Patents by Inventor Steven R. Donovan

Steven R. Donovan 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: 6816579
    Abstract: An approach for processing voice calls over a packet switched network as to efficiently utilize the functionalities of a Voice Response Unit (VRU). According to one embodiment, a call originator, acting as a User Agent Client in accordance with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), issues messages to establish a first call-leg with the VRU. The VRU performs digit collection to obtain information to authenticate the call originator and to authorize the voice call. Based upon the issued messages from the call originator, the VRU establishes a second call-leg with the call terminator. The VRU is released from the voice call after binding the call-legs to connect the call originator to the call terminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: MCI, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Donovan, Matthew Cannon, John Hearty
  • Publication number: 20040151194
    Abstract: A method of providing IP telephony services maps a telephony signaling protocol called party number nature of address indicator to an Internet signaling protocol nature of address indicator and a telephony signaling protocol called party number numbering plan indicator to an Internet signaling protocol numbering plan indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: MCIWORLDCOM, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Cannon, Steven R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 6735209
    Abstract: A method of providing IP telephony services maps a telephony signaling protocol called party number nature of address indicator to an Internet signaling protocol nature of address indicator and a telephony signaling protocol called party number numbering plan indicator to an Internet signaling protocol numbering plan indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Cannon, Steven R. Donovan
  • Publication number: 20040042607
    Abstract: A method and system for providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony, wherein the system includes a location manager and an IP telephony proxy server. The location manager includes an interface to a legacy telephony service control entity and the IP telephony proxy server includes an IP interface to the location manager. If the IP telephony proxy server requires intelligent network services, then the IP telephony proxy server sends an IP telephony session initiation request to the called party at the location manager. The location manager uses the information to query the legacy telephony service control entity for routing information. When the location manager receives a routing response from the service control entity, the location manager maps the response to an IP telephony session control message back to the IP telephony proxy server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: MCI WORLDCOM, INC.
    Inventors: John K. Gallant, Steven R. Donovan
  • Publication number: 20030200260
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an addition to the Session Initiation Protocol is disclosed. The addition is a new field header, preferably entitled “Feature”, that is added to the REGISTER message. This field would contain control information for various feature services, like the Do Not Disturb feature and other services provided by traditional PBX systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Donovan, Raghavan Devanathan
  • Patent number: 6636596
    Abstract: A method and system for providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony, wherein the system includes a location manager and an IP telephony proxy server. The location manager includes an interface to a legacy telephony service control entity and the IP telephony proxy server includes an IP interface to the location manager. If the IP telephony proxy server requires intelligent network services, then the IP telephony proxy server sends an IP telephony session initiation request to the called party at the location manager. The location manager uses the information to query the legacy telephony service control entity for routing information. When the location manager receives a routing response from the service control entity, the location manager maps the response to an IP telephony session control message back to the IP telephony proxy server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Gallant, Steven R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 6615236
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an addition to the Session Initiation Protocol is disclosed. The addition is a new field header, preferably entitled “Feature”, that is added to the REGISTER message. This field would contain control information for various feature services, like the Do Not Disturb feature and other services provided by traditional PBX systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Donovan, Raghavan Devanathan
  • Publication number: 20030133454
    Abstract: A method and system for providing quality of service in an IP telephony session between a calling party and a called party establishes a high quality of service ATM virtual circuit for the session between first and second devices, each of the devices having ATM capability and IP capability. The first and second devices provide bidirectional translation between IP media and ATM media. The system transports IP media for the session between the calling party and the first device, and between said called party and a second device. The virtual circuit transports ATM media for the session between the first and second devices. An intelligent control layer provides IP and ATM signaling to set up the session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: JOHN K. GALLANT, STEVEN R. DONOVAN
  • Patent number: 6535991
    Abstract: A network device receives signals transmitted via a network and generates trigger messages. The network device transmits the trigger messages to an intelligent network platform that performs a network control function. The network device and the intelligent network platform both include redundant systems to provide increased reliability and rerouting capabilities in case one or more of the components experiences problems or a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Gallant, Kathleen A. McMurry, Terry A. Caterisano, Robert H. Barnhouse, Steven R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 6519468
    Abstract: A subscriber terminal for use in a communications system with enhanced short message service options is configured for receiving an unbundled short message that includes a short message type field and a short message data field. If the subscriber terminal supports the short message type, then the short message data is processed; otherwise, the short message is discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Donovan, John K. Gallant, Shou S. Gung, Anthony K. Wong
  • Patent number: 6512818
    Abstract: An approach for processing voice calls over a packet switched network as to efficiently utilize the functionalities of a Voice Response Unit (VRU). According to one embodiment, a call originator, acting as a User Agent Client in accordance with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), issues messages to establish a first call-leg with the VRU. The VRU performs digit collection to obtain information to authenticate the call originator and to authorize the voice call. Based upon the issued messages from the call originator, the VRU establishes a second call-leg with the call terminator. The VRU is released from the voice call after binding the call-legs to connect the call originator to the call terminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: MCI WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Donovan, Matthew Cannon, John Hearty
