Distributed call routing in a VoIP system
AssigneeOoma, Inc.
InventorsSimon Capper, Kelvin Leonard Cheung
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A distributed call routing system and method are used to provide higher quality VoIP connections with flexible codec choices and simplified NAT and firewall traversal. An analog telephone adapter (ATA) communicates a call destination to a network information server (NIS), which provides multiple routes. The ATA uses this information and local and/or non-NIS information to initiate the call using the preferred routing.
Claims18
A system for controlling the routing of VoIP calls that originate at subscriber sites, the system comprising:
- a network information server (NIS) located at a provider site distinct from the subscriber sites, the NIS having a database of information helpful to optimally routing calls to their respective destinations;
- an analog telephone adapter (ATA) located at a subscriber site, the ATA having a network connector to allow the ATA to receive calls from and place calls to a packet network, the ATA being configured to:
- communicate, via the network connector, a call destination to the NIS;
- receive, via the network connector, information from the NIS relevant to routing of the call, the information including a plurality of possible routes;
- thereafter, determine the ultimate route of the call based on the plurality of possible routes derived from the information from the NIS and at least one other possible route not derived from information from the NIS;
- and
- initiate the call using the preferred routing.
A method, performed by an analog telephone adapter (ATA) located at a subscriber site, for controlling the routing of VoIP calls, the method comprising:
- the ATA determining the destination of a call on the basis of input signals;
- the ATA requesting routing information for the destination from a network information server (NIS) located at a provider site distinct from the subscriber site, the NIS having a database of information helpful to optimally routing calls to their respective destinations;
- the ATA ascertaining one or more non-NIS conditions relevant to routing of the call;
- the ATA receiving multiple candidate IP addresses from the NIS;
- the ATA thereafter determining a preferred routing of the call based on the IP addresses received from the NIS and the one or more non-NIS conditions;
- and
- the ATA initiating the call using the preferred routing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.