Data packet switch apparatus and method with enhanced charge assessment capability

摘要

Apparatus and method of operation for transporting data packets between data systems located in telephone local access transport areas and for implementing enhanced services to control operation of a telephone local access transport area switching network to interconnect calling and called parties in accordance with requested ones of the enhanced services. The apparatus is interconnected with the data systems and switching systems and is responsive to receipt of dam packets from originating data systems requesting transport of data packets to destination data systems and from switching systems requesting an enhanced service for assessing a charge for use of the apparatus by each received data packet. A central processor accumulates assessed charges incurred by each data system and switching system for data packet use of the apparatus in transmitting transport data packets to destination data systems and for providing enhanced services to switching systems to control the switching systems to interconnect the calling and called parties in accordance with requested enhanced services to be billed to the telephone local access transport area.