Abstract: A method includes establishing a modem connection, receiving an on-hold request over the modem connection, comparing a cumulative time that the modem connection has been on hold to a threshold value, and resolving the on-hold request based upon the comparison.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, there is disclosed an apparatus comprising a first communication interface, a second communication interface and tone control logic coupled to the first interface and the second interface. The tone control logic is operable to continuously transmit a guard tone on the second communication interface responsive to receiving data on the first communication interface, comprising data representative of a guard tone. The tone control logic is operable to discontinue transmitting the guard tone in response to a predefined event.

Abstract: A mechanism provides for communication of “keep-alive” messages from clients to servers in a packet telephony network environment. The servers may be call agents and the clients may be gateways or MGCP-controlled IP phones. A client (e.g., gateway) registers a virtual endpoint. Upon a period of inactivity in which the client does not receive any commands or acknowledgments from an assigned server (e.g., call agent), the client starts to send keep-alive messages periodically to the server. The keep-alive message may include an endpoint identifier that identifies the registered virtual endpoint. If the server fails to respond to the keep-alive messages after a period of time, the client initiates a fallback mechanism from a first call control protocol (e.g., MGCP) to a second call control protocol (e.g., H.323 or SIP), to provide call control handling using a default application.

Abstract: Cached or predictive negotiation of compression parameters over a modem relay network connection involves method and apparatus for determining at a gateway the identity of a client/server modem that is called or calling, and using a profile of such called or calling client/server modem, the profile being stored at the gateway or an affiliated agent, to transmit respectively a candidate response or command containing compression parameters. Preferably, a candidate response or command includes an exchange identification (XID) or link request (LR) command or response, either provisioned, i.e. manually configured or automated, i.e. computer-generated. The profile is stored in a memory. The actual achieved parameters for a given call also may be stored, e.g dynamic learning may be had. Finally, establishing such profiles by placing dummy calls once the modem's phone number is known also is described as a feature of the invention.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, there is disclosed an apparatus comprising a first communication interface, a second communication interface and tone control logic coupled to the first interface and the second interface. The tone control logic is operable to continuously transmit a guard tone on the second communication interface responsive to receiving data on the first communication interface, comprising data representative of a guard tone. The tone control logic is operable to discontinue transmitting the guard tone in response to a predefined event.

Abstract: A method of relaying calls across a packet network includes receiving an integrated services digital network setup request. The setup request is then translated into packet network form and transmitted across a packet network. A destination device on the packet network interfaces with the destination device through integrated service digital network procedures. A connect message from the destination device on the packet network is then received and translated into an integrated services digital network connection message. The connection message is then transmitted to an integrated services digital network device to establish a connection.

Abstract: A network device is disclosed. The network device has at least one port to receive modem over network signals. A router routes data associated with the modem over network signals received from an aggregator. The aggregator uncompresses the modem over network signals and sends the data associated with the signals to the router directly without relying upon a digital signal processor.

Abstract: Cached or predictive negotiation of compression parameters over a modem relay network connection involves method and apparatus for determining at a gateway the identity of a client/server modem that is called or calling, and using a profile of such called or calling client/server modem, the profile being stored at the gateway or an affiliated agent, to transmit respectively a candidate response or command containing compression parameters. Preferably, a candidate response or command includes an exchange identification (XID) or link request (LR) command or response, either provisioned, i.e. manually configured or automated, i.e. computer-generated. The profile is stored in a memory. The actual achieved parameters for a given call also may be stored, e.g dynamic learning may be had. Finally, establishing such profiles by placing dummy calls once the modem's phone number is known also is described as a feature of the invention.

Abstract: A mechanism provides for communication of “keep-alive” messages from clients to servers in a packet telephony network environment. The servers may be call agents and the clients may be gateways or MGCP-controlled IP phones. A client (e.g., gateway) registers a virtual endpoint. Upon a period of inactivity in which the client does not receive any commands or acknowledgments from an assigned server (e.g., call agent), the client starts to send keep-alive messages periodically to the server. The keep-alive message may include an endpoint identifier that identifies the registered virtual endpoint. If the server fails to respond to the keep-alive messages after a period of time, the client initiates a fallback mechanism from a first call control protocol (e.g., MGCP) to a second call control protocol (e.g., H.323 or SIP), to provide call control handling using a default application.

Abstract: Devices, softwares and methods selectively limit a duration of an individual modem-on hold session. A network device receives and holds data for an individualized on-hold timeout time limit for each user, such as an ISP subscriber.

Abstract: A method includes establishing a modem connection, receiving an on-hold request over the modem connection, comparing a cumulative time that the modem connection has been on hold to a threshold value, and resolving the on-hold request based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Devices, softwares and methods limit the total Modem-On-Hold (“MOH”) timeout time of a single log-in session. When a logged in user requests a Modem-On-Hold session, a server counts the cumulative time spent during individual MOH sessions. Once a limit is exceeded, then subsequent MOH requests are denied.

Abstract: Early authentication processing uses the manufacture defined (“MD”) sequence made available by communication protocols during the Layer 1 training stage of a communications connection process to initiate an authentication request signal. Initiation of an authentication request during the training stage of a communications connection process is accomplished by packaging authentication request information into an authentication request signal and sending the authentication request signal, during the manufacturer defined sequence portion of Layer 1 training, to a communications connection receiver process. The authentication request information typically comprises a username and a password than can be used to verify the identify of the requester. Additionally, processing of an authentication request during the a communications connection process is provided.

Abstract: A method of relaying calls across a packet network includes receiving an integrated services digital network setup request. The setup request is then translated into packet network form and transmitted across a packet network. A destination device on the packet network interfaces with the destination device through integrated service digital network procedures. A connect message from the destination device on the packet network is then received and translated into an integrated services digital network connection message. The connection message is then transmitted to an integrated services digital network device to establish a connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying one or more characteristics of a networked device, such as a client modem, is disclosed. Values of one or more components of a signal from an unknown device are compared to values of the same components of signals from known devices. Matches determined by this comparison identify characteristics, such as the manufacturer, of the unknown devices to be the same as characteristics of the matched known devices. The comparison values are determined by receiving signals from known devices, and identifying and cataloging values of the one or more signal components in association with characteristics of the known devices. The identified characteristics are stored and later can be accessed or manipulated to derive additional information, such as statistical information based on the characteristics identified for multiple unknown devices.

Abstract: A network device is disclosed. The network device has at least one port to receive modem over network signals. A router routes data associated with the modem over network signals received from an aggregator. The aggregator uncompresses the modem over network signals and sends the data associated with the signals to the router directly without relying upon a digital signal processor.

Abstract: Devices, softwares and methods selectively limit a duration of an individual modem-on hold session. A network device receives and holds data for an individualized on-hold timeout time limit for each user, such as an ISP subscriber.