Method And Apparatus For Adapting A Phone For Use In Network Voice Operations

Abstract

An interface is provided between a conventional telephone and a conventional computer configured for network voice applications including a sound card and modem. The interface allows for use of the telephone during network voice applications such as IP telephony and voice chat. When the telephone is not used, the interface allows for sound to be input and output via the computer sound card and conventional computer microphone and speakers. When the telephone is picked up off-hook, the interface senses the off-hook state, causes the computer sound card to be connected to the telephone instead of the conventional microphone and speakers, and allows for network voice applications to be conducted using the telephone. Various alternative embodiments of the invention allow for signaling of the telephone hook state to software resident on the PC for controlling network voice applications, for sensing DTMF signals in accordance with keypad entries on the telephone to control initiation of phone calls and voice chat sessions, for generating dial tones and busy signals, or other sounds and / or voice messages, in accordance with the telephone hook state and the telephone line status, and for permitting the telephone to be controllably connected to the PSTN for making standard PSTN calls in addition to calls involving network voice applications.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 565,571 which was filed on May 4, 2000.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to network voice applications such as IP telephony and voice chat, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for adapting a conventional computer and telephone for convenient and simple access to network voice applications. [0003] Conventional Internet telephony, sometimes called Voice over IP (VoIP), has proliferated rapidly in recent years. Other network voice applications, such as Internet voice chat, have also found rapid acceptance by consumers and businesses alike. [0004] Conventionally, Internet telephony requires a consumer to subscribe to an Internet telephony service and to place calls using special software and a computer having a modem, and a sound card with speaker outputs and microphone inputs. The called person must have a similar setup and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Another object of the invention is to reduce the difficulty of conducting network voice applications such as IP telephony or voice chat through a conventional personal computer.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to reduce acoustic coupling between a microphone and speaker during network voice applications using a conventional personal computer.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to allow for simple connection of a conventional telephone for use in network voice applications such as IP telephony or voice chat.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to expand the functionality of network voice applications without substantially increasing their cost.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to allow a conventional telephone to be used both for network voice applications and for standard PSTN calls without requiring any changes to the telephone.

[0015] To achieve these objects and others, the present invention provides an interface between a conventional telephone and a conventional computer configured for network voice applications including a sound card and modem. The interface allows for use of the telephone during network voice applications such as IP telephony and voice chat. When the telephone is not used, the interface allows for sound to be input and output via the computer sound card and conventional computer microphone and speakers. When the telephone is picked up off-hook, the interface senses the off-hook state, causes the computer sound card to be connected to the telephone instead of the conventional microphone and speakers, and allows for network voice applications to be conducted using the telephone. Various alternative embodiments of the invention allow for signaling of the telephone hook state to software resident on the PC for controlling network voice applications, for sensing DTMF signals in accordance with keypad entries on the telephone to control initiation of phone calls and voice chat sessions, for generating dial tones, busy signals and voice messages in accordance with the telephone hook state and the telephone line status, and for permitting the telephone to be controllably connected to the PSTN for making standard PSTN calls in addition to calls involving network voice applications.

Problems solved by technology

Although technological advances have done much to make network voice applications such as IP telephony and voice chat available to the average consumer, many drawbacks and disadvantages remain.

For example, using a computer microphone and speakers for network voice applications can be inconvenient, results in loss of privacy, ties the user to the computer.

More importantly, acoustic coupling between the microphone and speakers is a significant problem, requiring the user to constantly adjust the gain and positioning of the microphones and speakers to prevent feedback and echo.

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