Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems for relaying data involving obtaining a data stream from a data source, forwarding the obtained data stream over a network, while forwarding the obtained data stream over the network, monitoring the obtained data stream to detect a data transfer mode associated with inclusion of synchronization characters in the obtained data stream, and if the data transfer mode is detected, removing a plurality of synchronization characters from the obtained data stream to produce a bandwidth-reduced data stream and forwarding the bandwidth-reduced data stream instead of the obtained data stream over the network. Synchronization characters may comprise start bits, stop bits, and idle bits. The data transfer mode may be an asynchronous data transfer mode based on a V.14 standard. Also, the asynchronous data transfer mode may be detected by decoding a predetermined number of valid V.14 frames from the obtained data stream.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an illustrative system  100  for relaying data over a network according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, system  100  includes a network relay device  102  communicating with another network relay device  104  over a network  106 . Network  106  may be a packet-switched network and/or a circuit-switched network. For example, a packet-switched network may comprise a local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a network of networks, etc. One commonly-known packet-switched network is the Internet. A circuit-switched network may comprise a simple wired or wireless connection, a modem “dial-up” connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), etc. Use of network  106  may also involve layers of network communications. For example, one configuration of layers of network communication may involve a physical layer, a data-link layer, a network layer, a transport layer, a session layer, a presentation layer, an application layer, etc. Regardless of the specific implementation of network  106 , network relay device  102  and network relay device  104  are capable of forwarding data to one another over network  106 . Further, in the present embodiment of the invention, network relay device  102  and network relay device  104  are capable of bi-directional communication. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , system  100  further includes one or more data communication devices such as  110 ,  112 , and  114  coupled to network relay device  102 . System  100  also includes one or more data communication devices such as  120 ,  122 , and  124  coupled to network relay devices  104 . These data communication devices may be different types of data equipment, such as telephones, fax machines, text messaging devices, etc. The illustrative arrangement shown in  FIG. 1  allows numerous end-to-end communication links to be established. Each communication link may be bi-directional in nature and be established between two different data communication devices. 
     Just as an example, a first user at telephone  112  may establish a “call” with a second user at telephone  122 . The following briefly describes communication of the “call” in one direction. The first user&#39;s voice may be received at a receiver at telephone  112 , converted into digital data, and sent to network relay device  102 . This data, which represents the first caller&#39;s voice, may be forwarded from network relay device  102  to network relay device  104 . The forwarded data may then be sent to telephone  122 , reconstructed into sound, and outputted at telephone  122  to be heard by the second user. The conversion of voice signals into digital data format, and vice versa, may be implemented using conventional techniques known to one of skill in the art. Also, known techniques for voice data compression, encoding, encryption, and other processing may be implemented. 
     Communication of the “call” in the other direction operates in a similar manner. That is, the voice of the second caller is received at telephone  122 , data representing the second caller&#39;s voice is forwarded from network relay device  104  to network relay device  102 , and the corresponding signal is sent to telephone  112 . Finally, the second caller&#39;s voice is reconstructed into sound that is output at telephone  112 . In certain embodiments, a “call” such as that described above is established over network  106  that is implemented as an IP network, and the “call” may be referred to as a voice-over-IP (VoIP) call. In one specific embodiment, the call may be a secure voice call. 
     Different types of data transfer modes may be implemented by equipment such as data communication devices  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  120 ,  122 , and  124 . Typically, a data transfer mode relates to a particular set of conventions that devices follow in communicating data with one another. Such data transfer modes may correspond to standard communication interfaces. Examples of data transfer modes include synchronous modes and asynchronous modes. 
     Generally speaking, a synchronous mode utilizes both data signals and clock signals. For example, a data signal may carry a data waveform representing the logical ones and zeros of the data being transferred. A corresponding clock signal may provide a clock waveform that provides the timing for deciding the appropriate moments in time to sample the data waveform, in order to obtain the data. Different manners of implementing a data signal and a corresponding clock signal may be used. Just as a simple example, a data signal may be sampled on every rising edge of a corresponding clock signal. Other techniques and details for implementing data signals and clock signals are well-known to one of skill in the art. 
     By contrast, an asynchronous mode typically utilizes data signals, but not clock signals. For example, a data signal may carry a data waveform representing the logical ones and zeros that of the data being transferred. In addition to the actual data that represents, for instance, a user&#39;s voice, an asynchronous interface may also insert additional data, referred to as “synchronization characters” into the transmission to help maintain the structure of data within the transmission. For example, an asynchronous interface may organize original data that is to be transmitted into “frames.” A frame may be of a fixed size, such as 8 bits long. Synchronization characters may then be inserted to properly demarcate the beginning and end of frames. For instance, a “start bit” may be inserted at the beginning of each frame. Also, a “stop bit” may be inserted at the end of each frame. In addition, when no data is available to be transmitted, a sufficient number of “idle bits” may be inserted between valid frames of data. 
     One well-known example of an asynchronous interface standard is the Comité Consultatif International Téléphonique et Télégraphique (CCITT), or Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Recommendation V.14 standard (“V.14 standard”). According to a generally accepted V.14 standard, asynchronous data transmission may be implemented by organizing data into frames, and inserting a “start bit” having a value of “1” before each frame, inserting a “stop bit” having a value of “0” after each frame, and inserting one or more “idle bits” having values of “1” between frames when no data is available to be transmitted. Specifically, the “idle bits” may be inserted after the “stop bit” of a particular frame and before the “start bit” of the next frame. 
     The transfer of data between a data communication device such as device  112  and a network relay device such as device  102 , depicted in  FIG. 1 , may not necessarily involve the actual data signals and/or clock signals mentioned above. Nevertheless, the data that is transferred between such devices may include synchronization characters, if an asynchronous mode is utilized at some point in the path of transmission. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , data communication device  112  and network relay device  102  communicate by sending modulated signals to one another. Various modulation schemes such as amplitude modulation, phase modulation, frequency modulation, and others may be adopted as is well-known to one of skill in the art. Such modulation schemes may utilize “symbols” that may each represent one or more bits. The number of bits represented by each symbol depends on the modulation scheme used. For instance, if a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation scheme is used, or if a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) scheme is used, four bits would be represented by each symbol. While such modulated communications may not necessarily involve asynchronous or synchronous interface signals such as separate data signals and/or clock signals, the data represented by the communicated symbols may include synchronization characters that are present as result of the operation of an asynchronous data transfer mode by a data communication device. 
     Thus, if a data communication device  112  is operating in asynchronous mode, the modulated symbols that data communication device  112  sends to a network relay device  102  may include synchronization characters such as start bits, stop bits, and idle bits. Data communication device such as device  122  operating in asynchronous mode at the other end of the communication link may also be expecting such synchronization characters. In typical prior art systems, network relay device  102  would simply forward actual data, along with the synchronization characters, to network relay device  104 . Network relay device  104  would then send the actual data, along with the synchronization characters, to data communication device  122 . Again, this may be done by using modulated communications as described above. 
     As demands on network bandwidth increase, there is an ever greater need to improve the efficiency of data transmission over paths such as network  106 . If a system such as system  100  can be capable of reducing the bandwidth requirements of data forwarded over network  106 , efficiency can be correspondingly improved. However, prior art systems have not adequately addressed the reduction of bandwidth requirements for data such as that involved in the operation of an asynchronous data transfer mode. Thus, there is a significant need for workable techniques that allow more efficient transmission of data over networks. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems for relaying data involving obtaining a data stream from a data source, forwarding the obtained data stream over a network, while forwarding the obtained data stream over the network, monitoring the obtained data stream to detect a data transfer mode associated with inclusion of synchronization characters in the obtained data stream, and if the data transfer mode is detected, removing a plurality of synchronization characters from the obtained data stream to produce a bandwidth-reduced data stream and forwarding the bandwidth-reduced data stream instead of the obtained data stream over the network. 
