Audio processing apparatus

An audio processing apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of integrated analog devices, each integrated analog device comprising:
• an analog front-end coupled to a respective analog audio line via a connector,
• at least one of an analog-to-digital converter to convert analog audio signals received via said respective analog audio lines into digital signals or a digital-to-analog converter to convert digital signals received by the integrated analog device to analog audio signals, and
• at least one of an analog filter and an amplifier operationally coupled to the connector,
• wherein each analog integrated device is disposed on a respective single analog integrated circuit;
• a digital circuit portion separate from said plurality of integrated analog devices, wherein said digital circuit portion comprises an interface to connect to an IP-based network;
• wherein the digital circuit portion is integrated on a single digital integrated circuit, and
• wherein the digital circuit portion comprises a battery feed circuit, the battery feed circuit providing a digital value corresponding to an analog DC current value provided on the connector to connect to the audio line;
• and
• a connection between said integrated analog devices and said digital circuit portion, said connection being a digital connection.

An audio processing apparatus, comprising:

• an analog circuit portion comprising an analog front-end and a converter to convert between digital and analog signals, the analog circuit portion disposed on a first single analog integrated circuit, the analog circuit portion further comprising at least one of an analog filter and an amplifier operationally coupled to a first connector to be coupled with a subscriber line;
• an integrated digital device comprising an audio signal processing unit to convert audio signals between at least two formats, said at least two formats comprising an IP-based format, the integrated digital device being separate from the analog circuit portion, wherein the integrated digital device is integrated on a single digital integrated circuit, and
• wherein the integrated digital device comprises a battery feed circuit, the battery feed circuit providing a digital value corresponding to an analog DC current value provided on the first connector;
• and
• a second connector configured to couple said integrated digital device with the analog circuit portion, wherein said second connector comprises a digital connection, and wherein said converter is coupled with said second connector,
• a further analog circuit portion disposed on a second single analog integrated circuit, wherein the first analog integrated circuit and the second analog integrated circuit are coupled to said integrated digital device via a bus.

A method for providing an audio processing apparatus, the method comprising:

• providing an analog circuit portion disposed on a single analog integrated circuit, said analog circuit portion comprising
• an interface to connect to a subscriber line,
• a converter between analog signals and digital signals, and
• at least one of an analog filter and an amplifier operationally coupled to the interface;
• providing a digital circuit portion disposed on a single digital integrated circuit separate from said analog circuit portion, said digital circuit portion comprising an interface to connect with an IP-based network, wherein the digital circuit portion comprises a battery feed circuit, the battery feed circuit providing a digital value corresponding to an analog DC current value provided on the interface to connect to the subscriber line;
• and
• connecting said analog circuit portion with said digital circuit portion with a digital interface,
• providing a further analog circuit portion disposed on a second analog integrated circuit, the further analog circuit portion comprising an interface to connect to a further subscriber line, and a further converter between analog and digital signals.