The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 07, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 03, 1993
Gregory F Beck, Laguna Hills, CA (US);
Douglas L Palmer, Foothill Ranch, CA (US);
James A Fontana, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Alistair Egan, Lake Forest, CA (US);
Richard D Ray, Laguna Niguel, CA (US);
Lisa Walker, Capistrano Beach, CA (US);
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A computer-controlled communication board which includes a data access arrangement which functions as an intermediary between multiple telephone lines, a data communication device such as a fax/modem/voice chipset, and a standard telephone handset. The data access arrangement has a line select switch which switchably connects one of the multiple telephone lines to the data communication device via a single transformer and associated 2/4 converter. Off-hook switches are provided for each telephone line so that the data communication device can cause the selected telephone line to go off-hook. Likewise, ring detectors are provided for each telephone line so that the data communication device can detect which of those lines is ringing. Telephone handset switches may be provided for each telephone line so that the telephone handset may be switchably connected to any one of the multiple telephone lines. The data access arrangement may be configured so that unused lines appear 'busy' to incoming calls, or it may be configured in a voice local mode in which the telephone handset may be used for play out and recording of audio information.