Multimedia data communications system

• US 6,337,856 B1
• Filed: 05/20/1998
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Datalogic Corporation, Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tonizzo, Anthony, Steffes, Christopher Carl, Schanhals, Jeffrey Alan, Vallillee, George William IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Brenda H.
• Application Number:
  US09/082,255
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/353, 370/354, 370/355, 370/356, 370/464, 370/466, 370/467, 370/487, 370/493, 370/494
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6424 Access arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6464 Priority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6481 Speech, voice
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6483 Video, e.g. MPEG

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for a multimedia data communications system. The data communication system is provided for use in a work environment to establish a connection between a data communication device and an access point in connection with a communication system and with a multimedia system providing a multimedia signal. The data communication system includes a data port associated with the access point, a multimedia conversion circuit associated with the access point and in communication with the data port for converting the multimedia signal from the multimedia system into a multimedia data signal for transmission to the data communication device and for converting a multimedia data signal from the data communication device for transmission to the multimedia device, and a device port associated with the data communication device so that a data link can be established between the data port and the device port. The data communication system also includes a processor associated with the access point for formatting data communications between both the communication system and the data communication device and the multimedia device and the data communication device for transmission over the data link. A method is disclosed for transmitting a signal having a multimedia component and a data component across a data link between a data communication device having a device port and a network access point having a network port. The method includes the steps of determining whether the signal includes a multimedia component, queuing the signal for transmission across the data link so that the multimedia component of the signal is given a higher priority for transmission than the data component of the signal, and transmitting the signal across the data link.

Claims

1. A data communications system for use in a work environment to establish a connection between a data communication device and an access point in connection with a communication system and with a multimedia system providing a multimedia signal which comprises:

a data port associated with the access point;

a multimedia conversion circuit associated with the access point and in communication with the data port for converting the multimedia signal from the multimedia system into a first multimedia data signal for transmission to the data communication device and for converting a second multimedia data signal from the data communication device for transmission to the multimedia system;

a device port associated with the data communication device so that a data link can be established between the data port and the device port;

a processor associated with the access point for formatting data communications between both the communication system and the data communication system and the multimedia device and the data communication device for transmission over the data link;

wherein the multimedia system includes a telephone switch and further comprises a telephony server coupled to the telephone switch and to the access point via the communication system so that when a telephone call is directed to a telephone extension associated with the data communication device the telephony server sends a notification to the data communication device via the access point through the data link and when the telephone call is answered at the data communication device the telephone switch sends the multimedia signal to the data communication device via the access point through the data link.

2. The data communications system of claim 1 wherein the data communication device is a computing device.

3. The data communications system of claim 1 wherein the data port is a network port and the communication system is a computer network.

4. The data communications system of claim 1 wherein the data link is an infrared data link.

5. The data communications system of claim 3 wherein the multimedia system includes a telephone switch and further comprises a telephony server coupled to the telephone switch and to the access point via the computer network so that when a telephone call is directed to a telephone extension associated with the data communication device the telephony server sends a notification to the computing device via the access point through the data link and when the telephone call is answered at the data communication device the telephone switch sends the multimedia signal to the data communication device via the access point through the data link.

6. The data communications system of claim 1 wherein the multimedia conversion circuit further comprises a CODEC.

7. The data communications system of claim 1 wherein the multimedia conversion circuit further comprises a digital signal processor.

8. The data communications system of claim 2 wherein the computing device is configured to function as a full-feature telephone.

9. The data communication system of claim 1 wherein the multimedia system includes an audio player.

10. The data communication system of claim 1 wherein the telephony server is a computing device.

11. The data communication system of claim 1 wherein the telephony server is configured with a control program and a database.

12. The data communication system of claim 3 wherein the telephony server is coupled to the computer network.

13. The data communication system of claim 12 wherein the telephony server is configured to receive and route on the computer network.

14. The data communication system of claim 3 wherein the telephony server is configured to provide data to the computer network.

