Patent ID: 6356554
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
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 the system is coupled to at least one telecommunications network including one or more digital transmission links, wherein the system includes at least a processor and data storage resources, a method comprising the steps of:generating video data with a video source external to the system, wherein the video data is provided to a TDM bus in the system via a first interface circuit; generating voice data with one of the plurality of telephones external to the system that are selectively connected to the TDM bus via a plurality of second interface circuits, wherein the voice data is provided to the TDM bus in the system via one of the second interface circuits; generating computer data with a computer external to the system, wherein the computer data is provided to the TDM bus from the one or more packet buses via a protocol processing circuit; transmitting the video data, voice data and computer data from the TDM bus to a common digital transmission link, wherein concurrent video, voice and/or data communications occur over the digital transmission link, wherein one or more of the one or more packet buses are selectively bridged with the TDM bus via the protocol processing circuit, wherein voice communications that stay in a circuit-switched form in the communication system occur over the TDM bus.