Abstract: The present invention provides an echo reduction apparatus, system, and method that advantageously reduces echo when communicating over packet-switched networks. An echo reduction apparatus, including echo reduction circuit, operably couples a headset or handset device to an audio source that is capable of transmitting a sound signal. The echo reduction circuit receives the sound signal from the audio source and a transmit signal from the headset or handset device and provides an adjusted sound signal to the audio source. Advantageously, a variety of headsets and handsets may be used in accordance with the present invention with reduced caller echo and without the need to purchase new headsets or handsets.

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.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is used to interface signals with any one of a plurality of telephony networks having different impedances. The apparatus includes memory, a processor, a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter, and an interface port. Different sets of impedance control values are stored in the memory. The processor is configured to select one of the sets of impedance control values and to serially transmit the selected set of impedance control values during a communication session. The D/A converter is configured to receive the selected set of impedance control values from the processor and to transmit analog signals based on the selected set of impedance control values. The interface port is configured to interface signals with a communication connection of a telephony network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a media terminal adaptor having an internal logical interface to permit communication connections to be established between ports of the MTA.

Abstract: Standard analog modems (modulator-demodulator devices) are currently commonplace in the home and office environments, where they are used to enable electronic devices, such as personal computers, to transmit data over existing telephone lines (made of small gauge copper wire) to other electronic devices. Data is stored digitally in such devices, but is converted by an analog modem to be transmitted over the lines in analog form. A data stream is established between a sender (i.e., originating electronic device) and a receiver (i.e., receiving electronic device) by using the resources of an entire telecommunications system. In other words, data is transmitted from the sender's local loop, through the telephone switching system, and to the receiver's local loop. Because the lines used by analog modems to transmit data only use a frequency range of about 0–3400 Hz, a data transmittance limit of about 56,000 bits-per-second (bps) exists for communication through the lines.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a download booster for ADSL transmission. A method includes extending a digital subscriber loop including: coupling a telephone company central office to a customer premises via the digital subscriber loop; filtering a downstream digital subscriber loop signal at the customer premises; and amplifying the downstream digital subscriber loop signal at the customer premises. A method, includes: providing a digital subscriber loop service to a customer premises that is coupled to a telephone central office via a digital subscriber loop line; filtering a downstream digital subscriber loop signal at the customer premises; and amplifying the downstream digital subscriber loop signal at the customer premises.

Abstract: A keyboard and a microphone for inputting information, a display screen and a speaker for viewing or hearing information, and a processor, all mounted to or within a housing in the form of a laptop computer or hand-held computer. A phone interface has a slot, channel, or other support member for holding the portable phone, with a phone port electrically connected to the processor. Alternative embodiments include a modem that is electrically connected to the processor and the phone port, and an adapter with a port that mates with the phone port and a port that mates with a selected phone. The phone wirelessly transmits data entered into the input components and transferred to the phone via the phone port, and wirelessly receives data to be transferred to the output components via the phone port for visual or audible output.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a communication system that enables telephone communications to be quickly performed by a simple operation. A user activates a telephone directory application program on a PDA terminal, and the PDA terminal transmits a destination telephone number to a gateway together with a request for initiation of a call to that destination telephone number and an IP address of a NET telephone terminal that the user desires to use. When an off-hook condition of the NET telephone terminal is detected, the gateway initiates a call to the previously received telephone number and establishes a communication link to a destination NET telephone terminal accommodated in a digital public telephone network. The communication link can be established in the same manner even if the destination telephone terminal is an ordinary telephone terminal accommodated in a public telephone network.

Abstract: The present invention teaches the use of a telephone keypad to control operations of an internet/telephone call switching device. Using the present invention, a user can switch from modem usage of a telephone line to receipt of an incoming call, and can switch back to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) with minimum difficulty when the call is terminated. Uniquely, set-up, programming and operations of the present device may be controlled by means of DTMF tones received from the telephone keypad. Operations may be remote, local, the DTMF decoder may be external or internal to the device, codes may be stand alone or only operant in a “command mode”, the device may use DSP, fuzzy logic, look-up tables or other means to decode the DTMF signals. The command code filter may be implemented as hardware or as software. One command code may be a security code preventing unauthorized access and control of the device's operations, set-up, programming or usage.

