Patents by Inventor Michael J. Fargano

Michael J. Fargano 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: 11962592
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing application, service, and/or content access control. Based at least in part on a consumer's choice of applications, services, content, and/or content providers—particular in exchange for a subsidy on content and/or network access fees provided to the consumer by chosen content providers—, a computing system may determine whether access to applications, services, and/or content not associated with the chosen content providers (“other content”) should be allowed or restricted. If restricted, the computing system might utilize various network access techniques and/or technologies to block the consumer's access to the other content, to allow access to the other content on a charge per access basis, or to allow access to the other content at reduced network access speeds. In some embodiments, an access provider (e.g., an Internet service provider, etc.) might perform both determination and implementation of content access and restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TIVO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, John T. Pugaczewski
  • Patent number: 11212159
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities between two or more network functions virtualization (“NFV”) entities that are located in different networks. In some embodiments, a NFV interconnection gateway (“NFVIG”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of two or more sets of NFV entities, each set of NFV entities being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets of NFV entities are located. The NFVIG might be located in one of these networks. The NFVIG might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links between the two or more sets of NFV entities, based at least in part on the abstracted sets of network interconnection information. The NFVIG might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, William O'Brien, Jr., John McManus
  • Publication number: 20210152560
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing application, service, and/or content access control. Based at least in part on a consumer's choice of applications, services, content, and/or content providers—particular in exchange for a subsidy on content and/or network access fees provided to the consumer by chosen content providers—, a computing system may determine whether access to applications, services, and/or content not associated with the chosen content providers (“other content”) should be allowed or restricted. If restricted, the computing system might utilize various network access techniques and/or technologies to block the consumer's access to the other content, to allow access to the other content on a charge per access basis, or to allow access to the other content at reduced network access speeds. In some embodiments, an access provider (e.g., an Internet service provider, etc.) might perform both determination and implementation of content access and restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, John T. Pugaczewski
  • Patent number: 10944748
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing application, service, and/or content access control. Based at least in part on a consumer's choice of applications, services, content, and/or content providers—particular in exchange for a subsidy on content and/or network access fees provided to the consumer by chosen content providers—, a computing system may determine whether access to applications, services, and/or content not associated with the chosen content providers (“other content”) should be allowed or restricted. If restricted, the computing system might utilize various network access techniques and/or technologies to block the consumer's access to the other content, to allow access to the other content on a charge per access basis, or to allow access to the other content at reduced network access speeds. In some embodiments, an access provider (e.g., an Internet service provider, etc.) might perform both determination and implementation of content access and restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, John T. Pugaczewski
  • Patent number: 10897523
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing extension of customer local area networks (“LANs”) and/or implementing isolated service overlays over a network. In some embodiments, a network service point that is located external to a demarcation point at each of a plurality of customer premises might establish a connection between a service provider network and a customer LAN, which has already been established within a customer premises. The system subsequently extends the customer LAN, via this connection, to span between the network service point and the customer premises. Alternatively, or additionally, the system might establish two or more isolated service overlays across the customer LAN between the network service point and the customer premises, each of the two or more isolated service overlays having network traffic that is isolated from network traffic transmitted along another of the two or more isolated service overlays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Michael K. Bugenhagen, Kevin M. McBride, Andrew V. Cook, Michael J. Fargano
  • Publication number: 20190342430
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing extension of customer local area networks (“LANs”) and/or implementing isolated service overlays over a network. In some embodiments, a network service point that is located external to a demarcation point at each of a plurality of customer premises might establish a connection between a service provider network and a customer LAN, which has already been established within a customer premises. The system subsequently extends the customer LAN, via this connection, to span between the network service point and the customer premises. Alternatively, or additionally, the system might establish two or more isolated service overlays across the customer LAN between the network service point and the customer premises, each of the two or more isolated service overlays having network traffic that is isolated from network traffic transmitted along another of the two or more isolated service overlays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Michael K. Bugenhagen, Kevin M. McBride, Andrew V. Cook, Michael J. Fargano
  • Patent number: 10356225
