Adapter for connecting a modem to a digital private branch exchange

• US 5,677,946 A
• Filed: 08/14/1995
• Issued: 10/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Beever, Ernest A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US08/514,899
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 379/94, 379/98, 379/96, 379/100, 379/93, 379/441, 379/442, 379/447
• US Class Current: 379/93.06
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors

Abstract

A device for connecting a data device having an analog output to a digital telephone having a base unit and a handset with first analog signals being coupled bi-directionally between the base unit and the handset. The device includes a first input receiving the first analog signals from the base unit, a second input receiving the first analog signals from the handset, a third input receiving a second analog signal from the analog output of the data device, and a switch coupled to the first, second and third inputs for selectively bi-directionally coupling the second analog signal to the base unit and the first analog signals bi-directionally between the base unit and the handset.

Claims

1. A digital telephone system comprising:

a digital private branch exchange;

at least one digital telephone connected to the digital private branch exchange and having a base unit and a handset with voice signals being coupled bi-directionally between the base unit and the handset;

a separate adapter including

a first terminal coupled to the base unit;

b) a second terminal coupled to the handset and passing the voice signals to and from the handset;

c) a third terminal receiving an analog signal from a data device external to the telephone; and

d) a user operated mechanical switch coupled to the first, second and third terminals for selectively coupling the terminals in two switching states further comprising

a first state wherein the voice signals are coupled between the handset and the base unit; and

a second state wherein the analog signal is coupled from the data device to the base unit.

2. The digital telephone system according to claim 1, wherein the data device is a modem.

3. The digital telephone system according to claim 1, wherein the data device is a facsimile machine.

4. The digital telephone system according to claim 1, wherein the digital private branch exchange further comprises a selectable voice path for coupling voice and analog signals between the base unit and a remote digital telephone.