     A first control message may be sent, if the data transfer mode is detected. Also, a second control message may be sent, and the obtained data stream may be forwarded over the network instead of the bandwidth-reduced data stream, if the data transfer mode is no longer detected. The first control message and second control message may be included as part of data streams forwarded over the network. 
     The synchronization characters may comprise start bits, stop bits, and idle bits. The data transfer mode associated with inclusion of synchronization characters may be an asynchronous data transfer mode. The asynchronous data transfer mode may be based on a V.14 standard. Also, the asynchronous data transfer mode may be detected by decoding a predetermined number of valid V.14 frames from the obtained data stream. 
     The invention may also relate to methods, apparatuses, and systems for relaying data involving receiving a data stream forwarded over a network, receiving at least one control message forwarded over the network, transmitting the received data stream to a data destination, and if a first control message is received, inserting a plurality of synchronization characters in the received data stream to produce a reconstituted data stream and transmitting the reconstituted data stream instead of the received data stream to the data destination. 
     The received data stream may be transmitted to the data destination instead of the reconstituted data stream, if a second control message is received. Also, the at least one control stream may be received as part of the received data stream. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an illustrative system for relaying data over a network according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  presents illustrative data sequences as processed by network relay devices and forwarded over a network according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram depicting illustrative flows for automatic detection and processing of asynchronous data for bandwidth reduction, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart depicting illustrative steps for automatic detection and processing of asynchronous data for bandwidth reduction, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Overview 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a network relay device such as device  102  is capable of automatically detecting data organized according to an asynchronous mode. Upon detection of the asynchronous mode, the network relay device is capable of removing synchronization characters such as start bits, stop bits, and idle bits from the data. By removing such extraneous bits, the data that is to be forwarded is effectively reduced in size. In other words, bandwidth-reduced data is produced. The network relay device may then forward the bandwidth-reduced data over a network such as network  106 . The bandwidth-reduced data is received by another network relay device such as device  104 . 
     In addition to the bandwidth-reduced data, network relay device  102  may also send a control message to network relay device  104 , to indicate the bandwidth-reduced status of the forwarded data. In other words, the message indicates to network relay device  104  that synchronization characters have been removed from the bandwidth-reduced data. In one embodiment of the invention, such a message is sent as a part of the forwarded data. That is, the bandwidth-reduced data that is forwarded over network  106  may be depleted of synchronization characters but may be inserted with one or more control messages. Because synchronization characters can be associated with each frame and thus occur relatively frequently, where as control messages occur relatively infrequently, the expected overall effect of the removal of synchronization characters and insertion of control messages is a significant reduction in the amount of data that is needed to be forwarded over network  106 . 
     Upon receiving the control message, network relay device  104  may respond by re-inserting appropriate synchronization characters into the received bandwidth-reduced data, before passing the data to a data communication device such as device  122 . This procedure may be necessary if data communication device  122  is operating in asynchronous mode, and is therefore expecting synchronization characters to be present in the data it receives. Accordingly, synchronization characters may be removed before forwarding of data over network  106  to reduce bandwidth consumption and improve efficiency, yet a data communication device receiving the data while operating in asynchronous mode may still be able to receive data that contains appropriate synchronization characters. 
     Data Received From Source Data Communication Device 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , equipment for performing techniques according to the present embodiment of the invention are described in further detail below. Network relay device  102  comprises a modulator/demodulator module  116  and a V.14 auto switcher  118 . V.14 auto switcher  128  in turn comprises a V.14 encoder/decoder module  119 . Network relay device  104  has a similar structure and comprises a modulator/demodulator module  126  and a V.14 auto switcher  128 . V.14 auto switcher  128  in turn comprises a V.14 encoder/decoder module  129 . 
       FIG. 2  presents illustrative data sequences as processed by network relay devices  102  and  104  and forwarded over network  106  according to one embodiment of the present invention. For clarity of illustration, the figure depicts processing associated with data travel in one direction, from data communication device  112  to data communication device  122 . 
     In terms of the example mentioned previously, a first user at data communication device  112  (e.g., a telephone) may establish a “call” with a second user at data communication device  122  (e.g., another telephone). The travel of data in one direction may represent the transmission of the first user&#39;s “voice” from data communication device  112  to data communication device  122 . The first user&#39;s voice may be received at a receiver at data communication device  112 , converted into digital data, and sent to network relay device  102 . Here, the digital data is transmitted as a modulated signal from data communication device  112  to network relay device  102 . This modulated signal is received by modulator/demodulator module  116 . 
     As depicted, network relay device  102  uses modulator/demodulator module  116  for its demodulation capabilities. Thus, modulator/demodulator  116  demodulates the modulated signal according to the appropriate modulation scheme, to produce RX demodulated sequence  202 . RX demodulated sequence  202  is shown as being organized into groups of four bits each. This reflects a modulation scheme used in the present embodiment of the invention in which each symbol represents four data bits. In other words, each group of four bits is demodulated from a corresponding symbol in the modulated signal received from data communication device  112 . 
     Detection of Asynchronous Data Transfer Mode 
     RX demodulated sequence  202  is forwarded from modulator/demodulator module  116  to V.14 auto switcher  118 . V.14 auto switcher  118  is capable of automatically detecting a data transfer mode associated with inclusion of synchronization characters. In this case, V.14 auto switcher  118  is configured to detect patterns in RX demodulated sequence  202  that indicate the use of a V.14 asynchronous data transfer mode. One technique for detecting V.14 asynchronous data transfer mode in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention is described below. However, variations and alternative techniques may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art given the present disclosure. 
     Here, V.14 auto switcher  118  uses V.14 encoder/decoder  119  for its decoding capabilities. Specifically, V.14 encoder/decoder  119  examines RX demodulated sequence  202  in search of valid V.14 frames. This is possible because the structure of a valid V.14 frame is known. For instance, it may be known that a valid V.14 frame always begins with a “start” bit (e.g., “0”), ends with a “stop” bit (e.g., “1”), and contains eight data bits between the start bit and the stop bit. Also, it may be known that valid V.14 frames are separated by “idle” bits (e.g., “1”s). 
     Thus, V.14 encoder/decoder  119  may look for a start bit, and if one is found, skip eight bits and look for a stop bit. If the stop bit is also found, a possible valid frame may be declared. V.14 encoder/decoder  119  may then receive idle bits until a new start bit is found and begin identifying another valid frame. This type of testing may be performed on bit-shifted versions of RX demodulated sequence  202  to find the correct alignment of frames. 
     Further, V.14 encoder/decoder  119  can attempt to identify a predetermined number (X) of consecutive, valid V.14 frames. If an invalid V.14 frame is found before X consecutive, valid V.14 frames are identified, encoder/decoder  119  may choose to not declare that V.14 asynchronous mode has been detected. Instead, encoder/decoder  119  may reset its count of consecutive valid frames back to zero, and start over in attempting to find X consecutive, valid frames. On the other hand, if X consecutive, valid V.14 frames are identified, encoder/decoder  119  may declare that V.14 asynchronous mode has been detected. 
     In this manner, V.14 encoder/decoder  119  may detect the presence of a V.14 asynchronous data transfer mode. Upon such detection, V.14 encoder/decoder  119  becomes aware of the position of start bits, stop bits, and idle bits within the data stream. V.14 decoded data  208  represents the data sequence as viewed by V.14 encoder/decoder  119 , once the positions of these synchronization characters are known. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , RX demodulated sequence  202  contains the same bits as V.14 decoded data  208 . However, the illustrated organization of these bits are different in the two sequences. In RX demodulated sequence  202 , the bits are organized according to the manner in which they are represented by corresponding symbols in the modulation signal sent from data communication device  112  to modulator/demodulator module  116 —four bits per symbol. By contrast, in V.14 decoded data  208 , the bits are organized according the V.14 frame structure as determined by the decoding capabilities of V.14 encoder/decoder  119 —with start bits, stop bits, and idle bits appropriately identified. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, V.14 auto switcher is adapted to transmit RX demodulated sequence  202  over network  106 , while at the same time examine RX demodulated sequence  202  in search of valid V.14 frames. This technique ensures that forwarding of data over network  106  is not interrupted during the attempt to detect an asynchronous mode. Thus, in determining whether synchronization characters can be extracted from a data sequence to reduce its bandwidth requirements, the data sequence can continue to be forwarded over network  106 . If it is determined that synchronization characters can be extracted, the extraction and associated operations are performed and the resulting reduced-bandwidth data stream is forwarded over network  106 . If it is determined that synchronization characters cannot be extracted, the original data stream continues to be forwarded over network  106  without any interruption. 
