Embarq Holdings Company, LLC Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130151850 | Auto File Locker - Novel tools and techniques to provide an online file locker system. Some such tools can employ a USB memory drive, a residential gateway, and/or a data server over a network. In some cases, when the USB memory drive is inserted into a USB port of the RG, data stored on the USB memory drive is automatically uploaded to, and/or synchronized with data stored on, the data server, which is in communication with the RG over the network. In other cases, data deletion is accomplished in a similar manner, for example, upon removal of the USB drive and/or upon detection of files deleted from the USB drive. | 06-13-2013 |
20130083150 | On-Screen Caller ID with Video Playback and Storage Capability - Novel tools and techniques to enable video enhancements identifying the calling party of an incoming telephone call. In an aspect of some such tools, a video message from the calling party is sent to the receiving party through a communication channel in the provider network. Upon receiving an incoming telephone call at the provider network, the video message can be associated with the incoming telephone call, and routed to a set-top unit (also referred to herein as a “set-top box”) associated with the receiving party. The set-top unit might communicate with a visual display screen (e.g., a television), and/or cause the visual display screen to show the video message for the receiving party as an indication of the incoming telephone call and identification of the calling party. | 04-04-2013 |
20120322419 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROJECTING INFORMATION FROM A WIRELESS DEVICE - A system and method for projecting information from a wireless device. User preferences are received for projecting the information. An available projector is determined from a number of projectors. The information regarding the event is automatically projected from the available projector onto a surface in response to detecting the event and according to the user preferences. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320784 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE REPRESENTATIVE OF NETWORK PERFORMANCE - The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting network performance information from a plurality of network nodes of a packet network, the network performance information being indicative of a health of the network packet network. The method includes storing the network performance information collected from the plurality of network nodes and generating a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the network performance information, wherein the graphical representation of a network segment is indicated as a line, and wherein a width of the line widens and narrows in accordance with an amount of traffic flow over the network segment. | 12-20-2012 |
20120314573 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AND ALTERING PERFORMANCE OF A PACKET NETWORK - The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes determining network performance information of a packet network by monitoring performance information packets that are communicated along network paths of the packet network. The method also includes appending the network performance information gathered at a network node along the network paths to data stored in the performance information packets. The method stores the network performance information collected by monitoring the performance information packets in memory and analyzes the stored network performance information to generate historical network performance information. The method automatically alters network operation in response to current network performance information indicating that the packet network is not operating properly based on the historical network performance information. | 12-13-2012 |
20120309340 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING EMERGENCY INFORMATION THROUGH MESSAGING - A system and method for communicating emergency messages. An emergency message is communicated wirelessly from a sending party is received. Location information associated with the sending party is determined. An emergency system associated with the sending party is determined utilizing the location information. A communication session is established with the emergency system. The emergency message is converted to an audio message in response to the communication session being established. The audio message is communicated to the emergency system in response to the communication session being established. | 12-06-2012 |
20120150845 | System and Method for Collapsing Search Results - A system and method for collapsing search results. User input is received to perform a search of a communications network. The search results and multiple selection elements are displayed for removing each of the search results. A user selection of a selection element associated with a search result is received. A determination is made of irrelevant results that are similar to the search result. The search results are collapsed to remove the search result and the irrelevant search results. | 06-14-2012 |
20120131466 | User-Based Monitoring and Control - Novel tools and techniques to give a customer greater visibility into network performance and/or utilization, particularly with respect to the customer's broadband connection to a provider's access network (and/or the Internet more generally). Some tools can track the amount of bandwidth assigned to each class of service on a customer's broadband connection, and/or the bandwidth provided to each of the devices on the customer's premises network. These values can be used as inputs to a state machine that governs the use of the broadband connection. | 05-24-2012 |
20120131096 | User Control Over Content Delivery - Novel tools and techniques for Internet service providers to enable enhanced user control over content delivery. In an aspect of certain embodiments, these tools can allow the customer to select, on a variety of different bases, whether content should be obtained from the Internet or from a lower-cost source, such as a metropolitan content delivery network (“CDN”) operated by the ISP or a private peering connection with a content source. Both of these options can, for example, avoid accessing content over the Internet and thus can reduce ISP delivery costs. In some embodiments, these cost reductions can be passed to the consumer in the way the ISP accounts for the content delivery. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126976 | Emergency Alert Signaling - Novel tools and techniques to allow enhanced distribution of emergency messages and other public information. In one aspect, these tools can provide a secure channel for an emergency message source to prevent compromise of the distribution system, to ensure the integrity of alerts distributed by the system. In another aspect, these can employ a universal signaling point that can receive an emergency message intended for a particular consumer and ensure that the message is distributed appropriately among the consumer's devices. The customer signaling point might register customer devices and/or maintain a state machine that devices can access once registered with the customer signaling point. | 05-24-2012 |
20120117630 | Method and System for Secure Management of Co-Located Customer Premises Equipment - A method, system, and apparatus for managing customer premise equipment according to one embodiment includes establishing a secure connection between a first transport unit and a second transport unit. The secure connection includes an embedded operations channel and is operable to isolate a management plane from a data plane. The method further includes the first transport unit receiving a request for access to the first transport unit from the second transport unit. The method further includes establishing a secure terminal session between the first transport unit and the second transport unit using the embedded operations channel in response to receiving the request for access. The first transport unit then receives a management command from the second transport unit and the first transport unit performs at least one management function in response to receiving the management command. | 05-10-2012 |
20120108269 | Wireless Handset Airplane Safety Interlock - A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located within the cabin of an airplane. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located within an airplane and further in response to the determined condition parameter. | 05-03-2012 |
20120088500 | System and Method for Extension of Wireless Footprint - A system and method for communicating through a host repeater. Data is received from a remote repeater communicating with a wireless device. The host repeater registers as the wireless device on a wireless network. The data is reformatted for transmission between the wireless devices and the wireless network. | 04-12-2012 |
20120084808 | System and Method for Bypassing an Emergency Alert Break-In for a Recorded Event - Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for bypassing an emergency alert break-in for a recorded event. For example, in one embodiment, a set top box is disclosed that includes a memory component for storing computer executable instructions; a communication interface for receiving media content data from a cable service provider; a decoder module for decoding the received media content data; an emergency alert break-in monitoring module for identifying an emergency alert break-in from the received data; a digital video recorder controller module for determining whether the identified emergency alert break-in affects a recording of a program on a recorded channel; and an emergency alert break-in bypass module for bypassing the identified emergency alert break-in for enabling the digital video recorder controller module to record the program without the identified emergency alert break-in. | 04-05-2012 |
20120081224 | User Customizable Monitoring System - Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide a user customizable monitoring system. For example, in one embodiment, the user customizable monitoring system includes a set of user-programmable portable sensors and a communication hub for enabling a user to customize features associated with the set of user-programmable portable sensors. In one embodiment, the communication hub is further configured to receive data from the set of user programmable portable sensors and perform a user specified action based on the received data. In some embodiments, a user selects any desired combination of different types of user-programmable portable sensors that come preconfigured to operate with the communication hub. Additionally, in some embodiments, a user may configure particular parameters associated with a user-programmable portable sensor using the communication hub. | 04-05-2012 |
20090215427 | System and method for updating location information of voice-over-internet protocol based devices for E911 service - A system and method for updating physical address location information of a wireless device for E911 services. The updating may include determining that the current geographical coordinate location of the wireless device has moved beyond a predetermined distance from a last recorded geographical coordinate location. A physical address location associated with the current geographical coordinate location may then be updated. The physical address location may be updated in the wireless device and/or a data repository operating on a data packet network. The physical address location may be communicated to a public safety answering point (PSAP) in response to an emergency 911 call being placed. | 08-27-2009 |
20090199179 | System and method for terminating workflow instances in a workflow application - The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for terminating workflow instances in a workflow application. In one embodiment, the process receives a set of identifiers. The process identifies a set of workflow instance identifiers associated with the set of identifiers. The process terminates a set of workflow instances identified by the set of workflow instance identifiers. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199155 | System and method for managing workflow instances in a workflow application - The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing workflow instances in a workflow application, such as the Workflow application from CA®, Inc. In one illustrative embodiment, the process terminates a first set of workflow instances associated with a set of tickets. The process also initiates a second set of workflow instances. The process associates the second set of workflow instances with the set of tickets. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198777 | System and method for a messaging assistant - A system and method for utilizing a message assistant. A contact list is updated by retrieving one or more contact lists. Preferences are received for communicating with contacts on the contact list. A message is received to be sent to a group listed in the contact list including one or more contacts at a time specified by a user. The message is sent to the group at the time specified by the user based on the preferences. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198592 | SMS gifting - A SMS gifting system including a computer of a commercial business in communication with a network; the computer generates a purchase authorization code (“PAC”) and an indicia that describes a purchase by a purchaser of goods, services, and gift amounts relating to the commercial business; the computer transmits the generated PAC and indicia to a recipient; a communications device operable by the purchaser receives the information relating to the goods, services, and gift amounts and displays the information to the purchaser, a wireless communications device in communication with the network operable by the recipient to receive and display the generated PAC and indicia; and a store providing the goods, services, and gift amounts of the commercial business, the store receives the generated PAC and indicia and compares the presented PAC to the generated PAC for authorizing the provision at the store of the purchased goods, services, and gift amounts. | 08-06-2009 |
20090196412 | System and method for orders and troubles metric attribution identification and aggregation - A system and method for identifying, marking, retaining and aggregating attribute metrics for service order and trouble tickets (ticket data) may be performed as the service order and trouble tickets are loaded into a central data repository to allow user summary reports to be created. Ticket data may be received from remote data repositories by a central repository. The ticket data by then be stored in data records at the central location, then attributes of the ticket data may be calculated. A summary table of the ticket data may then be stored at the central repository, which the metric data in the summary table being updated as records are processed. A report of the attributes may then be generated directly from the summary table. | 08-06-2009 |
20090196411 | System and method for a personal phone extension - A system and method for implementing extensions for a cordless telephone system. A menu configured to receive user input is displayed to a user for setting a configuration for routing incoming communications of the cordless telephone system to one or more of a plurality of handsets. An identifier of a caller is associated with one or more handsets based on the user input. The handsets wirelessly communicate through a base station utilizing a singe phone number. A call is routed to the one or more of the handsets in response to determining the identifier is associated with the call. | 08-06-2009 |
20090196185 | System and method for characterizing communication network capacity in a geographic area - A system for characterizing network capacity that stores premise addresses of subscribers and weighted values for the corresponding capacity of the network. Geographic areas containing subscribers are displayed and portions or all of them may be selected by a user. The system generates first descriptors for the selected geographic areas. The system generates an average capacity for the premise addresses for the selected geographic areas and the first descriptors are assigned to corresponding elements of a first matrix based on the weighted value for the calculated average capacity for the premise addresses. The system generates a second matrix representing the relationship of all of the premise addresses and their respective capacity in the selected geographic area based on spatial population descriptors. The system further generates a third matrix using mathematical DCT formulas representing the overall capacity of the network in a geographic area. | 08-06-2009 |
20090185564 | System, method and apparatus for automated ATM to ethernet provisioning - A system, method, and apparatus for network service provisioning includes receiving a network address request from a subscriber device. The network address request includes at least one data cell including a channel identifier associated with the subscriber device. The channel identifier identifies the subscriber device for a cell-switched network The method further includes determining the channel identifier from the network address request, and generating a customer tag using the channel identifier. The customer tag identifies the subscriber device for a packet-switched network The method further includes storing the channel identifier and the customer tag in a provisioning table for use in provisioning the subscriber device for the packet-switched network | 07-23-2009 |
20090177705 | System and method for using generic utilities to perform database utilities on mainframe operated DB2 databases - A system and method for performing database utilities on a DB2 database may include using a single procedure (proc) for each database utility function. At least one parameter may be provided, where the at least one parameter identifies a DB2 database name. A generic control card may be accessed, where the generic control card may be identified by a value of the parameter(s). A utility control card may be generated using the at least one parameter. A database utility may be executed on a DB2 database by using the generated utility control card. | 07-09-2009 |
20090164920 | System, method and apparatus for inserting a virtual tool bar into a markup language document - A method, system and apparatus for inserting a virtual toolbar into a markup language document includes receiving a request for the markup language document from a user device, forwarding the request to a server, receiving the markup language document from the server, and inserting a virtual toolbar into the markup language document to produce a virtual toolbar embedded markup language document. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164798 | System and method for wireless state identification - A system and method for processing a state identifier. A request is received for a state identifier. A biometric associated with the state identifier is requested from a user. Authenticity of the biometric is verified in response to receiving the biometric from the user. The state identifier is transmitted to a receiving device in response to determining the biometric is authentic. | 06-25-2009 |
