Patent · US Expired

Packet network telephone interface system for POTS

US6711160B2 · kind B2 · utility

28Cited by
16References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 31, 1998
Grant dateMar 23, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 31, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S379/90
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The packet network phone unit is an interface between a telephone instrument and a packet network for enabling voice data to be communicated over the packet network. The unit also functions as a gateway between a packet network and a public switched telephone network, thereby interconnecting the networks and providing a public switched telephone network gateway to a packet network. When power is not supplied to the unit, a fallback switch automatically links the telephone instrument directly to the public switched network, bypassing the circuitry in the unit. The unit includes links to a plurality of external serial communications lines as well as an interface for connecting to a personal computer. The unit also includes an LCD driver and a display for displaying information such as a caller identification. The packet network phone unit also may function an answering machine/messaging system.

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