Patents by Inventor Stephen Opferman
Stephen Opferman 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).
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Patent number: 11734296Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing off-chain functionality for data contained in blocks of blockchain. In various embodiments, a computing system might assemble data extracted from each block of a first block(s) of a first instance of a blockchain in a generated first file(s), the assembled data being organized to mirror how the data is organized and stored in the first block(s); might store, in a secure database, the first file(s), the first file(s) being configured to be content-searchable, content-sortable, and/or content-filterable; might generate a second instance of the blockchain, which contains one or more second blocks, the one or more second blocks each containing the hash value of each corresponding first block(s), without containing the data contained in each block of the first block(s); and might store, in a distributed peer data storage system of the blockchain system, the generated second instance of the blockchain.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Stephen Opferman, William R. Benassi, James P. Gately
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Publication number: 20230208891Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for providing an in-line AI virtual assistant are provided. A system includes a session border controller coupled to an end-user device, and a session initiation protocol stack. The session initiation protocol stack includes a processor, and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to: receive, from the session border controller, a call invite request; provision, via the AI virtual assistant service, an AI virtual assistant instance in response to the call invite request; and join the AI virtual assistant instance to a call with the end-user device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Felipe Castro, Jeff Leonard
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Patent number: 11683322Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing a telemetry hub, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing a telemetry hub that obtains sensor data from a plurality of sources and that determines one or more first actions to take in response to receiving the first sensor data. In operation, a telemetry hub might receive first sensor data from one or more sensors. The telemetry hub may determine whether the first sensor data can be trusted and whether the first sensor data is valid. Based on a determination that the first sensor data can be trusted and is valid, the telemetry hub might analyze the first sensor data to determine one or more first actions to take. The telemetry hub might then implement the one or more first actions based at least in part on the analysis of the first sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Kevin M. McBride, Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Hunter Rudd, James E. Sutherland
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Patent number: 11683223Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for network data plane management are provided. A system includes a host machine that includes a database, processor, and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to obtain, via the database, a network configuration, spawn a container according to the network configuration, wherein the container is configured, based on the network configuration, to be coupled to a network overlay via a network interface, receive, via the network interface, incoming data associated with the container, the incoming data having attached one or more attached network data attributes, and identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of the network data model.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Ronald A. Lewis, Stephen Opferman
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Patent number: 11658985Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for utilizing blockchain to implement named data networking. In various embodiments, a computing system might determine whether a cache that is communicatively coupled to the computing system contains data that is responsive to a first request received from a user. If so, the computing system might retrieve and send (to the client device) data that is responsive to the received first request. If not, the computing system might send, to a blockchain system, a second request for identifying a blockchain containing a block containing data responsive to the received first request. In response to identifying such a blockchain, the computing system might receive a copy of the identified blockchain; might abstract, from the identified blockchain, the block containing the data responsive to the received first request; might abstract the data from the identified block; and might send the data to the client device.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Kevin M. McBride, Stephen Opferman, Steven M. Casey, William O'Brien, Jr.
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Patent number: 11601863Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services. In some embodiments, a computing system might receive, from one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors, first operational states of fixed broadband network nodes and second operational states of wireless network nodes, respectively. The computing system might analyze the received first and second operational states, might determine an optimal network pathway and/or an optimal network backhaul pathway, and might establish the optimal network pathway and/or the optimal network backhaul pathway, through a determined combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, thereby implementing the combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Thomas Schwengler, Stephen Opferman
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Patent number: 11601479Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for providing an in-line AI virtual assistant are provided. A system includes a session border controller coupled to an end-user device, and a session initiation protocol stack. The session initiation protocol stack includes a processor, and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to: receive, from the session border controller, a call invite request; provision, via the AI virtual assistant service, an AI virtual assistant instance in response to the call invite request; and join the AI virtual assistant instance to a call with the end-user device.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Felipe Castro, Jeff Leonard
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Publication number: 20230058761Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services. In some embodiments, a computing system might receive, from one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors, first operational states of fixed broadband network nodes and second operational states of wireless network nodes, respectively. The computing system might analyze the received first and second operational states, might determine an optimal network pathway and/or an optimal network backhaul pathway, and might establish the optimal network pathway and/or the optimal network backhaul pathway, through a determined combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, thereby implementing the combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Thomas Schwengler, Stephen Opferman
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Publication number: 20230055384Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services. In some embodiments, a computing system might receive, from one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors, first operational states of fixed broadband network nodes and second operational states of wireless network nodes, respectively. The computing system might analyze the received first and second operational states, might determine an optimal network pathway and/or an optimal network backhaul pathway, and might establish the optimal network pathway and/or the optimal network backhaul pathway, through a determined combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, thereby implementing the combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Thomas Schwengler, Stephen Opferman
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Publication number: 20230057707Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services. In some embodiments, a computing system might receive, from one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors, first operational states of fixed broadband network nodes and second operational states of wireless network nodes, respectively. The computing system might analyze the received first and second operational states, might determine an optimal network pathway and/or an optimal network backhaul pathway, and might establish the optimal network pathway and/or the optimal network backhaul pathway, through a determined combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, thereby implementing the combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Thomas Schwengler, Stephen Opferman
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Publication number: 20230046347Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services. In some embodiments, a computing system might receive, from one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors, first operational states of fixed broadband network nodes and second operational states of wireless network nodes, respectively. The computing system might analyze the received first and second operational states, might determine an optimal network pathway and/or an optimal network backhaul pathway, and might establish the optimal network pathway and/or the optimal network backhaul pathway, through a determined combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, thereby implementing the combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2022Publication date: February 16, 2023Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Thomas Schwengler, Stephen Opferman
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Publication number: 20220263837Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for utilizing blockchain to implement named data networking. In various embodiments, a computing system might determine whether a cache that is communicatively coupled to the computing system contains data that is responsive to a first request received from a user. If so, the computing system might retrieve and send (to the client device) data that is responsive to the received first request. If not, the computing system might send, to a blockchain system, a second request for identifying a blockchain containing a block containing data responsive to the received first request. In response to identifying such a blockchain, the computing system might receive a copy of the identified blockchain; might abstract, from the identified blockchain, the block containing the data responsive to the received first request; might abstract the data from the identified block; and might send the data to the client device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Kevin M. McBride, Stephen Opferman, Steven M. Casey, William O'Brien, JR.
