Patent ID: 7907708
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: H04M,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of autonomously transitioning between voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and fax over IP (FoIP) during a call in a communications packet based network, the method comprising the steps of: reserving via a media gateway controller two co-existing communication resources between first and second media gateways for said call, one a VoIP communication resource and the other a FoIP communication resource, establishing the call initially as a voice call over the VoIP communication resource, and, on a determination by the media gateways that a facsimile call is required, autonomously transitioning from VoIP to FoIP by muting said VoIP communication resource and enabling said FoIP communication resource; wherein, prior to establishment of the call, said media gateways exchange capabilities indicating support of autonomous transitioning from VoIP to FoIP and wherein autonomous transitioning of a media gateway from VoIP to FoIP is triggered by receipt of one of a fax tone signal and a FoIP packet without any intervention by the media gateway controller or any renegotiation of the FoIP communication resource.