Patent ID: 7099459

Claim:
A method for handling a returned echo during transmission of a voice band data (VBD) signal, which method comprises: i. receiving a first VBD signal at a first Tx unit of a first VBD relay station which comprises a first Tx unit and a first Rx unit; ii. encoding said first VBD signal; iii. transmitting said encoded first VBD signal along a transmission path towards a second VBD relay station which comprises a second Tx unit and a second Rx unit; iv. receiving said encoded first VBD signal at said second VBD relay station; v. decoding said encoded first VBD signal thus received; vi. generating a second VBD signal that carries information which is based on information comprised in said first VBD signal; vii. using information comprised in said received encoded first VBD signal in determining whether an echo of said second VBD signal would be expected at said second VBD relay station, and if in the affirmative, determining whether there is a need to cease processing for transmission at least a portion of the signals received by said second VBD relay station in order to prevent transmission of an encoded returned echo; viii. transmitting the second VBD signal from said second Rx unit of said second VBD relay station towards a device adapted to receive such VBD signals, wherein an echo of said second VBD signal is returned to said second Tx unit of said second VBD relay station; ix. activating said second Tx unit of said second VBD relay station in a VBD relay mode if said second Tx unit is not already operative in a VBD relay mode; and x. preventing transmission of said encoded returned echo of said second VBD signal from said second Tx of said second VBD station as long as the expected affecting period has not lapsed.