Computer-telephone interface method and apparatus
US4860342A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 1987 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M1/27
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a computer-telephone interface system by which a general purpose personal computer is enabled to perform telephone functions such as dialing, answering ringing lines, and placing lines on hold without the need for a separate telephone instrument. The interface system is responsive to digital signals received from a microprocessor in the computer to implement the signalling functions utilized in a standard switched telephone network. The interface system performs dialing sequences entered either from the keyboard of the computer, a location in the computer memory, a location on a display screen associated with the computer or a location specified by a cursor used in association with the keyboard. Operation of the interface system does not interfere with the concurrent operation by the computer of an applications program.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.