Patent ID: 6473423
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: H04L,H04M

Abstract:
A method for communicating between at least two users each furnished with a telephone apparatus of a switched telephone network, via the Internet network, each telephone apparatus being directly connected locally to an associated interface device, the method comprising:dialing, by a first user using the switched telephone network, a telephone number of a second user using a first telephone apparatus, signalling to a first interface device to perform a hang-up and reconnection operation via the Internet network with the second interface device, performing, under control of the first interface device the hang-up and reconnection operation to establish communication with the second interface device via the Internet network, signalling, via each interface device that the hang-up and reconnection operation has completed, and communicating between the first and second users via the Internet network, wherein the step of signaling the first interface device comprises exchanging a respective appointment code relating to a predefined server via the switched telephone network, and wherein the step of performing the hang-up and reconnection operation comprises cutting direct communication via the switched telephone network, connecting the first and second interface devices via the Internet network to the predefined server, searching for the appointment code; and establishing communication between the users via the said Internet network using a result of the search.