Interface between mobile telecommunication stations and trunks that link to communication carriers

Claim 2

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various media; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; and (f) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication media.

Claim 3

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various media; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; and (f) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of all progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

Claim 4

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various media; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; and (f) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of all progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

Claim 5

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium; (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium; and (h) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication media.

Claim 6

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium; (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium; and (h) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication media.

Claim 7

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium; (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium; and (h) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

Claim 8

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium; (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium; and (h) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

Claim 9

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; and (f) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication networks.

Claim 10

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; and (f) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication networks.

Claim 11

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; and (f) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

Claim 12

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; and (f) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

Claim 13

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network; (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network; and (h) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication networks.

Claim 14

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network; (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network; and (h) means for adjusting the audio level to compensate for differences between the communication networks.

Claim 15

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating form one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network; (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network; and (h) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call process, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

Claim 16

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating form one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network; (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network; and (h) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call process, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

Claim 17

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers; (c) means for interrogating the different terminal channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to an available trunk channel; and (e) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

Claim 18

An interface between a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of mobile telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers; (c) means for interrogating the different terminal channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (d) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to an available trunk channel; and (e) means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress, wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when data activity is present such that the audio level is compensated for transmission of such data relative to transmission of voice.

Claim 27

An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a medium is any of various transmission means to accomplish a connection of an outgoing telephone call between a calling party at the telecommunication station and a called party at a remote location and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of the outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the medium to which the trunk channel is connected; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call; and (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium.

Claim 28

An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a medium is any of various transmission means to accomplish a connection of an outgoing telephone call between a calling party at the telecommunication station and a called party at a remote location and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of the outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the medium to which the trunk channel is connected; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call; and (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium.

Claim 29

The interface of claim 14 wherein each of the media are represented by a network of the respective medium.

Claim 30

The interface of claim 14 wherein the communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is via satellite communications and the carriers are different coast earth stations.

Claim 31

The interface of claim 16 further comprising means for producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

Claim 32

The interface of claim 16 further comprising an echo suppressor to remove echo signals from signal reflections associated with the satellite communications.

Claim 33

The interface of claim 14 wherein the memory is contained within a cartridge that is independent of the rest of the interface such that the cartridge may be plugged into and out of the interface in order that the cartridge may be substituted for upgrade purposes.

Claim 34

The interface of claim 19 wherein the means for interrogating, the means for determining, the means for routing, and the means for selecting are executable by software code that is contained within the cartridge for downloading into the interface.

Claim 35

The interface of claim 14 further comprising means for overriding the means for routing such that a subscriber may select the desired carrier.

Claim 36

The interface of claim 14 further comprising: (a) means for capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; and (b) means for redialing the telephone number by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

Claim 37

The interface of claim 14 further comprising means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

Claim 38

The interface of claim 23 wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

Claim 39

The interface of claim 14 further including means for recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

Claim 40

The interface of claim 25 wherein the preselected call information includes date and time of the telephone call, communication medium, dialed number, and duration of the telephone call.

Claim 41

An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a medium is any of various transmission means to accomplish a connection of an outgoing telephone call between a calling party at the telecommunication station and a called party at a remote location and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of the outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the medium to which the trunk channel is connected; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call; (g) means for inputting and storing information on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated; and (h) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, the selecting by the means for selecting being accomplished by relating information in the lookup table and the information stored on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated.

Claim 42

An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a medium is any of various transmission means to accomplish a connection of an outgoing telephone call between a calling party at the telecommunication station and a called party at a remote location and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various media, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same medium; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of the outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the medium to which the trunk channel is connected; (d) means for determining the communication medium of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the media of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the medium of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call; (g) means for inputting and storing information on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated; and (h) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication medium capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same medium, the selecting by the means for selecting being accomplished by relating information in the lookup table and the information stored on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated.

Claim 43

The interface of claim 27 wherein each of the media are represented by a network of the respective medium.

Claim 44

The interface of claim 27 wherein the communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is via satellite communications and the carriers are different coast earth stations.

Claim 45

The interface of claim 29 further comprising means for producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

Claim 46

The interface of claim 29 further comprising an echo suppressor to remove echo signals from signal reflections associated with the satellite communications.

Claim 47

The interface of claim 27 wherein the memory is contained within a cartridge that is independent of the rest of the interface such that the cartridge may be plugged into and out of the interface in order that the cartridge may be substituted for upgrade purposes.

Claim 48

The interface of claim 32 wherein the means for interrogating, the means for determining, the means for routing, and the means for selecting are executable by software code that is contained within the cartridge for downloading into the interface.

Claim 49

The interface of claim 27 further comprising means for overriding the means for routing such that a subscriber may select the desired carrier.

Claim 50

The interface of claim 27 further comprising: (a) means for capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; and (b) means for redialing the telephone number by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

Claim 51

The interface of claim 27 further comprising means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

Claim 52

The interface of claim 36 wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

Claim 53

The interface of claim 27 further including means for recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

Claim 54

The interface of claim 38 wherein the preselected call information includes date and time of the telephone call, communication medium, dialed number, and duration of the telephone call.

Claim 55

An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a network is a collection of carriers of the same medium that share access to that medium and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the network to which the trunk channel is connected; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call; and (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network.

Claim 56

An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a network is a collection of carriers of the same medium that share access to that medium and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the network to which the trunk channel is connected; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call; and (g) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network.

Claim 57

The interface of claim 40 wherein the communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is via satellite communications and the carriers are different coast earth stations.

Claim 58

The interface of claim 41 further comprising means for producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

Claim 59

The interface of claim 41 further comprising an echo suppressor to remove echo signals form signal reflections associated with the satellite communications.

Claim 60

The interface of claim 40 wherein the memory is contained within a cartridge that is independent of the rest of the interface such that the cartridge may be plugged into and out of the interface in order that the cartridge may be substituted for upgrade purposes.

Claim 61

The interface of claim 44 wherein the means for interrogating, the means for determining, the means for routing, and the means for selecting are executable by software code that is contained within the cartridge for downloading into the interface.

Claim 62

The interface of claim 40 further comprising means for overriding the means for routing such that a subscriber may select the desired carrier.

Claim 63

The interface of claim 40 further comprising: (a) means for capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; and (b) means for redialing the telephone number by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

Claim 64

The interface of claim 40 further comprising means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

Claim 65

The interface of claim 48 wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

Claim 66

The interface of claim 40 further including means for recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

Claim 67

The interface of claim 50 wherein the preselected call information includes date and time of the telephone call, communication network, dialed number, and duration of the telephone call.

Claim 68

An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a network is a collection of carriers of the same medium that share access to that medium and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the network to which the trunk channel is connected; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carries of the same network, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call; (g) means for inputting and storing information on the geographic region of the telecommunication in which the telecommunication stations are situated; and (h) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network, the selecting by the means for selecting being accomplished by relating information in the lookup table and the information stored on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated.

Claim 69

An active mobile interface capable of connecting between a plurality of telecommunication stations and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various networks, wherein the interface, the telecommunication stations, and the trunk being situated upon a mobile environment, wherein a network is a collection of carriers of the same medium that share access to that medium and a communication carrier is the specific agent through which the connection is made, the interface comprising: (a) station channels that connect to the telecommunication stations; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carries of various networks, wherein one of the trunk channels is adapted to be connected to a trunk that is applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers of the same network; (c) means for interrogating the trunk channels for availability upon the initiation of an outgoing telephone call originating from one of the telecommunication stations, the availability of a particular trunk channel being variably dependent upon location of the mobile environment and the network to which the trunk channel is connected; (d) means for determining the communication network of least cost according to a preselected hierarchy of the networks of communication; (e) means for routing the telephone call from one of the station channels to the available trunk channel linked to the communication carrier having the network of least cost; (f) a memory that contains a lookup table of tariff information that relates to the different carriers of the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carries of the same network, wherein the lookup table contains rates of the different carriers as affected by the geographic region of the telecommunication stations and the destination of the telephone call; (g) means for inputting and storing information on the geographic region of the telecommunication in which the telecommunication stations are situated; and (h) means for selecting the communication carrier of least cost upon routing the telephone call to the trunk channel that is adapted to be connected to the trunk that is applied to the communication network capable of linking to the plurality of carriers of the same network, the selecting by the means for selecting being accomplished by relating information in the lookup table and the information stored on the geographic region in which the telecommunication stations are situated.

Claim 70

The interface of claim 52 wherein the communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is via satellite communications and the carriers are different coast earth stations.

Claim 71

The interface of claim 53 further comprising means for producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

Claim 72

The interface of claim 53 further comprising an echo suppressor to remove echo signals from signal reflections associated with the satellite communications.

Claim 73

The interface of claim 52 wherein the memory is contained within a cartridge that is independent of the rest of the interface such that the cartridge may be plugged into and out of the interface in order that the cartridge may be substituted for upgrade purposes.

Claim 74

The interface of claim 56 wherein the means for interrogating, the means for determining, the means for routing, and the means for selecting are executable by software code that is contained within the cartridge for downloading into the interface.

Claim 75

The interface of claim 52 further comprising means for overriding the means for routing such that a subscriber may select the desired carrier.

Claim 76

The interface of claim 52 further comprising: (a) means for capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; and (b) means for redialing the telephone number by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

Claim 77

The interface of claim 52 further comprising means for filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

Claim 78

The interface of claim 60 wherein the means for filtering includes a filter that determines when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

Claim 79

The interface of claim 52 further including means for recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

Claim 80

The interface of claim 62 wherein the preselected call information includes date and time of the telephone call, communication network, dialed number, and duration of the telephone call.

Claim 83

The method of claim 64 wherein each of the media are represented by a network of the respective medium.

Claim 84

The method of claim 64 wherein the trunk applied to a communication medium capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is linked to satellite communications and the method further comprises the step of producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

Claim 85

The method of claim 64 further including the steps of: (a) capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (b) redialing the telephone by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

Claim 86

The method of claim 64 further including the step of filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

Claim 87

The method of claim 68 wherein the step of filtering includes determining when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

Claim 88

The method of claim 64 further including the step of recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

Claim 91

The method of claim 71 wherein the trunk applied to a communication network capable of linking to a plurality of carriers is linked to satellite communications and the method further comprises the step of producing a preselected string of electronic signals appropriate to access a satellite to effect the satellite communications.

Claim 92

The method of claim 71 further including the steps of: (a) capturing the telephone number dialed to make the outgoing call originating from one of the telecommunication stations; (b) redialing the telephone by the adding or stripping of necessary digits so that the redialed telephone number is understood by the carrier to which the telephone call is routed.

Claim 93

The method of claim 71 further including the step of filtering the audio pass band of the telephone call through a plurality of frequency filters of different frequency ranges to identify indicia of call progress.

Claim 94

The method of claim 74 wherein the step of filtering includes determining when voice or data activity is absent such that the telephone call is terminated after a preselected period of time in which voice or data activity is absent.

Claim 95

The method of claim 71 further including the step of recording of preselected call information for billing purposes.

Claim 96

An interface between a telecommunication station and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising: (a) a station channel that connects to the telecommunication station; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers; (c) means for routing a telephone call from the station channels to an available trunk channel; and (d) means for adjusting the audio level of the telephone call to compensate for differences between the various communication media.

Claim 97

An interface between a telecommunication station and a plurality of trunks that link to communication carriers of various media, the interface comprising: (a) a station channel that connects to the telecommunication station; (b) trunk channels that connect to the trunks that link to the communication carriers; (c) means for routing a telephone call from the station channels to an available trunk channel; and (d) means for adjusting the audio level of the telephone call to compensate for differences between the various communication media.