Patents by Inventor Robert D. Farris

Robert D. Farris 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).

  • Publication number: 20020163999
    Abstract: An intelligent telephone network provides personalized communication services based on a voice identification of the subscriber. Specifically, when a person requests a service, the network executes a speech processing operation, to identify the person or a party that the person is calling as a known subscriber. One or more switching offices of the network utilize profile data associated with the identified subscriber to control services. The personalized service applies both to incoming and outgoing calls. The network can provide the personalized services to several subscribers sharing a common line. For incoming calls to such a line, the network executes an interactive procedure to determine from the caller which subscriber she is calling. If the line is free, the switch applies distinctive ringing. If the line is in use, the switch uses the profile of the identified subscriber to provide a distinctive call waiting tone or a voice message over the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Robert D. Farris, Alexander I. McAllister, Michael J. Strauss
  • Patent number: 6438218
    Abstract: A public switched telephone network utilizing program controlled switching systems controlled by common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) and preferably an advanced intelligent network (AIN) CCIS network is arranged in an architecture to provide a methodology for facilitating telephone use of the Internet by customers on an impromptu basis. Provision is made to permit a caller to set-up and carry out a telephone call over the Internet from telephone station to telephone station without access to computer equipment and without the necessity of maintaining a subscription to any Internet service. Billing may be accomplished on a per call basis. The calls may be inter and intra LATA, region or state and may be nationwide. Usage is made of CCIS signaling to set up the call and establish the necessary Internet connections and addressing. Calls may be made from telephone station to telephone station, from voice capable computer to voice capable computer, or from telephone to computer or computer to telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventors: Robert D. Farris, Dale L. Bartholomew, Stephen J. Flaherty
  • Patent number: 6427010
    Abstract: A communications system offering telephone number portability services, where a subscriber of a ported telephone number is able to maintain existing voice mail services from an existing end office switching system, independent of the new end office switching system serving the ported telephone number. The end office switching system accessing the voice mail system includes ported number forwarding logic. Using this logic, that office sends a signaling message via a common channel interoffice signaling network. A calling party field of the message specifies the ported telephone number (i.e., the actual called number), instead of the actual calling party number. The end office switching system serving the voice mail system, also referred to as the accessed end office switching system, receives the signaling message, extracts the ported telephone number from the calling party field, and forwards the ported telephone number information to the voice mail system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventors: Robert D. Farris, Jeffery A. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20020097711
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling on a worldwide basis two or more telecommunications networks which are themselves capable of exercising a form of common channel signaling network control. The system uses an architecture in which a destination telecommunications network having common channel signaling control is connected to an originating telecommunications network having common signaling control through a call set up and control methodology which provides ad hoc connection between the two spaced telecommunication networks and common channel signaling networks via an unrelated world wide data network which preferably constitutes the Internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: James E. Curry, Robert D. Farris
  • Patent number: 6404858
    Abstract: A communication service loads subscriber profile information corresponding to an intended call recipient in a call processing register of a switch serving a link to a destination station and transmits a distinct predetermined call alert signal over the link to the destination station based on the loaded subscriber service profile information. The distinct call alert signal identifies the intended recipient subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Verizon Services Corp.
    Inventors: Robert D. Farris, Alexander I. McAllister, Michael J. Strauss
  • Patent number: 6400708
    Abstract: A number of proposals have been developed to provide data communications over two-wire copper circuits at rates equivalent to a number of combined ISDN B-channels. For example, for an ISDN rate digital subscriber line (IDSL), the circuit between the network termination at the customer premises and the channel bank carries data on two combined B-channels. An IDSL circuit cannot carry voice communications. Some such services carry the lower rate signaling D-channel only on the subscriber line circuit. Normal ISDN services carry voice services on one of the two B-channels, limiting data communications to the other B-channel. Normal ISDN services do carry the lower rate D-channel through the network, but this channel is used only for call set-up signaling, low speed data communications and the like. The invention uses two or more B-channels on the DSL circuit for data communications and transports voice telephone communications on the low speed signaling D-channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Verizon Services Corp.
