Accelerated multi-format communication using a prefix to identify the transmitter format

A location or other description of the source of a transmission is inserted into the communication as a prefix to transmitter data. A multi-format receiver emits a sequence of different handshakes until the transmitter begins to respond. The receiver stores the prefix and a descriptor of the last handshake prior to the transmitter response. Subsequent signals with a stored prefix are greeted immediately with the stored associated handshake.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 Electronic Communications, Telephonic Communications
 2. Description of the Related Art
 Communications between transmitters and receivers follow specific protocols
 and formats. The rapid development of such devices as modems, fax,
 personal communicators and security services has resulted in a large
 number of different formats. The format used often varies from one model
 to another even in devices performing the same function and made by the
 same manufacturer. In lieu of receivers dedicated to receive a particular
 transmission format, it is preferable to use receivers which can adapt to
 different formats readily.
 A receiver which adapts automatically to different formats is described by
 present applicants in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,619. In general, transmitters
 attempting to communicate with a receiver will not begin to send data
 until they have confirmation that a connection to the receiver is made.
 Once a connection is made, the receiver emits a signal, sometimes referred
 to as a handshake signal, which will then cause the transmitter to begin
 to send its data. Different transmitters require different handshake
 signals and the data format will vary also. The mentioned Patent describes
 a receiver designed to emit a sequence of different handshakes
 corresponding to different data formats which is capable to adapt to
 different data formats and to communicate with different types of
 transmitters.
 The proliferation of different protocols has resulted in the need to emit a
 sequence of many different types of handshakes. When the transmitter
 detects its corresponding handshake, it starts its transmission and the
 receiver then stops emitting its handshake sequence. It is of interest to
 shorten the sequence, since the time for the transmitter to wait for its
 corresponding handshake would then be reduced. It is also advantageous to
 prevent any extraneous and unnecessary signals from being emitted. Such
 signals are potential causes of unreliability and problems to the
 signaling environment.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The location or other description of the source of a transmission is
 inserted into the communication as a prefix to data. A receiver capable of
 communicating in many different protocols and formats emits a sequence of
 different handshakes until the transmitter begins to respond. The receiver
 stores the received prefix and a descriptor corresponding to the
 handshake, among the sequence of different handshakes, which causes the
 transmitter to begin signaling. Subsequent signals with a stored prefix
 are greeted immediately with the associated stored handshake. This results
 in a reduced wait by the transmitter to begin transmission and the
 elimination of extraneous signals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 The location or other description of the source of transmissions is often
 known to the transmission network. This information may be inserted into
 the communications link as a prefix independent of data originating from
 the transmitter. The form of this prefix may be GPS (Global Positioning
 System) data in a satellite communications link, ANI (Automatic Number
 Identification) or CID (Caller Identification) in a telephone link, and
 other particular identification schemes such as calling card or billing
 card number in direct or proprietary links. The prefix is separate from
 transmitter data and may be presented to the receiver prior to
 establishing a connection from transmitter to receiver. A multi-format
 receiver may emit a sequence of different handshakes to elicit a response
 from the transmitter. When a call is first received from a transmitter,
 the receiver notes the prefix and upon connection emits its full sequence
 of different handshakes until the receiver starts to receive data from the
 transmitter. The receiver stops its handshake sequence immediately upon
 the start of a response from the transmitter, and notes the last
 handshake, which is the handshake that caused the transmitter to respond.
 The prefix and a descriptor of the corresponding receiver handshake are
 stored in association with each other in the receiver. Upon receipt of a
 prefix already stored, the receiver emits the associated receiver
 handshake only. Other handshakes are deleted from the sequence. When a
 call is received and a new prefix is received which is not found in
 storage, and to which there is no subsequent response to the handshake
 sequence, the new prefix is stored in a special file and this prefix is
 displayed on a printer, a LED or LCD display or sent to an external
 device. Such an occurrence may signify a transmitter malfunction, a system
 problem, or an unintended connection.
 When a call is received with no prefix, the full sequence of handshakes is
 emitted. The identification of transmitters with no prefix which respond
 to the handshake sequence is stored in a special file. The identification
 of such transmitters is part of the data received from the transmitter.
 This transmitter identification may be displayed on a printer, a LED or
 LCD display or sent to an external device. Such an occurrence may signify
 a system problem or a transmitter which is outside the prefix identifying
 network.
 A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
 A Transmitter 1 is connected to a Communications Network 2 capable of
 inserting a Prefix 3 into the communication link. The Prefix is inserted
 to precede the transmitter data stream. The Receiver 4 contains elements 5
 through 12. A Prefix Decoder 5 is connected to a Processor 6 and which
 Processor controls Handshake Generator 7 in its generation of a sequence
 of handshakes following receipt of a Prefix. The Processor directs the
 Handshake Generator to send a full sequence or a single handshake chosen
 from the sequence. The Processor determines the handshake associated with
 a received Prefix by determining the last in the sequence of handshakes
 before the transmitter begins to respond. The transmitter response is sent
 from the Transmitter to the Receiver by means of the Communications
 Network. The Processor sends to Storage Device 8 the received Prefix and a
 descriptor of the associated handshake. Upon receipt of a Prefix already
 stored in Storage Device 8, the Processor deletes all handshakes from the
 Handshake Generator other than the associated handshake stored with the
 just received Prefix. Storage means 9 and Display means 10 provide storage
 and display of prefix received by the Processor with no response to the
 handshake sequence. Storage means 11 and Display means 12 store and
 display transmissions identifiers received by the Processor without
 prefix.

Sequence Listing
 Specification: 7 pages
 Background of the Invention
 Summary of the Invention
 Description of the Invention
 1 Claim
 Abstract
 Drawing
 Drawing: One figure