System and method for interfacing computers to diverse telephone networks

• US 5,127,041 A
• Filed: 06/01/1990
• Issued: 06/30/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles M. Leedom Jr, Eric J. Robinson, MLR, LLC
• Original Assignee: Spectrum Information Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: O'Sullivan, Harry M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dwyer, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Application Number:
  US07/531,762
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58-60, 379/63, 379/98-100, 379/443, 379/444, 379/93, 379/96, 379/97, 379/281, 379/339, 379/353, 455/33
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A system for connecting a computer to both cellular and landline telephone systems is disclosed. A cellular modem has a single RJ-11 jack for interfacing either to a landline jack or to a signal processing cable connected to a cellular transceiver. The analog data transmission signals of the modem, which are compatible with landline "tip" and "ring" lines, are provided on the third and fourth pins of the RJ-11 connector. When the modem is to be used as a landline modem, the RJ-11 connector is connected directly to a standard landline telephone jack using an ordinary modular telephone wire. When used with a cellular transceiver, the modem generates transceiver operation commands according to a predefined generic command language which is not specific to a particular transceiver. The generic commands are transmitted in serial digital form on the fifth terminal of the RJ-11 connector. The signal processing cable acknowledges the commands received via a serial digital signal transmitted to the second terminal of the RJ-11 connector. The signal processing cable then transmits control signals to the transceiver, with the signals being appropriate to the type of cellular transceiver used, to produce the function requested by the modem'"'"'s universal command.

Claims

1. A system for connecting a computer device for data transmission over a telephone network which can be accessed through a telephone network access device responsive to device-specific command signals to perform a network accessing function, comprising:

a. control means for controllng the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the telephone network and for generating a generic command signal representative of a desired telephone network access device newtwork accessing function and transmitting the generic command signal over a command signal bus;

b. modem means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing the computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the telephone network; and

c. interface means selectively connectable between the modem means and control means and the telephone network access device for generating and transmitting device-specific command signals compatible with at least the particular telephone network access device in use and adapted to control said network accessing function of the telephone network access device in response to generic command signals received from the control means through said command signal bus, and including a bus separate from said command signal bus for transmitting data between the modem means and the telephone network;

wherein the generic command signals generated by the control means are transmitted to the interface means using digital transmission means, therein the data transmitted between the modem means and the telephone network is carried on transmission lines separate from the digital transmission means carrying generic commands signals between the control means and the interface means, and

wherein the interface means transmits an alert sequence signal to the control means using the digital transmission means in response to signals from the telephone network access device indicative of an incoming call.

2. A system for connecting a computer device for data transmission over a telephone network which can be accessed through a telephone network access device responsive to device-specific command signals to perform a network accessing function, comprising:

a. control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the telephone network and for generating a generic command signal representative of a desired telephone network access device network accessing function and tansmitting the generic command signal over a command signal bus;

b. modem means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing the computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the telephone network; and

c. interface means selectively connectable between the modem means and control means and the telephone network access device for generating and tansmitting device-specific command signals compatible with at least the particular telephone network access device in use and adapted to control said network accessing function of the telephone network access device in response to generic command signals received from the control means through said command signal bus, and including a bus separate from said command signal bus for transmitting data between the modem means and the telephone network;

wherein the system is adapted for selective use with either a cellular telephone network or a landline telephone network.

3. A system for connecting a computer device for data transmissions over a telephone network which can be accessed through a telephone network access device responsibe to device-specific command signals to perform a network accessing function, comprising:

a. control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the telephone network and for generating a generic command signal representative of a desired telephone network access device network accessing function and transmitting the generic command signal over a command signal bus;

b. modem means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing the computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the telephone network; and

c. interface means selectively connectable between the modem means and control means and the telephone network access device for generating and transmitting device-specific command signals compatible with at least the particular telephone network access device in use and adapted to control said network accessing function of the telephone network access device in response to generic command signals received from the control means through said command signal bus, and including a bus separate from said command signal bus for transmitting data between the modem means and the telephone network, wherein the generic command signals include signals requesting telephone network access device status information.

4. A system for connecting a computer device for data transmission over a telephone network which can be accessed through a telephone network access device responsive to device-specific command signals to perform a network accessing function, comprising:

a. control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the telephone network and for generating a generic command signal representative of a desired telephone network access device network accessing function and transmitting the generic command signal over a command signal bus;

b. modem means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing the computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the telephone network; and

c. interface means selectively connectable between the modem means and control means and the telephone network access device for generating and tarnsmitting device-specific command signals compatible with at least the particular telephone network access device in use and adapted to control said network accessing function of the telephone network access device in response to generic command signals received from the control means through said command signal bus, and including a bus separate from said command signal bus for transmitting data between the modem means and the telephone network, wherein the interface means includes means for accepting bus designation information and selectively operates with one of a plurality of types of telephone network access devices depending on the bus designation information.

5. An interface for connecting a cellular data modem for transmission of computer data to a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device including a cellular bus, comprising:

a. analog interface means connectable between the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for transmitting signals representing computer data between the data modem and the cellular bus;

b. processing means connectable to the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for receiving generic command signals from the cellular data modem, processing the generic command signals to generate device-specific cellular telephone control signals adapted to control operation of the specific cellular telephone device attached to the interface device, and transmitting the device-specific cellular telephone control signals to the cellular bus, wherein the processing means further operates to receive cellular telephone device status indication signals from the cellular bus and provide signals indicative of cellular telephone device status to the cellular data modem.

6. An inerface for connecting a cellular data modem for tansmission of computer data to a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device including a cellular bus, comprising:

a. analog interface means connectable between the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for transmitting signals representing computer data between the data modem and the cellular bus;

b. processing means connectable to the cellular data moden and the cellular bus for receiving generic command signals from the cellular data modem, processing 175 device-specific cellular telephone control signals adapted to control operation of the specific cellular telephone device attached to the interface device, and transmitting the device-specific cellular telephone control signals to the cellular bus,

said interface designed for use with a cellular bus comprising a control-unit-to-transceiver-unit (CU-TRU) cable connecting a cellular transceiver and a cellular control unit, wherein the interface means is connected to the cellular transceiver and to the cellular control unit so as to replace the CU-TRU cable of the cellular bus.

7. An interface for connecting a cellular data modem for transmission of computer data to a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device including a cellular bus, comprising:

a. analog interface means connectable between the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for transmitting signals representing computer data between the data modem and the cellular bus;

b. processing means connectable to the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for receiving generic command signals from the cellular data modem, processing the generic command signals to generate device-specific cellular telephone control signals adapted to control operation of the specific cellular telephone device attached to the interface device, and transmitting the device-specific cellular telephone control signals to the cellular bus, wherein the generic command signals are received as serial digital data on digital data lines separate from lines used to carry the signals representing computer data.

8. An interface for connecting a cellular data modem for transmission of computer data to a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device including a cellular bus, comprising:

a. analog interface means connectable beween the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for transmitting signals representing computer data between the data modem and the cellular bus;

b. processing means connectable to the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for receiving generic command signals from the cellular data modem, processing the generic command signals to generate device-specific cellular telephone control signals adapted to control operation of the specific cellular telephone device attached to the interface device, and transmitting the device-specific cellular telephone control signals to the cellular bus;

c. acknowledgment means for acknowledging generic command signals received from the modem.

9. An interface for connecting a cellular data modem for transmission of computer data to a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device including a cellular bus, comprising:

a. analog interface means connectable between the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for transmitting signals representing computer data between the data modem and the cellular bus;

b. processing means connectable to the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for receiving generic command signals from the cellular data modem, processing the generic command signals to generate device-specific cellular telephone control signals adapted to control operation of the specific cellular telephone device attached to the interface device, and tansmitting the device-specific cellular telephone control signals to the cellular bus, wherein the generic command signals processed by the processing means includes requesting that the processing means generate device-specific cellular telephone control signals emulating a keypress occurrence on a keypad of the cellular telephone device.

10. An interface for connecting a cellular data modem for transmission of computer data to a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device including a cellular bus, comprising:

a. analog interface means connectable between the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for transmitting signals representing computer data between the data modem and the cellular bus;

b. processing means connectable to the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for receiving generic command signals from the cellular data modem, processing the generic command signals to generate device-specific cellular telephone control signals adapted to control operation of the specific cellular telephone device attached to the interface device, and tansmitting the device-specific cellular telephone control signals to the cellular bus, wherein the processing means includes means for accepting bus designation information and responds to the bus designation information to selectively operate with a plurality of types of cellular bus.

