Patents by Inventor William Michael Hooker

William Michael Hooker 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: 20260143323
    Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a communication connection between a telecommunications network and a public safety answering point (PSAP) are described herein. To test a PSAP, a telecommunications network transmits a heartbeat message to the PSAP. The heartbeat message is a special purpose message that includes a header or other data that indicates the message is a test message. The PSAP determines if the message received from the network is a heartbeat message or an emergency call. Upon determining that a heartbeat message was received, the PSAP transmits a success response to the network, indicating that there is a communication connection between the telecommunications network and the PSAP to service emergency calls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2024
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Inventors: Hang Hoi Yau, William Michael Hooker
  • Publication number: 20260059265
    Abstract: Solutions enable proximity based selection of dispatchable locations for emergency calls when a first user equipment (UE), such as a handset, places an emergency call (e.g., 911) over a short range wireless interface (e.g., WiFi) using a second UE, such as a fixed wireless access (FWA) or other WiFi router, that is connected to a long range wireless network such as cellular. The first UE reports its geodetic coordinates when initiating an emergency call (or the network determines coordinates another way), and the cellular carrier's knowledge of subscriber addresses, such as billing addresses or emergency response addressed, is leveraged to select the most likely dispatchable location (e.g., the closest street address). This allows a cellular account holder (the FWA subscriber), to identify frequent guests, whose UEs are associated with different user accounts, to associate the guests'UEs with the FWA's associated street address for the purpose of making emergency calls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2024
    Publication date: February 26, 2026
    Inventors: Gunjan NIMBAVIKAR, William Michael HOOKER
  • Publication number: 20250373728
    Abstract: The system comprises a gateway node configured to receive a request from a public safety answering point. The request is configured to initiate an emergency callback session with a user device in response to an error occurring in an emergency session between the user device and the public safety answering point. The system also includes a home network node configured to provide, upon an identity of the public safety answering point being verified, verification information about the request and the public safety answering point to the user device. The system includes a module deployed on a user device, the module comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the module to display the verification information about the request on a user interface of the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Inventors: Dinko Georgiev Dinkov, Homer Nicolas Filart, William Michael Hooker
  • Publication number: 20250142310
    Abstract: The system receives a SIP call from a UE associated with the user. The SIP call includes a call setup phase and a data transfer phase, where the call setup phase precedes the data transfer phase. The call setup phase includes an exchange of multiple header fields. The system obtains the multiple header fields from the SIP call. The system determines that the call is an open-line call by identifying an optional field within the multiple header fields, where the optional field indicates that the call is the open-line call. The open-line call indicates that the user of the UE cannot engage in a conversation with a receiver of the open-line call. Upon determining that the call is the open-line call, the system notifies an operator receiving the SIP call to not engage in an audible conversation with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Hsin-Fu Henry Chiang, William Michael Hooker
  • Patent number: 12284582
    Abstract: The system receives a SIP call from a UE associated with a user, where the SIP call includes multiple fields, and where a field among the multiple fields indicates that the SIP call is the open-line call. The system receives a first indication that the UE associated with a callee has generated a notification to the callee of the SIP call. Upon identifying the SIP call as the open-line call and receiving the first indication, the system sends a first message to the UE associated with the caller that the UE associated with the callee has generated the notification. The first message indicates to the UE associated with the caller to generate a first inaudible notification indicating that the UE associated with the callee generated the notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Fu Henry Chiang, William Michael Hooker
  • Patent number: 12200592
    Abstract: The system receives a SIP call from a UE associated with the user. The SIP call includes a call setup phase and a data transfer phase, where the call setup phase precedes the data transfer phase. The call setup phase includes an exchange of multiple header fields. The system obtains the multiple header fields from the SIP call. The system determines that the call is an open-line call by identifying an optional field within the multiple header fields, where the optional field indicates that the call is the open-line call. The open-line call indicates that the user of the UE cannot engage in a conversation with a receiver of the open-line call. Upon determining that the call is the open-line call, the system notifies an operator receiving the SIP call to not engage in an audible conversation with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Fu Henry Chiang, William Michael Hooker
  • Patent number: 12167310
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a location of a roaming device on a host telecommunications network are described herein. The host telecommunications network can implement a location server to determine a geographical location of a user equipment (UE) that generates an emergency message to an emergency service center. The location server can exchange data representing device information, network information, or user information with a subscriber server of a home telecommunications network, and use the data to initiate determination of the geographical location. The location server can initiate, establish, maintain, or otherwise determine a geographical location of the UE for sending to the emergency service center (e.g., to enable the UE to exchange text communications with a Public Service Answering Point).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventor: William Michael Hooker
  • Patent number: 11877342
    Abstract: An emergency route back number (ERBN) may be assigned for use in emergency calls. A telecommunication network associated that may be associated with a wireless service provider, may identify an emergency call directed to an emergency number (e.g., 9-1-1) that originated from a device that is not associated with a unique phone number such as a shared line, or a communication that utilizes some other indicator to establish the emergency call (e.g., an email address, or some other identifier). When an emergency call is detected that does not have a dedicated phone number, an ERBN is assigned to the communication. This ERBN may be reserved for some period of time after the emergency call ends such that emergency contact centers are able to reach callers back in case of dropped calls, fails, and/or additional emergency services that may need to reach the callers directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Kinsey, Adrian T. Synal, William Michael Hooker, Mohammed Al-Mehdar
  • Patent number: 11818791
    Abstract: An emergency route back number (ERBN) may be assigned for use in emergency calls. A telecommunication network associated that may be associated with a wireless service provider, may identify an emergency call directed to an emergency number (e.g., 9-1-1) that originated from a device that is not associated with a unique phone number such as a shared line, or a communication that utilizes some other indicator to establish the emergency call (e.g., an email address, or some other identifier). When an emergency call is detected that does not have a dedicated phone number, an ERBN is assigned to the communication. This ERBN may be reserved for some period of time after the emergency call ends such that emergency contact centers are able to reach callers back in case of dropped calls, fails, and/or additional emergency services that may need to reach the callers directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventors: Michele Kinsey, William Michael Hooker, Mohammed Al-Mehdar, Adrian T. Synal
  • Publication number: 20230300588
    Abstract: The system receives a SIP call from a UE associated with the user. The SIP call includes a call setup phase and a data transfer phase, where the call setup phase precedes the data transfer phase. The call setup phase includes an exchange of multiple header fields. The system obtains the multiple header fields from the SIP call. The system determines that the call is an open-line call by identifying an optional field within the multiple header fields, where the optional field indicates that the call is the open-line call. The open-line call indicates that the user of the UE cannot engage in a conversation with a receiver of the open-line call. Upon determining that the call is the open-line call, the system notifies an operator receiving the SIP call to not engage in an audible conversation with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Fu Henry Chiang, William Michael Hooker
  • Publication number: 20230300589
    Abstract: The system receives a SIP call from a UE associated with a user, where the SIP call includes multiple fields, and where a field among the multiple fields indicates that the SIP call is the open-line call. The system receives a first indication that the UE associated with a callee has generated a notification to the callee of the SIP call. Upon identifying the SIP call as the open-line call and receiving the first indication, the system sends a first message to the UE associated with the caller that the UE associated with the callee has generated the notification. The first message indicates to the UE associated with the caller to generate a first inaudible notification indicating that the UE associated with the callee generated the notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Fu Henry Chiang, William Michael Hooker
  • Patent number: 11743704
    Abstract: Techniques for handling emergency calls in a fifth generation (5G) telecommunication network are discussed herein. Some 5G-compatible user equipment (UEs) support 5G emergency calls, while other 5G-compatible UEs do not support 5G emergency calls. If a UE supports 5G emergency calls, the 5G telecommunication network may instruct the UE during network registration to use the 5G telecommunication network for any emergency calls attempted later. However, if a UE does not support 5G emergency calls, the 5G telecommunication network may instruct the UE during network registration to instead use Long-Term Evolution (LTE) emergency fallback procedures for emergency calls. Such LTE emergency fallback procedures can cause the 5G telecommunication network to steer the UE to LTE for an emergency call almost immediately after receiving a service request from the UE, even though the 5G telecommunication network itself supports emergency calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Thanneeru, Christopher H. Joul, Boris Antsev, William Michael Hooker
  • Publication number: 20230156447
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a location of a roaming device on a host telecommunications network are described herein. The host telecommunications network can implement a location server to determine a geographical location of a user equipment (UE) that generates an emergency message to an emergency service center. The location server can exchange data representing device information, network information, or user information with a subscriber server of a home telecommunications network, and use the data to initiate determination of the geographical location. The location server can initiate, establish, maintain, or otherwise determine a geographical location of the UE for sending to the emergency service center (e.g., to enable the UE to exchange text communications with a Public Service Answering Point).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: William Michael Hooker
  • Patent number: 11641381
    Abstract: One or more timers can be used by an originating UE during setup of a communication session. The timer(s) can be triggered by an originating UE receiving a response from a node of a telecommunications network. The timer(s) can further be terminated by a particular termination event during a remainder of the session setup, so long as the termination event occurs before timeout of the timer(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Fu Henry Chiang, Shujaur Mufti, William Michael Hooker, Boris Antsev, Shelby Seward
  • Patent number: 11272347
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for handling a request for a text message session on an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) capable network. For example, a device is communicatively coupled at a location of the IMS capable network. The method includes receiving a request from the device for a text message session on the IMS capable network and determining whether the IMS capable network supports next generation 911 (NG911) or interim text-to-911 at the location of the device. Upon determining that the IMS capable network is incapable of supporting NG911, redirecting the request for the text message session to a text control center (TCC). The method further includes causing the TCC to establish the text message session with a public safety answering point (PSAP) that supports text-to-911.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventor: William Michael Hooker
  • Publication number: 20210282217
    Abstract: An emergency route back number (ERBN) may be assigned for use in emergency calls. A telecommunication network associated that may be associated with a wireless service provider, may identify an emergency call directed to an emergency number (e.g., 9-1-1) that originated from a device that is not associated with a unique phone number such as a shared line, or a communication that utilizes some other indicator to establish the emergency call (e.g., an email address, or some other identifier). When an emergency call is detected that does not have a dedicated phone number, an ERIIN is assigned to the communication. This ERBN may be reserved for some period of time after the emergency call ends such that emergency contact centers are able to reach callers back in case of dropped calls, fails, and/or additional emergency services that may need to reach the callers directly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Michele Kinsey, Adrian T. Synal, William Michael Hooker, Mohammed Al-Mehdar
  • Publication number: 20210282218
    Abstract: An emergency route back number (ERBN) may be assigned for use in emergency calls. A telecommunication network associated that may be associated with a wireless service provider, may identify an emergency call directed to an emergency number (e.g., 9-1-1) that originated from a device that is not associated with a unique phone number such as a shared line, or a communication that utilizes some other indicator to establish the emergency call (e.g., an email address, or some other identifier). When an emergency call is detected that does not have a dedicated phone number, an ERBN is assigned to the communication. This ERBN may be reserved for some period of time after the emergency call ends such that emergency contact centers are able to reach callers back in case of dropped calls, fails, and/or additional emergency services that may need to reach the callers directly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Michele Kinsey, William Michael Hooker, Mohammed Al-Mehdar, Adrian T. Synal
  • Publication number: 20210250745
    Abstract: Techniques for handling emergency calls in a fifth generation (5G) telecommunication network are discussed herein. Some 5G-compatible user equipment (UEs) support 5G emergency calls, while other 5G-compatible UEs do not support 5G emergency calls. If a UE supports 5G emergency calls, the 5G telecommunication network may instruct the UE during network registration to use the 5G telecommunication network for any emergency calls attempted later. However, if a UE does not support 5G emergency calls, the 5G telecommunication network may instruct the UE during network registration to instead use Long-Term Evolution (LTE) emergency fallback procedures for emergency calls. Such LTE emergency fallback procedures can cause the 5G telecommunication network to steer the UE to LTE for an emergency call almost immediately after receiving a service request from the UE, even though the 5G telecommunication network itself supports emergency calls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Suresh Thanneeru, Christopher H. Joul, Boris Antsev, William Michael Hooker
  • Patent number: 11089156
    Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a text-to-911 system of a public safety answering point (PSAP) are described herein. The systems and methods provide for an administrative line that the PSAP, whereby a user can test the PSAP and determine if information that would be used by the PSAP in the case of an emergency is correct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Tong Luo, William Michael Hooker
  • Publication number: 20210058762
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for handling a request for a text message session on an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) capable network. For example, a device is communicatively coupled at a location of the IMS capable network. The method includes receiving a request from the device for a text message session on the IMS capable network and determining whether the IMS capable network supports next generation 911 (NG911) or interim text-to-911 at the location of the device. Upon determining that the IMS capable network is incapable of supporting NG911, redirecting the request for the text message session to a text control center (TCC). The method further includes causing the TCC to establish the text message session with a public safety answering point (PSAP) that supports text-to-911.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: William Michael Hooker