System and method for establishing long distance voice communications using the internet
US6804225B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M7/1245
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for completing long distance telephone calls over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) using an automated Internet Operator are disclosed. The apparatus includes a long distance service provider node connected to the Internet and a call connection control computer connected to the Internet and interfaced to a toll switch connected to the PSTN. The method permits a calling party to request the automated Internet Operator to complete long distance call connections by connecting to the long distance service provider node and identifying himself. The caller completes a call request form which is uploaded to the long distance service provider node and passed to the call connection control computer for processing. The call connection control computer instructs the toll switch to dial the calling party, dial the called party and conference the two lines. The call connection control computer preferably uses a least cost routing algorithm to select an interexchange carrier for each call, depending on the origination and termination location of the call. The advantage is a flexible long distance service that is not interexchange carrier dependent for the bes…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.