     Removal of Synchronization Characters and Forwarding of Bandwidth-reduced Data 
     If a V.14 asynchronous data transfer mode is indeed detected, synchronization characters are extracted from the data stream to produce a bandwidth-reduced data stream. In the present embodiment of the invention, V.14 auto switcher  118  performs the extraction and produces the bandwidth-reduced data stream. Thus, V.14 auto switcher  118  is capable of automatically switching, from outputting RX demodulated sequence  202 , to outputting the reduced-bandwidth data stream  204 . The output of V.14 auto switcher  118  is produced by network relay device  102  and forwarded over network  106 . 
     As shown in the  FIG. 2 , bandwidth-reduced data  204  contains the data bits found in V.14 decoded data  208 , but not the start bits, stop bits, and idle bits found in V.14 decoded data  208 . That is, bandwidth-reduced data  204  is shown as a data stream stripped of synchronization characters to reduce its bandwidth requirements during transmission. 
     According to the present embodiment of the invention, V.14 auto switcher  118  also inserts one or more control messages into bandwidth-reduced data  204 . Such a control message is shown in  FIG. 2 . The particular control message shown in this figure indicates the bandwidth-reduced status of the forwarded data. Bandwidth-reduced data  204  is forwarded over network  106 . 
     Re-insertion of Synchronization Characters 
     On the other side of this communication link, network relay device  104  receives bandwidth-reduced data  204 . Specifically, V.14 auto switcher  128  examines the contents of bandwidth-reduced data  204  and identifies any control messages. When a control message is identified indicating the bandwidth-reduced status of the forwarded data  204 , the forwarded data  204  is passed to V.14 encoder/decoder  129 . 
     Here, V.14 auto switcher  128  uses V.14 encoder/decoder  129  for its encoding capabilities. Specifically, V.14 encoder/decoder  129  converts bandwidth-reduced data  204  to a V.14 asynchronous format by inserting appropriate synchronization characters. Thus, appropriate start bits, stop bits, and idle its may be inserted. In addition, any control messages found in bandwidth-reduced data  204  is also removed. The resulting reconstituted data stream is one that conforms to a proper V.14 asynchronous format. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the reconstituted data stream is presented as TX to-be-modulated sequence  206 . 
     The reconstituted data stream may not contain the exact same start bits, stop bits, and idle bits as those previously removed by network relay device  102 . For example, the re-insertion of synchronization characters may not begin at exactly the same bit position or even the same frame as where the removal of synchronization characters began. Such minor differences aside, the reconstituted data stream should resemble the original data stream as it appeared before removal of synchronization characters. 
     Data Sent to Destination Data Communication Device 
     TX to-be-modulated sequence  206  is sent from V.14 auto switcher  128  to modulator/demodulator module  126 . In  FIG. 2 , the bits of TX to-be-modulated sequence  206  are shown as being organized according to symbols in a modulation signal to be sent to data communication device  122 —four bits per symbol. 
