Computer integrated PBX system
First Claim
1. A PBX system implemented on a printed circuit board and adapted for interfacing to a server of a computer network, comprisinga carrier interface for coupling to a plurality of carrier lines suitable for transmitting signals, including power, to at least one telephone handset,a subscriber interface for coupling to s plurality of subscriber lines, each of said subscriber lines suitable for transmitting signals to said at least one telephone handset,a server interface having a bus port adapted for connecting to a bus slot of said server to form a data path with said server,a controller element in electrical circuit with said bus port for transferring message units across said data path and for generating control signals responsive to said message units,an audio element for transferring voice messages to said carrier interface, and coupled to a ROM for storing said voice messages,a switch element for establishing circuits between said carrier lines and said subscriber lines,a power interface for receiving electrical power from said server to electrically power said system, and said at least, one telephone handset wherein said at least one telephone handset is directly connected to and powered by one of said carrier lines when electrical power is not received by said power interface from said server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Computer integrated telecommunication systems are disclosed that provide a message exchange interface that transfers data and control requests generated by applications running on a computer system directly to a telecommunications unit that is adapted to respond to the data and control requests generated by these application programs. In particular, PBX systems are disclosed that include message exchange interfaces that provide fault tolerant operation and that directly map application programs running on a computer system into the controller element of the PBX system. Further systems are disclosed that provide message exchange interfaces that allow the efficient transfer of audio signals between a computer system and a telecommunication unit.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A PBX system implemented on a printed circuit board and adapted for interfacing to a server of a computer network, comprising
a carrier interface for coupling to a plurality of carrier lines suitable for transmitting signals, including power, to at least one telephone handset, a subscriber interface for coupling to s plurality of subscriber lines, each of said subscriber lines suitable for transmitting signals to said at least one telephone handset, a server interface having a bus port adapted for connecting to a bus slot of said server to form a data path with said server, a controller element in electrical circuit with said bus port for transferring message units across said data path and for generating control signals responsive to said message units, an audio element for transferring voice messages to said carrier interface, and coupled to a ROM for storing said voice messages, a switch element for establishing circuits between said carrier lines and said subscriber lines, a power interface for receiving electrical power from said server to electrically power said system, and said at least, one telephone handset wherein said at least one telephone handset is directly connected to and powered by one of said carrier lines when electrical power is not received by said power interface from said server.
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15. A network server system, comprising a message bus for carrying message units to a server,
a branch exchange element having a server interface element for controlling the transfer of said message units across said message bus, a bus port connected to said message bus for forming a data path, a trunk interface for coupling to one or more trunk lines, a subscriber loop interface for coupling to a plurality of extension lines to carry signals to at least one telephone handset, an audio element for transferring voice messages to said trunk interface, and coupled to a ROM for storing said voice messages, a controller element in electrical circuit with said bus port for transferring said message units across said data path and for generating control signals responsive to said message units, a switch element, in electrical circuit with said controller element, for establishing, responsive to said control signals generated by said controller element, circuits between said plural extension lines and said trunk line, and a power interface for receiving electrical power from said server to electrically power said system, and said at least one telephone handset, wherein said at least one telephone handset is directly connected to and powered by one of said trunk lines when electrical power is not received by said power interface from said server.
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19. A telecommunication system adapted for interfacing to a computer, comprising
a trunk interface for coupling to a trunk line, a subscriber loop interface for coupling to a plurality of extension lines to carry signals to a telephone, a computer interface having a bus port adapted for connecting to a bus slot of said computer of form a data path with said computer, a controller element in electrical circuit with said bus port for transferring message units across said data path and for generating control signals responsive to said message units, and a switch element, in electrical circuit with said controller element, for establishing, responsive to said control signals generated by said controller element, circuits between said plural extension lines and said trunk line.
Specification