| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080198756 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING THE DETECTION OF TRANSPARENT DEFECTS - The present invention enables the network to determine the true state of events that appear normal but produce service disruptions by periodically probing the status of all network elements and endpoints and comparing this status to historical graphs of the network. Events that deviate from a historical view will be alarmed to determine their true status. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080298350 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED CALENDAR SELECTIONS - A method and apparatus for reserving an appointment in a communications network is described. In one embodiment, a request is received from a caller to schedule an appointment with an enterprise customer, wherein the request is processed in accordance with a media server in the communications network. A scheduling calendar is then accessed. Afterwards, the appointment is reserved with one of a plurality available appointment time slots. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080317227 | Method and apparatus for registering multiple phone numbers associated with a frequently called party - The present invention enables the calling party to register multiple addresses of frequently called parties with a packet-switched network service provider, e.g., a VoIP network service provider, and have the network dials through the numbers on behalf of the calling party until the called party is reached or the list of available phone numbers has been exhausted. Optionally, the network can intersperse each call by asking the calling party if he or she wants to dial a particular phone number of the called party from the list of available phone numbers, and the network can dial the selected phone number. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090002156 | Method and apparatus for correlating non-critical alarms with potential service disrupting events - The present invention enables the correlation of low-level alarms across a specified period of time to determine if the aggregation of such alarms is a harbinger of an impending customer impacting service disruption. The low level alarms can be mapped against historical trends of other conditions that preceded other service disruptions as a predictor of the likelihood of an impending re-occurrence of such an event. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090028137 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND ACTIVATING UNIVERSAL RESOURCE LOCATORS AND PHONE NUMBERS - A method and apparatus for enabling subscribers to store telephone numbers and/or URLs embedded in streaming video contents associated with a video session being shown on video display devices into address books hosted in the network. Subscribers can then access these phone numbers to place phone calls using information stored in the network address books by activating a voice session. Similarly, subscribers can also access URLs to browse websites using URLs stored in the network address books by activation a web session. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090052335 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GRAPHICALLY DISPLAYING CALL SIGNALING FLOWS IN A NETWORK - 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. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090052633 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AUTOMATIC CRANKBACK FOR EMERGENCY CALLS - A method and apparatus for automating test procedures to determine if non-emergency signaling message processing errors impact emergency calls, e.g., E911 calls, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present method alerts network engineers so that crankback procedures to alternative routes can be instituted when these E911 call impacting error conditions are detected in a network. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090103526 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING DISASTER RECOVERY USING NETWORK PEERING ARRANGEMENTS - The present invention enables network providers to create peering arrangements with other providers that allow them to fail over to other networks in the event of a site failure. This invention would lower the cost to provide site diversity within a provider's network by allowing cost sharing between the provider's network and other networks. For example, when an Application Server (AS) in a network fails, the network provider can send a call to a partner's network and uses an AS in the partner's network to process the call request. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090232131 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING EMERGENCY CALLS TO A DISABLED ENDPOINT DEVICE - The present invention enables the remote activation of a device by a packet-switched service, e.g., VoIP network service for the purposes of receiving calls identified as urgent from a pre-identified calling party when the device is disabled. The present invention enables registered users to select the calling parties they wish to receive emergency calls from. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090309764 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING TRAFFIC INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH MAP REQUESTS - 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. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090316596 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING END-TO-END CALL COMPLETION STATUS - 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. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316691 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING PEER-TO-PEER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ENDPOINTS ON A PER CALL BASIS - 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. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090323551 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING AND THE PREVENTION OF CALL STORMS IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - The present invention allows monitoring and the prevention of call storms in a communications network, e.g., a VoIP network. More specifically, the present invention enables a VoIP network to monitor the calling pattern, e.g., the number of calls within a period of time that occurs between the same endpoints. If the number of calls exceed a certain threshold, then these calls with the same endpoints will be terminated and an alarm notification will be sent, e.g., to a network operator. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090323561 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING VOICE CONTROL FOR ACCESSING TELECONFERENCE SERVICES - A method and apparatus for providing access to teleconference services using voice recognition technology to receive information on packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the service provider enables a caller to enter access information for accessing a conference service using at least one natural language response. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100020793 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING A SINGLE LOCAL PHONE NUMBER FOR ROUTING OUT OF AREA PHONE NUMBERS - A method and apparatus for providing a single shadow number to be associated with one or more out of area phone numbers that have registered service addresses in the same local area. For instance, if multiple subscribers with service addresses within the same local calling area choose to use out of area phone numbers, these multiple out of area phone numbers will all be associated with a single shadow phone number that is local within the local calling area. In one embodiment, when a subscriber using an out of area phone number places an E911 call, the out of area phone number as well as the associated shadow number will be sent to the E911 PSAP. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100067399 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING PROPOSED SERVICE FEATURES IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Method and apparatus for analyzing a proposed service feature in a communication network is described. In one example, a call flow for supporting the service feature in the communication network is created, where at least one network component supports the call flow. First cost data for internally developing the at least one network component is determined. Second cost data for procuring the at least one network component from third party entity is determined. The first cost data and the second cost data are processed to generate a recommendation for either internally developing or externally procuring the at least one network element. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100074425 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT SERVICES - The present invention enables packet-switched network providers, e.g., VoIP network providers, to use commonly deployed components and capabilities to support surveillance services, e.g., CALEA services. Specifically, signaling and media streams that flow through Border Elements can be forked and simultaneously redirected to a surveillance server, a CALEA Server in addition to the terminating endpoint. Additionally, a Media Server (MS) can unobtrusively join a third leg to a communication media path between the CALEA Server and the two, calling party and called party, endpoints. A CALEA Server provides the ability to identify and collect content of voice telephone calls traversing the VoIP Network, as mandated by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100085897 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECONFIGURING NETWORK ROUTES - 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. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100086115 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN AUDIBLE CALLING PARTY IDENTIFICATION FOR A CALL WAITING SERVICE - 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. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100097927 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATING THE DETECTION AND CLEARANCE OF CONGESTION IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A method and apparatus for enabling a network to determine the call volume rate versus the call blocking rate on a predefined time interval basis over multiple predefined time intervals are disclosed. For example, if call blocking rates do not show a progressive trend of decline as call volume rates decline over multiple predefined time intervals, an alarm can be generated and corrective actions to flush out congested signaling message queues can be initiated to return the network to normal operating conditions. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098062 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING E911 SERVICES VIA NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS - A method and apparatus for providing emergency services, e.g., E911 services, for nomadic users by utilizing network announcements to remind customers to update location information used to provide services on packet networks, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks, are disclosed. For example, the method enables the VoIP or SoIP service provider to detect a change in the IP address associated with either the broadband modem or the router through which a terminal adaptor is used to access services when a customer is logging on from a new location. In turn, the method sends a reminder network announcement message to the terminal adaptor, e.g., to be played when the terminal adaptor goes off-hook. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098063 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING MULTIPLE ACTIVE SESSIONS ON A PER USER BASIS - A method and apparatus for establishing multiple application sessions, such as video, audio, voice, and data sessions, and displaying them on a video display device such as a television are disclosed. These sessions can be independent of each other or the user can request the network to join these sessions so that a single session is created. For example, a user can request the network to create a video session and a music session and combine them into one session, so the audio portion of the video session is replaced by the user specified music contents and so on. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098064 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMICALLY PROVIDING COMFORT NOISE - A method and apparatus for dynamically enabling the activation and deactivation of comfort noise over a VoIP media path or channel are disclosed. The present method detects all sound levels in the media path and only activates the comfort noise in the absence of sound and when the background noise level or the telephone line noise level is low rather than only in the absence of speech. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098065 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING EMERGENCY RING TONES FOR URGENT CALLS - A method and apparatus for enabling calling parties to request the VoIP network to provide a special ring tone to be signaled as the occurrence of an urgent call to called parties are disclosed. Alternatively, a high frequency intercept tone or call waiting tone is also provided when the called parties are already engaged in conversation when an urgent call is incoming. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098066 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SHARED SERVICES - 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. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098067 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ROUTING CALLS TO AN ALTERNATIVE ENDPOINT DURING NETWORK DISRUPTIONS - A method and apparatus for enabling calls destined for a terminating point on a packet network, e.g., a VoIP network, that is experiencing a service disruption to be forwarded by the network to another endpoint is disclosed. The method enables subscribers to register an alternative number, such as a cell phone number, a relative's phone number, or a work number, that the network can use to forward calls in the event of a service disruption. In one embodiment, the provider can even use an alternative transport network, such as the PSTN, to forward these calls until the VoIP network service is restored. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098068 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENDING ALERTS TO INTERNET PROTOCOL PHONES - 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. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100100498 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING NETWORK OPERATION COSTS - A method and apparatus for calculating a cost index in a communication network are described. In one embodiment, a plurality of cost factors associated with a first network operation mode is obtained. A plurality of second cost factors associated with a second network operation mode is subsequently obtained. A first cost index is then determined based on the plurality of cost factors associated with the first network operation mode. Likewise, a second cost index is determined based on the plurality of cost factors associated with the second network operation mode. Afterwards, the first cost index is compared to the second cost index to determine whether a recommendation for an implementation of the second operation mode is warranted. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100103838 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING COMPONENT COSTS IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A method and apparatus for calculating a cost index in a communication network. In one embodiment, a plurality of first cost factors associated with a first set of network elements is obtained. Subsequently, a plurality of second cost factors associated with a second set of network elements is obtained. A first cost index is then determined based on the plurality of first cost factors associated with the first set of network elements. Similarly, a second cost index is determined based on the plurality of second cost factors associated with the second set of network elements. Afterwards, the first cost index is compared to the second cost index to determine a point in time when a service provider should minimize new investment in the first set of network elements. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100104079 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING BLOCKED CALLS IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - 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. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100135281 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENDING UPDATES TO A CALL CONTROL ELEMENT FROM AN APPLICATION SERVER - 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. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100246572 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING USER ACCESS VIA MULTIPLE PARTNER CARRIERS FOR INTERNATIONAL CALLS - A method and apparatus for providing subscribers of a VoIP service provider to take advantage of wholesale arrangements made by the VoIP service provider with one or more international partner carrier network providers to one or more international countries are disclosed. Specifically, the present method enables a VoIP service provider to display a web page to their subscribers, for each destination country, with one or more international partner network providers and their corresponding calling rates and/or call completion success rates to each particular destination country. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100316200 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SPECIAL CALL HANDLING FOR VALUED CUSTOMERS OF RETAILERS - 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. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20110051600 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CALL VOLUME IN A PACKET NETWORK - 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. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110164529 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING BROADBAND ACCESS BANDWIDTH - A method and apparatus for providing a method to enable subscribers of broadband access services, such as Digital Subscriber Loop based or Cable based broadband access services, to dynamically reconfigure their access arrangements as a function of the bandwidth usage of subscribers are disclosed. The present invention provides a method for broadband service providers to dynamically adjust access bandwidth allocation for subscribers by monitoring access bandwidth usage by subscribers and dynamically adjust the needed access bandwidth for the subscribers accordingly. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110164612 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BLOCKING A PAY-PER-USE FEATURE IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - A method and apparatus for blocking at least one pay-per-use feature in a communications network is described. In one embodiment, a request to initiate at least one pay-per-use feature from at least one endpoint device associated with a subscriber is received. A determination of whether a blocking function has been activated for the at least one pay-per-use feature is then made. Afterwards, the request to initiate the at least one pay-per-use feature is blocked if the blocking function is activated. | 07-07-2011 |
