Richard Louis Stephenson

US Patent:

6345048, Feb 5, 2002

Filed:

Sep 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/666839

Inventors:

Haifeng Bi - Austin TX
Steven R. Partridge - Austin TX
Samuel Sigarto - Austin TX
Richard W. Stephenson - Austin TX

Assignee:

SBC Technology Resources, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04L 1266

US Classification:

370352, 370467, 379220

Abstract:

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-based distributed virtual tandem switching system is provided in which a network of ATM-based devices is combined to create a distributed virtual tandem switch. The system includes an ATM switching network that dynamically sets up individual switched virtual connections. The system also includes a trunk interworking function (T-IWF) device and a centralized control and signaling interworking function (CS-IWF) device. The trunk interworking function device converts end office voice trunks from TDM channels to ATM cells by employing a structured circuit emulation service. The centralized control and signaling interworking function device performs call control functions and interfaces narrowband signaling and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the ATM switching network. Consequently, the ATM based distributed virtual tandem switching system replaces a standard tandem switch in the PSTN.

US Patent:

6389011, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Feb 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/794914

Inventors:

Haifeng Bi - Austin TX
Steven R. Partridge - Austin TX
Samuel Sigarto - Austin TX
Richard W. Stephenson - Austin TX

Assignee:

SBC Technology Resources, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H01L 1266

US Classification:

370356

Abstract:

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-based distributed virtual tandem switching system is provided in which a network of ATM-based devices is combined to create a distributed virtual tandem switch. The system includes an ATM switching network that dynamically sets up individual switched virtual connections. The system also includes a trunk interworking function (T-IWF) device and a centralized control and signaling interworking function (CS-IWF) device. The trunk interworking function device converts end office voice trunks from TDM channels to ATM cells by employing a structured circuit emulation service. The centralized control and signaling interworking function device performs call control functions and interfaces narrowband signaling and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the ATM switching network. Consequently, the ATM based distributed virtual tandem switching system replaces a standard tandem switch in the PSTN.

US Patent:

6765903, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

May 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/576036

Inventors:

Steven R. Partridge - Austin TX
Samuel Sigarto - Raleigh NC
Tina Sigarto - Raleigh NC
Haifeng Bi - Austin TX
Richard Wayne Stephenson - Austin TX

Assignee:

SBC Technology Resources, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04L 1266

US Classification:

370356, 370410

Abstract:

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-based distributed network switching system includes an ATM switching network that dynamically sets up individual switched virtual connections. The system also includes multiple access interworking function (A-IWF) devices each operating as a gateway that enables customer premises devices to directly interface into the distributed ATM switching fabric. The system further includes a centralized control and signaling interworking function (CS-IWF) device that performs call control functions and administrative functions and is adapted to interface narrowband and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the ATM switching network. The CS-IWF device may be a server farm.

US Patent:

7095734, Aug 22, 2006

Filed:

Jun 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/859971

Inventors:

Steven R. Partridge - Austin TX, US
Samuel Sigarto - Raleigh NC, US
Tina Sigarto - Raleigh NC, US
Haifeng Bi - Austin TX, US
Richard Wayne Stephenson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

SBC Technology Resources, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04L 12/66
H04J 3/16
H04J 3/22

US Classification:

370356, 370467

Abstract:

A distributed network switching system includes a data network. The system also includes multiple access interworking function (A-IWF) devices each operating as a gateway that enables customer premises devices to directly interface into the data network. The system further includes a centralized control and signaling interworking function (CS-IWF) device that performs call control functions and administrative functions and is adapted to interface narrowband and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the data network.

US Patent:

7099311, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Dec 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/024182

Inventors:

Haifeng Bi - Austin TX, US
Steven R. Partridge - Austin TX, US
Samuel Sigarto - Austin TX, US
Richard W. Stephenson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

SBC Technology Resources, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04L 12/66
H04J 3/22
H04J 3/16

US Classification:

370356, 370467

Abstract:

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-based distributed virtual tandem switching system is provided in which a network of ATM-based devices is combined to create a distributed virtual tandem switch. The system includes an ATM switching network that dynamically sets up individual switched virtual connections. The system also includes a trunk interworking function (T-IWF) device and a centralized control and signaling interworking function (CS-IWF) device. The trunk interworking function device converts end office voice trunks from TDM channels to ATM cells by employing a structured circuit emulation service. The centralized control and signaling interworking function device performs call control functions and interfaces narrowband signaling and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the ATM switching network. Consequently, the ATM based distributed virtual tandem switching system replaces a standard tandem switch in the PSTN.

US Patent:

7304986, Dec 4, 2007

Filed:

Jul 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/481801

Inventors:

Steven R. Partridge - Austin TX, US
Samuel Sigarto - Raleigh NC, US
Tina Sigarto - Raleigh NC, US
Haifeng Bi - Austin TX, US
Richard Wayne Stephenson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

AT&T Labs, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04L 12/66
H04L 12/28
H04L 12/56
H04J 3/12

US Classification:

370356, 370401, 370522

Abstract:

A distributed network switching system includes a data network. The system also includes multiple access interworking function (A-IWF) devices each operating as a gateway that enables customer premises devices to directly interface into the data network. The system further includes a centralized control and signaling interworking function (CS-IWF) device that performs call control functions and administrative functions and is adapted to interface narrowband and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the data network.

US Patent:

20060274732, Dec 7, 2006

Filed:

Jul 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/481802

Inventors:

George Allen - Austin TX, US
Haifeng Bi - Austin TX, US
Steven Partridge - Austin TX, US
Samuel Sigarto - Austin TX, US
Richard Stephenson - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

SBC Technology Resources, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04L 12/66

US Classification:

370352000

Abstract:

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-based distributed virtual tandem switching system is provided in which a network of ATM-based devices is combined to create a distributed virtual tandem switch. The system includes an ATM switching network that dynamically sets up individual switched virtual connections. The system also includes a trunk interworking function (T-IWF) device and a centralized control and signaling interworking function (CS-IWF) device. The trunk interworking function device converts end office voice trunks from TDM channels to ATM cells by employing a structured circuit emulation service. The centralized control and signaling interworking function device performs call control functions and interfaces narrowband signaling and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the ATM switching network. Consequently, the ATM based distributed virtual tandem switching system replaces a standard tandem switch in the PSTN.

US Patent:

62193481, Apr 17, 2001

Filed:

May 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/562725

Inventors:

George C. Allen - Austin TX
Haifeng Bi - Austin TX
Steven R. Partridge - Austin TX
Samuel Sigarto - Austin TX
Richard W. Stephenson - Austin TX

Assignee:

SBC Technology Resources, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04L 1266

US Classification:

370354

Abstract:

An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-based distributed virtual tandem switching system is provided in which a network of ATM-based devices is combined to create a distributed virtual tandem switch. The system includes an ATM switching network that dynamically sets up individual switched virtual connections. The system also includes a trunk interworking function (T-IWF) device and a centralized control and signaling interworking finction (CS-IWF) device. The trunk interworking function device converts end office voice trunks from TDM channels to ATM cells by employing a structured circuit emulation service. The centralized control and signaling interworking function device performs call control functions and interfaces narrowband signaling and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the ATM switching network. Consequently, the ATM based distributed virtual tandem switching system replaces a standard tandem switch in the PSTN.