Interface device

• US 20030108046A1
• Filed: 12/06/2001
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John B. Simeone
• Original Assignee: John B. Simeone
• Inventors: Simeone, John B.
• Application Number:
  US10/003,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20030108046A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/395.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5615 Network termination, e.g. NT1, NT2, PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5663 Support of N-ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5667 IP over ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/04 for time-division multiplexing H04Q11/0001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13039 Asymmetrical two-way transmission, e.g. ADSL, HDSL
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1308 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13166 Fault prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13179 Fax, still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 : Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13298 : Local loop systems, access network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 : Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13337 : Picturephone, videotelephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13339 : Ciphering, encryption, security
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13378 : Speech recognition, speech analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13384 : Inter-PBX traffic, PBX networks, e.g. corporate networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13396 : Signaling in general, in-band signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13399 : Virtual channel/circuits

Abstract

An interface device for interfacing user devices to an asynchronous transfer made (ATM) network is disclosed. The interface device facilitates interfacing a number of different types of user devices to the ATM network. The interface device comprises input/output units to interface with a number of user devices. The interface device also contains a power conversion module to provide power to the input/output units and other elements, as well as store energy so that the interface device can function, at least partially, during a system failure or power failure. The interface device is electrically and logically insulated from the user devices, such as workstations or host computers, to facilitate at least partial functioning during a system failure or power failure. The interface device also provides a natural speech processor to convert natural language into computer recognizable language at a location near the user device. The interface device also provides for a gate keeping function to assist in detecting and discontinuing unusual transactions.

Claims

1. An interface device for interfacing a user device to an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, said interface device comprising:

a user input/output unit for receiving and sending user communication signals to and from the user device;

an ATM network input/output unit for receiving and sending network signals to and from the ATM network;

a microprocessor for converting said user signals to network signals and converting network signals to user signals; and

wherein the interface device is powered by a power source which is not dependent on the user device or the ATM network.

2. The interface device as defined in claim 1 wherein the user device is selected from a group comprising analog telephones and digital telephones;

and

wherein the interface device further comprises self-configuring units for configuring the interface device to detect the type of user device connected to the interface device and send and receive user signals configured for the type of user device.

3. The interface device as defined in claim 1 wherein the user device comprises a type of telephone selected from the group of telephones comprising analog telephones and digital telephones;

and

wherein the interface device comprises a self-configuring unit for detecting the type of telephone connected to the interface device and configuring the user input/output unit to send and receive user signals to and from the type of telephone in a format corresponding to the type of telephone.

4. The interface device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the user device further comprises a device selected from the group comprising digital video cameras, microphones, headsets and personal computers.

5. The interface device as defined in claim 1 wherein the power source can be an electrical connection to an electrical main outlet or a battery power source.

6. The interface device as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a natural speech processor located between the user input/output unit and the microprocessor for selectively converting communication signals in natural language from a user device connected to the user input/output unit into computer recognizable language and transferring the computer recognizable language to the microprocessor and to and from the ATM network.

7. The interface device as defined in claim 6 wherein the natural speech processor selectively converts communication signals in computer recognizable language to natural language, and, transfers the natural language communication signal to the user device connected to the user input/output unit.

8. The interface device as defined in claim 1 wherein the interface device also comprises a tri-state bus.

9. The interface device as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

an internal bus for connecting the microprocessor to the user input/output unit and the ATM network input/output; and

wherein the microprocessor monitors data transactions on the network connection for transactions which are unusual.

10. The device as defined in claim 9 wherein the microprocessor takes an action when a transaction that is unusual is detected, said action selected from the group consisting of sending a signal to an administrator of the network, and, disconnecting a port to which the unusual transaction is directed.

11. An interface device for interfacing a user device to a network, said interface device comprising:

a user input/output unit for receiving and sending user communication signals to and from the user device;

network input/output unit for receiving and sending network signals to and from the network;

a microprocessor for converting said user signals to network signals and converting network signals to user signals; and

wherein the interface device is powered by a power source which is not dependent on the user device or the network.

12. The interface device as defined in claim 11 wherein the user device is selected from a group comprising analog telephones and digital telephones;

and

wherein the interface device further comprises self-configuring units for configuring the interface device to detect the type of user device connected to the interface device and send and receive user signals configured for the type of user device.

13. The interface device as defined in claim 11 wherein the user device comprises a type of telephone selected from the group of telephones comprising analog telephones and digital telephones;

and

wherein the interface device comprises a self-configuring unit for detecting the type of telephone connected to the interface device and configuring the user input/output unit to send and receive user signals to and from the type of telephone in a format corresponding to the type of telephone.

14. The interface device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the user device further comprises a device selected from the group comprising digital video cameras, microphones, headsets and personal computers.

15. The interface device as defined in claim 11 wherein the power source can be an electrical connection to an electrical main outlet or a battery power source.

16. The interface device as defined in claim 11 further comprising:

a natural speech processor located between the user input/output unit and the microprocessor for selectively converting communication signals in natural language from a user device connected to the user input/output unit into computer recognizable language and transferring the computer recognizable language to the microprocessor and to and from the network.

17. The interface device as defined in claim 16 wherein the natural speech processor selectively converts communication signals in computer recognizable language to natural language, and, transfers the natural language communication signal to the user device connected to the user input/output unit.

18. The interface device as defined in claim 11 wherein the interface device also comprises a tri-state bus.

19. The interface device as defined in claim 11 further comprising:

an internal bus for connecting the microprocessor to the user input/output unit and the network input/output; and

wherein the microprocessor monitors data transactions on the network connection for transactions which are unusual.

20. The device as defined in claim 19 wherein the microprocessor takes an action when a transaction that is unusual is detected, said action selected from the group consisting of sending a signal to an administrator of the network, disconnecting a port to which the unusual transaction is directed.