Interface between mobile telecommunication stations and trunks that link to communication carriers

• US 5,173,933 A
• Filed: 09/25/1990
• Issued: 12/22/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: World Communication Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: World Communication Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Hammel, Roy A., Jabs, Armin O., Garner, Jon E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dwyer, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Application Number:
  US07/587,958
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 379/111-116, 379/120, 379/121, 379/133, 379/137, 379/140, 379/198, 379/201, 379/209, 379/220, 379/221, 379/207, 379/144, 379/154, 379/231, 379/95, 379/96, 379/406, 370/32.1
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/42 Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/745 Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/02 Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks

Abstract

An interface between mobile telecommunication stations and trunks that link with communication carriers of various media comprises station channels (11, 12, 13, and 14) that connect to telecommunication stations, trunk channels (1, 2, 3, and 4,) that connect to trunks that link to communication carriers, software code executable for interrogating the trunk channels for availability, software code executable for determining the communication medium or network of least cost, and software code executable for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium or network of least cost. If the routing is to a trunk line linked to satellite communications, the interface selects the coast earth station of least cost based upon the location of the ocean going vessel, the destination of the call, and other rate considerations. Call progress through the interface is supervised such that the call is terminated after an extended period of ring no answer, busy, dead air, etc. The invention also provides for automatic leveling and creates a detailed call record of all calls originating from the ship for billing purposes.

Claims

1. An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various media;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations;

(d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; and

(f) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication media.

2. An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various media;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations;

(d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; and

(f) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of all progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

3. An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations;

(d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost;

(f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium;

(g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium; and

(h) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication media.

4. An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations;

(d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost;

(f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium;

(g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium; and

(h) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

5. An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations;

(d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; and

(f) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication networks.

6. An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations;

(d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; and

(f) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

7. An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations;

(d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost;

(f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network;

(g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network; and

(h) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication networks.

8. An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating form one of the telecommunication stations;

(d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost;

(f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network;

(g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network; and

(h) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call process, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

9. An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers;

(c) means for interrogating the different terminal channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations;

(d) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to an available trunk channel; and

(e) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

10. A method of interfacing between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) interrogating the different trunks for availability;

(b) determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication;

(c) routing the telephone call form one of the telecommunication stations to the available trunk linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; and

(d) adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication media.

11. A method of interfacing between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) interrogating the different trunks for availability;

(b) determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication;

(c) routing the telephone call from one of the telecommunication stations to the available trunk linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; and

(d) filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the step of filtering includes determining when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

12. A method of interfacing between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) interrogating the different trunks for availability;

(b) determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication;

(c) routing the telephone call from one of the telecommunication stations to the available trunk linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; and

(d) adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication media.

13. A method of interfacing between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) interrogating the different trunks for availability;

(b) determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication;

(c) routing the telephone call from one of the telecommunication stations to the available trunk linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; and

(d) filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the step of filtering includes determining when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

14. An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a medium is any of various transmission means to accomplish a connection of an outgoing telephone call between a calling party at the telecommunication station and a called party at a remote location and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of the outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the medium to which the trunk channel is connected;

(d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost;

(f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call; and

(g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium.

15. The interface of claim 14 wherein each of the media are represented by a network of the respective medium.

16. The interface of claim 14 wherein the communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is via satellite communications and the carriers are different coast earth stations.

17. The interface of claim 16 further comprising means for producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

18. The interface of claim 16 further comprising an echo suppressor to remove echo signals from signal reflections associated with the satellite communications.

19. The interface of claim 14 wherein the memory is contained within a cartridge that is independent of the rest of the interface such that the cartridge may be plugged into and out of the interface in order that the cartridge may be substituted for upgrade purposes.

20. The interface of claim 19 wherein the means for interrogating, the means for determining, the means for routing, and the means for selecting are executable by software code that is contained within the cartridge for downloading into the interface.

21. The interface of claim 14 further comprising means for overriding the means for routing such that a subscriber may select the desired carrier.

22. The interface of claim 14 further comprising:

(a) means for capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; and

(b) means for redialing the telephone number by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

23. The interface of claim 14 further comprising means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

24. The interface of claim 23 wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

25. The interface of claim 14 further including means for recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

26. The interface of claim 25 wherein the preselected call information includes date and time of the telephone call, communication medium, dialed number, and duration of the telephone call.

27. An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a medium is any of various transmission means to accomplish a connection of an outgoing telephone call between a calling party at the telecommunication station and a called party at a remote location and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of the outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the medium to which the trunk channel is connected;

(d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost;

(f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call;

(g) means for inputting and storing information on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated; and

(h) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, the selecting by the means for selecting being accomplished by relating information in the lookup table and the information stored on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated.

28. The interface of claim 27 wherein each of the media are represented by a network of the respective medium.

29. The interface of claim 27 wherein the communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is via satellite communications and the carriers are different coast earth stations.

30. The interface of claim 29 further comprising means for producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

31. The interface of claim 29 further comprising an echo suppressor to remove echo signals from signal reflections associated with the satellite communications.

32. The interface of claim 27 wherein the memory is contained within a cartridge that is independent of the rest of the interface such that the cartridge may be plugged into and out of the interface in order that the cartridge may be substituted for upgrade purposes.

33. The interface of claim 32 wherein the means for interrogating, the means for determining, the means for routing, and the means for selecting are executable by software code that is contained within the cartridge for downloading into the interface.

