Abstract: A method, operative in a framework which uses a packet-based voice communications scheme and in which at least some of the communication takes place via a satellite link. The method includes establishing a first session between a calling party and proxy using a first protocol, wherein the calling party communicates with the proxy via the satellite link; and establishing a second session between the proxy and a called party using a second protocol distinct from the first protocol, and providing communications from the calling party to the second party and from the second party to the first party.

Abstract: The invention enables accessing and using a Voice over Internet Protocol network, and can use a standard telephone to automatically access a VoIP network. A first aspect of the invention uses an auto dialer to transmit digits, such as a network access number, an account number and a PIN, which remain unchanged from call to call made through a given network service provider. A second aspect of the invention provides a speed dial feature for placing VoIP telephone calls. Speed dial numbers are recorded in a VoIP service provider's database on a server, which is accessible through the Internet from a personal computer (PC) or a conventional telephone. A third aspect of the invention enables callers to complete calls from conventional telephones to personal computers connected to the Internet. The VoIP network detects a flag such as leading “0,” determines that the call recipient station is a personal computer, looks up the IP address of the PC and routes the call to the PC.

Abstract: A private dialing plan for the communication of packetized voice on a packet-based network using a signaling protocol such as Q.931 to establish, maintain and release switched connections over the network. The dialing plan uses a “telephone number” based on a conventional 10-digit telephone number, such as the user's regular telephone number. A leading single digit consisting of a “0” or a “1” is added in front of the conventional telephone number. A leading “0” indicates that the desired call is to be directed to the called party's on-network computer by means of the Internet, while a leading “1” indicates the call is directed through a special gateway to the called party's conventional telephone.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating audio/video data in a packet-based computer network wherein transmission of data packets through the computer network requires variable periods of transmission time. The system comprises: (1) a packet assembly circuit for constructing a data packet from a portion of a stream of digital audio/video data corresponding to an audio/video signal and (2) a packet disassembly circuit, having a buffer associated therewith, for receiving the data packet from the backbone. The packet assembly circuit generates a position identifier indicating a temporal position of the portion relative to the stream, inserts the position identifier into the data packet and queues the data packet for transmission through a backbone of the computer network.