Abstract:
A method to efficiently and reliably interface of legacy modem systems not residing on the internet being transported through the internet to a non-internet modem receiving device through intelligent algorithms to support both ready reception and non-ready reception devices.

Description:
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/668,977, filed on Jul. 6, 2012, (Docket No. FAX 2.010.PR), the contents herein incorporated into this application by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING 
       [0002]    No government funding was used in connection with this patent application. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. Technical Field 
         [0004]    This invention relates to computer telephony communications, specifically an apparatus and method for interconnecting legacy modem devices using an analog telephone adapter (ATA). 
         [0005]    2. Background 
         [0006]    The modern computer telephony environment continues to evolve and adapt due to the introduction of the internet. 
         [0007]    The greatest shift in computer telephony has been the deployment of Voice over IP (VoIP). VoIP involves sampling the voice channel into a digital format, packetizing the voice channel for transmission on the internet, receiving the digital packets, and then reconstructing the audio stream at the other side. VoIP operates effectively for human voice transmission due to the “bursty” nature of voice. 
         [0008]    Unfortunately many devices, including modems, do not transmit or receive information in a “bursty” fashion, instead must communicate on a dedicated communications channel with minimal latency. Transmission of modem signals over IP can cause data loss due to the data transmission gaps in the audio stream that are a result of the IP channel. 
         [0009]    Despite the popularity of IP, numerous devices use legacy PSTN interfaces to communicate information using the modem protocol. Examples of such device interfaces include: 
         [0010]    1) Alarm Systems that typically use a modem or other device, using PSTN, for data transmission to a police station or a guard station. 
         [0011]    2) Postal Meters that typically have an internal modem for data transmission to a post office or supplier. 
         [0012]    3) Legacy Computer Systems that have internal modems which transfer data to another system over the PSTN. 
         [0013]    What is common with these interfaces is that they all involve the use of modems to provide a data and/or fax connection to a PSTN networks. 
       PRIOR ART SOLUTIONS 
       [0014]    A good overview of the problems associated with transmissions of data with a modem that is carried over the internet (i.e. via IP) is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,397,793 filed on Apr. 5, 2004 by Urquizo. 
         [0015]    A common problem with Modem over IP (MOIP) solutions is that they lack an easy to implement or a “turn-key” solution that does not require the end-user to understand anything more than disconnecting the modem from a dedicated PSTN connection and connecting it to dedicated IP based equivalent. Such a “turn-key” solution for MOIP should be at least as simple as installing a consumer grade wireless internet connection. These solutions are lacking in the marketplace. International standards have been proposed for MOIP which include the ITU V.150 standard. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,489,633 issued to Garakani, et. al on Feb. 10, 2009 and applied for on Sep. 24, 2002 describes a method for the implementation of a MOIP solution using a method of negotiating the transfer of data. 
         [0017]    U.S Patent Application Publication 2009/0028168 filed by Somekh, et. al and published on Jan. 29, 2009 and filed on Jul. 30, 2008 describes a system of interconnecting modems through gateways. 
       DEFINITIONS 
       [0018]    ATA—Analog Telephone Adapter. 
         [0019]    G.729—G.729 is an audio data compression algorithm for voice that compresses digital voice in packets of 10 milliseconds duration. This specification is officially described as “Coding of speech at 8 kbit/s using conjugate-structure algebraic code-excited linear prediction (CS-ACELP”). Because of its low bandwidth requirements, G.729 is mostly used in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications where bandwidth must be conserved. Standard G.729 operates at a bit rate of 8 kbit/s, but there are extensions, which provide rates of 6.4 kbit/s (Annex D, F, H, I, C+) and 11.8 kbit/s (Annex E, G, H, I, C+) for worse and better speech quality, respectively. 
         [0020]    HTTPS—Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is a communications protocol for secure communication over a computer network, with especially wide deployment on the Internet. Technically, it is not a protocol in and of itself; rather, it is the result of simply layering the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) on top of the SSL/TLS protocol, thus adding the security capabilities of SSL/TLS to standard HTTP communications. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_Secure.) 
         [0021]    MOIP—Modem over Internet Protocol. A generic term for the transfer of modem signals of an IP network. 
         [0022]    PSAP—Public Safety Answering Point A public-safety answering point (PSAP), sometimes called “public-safety access point”, is a call center responsible for answering calls to an emergency telephone number for police, firefighting, and ambulance services. 
         [0023]    SIP—Session Initiation Protocol. A signaling protocol used for the controlling communication sessions over the internet. SIP is an application layer protocol designed to be independent of the underlying transport layer. 
         [0024]    VoIP—Voice Over Internet Protocol. A generic term for the transmission of voice signals, previously interfaced to PSTN networks, over the internet using the IP protocol. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0025]    The present inventive subject matter overcomes problems in the prior art by providing a method of establishing a modem connection link from any PSTN modem device having an ATA device that may be connected to a IP transport medium (internet), where the IP transport medium is connected to a Media Interface, and where the Media Server is also connected to a PSTN modem device with full data integrity, so that there is a successful data delivery via the PSTN modem. 
         [0026]    The inventive subject matter also has a modem connection link with a guaranteed fallback recovery mechanism that has been implemented at the sending side of a Modem Server. The modem connection link also has a method for modem protocol messaging so that of all messages are in accordance to directed standard modem messaging requirements. 
         [0027]    Further, the inventive subject matter contemplates a modem connection link operated by a method for modem protocol messaging where all of the messages, in accordance with the T.38 directed standard modem messaging protocol, are communicated through the internet. 
         [0028]    Likewise, the inventive subject matter includes a modem connection link with the ability to initiate and terminate a modem call through a user interface that is generated by the sending modem device. This modem connection link has user interfaces that support various modem file formats that are transmitted from the sending modem device to the receiving modem device. This modem communication link also includes a method having the inclusion of standard, fine and super fine modem file formats, the inclusion of these modem file formats dependent on transmitting and receiving modem devices capable of sending said file formats. 
         [0029]    Also the inventive subject matter includes a method of establishing a connection link from any PSTN modem device; this method having the steps of:
       connecting an ATA device to an IP transport medium (internet),   connecting a Modem Server to an IP transport medium,   and then connecting a PSTN modem device with full data integrity to an IP transport medium, so that a successful modem delivery functioning in Model can be completed.       
 
         [0033]    The inventive subject matter further has the steps of having a method of establishing modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where there is a guaranteed fallback recovery mechanism for the modem delivery, and where the modem delivery is implemented at the sending Modem Server. 
         [0034]    Further, the inventive subject matter describes a method of establishing modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where the modem delivery has all messages sent in accordance to T.30 directed standard modem messaging requirements. 
         [0035]    Also described is a method for establishing a modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where the modem delivery of data has all messages sent in accordance to T.38 directed standard modem messaging requirements and these messages are transported through the internet. 
         [0036]    Further contemplated is the method of establishing a modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where this device has a modem delivery with the capabilities of initiating and terminating a modem call through the user interface from the sending modem device. 
         [0037]    Also described in the inventive subject matter is a method of establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device having an ATA invention device and module, the ATA invention device and module connected to the IP transport medium (internet), a Modem Server including a module connected to a PSTN modem device with full data integrity, wherein the ATA invention device successful modem delivery is functioning in Mode3. 
         [0038]    The inventive subject matter also describes a method of establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where that device has a guaranteed fallback recovery mechanism implemented by the sending Modem Server. 
         [0039]    The inventive subject matter also describes a method of establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device having all messages transmitted in accordance to T.30 directed standard modem messaging requirements. 
         [0040]    The inventive subject matter also describes a method of establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device according to claim further having all messages in accordance to T.38 directed standard modem messaging requirements transported through the internet. 
         [0041]    The inventive subject matter also describes a method of establishing fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where this device has the capability of initiating and terminating a modem call through the user interface from the sending modem device. 
         [0042]    Another embodiment of this inventive subject matter is a method of establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device with a calling scheme, the calling scheme capable of tunnelling the call simultaneously through the synchronous modem connection link while providing the recipient full control of routing to the nearest appropriate PSAP. 
         [0043]    Also described is a method of establishing fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device further supporting various modem file formats transmitted from the sending modem device to the receiving modem device. 
         [0044]    Also described is a method of establishing a fully functioning, synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where this device has a standard, fine and super fine modem file formats, and the file formats are dependent on the transmitting and receiving modem devices capable of transmitting and sending the standard, fine and super fine modem file formats. 
         [0045]    The method of establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device having an ATA device where this device supports formats both at the transmitting and receiving modem devices, and also where the ATA invention device is supportive for all levels. 
         [0046]    Also described is a method of establishing fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where the device initiates a success message for the modem data that is transmitted both to the Modem Server and to the called modem device. 
         [0047]    Further described is a method of establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device, where the device has a failure message, the failure message being created when a the modem data transmitted to the Modem Server and to the called modem device fails to transmit. 
         [0048]    The inventive subject matter also describes a method of establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where all of the modem data being is stored on the Modem Server. 
         [0049]    This method also describes a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device that has all of the modem data being available to the sender of the original modem data transmission on the Modem Server. 
         [0050]    This method also contemplates establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device further having all modem data being available for archival of confidential and secure information on the Modem Server. 
         [0051]    This method of also contemplates establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device further having all modem data being stored on the Modem Server available for data mining and image scanning. 
         [0052]    This method also further contemplates establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device further having error message(s) that report a failure in completing the modem call from the two communicating modem devices. 
         [0053]    Also, this method further contemplates a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where the modem device generates an error message that reports the failure to complete modem where these messages are generated from failure messages that are created and returned by the transport mediums. 
         [0054]    This method also establishes a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device that has a mechanism and software module within an ATA device. 
         [0055]    This method also establishes a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device further managing a mechanism module within the Modem Server device working in conjunction with ATA device. 
         [0056]    This method also provides for a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device further having intelligent algorithms to monitor all messaging and transactional data. 
         [0057]    This method also allows a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device further having a plurality of intelligent algorithms and where the intelligent algorithms capable of recording all messaging and transactional data. 
         [0058]    This method also establishes a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device that has a plurality of intelligent algorithms and where these intelligent algorithms to controlling all message sequencing and data processing. 
         [0059]    This method also establishes a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device further having a plurality of intelligent algorithms, and where these intelligent algorithms to monitor all messaging and transactional data, wherein the intelligent algorithms have a master controller. 
         [0060]    The inventive subject matter also contemplates a method of establishing fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device where there is a plurality of intelligent algorithms, these plurality of intelligent algorithms to recording all messaging and transactional data, wherein the intelligent algorithms have a master controller. 
         [0061]    This inventive subject matter also contemplates a method of establishing a fully functioning synchronous modem connection link from any PSTN modem device, where the PSTN modem has a plurality of intelligent algorithms and the intelligent algorithms control all of the message sequencing and data processing, and where the intelligent algorithms also have a master controller. 
         [0062]    These and other embodiments are described in more detail in the following detailed descriptions and the figures. 
         [0063]    The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of embodiments and features of the present inventive subject matter. Persons skilled in the art are capable of appreciating other embodiments and features from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0064]      FIG. 1  depicts the prior art interface of the legacy modem system to an alarm system. 
           [0065]      FIG. 2  shows a high-level basic diagram of a representative alarm system connected to an Analog Telephone Adapter. 
           [0066]      FIG. 2A  shows an alternate embodiment of the high-level basic diagram of a representative alarm system connected to an Analog Telephone Adapter. 
           [0067]      FIG. 3  illustrates a diagram of an alarm system connected to a media server. 
           [0068]      FIG. 4  describes the flow of information between the alarm system and the alarm company. 
           [0069]      FIG. 5  depicts a high-level flow chart of the transfer of data using the modem connected to an Analog Telephone Adapter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0070]    Representative embodiments according to the inventive subject matter are shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , wherein similar features share common reference numerals. 
         [0071]      FIG. 1  shows a prior art high-level basic diagram of an alarm system  110  with a modem interface  116  which is connected to the PSTN  120  (“Public Switched Telephone Network”). The PSTN  120  is connected to the receive modem  146  which is further connected to the alarm company  150 . This signal triggers a signal to alert  160  the fire, police, etc. 
