Patent ID: 6700956
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
Apparatus for dynamically switching between Internet-based telephony service and PSTN-based telephony service using an analog telephone circuit selectively coupled to either the PSTN network or the Internet, the apparatus comprising:an interface adapted to be coupled to a PC; a jack adapted to be coupled to the telephone network to pass analog signals to the telephone network; a DTMF interface circuit adapted to be coupled to the analog telephone circuit; and a switch coupled to the telephone, the switch having a first position wherein the telephone is coupled to the jack and a second position wherein the telephone is coupled to the interface, the switch being programmed to move between the first and second positions responsive to detection of a predetermined sequence of DTMF digits through the DTMF interface circuit, such that the telephone may remain active while the switch moves between the first position and the second position and routes a telephone call to either the PSTN network or the Internet in response to user selection of either the PSTN network or the Internet.