Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network-to-computer interfacing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-07
2001-08-07
Vu, Viet D. (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network-to-computer interfacing
C709S227000, C709S230000, C709S251000, C379S395000, C370S468000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272553
ABSTRACT:
FEDERALLY SPONORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of communications, and in particular, to a multi-services communications device that connects communications devices, such as a computer, a telephone device, and a video device, to a communications network.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A network interface card allows a computer to communicate with a communications network. Typically, the computer provides control input to the network interface card. Unfortunately, communications performance is adversely affected by using the computer to control the network interface card.
The computer typically executes an operating system and a variety of software applications. Thus, computer processing time is shared across multiple software components. Communications performance suffers as a result because the computer may not provide control input to the network interface card in a timely manner. Since many forms of communication are real-time in nature, such as a telephone conversation, the lack of timely computer control can severely disrupt communications. In addition one of the software applications may cause the computer to crash, so that no control input is provided to the network interface card. In this case, communications would cease altogether.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention solves the above problem with a multi-services communications device that provides internal control over communications so that computer control input is not required. Communications performance is improved, especially for real time communications such as telephone conversations, because the multi-services communications device does not wait on late or failed control input from the computer.
The multi-services communications device comprises a computer interface that is configured for coupling to a computer connection and that is operational to exchange data communications with the computer connection. The multi-services communications device comprises a telephone interface that is configured for coupling to a telephone connection and that is operational to exchange analog telephone signals with the telephone connection. The multi-services communications device comprises a video interface that is configured for coupling to a video connection and that is operational to exchange video signals with the video connection. The multi-services communications device comprises a network interface that is configured for coupling to a network connection. The network interface is operational to exchange asynchronous transfer mode communications, Ethernet communications, internet communications, digital subscriber line communications, and/or modem communications with the network connection. The multi-services communications device comprises a communications processing system that is operational to control the exchange of the data communications with the computer connection. The communications processing system is operational to control the exchange of the analog telephone signals with the telephone connection without any control input from the computer connection. The communications processing system is operational to control the exchange of the video signals with the video connection. The communications processing system is operational to control the exchange of asynchronous transfer mode communications, Ethernet communications, internet communications, digital subscriber line communications, and modem communications with the network connection. Communication paths connect the communications processing system with the computer interface, the telephone interface, the video interface, and the network interface. An enclosure houses the communication paths, the communications processing system, the computer interface, the telephone interface, the video interface, and the network interface.
It should be noted that the communications processing system can control the exchange of telephone or video signals without any control input from the computer. This represents a distinct advantage over prior systems that rely on the computer for control input. In these prior systems, communications between the telephone device and the communications network would suffer or fail if the control input from the computer was delayed.
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Gorman Bryan Lee
Plamondon Robert Walter
Rush David Allison
Way Bryan George
Ball Harley R.
Le Debbie M
Sprint Communications Company L.P.
Vu Viet D.
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