Network interface unit control system and method therefor

A network interface system for interfacing different types of communication systems including a first user-based communication system and a packet-based communication system, comprising:

• a data memory circuit adapted to store configuration data;
• a user communication device;
• a processor arrangement adapted to write configuration data into and read configuration data from the memory circuit and to provide data for presenting configuration information for accessing at the user communication device, further adapted to process data received from, and exchange processed data between, the first user-based communication system and the packet-based communication system, and, in response to the configuration data, also adapted to route selected information provided by the packet-based communication system to selected channels of the first user-based communication system;
• user input means for inputting configuration-defining control signals, wherein the processor arrangement responds to the configuration-defining control signals by changing the configuration data in the memory circuit and by rerouting selected information provided by the packet-based communication system to selected channels of the first user-based communication system according to the configuration-defining control signals.

A network interface system for interfacing different types of communication systems including a first user-based communication system and a packet-based communication system, comprising:

• a data memory circuit adapted to store data;
• a user communication device;
• a processor arrangement adapted to write data-intercept select data into and read data-intercept select data from the memory circuit and to provide data for communicating with a user via the communication device, further adapted to process data received from, and exchange processed data between, the first user-based communication system and the packet-based communication system, and, in response to the data in the data memory circuit, also adapted to intercept information from the packet-based communication system and to store the intercepted information in the data memory circuit;
• user means for inputting message-retrieval control signals, wherein the processor arrangement responds to the message-retrieval control signals by displaying messages (email, voice mail, etc.) from the data memory circuit.

A method for controlling communications data in a communications system having a NIU, a user interface device, a plurality of communications appliances, and a bussing system, the method comprising:

• using the user interface device and programming the NIU with configuration information for external-services data;
• receiving external-services data at the NIU;
• responsive to the configuration information, configuring the received external-services data and transferring the configured data via the bussing arrangement to one of the communications appliances;
• and
• receiving the transferred external-services data at the one communications appliance.