Abstract: A filtering device for a narrow-band terminal in a private installation connected to an access network carrying narrow-band services (analogue or ISDN) and broad-band services (xDSL or HomePNA). The device has a low-pass filter associated with an insulation enabling the device to have a high input impedance insulating the installation when the narrow-band terminal is on hook while allowing the ringing signal to pass. Applicable to private telephone-teledata installations.

Abstract: This invention relates to electronic communications technology. A telephone network of a structured site of the business office type comprises a local computer network linking computers at the transmitting and receiving ends of the system through network adapters, and also telephone sets. The telephone network is provided with a computer telephony server connected to the local computer network and to the general local telephone network. Each telephone set is connected directly to the local computer network. Connection is made through a telephone adapter and a network adapter connected in series with it. The telephone adapter is capable of converting analog/digital signals adapted to the clock frequency of the local network, user call signals into the addresses of other telephone adapters connected to the local computer networks, and hang-up signals.

Abstract: A local area network using the telephone wiring within a residence or other building simultaneously with telephony signals. The local area network uses high pass filters to access the high-frequency band across the media, whereas the standard telephone service uses low pass filters to access the low-frequency voice/analog telephony band across the same media. The electrically-conducting media connecting telephone/data outlets are split, or separated at each outlet and the outlets are modified to provide access to both ends of the resulting segments. The low pass filters at each segment end join the segments together, allowing analog telephony signals to travel throughout the network, thus supporting normal telephone service. The high pass filters at each segment end are connected to modems or other Data Communication Equipment, thus supporting data communication networks of various topologies, including point-to-point topologies.

Abstract: A point-to-multipoint communications network connecting multiple subscribers to a single communications line. A plurality of subscriber communications interfaces are connected in parallel to form a local group in which one communications interface serves as a master communications interface and the other communications interfaces serve as slaves. Each communications interface may be capable of serving as the master communications interface according to a demand division multiplexing technique, which assigns master status based on upstream data demands. As a communications interface is switched to master status, the communications interface previously holding master status is switched back to slave status. A plurality of communications interfaces can thus be connected to a single communications port without increasing the upstream transmission bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: To monitor the use of a chargeable dynamic signaling port of a trunk connecting two exchanges, in particular in connection with applications which communicate via exchanges and which are likely to require to use such ports, rights of use are assigned to each application enabling it either to have a port of this kind set up and then to use it, or only to use a port of this kind if it has already been set up.

Abstract: An intelligent FAX machine monitors a shared telephone line after another telephone has taken it off-hook. If preliminary signals from a sending FAX machine to another telephone on the same line are detected, then the FAX machine also goes off-hook and tries to establish a link with the sending FAX machine. Presumably the other telephone will hang up. E.g., a telephone answering device (TAD) automatically detects a parallel set going off-hook, causing the TAD to go on-hook. If the parallel telephone is an ordinary telephone, then that user may merely hang up after hearing FAX signals. In another aspect, the FAX machine picks up incoming calls from known FAX machines before a second ring (or before a third ring), based on Caller ID information, so that other pre-configured ring-count telephonic devices such as a telephone answering machine can be operated in an automatic mode with a higher pre-configured ring count.

Abstract: DC holding circuitry that may be implemented with other parts of a DAA circuit to terminate a telephone connections at the user's end. The DC holding circuitry may be implemented using a synthesized inductor circuit powered by DC termination circuitry of a DAA telephone line circuit to provide quiet current that may be mirrored to provide the DC holding. The DC holding circuitry may be further implemented to actively steer DC holding current into multiple external transistors to share the power burden, and using an op-amp gain/feedback configuration to achieve low noise and distortion without the need for expensive capacitor-based filter and high powered transistor components. Variable biasing and active current steering may be employed to permit one or more external resistor/s to help dissipate power. The disclosed DC holding circuitry may also be implemented with a fast transient network having a single stage of fast transient filtering placed in the input network.

Abstract: An audio signal processor which modifies audio signal components outside the conventional audio frequency band. The processor includes a Delta Sigma Modulator (DSM) that receives a non-interpolated digital audio signal sampled at a frequency of at least 198 kHz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and also to a service computer, a switching center, terminals, program modules and memory means with program modules for handling incoming telephone calls for a subscriber line (VA1) of a telecommunications network (PSTN) during an online data-network session blocking the subscriber line (VA1). In this process a terminal (TERA) sets up a connection (VA11, VA1, VPOP1) to an online data-network access device (POP) via the subscriber line (VA1). Thereupon the online data-network access device (POP) sends current access data to the terminal (TERA), which the terminal (TERA) signals to a service computer (SCP) of the telecommunications network.

Abstract: A capacitor cancellation method and apparatus for use in an interface circuit having a transformer blocking capacitor. The method includes sensing a voltage across the transformer blocking capacitor and generating a cancellation signal to compensate for the effect of the transformer blocking capacitor. The apparatus includes a sensor to sense a differential voltage across the transformer blocking capacitor to develop a capacitor signal and an amplifier to amplify the capacitor signal to obtain a cancellation signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the implementation of narrowband and broadband services in a telecommunications network. A splitter element is connected to a transmission link, the splitter element comprising a passive low-pass filter block connected between the transmission link and a first interface, a high-pass filter unit connected between the transmission link and a second interface, and discrete impedance converting means for adapting the first interface to the characteristic impedance of the transmission link. In order that the impedance matching required by the low-pass filter block may be implemented in an economical way yet maintaining the service quality, the impedance converting means are entirely placed between the interface of the low-pass filter block on the transmission link side and the first interface.

Abstract: A telecommunication interface integrates DSL and POTS components in a manner which effectively separates their bandwidth requirements from their power requirements. This is accomplished by powering the tip path and ring path amplifiers with a pair of transformer-coupled floating power supply-sourced voltages, and referencing respective like polarity inputs of the amplifiers to a differential voltage pair that is used to operate the subscriber loop, including providing loop current and controllably applying a ringing voltage to the POTS line.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for data transmission and voice signal transmission on a subscriber line, in terminal devices located at least on a network side of the subscriber line, only those parts which evaluate a criterion indicating the beginning of the data transmission are switched into active mode outside the context of data transmission.

Abstract: Combined plain old telephone system (POTS) and digital subscriber loop (DSL) line card capable of suppressing low frequency transients. The line card includes the following elements. A DSL receive path receives DSL data from a loop. A POTS receive path receives POTS data from the loop. A combined POTS and DSL transmit path transmits POTS and DSL data to the loop. An impedance generator is coupled between the POTS receive path and the combined POTS and DSL transmit path for synthesizing impedance for signals in the combined POTS and DSL transmit path. A low frequency detector selectively applies a high pass filter to an output of the impedance generator for filtering the low frequency transients. Further, a clipped signal detector and a variable pole high pass filter are provided in the POTS receive path. The clipped signal detector in the POTS receive path triggers a switch that discharges stored transient energy in the receive path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a voiceband modem circuit to a common phoneline connector, the common phoneline connection having a ring line connection and a tip line connection which couples a ring/tip line pair to a subscriber loop circuit, the voiceband modem circuit operating in a voiceband modem operating frequency band and having a voiceband modem interface ring line and a voiceband modem interface tip line. The voiceband modem interface ring line is coupled to the ring line and the voiceband modem interface tip line is coupled to the tip line connection by inserting, between the ring line connection and the voiceband modem interface ring line and between the tip line connection and the voiceband modem interface tip line, a series pair of inductors. A first inductor of the series pair has a low inductance and a high self-resonant frequency and a second inductor of the series pair has a high inductance and low self-resonant frequency.

Abstract: Resistance in parallel with inductors in a series leg of the low-pass filter facilitates changing input and output resistance of the filter with little or no change in the reactance of the inductors. Furthermore, the reactance of the capacitors in the shunt legs of the filter will be substantially unaffected. This assists the designer in matching the impedance of the filter in the pass-band while still providing substantial impedance mismatching in the stop-band without substantially affecting the characteristics of the filter. Facilitating impedance matching in the pass-band and impedance mismatching in the stop-band is accomplished without the need for more complex active components. POTS splitters making use of such filters can facilitate impedance matching of line and load termination in a telecommunications system in response to signals within the frequencies of typical analog telephony service while providing impedance mismatching in response to signals within the frequencies of typical xDSL service.

Abstract: A modem includes a Digital Access Arrangement (DAA) Circuit and modem software that is executed by a processor. When the DAA Circuit detects that the modem software is nonfunctional, it enters an on-hook state to prevent blocking of a coupled telephone line. A nonfunctional state of the modem software is detected when the modem software ceases to interact with the DAA Circuit in an expected manner. In a first operation, the nonfunctional state is determined when the modem software does not reset a count down timer in the DAA Circuit before the count down timer reaches a termination value. In a second operation, the nonfunctional state is determined when the modem software does not access the DAA Circuit before the count down timer reaches the termination value. In a third operation, the nonfunctional state is determined when the modem software ceases writing transmit data to DMA memory.

