Patents by Inventor Michael Joseph Gardner

Michael Joseph Gardner 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: 7471698
    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: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 7394894
    Abstract: A signaling processor receives a first signaling message indicating a called telephone number for the call. The signaling processor processes the called telephone number from the first signaling message to determine if call validation is required. If the call validation is not required, then the signaling processor processes the called telephone number to determine routing information without the call validation. If the call validation is required, then the signaling processor determines if the call is valid, and if the call is valid, then the signaling processor processes the called telephone number to determine the routing information. The signaling processor transfers a second signaling message indicating the routing information for the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Manu Chand Bahl, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, Daniel Charles Sbisa, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 7359402
    Abstract: A communication system comprises a signaling processor and an interworking unit. The signaling processor receives and processes signaling for a call to select a connection and a first bandwidth rate. The signaling processor transfers a first message indicating the connection and the first bandwidth rate. The interworking unit receives the first message and user communications for the call, and in response, transfers the user communications over the connection at the first bandwidth rate. The interworking unit detects a trigger in the user communications, and in response, transfers the user communications over the connection at a second bandwidth rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 7327728
    Abstract: A communication system comprises a signaling processor configured to receive telecommunication signaling for calls, and responsively on a call-by-call basis, select routing information based on the telecommunication signaling and transfer control messages indicating the routing information. The communication system comprises a communication unit configured to receive the control messages and user communications for the calls, and responsively on the call-by-call basis, convert the user communications from a first communication format into a second communication format having headers that include the routing information selected by the signaling processor and transfer the user communications in the second communication format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Christie, legal representative, Jean M. Christie, legal representative, Albert D. Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley, Manu Chand Bahl, Daniel Charles Sbisa, Joseph Michael Christie, deceased
  • Patent number: 7324534
    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: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Christie, legal representative, Jean M. Christie, legal representative, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee, Joseph Michael Christie, deceased
  • Patent number: 7239644
    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: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, deceased, Joseph S. Christie, legal representative, Jean M. Christie, legal representative, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 7106750
    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 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee, Tracy Lee Nelson, Joseph Michael Christie
  • Patent number: 7103068
    Abstract: A system and method for connecting a call comprises a signaling processor for processing call signaling to determine connections for the user communications and to determine a bandwidth at which the user communications are to be connected. A connection system connects the user communications to a connection at a bandwidth specified by the signaling processor. The signaling processor may select a particular bandwidth for a call based on call signaling, subscriber profiles, call admission control, call triggers, accounting measures, the type of call including voice, voice band data, clear channel, or other data, and other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communication Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 7085362
    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: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Manu Chand Bahl, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, Daniel Charles Sbisa, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 7079534
    Abstract: A communication system includes a signaling processor that receives and processes SS7 message to select virtual paths. The communication system includes an interworking system that converts time division multiplex communications into asynchronous communications for transfer over the selected virtual paths. The communication system includes a bandwidth management system that allocates spare bandwidth from one virtual path to another based on messages from the signaling processor, but does not allow the bandwidth of a virtual path to exceed a maximum threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint COmmunications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Khalid Mohamed Medhat, Michael Joseph Gardner, Dean Charles Boldt
  • Patent number: 6999463
    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: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, deceased, Joseph S. Christie, legal representative, Jean M. Christie, legal representative, Michael Joseph Gardner, Albert Daniel DuRee, William Lyle Wiley, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Patent number: 6982950
    Abstract: A system and method for connecting a call in a tandem architecture comprises a signaling processor for processing call signaling to determine connections for the user communications. A controllable asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) matrix accepts control messages form the signaling processor and accepts user communications from switching systems. In response to the control message, the ATM matrix connects the user communications to the designated connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Gardner
  • Patent number: 6931008
    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 control messages that identify the selection and transfers the control messages 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 control messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, Albert Daniel DuRee, William Lyle Wiley, Joseph Michael Christie
  • Patent number: 6922409
    Abstract: A system and method for allocating bandwidth in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) system over-allocates bandwidth in virtual paths for virtual path groups between ATM devices. A bandwidth allocation platform manages the virtual paths in the ATM system to control allocation and to prevent congestion, while providing efficient utilization of the bandwidth within the ATM system. The bandwidth allocation system over-allocates virtual paths for virtual path groups that require additional bandwidth to make connections for calls. When a connection is selected on the over-allocated virtual path, the virtual path may use bandwidth from another virtual path in the virtual path group or from a virtual path in another virtual path group if needed. A communication device transports user communications and call signaling for a call. A signaling processor processes the call signaling to select a connection in one of the over-allocated virtual paths for the call over the virtual path group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Khalid Mohamed Medhat, Michael Joseph Gardner, Dean Charles Boldt
  • Patent number: 6885671
    Abstract: A system and method connect a call in a broadband system using the asynchronous transfer mode protocol for switching. Calls are connected over a SONET ring that has SONET multiplexers coupled by SONET paths. The SONET multiplexers are adapted to add calls to, and drop calls from, the SONET ring. An ATM cross connect system that has ATM cross connect devices is coupled to the SONET ring. The ATM cross connect devices provide provisioned ATM connections over the SONET ring. ATM interworking units are coupled to the ATM cross connect system. The ATM interworking units interwork calls with selected ATM connections in response to control messages. The selected ATM connections are provisioned between the ATM interworking units by the ATM cross connect system over the SONET ring. A signaling processor system receives call signaling for the calls, processes the call signaling to select the ATM connections for the calls, and sends the control messages to the selected ATM interworking units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: William Lyle Wiley, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, Royal Dean Howell, Albert Daniel DuRee
  • Publication number: 20040208198
    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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel Duree, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6785282
    Abstract: A system and method for connecting a call in a gateway system comprises a signaling processor for processing call signaling to determine connections for the user communications. A gateway matrix accepts control messages form the signaling processor and accepts user communications from switching systems. In response to the control message, the gateway matrix connects the user communications to the designated connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Gardner
  • 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