WO1997004537A1

WO1997004537A1 - Power line telephone communications system having on hook digital voiceband messaging

Info

Publication number: WO1997004537A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/011061
Authority: WO
Inventors: Felix Houvig; Chandrakant Bhailalbhai Patel
Original assignee: Elcom Technologies Corporation
Priority date: 1995-07-17
Filing date: 1996-06-27
Publication date: 1997-02-06
Also published as: US5708701A; EP0839413A1; PL181078B1; JPH11509392A; KR19990029062A; IL122899A0; PL324528A1; MX9800570A; CA2226742A1; AU6343096A; CA2226742C; BR9609734A; CN1191046A

Abstract

A power line telephone communications system having an ON HOOK digital voiceband messaging feature by which selected information contained in an incoming call to a telephone is received prior to the telephone being lifted off its hook. The incoming ring signals, ON HOOK digital voiceband messaging and information signals are conducted by a base unit to the power line for transmission to an extension unit to which a telephone is connected.

Description

POWER LINE TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM HAVING ON HOOK DIGITAL VOICEBAND MESSAGING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to the communication of information by means of the power lines in a building and, in particular, to the transmission and reception of telephone signals in a power line communications system having the facility for the receiver of an incoming telephone call to receive information while the telephone remains ON HOOK and before the incoming telephone call is answered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many subscribers to conventional telephone services have the facility to identify the origin of an incoming call when their telephone rings and before they lift their telephone off the hook. In this way, the subscribers are able to decide whether they wish to accept the call without first having to answer the call. This telephone service is known as "caller ID. "

The lines by which power is distributed in a building can be and are used for the transmission of information signals, such as telephone signals, to and between rooms within a building. The inclusion of "caller ID" in a power line communication system adapted for telephone communications is a very desirable feature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A power line telephone communications system having ON HOOK digital voiceband messaging, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes means for supplying first telephone signals transmitted from a telephone line for reception by a telephone and second telephone signals transmitted from the telephone for reception at the telephone line. The first telephone signals include ring signals indicating an incoming call to the telephone, ON HOOK digital voiceband signals representative of selected information, and first information signals representative of OFF HOOK communications from the telephone line. The second telephone signals including ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals indicating the status of the telephone and second information signals representative of OFF HOOK communications from the telephone. This power line telephone communications system also includes a power line along which the first telephone signals are transmitted for reception by the telephone and the second telephone signals are transmitted for reception at the telephone line. This power line telephone communications system further includes a base unit connected between the telephone line and the power line for conducting to d e power line the first telephone signals and for receiving from the power line the second telephone signals and an extension unit connected between the power line and the telephone for receiving from the power line the first telephone signals and for conducting to the power line the second telephone signals. The base unit includes first detecting means responsive to the ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals for determining when the telephone is ON HOOK and when the telephone is OFF HOOK and a first information path responsive to the first detecting means for passing the ON HOOK digital voiceband signals to die power line when the telephone is ON HOOK. The extension unit, adapted for connection to an indicator which indicates the selected information of the ON HOOK digital voiceband signals, includes second detecting means responsive to the ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals for determining when the telephone is ON HOOK and when the telephone is OFF HOOK, and a second information path responsive to the second detecting means for passing the ON HOOK digital voiceband signals to the indicating indicator when the telephone is ON HOOK.

The present invention will be described in connection with a power line telephone communications system having caller identification as die selected information represented by the ON HOOK digital voiceband signals. It will be apparent, however, that the present invention has broader application and other information, such as calling card number and date and time of incoming call, can be represented by the ON HOOK digital voiceband signals.

In addition, it will be understood that the term "voiceband" not only applies to voice signals but also to data signals (e.g. facsimile transmissions) which are transmitted and received in the voice band. The term "voiceband" has its origin from the original use of the telephone to transmit and receive voice signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a number of waveform diagrams showing the signals transmitted and received by the base and extension units of a power line telephone communications system not having ON HOOK digital voiceband messaging.

Figure 2 is a number of waveform diagrams showing the signals transmitted and received by the base and extension units of a power line telephone communications system constructed in accordance with the present invention having ON HOOK digital voiceband messaging. Figure 3 is a block diagram of a power line telephone communications system constructed in accordance with me present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To gain a better understanding of die present invention, it is useful to consider the transmission and reception of the signals transmitted and received by me base unit and die extension unit of a power line telephone communications system not having ON HOOK digital voiceband messaging before describing a power line telephone communications system, constructed in accordance with die present invention, having ON HOOK digital voiceband messaging. Referring to Figure 1, prior to reception of a ring signal at a telephone line from ttie telephone central office, the various signals and circuit components identified in Figure 1 (i.e. ring signal from the telephone central office, base carrier signal, information path, ring signal at extension, ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signal, and extension carrier signal) are in an inactive state as indicated by the first time period "I". Ringing at the extension is indicated by turning die base carrier signal "on" during die ring signals and "off" between die ring signals following me cadence of die telephone central office. This is indicated by die time periods "R" and die second and diird time periods "I", respectively. During time periods "R", the base carrier signal, modulated by the ring signals, is transmitted from the base unit to the extension unit via die power line and the ring signal is detected at the extension unit to ring the telephone at the extension unit. So long as the telephone at the extension is ON HOOK, the ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signal indicates that the telephone is ON HOOK, the base carrier signal is inactive between ring signals, and die information path and the extension carrier signal are inactive. When the telephone is lifted and is OFF HOOK, the ring signals stop, the ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signal indicates diat the telephone is OFF HOOK, and the information pa , base carrier signal, and extension carrier signal become active as indicated by the time period "A". Information, whether voice or data, from the telephone line and the telephone modulates me base carrier signal and ttie extension carrier signal, respectively, as indicated by the time period "A". It will be understood that the ON HOOK/OFF

HOOK status signal represents the absence or presence of the extension carrier signal which is absent when the telephone at the extension is ON HOOK and is present when me telephone at the extension is OFF HOOK. The absence or presence of the extension carrier signal is sensed at d e base unit and the status of d e telephone at the extension is, in turn, communicated along ttie telephone line to me telephone central office. When the presence of the extension carrier signal is sensed, ring signals are no longer transmitted from me telephone central office as indicated by die waveform diagrams of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 2, which shows a number of waveform diagrams of me signals transmitted and received by the base and extension units of a power line telephone communications system constructed in accordance with the present invention having ON HOOK digital voiceband messaging, prior to reception of a ring signal along the telephone line from the telephone central office, the various signals and circuit components (i.e. ring signal from the telephone central office, caller identification signal, base carrier signal, information path, ring signal at extension, ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signal, and extension carrier signal) are inactive as indicated by die first time period "I". In addition, a gated ring tone signal, added in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, is generated during the ring signals following the cadence of the telephone central office and, therefore, is inactive during me first time period "I". Ringing at the extension is indicated by turning the base carrier signal and the gated ring tone signal "on" at me first ring signal. This is indicated by me first time period "R". While d e gated ring tone signal is generated only during die time mat the ring signals are active, die base carrier signal remains "on" during and between the ring signals. During time periods "R", the base carrier signal, modulated by the gated ring tone signals, is transmitted from the base unit to die extension unit via the power line and tiie gated ring tone signals are detected at the extension unit to ring the telephone. Between the first and second ring signals, and while ON HOOK, digital voiceband signals, such as caller identification signals, are received, ttie base carrier signal, modulated by me ON HOOK digital voiceband signals, is transmitted from the base unit. This is indicated by the first time period "A". The ON HOOK digital voiceband signals are transmitted to me extension unit via the power line and are detected at the extension unit while the telephone remains ON HOOK.

