Data network and PSTN telephony system

Abstract

An adapter is disclosed which allows attachment of a standard telephone to a computer as a standard peripheral. The adapter converts analog signals of the telephone to digital signals of the computer and vice versa. The adapter can also be a stand-alone device allowing the telephone to be attached to a computer network. The adapter, in this case, contains the computing power to support the necessary data network protocols, and PSTN signaling protocols. In this way voice communication is enabled over a computer network without requiring the computers to be equipped with sound cards.

1 . An adapter comprising an analog to digital converter, for connecting an analog connection of an analog telephone set to a digital input of a computer.  
   
   
       2 . An adapter according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first output port configured as a telephone socket for attachment of a telephone plug, therewith to connect to said analog connection.  
   
   
       3 . An adapter according to  claim 2 , further comprising one or more additional output ports, likewise configured as telephone sockets and each having a unique address, therewith to connect to analog connections of additional analog telephone sets.  
   
   
       4 . An adapter according to  claim 1 , further comprising a look-up table for translating numerical address information entered at a key pad of the analog telephone set into addresses on the computer.  
   
   
       5 . An adapter according to  claim 1 , further comprising a look-up table for translating numerical information entered at a key pad of the analog telephone set into addresses on a network to which the computer is attachable.  
   
   
       6 . An adapter according to  claim 5 , wherein the lookup table contains Internet addresses and wherein the computer is attachable to the Internet.  
   
   
       7 . An adapter comprising an analog to digital converter, for connecting an analog connection of an analog telephone set to a digital connection of a computer network.  
   
   
       8 . An adapter according to  claim 7 , further comprising a first output port configured as a telephone socket for attachment of a telephone plug, therewith to connect to said analog connection.  
   
   
       9 . An adapter according to  claim 8 , further comprising one or more additional output ports, configured as telephone sockets and each having a unique address, therewith to connect to analog connections of additional analog telephone sets.  
   
   
       10 . An adapter according to  claim 7 , wherein the adapter contains a look-up table for converting numerical data entered at a keypad of the analog telephone set into addresses on the network.  
   
   
       11 . An adapter according to  claim 7 , wherein the network comprises the Internet.  
   
   
       12 . An adapter according to  claim 11 , comprising a module for operating an Internet protocol.  
   
   
       13 . The use of an analog telephone set as a peripheral device for a computer, wherein the telephone is operatively attached via an analog connection to a digital port of the computer through an adapter which is operable to convert digital signals output from the computer into analog signals for input to the telephone and to convert analog signals output from the telephone into digital signals for input to the computer.  
   
   
       14 . The use of an analog telephone set according to  claim 13 , for conducting voice communication over a network to which the computer is attached.  
   
   
       15 . The use of an analog telephone set as a peripheral device for a computer, the analog telephone set having an analog connection, the computer comprising control software for managing said analog telephone set via said analog connection.  
   
   
       16 . The use of an analog telephone set according to  claim 15 , wherein the control software includes encryption software.  
   
   
       17 . The use of an analog telephone set according to  claim 15 , wherein the control software includes exchange management capabilities.  
   
   
       18 . A telephone communication system providing communication between a multiplicity of telephone instruments via a PSTN and a computer network, the system comprising: 
 a digital telephone switch controller interfacing between a local telephone instrument, the PSTN and a computer connected to the computer network and operative to analyze at least signaling information arriving from at least one of the local telephone instrument, the PSTN and the computer network and to responsively transmit at least one of voice information and signaling information to at least one of the local telephone instrument, the PSTN and the computer network, said digital telephone switch controller being an autonomous device.    
   
   
       19 . A telephone system with local ringing voltage generation, the system comprising: 
 a local ringing voltage generator operative to locally apply single line ringing voltage to an analog telephone instrument not directly connected to the public switched telephone network, thereby to induce the analog telephone instrument to produce a ringing tone; and    a voltage generator actuator operative to actuate the local ringing voltage generator upon receipt of a single line voltage generation actuation signal from the not-directly connected public system telephone network.    
   
   
       20 . A system according to  claim 18 , wherein said controller is operative to analyze signaling information and voice information arriving from at least one of the local telephone instrument, the PSTN and the computer network.  
   
   
       21 . A system according to  claim 18 , and wherein said switch controller is operative to mix voice information arriving from the local telephone instrument with voice information arriving from the PSTN.  
   
   
       22 . A telephone communication system providing communication between a multiplicity of telephone instruments, a PSTN, and a computer network, the system comprising: 
 a digital telephone switch controller interfacing with a computer connected to the computer network, and an adapter interfacing with a local telephone instrument and a PSTN, wherein said adapter comprises a PC card, wherein the digital telephone switch controller is autonomous respectively of said local telephone instrument, said computer and the PSTN.    
   
   
       23 . A telephone communication system according to  claim 22 , and wherein said digital telephone switch controller comprises a slot for said PC card.