Importance

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Abstract

A data network to telephone network gateway (16) and an end-user computing device and method used by these devices are disclosed (26). The gateway (16) is in communication with both a data network (10) and a telephone network (12). The computing device (26) is in communication with the data network (10). The gateway (16) is adapted to receive an indicator of a telephone call and dispatch a notification of the call destined for the computing device (26). As well, the gateway (16) causes the call to be bridged from the telephone network to the computing device over the data network (10), enabling a user at the computing device (26) to communicate with the call using the computing device (26). After the call is bridged, and in response to a specified condition, the gateway (16) causes the call to be forwarded to a telephone line (34) interconnected with the telephone network. The specified condition may include an end-user input, or a detection by the gateway or the computing device that the quality of the bridged call has fallen below an acceptable standard, arising typically from congestion or delays on the data network (10). This allows the end-user to maintain a high quality call connection.

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First Claim