Lucent Technologies Inc.

Alcatel-lucent USA Inc.

Alcatel Lucent

Gemalto Sa

George Paul Wilkin

Gerald W Pfleging

Kevin L Bostrom

Gregory A Freitag

Rachel M Pfleging

David A Zahn

Mohamad M Mehio

Dean W Craig

David B Smith

Jerome W Graske

Richard E Krock

Gregory M Vaudreuil

Matthew Richard Smith

Kenneth E Depaul

John Andrew Johnson

Timothy E Jedlicka

Hemi Trickey

Carolina R Arboleda

Christina A Chiapetta

Arthur L Brannon, Jr

David G Terebessy

Judd O Wilcox

Ronald M Dsouza

Kelly G Kimmitt

Charles William Coffey

Erik J Major

Karl A Stough

Stuart W Schmidt

Kevin M Bolstrom

A network analysis capability is provided herein. A network analysis capability supports proactive detection of service troubles in a network by looking at the network from the perspective of the end users. A proactive detection mechanism is provided by having end user devices (e.g., smartphones, computers, and the like) run background applications which monitor for service-impacting problems and autonomously report service-impacting problems when such problems are detected. A background application, before and/or after problems are detected, collects diagnostic information and forwards the diagnostic information to a network for analysis. A network node compiles and analyzes data collected from the end user devices, data collected from one or more network-based data collectors, and, optionally, information from one or more network support systems, to diagnose problems and dynamically respond, potentially before service is impacted.

Method and apparatus for network analysis

A mobile unit and network element are used to test RF coverage in a wireless communication network. A mobile unit receives testing location information, including the cell location data and the boundary information, from a network element. The mobile unit moves about the testing location and receives information about the RF quality of the signal and stores this data. The mobile unit periodically sends the stored data to the network element. The network element includes a correlation element that correlates the received data to form new values for each of the cell sites tested. This correlated value can be used for multiple cell sites to determine which cell sites most need additional RF coverage testing. In addition, the network element can map the data and either send to the mobile unit, display on a monitor at the network element, or sent to a web server for access via the Internet.

Mobile unit and network element for testing RF coverage

A sensor-mounting bracket for supporting a positioning sensor with respect to a camera so that the compass heading and tilt angle of the camera can be determined. To determine the compass heading and tilt angle of the camera, the sensor-mounting bracket is configured to align the positioning sensor with the sight line of the camera. In particular, the bracket is adapted to align the compass heading and the tilt axis of the positioning sensor so that they are parallel with the sight line of the camera.

Sensor-mounting bracket for camera installation procedure

A request is received from a user of a communication device to block a use of a ring tone remotely selected by another user for an incoming call to the communication device. The ring tone remotely selected by the other user is blocked from being played to the user of the communication device on the incoming call to the communication device.

Request to block use of remotely selected ring tone

In an exemplary method audible signals from participants of a conference call during the ongoing conference call are processed by a conference bridge. An incoming audible signal on a first line from a first participant is detected during the conference call with a plurality of other conference call participants coupled via corresponding other lines. The audible signal on the first line is automatically attenuated before information on the first line is summed into a common signal that is transmitted to the other conference call participants. This prevents the other participants from hearing the audible signal during the ongoing conference call.

Conference bridge with improved handling of control signaling during an ongoing conference

A method and apparatus for linking caller identification data to a call that originates from a virtual private network is disclosed. Steps relating to the method receiving a call, including an identifier at a mobile switching center. The identifier would identify a termination point that initiated the call. The method also includes accessing a database with call identification information in response to a trigger and linking the call with caller identification data via the identifier. The method could also include that the call is received from a cellular VPN. The system implementing the method would include a database having stored within caller identification data corresponding to an identifier, a mobile switching center configured to receive the call from a VPN and an application server configured to access the database and link the call.

Method and apparatus for linking identification data to a call in a network

A switching system that provides conference call functionality can mute music played into the conference call by the muting of a conference call participant. The muting of conference call music can be accomplished by controlling the switch's connection to a music on hold source or by controlling the music on hold device.

