Method and apparatus for providing an alternate telecommunications network
First Claim
1. A method of switching between an alternate communications network and a local exchange network, comprising the steps of:
- configuring said alternate communications network and said local exchange network in selectable engagement with a communications device;
switching between said alternate communications network and said local exchange network as a function of a state of available local power detected by a switch that performs said switching; and
reprogramming remotely a controller coupled to said switch said controller for calculating a delay time based on a time when an off-hook state occurs and a time when a dial-tone is received, and for controlling said switching as a function of said calculated delay time.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A media selection device is in functional parallel with an alternate local telephone network and an existing local telephone network. Upon detecting a loss of local power, the device switches to the local exchange network based on the assumption that the local exchange network is operable, despite the loss of local power. While power is supplied to the device, originating calls are transmitted from the telephone to the device and to the alternate network. Incoming calls from the alternate network are transmitted to the device and to the telephone. Alternatively, incoming and outgoing calls are also selectably engageable on the local exchange network without disrupting telephone service on the alternate network. Differences in dial tone indicate which network is currently being used.
54 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of switching between an alternate communications network and a local exchange network, comprising the steps of:
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configuring said alternate communications network and said local exchange network in selectable engagement with a communications device; switching between said alternate communications network and said local exchange network as a function of a state of available local power detected by a switch that performs said switching; and reprogramming remotely a controller coupled to said switch said controller for calculating a delay time based on a time when an off-hook state occurs and a time when a dial-tone is received, and for controlling said switching as a function of said calculated delay time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for providing telecommunications services during a power outage to a communications device operates over an alternate communications network, comprising the steps of:
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detecting a state of available local power by a switch that switches, in the event of an outage of said local power, the network over which said communications device operates from said alternate communications network to a local exchange; switching telecommunications services in the event of a power outage from said alternate communications network to a remotely powered local exchange network; and reprogramming remotely a controller coupled to said switch, said controller for calculating a delay time based on a time when an off-hook state occurs and a time when a dial-tone is received and for controlling said switch as a function of said calculated delay time.
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13. An apparatus for coupling a communication device to two communications service providers, said apparatus comprising:
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means for coupling said two communications service providers in a functionally parallel mode of operation with said communications device; means for switching communications service from one of said two of said two communications service providers to the other communications service provider upon detection of a loss of power; means for accepting remote reprogramming instructions to enable remote reprogramming of a means for controlling coupled to the means for switching, the means for controlling for calculating a delay time based on a time when an off-hook state occurs and a time when a dial-tone is received, and for controlling said means for switching as a function of said calculated delay time. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A device for coupling to a telephone that communicates via an alternate communications network, and operates from a local power source, and for enabling the telephone to operate on a local exchange carrier during power outages, said device comprising:
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a first interface to said local exchange carrier for sending and receiving telephone signals; a power detector coupled to said local power source for detecting a change in state of the power from the local power source; a second interface to the alternate communications network for sending and receiving telephone signals; a third interface to said telephone for sending and receiving telephone signals; a means of switching telephone signals from said second interface to said first interface upon the detection of a change in state of the local power from the local power source; a remotely reprogrammable controller coupled to said means for switching an accepting programming instructions via a telephone call, said controller for calculating a delay time based on a time when an off-hook state occurs and a time when a dial-tone is received, and for controlling said means for switching as a function of said calculated delay time. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A media selection device for coupling between a communications device and at least two communications networks, comprising:
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a switch activated by a loss of power to the media selection device, whereupon such activation, said switch decouples said communications device from one communications network and couples said communications switch to the other communications network; and a remotely reprogrammable controller coupled to said switch and accepting new programming instructions remotely, said controller for calculating a delay time based on a time when an off-hook state occurs and a time when a dial-tone is received, and for controlling said switch as a function of said calculated delay time. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification