Patents by Inventor Joseph Michael Christie

Joseph Michael Christie 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: 6795440
    Abstract: The invention is a tandem system for providing a tandem connection for circuit-based traffic. This tandem system comprises an ATM cross-connect, ATM interworking multiplexers, and a signaling processor. The multiplexer converts the traffic received by the tandem system into ATM where it is routed through the cross-connect and re-converted, back into the circuit-based format at an ATM interworking multiplexer. The signaling processor controls the virtual connections and out going circuit-based connections used by the multiplexers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communcations Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, Albert Daniel DuRee, William Lyle Wiley, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Patent number: 6788693
    Abstract: A system to interworking a call between a plurality of networks having different formats. The system has a GR-303 system, an integrated services digital network system, a service platform, and an asynchronous transfer mode system. The system has a signaling processor that is adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling to select a connection to one of the GR-303 system, the integrated services digital network system, the service platform, or the asynchronous transfer mode system. The signaling processor thereby selects the corresponding system on the connection. The signaling processor transports a control message identifying the selected connection. An interworking unit receives the user communications and the control message. The interworking unit converts the user communications from the format in which it was received to the format that is compatible with the selected system. The user communications are then transported on the selected connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communication Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, by Jean M. Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040125814
    Abstract: The invention includes a system for processing telecommunications signaling. Signaling for a call is received into a signaling processor. The signaling processor processes the call and generates new signaling incorporating the processing. The new signaling is transferred to network elements as appropriate. The signaling processor is not coupled to a switch matrix and only communicates with the network elements over signaling links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L. P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Bobby Chand Bahl, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, Daniel Charles Sbisa, William Lyle Wiley
  • Publication number: 20040090973
    Abstract: The invention is a system for modifying the VPI/VCIs in ATM cells transferred between two ATM systems on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for the call and selects a new VPI/VCI for the call. The signaling processor generates a control message that identifies the old and new VPI/VCIs and transfers the control message to an ATM gateway. The ATM gateway modifies the old VPI/VCI in the ATM cells to the new VPI/VCI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L. P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley
  • Publication number: 20040085975
    Abstract: The invention is a system for interfacing a GR-303 system with a broadband system. The broadband system can be an ATM system. The invention can process the GR-303 signaling to select ATM connections and then interwork the GR-303 connections with the selected ATM connections. The invention can interwork GR-303 signaling and SS7 signaling. The invention can also process SS7 signaling to select GR-303 connections and then interwork ATM connections with the selected GR-303 connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee
  • Publication number: 20040085990
    Abstract: A system and method provide enhanced services for a call that is transported from a communication device through an asynchronous transfer mode system. The call has user communications in asynchronous transfer mode cells and call signaling. A signaling processor receives the call signaling and processes the call signaling to determine a connection to a service platform. The signaling processor transports a processor control message designating the selected connection. An asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit receives the user communications from the communication device and the processor control message from the signaling processor. The asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit converts the user communications from the asynchronous transfer mode cells to a format compatible with the service platform and dynamically transports the user communications to the service platform in real time. The service platform processes the user communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040081107
    Abstract: The invention is a system for providing virtual connections through an ATM interworking multiplexer on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for a call and selects the virtual connection for the call. The signaling processor generates new signaling that identifies the selection and transfers the new signaling to the ATM interworking multiplexer that accepted the access connection for the call. The multiplexer converts user information from the access connection into ATM cells for transmission over the virtual connection in accord with the new signaling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Christie
  • Publication number: 20040057427
    Abstract: A communication system is disclosed comprised of a signaling processor and an interworking system. The signaling processor receives a call setup message including a called number, processes the called number to transmit a query, receives a response message responsive to the query that includes number portability information for the called number, processes the number portability information to select an identifier for routing, and transmits a control message that identifies the identifier. The interworking system receives a user communication and the control message, converts the user communication into communications that include the identifier, and transfers the communications that include the identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, Albert Daniel DuRee, William Lyle Wiley, Tracy Lee Nelson, Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie
  • Patent number: 6704327
    Abstract: A system and method for connecting a call in an asynchronous transfer mode system remotely controls an interworking unit. A communication device transports user communications and call signaling for a call. A signaling processor processes the call signaling to determine a connection for the call. An interworking unit interworks the user communications from the format in which the user communications are received from the communication device to asynchronous transfer mode cells that identify the selected connection. A cross connect provisions a virtual path between the signaling processor and the interworking unit. The virtual path has signaling virtual path identifier/virtual channel identifier links. The signaling processor transports over the virtual path a control message that designates the selected connection. The interworking unit receives the control message and interworks the user communications to the asynchronous transfer mode cells that identify the selected connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley, Joseph Michael Christie, Albert Daniel DuRee
