Patents by Inventor Terry R. Droke
Terry R. Droke 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: 9219821Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber's number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Randy McDonald, Odie Garrison, James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr., Terry R. Droke
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Publication number: 20140301539Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber's number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Randy McDonald, SR., Odie Garrison, James Carlton Bedingfield, Terry R. Droke
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Patent number: 8774384Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber's number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Randy McDonald, Sr., Odie Garrison, James Carlton Bedingfield, Terry R. Droke
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Publication number: 20130308765Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber's number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Randy McDonald, SR., Odie Garrison, James Carlton Bedingfield, Terry R. Droke
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Patent number: 8509409Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber's number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Randy McDonald, James C. Bedingfield, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke
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Publication number: 20120063579Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber's number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.Inventors: Randy McDonald, James C. Bedingfield, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke
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Patent number: 8085921Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber's number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.Inventors: Randy McDonald, James C. Bedingfield, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke
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Patent number: 7864926Abstract: A system and method for conducting variable VPA testing is disclosed. The method includes provisions to detect or measure the utilization of a trunk line and use that information to establish a level of VPA testing for that trunk line. Although a wide variety of relationships between the utilization and the amount of VPA testing conducted can be used, the relationship is preferably a generally inverse relationship, in which the amount of VPA testing conducted on a particular trunk is reduced as traffic or utilization of the trunk increases. Conversely, as traffic or utilization of the trunk deceases, the amount of testing conducted on the trunk increases.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Mortimer P. Burnett, Terry R. Droke
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Publication number: 20090016516Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber's number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventors: Randy McDonald, James C. Bedingfield, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke
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Patent number: 7469043Abstract: A system that enables a telephone service subscriber to maintain his or her privacy by providing callers with a disposable telephone number. The system comprises a database that associates the disposable telephone number with subscriber information. The system also comprises a routing device that is in communication with the database. The routing device is adapted to receive calls dialing the disposable telephone number. When a call is received by the routing device, the routing device consults the database to retrieve the subscriber information. When the subscriber information comprises a true telephone number of the subscriber, the routing device forwards the call to the true telephone number.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Randy McDonald, James C. Bedingfield, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke
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Patent number: 7379536Abstract: The present invention uses a software program to analyze all of the SS7 message traffic in a telephone network. By comparing point codes in the message data, the present invention can detect invalid and undesirable network inefficiencies in different types of telephone networks, including for example, wireline, wireless, or hybrid networks.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Terry R. Droke, Mortimer P. Burnett
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Patent number: 7190766Abstract: A system and method for conducting variable VPA testing is disclosed. The method includes provisions to detect or measure the utilization of a trunk line and use that information to establish a level of VPA testing for that trunk line. Although a wide variety of relationships between the utilization and the amount of VPA testing conducted can be used, the relationship is preferably a generally inverse relationship, in which the amount of VPA testing conducted on a particular trunk is reduced as traffic or utilization of the trunk increases. Conversely, as traffic or utilization of the trunk deceases, the amount of testing conducted on the trunk increases.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2002Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Mortimer P. Burnett, Terry R. Droke
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Patent number: 7127054Abstract: The present invention uses a software program to analyze all of the SS7 message traffic in a telephone network. By comparing point codes in the message data, the present invention can detect invalid and undesirable network inefficiencies in different types of telephone networks, including for example, wireline, wireless, or hybrid networks.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Terry R. Droke, Mortimer P. Burnett
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Patent number: 6970540Abstract: A system and method for detection of invalid and undesirable conditions associated with a telephone network. The invalid and undesirable conditions can include, for example, call looping, misrouting, mass calling, and excessive redialing. Initial Address Messages associated with SS7 protocols are captured, parsed, and analyzed for detection of these conditions. A system in accordance with the present invention can be a device external to a switch that generate the messages. Alternatively, a microprocessor of the switch can be adapted to execute instruction sets disclosed in the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Terry R. Droke, Mortimer P. Burnett
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Patent number: 6778657Abstract: A method and system for providing a dialed digit unlock and edit feature for an analog telephone connected to an advanced intelligent network (AIN) wireline network is disclosed. The analog telephone sends at least one digit of a called party number to an originating central office. The originating central office determines whether an initial address message (IAM) has been sent from the originating central office to a destination central office. If so, then the dialed digit unlock and edit feature is disabled. However, if the IAM has not been sent, then the originating central office determines whether a key to enable the dialed digit unlock and edit feature has been entered on the analog telephone. If the key has been entered, then the last digit(s) entered for the called party number are erased and the originating central office awaits a new digit(s) to be entered into the analog telephone.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2001Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Randy M. McDonald, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke, Mort P. Burnett
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Patent number: 6778658Abstract: A method and system for providing a dialed digit unlock and edit feature for a digital telephone connected to an advanced intelligent network (AIN) wireline network is disclosed. The digital telephone sends at least one digit of a called party number to an originating ISDN switch. The originating ISDN switch determines whether a Q.931 CALL PROCEEDING call control message has been sent from the originating ISDN switch to the digital telephone. If so, then the dialed digit unlock and edit feature is disabled. However, if the Q.931 CALL PROCEEDING call control message has not been sent, then the originating ISDN switch determines whether a key to enable the dialed digit unlock and edit feature has been entered on the digital telephone. If the key has been entered, then the last digit(s) entered for the called party number are erased and the originating ISDN switch awaits a new digit(s) to be entered into the digital telephone.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2001Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Randy M. McDonald, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke, Mort P. Burnett