Patent ID: 6021114
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
A method for utilizing a plurality of communications lines comprising the steps of:establishing a connection between a messaging system and a communications switch, said messaging system having memory for storing files of data intended for transmission via said communications switch and through said communications lines, said communications switch being connected to said communications lines for controlling data traffic through said communications lines;establishing a data traffic threshold indicative of a preselected availability level for additional traffic along said communications lines, said data traffic threshold being representative of a condition to be met before said files of data from said messaging system are transmitted;monitoring said data traffic through said communications lines to determine a data traffic level;comparing said data traffic level on said communications lines to said data traffic threshold, including identifying times during which said data traffic level is below said data traffic threshold;triggering transmission of a file stored in said memory in response to detection that said data traffic level is below said data traffic threshold; andleaving unused communications lines available for data transmissions from sources other than said memory of said messaging system when said data traffic level is above said data traffic threshold.