Converged Data Solutions, Inc.

Rpx Corporation

Vertical Networks, Inc.

Adeline Pang

Scott K Pickett

Uthayakumar Kumarasamy

Timothy J Kusumi

Mark L Kamenetsky

Alan R Loudermilk

Dolores Seraphina Atemasov

Benjamin Alfred Alves

The present invention discloses improved systems and methods for multisite management of computer server systems and in particular converged communication systems based on a decentralized architecture. Certain and various aspects relating to atomic error handling, transaction-based authentication/security, intelligent bandwidth management, decoupled data/configuration messaging, improved scalability, auto-detection functions, business metrics, etc., also are disclosed. A console is disclosed that communicates with each of a plurality of converged communications systems, e.g., preferably through the use of sockets. The actual traffic load is decentralized among the computer server systems, as each one uses direct connections (e.g., via an enhanced file transfer protocol) to access update/configuration data as needed. In addition, an improved communication protocol is disclosed that is optimized for the multisite management architecture of the present invention. An improved set of graphical user interface (GUI) features are described that improve the efficiency of the management of multiple systems.

Systems and methods for improved multisite management and reporting of converged communication systems and computer systems

System and method for selling, configuring, installing, reconfiguring and servicing integrated voice/data communications systems are disclosed. An Internet/web based portal is provided to enable a high level of data to be easily collected. The portal guides the customer or sales persons in the collection of user requirements data indicative of the particular customer's hardware, telephony and network service requirements. Test of the data is performed, ensuring that all required data has been entered. The user requirements data is translated into configuration data in order to configure the system in a manner to satisfy the user requirements data. Configuration data resulting from a user requirements data entry and translation process is coupled with a hardware manufacturing process to produce an integrated system configured for the particular customer. A centralized intelligence ensures that the installed system will work correctly and in accordance with the requirements of the particular customer, to facilitate equipment upgrades and the provision of WAN or other network services to the customer.

Systems and methods for providing voice/data communication systems and voice/data communications

An improved systems and methods for multisite management of computer server systems and in particular converged communication systems based on a decentralized architecture are disclosed. Certain and various aspects relating to atomic error handling, transaction-based authentication/security, intelligent bandwidth management, decoupled data/configuration messaging, improved scalability, auto-detection functions, business metrics, etc., are also disclosed. A console communicates with each of a plurality of converged communications systems, e.g., preferably through the use of sockets. The actual traffic load is decentralized among the computer server systems, as each one uses direct connections (e.g., via an enhanced file transfer protocol) to access update/configuration data as needed. In addition, an improved communication protocol is disclosed that is optimized for the multisite management architecture of the present invention. An improved set of graphical user interface (GUI) features are described that improve the efficiency of the management of multiple systems.

Systems and methods for improved multisite management of converged communication systems and computer systems

A method for providing a report database is disclosed. A server system coordinates management activities for a plurality of localized devices. An abstraction layer references the localized devices as 'locations' rather than physical equipment, which are distinct from an IP address. The server system communicates with an individual device of the plurality of localized devices via the abstraction layer to request software distribution information without requiring user initiation at the individual device. Communications between the server system and the individual device are performed using a protectable communications protocol that includes an atomic error handling capability to enable one or more transaction instructions to be reversed upon an error in one of the plurality of transaction instructions.

Methods for managing localized devices providing voice/data services in a plurality of geographically diverse locations. A console system is provided to coordinate management activities for software on the plurality of localized devices. The console system communicates with an individual device of the plurality of localized devices via a protectable communications protocol to provide software configuration information to the individual device. The software configuration information provides the individual device with information sufficient to establish a direct link with a software distribution server in order to receive software data without requiring user initiation at the individual device. The protectable communications protocol includes an atomic error handling capability to enable one or more transaction instructions to be conditionally executed. Marketing feedback statistics may be collected from the plurality of localized devices sufficient to assess the response to an advertisement.

Methods for managing a plurality of devices using protectable communication protocol, including determination of marketing feedback to assess a response to an advertisement

A communications system provides voice or data services in a plurality of geographically diverse sites. A plurality of localized devices provide portions of voice or data services at each site. The localized devices are managed with a console system. The console system coordinates management activities for the plurality of localized devices. A protectable communications protocol is utilized for communications between the console system and the plurality of localized devices. The console system communicates with an individual device of the plurality of localized devices via the protectable communications protocol to provide software distribution instructions to the individual device. The software distribution instructions provide the individual device with information sufficient to establish a direct link with a software distribution server in order to receive software distribution data without user intervention.

Methods for managing a plurality of localized devices in geographically diverse locations

Methods for providing a report database for a plurality of localized devices using an abstraction layer and atomic error handling

A method for providing communications systems and network connection services is disclosed. Via a portal, user requirements data are entered, which are determinative of a configuration of the communications system. The user requirements data are translated into configuration data, which is stored in a storage location in electronic communication with the portal. The configuration data is provided to a manufacturing agent, which manufactures the communications system. The step of manufacturing the communications system includes loading the configuration data into the communications system, and the communications system operates based on the configuration data. The communications system is provided to a customer, and the communications system is operative to provide voice and data communications to a plurality of users in accordance with the configuration data. Prior to the step of manufacturing the communication system, a commercial transaction is initiated for the provision of the communication system to the customer, and prior to the step of providing the communication system to the customer, based on the user requirements data a commercial transaction is initiated for the provision of network connection services such as WAN services.

Methods for providing voice/data communication systems and voice/data communications via a portal

Web/portal-based systems and methods for selling, configuring, installing, reconfiguring and servicing such integrated voice/data communications systems are disclosed. An Internet/web or personal digital assistant ('PDA') or personal computer ('PC') based portal is provided to enable a relatively high level of data to be more easily collected. The portal preferably is graphical and guides either the customer or one or more sales persons (or site installer/technician, etc.) in the collection of user requirements data indicative of the particular customer's hardware, telephony and network service requirements. The user requirements data is a less technical, more intuitive level of user requirements data, as compared with configuration data. An initial test of the data preferably is performed, such as for purposes of data consistency, ensuring that all required data has been entered and the like. Thereafter, the user requirements data is translated into configuration data, preferably by way of automatic (or semi-automatic) software tools for installation or input into the integrated voice/data communications system in order to configure the system in a manner appropriate to satisfy the user requirements data. Such portal-based user requirements data entry is coupled to, and part of, a method for selling, ordering, manufacturing, testing and installing such integrated voice/data communications systems. Configuration data resulting from a user requirements level data entry and translation process is coupled at a desirable point with a hardware manufacturing process, such that an integrated system configured for the particular customer may be produced. A centralized intelligence may be involved in the configuration and testing of such integrated systems, thereby helping to facilitate configuration and testing, and thereby helping to ensure that the installed system will work correctly and in accordance with the requirements of the particular customer. Such a centralized intelligence also may be used to facilitate equipment upgrades and the provision of WAN or other network or other services to the particular customer.

Systems and methods by which voice/data communications may occur in multiple modes/protocols are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided for multiple native mode/protocol voice and data transmissions and receptions with a computing system having a multi-bus structure, including, for example, a TDM bus and a packet bus, and multi-protocol framing engines. Such systems preferably include subsystem functions such as PBX, voice mail and other telephony functions, LAN hub and data router. In preferred embodiments, a TDM bus and a packet bus are intelligently bridged and managed, thereby enabling such multiple mode/protocol voice and data transmissions to be intelligently managed and controlled with a single, integrated system. A computer or other processor includes a local area network controller, which provides routing and hub(s) for one or more packet networks. The computer also is coupled to a buffer/framer, which serves to frame/deframe data to/from the computer from TDM bus. The buffer/framer includes a plurality of framer/deframer engines, supporting, for example, ATM and HDLC framing/deframing. The buffer/framer is coupled to the TDM bus by way of a switch/multiplexer, which includes the capability to intelligently map data traffic between the buffer/framer and the TDM bus to various slots of the TDM frames. Preferably, a DSP pool is coupled to buffer/framer in a manner to provide various signal processing and telecommunications support, such as dial tone generation, DTMF detection and the like. The TDM bus is coupled to a various line/station cards, serving to interface the TDM bus with telephone, facsimiles and other telecommunication devices, and also with a various digital and/or analog WAN network services.

Systems and methods for multiple mode voice and data communications using intelligently bridged TDM and packet buses and methods for performing telephony and data functions using the same

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Adeline Pang