Abstract: A local CPE broadcasts incoming call information to at least one remote CPE. Before or after at least one ring tone is received, the local CPE is taken off-hook. An incoming voice message is received, and the incoming voice message is broadcast over a communications network to the remote CPE. Alternatively, incoming caller data is received, a corresponding voice message is determined as a function of at least a portion of the incoming caller data, and the voice message is broadcast over a communications network to the remote CPE. As a further alternative, the caller data is broadcast over the communications network, and the corresponding voice message is determined by the remote CPE. As yet another alternative, incoming call information is announced using on-hook customer premises equipment (CPE). An indication of an incoming CPE alerting signal (CAS) tone is received, a frequency shift keying (FSK) signal is detected as a result of receiving the indication.

Abstract: A multi-line key telephone system not having a key service unit includes three analog telephone lines to which up to eight, three-line telephones may be connected to provide enhanced service features with cost-effectiveness. System reliability is maintained, notwithstanding a power dependency of the telephones, by including POTS telephones to provide uninterrupted essential telephone service in the event of a power outage. Both data and voice communications between two or more of the three-line telephones is achieved by converting an input digital bit stream from either a digital or analog source into a corresponding out-of-band binary FSK radio frequency output signal that is transceivingly communicated between the three-line telephones as data packets within a TDM frame. The out-of-band signal thus permits analog voice communications on the same line to proceed without interference.

Abstract: A multi-line key telephone system not having a key service unit includes three analog telephone lines to which up to eight, three-line telephones may be connected to provide enhanced service features with cost-effectiveness. System reliability is maintained, notwithstanding the power dependency of the telephones, by including POTS telephones to provide uninterrupted essential telephone service in the event of a power outage. Both data and voice communications between two or more of the three-line telephones is achieved by converting an input digital bit stream from either a digital or analog source into a corresponding out-of-band binary FSK radio frequency output signal that is transceivingly communicated between the three-line telephones as data packets within a TDM frame. The out-of-band signal thus permits analog voice communications on the same line to proceed without interference.

Abstract: A multi-line key telephone system not having a key service unit includes three analog telephone lines to which multiple telephone stations may be connected for enhanced communications between stations. Each station is connected by a modem to a single telephone line and includes a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) communicating with the modem, a microprocessor and a digital signal processor for effecting voice and data transfers and communicating time division multiplex protocol control to another telephone station on the same line. The UART includes a synchronizer with a master clock for defining positions of voice and data packets within a TDM frame having a predetermined data bit structure, and a receiver for acquiring a first valid packet header and start bit and issuing a sync pulse to adjust the master clock to conform to the timing of a new communication session.

Abstract: A multi-line key telephone system not having a key service unit includes three analog telephone lines to which up to eight, three-line telephones may be connected to provide enhanced service features with cost-effectiveness. System reliability is maintained, notwithstanding the power dependency of the telephones, by including POTS telephones to provide uninterrupted essential telephone service in the event of a power outage. Both data and voice communications between two or more of the three-line telephones is achieved by converting an input digital bit stream from either a digital or analog source into a corresponding out-of-band binary FSK radio frequency output signal that is transceivingly communicated between the three-line telephones as data packets within a TDM frame. The out-of-band signal thus permits analog voice communications on the same line to proceed without interference.