Method and apparatus for migrating embedded PBX system to personal computer

• US 6,366,656 B1
• Filed: 04/30/1999
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lee, Gordon, Canton, Dino
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US09/302,881
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.07, 379/88.17, 379/198, 379/202.01, 379/225
• US Class Current: 379/198
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42314 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0464 Primary rate access circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1301 Optical transmission, optical switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13072 Sequence circuits for call signaling, ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13205 Primary rate access, PRI
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13335 Simulation, emulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13396 Signaling in general, in-band signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/545 using a stored programme
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/625 Arrangements in the private branch exchange

Abstract

A PC-based PBX incorporating preexisting call control software designed to operate in a computing environment which is not PC-based. The PC-based PBX comprises a PC chassis; a PC motherboard within the chassis; a main PBX control card within the chassis for executing the preexisting call control software; a telecommunications card within the chassis and connected to the PBX main control card for implementing telephony communications with a public switched telephone network under control of the call control software; and a DSP card within the chassis and connected to the PBX main control card for implementing signaling and conferencing functions under control of the call control software.

Claims

1. A PC-based PBX incorporating pre-existing call control software designed to operate in a computing environment which is not PC-based, said PC-based PBX comprising:

a PC chassis;

a PC motherboard within said chassis;

a main PBX control card within said chassis for executing said pre-existing call control software;

a telecommunications card within said chassis and connected to said PBX main control card for implementing telephony communications with a public switched telephone network under control of said call control software; and

a DSP card within said chassis and connected to said PBX main control card for implementing signaling and conferencing functions network under control of said call control software.

2. The PC-based PBX according to claim 1, wherein said main PBX control card includes a hardware abstraction layer of software for replacing, emulating and stubbing hardware elements which are absent from said PC-based PBX and which said pre-existing call control software is designed to interact with.

3. The PC-based PBX according to claim 1, wherein said main PBX control card includes a processor emulation layer of software for emulating said computing environment which said pre-existing call control software is designed to operate in.

4. The PC-based PBX according to claim 1, further comprising a LAN card and network management software for connection to a local area network.

5. The PC-based PBX according to claim 1, further comprising a voice mail card within said chassis for implementing voice mail features under control of said call control software.

6. The PC-based PBX according to claim 1, further comprising a recorded announcement device card within said chassis for implementing voice announcement features under control of said call control software.

7. The PC-based PBX according to claim 1, wherein said main PBX control card, telecommunications card and DSP card communicate over an MVIP bus.