Search Patents
  • Method and apparatus for providing shared services
    Patent number: 8804703
    Abstract: The present invention enables an overlay capability to be invoked on network systems and elements that are designed to support multiple customer bases. Depending on the registered identification of the user, screens and other user interfaces that provide access to functions can be overlaid on the network component and segmented along customer classifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing telecommuting virtual numbers for remote workers
    Patent number: 8798258
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing enterprises with the ability to provide telecommuting virtual number to these remote workers that are consistent with the dialing plans used internally at an enterprise location are disclosed. This telecommuting virtual number is routed through a packet network, e.g., a VoIP network, to allow calls placed to and from these workers to be treated as local calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for rerouting a teleconference call setup message in a packet network
    Publication number: 20070030808
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for redirecting at least one call to avoid at least one congested link of a switch in a packet network is described. In one embodiment, the at least one call setup message is intended to be routed via a first link to the switch in communication with a conferencing component. However, a call blocking condition at the first link is detected. In response, the at least one call setup message is redirected via a second link to said switch to participate in said conferencing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing an audible calling party identification for a call waiting service
    Publication number: 20060140380
    Abstract: The present invention enables users of packet-switched network services, e.g., VoIP network services, to hear a very gentle whispering tone that quietly conveys the identity of the calling party when they are engaged in conversation and to receive a call-waiting signal. The tone is audible only to the called party but does not mute the ongoing conversation path. This enables subscribed users to hear their ongoing conversation while receiving the whispering tone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for graphically displaying call signaling flows in a network
    Patent number: 7447159
    Abstract: A method and system for graphically displaying call signaling flows for a communications network is described. In one example, a call flow alarm indicating an improper call signaling flow for a call is received. A respective projected call signaling flow associated with the call is then obtained. Lastly, the improper call signaling flow and the respective projected call signaling flow are graphically displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for enabling the downloading of network based information to IP phones
    Publication number: 20060120348
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for downloading of network based information, such as names, phone numbers, movie timetables or driving directions to IP phones. In one embodiment, the IP phones support Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and a VoIP service provider provides the directory service. Once the information is received by the IP phone, it becomes a clickable entry in the user's phone log that can be used and browsed by the user just as any other entries in the user's phone logs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for enabling peer-to-peer communication between endpoints on a per call basis
    Patent number: 8885638
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a user to signal to the network that a call to be initiated or a call that is in progress needs to occur in a peer-to-peer relationship with the terminating endpoint. The network will then remove itself from the call signaling and media path and direct the signaling and media communication to occur directly between the two endpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for monitoring and restoring time division multiplexing circuits
    Patent number: 7933213
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for proactively managing TDM circuits used in a packet network, e.g., a VoIP network, by allowing it to instruct a program to periodically test the health of all circuits catalogued in the TDM facility database are disclosed. If a circuit is found to be out of service, the present invention will trigger a maintenance action through the edge component of the VoIP network to reset the circuit and restore it to a healthy condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing enhanced 911 for nomadic users
    Publication number: 20070081635
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking device to be integrated with a VoIP endpoint device and a subscriber's current GPS positioning data to be associated with the subscriber's telephone number are disclosed. The present invention enables a VoIP service provider to route a E911 call from a subscriber to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) based on the current GPS positioning data of the subscriber's VoIP endpoint device. Moreover, the GPS positioning data will be sent to the PSAP as part of the E911 call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN AUDIBLE CALLING PARTY IDENTIFICATION FOR A CALL WAITING SERVICE
    Publication number: 20100086115
    Abstract: The present invention enables users of packet-switched network services, e.g., VoIP network services, to hear a very gentle whispering tone that quietly conveys the identity of the calling party when they are engaged in conversation and to receive a call-waiting signal. The tone is audible only to the called party but does not mute the ongoing conversation path. This enables subscribed users to hear their ongoing conversation while receiving the whispering tone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for sending alerts to internet protocol phones
    Patent number: 9042539
    Abstract: The present invention enables an alert message and the display of calling party identity on all on-hook phones associated with an extension sharing the same phone number, when one phone is off-hook and in use. In one exemplary embodiment, this capability enables all other members of a household to receive information regarding an incoming call even when one phone is in use by another member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Jr., Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for routing a call to a subject matter expert via a packet network
    Patent number: 8718265
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing a call to a subject matter expert via a packet network is described. In one embodiment, a request to route said at least one call to the SME is received. A predefined location associated with the SME is also obtained. The call is then routed to a foreign Internet Protocol gateway associated with the predefined foreign location to communicate with the SME.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for monitoring surges in busy and no answer conditions in a communication network
    Publication number: 20060233107
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling edge components, such as Border Element, to respond to access failures in a more intelligent manner by measuring the busy and/or no answer state conditions for attempted calls and generating alarms when these states reach a predetermined threshold is disclosed. In one embodiment, additionally capacity for handling a surge in certain traffic flow to various network elements, e.g. voice mail servers, can be automatically enabled when such alarms are received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing traffic information associated with map requests
    Patent number: 9823087
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling users who request a map of a specified route to invoke a data session to see images of the key markers and a video session to see live views of key points along the route are disclosed. If traffic appears congested, the subscriber can request an alternative route from the network along with image and video sessions to verify the traffic conditions of the alternative route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for reconfiguring network routes
    Patent number: 7639793
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring that every path in an IP network that interconnects a pair of VoIP network elements comprises diverse network routes and is engineered with adequate bandwidth to support VoIP phone calls are disclosed. In the event that a single point of failure or inadequate bandwidth is detected between a pair of VoIP network elements, an alarm is issued and network engineers are notified to reconfigure the routes between the VoIP network element pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for supporting out of area phone number for emergency services
    Patent number: 7734021
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a service provider to map a subscriber service address to a specific Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and then provides an association between the subscriber's out of area phone number and the correct PSAP are disclosed. When the subscriber places an emergency call, such as an E911 call, the network performs a database lookup obtaining the corresponding PSAP associated with the subscriber's service address and routes the call to that PSAP accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for controlling call volume in a packet network
    Patent number: 7593325
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling call volume in a packet-switched network is described. In one example, a number of concurrent calls per codec of a plurality of codecs is monitored. A concurrent call limit for each of the plurality of codecs is obtained. For each codec of the plurality of codecs, an indication is generated for each call causing the number of concurrent calls for the codec to exceed the concurrent call limit for the codec. In response to the indication, the call may be blocked or an alternative codec may be selected for the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing special call handling for valued customers of retailers
    Patent number: 7783024
    Abstract: The present invention enables users of a network service to register with the network as valued shoppers, thereby allowing them to receive specialized treatment when calling registered retailers. The present invention enables retailers to register with the network, thereby allowing them to set preferred service logic for handling valued customer calls by the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for enabling phone number dialing using email addresses
    Publication number: 20060153162
    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: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Method and apparatus for providing traffic information associated with map requests
    Patent number: 8855908
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling users who request a map of a specified route to invoke a data session to see images of the key markers and a video session to see live views of key points along the route are disclosed. If traffic appears congested, the subscriber can request an alternative route from the network along with image and video sessions to verify the traffic conditions of the alternative route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
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