Modem with hold and quick connect functionality
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modem to modem communication system supports call waiting services by exchanging hold request and acknowledge signals before relinquishing the line servicing incoming calls. Thereafter, the modem to modem session is reestablished without having to redial. The hold request may be denied or accepted, and may define the duration a modem will hold before hanging up. The holding modem maintains the session by fooling the higher protocol layers, making them believe that the modem is not on hold. Three-way calling services are also used to free up the shared line for outgoing calls while maintaining the session with holding modems. A table may be employed to screen incoming calls through a comparison of the caller ID information with that in the table. The table may be within the modem or the host computer. A quick startup procedure for a modem system utilizes known characteristics of a previously established communication channel to reduce the initialization period associated with subsequent connections over the same channel.
79 Citations
61 Claims
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1-31. -31. (canceled)
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32. A method of reducing time for use by a first modem to connect to a second modem via a communication channel, said first modem being in communication with a handset, said method comprising:
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receiving a first digital impairment learning sequence from said second modem over said communication channel;
determining first one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel based on analyzing said first digital impairment learning sequence;
interrupting said communication channel;
terminating said interrupting;
receiving a signal point sequence from said second modem;
determining second one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel based on analyzing said signal point sequence;
initializing said first modem with said one or more parameters to reconnect to said second modem if said first one or more digital impairment attributes are similar to corresponding said second one or more digital impairment attributes;
wherein said first modem comprises, an off-hook detector capable of detecting said handset going off-hook, while said first modem is in communication with said second modem, and further being capable of generating an attention signal in response thereto; and
a transmitter capable of transmitting a hold request to said second modem in response to said attention signal;
wherein said handset is placed off-hook by a user for dialing an outgoing call, and wherein said communication between said modems over said communication channel ceases for a period of time after transmitting said hold request, and wherein said first modem keeps an upper layer protocol alive during said period of time. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A communication method of reducing time for use between a first modem and a second modem in communication over a communication channel, said first modem being in communication with a handset, said communication method comprising the steps of:
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configuring a quick reconnect sequence comprising;
receiving a first digital impairment learning sequence from said second modem over said communication channel;
determining first one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel based on analyzing said first digital impairment learning sequence;
interrupting said communication channel;
terminating said interrupting;
receiving a signal point sequence from said second modem;
determining second one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel based on analyzing said signal point sequence;
initializing said first modem with said one or more parameters to reconnect to said second modem if said first one or more digital impairment attributes are similar to corresponding said second one or more digital impairment attributes;
configuring a modem on hold sequence comprising;
detecting said handset going off-hook;
transmitting a hold request to said second modem in response to said handset going off-hook;
ceasing said communication with said second modem over said communication channel by said first modem for a period of time;
causing a dial tone to be generated for dialing an outgoing call using said handset; and
keeping an upper layer protocol alive during said period of time. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A first modem capable of communicating with a second modem over a communication channel, a portion of said communication channel existing over a telephone line between said first modem and a central office, said first modem comprising:
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a receiver capable of receiving a relinquishment request, while said telephone line is in use by said first modem for communication w a transmitter capable of transmitting a hold request to said second modem to place said communication between said modems on hold;
wherein said communication between said modems is placed on hold and said use of said telephone line is relinquished, and wherein said first modem causes a dial tone to be generated over said telephone line after said communication between said modems is placed on hold, and wherein said first modem keeps an upper layer protocol alive while said modems are on hold;
a memory element configured to store first one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel and further store one or more parameters for initializing said first modem for connection over said communication channel;
a receiver section configured to receive a first digital impairment learning sequence from said second modem, and further receive a reply signal from said second modem over said communication channel in response to a request transmitted by said first modem over said communication channel to terminate a temporary interruption in said communication channel; and
a processor element configured to analyze said first digital impairment learning sequence to determine said first one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel and store said one or more digital impairment attributes in said memory, and to initialize said first modem with said one or more parameters in response to said reply signal if said processor determines that second one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel based on analyzing said reply signal are similar to said first one or more digital impairment attributes. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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Specification