Having Line Identification Associated With Call Billing (e.g., Automatic Number Identification (ani) Patents (Class 379/127.01)
  • Patent number: 11588940
    Abstract: A method and a call routing system (CRS) are provided for routing an incoming call made to one of multiple numbers of a user to a call receiving client application (CRCA) deployed on one or more user devices when the called number is not reachable. The CRS, in communication with the CRCA deployed on one or more user devices, sets up a user account using one or more of the user's multiple numbers. The CRS detects availability of the CRCA on one or more user devices over a data network to accept an incoming call. The CRS receives the incoming call made to one of the numbers, when the called number is not reachable. The CRS routes the incoming call to the CRCA on one or more user devices over the data network on detecting the availability of the CRCA on one or more user devices over the data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: AAWAAZ INC.
    Inventors: Inderpal Singh Mumick, Surinder Singh Anand
  • Patent number: 11310871
    Abstract: A distribution system includes: a gateway to be a kitting target; and a distribution server that distributes, to the gateway, kitting data associated with gateway identification information of the gateway, the distribution system further including a mobile terminal that acquires the gateway identification information wirelessly transmitted from the gateway and transmits the acquired gateway identification information to the distribution server, wherein the distribution server associates the gateway identification information transmitted from the mobile terminal, with the kitting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keisuke Ina
  • Patent number: 11276260
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is in communication with the processor, where the memory stores computer-readable instructions that are executed by the processor. The processor performs operations including storing, in association with each other, vehicle position information with which a vehicle is identified, and parcel receipt information with which the vehicle is specified instead of an address or a name. The operations further include specifying the vehicle based on the parcel receipt information. The operations further include acquiring authentication information with which the vehicle is unlocked. The operations further include sending the authentication information to a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Etsuko Nakajima, Naoki Uenoyama, Junya Masui, Akira Hoshino, Hideo Hasegawa, Keiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 11222495
    Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods relate to a smart access control device in a security system for monitoring an area. According to embodiments, a method can include receiving, by the smart access control device, from one or more sensors in the area, sensor data about the area. The method can also include analyzing the received sensor data and generating an alert for a user about the area based on the analyzed sensor data. The method can further include transmitting, by the smart access control device, a first signal comprising the alert to a monitoring server of the security system. Moreover, the method can include enabling, by the smart access control device, a person requesting access to the area to enter identification information and granting access to the area to the person based on the received identification information that is evaluated by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: LATCH SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Luke Andrew Schoenfelder, Michael Brian Jones, Saayuj Dhanak
  • Patent number: 11200551
    Abstract: A system for facilitating real-time transactions of data representing monetary value between clients in a computer network comprises at least one first client and a transaction server computer system, the first client being associated with a set of data representing a balance of monetary value. The transaction server computer system is configured for receiving requests for transactions of data representing an amount of monetary value from a plurality of second clients for real-time updates of the first client's set of data. The first client's set of data is stored in a data structure comprising first and second subsets of the data, each subset of data defining a sub-balance representing an amount of monetary value. The first and second subsets are simultaneously updated following respective requests. A server architecture comprising a further administrative authority server computer system and secure tunnels enhances security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: MASTERCARD PAYMENT SERVICES DENMARK A/S
    Inventors: Jon Arne Hegge, Espen Dasvand, Leif John Korshavn, Marius Hoy
  • Patent number: 11182365
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that provide for distributively storing and accessing data across multiple hash tables, such that utilization of the hash tables is optimized. In particular, a key associated with a value is split into two or more sub-keys and the sub-keys are inserted into respective hash tables with associated values. For each sub-key except the final sub-key derived from a particular key, the value paired with the sub-key is an identifier that points to the location of the next sub-key and its associated value, which may be stored in the other hash tables. The final sub-key derived from the original key is paired with the value associated with the key, such as an action to be performed. Thus, rather than using a single key (which may be very large) to access or store a particular value, multiple (smaller) sub-keys are used to ultimately access the same value via multiple, smaller hash tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mellanox Technologies TLV Ltd.
    Inventors: Aviv Kfir, Benny Koren, Gil Levy, Barak Gafni
  • Patent number: 11039013
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems/methods that enable real-time monitoring/processing of contact center communications to provide timely, actionable analytic insights and real-time critical call alerts, while simultaneously providing best-in-class protection of sensitive customer information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Medallia, Inc.