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Publication number: 20220255948Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing a telemetry hub, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing a telemetry hub that obtains sensor data from a plurality of sources and that determines one or more first actions to take in response to receiving the first sensor data. In operation, a telemetry hub might receive first sensor data from one or more sensors. The telemetry hub may determine whether the first sensor data can be trusted and whether the first sensor data is valid. Based on a determination that the first sensor data can be trusted and is valid, the telemetry hub might analyze the first sensor data to determine one or more first actions to take. The telemetry hub might then implement the one or more first actions based at least in part on the analysis of the first sensor data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Kevin M. McBride, Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Hunter Rudd, James E. Sutherland
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Publication number: 20220245166Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing off-chain functionality for data contained in blocks of blockchain. In various embodiments, a computing system might assemble data extracted from each block of a first block(s) of a first instance of a blockchain in a generated first file(s), the assembled data being organized to mirror how the data is organized and stored in the first block(s); might store, in a secure database, the first file(s), the first file(s) being configured to be content-searchable, content-sortable, and/or content-filterable; might generate a second instance of the blockchain, which contains one or more second blocks, the one or more second blocks each containing the hash value of each corresponding first block(s), without containing the data contained in each block of the first block(s); and might store, in a distributed peer data storage system of the blockchain system, the generated second instance of the blockchain.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Stephen Opferman, William R. Benassi, James P. Gately
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Patent number: 11323456Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing a telemetry hub, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing a telemetry hub that obtains sensor data from a plurality of sources and that determines one or more first actions to take in response to receiving the first sensor data. In operation, a telemetry hub might receive first sensor data from one or more sensors. The telemetry hub may determine whether the first sensor data can be trusted and whether the first sensor data is valid. Based on a determination that the first sensor data can be trusted and is valid, the telemetry hub might analyze the first sensor data to determine one or more first actions to take. The telemetry hub might then implement the one or more first actions based at least in part on the analysis of the first sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Kevin M. McBride, Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Hunter Rudd, James E. Sutherland
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Patent number: 11314763Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing off-chain functionality for data contained in blocks of blockchain. In various embodiments, a computing system might assemble data extracted from each block of a first block(s) of a first instance of a blockchain in a generated first file(s), the assembled data being organized to mirror how the data is organized and stored in the first block(s); might store, in a secure database, the first file(s), the first file(s) being configured to be content-searchable, content-sortable, and/or content-filterable; might generate a second instance of the blockchain, which contains one or more second blocks, the one or more second blocks each containing the hash value of each corresponding first block(s), without containing the data contained in each block of the first block(s); and might store, in a distributed peer data storage system of the blockchain system, the generated second instance of the blockchain.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Stephen Opferman, William R. Benassi, James P. Gately
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Publication number: 20220124126Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for providing an in-line AI virtual assistant are provided. A system includes a session border controller coupled to an end-user device, and a session initiation protocol stack. The session initiation protocol stack includes a processor, and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to: receive, from the session border controller, a call invite request; provision, via the AI virtual assistant service, an AI virtual assistant instance in response to the call invite request; and join the AI virtual assistant instance to a call with the end-user device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Felipe Castro, Jeff Leonard
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Publication number: 20220123993Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for network data plane management are provided. A system includes a host machine that includes a database, processor, and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to obtain, via the database, a network configuration, spawn a container according to the network configuration, wherein the container is configured, based on the network configuration, to be coupled to a network overlay via a network interface, receive, via the network interface, incoming data associated with the container, the incoming data having attached one or more attached network data attributes, and identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of the network data model.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Ronald A. Lewis, Stephen Opferman
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Patent number: 11309666Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing customer premises device functionality, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing media adaptation device functionality. In various embodiment, a rear-facing camera of a media adaptation device might capture a first image of a wall of a customer premises, the wall including an electrical wall outlet into which the media adaptation device is intended to be plugged. The media adaptation device might display, on a front display device disposed on a front face (and in some cases, also on top and/or side display devices on corresponding faces) of the media adaptation device, a second image based on the captured first image of the wall of the customer premises. The media adaptation device might also perform one or more first functions other than display of images or videos, after the media adaptation device has been plugged into the electrical wall outlet.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventor: Stephen Opferman
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Patent number: 11297069Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for utilizing blockchain to implement named data networking. In various embodiments, a computing system might determine whether a cache that is communicatively coupled to the computing system contains data that is responsive to a first request received from a user. If so, the computing system might retrieve and send (to the client device) data that is responsive to the received first request. If not, the computing system might send, to a blockchain system, a second request for identifying a blockchain containing a block containing data responsive to the received first request. In response to identifying such a blockchain, the computing system might receive a copy of the identified blockchain; might abstract, from the identified blockchain, the block containing the data responsive to the received first request; might abstract the data from the identified block; and might send the data to the client device.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: Kevin M. McBride, Stephen Opferman, Steven M. Casey, William O'Brien, Jr.