Telephone and Internet communications system
First Claim
1. In combination with an existing voice band data and voice communication source that includes a user phone for voice communication and which is connected through a telephone line and telephone central office to a remote receiving center through the telephone system, a communication interface coupled to said source that comprises means for enabling communication to occur over the Internet concurrently with the use of the telephone network.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An existing voice band data and voice communication source, such as a residential alarm panel or point-of-sale credit/debit card reader, that includes a user phone for voice communication and which is connected through a telephone line and telephone central office to a remote receiving center through the telephone system, is provided with a communication interface coupled to said source that comprises means for enabling communication to occur over the Internet concurrently with the use of the telephone network. The system includes default circuitry which directs data communication from the source to the remote receiving center through the Internet while the Internet link is operative, and which, in the condition of a failure of the Internet link, connects both data and voice signals from the communication source for transmission of signals through the telephone network.
32 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. In combination with an existing voice band data and voice communication source that includes a user phone for voice communication and which is connected through a telephone line and telephone central office to a remote receiving center through the telephone system, a communication interface coupled to said source that comprises means for enabling communication to occur over the Internet concurrently with the use of the telephone network.
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2. In combination with an existing voice band data and voice communication source that includes a user phone for voice communication and which is connected through a telephone line and telephone central office to a remote receiving center through the telephone system, a communication interface coupled to said source by intercepting the telephone line extending between the source and the telephone central office, wherein:
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a) the interface is connected to the user phone through a link, and b) said interface incorporates telephone reconnection means to allow the user phone to be reconnected to the telephone line in the event of failure of the Internet connection. - View Dependent Claims (3, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17)
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Specification