Telecommunication system for automatic switching between voice and data communications
First Claim
1. A telecommunication system for providing voice and data communications between at least two stations over a telephone line that can be dynamically switched between a voice mode and any of a plurality of data modes, each of said stations comprising:
- a telephone for voice communications;
switching means for selectively connecting said telephone to said telephone line in said voice mode and disconnecting said telephone from said telephone line in said data modes;
a modem for selectively providing data communications over said telephone line in any of a plurality of data modes;
means for transmitting a start signal over said telephone line to request that remote stations switch to one of said data modes prior to transmission of data by said modem, said start signal including a mode signal indicating one of said data modes;
means for detecting a start signal, including said mode signal, transmitted over said telephone line by a remote station; and
a controller for monitoring said start signal detector and controlling said switching means and said modem to automatically switch from voice mode to a selected data mode when data is being received or transmitted.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A telecommunication system provides voice and data communications over a conventional telephone line that can be dynamically switched from voice mode to any of a plurality of data modes (e.g., fax, modem, or VoiceView protocols) during a single conversation. Each station includes a telephone for voice communications and switching means for selectively connecting the telephone to the telephone line in voice mode and disconnecting the telephone while operating in one of the data modes. A modem provides data communications over the telephone line in any of a plurality of data modes. Voice is the default mode of operation. Prior to switching into a data mode, the originating station first transmits a start signal over the telephone line that includes a mode signal indicating one of the data modes. If a station detects a start signal transmitted by a remote station, a controller directs the switching means and modem to automatically switch from voice mode to the selected data mode in preparation for receiving data from the originating station. The stations also can also query one another to exchange information on their respective capabilities.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A telecommunication system for providing voice and data communications between at least two stations over a telephone line that can be dynamically switched between a voice mode and any of a plurality of data modes, each of said stations comprising:
-
a telephone for voice communications; switching means for selectively connecting said telephone to said telephone line in said voice mode and disconnecting said telephone from said telephone line in said data modes; a modem for selectively providing data communications over said telephone line in any of a plurality of data modes; means for transmitting a start signal over said telephone line to request that remote stations switch to one of said data modes prior to transmission of data by said modem, said start signal including a mode signal indicating one of said data modes; means for detecting a start signal, including said mode signal, transmitted over said telephone line by a remote station; and a controller for monitoring said start signal detector and controlling said switching means and said modem to automatically switch from voice mode to a selected data mode when data is being received or transmitted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A telecommunication system for providing voice and data communications between at least two stations over a telephone line that can be dynamically switched between a voice mode and any of a plurality of data modes, each of said stations comprising:
-
a telephone for voice communications; a modem for selectively providing data communications over said telephone line in any of a plurality of data modes, said modem having a receive port coupled to said telephone line and a transmit port; switching means for selectively connecting said telephone to said telephone line in said voice mode and disconnecting said telephone from said telephone line in said data modes, and for selectively connecting said transmit port of said modem to said telephone line in said data modes and disconnecting said transmit port of said modem from said telephone line in said voice mode; means for transmitting a start signal over said telephone line to request that remote stations switch to one of said data modes prior to transmission of data by said modem, said start signal including; (a) at least one start tone having preselected frequencies; and (b) a mode signal indicating one of said data modes; means for detecting a start signal, including said start tone and said mode signal, transmitted over said telephone line by a remote station; and a controller for monitoring said start signal detector and controlling said switching means and said modem to automatically switch from voice mode to a selected data mode when data is being received or transmitted; a processor for providing data to be transmitted by said modem to remote stations and for receiving data from remote stations via said modem; and a display for displaying data from said processor. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A telecommunication system for providing voice and data communications between at least two stations over a telephone line that can be dynamically switched between a voice mode and any of a plurality of data modes, each of said stations comprising:
-
data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE) having; (a) a telephone for voice communications; (b) a modem for selectively providing data communications over said telephone line in any of a plurality of data modes, said modem having a receive port coupled to said telephone line and a transmit port; (c) switching means for selectively connecting said telephone to said telephone line in said voice mode and disconnecting said telephone from said telephone line in said data modes, and for selectively connecting said transmit port of said modem to said telephone line in said data modes and disconnecting said transmit port of said modem from said telephone line in said voice mode; (d) means for transmitting a start signal over said telephone line to request that remote stations switch to one of said data modes prior to transmission of data by said modem, said start signal including; (1) at least one start tone having preselected frequencies; and (2) a mode signal indicating one of said data modes; (e) means for detecting a start signal, including said start tone and said mode signal, transmitted over said telephone line by a remote station; and (f) a DCE controller for monitoring said start signal detector means and controlling said switching means and said modem to automatically switch from voice mode to a selected data mode when data is being received or transmitted; and data terminal equipment (DTE) controlling operation of said DCE having; (a) a processor for and controlling said DCE controller, for providing data to be transmitted by said modem to remote stations and for receiving data from remote stations via said modem; and (b) a display for displaying data from said processor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification