Patents by Inventor Kent A. Fritz
Kent A. Fritz 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: 10623238Abstract: A failover system includes a plurality of configuration controllers and a plurality of switches. The switches include a site proxy, a failover module and a routing table. A first site proxy of a first switch is designated as the active proxy and controls failover in the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. A second site proxy of a second switch is designated as the backup proxy and controls failover in the event the first switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. In the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes available, the active proxy interacts with the configuration controller and reassigns the extensions associated with the failed switch to a different switch of the plurality of switches. If a configuration controller fails or otherwise becomes unavailable, another configuration controller becomes active and establishes communication with the plurality of switches to maintain the operational status of the IP telephony system.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Mitel Networks, Inc.Inventor: Kent A. Fritz
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Patent number: 10506000Abstract: A system for mesh conferencing using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling includes at least three endpoints communicatively coupled to each other via media paths. The media paths are for exchanging media communications between the at least three endpoints. At least one controller is communicatively coupled to each of the at least three endpoints via control paths separate from the media paths. The control paths are for exchanging SIP messages to setup the media communications between the at least three endpoints as a mesh conference. Upon establishment of the mesh conference, each of the at least three endpoints may be configured to send a media stream via one of the media paths to each of the others of the at least three endpoints and to receive a media stream via one of the media paths from each of the others of the at least three endpoints.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Mitel Networks, Inc.Inventor: Kent A. Fritz
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Publication number: 20190190808Abstract: A system includes an egress apparatus communicatively coupled with an ingress apparatus via at least one bi-directional network connection established for a given site. Each of the ingress and egress apparatuses includes packet categorizer to categorize each of the egress data packets based on packet evaluation thereof with respect to prioritization rules. Packet routing control places each outgoing data packet (from the ingress or egress apparatus) in one of multiple according to the categorization of each respective packet to control sending the packets according to the priority of the respective queue into which each packet is placed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: MICHAEL R. JORDAN, EDWIN BASART, KENT FRITZ, MICHAEL TOVINO
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Publication number: 20180295015Abstract: A failover system includes a plurality of configuration controllers and a plurality of switches. The switches include a site proxy, a failover module and a routing table. A first site proxy of a first switch is designated as the active proxy and controls failover in the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. A second site proxy of a second switch is designated as the backup proxy and controls failover in the event the first switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. In the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes available, the active proxy interacts with the configuration controller and reassigns the extensions associated with the failed switch to a different switch of the plurality of switches. If a configuration controller fails or otherwise becomes unavailable, another configuration controller becomes active and establishes communication with the plurality of switches to maintain the operational status of the IP telephony system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventor: KENT A. FRITZ
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Patent number: 10027531Abstract: A failover system includes a plurality of configuration controllers and a plurality of switches. The switches include a site proxy, a failover module and a routing table. A first site proxy of a first switch is designated as the active proxy and controls failover in the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. A second site proxy of a second switch is designated as the backup proxy and controls failover in the event the first switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. In the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes available, the active proxy interacts with the configuration controller and reassigns the extensions associated with the failed switch to a different switch of the plurality of switches. If a configuration controller fails or otherwise becomes unavailable, another configuration controller becomes active and establishes communication with the plurality of switches to maintain the operational status of the IP telephony system.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Mitel Networks, Inc.Inventor: Kent A. Fritz
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Publication number: 20170366467Abstract: As an example, a method includes storing, in non-transitory memory, prioritization rules that establish a priority preference for egress of data traffic for a first location. The first location includes a first location apparatus to control egress of data traffic for the first location apparatus and a second location apparatus at a second location, which is different from the first location, to receive data traffic and cooperate with the first apparatus to measure bandwidth with respect to the first location. The first location apparatus is coupled with the second location apparatus via at least one bidirectional network connection. The method also includes estimating capacity of the at least one network connection for the egress of data traffic with respect to the first location. The method also includes categorizing each packet in egress data traffic from the first location based on an evaluation of each packet with respect to the prioritization rules.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Kevin Martin, Edwin Basart, Michael R. Jordan, Kent Fritz, Michael Tovino
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Publication number: 20170272479Abstract: A system for mesh conferencing using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling includes at least three endpoints communicatively coupled to each other via media paths. The media paths are for exchanging media communications between the at least three endpoints. At least one controller is communicatively coupled to each of the at least three endpoints via control paths separate from the media paths. The control paths are for exchanging SIP messages to setup the media communications between the at least three endpoints as a mesh conference. Upon establishment of the mesh conference, each of the at least three endpoints may be configured to send a media stream via one of the media paths to each of the others of the at least three endpoints and to receive a media stream via one of the media paths from each of the others of the at least three endpoints.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventor: Kent A. Fritz
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Patent number: 9674242Abstract: A system for mesh conferencing using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling includes at least three endpoints communicatively coupled to each other via media paths. The media paths are for exchanging media communications between the at least three endpoints. At least one controller is communicatively coupled to each of the at least three endpoints via control paths separate from the media paths. The control paths are for exchanging SIP messages to setup the media communications between the at least three endpoints as a mesh conference. Upon establishment of the mesh conference, each of the at least three endpoints may be configured to send a media stream via one of the media paths to each of the others of the at least three endpoints and to receive a media stream via one of the media paths from each of the others of the at least three endpoints.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventor: Kent A. Fritz
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Patent number: 9444852Abstract: A system for bandwidth management and codec negotiation, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a configuration storage module having supported codecs storage, codec lists and preferred site settings storage, and a call manager having an extension module, a trunk module, a location service engine, a codec manager, a bandwidth manager, and a media manager. The codec manager and the bandwidth manager used for negotiating a codec for a call between two endpoints. The present invention also includes a number of methods including a method for negotiating a codec for a call, a method for managing bandwidth for a call, a method for adding a description of a new codec supported by an endpoint, a method for adding an identifier of a supported codec to a codec list and a method for editing code site codec settings.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.Inventors: Pramod Madabhushi, Jason Harper, Kent Fritz
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Patent number: 9397881Abstract: A failover system includes a plurality of configuration controllers and a plurality of switches. The switches include a site proxy, a failover module and a routing table. A first site proxy of a first switch is designated as the active proxy and controls failover in the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. A second site proxy of a second switch is designated as the backup proxy and controls failover in the event the first switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. In the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes available, the active proxy interacts with the configuration controller and reassigns the extensions associated with the failed switch to a different switch of the plurality of switches. If a configuration controller fails or otherwise becomes unavailable, another configuration controller becomes active and establishes communication with the plurality of switches to maintain the operational status of the IP telephony system.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2012Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.Inventor: Kent A. Fritz
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Patent number: 9313146Abstract: A system for using one or more via sites to manage network bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first call manager at a source site receiving an offer message to connect a call. The offer message includes an endpoint media settings list. The first call manager determines a first filtered media preferences list based on a source media settings list and the endpoint media settings list. The first call manager and transmits an invite message to a second call manager at a first via site. The invite message includes the first filtered media preferences list. The first call manager receives from the second call manager a call settings list that includes a description of the call settings negotiated between the source site, the first via site and a destination site.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Jason Harper, Pramod Madabhushi, Pascal Crausaz, Kent Fritz, Thomas E. Miller
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Patent number: 9065665Abstract: A conference call system with a plurality of endpoints, a switch and a conference bridge is described. A first endpoint participating in a call authenticates a second endpoint for the call by transmitting to the switch a request to authenticate the second endpoint for the call. The second endpoint is authenticated without the user of second endpoint inputting the authentication data. Additionally, a voice call is upgraded to a collaboration call, i.e. a call with an associated visual presentation, through an upgrade request. The first endpoint transmits the upgrade request and consequently the collaboration bridge creates a visual presentation for the upgraded call. A link to the presentation is then transmitted to a call manager associated with the first endpoint.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.Inventor: Kent Fritz
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Patent number: 8861510Abstract: The present technology comprises system architecture and methods that provide a media proxy configured to be inserted dynamically into a VoIP system, as-needed, either during call setup or during a call; in either case, in response to invoking a particular feature that requires the media proxy. This dynamic media proxy configuration provides many advantages, including lower cost and better quality of calls. In some embodiments of the system architecture and methods, the media proxy is configured to be inserted during set up of a call. In other embodiments of the system architecture and methods, the media proxy is configured to be inserted when a call is in progress.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventor: Kent A. Fritz
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Patent number: 8850182Abstract: This disclosure relates capture of encrypted network traffic. As an example, a non-transitory computer readable medium can include a command interface programmed to receive control instructions that control capture of protocol data from a network. A capture module can be programmed to receive decoded protocol data from a device application responsive to the control instructions and to synthesize frames of output capture data in that includes at least the decoded protocol data.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.Inventors: Kent Fritz, Jason Harper, David Drell, Prabjeet Singh, Palani Selvam Thangavelu
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Publication number: 20140198786Abstract: A system for using one or more via sites to manage network bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first call manager at a source site receiving an offer message to connect a call. The offer message includes an endpoint media settings list. The first call manager determines a first filtered media preferences list based on a source media settings list and the endpoint media settings list. The first call manager and transmits an invite message to a second call manager at a first via site. The invite message includes the first filtered media preferences list. The first call manager receives from the second call manager a call settings list that includes a description of the call settings negotiated between the source site, the first via site and a destination site.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: SHORETEL, INC.Inventors: Jason Harper, Pramod Madabhushi, Pascal Crausaz, Kent Fritz, Thomas E. Miller
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Patent number: 8699481Abstract: A system for using one more via sites to manage network bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first call manager at a source site receiving an offer message to connect a call. The offer message includes an endpoint media settings list. The first call manager determines a first filtered media preferences list based on a source media settings list and the endpoint media setting list. The first call manager and transmits an invite message to a second call manager at a first via site. The invite message includes the first filtered media preferences list. The first call manager receives from the second call manager a call settings list that includes a description of the call settings negotiated between the source site, the first via site and a destination site.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Jason Harper, Pramod Madabhushi, Pascal Crausaz, Kent Fritz, Thomas E. Miller
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Publication number: 20140056296Abstract: A system for bandwidth management and codec negotiation, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a configuration storage module having supported codecs storage, codec lists and preferred site settings storage, and a call manager having an extension module, a trunk module, a location service engine, a codec manager, a bandwidth manager, and a media manager. The codec manager and the bandwidth manager used for negotiating a codec for a call between two endpoints. The present invention also includes a number of methods including a method for negotiating a codec for a call, a method for managing bandwidth for a call, a method for adding a description of a new codec supported by an endpoint, a method for adding an identifier of a supported codec to a codec list and a method for editing code site codec settings.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Pramod Madabhushi, Jason Harper, Kent Fritz
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Patent number: 8593999Abstract: A system for bandwidth management and codec negotiation, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a configuration storage module having supported codecs storage, codec lists and preferred site settings storage, and a call manager having an extension module, a trunk module, a location service engine, a codec manager, a bandwidth manager, and a media manager. The codec manager and the bandwidth manager used for negotiating a codec for a call between two endpoints. The present invention also includes a number of methods including a method for negotiating a codec for a call, a method for managing bandwidth for a call, a method for adding a description of a new codec supported by an endpoint, a method for adding an identifier of a supported codec to a codec list and a method for editing code site codec settings.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Pramod Madabhushi, Jason Harper, Kent Fritz
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Patent number: 8520541Abstract: A system for managing network bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a configuration storage module and a call manager. The configuration storage module includes a supported codecs storage, codec lists, administrator settings storage and reservation storage list. The call manager includes an extension module, trunk module, location service engine, settings manager, bandwidth manager and media stream manager. The call manager receives an offer message for a call having one or more media types. The call manager uses information included in the offer message, along with information stored in the configuration storage module, to negotiate a call settings list with one or more other sites for connecting the call, and thereby manage bandwidth for the call.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventors: Jason Harper, Pramod Madabhushi, Pascal Crausaz, Kent Fritz, Thomas E. Miller
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Patent number: 8159935Abstract: A failover system includes a plurality of configuration controllers and a plurality of switches. The switches include a site proxy, a failover module and a routing table. A first site proxy of a first switch is designated as the active proxy and controls failover in the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. A second site proxy of a second switch is designated as the backup proxy and controls failover in the event the first switch fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. In the event a switch fails or otherwise becomes available, the active proxy interacts with the configuration controller and reassigns the extensions associated with the failed switch to a different switch of the plurality of switches. In the event a configuration controller fails or otherwise becomes unavailable, another configuration controller becomes active and establishes communication with the plurality of switches to maintain the operational status of the IP telephony system.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: ShoreTel, Inc.Inventor: Kent Fritz