Stephen R Lapierre

US Patent:

6597780, Jul 22, 2003

Filed:

Dec 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/461737

Inventors:

Joseph M. Knoerle - Atlanta GA
Stephen R. Lapierre - Union City GA
Zeeman Z. Zhang - Marietta GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M 342

US Classification:

37921101, 37921001, 709202, 455422

Abstract:

A system and method for providing an on-hold call with a selectable continuous tone source using a service node, comprising a service switching point of a central office connected to a service logic program provisioned on a service node. Using the capabilities of the service node, the service logic program plays a continuous tone through a permanent trunk line connecting the service node to the service switching point. When the service switching point puts a call on hold, the service switching point connects the call through the permanent trunk line to the service logic program that is playing the continuous tone. As a result, the caller hears the continuous tone while the service switching point has the call on hold. In addition, the present invention provides a dual tone multifrequency administrative interface on the service logic program of the service node, which enables a customer to dial the interface, enter a passcode for access, and then choose between a variety of tone types such as a dial tone, a busy signal, a normal ring tone, a reorder signal (fast busy signal), a continuous busy signal, and a continuous ring tone.

US Patent:

6738466, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/747444

Inventors:

Stephen R. LaPierre - Union City GA
David Scott - Norcross GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M 342

US Classification:

37921102, 37922108, 37922109, 3792211

Abstract:

Methods and system are disclosed for redirecting caller identification in an advanced intelligent network. The system comprises a service switching point and a service control point. When a redirected call is received at the service switching point, the service switching point places the call on hold and forwards a request to the service control point. The service control point recognizes that the call has been redirected and formats the caller identification information associated with the call to identify the telephone number from which the call was redirected. The re-formatted caller identification information is returned to the service switching point. The service switching point forwards the call to the destination telephone station using a distinctive ring to identify that the call has been redirected. The reformatted caller identification information, including the number of the telephone station from which the call was redirected, is forwarded to the destination telephone station.

US Patent:

6865260, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Jun 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/894542

Inventors:

Vernon Meadows - Lilburn GA, US
Joseph M. Knoerle - Atlanta GA, US
Stephen R. LaPierre - Union City GA, US
David A. Scott - Norcross GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M001/64

US Classification:

379 8822, 379 671, 379 8812, 379 8813

Abstract:

This invention is directed to a system and method for providing a status certification for a message in a communications network. An embodiment of this invention is a voicemail system, which provides a caller in a telecommunications network with the option of certifying a voicemail message when the recording of the message is complete. By certifying the voicemail message, the caller is indicating that the voicemail system should track any actions related to the message that occur within the voicemail system so that the caller may later access the voicemail system and ascertain the status of the message. When the caller requests certification, the voicemail system provides the caller with a means to subsequently initiate a request for the status certification. As actions are taken in relation to the message, the voicemail system creates disposition identifiers and associates these identifiers with the message. When a caller accesses the telecommunications network and requests the status certification, the voicemail determines to which message the request is directed by prompting the caller or by some other means.

US Patent:

6885741, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Nov 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/717701

Inventors:

Christopher Alan Puckett - Greenville SC, US
David A. Scott - Norcross GA, US
Stephen R. Lapierre - Union City GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M003/42

US Classification:

37921001, 37920901, 709202

Abstract:

A method and system are disclosed for automated call back of a first telephone station that has been placed on hold by a second telephone station in an advanced intelligent network. The system comprises a service switching point connected to the first telephone station, a service node adapted to connect the second telephone station with the first telephone station when the second telephone station becomes available, and a service control point containing a database identifying the service node as adapted to connect the second and first telephone stations. The method includes the following steps: at the service switching point forwarding a request to the service control point to identify one of the plurality of service nodes to handle an automated call back from the second station to the first station; searching the database at the service control point for one of the plurality of service nodes to handle the automated call back to the first station from the second station; identifying to the service switching point, one of the plurality of service nodes to handle the automated call back from the second station to the first station; forwarding to the service node a request for automated call back from the second station to the first station; and upon receiving a signal from the second station at the service node, connecting the second station and the first station.

US Patent:

6934367, Aug 23, 2005

Filed:

Jun 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/894317

Inventors:

Stephen R. LaPierre - Union City GA, US
Joseph M. Knoerle - Atlanta GA, US
Vernon Meadows - Lilburn GA, US
David A. Scott - Norcross GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M001/64

US Classification:

379 8812, 379 8813, 379 8822

Abstract:

This invention is directed to a system and method for providing a status certification for a voicemail message in a telecommunications network. An embodiment of this invention comprises a voicemail system, which provides a caller in a telecommunications network with the option of certifying a voicemail message when the recording of the message is complete. By certifying the voicemail message, the caller is directing the voicemail system to create a temporary voicemail box and to track any actions related to the message that message that occur within the voicemail system. As changes occur, the voicemail system creates one or more status messages in the temporary voicemail box. If the recipient replies to the messages, the voicemail system also stores the reply in the temporary voicemail box. When a caller subsequently accesses the temporary voicemail box, the caller can access the messages and can also reply to any of the messages. The voicemail system stores the caller's reply in the original recipient's voicemail box.

US Patent:

6980635, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Apr 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/136235

Inventors:

James C. Bedingfield - Lilburn GA, US
Stephen R. LaPierre - Union City GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M003/42
H04M007/00
H04M015/00

US Classification:

37920702, 3791142, 37911428, 37920102, 37922109, 37922111

Abstract:

The present invention provides methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Six exemplary methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party's long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.

US Patent:

7027567, Apr 11, 2006

Filed:

Jun 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/894498

Inventors:

David A. Scott - Norcross GA, US
Stephen R. LaPierre - Union City GA, US
Joseph M. Knoerle - Atlanta GA, US
Vernon Meadows - Lilburn GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H09M 1/64

US Classification:

379 8812, 379 8825, 4554122

Abstract:

This invention is directed to a system and method for providing a status notification and reply for a message in a communications network. An embodiment of this invention is a voicemail system, which provides a caller in a telecommunications network with the option of requesting a status notification and reply for a voicemail message when the recording of the message is complete. By requesting status notification and reply, the caller is indicating that the voicemail system should track any actions related to the message that occur within the voicemail system. The caller also specifies a destination identifier, which includes formatting and addressing information that the voicemail system uses for subsequent notification and for communicating any reply to the message. As actions are taken in relation to the message, the voicemail system creates disposition identifiers and associates these identifiers with the message. When a triggering event occurs, such as the recipient deleting the message, the voicemail system retrieves the disposition identifiers to generate the status notification and sends the status notification in the format and to the address specified by the destination identifier.

US Patent:

7095834, Aug 22, 2006

Filed:

Apr 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/136066

Inventors:

James C. Bedingfield - Lilburn GA, US
Stephen R. LaPierre - Union City GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M 15/00

US Classification:

37912703, 37912704

Abstract:

The present invention provides methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Six exemplary methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party's long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.