  • Publication number: 20030002640
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for providing prepaid telephony service via an Internet protocol (IP) network system. A first method provides controlling at least one media agent or call routing station/switch of an IP network system for allowing and/or blocking call media streams from traversing through the media agent. A second method provides directing all signaling messages transmitted by a signaling agent or station and all media packets transmitting voice and data communications through at least one common device within the IP network system. The methods further provide for continuously monitoring a subscriber's account balance and terminating the prepaid telephony service if the account balance is less than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 6480588
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for providing prepaid telephony service via an Internet protocol (IP) network system. A first method provides controlling at least one media agent or call routing station/switch of an IP network system for allowing and/or blocking call media streams from traversing through the media agent. A second method provides directing all signaling messages transmitted by a signaling agent or station and all media packets transmitting voice and data communications through at least one common device within the IP network system. The methods further provide for continuously monitoring a subscriber's account balance and terminating the prepaid telephony service if the account balance is less than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 6453034
    Abstract: A virtual private network includes an internet protocol (IP) network and a public switched telephone network (PSTN). An enterprise gateway is operably connected to the IP network. The enterprise gateway is operably connected to a switch of the PSTN through a direct access line (DAL). The set-up signaling for virtual private network calls and the calls themselves are transported across the internet protocol network and the public switched telephone network through the direct access line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: MCI WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Donovan, Matthew J. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20020129093
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an addition to the Session Initiation Protocol is disclosed. The addition is a new field header, preferably entitled “Feature”, that is added to the REGISTER message. This field would contain control information for various feature services, like the Do Not Disturb feature and other services provided by traditional PBX systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: STEVEN R. DONOVAN, RAGHAVAN DEVANATHAN
  • Patent number: 6434143
    Abstract: A method for signaling an Integrated Messaging System (IMS) on an Internet Protocol (IP) based network to deposit a message, including the steps of sending a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message deposit action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message deposit action; and sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and depositing the message in a destination mailbox. A method of signaling an IMS on an IP based network to retrieve a deposited message, the method including the steps of sending a SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message retrieval action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message retrieval action; sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and retrieving the deposited message from a mailbox corresponding to known account information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: MCI WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Donovan
  • Publication number: 20020071429
    Abstract: A method for signaling an Integrated Messaging System (IMS) on an Internet Protocol (IP) based network to deposit a message, including the steps of sending a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message deposit action; receiving a corresponding SIP message, from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message deposit action; and sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and depositing the message in a destination mailbox. A method of signaling an IMS on an IP based network to retrieve a deposited message, the method including the steps of sending a SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message retrieval action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message retrieval action; sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and retrieving the deposited message from a mailbox corresponding to known account information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: WorldCom, INC.
    Inventor: Steven R. Donovan
  • Publication number: 20020061101
    Abstract: An illustrative intelligent network and method for providing voice telephony over ATM and closed user groups are provided that can provide significant advantages. A method for providing a closed user group service to authorize VToA calls includes determining the closed user group identifiers for a calling party, determining the closed user group identifiers for a called party, locating a common closed user group identifier that is common to the calling party and the called party, analyzing the privileges of the calling party in the common closed user group to determine if the calling party can make calls to other users of the common closed user group, and analyzing the privileges of the called party in the common closed user group to determine if the called party can receive calls from other users of the common closed user group. An illustrative intelligent network and data structure to provide closed user group services is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Glenn Hall, Steven R. Donovan
  • Publication number: 20020057786
    Abstract: A virtual private network includes an internet protocol (IP) network and a public switched telephone network (PSTN). An enterprise gateway is operably connected to the IP network. The enterprise gateway is operably connected to a switch of the PSTN through a direct access line (DAL). The set-up signaling for virtual private network calls and the calls themselves are transported across the internet protocol network and the public switched telephone network through the direct access line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: WorldCom, INC.
    Inventors: Steven R. Donovan, Matthew J. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20020048351
    Abstract: An approach for processing voice calls over a packet switched network as to efficiently utilize the functionalities of a Voice Response Unit (VRU). According to one embodiment, a call originator, acting as a User Agent Client in accordance with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), issues messages to establish a first call-leg with the VRU. The VRU performs digit collection to obtain information to authenticate the call originator and to authorize the voice call. Based upon the issued messages from the call originator, the VRU establishes a second call-leg with the call terminator. The VRU is released from the voice call after binding the call-legs to connect the call originator to the call terminator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Donovan, Matthew Cannon, John Hearty