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing extension of customer local area networks (“LANs”) and/or implementing isolated service overlays over a network. In some embodiments, a network service point that is located external to a demarcation point at each of a plurality of customer premises might establish a connection between a service provider network and a customer LAN, which has already been established within a customer premises. The system subsequently extends the customer LAN, via this connection, to span between the network service point and the customer premises. Alternatively, or additionally, the system might establish two or more isolated service overlays across the customer LAN between the network service point and the customer premises, each of the two or more isolated service overlays having network traffic that is isolated from network traffic transmitted along another of the two or more isolated service overlays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Michael K. Bugenhagen, Kevin M. McBride, Andrew V. Cook, Michael J. Fargano
  • Publication number: 20180205735
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing application, service, and/or content access control. Based at least in part on a consumer's choice of applications, services, content, and/or content providers—particular in exchange for a subsidy on content and/or network access fees provided to the consumer by chosen content providers—, a computing system may determine whether access to applications, services, and/or content not associated with the chosen content providers (“other content”) should be allowed or restricted. If restricted, the computing system might utilize various network access techniques and/or technologies to block the consumer's access to the other content, to allow access to the other content on a charge per access basis, or to allow access to the other content at reduced network access speeds. In some embodiments, an access provider (e.g., an Internet service provider, etc.) might perform both determination and implementation of content access and restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, John T. Pugaczewski
  • Publication number: 20180198669
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities between two or more network functions virtualization (“NFV”) entities that are located in different networks. In some embodiments, a NFV interconnection gateway (“NFVIG”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of two or more sets of NFV entities, each set of NFV entities being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets of NFV entities are located. The NFVIG might be located in one of these networks. The NFVIG might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links between the two or more sets of NFV entities, based at least in part on the abstracted sets of network interconnection information. The NFVIG might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, William O'Brien, JR., John McManus
  • Patent number: 9998320
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities. In some embodiments, a network functions virtualization (“NFV”) interconnection gateway or hub (“NFVIG” or “NFVIH”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of one or more sets of NFV entities and/or one or more sets of NFV-based customer devices, each set being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets are located. The NFVIG or NFVIH might be located within one of these networks or within a separate external network. The NFVIG or NFVIH might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links among the sets of NFV entities and/or the sets of NFV-based customer devices based on such abstraction. The NFVIG or NFVIH might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, William O'Brien, Jr., John McManus
  • Patent number: 9954861
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing application, service, and/or content access control. Based at least in part on a consumer's choice of applications, services, content, and/or content providers—particular in exchange for a subsidy on content and/or network access fees provided to the consumer by chosen content providers—, a computing system may determine whether access to applications, services, and/or content not associated with the chosen content providers (“other content”) should be allowed or restricted. If restricted, the computing system might utilize various network access techniques and/or technologies to block the consumer's access to the other content, to allow access to the other content on a charge per access basis, or to allow access to the other content at reduced network access speeds. In some embodiments, an access provider (e.g., an Internet service provider, etc.) might perform both determination and implementation of content access and restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, John T. Pugaczewski
  • Patent number: 9948493
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities between two or more network functions virtualization (“NFV”) entities that are located in different networks. In some embodiments, a NFV interconnection gateway (“NFVIG”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of two or more sets of NFV entities, each set of NFV entities being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets of NFV entities are located. The NFVIG might be located in one of these networks. The NFVIG might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links between the two or more sets of NFV entities, based at least in part on the abstracted sets of network interconnection information. The NFVIG might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, William O'Brien, Jr., John McManus
  • Publication number: 20160330074
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing extension of customer local area networks (“LANs”) and/or implementing isolated service overlays over a network. In some embodiments, a network service point that is located external to a demarcation point at each of a plurality of customer premises might establish a connection between a service provider network and a customer LAN, which has already been established within a customer premises. The system subsequently extends the customer LAN, via this connection, to span between the network service point and the customer premises. Alternatively, or additionally, the system might establish two or more isolated service overlays across the customer LAN between the network service point and the customer premises, each of the two or more isolated service overlays having network traffic that is isolated from network traffic transmitted along another of the two or more isolated service overlays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, Michael K. Bugenhagen, Kevin M. McBride, Andrew V. Cook, Michael J. Fargano
  • Patent number: 9225747
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for lawfully intercepting communications. In some embodiments, a lawful intercept application might be provided on a cloud computing system. The lawful intercept application might include an application programming interface (“API”) to exchange data with a plurality of different communication building blocks of different types. Communication intercept data associated with a particular communication between a lawful intercept subject and other parties may be received with the lawful intercept application. The communication intercept data may then be provided from a delivery function of the lawful intercept application to a collection function. In some cases, the collection function might be part of the lawful intercept application, might be located at a government facility separate from the cloud computing system, or might be two collection functions, one of which is part of the lawful intercept application and the other of which is located at the government facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Christopher L. Mikkelson
  • Publication number: 20150288767
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities between or among two or more network functions virtualization (“NFV”) entities that are located in different networks. In some embodiments, a NFV interconnection hub (“NFVIH”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of three or more sets of NFV entities, each set of NFV entities being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets of NFV entities are located. The NFVIH might be located within a separate external network. The NFVIH might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links among the three or more sets of NFV entities, based at least in part on the abstracted sets of network interconnection information. The NFVIH might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, William O'Brien, JR., John McManus
  • Publication number: 20150288541
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities between two or more network functions virtualization (“NFV”) entities that are located in different networks. In some embodiments, a NFV interconnection gateway (“NFVIG”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of two or more sets of NFV entities, each set of NFV entities being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets of NFV entities are located. The NFVIG might be located in one of these networks. The NFVIG might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links between the two or more sets of NFV entities, based at least in part on the abstracted sets of network interconnection information. The NFVIG might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, William O'Brien, JR., John McManus
  • Publication number: 20150288622
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities. In some embodiments, a network functions virtualization (“NFV”) interconnection gateway or hub (“NFVIG” or “NFVIH”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of one or more sets of NFV entities and/or one or more sets of NFV-based customer devices, each set being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets are located. The NFVIG or NFVIH might be located within one of these networks or within a separate external network. The NFVIG or NFVIH might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links among the sets of NFV entities and/or the sets of NFV-based customer devices based on such abstraction. The NFVIG or NFVIH might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, William O'Brien, JR., John McManus
  • Publication number: 20150207699
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing application, service, and/or content access control. Based at least in part on a consumer's choice of applications, services, content, and/or content providers—particular in exchange for a subsidy on content and/or network access fees provided to the consumer by chosen content providers—, a computing system may determine whether access to applications, services, and/or content not associated with the chosen content providers (“other content”) should be allowed or restricted. If restricted, the computing system might utilize various network access techniques and/or technologies to block the consumer's access to the other content, to allow access to the other content on a charge per access basis, or to allow access to the other content at reduced network access speeds. In some embodiments, an access provider (e.g., an Internet service provider, etc.) might perform both determination and implementation of content access and restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Charles I. Cook, Kevin M. McBride, John T. Pugaczewski
  • Publication number: 20140325668
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for lawfully intercepting communications. In some embodiments, a lawful intercept application might be provided on a cloud computing system. The lawful intercept application might include an application programming interface (“API”) to exchange data with a plurality of different communication building blocks of different types. Communication intercept data associated with a particular communication between a lawful intercept subject and other parties may be received with the lawful intercept application. The communication intercept data may then be provided from a delivery function of the lawful intercept application to a collection function. In some cases, the collection function might be part of the lawful intercept application, might be located at a government facility separate from the cloud computing system, or might be two collection functions, one of which is part of the lawful intercept application and the other of which is located at the government facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, Christopher L. Mikkelson
  • Patent number: 7035619
    Abstract: A system and method for integrating call detail records for a multiple network environment includes an operations support system having call detail record control logic configured to combine wireless and wireline call detail records that correspond to the same customer into an integrated call record. Access manager control logic connected to the wireless network and switching control logic connected to the wireline network generate wireless and wireline call detail records that are received at the operations support system. Advantageously, combining the wireless and wireline call detail records forms an integrated call record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fargano, David C. Hill, Patrick J. Richardson, Robert Duncan