Patents by Inventor John Reformato
John 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).
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Patent number: 9942190Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for group messaging are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a group messaging system receiving a broadcast message from an originating user, imposing a limit on a number of text characters included in the broadcast message, identifying a group of intended recipients of the broadcast message, determining contact information for an intended recipient included in the group, determining at least one broadcast message sending method for the intended recipient, and sending the broadcast message to the intended recipient using the at least one broadcast message sending method.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, Ashutosh K. Sureka, Paula A. Giuda, Sandeep Chakravarty, John Reformato
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Publication number: 20160241507Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for group messaging are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a group messaging system receiving a broadcast message from an originating user, imposing a limit on a number of text characters included in the broadcast message, identifying a group of intended recipients of the broadcast message, determining contact information for an intended recipient included in the group, determining at least one broadcast message sending method for the intended recipient, and sending the broadcast message to the intended recipient using the at least one broadcast message sending method.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, Ashutosh Sureka, Paula Dromlewicz, Sandeep Chakravarty, John Reformato
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Patent number: 9325511Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for group messaging are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a group messaging system receiving a broadcast message from an originating user, imposing a limit on a number of text characters included in the broadcast message, identifying a group of intended recipients of the broadcast message, determining contact information for an intended recipient included in the group, determining at least one broadcast message sending method for the intended recipient, and sending the broadcast message to the intended recipient using the at least one broadcast message sending method.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, Ashutosh Sureka, Paula Dromlewicz, Sandeep Chakravarty, John Reformato
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Patent number: 8824642Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for enabling a user to perform telecommunication operations are disclosed. A method disclosed includes receiving a device having a storage containing data corresponding to an account identifier and data associated with a voice portal and then establishing a connection with a server associated with the voice portal. Upon establishing the connection, the data corresponding to the account identifier is provided to the server associated with the voice portal. Then, upon confirmation by the server that the account identifier corresponds to an active subscriber account, the user is enabled to perform selected operations of the voice portal using voice input commands based on limitations, if any, associated with the active subscriber account.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignees: Verizon Services Corp., Verizon Data Services LLCInventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, Paula Dromlewicz, John Reformato
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Patent number: 8311199Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically providing conference calls are disclosed. In one aspect, 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. In another aspect, when configuring a conference call event, a subscriber user may enter, select or otherwise designate conference information that the user wishes to be displayed in the caller identification fields that are sent out when a bridge dials the participant users associated with the conference call. 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignees: Verizon Services Corp., Verizon Data Services LLCInventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, Paula Ann Dromlewicz, John Reformato
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Publication number: 20120166568Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for group messaging are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a group messaging system receiving a broadcast message from an originating user, imposing a limit on a number of text characters included in the broadcast message, identifying a group of intended recipients of the broadcast message, determining contact information for an intended recipient included in the group, determining at least one broadcast message sending method for the intended recipient, and sending the broadcast message to the intended recipient using the at least one broadcast message sending method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicants: Verizon Data Services, Inc., Verizon Services Corp.Inventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, Ashutosh Sureka, Paula Dromlewicz, Sandeep Chakravarty, John Reformato
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Patent number: 8130917Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for facilitating group messaging to various communication devices are disclosed. A method disclosed includes receiving from an originating user a broadcast message having an address designating at least in part a group of recipients. Next, an intended recipient may be identified based on at least a part of the address. An indication of the broadcast message may then be sent to the intended recipient in accordance with a sending method that is dynamically selected from a set of sending methods associated with the intended recipient based on characteristics associated with the intended recipient.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignees: Verizon Data Services LLC, Verizon Services Corp.Inventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, Ashutosh Sureka, Paula Dromlewiez, Sandeep Chakravarty, John Reformato
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Patent number: 7912199Abstract: Methods and systems are described for remote establishment of a call from a first device to a second device. In said methods and systems the information is retrieved from the first device regarding the second device along with information associating the user with a device associated with the user. The call is then transferred to a switch associated with the user's device. The switch then forwards the call to the second device.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Telesector Resources Group, Inc.Inventors: John Reformato, Stephen Brennan
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Patent number: 7609822Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling and retrieving messages from multiple voice mail systems used by a single individual are described. A voice messaging retrieval and forwarding (VMRAF) system checks a subscriber's voice message systems for messages, retrieves the messages and forwards them to the subscriber as attachments to E-mail files. E-mail replay messages are used to control deleting of the messages from the original systems. Prompt messages played to callers by different voice messaging systems before they leave a message can be updated automatically. This is done by indicating to the VMRAF system when one or more prompt messages are to be updated and which messages, from a set of prerecorded messages, are to be loaded into the voice message systems to replace the existing prompt messages. Accordingly, the VMRAF system facilities message retrieval and the updating of prompt messages, e.g., on a preselected schedule or at preselected times.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Telesector Resources Group, Inc.Inventors: Loren Swingle, Craig L. Reding, John Reformato, Jayant M. Naik, Robert C. Baruch
