System and method for improving facsimile delay tolerances

A method for identifying a first protocol for communication between first and second facsimile stations across a wide area network (WAN), the first protocol supported by a first facsimile station coupled to a first WAN interface, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first signal from the second facsimile station having a first portion indicating that the second facsimile station supports a second protocol, said second protocol not being supported by the first WAN interface;
• modifying said first portion to indicate that said second facsimile station does not support a second protocol to generate a modified first signal;
• and
• transmitting said modified first signal to the first facsimile station indicating that the first and second facsimile machines communicate using the first protocol.

A method for identifying a first modulation technique for communication between a first facsimile station and a second facsimile station across a wide area network (WAN), the first modulation technique supported by a first facsimile station coupled to a first WAN interface, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a modulation identification signal from the second facsimile station indicating that the second facsimile station is capable of communicating using a second modulation technique, said second modulation technique not supported by one of the first WAN interface or a second WAN interface coupled to the second facsimile station;
• modifying said modulation identification signal to indicate that the second facsimile station does not support said second modulation technique to generate a modified identification signal;
• and
• transmitting said modified identification signal to the first facsimile station.

A method for identifying a first modulation technique for communication between a first facsimile station and a second facsimile station across a wide area network (WAN), the first modulation technique supported by a first facsimile station coupled to a first WAN interface, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a modulation identification signal from the second facsimile station indicating that the second facsimile station is capable of communicating using a second modulation technique, said second modulation technique not supported by one of the first WAN interface or a second WAN interface coupled to the second facsimile station;
• modifying said modulation identification signal to indicate that the second facsimile station supports the first modulation technique that is supported by one of the first and second facsimile stations;
• and
• transmitting said modified identification signal to the first facsimile station.

A WAN interface disposed between first and second facsimile stations, the second facsimile station communicating with the WAN interface via a wide area network, the first facsimile station communicating with the second facsimile station using a first protocol requiring the first facsimile station to receive a response signal within a first time period after transmitting a first command signal, the WAN interface comprising:

• a receiver, disposed to receive the first command signal, for identifying a first time indicating the time at which the first command signal is received;
• a delay determinator, coupled to said receiver, for determining a second time within said first time period from said first time;
• a transmitter, coupled to said receiver, for transmitting the first command signal to the second facsimile station via the wide area network, and for transmitting a local response signal to the first facsimile station at said second time if a remote response signal, generated by the second facsimile station, is not received by the receiver by said second time;
• and
• a response frame generator, for generating said local response signal representing a first response frame, said local response signal including one or more optional frame signals according to said first protocol.