System and method for providing a universal communications port with computer-telephony interface
US7675922B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0227
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computing system is equipped with one or more ports, each of which includes a plurality of coupler lines configured to engage connectors that may be associated with different types of external services and/or devices, including public switched telephone networks, Ethernet networks, ISDN networks, and/or telephone devices. Upon detecting a connection to a port, a controller evaluates at least one electrical property of the lines of the port. Based on the evaluation, the controller determines if the port is engaged with a known type of service or device. When the type of service or device is known, the controller selectively switches a plurality of port lines to appropriate communications subsystems to enable the computing system to communicate with the device or service. For example, a conventional telephone device can then be used as an audio input/output device for communication over the Internet rather than over a public switched telephone network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.