Patent ID: 6266341
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
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; andprocessing 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.