Referring to Figure 3, a power line telephone communications system having caller identification, constructed in accordance with me present invention, includes means, represented by a line 10, for supplying first telephone signals transmitted from a telephone line for reception by a telephone 12 and second telephone signals transmitted from the telephone for reception at the telephone line. As shown by the waveform diagrams of Figure 2, the first telephone signals supplied along line 10 include ring signals 14 indicating an incoming call to telephone 12, caller identification signals 16 indicating me origin of an incoming call, and first information signals representative of OFF HOOK communications (e.g. voice or data) from die origin of an incoming call and identified by reference numeral 18 in Figure 2 at that portion of the modulated base carrier signal in the second time period "A" after the ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signal indicates that the telephone is OFF HOOK. Preferably, the caller identification signals occur, as shown by Figure 2, between the first and d e second ring signals, so d at die subscriber learns the origin of die incoming call as soon as possible. As shown by the waveform diagrams of Figure 2, d e second telephone signals transmitted from telephone 12 include ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals 20 indicating die status of the telephone and second information signals 22 representative of OFF HOOK communications (e.g. voice or data) from the telephone and shown by me modulated extension carrier signal in the second time period "A" after the ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signal indicates that the telephone is OFF HOOK.

A power line telephone communications system, constructed in accordance with die present invention, also includes a power line 24 along which die first telephone signals are transmitted for reception by telephone 12 and d e second telephone signals are transmitted for reception at telephone line 10. Disposed along power line 24 is a plurality of outlets 26 and 27.

A power line telephone communications system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, further includes a base unit 28 (shown above power line 24 in Figure 3) connected between telephone line 10 and die power line for conducting to the power line the first telephone signals and for receiving from the power line the second telephone signals and an extension unit 30 (shown below power line 24 in Figure 3) connected between the power line and telephone 12 for receiving from the power line the first telephone signals and for conducting to die power line the second telephone signals. Base unit 28 is connected to telephone line 10 by a telephone jack 32 and to power line 24 by a plug 34. Extension unit 30 is connected to power line 24 by a plug 36 and to telephone 12 by a telephone jack 37. Typically, a telephone 38 is connected to base unit 28 via a telephone jack 39.

The ring signal in standard telephone systems has a 170 peak-to-peak voltage and a frequency which can vary between 16 Hz and 120 Hz. This amplitude is too great for a system, such as one constructed in accordance wim the present invention, in which the base carrier signal is to be modulated by the ring signal and the frequency is outside die voice band of such a system. Thus, in accordance with the present invention and as shown in Figure 2, a gated ring tone signal 40 (i.e. a pseudo ring signal), having me desired amplitude and a frequency in the voice band of die system, is generated in base unit 28 for each ring signal 14. The base carrier signal is modulated by me gated ring tone signals and me modulated base carrier signal is conducted to power line 24 as the ring signal. The frequency of gated ring tone signal 40 is selected to be higher dian the normal 60 Hz ring tone signal. Preferably, the frequency of the gated ring tone signals is at the upper end of die voice band frequency range, for example 3.5 KHz. Caller identification signals 16, which are transmitted between the first and second ring signals 14, are indicated by FSK tones in die voice band. Because d e caller identification signals are between die ring signals, base carrier signal 18 remains "on" between the ring signals and is modulated by die caller identification signals. The caller identification signals have the requisite frequency and desired amplitude and, dierefore, can be used to modulate me base carrier signal.

Base unit 28 includes first detecting means responsive to ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals 20 for determining when telephone 12 is ON HOOK and when the telephone is OFF HOOK and a first information path for passing gated ring tone signals 40 and caller identification signals 16 to power line 24 when the telephone is ON HOOK and first information signals 18 to the power line when die telephone is OFF HOOK. The first detecting means activate the first information path when:

(1) telephone 12 is ON HOOK to pass gated ring tone signals 40 and caller identification signals 16 to power line 24, and (2) telephone 12 is OFF HOOK to pass first information signals 18 to power line 24.

For the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 3, die first information patii includes a telephone interface 41 by which base unit 28 is matched to telephone line 10 to receive the first telephone signals from the telephone line through telephone jack 32; a modulator 42 at which gated ring tone signals 40, caller identification signals 16, and information signals 18 modulate the base carrier signal; a line driver 44 which amplifies the modulated base carrier signal; and a coupler 46 by which the base unit is matched to power line 24 to conduct d e amplified, modulated base carrier signal through plug 34 and outlet 26 to the power line. A power supply 48 provides power to the various component parts of base unit 28.

Extension unit 30 is adapted for connection, dirough telephone jack 37, to an indicator 50 which indicates die origin of an incoming call. Extension unit 30 includes second detecting means responsive to the ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals for determining when telephone 12 is ON HOOK and when me telephone is OFF HOOK and a second information path for passing the caller identification signals to indicator 50 when d e telephone is ON HOOK. As will be explained in greater detail below, extension unit 30 has a bandpass filter and a detector for detecting gated ring tone signals 40 and when the gated ring tone signals are detected, a 170 peak-to- peak voltage signal having a 60 Hz frequency is gated to telephone 12 through a telephone interface. The second information path also passes first information signals 18 to telephone 12. The second detecting means activate the second information path when:

(1) telephone 12 is ON HOOK to pass gated ring tone signals 40 to the telephone, (2) telephone 12 is ON HOOK to pass caller identification signals

16 to indicator 50, and

(3) telephone 12 is OFF HOOK to pass first information signals 18 to e telephone.

For the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, die second information padi includes a coupler 52 by which extension unit 30 is matched to power line 24 to receive gated ring tone signals 40, caller identification signals 16, and first information signals 18 from the power line through outlet 27 and plug 36; a line receiver 54 which amplifies the gated ring tone signals, die caller identification signals, and the first information signals; a demodulator 56 at which the base carrier signal is demodulated to detect the gated ring tone signals, the caller identification signals, and die information signals; and a telephone interface 58 dirough which caller identification signals 16 are conducted to indicator 50 and by which die extension unit is matched to telephone 12 to conduct ring signals 14 and information signals 18 to die telephone through telephone jack 37. A power supply 60 provides power to the various component parts of extension unit 30.

Extension unit 30 further includes a tiiird information padi through which the second information signals 22 pass to power line 24. For the embodiment of me invention illustrated in Figure 1, me third information path includes telephone interface 58, by which extension unit 30 is matched to telephone 12 to receive the second telephone signals from the telephone dirough telephone jack 37; a modulator 62 at which die extension carrier signal is modulated by die second telephone signals; a line driver 64 which amplifies the modulated extension carrier signal; and coupler 52 by which the extension unit is matched to power line 24 to conduct die amplified, modulated extension carrier signal dirough plug 36 and outlet 27 to me power line. The second detecting means in extension unit 30 activate the diird information padi when the telephone is OFF HOOK to pass second information signals 22 to power line 24.

Base unit 28 further includes a fourth information path dirough which die second telephone signals pass to telephone line 10. For the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, die second information path includes coupler 46 by which base unit 28 is matched to power line 24 to receive the second telephone signals from the power line through outlet 26 and plug 34; a line receiver 66 which amplifies the second telephone signals; a demodulator 68 at which the extension carrier signal is demodulated to detect ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signal 20 and second information signal 22; and telephone interface 41 dirough which die second telephone signals are conducted to telephone line 10 through telephone jack 32.

The first detecting means in base unit 28 activate the fourth information path when telephone 12 is OFF HOOK to pass second information signals 22 to telephone line 10.

Gated tone ring signals 40 are generated in a control logic circuit 70 in base unit 28 when ring signals 14 are detected in telephone interface 41. The gated ring tone signals can enter the first information path for passage to power line 24 either through telephone interface 41 or bypass the telephone interface entirely by being conducted directly to modulator 42 along an auxiliary path shown by dashed lines and identified by reference numeral 72.

Upon detection of a ring signal, control logic circuit 70 in base unit 28 also activates the first information pad in d e base unit by controlling modulator 42 to turn on the base carrier signal for modulation by the gated ring tone signal. At die completion of a ring signal 14, the gated ring tone signal generator is turned "off", while die base carrier signal is maintained "on" between the ring signals by a monostable multivibrator in control logic 70 which is triggered by die ring signal, tiiereby permitting caller identification signals 16 to modulate d e base carrier and die modulated base carrier signal is conducted to power line 24. The presence of gated ring tone signal 40 in extension unit 30 is detected by a control logic circuit 74 in the extension unit which receives, along a line 76 from demodulator 56, where the base carrier signal is demodulated to detect e gated ring tone signal, indications of the presence of d e base carrier signal and, in particular, the presence of me gated ring tone signal. The status of telephone 12, as indicated by ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signal 20, is detected by telephone interface 58 in extension unit 30. When telephone 12 is ON HOOK, extension carrier signal 22 is "off" indicating ON HOOK status of the telephone. When telephone 12 is OFF HOOK, extension carrier signal 22 is tumed "on" to indicate that the telephone is OFF HOOK. The detection of extension carrier signal 22 in base unit 28 by the presence of extension carrier 22 at demodulator 68 indicates die stams of telephone 12 which is communicated via a line 80, control logic circuit 70, telephone interface 41, and telephone line 10 to the telephone central office. While telephone 12 in ON HOOK, telephone interface 41 of base unit 28, presents a high impedance to die telephone central office which represents die ON HOOK status of the telephone almough the first information padi is active and would otiierwise indicate to the telephone central office diat die telephone is OFF HOOK. When telephone 12 is OFF HOOK, telephone interface 41 presents a low impedance to the telephone central office which indicates d e OFF HOOK status of the telephone. Regardless of the mode of operation of base unit 28, until the base unit detects the OFF HOOK status of telephone 12, telephone interface 41 presents a high impedance to die telephone central office.

When telephone 12 is OFF HOOK, control logic circuit 74 in extension unit 30 activates die second information path in die extension unit by controlling modulator 56 to m on d e extension carrier signal for modulation by die second information signals. The OFF HOOK status of telephone 12 is sensed by control logic circuit 70 in the base unit when the presence of the extension carrier signal in the fourth information path in the base unit is detected. This, in turn, controls the telephone central office to cease transmission of ring signals 14 because telephone 12 is OFF HOOK. Wim ring signals 14 no longer being transmitted, no additional gated ring tone signals 40 are generated.

A second line 78, between modulator 56 and control logic circuit 74 in extension unit 30, activates the second information path between gated ring tone signals 40 to permit passage of caller identification signals 16 through telephone interface 58 and telephone jack 37 to indicator 50 because die presence of base carrier signal 18 between rings is detected by demodulator 56 and die presence of die base carrier signal maintains the second information path active.