34. The interface of claim 27 further comprising means for overriding the means for routing such that a subscriber may select the desired carrier.

35. The interface of claim 27 further comprising:

(a) means for capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; and

(b) means for redialing the telephone number by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

36. The interface of claim 27 further comprising means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

37. The interface of claim 36 wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

38. The interface of claim 27 further including means for recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

39. The interface of claim 38 wherein the preselected call information includes date and time of the telephone call, communication medium, dialed number, and duration of the telephone call.

40. An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a network is a collection of carriers of the same medium that share access to that medium and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the network to which the trunk channel is connected;

(d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost;

(f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call; and

(g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network.

41. The interface of claim 40 wherein the communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is via satellite communications and the carriers are different coast earth stations.

42. The interface of claim 41 further comprising means for producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

43. The interface of claim 41 further comprising an echo suppressor to remove echo signals form signal reflections associated with the satellite communications.

44. The interface of claim 40 wherein the memory is contained within a cartridge that is independent of the rest of the interface such that the cartridge may be plugged into and out of the interface in order that the cartridge may be substituted for upgrade purposes.

45. The interface of claim 44 wherein the means for interrogating, the means for determining, the means for routing, and the means for selecting are executable by software code that is contained within the cartridge for downloading into the interface.

46. The interface of claim 40 further comprising means for overriding the means for routing such that a subscriber may select the desired carrier.

47. The interface of claim 40 further comprising:

(a) means for capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; and

(b) means for redialing the telephone number by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

48. The interface of claim 40 further comprising means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

49. The interface of claim 48 wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

50. The interface of claim 40 further including means for recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

51. The interface of claim 50 wherein the preselected call information includes date and time of the telephone call, communication network, dialed number, and duration of the telephone call.

52. An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a network is a collection of carriers of the same medium that share access to that medium and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising:

(a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network;

(c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the network to which the trunk channel is connected;

(d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication;

(e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost;

(f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carries of the same network, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call;

(g) means for inputting and storing information on the geographic region of the telecommunication in which the telecommunication stations are situated; and

(h) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network, the selecting by the means for selecting being accomplished by relating information in the lookup table and the information stored on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated.

53. The interface of claim 52 wherein the communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is via satellite communications and the carriers are different coast earth stations.

54. The interface of claim 53 further comprising means for producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

55. The interface of claim 53 further comprising an echo suppressor to remove echo signals from signal reflections associated with the satellite communications.

56. The interface of claim 52 wherein the memory is contained within a cartridge that is independent of the rest of the interface such that the cartridge may be plugged into and out of the interface in order that the cartridge may be substituted for upgrade purposes.

57. The interface of claim 56 wherein the means for interrogating, the means for determining, the means for routing, and the means for selecting are executable by software code that is contained within the cartridge for downloading into the interface.

58. The interface of claim 52 further comprising means for overriding the means for routing such that a subscriber may select the desired carrier.

59. The interface of claim 52 further comprising:

(a) means for capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; and

(b) means for redialing the telephone number by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

60. The interface of claim 52 further comprising means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

61. The interface of claim 60 wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

62. The interface of claim 52 further including means for recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

63. The interface of claim 62 wherein the preselected call information includes date and time of the telephone call, communication network, dialed number, and duration of the telephone call.

64. A method of actively interfacing between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, wherein one of the trunks is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium, wherein the telecommunication stations and the trunks being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a medium is any of various transmission means to accomplish a connection of the outgoing telephone call between a calling party at the telecommunication station and a called party at a remote location and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) interrogating the different trunks for availability, the availability of a particular trunk being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the medium to which the trunk is connected;

(b) determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; and

(c) routing the telephone call from one of the telecommunication stations to the available trunk linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost;

(d) inputting and storing information on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated; and

(e) selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, the selection of the communication carrier of least cost being based upon a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, the selecting by the means for selecting being accomplished by relating information in the lookup table and the information stored on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated.

65. The method of claim 64 wherein each of the media are represented by a network of the respective medium.

66. The method of claim 64 wherein the trunk applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is linked to satellite communications and the method further comprises the step of producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

67. The method of claim 64 further including the steps of:

(a) capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations;

(b) redialing the telephone by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

68. The method of claim 64 further including the step of filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein the step of filtering includes determining when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

70. The method of claim 64 further including the step of recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

71. A method of actively interfacing between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, wherein one of the trunks is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network, wherein the telecommunication stations and the trunks being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a network is a collection of carriers of the same medium that share access to that medium and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) interrogating the different trunks for availability, the availability of a particular trunk being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the network to which the trunk is connected;

(b) determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; and

(c) routing the telephone call from one of the telecommunication stations to the available trunk linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost;

(d) inputting and storing information on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated; and

(e) selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network, the selection of the communication carrier of least cost being based upon a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network, the selecting by the means for selecting being accomplished by relating information in the lookup table and the information stored on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein the trunk applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is linked to satellite communications and the method further comprises the step of producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

73. The method of claim 71 further including the steps of:

(a) capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations;

(b) redialing the telephone by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

74. The method of claim 71 further including the step of filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein the step of filtering includes determining when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

76. The method of claim 71 further including the step of recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

77. An interface between a telecommunication station and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising:

(a) a station channel that connects to the telecommunication station;

(b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers;

(c) means for routing a telephone call from the station channels to an available trunk channel; and

(d) means for adjusting the audio level of the telephone call to compensate for differences between the various communication media.