  • Publication number: 20040037328
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Christie
  • Patent number: 6697340
    Abstract: A system and method provide enhanced services for a call that is transported from a communication device through an asynchronous transfer mode system. The call has user communications in asynchronous transfer mode cells and call signaling. A signaling processor receives the call signaling and processes the call signaling to determine a connection to a service platform. The signaling processor transports a processor control message designating the selected connection. An asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit receives the user communications from the communication device and the processor control message from the signaling processor. The asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit converts the user communications from the asynchronous transfer mode cells to a format compatible with the service platform and dynamically transports the user communications to the service platform in real time. The service platform processes the user communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Patent number: 6690656
    Abstract: The invention includes a system for processing telecommunications signaling. Signaling for a call is received into a signaling processor. The signaling processor processes the call and generates new signaling incorporating the processing. The new signaling is transferred to network elements as appropriate. The signaling processor is not coupled to a switch matrix and only communicates with the network elements over signaling links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Bobby Chand Bahl, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, Daniel Charles Sbisa, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 6690674
    Abstract: A system to interworking a call between a plurality of networks having different formats. The system has a GR-303 system, an integrated services digital network system, a service platform, and an asynchronous transfer mode system. The system has a signaling processor that is adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling to select a connection to one of the GR-303 system, the integrated services digital network system, the service platform, or the asynchronous transfer mode system. The signaling processor thereby selects the corresponding system on the connection. The signaling processor transports a control message identifying the selected connection. An interworking unit receives the user communications and the control message. The interworking unit converts the user communications from the format in which it was received to the format that is compatible with the selected system. The user communications are then transported on the selected connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Patent number: 6687244
    Abstract: The invention is an ATM transport system that transports user information from a continuous signal transport system. The ATM transport system uses telecommunications signaling associated with the continuous signals to determine if the continuous signals are transporting any user information. If so, ATM cells containing user information are generated and transmitted, but if not ATM cells are not generated and transmitted. The invention includes an ATM interworking multiplexer and in some embodiments, a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Christie
  • Patent number: 6683878
    Abstract: The invention is a system for modifying the VPI/VCIs in ATM cells transferred between two ATM systems on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for the call and selects a new VPI/VCI for the call. The signaling processor generates a control message that identifies the old and new VPI/VCIs and transfers the control message to an ATM gateway. The ATM gateway modifies the old VPI/VCI in the ATM cells to the new VPI/VCI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Albert Daniel DuRee, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 6674759
    Abstract: The invention includes a system for processing telecommunications signaling. Signaling for a call is received into a signaling processor. The signaling processor processes the call and generates new signaling incorporating the processing. The new signaling is transferred to network elements as appropriate. The signaling processor is not coupled to a switch matrix and only communicates with the network elements over signaling links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Bobby Chand Bahl, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, Daniel Charles Sbisa, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 6667982
    Abstract: The invention is a system for interfacing a GR-303 system with a broadband system. The broadband system can be an ATM system. The invention can process the GR-303 signaling to select ATM connections and then interwork the GR-303 connections with the selected ATM connections. The invention can interwork GR-303 signaling and SS7 signaling. The invention can also process SS7 signaling to select GR-303 connections and then interwork ATM connections with the selected GR-303 connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee
  • Patent number: 6665294
    Abstract: The invention is a system for providing virtual connections through an ATM interworking multiplexer on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for a call and selects the virtual connection for the call. The signaling processor generates new signaling that identifies the selection and transfers the new signaling to the ATM interworking multiplexer that accepted the access connection for the call. The multiplexer converts user information from the access connection into ATM cells for transmission over the virtual connection in accord with the new signaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Christie
  • Patent number: 6643282
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Christie
  • Patent number: 6639912
    Abstract: A communication system is disclosed comprised of a signaling processor and an interworking system. The signaling processor receives a call setup message including a called number, processes the called number to transmit a query, receives a response message responsive to the query that includes number portability information for the called number, processes the number portability information to select an identifier for routing, and transmits a control message that identifies the identifier. The interworking system receives a user communication and the control message, converts the user communication into communications that include the identifier, and transfers the communications that include the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, Albert Daniel DuRee, William Lyle Wiley, Tracy Lee Nelson