    Inventors: David Garrod, Wayne Ramprashad
  • Patent number: 11019201
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for detecting whether an Automatic Number Identification (ANI) associated with an incoming call is a gateway, according to rules-based models and machine learning models generated by the computer using call data stored in one or more databases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Pindrop Security, Inc.
    Inventors: Akanksha, Terry Nelms, II, Kailash Patil, Chirag Tailor, Khaled Lakhdhar
  • Patent number: 10873661
    Abstract: A voice communication method, a voice communication apparatus, and a voice communication system are disclosed. The method includes: at a transmitting side, obtaining voice information; determining whether the voice information is uttered by a preset user, and transmitting the voice information to a peer device if it is determined that the voice information is uttered by the preset user, and prohibiting the transmission of the voice information otherwise; and at a receiving side, receiving voice information transmitted from a peer device; collecting a first environmental information, and determining whether the first environmental information meets a voice output condition; outputting the voice information if it is determined that the first environmental information meets the voice output condition, and prohibiting the output of the voice information otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignees: HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qinghe Wang, Dongfang Wang, Tongshang Su, Leilei Cheng, Wei Song, Yang Zhang, Ning Liu, Haitao Wang, Jun Wang, Guangyao Li
  • Patent number: 10868901
    Abstract: An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a communication module; an input module; a display, and a processor, wherein the processor may select at least one contact destination of a plurality of contact destinations on the basis of a response inputted through the input module for each of a plurality of events generated through the communication module, and display the same on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.. LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-Eun Yang, Hee-Jun Song
  • Patent number: 10728052
    Abstract: There is disclosed a secure remote actuation system that includes a network storing one or more acceptable inputs. The system also includes a central signal switch disposed inside an enclosure. The central signal switch stores therein the one or more acceptable inputs and user codes, which comprise a succession of the acceptable inputs. The system further includes a remote input receptor that, in turn, includes a user interface with a communication tilt plate that has a front side and a back side. The front side includes an outer touch surface. The back side includes electronic components mounted thereon, a raised center pivot and a plurality of spring loaded switches mounted thereon disposed around the periphery of the back side. As such, tilting the communication tilt plate by pressing proximate the periphery of the outer touch surface will activate two or more of the spring-loaded switches mounted on the back side of the tilt plate, thereby transmitting the one or more user codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Patent number: 10389872
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product that authenticates a caller using calling party information. In an embodiment, an authentication device receives the call request and associated calling party information that includes a calling party number. The authentication device retrieves parameters associated with the calling party number, where a retrieved parameter is a number of accounts linked to the calling party number. The authentication device determines whether the number of accounts is between one and a threshold value, inclusive, and verifies that the call request originates from a location or a device associated with the calling party number. Based on the verifying and determining, the authentication device generates an authentication result that indicates whether the calling party number is authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: TrustID, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Cox, Shreyas Dattatraya Saitawdekar, Richard J. Greene, Daniel V. Stone
  • Patent number: 9973380
    Abstract: At least two domains of a datacenter are registered. Each of the domains comprises at least one server. A global pool of identifiers is generated by the global management module. A logical configuration is generated by a global management module. The logical configuration takes the form of a global profile and allows for a workload to be processed at one or more the servers. A global identifier from the global pool of identifiers is associated with the global profile. The global profile is assigned to a server in a first of the at least two domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shailesh Mittal, Zhong Chen, B. A. Roger Andersson, Vijayakumar Kothandaraman
  • Patent number: 9949099
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of accessing a data service in a wireless communications network is disclosed. An example may include receiving a call identifying an application accessed by a mobile station, and verifying whether the accessed application is installed on the mobile station. The example may further include transferring a notification message to the mobile station based on the accessed application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Mateer, James K. Boutcher
  • Patent number: 9947137
    Abstract: A method for effect display of an electronic device, and the electronic device thereof are provided. The method in the electronic device includes obtaining a correlation among a plurality of objects extracted from an image, and displaying at least any one of the plurality of objects by adding an effect, on the basis of the correlation. Further, other exemplary embodiments are also included in the present disclosure in addition to the aforementioned exemplary embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pil-Joo Yoon, Doo-Suk Kang, Geon-Soo Kim, Dong-Hyun Yeom, Bo-Kun Choi
  • Patent number: 9678624
    Abstract: Methods and devices for selectively presenting a user interface or “desktop” across two devices are provided. More particularly, a unified desktop is presented across a device and a computer system that comprise a unified system. The unified desktop acts as a single user interface that presents data and receives user interaction in a seamless environment that emulates a personal computing environment. To function within the personal computing environment, the unified desktop includes a process for docking and undocking the device with the computer system. The unified desktop presents a new user interface to allow access to functions of the unified desktop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Paul E. Reeves, Sanjiv Sirpal, Alexander de Paz, Martin Gimpl, Rodney W. Schrock
  • Patent number: 9420117
    Abstract: Call detail records (CDRs) that are generated by different elements of an IP telephony system in connection with the same communication can be matched to one another using timing information contained in the CDRs. Other information in addition to timing information, and which is present in two CDRs relating to the same communication may be used in conjunction with timing information to match CDRs from the same communication. Also, information relating to the type of flow path that a communication follows through the elements of an IP telephony system may also be recorded in a final CDR that is created for each communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: VONAGE AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Casem Majd, Jason Farkas, Matthew Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9344584
