Abstract: Methods and systems for matching the communication protocol of a calling device with one of a plurality of communication protocols supported by an answering device are provided. Initially, a predetermined amount of data is received and buffered in a memory component. Following, an analysis is performed to match the received data with one of the communication protocols supported by the answering device. Communication protocols that can be detected and matched include, for example, the V.110, V.120 and ISDN protocols. During the buffering and analyzing steps, a predetermined data pattern such as mark idle can be transmitted to the calling device. Thereafter, the answering device is configured to answer the call according to the protocol matched in the analyzing step. A timer can be utilized to limit the period for matching to a predetermined length, after which time the answering device can be configured to answer the call in analog mode.

Abstract: A store and forward facsimile function is incorporated into a standalone telephone answering machine. The facsimile function automatically interfaces with all PC facsimile application software to retrieve data representing fixed graphic material, the facsimile messages, stored in the memory of the telephone answering machine. Flash memory storage of the telephone answering machine is used to store the received facsimile messages. A facsimile LED on the unit blinks to indicate the number of facsimile messages that are stored in memory. A FAX upload button on the machine initiates uploading of the stored facsimile messages to the user's PC through a DTE/DCE interface. The processor in the telephone answering machine sends a simulated ring signal to the facsimile application software in the PC to activate it into uploading the facsimile messages stored in memory, according to FAX CLASS 2 protocol.