摘要 |
In an integrated voice and multimedia communications system (FIG. 1), an end-user is given explicit control over which audio access mechanism he wishes to use regardless of whether a call is a multimedia or a voice call. The end-user's voice terminal (101) is equipped with a PC-Audio control button (127). When the user originates or receives a call, a multimedia PBX (102) automatically connects audio to the voice terminal's handset (124) regardless of whether the call is a multimedia or a voice call. If the user then presses the PC-Audio button, the PBX transfers audio to the audio subsystem (112-114) of the multimedia terminal (100), an LED (128) associated with the button is lit, and the user may cradle the handset without disconnecting the call. If the handset is subsequently lifted, audio is reconnected to the handset and the LED is extinguished. If the button is pressed while its LED is lit, the call is disconnected. If the voice terminal is equipped with a speakerphone (125), interaction thereof with the PC-Audio button mimics a telephone with an integrated speakerphone that is supplemented with an external speakerphone connection.
|