Patent ID: 7443840
Filing Date: 2008-10-28
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a communication device for a communication session wherein the communication device includes at least two ports respectively coupled to at least two analog telephones and wherein the communication device is coupled to a packet network, the method comprising: receiving a first message from the packet network indicating a called number and responsively processing the called number to select one of the ports coupled to one of the analog telephones and to transfer a ring signal through the selected port to ring the one analog telephone; transferring a second message to the packet network indicating that a called party associated with the called number is being alerted responsive to transferring the ring signal; detecting an off-hook condition for the one analog telephone and responsively stopping the transfer of the ring signal; transferring a third message to the packet network indicating packet routing information for the communication session; exchanging analog voice signals with the one analog telephone through the selected port and exchanging voice packets with the packet network using the packet routing information; and interworking between the analog voice signals and the voice packets.