Patents by Inventor Stephen K. Edwards

Stephen K. Edwards 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: 10523554
    Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing a problem on a packet network. Network performance information associated with data packet communications over a packet network may be collected. A network performance information parameter may be monitored and a determination that the network performance information parameter crosses a threshold value may be made. In response to determining that the network performance information parameter crossed the threshold value, diagnostics may be initiated to determine a cause of the network performance information parameter crossing the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Stephen K. Edwards, William L Wiley, James L. McNaughton, John M. Heinz, Steven E. Kozisek
  • Patent number: 10348594
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting network performance information from a plurality of network nodes of a packet network, the network performance information being indicative of a health of the network packet network. The method includes storing the network performance information collected from the plurality of network nodes and generating a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the network performance information, wherein the graphical representation of a network segment is indicated as a line, and wherein a width of the line widens and narrows in accordance with an amount of traffic flow over the network segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20180048549
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting network performance information from a plurality of network nodes of a packet network, the network performance information being indicative of a health of the network packet network. The method includes storing the network performance information collected from the plurality of network nodes and generating a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the network performance information, wherein the graphical representation of a network segment is indicated as a line, and wherein a width of the line widens and narrows in accordance with an amount of traffic flow over the network segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 9813320
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting network performance information from a plurality of network nodes of a packet network, the network performance information being indicative of a health of the network packet network. The method includes storing the network performance information collected from the plurality of network nodes and generating a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the network performance information, wherein the graphical representation of a network segment is indicated as a line, and wherein a width of the line widens and narrows in accordance with an amount of traffic flow over the network segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 9806972
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes determining network performance information of a packet network by monitoring performance information packets that are communicated along network paths of the packet network. The method also includes appending the network performance information gathered at a network node along the network paths to data stored in the performance information packets. The method stores the network performance information collected by monitoring the performance information packets in memory and analyzes the stored network performance information to generate historical network performance information. The method automatically alters network operation in response to current network performance information indicating that the packet network is not operating properly based on the historical network performance information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20160380878
    Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing a problem on a packet network. Network performance information associated with data packet communications over a packet network may be collected. A network performance information parameter may be monitored and a determination that the network performance information parameter crosses a threshold value may be made. In response to determining that the network performance information parameter crossed the threshold value, diagnostics may be initiated to determine a cause of the network performance information parameter crossing the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Stephen K. Edwards, William L. Wiley, James L. McNaughton, John M. Heinz, Steven E. Kozisek
  • Patent number: 9479341
    Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing a problem on a packet network. Network performance information associated with data packet communications over a packet network may be collected. A network performance information parameter may be monitored and a determination that the network performance information parameter crosses a threshold value may be made. In response to determining that the network performance information parameter crossed the threshold value, diagnostics may be initiated to determine a cause of the network performance information parameter crossing the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Stephen K. Edwards, William L. Wiley, James L. McNaughton, John M. Heinz, Steven E. Kozisek
  • Publication number: 20160134502
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes determining network performance information of a packet network by monitoring performance information packets that are communicated along network paths of the packet network. The method also includes appending the network performance information gathered at a network node along the network paths to data stored in the performance information packets. The method stores the network performance information collected by monitoring the performance information packets in memory and analyzes the stored network performance information to generate historical network performance information. The method automatically alters network operation in response to current network performance information indicating that the packet network is not operating properly based on the historical network performance information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 9240906
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes determining network performance information of a packet network by monitoring performance information packets that are communicated along network paths of the packet network. The method also includes appending the network performance information gathered at a network node along the network paths to data stored in the performance information packets. The method stores the network performance information collected by monitoring the performance information packets in memory and analyzes the stored network performance information to generate historical network performance information. The method automatically alters network operation in response to current network performance information indicating that the packet network is not operating properly based on the historical network performance information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20150312283
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting network performance information from a plurality of network nodes of a packet network, the network performance information being indicative of a health of the network packet network. The method includes storing the network performance information collected from the plurality of network nodes and generating a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the network performance information, wherein the graphical representation of a network segment is indicated as a line, and wherein a width of the line widens and narrows in accordance with an amount of traffic flow over the network segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 9112734
