Patent ID: 6456615
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
A method for implementing Internet Protocol Network Telephony (IPNT) call center, comprising steps of:(a) forming a call center of one or more agent stations at a first host location, each agent station having a Data Network Telephony (DNT) interface having a port for connecting to the Internet capable of transmitting IPNT calls, and each DNT interface having an IP address; (b) connecting the Internet network to the DNT interface at the one or more agent stations; (c) connecting, remote from the first host location, a computerized bridge unit to the Internet by a data network port and associated circuitry for receiving and placing IPNT calls on the Internet, the bridge unit having a trunk-line port and associated circuitry for receiving and placing Connection Oriented/Switched Telephony (COST) telephone calls on a COST network, conversion circuitry for converting data dynamically between IPNT and COST telephone calls, and control routines for receiving a first call from one of the COST and Internet networks, to place a call associated with the received call on the network other than the network on which the call is received, and to dynamically convert data between the associated calls; (d) receiving a COST call at the bridge unit placed by a caller on the POTS network using a COST number; (e) associating the COST call with the IP address of the DNT interface at one of the one or more agent stations at the first host location; (f) placing an IPNT call to the IP address; and (g) dynamically converting data at the bridge between the COST call and the associated IPNT call, thereby effectively connecting the COST caller with an agent at the agent station.