11. A system for accessing telephone networks through one of at least two types of telephone network access devices, both of types of telephone network access devices being designed to transmit analog telephonic data signals to the system and receive analog telephonic data signals from the system, with at least one of the types of the telephone network access devices being a digital type which is further capable of responding to separately trasmitted digital control signals from the system, comprising:

a. analog telephonic data transmission means for transmitting information signals to and receiving information signals from the telephone network access device;

b. digital control signal transmission means for transmitting digital control signals adapted to direct changes in operating modes of the connected telephone network access device;

c. input means for receiving signals indicative of the operating mode of the connected telephone network access device desired by the user;

d. control means connected to the digital control signal transmission means and to be input means for generating the digital control signals carried by the digital control signal transmission means;

wherein the analog telephonic data tranmission means and the digital control signal transmission means are connectable to and mechanically disconnectable from the telephone network access device by the user through a single electrical connector compatible with both types of telephone network access devices, such that when the electrical connector is connected to a telephone network access device, the analog telephonic data transmission means is properly connected for communications with both types of telephone network access device, while the digital control signal transmission means will only function with the digital type of telephone network access device.

12. A modem for connecting a computer device to facilitate data transmission over one of at least two types of public communications networks which can be selectively accessed through associated communications network access devices connectable to the modem, comprising:

control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the communications network access device, for selectively generating a generic command signal in digital form identifying a desired network access function of communications network access devices and for selectively transmitting said digital command signal to an interface external to the modem for controlling the connected communications network access device only when said connected communications network access device is of a type responding to digital control inputs; and

modulation means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the communications network when the network has been accessed;

wherein the digital command signal is a serial digital data transmission.

13. A modem for connecting a computer device to facilitate data transmission over one of at least two types of public communications networks which can be selectively accessed through associated communications network access devices connectable to the modem, comprising:

control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the communications network access device, for selectively generating a generic command signal in digital form identifying a desired network access function of communications network access devices and for selectively transmitting said digital command signal to an interface external to the modem for controlling the connected communications network access device only when said connected communications network access device is of a type responding to digital control inputs; and

modulation means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the communications network when the network has been accessed;

wherein the digital command signal is one of a set of defined command signals forming a command language interpretable by said external interface.

14. A modem for connecting a computer device to facilitate data transmission over one of at least two types of public communications networks which can be selectively accessed through associated communications network access devices connectable to the modem, comprising:

control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the communications network access device, for selectively generation a generic command signal in digital form identifying a desired network access function of communications network access devices and for selectively transmitting said digital command signal to an interface external to the modem for controlling the connected communications network access device only when said connected communications network access device is of a type responding to digital control inputs;

wherein the control means operates to generate said digital control signals in a first operational mode for connecting to a first public communications network type and functions in a second operational mode to generate analog control signals during connection to a second public communications network type; and

modulation means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the communications network when the network has been accessed.

15. A method for interfacing a computing device to one of a plurality of connectable access devices of one of two or more types of telephone networks, including a first network responding to analog dialing signals and a second network having digital dailing signals, comprising the steps of:

(a) connecting an interface connector of the computing device to an interface connector of the access device to form first and second signal paths at the interface connector of the computing device;

(b) determining whether the network responds to analog or digital dailing signals;

(c) if the network responds to analog dialing signals, transmitting analog dialing signals and data signals on the first signal path;

(d) if the network responds to digital dialing signals, transmitting digital dialing signals on the second signal path wherein the digital dialing signals transmitted in step (d) are signals representing commands in a standardized command language.

16. A process for establishing a data transmission communications link using a data transmission device which is connected through a connector to either a landline telephone line interface or to an accessing device interface associated with an accessing device for an alternate public communications network operating in response to a generic command language, comprising the steps of:

a. dtermining, based on evaluation of signals at the connector, whether the device connected to the connector is the alternate network accessing device or the landline telephone line interface; and

b. if a landline telephone line interface is connected, (i) generating landline hook and dialing signals and (ii) transmitting these signals through the connector to initiate a call; and

c. if the alternate network accessing device is connected, (i) generating at least one digital command language signal representative of a desired communications link initiation function according to the predefined generic command language responded to by the accessing device interface, (ii) transmitting said digital command language signal through the connector to the accessing device interface and (iii) translating the generic command language signal to device-specific signals to cause the accessing device to perform the link initiation function defined by the generic command language signal.

17. A system for connecting a computer device for data transmission over a telephone network which can be accessed through a telephone network access device responsive to device-specific command signals to perform a network accessing function, comprising:

a. control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the telephone network and for generating a generic command signal representative of a desired telephone network access device network accessing function and transmitting the generic command signal over a command signal bus;

b. modem means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing the computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the telephone network; and

c. interface means selectively connectable between the modem means and control means and the telephone network access device for generating and transmitting device-specific command signals compatible with at least the particular telephone network access device in use and adapted to control said network accessing function of the telephone network access device in response to generic command signals received from the control means through said command signal bus, and including a bus separate from said command signal bus for transmitting data between the modem means and the telephone network;

wherein the interface means provides signals acknowledging receipt of commands from the control means.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the control means retransmits commands that are not acknowledged by the interface means within a defined time period.

19. A system for connecting a computer device for data transmission over a telephone network which can be accessed through a telephone network access device responsive to device-specific command signals to perform a network accessing function, comprising:

a. control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the telephone network and for genrating a generic command signal representative of a desired telephone network access device network accessing function and transmitting the generic command signal over a command signal bus;

b. modem means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing the computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the telephone network; and

c. interface means selectively connectable between the modem means and control means and the telephone network access device for generating and transmitting device-specific command signals compatible with at least the particular telephone network access device in use and adapted to control said network accessing function of the telephone network access device in response to generic command signals received from the control means through said command signal bus, and including a bus separate from said command signal bus for transmitting data between the modem means and the telephone network, wherein the interface means further includes connection sensing means for sensing connection of the interface means to the modem means or the control means.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the interface means, upon the sensing by the connection sensing means of the connection of the interface means to the control means, transmits a wakeup sequence signal to the control means to establish initial communications with the control means.

21. A system for connecting a computer device for data transmission over a telephone network which can be accessed through a telephone network access device responsive to device-specific command signal to perform a network accessing function, comprising:

a. control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the telephone network and for generating a generic command signal representative of a desired telephone network access device network accessing function and transmitting the generic command signal over a command signal bus;

b. modem means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing the computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the telephone network; and

c. interface means selectively connectable between the modem means and control means and the telephone network access device for generating and transmitting device-specific command signals compatible with at least the particular telephone network access device in use and adapted to control said network accessing function of the telephone network access device in response to generic command signals received from the control means through said command signal bus, and including a bus separate from said command signal bus for transmitting data between the modem means and the telephone network;

wherein the control means further includes cable connection sensing means for sensing connection of the interface means to the modem means or the control means.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the control means, upon the sensing by the cable connecting sensing means of the connection of the interface means to the control means, transmits a wakeup sequence signal to the interface means to establish initial communications with the interface device.

23. An interface for connecting a cellular data modem for transmission of computer data to a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device including a cellular bus, comprising:

a. analog interface means connectable between the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for transmitting signals representing computer data between the data modem and the cellular bus;

b. processing means connectable to the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for receiving generic command signals from the cellular data modem, processing the generic command signals to generate device-specific cellular telephone control signals adapted to control operation of the specific cellular telephone device attached to the interface device, and transmitting the device-specific cellular telephone control signals to the cellular bus; and

c. connection signal generating means for producing a connection signal which can be received by the data modem when the interface device is connected to the data modem.

24. The interface device of claim 23 which changes its state from a first operating mode to a second operating mode upon receipt of a preassigned wakeup sequence signal from the data modem subsequent to connection of the interface device to the data modem.

25. An interface circuit for connecting a computing device to any one of a plurality of access devices for one of a plurality of telephone networks, including a first network responding to analog dialing signals and a second network having digital dialing signals, comprising:

a connecting device containing connections for first and second information busses for connecting a computing device to one of said access devices and which permits selective physical separation of, and disabling of signal transmission between, the computing device and the access device;

control means for selectively causing transmission of dialing signals and data signals over the first information bus between the computing device and the access device, at least when the telephone network is a network responding to analog dialing signals, and for selective causing transmission over said second information bus, when the connected telephone network is a network operating with digital dialing signals, of digital control signals in a standardized command language adapted to cause dialing by the connected access device on said digital dialing network;

wherein the connecting device is a standard modular telephone connector having a plurality of pins.

26. The interface circuit of claim 25 wherein the first information bus includes the pins of the connector normally used to transmit landline telephone signals in a single-line landline connection.

27. The interface circuit of claim 25 wherein the second information bus includes additional pins of the connector different from the pins used in the first information bus.

28. A system for connecting a computer device for data transmission over a telephone network which can be accessed through a telephone network access device responsive to device-specific command signals to perform a network accessing function, comprising:

a. control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the telephone network and for generating a generic command signal representative of a desired telephone network access device network accessing function and transmitting the generic command signal over a command signal bus;

b. modem means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing the computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the telephone network; and

c. interface means selectively connectable between the modem means and control means and the telephone network access device for generating and transmitting device-specific command signals compatible with at least the particular telephone network access device in use and adapted to control said network accessing function of the telephone network access device in response to generic command signals received from the control means through said command signal bus, and including a bus separate from said command signal bus for transmitting data between the modem means and the telephone network;

wherein the system comprises at least two unitary component devices, a first device incorporating the modem means and the control means and a second device incorporating the interface means, and wherein the first device is provided with a standard landline telephone connector which may be selectively connected to a landline telephone jack for operation of the system with a landline telephone system or to a compatible connector of the second device for operation of the system with a cellular telephone system.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the standard landline telephone connector is an RJ-11 connector.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein the modem means may be operated using a first data communications protocol when used with a cellular telephone network and may be operated using a second data communications protocol when used with a landline telephone network.

31. An interface for connecting a cellular data modem for transmission of computer data to a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device including a cellular bus, comprising:

a. analog interface means connectable between the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for transmitting signals representing computer data between the data modem and the cellular bus;

b. processing means connectable to the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for receiving generic command signals from the cellular data modem, processing the generic command signals to generate device-specific cellular telephone control signals adapted to control operation of the specific cellular telephone device attached to the interface device, and transmitting the device-specific cellular telephone control signals to the cellular bus;

c. condition sensing means for receiving condition information from the cellular telephone device.

32. The device of claim 31 wherein the processing means may be selectively operated to transmit condition signals to the cellular data modem reflective of the cellular telephone device condition sensed by the condition sensing means.

33. The interface device of claim 32 wherein the generic command signals processed by the processing means include signals requesting cellular telephone device condition information.

34. The device of claim 32 wherein the processing means transmits an alert sequence signal to the cellular data modem in response to signals from the cellular telephone device indicative of an incoming call.

35. The device of claim 34 wherein the alert sequence signal is transmitted on a serial digital data line separate from the lines carrying the signals representing computer data.

36. An interface for connecting a cellular data modem for transmission of computer data to a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device including a cellular bus, comprising:

a. analog interface means connectable between the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for transmitting signals representing computer data between the data modem and the cellular bus;

b. processing means connectable to the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for receiving generic command signals from the cellular data modem, processing the generic command signals to generate device-specific cellular telephone control signals adapted to control operation of the specific cellular telephone device attached to the interface device, and transmitting the device-specific cellular telephone control signals to the cellular bus;

wherein the connections of the interface device to the modem are made through a single connector including lines for carrying analog signals representing computer data and lines for carrying the separate generic command signals.

37. The interface device of claim 36 wherein the connector is a standard landline telephone connector.

38. The interface device of claim 37 wherein the analog signals are carried on the pins of the connector normally designated to carry landline analog telephone signals when the connector is used in a landline telephone system.

39. The interface device of claim 37 wherein the connector is a six-pin RJ-11 telephone connector and the analog signals are carried on pins three and four of the connector.

40. An interface for connecting a cellular data modem for transmission of computer data to a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device including a cellular bus, comprising:

a. analog interface means connectable between the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for transmitting signals representing computer data between the data modem and the cellular bus;

b. processing means connectable to the cellular data modem and the cellular bus for receiving generic command signals from the cellular data modem, processing the generic command signals to generate device-specific cellular telephone control signals adapted to control operation of the specific cellular telephone device attached to the interface device, and transmitting the device-specific cellular telephone control signals to the cellular bus; and

c. connection sensing means for sensing connection of the interface device to the modem.

41. The interface device of claim 40 wherein the interface device, upon the sensing by the connection sensing means of the connection of the interface device to the data modem, transmits a wakeup sequence signal to the modem to establish initial communications with the modem.

42. The interface device of claim 40 adapted for use with a data modem that produces a connection signal on a communications line which is connected between the interface device and the data modem whenever the interface device is connected to the data modem, wherein the connection sensing means senses the connection signal and produces a signal when the interface device and the data modem have been connected.

43. A data modem which may be selectively used with either a landline telephone device or a cellular telephone device, comprising:

a. modulation-demodulation means for encoding and decoding computer data to be transmitted between the computer device and a connected landline or cellular telephone device;

b. analog data transmission lines connected to the modulation-demodulation means for carrying computer data between the modulation-demodulation means and the connected telephone device;

c. cellular command signal generating means for generating generic command signals for a cellular telephone system according to a specified protocol;

d. command transmission lines connected to the cellular command signal generating means for carrying generic command signals between the cellular command signal generating means and a command interpreting device connected to the command transmission lines,

wherein the modem is connected either to the command interpreting device or to a landline telephone device through a common terminal connector means connected to the command transmission lines and the analog data transmission lines, said connector means selectively permitting physical and signal transmission separation of the modem from said command interpreting device or said landline telephone device.

44. The modem of claim 43 wherein the terminal connector means is a standard landline telephone connector.

45. The modem of claim 44 wherein the analog data transmission lines are connected to the pins of the landline telephone connector normally designated to carry landline analog telephone signals.

46. The modem of claim 44 wherein the terminal connector means is a six-pin RJ-11 telephone connector and the analog data transmission lines are connected to pins three and four of the connector.

47. A data modem for installation in a portable computer which may be selectively used with either a landline telephone device or a cellular telephone device, comprising:

a. modulation-demodulation means for encoding and decoding computer data to be transmitted between the computer device and a connected landline or cellular telephone device;

b. cellular command signal generating means for generating command signals for a cellular telephone system according to a specified protocol;

c. connector means connected to the command signal generating means and the modulation-demodulation means for providing computer data signals and operational command signals to an interface cable connecting the modem to either a cellular or landline telephone device, said connector means permitting selective physical and signal transmission separation of the data modem from said interface cable, wherein the connector means is a single standard landline telephone connector.

48. The data modem of claim 47 wherein the modulation-demodulation means is connected to the pins of the landline telephone connector normally designated to carry landline analog telephone signals when the landline telephone connector is used in a single-line landline telephone system.

49. The data modem of claim 47 wherein the connector means is a single six-pin RJ-11 telephone connector and the modulation-demodulation means is connected to pins three and four of the connector.

50. A system for connecting a computer device for data transmission over a telephone network which can be accessed through a telephone network access device responsive to telephone network access device-specific command signals to perform a network accessing function, comprising:

modem means for receiving data and control signals from the computer device and controlling in response a connection to a telephone network for transmission of data between the computer device and the telephone network, said modem means comprising control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the telephone network and for selectively generating a generic command signal in digital from representative of a desired network accessing function of telephone network access devices, and further comprising modulation means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the telephone network, and further comprising connector means for selectively connecting and disconnecting external devices to said modem means for the transmission of said generic command signals and said computer data signals, said connector means permitting selective physical and signal transmission separation of the modulation means from said external devices; and

interface means connected with the telephone network access device and selectively connectable to the connector means of the modem means for receiving the generic command signals of the modem means and translating said signals into device-specific digital command signals compatible with at least the particular telephone network access device in use and adapted to initiate said network accessing function of the telephone network access device, and for receiving and transmitting the computer data signals between the modem means and the telephone network access device.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein the generic command signal is one of a set of defined command signals forming a command language, and wherein the interface means performs its translation function by interpreting the signals of the command language and generating in response thereto the device-specific digital command signals appropriate to the telephone network access device.

52. The system of claim 50 wherein the connector means comprise a standardized connector provided with first connecting means for the computer data signals and second, separate connecting means for the generic command signals.

53. The system of claim 52 wherein the standardized connector is a standard telephone connector, and wherein the first connecting means carrying computer data signals are pins used for carrying analog telephone signals when the standard telephone connector is used in a landline telephone network.

54. The system of claim 53 wherein the connector is an RJ-11 connector having up to six pins and the first connecting means comprises pins 3 and 4.

55. A modem for connecting a computer device to facilitate data transmission over one of at least two types of public communications networks which can be selectively accessed through associated communications network access devices connectable to the modem, comprising:

modulation means connectable to the computer device for processing computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the communications network when a connection of the modem to a device on the communications network has been established;

unitary connector means adapted to permit selective connection of the modem to a communications network access device, for providing connections for at least two information busses between the modem and an interface of the communications network access device, with a first of said information busses connected to and used by the modulation means for transmission of the computer data signals, with said unitary connector means also permitting disconnection of the modem from the interface enabling physical and signal connection separation of the modem from the interface;

control means connected to the modulation means and connectable to the computer device for generating and transmitting through the connector means control signals specifying desired call establishment and termination functions of the connected communications network access device and having plural modes of operation, including a first operational mode in which said control signals are transmitted over the same first information bus as the computer data signals and a second operational mode in which the control signals are transmitted on the second of the two information busses of said connector means.

56. The modem of claim 55, wherein the second operational mode of the control means the digital control signals include signals which are elements of a defined set of command signals forming a command language.

57. The modem of claim 55 wherein the connector means is a standard landline telephone connector.

58. The modem of claim 57 wherein the first transmission path includes the pins of the connector normally designated to carry landline analog telephone signals when the connector is used in a landline telephone system.

59. The modem of claim 58 wherein the connector is an RJ-11 telephone connector path includes the third and fourth pins.

60. A modem for connecting a computer device to facilitate data transmission over one of at least two types of public communications networks which can be selectively accessed through associated communications network access devices connectable to the modem, comprising:

a standardized connector for selectively making a connection to any one of said communications network access devices and permitting selective physical and signal transmission separation of the modem from said communications network access device;

control means for generating and transmitting through the connector control signals specifying desired call establishment functions of a connected communications network access device and having plural modes of operation, including a first operational mode in which said control signals are analog signals and a second operational mode in which said control signals are in digital form;

modulation means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing the computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the communications network when a connection of the modem to a device on the communications network has been established.

61. The modem of claim 60, wherein the second operational mode of the control means the digital control signals include signals which are elements of a defined set of command signals forming a command language.

62. The modem of claim 60 wherein the control means operates in its first mode when the modem is connected to a communications network access device associated with a first type of network and operates in its second mode when the modem is connected to a communications network access device associated with a second type of network and responsive to digital command signals to perform call placement functions.

63. The modem of claim 62 wherein the first type of network is a landline network and the second type of network is a cellular telephone network.

64. The modem of claim 62 wherein connections in the first type of network are made using analog control signals generated by the associated telephone network access device and wherein connections in the second type of network are made in response to digital control signals generated by the associated telephone network access device.

65. The modem of claim 62 wherein the standardized connector comprises two sets of connection means selectively connectable to an interface of one of the communications network access devices, a first set of connection means for transmitting computer data signals and control signals and a second set of connection means separate from the first for selectively transmitting control signals.

66. The modem of claim 65 wherein in the first operational mode of the control means both the control signals and the computer data signals are transmitted through the first set of connection means, while in the second operational mode of the control means the computer data signals are transmitted through the first set of connection means and the control signals are transmitted through the second connection means.

67. The modem of claim 66 wherein the first and second sets of connection means are contained in a standard landline telephone connector.

68. The modem of claim 67 wherein the first connection means are the pins of the connector normally designated to carry landline analog telephone signals when the connector is used in a landline telephone system.

69. The modem of claim 68 wherein the connector is an RJ-11 telephone connector having up to six pins and the first connection means comprises the third and fourth pins.

