Access Node Fax Mode Switching via Preliminary Capability Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Next Generation Networks (NGN), fax mode switching requires multiple negotiations due to differing fax capabilities between terminals, leading to wastage of network transmission resources and reduced fax success ratios, especially when affected by network delays.

Innovation Solution

A fax switching method where an access node, such as an MSAN device, initiates initial call requests with fax capability information, allowing it to determine whether to switch to T38 fax or audio-transparent fax mode, thereby reducing negotiation failures and increasing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple negotiations are performed for fax mode switching, then fax capability compatibility between terminals is improved, but network transmission resources are wasted and fax transmission speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefax capability compatibilityVSAvoidfax transmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The access node performs preliminary action by determining the fax capability mode of the second terminal before initiating fax mode switching. This is achieved by receiving an initial call success response message from the second terminal that carries fax capability information, and storing this information in advance. When fax switching is needed, the access node can directly query this pre-stored information without requiring multiple negotiations, thus resolving the contradiction between ensuring capability compatibility and maintaining transmission speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple negotiations are performed for fax mode switching, then fax capability compatibility between terminals is improved, but network transmission resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefax capability compatibilityVSAvoidnetwork transmission resource
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The access node performs preliminary action by determining the fax capability mode of the second terminal before initiating fax mode switching. This is achieved by receiving an initial call success response message from the second terminal that carries fax capability information, and storing this information in advance. When fax switching is needed, the access node can directly query this pre-stored information without requiring multiple negotiations, thus resolving the contradiction between ensuring capability compatibility and maintaining transmission speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple negotiations are performed for fax mode switching, then fax capability compatibility between terminals is improved, but fax success ratio is reduced due to network delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefax capability compatibilityVSAvoidfax success ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access node performs preliminary action by determining the fax capability mode of the second terminal before initiating fax mode switching. This is achieved by receiving an initial call success response message from the second terminal that carries fax capability information, and storing this information in advance. When fax switching is needed, the access node can directly query this pre-stored information without requiring multiple negotiations, thus resolving the contradiction between ensuring capability compatibility and maintaining transmission speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2523448B1Method for switching facsimile, accessing device and facsimile system
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2523448B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2523448B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a fax switching method, an access device, and a fax system. The method includes: receiving, by an access node, a first initial call request message from a first terminal; responding, by the access node, to the first initial call request message, and sending a second initial call request message to a second terminal; receiving, by the access node, an initial call success response message returned by the second terminal, and determining, according to the initial call success response message, a fax capability supported by the second terminal; and after a media stream channel is established, detecting, by the access node, that the first terminal starts fax, and switching the media stream channel from an audio communication state to a fax state according to the fax capability supported by the second terminal. By using the method, the access device, and the fax system in the embodiments of the present invention, a problem that fax mode switching requires multiple negotiations, which wastes a network transmission resource and causes that a fax rate is reduced, may be solved.