Patents by Inventor Robert Epley

Robert Epley 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: 8547968
    Abstract: A packet switched telephone system includes a packet switched routing apparatus. The packet switched routing apparatus selectively associates a local telephone number with a phone call based on a called telephone number, and routes the phone call based on the called telephone number. The local telephone number may be substituted for a calling telephone number when the called telephone number corresponds to a predefined number, such as an emergency number. When the called telephone number corresponds to an emergency number, the phone call may be routed with the substituted local telephone number to a Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) that services the local area of the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Patent number: 8451102
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing ambient noise sensitive alerting. The methods comprise receiving ambient noise, converting the ambient noise to an electrical signal, detecting a parameter of the electrical signal which is indicative of ambient noise, sensing an incoming call or message, and controlling the volume of an audible alert in response to the detected parameter of the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Patent number: 8410914
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing ambient noise sensitive alerting. The methods comprise receiving ambient noise, converting the ambient noise to an electrical signal, detecting a parameter of the electrical signal which is indicative of ambient noise, sensing an incoming call or message, and controlling the volume of an audible alert in response to the detected parameter of the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Publication number: 20120322510
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing ambient noise sensitive alerting. The methods comprise receiving ambient noise, converting the ambient noise to an electrical signal, detecting a parameter of the electrical signal which is indicative of ambient noise, sensing an incoming call or message, and controlling the volume of an audible alert in response to the detected parameter of the electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. via transfer from BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Publication number: 20120269187
    Abstract: A packet switched telephone system includes a packet switched routing apparatus. The packet switched routing apparatus selectively associates a local telephone number with a phone call based on a called telephone number, and routes the phone call based on the called telephone number. The local telephone number may be substituted for a calling telephone number when the called telephone number corresponds to a predefined number, such as an emergency number. When the called telephone number corresponds to an emergency number, the phone call may be routed with the substituted local telephone number to a Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) that services the local area of the subscriber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Patent number: 8223750
    Abstract: A packet switched telephone system includes a packet switched routing apparatus. The packet switched routing apparatus selectively associates a local telephone number with a phone call based on a called telephone number, and routes the phone call based on the called telephone number. The local telephone number may be substituted for a calling telephone number when the called telephone number corresponds to a predefined number, such as an emergency number. When the called telephone number corresponds to an emergency number, the phone call may be routed with the substituted local telephone number to a Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) that services the local area of the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Publication number: 20090290577
    Abstract: A packet switched telephone system includes a packet switched routing apparatus. The packet switched routing apparatus selectively associates a local telephone number with a phone call based on a called telephone number, and routes the phone call based on the called telephone number. The local telephone number may be substituted for a calling telephone number when the called telephone number corresponds to a predefined number, such as an emergency number. When the called telephone number corresponds to an emergency number, the phone call may be routed with the substituted local telephone number to a Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) that services the local area of the subscriber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Publication number: 20090258682
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing ambient noise sensitive alerting. The methods comprise receiving ambient noise, converting the ambient noise to an electrical signal, detecting a parameter of the electrical signal which is indicative of ambient noise, sensing an incoming call or message, and controlling the volume of an audible alert in response to the detected parameter of the electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., f/k/a BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Patent number: 7586902
    Abstract: A packet switched telephone system includes a packet switched routing apparatus. The packet switched routing apparatus selectively associates a local telephone number with a phone call based on a called telephone number, and routes the phone call based on the called telephone number. The local telephone number may be substituted for a calling telephone number when the called telephone number corresponds to a predefined number, such as an emergency number. When the called telephone number corresponds to an emergency number, the phone call may be routed with the substituted local telephone number to a Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) that services the local area of the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Patent number: 7567165
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing ambient noise sensitive alerting. The methods comprise receiving ambient noise, converting the ambient noise to an electrical signal, detecting a parameter of the electrical signal which is indicative of ambient noise, sensing an incoming call or message, and controlling the volume of an audible alert in response to the detected parameter of the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Publication number: 20080102902
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing ambient noise sensitive alerting. The methods comprise receiving ambient noise, converting the ambient noise to an electrical signal, detecting a parameter of the electrical signal which is indicative of ambient noise, sensing an incoming call or message, and controlling the volume of an audible alert in response to the detected parameter of the electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Publication number: 20050249193
    Abstract: A packet switched telephone system includes a packet switched routing apparatus. The packet switched routing apparatus selectively associates a local telephone number with a phone call based on a called telephone number, and routes the phone call based on the called telephone number. The local telephone number may be substituted for a calling telephone number when the called telephone number corresponds to a predefined number, such as an emergency number. When the called telephone number corresponds to an emergency number, the phone call may be routed with the substituted local telephone number to a Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) that services the local area of the subscriber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Epley
  • Publication number: 20050163125
    Abstract: A communications process and apparatus is provided with scoped, partially non-geographic addressing. The processes are carried out by one or more switches in a communications system. A first device in the system has a scoped address, including at least one geographic identifier and a customer identifier. A second device sends a setup message with addressing information to a switch in the system. The switch examines the message and consults a database with the customer identification to determine forwarding information. The switch forwards the message to a second device according to the forwarding information obtained from the database. The second device sends a connect message to the first device, thereby establishing a connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Epley