    Inventors: Dale L. Bartholomew, Robert D. Farris, Raymond I. Millet, David D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 6359880
    Abstract: A localized wireless gateway system provides wireless telephone communication, and for at least interexchange communication, provides voice telephone access to a public packet data network, such as the Internet. The wireless gateway system includes base station transceivers and a packet service gateway coupling the transceivers to the public packet data network. The packet service gateway compresses and decompresses voice frequency communication signals, and it sends and receives the compressed signals in packet form via the network. The packet service gateway also provides for signaling through the network to establish two-way voice communication sessions. In the preferred implementation, the localized wireless gateway system includes at least one radio port control unit coupled to the base station transceivers for controlling calls through the transceivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventors: James E. Curry, Robert D. Farris
  • Patent number: 6330250
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling on a worldwide basis two or more telecommunications networks which are themselves capable of exercising a form of common channel signaling network control. The system uses an architecture in which a destination telecommunications network having common channel signaling control is connected to an originating telecommunications network having common signaling control through a call set up and control methodology which provides ad hoc connection between the two spaced telecommunication networks and common channel signaling networks via an unrelated world wide data network which preferably constitutes the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Curry, Robert D. Farris
  • Patent number: 6295292
    Abstract: A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system provides an architecture and methodology for implementing initiation of establishment of a communication path between called and called terminals from a telephone terminal. The architecture and methodology facilitates communication across carriers or service providers, settlements between carriers and service providers, usage accounting across carriers and service providers, and usage allocation among carriers or service providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Voit, Edward E. Balkovich, Robert D. Farris, William D. Goodman, Jayant G. Gadre, Patrick E. White, David E. Young
  • Patent number: 6292481
    Abstract: A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system provides an architecture and methodology for handling resource allocation across carriers or service providers, settlements between carriers and service providers, usage accounting across carriers and service providers, and usage allocation among carriers or service providers. A first provider of packet switched services controls a directory of addresses of gateways between the packet switched and data switched networks, and an authentication database of account data. A second provider of packet switched services controls a multiplicity of the gateways and a database of addresses of authentication databases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Voit, Edward E. Balkovich, Robert D. Farris, William D. Goodman, Jayant G. Gadre, Patrick E. White, David E. Young
  • Patent number: 6292478
    Abstract: A public switched telephone network utilizing program controlled switching systems controlled by common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) is arranged in an architecture to provide a methodology to permit a caller to set-up and carry out a telephone call over the Internet from telephone station to telephone station without access to computer equipment and without the necessity of maintaining a subscription to any Internet service. The Internet telephone service includes special telephone services such as directory assistance, credit card calling, both local and long distance, collect calling, and third party charge calling. The special services may utilize human operator assistance or may be completely automated. The service for the most part is rendered through the use of telephone procedures presently familiar to the public from usage of the public telephone network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Farris
  • Patent number: 6292479
    Abstract: A voice call is transported through diverse network paths including a switched telephone network and a wide area data internetwork, for example, the Internet. In routing the call, common channel signalling is used to provide data identifying a calling subscriber line from a calling PSTN, which information can then be transported through the separate data internetwork to the destination PSTN, at which the data is then extracted and sent to the called subscriber line while completing routing of the call. A route for the call is established at gateways connected to the data internetwork at the interface points with the calling and destination PSTNs, calling subscriber line information and dialed digit information being conveyed to the gateways. The destination end gateway initiates a call connection to the calling subscriber line via the destination PSTN to complete routing of the call, while supplying identification of the calling subscriber line in a form recognized as such by the called PSTN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale L. Bartholomew, Robert D. Farris, Stephen J. Flaherty
  • Patent number: 6289010
    Abstract: A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system provides an architecture and methodology for implementing initiation of establishment of a communication path between called and called terminals from a telephone terminal. The architecture and methodology facilitates communication across carriers or service providers, settlements between carriers and service providers, usage accounting across carriers and service providers, and usage allocation among carriers or service providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Voit, Edward E. Balkovich, Robert D. Farris, William D. Goodman, Jayant G. Gadre, Patrick E. White, David E. Young
  • Patent number: 6285745
    Abstract: A system and method of affecting transfer of a message such as a voice message from one centralized messaging system in a first switched telephone network to a centralized messaging system in a remote second switched telephone network wherein each of said telephone networks includes central offices connected to subscriber terminals. The message is inputted in analog form into one of the terminals connected to the first telephone network and stored in digital form in the centralized messaging system in that network. The message is then transferred from that centralized messaging system to the centralized messaging system in the second telephone network where it is stored. The message is then delivered by retrieval or an outgoing call to an addressee terminal in the second telephone network. The transfer between telephone networks and their respective centralized messaging services occurs via an internetwork to which each of the centralized messaging systems are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Bartholomew, Robert D. Farris
  • Patent number: 6272126
    Abstract: Interconnect traffic between local exchange carrier (LECs) networks and other carrier networks, particularly competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) networks, dictates a need for efficient monitoring and analysis of the interconnect traffic. In accord with the invention, monitor equipment on the LEC network captures call related messages produced by the LEC network and compiles data from those messages to form call detail records for the interconnect traffic. These records are loaded into a relational database. A data preparation routine enhances the data, for example, by translating certain codes from the records into more useful text and by spreading or binning usage over predefined time intervals. An on-line analytical processing program runs one or more applications to allow the LEC to analyze the interconnect traffic between the LEC network and the other carrier's network. The analysis provides useful traffic data for accounting purposes, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Strauss, Robert D. Farris
  • Patent number: 6246875
    Abstract: An analog cellular voice telephone system and subscriber stations associated therewith are controlled to conserve power and to provide alternate service carriers. Acquisition of all of the service carriers is facilitated through the use of system identification numbers (SIDS) associated with each service carrier. A roaming subscriber will tune to a cellular digital packet data (CDPD) frequency to obtain a list of service carriers operating within that geographical area. Based upon a comparison with a preferred SID list stored in the subscriber station, an available service carrier will be selected by the subscriber station, and registration with the selected service carrier will take place. Usually, analog voice communication is suspended until the selection process takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Seazholtz, Robert D. Farris
  • Patent number: 6243374
    Abstract: A telephone network provided with an Internet connection and a call routing and control data base connected to the Internet is further provided with multiple geographically separated voice messaging systems connected to the Internet. Calls through the telephone network may be directed to such voice messaging systems or may be forwarded to such systems. Messages may be deposited in mailboxes in such voice messaging systems and then retrieved from telephone stations located sufficiently near the voice messaging systems as to entail no long distance or time toll charges. Return call service may be provided in a manner to avoid long distance or time telephone tolls through use of the Internet connected data base which routes calls which would incur a toll charge through the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick E. White, Robert D. Farris
  • Patent number: 6233313
    Abstract: A lawfully authorized electronic surveillance operation requires reporting of detailed call data for a variety of calls associated with the subject of the surveillance. For at least some specified calls to or from the subject, the invention provides profile data in a switching office serving the subject that causes the office to generate accounting messages for each call, essentially in the same manner as for billing, regardless of whether the calls are billable. Accounting records formed from the messages are uploaded to a server system, for processing and formatting as necessary for delivery to the law enforcement agency. The surveillance could entirely rely on these accounting records for the data reporting. In the preferred embodiments, however, the surveillance also involves monitoring of common channel signaling messages to accumulate call detail records for surveillance purposes, with respect to many calls associated with the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services
    Inventors: Robert D. Farris, Dale L. Bartholomew, Raymond F. Albers, Charles H. Eppert, III, Barry Pershan, Daniel C. Michaelis, Michael G. Pilkerton, Christine W. Huff, Jay C. Lodsun, Walter Pomykacz, Thomas A. Nolting
  • Patent number: 6233234
    Abstract: A system and method for providing telephony communication through a packet switched data network such as the Internet and an organization having telephone and computer terminals connected to a local area network. Selectable security is provided for the telephony applications through the use of an access gateway between the local area network and the packet switched data network operating in conjunction with an intelligent control network in a public switched telephone network. The access gateway includes storage and a processor for storing security data and running selectable applications based on pre-conditions established for the telephone terminals. Information is obtained from a party seeking to connect to a telephone terminal connected to the local area network both by dialing and by voice prompt and voice recognition dialog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Curry, Robert D. Farris
  • Patent number: 6229887
    Abstract: Following the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), the FBI developed a standard set of communication services and interfaces. for lawfully authorized electronic surveillance, for both call data recording and content recording. Existing public switched telephone networks use a variety of switches. Not all of the switches in use are capable of performing the routines required by the CALEA standards. In accord with the invention, Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) and/or Local Number Portability (LNP) functionality controls routing and billing of incoming and outgoing calls for the surveillance target. The routing is handled in such a manner that calls to and from the target are directed to a regional switching office which performs those functions for switches in the region which lack that capability. Through this arrangement call detail records (CDRs) regarding the target are accumulated and transferred to a law enforcement authority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond F. Albers, Charles H. Eppert, III, Barry Pershan, Daniel C. Michaelis, Michael G. Pilkerton, Robert D. Farris, Christine W. Huff