Transparent inband signaling

A telecommunications system interface providing for the initiation of functions in an associated telecommunications system coincident with an active telephone conversation conducted through the interface, the interface comprising:

• first means for connection to a telecommunications link, the telecommunication link receiving signals from a multi-purpose telecommunications station having inband signal generation capability;
• second means for connection to a telecommunications system;
• a signal path interconnecting the first and second connection means;
• means for detecting inband signals, said detecting means in the signal path intermediate the first and second connection means;
• means for determining the source direction of the inband signals responsive to the detection means;
• means for selectively blocking the propagation of the inband signals in the signal path;
• and
• means for initiating functions in the telecommunications system responsive to the source direction of the inband signals.

A telecommunications system providing for the initiation of system functions coincident with an active telephone conversation conducted from multi-purpose stations having inband signal generation capability, the system comprising:

• a plurality of telecommunications interfaces;
• means for interconnecting a first and second interface of the plurality of interfaces to establish a communications path through the system;
• means for detecting inband signals during a telephone conversation in process on the communications path;
• means for determining the source direction of the inband signals responsive to the detecting means;
• means for blocking the propagation of the inband signals on the communications path;
• and
• means for initiating system functions responsive to the source direction of the inband signals.

A method for transparent inband signaling coincident with an active telephone conversation conducted by parties with at least one party having a user station capable of generating inband signals, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting the inband signals in a signal path between the user stations,
• determining the source direction of the inband signal responsive to detection of the inband signal;
• selectively blocking propagation through the signal path of the inband signal;
• and
• processing the inband signal responsive to the determined source direction.

An apparatus for transparent inband signaling coincident with an active telephone conversation conducted by parties with at least one party having a user station capable of generating inband signals, the apparatus comprising:

• means for detecting the inband signals in a signal path between the user stations,
• means for selectively blocking propagation through the signal path of the inband signal;
• and
• means for processing the inband signal responsive to the detected inband signals.

A telecommunications system interface providing for the initiation of functions in an associated telecommunications system coincident with an active telephone conversation conducted through the interface, the interface comprising:

• first means for connection to a telecommunications link, the telecommunication link receiving signals from a multi-purpose telecommunications station having inband signal generation capability;
• second means for connection to a telecommunications system;
• a signal path interconnecting the first and second connection means;
• means for detecting inband signals, said detecting means in the signal path intermediate the first and second connection means;
• means for selectively blocking the propagation of the inband signals in the signal path;
• and
• means for initiating functions in the telecommunications system responsive to the detected inband signals.

A telecommunications system providing for the initiation of system functions coincident with an active telephone conversation conducted from multi-purpose stations having inband signal generation capability, the system comprising:

• a plurality of telecommunications interfaces;
• means for interconnecting a first and second interface of the plurality of interfaces to establish a communications path through the system;
• means for detecting inband signals during a telephone conversation in process on the communications path;
• means for blocking the propagation of the inband signals on the communications path;
• and
• means for initiating system functions responsive to the detected inband signals.