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting network performance information from a plurality of network nodes of a packet network, the network performance information being indicative of a health of the network packet network. The method includes storing the network performance information collected from the plurality of network nodes and generating a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the network performance information, wherein the graphical representation of a network segment is indicated as a line, and wherein a width of the line widens and narrows in accordance with an amount of traffic flow over the network segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 9054986
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a computer implemented method for routing data packets. In one embodiment, the method includes storing network usage information of a packet network managed by a communications carrier including network usage information associated with communications by subscribers of other communications carrier that communicate data packets over the packet network, the network usage information distinguishing between data packets associated with a first service and data packets associated with a second service; determining pricing information for communicating the data packets via a plurality of networks, wherein each network is associated with a different communications carrier; and selecting one of the plurality of networks for routing the data packets based on cost, wherein the cost includes a first cost for communicating the data packets that are associated with the first service and a second cost for communicating the data packets that are associated with the second service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Robert J. Morrill, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20140064100
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a computer implemented method for routing data packets. In one embodiment, the method includes storing network usage information of a packet network managed by a communications carrier including network usage information associated with communications by subscribers of other communications carrier that communicate data packets over the packet network, the network usage information distinguishing between data packets associated with a first service and data packets associated with a second service; determining pricing information for communicating the data packets via a plurality of networks, wherein each network is associated with a different communications carrier; and selecting one of the plurality of networks for routing the data packets based on cost, wherein the cost includes a first cost for communicating the data packets that are associated with the first service and a second cost for communicating the data packets that are associated with the second service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Robert J. Morrill, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 8619820
    Abstract: A system and method for routing data packets may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of a second packet network may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined network usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined. The data packets may be routed utilizing a threshold for the network usage differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Robert J. Morrill, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 8549405
    Abstract: A GUI, system, and method for displaying operating performance of a packet network may include displaying first graphical representations illustrative of network communications devices operating on a packet network, where the first graphical representations may be displayed in a first mode if respective network communications devices are operating normally to communicate data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content and in a second mode if respective network communications devices are not operating normally to communicate data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Robert J. Morrill, Stephen K. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20120320784
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting network performance information from a plurality of network nodes of a packet network, the network performance information being indicative of a health of the network packet network. The method includes storing the network performance information collected from the plurality of network nodes and generating a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the network performance information, wherein the graphical representation of a network segment is indicated as a line, and wherein a width of the line widens and narrows in accordance with an amount of traffic flow over the network segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20120314573
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes determining network performance information of a packet network by monitoring performance information packets that are communicated along network paths of the packet network. The method also includes appending the network performance information gathered at a network node along the network paths to data stored in the performance information packets. The method stores the network performance information collected by monitoring the performance information packets in memory and analyzes the stored network performance information to generate historical network performance information. The method automatically alters network operation in response to current network performance information indicating that the packet network is not operating properly based on the historical network performance information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 8274905
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network may include storing network performance information collected from a packet network, where the network performance information may distinguish network performance information associated with communications of data packets including real-time content and data packets including non-real-time content. A graphic user interface including a graphical representation of the network performance information distinguishing the network performance information associated with communications of data packets including real-time content and network performance information including non-real-time content with a node segment over a time duration may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Publication number: 20120127882
    Abstract: A system and method for determining inter-carrier network usage may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier by subscribers of a second communications carrier that manages a second packet network. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of the second packet network by subscribers of the first communications subscriber may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined, where the network usage information may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time and non-real-time content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Robert J. Morrill, Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 8130793
    Abstract: A system and method for determining inter-carrier network usage may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier by subscribers of a second communications carrier that manages a second packet network. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of the second packet network by subscribers of the first communications subscriber may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined, where the network usage information may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time and non-real-time content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen K. Edwards, Robert J. Morrill, Michael K. Bugenhagen