Abstract: A method and device that interrogates the availability of a called party before placing a communication from the calling party to the called party. A callback may be initiated so that both communications are completed simultaneously. The routing of communication may take place through any one of a number of different networks and at another time of the day, even if the caller does not otherwise have access to those networks.

Abstract: The present invention provides for bidirectional or duplex transmission of multimedia content such as live video and/or audio between access devices of a calling party and a called party in a convergent network. The quality of transmission is managed through a convergent communications platform, which periodically tests performance characteristics of network routes in operative communication with the platform, categorizes the network routes based on measured performance metrics, and selects network operators whose network characteristics meet the desired duality parameters of a particular multimedia content to be transmitted (e.g., real time high definition video conference). The management of transmissions is transparent to the end users who will be able to communicate with others regardless of the type of devices or networks the caked parties use or subscribe to.

Abstract: A method of routing communications traffic includes receiving, at a switch or server of an originating service provider, incoming communications traffic including a terminating number or address. The switch or server is programmed to send a query to a transaction server for a carrier routing. The transaction server determines whether the terminating number or address matches a number in an ENUM database in communication with the transaction server. If a match is found, the carrier associated with the matched number is added to a routing matrix generated by an offline routing matrix generation process to form a supplemental routing matrix. The transaction server then generates using the supplemental routing matrix a list of available route options for delivering the communications traffic to the terminating number or address.

Abstract: A method and device that interrogates the availability of a called party before placing a communication from the calling party to the called party. A callback may be initiated so that both communications are completed simultaneously. The routing of communication may take place through any one of a number of different networks and at another time of the day, even if the caller does not otherwise have access to those networks.

Abstract: A method for managing transactions across a large number of service providers includes determining performance metrics associated with each of a plurality of service providers and generating a score for each service provider based on the performance metrics associated with each of the plurality of service providers taken over a short time period. The service providers are then sorted based on the scores to generate a list of service providers. Customer transactions are then assigned to one of the service providers based on the order of the list of service providers. The list of service providers is reprioritized based on mid-term metrics and accumulated costs taken over a mid-term period that is longer than the short term period.

Abstract: A method for measuring a quality of an IP network of a member of a trading exchange includes finding a penultimate hop corresponding to each IP network IP network prefix in a set of IP network IP network prefixes of a member, determining a quality score for the each IP network IP network prefix based on tests performed at the penultimate hop, and creating a matrix for the member including the determined quality for the each IP network IP network prefix. The quality is used to facilitate matching the offers of the buyers and sellers.

Abstract: A method and system for trading electric power on a spot market and dynamically matches bids and asks and routes the electric power in accordance with the matches to effect the settled trades. A control node is arranged for receiving bids and asks via a wide area network. The control node is also connected to a transmission system and a central control of the transmission system to dynamically switch the transmission system to effect the matched bids and asks.