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for dynamically applying session control triggers to communication sessions. In use, a request associated with a communication session for an entity is received. Additionally, at least one attribute associated with the entity is identified, in response to the request. Furthermore, it is determined whether at least one trigger implementing session control is to be set for the communication session, based on the at least one attribute. Moreover, the request is processed, based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Amdocs Software Systems Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Gluzman, Zur Yahalom, Gal Eshet, Omer Shani
  • Patent number: 9237074
    Abstract: Some examples provide for issuing identifiers to clients of a distributed identifier generation system. A request for a unique identifier may be received by a host. The host may generate an identifiers based at least in part on a host identifier issued to the generating host and a value of a counter operated by the generating host. The identifiers may be unique within the distributed identifier generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudharsan Sampath, Vinoo Vasudevan, AndyGibb Halim, Pradipta Biswas
  • Patent number: 9225828
    Abstract: Methods and systems described in this disclosure allow customers to quickly be authenticated. In some embodiments, a device and a user verifier are associated with a user profile. When a call is received from the device, the user may be requested to input the user verifier. After verifying that the device is unique to the user and that the user verifier matches the user verifier associated with the user profile, the user may be authenticated to the call or activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Patricio H. Garcia, Amanda Jean Segovia, Hector J. Castillo, Susan Cass Mason, Robert Craig Korom
  • Patent number: 9208495
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to present advertisements which provide references to request real time communication connections. One embodiment includes presenting an advertisement including information usable to request a real time communication connection to a predetermined advertiser, which is to be charged a fee for the advertisement responsive to the real time communication connection established to the advertiser using the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: YELLOWPAGES.COM LLC
    Inventors: Ebbe Altberg, Scott Faber, Ron Hirson, Sean Van Der Linden, Virginia Hong-Jia Yang
  • Patent number: 9031213
    Abstract: A method of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Heritage Secure E-Commerce, LLC
    Inventor: Joe M. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8976782
    Abstract: A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system includes an authorization and account control object in the packet switched network, multiple gateways between the circuit switched and packet switched networks providing controlled connectivity between those networks, and an information retrieval object in the packet switched network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Voit, Edward E. Balkovich, William D. Goodman, Jayant G. Gadre, Patrick E. White, David E. Young
  • Patent number: 8929524
    Abstract: A telecommunications method for call forwarding including storing information regarding a called party in at least one local database, where the information regarding the called party is stored in a user account and making a telephone call by dialing a telephone number with a telephone, where the telephone is contained in a telephone management system. The method also includes determining whether the telephone number is associated with the user account and transferring, via the switchboard, the call to the called party if the telephone number is associated with the user account, where the telephone management system is in communication with a revenue management system, and also where the revenue management system contains at least one local database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 8913724
    Abstract: A method for assigning an alias telephone number to a long distance telephone number in connection with a pre-paid account, comprising obtaining from a user an account number, a long distance number and an originating call number; comparing said account number and long distance number against an alias number database to confirm that no local alias number has been assigned to said long distance number and account number combination; identifying from a pool of available local alias numbers a local alias number having the same area code, or an area code from the same calling area, as said originating telephone number; associating said available local alias number with said long distance number, said account number, and said originating telephone number; and sending a message to said user advising of the association of said local alias number with said long distance number, said call's originating telephone number, and said account number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Majd Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 8903449
    Abstract: An intelligent dialing method and a terminal are provided by the present invention. The method includes: a terminal receiving a called number input by a user and inquiring home location information of the called number; obtaining home location information of a local host number and information of a telecommunication operator to which the local host number belongs; determining a call type of this call according to the home location information of the called number and the home location information of the local host number; extracting a dialing prefix corresponding to the telecommunication operator to which the local host number belongs and the call type according to corresponding relationship information among a stored dialing prefix with the telecommunication operator and the call type; and combining the extracted dialing prefix with the called number into a target number to make the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Honghua Gao
  • Patent number: 8867732
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for aggregating phone numbers for contact. Embodiments retrieve the contact record corresponding to the customer; determine any phone numbers associated with the contact record; determine any financial accounts owned or otherwise associated with the customer; determine any phone numbers associated with the financial accounts; determine whether any of the phone numbers associated with the financial accounts are not included in the phone numbers associated with the contact record; and, in response to determining that at least one phone number associated with the financial accounts is not included in the phone numbers associated with the contact record, update the contact record to indicate the at least one phone number associated with the financial accounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventor: Hudson Philip Hoen, IV
  • Patent number: 8805450
    Abstract: An intelligent contact management technique that automatically manages contacts on a communication device such as a mobile phone is described. The intelligent management technique can automatically determine and display a user's favorite contacts on a display of a mobile device. The technique can also intelligently group contacts based on their contact frequency. It can provide a contact-oriented event notification that notifies a user when a contact event has occurred. The contact-oriented event notification can be associated with a visual representation of an associated contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corp.
