Abstract:
A self-contained device using a single telephone line to receive telephone calls and facsimilies while being simultaneously connectable to the Internet, which provides an all-in-one solution for multiple devices present and operating on a single standard telephone line. The benefits include the ability to receive calls and faxes, whether online or not online and to remain online if already on line. Additionally, the present invention switches between voice and fax calls, automatically and without any intervention from the user. To achieve the combined functions, the present invention integrates a micro-processor which coordinates general functionality. Tone detection circuitry, which provides extremely narrow and selective detection range and detects the appropriate tones. Care is taken to assure a narrow enough detector design which will not false alarm or detect such sound as modem noise, which includes a fax tone and a call waiting tone.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a self-contained device for using a single telephone line to receive telephone calls and facsimiles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-contained device for using a single telephone line to receive telephone calls and facsimiles while being simultaneously connectable to the Internet. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous innovations for telecommunication devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention. 
     A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,553 to Kiguchi teaches a facsimile communication system wherein a call signal detecting device is for identifying call signals which are received over a network. Both an unsounding call signal and a sounding call signal are detected by a single detection circuitry, which is also responsive to off-hooking of an own station&#39;s telephone set. Detection of such signals is implemented by the measurement of a period which is performed by a processing unit, so that changes in the specifications of the signals to be detected can be accommodated merely by modifying a program of the processing system and not the hardware of the device. 
     A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,049 to Streck teaches apparatus for answering an incoming call over a single telephone line and for automatically switching the call between a telephone and a carrier signal-based device as appropriate. There is a three position switch for switching a telephone line connected thereto between first, second and third output positions thereof. The switch has the telephone operably connected to the second output position thereof and the carrier signal-based device connected to the third output position thereof. There is first logic having an input connected to the first output position of the switch and an output operably connected to switch the switch between the first, second and third output positions for answering an incoming call on the telephone line, for determining whether the incoming call is from a carrier signal-based device, for switching the switch to connect the second output position when an incoming call from a non-carrier signal-based device is detected, and for switching the switch to connect the third output position when an incoming call from a carrier signal-based device is detected. There is also second logic having an input connected to sense transmissions from the telephone and the carrier signal-based device and an output operably connected to switch the switch between the first, second and third output positions for switching the switch to the first position when a hang up by the telephone or the carrier signal-based device is detected. The preferred embodiment also senses a pickup by either device and automatically switches the switch to connect the device to the telephone line for outgoing transmission use. The preferred stand-alone version also includes telephone answering capability for alerting a caller to its operation and for recording a message if the telephone is not answered. 
     A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,581 to Pittard teaches a control and switching unit used with at least two devices for transmitting information or voice communication over telephone lines. The control and switching unit is provided with a series of relay to ensure that only one of the devices receives or transmits information at any one time. A timing circuit is utilized such that if one of the devices is a telephone, the second device would not be able to gain access to the telephone line if the telephone is ringing. Additionally, if the telephone is in use, the secondary device, such as a modem, could be selected and this secondary device would gain access to the telephone line after the use of the telephone has been discontinued. 
     A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,534 to Gural teaches a subscriber&#39;s interface enabling the connection of otherwise incompatible telephone device systems (hereinafter “(Z)”) to a single telephone line, each telephone device system having devices such as: a computer modem (hereinafter “(F)”), an automatic answering machine (hereinafter “(A)”), and telephone sets (hereinafter “(T)”). When a ring signal is received from the central office, the interface allows a first device, such as (A) or (T) to answer the call, and monitors the communication between the calling party and the first device bearing in mind its various operating modes. Based on the monitored conversation, the interface determines if the call should be connected to a second device. If so, an actuating signal is sent to (F), whereupon when (F) becomes OFF HOOK, it is connected to the telephone line. If the first device is an automatic answering machine, its various operating modes include: outgoing message, incoming message, beeperless remote mode. If the first device is a remotely located telephone set, its various mode of operation include simple human voice signals and complex human voice signals. 
     A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,334 to O&#39;Mahoney teaches a method for processing an incoming call on a telephone line in a computer system, wherein a telephony circuit detects a pick-up by a parallel device coupled to the telephone line while maintaining high voltage isolation. The telephony circuit performs hard line seizures to cause the parallel device to hang-up and soft line seizures to prevent a central office hang up after the parallel device hangs up. 
     A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,767 to O&#39;Horo et al. teaches a call-waiting feature that is supported on voice-and-data modems by causing voice-and-data modems to go into voice-only mode upon receipt of the modem clear-down signal. A first voice-and-data modem engaged in an initial voice-and-data call with a second voice-and-data modem responds to receipt of a call-waiting signal by generating a replica of the call-waiting signal on the user&#39;s audio channel. The first modem responds to a user request to pick up the waiting call by sending the modem clear-down signal to the second voice-and-data modem, going into voice-only mode, and transmitting a waiting-call acceptance signal. The initial call that is placed on hold is thus a voice-only call. While in a voice-plus-data picked-up waiting call, the first modem responds to a user request to reinstate the initial call by again sending the modem clear-down signal, going into voice-only mode, and transmitting a call-resumption signal. The first modem is thus in voice-only-mode when it is reconnected to the initial, voice-only, call. The reconnected initial call may now be reconverted into a voice-plus-data call in the convention manner. 
     A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,126 to McMullin teaches methods and apparatus for providing automatic redirection of an incoming voice telephone call from a caller to a subscriber proxy when an attempt by the caller to connect to a telephone link of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) is blocked due to the telephone link being occupied by a subscriber using the telephone link to establish communication between the subscriber&#39;s personal computer and a computer network. The subscriber proxy is connected to both the PSTN and the computer network, and produces audio interaction with the caller. The subscriber proxy also notifies the subscriber of the incoming call via the subscriber&#39;s computer. The subscriber&#39;s computer can optionally be used by the subscriber to control and interact with the incoming call by communicating with the computer proxy while the subscriber continues to occupy the telephone link. 
     AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,924 to Krexner et al. teaches a fax and phone combination device. The combination device is coupled to an external phone. From a phone line, the combination device receives a call signal, a fax signal, and an information signal. The call signal precedes the fax signal and the information signal. The combination device comprises a fax, an internal phone, and a call signal processor. The call processor processes the call signal received by the combination device and produces a first ringing signal from the call signal. The first ringing signal is intended for the internal phone. The combination device further comprises a ringing signal generator for generating a second ringing signal that is intended for the external phone, and a switch coupled to the fax, the internal phone, and the call processor. A call pulse in the call signal causes the switch to switch the combination device in a simulated receiving mode. In the simulated receiving mode, the fax signal detector detects whether the fax signal is present. If the fax signal is present, the fax signal is routed to the fax. If no fax signal is present, the second ringing signal is routed to the external phone. 
     A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,353 to Szeliga teaches a method and related apparatus for detecting the presence of a call waiting signal on a telephone line, where the call waiting signal is embedded in various signals. The call waiting signal frequency is isolated from the various other frequencies. The isolated call waiting frequency is then biased so that only the positive voltage portions of the signal are allowed to pass. Each positive voltage pulse as well as the zero voltage pulses are then sampled to determine whether they are representative of a biased call waiting signal. Each time a determination is made, one is added to a count on an up-down counter. When the count reaches a predetermined number, a call waiting signal is detected on the telephone line. Preferably an alarm signals the presence of a detected call waiting signal to the user. A disconnect switch interrupts a modem so that a person using the modem on the same telephone line will have sufficient time to answer a detected incoming call. 
     A TENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,353 to Berger et al. teaches a transponder communication device that interrogates an operational test transponder that is permanently within a receiving range of the transponder communication device. In response thereto, the operational test transponder sends operational test information to the transponder communication device. The transponder communication device checks whether received operational test information is valid, and generates an error signal if the received operational test information is invalid. 
     AN ELEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,692 to Shtivelman et al. teaches a telephony call-waiting system for clients having a computer with a video display unit (PC/VDU) and a public-switched telephony network (PSTN) telephone connected to the PSTN by a single line, keeps a status indication of the client&#39;s internet connection status and, during periods of time the PC/VDU is connected to the internet, alerts the client by an alert signal over the internet connection of any waiting PSTN calls. In a preferred embodiment the client&#39;s PC/VDU is adapted to provide an audio and/or visual alert event when an alert signal is received, and to provide for a user-initiated response to an alert, accepting or rejecting a call. In the event a call is accepted, provision is made for connecting the accepted call to the client&#39;s PC/VDU as an IP call. In some embodiments several calls may be dealt with at the PC/VDU, and features are provided such as caller-ID on the client&#39;s VDU. Several ways of accomplishing the call-waiting system are taught. 
     It is apparent that numerous innovations for telecommunication devices have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a self-contained device for using a single telephone line to receive telephone calls and facsimiles while being simultaneously connectable to the Internet that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a self-contained device for using a single telephone line to receive telephone calls and facsimiles while being simultaneously connectable to the Internet that is simple to use. 
     BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a self-contained device using a single telephone line to receive telephone calls and facsimiles while being simultaneously connectable to the Internet. The device includes a single housing, a facsimile jack connected to a facsimile machine, a telephone/answering machine jack connected to a telephone/answering machine, a modem jack connected to a computer, a telephone line jack connected to a telephone outlet, a micro-processor, tone detectors communicating with the micro-processor, telephone line isolation and input amplification and filtration communicating with, and between, the tone detectors and the telephone line jack, a tone select communicating with the tone detectors, display and ring buzzer communicating with the micro-processor, a ring voltage generator communicating with, and between, the display ring buzzer and the facsimile jack, a status detect (on/off hook) communicating with the micro-processor, control relays communicating with the status detect (on/off hook), and output drivers communicating with the micro-processor. 
     The present invention is designed to provide an all-in-one solution for multiple devices present and operating on a single standard telephone line. The benefits include the ability to receive calls and faxes, whether online or not online and to remain online if already on line. Additionally, the present invention switches between voice and fax calls, automatically and without any intervention from the user. In addition the present invention also permits the user to receive both call an faxes while not on line. 
     To achieve the combined functions, the present invention integrates a micro-processor which coordinates general functionality. Tone detection circuitry, which provides extremely narrow and selective detection range and detects the appropriate tones. Care is taken to assure a narrow enough detector design which will not false alarm or detect such sound as modem noise which is far stronger, louder, and full spectrum than the intended detection range, which includes a fax tone and a call waiting tone. 
     Additionally, other detection tones for call waiting are selectively made available for other countries. Such tones are selected by the user or manufacturer. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention interfacing with associated inputs; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 3A-3B is a schematic diagram of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4A-4D is a flow chart of the method of operation of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 5A-5B and  6 A- 6 G are flow charts of the method of operation of the present invention when used with a facsimile machine; 
     FIGS. 7A-7E is a flow chart of the method of installing the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8A-8C is a flow chart of the method of ascertaining that call waiting is not disabled for window users; 
     FIGS. 9A-9B is a flow chart of the method of ascertaining that calling waiting is not disabled for America-On-Line (AOL) users; 
     FIGS. 10A-10B is a flow chart of the method for ascertaining that call waiting is not disabled for Macintosh Computer (MAC) users; and 
     FIGS. 11A-11D is a flow chart of the method of making the present invention work better with the computer if the computer disconnects as soon as the telephone/answering machine rings or as soon as the telephone/answering machine is answered. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
       10  self-contained device of present invention for using single telephone line  12  to receive telephone calls and facsimiles for transmission respectively to a telephone/answering machine  14  and facsimile machine  16  while being simultaneously connectable to the Internet by computer  18   
       12  single telephone line 
       14  telephone/answering machine 
       16  facsimile machine 
       18  computer 
       20  single housing 
       22  back wall of single housing  20   
       24  power supply input 
       25  cable 
       26  AC transformer for connecting to AC power source  28   
       28  AC power source 
       30  facsimile jack for connecting to facsimile machine  16   
       32  telephone/answering machine jack for connecting to telephone/answering machine  14   
       34  modem jack for connecting to computer  18   
       36  telephone line jack for connecting to telephone outlet  38   
       38  telephone outlet 
       40  caller ID device 
       41  power supply 
       42  micro-processor 
       43  5 volt voltage regulator of power supply  41   
       44  tone detectors 
       44   a  fax tone detector of tone detectors  44   
       44   b  call waiting tone detector of tone detectors  44   
       45  telephone line isolation and input amplification and filtration 
       46  tone select 
       48  display and ring buzzer 
       50  ring voltage generator 
       51  subminiature step-up transformer of ring voltage generator  50   
       52  status detect (on/off hook) 
       53  transistor of ring voltage generator  50   
       54  control relays 
       55  first diode of ring voltage generator  50   
       56  output drivers 
       57  second diode of ring voltage generator  50   
       58  operational amplifier 
       59  first capacitor of ring voltage generator  50   
       60  transistor array chip of output drivers  56   
       61  second capacitor of ring voltage generator  50   
       62  first optoisolator of control relays  54   
       63  resistor of ring voltage generator  50   
       64  second optoisolator of control relays  54   
       65  first control relay of control relays  54   
       66  third optoisolator of control relays  54   
       67  second control relay of control relays  54   
       68  fourth optoisolator of control relays  54   
       69  third control relay of control relays  54   
       71  fourth control relay of control relays  54   
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1-3, the self-contained device of the present invention is shown generally at  10  for using a single telephone line  12  to receive telephone calls and facsimiles for transmission respectively to a telephone/answering machine  14  and a facsimile machine  16  while being simultaneously connectable to the Internet by a computer  18  that has a modem  19 . 
     The self-contained device  10  comprises a single housing  20  that has a back wall  22 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a power supply input  24 . The power supply input  24  is on the back wall  22  on the single housing  20  and is connected by a cable  25  to an AC transformer  26  for connecting to an AC power source  28 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a facsimile jack  30 . The facsimile jack  30  is on the back wall  22  of the single housing  20  and is for connecting to the facsimile machine  16 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a telephone/answering machine jack  32 . The telephone/answering machine jack  32  is on the back wall  22  of the single housing  20  and is for connecting to the telephone/answering machine  14 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a modem jack  34 . The modem jack  34  is on the back wall  22  of the single housing  20  and is for connecting to the computer  18 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a telephone line jack  36 . The telephone line jack  36  is on the back wall  22  of the single housing  20  and is for connecting to a telephone outlet  38 . If a caller ID device  40  is used, the caller ID device  40  is connected between the telephone line jack  36  and the telephone outlet  38 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a power supply  41 . The power supply  41  is contained in the single housing  20  and communicates with the power supply input  24 . The power supply  41  includes a 5 volt voltage regulator  43 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a micro-processor  42 . The micro-processor  42  is contained in the single housing  20  and makes most of the functional decisions. A typical example of the micro-processor  42  is Microchip PIC 16C54. 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises tone detectors  44 . The tone detectors  44  are contained in the single housing  20 , communicate with the micro-processor  42 , and include a fax tone detector  44   a  and a call waiting tone detector  44   b.    
     The fax tone detector  44   a  detects a fax tone when the self-contained device  10  is in a mode to detect the fax tone. A typical example of the fax tone detector  44   a  is LM567 (National Semiconductor) or NJM567 (New Japan Radio). 
     The call waiting tone detector  44   b  is a tone detector with switched capacitor or digital signal processing (DSP) detection that detects a call-waiting tone and also discriminates between the call-waiting tone and modem noise present at that time. The call waiting tone detector  44   b  has selectable frequencies for different tones in other countries. A typical example of the call waiting tone detector  44   b  is Teltone M982-02. 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises telephone line isolation and input amplification and filtration  45 . The telephone line isolation and input amplification and filtration  45  are contained in the single housing  20  and communicate with, and between, the tone detectors  44  and the telephone line jack  36 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a tone select  46 . The tone select  46  is contained in the single housing  20  and communicates with the tone detectors  44 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a display and ring buzzer  48 . The display and ring buzzer  48  are contained in the single housing  20  and communicate with the micro-processor  42 . The micro-processor  42  generates tone for the display and ring buzzer  48 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a ring voltage generator  50 . The ring voltage generator  50  is contained in the single housing  20  and communicates with, and between, the display ring buzzer  48  and the facsimile jack  30 . 
     The ring voltage generator  50  includes a subminiature step-up transformer  51 . The subminiature step-up transformer  51 , in conjunction with a transistor  53 , a first diode  55 , a second diode  57 , a first capacitor  59 , a second capacitor  61 , and a resistor  63 , amplify ring tone generated by the micro-processor  42  and place the micro-processor  42  on the telephone line  12  only when the telephone/answering machine  14  is off-hook and the facsimile tone detector  44   a  detects an appropriate tone for longer than 100 ms. A Typical example of the subminiature step-up transformer  51  is T1006 and a typical example of the transistor  53  is MPS222. 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises a status detect (on/off hook)  52 . The status detect (on/off hook)  52  is contained in the single housing  20  and communicates with the micro-processor  42 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises control relays  54 . The control relays  54  are contained in the single housing  20  and communicate with the status detect (on/off hook)  52 . The control relays  54  include a first control relay  65 , a second control relay  67 , a third control relay  69 , and a fourth control relay  71 . 
     The first control relay  65  is a double pole double throw (DPDT) telephone approved relay and has a normally closed relaxed position and an actuated position when a call waiting tone has been successfully detected. The first control relay  65 , when in the relaxed position thereof, connects the computer  18  to the telephone line  12 . The first control relay  65 , when in the actuated position thereof, disconnects the computer  18  from the telephone line  12 , and places a load to the telephone line  12  for a short time (about 300 ms) so that any call-waiting-ID device  40  which may be connected can “read” data of the telephone line  12  without being interfered with by noise from the modem  19  of the computer  18 . A typical example of the first control relay  65  is AZ831. 
     The second control relay  67  is a DPDT telephone approved relay and has a normally closed relaxed position and an actuated position. The second control relay  67 , when in the normally closed relaxed position thereof, connects the telephone line  12  to circuits of the self-contained device  10 . The second control relay  67 , when in the actuated position thereof, disconnects the telephone line  12  from all the circuits of the self-contained device  10 . The second control relay  67  is used as a flash relay, which is actuated by the micro-processor  42  when a flash is required to place the internet service provider (ISP) on hold and connect a new caller to a user. A typical example of the second control relay  67  is AZ831. 
     The third control relay  69  is a DPDT telephone relay and has a normally closed relaxed position and an actuated position. The third control relay  69 , when in the normally closed relaxed position thereof, disconnects the facsimile machine  16  from the telephone line  12 . The third control relay  69 , when in the actuated position thereof, connects the facsimile machine  16  to the telephone line  12 . A typical example of the third control relay  69  is AZ831. 
     The fourth control relay  71  is a DPDT telephone approved relay and has a normally closed relaxed position and an actuated position. The fourth control relay  71 , when in the normally closed relaxed position thereof, connects the computer  18  to the telephone line  12 . The fourth control relay  71 , when in the actuated position thereof, disconnects the computer  18  from the telephone line  12  and places the computer  18  on hold, by applying ground and voltage to the modem  19  of the computer  18 , causing the modem  19  of the computer  18  to remain connected. Without the fourth control relay  71 , the computer  18  would detect no on-line state and quickly disconnect the fourth control relay  71  extending wait time of the computer  18  for the user to finish talking when a call is received. A typical example of the fourth control relay  71  is AZ831. 
     The control relays  54  further include a first optoisolator  62 , a second optoisolator  64 , a third optoisolator  66 , and a fourth optoisolator  68  that are designed to interface between the micro-processor  42  and the telephone line  12  preventing a flow of line voltage to the micro-processor  42 . 
     The first optoisolator  62  detects fax machine off-hook and reports it to the micro-processor  42  as a state. The second optoisolator  64  disconnects load from the telephone line  12  when the telephone/answering machine  14  is used reducing loading of the telephone line  12 . The third optoisolator  66  detects the modem  19  in the computer  18  off hook and reports it to the micro-processor  42 . The fourth optoisolator  68  detects telephone off hook and reports it to the micro-processor  42 . Any generic optoisolator may be used, a typical example being IDL620. 
     The line jack  36 , the modem jack  34 , the telephone/answering machine jack  32 , and the facsimile jack  30 , each communicate with the control relays  54 . 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises output drivers  56 . The output drivers  56  are contained in the single housing  20  and communicate with the micro-processor  42 . The output drivers  56  include a transistor array chip  60  that contains 7 transistors which saves board space by combining the 7 transistors and their base limit resistors in one small footprint. A Typical example of the transistor array chip  60  is ULN2003. 
     The self-contained device  10  further comprises an operational amplifier  58  that has impedance. The operational amplifier  58  communicates with, and between, the fax tone detector  44   a  and the call waiting tone detector  44   b . The operational amplifier  58  functions as an interface with the telephone line  12  and matches the impedance of the operational amplifier  58  with the telephone line  12 . Also, the operational amplifier is designed to amplify frequencies of call waiting tone and facsimile tone. In addition, the operational amplifier  58  filters out unwanted tones to reduce possibility of false detection. A typical example of the operational amplifier  58  is the  741  single gate device. 
     The method of operation of the self-contained device  10  can best be seen in FIGS. 4A-4D, and a such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     STEP 1: Ascertain that the self-contained device  10  is connected to the AC power source  28  by illumination of a power light on the front of the single housing  20 . 
     STEP 2: Log online. 
     STEP 3: Ascertain that the computer  18  is online by illumination of a modem light on the front of the single housing  20 . 
     STEP 4: Ring and flash a call light when the self-contained device  10  detects a call waiting signal. 
     STEP 5: Determine if call is to be answered. 
     STEP 6: Lift the handset of the telephone connected to the self-contained device  10 , if answer to STEP 5 is yes. 
     STEP 7: Flash automatically the telephone line  12  and connect to the caller, placing automatically the Internet provider on hold. 
     STEP 8: Hang up the telephone once finished with the call. 
     STEP 9: Reflash automatically the telephone line  12  and connect the computer  18  back to the Internet provider. 
     STEP 10: Determine if the service provider has logged off the computer  18 . It is not unusual for the Internet service provider to disconnect within a short period. 
     STEP 11: Reconnect, if answer to STEP 10 is yes. 
     The method of operation of the self-contained device  10  when used with the facsimile machine  16  can best be seen in FIGS. 5A-5B and  6 A- 6 G, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     STEP 1: Listen for a fax tone any time there is an incoming call regardless if the incoming call is answered by either picking up the telephone, the answering machine, or in a call waiting call. 
     STEP 2: Determine if the incoming call is a voice. 
     STEP 3: Ignore the incoming call, if answer to STEP 2 is yes. 
     STEP 4: Determine if the incoming call is a fax, if answer to STEP 2 is no. 
     STEP 5: Ring immediately the facsimile machine  16 , if answer to STEP 4 is yes. 
     STEP 6: Transfer the incoming call to the facsimile machine  16 , if STEP 5 is carried out. 
     The method of installing the self-contained device  10  can best be seen in FIGS. 7A-7E, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     STEP 1: Connect the cable  25  into the power supply input  24 . 
     STEP 2: Plug the AC transformer  26  into the AC power source  28 . 
     STEP 3: Illuminate a power light on the front of the single housing  20 , which indicates that the self-contained device  10  is operational. 
     STEP 4: Disconnect the telephone cord of the computer  18  from the telephone outlet  38 . 
     STEP 5: Plug the telephone cord from the computer  18  into the modem jack  34 . 
     STEP 6: Plug the telephone into the answering machine. 
     STEP 7: Plug the cord of the answering machine into the telephone/answering machine jack  32 . 
     STEP 8: Plug one end of the telephone cord into the telephone line jack  38 . 
     STEP 9: Plug the other end of the telephone cord into the telephone outlet  38 . 
     STEP 10: Determine if the self-contained device  10  is being used with a facsimile machine  16 . 
     STEP 11: Plug the facsimile cord into the facsimile jack  30 , if answer to STEP  10  is yes. 
     STEP 12: Set the facsimile machine  16  to answer automatically and proceed to STEP  14 , if STEP  11  is carried out. The facsimile machine  16  will only respond to an incoming call when the self-contained device  10  transfers the incoming call to the facsimile machine  16 . The facsimile machine  16  will no longer answer when the telephone rings. 
     STEP 13: Proceed to step 14, if answer to STEP 10 is no. 
     STEP 14: Set the answering machine to answer on two rings. 
     STEP 15: Ascertain that call waiting is not disabled. 
     The method of ascertaining that call waiting is not disabled for window users can best be seen in FIGS. 8A-8C, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     STEP 1: Click on “my computer” before signing on. 
     STEP 2: Click on “control panel”. 
     STEP 3: Click on “modems”. 
     STEP 4: Click on “dialing properties”. 
     STEP 5: Uncheck the box marked “to disable call waiting”. 
     STEP 6: Determine if there is a “*70” in a box on the right of the box marked “to disable call waiting”. 
     STEP 7: Delete the “*70”, if answer to STEP 6 is yes. There may also be a telephone icon on the control panel with the same check box. 
     STEP 8: Determine if callers are getting a busy signal. 
     STEP 9: Return to STEP 1, if answer to STEP 8 is yes. 
     The method of ascertaining that calling waiting is not disabled for AOL users can best be seen in FIGS. 9A-9B, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     STEP 1: Start AOL, but do not sign on. 
     STEP 2: Click on “set up”. 
     STEP 3: Click on “edit numbers”. 
     STEP 4: Click on “edit”. 
     STEP 5: Uncheck the box marked “dial *70 to disable call waiting”. 
     STEP 6: Determine if callers are getting a busy signal. 
     STEP 7: Return to STEP 1, if answer to STEP 6 is yes. 
     The method for ascertaining that call waiting is not disabled for MAC users can best be seen in FIGS. 10A-10B, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     STEP 1: Click on the apple icon before signing on. 
     STEP 2: Click on “control panel”. 
     STEP 3: Click on “remote access”. 
     STEP 4: Delete “*70” from the beginning of the phone number dialog box. 
     STEP 5: Determine if callers are getting a busy signal. 
     STEP 6: Return to STEP 1, if answer to STEP 5 is yes. 
     The method of making the self-contained device  10  work better with the computer  18  if the computer  18  disconnects as soon as the telephone/answering machine  14  rings or as soon as the telephone/answering machine  14  is answered can best be seen in FIGS. 11A-11D, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     STEP 1: Ascertain that the computer  18  is offline. 
     STEP 2: Double click on “my computer”. 
     STEP 3: Double click on “control panel”. 
     STEP 4: Double click on “modems”. 
     STEP 5: Click on the modem being used, if more than one is shown. 
     STEP 6: Click on “properties”. 
     STEP 7: Click on “connection”. 
     STEP 8: Click on “advanced”. 
     STEP 9: Click on “extra settings” window. 
     STEP 10: Type “S10 255” so as to set the modems S10 register to 255 so that the S10 register tells the computer  18  to wait on hold while the telephone/answering machine  14  is picked up. 
     STEP 11: Press “enter” on the keyboard of the computer  18 . 
     STEP 12: Click on “OK”. 
     STEP 13: Exit. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a self-contained device for using a single telephone line to receive telephone calls and facsimiles while being simultaneously connectable to the Internet, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.