Abstract: An access architecture for real-time communications is described. The architecture includes an inter-architecture network utilizing a single protocol, a plurality of border elements in communication with the inter-architecture network and with an external network, and one or more call control elements in communication with said inter-architecture network. The external network utilizes any of a variety of known networking technologies and protocols. The inter-architecture network utilizes a single protocol such as SIP. The present architecture provides a single common infrastructure for offering real-time communications services independent of call control protocols and networking technologies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing routing of calls in a packet network, using one or more criteria extracted from signaling information to determine the routing for the calls are disclosed. The routing criteria extracted from signaling messages comprises at least one of: an access Uniform Resource Identifier, a destination phone number, a destination URI host, a calling party number, a calling party URI host, an incoming IP address, or a requested codec. An access URI and the egress URI are used to enhance routing decisions in a VoIP network. The egress URI can be used to specify egress route selections from the egress point of a VoIP network. The access URI can be used to influence the routing decisions within the VoIP network as well as the routing decisions with regard to egress routes from the egress point of the VoIP network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing routing of calls in a packet network, using one or more criteria extracted from signaling information to determine the routing for the calls are disclosed. The routing criteria extracted from signaling messages comprises at least one of: an access Uniform Resource Identifier, a destination phone number, a destination URI host, a calling party number, a calling party URI host, an incoming IP address, or a requested codec. An access URI and the egress URI are used to enhance routing decisions in a VoIP network. The egress URI can be used to specify egress route selections from the egress point of a VoIP network. The access URI can be used to influence the routing decisions within the VoIP network as well as the routing decisions with regard to egress routes from the egress point of the VoIP network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing routing of calls in a packet network, e.g., a Voice over Internet Protocol (IP) network, using one or more criteria extracted from signaling information to determine the routing for the calls are disclosed. In one embodiment, the routing criteria extracted from signaling messages comprises at least one of: an access Uniform Resource Identifier, a destination phone number, a destination URI host, a calling party number, a calling party URI host, an incoming IP address, or a requested codec. An access URI and the egress URI are used to enhance routing decisions in a VoIP network. For instance, the egress URI can be used to specify egress route selections from the egress point of a VoIP network. The access URI can be used to influence the routing decisions within the VoIP network as well as the routing decisions with regard to egress routes from the egress point of the VoIP network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing routing of calls in a packet network, e.g., a Voice over Internet Protocol (IP) network, using one or more criteria extracted from signaling information to determine the routing for the calls are disclosed. In one embodiment, the routing criteria extracted from signaling messages comprises at least one of: an access Uniform Resource Identifier, a destination phone number, a destination URI host, a calling party number, a calling party URI host, an incoming IP address, or a requested codec. An access URI and the egress URI are used to enhance routing decisions in a VoIP network. For instance, the egress URI can be used to specify egress route selections from the egress point of a VoIP network. The access URI can be used to influence the routing decisions within the VoIP network as well as the routing decisions with regard to egress routes from the egress point of the VoIP network.

Abstract: An access architecture for real-time communications is described. The architecture includes an inter-architecture network utilizing a single protocol, a plurality of border elements in communication with the inter-architecture network and with an external network, and one or more call control elements in communication with said inter-architecture network. The external network utilizes any of a variety of known networking technologies and protocols. The inter-architecture network utilizes a single protocol such as SIP. The present architecture provides a single common infrastructure for offering real-time communications services independent of call control protocols and networking technologies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing routing of calls in a packet network, e.g., a Voice over Internet Protocol (IP) network, using one or more criteria extracted from signaling information to determine the routing for the calls are disclosed. In one embodiment, the routing criteria extracted from signaling messages comprises at least one of: an access Uniform Resource Identifier, a destination phone number, a destination URI host, a calling party number, a calling party URI host, an incoming IP address, or a requested codec. An access URI and the egress URI are used to enhance routing decisions in a VoIP network. For instance, the egress URI can be used to specify egress route selections from the egress point of a VoIP network. The access URI can be used to influence the routing decisions within the VoIP network as well as the routing decisions with regard to egress routes from the egress point of the VoIP network.

Abstract: A business performs a credit check on a customer's credit card number by utilizing the D-channel of an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) facility. The ISDN facility connects the business to a telecommunications network, which utilizes signaling system number 7 (SS7). Specifically, the ISDN Q.931 protocol is modified to allow the Q.931 FACILITY message to include: a) credit check request, b) a call reference number, and c) the customer's credit card number. This information is sent, via the ISDN D-channel, to the telecommunications network, which passes the information, via an SS7 Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) message, to a credit checking data base. A result from the credit checking data based is then passed back through the telecommunications network to the business on the D-channel of the ISDN facility.

Abstract: A call billing method and apparatus establishes an ISDN connection between the network and a called location which enables the called location to specify call billing information to the network, via the ISDN connection, on a call-by-call basis. The method provides the called party real time access to network rate tables to specify call billing parameters needed to generate a separate billing record for each call made to the called location. Other features enable the caller or called location to provide various types of information for call billing purposes.

Abstract: In a private communication network (10) served by a provider of call interconnection services, e.g., a carrier service node (15), the number of trunks (50-52) used within a call path is reduced without affecting the private nature of the private network. The service provider serves customer calls by means of a service node controller (SNC 40)--a switch such as a PBX. The SNC directly interconnects trunks (50,51) that connect it with a call-source and a call-destination node (20,21) of the customer, without routing the call through the customer's tandem node (24). The SNC merely queries the customer's tandem node over a control link (53), such as an ISDN D channel, to obtain requisite call-routing information from the customer's database (60). The customer retains ownership and control of the tandem node and its database, thereby preserving the private nature of the private network.

Abstract: In a private communication network (10) served by a provider of call interconnection services, e.g., a carrier service node (15), the number of trunks (50-52) used within a call path is reduced without affecting the private nature of the private network. The service provider serves customer calls by means of a service node controller (SNC 40)--a switch such as a PBX. The SNC directly interconnects trunks (50,51) that connect it with a call-source and a call-destination node (20,21) of the customer, without routing the call through the customer's tandem node (24). The SNC merely queries the customer's tandem node over a control link (53), such as an ISDN D channel, to obtain requisite call-routing information from the customer's database (60). The customer retains ownership and control of the tandem node and its database, thereby preserving the private nature of the private network.