Multi-line station interface

Abstract

An interface device is disclosed for simultaneously connecting access lines to stations. Any one of the stations answers an incoming call from any one of the access lines. The interface device has line access modules each connected to a respective access line, and station access modules each connected to a respective station. A switching network selectively connects at least one of the line access modules to at least one of the station access modules. The switching network is controlled by a control unit in accordance with a predetermined sequence stored in the control unit or selected signals received from the stations through the station access modules. A speech synthesizer provides an audio signal to the stations indicating status the interface device, as well as available features and options of the interface device and the access lines. The control unit provides internal bridging of station access modules to the same access line module. In a private mode, the control unit prevents further connections and interruptions of a private connection between a station access module and an access line module. In response to a ring signal from one of the access lines, the control unit provides a ringing tone to all or selected stations which have no calls in progress, and optionally provides a line waiting tone to the stations which have calls in progress.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.