Telecommunication system, method and subscriber unit for use therein

Abstract

A telecommunication system includes a digital switch, a local loop coupling the digital switch to a subscriber location, wherein a segment of the local loop includes copper twisted pair and wherein an asymmetrical digital subscriber line is carried by the local loop, the asymmetrical digital subscriber line including a plurality of data packets capable of carrying a plurality of derived digital telephone lines. The telecommunication system further includes a subscriber unit coupled to the asymmetrical digital subscriber line. The subscriber unit monitors the content of at least one of the plurality of data packets, receives an off-hook signal in response to an action of a user, and initiates a first derived digital telephone line of the plurality of derived digital telephone lines in response to the off-hook signal. A telephone communication system including an analog telephone providing a plain old telephone service (POTS) analog voice channel on a subscriber loop with a digital data line sharing the same subscriber loop. In addition to the analog voice line, the digital data line provides an additional digital voice channel for placing telephone voice calls.

1 .- 36 . (canceled)  
     
     
         37 . A telephone communication system comprising: 
 means for providing a telephone line having analog voice signals carried by a subscriber loop; and    means for providing a digital data line sharing said subscriber loop with said subscriber loop with said telephone line, said digital line providing a digital voice channel for placing telephone voice calls.    
     
     
         38 . The invention of  claim 37  wherein said means for providing a telephone line comprises a central office switch.  
     
     
         39 . The invention of  claim 37  wherein said means for providing a digital data line include a digital carrier system.  
     
     
         40 . The invention of  claim 37  further comprising a means for separating analog voice signals from digital data signals.  
     
     
         41 . The invention of  claim 40  wherein said means of separating analog voice signals includes a splitter comprising a high-pass and a low-pass filter.  
     
     
         42 .- 61 . (canceled)