Patent ID: 7145902
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method for transferring data selectively by line switching or by packet switching from a first switch to a second switch, the first switch being part of or having access to a line-switching network, comprising: a) establishing a connection through the line-switching network from the first switch to an access point of a packet-switching network; b) transferring data through said connection from the first switch to the access point of packet-switching network; c) packetizing the data into data packets if the data do not yet exist as data packets, and transferring the data packets through the packet-switching network from the access point to the second switch; d) checking whether a control signal exists for changing-over from the packet-switching data transfer of the data packets through the packet switching network to a line-switching connection from the first switch to the second switch through the line-switching network, wherein the control signal is produced by the user of an end terminal connected to either of said first switch or said second switch; e) establishing a connection from the first switch to the second switch through the line-switching network in response to said control signal, if such a line-switching connection is not yet present; and f) changing-over from the packet-switching data transfer of the data packets through the packet switching network to a line-switching data transfer over the line-switching connection from the first switch to the second switch in response to said control signal and transferring data over the line switching connection from the first switch to the second switch.