System and method for universal adaptation of a PSTN modem

1. A modem adapter for coupling between a modem and a telecommunications line, comprising:

a conductor detector to detect live conductors on a telephone jack;

a voltage generator to generate an on-hook line voltage comparable to that normally expected by the modem and to deliver the on-hook line voltage to the modem; and

a dial-tone generator to generate and deliver to the modem a first dial tone different from a second dial tone delivered by a telecommunications system to which the modem is attempting communication.

2. The modem adapter of claim 1 , further comprising a modem isolation device for facilitating delivery of the on-hook line voltage and the first dial tone to the modem without affecting connection to a telephone line associated with the telephone system.

3. The modem adapter of claim 1 , further comprising a listening device to listen in on audible tones active on a telephone line associated with the telephone system.

4. The modem adapter of claim 3 , wherein the listening device listens in without loading down the telephone line.

5. The modem adapter of claim 1 , further comprising an off-hook detection device to detect when the modem goes off hook.

6. The modem adapter of claim 5 , wherein the off-hook detection device establishes a transparent connection to a telephone line associated with the telephone system that is ready to accept dial digits.

7. The modem adapter of claim 1 , wherein the modem adapter is configured to work with modems programmed to operate according to North American operating parameters.

8. The modem adapter of claim 1 , wherein the modem adapter is configured to work with modems programmed to operate according to European operating parameters.

9. The modem adapter of claim 1 , further comprising speakerphone componentry to allow for hands-free operation.

10. The modem adapter of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of amplifiers to allow for manual dialing.

11. A method for adapting a modem to operate with a telephone system, comprising:

detecting which conductors on a telephone jack are live;

routing an active connection to the detected live conductors;

generating an on-hook line voltage comparable to that expected by the modem during normal operation;

delivering the on-hook line voltage to the modem; and

generating and delivering to the modem a first dial tone different from a second dial tone delivered by the telephone system.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising isolating the modem from a telephone line associated with the telephone system to facilitate delivery of the on-hook line voltage and the first dial tone to the modem without affecting connection to the telephone line.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising listening in on audible tones active on a telephone line associated with the telephone system.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the listening in is performed without loading down the telephone line.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising detecting an off-hook status of the modem.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising establishing a transparent connection to a telephone line associated with the telephone system that is ready to accept dial digits.

17. A modem adapter for coupling between a modem and a telecommunications line, comprising:

a main control unit;

one or more comparators connected to the telecommunications line for sensing a live connector pair;

a first switch for connecting to the live connector pair; and

a second switch for connecting the modem to the telecommunications line,

the main control unit generating and sending a dial tone different from a dial tone received from the telecommunications line to the modem and, upon detecting modem tones from the modem, sending a control signal to the second switch to connect the modem to the telecommunications line.

18. The modem adapter of claim 17 , further comprising a differential amplifier for detecting the modem tones sent from the modem.

19. The modem adapter of claim 17 , wherein the main control unit comprises one or more analog to digital converters and one or more digital to analog converters.

20. The modem adapter of claim 17 , further comprising a speaker connected between the modem and the telecommunications line to provide for audible monitoring of the coupling.