     Although TX to-be-modulated sequence  206  shows the same general modulation scheme as that of RX demodulated sequence  202 , it is possible that the alignment of symbol boundaries amongst the bits may have changed. That is, four particular bits that were represented by a common symbol in RX demodulated sequence  202  may no longer be represented by a common symbol in TX to-be-modulated sequence  206 . For example, the symbol boundaries may have shifted by two bits, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Nevertheless, TX to-be-modulated does include the appropriate synchronization characters such as start bits, stop bits, and idle bits that reflect the proper V.14 asynchronous mode format. V.14 auto switcher  128  forwards TX to-be-modulated sequence  206  to modulator/demodulator  126 . 
     Here, network relay device  104  uses modulator/demodulator module  126  for its modulation capabilities. Thus, modulator/demodulator  126  modulates sequence  206  according to the appropriate modulation scheme, to produce a modulated signal. In this embodiment, each group of four bits is modulated into a corresponding symbol in the modulated signal. Network relay device  104  sends the modulated signal to data communication device  122 . 
     In terms of the example mentioned previously, a first user at data communication device  112  (e.g., a telephone) may establish a “call” with a second user at data communication device  122  (e.g., another telephone). The travel of data in one direction may correspond to the transmission of the first user&#39;s “voice” from data communication device  112  to data communication device  122 . Now, the modulated signal sent to data communication device  122  represents the first user&#39;s voice and includes appropriate synchronization characters. Thus, data communication device  122  may properly receive the modulated signal and process it to reproduce the “voice” of the first user, and present that “voice” to the second user at data communication device  122 . Of course, data communication devices  112  and  122  are not necessarily restricted to be telephones. Other types of data communication equipment may be used. 
     The above describes an example of data travel in one direction, from data communication device  112  to data communication device  122 . In bi-direction communications, similar processes may be employed at the same time for travel of data in the opposite direction, from data communication device  122  to data communication device  112 . In terms of the example given above, travel of data in the opposite direction may correspond to the transmission of the second user&#39;s “voice” from data communication device  122  to data communication device  112 . 
     Data Flow Diagram 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram depicting illustrative flows for automatic detection and processing of asynchronous data for bandwidth reduction, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Again, for clarity of illustration, the figure depicts flows associated with data travel in one direction. Flows of data travel in an opposite direction may be similarly implemented. 
     First, an illustrative flow  302  shows processing of asynchronous data containing synchronization characters, before detection of the asynchronous mode. As shown, asynchronous data including start bits, stop bits, and idle bits, are sent from a data source to network relay device  102 . The data source may be, for instance, data communication device  112 . At this point, network relay device has not detected the asynchronous mode. Thus, network relay device  102  simply forwards the asynchronous data, including start bits, stop bits, and idle bits, over the relevant network to network relay device  104 . Network relay device  104  forwards the asynchronous data to the data destination. The data destination may be, for instance, data communication device  122 . Although not specifically shown, modulated signals may be used as mentioned previously. 
     Flow  302  demonstrates the operation of a system such as system  100  while an attempt is made to detect an asynchronous mode. Thus, as network relay device  102  attempts to detect an asynchronous mode, network relay device  102  does not interrupt the flow of data toward network relay device  104 . Instead, network relay device  102  continues to forward asynchronous data, including start bits, stop bits, and idle bits, to network relay device  104  as the detection algorithm operates in attempting to detect an asynchronous mode. This minimizes disruption to the flow of data. 
     Second, an illustrative flow  304  shows processing of asynchronous data containing synchronization characters, upon detection of the asynchronous mode. When an asynchronous mode is detected, network relay device  102  inserts a control message into the data forwarded to network relay device  104 . This control message indicates to network relay device  104  that an asynchronous mode has been detected. Network relay device  102  also extracts the start bits, stop bits, and idle bits from the asynchronous data. The resulting bandwidth-reduced data stream thus contains the control message and the data, with synchronization characters removed. Network relay device  102  forwards the bandwidth-reduced data stream over the relevant network to network relay device  104 . 
     Upon receiving the control message in flow  304 , network relay device  104  enables its V.14 encoder capabilities. This allows network relay device  104  to re-insert appropriate start bits, stop bits, and idle bits back into the data stream it receives from over the network. The result is a reconstituted data stream that resembles the original asynchronous data and includes the appropriate start bits, stop bits, and idle bits. Network relay device  104  forwards the reconstituted data stream to the data destination. 
