Optimum routing of calls over the public switched telephone network and the internet

In a network access switch, apparatus for controlling the establishment of a connection to another network access switch, wherein both switches have access to a telephone network and the Internet, comprising:

• means for accessing an interoffice signaling network;
• means for establishing a connection to said telephone network;
• means for establishing a connection to the Internet;
• processor means for controlling transmission of messages over said interoffice signaling network, for receiving messages from said interoffice signaling network, and for controlling said means for establishing a connection in said network access switch;
• said processor means, operative under program control for:
• responsive to receipt of a request to establish a telephone connection, determining whether to establish the connection using a telephone network, or using the Internet;
• if a decision is made to establish the connection using the telephone network, establishing the connection in accordance with procedures of the prior art;
• if a decision is made to establish the connection using the Internet, controlling transmission of an initial address message over said interoffice signaling network to the terminating switch, the IAM (initial address message), including an Internet Protocol address of the network access switch;
• responsive to receipt of an acknowledgment message from said another switch, said acknowledgment message comprising an IP (Internet Protocol) address of said terminating switch over said interoffice signaling network, controlling the establishment of an Internet connection between said network access switch and said another network access switch, using said IP addresses;
• and
• confirming establishment of said connection by controlling transmission of another interoffice signaling message to said another switch.

A method of establishing an Internet voice connection between two switches, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting an (IAM) initial address message over an interoffice signaling network to the terminating switch, the IAM including an Internet Protocol address of the originating switch;
• responsive to receipt of said IAM, transmitting an acknowledgment message comprising an IP (Internet Protocol) address of said terminating switch over said interoffice signaling network;
• establishing an Internet connection between said originating and said terminating switch, using said IP addresses;
• and
• confirming establishment of said connection by another interoffice signaling message, transmitted over said interoffice signaling network between the two switches.

In a network access switch, apparatus for controlling the establishment of a voice connection via the Internet to another network access switch, comprising:

• means for accessing an interoffice signaling network;
• means for establishing a connection to the Internet;
• processor means for controlling transmission of messages over said interoffice signaling network, for receiving messages from said interoffice signaling network, and for controlling said means for establishing a connection in said network access switch;
• said processor means, operative under program control for:
• controlling transmission of an initial address message over said interoffice signaling network to the terminating switch, the IAM (initial address message), including an Internet Protocol address of the network access switch;
• responsive to receipt of an acknowledgment message from said another switch, said acknowledgment message comprising an IP (Internet Protocol) address of said terminating switch over said interoffice signaling network, controlling the establishment of an Internet connection between said network access switch and said another network access switch, using said IP addresses;
• and
• confirming establishment of said connection by controlling transmission of another interoffice signaling message over said interoffice signaling network to said another switch.