Voice-over IP audio-data terminal processor

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the integration of communications systems using an IP-telephony interface circuit arrangement. In one embodiment, the interface arrangement includes a plurality of audio-endpoint devices adapted to process audio information coupled to respective audio channels, and a data gateway circuit including multiple circuit paths coupled to the respective audio channels. The multiple circuit paths couple to an interface circuit adapted to convert audio information between a first audio-channel format and a second IP-data format, and the data gateway circuit is coupled with a first interface for communicatively coupling the audio information in the second IP-data format to an IP communications link and with a second interface for communicatively coupling the audio information in the first audio-channel format to the plurality of audio-endpoint devices. In this manner, conventional and IP communications are effectively enabled to operate and communicate together.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.