David F Seefeldt

US Patent:

6564050, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Nov 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/438464

Inventors:

Blaine Edward Ramey - Indianapolis IN
David Frederick Seefeldt - Lebanon IN
Kumar Ramaswamy - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Thomas Licensing SA - Boulogne Cedex

International Classification:

H04M 342

US Classification:

455416, 455463

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for combining corded and cordless telephone handsets with either analog network lines or a digital network in order to perform intercom and conferencing functions. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a network interface coupled to each analog network line or a digital network line from a digital network, an analog converter coupled to each corded telephone handset, a digital converter coupled to each cordless telephone handset, a signal processing circuit coupled to the network interface as well as the analog converter and the digital converter, and a controller coupled to the signal processing circuit as well as the network interface or interface circuit, the analog converter and the digital converter. In operation, the signal processing circuit receives signals from the network interface, the analog converter and the digital converter in a time division multiplexed manner to generate output signals that are sent to the analog converter, the digital converter and network interface and reconverted to the respective corded telephone handsets, cordless telephone handsets, and analog/digital network lines.