Patent ID: 7002915

Claim:
A system for controlling telephone calls through the public switched telephone network (PSTN) wherein a packet transport network is employed to transport telephone calls between end systems within the PSTN, the system comprising: a plurality of interworking elements to provide interworking functionality between TDM switches in the PSTN and said packet transport network; and a centralized call server to independently provide tracking and recording functionality respecting telephone calls through said system; said call server including means to detect a mass calling event and to regulate calls to a dialed number for which a mass calling has been detected; and said call server including means to detect the end of a mass event and to end regulation of calls to a dialed number upon detection of an end to a mass calling events, further having a credit bucket mechanism for use in controlling to a dialed number in which a mass calling event has been detected, said credit mechanism including a timer to set an interval for issuing credit tokens to said bucket and a detector to determine if any credits are in the bucket upon receipt of a new call attempt to said dialed number.