Linux answering machine

[David Bandel]

On 11/16/06, Chong Yu Meng <chongym at cymulacrum.net> wrote:

[snip]

> >
> > What, exactly, does the Bluetooth headset talk to?
> >
>
> Typically, for a computer to be able to receive and make voice calls,
> you'd need a microphone and headphones, in addition to the modem, of
> course. The problem is that, with a microphone and headphones, you'd
> need to be sitting at or near the computer. My wife has this annoying
> habit of wanting to walk around while talking on the phone, so wires are
> out. Bluetooth headsets have integrated microphones which are ideal for
> this scenario because they are wireless, so she can roam from room to
> room while talking, and looking self-important ...
>
> I searched around Google and Tucows for a Windows equivalent (I know, I
> know ...) and the options were either expensive or did not have the
> features I wanted (Bluetooth). So, that's my situation in a nutshell.
>

Hmmm.  Bluetooth is usually good only up to about 10 feet, not
wandering room to room.  My bluetooth earpiece for my Motorola
sometimes disconnects if I put my phone in my front pants pocket on
the opposite side from where I have my earpiece.

But you're missing a few things.  You can connect an incoming phone
line to a computer using a card with an FXO module (which uses FXS
signalling, if you want to be confused), and should have an FXS module
to connect to a phone (unless the bluetooth device is actually a
complete phone).

If the bluetooth device is just an earpiece, it needs to connect to
something (phone, computer).  If phone, then see above with phone
connected to FXS module and asterisk running the card w/ modules.

If the bluetooth connects to a computer, then you need it to talk to a
program (like a softphone -- kiax or somesuch), which talks to
asterisk (in which case you can forego the FXS module above.

Of course, I'm still making assumptions about what connects how
regarding this bluetooth device.

Ciao,

David A. Bandel
-- 
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
            - Nemesis Air Racing Team motto