Patent ID: 6181788
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
An integrated telephony apparatus, comprising:a first telephony switching apparatus operating in a Publicly Switched Telephony Network (PSTN), the switching apparatus having a first functionality and a first computer-telephony integration (CTI) port;a second telephony switching apparatus operating in a destination call-in center, the second switching apparatus having a second functionality, separate from the first functionality, and a second CTI port, and coupled to the first telephony switching apparatus through the PSTN allowing telephony calls to be forwarded between the two telephony switches;a first CTI processor connected to the first CTI port and adapted to monitor activities and direct functions of the first telephony switching apparatus;a second CTI processor connected to the second CTI port and adapted to monitor activities and direct functions of the second telephony switching apparatus; anda data link between the first CTI processor and the second CTI processor;wherein the first telephony switching apparatus is of one manufacture and uses a proprietary communication protocol for CTI applications and the second telephony switching apparatus is of a separate manufacture than the first, and uses a second, different protocol for CTI applications, and the first CTI processor and the second CTI processor provide uniform control of the first and second telephony switching apparatus at least partially based on the monitored activities of the switches communicated between the first and second CTI processors over the data link.