Raymond K Tong, 55Seattle, WA

6381633, Apr 30, 2002

Oct 6, 1997

08/944668

Jack H. Chang - Sunnyvale CA
Raymond L. Tong - Milpitas CA

Carmel Connection, Inc. - San Jose CA

G06F 1516

709206, 709218, 345331

The present invention manages a messaging network having messaging platforms interconnecting through a switched backbone such as the Internet. The master platform monitors each messaging platform on the messaging network and administers the addition, deletion, and updating of messaging platforms by modifying a master global routing table in the event the master platform encounters changes to the status of the messaging platforms. In the event that the master global routing table is updated, the global routing table held at each messaging platform is also updated, ensuring version consistency between said master global routing table and each of the global routing tables. This enables the master platform and each messaging platform to determine the operational status of another messaging platform. The present invention may also provide a cost tracking scheme when delivering messages between messaging platforms that are owned by different entities. This avoids use agreements between messaging platform owners and owners of networks which are connected to the messaging platforms.

7010574, Mar 7, 2006

Jan 18, 2002

10/053826

Jack H. Chang - Sunnyvale CA, US
Raymond L. Tong - Milpitas CA, US

Calumet Keweenaw LLC - Los Altos CA

G06F 15/16

709206, 379 88

A messaging network has a plurality of messaging platforms interconnected through a switched backbone, such as the Internet. A master platform can receive and store status messages destined for a messaging platform that does not have an active connection to the messaging network or is in a non-operational state. In one embodiment, a messaging platform requests information from an information source outside the messaging network. The master platform sends the information request message to the information source and receives a response message therefrom. The response message is sent to the requesting messaging platform. In another embodiment, messages may be transformed into a format specified by the subscriber and delivered thereto.

7177908, Feb 13, 2007

Jan 18, 2002

10/053827

Jack H. Chang - Sunnyvale CA, US
Raymond L. Tong - Milpitas CA, US

Calumet Keweenaw LLC - Los Altos CA

G06F 15/16

709206, 709207

The present invention manages a messaging network having messaging platforms interconnecting through a switched backbone such as the Internet. The master platform monitors each messaging platform on the messaging network and administers the addition, deletion, and updating of messaging platforms by modifying a master global routing table in the event the master platform encounters changes to the status of the messaging platforms. In the event that the master global routing table is updated, the global routing table held at each messaging platform is also updated, ensuring version consistency between said master global routing table and each of the global routing tables. This enables the master platform and each messaging platform to determine the operational status of another messaging platform. The present invention may also provide a cost tracking scheme when delivering messages between messaging platforms that are owned by different entities. This avoids use agreements between messaging platform owners and owners of networks which are connected to the messaging platforms.

2003001, Jan 23, 2003

Apr 9, 1999

09/289435

JACK H. CHANG - SUNNYVALE CA, US
RAYMOND L. TONG - MILPITAS CA, US

G06F015/16

709/206000

The invention is an apparatus and method for receiving a message having a first format and for converting the message from the first format to a second format that is compatible for reception by a messaging interface having a destination address corresponding to an intended recipient. In the preferred embodiment, a computer system is used to receive and send messages between messaging interfaces and networks which may be dissimilar from each other. A variety of network interfaces is used to communicate with the networks and which may optionally have a first interface and a second interface for interfacing to a first and second network, respectively. The messages may optionally be presented through a web page. A forwarding program or equivalent may be used to forward subscriber messages to or from remote locations served by a remote computer system, enabling a messaging user to use the remote computer system as a local access point. A browser interface may be optionally used to control messages presented by the computer system on a real-time basis using hyperlink commands. The computer system may also be used in conjunction with: a recipient notification program or equivalent device that determines when a recipient is logged on to a network and if so, provides any messages stored in the recipient's mailbox to the recipient; a connection notification program or equivalent device that notifies the computer system that a recipient is logged on to a network so that the computer system can send messages stored in the recipient's mailbox, if any; and an apparatus and method for sending and receiving a destination address including Internet addresses using a DTMF generator such as a standard telephone keypad.

5974449, Oct 26, 1999

May 9, 1997

8/853290

Jack H. Chang - Sunnyvale CA
Raymond L. Tong - Milpitas CA

Carmel Connection, Inc. - Fremont CA

G06F 1338

709206

The invention is an apparatus and method for receiving a message having a first format and for converting the message from the first format to a second format that is compatible for reception by a messaging interface having a destination address corresponding to an intended recipient. In the preferred embodiment, a computer system is used to receive and send messages between messaging interfaces and networks which may be dissimilar from each other. A variety of network interfaces is used to communicate with the networks and which may optionally have a first interface and a second interface for interfacing to a first and second network, respectively. The messages may optionally be presented through a web page. A forwarding program or equivalent may be used to forward subscriber messages to or from remote locations served by a remote computer system, enabling a messaging user to use the remote computer system as a local access point. A browser interface may be optionally used to control messages presented by the computer system on a real-time basis using hyperlink commands.

5471523, Nov 28, 1995

Jul 14, 1993

8/091893

Bernard J. Smith - Sunnyvale CA
David B. Seager - San Jose CA
Raymond L. Tong - Milpitas CA
Thomas E. Rowley - San Jose CA

Voysys Corporation - Fremont CA

H04M 100
H04M 164

379165

The present invention provides a novel method and apparatus for interconnecting a telephone call and voice processing system ("CVPS") with a telephone key system control unit ("KSU"). A plurality of digital feature telephone ports of the KSU are connected to the CVPS. These connections provide two-way digital feature telephone call information and telephone audio paths between the CVPS and the KSU. The CVPS emulates digital feature telephones on each of these ports permitting the CVPS to automatically perform all of the functions available to a human user of one of the digital feature telephones. Optionally, interposed lines connected to telephone central office telephone lines may be used to provide some of the connections between the KSU and the CVPS. Additionally the CVPS may, through the fully emulated digital feature telephone ports, query the KSU, telephone extensions and telephone lines in order to determine set up parameters and thereby self configure itself upon installation or modification of the installation.

6118864, Sep 12, 2000

Dec 31, 1997

9/001859

Jack H. Chang - Sunnyvale CA
Raymond L. Tong - Milpitas CA

Carmel Connection, Inc. - Fremont CA

H04M 700
H04M 164

379225

In a first aspect of the present invention, at least one communication platform is networked to a switched backbone, such as the network commonly referred to as the Internet, and is configured to communicate with and manage at least one network interface, such as a private branch exchange (PBX), and a voice communication module so as to provide telecommunication services that includes voice-over-IP communication between or among communication platform users and call-holding, transferring, forwarding, conferencing, and the like (PBX-like features). The communication platform networked through the switched backbone with other communication platforms. The communication platform is networked to the switched backbone through a first network interface and to telephone lines driven by PBX equipment through a PBX network interface and/or to a telephone compatible network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN) through a telephone network interface. Additional network interfaces may be included to support additional networks such as a local area network separately or in conjunction with other described networks. The communication platform manages the network interfaces, the voice communication module, and the PBX equipment through program control so as to provide telecommunication services which includes providing voice communication between a first user and a second user and PBX-like features.