Patents by Inventor Michael Christie

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: 5991301
    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: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Co. L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Christie
  • Patent number: 5926482
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for converting point codes in a signal transfer point in a telecommunications signaling system. The STP converts point codes which designate the origination and destination signaling points for the message. The conversion is based on information defined by the messages, such as origination or destination information. The present invention creates a virtual signaling system which can be reconfigured at the STP by converting point codes, and thus, altering the identities of the signaling points. The present invention is also operable to convert circuit identification codes and transfer integrated services user part messages to a user part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Co. L.P.
    Inventors: Jospeh Michael Christie, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 5920562
    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: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Co. L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, deceased, Joseph S. Christie, legal representative, Jean M. Christie, legal representative, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Patent number: 5825780
    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: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Co.L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Christie
  • Patent number: 5703876
    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: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Christie
  • Patent number: 5694463
    Abstract: The present invention is a service control point (SCP) for use in a telecommunications network, and in particular, as a component of a telecommunications signaling system. The SCP includes multiple databases which allow routing plans to be stored and implemented. The SCP is operable to accept queries from switches for routing information. The SCP is further operable to reply to these queries with information identifying a connection as opposed to a routing number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Pamela Lynne Satterfield, James David Setter, Daniel Charles Sbisa