Fax/data call receiving system and method

• US 5,065,427 A
• Filed: 10/31/1989
• Issued: 11/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vishwas R. Godbole
• Original Assignee: Vishwas Godbole
• Inventors: Godbole, Vishwas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dwyer, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MATAR, AHMAD
• Application Number:
  US07/429,801
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 379/100, 379/67, 358/400, 358/439, 358/434
• US Class Current: 379/100.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32704 Establishing a communication with one of a facsimile and another telecommunication apparatus sharing a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32713 Data transmission device, e.g. switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32719 a facsimile calling signal, e.g. CNG
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32726 signals other than facsimile protocol signals, e.g. DTMF signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32732 within a predetermined time

Abstract

System and method for receiving facsimile calls and data modem calls with a single telephone line. An incoming call is monitored for a first period of time following receipt of the call to identify the call as either a facsimile call or a data modem call, and a handshaking procedure is initiated if the call is identified. In the event that the call is not identified, a data modem handshaking procedure is initiated, and if that procedure is not successful, the call is assumed to be a facsimile transmission, and a facsimile handshaking procedure is initiated. When the type of call has been identified, appropriate FAX or data communications software is automatically selected for processing the particular type of call.

Claims

1. In a system for receiving calls from a facsimile machine and from a data modem:

a facsimile call detector,

a data call detector,

means active upon receipt of a call for monitoring the outputs of the facsimile call detector and the data call detector for a first period of time to identify the type of call received,

means for initiating a handshaking procedure corresponding to the type of call received if either a facsimile call or a data call is identified during the first period of time,

means for initiating a data modem handshaking procedure for a second period of time in the event that the call is not identified as either a facsimile call or a data call during the first period of time, and

means active after the second period of time for initiating a facsimile call handshaking procedure in the event that the data modem handshaking procedure is not successful.

2. The system of claim 1 include means for providing a signal which indicates the type of call received, and means responsive to the message/signal for implementing communications software for the type of call received.

3. The system of claim 1 Wherein the first time period has a duration on the order of 5-6 seconds.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the second time period has a duration on the order of 8 seconds.

5. The system of claim 1 including a tone receiver, and means responsive to the tone receiver during the first time period for initiating the data modem handshaking procedure in response to a tone of predetermined frequency.

6. The system of claim 1 including a tone receiver, and means responsive to the tone receiver during the first time period for initiating the facsimile call handshaking procedure in response to a tone of predetermined frequency.

7. The system of claim 1 including a DTMF tone receiver, and means responsive to the tone receiver for initiating a facsimile handshaking procedure upon receipt of a tone corresponding to a first predetermined digit, initiating a data modem handshaking procedure upon receipt of a tone corresponding to a second predetermined digit, and initiating another procedure upon receipt of tone corresponding to another digit.

8. In a method of receiving calls from a facsimile machine and from a data modem, the steps of:

monitoring a call for a first period of time following receipt of the call to identify the type of call,

initiating a handshaking procedure corresponding to the type of call received if either a facsimile call or a data call is identified during the first period of time,

initiating a data modem handshaking procedure for a second period of time in the event that the call is not identified as either a facsimile call or a data call during the first period of time, and

thereafter initiating a facsimile call handshaking procedure in the event that the data modem handshaking procedure is not successful.

9. The method of claim 8 including the steps of providing a signal which indicates the type of call received, and implementing communications software for the type of call received in accordance with the message/signal.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the first time period has a duration on the order of 5-6 seconds.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the second time period has a duration on the order of 8 seconds.

12. The method of claim 8 including the steps of monitoring the call for a tone signal during the first period of time, and initiating the data modem handshaking procedure in the event that a tone of predetermined frequency is detected.

13. The method of claim 8 including the steps of monitoring the call for a tone signal during the first period of time, and initiating the facsimile call handshaking procedure in the event that tone of predetermined frequency is detected.

14. The method of claim 8 including the steps of monitoring the call for a DTMF tone signal during the first period of time, and initiating either the facsimile handshaking procedure or the data modem handshaking procedure in the event that a DTMF digit of predetermined value is detected, or initiating another procedure in the event that a DTMF digit of another value is detected.