     Finally, an illustrative flow  306  shows processing of non-asynchronous data, which does not contain synchronization characters, upon loss of detection of the asynchronous mode. As shown in flow  306 , the data from the data source may become non-asynchronous data. That is, the data may no longer contain start bits, stop bits, and idle bits at locations consistent with the relevant V.14 asynchronous mode characteristics. Network relay device  102  can sense this and declare loss of detection of the asynchronous mode. 
     Specifically, as network relay device  102  operates, it continually detects for the asynchronous mode. For example, V.14 encoder/decoder module  119  may continually decode V.14 asynchronous data by examining bit positions to determine if start bits, stop bits, and idle bits are present at locations consistent with the relevant V.14 asynchronous mode characteristics. When sufficient deviations from such asynchronous mode characteristics are detected, a loss of detection of the asynchronous mode may be declared. For instance, if the number of consecutive V.14 frames detected falls below a predetermined number, loss of detection of the asynchronous mode may be declared. 
     When loss of detection of asynchronous mode occurs, network relay device  102  inserts a control message into the data forwarded to network relay device  104 . This control message indicates to network relay device  104  that detection of asynchronous mode has been lost. Network relay device  102  also stops extracting any start bits, stop bits, and idle bits from the data. Indeed, once asynchronous mode is no longer detected, network relay device  102  cannot be sure that start bits, stop bits, and idles bits even exist in the data. Thus, network relay device simply forwards the non-asynchronous data to network relay device  104 , without extracting any synchronization characters. 
     Upon receiving the control message in flow  306 , network relay device  106  disables its V.14 encoder capabilities. This stops the insertion of any start bits, stop bits, and idle bits into the data stream received by network relay device  104  from over the network. The result is a data stream that resembles the original non-asynchronous data. Network relay device  104  forwards the non-asynchronous data stream to the data destination. 
     Process Flow Chart 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart depicting illustrative steps for automatic detection and processing of asynchronous data for bandwidth reduction, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Again, for clarity of illustration, the figure depicts processing associated with data travel in one direction. Processing for data travel in another direction may be similarly implemented. 
     In step  402 , a control message is sent from the transmitter to the receiver to enable the V.14 encoder at the receiver. Here, the transmitter may be network relay device  102 , and the receiver may be network relay device  104 . This control message indicates to the receiver that the transmitter has detected asynchronous mode and has acted to remove synchronization characters such as start bits, stop bits, and idle bits. Thus, the control message instructs the receiver to re-insert appropriate synchronization characters, as they may be needed by the equipment downstream. Step  402  is followed by step  404 . 
     In step  404 , data is processed at the transmitter to remove synchronization characters, such as start bits, stop bits, and idle bits. The processed data is then forwarded over the network to the receiver. Step  404  is followed by step  406 . 
     In step  406 , a determination is made as to whether asynchronous mode is detected. If so, the process returns to step  404 . If not, the process moves to step  408 . Detection of an asynchronous mode may be performed using techniques such as those described previously. 
     In step  408 , a control message is sent from the transmitter to the receiver to disable the V.14 encoder at the receiver. This control message indicates to the receiver that the transmitter has loss detection of asynchronous mode and has stopped the removal of synchronization characters such as start bits, stop bits, and idle bits. Thus, the control message instructs the receiver to stop re-insert appropriate synchronization characters. Step  408  is followed by step  410 . 
     In step  410 , data is forwarded “as is” from the transmitter to the receiver over the network. That is, the transmitter does not process the data to remove any synchronization characters before forwarding. Step  410  is followed by step  412 . 
     In step  412 , a determination is made as to whether asynchronous mode is detected. If so, the process returns to step  410 . If not, the process moves to step  402 . Again, detection of an asynchronous mode may be performed using techniques such as those described previously. 
     While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described specific embodiments. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that additions, subtractions, substitutions, and other modifications may be made without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.