Patent ID: 6118780
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
A communication system for voice and/or data having user activation and selection, in real time, of transmission paths for traffic in voice and/or data networks, independent of network management, comprising:a) terminal means for accessing or receiving from the networks voice and/or data transmissions;b) a voice and data multiplexer coupled to the terminal means;c) a voice and/or data switch coupled at one end to the multiplexer and at the other end to the voice network;d) a programmable network interface coupled to the multiplexer and to the data network; the interface including programmable stored data descriptive of authorized network data and voice functions and transmission paths in the voice and data networks; the interface being further linked to the multiplexer and the switch through signaling paths for directing the operation of the multiplexer and switch in selecting paths for voice and data transmission to/from the voice and data networks;e) control means linked to the interface, the switch and the voice network through signaling paths for directing traffic on the voice network and/or data network in accordance with instructions provided in part from the interface; andf) means for displaying menus provided by the interface at the terminal equipment for enabling a user, in real time, to activate and select voice and/or data services and transmission paths in the voice and/or data networks from the menus based upon the stored data in the interface and the selection being independent of the network management.