Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Ball

Thomas A. Ball 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: 20240114593
    Abstract: Techniques for determining contact information for an anonymous device on a telecommunications network are described herein. The telecommunications network can implement a server to determine data representing a callback number or other subscriber information for a user equipment (UE) associated with an anonymous status. The server can generate a request for the data based on identifying an anonymous status associated with a message from the UE. The server can request the data from a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) of the telecommunications network using a Representational State Transfer (REST) interface. The server can establish a communication session for the UE by sending the callback number and/or the subscriber information to an emergency service center (e.g., to enable a Public Service Answering Point to communicate with the UE if the communication session is lost).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Raymond Thomas Ball, Hichem Zait, Joel Arends
  • Publication number: 20240056790
    Abstract: Techniques for selectively blocking/unblocking data roaming for outbound user equipment (UE) by modifying subscriber data, are discussed herein. The present system may configure a roaming steering component to query a subscriber server of a home network operator for an account profile. The roaming steering component may use the account profile to selectively modify subscriber data to enable or disable data roaming and/or roaming network services for individual subscribers. The roaming steering component may also enable the home network operator to determine a distribution for outbound traffic of the outbound UE to a preferred partner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventor: Raymond Thomas Ball
  • Publication number: 20240022551
    Abstract: System and methods for inter-network user equipment (UE) registration are described herein. A managed access system (MAS) network may receive a request for services from an unauthorized UE and may generate a registration request that it transmits to the UE's home network using a call session control function (CSCF) and the Cx interface. One or more diameter routing agents on the path between the MAS network and the destination network may determine whether the registration request was received on the Cx network and if not, may discard the message. Other criteria may also be used to determine whether to forward such requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Prannoy Kiran Saride, Raymond Thomas Ball, Kenroy Dwight Shaw
  • Publication number: 20230337041
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a communication interface between control functions of a network core and a network data node associated with a user side packet core are discussed herein. The system can enable configuration information to be stored and dynamically updated by the network data node such that control nodes of the user side packet core requesting service from the network core are provided with up to date configuration information associated with active control functions. As control functions are activated and deactivated, the configuration information can be updated to reflect the current state of the network core and ensure that user device connects are routed to active control functions configured to provide user requested services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Joel Arends, Raymond Thomas Ball, Marc A. Proctor
  • Patent number: 11729656
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a communication interface between control functions of a network core and a network data node associated with a user side packet core are discussed herein. The system can enable configuration information to be stored and dynamically updated by the network data node such that control nodes of the user side packet core requesting service from the network core are provided with up to date configuration information associated with active control functions. As control functions are activated and deactivated, the configuration information can be updated to reflect the current state of the network core and ensure that user device connects are routed to active control functions configured to provide user requested services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Joel Arends, Raymond Thomas Ball, Marc A Proctor
  • Publication number: 20230254693
    Abstract: A network may include an International Serials Data System (ISDS) that is configured to register and determine an identity of a receiving or originating user equipment (UE) that has a home network that operates using a different format or standard than the current network. The ISDS may be configured to generate transmissions on behalf of the UE for registration and identification for outgoing and incoming voice or text messages using the format of both networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Joel Arends, Saqib Badar, Sabuhi Kiran Zaifuddin, Raymond Thomas Ball, Shujaur Rehman Mufti
  • Patent number: 11659389
    Abstract: A network may include an International Serials Data System (ISDS) that is configured to register and determine an identity of a receiving or originating user equipment (UE) that has a home network that operates using a different format or standard than the current network. The ISDS may be configured to generate transmissions on behalf of the UE for registration and identification for outgoing and incoming voice or text messages using the format of both networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Joel Arends, Saqib Badar, Sabuhi Kiran Zaifuddin, Raymond Thomas Ball, Shujaur Rehman Mufti
  • Patent number: 11595872
    Abstract: As described herein, one of a third generation (3G) radio access network (RAN) or a fifth generation (5G) RAN may be selected to receive a handover of a communication session from a fourth generation (4G) RAN. The 3G RAN or 5G RAN may be selected based on at least one of performance measurements for the 3G RAN and the 5G RAN, a preference for the 3G RAN or the 5G RAN, or a performance threshold for the 3G RAN or for the 5G RAN. The handover to the selected one of the 3G RAN or 5G RAN may then be initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Joel Arends, Raymond Thomas Ball
  • Publication number: 20220248253
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a communication interface between control functions of a network core and a network data node associated with a user side packet core are discussed herein. The system can enable configuration information to be stored and dynamically updated by the network data node such that control nodes of the user side packet core requesting service from the network core are provided with up to date configuration information associated with active control functions. As control functions are activated and deactivated, the configuration information can be updated to reflect the current state of the network core and ensure that user device connects are routed to active control functions configured to provide user requested services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Joel Arends, Raymond Thomas Ball, Marc A. Proctor
  • Patent number: 11178597
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved network service allocation. Rather than providing all-or-nothing network service allocation to users, the system can use the mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network code (MNC) to provide access to different services to different users. The services provided to each roaming user, for example, can be negotiated in a roaming agreement with the user's provider. The roaming user can then be provided access to only those services agreed to in the roaming agreement. A home provider can also use multiple MNCs to provide similar service allocation to home users, with each MNC providing a different combination of services. The home provider can also use mobile subscriber identification numbers (MSINs), or ranges of MSINs, to provide service allocation for home users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Raymond Thomas Ball, Mehul Shah
  • Publication number: 20200280903
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved network service allocation. Rather than providing all-or-nothing network service allocation to users, the system can use the mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network code (MNC) to provide access to different services to different users. The services provided to each roaming user, for example, can be negotiated in a roaming agreement with the user's provider. The roaming user can then be provided access to only those services agreed to in the roaming agreement. A home provider can also use multiple MNCs to provide similar service allocation to home users, with each MNC providing a different combination of services. The home provider can also use mobile subscriber identification numbers (MSINs), or ranges of MSINs, to provide service allocation for home users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Raymond Thomas Ball, Mehul Shah
  • Patent number: 10674431
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved network service allocation. Rather than providing all-or-nothing network service allocation to users, the system can use the mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network code (MNC) to provide access to different services to different users. The services provided to each roaming user, for example, can be negotiated in a roaming agreement with the user's provider. The roaming user can then be provided access to only those services agreed to in the roaming agreement. A home provider can also use multiple MNCs to provide similar service allocation to home users, with each MNC providing a different combination of services. The home provider can also use mobile subscriber identification numbers (MSINs), or ranges of MSINs, to provide service allocation for home users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Raymond Thomas Ball, Mehul Shah
  • Publication number: 20190223079
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved network service allocation. Rather than providing all-or-nothing network service allocation to users, the system can use the mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network code (MNC) to provide access to different services to different users. The services provided to each roaming user, for example, can be negotiated in a roaming agreement with the user's provider. The roaming user can then be provided access to only those services agreed to in the roaming agreement. A home provider can also use multiple MNCs to provide similar service allocation to home users, with each MNC providing a different combination of services. The home provider can also use mobile subscriber identification numbers (MSINs), or ranges of MSINs, to provide service allocation for home users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Raymond Thomas Ball, Mehul Shah
  • Publication number: 20190190996
    Abstract: In some implementations, a telecommunications network can include an authorization server, e.g., a Diameter Routing Agent. The authorization server can receive service data associated with a network terminal from a home authorization server. The authorization server can determine that a portion of the service data corresponds with a predetermined network service and remove the portion of the service data to provide modified service data. The authorization server can transmit the modified service data to a control device of the network. In some examples, the control device can determine a gateway device identified in the modified service data and transmit an association message to the gateway device on behalf of the terminal. In some examples, the control device can receive a request for a network service from the terminal, determine that the modified service data does not authorize the network service, and transmit a rejection message to the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Raymond Thomas Ball
  • Publication number: 20190190997
    Abstract: In some implementations, a telecommunications network can include a control device, e.g., an LTE mobility management entity (MME). The control device can retrieve service data associated with a network terminal from a home authorization server. The control device can determine that a portion of the service data corresponds with a predetermined network service and remove the portion of the service data to provide modified service data. In some examples, the control device can determine a gateway device identified in the modified service data and transmit an association message to the gateway device on behalf of the terminal. In some examples, the control device can receive a request for a network service from the terminal, determine that the modified service data does not authorize the network service, and transmit a rejection message to the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Nassereddine Sabeur, Raymond Thomas Ball
  • Patent number: 8692729
    Abstract: An apparatus, method of propagating a signal and method of manufacture for an antenna structure comprising a section which is positioned or formed in relation to a portion of the antenna structure, such that a portion of the electromagnetic (EM) field that is emitted from the antenna structure is partially slowed or phase shifted thereby resulting in an improvement of the horizontal gain of the EM field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas A. Ball, Jeffrey M. Snow
  • Publication number: 20130339929
    Abstract: A method and system for repairing a program are provided herein. The method includes statically analyzing a code of a program via a modular program verifier and determining semantic errors within the code of the program based on the static analysis. The method also includes inferring verified repairs to the code of the program based on the semantic errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francesco Logozzo, Thomas Ball
  • Patent number: 8476407
    Abstract: This application provides a metallopeptide catalyst comprising dirhodium bound to one or more carboxylate residues of a peptide, protein or peptidomimetic. These stable metallopeptides can achieve structure-selective protein modification though molecular recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Zachary Thomas Ball, Brian Vincent Popp, Alexander Nikolaevich Zaykov
  • Patent number: 8393110
    Abstract: A storage and transfer bag system are disclosed for use in tournament fishing competitions. A living fish can be stored in the storage bag, which is kept in a live well until the storage bag with living fish therein is placed in a transfer bag that is partially filled with water. The storage bag is made from a mesh fabric, enabling water to be drained from the storage bag. After draining the water from the storage bag, the storage bag and living fish are weighed, and the weight of the fish computed. The storage bag and living fish are then placed back into the transfer bag and transported to the lake or river or other body of water. The storage bag and living fish are removed from the transfer bag and the fish released without human contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Ball
  • Patent number: 8264417
    Abstract: An antenna structure and a method of propagating an electromagnetic (EM) wave with the antenna structure. The antenna structure comprises a first aperture antenna element and a second element inside the first element adapted to strengthen the directivity of the wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Snow, Thomas Ball