Multi-line modem interface

• US 6,259,775 B1
• Filed: 09/05/1997
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laszlo Istvan Morocz, Mark D. Niemiec, Martin A. Alpert
• Original Assignee: Laszlo Istvan Morocz, Mark D. Niemiec, Martin A. Alpert
• Inventors: Alpert, Martin A., Morocz, Laszlo Istvan, Niemiec, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US08/926,289
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.05, 379/93.07, 379/93.09, 379/93.11, 379/93.28, 379/92.01, 379/100.05, 379/100.12
• US Class Current: 379/93.05
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors

Abstract

A multi-line modem interface circuit includes a processor and a sensing circuit coupled to the processor. The sensing circuit is operable to identify a status of one or more external lines and communicate the status to the processor. A control circuit is coupled to the processor, and the processor is operable to automatically configure a line connection configuration for either incoming or outgoing voice or data communications in accordance with programmed, user-defined preferences associated with the processor. The interface circuit is operable to automatically monitor a line to determine if it'"'"'s ringing, determine whether it'"'"'s allowed and couple the line to the modem for potential answer. The interface circuit line monitoring is non-invasive and keeps the modem from interfering with calls in progress. A method of interfacing multiple external phone lines with one or more internal lines and a modem for incoming or outgoing voice or data transmissions includes the step of monitoring a modem to determine whether the modem is attempting to initiate a transmission via an external line. In addition, the method includes determining whether the external lines are available or allowed for the outgoing transmission and coupling an external line to the modem in response to the determination.

Claims

1. A multi-line modem interface circuit for selectively providing access to any of a plurality of telephone lines, the interface circuit comprising:

a plurality of first inputs each for connecting the interface circuit to a corresponding one of the plurality of telephone lines;

a second input for connecting the interface circuit to a telephone line connection of a telecommunications device, wherein the number of telephone lines is greater than or equal to the number of telecommunication devices;

a processor for receiving a request for telephone line access from the telecommunications device;

a sensing circuit including line status monitors, operatively coupled to the processor, for monitoring a status of the plurality of telephone lines; and

a control circuit, operatively coupled to the processor, for selectively coupling the telephone line connection of the telecommunications device to a selected one of the plurality of telephone lines in response to an output signal from the processor,

wherein the processor receives the request for telephone line access from the telecommunications device and generates an output signal to the control circuit to couple the telecommunications device to the selected telephone line in response to the request and the status of the plurality of telephone lines,

wherein the sensing circuit has a variable sensitivity, and wherein when the modem is off-hook the sensing circuit has a low sensitivity and otherwise has a normal sensitivity.

2. A method of interfacing multiple external phone lines with one or more internal lines and a modem for incoming or outgoing voice or data transmissions, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a phone line access request to a processor when the modem is attempting to initiate a transmission via an external line;

determining based on one or more preferences whether the external lines are available or allowed for the outgoing transmission in response to the access request; and

coupling an external line to the modem in response to the determination,

wherein the step of determining based on preferences whether the external lines are allowed comprises consulting user-defined preferences, wherein the preferences indicate whether an available external line is an unlisted number.

3. A multi-line modem interface circuit for selectively providing access to any of a plurality of telephone lines, the interface circuit comprising:

a plurality of first inputs each for connecting the interface circuit to a corresponding one of the plurality of telephone lines;

a second input for connecting the interface circuit to a telephone line connection of a telecommunications device, wherein the number of telephone lines is greater than or equal to the number of telecommunication devices;

a processor for receiving a request for telephone line access from the telecommunications device;

a sensing circuit including line status monitors, operatively coupled to the processor, for monitoring a status of the plurality of telephone lines; and

a control circuit, operatively coupled to the processor, for selectively coupling the telephone line connection of the telecommunications device to a selected one of the plurality of telephone lines in response to an output signal from the processor,

wherein the processor receives the request for telephone line access from the telecommunications device and generates an output signal to the control circuit to couple the telecommunications device to the selected telephone line in response to the request and the status of the plurality of telephone lines,

wherein the processor is programmable to determine based on preferences whether an available external line is an unlisted number.