Importance

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Abstract

A data communications method and system is provided to facilitate the communication between a plurality of units of data terminal equipment (DTE) connected over communication lines. A first DTE unit is located in a digital network and a second DTE unit is located in either a digital network or in an analog network. When attempting to place a call from the first DTE unit in the digital network to the second DTE unit in either a digital network or an analog network, a first call is made to determine the characteristics of the second DTE unit called. If the second DTE unit called returns an indication that it also possesses digital capability, then the call is established. If, however, the indication from the second DTE unit called is that it does not have digital capability, then the first DTE unit places a second call through a modem within a terminal adapter within the system to the second DTE unit. The system is also capable of receiving a call made to the first DTE from outside the digital network. The system also has the capability of establishing an error-free connection between the first DTE and second DTE units.

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First Claim