US6154445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Telephony communication via varied redundant networks
Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc
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Filing: 1997-09-17
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Granted: 2000-11-28
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Expires: 2017-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A switched telephone network is arranged in a manner to enable packet voice communication between telephone teyminals via multiple redundant packet switched networks. The packet switched networks may utilize different protocols, be operated by different entities, and have primary functions other than voice communication. One example of such a network may be internetworked networks, such as the Internet. One example of an alternate packet switched network may be a network whose primary function is control of a circuit switched telephone network. The common channel interoffice switching system (CCIS) of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) is a preferred example. A voice communication link may be established from telephone terminal to telephone terminal via the Internet, the quality of voice communication may be monitored, and the link may be transferred to the common channel interoffice signaling network if and when the quality of voice communication deteriorates beneath a pre-established norm. There is provided a means for monitoring the links of the common channel interoffice signaling system carrying the packetized voice communication and collecting the information needed to permit chargin'g for the voice communication by time duration or by cells used to carry the packetized voice signal. The customer may be provided with the option of establishing the norm for diversion of the communication, or may elect which path is to be selected as the primary path.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Farris
- 👤 Dale L. Bartholomew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/66; H04L65/00; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1083; H04L65/1095; H04L65/80; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/36; H04M3/367; H04M7/00; H04M7/0024; H04M7/0057; H04M7/06; H04M7/066; H04M7/12; H04M7/1205; H04M7/1245; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0025; H04Q3/0029; H04L43/00; H04L43/16; H04M2207/00; H04M2207/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of voice communication between two terminals including the steps of: establishing a voice communication link between said terminals via a first packet network; communicating by voice between said terminals over said link; monitoring a parameter of said communication; and establishing a second voice communication link between said terminals via a second packet network when said monitored parameter departs from a predetermined value; wherein said terminals are connected to said first and second voice communication links via a switched network and wherein said second packet network comprises a control network for said switched network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of voice communication between two terminals including the steps of: establishing a voice communication link between said terminals via a first packet network; communicating by voice between said terminals over said link; monitoring a parameter of said communication; and establishing a second voice communication link between said terminals via a second packet network when said monitored parameter departs from a predetermined value; wherein said terminals are connected to said first and second voice communication links via a switched network and wherein said second packet network comprises a control network for said switched network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first packet network comprises a public packet data network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein switched network comprises a telephone network and said terminals comprise telephone terminals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said telephone terminals are connected to signal switching points and said second packet network is connected between said signal switching points.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said telephone terminals are connected to local loops.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said parameter is a measure of the quality of delivered voice signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said voice communication link between said terminals is established by dial up connection to said switched telephone network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of recording the time duration of said voice communication link between said terminals via said control network.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of voice communication between two terminals including the steps of: establishing a voice communication link between said terminals via a first packet network; communicating by voice between said terminals over said link; monitoring a parameter of said communication; and establishing a second voice communication link between said terminals via a second packet network when said monitored parameter departs from a predetermined value; wherein said terminals are connected to said first and second voice communication links via a switched network and wherein said second packet network comprises a common channel signaling system for said switched network.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of voice communication between two terminals including the steps of: establishing a voice communication link between said terminals via a first packet network; communicating by voice between said terminals over said link; monitoring a parameter of said communication; and establishing a second voice communication link between said terminals via a second packet network when said monitored parameter departs from a predetermined value; wherein said terminals are connected to said first and second voice communication links via a switched network and wherein said second packet network comprises a common channel signaling system for said switched network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said first packet network comprises the Internet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A communication system comprising in combination a switched telephone network having spaced switching systems connected to terminals, a packet switched control network connected to said switched telephone network for controlling said switched telephone network, and a public packet switched network connectable to said switching systems, wherein voice communication between two terminals connected to said switched telephone network is diverted from a voice link that includes said public packet switched network to a voice link that includes said packet switched control network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
A communication system comprising in combination a switched telephone network having spaced switching systems connected to terminals, a packet switched control network connected to said switched telephone network for controlling said switched telephone network, and a public packet switched network connectable to said switching systems, wherein voice communication between two terminals connected to said switched telephone network is diverted from a voice link that includes said public packet switched network to a voice link that includes said packet switched control network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
A communication system comprising in combination a switched telephone network having spaced switching systems connected to terminals, a packet switched control network controlling said switched telephone network, and a second packet switched network connectable to said switching systems, wherein said terminals are connected sequentially to said packet switched networks for voice communication between said terminals via said packet switched networks; and wherein said terminals are connected to said second packet switched network and voice communication conducted via said second packet switched network and then connected to said packet switched control network and voice communication conducted via said packet switched control network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
A communication system comprising in combination a switched telephone network having spaced switching systems connected to terminals, a packet switched control network controlling said switched telephone network, and a second packet switched network connectable to said switching systems, wherein said terminals are connected sequentially to said packet switched networks for voice communication between said terminals via said packet switched networks; and wherein said terminals are connected to said second packet switched network and voice communication conducted via said second packet switched network and then connected to said packet switched control network and voice communication conducted via said packet switched control network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein connection to said packet switched control network is made responsive to decrease in the quality of voice communication via said second packet switched network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 13 wherein said second packet switched network comprises the Internet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 14 wherein said packet switched network comprises a common channel interoffice signaling network.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein said terminals are connected for voice communication via a packet switched network responsive to establishing connection to a dialing terminal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-28 | 2004-05-29 | 2004-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-28 | 2008-05-29 | 2008-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-28 | 2012-05-29 | 2012-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |