Dual mode modem for automatically selecting between wireless and wire-based communication modes
First Claim
1. A dual mode modem for automatically selecting between wireless and wire-based communication modes, the modem comprising:
- mode selection circuitry coupled to modem processing circuitry;
a wired interface selectively coupled to a wire-based communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry; and
a wireless interface selectively coupled to a wireless communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry,wherein the mode selection circuitry routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wired interface when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network, and routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wireless interface when the wired interface is not coupled to the wire-based communications network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual modem automatically switches between a wireless and wire-based communication modes using mode selection circuitry that detects when a wire-based communications network, such as a standard land-line telephone network, is coupled to the modem. When the modem selection circuitry detects the presence of the wire-based communications network, it couples modem processing circuitry to a wire-based interface. When the modem selection circuitry fails to detect the presence of the wire-based communications network, it couples the modem processing circuitry to a wireless interface and the wireless interface is also powered for coupling to a wireless communications network, such as a cellular phone network. The wireless interface is not powered when the modem is coupled to the wire-based communications network.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A dual mode modem for automatically selecting between wireless and wire-based communication modes, the modem comprising:
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mode selection circuitry coupled to modem processing circuitry; a wired interface selectively coupled to a wire-based communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry; and a wireless interface selectively coupled to a wireless communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry, wherein the mode selection circuitry routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wired interface when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network, and routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wireless interface when the wired interface is not coupled to the wire-based communications network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12)
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11. A method of automatically selectively coupling modem processing circuitry in a modem to wireless and wire-based communications networks comprising the steps of:
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detecting if a wired interface in the modem is coupled to the wire-based communications network; coupling the modem processing circuitry to the wired interface upon detecting the wire-based communications network; and coupling the modem processing circuitry to a wireless interface for further coupling to the wireless communications network upon failing to detect the wire-based communications network.
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13. A communications system comprising:
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a computer having a communications port; a modem coupled to the communications port for transferring data from the computer to wireless and wire-based communications networks, the modem comprising; mode selection circuitry coupled to modem processing circuitry; a wired interface selectively coupled to a wire-based communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry; and a wireless interface selectively coupled to a wireless communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry, wherein the mode selection circuitry routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wired interface when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network, and routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wireless interface when the wired interface is not coupled to the wire-based communications network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification