Patent ID: 7463731
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A dual mode packet phone comprising: a first connector to connect the phone with a data network, wherein the data network is a digital Voice-over-IP Ethernet network; a second connector to connect the phone with a backup network, wherein the backup network is an analog network or a digital time division multiplexing (TDM) network; a communications channel to send a communication signal; a backup switch to connect the communications channel to the first connector or the second connector; and a control unit to monitor a first connection attempt initiated on the data network and, if a response to the first connection attempt is not received within a predetermined time, to control the backup switch to disconnect the communications channel from the first connector and to connect the communication channel to the second connector, wherein the signal causes a relay to connect an external line to either the data network or the backup network.