Method and apparatus for detecting and recovering from call waiting interruptions to modem communications

Claim 1

In a real-time multiple computer environment including a first computer system participating in a real-time computer application with a second computer system via synchronized communications over a telephone line connected between said first computer system and said second computer system, a method comprising the steps of: (a) during said synchronized communications, said first computer system detecting a call waiting signal on said telephone line, said call waiting signal indicating that a third party is attempting to communicate with a user of said first computer system via said telephone line; (b) in response to detecting said call waiting signal, said first computer system notifying said second computer system of a disruption of said synchronized communications due to said call waiting signal, said first computer system further suspending said real-time computer application and terminating said synchronized communications; and (c) after completion of a third party telephone call between said user and said third party, said first computer system calling said second computer system via said telephone line, said first computer system further unsuspending said real-time computer application and re-establishing said synchronized communications over said telephone line with said second computer system.