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Tag: patent

  • Vonage Granted New VoIP Patent

    Vonage has long been an industry leader in cloud-connected communications, with more than 2.4 million current subscribers. This week, the company announced it had been granted a new patent, U.S. Pat. No. 8,223,720. This latest patent, called “Systems and Methods for Handoff of Mobile Telephone Call in a VoIP Environment”, gives users who make VoIP calls on a mobile device the ability to continue the call while moving from one wireless data connection hub to another, without ever dropping the call.

    The patent was approved more than half a year after Vonage filed it, and the new technology should make a huge difference for customers who require more dependable VoIP service.

    Vonage has zeroed in on the mobile market, as have many technology giants in computing and software. The company recently released a mobile app for both Android and iOS-powered devices, giving users the ability to text and call other Vonage app users around the world completely for free, and in full high definition. International calls can also be made, even if the receiving party doesn’t have the Vonage app, after the payment of a small fee.

    Vonage is best known for connecting VoIP users around the world with consistent service, all while offering the same number and quality of features customers have come to expect from traditional phone service. They currently offer a World calling plan, giving users unlimited calls to over sixty countries for a small monthly fee. Vonage also offers call forwarding and call waiting, as well as visual voicemail, all included in the package. The mobile app works on all wireless data networks, and the service can be purchased either online or through a wide range of retail stores.

  • 8×8 Awarded Virtual Telephone Extension Patent

    8×8 has been granted United States Patent entitled "Virtual Telephone Extension." The patent relates to methods of routing communications to users and associated equipment by utilizing a user identifier that serves as a virtual extension number.

    By utilizing the invention described by the patent, users can remotely direct their calls to communication devices at various geographic, voicemail and email destinations.

    Claim 14 of the new patent reads, "A method for routing telephone calls to communication devices using telephone networks, each communication device having a unique device identifier, the method comprising: assigning identifier data to each of a plurality of users, the identifier data for each user including at least two unique telephone numbers and at least one unique device identifier; and in response to receiving a call through one of the telephone networks, matching a telephone number in the call with one of the at least two telephone numbers assigned to a particular user, and switching the call to a destination communication device designated by the device identifier in the identifier data for the particular user."

    The issued patent contains twenty claims and was filed in 2002.

    According to 8×8, since its establishment in 1987, the company has been awarded seventy-six United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications, signaling, processing and storage technologies.

  • Nokia Sues Apple for Infringement of Nokia GSM, UMTS and WLAN Patents

    Nokia announced that it has today filed a complaint against Apple with the Federal District Court in Delaware, alleging that Apple’s iPhone infringes Nokia patents for GSM, UMTS and wireless LAN (WLAN) standards.

    Nokia says the ten patents in suit relate to technologies “fundamental” to making devices which are compatible with one or more of the GSM, UMTS (3G WCDMA) and wireless LAN standards.

    “The patents cover wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption and are infringed by all Apple iPhone models shipped since the iPhone was introduced in 2007,” according to press release.

    There ware no more details given to the public.

    "The basic principle in the mobile industry is that those companies who contribute in technology development to establish standards create intellectual property, which others then need to compensate for," said Ilkka Rahnasto, Vice President, Legal & Intellectual Property at Nokia.

    "Apple is also expected to follow this principle. By refusing to agree appropriate terms for Nokia’s intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia’s innovation."

    Nokia informed the company has already entered into license agreements including the patents in suit with approximately 40 companies, “including virtually all the leading mobile device vendors, allowing the industry to benefit from Nokia’s innovation.”

  • VoIP Call Quality Boost With New Vonage Patent


    A new patent which reduces the likelihood of dropped and incomplete calls has been added to Vonage’s portfolio.

    Louis Mamakos, Vonage’s CTO and executive vice president, said the patent reflected the depth of talent and creativity at the company.

    According to Vonage, the invention, which was filed for patent in 2003, makes it "less likely for customers to encounter dropped calls, incomplete attempted calls or other communication problems resulting from typical router function and behavior".

    “This is an exciting moment for Vonage as we continue to expand our patent portfolio to help create a more reliable calling experience for our customers,” said Mamakos.

    The patent relates to improvements in Internet telephony where Network Address Translation (NAT) is required.

    The patent addresses the issue of a router losing an outbound port during an Internet telephone connection.

    To avoid the router timing out and closing the outbound port, the patent causes the media terminal adapter to send an outbound message to the Internet telephony regional data center.