Concurrent voice and data communication

A communication apparatus connectable to a communication line, comprising:

• first communication means for performing voice communication via the communication line;
• second communication means for performing data communication via the communication line;
• third communication means for performing the voice communication and the data communication as concurrent communication via the communication line;
• first switch means for selectively connecting the communication line to said first communication means;
• second switch means for selectively connecting the communication line to said second communication means;
• third switch means for selectively connecting the communication line to said third communication means;
• and
• control means for performing the voice communication by said first communication means, the data communication by said second communication or the concurrent communication by said third communication means in accordance with switching operations of said first switch means, said second switch means and said third switch means.

A communication method of a communication apparatus connectable to a communication line, the apparatus comprising first communication means for performing voice communication, second communication means for performing data communication, and third communication means for performing the voice communication and the data communication as concurrent communication, said method comprising:

• a first switching step of selectively connecting the communication line to the first communication means;
• a second switching step of selectively connecting the communication line to the second communication means;
• and
• a third switching step of selectively connecting the communication line to the third communication means,
• wherein the voice communication by the first communication means, the data communication by the second communication means or the concurrent communication by the third communication means is performed in accordance with switching operations in said first switching step, said second switching step, and said third switching step.

A communication apparatus connectable to a communication line, comprising:

• first connecting means for connecting to an external voice apparatus;
• second connecting means for connecting to an external data communication apparatus;
• multiplexing means for multiplexing a voice signal from the external voice communication apparatus connected to said first connecting means with a data signal from the external data apparatus connected to said second connecting means;
• first switch means for connecting the external voice communication apparatus to the communication line in performing the voice communication and for connecting the external voice communication apparatus to said multiplexing means in performing multiplexing communication of the voice communication and the data communication;
• second switch means for connecting the external data communication apparatus to the communication line in performing the data communication and for connecting the external data communication apparatus to said multiplexing means in performing multiplexing communication of the voice signal and the data signal;
• and
• third switch means for connecting said multiplexing means to the communication line in performing multiplexing communication of the voice signal and the data signal.

A communication method of a communication apparatus connectable to a communication line, an external voice communication apparatus and an external data communication apparatus, the apparatus comprising multiplexing means for multiplexing a voice signal from the voice communication apparatus with a data signal from the external data communication apparatus, said method comprising:

• a first switching step of connecting the external voice communication apparatus to the communication line in performing the voice communication and for connecting the external voice communication apparatus to the multiplexing means in performing multiplexing communication of the voice signal and the data signal;
• a second switching step of connecting the external data communication apparatus to the communication line in performing the data communication and for connecting the external voice communication apparatus to the multiplexing means in performing multiplexing communication of the voice signal and the data signal;
• and
• a third switching step of connecting the multiplexing means to the communication line in performing multiplexing communication of the voice signal and the data signal.