Patent ID: 7068668

Claim:
A system for providing real-time voice communication between devices connected to an Internet Protocol (IP) network and devices connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), comprising: a computer controlled switch operable for use by subscribers and adapted for connection to a local public switched telephone network, receiving calls from the IP network and the PSTN, and routing calls to the PSTN and the IP network; and gate interface circuitry connected to the computer controlled switch and adapted for connection to the IP network; said computing controlled switch containing, for each subscriber, destination addresses on the PSTN and the IP network; whereby calls to a subscriber received by the computer controlled switch are automatically routed to each destination address on the PSTN or the IP network for that subscriber, wherein said computer controlled switch receives an incoming call from the IP network or the PSTN and simultaneously routes the call to a plurality of pre-designated destination addresses on the IP network, on the PSTN, or on both the IP network and the PSTN.