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).

  • Patent number: 11734296
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Opferman, William R. Benassi, James P. Gately
  • Publication number: 20230208891
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Felipe Castro, Jeff Leonard
  • Patent number: 11683322
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. McBride, Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Hunter Rudd, James E. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 11683223
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Ronald A. Lewis, Stephen Opferman
  • Patent number: 11658985
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. McBride, Stephen Opferman, Steven M. Casey, William O'Brien, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11601863
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Stephen Opferman
  • Patent number: 11601479
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Felipe Castro, Jeff Leonard
  • Publication number: 20230058761
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Stephen Opferman
  • Publication number: 20230055384
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Stephen Opferman
  • Publication number: 20230057707
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Stephen Opferman
  • Publication number: 20230046347
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Schwengler, Stephen Opferman
  • Publication number: 20220263837
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. McBride, Stephen Opferman, Steven M. Casey, William O'Brien, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220255948
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. McBride, Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Hunter Rudd, James E. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20220245166
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Opferman, William R. Benassi, James P. Gately
  • Patent number: 11323456
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. McBride, Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Hunter Rudd, James E. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 11314763
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Opferman, William R. Benassi, James P. Gately
  • Publication number: 20220124126
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Stephen Opferman, Felipe Castro, Jeff Leonard
  • Publication number: 20220123993
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Ronald A. Lewis, Stephen Opferman
  • Patent number: 11309666
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Opferman
  • Patent number: 11297069
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. McBride, Stephen Opferman, Steven M. Casey, William O'Brien, Jr.