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).

  • Patent number: 9219821
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Odie Garrison, James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr., Terry R. Droke
  • Publication number: 20140301539
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, SR., Odie Garrison, James Carlton Bedingfield, Terry R. Droke
  • Patent number: 8774384
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Sr., Odie Garrison, James Carlton Bedingfield, Terry R. Droke
  • Publication number: 20130308765
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, SR., Odie Garrison, James Carlton Bedingfield, Terry R. Droke
  • Patent number: 8509409
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, James C. Bedingfield, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke
  • Publication number: 20120063579
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, James C. Bedingfield, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke
  • Patent number: 8085921
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, James C. Bedingfield, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke
  • Patent number: 7864926
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Mortimer P. Burnett, Terry R. Droke
  • Publication number: 20090016516
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, James C. Bedingfield, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke
  • Patent number: 7469043
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, James C. Bedingfield, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke
  • Patent number: 7379536
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Terry R. Droke, Mortimer P. Burnett
  • Patent number: 7190766
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Mortimer P. Burnett, Terry R. Droke
  • Patent number: 7127054
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.
    Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Terry R. Droke, Mortimer P. Burnett
  • Patent number: 6970540
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.
    Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Terry R. Droke, Mortimer P. Burnett
  • Patent number: 6778657
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke, Mort P. Burnett
  • Patent number: 6778658
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Randy M. McDonald, Odie H. Garrison, Terry R. Droke, Mort P. Burnett