Voice/data switch
First Claim
1. A voice/data switch for selectively connecting a Telco line to either a piece of electronic data communication equipment, such as a FAX machine or a computer, or an audio communication device, such as a telephone, said voice/data switch comprising:
- announcement and return signal means for producing an audible message requesting a return signal and detecting the receipt of said requested return signal; and
,switch means connected to said announcement and return signal means for receiving a signal when said announcement and return signal means receives said return signal and selectively controlling the connection of either a piece of electronic data communication equipment or an audio communication terminal device to a Telco line such that said piece of electronic data communication equipment is connected to said Telco line if a return signal is not detected by said announcement and return signal means and said audio communication terminal device is connected to said Telco line if a return signal is detected by said announcement and return signal means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A voice/data switch (13) for selectively connecting an audio communication terminal device (15), such as a telephone, or a piece of electronic data communication equipment (17), such as a telephone facsimile device or a computer, to a Telco line (19) is disclosed. The voice/data switch (13) includes an announcement device and return signal detector (21) that is enabled to send a message to a calling station upon receipt of a ring signal. The message requests a return signal, which may be generated by the depression of a key of a DTMF key pad, for example, if connection to the audio communication terminal device is desired. If the requested return signal is not received, the Telco line (19) is connected by the voice/data switch (13) to the piece of electronic data communication equipment (17). If the requested return signal is received, the Telco line (19) is connected by the voice/data switch (13) to the audio communication terminal device (15).
57 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A voice/data switch for selectively connecting a Telco line to either a piece of electronic data communication equipment, such as a FAX machine or a computer, or an audio communication device, such as a telephone, said voice/data switch comprising:
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announcement and return signal means for producing an audible message requesting a return signal and detecting the receipt of said requested return signal; and
,switch means connected to said announcement and return signal means for receiving a signal when said announcement and return signal means receives said return signal and selectively controlling the connection of either a piece of electronic data communication equipment or an audio communication terminal device to a Telco line such that said piece of electronic data communication equipment is connected to said Telco line if a return signal is not detected by said announcement and return signal means and said audio communication terminal device is connected to said Telco line if a return signal is detected by said announcement and return signal means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A telephone station comprising:
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(a) a piece of electronic data communication equipment; (b) an audio communication terminal device; and
,(c) a voice/data switch, said voice/data switch comprising; (1) announcement and return signal means for producing an audible message requesting a return signal and detecting the receipt of said requested return signal; and
,(2) switch means connected to said announcement and return signal means for receiving a signal when said announcement and return signal means receives said return signal and selectively controlling the connection of either said piece of electronic data communication equipment or said audio communication terminal device to a Telco line such that said piece of electronic data communication equipment is connected to said Telco line if a return signal is not detected by said announcement and return signal means and said audio communication terminal device is connected to said Telco line if a return signal is detected by said announcement and return signal means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 21. In a voice/data switch for selectively connecting a Telco line to either a piece of electronic data communication equipment, such as a FAX machine or a computer, or an audio communication terminal device, such as a telephone, in response to the presence or absence of a predetermined return signal on said Telco line produced in response to a request for said return signal by an announcement device forming part of said voice/data switch, the improvement comprising control means for controlling said voice/data switch such that said Telco line is connected to said piece of electronic data communication equipment in the absence of said return signal and said Telco line is connected to said audio communication terminal device when said return signal occurs.
Specification