Abstract: A technique is provided for an electrical device to automatically detect one of a plurality of interface standards to operate in accordance with. More particularly, a direct access arrangement (DAA) for communicating with telephone lines is provided for utilization with modem communications over a phone line. The DAA may be configured to automatically detect and operate in accordance with a plurality of interface standards for communications to a host system. For example, the DAA may detect that communications are to be provided in accordance with the AC-97 interface standard or the Azalia interface standard. In one embodiment, a clock signal may be monitored to determine the proper interface mode. In another embodiment, the automatic detection of the proper interface mode may be accomplished by monitoring the data presented to the DAA through the interface standard.

Abstract: The invention relates to an SLIC circuit (1), which is connected directly to a telephone line (2), for joint transmission of voice and data via the telephone line (2), with adequate echo attenuation achieved even at high data frequencies in that a first current which corresponds to the sum of the transmission and received currents (Ia, Ib), and a second current (Id) which corresponds to the current produced by the transmission power level (Vtx) at the data frequency, are produced, and the difference between the first current and the second current (Id) is emitted.

Abstract: A method of automatically sharing and transferring information between a Work at Work (WAW) ISDN telephone and a Work at Home (WAH) ISDN telephone. This information includes, calling line identifier delivery from the WAW telephone to the WAH telephone, facilitating subsequent transferring of the call to the WAH telephone if desired. Message waiting status is also shared, facilitating the coordination of message waiting lamps at both the WAW and WAH telephone. Information from one telephone to the other is carried transparently through the ISDN network as user-to-user information, calling party subaddress, D channel X.25 packet message, lower layer compatibility or a combination of these elements. The telephones automatically establish ISDN calls between themselves and swap information pertaining to the status of the companion telephones.

Abstract: A voice processing system is disclosed having a first interface for receiving telephone calls from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and application software for processing received PSTN telephone calls. The voice processing system supports an API to allow the first interface to inform the application software of the presence of the call. The voice processing system further has a second interface for receiving telephone calls from an internet protocol (IP) network, and a signaling subsystem for routing an IP call from the second interface to the application software. This signaling subsystem uses the same API as is used to inform the application software about PSTN calls. Therefore, it is transparent to the application software whether an incoming call has been received from the IP network rather than the PSTN.

Abstract: An alphanumeric keyboard connects to a telephone line and is operable in two operating modes. The keyboard is in a first operating mode when the telephone is in an “off-hook” condition and no connection on the telephone line has been established. In the first operating mode, the keyboard generates telephone number dialing signals on the telephone line as corresponding alphanumeric keys of the keyboard are pressed. Thus for example as a user enters the letters D-O-G by pressing the corresponding single-letter keys of the keyboard, the signaling tones for the digits 3, 6 and 4 are generated on the telephone line. In an enhanced version, the keyboard assigns distinct signal tones, such as an expanded dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) set, to each alphanumeric character, thereby significantly increasing the quantity of potential telephone numbers. The keyboard operates in a second operating mode when the telephone is in an off-hook condition and a connection on the telephone line has been established.

Abstract: A combination modem including at least one line connector that is configured for coupling to a transmission medium, analog modem logic that is capable of performing analog modem communications via the transmission medium, digital modem logic that is capable of performing digital modem communications via the transmission medium, a bus interface that enables communication with a computer via an expansion bus of the computer, and processing logic. In this manner a single modem expansion card supports both analog and digital modem technologies using only one slot of an expansion bus of the computer. The analog modem logic may support 56K technologies, such as K56Flex™, V.90, etc., or any combination thereof. The digital modem logic may be according to any type of xDSL, such as ADSL, or U-ADSL, etc. The modem may operate as an analog modem, a digital modem, or as both at the same time with or without a POTS splitter.

Abstract: An application programming interface (API) enables a telephone to utilize the hardware resources of a computer that is connected to the telephone in a master/slave relationship that causes the computer to function in the manner of a peripheral to the telephone. Specifically, the telephone attached to the computer can utilize the relatively large memory capacity of the attached computer to store excess telephone-specific data and can utilize the relatively high sophistication of the processing capability of the connected computer to perform intensive data processing operations. The API allows the functionality of the telephone to be extended without requiring a telephony-equipped computer.

