Robert M Leonard

US Patent:

6457080, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Sep 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/154342

Inventors:

Frederick A. Sherman - Mesquite TX
Ranga R. Dendi - Plano TX
Robert G. Leonard - Plano TX
Daniel Hutton - Black Forest CO
Joseph A. Scivicque - Wylie TX

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06F 1314

US Classification:

710129, 711112, 711114, 370340

Abstract:

A system and method by which bearer channels within high-speed communication channels can be directly accessed without completely breaking down the high-speed data communication channel. The present invention provides a flexible approach in which individual bearer channels can be accessed and in which data within an accessed bearer channel can easily be changed.

US Patent:

6208657, Mar 27, 2001

Filed:

Jan 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/003977

Inventors:

Ranga R. Dendi - Plano TX
Frederick A. Sherman - Mesquite TX
Timothy A. Morgan - Snellvile GA
Robert Gary Leonard - Plano TX
Duke Bond - Allen TX

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04L12/28

US Classification:

370401

Abstract:

A programmable gateway for processing protocol conversion for a virtual bearer channel platform. The platform includes a plurality of transaction processing units (TPUs). Each TPU processes service requests transmitted by a caller or transmits service requests to a destination called party. The platform has a distribution network that interfaces with the TPUs and acts as a shared bus between the TPUs. The platform receives and transmits communications with a communications network over bearer channels of a high bandwidth pipe. A cross-connecting controller multiplexes the signals coming into the platform over the bearer channels onto the distribution network, and also demultiplexes signals going out over the bearer channels from the distribution network. A resource manager provides a centralized control for the allocation of bandwidth to the transaction processing units. The resource manager allocates available bearer channels for the connections with the communications network, and also allocates available time slots in the distribution network to the TPUs.

US Patent:

61083372, Aug 22, 2000

Filed:

Jan 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/004157

Inventors:

Frederick A. Sherman - Mesquite TX
Ranga R. Dendi - Plano TX
Timothy A. Morgan - Snellville GA
Robert Gary Leonard - Plano TX
Duke Bond - Allen TX

Assignee:

MCI WorldCom, Inc. Technology Department - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04J 302

US Classification:

370401

Abstract:

A resource manager for managing the resources of a virtual bearer channel platform. The platform includes a plurality of transaction processing units (TPUs). Each TPU processes service requests transmitted by a caller or transmits service requests to a destination called party. The platform has a distribution network that interfaces with the TPUs and acts as a shared bus between the TPUs. The platform receives and transmits communications with a communications network over bearer channels of a high bandwidth pipe. A cross-connecting controller multiplexes the signals coming into the platform over the bearer channels onto the distribution network, and also demultiplexes signals going out over the bearer channels from the distribution network. The resource manager provides a centralized control for the allocation of bandwidth to the transaction processing units. It allocates available bearer channels for the connections with the communications network, and also allocates available time slots in the distribution network to the TPUs.

US Patent:

60470054, Apr 4, 2000

Filed:

Jan 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/004153

Inventors:

Frederick A. Sherman - Mesquite TX
Ranga R. Dendi - Plano TX
Timothy A. Morgan - Snellville GA
Robert Gary Leonard - Plano TX
Duke Bond - Plano TX

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04J 312

US Classification:

370522

Abstract:

A virtual bearer channel platform includes a plurality of transaction processing units. Each transaction processing unit processes one or more service requests received as a call on a bearer channel. The call data is distributed to individual transaction processing units using a high-speed shared network such as a SONET-type network. In one embodiment, the standard SONET format is modified to eliminate fields which contain data of no significance to the present environment. In another embodiment, the standard SONET format, itself, is used. The platform includes a resource manager for allocating the newly received calls to individual transaction processing units. The resource manager sets up outbound calls when requested by a transaction processing unit. A gateway interfaces with the resource manager and the external communication network for assisting in call setup in both inbound and outbound directions.

US Patent:

57039356, Dec 30, 1997

Filed:

Mar 29, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/219577

Inventors:

Anousheh Raissyan - Plano TX
Kody Raymond Wood - Micthellville MD
Michael Joseph Jacobi - Shellsburg IA
Linda S. King - Washington DC
Lee Chopek Seydel - Iowa City IA
Michele Pauline Torbert - McLean VA
Robert Gary Leonard - Plano TX

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04M 164
H04M 350

US Classification:

379 88

Abstract:

A system and method for automatically processing telephone calls for alternative billing or for providing automated operator services. In one form, a call for which operator or alternative billing services are sought is routed through a telephone network to an automated operator facility. The call is accompanied by certain parameters which are indicative of the characteristics of the call. A menu of available automatic services is presented to the caller and the caller's selection from the menu is then received by the automated facility. The call parameters are used to retrieve a record containing customization features, preselected by a subscriber, which are those to be used in providing the particular service selected from the menu by the caller. The call is then automatically processed in accordance with the preselected customized features to provide the selected operator servile. During a call session the caller may dynamically select certain features such as the language in which the interactive portions of the call processing will be conducted.