Search Patents
  • Method and apparatus for enabling phone number dialing using email addresses
    Patent number: 9210027
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for enabling a subscriber to establish a call to at least one destination phone number using an email address. Specifically, the method comprises receiving an incoming communication request from the subscriber for establishing the call (where the incoming communication request comprises an email address), determining at least one destination phone number associated with the email address, and processing the call using at least one of the at least one destination phone number associated with the email address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING GLOBAL TELEPHONY CAPABILITIES IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    Publication number: 20140056181
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a network service provider, e.g., a VoIP network provider, to create configuration files containing network based parameters that support global telephony capabilities (e.g., in country services) such as in country ring tones, dialing patterns, network announcements, and signaling tones that can be offered to users who want in country telephony capabilities independent of their location is disclosed. These global telephony capability configurations can be downloaded to intelligent IP phones or based in the VoIP network for access by subscribers' telephony devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossien Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for monitoring blocked calls in a communication network
    Patent number: 7903798
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring blocked calls in a communication network is described. In one example, calls in network segments of a packet network are monitored. A graphic representation of each of the network segments is displayed. A block call threshold is associated with each of the network segments. Each of the network segments is monitored to identify a number of blocked calls. For each network segment, the graphic representation is automatically modified to indicate an alarm in response to the number of blocked calls identified for the network segment exceeding the blocked call threshold associated with the network segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for enabling auto-ticketing for endpoint devices
    Patent number: 8687502
    Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data corresponding to at least one endpoint device problem in a packet communications network is described. Specifically, an endpoint device detects at least one problem that pertains to the endpoint device. The endpoint device then generates data pertaining to the endpoint device problem. Lastly, the endpoint device then transmits the data detailing that endpoint device problem to the packet communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing customer specified service logic
    Patent number: 7415010
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling the creation of customer specified service logic are disclosed. The method enables a service provider to define a plurality of pre-built blocks of service logic for constructing basic and advanced telephone services, to enable the customer to use the pre-built blocks to construct the service logic, to receive the service logic from the customer, to verify the accuracy and/or completeness of the service logic and to activate the service. This flexible approach allows a customer to select the exact package of services that the customer wishes to receive. The selected services match exactly the customer's need and allow the service provider to remain competitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing network based interior design application
    Patent number: 7801114
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a subscriber to send a video scan of an interior space to a network based interior design application are disclosed. In one embodiment, the network may create a blueprint of the room based on the video scan provided by the subscriber and may suggest interior design changes to the existing space. The network can also provide specific products to be used to enhance the overall appearance of the room. Through the network, the subscriber can also request more information regarding product suggestions including detailed product and purchase related information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING END-TO-END CALL COMPLETION STATUS
    Publication number: 20090316596
    Abstract: The present invention enables a method for following the state of a call and generating defects as function of call completion success as opposed to discrete events that happen at individual network elements during the call. In one embodiment, the invention uses Call Detail Records (CDR) to analyze the end-to-end completion status to measure per call basis defects instead of using defect codes generated by network elements on a per equipment basis. CDR is data associated with a telephone call, including the calling and the called numbers, the date and timestamp, the duration, the call setup delay, and the final handling code of the telephone call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for integrating customer care inquiries across different media types
    Patent number: 7715548
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating queries across different media types so that the response time performance of a customer care agent, such as time to respond and/or time to repair can be uniformly measured are disclosed. The present method can provide configurable time to respond and time to repair targets on a per media type basis or on a per queue basis across all different media types. Individual media type and/or queue thresholds can be set and alarms and notifications can be triggered when customer care agents exceed these thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing high security video session
    Patent number: 8836752
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing trials and court proceedings to occur in a virtual manner using a one way video session and a two way voice session are disclosed. During the trials or court proceedings, the defendants and their testimony can be viewed by judges and jurors who remain in isolated rooms with their identities masked. Judges and attorneys can verbally intercede during the proceedings via a two way voice session but the video session for the duration of the trial is one way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing call center agents with calling party information
    Patent number: 8532088
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing call center agents with calling party information for calls initiated behind trunks on packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. The method enables a network service provider such as a telephone company to provide toll free service to an enterprise customer, and to provide the enterprise customer with the trunk group identifiers that customers of the enterprise utilize to access services provided by the enterprise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for handling calls in a packet network
    Publication number: 20060227762
