Telephony communication via varied redundant networks
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- establishing a first communication link between a first terminal and a second terminal via a packet switched network;
transmitting voice information between the first terminal and the second terminal over the first communication link;
monitoring a quality of service of the first communication link;
establishing a second communication link between the first terminal and the second terminal via a second network when the monitored quality of service falls below a threshold, wherein the second network excludes a circuit-switched network; and
transmitting voice information between the first terminal and the second terminal via the second communication link.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A switched telephone network is arranged in a manner to enable packet voice communication between telephone terminals via multiple redundant packet switched networks. The packet switched networks may utilize different protocols, be operated by different entities, and have primary functions other than voice communication. One example of such a network may be internetworked networks, such as the Internet. One example of an alternate packet switched network may be a network whose primary function is control of a circuit switched telephone network. The common channel interoffice switching system (CCIS) of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) is a preferred example.
A voice communication link may be established from telephone terminal to telephone terminal via the Internet, the quality of voice communication may be monitored, and the link may be transferred to the common channel interoffice signaling network if and when the quality of voice communication deteriorates beneath a pre-established norm. There is provided a means for monitoring the links of the common channel interoffice signaling system carrying the packetized voice communication and collecting the information needed to permit charging for the voice communication by time duration or by cells used to carry the packetized voice signal. The customer may be provided with the option of establishing the norm for diversion of the communication, or may elect which path is to be selected as the primary path.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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establishing a first communication link between a first terminal and a second terminal via a packet switched network; transmitting voice information between the first terminal and the second terminal over the first communication link; monitoring a quality of service of the first communication link; establishing a second communication link between the first terminal and the second terminal via a second network when the monitored quality of service falls below a threshold, wherein the second network excludes a circuit-switched network; and transmitting voice information between the first terminal and the second terminal via the second communication link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method, comprising:
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monitoring a quality of service metric of communications over a packet switched network, the quality of service metric including a measurement of unavailability conditions in response to a call set-up message; transmitting a first message to a plurality of switches when the quality of service metric meets a threshold level, the first message indicating that communications may be established using the packet switched network; setting an indication in each of the plurality of switches for the packet switched network based on the first message; receiving at one of the plurality of switches a request to establish a voice communication between a first terminal and a second terminal; establishing the voice communication between the first terminal and second terminal via the packet switched network when the indication is set at the one of the plurality of switches for the packet switched network; and establishing the voice communication between the first terminal and second terminal via a second network when the indication is not set at the one of the plurality of switches for the packet switched network, wherein the second network excludes a circuit-switched network. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method, comprising:
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establishing a first communication link between a first terminal and a second terminal via a packet switched network; transmitting voice information between the first terminal and the second terminal over the first communication link; monitoring a quality of service on the first communication link; and establishing a second communication link between the first terminal and the second terminal via a second network when the monitored quality of service does not meet a threshold, and wherein the second network excludes a circuit-switched network. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification