US 5,208,851 A · Method for controlling allocation of a communication link

Abstract

A plurality of consoles (111-113) share use of a single landline (101) with minimal requirements for internal maintenance data signalling. As two or more consoles both share use of the link, a telephone interface (103) assigns one of the consoles to be responsible for maintenance signalling. If and when the assigned console concludes its communication needs or otherwise becomes unable to continue the maintenance signalling, the telephone interface will assign a new interested console to provide the maintenance signalling. This continues until no consoles remain having an interest in maintaining the communication link. In one embodiment, when the link is used by only a single console, a hold function can be accommodated. When two or more consoles are serviced, however, the hold function is not applied. Also, when the link has been placed on hold, any console can remove the hold condition.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method for controlling allocation of a communication link amongst a plurality of consoles, comprising the steps of:

A) establishing a communication link upon determining a need for the communication link by a first console;
B) when additional consoles indicate a need to also use the communication link, assigning one of the first and additional consoles to indicate, from time to time, a continued need to retain the communication link;
C) when the assigned console no longer needs the communication link, assigning a different console to indicate, from time to time, a continued need to retain the communication link;
D) when no consoles indicate a need to use the communication link, breaking the communication link.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for controlling allocation of a communication link

Life of this patent

Method for controlling allocation of a communication link

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14