Automated microphone switch controlled by a CTI combo

An apparatus for connecting a headset alternately to a telephone line and an alternative device, said apparatus comprising:

• a device connector for connecting said apparatus to said alternative device;
• a telephone connector for connecting said apparatus to said telephone line;
• a microphone connector for connecting said apparatus to said headset;
• and
• a switching circuit connected to said device, telephone and headset connectors, said switching circuit connecting said telephone connector to said headset connector in response to sensing a voltage greater than a predetermined threshold on said telephone line, and said switching circuit connecting said headset connector to said device connector when the voltage sensed on said telephone line is less than said predetermined threshold voltage.

A method for connecting a microphone alternately to an alternative device and a telephone line, said method comprising the steps of:

• connecting said microphone, telephone line, and alternative device to a switching device;
• sensing the voltage on said telephone line;
• and
• switching said microphone to said telephone line whenever said voltage is greater than a predetermined threshold voltage, and to said alternative device whenever said voltage is less than said predetermined voltage.

A method for connecting a headset alternately to an alternative device and a telephone line, said method comprising the steps of:

• connecting said headset, telephone line, and alternative device to a switching device;
• sensing the voltage on said telephone line;
• and
• switching said headset to said telephone line whenever said voltage is greater than a predetermined threshold voltage, and to said alternative device whenever said voltage is less than said predetermined voltage.

An apparatus for switching alternately between a personal computer and a telephone, comprising:

• a device connector for connecting said apparatus to said personal computer;
• a telephone connector for connecting said apparatus to said telephone line;
• a microphone connector for connecting said apparatus to said microphone;
• and
• a switching circuit connected to said device, telephone and microphone connectors, said switching circuit connecting said telephone connector to said microphone connector in response to recognizing a first voice command, and said switching circuit connecting said microphone connector to said device connector in response to recognizing a second voice command.

An apparatus for connecting a microphone, for conveying of audio signals from said microphone, to, at a given time, no more than one of a telephone line and an alternative device, said apparatus comprising:

• a device connector for connecting said apparatus to said alternative device;
• a telephone connector for connecting said apparatus to said telephone line;
• a microphone connector for connecting said apparatus to said microphone;
• and
• a switching circuit connected to said device, telephone and microphone connectors, said switching circuit connecting said telephone connector to said microphone connector in response to sensing a high voltage on said telephone line, and said switching circuit connecting said microphone connector to said alternative device connector in response to sensing a low voltage on said telephone line, wherein said high voltage and said low voltage are defined according to predetermined voltage thresholding.

A method for connecting a microphone to, at a given time, no more than one of an alternative device and a telephone line, said method comprising the steps of:

• connecting said microphone, telephone line, and alternative device to a switching device;
• sensing the voltage on said telephone line;
• and
• switching, for conveying of audio signals from said microphone, said microphone to said telephone line in response to said voltage being high, and to said alternative device in response to said voltage being low, said high and low being defined according to predetermined voltage thresholding.

An apparatus for switching between a personal computer and a telephone, comprising:

• a device connector for connecting said apparatus to said personal computer;
• a telephone connector for connecting said apparatus to said telephone line;
• a microphone connector for connecting said apparatus to said microphone;
• and
• a switching circuit connected to said device, telephone and microphone connectors, said switching circuit connecting said telephone connector to said microphone connector in response to recognizing a first voice command, and said switching circuit connecting said microphone connector to said device connector in response to recognizing a second voice command;
• wherein said switching circuit is included in a computer telephone integration (CTI) module.