Abstract: There is provided a method of establishing voice communications over a packet network using a first computer having a first VoIP application, a first modem, a first modem audio subsystem, a microphone and a speaker. The method comprises establishing a VoIP connection with a second VoIP application using the first VoIP application; making a phone connection over a phone line using the first modem; placing the first modem in an audio mode; enabling the first modem audio subsystem to provide a voice communication path between the first modem and the first VoIP application; mixing an audio stream received from the first modem with an audio stream received from the microphone to generate a first mix; and sending the first mix to the first VoIP application.

Abstract: A device comprising a detector configured to receive an indication from a terminal of a connector and to determine whether the indication matches an expected result. One or more first switches are configured to connect one or more speaker transducers to the connector if the indication is false. One or more second switches are configured to connect the one or more speaker transducers to a digital output converter if the indication is true. The device can also include one or more third switches configured to connect one or more microphone elements to the connector if the indication is false, and one or more fourth switches configured to connect one or more microphones to a digital input converter if the indication is true. The input and output converters can be stand alone or part of a digital signal processor.

Abstract: A system for improved audio in a headset comprising a first headset microphone generating a first signal. A second headset microphone generating a second signal. A multiplexer coupled to the first headset microphone and the second headset microphone for multiplexing the first signal and the second signal. A power extractor for extracting power for use by one or more of the multiplexer, the first headset microphone and the second headset microphone. A demultiplexer for extracting the first signal and the second signal. A signal processor for generating a noise reduced microphone signal. An audio subsystem for receiving the noise reduced microphone signal and for generating speaker signals for a first headphone speaker and a second headphone speaker.