Patent ID: 7031465

Claim:
A network interface device, comprising: a first interface operable to receive at least two incoming calls over a subscriber line; a second interface operable to facilitate communication between the first interface and a first telephone line and between the first interface and a second telephone line, the second interface also operable to generate one or more first ring voltages on the first telephone line and one or more second ring voltages on the second telephone line; and a processor coupled to the first interface and the second interface, the processor operable to instruct the second interface to generate the first and second ring voltages in response to receiving the incoming calls, the processor also operable to: measure a total instantaneous load placed on the second interface; compare the total instantaneous load to a determined threshold level; and if the total instantaneous load exceeds the threshold level, maintain the total instantaneous load below the determined threshold level by shifting in time the respective peak voltages of the first and second ring voltages.