Mci Communications Corporation

Other

Mci Worldcom, Inc. Technology Department

Robert Gary Leonard

Ranga R Dendi

Frederick A Sherman

Timothy A Morgan

Duke Bond

Lee C Seydel

Daniel Thomas Hutton

Joseph A Scivicque

Anousheh Raissyan

Linda S King

Michael Joseph Jacobi

Kody Raymond Wood

Michele Pauline Torbert

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.

Virtual bearer high-speed communication channel-to-device interface

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. The gateway functions as a programmable protocol converter handling all the signaling functions of the platform. It acts as a conduit between the resource manager and the communications network. It converts incoming signaling messages into an internal protocol used by the resource manager. Likewise, it converts internal messages from the resource manager into signaling messages for transmission over the communications network.

Programmable gateway for a virtual bearer channel platform

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. The resource manager updates the status of the distribution network in real time, responding to the platform communication needs adaptively.

Resource manager for a virtual bearer channel platform

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.

Virtual bearer channel platform for processing service requests received

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.

Automated telephone operator services

A portable bridge for use with a cue stick in a game of billiards. The bridge has a base with support means. An upright arm is connected to the base. The upright arm has at least one opening therein through which the cue stick is slidably received. In one embodiment, the front of the base has a concave end formed therein. When the cue stick is lifted, the concave top of the base engages a portion of a cue stick, the back of the base drops away from the cue stick and the portable bridge may be lifted and moved as desired. In an alternate embodiment, a keeper is provided to be manually adjusted on the cue stick, which prevents the cue stick from being withdrawn through the opening in the upright arm. The portable bridge may be lifted and moved to a desired location. The keeper may be manually adjusted to permit withdrawal of the cue stick from the opening in the upright arm.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Robert Gary Leonard