Patent ID: 6301340
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
A method of providing auxiliary plain old telephone service (POTS) capability between an auxiliary POTS telephone at a customer premises, and a communication link coupled to a digital communication interface serving digital communication equipment, which is installed at said customer premises and is powered exclusively of said communication link, in the event that said digital communication equipment is unable to provide telephone service, said method comprising the steps of:(a) decoupling said communication link from a normal digital signaling path through said digital communication interface to said digital communication equipment and, instead, coupling said communication link to an auxiliary digital/analog signaling path, which is operative to convert outgoing analog signals from said auxiliary POTS telephone to digital communication signals for transmission over said communication link, and to convert incoming digital communication signals from said communication link into analog signals for said auxiliary POTS telephone; and(b) coupling said auxiliary POTS telephone to said auxiliary digital/analog signaling path.