Methods and apparatus for data communications on packet networks

A method of reconfiguring a first gateway device in voice mode configuration to data mode configuration, said first gateway device being in communication with a second gateway device over a packet network, said first gateway device being in communication with a first endpoint device over a first telephone line and said second gateway device being in communication with a second endpoint device over a second telephone line, said first gateway device including a jitter buffer, said method comprising:

• determining whether a signal received by said first gateway device, in said voice mode configuration, is a voice signal or a data signal;
• and
• configuring said first gateway device to said data mode configuration if said determining determines that said signal is said data signal;
• wherein said jitter buffer has a different configuration in said data mode configuration than in said voice mode configuration, and wherein said different configuration includes said jitter buffer having a dynamic size an adjustment threshold for changing said dynamic size, and wherein said adjustment threshold is defined such that said dynamic size changes less often in said data mode configuration than in said voice mode configuration.

A method for the communication of data signals through a packet network initialized for voice communication, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining whether the data signals comprise voice signals or modem signals;
• and
• modifying settings in an adaptive jitter buffer if modem signals are detected to optimize modem communications;
• wherein said step of modifying includes setting said adaptive jitter buffer to a dynamic size in said voice mode configuration and to a fixed size in said data mode configuration.

A method of reconfiguring a first gateway device in voice mode configuration to data mode configuration, said first gateway device being in communication with a second gateway device over a packet network, said first gateway device being in communication with a first endpoint device over a first telephone line and said second gateway device being in communication with a second endpoint device over a second telephone line, said first gateway device including a jitter buffer, said method comprising:

• determining whether a signal received by said first gateway device, in said voice mode configuration, is a voice signal or a data signal;
• and
• configuring said first gateway device to said data mode configuration if said determining determines that said signal is said data signal;
• wherein said jitter buffer has a different configuration in said data mode configuration than in said voice mode configuration, and wherein said different configuration includes said jitter buffer having a dynamic size in said voice mode configuration and having a fixed size in said data mode configuration.