70. A data modem adapted for use with a computer device and a cellular telephone device, said cellular telephone device having a cellular bus, comprising:

a. modulation-demodulation means for encoding and decoding data to be transmitted in a first of two separate information busses between the computer device and the cellular telephone device;

b. command signal generating means for generating generic command signals representing a desired cellular telephone device network connection function, the generic command signals being generated independently of the characteristics of the cellular bus of the cellular telephone device to which the modem is connected and transmitted over the second said information bus.

71. The data modem of claim 70 wherein the generic command signals include signals adapted to induce generation on the cellular bus or keypress signals indicative of the pressing of a key on a keyboard of the cellular telephone device.

72. The data modem of claim 70 wherein the data modem is further adapted for selective use with a landline telephone access device.

73. The data modem of claim 72 wherein the modem means may be operated using a first data communications protocol when used with a cellular telephone device and a second data communications protocol when used with a landline telephone access device.

74. The data modem of claim 70 wherein the data modem includes command signal receiving means for receiving generic command signals from a device associated with the cellular bus, and wherein the command signals include signals requesting cellular telephone device status information.

75. The data moden of claim 74 wherein the modem generates signals acknowledging receipt of cellular telephone device status information.

76. The data modem of claim 70 further including connection signal generating means for inducing a signal in an external device associated with the cellular telephone device upon connection of the external device to the data modem.

77. The data modem of claim 76 wherein the modem responds to signals generated by the external device upon connection of the external device to the data modem to complete a wakeup sequence.

78. The data modem of claim 70 further including connection signal sensing means for indicating that an external device associated with the cellular telephone device has been connected to the modem when a signal induced by the external device is sensed by the connection signal sensing means.

79. The data modem of claim 78 wherein the modem transmits wakeup sequence signals to the external device folowing connection of the external device to the modem.

80. The data modem of claim 70 wherein the modem further includes command signal receiving means for receiving generic command signals from a device associated with the cellular bus, in which the command signal receiving means is adapted to receive an acknowledgment signal following transmission by the modem of a generic command signal to the device associated with the cellular bus.

81. The data modem of claim 80 wherein the modem operates to retransmit generic command signals if an acknowledgement signal is not received by the command signal receiving means after transmission of the generic command signal.

82. A system for connecting a computer device for data transmission over a telephone network which can be accessed through a telephone network access device responsive to device-specific command signals to perform a network accessing function, comprising:

a. control means for controlling the transmission of computer data between the computer device and the telephone network and for generating a generic command signal representative of a desired telephone network access device network accessing function and transmitting the generic command signal over a command signal bus;

b. modem means connectable to the computer device and connected to the control means for processing the computer data signals transmitted between the computer device and the telephone network; and

c. interface means selectively connectable between the modem means and control means and the telephone network access device for generating and transmitting device-specific command signals compatible with at least the particular telephone network access device in use and adapted to control said network accessing function of the telephone network access device in response to generic command signals received from the control means through said command signal bus, and including a bus separate from said command signal bus for transmitting data between the modem means and the telephone network;

wherein the telephone network access device is a cellular telephone.

83. The system of claim 82 wherein the system comprises at least two unitary component devices, a first device incorporationg the modem means and the control means a second device incorporating the interface means.

84. The system of claim 82 wherein the generic command signals include signals requesting that the interface means generate device-specific command signals emulting a keypress occurrance on a keypad of the cellular telephone.

85. The system of claim 82 wherein the cellular telephone includes a cellular transceiver and a cellular control unit and the interface means is connected individually to both the cellular transceiver and the cellular control unit.

86. The system of claim 85 wherein the connections of the interface means to the cellular transceiver and the cellular control unit replace a cellular bus cable which normally connects the transceiver to the control unit, so as to convey cellular bus signals normally carried by the said cellular bus cable.

87. The system of claim 82 wherein the interface means further includes condition sensing means for receiving device condition information from the cellular telephone and wherein the interface means includes response means for selectively providing signals based on the said device condition information to the control means.

88. The system of claim 87 wherein the control means provides signals acknowledging receipt of device condition information from the interface means.

89. The system of claim 82 wherein the generic command signals generated by the control means are transmitted to the interface means using digital tansmission means.

90. The system of claim 89 wherein the data transmitted between the modem means and the telephone network is carried on transmission lines separate from the digital transmission means carrying generic commands signals between the control means and the interface means.

91. The system of claim 89 wherein the digital transmission means is at least one serial digital data line.