Patents by Inventor Stephen R. LaPierre

Stephen R. LaPierre 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: 20030235283
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an on-hold call with a selectable continuous tone source using a service node, comprising a service switching point of a central office connected to a service logic program provisioned on a service node. Using the capabilities of the service node, the service logic program plays a continuous tone through a permanent trunk line connecting the service node to the service switching point. When the service switching point puts a call on hold, the service switching point connects the call through the permanent trunk line to the service logic program that is playing the continuous tone. As a result, the caller hears the continuous tone while the service switching point has the call on hold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph M. Knoerle, Stephen R. Lapierre, Zeeman Z. Zhang
  • Patent number: 6597780
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an on-hold call with a selectable continuous tone source using a service node, comprising a service switching point of a central office connected to a service logic program provisioned on a service node. Using the capabilities of the service node, the service logic program plays a continuous tone through a permanent trunk line connecting the service node to the service switching point. When the service switching point puts a call on hold, the service switching point connects the call through the permanent trunk line to the service logic program that is playing the continuous tone. As a result, the caller hears the continuous tone while the service switching point has the call on hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Knoerle, Stephen R. Lapierre, Zeeman Z. Zhang
  • Patent number: 5974115
    Abstract: A system and method for testing the operation of a piece of terminating equipment or subscriber line through the use of a single service platform. A test call originating from the piece of terminating equipment or subscriber line under test is received. In response to receiving the test call, a transmission path is established from the piece of terminating equipment under test to the single service platform. The single service platform then transmits a menu message over the transmission path to the piece of terminating equipment under test. In response to transmitting the menu message, the single service platform receives a selection indicator over the transmission path, the selection indicator identifying a verification test to be provided. The selection indicator is then processed and the identified verification test is provided by the single service platform to the piece of terminating equipment. This system and method allows several verification tests to be available from a single service platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Managment Corporation
    Inventors: Jim H. Chan, Stephen R. LaPierre