Data network telephone adaptor device
First Claim
1. A data network/telephone adaptor device for simultaneous telephone conferencing among at least three parties,a first party having a telephone instrument at one end of a telephone line,a second party having a first data network terminal linked to the telephone line by the device, the first data network terminal including audio/data encoding means for reversibly encoding voice sounds as data for voice communications over a data network, anda third party having a second data network terminal including audio/data encoding means for reversibly encoding voice sounds as data for voice communications over the data network,said data network/telephone adaptor device comprising:
- telephone circuit means including isolation circuitry, for terminating the telephone line, andmeans for connecting said telephone circuit means to the audio/data encoding means of the first data network terminal to allow for simultaneous telephone conferencing among the first, second and third parties, wherein the second and third parties communicate via the voice-encoded data communications over the data network, and the first party communicates via voice communications over the telephone line with the second party, and in addition via the voice-encoded data communications over the data network with the third party.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Internet/telephone adaptor device to link a regular telephone call with an Internet call without requiring software that is specific to each proprietary encoding scheme. The device is designed to operate with a data network terminal haling audio/data conversion means for reversibly converting voice signals to a data format for telephone-like communication over a data network. In a preferred embodiment, the adaptor device is provided as an add-on accessory to existing computer terminals having a sound card, making them capable of handling Internet calls. The adaptor is connected both to the computer and to the telephone line, enabling linkage of regular and Internet calls. With the adaptor device, a user can easily arrange conference calls between Internet users and telephone line users. A hold call feature is also provided to simplify user handling of calls.
165 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A data network/telephone adaptor device for simultaneous telephone conferencing among at least three parties,
a first party having a telephone instrument at one end of a telephone line, a second party having a first data network terminal linked to the telephone line by the device, the first data network terminal including audio/data encoding means for reversibly encoding voice sounds as data for voice communications over a data network, and a third party having a second data network terminal including audio/data encoding means for reversibly encoding voice sounds as data for voice communications over the data network, said data network/telephone adaptor device comprising: -
telephone circuit means including isolation circuitry, for terminating the telephone line, and means for connecting said telephone circuit means to the audio/data encoding means of the first data network terminal to allow for simultaneous telephone conferencing among the first, second and third parties, wherein the second and third parties communicate via the voice-encoded data communications over the data network, and the first party communicates via voice communications over the telephone line with the second party, and in addition via the voice-encoded data communications over the data network with the third party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of simultaneous telephone conferencing among at least three parties,
a first party having a telephone instrument at one end of a telephone line, a second party having a first data network terminal linked to the telephone line by a data network/telephone adaptor device, the first data network terminal including audio/data encoding means for reversibly encoding voice sounds as data for voice communications over a data network, and a third party having a second data network terminal including audio/data encoding means for reversibly encoding voice sounds as data for voice communications over the data network, said method comprising the steps of: -
providing said data network/telephone adaptor device comprising telephone circuit means including isolation circuitry, for terminating the telephone line, and connecting said telephone circuit means to the audio/data encoding means of the first data network terminal to allow for simultaneous telephone conferencing among the first, second and third parties, wherein the second and third parties communicate via the voice-encoded data communications over the data network, and the first party communicates via voice communications over the telephone line with the second party, and in addition via the voice-encoded data communications over the data network with the third party. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification