System and method for establishing a direct call path for routing a signal to a data network using a digital loop carrier

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Communications Systems FIG.
1 is a schematic block diagram of a system 100 for sending telephony signals between local telecommunications networks and communications devices over a data network 102, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The local telecommunications networks of FIG.
1 include an originating network 104 and a terminating network 106.
Data network 102 may be the Internet, a FR network, an ATM network, or other packet-based telecommunications network known to those skilled in the art.
In FIG.
1, originating network 104 is represented as a local end office of a PSTN, and includes an originating signal transfer point ("STP") 108 and an originating service switching port ("SSP") 110.
Originating SSP 110 may, for example, include switching equipment commonly used in the end office of a public or private telecommunications network.
Originating STP 108 is in communication with originating SSP 110 via a signaling system number 7 ("SS7") `A` link 112.
In FIG.
1, system 100 further includes an originating communications device 114, represented in FIG.
1 as a conventional telephone device or system.
Communications device 114 may also be any other suitable communications system or device such as a FAX machine or a modem connected to a digital computer.
First communications device 114 may be a conventional telephone system, an IP capable computer, a PBX network, or any other suitable communications system or device such as a FAX machine.
In FIG.
1, communications to and from originating communications device 114 is supported by an originating digital loop carrier ("DLC") 116, to which originating communications device 114 is coupled via an originating telephone line 118.
Originating DLC 116, in turn, communicates with originating SSP 110 of the originating telecommunications network over line 120.
Originating DLC 116 is preferably one of the digital loop carrier products made by Alcatel USA, such as the Litespan.
RTM.
-2000 or Litespan.
RTM.
-Broadband DLCS and described in greater detail below