Patent ID: 6178167
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
Apparatus including a first port for communicating with a user and a second port for connecting the apparatus to a telecommunications network, the improvement comprising:a signal coupler connected between the first port and the second port; anda module that produces an ID signal that uniquely identifies the apparatus, to distinguish it from substantially all other apparatus, which module is coupled to the second port to provide the ID signal to the second port, wherein said signal coupler includesmeans for converting information signals from the first port, arriving at a first format, to packet signals, where a packet comprises bits that are devoted to address specification, one or more bits devoted to specifying whether the packet carries control or information signals, and a bits that are devoted to carrying the control or information signals;means for converting packet signals arriving from the second port into signals having said first format; anda controller for enabling concurrent two-directional flow of signals through said first port; andsaid means for converting includessilence detection means responsive to speech signals arriving from the first port, for detecting silence in the speech signal;means for digitizing speech signals arriving from the audio communication port to develop thereby data signals;encoder responsive to the means for digitizing and to the silence detection means to reduce bandwidth of the data signals; andinterface means for converting output signals of the encoder to the packet signals.