Elbert Lee Sneed, Jr

Title: Elbert Lee Sneed, Jr: Innovator in Telecommunications

Introduction

Elbert Lee Sneed, Jr. is a notable inventor based in Wheaton, IL (US), recognized for his contributions to telecommunications. He holds a total of 3 patents that focus on enhancing local telephone number portability and database management within telecommunications systems. His innovative work has significantly impacted how call connection information is managed and updated.

Latest Patents

One of Sneed's latest patents is titled "Means and method for updating databases supporting local telephone." This invention provides a means and method for updating two-tiered databases in a telecommunications system that support local number portability through call connection information sets stored on the databases. Pro-active updating is accomplished by tracking location, time, and frequency of each switch querying the first-tier centralized database for each stored call connection information set. At the time an update is made to a call connection information set at the first-tier database, the set is offered to all second-tier databases supporting individual switches that have queried the centralized database for that set. Second-tier databases accept the set as an update, a new set, or reject it. Acceptance of a new set or rejection is dependent upon the set achieving a ranking based on recency and frequency of query above the threshold for storage. The second-tier databases provide confirmation of set acceptance and rejection to the first-tier database.

Another significant patent is "Means and method for providing local telephone number portability." This invention enables a telephone service subscriber to retain a phone number when the local switch servicing the subscriber changes. A database acts as a centralized source of call connection information. Two tiers of databases are used; local databases dedicated to local switches are first queried for call connection information matching the dialed number, and a centralized database serving all switches is subsequently queried if local database response is not sufficient for call placement. Each dialed number is correlated to a call connection information set containing augmenting information to provide the equivalent of the actual service number for the subscriber for call placement. Call connection information sets are dynamically maintained and updated between the centralized database and the local databases.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Elbert Lee Sneed, Jr. has worked with prominent companies in the telecommunications industry, including Lucent Technologies Inc. and American Telephone & Telegraph Co., as well as AT&T Bell Laboratories. His experience in these organizations has allowed him to develop and refine his innovative ideas