Point of presence (POP) for digital facsimile network with virtual POPs used to communicate with other networks

• US 6,023,470 A
• Filed: 05/17/1996
• Issued: 02/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dialogic Networks (Israel) Ltd. (Dialogic, Inc. (United Arab Emirates))
• Original Assignee: ECI Telecom Limited (Shaul Shani)
• Inventors: Lee, Warren S., Copp, David W., Platteter, Dale T., Carrier, Neil P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US08/649,572
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 370/463, 370/465, 370/474, 370/475, 370/476, 370/395, 370/401, 370/402, 379/100.1
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/001 specially adapted for transmission via digital wireline networks H04N1/00098 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00312 with a digital transmission apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, SMS or ISDN device transmitting or receiving via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network or the internet H04N1/00214; transmission of digital information H04L

Abstract

A fax network for communicating fax transmissions over either a conventional public switched telephone network or a digital (frame relay) network based on a telephone number of a destination fax machine. If the destination fax machine can be serviced by the digital network, a faxjack intercepts the phone digits on the telephone link, and redirects the call to a local point-of-presence, which is preferably located near the local exchange carrier. The POP receives information related to the desired fax transmission from the faxjack, and accesses a destination POP via the digital network. The destination POP is local with respect to the destination fax machine, and the destination POP attempts to contact the destination fax machine to ascertain if a fax session is allowable. If so, the destination POP notifies the source POP, which then notifies the faxjack, thereby allowing the fax session to start. The source POP packetizes the analog fax data received from the sending fax machine, and sends the fax data as packets over the digital network to the destination POP. The destination POP unpacketizes the data, and sends the fax data using a standard protocol and a standard local telephone link to the destination fax machine. Each of the POPs can be configured as a virtual POP to communicate with another data network using the virtual POP as a gateway.

Claims

1. A system for use in a digital network for providing control of data transmissions from a transmitting data device to a receiving data device over the digital network, comprising:

a plurality of point of presences (POPs) connected on the digital network and each located in a corresponding predetermined area and each configured to receive requests for data transmissions from devices within the corresponding predetermined area over a local exchange carrier operating in the corresponding predetermined area;

each of said POPs including means for transferring data in packetized format over the digital network to other of said POPs,

wherein at least one of the POPs is configured to provide a path to a second network separate and distinct from the digital network, and

wherein the at least one of the POPs provides a transparent interface for data transfer from the transmitting data device to the receiving data device over the digital network and the second network.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second network includes a second plurality of POPs connected thereon, wherein the at least one of the POPs provides connection of the POPs connected on the digital network to the second plurality of POPs connected on the second network.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second networks are frame relay networks.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second networks are asynchronous transfer mode networks.