Interoffice broadband communication system using twisted pair telephone wires

摘要

A system including a broadband switch includes a controller which coordinates video call set-up and a switch for connecting various phone lines together through diplexers. The system permits video telephone conferencing and other video related applications to be performed over ordinary telephone wires. Two diplexer/modems are typically provided for each user: one at the user's telephone jack and another at the central PBX location for that user's telephone line. The PBX connections can usually be made in a central wiring closet. A video server can also be provided which retrieves video images from disk to provide on demand to users. the existing PBX handles the switching of normal telephone audio signals, and a broadband data switch handles the switching of broadband signals over the same telephone wires that the PBX uses. The broadband switch essentially "piggybacks" off the PBX system and avoids interference with telephone signals through the use of diplexers.