Clearinghouse server for internet telephony and multimedia communications
First Claim
1. A method for authorizing and routing a telephone communication with a clearinghouse server between a source Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) device and a destination VoIP device, comprising the steps of:
- assigning one or more source VoIP devices to a group;
receiving an authorization request from a source VoIP device;
determining if the source VoIP device is assigned to the group;
determining a communication route for completing a communication originating at the source VoIP device;
identifying one or more destination VoIP devices available to complete the telephone communication based on the group in which the source VoIP device is assigned;
balancing use of the one or more destination VoIP devices with the clearinghouse server by;
(a) ranking the one or more destination VoIP devices available to complete the telephone communication according to weight values assigned to a respective VoIP by the clearinghouse server and according to a random number scheme executed by the clearinghouse server;
(b) generating a list comprising the ranked destination VoIP devices;
(c) generating an authorization token and a transaction identifier for each identified destination VoIP device;
(d) forwarding the authorization tokens, transaction identifiers, and list to the source VoIP device;
selecting a destination VoIP device front the list; and
completing the telephone communication with the selected destination VoIP device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A clearinghouse server for routing multi-media communications, including telephony calls, between a source device and a destination device via a distributed computer network, such as the global Internet. The clearinghouse server can authorize the completion of a communication from a source device to a destination device and collect usage-related information for the completed communication. In response to an authorization request issued by an enrolled source device, the clearinghouse server can identify one or more available destination devices available to accept a communication from an authorized source device. The clearinghouse server can provide a list of the identified destination devices, typically organized in a rank order, by sending an authorization response to the source device. In turn, the source device can use this list to select a destination device and contact that selected device via the computer network to complete the communication.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for authorizing and routing a telephone communication with a clearinghouse server between a source Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) device and a destination VoIP device, comprising the steps of:
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assigning one or more source VoIP devices to a group; receiving an authorization request from a source VoIP device; determining if the source VoIP device is assigned to the group; determining a communication route for completing a communication originating at the source VoIP device; identifying one or more destination VoIP devices available to complete the telephone communication based on the group in which the source VoIP device is assigned; balancing use of the one or more destination VoIP devices with the clearinghouse server by; (a) ranking the one or more destination VoIP devices available to complete the telephone communication according to weight values assigned to a respective VoIP by the clearinghouse server and according to a random number scheme executed by the clearinghouse server; (b) generating a list comprising the ranked destination VoIP devices; (c) generating an authorization token and a transaction identifier for each identified destination VoIP device; (d) forwarding the authorization tokens, transaction identifiers, and list to the source VoIP device; selecting a destination VoIP device front the list; and completing the telephone communication with the selected destination VoIP device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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13. A method for enrolling a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) device for operation with a VoIP clearinghouse server, comprising the steps of:
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receiving an enrollment request from a VoIP device; creating a public key certificate; sending the public key certificate to the VoIP device; establishing secure communications with the VoIP device based upon the public key certificate; receiving information from the VoIP device; creating a configuration file assigned to the VoIP device and accessible by the VoIP clearinghouse server, the configuration file comprising weighting factors for balancing telephone communication loads in a random manner by the VoIP clearinghouse server. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification