Multiplex communications – Channel assignment techniques – Adaptive selection of channel assignment technique
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-12
2001-06-05
Patel, Ajit (Department: 2738)
Multiplex communications
Channel assignment techniques
Adaptive selection of channel assignment technique
C370S524000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243390
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to digital communications systems and, in particular, to a system having a communications controller providing access to an integrated service digital network (ISDN).
Devices for interfacing multiple analog telephones to an ISDN line of a telecommunications network are known. For example, International PCT application WO 95/22218 published on Aug. 17, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,312 issued on Apr. 19, 1994 disclose such devices. However, these known devices only support a maximum of two telephones in concurrent use.
It is desirable to support more concurrently active telephones over the single ISDN line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ISDN communications controller.
The invention, therefore, according to a first aspect provides in a system having a plurality of devices coupled to a first communications controller which is connected to an integrated services digital network (ISDN) line of a telecommunications network through which a call connection is established with a second communications controller, the ISDN line having two bearer channels of predetermined bandwidth and a data channel, a method of interfacing the devices to the ISDN line for concurrent communications over the call connection with the second controller comprising the steps of: negotiating, on the data channel, between the first and second communications controllers appropriation of one or more subchannels from the bandwidth of the two bearer channels; and allocating the one or more subchannels to respective devices of the plurality of devices.
In accordance with a second aspect, the invention provides An apparatus for interfacing a plurality of analog telephone terminals to an integrated services digital network (ISDN) line connected to a telecommunications network, the ISDN line having two bearer (B) channels and a data (D) channel, the apparatus comprising: base logic; an ISDN interface providing a physical bi-directional interface to the two B-channels and the D-channel of the ISDN line; D-channel protocol means supporting communications with a central office of the telecommunications network and with a remote device, via the ISDN interface and D-channel over which command and response packets to and from the base logic with the central office or the remote device are transmitted; a plurality of analog interfaces adapted to support respective telephone terminals for passing bi-directional analog voice signals; a plurality of selectable coders/decoders (CODECs), connected to respective analog interfaces, for encoding the analog voice signals to digital pulse code modulation (PCM) or adaptive differential PCM (ADPCM) and decode PCM or ADPCM to analog, as selected by the base logic; and bandwidth control adapted to connect, via the ISDN interface, the encoded voice signals to or from the selectable CODECs with communication subchannels allocated among bandwidth of the B-channels, as directed by the base logic, synchronized to the bit level between controllers.
A home access network controller, manifesting the present invention, is a device that may interface subscriber premises telephone equipment with a public switched telephone network, through an ISDN interface. It is intended for residential or small office application, where it provides certain efficiencies and conveniences not previously available in that setting. A primary advantage is the capacity to support more than two and up to five telephones in concurrent use.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4445213 (1984-04-01), Baugh et al.
patent: 4821264 (1989-04-01), Kim
patent: 4932022 (1990-06-01), Keeney et al.
patent: 4970723 (1990-11-01), Lin
patent: 5062103 (1991-10-01), Davidson et al.
patent: 5127003 (1992-06-01), Doll, Jr. et al.
patent: 5185765 (1993-02-01), Walker
patent: 5305312 (1994-04-01), Fornek et al.
patent: 5341377 (1994-08-01), Ohtani
patent: 5371534 (1994-12-01), Dagdeviren et al.
patent: 5373316 (1994-12-01), Ishinabe et al.
patent: 5398249 (1995-03-01), Chen et al.
patent: 5416781 (1995-05-01), Ruiz
patent: 5420867 (1995-05-01), Price et al.
patent: 5457692 (1995-10-01), Ishinabe et al.
patent: 5574861 (1996-11-01), Lorvig et al.
patent: 5579370 (1996-11-01), Fukushima et al.
patent: 5600655 (1997-02-01), Ishinabe et al.
patent: 5613164 (1997-03-01), DiAngelo et al.
patent: 5629931 (1997-05-01), Kausel
patent: 95/22218 (1995-08-01), None
patent: 95/21498 (1995-08-01), None
Foley & Lardner
Nortel Networks Limited
Patel Ajit
LandOfFree
ISDN communications controller does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with ISDN communications controller, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and ISDN communications controller will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2503005