15. The data communication system of claim 1 wherein the notification is a signal generated by the telephony server.

16. A data communications system for use in a work environment to establish a network connection between a data communication device and a network access point in connection with a network and with a multimedia device providing a multimedia signal which comprises:

a network port associated with the network access point;

a multimedia conversion circuit associated with the network access point and in communication with the network port for converting the multimedia signal from the multimedia device into a first multimedia data signal for transmission to the data communication device and for converting a second multimedia data signal from the data communication device for transmission to the telephone switch;

a device port associated with the data communication device so that a data link can be established between the network port and the device port in order to establish the connection between the data communication device and the network;

a processor associated with the network access point for formatting data communications between the network and the data communication device and the multimedia device and the computing device according to a communications protocol;

wherein the multimedia device includes a telephone switch and further comprising a telephony server coupled to the telephone switch and to the network access point via the network so that when a telephone call is directed to a telephone extension associated with the data communication device the multimedia server sends a notification to the data communication device via the network access point through the data link and when the telephone call is answered at the data communication device the telephone switch sends the multimedia signal to the data communication device via the network access point through the data link.

17. The data communications system of claim 16 wherein the data communication device is a computing device configured to perform as a multimedia player.

18. The data communications system of claim 16 wherein the network port is installed within an article of furniture.

19. The data communications system of claim 16 wherein the data link is an infrared data link.

20. The data communications system of claim 16 wherein the communication protocol is a standard protocol for the communication of infrared data.

21. The data communications system of claim 20 wherein the communication protocol is a standard promulgated by the Infrared Data Association.

22. The data communications system of claim 16 wherein the multimedia device include a telephone switch and further comprising a telephony server coupled to the telephone switch and to the network access point via the network so that when a telephone call is directed to a telephone extension associated with the computing device the multimedia server sends a notification to the computing device via the network access point through the data link and when the telephone call is answered at the computing device the telephone switch sends the multimedia signal to the computing device via the network access point through the data link.

23. The data communications system of claim 16 wherein the multimedia conversion circuit further comprises a digital signal processor.

24. The data communications system of claim 16 wherein the multimedia conversion circuit further comprises a CODEC.

25. The data communication system of claim 16 wherein the telephony server is a computing device.

26. The data communication system of claim 16 wherein the telephony server is configured with a control program and a database.

27. The data communication system of claim 16 wherein the telephony server is coupled to the network.

28. The data communication system of claim 27 wherein the telephony server is configured to receive and route on the network.

29. The data communication system of claim 16 wherein the telephony server is configured to provide data to the network.

30. The data communication system of claim 16 wherein the notification is a signal generated by the telephony server.

31. An infrared data communications system for use in a work environment to establish a network connection between a computing device and a network access point in connection with a network and with a telephone switch providing a telephony signal which comprises:

a network infrared port associated with the network access point;

a telephony conversion circuit associated with the network access point and in communication with the network infrared port for converting the telephony signal from the telephone switch into a telephony data signal for transmission to the computing device and for converting a voice data signal from the computing device for transmission to the telephone switch;

a device infrared port associated with the computing device so that an infrared data link can be established between the network infrared port and the device infrared port in order to establish the connection between the computing device and the network;

a processor associated with the computing device for formatting data communications between the network and the computing device and the telephone switch and the computing device;

a telephony server coupled to the telephone switch and to the network access point via the network so that when a telephone call is directed to a telephone extension associated with the computing device the telephony server sends a notification to the computing device via the network access point through the infrared data link and when the telephone call is answered at the computing device the telephone switch sends the telephony signal to the computing device via the network access point through the infrared data link.

32. The infrared data communications system of claim 31 wherein network infrared port is associated with an article of furniture.

33. The infrared communications system of claim 31 wherein the telephony conversion circuit further comprises a CODEC.

34. The infrared communications system of claim 33 wherein the telephony conversion circuit further comprises a digital signal processor.

35. The infrared communications system of claim 34 wherein the telephony device is a full-feature telephone.

36. The data communication system of claim 31 wherein the telephony server is a computing device.

37. The data communication system of claim 31 wherein the telephony server is configured with a control program and a database.

38. The data communication system of claim 31 wherein the telephony server is coupled to the network.

39. The data communication system of claim 38 wherein the telephony server is configured to receive and route on the network.

40. The data communication system of claim 31 wherein the telephony server is configured to provide data to the network.

41. The data communication system of claim 31 wherein the notification is a signal generated by the telephony server.