    Inventors: Yandong Wen, Liang Chen, David Vronay, Rebecca Sundling
  • Patent number: 8798253
    Abstract: At least one device receives a call request from a calling party to a called party. The device routes the call request to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core when a first condition is met and bypasses the IMS core when a second condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis E. Allen, Phillip D. Crable, Mariafranca Gregorat, Steven L. Lass, Richard L. McClain, Sandra A. Paiement, Timothy Dwight, James L. Verlare, Yung-Hwa Tai, Gregory Welch, Yaron Raps
  • Patent number: 8725108
    Abstract: Information associated with a communication is gathered at a switching point during the routing process to determine subscriber metric information associated with an active service identifier. The information relates to the originator of the communication and the target. The information is compared to a provider database to determine a carrier originally associated with the active service identifier. The information is then compared to a porting database to determine if the active service identifier was ported, and if so, to which carrier the active service identifier was ported. A determination can then be made regarding which carrier is associated with the active service identifier. The data may be aggregated for a large amount of switched communications, representing a large amount of active service identifiers for a given market. Thus, a number of subscribers for a given carrier in a given market may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Evan Mishkin
  • Patent number: 8681956
    Abstract: Automatic number identification (ANI) data or billing telephone number (BTN) data associated with a subscriber account of a telecommunications network is obtained. Thereafter, first reference subscriber data associated with a subscriber is obtained. The first reference subscriber data is different from the ANI data or the BTN data. A first database location is accessed using the ANI data or the BTN data to determine second reference subscriber data. A second database location is accessed using the ANI data or BTN data to determine that the subscriber account associated with the ANI data or BTN data is billable. The first reference subscriber data and the second reference subscriber data are compared, and the identity of the subscriber verified if the first reference subscriber data corresponds to the second reference subscriber data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: PaymentOne Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Lynam, Ken R. Dawson, M. Brendan Philbin, Jennifer R. Truitt
  • Patent number: 8666045
    Abstract: A method is described of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: PayOne Corporation
    Inventor: Joe M. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8634526
    Abstract: An advertising-effectiveness determination method includes receiving a call made based on identification information provided to an information-providing medium in association with advertisement information. The call is connected to a call receiver indicated by the identification information. Input information input into a calling equipment of the call receiver and sent from the calling equipment is received. An effectiveness of the advertisement information is determined based on the received input information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Comsquare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Ueshima
  • Patent number: 8600019
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of extracting and sharing user preference information is disclosed. One example method may include receiving a call from a user device, retrieving user information from a user account stored in a user databank in response to receiving the call, and transmitting a targeted offer to the user device based on the user information retrieved from the user account. The method may also include receiving feedback from the user device regarding the offer, updating the user information in the user account, and determining a next offer to transmit to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Cooper, Fonda J. Narke
  • Patent number: 8437457
    Abstract: A system and method routes a call within a communications network. A call routing device is interconnected to a plurality of trunks forming trunk groups and receives a call. A database stores a dialing plan having data related to restrictions as to which outbound trunk from the call routing device can be used based on an originating account as either a station or trunk of a caller or the number of a caller. A call router processor determines an outbound trunk from the call routing device to which a call from a caller is routed at the call routing device if the configured dial plan permits the originating account or number of the caller to access the selected outbound trunk. A call router routes the call from the caller onto the selected outbound trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Adtran, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Amos, Jones E. Allison, III
  • Patent number: 8379815
    Abstract: The computer-implemented method includes receiving a first request via the Internet for a first transaction between a user and a vendor for goods or services. A billing telephone number of the user is then obtained, and the first transaction automatically charged to a subscriber account associated with the billing telephone number. Sometime later, a second request is received via the Internet for a second transaction between the user and a vendor for goods or services. If the second transaction cannot be billed to the subscriber account, an alternative payment method is automatically used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: PaymentOne Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Lynam, Ken R. Dawson, M. Brendan Philbin, Jennifer R. Truitt
  • Patent number: 8374332
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for automatic call completion in a directory assistance system in concert with the public switched telephone network (PSTN). In accordance with the present invention, a method for automatic call completion in a directory assistance system can include receiving and processing a directory assistance request from a calling party over the PSTN. An address for the calling party can be retrieved from the PSTN and an address for a telephone number produced by the directory assistance request can be second retrieved from within the directory assistance system. Prospective telephone charges can be computed based upon the retrieved addresses and the calling party can be prompted with the computed prospective charges. Finally, a call can be automatically completed between the calling party and the telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E Creamer, Peeyush Jaiswal, Victor S Moore
  • Patent number: 8369499
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a communications system that provides a service, where a plurality of parties may be associated with members of an account with the system to receive the service. The method includes receiving a call from one of a plurality of members of an account, the call including a request for a service, where a common bill is provided for services rendered to the members of the account. An identifier to be used to identify the one party from among the plurality of members is received from the one party among the plurality of members. The common bill is provided for services rendered to the plurality of members of the account to a communications device via a network. In the common bill an indicator is provided of the one party requesting the service in association with a respective entry for the requested service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Grape Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Baker
  • Patent number: 8351924
    Abstract: A technique for protecting location information of a subscriber in a mobile network is disclosed. A User Mobility Server (UMS) receives a first query from a first call state control function (CSCF). The UMS transmits a call setup and a subscriber identity to a servicing-call state control function (S-CSCF). The S-CSCF may have no record of the subscriber identity due to a restart are some other event. The UMS receives a second query from the S-CSCF based in part of the subscriber identity. The UMS transmits a home address of a mobile station to the S-CSCF. The UMS may also transmit a profile download to the S-CSCF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
    Inventors: Son Phan-Anh, Balint Benko, Auvo Hartikainen, Markku Verkama, Heikki Juhani Einola, Stefano Faccin
  • Patent number: 8331544
    Abstract: A method of remotely operating a door lock. The method includes transmitting a first signal from a remote device to a router via a network; transmitting the signal from the router to a mesh network gateway; translating the signal from a network protocol to a mesh network protocol to produce a second signal; transmitting the second signal from the mesh network gateway to the door lock using radio frequency signaling over the mesh network; receiving the second signal at the door lock; and performing an operation at the door lock in response to the second signal being received by the door lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin C. Kraus, Greg Baldauf, Mark A. Caterino
  • Patent number: 8265242
    Abstract: A communication assistance system provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscriber listings. The system includes a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of callers desiring to access the information corresponding to the subscriber listings and a database directory listing for storing information corresponding to each one of the subscriber listings. The information in the subscriber listings include a Rate Plan field associated with billing rates corresponding to each one of the subscribers such that when the system connects the caller to the subscriber, the system employs the Rate Plan Field to determine the billing amount charged to the caller so that the subscriber is not billed for the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Grape Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pines, Evan Marwell, John Blakeney, Christine Baumeister
  • Patent number: 8144840
    Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating mediated communication. In such an embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a voice-based communication request transmitted from a first communication device is received by a mediation system. The voice based communication request is requesting voice-based communication between the first communication device and a second communication device. In response to receiving the request for voice-based communication, a capability of the first communication device for communicating via a prescribed text messaging protocol is determined. Facilitating presentation of a text messaging follow-through action at the second communication device is performed in response to determining that the first communication device is capable of communicating via the prescribed text messaging protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Openwave Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Uwe Luehrig, Stuart Evans
  • Patent number: 8036354
    Abstract: An enhanced Calling Party Pays (CPP) or Paging Party Pays (PPP) system that enables 1) billing of calls originating from traditionally non-billable sources, 2) routing of incoming calls to voicemail if the caller does not wish to incur the additional charges, 3) allowing the caller to complete the call and charge the cellular (or paging) subscriber for additional air-time usage when the caller enters a PIN or security code, also referred to as a billing override code, and 4) allowing the caller to block CPP/PPP charges from being billed to the calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, Douglas Marshall, Roger Albert Sosa, Carlos Donoso
  • Patent number: 8027319
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for implementing wireless number portability in a wireless communications network, in which an originating switching component determines whether a called number is ported or not based on profile information from a home location register without querying a number portability database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Frances Chin, Peggy Hasan, Sandra L. True, Huixian Song
  • Patent number: 8009816
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system implementing the method for arranging subscriber billing in a multi-provider environment wherein a subscriber desiring a service uses both a first network (A) and a second network (T). In order to bill the subscriber, either a tariff of the second network (T) is transmitted to the first network (A), a tariff of the first network is combined with the tariff of the second network and the subscriber is billed according to the combined tariff, or a billing identifier is generated in the first network (A) to be transmitted to the second network (T), the billing identifier is attached to billing information in both networks and the pieces of the billing information that comprise the same billing identifier are combined in order to bill the subscriber. The invention thus enables a subscriber in a multi-provider environment to be billed using a single bill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jari Syrjälä, Juha-Pekka Koskinen, Juha Vallinen
  • Patent number: 7957514
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for conveying availability information of a calling party to a called party. A PBX serving the telephones of the calling and called parties is connected to a presence server. In an embodiment of the invention, the presence server is also connected to a computer and/or other information device (such as a personal data assistant or telephone) of the calling party. After the calling party has left a voice mail message for the called party, the called party will subsequently retrieve the message. In an embodiment of the invention, the PBX then queries the presence server as to the availability of the calling party. The presence server senses whether the calling party has indicated his or her presence; if so, it is inferred that the calling party is probably present and available for a return call. If the presence server detects no such indication by the calling party, it is inferred that the calling party is likely to be absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Paltalk Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Shankar Sahai
  • Patent number: 7920686
    Abstract: A method for determining the name of a calling party where the calling party's name and corresponding telephone number are found in a remote database. The method first identifies whether the calling party's telephone number is contained within the local database. When it is determined that the telephone number is not within the local database, the method attempts to locate the telephone number in a remote database. A query is formed according to a basic signal transmission protocol to ensure that a database which receives the query will be able to respond to it. The query requesting the name associated with the telephone number is sent across a network. The method receives a response to the inquiry and checks to ensure that a name was returned to the local database before delivering the name to the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Ron Urban, Jim Kovarik, Bill Wojtczak
  • Patent number: 7848500
    Abstract: A method is described to verify the identity of a user. The method, in one example embodiment, comprises obtaining automatic number identification (ANI) data or billing telephone number (BTN) data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunications network; obtaining identification data associated with a subscriber, said identification data being different from the ANI data or the BTN data; searching a first database using the ANI data or the BTN data to determine first reference subscriber data; searching a second database using the identification data to determine second reference subscriber data; comparing the first reference subscriber data to the second reference subscriber data; and verifying an identity of the subscriber based on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: PaymentOne Corporation
    Inventors: Joe M. Lynam, Ken R. Dawson, M. Brendan Philbin, Jennifer R. Truitt
  • Patent number: 7836074
    Abstract: A method for utilizing the caller identification information stored in call logs to retrieve address book entries stored in a database, enabling a reply to each call in the call log using the communication medium and contact address of choice. Using this method, a customer can access the call logs for various phone numbers using a computer and can link to additional contact information associated with each entry. This additional contact information is stored in an address book database, either locally or on a network. Caller identification information in the call log can be used to search the address book and retrieve alternate addresses spanning a range of possible reply media, such as cell phones, E-mail, PDA, and telefacsimile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Darryl C. Moore, Arnold Chester McQuaide, Jr., Xiaofeng Gao
  • Patent number: RE45926
    Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating mediated communication. In such an embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a voice-based communication request transmitted from a first communication device is received by a mediation system. The voice based communication request is requesting voice-based communication between the first communication device and a second communication device. In response to receiving the request for voice-based communication, a capability of the first communication device for communicating via a prescribed text messaging protocol is determined. Facilitating presentation of a text messaging follow-through action at the second communication device is performed in response to determining that the first communication device is capable of communicating via the prescribed text messaging protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Unwired Planet, LLC
    Inventors: Uwe Luehrig, Stuart Evans