Communication system having voice and data capability
First Claim
1. A communication system comprising a control module for controlling the communications of a plurality of station sets each connected over a first and a second facility pair to said control module, one of said station sets being adapted for initiating calls and transmitting and receiving voice and data signals over said first facility pair and for only receiving voice and data signals over said second facility pair, said system further comprisingadapter means connected to said one of said station sets and including means for switchably connecting an external device to said first or second facility pair in response to a control signal;
- said one of said station sets includingmeans operably by a user for signaling a data mode request signal to said control module to request a data operating mode,means for displaying a data mode signal received from said control module indicating when said data mode is established; and
means for sending an off-hook signal to said control module indicating a call request; and
said control module includingmeans responsive to said data mode request signal for establishing said data mode and for sending said data mode signal to said one of said station sets andmeans responsive to said off-hook signal for sending said control signal to said connecting means for establishing a data call connection between said adapter means and said second facility pair during said data mode and for establishing a voice call connection between said adapter means and said first facility pair in the absence of said data mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication system includes a plurality of station sets each connected over two pair communication facilities to a control module. An adapter unit switchably connects an external data or voice device via a station set to either facility in response to a control signal from the control module. A data mode is established by sending a data mode request signal from the station set to the control module. An off-hook signal from a connected data device is used to request a data call. The control module signals to which facility the adapter is to connect the data call and outputs a unique visual on the data call facility. The control module prevents other calls from bridging onto or interfering with the data call. The system also permits a voice call on a facility to be converted to a data call on the other facility. Furthermore, a user can make a voice call over one facility while a data call is in progress on the other facility.
43 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A communication system comprising a control module for controlling the communications of a plurality of station sets each connected over a first and a second facility pair to said control module, one of said station sets being adapted for initiating calls and transmitting and receiving voice and data signals over said first facility pair and for only receiving voice and data signals over said second facility pair, said system further comprising
adapter means connected to said one of said station sets and including means for switchably connecting an external device to said first or second facility pair in response to a control signal; -
said one of said station sets including means operably by a user for signaling a data mode request signal to said control module to request a data operating mode, means for displaying a data mode signal received from said control module indicating when said data mode is established; and means for sending an off-hook signal to said control module indicating a call request; and said control module including means responsive to said data mode request signal for establishing said data mode and for sending said data mode signal to said one of said station sets and means responsive to said off-hook signal for sending said control signal to said connecting means for establishing a data call connection between said adapter means and said second facility pair during said data mode and for establishing a voice call connection between said adapter means and said first facility pair in the absence of said data mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of providing a voice and data calls in a communication system comprising a control module for controlling the communications of a plurality of station sets each connected over a first and a second facility pair to said control module, one of said station sets operable for initiating calls and transmitting and receiving voice and data signals over said first facility pair and operable for only receiving voice and data signals over said second facility pair, the method comprising the steps of:
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switchably connecting an external device via an adapter means to said first or second facility pair in response to a control signal; under direct control by a user at a station set, signaling a data mmode request signal to said control module requesting a data operating mode; establishing said data mode at said control module; sending a data mode signal to said station set from said control module; at said station set, displaying said data mode signal received from said control module indicating that said data mode is established; sending an off-hook signal from said station set to said control module indicating a call request; sending said control signal to said adapter means during said connecting step for establishing a data call between said adapter means and said second facility pair during said data mode and for establishing a voice call between said adapter means and said first facility pair in the absence of said data mode.
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Specification