While in die foregoing there has been described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood by tiiose skilled in die art diat various modifications and changes can be made without departing from die true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is Claimed: 1. A power line telephone communications system having ON HOOK digital voiceband messaging comprising: means for supplying: (a) first telephone signals transmitted from a telephone line for reception by a telephone, said first telephone signals including: (1) ring signals indicating an incoming call to the telephone, (2) ON HOOK digital voiceband signals representative of selected information, and (3) first information signals representative of OFF HOOK communications from the telephone line, and (b) second telephone signals transmitted from the telephone for reception at die telephone line, said second telephone signals including: (1) ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals indicating the stams of die telephone, and (2) second information signals representative of OFF HOOK communications from the telephone; a power line along which said first telephone signals are transmitted for reception by the telephone and said second telephone signals are transmitted for reception at die telephone line; a base unit connected between the telephone line and said power line for conducting to said power line said first telephone signals and for receiving from said power line said second telephone signals, said base unit including: (a) first detecting means responsive to said ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals for determining when the telephone is ON HOOK and when die telephone is OFF HOOK, and (b) a first information patii responsive to said first detecting means for passing said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals to said power line when the telephone is ON HOOK; and an extension unit connected between said power line and die telephone for receiving from said power line said first telephone signals and for conducting to said power line said second telephone signals, said extension unit adapted for connection to an indicator which indicates said selected information of said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals and including: (a) second detecting means responsive to said ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals for determining when the telephone is ON HOOK and when die telephone is OFF HOOK, and (b) a second information path responsive to said second detecting means for passing said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals to the indicator when die telephone is ON HOOK. 2. A power line telephone communications system according to claim 1 wherein said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals occur between die first and die second ring signals. 3. A power line telephone communications system according to claim 2 wherein: (a) said ring signals and said first information signals pass to said power line through said first information path, (b) said first detecting means activate said first information path when: (1) d e telephone is ON HOOK to pass said ring signals to said power line, and (2) die telephone is OFF HOOK to pass said first information signals to said power line, (c) said ring signals and said first information signals pass to die telephone dirough said first information path, and (d) said second detecting means activate said second information path when: (1) die telephone is ON HOOK to pass said ring signals to the telephone, and (2) the telephone is OFF HOOK to pass said first information signals to me telephone. 4. A power line telephone communications system according to claim 3 wherein: (a) said extension unit further includes a diird information padi responsive to said second detecting means dirough which said second telephone signals pass to said power line, (b) said second detecting means activate said diird information padi when: (1) the telephone is ON HOOK to pass said ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals to said power line, (2) the telephone is OFF HOOK to pass said ON HOOK/OFF HOOK stams signals to said power line, and (3) the telephone is OFF HOOK to pass said second information signals to said power line, (c) said base unit further includes a fourth information path responsive to said first detecting means through which said second telephone signals pass to die telephone line, and (d) said first detecting means activate said fourth information path when: (1) the telephone is ON HOOK to pass said ON HOOK/OFF HOOK stams signals to d e telephone line, (2) the telephone is OFF HOOK to pass said ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals to the telephone line, and (3) die telephone is OFF HOOK to pass said second information signals to the telephone line. 5. A power line telephone communications system according to claim 1 wherein said base unit further includes means for generating a gated ring tone signal for each of said ring signals having a frequency higher than the frequency of said ring signals and said ring signals conducted to said power line by said base unit are said gated ring tone signals. 6. A power line telephone communications system according to claim 5 wherein said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals occur between die first and d e second ring signals. 7. A power line telephone communications system according to claim 6 wherein die frequency of said gated ring tone signal is 3.5 KHz. 8. A power line telephone communications system having ON HOOK digital voiceband messaging comprising: means for supplying: (a) first telephone signals transmitted from a telephone line for reception by a telephone, said first telephone signals including: (1) ring signals indicating an incoming call to the telephone, (2) ON HOOK digital voiceband signals representative of selected information, and (3) first information signals representative of OFF HOOK communications from the telephone line, and (b) second telephone signals transmitted from die telephone for reception at d e telephone line, said second telephone signals including: (1) ON HOOK/OFF HOOK stams signals indicating the status of die telephone, and (2) second information signals representative of OFF HOOK communications from the telephone; a base unit for receiving said first telephone signals from the telephone line and including: (a) means responsive to said ring signals for generating a gated ring tone signal for each of said ring signals, (b) first detecting means responsive to said ON HOOK/OFF HOOK stams signals for determining when the telephone is ON HOOK and when the telephone is OFF HOOK, and (c) a first information path responsive to said first detecting means for passing said gated ring tone signals, said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals, and said first information signals; a power line to which said base unit is connected and along which said gated ring tone signals, said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals, and said first information signals are transmitted for reception by d e telephone and along which said second telephone signals are transmitted to said base unit for reception at the telephone line; and an extension unit connected between said power line and die telephone for receiving from said power line said gated ring tone signals, said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals, and said first information signals and for conducting to said power line said second telephone signals, said extension unit adapted for connection to an indicator which indicates said selected information of said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals and including: (a) second detecting means responsive to said ON HOOK/OFF HOOK status signals for determining when the telephone is ON HOOK and when die telephone is OFF HOOK, and (b) a second information path responsive to said second detecting means for passing said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals to die indicator when die telephone is ON HOOK. 9. A power line telephone communications system according to claim 8 wherein said first information padi includes a telephone interface at which said first telephone signals are received and said first information path extends from said telephone interface to said power line. 10. A power line telephone communications system according to claim 8 wherein said first information path includes a telephone interface at which said first telephone signals are received and through which said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals, said first information signals, and said gated ring tone signals pass and said first information path extends from said telephone interface to said power line. 11. A power line telephone communications system according to claim 8 wherein said first information path includes: (a) a telephone interface at which said first telephone signals are received and dirough which said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals and said first information signals pass, (b) a modulator connected to said telephone interface and at which a carrier signal is modulated by said ON HOOK digital voiceband signals, said first information signals, and said gated ring tone signals, and (c) an auxiliary path for conducting said gated ring tone signals directly to said modulator from said gated ring tone signal generating means, and said first information path extends from said telephone interface to said power line.