System for providing analog and digital telephone functions using a single telephone line

• US 7,106,839 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2002
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Multi-Tech Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Multi-Tech Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Davis, Jeffrey P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US10/186,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20020168057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 379/90.01, 379/93.02, 379/93.08, 379/93.09, 379/93.28, 379/88.13, 379/88.23, 379/142.01, 370/420, 370/484, 370/208, 370/210, 370/490, 370/493, 370/494, 370/495, 375/222
• US Class Current: 379/93.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

An improved telecommunication device for simultaneous and independent communication of analog signals and digital data is disclosed. Processing of analog signals enables functions including, for example, message saver, speaker phone, caller identification and fax. Processing of digital data enables functions, including, for example, DSL modem communications, digital voice communications, video communications, and voice-over-data communications. The disclosed system may operate independently or coupled to one or more computers.

Claims

1. A communication method, comprising:

establishing a modem communication session with a remote modem, the modem communication session conducted within a first frequency band and using a local computer, a local modem, and a telephone line;

detecting an incoming telephone call on the telephone line, the incoming telephone call concurrent with the modem communication session, the incoming telephone call received from a remote caller and including signals in a second frequency band, the second frequency band including frequencies different from those of the first frequency band, the incoming telephone call including analog signals;

detecting the content of the incoming telephone call; and

if the content indicates an authorized caller, then processing the incoming telephone call, otherwise, rejecting the call.

2. The communication method of claim 1 wherein establishing a modem communication session with a remote modem comprises establishing a digital subscriber line communication session.

3. The communication method of claim 1 wherein processing comprises signaling the detection of the incoming telephone call on a computer monitor.

4. The communication method of claim 1 wherein processing comprises signaling the detection of the incoming telephone call on a computer monitor connected to the local computer.

5. The communication method of claim 1 wherein processing comprises reproducing the audio portion of the incoming call using a speaker connected to the local computer.

6. The communication method of claim 1 further comprising receiving local audio using a microphone connected to the local computer.

7. The communication method of claim 1 wherein processing comprises answering the incoming telephone call and storing digital content.

8. The communication method of claim 1 wherein processing comprises answering the incoming telephone call, digitizing the analog portion of the incoming telephone call and storing the digitized analog portion.

9. The communication method of claim 1 wherein processing comprises routing the incoming telephone call to a computer coupled to the local computer.

10. The communication method of claim 1 wherein processing comprises routing the incoming telephone call to a second computer coupled to the local computer, the second computer selected as a function of the content.

11. The communication method of claim 1 wherein detecting an incoming telephone call on the telephone line comprises detecting an incoming modem communication session, the incoming modem communication session including digital audio, digital data, digital video or voice over data.

12. The communication method of claim 1 wherein detecting the content of the incoming telephone call comprises detecting caller identification information, detecting packet header information, detecting facsimile tones, detecting dual-tone multi-frequency signals or detecting a distinctive ring.

13. A method of conducting communication comprising:

establishing a communication session with a remote location using the telephone line, the communication session using a broadband channel on a telephone line;

detecting an incoming telephone call on the telephone line, the incoming telephone call from a remote caller and having content including analog signals or digital data;

detecting the content of the incoming telephone call;

comparing the content of the incoming telephone call with authorization information;

when the content indicates an authorized call answering the incoming telephone call; and

when the content indicates an unauthorized call, rejecting the call.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein detecting the content of the incoming telephone call comprises detecting caller identification information, detecting packet header information, detecting facsimile tones, or detecting dual-tone multi-frequency signals.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein detecting the content of the incoming telephone call comprises determining if the content of the incoming telephone call comprises facsimile data, analog audio, digital audio, digital data, or voice over data.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein establishing a communication session with a remote location using the telephone line comprises establishing a digital subscriber line modem communication session.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising storing the content of the incoming telephone call.