Switching apparatus with ISDN access

• US 7,218,631 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2000
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Bebko, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jagannathan, Melanie
• Application Number:
  US09/958,060
• Time in Patent Office: 2,604 Days
• Field of Search: 370352-356, 370/362, 370/466, 370/489, 370/264, 379/269, 455/420
• US Class Current: 370/356
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0471 Terminal access circuits

Abstract

Switching apparatus with ISDN access that provides an ISDN interface unit which has the advantage of being realized in a separate housing with which already existing apparatuses realized on a module can be used, the switching apparatus being constructed via coupling with an ISDN module which handles the communication between ISDN and USB, wherein the apparatus can be connected to the personal computer while the latter is in operation, and constitutes a unit that can be sold and maintained separately.

Claims

1. A switching apparatus with ISDN access, the switching apparatus connected to at least one first computer device having an interface for a Universal Serial Bus, the switching apparatus comprising:

at least one first function unit for converting ISDN communication data into Universal Serial Bus communication data;

a PBX switching apparatus;

at least one second function unit for converting ISDN communication data into communication data for the PBX switching apparatus; and

a first housing unit, wherein the first and second function units, as well as the PBX switching apparatus, are arranged and interconnected within the first housing unit in such a way that each of ISDN, PBX, USB communication data can be converted into respective other communication data and vice versa.

2. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first function unit is a general-processor which converts the communication data via a program.

3. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second function unit is a subscriber controller which can be used in an ISDN terminal.

4. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PBX switching apparatus has a third function unit which can drive an ISDN terminal, the third function unit being connected to the second function unit, thereby enabling the exchange of communication data.

5. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the first and second function units are arranged on a first module within the first housing unit.

6. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least the third function unit is arranged on a second module within the first housing unit.

7. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second module are connected to one another via a plug connection.

8. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first computer device is integrated in a local area network, the switching apparatus capable of converting local area network communication data into Universal Serial Bus communication data.