Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Linton

Thomas L. Linton 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: 7986774
    Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James A. Kearns, Crisella S. J. Chipman, Keith C. Smith, Neil M. Briskman, Thomas L. Linton
  • Patent number: 7430286
    Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo
  • Patent number: 7180989
    Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: James A. Kearns, Crisella S. J. Chipman, Keith C. Smith, Neil M. Briskman, Thomas L. Linton
  • Patent number: 7106840
    Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo
  • Patent number: 6954519
    Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: James A. Kearns, Crisella S. J. Chipman, Keith C. Smith, Neil M. Briskman, Thomas L. Linton
  • Publication number: 20040258228
    Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo
  • Publication number: 20040142679
    Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: James A. Kearns, Crisella S.J. Chipman, Keith C. Smith, Neil M. Briskman, Thomas L. Linton
  • Patent number: 6748062
    Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo
  • Patent number: 6678363
    Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: James A. Kearns, Crisella S. J. Chipman, Keith C. Smith, Neil M. Briskman, Thomas L. Linton
  • Publication number: 20030048887
    Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo
  • Patent number: 6498840
    Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo
  • Publication number: 20020176552
    Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Kearns, Crisella S. J. Chipman, Keith C. Smith, Neil M. Briskman, Thomas L. Linton
  • Patent number: 6418207
    Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Kearns, Crisella S. J. Chipman, Keith C. Smith, Neil M. Briskman, Thomas L. Linton
  • Publication number: 20020001375
    Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo
  • Patent number: 6252951
    Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo
  • Patent number: 6023500
    Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Kearns, Crisella S. J. Chipman, Keith C. Smith, Neil M. Briskman, Thomas L. Linton
  • Patent number: 5920613
    Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Scott P. Alcott, Thomas L. Linton, Diane I. Primo
  • Patent number: 5881138
    Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Kearns, Crisella S. J. Chipman, Keith C. Smith, Neil M. Briskman, Thomas L. Linton