Abstract: Predicting the quality of a communication carried via a distributed computer network, such as the global Internet, before the initiation of that communication between a pair of endpoints. A prediction system comprises software-implemented processes that can be implemented within an Internet gateway or in an external system that provides prediction results to an Internet gateway. A first process accepts historical data and current environment data and, in response, generates a prediction of objective performance characteristics. A second process accepts the objective performance characteristics and, in response, generates an estimate of the expected quality of communications with an end user. This user quality estimate can be used to support a determination of whether to proceed with the communication or to rely upon an alternative to computer-network supported communications.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a call pricing center that assists gateway operators in defining preferences, including call prices for terminating an IP telephony call. A centralized routing engine associated with a clearinghouse uses the preferences to assist gateways in making routing decisions. The call pricing center provides IP network operators and retail IP telephony gateway operators with significant flexibility by allowing them to designate preferences and preference criteria. Preference criteria define circumstances in which preferences are to be applied. A source gateway operator may set preferences such as the maximum price that it is willing to paid for a call, the maximum delay that will be tolerated and the maximum autonomous system hop count that will be tolerated. A destination gateway operator may also set preferences relating to the prices it will charge for terminating calls.