Packet-switched telephony call server
AssigneeGo2Call.com, Inc.
InventorsJohn A. Nix, Brian C. Wiles, Jeffrey S. Mumma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for providing packet-switched telephony service. The system provides call control, signaling, and/or delivery of voice, video, and other media in substantially real time. One embodiment of the system includes a call client application on a user device, and a call server located at a packet-switched telephony service provider. The call server is preferably operable to communicate with the call client in a non-native protocol and with the gateway in a native protocol.
Claims25
A system for providing telephony service over the Internet, comprising in combination:
- a call client downloadable to a user device located on the Internet, the call client communicating both media and first call-control data across the Internet according to a non-native protocol, the media including voice data, wherein the call client includes a port scan module to identify Internet Protocol ports open for communication;
- a database for determining whether a user associated with the user device is authorized to communicate via a call with a second user accessible through a Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN);
- a gateway located at an interface between the Internet and the PSTN, the gateway communicating according to a native protocol;
- a Packet-switched Telephony Service Provider (PTSP) both the media and the first call-control data across the Internet with the call client according to the non-native protocol, the PTSP further communicating both the media and second call-control data across the Internet to the gateway according to the native protocol so that the call can be connected to the PSTN;
- and
- a call logger associated with the PTSP and tracking calls.
A system for providing telephony service over the Internet, comprising in combination:
- a user device connected to the Internet and communicating call control information across the Internet according to a non-native protocol, wherein the non-native protocol provides information on call quality;
- a gateway located at an interface between the Internet and the Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the gateway communicating media and call-control information according to a native protocol;
- a proxy server receiving call control information according to the native protocol and selecting a gateway to the public switched telephone network;
- a database for determining whether a user associated with the user device is authorized to communicate via a call with a second user accessible through the PSTN;
- a call server connected to the Internet and communicating first call-control data across the Internet with the user device according to the non-native protocol, and also communicating second call-control data across the Internet with a proxy server according to the native protocol;
- and
- a call logger for tracking calls.
A method for providing telephony service over the Internet, comprising in combination:
- receiving a call request from a user device connected to the Internet, wherein the call request includes a telephone number corresponding to a PSTN subscriber, and wherein the call request is in accordance with a non-native protocol;
- selecting a call server to process the call request, wherein the selected call server includes a call director to determine whether the user device has used up a maximum number of minutes;
- launching a call handler, wherein the call handler receives the call request in the non-native protocol, wherein the call handler converts the call request to a native protocol, and wherein the native protocol is selected from H.323, SIP, and MGCP;
- transmitting the call request in the native protocol to a gateway, wherein the gateway implements the native protocol, and forwards the call request to the PSTN subscriber;
- communicating media between the user device and the gateway according to User Datagram Protocol;
- and
- logging information about calls so that call durations may be determined.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.