Patent ID: 7009962

Claim:
A method of operation for a telephone interface control system that helps implement a remote telephone extension over a packet data network, where, said packet data network communicatively couples a remote telephone interface to said telephone interface control system, where, said telephone interface control system comprises: a) a first telephone interface over which a call made to a remote device that is coupled to said remote telephone interface is received by said telephone interface control system; b) a control system that communicates to said remote telephone interface over said packet data network through a data network interface and communicates over an interface that: 1) can receive an indication that a ringing voltage or tip-ground signal is appearing at said first telephone interface; 2) can generate an off-hook signal; said method comprising: receiving a ringing voltage or tip-ground signal at said first telephone interface; indicating to said control system at said interface that said ringing voltage or tip-ground signal is appearing at said first telephone interface; and calling said remote device over said packet data network while maintaining said first telephone interface in an on-hook state, said control system causing said calling in response to said indicating.