Patent ID: 6438218
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
A method of communicating via plural communication networks comprising:a switched telecommunications network having interconnected central office switching systems and having subscriber lines connected to said central office switching systems providing connection between terminals connected to said subscriber lines, each of said central office switching systems responding to a service request on a subscriber line connected thereto to selectively provide a communication connection between the requesting line and another selected subscriber line through the connected central office switching system or through the connected central office switching system and at least one other central office switching system; a separate control network for said switched telecommunications network comprising a common channel interoffice signaling network including signal transfer points connected to said central office switching systems through signal switching points via links between said signal switching points and signal transfer points; a global information system termed Internet that is logically linked together by a globally unique address space based on the Internet Protocol (IP); said method comprising the steps of: responsive to a request from a first subscriber line connected to a first of said central office switching systems to establish voice communication through the Internet with a second subscriber line connected to a second of said central office switching systems, signaling through said control network to establish that said second subscriber line is not busy; upon establishing that said second subscriber line is not busy, holding said second subscriber line and signaling through said control network to notify said first of said central office switching systems that said second subscriber line is available and that a processor is associated with said second of said central office switching systems; obtaining a globally unique Internet address for a processor associated with at least one of said central office switching systems; using said address to establish a virtual connection through the Internet from said first of said central office switching systems to said second of said central office switching systems; and conducting a voice communication through said first subscriber line through the Internet and through said second subscriber line.