Abstract: Methods and systems for routing information in an integrated global communications network comprising a signalling system interconnecting a source router, a plurality of intermediate routers, a destination router and a routing processor for routing the multimedia information. The source router receives the information including the routing requirements associated with the information and transmits a routing query signal to the routing processor. The routing processor evaluates the routing requirements, determines which routers and communication paths are capable and available to route the information, evaluates the statistical availability of such routers and selects an optimal routing path comprising select ones of the available routers and communication paths.

Abstract: The invention provides a network paging system that includes a method and apparatus for sending messages to a subscriber. When one party attempts to contact another party, via a page message for example, the system may determine if the paged party is logged onto the network system. If the paged party is logged onto the network, the page message may be sent to the paged party's personal computer. If the paged party is not logged onto the network, the page message may be sent to the paged party's pager. Advantageously, the invention eliminates the need or expense of sending a message both via the Internet and a pager.

Abstract: A method for permitting multiple calls in a toll telecommunications network from a pay telephone comprising the steps of 1) receiving a first call in said toll telecommunications network from said pay telephone, 2) determining the identity of a single carrier of said telecommunications network associated with the first toll-free call, 3) completing the first call to a called party, 4) during processing of the first call and prior to a caller actuating the switchhook of the pay telephone, providing dial tone for a second call by the single carrier associated with the first call, 5) receiving a second telephone number in said telecommunications network from said caller at said pay telephone, 6) determining the identity of the single carrier associated with the second call, and 7) responsive to the identity of the single carrier being the same single toll carrier for the first and second calls, completing the second call without additional fee to a called party of the second call by the single carrier.

Abstract: A method for permitting multiple calls in a toll telecommunications network from a pay telephone comprising the steps of 1) receiving a first call in said toll telecommunications network from said pay telephone, 2) determining the identity of a single carrier of said telecommunications network associated with the first toll-free call, 3) completing the first call to a called party, 4) during processing of the first call and prior to a caller actuating the switchhook of the pay telephone, providing dial tone for a second call by the single carrier associated with the first call, 5) receiving a second telephone number in said telecommunications network from said caller at said pay telephone, 6) determining the identity of the single carrier associated with the second call, and 7) responsive to the identity of the single carrier being the same single toll carrier for the first and second calls, completing the second call without additional fee to a called party of the second call by the single carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method that allows the communication mode for communicating between two user devices to be selected based on the abilities of the user devices and/or the preferences of the users. Using the present invention, when an operator of a user device enters the destination address for another user device with which communication is sought, a Client Routing Assessment Profile Services (CRAPS) processor receives the signals from the source user device. The signals include information of the identity of the source user device and the destination user device. The CRAPS processor retrieves profile information from a database corresponding to the identity of the source user device and/or the destination user device. Based on the profile information retrieved, the CRAPS processor sends boot signals to the user devices involved in the communication instructing them to change to the appropriate communication mode.

Abstract: A method and a system for connecting a call to an agent that is connected to disparate telecommunications networks. A query is received from one of the disparate telecommunications networks regarding an availability of an agent for receiving a call. The availability of each of a plurality of agents is determined, and an agent is selected. Routing instructions are determined for routing the call from the telecommunications network from which the query was received to the selected agent. The query is then responded to by communicating the determined availability of the agent and the routing instructions to the telecommunications network from which the query was received using SS7 signaling.

Abstract: A method and a system for routing data calls in which an incoming data call having a destination number is received. The data call is routed to a first destination over a circuit-switched telecommunications network based on the destination number for the data call. Transaction information is then sent to the first destination. Alternatively, the incoming data call is received at an input port. The incoming data call is associated with an automatic number identification and the input port is associated with an input port identification. The automatic number identification is stored in a database in association with the input port identification. A transfer message for the data call is received from the first destination. The transfer message contains information relating to an address for a second destination. The information relating to the address for the second destination is stored in the database in association with the automatic number identification and input port identification for the data call.

Abstract: A method for permitting multiple calls in a toll telecommunications network from a pay telephone comprising the steps of 1) receiving a first call in said toll telecommunications network from said pay telephone, 2) determining, the identity of a single carrier of said telecommunications network associated with the first toll-free call, 3) completing the first call to a called party, 4) during processing of the first call and prior to a caller actuating the switchhook of the pay telephone, providing dial tone for a second call by the single carrier associated with the first call, 5) receiving a second telephone number in said telecommunications network from said caller at said pay telephone, 6) determining the identity of the single carrier associated with the second call, and 7) responsive to the identity of the single carrier being the same single toll carrier for the first and second calls, completing the second call without additional fee to a called party of the second call by the single carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a communication path for a call between a video telephone/teleconference call and a packet network telephone terminal through a packet network. The call is routed through a multimedia gateway which performs a conversion process between a video telephone/teleconference domain and a packet network telephone domain.

Abstract: The invention provides a network paging system that includes a method and apparatus for sending messages to a subscriber. When one party attempts to contact another party, via a page message for example, the system may determine if the paged party is logged onto the network system. If the paged party is logged onto the network, the page message may be sent to the paged party's personal computer. If the paged party is not logged onto the network, the page message may be sent to the paged party's pager. Advantageously, the invention eliminates the need or expense of sending a message both via the Internet and a pager.

Abstract: A network information delivery system automatically determines end-user information output requirements based on predetermined data corresponding to each requesting end-user terminal. A user profile is maintained in a database either associated with a network information delivery system or with the end-user terminal and is accessed by the network information delivery device. If the network information delivery device has authority to access the end-user terminal, a program may be downloaded to the end-user terminal to determine the exact end-user terminal configuration. The program executing in the end-user terminal returns to the network information delivery device a user profile containing the end-user terminal capabilities so that the requested information may be formatted and delivered to the end-user in an optimal manner. The information to be delivered to end-users may be pre-stored in predetermined formats.

Abstract: An enduser at a POTS analog voice-only endpoint (136) and endusers at H.320 standard multimedia terminals (101, 102, 103, 104), which each communicate over separate voice, video and data streams, engage in a videoconference with each other in a pseudo multimedia manner through a central platform (135) that provides call conversion capabilities. A document to be shared by a user at the POTS endpoint with users at the multimedia endpoints is transmitted as a data signal from a facsimile machine (137) or PC terminal (138) associated with the POTS user to a server (146) in the platform. The received data signal is then inputted to a multimedia bridge (124) and transmitted on the data stream to each multimedia endpoint for display on a window on each multimedia terminal. Similarly, a document to be shared by a multimedia endpoint is transmitted on a data stream to the multimedia bridge, where it is bridged on the data stream transmitted to the other multimedia endpoints and to the server.

Abstract: A method and a system for accumulating charges for telecommunications services used during a calling card call, whether the calling card is periodically billed or prepaid. According to the invention, call information detail information, such as a user identification, a beginning time of the call, and setup parameters of the call, is received for a calling-card call. Services rate information is received for telecommunications services used during the calling-card call. A depletion rate of an available funds account associated with the calling-card call is then determined in real time, and the available funds account is depleted at the determined depletion rate during the calling-card call, also in real time.

Abstract: The invention provides an on-demand real-time video conefrencing system in a circuit switched communications network. The on-demand real-time video conferencing system includes at least one video conference control system that receives an on-demand request for a video conference from a user and, in real-time, allocates video conferencing resources and connects the user with at least one other video conference participant through the circuit switched communications network. Each of the at least one video conference control system includes a video conference connection unit and a voice response unit. The video conference connection unit includes a plurality of video ports coupled to the circuit switched communications network.

Abstract: Internet access is provided to a multimedia terminal (101, 102, 103, 104) supporting the H.320 protocol through a gateway server (125) that is connected to the Internet. The data stream of the H.320 bearer channel (ISDN phone line or switched 56 kbps facilities) is used for the exchange of data between the accessing terminal and the gateway server, which outputs and receives such data onto and from the Internet, respectively. The gateway server is implemented to function to directly exchange on the H.320 data stream information requests and responsive data in the TCP/IP format used for Internet transport. Alternatively, the gateway server is implemented to function as a proxy to which requests are passed from the terminal over the H.320 data stream, and where function calls are made and locally converted to TCP/IP format for transport onto the Internet.