With Blocking Of Normal Usage Patents (Class 379/8)
  • Patent number: 11509993
    Abstract: The technology disclosed herein enables ambient noise level determination at an endpoint using a secondary audio capture system for the endpoint. In a particular embodiment, a method includes during a communication session, receiving an audio signal representing sound captured by a secondary audio capture system for an endpoint on the communication session. A primary audio capture system for the endpoint captures voice communications from a user of the endpoint for the communication session. The method further determining an ambient noise level for the endpoint from the audio signal and, in response to determining that the ambient noise level satisfies a loudness criterion, presenting a notification to the user about the ambient noise level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Avaya Management, L.P.
    Inventors: John C. Lynch, Anthony Peter Neville Brown, Dustin John Laidsaar, Chee Fai Lee, Rayan Ahmed Mamun, Nina Yunusova
  • Patent number: 10778633
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining whether a message received by a client may be spam, in a computing environment that preserves privacy. The message may be encrypted. A client invokes the methods when a message is received from a sender that is not known to the client. A client can decrypt the message, break the message into chunks, and apply a differentially private algorithm to the set of chunks. The client transmits the differentially private message sketches to an aggregation server. The aggregation server receives a large collection of such message sketches for a large plurality of clients. The aggregation server returns aggregated message chunk (e.g. frequency) information to the client to assist the client in determining whether the message may be spam. The client can process the message based on the determination without disclosing the message content to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Friedman, Ritwik K. Kumar, Lucas Winstrom
  • Patent number: 9031205
    Abstract: An automatic ambient environmental detection and lockout system that recognizes unacceptable background noise for agents and a method that requires agents and/or supervisors to take corrective action on detected noise issues prior to work assignment facilitates an effective and efficient environment appropriate for agents to handle contact center work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Thomson, Brian J. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20150071415
    Abstract: An automatic ambient environmental detection and lockout system that recognizes unacceptable background noise for agents and a method that requires agents and/or supervisors to take corrective action on detected noise issues prior to work assignment facilitates an effective and efficient environment appropriate for agents to handle contact center work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Thomson, Brian J. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8660849
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable storage medium related to operating an intelligent digital assistant are disclosed. A user request is received, the user request including at least a speech input received from a user. The user request including the speech input is processed to obtain a representation of user intent for identifying items of a selection domain based on at least one selection criterion. A prompt is provided to the user, the prompt presenting two or more properties relevant to items of the selection domain and requesting the user to specify relative importance between the two or more properties. A listing of search results is provided to the user, where the listing of search results has been obtained based on the at least one selection criterion and the relative importance provided by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Gruber, Adam John Cheyer, Didier Rene Guzzoni, Christopher Dean Brigham, Harry Joseph Saddler
  • Patent number: 8526595
    Abstract: A method and platform for reducing call blocking in a telecommunications network addresses problems caused by the use of auto-dialers and by mass calling events in the network. When a capacity excess is detected, information associated with excess calls, such as the Initial Address Message (IAM), is stored in an incoming call cache memory. A message may be played to the caller informing the caller of the status of the message. Once additional call capacity is open, the call is connected using the call information stored in the cache. The calls may be removed from the cache and connected on a first-in, first-out basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: James S. Grande
  • Patent number: 8385973
    Abstract: A system for remote control of equipment such as office equipment is provided. The system involving a telephone interface and a control system. A method is provided for remote equipment control having steps of installing and configuring equipment. A method is provided controlling equipment remotely having steps relating to using elements of a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Peter Tamposi, Frank Thibodeau, Michael U. Bosowski
  • Patent number: 8028034
    Abstract: A system and method automatically learns mailbox configuration conventions. The validator module determines a valid set of configuration parameters used for accessing an electronic mailbox of a user within a mail domain after receiving configuration information from the user that is limited in the configuration parameters required for accessing the electronic mailbox. A learner module accepts from the validator module a set of configuration parameters determined to be valid and generates configuration conventions for a mail domain. A database store is the generated configuration conventions. The validator and learner modules can be operative as part of a web server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Teamon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren L. Gardner, Shaibal Roy
  • Patent number: 7920678
    Abstract: A computer-based virtual assistant includes a virtual assistant application running on a computer capable of receiving human voice communications from a user of a remote user interface and transmitting a vocalization to the remote user interface, the virtual assistant application enabling the user to access email and voicemail messages of the user, the virtual assistant application selecting a responsive action to a verbal query or instruction received from the remote user interface and transmitting a vocalization characterizing the selected responsive action to the remote user interface, and the virtual assistant waiting a predetermined period of time, and if no canceling indication is received from the remote user interface, proceeding to perform the selected responsive action, and if a canceling indication is received from the remote user interface halting the selected responsive action and transmitting a new vocalization to the remote user interface. Also a method of using the virtual assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Cooper, Derek Sanders, Richard M. Ulmer
  • Patent number: 7680251
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing false alarm activation is provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, a determination (410) is made as to whether an instruction from a controller is a commanded reset, and control of a Subscriber Line Interface Circuit is taken (416) from a voice processor circuit when the instruction is a commanded reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Marlin F. McGregor, Kevin T. Chang, Ben M. Foose
  • Patent number: 7633928
    Abstract: A communication system includes a data base storing voice applications corresponding to programs executable by user equipment and user profiles. The voice applications are arranged to provide assistance in relation to the programs. A communication handler causes execution of a voice application from the data base responsive to user identification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Tofts, Richard Taylor
  • Patent number: 7603419
    Abstract: A system and method automatically learns mailbox configuration conventions. The validator module determines a valid set of configuration parameters used for accessing an electronic mailbox of a user within a mail domain after receiving configuration information from the user that is limited in the configuration parameters required for accessing the electronic mailbox. A learner module accepts from the validator module a set of configuration parameters determined to be valid and generates configuration conventions for a mail domain. A database store is the generated configuration conventions. The validator and learner modules can be operative as part of a web server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Teamon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren L. Gardner, Shaibal Roy
  • Patent number: 7496357
    Abstract: An automated telephone assistant device and associated methods including a base unit in communication with a telephone network, wherein the base unit is operable for executing a first algorithm disposed within the base unit and selectively allowing a telephone call received from the telephone network to be transmitted to a telephone handset belonging to a user and selectively preventing the telephone call received from the telephone network from being transmitted to the telephone handset belonging to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Julie Dunn, Barrett Kreiner
  • Patent number: 6842773
    Abstract: The invention relates to processing of electronic text communication distributed in bulk. In one embodiment, a process for blocking electronic text communication distributed in bulk is disclosed. In the process, a first electronic and a second electronic submission are received. A first portion is extracted from the first electronic submission and a second portion is extracted from the second electronic submission. A first code is determined for the first portion and a second code is determined for the second portion. The first code is indicative of the first portion and the second code is indicative of the second portion. After the first code is compared to the second code, the second electronic submission is filtered in response to that comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Yahoo ! Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey D. Ralston, David H. Nakayama, Matthew E. Lewin, Ravichandran Menon Jayachandran, Brian R. Woods, Udi Manber
  • Patent number: 6665376
    Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring the recording of telephone calls in institutions such as jails and correctional facilities, and for obtaining consent to such recording and monitoring. Calls are recorded automatically in response to the occurrence of specific triggering events, as pre-defined under software control by a system administrator. Triggering events may include, for example, use of a specific line, attempts to use particular features (such as three-way calling), attempts to dial particular telephone numbers, or use by a particular person. Consent to recording or monitoring is obtained from either the calling or called party, or both, in a language selected for such party. Evidence of which prompts were played to request consent, the language of such prompts, and whether consent was given is stored in a computer readable record. Recorded calls are digitized and stored in standard MS-DOS files on either a local computer system or a remote computer across a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: T-Netix, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry D. Brown
  • Patent number: 6363052
    Abstract: Congestion control method in which a source switch measures a number of calls sent by the source switch to a congested switch that are rejected by the congested switch. In response to a report from the congested switch identifying its level of congestion, the source switch blocks calls destined for the congested switch based upon the measured number of rejected calls. A given switch may act as both a congested switch and a source switch. The switch routes call traffic to one or more switches in a network; the switch is a source to those other switches. At the same time, the same switch may receive call traffic from the other switches. The switch may be a congested switch and the other switches may be source switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: AT&T Corp
    Inventor: Patrick A. Hosein
  • Patent number: 6212259
    Abstract: An impedance blocking filter circuit is provided for use in telecommunication systems for interconnecting between incoming telephone lines and customer's terminal equipment so as to unconditionally block impedances above 20 KHz due to the customer's terminal equipment from an ADSL network unit and/or home networking interface unit. The filter circuit includes first, second, and third inductors connected in series between a first input terminal and a first common point. A first resistor has its one end connected also to the first common point and its other end connected to a first output terminal. Fourth, fifth and sixth inductors are connected in series between a second input terminal and a second common point. A second resistor has its one end also connected to the second common point and its other end connected to a second output terminal. A capacitor has its ends connected across the first and second common points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Excelsus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick J. Kiko
  • Patent number: 6181777
    Abstract: An impedance blocking filter circuit is provided for use in telecommunication systems for interconnecting between incoming telephone lines and customer's terminal equipment so as to unconditionally block impedances above 20 KHz due to the customer's terminal equipment from an ADSL network unit and/or home networking interface unit. The filter circuit includes first, second, and third inductors connected in series between a first input terminal and a first common point. A first resistor has its one end connected also to the first common point and its other end connected to a first output terminal. Fourth, fifth and sixth inductors are connected in series between a second input terminal and a second common point. A second resistor has its one end also connected to the second common point and its other end connected to a second output terminal. A capacitor has its ends connected across the first and second common points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Excelsus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick J. Kiko
  • Patent number: 5943393
    Abstract: A telephone wiretapping system having a call-forward event and reporting processor for producing a call-forward event control signal when a call from a calling party to a predetermined telephone line is to be call-forwarded to a different telephone line. A switch is responsive to the control signal produced by the call forward event and reporting system for switching the recording device from the target telephone line to the call-forward event and reporting processor when the control signal indicates a call-forwarding event. With such an arrangement, the recording device will recorded calling event signals to, or from, the target telephone line even though the calling event signals are occurring at the call-forwarded telephone line. The call-forward event and reporting processor produces signalling information taking place between the telephone line of the calling party and the telephone line of the different, call-forwarded telephone line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Stromberg-Carlson
    Inventor: Robert Mark Howell
  • Patent number: 5937029
    Abstract: A novel logging system employing M?(N+1! redundancy is disclosed having applications in recording both voice and facsimile transactions. The logging system includes M chains of N+1 loggers. Each N+1 chain includes N working loggers and a single spare logger. Within each chain, each working logger is coupled to a switch unit. Each switch unit is coupled between a group of input telephone lines and one working logger. The switch units are coupled to each other in a serial daisy chain fashion. The switch furthest downstream is coupled to a spare logger which is activated in the event one the working loggers fails. The switches include watchdog circuitry to detect the failure of a working logger. Once detected, the telephone lines coupled to the failed logger are rerouted to the spare logger. The system can support any number of working loggers by sectioning the working loggers into separate chains. Each chain includes a group of N working loggers covered by a single spare logger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Nice Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ilan Yosef
  • Patent number: 5930334
    Abstract: In a telecommunications system, the amount of time a subscriber device is effectively out of service as a result of some fault or failure in telecommunications equipment is monitored. Subscriber devices are connected by corresponding subscriber communication paths to receive information from or transmit information to a telecommunications center such as a local telephone exchange. One or more data records is maintained in computer memory for each subscriber path connected to the communications center. Each data record is updated using recently determined data relating to the operational status of each subscriber path. The computer then determines from the updated record in accordance with one or more subscriber line blocking criteria a subscriber path blocking parameter. The subscriber path blocking parameter may represent for example an average amount of time each subscriber path satisfies the one or more subscriber line blocking criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
    Inventors: Richard Lundberg, H.ang.kan Omnell, Tomas Kostenius, Gunnar Hallgren
  • Patent number: 5857010
    Abstract: A communication system for connecting a terminal through a communication channel for a communication signal and a control channel for the control signal is constructed by a decoder for decoding a dial signal such as a push button signal that is generated from the terminal, a transmitting unit for transmitting a dial signal according to an output of the decoder to an external line at the time of a current supply, a power supply unit for supplying a current to a dial signal generator provided for the terminal when the terminal is in an off-hook state, and a setting unit for setting control data for the communication system in accordance with the output of the decoder, wherein when a power failure occurs, the dial signal that is generated from the terminal is transmitted to the external line without passing through the decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Chiba
  • Patent number: 5598420
    Abstract: Method and System for providing a gateway between a communications device and data receiving device which corrects a data signal produced by the communications device by reducing the data errors produced by the communications device by replacing the data signal with a guard signal when the error exceeds a bandwidth and by controlling the communications device so that it provides predictable propagation delays by resetting an adaptive component of the communications device to perform a major convergence and by setting the coefficients used by the adaptive component to predetermined initial values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry M. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 5533092
    Abstract: A switchable order wire circuit installed in addition to a trunk connecting a master station which includes an exchanger and a dependent station in a telephone system. The order wire circuit includes a first telephone terminal located in the master station, a second telephone terminal located in the dependent station, and a pair of telephone lines connecting the first and second telephone terminals. The order wire circuit also includes a hooking detection system installed in the master station, for detecting a hooking operation of the second telephone terminal. In addition, a circuit for switching the telephone lines from the first telephone terminal to a public line when the hooking operation is specifically detected is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shinzi Kaziwara
  • Patent number: 5483573
    Abstract: A connector unit (21) for automatically terminating a digital data services (DDS) line whenever a mating modular plug (30) is not inserted into the connector. The connector utilizes a switchable DDS jack (25) that mates with the modular plug (30) for connecting a data-transmit line and a data-receive line of a DDS network (41) to a customer's equipment (45). The connector unit has a maintenance termination circuit (40) with terminating impedances (r, r1, C and C1) and diodes (D and D1). When the plug and jack are not engaged, the maintenance termination circuit is connected to the data-transmit and data-receive lines via the normally closed jack contacts (33 and 34). As the plug and jack are engaged, the plug abuts against and, as movement continues, increasingly opens the jack contacts, causing the maintenance termination circuit to be disconnected from the customer's equipment and to be connected to the DDS network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignees: Keptel, Inc., Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Steenton, Michael T. Calderwood
  • Patent number: 5195124
    Abstract: A test system for local subscriber lines, which is used with a telephone communication system having a central office exchange, local subscribers accommodated by the central office exchange, and intervening units, i.e., a central office terminal, a subscriber side remote terminal, and a transmission line connected therebetween. This test system carries out a remote test and a local test independently by using a test line connected between remote test equipment and the remote terminal in which an artificial off-hook creation unit is introduced. This unit is made active when a local test is carried out for each subscriber line, to thereby avoid an occurrence of errors in the remote test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yuzuru Ishioka
  • Patent number: 4807277
    Abstract: Apparatus for disconnecting and reconnecting equipment to a telephone line in response to a signal sent over the telephone line. The apparatus includes a voltage threshold circuit, a voltage regulator circuit and a switching and timing circuit. The switching and timing circuit includes a first energy storage capacitor and a first discharge circuit. The switching and timing circuit further includes a second energy storage capacitor and a second discharge circuit and further includes a third energy storage capacitor and timing resistor. The first discharge circuit includes a first semiconductor switching device and a relay coil of a latching relay. The second discharge circuit includes a second semiconductor switching device and a second relay coil of the latching relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Keptel, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven B. Perry
  • Patent number: RE39432
    Abstract: An impedance blocking filter circuit is provided for use in telecommunication systems for interconnecting between incoming telephone lines and customer's terminal equipment so as to unconditionally block impedances above 20 KHz due to the customer's terminal equipment from an ADSL network unit and/or home networking interface unit. The filter circuit includes first, second, and third inductors connected in series between a first input terminal and a first common point. A first resistor has its one end connected also to the first common point and its other end connected to a first output terminal. Fourth, fifth and sixth inductors are connected in series between a second input terminal and a second common point. A second resistor has its one end also connected to the second common point and its other end connected to a second output terminal. A capacitor has its ends connected across the first and second common points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Pulse Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick J. Kiko
  • Patent number: RE40020
    Abstract: An impedance blocking filter circuit is provided for use in telecommunication systems for interconnecting between incoming telephone lines and customer's terminal equipment so as to unconditionally block impedances above 20 KHz due to the customer's terminal equipment from an ADSL network unit and/or home networking interface unit. The filter circuit includes first, second, and third inductors connected in series between a first input terminal and a first common point. A first resistor has its one end connected also to the first common point and its other end connected to a first output terminal. Fourth, fifth and sixth inductors are connected in series between a second input terminal and a second common point. A second resistor has its one end also connected to the second common point and its other end connected to a second output terminal. A capacitor has its ends connected across the first and second common points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Pulse Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick J. Kiko
  • Patent number: RE41164
    Abstract: An impedance blocking filter circuit is provided for use in telecommunication systems for interconnecting between incoming telephone lines and customer's terminal equipment so as to unconditionally block impedances above 20 KHz a desired frequency range due to the customer's terminal equipment from an ADSL a DSL network unit and/or home networking interface unit. The filter circuit includes first, second, and third inductors connected in series between a first input terminal and a first common point. A first resistor has its one end connected also to the first common point and its other end connected to a first output terminal. Fourth, fifth and sixth inductors are connected in series between a second input terminal and a second common point. A second resistor has its one end also connected to the second common point and its other end connected to a second output terminal. A capacitor has its ends connected across the first and second common points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Pulse Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick J. Kiko