Method and Apparatus for Interfacing a Public Switched Telephone Network and an Internet Protocol Network for Multi-Media Communication
First Claim
1. A system for providing real-time voice communication between devices connected to an Internet Protocol (IP) network and devices connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), comprising:
- a computer controlled switch adapted for connection to a local public switched telephone network; and
gate interface circuitry connected to the computer controlled switch and adapted for connection to the IP network.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A real-time interface between the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and an Internet Protocol (IP) network provides voice to data and data to voice conversion between the PSTN and the IP network in a seamless process. The interface, a central communication network, performs Class 5 switching between the PSTN and the IP network, besides providing enhanced services. Receiving a call, the central communication network simultaneously routes the call to a plurality of preprogrammed numbers on the PSTN and on the IP network. The central communication network provides call screening, takes voice messages and converts them to e-mail messages, takes e-mail or facsimile messages and converts them to voice messages. Communication between a PSTN phone on a local PSTN, a computer hooked up to the IP network, a phone hooked up to the IP network by a gateway, a private branch exchange (PBX) on a local PSTN, a wireless communication system with pagers and/or cell phones hooked up to a local PSTN, and facsimile machines on a local PSTN, for example, is provided by the central communication network. Through the central communication network, a computer hooked up to the IP network can exchange voice messages and facsimile messages with a PSTN connected device and conduct conference calling with a plurality of PSTN devices.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for providing real-time voice communication between devices connected to an Internet Protocol (IP) network and devices connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), comprising:
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a computer controlled switch adapted for connection to a local public switched telephone network; and
gate interface circuitry connected to the computer controlled switch and adapted for connection to the IP network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of providing real-time voice communication between devices connected to an Internet Protocol (IP) network and devices connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN), the steps of the method comprising:
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interfacing the digital data signals of the IP network with the voice signals of the PSTN;
interfacing the control signals of the IP network with the PSTN to perform address translation, admission control, bandwidth management and zone management; and
routing calls between the devices connected to the IP network and devices connected to the PSTN. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification