Apparatus and method for inter-network communication

A communication network comprising:

• at least two local networks;
• a third network connected between the local networks to allow routing of calls between the local networks, the local networks operating in accordance with at least a first protocol enabling call services and the third network operating in accordance with a second protocol, said second protocol being different than the first protocol;
• means to route associated with each local network for routing calls originating on its associated local network over the third network to another means to route associated with another local network;
• each means to route including means to transmit over the third network a data message compatible with the second protocol containing data indicative of a required service, and means to read such messages to determine the required service call and to produce a data message on the associated local network according to the first protocol to establish the required call service.

An apparatus for transmitting calls generated by a first communication network over a second communication network to a third communication network, wherein the first communication network operates in accordance with a first communication protocol which enables call services, the third communication network operates in accordance with a communication protocol which enables at least one of the call services enabled by the first communication protocol and the second communication network operating according to a second communication protocol, said second communication protocol being different from the first communication protocol, said apparatus comprising:

• a processor for producing a data message and a call compatible with the second communication protocol, said data message being indicative of a required service;
• and
• a transceiver for transmitting the call and data message over the second communication network to the third communication network,
• wherein the data message is read by an element of the third communication network and an appropriate call service is established.

A communication network comprising:

• at least two local networks;
• a third network connected between the local networks to allow routing of calls between the local networks, the local networks operating in accordance with at least a first protocol enabling call services and the third network operating in accordance with a second protocol, said second protocol being different than the first protocol;
• a router associated with each local network for routing calls originating on its associated local network over the third network to another means to route associated with another local network;
• each router including a transmitter for transmitting, over the third network, a data message compatible with the second protocol containing data indicative of a required service, and a server to read such messages to determine the required service call and to produce a data message on the associated local network according to the first protocol to establish the required call service.

A method for transmitting calls generated by a first communication network over a second communication network to a third communication network, wherein the first communication network operates in accordance with a first communication protocol which enables call services, the third communication network operates in accordance with a communication protocol which enables at least one of the call services enabled by the first communication protocol and the second communication network operating according to a second communication protocol, said second communication protocol being different from the first communication protocol, said method comprising the steps of:

• producing a data message and a call compatible with the second communication protocol, said data message being indicative of a required service;
• and
• transmitting the call and data message over the second communication network to the third communication network,
• wherein the data message is read by an element of the third communication network and an appropriate call service is established.