Abstract: An architecture and technique for creating self-installable and portable telephony (dial tone) service that can be moved between any two locations that has access to both a voice communication network and a data network. A telephony adapter is used as a subscriber premises device that is connected between a conventional telephone set and both a voice network and a data network. A provisioning server communicates with the telephony adapter through the data network and maintains a record of the subscriber's local telephone number and IP address of the telephony adapter. As the subscriber moves from one location to another, the telephony adapter (once turned “on”) will communicate with the provisioning server and re-establish phone service, always using the same local phone number of the subscriber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a telephone line interface or data access arrangement (DAA) which includes a shunt regulator in series with a line modulator and a sense resistor. A shunt regulator is placed in series between the sense resistor and the line modulator. The shunt regulator draws power from the telephone line, and the sense resistor senses the amount of current being drawn. The voltage across the sense resistor is fed back to the line modulator. The line modulator is thus capable of adjusting the AC modulation and the DC termination presented to the telephone line based upon the sensed current draw from the telephone line. The telephone line interface can also place an information signal on the telephone line.

Abstract: A remote terminal for use at an access network node of a network provides a plurality of telecommunications services, the remote terminal providing selected ones of the telecommunications services to at least one corresponding terminal device. The telecommunications services provided by the network include a plain old telephone service (POTS), a an integrated service digital network service (ISDN), and internet services such as xDSL. In one embodiment, the remote terminal comprises: a digital signal processor coupled for communication with the network, the digital signal processor having a plurality of terminal ports; and a plurality of subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC's), each of the SLIC's providing an interface between a corresponding one of the terminal ports and at least one corresponding terminal device, the digital signal processor being configured to provide selected ones of the telecommunications services to corresponding ones of the terminal devices.

Abstract: An improved plain old telephone service (POTS) line card that may be directly connected to a customer line that is also connected to a digital subscriber line access module. A second order filter is added to the front end of the POTS line card in order to attenuate XDSL signals and to lower its amplitude. A new digital signal processor (DSP) includes further low pass filtering functions, gain compensation, termination impedance compensation and balance network compensation to provide the proper balanced network as is known in current POTS cards but not provided in current XDSL services. This card may also be used alone, without a XDSL equipped line.

Abstract: A filtering device (50) for active filtering at a customer premises includes an input interface that receives telephone signals and digital data signals communicated from a central office (14) using a telephone line (12). The filtering device (50) further includes an active low-pass filter (60) that receives the telephone signals, the digital data signals, and electrical power from a power source. The active low-pass filter (60) attenuates the digital data signals and passes the telephone signals using the electrical power. The filtering device (50) also includes an output interface that receives the telephone signals from the active low-pass filter (60) and communicates the telephone signals to a telephone (42).

Abstract: A digital subscriber line and POTS voice interface between a telephone line and central office equipment is provided. For POTS band frequencies, a reactive impedance coupled across the two wire interface of the POTS line card, and serially coupled to the line side of the DSL coupling transformer, has an open state magnitude. The magnitude of the line side windings of the DSL coupling transformer is low at POTS band frequencies. POTS band signal power is therefore delivered to the POTS line card. For DSL band frequencies, the reactive impedance across the POTS line card has a closed state magnitude. The POTS line card is therefore essentially short-circuited at DSL band frequencies, and DSL band signal power is delivered to the DSL modem. The frequency band in which the reactive impedance transitions from an open state magnitude to a closed state magnitude corresponds to the frequency band between the POTS frequency band and the DSL frequency band.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for voice and data provides interconnections among user sites via a central station. User stations at user sites each alternate operation between a data mode connecting a user computer and modem to a user telephone communication path and a voice mode connecting a telephony circuit to the communication path. The teleconferencing system is adapted for conducting a voice conference over standard telephone lines while allowing simultaneous viewing of data objects such as slides, graphs, or text. A host computer connected to the central station serves as a central repository for storage and retrieval of data objects for use in teleconferences.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for interfacing a communication device, such as a Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) to different telephone networks. The telephone networks typically provide a voltage of 48 volts to the CPE. However, this DC voltage tends to fluctuate. Furthermore,the impedances of the telephone network varies. The apparatus provides a constant current to the communication device while coupled to different telephone networks. Since most communication devices use amplitude modulations for transmitting data, a constant DC biasing current is desired. The apparatus can sense load impedances of the telephone networks, and dynamically adjust the current source so that DC biasing currents remain relatively constant. The apparatus is coupled to the telephone network so that communication between the communication device and the telephone network is optimized.