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Publication number: 20080159503Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically providing conference calls are disclosed. In one aspect, 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. In another aspect, when configuring a conference call event, a subscriber user may enter, select or otherwise designate conference information that the user wishes to be displayed in the caller identification fields that are sent out when a bridge dials the participant users associated with the conference call. 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicants: Verizon Services Corp., Verizon Data Services, Inc.Inventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, Paula Ann Dromlewicz, John Reformato
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Publication number: 20080162708Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for enabling a user to perform telecommunication operations are disclosed. A method disclosed includes receiving a device having a storage containing data corresponding to an account identifier and data associated with a voice portal and then establishing a connection with a server associated with the voice portal. Upon establishing the connection, the data corresponding to the account identifier is provided to the server associated with the voice portal. Then, upon confirmation by the server that the account identifier corresponds to an active subscriber account, the user is enabled to perform selected operations of the voice portal using voice input commands based on limitations, if any, associated with the active subscriber account.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicants: Verizon Services Corp., Verizon Data Services, Inc.Inventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, Paula Dromlewicz, John Reformato
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Publication number: 20080155029Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for facilitating group messaging to various communication devices are disclosed. A method disclosed includes receiving from an originating user a broadcast message having an address designating at least in part a group of recipients. Next, an intended recipient may be identified based on at least a part of the address. An indication of the broadcast message may then be sent to the intended recipient in accordance with a sending method that is dynamically selected from a set of sending methods associated with the intended recipient based on characteristics associated with the intended recipient.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicants: VERIZON DATA SERVICES INC., VERIZON SERVICES CORP.Inventors: Christopher L. Helbling, Craig L. Reding, Ashutosh Sureka, Paula Dromlewicz, Sandeep Chakravarty, John Reformato
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Publication number: 20070127632Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling and retrieving messages from multiple voice mail systems used by a single individual are described. A voice messaging retrieval and forwarding (VMRAF) system checks a subscriber's voice message systems for messages, retrieves the messages and forwards them to the subscriber as attachments to E-mail files. E-mail replay messages are used to control deleting of the messages from the original systems. Prompt messages played to callers by different voice messaging systems before they leave a message can be updated automatically. This is done by indicating to the VMRAF system when one or more prompt messages are to be updated and which messages, from a set of prerecorded messages, are to be loaded into the voice message systems to replace the existing prompt messages. Accordingly, the VMRAF system facilities message retrieval and the updating of prompt messages, e.g., on a preselected schedule or at preselected times.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2006Publication date: June 7, 2007Applicant: TELESECTOR RESOURCES GROUP, INC.Inventors: Loren Swingle, Craig Reding, John Reformato, Jayant Naik, Robert Baruch
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Publication number: 20070038720Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2006Publication date: February 15, 2007Applicants: MCI FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CORP., VERIZON DATA SERVICES INC., VERIZON SERVICES CORP.Inventors: Craig Reding, Ashutosh Sureka, Sandeep Chakravarty, Paula Dromlewiez, Christopher Helbling, Shuchi Patel, John Reformato
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Publication number: 20060276179Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2004Publication date: December 7, 2006Inventors: Reza Ghaffari, Afshin Moshrefi, Shadman Zafar, Shaygan Kheradpir, Robert Chingon, Stephen Brennan, Christopher Helbling, Nagendra Kunuturi, Ravi Penumatsa, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Craig Reding, John Reformato, John Wurster, Sandeep Chakravarty, Byron Pinto, Alin D'Silva, Zlauddin Majid, Satya Raju
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Patent number: 7136461Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling and retrieving messages from multiple voice mail systems used by a single individual are described. A voice messaging retrieval and forwarding (VMRAF) system checks a subscriber's voice message systems for messages, retrieves the messages and forwards them to the subscriber as attachments to E-mail files. E-mail replay messages are used to control deleting of the messages from the original systems. Prompt messages played to callers by different voice messaging systems before they leave a message can be updated automatically. This is done by indicating to the VMRAF system when one or more prompt messages are to be updated and which messages, from a set of prerecorded messages, are to be loaded into the voice message systems to replace the existing prompt messages. Accordingly, the VMRAF system facilities message retrieval and the updating of prompt messages, e.g., on a preselected schedule or at preselected times.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Telesector Resources Group, Inc.Inventors: Loren Swingle, Craig L. Reding, John Reformato, Jayant M. Naik, Robert C. Baruch
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Publication number: 20060177034Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2003Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Craig Reding, John Reformato, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Brian Roberts, Chris Helbling, Manvinder Chopra, Ken Hum, Apurva Pathak
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Patent number: 6963633Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing communication services such as voice dialing services are described. In one Centrex based voice dialing embodiment, voice dialing service subscribers are given access to personal voice dialing records including calling entries via the Internet as well as via telephone connections. Each calling entry normally includes the name and, optionally nickname, of a party to be called. It also includes one or more telephone numbers associated with each name. Different telephone number identifies, e.g. locations, can be associated with different names. A user can create or update entries in a voice dialing directory using text conveyed over the Internet or speech supplied via a telephone connection. In order to facilitate updating and maintenance of voice dialing directories over the Internet speaker independent (SI) speech recognition models are used.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Verizon Services Corp.Inventors: William F. Diede, Kay L. Bechtel, Eugene Lubchenko, Scott Alexander McAlily, Jayant M. Naik, Barry Paul Pershan, John Reformato
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Publication number: 20050117729Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2003Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Craig Reding, John Reformato, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Shadman Zafar, John Wurster
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Publication number: 20050117714Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2003Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Robert Chingon, Stephen Brennan, Christopher Helbling, Nagendra Kunuturi, Ravi Penumatsa, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Craig Reding, John Reformato, John Wurster, Sandeep Chakraverty, Byron Pinto