Patent ID: 8175111

Claim:
A network relay apparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to store program files that are configured to implement one or more signal processors; and a controller configured to selectively load program files for implementing the one or more signal processors needed to perform modem functions stored in the storage unit, and configured to dynamically create each of a first modem unit, a second modem unit and a bridge unit, wherein the first, second, and bridge units are generated via only software, wherein each of the first modem unit and the second modem units is dynamically created by dynamically combining a pre-stored set of the one or more signal processors needed to perform modem functions, wherein the one or more signal processors are generated via only software, and wherein the first modem unit is configured to communicate with a first network using a first protocol, the second modem unit is configured to communicate with a second network using a second protocol, and the bridge unit is configured to convert data to be suitable for the first and second protocols when the data is exchanged between the first modem unit and the second modem unit.