Patents by Inventor Tracy Lee Nelson

Tracy Lee Nelson 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: 7545824
    Abstract: A signaling processor processes a first message to select a TDM connection for the call and transfers a second message indicating the selected TDM connection. The interworking unit receives the second message and user communications for the call in a packet format, converts the user communications from the packet format to a TDM format, and transfers the user communications in the TDM format over the selected TDM connection. The interworking unit monitors the user communications for a trigger after call set-up and during the call, and if the trigger is detected, transfers a third message indicating the trigger. The signaling processor receives and processes the third message to select routing information for routing the call to a service platform and transfers a fourth message indicating the selected routing information to route the call to the service platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee
  • Patent number: 7324534
    Abstract: The invention is a system for interfacing a GR-303 system with a broadband system. The broadband system can be an ATM system. The invention can process the GR-303 signaling to select ATM connections and then interwork the GR-303 connections with the selected ATM connections. The invention can interwork GR-303 signaling and SS7 signaling. The invention can also process SS7 signaling to select GR-303 connections and then interwork ATM connections with the selected GR-303 connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Christie, legal representative, Jean M. Christie, legal representative, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee, Joseph Michael Christie, deceased
  • Patent number: 7289511
    Abstract: A system and method provide enhanced services for a call that is transported from a communication device through an asynchronous transfer mode system. The call has user communications in asynchronous transfer mode cells and call signaling. A signaling processor receives the call signaling and processes the call signaling to determine a connection to a service platform. The signaling processor transports a processor control message designating the selected connection. An asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit receives the user communications from the communication device and the processor control message from the signaling processor. The asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit converts the user communications from the asynchronous transfer mode cells to a format compatible with the service platform and dynamically transports the user communications to the service platform in real time. The service platform processes the user communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Christie, legal representative, Jean M. Christie, legal representative, Tracy Lee Nelson, Joseph Michael Christie, deceased
  • Patent number: 7239644
    Abstract: The invention is a system for modifying the VPI/VCIs in ATM cells transferred between two ATM systems on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for the call and selects a new VPI/VCI for the call. The signaling processor generates a control message that identifies the old and new VPI/VCIs and transfers the control message to an ATM gateway. The ATM gateway modifies the old VPI/VCI in the ATM cells to the new VPI/VCI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, deceased, Joseph S. Christie, legal representative, Jean M. Christie, legal representative, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley
  • Patent number: 7106750
    Abstract: A system to interworking a call between a plurality of networks having different formats. The system has a GR-303 system, an integrated services digital network system, a service platform, and an asynchronous transfer mode system. The system has a signaling processor that is adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling to select a connection to one of the GR-303 system, the integrated services digital network system, the service platform, or the asynchronous transfer mode system. The signaling processor thereby selects the corresponding system on the connection. The signaling processor transports a control message identifying the selected connection. An interworking unit receives the user communications and the control message. The interworking unit converts the user communications from the format in which it was received to the format that is compatible with the selected system. The user communications are then transported on the selected connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee, Tracy Lee Nelson, Joseph Michael Christie
  • Patent number: 6999463
    Abstract: A communication system is disclosed comprised of a signaling processor and an interworking system. The signaling processor receives a call setup message including a called number, processes the called number to transmit a query, receives a response message responsive to the query that includes number portability information for the called number, processes the number portability information to select an identifier for routing, and transmits a control message that identifies the identifier. The interworking system receives a user communication and the control message, converts the user communication into communications that include the identifier, and transfers the communications that include the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, deceased, Joseph S. Christie, legal representative, Jean M. Christie, legal representative, Michael Joseph Gardner, Albert Daniel DuRee, William Lyle Wiley, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Patent number: 6904060
    Abstract: A system and method to detect a call trigger during a call without requiring a service platform to remain connected to the call. A first communication device transmits a call having call signaling and user communications. A signaling processor receives the call signaling from the first communication device and selects a connection to a second communication device. An interworking unit receives the user communications from the first communication device and converts the user communications from a time division multiplex format to asynchronous transfer mode cells that identify a selected connection to the second communication device and transports the user communications to the second communication device. The interworking unit detects a call trigger in the user communications. The interworking unit transmits call trigger data to the signaling processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee
  • Patent number: 6895088
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a call processing system includes a signaling interface that receives and processes message parameters and call signaling and transmits and receives call signaling and message parameters to and from a call processor. A call processor processes call signaling to select connections for calls. An interworking unit interworks user communications between time division multiplex (TDM) connections and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) connections. An ATM matrix connects user communications between ATM connections. A call process control system (CPCS) manages the call processing elements including the signaling interface, the call processor, the interworking unit, and the ATM matrix. The CPCS provides call management applications such as call trace, call tap, remote call control, accounting, configuration of the call processing elements, and interfacing between external devices and the call processing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Tracy Lee Nelson, Charles Arthur Jennings
  • Patent number: 6885671
    Abstract: A system and method connect a call in a broadband system using the asynchronous transfer mode protocol for switching. Calls are connected over a SONET ring that has SONET multiplexers coupled by SONET paths. The SONET multiplexers are adapted to add calls to, and drop calls from, the SONET ring. An ATM cross connect system that has ATM cross connect devices is coupled to the SONET ring. The ATM cross connect devices provide provisioned ATM connections over the SONET ring. ATM interworking units are coupled to the ATM cross connect system. The ATM interworking units interwork calls with selected ATM connections in response to control messages. The selected ATM connections are provisioned between the ATM interworking units by the ATM cross connect system over the SONET ring. A signaling processor system receives call signaling for the calls, processes the call signaling to select the ATM connections for the calls, and sends the control messages to the selected ATM interworking units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: William Lyle Wiley, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, Royal Dean Howell, Albert Daniel DuRee
  • Publication number: 20040208198
    Abstract: A system to interworking a call between a plurality of networks having different formats. The system has a GR-303 system, an integrated services digital network system, a service platform, and an asynchronous transfer mode system. The system has a signaling processor that is adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling to select a connection to one of the GR-303 system, the integrated services digital network system, the service platform, or the asynchronous transfer mode system. The signaling processor thereby selects the corresponding system on the connection. The signaling processor transports a control message identifying the selected connection. An interworking unit receives the user communications and the control message. The interworking unit converts the user communications from the format in which it was received to the format that is compatible with the selected system. The user communications are then transported on the selected connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel Duree, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Patent number: 6795440
    Abstract: The invention is a tandem system for providing a tandem connection for circuit-based traffic. This tandem system comprises an ATM cross-connect, ATM interworking multiplexers, and a signaling processor. The multiplexer converts the traffic received by the tandem system into ATM where it is routed through the cross-connect and re-converted, back into the circuit-based format at an ATM interworking multiplexer. The signaling processor controls the virtual connections and out going circuit-based connections used by the multiplexers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communcations Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, Albert Daniel DuRee, William Lyle Wiley, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Patent number: 6788693
    Abstract: A system to interworking a call between a plurality of networks having different formats. The system has a GR-303 system, an integrated services digital network system, a service platform, and an asynchronous transfer mode system. The system has a signaling processor that is adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling to select a connection to one of the GR-303 system, the integrated services digital network system, the service platform, or the asynchronous transfer mode system. The signaling processor thereby selects the corresponding system on the connection. The signaling processor transports a control message identifying the selected connection. An interworking unit receives the user communications and the control message. The interworking unit converts the user communications from the format in which it was received to the format that is compatible with the selected system. The user communications are then transported on the selected connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communication Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, by Jean M. Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040090973
    Abstract: The invention is a system for modifying the VPI/VCIs in ATM cells transferred between two ATM systems on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for the call and selects a new VPI/VCI for the call. The signaling processor generates a control message that identifies the old and new VPI/VCIs and transfers the control message to an ATM gateway. The ATM gateway modifies the old VPI/VCI in the ATM cells to the new VPI/VCI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L. P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley
  • Publication number: 20040085990
    Abstract: A system and method provide enhanced services for a call that is transported from a communication device through an asynchronous transfer mode system. The call has user communications in asynchronous transfer mode cells and call signaling. A signaling processor receives the call signaling and processes the call signaling to determine a connection to a service platform. The signaling processor transports a processor control message designating the selected connection. An asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit receives the user communications from the communication device and the processor control message from the signaling processor. The asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit converts the user communications from the asynchronous transfer mode cells to a format compatible with the service platform and dynamically transports the user communications to the service platform in real time. The service platform processes the user communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040085975
    Abstract: The invention is a system for interfacing a GR-303 system with a broadband system. The broadband system can be an ATM system. The invention can process the GR-303 signaling to select ATM connections and then interwork the GR-303 connections with the selected ATM connections. The invention can interwork GR-303 signaling and SS7 signaling. The invention can also process SS7 signaling to select GR-303 connections and then interwork ATM connections with the selected GR-303 connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley, Albert Daniel DuRee
  • Publication number: 20040057427
    Abstract: A communication system is disclosed comprised of a signaling processor and an interworking system. The signaling processor receives a call setup message including a called number, processes the called number to transmit a query, receives a response message responsive to the query that includes number portability information for the called number, processes the number portability information to select an identifier for routing, and transmits a control message that identifies the identifier. The interworking system receives a user communication and the control message, converts the user communication into communications that include the identifier, and transfers the communications that include the identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Michael Joseph Gardner, Albert Daniel DuRee, William Lyle Wiley, Tracy Lee Nelson, Joseph S. Christie, Jean M. Christie
  • Patent number: 6704327
    Abstract: A system and method for connecting a call in an asynchronous transfer mode system remotely controls an interworking unit. A communication device transports user communications and call signaling for a call. A signaling processor processes the call signaling to determine a connection for the call. An interworking unit interworks the user communications from the format in which the user communications are received from the communication device to asynchronous transfer mode cells that identify the selected connection. A cross connect provisions a virtual path between the signaling processor and the interworking unit. The virtual path has signaling virtual path identifier/virtual channel identifier links. The signaling processor transports over the virtual path a control message that designates the selected connection. The interworking unit receives the control message and interworks the user communications to the asynchronous transfer mode cells that identify the selected connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley, Joseph Michael Christie, Albert Daniel DuRee
  • Patent number: 6697340
    Abstract: A system and method provide enhanced services for a call that is transported from a communication device through an asynchronous transfer mode system. The call has user communications in asynchronous transfer mode cells and call signaling. A signaling processor receives the call signaling and processes the call signaling to determine a connection to a service platform. The signaling processor transports a processor control message designating the selected connection. An asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit receives the user communications from the communication device and the processor control message from the signaling processor. The asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit converts the user communications from the asynchronous transfer mode cells to a format compatible with the service platform and dynamically transports the user communications to the service platform in real time. The service platform processes the user communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Patent number: 6690674
    Abstract: A system to interworking a call between a plurality of networks having different formats. The system has a GR-303 system, an integrated services digital network system, a service platform, and an asynchronous transfer mode system. The system has a signaling processor that is adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling to select a connection to one of the GR-303 system, the integrated services digital network system, the service platform, or the asynchronous transfer mode system. The signaling processor thereby selects the corresponding system on the connection. The signaling processor transports a control message identifying the selected connection. An interworking unit receives the user communications and the control message. The interworking unit converts the user communications from the format in which it was received to the format that is compatible with the selected system. The user communications are then transported on the selected connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, William Lyle Wiley, Tracy Lee Nelson
  • Patent number: 6683878
    Abstract: The invention is a system for modifying the VPI/VCIs in ATM cells transferred between two ATM systems on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for the call and selects a new VPI/VCI for the call. The signaling processor generates a control message that identifies the old and new VPI/VCIs and transfers the control message to an ATM gateway. The ATM gateway modifies the old VPI/VCI in the ATM cells to the new VPI/VCI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Albert Daniel DuRee, Michael Joseph Gardner, Tracy Lee Nelson, William Lyle Wiley