Importance

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Abstract

A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system provides an architecture and methodology for implementing initiation of establishment of a communication path between called and called terminals from a telephone terminal. The architecture and methodology facilitates communication across carriers or service providers, settlements between carriers and service providers, usage accounting across carriers and service providers, and usage allocation among carriers or service providers. Upon a terminal requesting connection to a gateway to establish a communication path between that terminal and a designated destination terminal, there occurs within the circuit switched network and a gateway to the packet network a transfer of an information package which identifies the calling station, the called station, and the identity of the responsible origination carrier or service provider. An authentication database of this carrier is accessed and authorization of the requested communication is secured. The second carrier or service provider is requested to complete the communication path. The second carrier or service provider consults a database of carriers or service providers, determines whether to authorize the communication, and upon arriving at an affirmative conclusion establishes the communication path, completes the communication, and compiles a charge to the first service provider and a statement of usage and presents the same to the first service provider.

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First Claim