System and method for enabling communications over a number of packet networks

• US 8,619,820 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2012
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Edwards, Stephen K., Morrill, Robert J., Bugenhagen, Michael K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elliott, IV, Benjamin H
• Application Number:
  US13/360,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20120127882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 370/485, 37911401-11409, 379/112.06, 379/112.07, 379/121.01, 379/121.04, 455/406
• US Class Current: 370/485
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/3065 for real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2416 Real-time traffic
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for routing data packets may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of a second packet network may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined network usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined. The data packets may be routed utilizing a threshold for the network usage differential.

Claims

1. A system for routing data packets, the system comprising:

a database configured to store network usage information of a packet network managed by a communications carrier, the database configured to store network usage information of the packet network by subscribers of another communications carrier communicating via the packet network, the network usage information distinguishing network usage derived from data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content communicated over the packet network; and

a processing unit configured to execute instructions to determine pricing information for communicating the data packets via a plurality of networks, wherein each network is associated with a different communications carrier, and select one of the plurality of networks for routing the data packets based on cost, wherein the cost includes a first price for communicating real-time data packets that include real-time content and a second cost for communicating non-real-time data packets that do not include real-time content; and

wherein the processing unit is further configured to execute instructions to communicate the real-time data packets over one of the plurality of networks having a lowest cost for communicating real-time data packets, and communicate the non-real-time data packets over one of the plurality of networks having a lowest price for communicating non-real-time data packets.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of networks include respective session border control network communications devices in communication with one another for routing the data packets.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to cause communications associated with subscribers of the another communications carrier to be routed via a second packet network if a network usage differential is determined to be below a threshold and to be routed via a third packet network if the network usage differential is determined to be above the threshold.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to cause communications associated with subscribers of the another communications carrier to be routed via a third packet network if at least one network performance information parameter of a second packet network is determined to be above a threshold.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the at least one network performance information parameter being above the threshold is indicative of a second packet network having a quality of service representative of an impairment or congestion of communications.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the at least one network performance information parameter is associated with communications of data packets including real-time content.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the price multiple times during a day.

8. A method for routing data packets, the method comprising:

determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier, the network usage distinguishing communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content;

determining the network usage of a second packet network managed by a second communications carrier;

determining a network usage differential between the determined network usages of the first packet network and the second packet network;

determining prices of communicating data packets via packet networks of respective multiple communications carriers, wherein determining prices includes determining prices for communicating real-time data packets that include real-time content and non-real-time data packets that do not include real-time content; and

routing communications of real-time data packets over a packet network having a lowest price of communicating real-time content.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising determining at least a portion of the network usage of the first packet network based on communications routed from the second packet network to the first packet network.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising determining a bill between the first communications carriers and the second communications carriers based on the network usage differential, wherein the billed itemizing network usage for communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

determining whether the network usage differential is below a threshold;

routing communications associated with subscribers of the first communications carrier via the second packet network in response to the network usage differential being below the threshold; and

otherwise, routing the communications associated with the subscribers of the first communications carrier via a third packet network.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

determining whether at least one network performance information parameter is above a second threshold; and

routing communications associated with the subscribers of the first communications carrier via a third packet network if the at least one network performance information parameter is determined to be above the second threshold.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein determining whether the at least one network performance information parameter is above the second threshold includes determining that the second packet network has a transmission quality representative of an impairment or congestion of communications.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein determining whether the at least one network performance information parameter is above the second threshold includes determining whether at least one network performance parameter associated with data packets including real-time content is above the second threshold.

15. A network device for routing data packets, comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for executing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to;

determine packet network information of a packet network managed by a communications carrier, wherein the packet network information includes network usage information corresponding to communications of real-time data packets that include real-time content and communications of non-real-time data packets that do not include real-time content;

determine prices of communicating data packets via a plurality of networks managed by different communications service providers, wherein determining prices includes determining prices for communicating the real-time data packets and communicating the non-real-time data packets over the respective plurality of networks; and

select a first network from the plurality of networks for routing the real-time data packets having a lowest cost for communicating real-time data packets, and select a second network from the plurality of network for communicating the non-real-time data packets having a lowest price for communicating non-real-time data packets.