Patent ID: 6678374
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A method of determining call answer by an IP softphone that includes software executing on a personal computer and a handset having an audio receiver connected an input conductor, an audio transmitter connected to an output conductor, a switch, and a tone generator, comprising the steps of:generating a tone by the tone generator; selecting the tone by the switch for transmission on the output conductor upon the handset being idle; selecting an output of the audio transmitter for transmission on the output conductor upon the handset being active; interconnecting the handset to a telecommunication switching system via the personal computer; receiving an incoming call from the telecommunication switching system by the personal computer; connecting the incoming call to the IP softphone by the personal computer upon the tone not being received from the handset via a sound card; and communicating audio information between the handset and the telecommunication switching system by the personal computer after connection of the incoming call.