System and method for establishing long distance call connections using a desktop application

A method of completing a call connection over the public switched telephone network (PSTN) from a desktop application operating locally on a computer workstation having a communication connection with a long distance service provider server, said method comprising steps of:

• a) receiving a call connection request message at said long distance service provider server, sent from said desktop application via a packet network connection and a server-specific communication connection established by said desktop application between said computer workstation and said long distance service provider;
• b) verifying user identification information contained in said message;
• c) processing said call connection request message to enable a call connection to be established between at least two call stations based on call station information contained in said message;
• and
• d) sending a notification message to the desktop application, to notify the desktop application that said call connection is in progress.

A system for establishing a long distance call connection between call stations over the PSTN, said system comprising:

• a) a long distance service provider (LDSP) server for establishing a call connection between at least two call stations in response to a call connection request message sent from a registered user;
• b) a desktop application operating locally on a user workstation to accept input from said registered user defining parameters for establishing said call connection, and communicate said parameters to said long distance service provider server in the form of a call connection request message;
• and
• c) a call controller for receiving a call connection information packet from said LDSP server, based on said call connection request message and instruct a time division multiplexed (TDM) switch to establish a call connection between said at least two call stations;
• d) means for establishing a communication connection with said LDSP server for communicating said call connection request message, said means for establishing the communication connection including means for determining if an existing packet network connection is available, and if not, establishing a packet network connection.

A system for establishing a long distance call connection between call stations over the PSTN, said system comprising:

• a) a long distance service provider (LDSP) server for establishing a call connection between at least two call stations in response to a call connection request message sent from a registered user, said LDSP server further comprising a transaction component, a call connection component and a web server component;
• b) a desktop application operating locally on a user workstation to accept input from said registered user defining parameters for establishing said call connection, and communicate said parameters to said long distance service provider server in the form of a call connection request message;
• and
• c) a call controller for receiving a call connection information packet from said LDSP server, based on said call connection request message and instruct a time division multiplexed (TDM) switch to establish a call connection between said at least two call stations.

A system for establishing a long distance call connection between call stations over the PSTN, said system comprising:

• a) a long distance service provider (LDSP) server for establishing a call connection between at least two call stations in response to a call connection request message sent from a registered user, said LDSP server comprising a user database;
• b) a user workstation that accepts input from said registered user defining parameters for establishing said call connection, determines if a packet network connection to the LDSP server is available and establishes a packet network connection to the LDSP server if one is not available, and communicates said parameters to said long distance service provider server in the form of a call connection request message sent over the packet network connection to the LDSP server;
• and
• c) a call controller for receiving a call connection information packet from said LDSP server, based on said call connection request message and instruct a time division multiplexed (TDM) switch to establish a call connection between said at least two call stations.

A user workstation for establishing a communication connection with a long distance service provider (LDSP) server comprising:

• a) means for accepting call connection information input by a user;
• b) means for formulating a call connection request message based on said call connection information;
• c) means for determining if an existing packet network connection is available;
• d) means for establishing a packet network connection if an existing packet network connection is not available to support said communication connection;
• and
• e) means for sending said call connection request message to said LDSP server to establish a call connection between at least two call stations.