Out-of-band signaling for network based computer session synchronization with crossbars

Abstract

Establishing a network connection. In one aspect, establishing a network connection includes: establishing a connection across a first communication network that carries audio signals; encoding a computer network address for a specified network different from the first network into an encoded network address and sending the encoded network address across the first network; and using said network address to establish a network connection on said second network. In one implementation, network connectivity functionality of a computer can be automatically accessed using telephone connectivity. Out-of-band signaling provides a spontaneous network collaboration capability by sending an Internet protocol (“IP”) address across a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”) connection.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . A crossbar switch, comprising: 
 a switch including at least one analog input port, at least one digital input port, at least one analog output port, at least one digital output port, and a processor which generates digital signals based upon analog signals received at said at least one analog input port;    at least one analog input channel which receives an audio signal, where each analog input channel is coupled to a corresponding analog input port of the switch;    at least one digital input channel, where each digital input channel is coupled to a corresponding digital input port of the switch;    at least one analog output channel, where each analog output channel is coupled to a corresponding analog output port of the switch;    at least one digital output channel, where each digital output channel is coupled to a corresponding digital output port of the switch; and    a control element coupled to the switch,    where the control element is adapted to control which of the analog input ports, digital input ports, analog output ports, and digital output ports are active,    where an active input port sends a signal received at the input port from a coupled channel into the switch, and an active output port sends a signal from within the switch to a coupled channel, allowing a signal received at any input port of the switch to be sent to one or more channels coupled to corresponding output ports of the switch.    
   
   
       26 . An audio crossbar switch, comprising a plurality of input ports, where one input port is coupled to an audio source; 
 a plurality of output ports, where one output port is coupled to a telephone network, and one output port is coupled to a computer network; and    a control element which physically connects at least one input port to at least one output port and can dynamically change which input port is coupled to which output port.    
   
   
       27 . The audio crossbar switch of  claim 26 , where the audio source is a telephone.  
   
   
       28 . The audio crossbar switch of  claim 26 , where the control element can change a connection between the audio source and the telephone network to a connection between the audio source and the computer network without terminating a telephone conversation occurring through the connection between the audio source and the telephone network.  
   
   
       29 . An audio crossbar switch, comprising: 
 an audio input port for receiving an audio signal;    a plurality of output ports, where one output port is coupled to a telephone network, one output port is coupled to a computer network, and one output port is coupled to a computer; and    a control element, where the control element is adapted to control and switch in real-time which one or more of the output ports the audio signal transmits the audio signal.    
   
   
       30 - 32 . (canceled)