Patent ID: 6137869
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04W,Y10S

Abstract:
In a hybrid communication network comprising a circuit switched network and a packet switched network connectable to terminals for communication therebetween, a method of communication session management comprising the steps of:a) inputting from a calling one of said terminals an address of a called one of said terminals to initiate a communication session therebetween;b) authenticating, account validating, pricing, and authorizing a communication session between said calling and called terminals from a unitary logical object connected to the packet switched network, and signaling said authorization to a session control object connected to said circuit switched and packet switched networks;c) initiating said authorized communication session via said session control object;d) maintaining by said unitary logical object of a record of the initiation, progress, pricing and termination of said communication session on a substantially real time basis; ande) determining the address of a lowest cost gateway between said switched network and said packet switched network prior to initiating said connection.