US 6,208,639 B1 · Computer network system with telephonic function

Abstract

A private branch exchange comprises communication highways for transmitting data of a time-divisional multiplexed channels, and a time switch for switching the communication highways. A communication highway is connected to a computer network via a circuit/packet converter. Each computer terminal in the network has an extension number and Internet Protocol (IP) port addresses that differ for such communication functions as audio communication, data communication and the like. The circuit/packet converter has bearer circuits different for each communication function and allocates a specified bearer circuit to each time slot of the communication highway. When a call is originated, the circuit/packet converter controls the time slot of the communication highway such that a bearer circuit, which is vacant and suitable for a call type, is connected to the computer terminal. The bearer circuit interfaces packet data on the computer network with circuit data on the communication highway.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A communication system comprising:

exchanging means including communication circuits each of which includes a communication highway having channels;
a computer network connected to said exchange means, and connecting plural computer terminals wherein at least one of said computer terminals further comprises communicating means for transmitting and receiving control data and communication data with said exchange means through the computer network;
and
converting means connected between said computer network and said communication highway wherein said converting means further comprises format converting means for converting a format of transmitted data between said computer network and said communication highway;
exchange control means further comprising
a first table indicating a relation between a computer network address assigned to respective one of said plural computer terminals and said converting means to which said computer terminal is connected through said computer network;
a second table indicating a relation between converting means and the communication highway connected to said converting means;
and
means for performing exchange control relating to said computer terminal based on said first and second tables.

6 more elements

A communication system comprising:

exchanging means including communication circuits each of which includes a communication highway having channels,
a computer network connected to said exchange means, and connecting plural computer terminals;
and
converting means connected between said computer network and said communication highway;
wherein said exchange means further comprises communication highways having channels, each of which is formed with time slots multiplexed in a time-division manner, and a time switch for switching along the communication highways, each of the time slots of the communication highways is allocated to any of plural kinds of data which are able to be transmitted by said computer network, wherein said converting means further comprises connecting means for connecting a computer terminal in said computer network to the time slot of the communication highway in accordance with the data type to be communicated and format converting means for converting a format of transmitted data between said computer network and said communication highway, and wherein at least one of said computer terminals comprises:
communicating means for transmitting and receiving control data and communication data with said exchange means through the computer network;
and wherein said connecting means further comprises interface circuits having communication functions in accordance with data types to be communicated, each interface circuit being connected to any of the time slots of the communication highway having channels;
and
means for connecting a vacant time slot to said computer terminal in accordance with the data type to be communicated.

6 more elements

A communication system comprising:

computer terminals connected to a computer network;
and
converting means for converting a format of a signal transmitted between said computer network and a digital circuit of a public switched telephone network,
wherein at least one of said computer terminals further comprises:
communicating means for transmitting and receiving control data and communication data with said digital circuit of the public switched telephone network through said converting means and said computer network when said at least one of computer terminals communicates with another communication terminal connected to the public switched telephone network;
and
exchange means including communication highways, each of which is formed with time slots multiplexed in a time-division manner, and a time switch for switching along the communication highways, each of the time slots is allocated to any of plural kinds of data which are able to be transmitted by said computer network;
and
said converting means is connected between said computer network and one of the communication highways and comprises means for connecting a computer terminal in said computer network to the time slot of the communication highway in accordance with data type to be communicated, wherein said converting means further comprises interface circuits having communication functions in accordance with data types to be communicated, each interface circuit being connected to any of the time slots of the communication highway and means for connecting a vacant time slot to said computer terminal in accordance with the data type to be communicated.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Computer network system with telephonic function

Life of this patent

Computer network system with telephonic function

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31