Abstract: A method of performing call setup in a system comprises an origination telephony network, a termination telephony network and a packet switched data network interconnecting therebetween comprises steps of implementing call setup across the two telephony networks by SS7 protocol and implementing call setup within the packet switched data network by H.323 protocol. In particular, the call setup in the data network is not started until information of the resources status in the termination telephony network is available. A novel gateway is provided to implement the method, which comprises both SS7 capabilities and H.323 functionalities.

Abstract: A method of performing call setup in a system comprises an origination telephony network, a termination telephony network and a packet switched data network interconnecting therebetween comprises steps of implementing call setup across the two telephony networks by SS7 protocol and implementing call setup within the packet switched data network by H.323 protocol. In particular, the call setup in the data network is not started until information of the resources status in the termination telephony network is available. A novel gateway is provided to implement the method, which comprises both SS7 capabilities and H.323 functionalities.

Abstract: A method of performing call setup in a system comprises an origination telephony network, a termination telephony network and a packet switched data network interconnecting therebetween comprises steps of implementing call setup across the two telephony networks by SS7 protocol and implementing call setup within the packet switched data network by H. 323 protocol. In particular, the call setup in the data network is not started until information of the resources status in the termination telephony network is available. A novel gateway is provided to implement the method, which comprises both SS7 capabilities and H. 323 functionalities.

Abstract: A method and system is provided wherein routing information is obtained from previously cached information or from a gatekeeper. An originating gateway in a network receives a request for a connection and determines whether pertinent routing information is cached. If available, the cached routing is used to attempt to establish a connection. If no previously established routing is available, the originating gateway requests preferred routing from a gatekeeper, including prioritized selections of terminating gateways through which to make a connection to a designated call recipient.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides a distributed monitoring, evaluation and routing (“DiMER”) system capable of active management of data network-based telephony. Such a system, and data network-based telephony incorporating the same, advantageously routes calls to meet call quality standards, connection speed and/or cost goals, among other targets. To meet such quality standards, the system incorporates preferences with periodically obtained call-related data and analysis, and revises call routing, as appropriate, by shifting or reallocating call traffic between available terminating gateways (based on their performance and caller preferences).

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are presented for the adaptive optimization of call quality and marginal profit in a telephony over data network, where the network contains a plurality of destinations, where calls are routable to each destination via a plurality of gateways in route to such destination, and where said gateways may serve more than one destination. The method comprises continually monitoring call traffic to each destination to first analyze whether the destination is currently volatile. If it is not, no action is taken. If it is, the method then reallocates the destination's traffic among some or all of the gateways in route to it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing call or contacts over a network based upon an identifier. The contacting party sends a message requesting contact with the contacted party, and the system locates the contacted party via a data network or telephone address specified preferably by the contacted party.

Abstract: A method and system is provided wherein routing information is obtained from previously cached information or from a gatekeeper. An originating gateway in a network receives a request for a connection and determines whether pertinent routing information is cached. If available, the cached routing is used to attempt to establish a connection. If no previously established routing is available, the originating gateway requests preferred routing from a gatekeeper, including prioritized selections of terminating gateways through which to make a connection to a designated call recipient.

Abstract: A method and system is provided wherein routing information is obtained from previously cached information or from a gatekeeper. An originating gateway in a network receives a request for a connection and determines whether pertinent routing information is cached. If available, the cached routing is used to attempt to establish a connection. If no previously established routing is available, the originating gateway requests preferred routing from a gatekeeper, including prioritized selections of terminating gateways through which to make a connection to a designated call recipient. In a further embodiment of the invention, a process is provided to respond to a complaint regarding the quality of service. The system determines whether the reported problem is general or isolated; if it is general, alternate call routing is devised.

Abstract: A method and system is provided wherein routing information is obtained from previously cached information or from a gatekeeper. An originating gateway in a network receives a request for a connection and determines whether pertinent routing information is cached. If available, the cached routing is used to attempt to establish a connection. If no previously established routing is available, the originating gateway requests preferred routing from a gatekeeper, including prioritized selections of terminating gateways through which to make a connection to a designated call recipient.

Abstract: A method of performing call setup in a system comprises an origination telephony network, a termination telephony network and a packet switched data network interconnecting therebetween comprises steps of implementing call setup across the two telephony networks by SS7 protocol and implementing call setup within the packet switched data network by H. 323 protocol. In particular, the call setup in the data network is not started until information of the resources status in the termination telephony network is available. A novel gateway is provided to implement the method, which comprises both SS7 capabilities and H. 323 functionalities.

Abstract: A communications system and device in which wireless data devices designed for communications over a packet switching network such as the Internet, and wireless telephony devices designed for communications over a telephone network, may roam among various networks of each type of technology. If a wireless telephony device roams to an area covered by the packet switching network, it converts protocols to operate as a data device. If a wireless data device roams to a telephony network, it also changes mode. Means are provided to inform the home network of the wireless data device or cell phone that the device or cell phone has roamed onto a different type of network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing routing through a data network is disclosed. Plural simulations are run on various links between network routers, and a central location may be used to compile the information from the links and calculate parameters of paths through the network. A graphical user interface to specify parameters of the simulations is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system is provided wherein routing information is obtained from previously cached information or from a gatekeeper. An originating gateway in a network receives a request for a connection and determines whether pertinent routing information is cached. If available, the cached routing is used to attempt to establish a connection. If no previously established routing is available, the originating gateway requests preferred routing from a gatekeeper, including prioritized selections of terminating gateways through which to make a connection to a designated call recipient.

Abstract: A method and system is provided wherein routing information is obtained from previously cached information or from a gatekeeper. An originating gateway in a network receives a request for a connection and determines whether pertinent routing information is cached. If available, the cached routing is used to attempt to establish a connection. If no previously established routing is available, the originating gateway requests preferred routing from a gatekeeper, including prioritized selections of terminating gateways through which to make a connection to a designated call recipient. In a further embodiment of the invention, a process is provided to respond to a complaint regarding the quality of service. The system determines whether the reported problem is general or isolated; if it is general, alternate call routing is devised.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are presented for the adaptive optimization of call quality and marginal profit in a telephony over data network, where the network contains a plurality of destinations, where calls are routable to each destination via a plurality of gateways in route to such destination, and where said gateways may serve more than one destination. The method comprises continually monitoring call traffic to each destination to first analyze whether the destination is currently volatile. If it is not, no action is taken. If it is, the method then reallocates the destination's traffic among some or all of the gateways in route to it.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides a distributed monitoring, evaluation and routing (“DiMER”) system capable of active management of data network-based telephony. Such a system, and data network-based telephony incorporating the same, advantageously routes calls to meet call quality standards, connection speed and/or cost goals, among other targets. To meet such quality standards, the system incorporates preferences with periodically obtained call-related data and analysis, and revises call routing, as appropriate, by shifting or reallocating call traffic between available terminating gateways (based on their performance and caller preferences).

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides a distributed monitoring, evaluation and routing (“DiMER”) system that provides active management of a data-network based telephony networks. Such a system, and data-network-based telephony networks incorporating the same, advantageously route calls to meet call-quality standards and/or cost goals, among other targets. To meet such quality standards, the system periodically obtains call-related data, analyzes the data, and revises call routing, as appropriate, by shifting or reallocating call traffic between available terminating gateways (based on their performance).

Abstract: Cross-service connectivity between use of the telephone network and use of an e-mail data network is provided by enabling a recipient of an e-mail message to receive e-mail messages through an alias e-mail address which is directly associated with the recipient's telephone number. Thus, the alias e-mail address consists of the recipient's telephone number as the recipient name at a well-known and publicized common domain name server. A sender therefore addresses an e-mail message to the recipient to that alias e-mail address using the recipient's alias telephone number name. A message addressed to the alias e-mail address is sent to a translation server at that known domain name, where the alias telephone number-recipient name is translated to the actual e-mail address comprising the recipient's actual name and associated domain name server, and the message is then forwarded to that recipient at that actual e-mail address.