A system for conferencing callers includes a time division multiplexed (TDM)
bus.
A public switched telephone network (PSTN) interface node that is coupled to the
TDM bus receives PSTN signals from a PSTN caller and communicates corresponding
information in a first timeslot using the TDM bus. An Internet Protocol (IP) interface
node coupled to the TDM bus receives IP packets from an IP caller and communicates
corresponding information in a second timeslot using the TDM bus. Also coupled
to the TDM bus is a conference bridge node that receives the information for the
IP caller and communicates it to the PSTN interface node in a first conference
timeslot, using the TDM bus. The conference bridge node also receives the information
for the PSTN caller and communicates it to the IP interface node in a second conference
timeslot, using the TDM bus.