Lisa Carol Walker

US Patent:

55154239, May 7, 1996

Filed:

Dec 3, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/160824

Inventors:

Gregory F. Beck - Laguna Hills CA
Douglas L. Palmer - Foothill Ranch CA
James A. Fontana - Mission Viejo CA
Alistair Egan - Lake Forest CA
Richard D. Ray - Laguna Niguel CA
Lisa Walker - Capistrano Beach CA

Assignee:

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Tokyo

International Classification:

H04M 1100

US Classification:

379 93

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.