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US6266341B1
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Systems and methods for multiple mode voice and data communications using intelligently bridged TDM and packet buses and methods for performing telephony and data functions using the same
Assignee: RPX Corp
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Filing: 1999-10-15
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Granted: 2001-07-24
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Expires: 2019-10-15
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods by which voice/data communications may occur in multiple modes/protocols are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided for multiple native mode/protocol voice and data transmissions and receptions with a computing system having a multi-bus structure, including, for example, a TDM bus and a packet bus, and multi-protocol framing engines. Such systems preferably include subsystem functions such as PBX, voice mail and other telephony functions, LAN hub and data router. In preferred embodiments, a TDM bus and a packet bus are intelligently bridged and managed, thereby enabling such multiple mode/protocol voice and data transmissions to be intelligently managed and controlled with a single, integrated system. A computer or other processor includes a local area network controller, which provides routing and hub(s) for one or more packet networks. The computer also is coupled to a buffer/framer, which serves to frame/deframe data to/from the computer from TDM bus. The buffer/framer includes a plurality of framer/deframer engines, supporting, for example, ATM and HDLC framing/deframing. The buffer/framer is coupled to the TDM bus by way of a switch/multiplexer, which includes the capability to intelligently map data traffic between the buffer/framer and the TDM bus to various slots of the TDM frames. Preferably, a DSP pool is coupled to buffer/framer in a manner to provide various signal processing and telecommunications support, such as dial tone generation, DTMF detection and the like. The TDM bus is coupled to a various line/station cards, serving to interface the TDM bus with telephone, facsimiles and other telecommunication devices, and also with a various digital and/or analog WAN network services.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Surprenant
- 👤 Scott K. Pickett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L65/00; H04L65/10; H04L65/102; H04L65/1023; H04L65/103; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2854; H04L12/2856; H04L12/2858; H04L12/2859; H04L12/2869; H04L12/287; H04L12/2874; H04L12/2878; H04L12/2879; H04L12/2881; H04L12/42; H04L12/427; H04L12/43; H04L12/64; H04L12/6418; H04L65/1026; H04L65/1033; H04L65/1036; H04L65/104; H04L65/1043; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1069; H04L65/1101; H04L65/1106; H04L67/00; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42314; H04M7/00; H04M7/006; H04M7/12; H04M7/1205; H04M7/1295; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04Q3/0045; H04L2012/6445; H04L2012/6459; H04L2012/6472; H04L2012/6481; H04L61/00; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/20; H04M2203/2061; H04M3/22; H04M3/2254; H04M3/42323; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M3/4936; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04M3/54; H04M3/56; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13034; H04Q2213/1322; H04Q2213/13377; H04Q2213/13389; H04Q3/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
317 words
In a system for managing voice and data communications of an office, the office having a plurality of computers coupled to the system over one or more packet buses and a plurality of telephones coupled to the system, wherein the system provides voice and data communications to a plurality of users in the office, wherein associated with each of at least certain users is at least one computer and at least one telephone, wherein the system is coupled to one or more telecommunications networks, a method comprising the steps of: selectively coupling, under control of a processor in the system, data communications between a computer coupled to the system over one of the packet buses and the one or more telecommunications networks, wherein the data communications are coupled to the one or more telecommunications networks via at least one TDM bus in the system; receiving one or more signals from a first telephone coupled to the system, wherein the telephone is coupled to the system via a telephone interface circuit or via the one or more telecommunications networks; converting the one or more signals to a first data stream; directing the first data stream to one or more particular channels of the TDM bus; selectively coupling, under control of the processor, the first data stream via the TDM bus to a second telephone corresponding to a particular user or selectively coupling, under control of the processor, the first data stream via the TDM bus to a voice mail system for processing as a voice mail message for the particular user; concurrently tapping into the first data stream with a digital signal processing resource (“DSP”) coupled to the TDM bus, wherein the DSP comprises one or more digital signal processors; and processing the first data stream as a telephone call to the particular user or to the voice mail system while concurrently processing the call with the DSP.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
317 words
In a system for managing voice and data communications of an office, the office having a plurality of computers coupled to the system over one or more packet buses and a plurality of telephones coupled to the system, wherein the system provides voice and data communications to a plurality of users in the office, wherein associated with each of at least certain users is at least one computer and at least one telephone, wherein the system is coupled to one or more telecommunications networks, a method comprising the steps of: selectively coupling, under control of a processor in the system, data communications between a computer coupled to the system over one of the packet buses and the one or more telecommunications networks, wherein the data communications are coupled to the one or more telecommunications networks via at least one TDM bus in the system; receiving one or more signals from a first telephone coupled to the system, wherein the telephone is coupled to the system via a telephone interface circuit or via the one or more telecommunications networks; converting the one or more signals to a first data stream; directing the first data stream to one or more particular channels of the TDM bus; selectively coupling, under control of the processor, the first data stream via the TDM bus to a second telephone corresponding to a particular user or selectively coupling, under control of the processor, the first data stream via the TDM bus to a voice mail system for processing as a voice mail message for the particular user; concurrently tapping into the first data stream with a digital signal processing resource (“DSP”) coupled to the TDM bus, wherein the DSP comprises one or more digital signal processors; and processing the first data stream as a telephone call to the particular user or to the voice mail system while concurrently processing the call with the DSP.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the DSP processes the first data stream to convert speech in the first data stream to text.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the text is directed to the user as an electronic message.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the text is directed to the user as a data file.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the system includes an electronic mail server, wherein the text is directed to the user as an electronic mail message provided by the electronic mail server.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the text is transmitted to the particular user over the one or more packet buses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the text is transmitted to the particular user over a wide area network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the DSP performs a voice or speech recognition process.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the DSP performs a facsimile or modem call detection process.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the DSP performs a data compression process.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the DSP performs a packetizing process, wherein the first data stream is processed to be transmitted in the form of one or more packets.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a predetermined set of users are defined so that first data streams for the predetermined set of users are automatically processed by the DSP.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the predetermined set of users have first data streams that are directed into voice mail and concurrently processed by the DSP.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the processing by the DSP converts the first data stream into a form that can be electronically transmitted to the predetermined set of users by a wide area network or a local area network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the DSP is coupled to channels of the TDM bus with a switch/multiplexer, wherein the switch/multiplexer controls the DSP so that the DSP may concurrently process the first data stream.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein one or more other data streams are coupled from the one or more packet buses to the TDM bus with the switch/multiplexer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more other data streams are coupled from the TDM bus to the telecommunications network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the DSP processes the one or more other data streams.
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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) | 2004-07-23 | 2005-01-22 | 2005-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-23 | 2009-01-22 | 2009-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-23 | 2013-01-22 | 2013-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |