Universal voice/fax/modem line over compressed media

• US 6,249,531 B1
• Filed: 01/09/1998
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Systems Technologies S.a.r.l. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information & Communication Networks, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Jacobi, Eli, Kozdon, Peter, Skrzynski, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas
• Assistant Examiner(s): VANDERPUYE, KENNETH N
• Application Number:
  US09/005,302
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 370/465, 370/466, 370/477, 370/487, 370/522, 370/526, 370/527, 370/419, 370/420, 370/463, 370/493, 370/494, 370/495, 370/468, 379/93.05, 379/93.06, 379/93.07, 379/93.08, 379/93.09, 379/93.11, 375/222, 704/500
• US Class Current: 370/477
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• 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 1/00302 with a telephonic apparatus, e.g. telephone answering machine or videotex terminal H04N1/00307 takes precedence; telephonic communication H04M
• 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

An apparatus and method for selectively compressing information to be transmitted over a communications network includes an analog line monitor connected to an analog telephone and an analog data communications device. The analog line monitor is configured for detection of carrier tone signals associated with data transmissions. An analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog (AD/DA) converter is connected to the analog line monitor to convert the information contained in transmissions from the analog telephone and the analog data communications device from an analog format to a digital format. Optionally, the AD/DA circuitry is configured for demodulating data prior to transmission over the network. Compression circuitry is responsive to detection of a carrier tone signal by the analog line monitor, such that detection of a carrier tone signal suppresses compression of data transmitted by the data communications device. A transmitting device is connected to the AD/DA converter and to the compression circuitry to transmit information generated by the analog telephone and the analog data communications device to a remotely located communications device. A preferred embodiment includes a digital line monitor connected to a digital communications device. Decompression circuitry is connected to the digital line monitor to decompress information transmitted by the digital communications device. A signaling information extractor is connected to the decompression circuitry to extract signaling information from the decompressed digital information. The transmitting device transmits the information received by the digital line monitor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for selectively compressing information comprising:

monitoring means for detecting carrier tone signals transmitted along a common analog connection that supports a plurality of local communications devices including a local analog data communications device and a local analog telephone, said carrier to the signals being indicative of completion of a connection between said local analog data communications device and a target remotely located analog data communications device;

compression means responsive to said monitoring means for compressing voice information contained in a call from said local analog telephone, said compression means having a plurality of modes of operation, including an active mode for compression of said voice information contained in said local analog telephone call and an inactive mode for maintaining user data contained in a transmission from said local analog data communications device in a constant compression state, said inactive mode being automatically triggered by detection of a carrier tone signal by said monitoring means; and

transmitting means, in communicative contact with said compression means, for transmitting said compressed voice information and said user data to target remotely located communications devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog (AD/DA) converter having an input to said common analog connection and having an output connected to said compression means, said output of said AD/DA converter providing a digitized signal to said compression means, said AD/DA converter being responsive to said monitoring means to initiate a demodulation and digtization of said user data transmitted from said local analog data communications device prior to transfer of said user data to said transmitting means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said local communications devices include at least one of a fax and a modem.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an analog-to-digital (AD) converter connected to digitize said voice information and said user data, said transmitting means being connected to transmit said digitized compressed voice information and said digitized user data to a local area network, said local analog telephone and said local analog data communications device being supported by one of a private branch exchange and a public switched telephone network.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a digital line supported by said apparatus;

means for detecting a transmission from a local digital communications device via said digital line, wherein said transmission is an outgoing transmission to be directed to a remote digital device by said transmitting means;

means, connected to said detecting means and said transmitting means, for decompressing digital information contained in said outgoing transmission; and

extracting means connected to said decompressing means for extracting signaling information contained in said decompressed digital information, said extraction of said signaling information triggering a transfer of said outgoing transmission by said transmitting means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a signaling log connected to said extracting means, said signaling log having a memory for storage of said signaling information extracted by said extracting means.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a buffer having an input, a first output, and a second output, said input being configured to receive said outgoing transmission, said first output being configured to transfer said digital information contained in said outgoing transmission to said decompressing means, said second output being configured to transfer said digital information in a compressed state to said transmitting means upon said extraction of said signaling information.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said transmitting means includes a control device responsive to said signaling information extracted by said extraction means, said control device being configured to route said outgoing transmission from said local digital communications device to said remote device based upon said extracted signaling information.

9. A method for selective compression of information to be transmitted from a locally supported analog communications device to a remotely located communications device, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting an analog transmission exchanged between said locally supported analog communications device and said remotely located communications device;

determining whether said analog transmission contains a carrier tone signal indicative of a call connection in which transmissions of user data between said locally supported analog communications device and said remotely located communications device have an absence of voice information;

compressing information contained in said transmissions from said locally supported analog communications device only if it is determined that said information is voice information; and

transmitting said information contained in said transmissions to said remotely located communications device.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of:

if it is determined that said analog transmission is indicative of a call connection in which said transmissions have an absence of voice information, performing demodulation and digitization of information contained in said transmissions prior to transmitting said information as digitized data to said remotely located communications device, thereby enabling said remotely located communications device to process said digital data in a demodulated condition.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of:

digitizing said information contained in said transmissions prior to said transmission step.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising digital processing steps that are enabled for concurrent implementation with said steps involving said analog transmission, said digital processing steps including:

receiving a digital transmission from a digital communications device over a digital line for transmission to said remotely located communications device;

decompressing digital information contained in said digital transmission;

extracting signaling information contained in said digital transmission; and

routing said digital transmission to said remotely located communications device based upon said extracted signaling information.

13. The method of claim 12 comprising the further steps of:

storing said digital transmission in a buffer;

forming a copy of said digital information contained in said digital transmission for said decompression and said extraction of said signaling information; and

transmitting original compressed digital transmission stored in said buffer to said remotely located communications device.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said extracting step includes entering said signaling information into a signaling log.

15. An apparatus for selectively compressing information to be transferred to a remote communication device comprising:

an analog line monitor connected to a plurality of communications devices including an analog telephone and at least one of an analog fax machine and a modem, said analog line monitor being configured for detecting a carrier tone signal associated with a data transmission by one of said fax machine and said modem;

compression circuitry responsive to detection of said carrier tone signal by said analog line monitor, said detection of said carrier tone signal triggering suppression of data compression by said compression circuitry, said compression circuitry remaining active in the absence of said carrier tone signal;

a digital line monitor connected to a digital communications device;

decompression circuitry responsive to detection of a compressed digital transmission by said digital line monitor, said decompression circuitry being configured for decompression of digital information contained in said digital transmission;

a signaling information extractor having an input and an output, said input being configured for reception from said decompression circuitry of decompressed digital information contained in said digital transmission, said output being configured for transmission of extracted signaling information;

a signaling log having memory for storage of said signaling information extracted by said signaling information extractor; and

means for transmitting information received by said analog line monitor and said digital transmission received by said digital line monitor to said remote communication device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an AD/DA converter that is responsive to detection of said carrier tone signal by said analog line monitor, said detection of said carrier tone signal triggering demodulation of information contained in said data transmission from said one of said fax and said modem.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a buffer connected to said decompression circuitry and said transmitting means, said buffer having memory for temporary storage of said digital transmission contemporaneous with decompression of a copy of said digital transmission and extraction of signaling information therefrom.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said transmitting means includes a controller responsive to said extracted signaling information, said controller being configured for routing said digital transmission to said remote communications device based upon said extracted signaling information.