penumatsa, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Craig L Reding, John R Reformato, John H. Wurster, Sandeep Chakraverty, Byron M Pinto
  • Patent number: 8750482
    Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention screen calls. A first server receives information pertaining to a call to a user from a calling party. The first server then determines whether a real-time call management function is enabled for the user and determines whether a calling party number associated with the calling party is valid when the realtime call management function is not enabled. A call screening function is performed when the calling party number is invalid. The first server provides a notification of the call to a device associated with the user when the real-time call management function is enabled. A second server initiates the call screening function when the user selects a call screening option included in the notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Verizon Data Services LLC, Telesector Resources Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Chingon, Shadman Zafar, Craig L. Reding, Christopher L. Helbling, John R. Reformato
  • Patent number: 8503639
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a user's preferred device with a notification of an incoming communication for one of a plurality of a user's devices. Notification of an incoming communication is provided to the user's preferred device via a communications service. The communications service receives, from a data or voice network, information representing an incoming communication intended for one of a plurality of a user's devices. The service then provides a notification of the incoming communication to the user's preferred device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Verizon Data Services LLC, Telesector Resources Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, John R. Reformato, Mahesh Rajagopalan
  • Patent number: 8503650
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically providing conference calls are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, methods and systems detect a conference call event that was previously configured by a subscriber user and identify participant users associated with the conference call event. Once identified, each participant user is contacted and a response is received from each of the users. Based on the received responses, a conference call is established between the participant users and the subscriber user. In one aspect of the invention, at least one of the detecting and identifying steps are performed without user intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Verizon Data Services LLC, Telesector Resources Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, John R. Reformato, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Brian F. Roberts, Chris L. Helbling, Manvinder S. Chopra, Ken J. Hum, Apurva Pathak
  • Patent number: 8488761
    Abstract: A call log associated with outgoing calls originating from calling devices may be established and maintained. Filter parameters may be set to specify which outgoing calls to log. Outgoing call information associated with calls originating from a user's calling devices may be obtained and transmitted to a service center. A server in the service center may determine whether or not to log the outgoing call information based on the filter settings. The outgoing call information may be stored in the call log, which may reside in a database in the service center. The user may access the call log from a user terminal and/or the calling devices. The call log may be used to add contacts to a contact list and facilitate data analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Verizon Data Services LLC, Verizon Services Corp., Telesector Resources Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, John R. Reformato, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Shadman Zafar, John Wurster
  • Patent number: 8472428
    Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for managing one or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network. A service center may receive from a user line management information regarding one or more of the user's communications lines. This line management information may include a request from the user to handle all calls to the communications line in a particular manner (e.g., forward all calls to a different number). This line management information may also include information regarding scheduling the handling of calls to the communications line (e.g., scheduling call forwarding) or a request to handle calls differently based on information identifying the origination of the call (e.g., caller-ID). The service center may then forward instructions to the communications network such that the components (e.g., SSP or SCP) of the communications network implement the user's modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Verizon Data Services LLC, Telesector Resources Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Alin D'Silva, Ziauddin Majid, Satya Raju, John R. Reformato, Shadman Zafar
  • Patent number: 8472606
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for obtaining contact-related information associated with a party using an identifier. The identifier may include a calling party number, a previously-dialed number, and/or a number specified by a user. The identifier could also include an e-mail address, an instant messenger address, a photograph, etc. A request for contact-related information may be initiated by a user and/or a device associated with the user. The request may include an identifier associated with a party. Methods and systems may retrieve contact-related information associated with the party using the identifier. Methods and systems may leverage one or more networks to retrieve the contact-related information. Contact information may be retrieved in order to add a contact to a user's address book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Verizon Data Services LLC, Telesector Resources Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, John R. Reformato, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Shadman Zafar
  • Publication number: 20120106728
    Abstract: Methods and systems providing access to integrated communications services are disclosed. A notification of a call to a user is received at a device associated with the user, the device being connected to a data network and including a base unit, a handset, and a user interface, wherein the device is determined based on retrieved data corresponding to the user, and the retrieved data was retrieved using information pertaining to the call. Input from the user indicative of a response to the notification is also received at the device. Response information reflective of the response to the notification is then sent to the server, wherein the server instructs a service control point to connect the call based on the response to the notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicants: Verizon Laboratories Inc., MCI Financial Management Corp., Verizon Services Corp., Verizon Data Services Inc.
    Inventors: Reza Ghaffari, Afshin Moshrefi, Shadman Zafar, Shaygan Kheradpir, Robert A. Chingon, Stephen Brennan, Christopher L. Helbling, Nagendra Kunuturi, Ravi Penumatsa, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Craig L. Reding, John R. Reformato, John H. Wurster, Sandeep Chakravarty, Byron M. Pinto, Alin D'Silva, Zlauddin Majid, Satya Raju
  • Publication number: 20110176666
    Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for managing one or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network. A service center may receive from a user line management information regarding one or more of the user's communications lines. This line management information may include a request from the user to handle all calls to the communications line in a particular manner (e.g., forward all calls to a different number). This line management information may also include information regarding scheduling the handling of calls to the communications line (e.g., scheduling call forwarding) or a request to handle calls differently based on information identifying the origination of the call (e.g., caller-ID). The service center may then forward instructions to the communications network such that the components (e.g., SSP or SCP) of the communications network implement the user's modifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicants: Verizon Data Services, Inc., Telesector Reseources Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Alin D'Silva, Ziauddin Majid, Satya Raju, John R. Reformato, Shadman Zafar
  • Patent number: 7917594
    Abstract: A system and method may include receiving an access from an inviting terminal requesting access to a social networking application, the access request may be associated with a user identifier, searching a contact database, based on the user identifier and on an application identifier of the social networking application, to identify contact information associated with an invitee terminal, and generating a notification message based on the contact information, the notification message may be useable to indicate to the invitee terminal that the inviting terminal has accessed the social networking application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, Paula Dromlewicz, John R. Reformato
  • Patent number: 7912193
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a call in real-time are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention manage a call in real-time based on input from a user. A service center receives information pertaining to a call to the user from a service control point and sends a notification of the call to a device associated with the user. The service center receives a response to the notification from the user. Thereafter, the service center instructs the service control point to connect the call based on the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: Verizon Data Services LLC, Verizon Services Corp., GTE Communication Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Chingon, Stephen P. Brennan, Christopher L. Helbling, Nagendra Kunuturi, Ravi Penumatsa, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Craig L. Reding, John R. Reformato, John H. Wurster, Sandeep Chakraverty, Byron M. Pinto
  • Patent number: 7836147
    Abstract: An exemplary method and apparatus for facilitating contact sharing between users of a communication network are described. The method may include maintaining contact information in first and second address books associated with first and second users, respectively, and forwarding, from the first user to the second user, a request to copy contact information from the first address book to the second address book. The method may further include receiving a confirmation from the second user in response to the request, and copying the contact information from the first address book to the second address book in response to the confirmation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Verizon Data Services LLC, Verizon Services Corp., Verizon Business Financial Management Corporation
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, Ashutosh K. Sureka, Sandeep Chakravarty, Paula A. Dromlewiez, Christopher J. Helbling, Shuchi R. Patel, John R. Reformato
  • Publication number: 20090060155
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a call in real-time are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention manage a call in real-time based on input from a user. A service center receives information pertaining to a call to the user from a service control point and sends a notification of the call to a device associated with the user. The service center receives a response to the notification from the user. Thereafter, the service center instructs the service control point to connect the call based on the response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicants: VERIZON DATA SERVICES INC., VERIZON SERVICES CORP.
    Inventors: Robert A. CHINGON, Stephen P. BRENNAN, Christopher L. HELBLING, Nagendra KUNUTURI, Ravi PENUMATSA, Mahesh RAJAGOPALAN, Craig L. REDING, John R. REFORMATO, John H. WURSTER, Sandeep CHAKRAVERTY, Byron M. PINTO
  • Publication number: 20080243853
    Abstract: A system and method may include receiving an access from an inviting terminal requesting access to a social networking application, the access request may be associated with a user identifier, searching a contact database, based on the user identifier and on an application identifier of the social networking application, to identify contact information associated with an invitee terminal, and generating a notification message based on the contact information, the notification message may be useable to indicate to the invitee terminal that the inviting terminal has accessed the social networking application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicants: Verizon Services Corp., Verizon Data Services Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, Paula Dromlewicz, John R. Reformato
  • Patent number: 7418090
    Abstract: Methods and systems for conference call buffering are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention record a conference call between a plurality of users. A service center in conjunction with a conference bridge and conference server establishes a conference call between a plurality of users. The service center may also ascertain the identities of a plurality of destination devices for an audio stream corresponding to the conference call, where the destination devices corresponding to the plurality of users. An audio streaming server provides the audio stream to the plurality of destination devices. Memory located centrally and/or local to the destination devices stores the audio stream. A user of one of the destination devices may choose to replay a selected portion of the audio stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Telesector Resources Group Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, John R. Reformato, Ziauddin R. Majid, Christopher L. Helbling, Brian F. Roberts, Loren C. Swingle
  • Patent number: 7254220
    Abstract: SMDI messages are used by the SMDI message server to generate either E-mail notifications of received messages which are forwarded to a user of the VMS or to supply VMS message status information to a voice message retrieval and forwarding system using IP messaging instead of SMDI FSK or PSK signaling. SMDI messages between a stored program controlled switching system, e.g., C.O. switch, and a voice message system are monitored by the SMDI message server of the present invention, e.g., by inserting a Tee into the SMDI link between the C.O. switch and VMS. The SMDI message server uses the directory number information and/or a message line identifier included in a received SMDI message to identify a subscriber or voice message retrieval and forwarding system which should be notified of the received SMDI message information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Telesector Resources Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, John R. Reformato, Jayant M. Naik
  • Patent number: 6741677
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing speech recognition capability to callers in a cost efficient manner as part of one or more telephone services are described. Multiple speech recognition units with differing capabilities and therefore implementation costs are provided. Calls are assigned to speech recognition circuits throughout a call based on a signal such as a service type identifier indicating the type of service to be provided to the caller. During different phases of a call different speech recognition units may be used. In addition, different amounts of speech recognition processing capability may be allocated to service a call at different points during a call. In this manner efficient use of available speech recognition resources can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Verizon Services Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Reformato, George J. Vysotsky
  • Publication number: 20010036255
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing speech recognition capability to callers in a cost efficient manner as part of one or more telephone services are described. Multiple speech recognition units with differing capabilities and therefore implementation costs are provided. Calls are assigned to speech recognition circuits throughout a call based on a signal such as a service type identifier indicating the type of service to be provided to the caller. During different phases of a call different speech recognition units may be used. In addition, different amounts of speech recognition processing capability may be allocated to service a call at different points during a call. In this manner efficient use of available speech recognition resources can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: HITACHI AMERICA, LTD, a corporation of New York
    Inventors: John R. Reformato, George J. Vysotsky