Patent · US Expired

Integrated communications control device for a small office configured for coupling within a scalable network

US5881142A · kind A · utility

79Cited by
88References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 18, 1995
Grant dateMar 9, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 18, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04Q2213/13405
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An integrated communications control device integrates the telecommunications environment of a small office with an interface to the telephone network. The device is a stand alone unit including a programmable control processor configured by a user based on the telephonic equipment within the office and the user's needs. The device is utilized to control telephone and data communications within the office. The device interfaces with a computer allowing the user to configure the system and create a customized telephonic environment using the personal computer. Alternatively, the device may be integrated into the PC with a plug-in card. Standard telephone interfaces are provided for interfacing to telephonic equipment such as telephones, modems and facsimile machines. Additionally, an ISDN interface allows the device to interface with and communicate over the ISDN, thereby providing a gateway to the PSTN. A display provides users with current operational status of the system. The display also includes input buttons which allow the user to make real-time configuration adjustments. Alternatively, the display includes an audio interface wherein the user is prompted and enters responsive…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.