Patent ID: 8825107
Filing Date: 2014-09-02
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: receiving a request for a priority call comprising a priority indicator and a phone number including a toll-free area code from a caller; at least one computer processor verifying authorization of the caller for priority service; the at least one computer processor translating the phone number including the toll-free area code provided by the caller to a routable destination number; the at least one computer processor determining whether sufficient bandwidth is available for the priority call prior to routing the priority call; identifying a current call to be terminated and a time when the current call will be terminated, in response to determining that insufficient bandwidth exists for the priority call; when the time for terminating the current call is reached, the at least one computer processor again determining whether sufficient bandwidth is available for the priority call and performing at least one of: terminating the current call and using the bandwidth from the terminated call for the priority call in response to determining that sufficient bandwidth continues to be unavailable for the priority call, or continuing the current call and using the existing bandwidth for the priority call in response to determining that sufficient bandwidth now exists for the priority call; and the at least one computer processor routing the priority call to the routable destination number.