US5943319A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packet format interface for telecommunication instruments
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1996-04-04
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Granted: 1999-08-24
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Expires: 2016-04-04
Abstract
Abstract Improved telecommunication apparatus is realized with a structure that is tailored to interact with the telecommunication network strictly in packet format. The apparatus includes circuitry for creating either control or information packets, where each packet comprises a header portion and a payload portion. The apparatus also includes an identifier module that enables the apparatus to identify itself to the telecommunication network with an identifier signal that is unique to it. The apparatus further includes encoding and decoding circuitry to create, and decode, highly compressed digital representations of audio signals and, optionally, encryption and decryption features to enhance security of communication. Still further, the apparatus includes circuitry to enable users to interact with the network and partake of telephony service.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Gibson Fraser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L49/00; H04L49/30; H04L49/3081; H04L12/00; H04L12/64; H04L12/6418; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5614; H04L2012/5616; H04L2012/5638; H04L2012/5646; H04L2012/5652; H04L2012/5671; H04L2012/6443; H04L2012/6475; H04L2012/6481; H04L2012/6491; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/60; H04M2203/609; H04M3/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus including a first port adapted for communicating with a user, and a second port for coupling the apparatus to a telecommunication network comprising: a packetizer (a) for converting information signals from the first port, arriving at a first format, to packet signals, where a packet includes a header portion and an information portion and where the header portion comprises bits that are devoted to address specification, and at least one bit devoted to specifying whether the packets' information portion carries control or information signals, and (b) for converting packet signals arriving from the second port into signals having said first format; and a controller (a) for enabling concurrent two-directional flow of signals through said packetizer, to and from said first port, (b) for identifying signals incoming from said first port that represent control signals and converting them to packets with said at least one bit specifying that the packets carry control information signals; and (c) for providing telecommunication functions to said first port in response to certain control signals received from said first port, without forwarding corresponding signals to said second port.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus including a first port adapted for communicating with a user, and a second port for coupling the apparatus to a telecommunication network comprising: a packetizer (a) for converting information signals from the first port, arriving at a first format, to packet signals, where a packet includes a header portion and an information portion and where the header portion comprises bits that are devoted to address specification, and at least one bit devoted to specifying whether the packets' information portion carries control or information signals, and (b) for converting packet signals arriving from the second port into signals having said first format; and a controller (a) for enabling concurrent two-directional flow of signals through said packetizer, to and from said first port, (b) for identifying signals incoming from said first port that represent control signals and converting them to packets with said at least one bit specifying that the packets carry control information signals; and (c) for providing telecommunication functions to said first port in response to certain control signals received from said first port, without forwarding corresponding signals to said second port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first port provides a POTS interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the packetizer includes circuitry for delivering sound to the first port and for converting sound received from the first port to electrical signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where the packets are not more than 140 bytes long.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where the packets are ATM packets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an echo canceler having an analog signal node and two digital signal nodes, where the analog node is coupled to the first port and the two digital signal nodes are coupled to the packetization means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising an interface circuit interposed between the packetizer and the second port, where signals between the interface circuit and the packetizer are said packets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said interface means interfaces with the second port in the analog domain.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the interface means modulates digital signals onto an analog carrier signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the interface means includes wireless transmission means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the interface means includes means for coupling signals flowing through the second port to a coax cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the interface means includes means for coupling signals flowing through the second port to a optical fiber cable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the interface means includes means for coupling signals flowing through the second port to a 60 Hz power line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a speech processing module interposed between the first port and the packetizer, where the speech processing module comprises: silence detection means responsive to speech signals arriving from the first port, for detecting silence in the speech signal, means for digitizing the speech signals to develop data signals, and an encoder responsive to the means for digitizing and to the silence detection means, to reduce bandwidth of the data signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 14 where the packetization means includes an encryption circuit responsive to output signals of the encoder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14 where the packetizer includes a decoder responsive to signals applied by the second port, for developing a decoded speech signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said decoder is responsive to information that indicates silence periods in said decoded speech signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising means, coupled to the controller, for detecting failure conditions of elements within the apparatus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means, responsive to the controller, for generating audio signals, and means for applying the audio signals to the first port.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising means, coupled to said controller, for detecting signaling conditions at the first port.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the signaling conditions includes "off hook" and "on hook" signaling.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the signaling conditions includes DTMF signaling.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for injecting signals from the controller into the packetizer, which signals are destined to the second port.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said means for injecting supplies signals to inform a telecommunication network coupled to the second port that the information signals from the first port are voice communication signals as compared to data signals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the means for injecting provides a control packet that informs the network that the information signals from the first port are voice communication signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the means for injecting provides a control packet that informs the network that the information signals from the first port are voice communication signals as part of control packets that the means for injecting sends the network to set up a call from said analog instrument to a called party connected to the network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a third port, for communicating digital data therethrough; and means for routing information to the second port either from the first port or from the third port; wherein the means for injecting signals to the second port informs the network that the information signals from the first port are voice communication signals and that the information signals from the third port are non-voice communication signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-23 | 2003-02-22 | 2003-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-23 | 2007-02-22 | 2007-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-23 | 2011-02-22 | 2011-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |