Abstract: Systems, methods, protocols and apparatus for information exchange and synchronization using DTMF signaling over telephone communication channels are provided. Information is packetized and converted from one format, e.g., ASCII formatted data, to another format, e.g., BCD formatted data. The information is wrapped in one or more packets by a sending apparatus, each packet including one or more headers, such as a Name and Length field that identify the information being exchanged and the amount of data included in the packet payload/value field. The data in the packets are converted from BCD to DTMF signals and are transmitted over a telephone communication line to a receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus converts the DTMF signals back to BCD formatted data and processes the packets to obtain the information contained therein.

Abstract: A communications network element that includes a call processing software module that provides call processing and services and a session initiation protocol (“SIP”) translator that translates SIP messages to instructions recognizable by the call processing software module and translates instructions from the call processing software module to SIP messages is provided. The SIP translator includes a SIP dialog module that receives SIP messages from endpoints and creates SIP dialog objects that represent an SIP endpoint; a SIP task module that coordinates the SIP translator events and exchange of messages; and a translator dialog module that translates SIP messages and call processing software module instructions and creates translator dialog objects. Methods for translating SIP and call processing software module instructions are also provided. Methods for dynamically allocating gateway channels to couple SIP endpoints and legacy telephones are also provided.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided that reduce voice and data over IP (VoIP) packet overhead in an Internet telephony system, and regenerate missing or damaged data in a data packet. A media framer aggregates packets from multiple concurrent calls from several channels into a larger data packet. A transmission control module defines the format for each data packet, and updates and synchronizes header information in the data packets. A single virtual connection transmits data packets and other signals between originating and destination gateways located in the service areas for a caller and called party. System redundancy improves the quality of service by regenerating missing or damaged data in the data packets.