Method and system for transferring data to a line connected device using a computer modem

• US 20040131133A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Alvarado, Douglas, Charney, Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 7,386,104 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/334
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2854 Wide area networks, e.g. public data networks

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for providing connectivity to portable electronic devices, such as a cordless telephone, for the purpose of upgrading software features. In a preferred embodiment, portable electronic devices can receive incoming data at the PSTN jack from a personal computer that is also connected to the PSTN via a PSTN modem. In this manner, upgrades can be accomplished without requiring users to disconnect the telephone or to connect additional cables or components. The telephone is temporarily disabled from service only during the downloading of the upgrade software from the personal computer to the telephone. Upgrade software can be received at the personal computer from downloads or from other sources.

Claims

1. A method for programming a line connected device, comprising:

receiving encoded signals at a line interface of the device;

determining whether encoded signals include device programming signals; and

routing the programming signals to programmable memory in the device.

wherein device programming signals are transmitted to the line interface during a programming mode, telephone signals or other encoded signals are transmitted to the line interface during an operation mode, and the device switches between programming and operation modes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the line connected device is a cordless telephone, and the encoded signals are transmitted by a computer modem connected to the telephone via a telephone line.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the telephone places the PSTN line temporarily off-hook while device programming signals are received.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the signals received at the line interface are FSK encoded, and the line connected device includes an FSK decoder.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the line connected device automatically switches to the programming mode upon detecting programming signals at the line interface.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the telephone is temporarily disconnected from the PSTN at the second line interface while device programming signals are received at the first line interface.

6. A method of programming information in a line connected device, comprising:

switching the device to a programming mode, wherein the device can be switched between a programming mode and a operations mode;

receiving modem initialization signals at a line interface of the device from a modem connected to the line connected device;

outputting modem return signals at the line interface to initiate communications between the line connected device and the modem;

receiving programming data from the modem; and

routing received programming data to programmable memory in the line connected device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the line connected device is a cordless telephone.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the device is switched to a programming mode upon receiving a predetermined key sequence on a keypad of the device.

9. A programmable line connected device, comprising:

a line interface for receiving signals;

a detector for detecting that the signals include device programming signals; and

a controller for routing programming signals to a programmable memory;

wherein device programming signals are transmitted to the line interface during a programming mode, telephone signals or other encoded signals are transmitted to the line interface during an operation mode, and the device switches between programming and operation modes.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the line connected device is a cordless telephone, and the signals are transmitted by a computer modem connected to the telephone via a telephone line.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the computer modem is connected to the telephone via a first line interface, and the telephone is connected to the PSTN via a second line interface.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the signals received at the line interface are FSK encoded, and the line connected device includes an FSK decoder.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the cordless telephone and computer modem are daisy chain connected to the PSTN.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the computer modem is configured for transmitting programming signals without initiating a telephone call on the PSTN.

16. The device according to claim 10, wherein the computer modem is directly connected to the cordless telephone, and the cordless telephone is configured to decode modem initialization and data transfer signals.

17. A method of programming information in a cordless telephone, comprising:

decoding FSK encoded signals received at a line jack in a cordless telephone;

determining whether the FSK encoded signals including telephone programming signals; and

when telephone programming signals are detected, routing the programming signals to programmable memory in the cordless telephone.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cordless telephone is connected to a computer modem for receiving telephone programming signals.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the cordless telephone and computer modem are daisy chain connected to the PSTN.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the cordless telephone is configured to decode modem and return modem initialization signals in accordance with modem communications protocol.