Abstract: A transmission of a signal through an isolation interface with a capacitive barrier is performed so that in an input circuit of the interface by integrating with an appropriate time constant the slope rates of the edges of signal replicas U1o± of the transmitted input signal Ui are adjusted and that the said signal replicas are differentiated either in an appropriate differentiating unit, whereat the time constants of these differentiating units are shorter than the rising and falling-off times of the signal replicas and are advantageously in the order of magnitude of 1 nanosecond or below. Therefore, in a circuit on the output side of the capacitive barrier no amplifier in front of voltage comparators is needed, which makes it possible that the pulse width is maintained extremely precisely. The data transmission is immune from the fast variation in the order of magnitude of 10 kV/&mgr;s of the potential difference between the voltage supplying sources for the input and the output circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively filtering signals on a digital subscriber line (DSL) so as to prevent interference resulting from a telephone instrument switching between its on-hook and off-hook states. One embodiment of the invention utilizes an off-hook detector controlling a variable attenuator element. Another embodiment of the invention uses a switch in parallel with a resistive element to implement the variable attenuator element. Yet another embodiment has an inductive element with a saturable core for providing attenuation to compensate for inconsistencies that result from the changing hookswitch status of a telephone instrument.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided to convert an analog telephone signal into a digital format. The integrated circuit includes an analog-digital converter coupled to an averager. Sampled analog values are averaged at intervals and compared to a threshold level to determine a digital value.

Abstract: A telecommunication interface integrates DSL and POTS components in a manner which effectively separates their bandwidth requirements from their power requirements. This is accomplished by powering the tip path and ring path amplifiers with a pair of transformer-coupled floating power supply-sourced voltages, and referencing respective like polarity inputs of the amplifiers to a differential voltage pair that is used to operate the subscriber loop, including providing loop current and controllably applying a ringing voltage to the POTS line.

Abstract: A system and method for coupling multiple home networks includes a first copper wire network, a second copper wire network, and a high pass coupler disposed between the first and second copper wire networks. The high pass coupler is configured to transfer data signals between the first and second copper wire networks, the data signals having frequencies greater than a maximum plain old telephone service signal frequency. Further, the high pass coupler is configured to prevent cross-talk of plain old telephone service, or voice-band, signals between the first and second copper wire networks. The data signals transferred typically include signals in accordance with the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance standard, and may also include broadband Internet access signals. In one embodiment, the high pass coupler is implemented in a residential gateway device.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide network interface devices, as well as systems and methods for using them. For instance, in accordance with some embodiments, a network interface device can comprise an isolation device, which can be configured to isolate an internal transport medium from an external transport medium, such that operational changes to the internal transport medium do not affect the external transport medium, and operational changes to the external transport medium do not affect the internal transport medium.

Abstract: A method for providing the communication of information services between customer premises equipment (CPE) at a customer's premises and a source of the information services includes providing a demarcation device at the customer's premises. The demarcation device defines an interface between an external transport medium that is substantially external to the customer's premises and an internal transport medium that is substantially internal to the customer's premises. The method also includes establishing a virtual private network (VPN) between the demarcation device and the source of information services and establishing a virtual local area network (VLAN) between the demarcation device and the CPE.

Abstract: A network interface system is provided with an addressable application device and a processor. The addressable application device is adapted to interface with a transport medium internal to a customer premises. The processor is adapted to selectively process telecommunication information originating from a transport medium external to the customer premises. The processor is further adapted to transmit the processed telecommunication information to the addressable application device for implementation of an application over the transport medium internal to the customer premises in accordance with a state of the addressable application device. The addressable application device and the processor are disposed external to the customer premises.

Abstract: A communication device capable of receiving, processing and sending analog signals, characterized in that the device is coupled to the audio input/output ports of a built-in or external sound board attached to a computer, through standard audio plugs. The device may be installed as a stand-alone unit between the audio board and a telephone line, or as a part of the audio board. During its operation the device is constantly under the control of software operating in the computer side. Signals entering through the audio inport and are digitized, filtered, and analyzed by software modules, and the software then manages the information-outputs information and/or saves voice message messages, etc. in accordance with the contents of these signals.