Automatic detection of digital call paths in a telephone system
AssigneePrimary Access Corporation
InventorJeff Taarud
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining whether a sufficiently clear digital path exists from a first end user to a second end user when connecting a call over a switched telephone network. Once the determination is made, the type of connection that is possible (high speed digital or analog compatible rates) can be determined. The present invention determines the characteristics of a path between two subscribers on a telephone network by transmitting a digital probe along the path. In cases in which an answering subscriber or the intermediate path are incapable of supporting a digital call, communication in accordance with a standard analog modulation scheme can proceed without having to redial the call.
Claims30
A method for automatically detecting the characteristics of a call over a switched telephone network between an originating telephone endpoint (OTE) and an answering telephone endpoint (ATE), comprising the steps of:
- a. transmitting a first digital probe from the OTE to the ATE;
- b. monitoring by the OTE for receipt of a second digital probe responsive to the first digital probe and transmitted by the ATE;
- c. indicating an operating capability of the ATE;
- d. characterizing the call as digital if the second digital probe is received by the OTE;
- and
- e. transmitting a selection message in response to receiving the second digital probe by the OTE, the selection message providing operating parameters selected by the OTE in response to the indicated operating capability of the ATE.
A method for automatically detecting the characteristics of a call over a switched telephone network between an originating telephone endpoint (OTE) and an answering telephone endpoint (ATE), comprising the steps of:
- a. transmitting a first digital probe from the OTE to the ATE;
- b. monitoring at the OTE for receipt of a second digital probe responsive to the first digital probe and transmitted by the ATE;
- c. transmitting a selection message in response to receipt of the second digital probe by the OTE, the selection message providing operating parameters for digital communication between the OTE and ATE;
- and
- d. characterizing the call as digital if the second digital probe is received by the OTE.
A method for automatically detecting the characteristics of a call over a switched telephone network between an originating telephone endpoint (OTE) and an answering telephone endpoint (ATE), comprising the steps of:
- a. receiving by the ATE a first digital probe transmitted by the OTE;
- b. characterizing the call as digital if the first digital probe is received by the ATE;
- and
- c. transmitting a second digital probe from the ATE to the OTE if the first digital probe is received, the second digital probe being transmitted by the ATE in response to receiving the first digital probe.
An apparatus for detecting the characteristics of a call over a switched telephone network between an originating telephone endpoint (OTE) and an answering telephone endpoint (ATE), including:
- a. means for transmitting a first digital probe from the OTE to the ATE;
- b. means for monitoring at the OTE for receipt of a second digital probe responsive to the first digital probe and transmitted by the ATE;
- and
- c. means for characterizing the call as digital if the second digital probe is received.
An apparatus for automatically detecting the characteristics of a call over a switched telephone network between an originating telephone endpoint (OTE) and an answering telephone endpoint (ATE), including:
- a. means for receiving by the ATE a first digital probe transmitted by the OTE;
- b. means for characterizing the call as digital if the first digital probe is received by the ATE;
- c. means for transmitting a second digital probe from the ATE to the OTE if the first digital probe is received by the ATE, the second digital probe being transmitted by the ATE in response to receiving the first digital probe;
- d. means for indicating an operating capability of the ATE;
- and
- e. means for transmitting a selection message from the OTE to the ATE in response to receiving the second digital probe by the OTE, the selection message providing operating parameters selected by the OTE in response to indication of the operating capability of the ATE.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.