20090163198 | System and method for establishing optimal parameters for performing seamless call transfer between cordless and wireless modes - A system and method for establishing a signal parameter threshold for switching between communications protocols by a multimode handset may include providing cordless telephones of different models. A dropout point at which a communications signal of each of the cordless telephones deteriorates below a predetermined level may be determined. At least one signal parameter of the communications signal at the determined dropout point of each of the cordless telephones may be measured and collected. The signal parameter(s) associated with the cordless telephone having the shortest range at which the associated dropout point may be determined so that a multimode handset may be established with the signal parameter(s) to cause the multimode handset to switch communications protocols in response to the multimode handset crossing a signal parameter threshold level defined by the predetermined signal parameter(s) when communicating with a base unit of a cordless telephone. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161855 | System and method for hold and re-ring - A system and method for transferring calls. A voice communication is received. The voice communication is placed on hold in response to receiving user input. Multiple phones are rung simultaneously in response to receiving the user input. The voice communication is connected to one of the multiple phones in response to a user answering the voice communication on one of the multiple phones. | 06-25-2009 |
20090156265 | System and method for ringtone shuffle - A system and method for shuffling ringtones. An identifier associated with a calling party is received. A selection of ringtones is received. The identifier is associated with the selection of ringtones. A communication is received from the calling party. Playback of one of the selection of ringtones is initiated on a communications device based on a user preference in response to determining the communication is associated with the identifier. | 06-18-2009 |
20090156187 | Method and system for call gating - A system and method for gating calls. A list of one or more callers that may contact a user at any time is received. A selection to activate call gating is received. A determination is made whether an identifier associated with a caller is on the list in response receiving a call. The call is connected to a communications device in response to determining the identifier is on the list. | 06-18-2009 |
20090144106 | System and method for tracking communications - A system and method for monitoring operations within an organization may include a database configured to store information representative of communication history between first employees and service provider employees within the organization. The database may include at least one parameter indicative of a purpose for each communication between the employees. A computing system may be in communication with the database and be configured to execute software for enabling the service provider employees to enter information associated with the communications and for generating reports that include statistics associated with the at least one parameter indicative of a purpose for a communication. | 06-04-2009 |
20090132256 | Command and control of devices and applications by voice using a communication base system - A first communication path for receiving a communication is established. The communication includes speech, which is processed. A speech pattern is identified as including a voice-command. A portion of the speech pattern is determined as including the voice-command. That portion of the speech pattern is separated from the speech pattern and compared with a second speech pattern. If the two speech patterns match or resemble each other, the portion of the speech pattern is accepted as the voice-command. An operation corresponding to the voice-command is determined and performed. The operation may perform an operation on a remote device, forward the voice-command to a remote device, or notify a user. The operation may create a second communication path that may allow a headset to join in a communication between another headset and a communication device, several headsets to communicate with each other, or a headset to communicate with several communication devices. | 05-21-2009 |
20090129569 | Communication base system and method of using the same - In order to enable several wearable devices to communicate with several communication devices over a range of types of networks simultaneously, the illustrative embodiments provide a communication base system and method of using that communication base system. The communication base system includes several network-side transceivers in which each transceiver is configured to communicate with a communication device, a set of user-side transceivers in which each transceiver is configured to communicate with a headset, and a communication path to provide communications between a network-side adapter and a user-side adapter. A processing unit coupled to the communication path is configured to process instructions, where the instructions enable communication between the headset and the communication device without the headset being associated with the communication device. | 05-21-2009 |
20090113045 | System and method for an integrated DSL/cable modem performance test - A modem, method, and system is presented for performing a data communications speed test or line speed test between a network node and a customer premises. The modem may be configured to perform calculations for determining the data communications speed without interference of network elements or overhead modules that cause data communications to be inaccurate or otherwise affected. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113004 | System and method for distributing electronic information - The present system for distributing electronic information includes a central email client connected to an email sending server, the central email client connected to an addressee's computer operating an addressee's email client connected to a email receiving server, the email sending server and the email receiving server utilizing a common email system protocol to send an email over the network; and a first selectable link displayed on the email, the first selectable link associated with an Internet portal containing one of a second selectable link and a first set of information categories, the second selectable link and the first set of information categories stored on an Internet server connected to the network, the second selectable link and the first set of information categories displayed to the addressee's computer when the first selectable link is selected. | 04-30-2009 |
20090111544 | Vehicular multimode cellular/PCS phone - A vehicular multimode cellular/PCS phone including a chipset located in the vehicle for communicating with at least one of a plurality of wireless service provider networks; an multimode antenna in communication with the chipset for communicating with a wireless base antenna of at least one of the plurality of wireless service provider networks; at least one medium port for receiving a removable medium, the removable medium containing at least one of access numbers, access codes, and access authentication numbers of at least one of the plurality of wireless service provider networks. | 04-30-2009 |
20090111443 | System and method for wireless conferencing - A system and method for wireless conferencing. A personal wireless device is linked with a conferencing system for implementing a conference call. Voice input is received from a user through the personal wireless device. The voice input is transmitted to the conferencing system in response to receiving the voice input. The voice input is broadcast through one or more speakers in communication with the conferencing system in response to determining the voice input may be inaudible to one or more users in a room. | 04-30-2009 |
20090110184 | System to provide real loops for sidetone measurement with analog telephones - A real loop and method for using the loop for testing sidetone signal level are provided. The loop is modeled from a coil of cable to represent a straight wire loop. Several conducting wires in a cable may be used. The cable may be configured in a coil and may have a first end and a second end exposed for electrical connections to an even number of wires. Each wire in the even number of wires may be capable of being identified as the same wire on each of the first and second ends of the cable. One or more pairs of wires in the even number of wires may be electrically connected to form an electrical loop. An electrical current passes in opposite directions in the wires in each pair of wires. | 04-30-2009 |
20090110183 | Method, system, and apparatus for attenuating dual-tone multiple frequency confirmation tones in a telephone set - A method, system, and apparatus for attenuating a dialing confirmation tone includes receiving an enable signal from a tactile user input device, generating at least one dual-tone multiple frequency (DTMF) tone, and communicating the at least one DTMF tone to a telephone line. The method further includes attenuating a signal level of the at least one DTMF tone by a predetermined amount to produce at least one attenuated dialing confirmation tone in response to receiving the enable signal, and communicating the at least one attenuated dialing confirmation tone to an audio output device. | 04-30-2009 |
20090110163 | System and method for inbound call billing - A system and method for billing an incoming communication. A code is received from a calling party during the incoming communication. Expenses of the incoming communication are allocated to an account of the calling party in response to receiving the code. An invoice is generated for the calling party and a receiving party specifying the expenses. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109028 | System and method for determining whether a cordless handset is at a base unit - A phone, method, and system are presented for determining whether a cordless handset is positioned on a base unit of a cordless telephone. An on-base unit signal may be generated in response to a cordless handset being positioned in contact with a base unit of a cordless telephone and an off-base unit signal may be generated in response to the cordless handset not being positioned in contact with the base unit. The on-base unit signal or the off-base unit signal, depending upon the position of the cordless handset, maybe communicated over a communications network with which the base unit is in communication. | 04-30-2009 |
20090108801 | Device integrated headset charger and holder - A device integrated charger and holder for wireless headsets are provided in the illustrative embodiments. An electronic device integrated holder and charger includes a first holder built into the electronic device to hold an object. A second holder is built into a wireless headset to couple to the first holder. A first set of contacts is accessible from the first holder and is configured to provide electrical power. A second set of contacts is accessible from the second holder and configured to receive electrical power from the first set of contacts when the second holder is coupled to the first holder. A method for holding and charging a device includes fastening a wireless headset to an electronic device, providing electrical power from the device to the wireless headset, and charging a power source in the wireless headset using the electrical power. | 04-30-2009 |
20090088207 | System and method for a wireless ringer function - A system and method for extending alerts for a wireless device. A media player equipped with a wireless ringer is linked with a media player through a wireless connection. Playback of media content on the media player is interrupted to play an alert in response to the wireless ringer receiving an indication of an incoming communication from the wireless device. The alert is played on the media player in response to interrupting playback of the media content in order to inform a user of the incoming communication. | 04-02-2009 |
20090059822 | Universal femto cell - A universal femto cell, method, and computer usable program product for using the universal femto cell are provided such that the femto cell is configurable according to the user's choice of wireless carriers. A user configurable component of the universal femto cell enables a user to configure the universal femto cell to operate on at least one wireless communication network The universal femto cell further includes a storage unit for storing information used in configuring the universal femto cell, a network communication component used in communicating with a network, and a user interface component to receive a user input. The universal femto cell receives a second input from a data processing system, and uses the user input and the second input to configure the universal femto cell to operate on one or more wireless communication network | 03-05-2009 |