         [0072]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that a number of devices operate in the same way as the alarm system  110  connected to the PSTN  120 . These devices include postal meters, legacy computer systems with modem interfaces, and process control devices. This is because the “device-modem-PSTN” interface is almost ubiquitous as a topology for communicating data. But the rise of the internet has established an alternate communications interface, this alternate communications interface growing in importance during in the late 1990&#39;s. 
         [0073]    Now referring to  FIG. 2  which depicts an alarm system  110  with modem  120  interface. The modem  116  is connected to an intelligent HTTP(s) enabled ATA  1020  via the Internet  1440  connected to a remote streaming media gateway  1280  via a PSTN interface  118 . The alarm system  110  initiates a modem data transfer with a remote streaming media gateway  1280  via a simple binary or XML web service HTTP(s) request. 
         [0074]    The flow of modem data through  FIG. 2  is as follows:
       a) Transmitting Modem Device  116  sends alarm data from the alarm system  110  to the ATA  1020 .   b) The ATA  1020  streams the packetized alarm data to the internet  1440 .   c) This packetized alarm data may also be routed through firewalls and/or gateways prior to it being transmitted to the internet  1440 .   d) In the internet  1440  the alarm data is then transferred to a media gateway  1280 .   e) The media gateway  1280  then depacketize&#39;s the alarm data and converts the alarm data to a PSTN  120  format.   f) The alarm data is then sent through the PSTN  120 .   g) The receiving alarm company&#39;s  150  modem then receives from the PSTN  120  a phone signal and transmits it to the alarm company equipment.       
 
         [0082]    Examples of ATA&#39;s  1020  (analog telephone adapters) are the Cisco ATA  186  or the Linksys PAP2T. ATA&#39;s are designed to communicate with a server using a protocol such as H.323, SIP, and MGCP, and encoding and decoding the voice signal using a voice codec such as G.711, G.729, GSM, iLBC or others. 
         [0083]    Examples of remote streaming media gateway  1280  would include, but are not limited to, the Audiocodes Mediant  1000  (see Audiocodes, www.audiocodes.com) or the Realtime Technologies VoIPIS ISDN PRI Trunk Gateway. 
         [0084]    Now referring to  FIG. 2A  which provides an alternate embodiment connecting the alarm system  110  to the modem  116  which is connected to an ATA  1020 . The ATA  1020  is further connected to the internet  1440  which is then interfaced to a computer that has peripheral attachments to the phone company. 
         [0085]    Now referring to  FIG. 3  which provides a network diagram  300  of a system that would support a “Two Call, Full Audio Support Mode” (SIP G.729 Audio). As shown in  FIG. 3 , a source modem  116  is connected to an ATA  1020 . The ATA  1020  supports both SIP/RTP audio connections  1230  and/or HTTPS modem data connections  1240 . These connections (e.g. SIP/RTP  1230  and HTTPS modem data  1240 ) are connected via the internet. The internet supports connections to the PSTN  1260  and/or the real-time media server  1270 . The real-time media server  1270  is then connected to a media gateway  1280  which is further connected to the PSTN  120 . The PSTN  120  is further connected to either a voice connection  1262 , or a modem connection  1264 . As noted the PSTN  120  is connected to the receiving modem  146  which is connected to the alarm company  150 . 
         [0086]    Now referring to  FIG. 4  which illustrates that flow of information from the alarm system to the ATA.  1610 . The ATA then receives the alarm information and transmits it to the internet via established IP protocols.  1620 . The IP data is the received by a Media Server which translates the data into a format acceptable by the PSTN.  1640 . Likewise, status information is transmitted from the alarm company back to the modem along the return path.  1640 - 1630 - 1620 - 1610 . 
         [0087]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  depicts a detailed flowchart  1600  for the sending an alarm data across the network as previously shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0088]    In  FIG. 5  involves the steps of: 
         [0089]    a) The legacy alarm system streams/transmits modem data to the ATA using T.30. Step  1610 . This involves the substeps of:
       1. The legacy alarm system sending codes to dial the phone number via the modem. Step  1610   a.      2. Establishing a modem connection with the ATA. Steps  1610   b ,  1610   c.      3. Once the modem has established with the ATA the data is transferred from the modem to the ATA. Steps  1610   d ,  1610   e.      4. Once the modem data transfer is complete to the ATA, the modem “hangs up” and the transfer of data is complete.       
 
         [0094]    b) The ATA streams modem data to the media server via HTTP(s). Step  1620 . This ATA streaming involves the substeps of:
       1. SIP Start Call. Step  1620   a.      2. RTP Read/Write Audio (G.711/G.729). Step  1620   b      3. Wait for Modem to Transmit Data. Step  1620   c.      4. When the Modem starts transmitting data, read the modem data and place it into a queue for the ATA to transmit.  1620   e.      5. Transmit the modem data via HTTP(s) over the internet  1620   f.    1620   f . See Steps  1630   a - f  for receipt by the media server   6. Test to see if the modem data transmission is completed  1620   g      7. If the modem data transmission is completed, then the SIP call will be ended on the ATA.  1620   d.          
 
         [0102]    c) The media server streams the modem to media gateway via SIP and associated protocols. Step  1630 . 
         [0103]    d) The Media Gateway streams modem data to PSTN. Step  1640 . 
         [0104]    e) The Media Gateway Server notifies the ATA of the result. The ATA sends a modem confirmation code to Alarm System. 
         [0105]    The mechanism for the synchronized processing of the modem data requires implemented components on both ATA device and the media server. These components will be the controlling mechanism to the entire modem call and the processing of the modem data. The sequence of the call, messages, and data will be recorded, monitored and managed from the invention components enabled with this mode of operation. 
         [0106]    There will be a series of RTP/SIP messages to be created and transmitted from the ATA device  116 , though the Firewall to IP network  1250 , the Media Server  1280 , and the switched based network PSTN  1260 , where the reply RTP/SIP message will update the controlling components on both the ATA device  116  and Media Server  1280 . These messages are in full compliance to support modem devices  116  and to manage the components between the ATA device  116  and Media Server  1280 . This messaging and controlling or the communications will occur instantaneously and automatically from the point-to-point synchronizing algorithms written for the invention components implemented for both the ATA device  116  and Media Server  1280 . 
         [0107]    The component messaging will be handled with the highest of priority to retain full instantaneous synchronization between the ATA device  1020 , Media server  1280  without impact to the Receiving Modem, thus fully supporting synchronous mode of operation. The messages sent between implemented components will contain a set of base identifiers. 
         [0108]    The following set of fields will be stored in the Modem Server Timer Sequencer module: ATA Unique identifier, Modem Call Unique identifier, modem call progress, data call progress, modem server timing, ATA timing. 
         [0109]    The following set of fields will be stored in the ATA Timer Control module: modem Server Unique identifier, ATA timing, modem server timing, modem call progress, data call progress. The ATA Timer Control module will be the controlling master to the modem call synchronization and all actions thereafter taken. 
         [0110]    Synchronized Modem Transmission Mode: 
         [0111]    The origination of the modem call requires a message to be sent through the connection of the modem device  116 , ATA device  1020 , IP network  1440 , Media Gateway  1280 , a Firewall, public switched based network PSTN  120 , modem device  150  and a reply message is available to accept the call and to receive the modem data transmission. This transmission is referred to as: “live time” modem communication but is controlled, monitored and managed by the ATA Timer Control module in conjunction with the modem Server Timer Sequencer module after the user has initiated the modem call. After the message has been successfully transmitted through the network, the appropriate acceptance response message has been successfully transmitted back to the originating device and registered in the ATA Timer Control module the sending modem device  116  and receiving modem device are ready to begin image processing of the transmissions. The ATA Timer Control module will manage all communications events relevant to the successful processing of the modem call and modem data transmission. 
         [0112]    Once the alarm data has been completely transmitted from the sending modem device  116  and verified received accurately on the receiving modem device then another message with status of the transaction is processed and recorded in the ATA Timer Control module and paired transaction message recorded on the modem Server Timer Sequencer module. 
         [0113]    The receiving modem device sends a transaction status message back thru the network to the sending modem device  116  providing status check of either a successful or error receipt of the modem data transferred. Then both systems disconnect (“hang up”) the modem call. This is all in accordance with the management of the call by the ATA Timer Control module. 
         [0114]    Persons skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and actions which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive concept and that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit and scope of the teachings and claims contained therein. 
         [0115]    All patent and non-patent literature cited herein is hereby incorporated by references in its entirety for all purposes.