Muting conference call hold music

A ring tone is played to a called party for a call that meets one or more criteria. The ring tone is remotely selected by a calling party or a third party.

Ring tone selected by calling party of third party played to called party

A point of sale terminal that can be used to sell commodities such as gasoline, is also used to wirelessly distribute content files, such as MP3 and video files. The content files are addressed to a particular wireless playback receiving device. Wireless distribution of content files at other merchant's sites whereat point of sale terminals can be used enables the contents of playback devices to be updated without having to couple the device to a computer. Receipt of payment or account information prior to file transmission helps protect against theft.

Wireless distribution of content files

This disclosure is a method and system for the linking of digital images to RFID devices. The method includes providing at least one radio frequency identification device, each radio frequency identification device having a electronic product code; linking one or more of the electronic product codes to a digital image file; and storing the linked digital image file into a memory. The disclosure allows users to easily access only images that are linked to their RFID device. Thereby, this disclosure allows a photographer easy access to potential customers while protecting user's privacy.

Method and apparatus for RFID mapping to a digital camera and digital picture delivery system

A method in one example comprises the steps of establishing a location database for a first network that associates Internet Protocol address information for VOIP telephony devices with physical locations for the VOIP telephony devices; upon detecting registration of a VOIP telephony device through a network port of the first network, determining physical location of the VOIP telephony device by identifying physical location of the network port through which the VOIP telephony device is connected, and updating the location database; and, upon detecting IP telephony activity originating from a remote VOIP telephony device connected to the first network through a VPN gateway, determining physical location of the remote VOIP telephony device connected through the VPN gateway by identifying physical locations of network resources of a second network to which the remote VOIP telephony device is connected, and updating the location database; such that updated location information is provided to a 911 server in the event that an emergency call is originated by any VOIP telephony device or remote VOIP telephony device.

Dynamic E911 updating in a VoIP telephony system

An apparatus in one example has: a VOIP telecommunications network; a VOIP telecommunication device operatively coupled to the VOIP telecommunications network; and the VOIP telecommunication device having a detector that recognizes a predetermined pattern in a data stream from the VoIP telecommunication device, and a call processor that initiates a predetermined call in a cellular telecommunication network in response to recognition of the predetermined pattern.

Real-time E911 location information in a consumer VOIP solution

An apparatus and method is provided for managing and controlling connections to conference bridges for proposed conference call participants to access a scheduled conference call. A first call is made to a conference bridge. Next, an attempt is made to contact the proposed conference call participant for the conference call via a telephone call, an SMS message, or both. If contacted, the proposed conference call participant has options such as a) connecting to the conference call, b) not connecting to the conference call, or c) recording the conference call. If the proposed conference call participant cannot be contacted or is unavailable, then the conference call can be recorded for listening at a later time.

User information management system for controlling conference bridge connections

A method and system for delivering emergency directions is provided. The disclosure includes the government delivering a warning message for potential evacuees on a gas station pump or automated teller machine point of service display screen. The method includes receiving an emergency alert from a government entity, constructing a warning message, including an evacuation route based at least in part on real time traffic data and the location of the display screen and displaying the warning message on the point of service display screen. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the warning message is authenticated. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the warning message is continuously updated to provide an effective escape route for evacuees.

Method and apparatus for emergency map display system

An exemplary method automatically identifies the location of a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) telephone relative to the structure of a building upon the VOIP telephone making a 911 call. The identity of the VOIP telephone is transmitted to a database accessible by the VOIP system upon a 911 call origination. Records have been previously created and stored in the database that link each VOIP telephone located in or associated with a building to a text based description of an area of the building. A node instructs the database to find the stored record associated with the VOIP telephone. The identity of the VOIP telephone and the text based location information of the location of the VOIP telephone relative to the structure of the building are transmitted to the 911 call center. This enables a 911 call center operator to immediately discern the location of the 911 caller relative to the structure of the building.

Growing community of inventors

Bolingbrook, IL, United States of America

George Paul Wilkin