Computer system with mode switching function and method of controlling the same
First Claim
1. A computer system with a mode switching function, comprising:
- a main computer unit having a system bus, a storage device connected to said system bus for storing programs and data, and a central processing unit connected to said system bus for executing computer computation function and executing a plurality of service application programs of supporting a variety of communication services;
a modem connected between said main computer unit and a remote communication terminal over a communication line, for permitting the exchange of data there between;
an automatic answering unit connected between said main computer unit and said modem, for providing an automatic answer service with a pre-recorded message through said modem upon receipt of a ring signal through said modem, said pre-recorded message being recorded in said automatic answering unit in accordance with a first address signal from said main computer unit and reproduced therefrom to said remote communication terminal through said modem, said automatic answering unit comprising;
an address generator for generating a second address signal in response to said ring signal;
a data switch for forming first, second and third data paths in response to at least two path selection signals;
an address selector for selecting one of said first and second address signal in accordance with an address selection signal from said main computer unit;
a memory for storing said pre-recorded message from said main computer unit along said first data path in accordance with said first address signal and for enabling reproduction of said pre-recorded message along said second data path in accordance with said second address signal; and
a converter for converting said pre-recorded message reproduced from said memory via said second data path and message data directly from said main computer unit via said third data path into an analog message signal through said modem; and
said main computer unit for discriminating a dual tone modulated frequency (DTMF) mode selection signal, received from said remote communication terminal according to an instruction in said pre-recorded message, to perform any one of said service application programs for supporting corresponding communication services in accordance with said DTMF mode selection signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system with a mode switching function capable of discriminating a DTMF signal serving as a mode selection signal and supporting a variety of communication services in accordance with the mode selection signal. The computer system includes a main computer unit for executing computer computation function and supporting a variety of communication services such as an automatic answering service, a facsimile communication service, a data communication service, a visual communication service and the like, a modem and an automatic answering unit. The main computer unit has a system bus, a storage device including a memory connected to the system bus for storing service application programs and data, and a central processing unit (CPU) connected to the system bus for executing computer computation function and executing the service application programs capable of supporting the variety of communication services. The modem which is an interface device coupled between the main computer unit and a telephone line for permitting the exchange of digital data with the remote communication terminal, such as a telephone, an automatic answering machine, a facsimile machine, a modem-supported computer, a visual communication machine or the like, over the telephone line by providing an interface function between each terminal and the telephone network.
13 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer system with a mode switching function, comprising:
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a main computer unit having a system bus, a storage device connected to said system bus for storing programs and data, and a central processing unit connected to said system bus for executing computer computation function and executing a plurality of service application programs of supporting a variety of communication services; a modem connected between said main computer unit and a remote communication terminal over a communication line, for permitting the exchange of data there between; an automatic answering unit connected between said main computer unit and said modem, for providing an automatic answer service with a pre-recorded message through said modem upon receipt of a ring signal through said modem, said pre-recorded message being recorded in said automatic answering unit in accordance with a first address signal from said main computer unit and reproduced therefrom to said remote communication terminal through said modem, said automatic answering unit comprising; an address generator for generating a second address signal in response to said ring signal; a data switch for forming first, second and third data paths in response to at least two path selection signals; an address selector for selecting one of said first and second address signal in accordance with an address selection signal from said main computer unit; a memory for storing said pre-recorded message from said main computer unit along said first data path in accordance with said first address signal and for enabling reproduction of said pre-recorded message along said second data path in accordance with said second address signal; and a converter for converting said pre-recorded message reproduced from said memory via said second data path and message data directly from said main computer unit via said third data path into an analog message signal through said modem; and said main computer unit for discriminating a dual tone modulated frequency (DTMF) mode selection signal, received from said remote communication terminal according to an instruction in said pre-recorded message, to perform any one of said service application programs for supporting corresponding communication services in accordance with said DTMF mode selection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer system, comprising:
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a main computer unit having a system bus, a storage device connected to said system bus for storing service application programs to support a variety of communication services with a remote communication terminal over a communication line, and a central processing unit for executing selected one of said service application programs in accordance with a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) mode selection signal; a modem connected between said main computer unit and said remote communication terminal over said communication line, for receiving a ring signal and said DTMF mode selection signal followed by said ring signal and for permitting the exchange of data therebetween; an automatic answering unit connected between said main computer unit and said modem, for providing an automatic answer service to said remote communication terminal with a pre-recorded message through said modem upon receipt of said ring signal from said remote communication terminal through said modem, said automatic answering unit comprising; an address generator for generating a second address signal in response to said ring signal; a data switch for forming first, second and third data paths in response to at least two path selection signals; an address selector for selecting one of said first and second address signal in accordance with an address selection signal from said main computer unit; a memory for storing said pre-recorded message from said main computer unit along said first data path in accordance with said first address signal and for enabling reproduction of said pre-recorded message along said second data path in accordance with said second address signal; and a converter for converting said pre-recorded message reproduced from said memory via said second data path and message data directly from said main computer unit via said third data path into an analog message signal through said modem; and said main computer unit discriminating said DTMF mode selection signal followed by said ring signal to perform any one of said service application programs for supporting corresponding communication services in accordance with said DTMF mode selection signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of supporting a variety of communication services in a computer system including a main computer unit, a modem connected to a remote communication terminal via a telephone jack, and an automatic answering unit, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining whether an initializing routine of said automatic answering unit is required in accordance with a key entry from said main computer unit; when the initializing routine of said automatic answering unit is required, performing said initializing routine to record a message in a memory of said automatic answering unit; determining whether a ring signal indicating an incoming call from a remote communication terminal is detected from said modem; when the ring signal is detected from said modem, performing a message answering routine to automatically answer said incoming call with a recorded message requesting selection of service application programs stored in said main computer unit for supporting said communication services; determining whether a mode selection signal subsequent to said ring signal indicating selection from said remote communication terminal is detected from said modem; and discriminating said mode selection signal subsequent to said ring signal to perform one of said service application programs in accordance with said mode selection signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification