Voice communication device with PSTN and internet pathway analysis, selection and handoff

A voice communication device that supports a voice call with a remotely located terminal, the voice communication device comprising:

• a plurality of communication interfaces;
• and
• processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the plurality of communication interfaces, the processing circuitry operable to:
• establish a voice call via a first Internet communication pathway serviced by the plurality of communication interfaces;
• determine service characteristics of the first Internet communication pathway and of a second Internet communication pathway serviced by the plurality of communication interfaces;
• compare service characteristics of the first Internet communication pathway with the second Internet communication pathway;
• and
• transfer service of the voice call from the first Internet communication pathway to the second Internet communication pathway.

A voice communication device that supports voice telephony comprising:

• a user interface;
• a plurality of communication interfaces;
• and
• processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the user interface and to the plurality of communication interfaces, the processing circuitry operable to:
• determine service characteristics of a first Internet communication pathway and of a second Internet communication pathway serviced by the plurality of communication interfaces;
• compare the service characteristics of the first communication pathway with the service characteristics of the second Internet communication pathway;
• based upon the comparison, selecting the first Internet communication pathway;
• and
• establish a voice call with a remotely located terminal via the first Internet communication pathway.

A method for evaluation of service characteristics of a plurality of Internet communication pathways and utilize service of an Internet communication pathway that meets preset service characteristic configurations, by a voice communication device that supports Internet telephony, the method comprising:

• evaluating the service characteristics of a first Internet communication pathway;
• evaluating the service characteristics of a second Internet communication pathway;
• setting up an Internet voice call with a remote terminal via the one of first Internet communication pathway or second Internet communication pathway;
• displaying graphically the service characteristics of the first Internet communication pathway;
• displaying graphically the service characteristics of the second Internet communication pathway;
• and
• transferring to the other of first Internet communication pathway or second Internet communication pathway upon meeting of meets preset service characteristic configurations.