Philip B Ashcraft

US Patent:

6737976, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Nov 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/989329

Inventors:

Ron L. Rozier - Lithonia GA
Philip B. Ashcraft - Cumming GA
Steven W. Smith - Columbus GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

340611, 34082521, 3408532, 379 37

Abstract:

A system for monitoring air pressure in a telecommunications network comprises a plurality of monitoring units, at least one device server, a computer network, and a terminal. Each monitoring unit is connected to a device server. A user at the terminal receives air pressure data from the monitoring units over the computer network.

US Patent:

6754595, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Oct 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/968300

Inventors:

Ron L. Rozier - Lithonia GA
Philip B. Ashcraft - Cumming GA
Steven W. Smith - Columbus GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G01F 1700

US Classification:

702 50, 702 45, 702 47, 174 37, 174 76, 340604

Abstract:

Systems and methods for monitoring the pressurization performance of a cable network, such as a telecommnunications cable network, including monitoring a plurality of pressurization sensors, monitoring a plurality of pressurization alarms, receiving data related to the plurality of pressurization sensors and the plurality of pressurization alarms, and generating an index. The index taking into account the number of pressurization sensors monitored during a predetermined period of time, the number of pressurization sensors which are inoperable during the predetermined period of time, and the number of pressurization alarms which are tripped during the predetermined period of time.

US Patent:

6765988, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Sep 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/261074

Inventors:

Ronnie L. Rozier - Lithonia GA
Elizabeth Ann Beamon - Kannapolis NC
Philip B. Ashcraft - Cumming GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M 124

US Classification:

379 2203, 379 902, 379 903, 379 904, 379 2701, 379 2909, 379 30

Abstract:

A method and system are provided for automating the dispatching of maintenance services from a telephone cable air pressure monitoring system. If air pressure maintained in a telephone cable conduit drops below a required level, an alarm may be generated at an air pressure alarm and report system (APARS). If the APARS determines that an unacceptable air pressure exists, data associated with the cable conduit is sent to a proactive maintenance application (PMA). The PMA checks other data associated with the conduit in question to determine if an acceptable condition exists that is responsible for the drop in air pressure or air flow. If the PMA does not determine that the change in air pressure or air flow is acceptable, the PMA generates a work order or work ticket for ordering a repair of the conduit. The work order is transmitted to a dispatch system. At the dispatch system, an operator verifies the status of the conduit in question.

US Patent:

6771739, Aug 3, 2004

Filed:

Nov 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/727066

Inventors:

Elizabeth Ann Beamon - Kannapolis NC
Ronnie L. Rozier - Lithonia GA
Philip B. Ashcraft - Cumming GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M 124

US Classification:

379 903, 379 902, 379 904, 379 2909, 379 2908, 379 291

Abstract:

Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring information associated with pressure or flow sensors along fiber optic cables. Proactive maintenance of the fiber optic cables is predicted using the information associated with pressure or flow sensors. The embodiment may further include generating and dispatching work order information describing the predicted proactive maintenance. The embodiment may also include predicting proactive maintenance of telephone lines using information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer and using information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. Another embodiment includes a system for predicting proactive maintenance of a telephone system local loop. This embodiment includes a Pressure Alarms and Reports System Module, a database stored in memory, and a processor. The Pressure Alarms and Reports System Module communicates with a communications network and acquires at least one of i) pressure information associated with fiber optic cables and ii) flow information associated with fiber optic cables.

US Patent:

6810337, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

Mar 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/093196

Inventors:

Philip B. Ashcraft - Cumming GA
Ronnie L. Rozier - Lithonia GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G01F 2300

US Classification:

702 51

Abstract:

Systems and methods for monitoring pressurization performance of a cable network that may include detecting alarm conditions within the cable network, recording the time and date during which each alarm condition was initially detected, and calculating a length of time for each detected alarm condition during which the detected alarm condition remains unremediated.

US Patent:

6965318, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

May 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/842078

Inventors:

Ron L. Rozier - Lithonia GA, US
Philip B. Ashcraft - Cumming GA, US
Steven W. Smith - Columbus GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G08B021/00

US Classification:

340611, 3408532, 702 50

Abstract:

A system for monitoring air pressure in a telecommunications network comprises a plurality of monitoring units, at least one device server, a computer network, and a terminal. Each monitoring unit is connected to a device server. A user at the terminal receives air pressure data from the monitoring units over the computer network.

US Patent:

7085356, Aug 1, 2006

Filed:

Jul 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/890851

Inventors:

Elizabeth Ann Beamon - Kannapolis NC, US
Ronnie L. Rozier - Lithonia GA, US
Philip B. Ashcraft - Cumming GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M 1/24
H04M 3/08
H04M 3/22

US Classification:

379 902, 379 903, 379 904, 379 1001, 379 1501

Abstract:

Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring information associated with pressure or flow sensors along fiber optic cables. Proactive maintenance of the fiber optic cables is predicted using the information associated with pressure or flow sensors. The embodiment may further include generating and dispatching work order information describing the predicted proactive maintenance. The embodiment may also include predicting proactive maintenance of telephone lines using information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer and using information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. Another embodiment includes a system for predicting proactive maintenance of a telephone system local loop. This embodiment includes a Pressure Alarms and Reports System Module, a database stored in memory, and a processor. The Pressure Alarms and Reports System Module communicates with a communications network and acquires at least one of i) pressure information associated with fiber optic cables and ii) flow information associated with fiber optic cables.

US Patent:

6600423, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

Oct 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/974127

Inventors:

Ronnie L. Rozier - Lithonia GA
Philip B. Ashcraft - Cumming GA
Steven W. Smith - Columbus GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

340611, 34087001, 379 3201

Abstract:

Systems and methods for remotely starting a cable pressure monitoring unit operable for monitoring the air pressure within a pressurized cable route, such as a telecommunications cable route, including a remote computer operable for generating and transmitting a command signal directing the cable pressure monitoring unit to start, an automated transfer system operable for receiving the command signal directing the cable pressure monitoring unit to start, and a computer network operable for communicating the command signal from the remote computer to the automated transfer system. The systems and methods also including a cable pressure monitoring unit start module disposed within the automated transfer system operable for generating and transmitting an operation signal directing the cable pressure monitoring unit to start, a relay operable for receiving the operation signal directing the cable pressure monitoring unit to start and starting the cable pressure monitoring unit, and a plurality of wires operable for communicating the operation signal from the cable pressure monitoring unit start module to the relay.