Method and system for externally incorporating automatic switching between voice and data communications

In a telecommunication network for interfacing at least a local user with a remote user via a telephone network, a telecommunication apparatus for interfacing to a host system of said local user to automatically switch between voice and data communications, said apparatus comprising:

• a) a voice and data capable modem including:
• i) a telephone line interface for connecting with said telephone network;
• ii) a telephone interface for ultimately connecting with a local user telephone;
• iii) a processor operatively and electrically coupled between said host system, said telephone line and telephone interface, said processor further including a voice and data switching protocol to process and initiate switching between said voice and data communications;
• and
• b) a cable assembly including:
• i) a modem connector having a plurality of electrical leads for operatively and detachably connecting with said telephone interface;
• ii) a switch operatively and electrically connected to at least one of said plurality of electrical leads of said modem connector to select between routing said voice communications to said telephone as directed by said voice and data capable modem;
• and
• iii) a telephone connector having at least two electrical leads operatively and electrically connected to said plurality of electrical leads of said modem connector wherein at least one of said at least two of said plurality of electrical leads is coupled to said at least two electrical leads of said telephone connector via said switch.

A cable assembly for automatically switching between voice and data communications as directed by a voice and data capable modem having a telephone line interface for connecting with a telephone network and a telephone interface for ultimately connecting with a telephone thereby providing voice capability, said cable assembly comprising:

• a) a modem connector having a plurality of electrical leads for operatively and detachably connecting with said telephone interface;
• b) a switch operatively and electrically connected to at least one of said plurality of electrical leads of said modem connector to select between routing said voice communications to said telephone as directed by said voice and data capable modem;
• and
• c) a telephone connector having at least two electrical leads operatively and electrically connected to said plurality of electrical leads of said modem connector wherein at least one of said at least two of said plurality of electrical leads is coupled to said at least two electrical leads of said telephone connector via said switch.