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System and method for communicating information using the public switched telephone network and a wide area network

  • US 5,974,043 A
  • Filed: 09/16/1996
  • Issued: 10/26/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A telephone for communicating information using the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a wide area network (WAN), the telephone being connectable to a computer and to a primary telephone line, the computer comprising at least one communications interface connectable to the PSTN, the telephone comprising:

  • a computer interface for communicating with said computer;

    at least one communication unit for receiving telephony signals from a user and providing telephony signals to said user;

    a controller suitably connected to said at least one communication unit for processing the signals received from said at least one communication unit or the output of said computer and for controlling said at least one communication unit or said computer; and

    a switch suitably connected to said controller, said computer interface and said primary telephone line for controlling the flow of information between said controller, said computer and said primary telephone line, said switch being switchable between two states, a first state in which said at least one communication unit is connected to the PSTN through said controller and said switch and a second state in which said at least one communication unit is connected through said controller, said switch and said computer interface to said computer, and said communications interface of said computer is connected to the PSTN by said primary telephone line.

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