Patent ID: 7590104

Claim:
A method for use in a communication system, the communication system including at least first, second and third gatekeepers having respective associated subscriber terminals, the method comprising the first gatekeeper receiving a request for information from one of its associated subscriber terminals; if the information is not known by the first gatekeeper, the first gatekeeper sending the request only to the second gatekeeper, if the information is not known by the second gatekeeper, the second gatekeeper sending the request only to the third gatekeeper, and if the information is known by the third gatekeeper, the third gatekeeper sending the information to the first gatekeeper, wherein each of the first, second and third gatekeepers communicates with its respective associated subscriber terminals over a respective communication path that does not include any other gatekeeper, wherein each of the first, second and third gatekeepers establishes communication among its associated subscriber terminals, and wherein the communication between the subscriber terminals associated with the first gatekeeper passes through no gatekeeper other than the first gatekeeper, the communication between the subscriber terminals associated with the second gatekeeper passes through no gatekeeper other than the second gatekeeper, and the communication between the subscriber terminals associated with the third gatekeeper passes through no gatekeeper other than the third gatekeeper.