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Protocol for transmitting messages in a network

  • US 5,274,696 A
  • Filed: 04/05/1991
  • Issued: 12/28/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for transmitting data messages and voice signals between a sending store-and-forward messaging system site and a receiving store-and-forward messaging site of a network of store-and-forward messaging systems which are connected by one or more telephone lines, a portion of the voice signals being sent from a message sender who interacts with the sending site to a message recipient who interacts with the receiving site, the method comprising the steps of:

  • placing a telephone call from the sending site to the receiving site to a predetermined telephone number over one of the telephone lines;

    connecting data transmission and reception apparatus to the telephone line at the sending site and the receiving site;

    exchanging predetermined control commands and data messages using the data transmission and reception apparatus at the sending and receiving sites, the predetermined control commands specifying a procedure for communications between the sites;

    disabling the data transmission and reception apparatus from exchanging control commands and data messages and connecting voice transmission and reception apparatus to the telephone line at the sending site and the receiving site;

    transmitting voice signals between the sending and receiving sites using the voice transmission and reception apparatus at the sending and receiving sites;

    enabling the data transmission and reception apparatus for exchanging control commands and data messages at the sending site and the receiving site;

    exchanging delivery information using the data transmission and reception apparatus at the sending and receiving sites, which delivery information indicates the success or failure of the voice signal transmission and further communication procedure; and

    one of the sites going on hook.

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