IP Library Granted Patent US 8,175,237
Granted Patent B2
US 8,175,237 · App. 12/166,886 · Granted May 8, 2012

Audio interface

Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,175,237
App. No.
12/166,886
Granted
May 8, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An audio interface includes interface circuitry configured to translate audio signals received from a military handset to audio signals compatible with a plain old telephone system (POTS) network. The interface circuitry presents a 6-pin (or 5-pin) audio port configured to couple the military handset to the interface circuitry. The interface circuitry further features a 2-wire POTS connector configured to couple the interface circuitry to the POTS network.

Claims (39)

1. An audio interface comprising:

interface circuitry configured to translate audio signals received from a military handset to audio signals compatible with a plain old telephone service (POTS) network, the interface circuitry having an input and an output;

a multi-pin audio port coupled to the input and configured to couple the military handset to the interface circuitry; and

a 2-wire POTS connector coupled to the output and configured to couple the interface circuitry to the POTS network,

wherein the interface circuitry comprises

tone circuitry configured to add a POTS network dial tone to the audio signals,

first buffer circuitry configured to provide impedance matching between the military handset and the tone circuitry,

a phone line interface (PLI) circuitry configured to convert a format of the audio signals between a military handset format and a POTS network format, wherein the converting comprises conditioning and isolating the audio signals,

volume circuitry configured to provide volume control for the audio signals, and

second buffer circuitry configured to provide impedance matching between the volume circuitry and the military handset.

2. The audio interface of claim 1 , wherein the audio port comprises a 6-pin U-229 or a 5-pin U-183 connector.

3. The audio interface of claim 1 , wherein the 2-wire POTS connector includes a surface mount connector when the audio interface is coupled to the POTS network through a high speed modem.

4. The audio interface of claim 1 , wherein the 2-wire POTS connector comprises a RJ-11 connector when the audio interface is coupled to the POTS network through a landline.

5. A telecommunications system comprising:

a telecommunications terminal having connectivity both to a satellite network and a plain old telephone service (POTS) network, the telecommunications terminal comprising:

an audio interface comprising:

interface circuitry configured to translate audio signals received from a military handset to audio signals compatible with the POTS network, the interface circuitry having an input and an output,

a multi-pin audio port coupled to the input and configured to couple the military handset to the interface circuitry, and

a 2-wire POTS connector coupled to the output and configured to couple the interface circuitry to the POTS network,

wherein the interface circuitry comprises

tone circuitry configured to add a POTS network dial tone to the audio signals,

first buffer circuitry configured to provide impedance matching between the military handset and the tone circuitry,

a phone line interface (PLI) circuitry configured to convert a format of the audio signals between a military handset format and a POTS network format, wherein the converting comprises conditioning and isolating the audio signals,

volume circuitry configured to provide volume control for the audio signals, and

second buffer circuitry configured to provide impedance matching between the volume circuitry and the military handset.

6. The audio interface of claim 5 , wherein the audio port comprises a 6-pin U-229 or a 5-pin U-183 connector.

7. The audio interface of claim 5 , wherein the 2-wire POTS connector includes a surface mount connector when the audio interface is coupled to the POTS network through a high speed modem.

8. The audio interface of claim 5 , wherein the 2-wire POTS connector comprises a RJ-11 connector when the audio interface is coupled to the POTS network through a landline.

9. A method comprising:

receiving audio signals from a military handset;

preparing the received audio signals for transmission through a POTS network, wherein the preparing comprises

adding a POTS network dial tone to the audio signals,

providing impedance matching between the military handset and the tone circuitry,

converting a format of the audio signals between a military handset format and a POTS network format, wherein the converting comprises conditioning and isolating the audio signals,

providing volume control for the audio signals, and

providing impedance matching between the volume circuitry and the military handset; and

outputting the prepared audio signals to the POTS network.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the receiving audio signals occurs via a multi-pin audio port.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein outputting the prepared audio signals occurs via a 2-wire POTS connector.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 1, 2023
From: VIASAT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 063822/0446 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 7, 2022
From: VIASAT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 059332/0558 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2019
From: VIASAT, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 048715/0589 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 9, 2012
From: VIASAT, INC.
To: UNION BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 028184/0152 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2008
From: SHAW, GREGORY; BERRY, PHIL; TRAN, JIMMY; STEPHENS, FOREST
To: VIASAT, INC.
Reel/Frame 021308/0736 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100002853A1 · Jan 7, 2010