Patent ID: 6718037
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An apparatus, comprising:a computer system processing information; a telephone cable having a first end and a second end, said cable conveying data between said first and second ends, said first end being coupled to a central office; a modem outputting a voltage signal according to an active state of said modem, said modem being coupled to said computer system and being coupled directly to said second end of said telephone cable; a generator coupled to a junction between said modem and said telephone cable, said generator producing a bell signal in response to a ring signal received from said telephone cable, said ring signal corresponding to an incoming call, said bell signal informing an operator of existence of said incoming call; and a switch connected between said generator and said junction between said modem and said telephone cable, said switch switching on to connect said telephone cable to said generator when said modem is in an inactive state, said switch switching off to disconnect said telephone cable from said generator when said modem is in an active state, and said switch performing said switching on and said switching off in response to said voltage signal received from said modem.