Importance

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Abstract

The current invention provides apparatus for relieving congestion associated with interfacing voice-band data, and broad-band data, with a network such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN). A hierarchical system for converting digital transmissions on a network between a first protocol and a second protocol is disclosed. The transmissions are generated by data terminals communicating in a third protocol with the network. The hierarchical system includes: interface units, a local processor, a first remote processor and a first controller. The interface units are each coupled to corresponding ones of the data terminals and each signal a call session with the corresponding data terminal. The interface units convert the transmissions from the data terminal in the third protocol to the second protocol. The local processor is switchably coupled to the interface unit and communicates with the network. The local processor converts digital transmissions from the second protocol to the first protocol. The first remote processor is coupled to each of the interface units and communicates with the network. The first remote processor converts digital transmissions from the second protocol to the first protocol. The first controller detects the signaling from the interface units corresponding to the call session and allocates to an available one of the local processor and the first remote processor a conversion of digital transmissions associated with the call session from the second protocol to the first protocol. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a hierarchical system includes remote control and processing capability.

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First Claim