Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc.

Rolm Company

William F Dunn, Jr

Larry A Stell

Norman Endick

John C Krause

Tave P Dunn

Joel Q Adams

David C Black

Michael K Kounnas

James B Koehler

Diep N Le

A method and apparatus for connecting remote options to a digital telephone base. Physical and communications protocols for connections and a flexible control scheme which can be as simple or elaborate as a given option requires are provided. The digital telephone includes an option bay connection, having a hierarchical control protocol. The option bay connection makes available several types of information, including: local analog audio, analog voice, digital voice, digital data and telephone control streams.

Option bus

A method and apparatus for connecting a programmable computing device to a digital telephone via an adapter. The digital telephone includes an option bay connection, having a hierarchical control protocol. The option bay connection makes available several types of information including local analog audio, and analog voice, digital voice, digital data and telephone control streams. The adapter passes the telephony control data to and from a programmable computing device such as a personal computer, enabling an application operating on the computing device to control or monitor the operation of the telephone. The adapter includes a microcontroller and an interface for a serial port and can thus be connected to the serial port of the programmable computing device.

Option bus adapter

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

William F Dunn, Jr