Patent ID: 7206392
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: G02B,H04B

Abstract:
1. A signal conversion system for communications comprising: a front-end interface into which at least one communications device configured for electrical communications is to be connected; a backend interface to be connected to a backend electrical signal based communications system; and a fiber optic link interconnecting said front-end and backend interfaces, wherein electrical signalling between a communications device connected to said front-end interface and a backend communications system connected to said backend interface is converted by said front-end and backend interfaces into optical signalling for transmission therebetween and is reconverted by said front-end and backend interfaces to electrical signalling for transmission to said communications device and backend communications system, wherein said front-end interface includes: a first subsystem having a series of jacks into which different communications devices are to be plugged and circuitry to support said jacks and detect off-hook conditions of said communications devices; and a second subsystem including a processor to process signals received from and destined to said communications devices, a switch to control signal flow, and at least one fiber optic transceiver to convert optical signals received from said fiber optic link into electrical signals and to convert electrical signals received from said processor into optical signals; and wherein said backend interface includes: a third subsystem having a series of jacks into which said backend communications system is to be plugged and circuitry to support said jacks and detect incoming ringing signal conditions; and a fourth subsystem including a processor to process signals received from and destined to said communications devices, a switch to control signal flow and at least one fiber optic transceiver to convert optical signals received from said fiber optic link into electrical signals and to convert electrical signals received from said processor into optical signals.