Abstract: A system and method for routing a call over a packet network. A call request may be received from a calling party to call a called party at a network address. At least one potential call path over a packet network may be determined to connect the calling party to the called party at the network address. Network performance information associated with each potential call path may be accessed and a determination may be made that each of the call paths are impaired or congested. In response to determining that each of the call paths are impaired or congested, the call may be routed over a call path other than one of the at least one potential call paths to enable the calling party to communicate with the called party.

Abstract: A network communications device including an input/output (I/O) unit configured to communicate data packets to and from a communications network and at least one module. The module(s) may be configured to count total data packets being communicated via the I/O unit during a time period, count data packets including real-time content being communicated via the I/O unit during the time period, determine bandwidth of total data packets being communicated via the I/O unit, determine bandwidth of data packets including real-time content being communicated via the I/O unit, and communicate indicia representative of the bandwidth of data packets including real-time content and total data packets via said I/O unit to another network communications device. The module(s) maybe software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A first communication network transfers a signaling message for a call to a second communication network. The signaling message indicates a first identifier that represents a connection through the first communication network to the second communication network. The second communication network processes the signaling message to select a second identifier. The first communication network transfers a user communication for the call to the second communication network. The user communication has a header indicating the first identifier. In response to the first identifier, the second communication network modifies the first identifier in the header to the second identifier. The second communication network transfers the user communication to a destination node in response to the second identifier in the header of the user communication.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a signaling processor and an interworking unit. The signaling processor receives and processes signaling for a call to select a connection and a first bandwidth rate. The signaling processor transfers a first message indicating the connection and the first bandwidth rate. The interworking unit receives the first message and user communications for the call, and in response, transfers the user communications over the connection at the first bandwidth rate. The interworking unit detects a trigger in the user communications, and in response, transfers the user communications over the connection at a second bandwidth rate.

Abstract: A signaling processor receives signaling for a user communication and processes the signaling to select a first packet communication path and a second packet communication path. The signaling processor transfers messages indicating a TDM communication path, the first packet communication path, and the second packet communication path. An interworking unit interworks the user communication between the TDM communication path and the first packet communication path. A communication device routes the user communication from the first packet communication path to the second packet communication path.

Abstract: A signaling processor receives a first signaling message indicating a called telephone number for the call. The signaling processor processes the called telephone number from the first signaling message to determine if call validation is required. If the call validation is not required, then the signaling processor processes the called telephone number to determine routing information without the call validation. If the call validation is required, then the signaling processor determines if the call is valid, and if the call is valid, then the signaling processor processes the called telephone number to determine the routing information. The signaling processor transfers a second signaling message indicating the routing information for the call.

Abstract: In a communication network, circuit-based switches transfer signaling that indicates first circuit-based connections and transfer user communications over the first circuit-based connections. A signaling processor processes the signaling to select header information and second circuit-based connections. The signaling processor transfers control messages indicating the header information and the second circuit-based connections. A first interworking system receives the control messages and the user communications, and in response, transfers the user communications in packets having the header information. A second interworking system receives the control messages and the packets, and in response, transfers the user communications over the second circuit based connections to a plurality of other communication networks.

Abstract: A communication method comprises: processing a first message from the user CPE to select a circuit switch from a plurality of circuit switches, and selecting an identifier and a DS0 to route user communications from the user CPE to the circuit switch; transferring a second message indicating the identifier and the DS0 and transferring an SS7 IAM to the circuit switch; receiving the user communications from the user CPE in a packet format having the identifier in headers, and routing the user communications in the packet format based on the identifier in the headers; and receiving the second message and the user communications in the packet format, and in response, converting the user communications from the packet format into a DS0 format and transferring the user communications in the DS0 format over the DS0 to the one circuit switch.

Abstract: A communication system routes user communications for a telecommunication call. The communication system comprises a processing system and an interworking system. The processing system receives a Signaling System Seven (SS7) Initial Address Message (IAM) message that indicates an originating connection and a called number for the call. The processing system enters a first data structure with the originating connection to identify a second data structure, and enters the second data structure with the called number to identify interworking information. The processing system transfers a control instruction indicating the interworking information. The interworking system receives the control instruction and the user communications, and in response, transfers packets having the interworking information and the user communications. The packets are routed based on the interworking information in the packets. The processing system is external to the interworking system.

Abstract: Signaling processors process signaling to transfer first and second control messages indicating interworking information. Interworking units receive the control messages and user communications, and in response, convert the user communications into packet communications having the interworking information in headers. Communication devices receive the packet communications from the interworking units and route the packet communications over optical communication paths based on the interworking information in the headers. The communication devices receive the routed packet communications and transfer the routed packet communications to the interworking units. The interworking units receive the second control messages and the routed packet communications, and in response, to convert the routed packet communications into the user communications and transfer the user communications.

Abstract: A signaling processor processes a first message to select a TDM connection for the call and transfers a second message indicating the selected TDM connection. The interworking unit receives the second message and user communications for the call in a packet format, converts the user communications from the packet format to a TDM format, and transfers the user communications in the TDM format over the selected TDM connection. The interworking unit monitors the user communications for a trigger after call set-up and during the call, and if the trigger is detected, transfers a third message indicating the trigger. The signaling processor receives and processes the third message to select routing information for routing the call to a service platform and transfers a fourth message indicating the selected routing information to route the call to the service platform.

Abstract: The invention is a system for providing virtual connections through an ATM interworking multiplexer on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for a call and selects the virtual connection for the call. The signaling processor generates control messages that identify the selection and transfers the control messages to the ATM interworking multiplexer that accepted the access connection for the call. The multiplexer converts user information from the access connection into ATM cells for transmission over the virtual connection in accord with the control messages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating an asphalt-paved road surface by forcing gases heated by a heater against that road surface and then returning those gases to the heater for reheating and recirculation, wherein the temperature of the returning gases is measured by a temperature sensor, and the heater is automatically adjusted so that the temperature of the gases being directed against the road surface is automatically decreased as the temperature of the returning gases increases. This prevents damage to the asphalt and premature rupturing of the road surface.