Multipoint digital simultaneous voice and data system

Abstract

A multipoint conferencing system communicates with a first remote digital simultaneous voice and data (DSVD) modem and a second DSVD modem. The multipoint conferencing system has a first DSVD modem adapted to communicate with the first remote DSVD modem and a second DSVD modem adapted to communicate with the second remote DSVD modem. Each DSVD modem has an analog to digital converter and a digital signal processor coupled to the analog to digital converter for receiving data from the remote DSVD modems. The system also has a bridge coupled to the first and second DSVD modems for transferring data between the first and second remote DSVD modems. The bridge contains a speech decoder adapted to receive data from the first and second remote DSVD modems, first and second summers, a speech coder which is adapted to send data to the first and second remote DSVD modems, and a digital data router for collecting digital data from the first and second remote DSVD modems and forward the digital data to first remote DSVD modems, the second remote DSVD modems, or both. To convert the digital data back into the analog domain, the system has a sound generator or speaker, a microphone adapted to receive sound, and an acoustic echo cancelling system for minimizing echo feedbacks from the speaker. In addition to the multipoint DSVD system, a full duplex speaker telephone is also provided to handle voice only conferencing.