Selective reconfiguration method and apparatus in a multiple application personal communications device

• US 5,568,536 A
• Filed: 07/25/1994
• Issued: 10/22/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Corkell, Anthony F., Padgett, Russell S., Cox, Roger L., Hsieh, Daniel M., Wulf, James C., Stout, Jean L., Au, Connie Y., Ferrier, Robert B., Murakami, Thomas T., Lewis, James R., Osborn, Neal A., Allard, David J., Canova, Francis J. Jr., Rivero, Jose L., DeBauche, Bradley J., Villafana, William, Yee, Raymond L., Goodwin, Julie F., Johnson, Debra A. G., Lanier, Charles S., Tiller, Byron K., Whitley, Wayne P., Beatty, Brent A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cumming, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chernoff, Michael B.
• Application Number:
  US08/279,644
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/59, 379/61, 379/63, 379/62, 379/93, 379/100, 455/54.1, 395/800, 395/700
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/24 Arrangements for testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

An option attach connector has a first indicator bit combination that alerts the device that a public switched telephone network connection has been made to it. The presence of the first indicator bit combination is a signal to the device that telephone, FAX, and E-MAIL communications applications are to be conducted over a PSTN link. The presence of the first indicator bit combination invokes a stored computer program to provide appropriate connections between the PSTN link and the telephone, FAX, and modem hardware in the device. The connections are made by an audio multiplexer that receives control signals from the system CPU, while executing the stored computer program. The program determines the communications application selected by the user and selectively configures the PSTN link to be connected to the either the ear piece and microphone for voice communications, or to the FAX/modem for FAX communications, or to the modem alone for E-MAIL communications. The absence of the option attach connector invokes a default indicator bit combination that alerts the device that a cellular telephone network connection is desired by the user. The presence of the default indicator bit combination is a signal to the device that telephone, FAX, and E-mail communications applications are to be conducted over a cellular network.

Claims

1. A system for providing selective reconfiguration in a multiple application personal communications device, comprising:

a data storage in the device, for storing program instructions;

a bus means in the device, coupled to said data storage;

a data processor in the device, coupled to said data storage over said bus means, for executing said stored program instructions;

a multiplexer means coupled to the data processor, for selectively interconnecting signal lines connected thereto, in response to control signals from the data processor;

a voice transducer means coupled to said multiplexer means;

a program means stored in the data storage, having a first portion for managing communications using a public switched telephone network;

said program means having a second portion, for managing communications using a mobile radio telephone network;

a decoding means coupled to the data processor and to the data storage, for selectively causing either said first portion or said second portion of said program means to be executed by the data processor;

an option connector receptacle coupled to said decoding means;

a first option attach connector having a terminal coupled to said public switched telephone network, for selective connection to said option connector receptacle;

said terminal of said first option attach connector being coupled to said multiplexer means;

a first connector identification means included with said first option attach connector, for identifying said first option attach connector to said decoding means when said first connector is connected to said receptacle, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing the execution of said first portion of said program means;

said first connector identification means included with said first option attach connector, identifying said first option attach connector to said decoding means when said first connector is connected to said receptacle, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing said data processor to signal said multiplexer to couple said public switched telephone network to said voice transducer means;

said decoding means causing said second portion of said program means to be executed when said first connector is not connected to said receptacle.

2. The system for providing selective reconfiguration in a multiple application personal communications device of claim 1, which further comprises:

an input means coupled to the data processor, for receiving a FAX application selection;

a FAX/modem means coupled to said multiplexer means;

said first connector identification means included with said first option attach connector, identifying said first option attach connector to said decoding means when said first connector is connected to said receptacle, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing said data processor to signal said multiplexer to couple said public switched telephone network to said FAX/modem means.

3. The system for providing selective reconfiguration in a multiple application personal communications device of claim 1, which further comprises:

an input means coupled to the data processor, for receiving an E-MAIL application selection;

a modem means coupled to said multiplexer means;

said first connector identification means included with said first option attach connector, identifying said first option attach connector to said decoding means when said first connector is connected to said receptacle, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing said data processor to signal said multiplexer to couple said public switched telephone network to said modem means.

4. The system for providing selective reconfiguration in a multiple application personal communications device of claim 1, which further comprises:

a voice transducer means coupled to said multiplexer means;

a mobile radio telephone means coupled to said multiplexer means;

said decoding means not identifying said first option attach connector, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing said data processor to signal said multiplexer to couple said mobile radio telephone means to said voice transducer means.

5. The system for providing selective reconfiguration in a multiple application personal communications device of claim 1, which further comprises:

an input means coupled to the data processor, for receiving a FAX application selection;

a FAX/modem means coupled to said multiplexer means;

a mobile radio telephone means coupled to said multiplexer means;

said decoding means not identifying said first option attach connector, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing said data processor to signal said multiplexer to couple said mobile radio telephone means to said FAX/modem means.

6. The system for providing selective reconfiguration in a multiple application personal communications device of claim 1, which further comprises:

an input means coupled to the data processor, for receiving an E-MAIL application selection;

a modem means coupled to said multiplexer means;

a mobile radio telephone means coupled to said multiplexer means;

said decoding means not identifying said first option attach connector, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing said data processor to signal said multiplexer to couple said mobile radio telephone means to said modem means.

7. A system for providing selective reconfiguration in a multiple application personal communications device that includes a data storage and a data processor, comprising:

a multiplexer means coupled to the data processor, for selectively interconnecting signal lines connected thereto, in response to control signals from the data processor;

an audio transducer means coupled to said multiplexer means;

a program means stored in the data storage, for managing communications using either a public switched telephone network or alternately using a mobile radio telephone network;

a decoding means coupled to the data processor and to the data storage, for selectively causing said program means to be executed by the data processor;

a first option attach connector having a terminal coupled to said public switched telephone network and coupled to said multiplexer means, for selective connection to said decoding means,

a first connector identification means included with said first option attach connector, for identifying said first option attach connector to said decoding means, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing the execution of said program means;

said first connector identification means identifying said first option attach connector to said decoding means, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing said data processor to signal said multiplexer to couple said public switched telephone network to said audio transducer means.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said audio transducer means is a voice transducer.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said audio transducer means is a FAX/modem.