Patent ID: 7133392

Claim:
A computer comprising: a central processor; a memory electrically coupled to the central processor; a bus interface electrically coupled to the central processor, the bus interface comprising a slot; and an autonomous multi-services card at least partially inserted into the slot such that the autonomous multi-services card is in electronic communication with the bus interface, the autonomous multi-services card comprising: a computer interface that is configured for coupling to the bus interface and that is operational to exchange data with the bus interface; a telephone interface that is configured for coupling to a telephone connection and that is operational to exchange voice signals with the telephone connection; a network interface that is configured for coupling to a network connection and that is operational to exchange the data and the voice signals with the network connection; a communications processing system that is operational to control the exchange of the voice signals with the telephone connection and with the network connection without any control input from the central processor, and to control the exchange of the data with the bus interface and with the network connection; communication paths that connect the communications processing system with the computer interface, the telephone interface, and the network interface; and a substrate that is configured for physical attachment to the slot and that is connected to the computer interface, the telephone interface, the network interface, the communications processing system, and the communication paths; wherein the communications processing system operates independently of the central processor.