DCE controlled V.8 bis negotiation

• US 6,178,199 B1
• Filed: 06/17/1997
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cirrus Logic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cirrus Logic Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bayard, Emmanuel
• Application Number:
  US08/877,583
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 375/222, 375/220, 375/257, 395/200.3, 395/200.43, 395/200.42, 395/200.47, 395/200.5, 395/200.51, 395/200.52, 395/200.78, 379/93.01, 379/93.31
• US Class Current: 375/222
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors

Abstract

An extended V.8bis command sequence enables a DTE to configure a DCE for alternative configurations and for independent V.8bis protocol negotiations. The DCE can be configured by sending it an AT command sequence as part of an initialization string. In this way, legacy applications can use the full capabilities of modems without rewriting the legacy application code.

Claims

1. A modem, comprising

a. a DCE input for receiving commands which pre-configure V.8 bis protocol negotiations by the modem and for receiving data from data terminal equipment;

b. a communications line output; and

c. a processing element configured to receive said commands from said data terminal equipment.

2. The modem of claim 1 in which said configuration commands pre-configure identification and standard message information fields in said modem in compliance with V.8 bis.

3. The modem of claim 1 in which said configuration commands include alternative configurations.

4. The modem of claim 3 in which the alternative configurations are prioritized.

5. The modem of claim 3 in which at least one of said alternative configurations includes an indication of at least one preference.

6. The modem of claim 1 in which said configuration commands from said data terminal equipment are received as part of an initialization string.

7. The modem of claim 1 in which said processing element is configured to perform V.8 bis negotiations with another modem based on said configuration commands.

8. A method of configuring communications equipment, comprising the steps of:

a. sending an initialization string from a DTE to a DCE; and

b. configuring said DCE in accordance with V.8 bis pre-configuration commands contained in said initialization string.

9. The method of claim 8 in which said commands specify alternative configurations.

10. The method of claim 9 in which the alternative configurations are prioritized.

11. The method of claim 9 in which at least one of said alternative configurations includes an indication of at least one preference.

12. A system for communications between stations, comprising;

a. a network to which a plurality of stations are connected; and

b. at least one station, connected to the network, including a DTE and a DCE arranged so that the DTE can configure the DCE so the DCE can conduct V.8 bis negotiations independently of the DTE with other stations connected to the network.

13. The system of claim 12 in which the DCE is configured to inform the DTE of what was negotiated.

14. A method of communicating between stations connected to a network, comprising the steps of:

a. pre-configuring at least one DCE to conduct V.8 bis protocol negotiations over a network using commands from a local DTE, and

b. causing said DCE to perform V.8 bis negotiations with another station over the network.

15. The method of claim 14 in which said commands specify alternative configurations.

16. The method of claim 15 in which at least one of said alternative configurations includes an indication of at least one of preference.

17. A computer program product, comprising:

a. a memory medium; and

b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for configuring data communications equipment to perform V.8 bis negotiations with a connected station based on commands received from a local data terminal equipment.

18. The computer program product of claim 17 in which the program is transmitted from the memory medium to a destination over a network interface.

19. A computer program product, comprising:

a. a memory medium; and

b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for sending an initialization string from a DTE to a DCE; and

configuring said DCE for protocol negotiations in accordance with commands contained in said initialization string.

20. The computer program product of claim 19 in which the program is transmitted from the memory medium to a destination over a network interface.

21. A computer program product, comprising:

a. a memory medium; and

b. a computer program stored on said memory medium, said computer program containing instructions for configuring at least one DCE connected to a network using commands from a DTE, and causing said DCE to perform V.8 bis negotiations with another station connected to the network based on said commands.

22. The computer program product of claim 21 in which the program is transmitted from the memory medium to a destination over a network interface.