Methods and apparatus for data communications through packet networks
First Claim
1. A method for use by a first gateway to establish data commiunication between a first client modem and a second client modem over a packet network, said method comprising:
- receiving a call from said first client modem over a first telephone line;
negotiating, in response to said call, over said first telephone line with said first client modem to establish a first physical modem connection between said first client modem and a first gateway modem of said first gateway;
informing a second gateway of said call over said packet network;
establishing a gateway-to-gateway transport link with said second gateway over said packet network;
receiving a first set of data link parameters supported by said first client modem;
receiving a second set of data link parameters supported by both a second gateway modem of said second gateway and said second client modem;
harmonizing a set of data link parameters supported by said first gateway modem with said first set of data link parameters and said second set of data link parameters to determine a final set of data link parameters supported by all of said first client modem, said first gateway modem, said second gateway modem and said second client modem, wherein said harmonizing said set of data link parameters supported by said first gateway with said first set of data link parameters supported by said first client modem is performed by exchanging XID frames between said first gateway modem and said first client modem;
establishing a first data link protocol over said first physical modem connection using said final set of data link parameters;
wherein data is communicated between said first client modem and said second client modem over an end-to-end reliable connection between said first client modem at one end and said second client modem at the other end, wherein said end-to-end reliable connection uses said final set of data link parameters.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved data communication technique may be employed with modems through a packet network. The disclosed technique facilitates a virtual end-to-end connection between two modems such that the two modems can effectively behave as if directly connected to each other, unaware of any modifications to the data being transferred or to the protocols configured within the communication connection. Preferably, a data communication system for carrying out the communication technique demodulates data coming from a first modem, transports the demodulated data in packets between two gateways, and then remodulates the data before delivering to a second modem at the other end. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, various alternatives for calling and quality of service set-up mechanisms, the establishment of a communication session, the transport of data during a communication session, the flow control between all system components involved, and the mechanisms for the termination of communications are also provided.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for use by a first gateway to establish data commiunication between a first client modem and a second client modem over a packet network, said method comprising:
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receiving a call from said first client modem over a first telephone line; negotiating, in response to said call, over said first telephone line with said first client modem to establish a first physical modem connection between said first client modem and a first gateway modem of said first gateway; informing a second gateway of said call over said packet network; establishing a gateway-to-gateway transport link with said second gateway over said packet network; receiving a first set of data link parameters supported by said first client modem; receiving a second set of data link parameters supported by both a second gateway modem of said second gateway and said second client modem; harmonizing a set of data link parameters supported by said first gateway modem with said first set of data link parameters and said second set of data link parameters to determine a final set of data link parameters supported by all of said first client modem, said first gateway modem, said second gateway modem and said second client modem, wherein said harmonizing said set of data link parameters supported by said first gateway with said first set of data link parameters supported by said first client modem is performed by exchanging XID frames between said first gateway modem and said first client modem; establishing a first data link protocol over said first physical modem connection using said final set of data link parameters; wherein data is communicated between said first client modem and said second client modem over an end-to-end reliable connection between said first client modem at one end and said second client modem at the other end, wherein said end-to-end reliable connection uses said final set of data link parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A first gateway device capable of establishing data communication between a first client modem and a second client modem over a packet network, said first gateway device comprising:
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a receiver configured to receive a call from said first client modem over a first telephone line; a controller configured to negotiate, in response to said call, over said first telephone line with said first client modem to establish a first physical modem connection between said first client modem and a first gateway modem of said first gateway, wherein said controller is further configured to inform a second gateway of said call over said packet network and establish a gateway-to-gateway transport link with said second gateway over said packet network; wherein said controller is further configured to receive a first set of data link parameters supported by said first client modem, and receive a second set of data link parameters supported by both a second gateway modem of said second gateway and said second client modem; wherein said controller is further configured to harmonize a set of data link parameters supported by said first gateway modem with said first set of data link parameters and said second set of data link parameters to determine a final set of data link parameters supported by all of said first client modem, said first gateway modem, said second gateway modem and said second client modem, and establish a first data link protocol over said first physical modem connection using said final set of data link parameters; wherein said controller is configured to harmonize said set of data link parameters supported by said first gateway with said first set of data link parameters supported by said first client modem by exchanging XID flames between said first gateway modem and said first client modem; wherein data is communicated between said first client modem and said second client modem over an end-to-end reliable connection between said first client modem at one end and said second client modem at the other end, wherein said end-to-end reliable connection uses said final set of data link parameters. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification