Patent ID: 6636504
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A telecommunication system for supporting billing of a called subscriber unit comprising:a system of interlinked computer networks; a plurality of separately located central office switching systems interconnected via trunk circuits for selectively establishing telephone call connections; a computer terminal coupled to one of the computer networks for receiving and initiating telephone calls; a voice station coupled to one of the central office switching systems for receiving and initiating telephone calls; a control server coupled to the system of interlinked computer networks for providing authentication services, controlling routing of telephone calls through the system of interlinked computer networks, and processing billing and usage information related to the called subscriber unit, wherein the computer terminal, the voice station, or both can be designated as the called subscriber unit, the control server managing the telephone calls over the systems of interlinked computer networks and tracking the billing and usage information of the called subscriber unit; and one or more gateways selectable by the control server for interfacing the system of interlinked computer networks to the plurality of separately located central office switching systems.