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling calls in a packet network is described. In one example, call requests are received at a network element. For each call request of the call requests: A dialed number associated with the call request is identified. A current number of calls established by the packet network for the dialed number is determined. The current number of established calls is compared to a threshold number of calls for the dialed number (e.g., a threshold call volume). The network element responds to the call request with a busy tone in response to the current number of calls exceeding the threshold. The call request is forwarded from the network element in response to the current number of calls satisfying the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENDING UPDATES TO A CALL CONTROL ELEMENT FROM AN APPLICATION SERVER
    Publication number: 20100135281
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling Application Servers to automatically update the databases used by Call Control Elements as changes occur between customer data, such as customer specific logic, and the Application Servers, such as the IP addresses of the Application Servers are disclosed. Whenever there is a change in the location of customer specific data needed by the CCEs, e.g., switching from one AS to a new AS, the new AS will automatically update the relevant database in the CCEs to indicate such an update has occurred. After the automatic update is performed, the CCEs will be able to communicate with the correct AS to retrieve and process the customer specific service logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing virtual private access links in a communication network
    Publication number: 20070076692
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an overlay structure in the access portion of a packet network, e.g., a VoIP network, that allows enterprise customers to place their traffic on virtual private links for both signaling and media traffic are disclosed. The method partitions the VoIP access network components so that only subscribers of private access lines can use the virtual private traffic links across the infrastructure. These private links provide the highest quality of service backed by SLA and prioritize the traffic of subscribers of private access lines over any other traffic that is being transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for enabling phone number dialing using email addresses
    Patent number: 8358760
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for enabling a subscriber to establish a call to at least one destination phone number using an email address. Specifically, the method comprises receiving an incoming communication request from the subscriber for establishing the call (where the incoming communication request comprises an email address), determining at least one destination phone number associated with the email address, and processing the call using at least one of the at least one destination phone number associated with the email address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for transparently recording media communications between endpoint devices
    Patent number: 8737575
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling the upgrade of a VoIP endpoint device by downloading a firmware component to support CALEA related monitoring and recording of conversations for all calls originated or terminated by the endpoint device are disclosed. The upgraded CALEA firmware component can be activated by the network on demand or when the signaling information to set up a watched call is received. Once the recording is completed it can be translated into a standard audio format file that can be uploaded transparently to the network and sent in near real time to the appropriate CALEA server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing a video session with images captured from web based cameras
    Patent number: 8098281
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying image from web based camera(s) located in a residential home to be projected onto a television monitor are disclosed. For example, as part of a home security system, a web server capturing images of passageways leading to or inside a residential home can activate a frame to be projected on a television monitor when movement is detected and a new image is captured. In addition to passively alerting homeowners to potential security threats, the present invention also enables homeowners to see the image of people outside their doorways to react accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing network based muting of call legs
    Patent number: 8130934
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a network service to provide a call center with an option that allows calling customers to mute their conversation prior to a customer care representative is available to answer the call while the customer is being placed on hold waiting are disclosed. The customer selects the muting option by entering, e.g., a predefined Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) signal provided in a network announcement. The present invention also enables a network capability to un-mute the call leg as soon as the customer care representative is available to answer the customer call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing multiple calling name identifiers
    Patent number: 8730941
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling users of a packet network service, e.g., a VoIP network service, who live in the same household and share a common phone number to have individualized user identifiers to be transmitted along with their call setup messages are disclosed. For example, each user in the household would have a different user identifier which they could retrieve from an endpoint device immediately before dialing the phone number when they want to place a call that would transmit their personalized user identifier in the call setup message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for monitoring blocked calls in a communication network
    Patent number: 7664241
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring a communication network is described. In one example, call detail record data generated by network elements in the communication network is parsed to identify occurrence of a plurality of blocked calls over a time period. A plurality of consolidated call detail records for the plurality of blocked calls are respectively generated from the call detail record data. Each of the plurality of consolidated call detail records includes an originating telephone number. The originating telephone number of each of the plurality of consolidated call detail records is then processed to identify unique originating telephone numbers for the plurality of blocked calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for establishing a media path between a gateway system and a border element
    Patent number: 8644296
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for establishing at least one media path. Specifically, the method comprises receiving at least one connection request message, generating at least one connection setup message in response to each of the at least one connection request message, and transmitting the at least one connection setup message towards at least one communication network comprising at least one call control element, each of the at least one connection setup message operable to establish the at least one media path between at least one gateway system and at least one border element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
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