Method and apparatus for dynamically allocating bandwidth to independent data and audio devices

Claim 1

A method of dynamically allocating bandwidth of a digital communications line having a signaling channel and at least two user data channels comprising steps of: connecting a data device to said communications line for communication with a network; connecting an audio device to said communications line for communication with said network such that said data and audio devices access said communications line independently; dedicating said bandwidth of said user data channels to supporting data transfers for said data device when said audio device is idle; monitoring incoming communications received from said network via said signaling channel to detect a first event in which desired audio device access to said communications line is indicated, including utilizing said incoming communications received from said network to determine that said audio device previously transmitted a signal requesting said audio device access, thereby indirectly monitoring activity by said audio device; surrendering one of said user data channels dedicated to supporting said data transfers for said data device in response to detecting said first event, while at least one user data channel remains dedicated to said data transfers; supporting said audio device utilizing said surrendered user data channel; monitoring said incoming communications received along said signaling channel to detect a second event in which said audio device releases said user data channel; and reallocating said surrendered user data channel to support said data transfers.

Claim 2

A method of dynamically allocating bandwidth of a digital communications line having a signaling channel and at least two user data channels comprising steps of: connecting a data device to said communications line for communication with a network; connecting an audio device to said communications line for communication with said network such that said data and audio devices access said communications line independently; dedicating said bandwidth of said user data channels to supporting data transfers for said data device when said audio device is idle; monitoring incoming communications received from said network via said signaling channel to detect a first event in which desired audio device access to said communications line is indicated, including utilizing said incoming communications received from said network to determine that said audio device previously transmitted a signal requesting said audio device access, thereby indirectly monitoring activity by said audio device; surrendering one of said user data channels dedicated to supporting said data transfers for said data device in response to detecting said first event, while at least one user data channel remains dedicated to said data transfers; supporting said audio device utilizing said surrendered user data channel; monitoring said incoming communications received along said signaling channel to detect a second event in which said audio device releases said user data channel; and reallocating said surrendered user data channel to support said data transfers.

Claim 8

An apparatus for dynamically allocating bandwidth of a multi-channel digital communications line between an audio device and a data device, said communications line having a signaling channel and at least two user data channels comprising: a bandwidth allocator having a first mode in which said user data channels are dedicated to supporting data transfers for said data device and having a second mode in which a first user data channel is surrendered while at least one second user data channel remains dedicated to supporting said data transfers; a monitor connected to said signaling channel to detect first SETUP-related signals indicative of desired access to said communications line by said audio device and to detect second SETUP-related signals indicative of termination of access to said communications line by said audio device, said monitor being isolated from detecting signals generated by said audio device; and switching means responsive to said monitor for switching said bandwidth allocator to said second mode when one of said first SETUP-related signals is detected and for switching said bandwidth allocator to said second mode when one of said second SETUP-related signals is detected.

Claim 9

An apparatus for dynamically allocating bandwidth of a multi-channel digital communications line between an audio device and a data device, said communications line having a signaling channel and at least two user data channels comprising: a bandwidth allocator having a first mode in which said user data channels are dedicated to supporting data transfers for said data device and having a second mode in which a first user data channel is surrendered while at least one second user data channel remains dedicated to supporting said data transfers; a monitor connected to said signaling channel to detect first SETUP-related signals indicative of desired access to said communications line by said audio device and to detect second SETUP-related signals indicative of termination of access to said communications line by said audio device, said monitor being isolated from detecting signals generated by said audio device; and switching means responsive to said monitor for switching said bandwidth allocator to said second mode when one of said first SETUP-related signals is detected and for switching said bandwidth allocator to said second mode when one of said second SETUP-related signals is detected.

Claim 13

A method of dynamically allocating bandwidth of an ISDN basic rate interface (BRI) link to independently connected telephonic and data devices comprising steps of: continuously sharing a D-channel of said link between said telephonic and data devices such that each is enabled to exchange signals with an ISDN provider; allocating first and second B-channels of said link to said data device as a default condition; monitoring said D-channel to sense conditions in which an outgoing call from said telephonic device is initiated and in which an incoming call is directed to said telephonic device; allocating said first B-channel to said telephonic device in response to sensing one of said conditions; monitoring each incoming and outgoing call involving said telephonic device to detect time periods during which said incoming and outgoing calls are in on-hold conditions; temporarily reallocating said first B-channel to said data device during said time periods in which said incoming and outgoing calls are in said on-hold condition, including returning allocation of said first B-channel to said telephonic device following each said on-hold condition; and reallocating said first B-channel to said data device following completion of each said incoming and outgoing call.

Claim 14

A method of dynamically allocating bandwidth of an ISDN basic rate interface (BRI) link to independently connected telephonic and data devices comprising steps of: continuously sharing a D-channel of said link between said telephonic and data devices such that each is enabled to exchange signals with an ISDN provider; allocating first and second B-channels of said link to said data device as a default condition; monitoring said D-channel to sense conditions in which an outgoing call from said telephonic device is initiated and in which an incoming call is directed to said telephonic device; allocating said first B-channel to said telephonic device in response to sensing one of said conditions; monitoring each incoming and outgoing call involving said telephonic device to detect time periods during which said incoming and outgoing calls are in on-hold conditions; temporarily reallocating said first B-channel to said data device during said time periods in which said incoming and outgoing calls are in said on-hold condition, including returning allocation of said first B-channel to said telephonic device following each said on-hold condition; and reallocating said first B-channel to said data device following completion of each said incoming and outgoing call.