Patent ID: 6243390
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
In a system having a plurality of devices coupled to a first communications controller which is connected to an integrated services digital network (ISDN) line of a telecommunications network through which a call connection is established with a second communications controller, the ISDN line having two bearer channels of predetermined bandwidth and a data channel, a method of interfacing the devices to the ISDN line for concurrent communications over the call connection with the second controller, the method comprising:negotiating, on the data channel, between the first and second communications controllers appropriation of one or more subchannels from the bandwidth of the two bearer channels; andallocating the one or more subchannels to respective devices of the plurality of devices, wherein the subchannels are allocated bits from one or more of the bearer channels so as to allow at least five devices to be allocated different call connections from the two bearer channels, and wherein each of the devices thereby connects through at least one of the two bearer channels to a different device.