Extended Multi-line Hunt Group Communication

While I was at US West Advanced Technologies in Boulder, Colorado, USA in my first full time job in the US, I had the opportunity to work in the lab configuring VoIP media gateways and found a way to transmit the SMDI link between a switch and voice mail system using the serial port of the media gateways.
Audible and signaling information sent through a multi-line hunt group may be transmitted over long distances using packet or IP-enabled communication networks. At least one remote site is connected to the communication network. The remote site includes a switch interconnecting a plurality of subscribers. At least one multi-line hunt group is connected to the switch. The communication system also includes at least one service site connected to the communication network. The service site includes a switch connected to a service platform. At least one multi-line hunt group is connected ot the switch. A gateway interfaces each multi-line hunt group and the communication network. Each gateway converts audible information received over communication lines and signaling data received over each signaling line into a data format acceptable by the communication network.
The full patent can be found at US 7,394,818 B1