Wireless phone-line interface

• US 6,400,957 B1
• Filed: 06/17/1999
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smart-Tel LLC
• Original Assignee: Smart-Tel LLC
• Inventors: Avery, William, Rodrigues, Sunil
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOORE, JAMES K
• Application Number:
  US09/335,307
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 455/462, 455/463, 455/464, 455/555, 455/554, 455/556, 455/557, 455/410, 455/411
• US Class Current: 455/462
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/00 Modulated-carrier systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless phone-line interface provides wireless communications between a modem and a switched telephone network. A wireless phone-line interface has a line interface transceiver coupled to a switched telephone network and a modem transceiver coupled to a modem. The modem may be coupled to computer, multimedia, or other electronic information equipment. The line interface transceiver and modem transceiver exchange wireless signals in reselected channels so that up-link and down-link frequencies transmitted and received by the line interface and modem transceivers are separate and distinct and do not interfere with one another. The cabling previously required between the modem and the switch telephone network is thereby eliminated, allowing easy relocation of the modem with its associated computer equipment to anywhere within the transmission range of the line interface and modem transceivers. The transceivers may be powered by DC-adapted 110 volt AC power. A telephone connected to the line interface transceiver may have priority for emergency conditions, usurping control of the associated telephone line for immediate access to the switched telephone network.

Claims

1. A wireless phone-line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network, comprising:

a line interface transceiver coupled to the telephone switching network, said line interface transceiver transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

a modem transceiver coupled to the modem, said modem transceiver transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from said line interface transceiver;

a line transmitter for transmitting wireless audio signals to said modem transceiver;

a line receiver for receiving wireless audio signals from said modem transceiver; and

a line sensing and isolation circuit, said line sensing and isolation circuit coupled on a first side to at least one telephone jack and coupled on a second side to said line transmitter and said line receiver, said line sensing and isolation circuit sensing activity on the telephone switching network and terminating a connection between said line transmitter and said line receiver if a handset coupled to said line interface transceiver is taken off hook;

whereby

modem signals may be exchanged between the modem and the telephone switching network via said line interface transceiver and said modem transceiver.

2. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 1, wherein said line interface transceiver further comprises:

a line oscillation circuit coupled to said line transmitter and said line receiver, said line oscillation circuit providing frequency signals to said line transmitter and said line receiver; and

a line antenna, said line antenna coupled to said line transmitter and said line receiver, said line antenna transmitting line transmitter signals to said modem transceiver, said line antenna receiving modem transceiver signals from said modem transceiver;

whereby

audio/analog signals are transceived by said line interface transceiver with said modem transceiver to couple said modem with said telephone switching network.

3. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 2, wherein said line interface transceiver further comprises:

a duplexor, said duplexor coupled between said line antenna on a first side and said line transmitter and said line receiver on a second side, said duplexor coordinating and controlling simultaneous two-way communication over said line antenna so that the modem may operate in full duplex.

4. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 3, wherein said line interface transceiver further comprises:

a cloning circuit, said cloning circuit coupled to said line oscillation circuit and said line transmitter and said line receiver, said cloning circuit having a jack to which said modem transceiver may be coupled, said cloning circuit recognizing and identifying said modem transceiver to prevent unauthorized interception of signals exchanged between said line interface transceiver and said modem transceiver.

5. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 4, wherein said cloning circuit further comprises:

a microcontroller for processing instructions, said microcontroller coupled to said line transmitter and said line receiver;

a memory for storing data, said memory coupled to said microcontroller; and

instructions in the form of software directing activities of said microcontroller;

whereby

said microcontroller polls, queries, and identifies a modem transceiver coupled to said cloning jack, said line interface transceiver transmitting address information to said modem transceiver to prevent illegal cloning of a modem transceiver.

6. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 2, wherein said line oscillation circuit further comprises:

a crystal oscillator; and

a phase locked loop (PLL), said PLL coupled to said crystal oscillator on a first side and said transmitter and said receiver on a second side.

7. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 1, wherein said modem transceiver further comprises:

a modem transmitter for transmitting wireless audio signals to said line interface transceiver;

a modem receiver for receiving wireless audio signals from said line interface transceiver;

a modem oscillation circuit coupled to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver, said modem oscillation circuit providing frequency signals to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver; and

a modem antenna, said modem antenna coupled to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver, said modem antenna transmitting modem transmitter signals to said line interface transceiver, said modem antenna receiving line interface transceiver signals from said line interface transceiver;

whereby

audio/analog signals are transceived by said modem transceiver with said line interface transceiver to couple said modem with said telephone switching network.

8. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 7, wherein said modem transceiver further comprises:

a duplexor, said duplexor coupled between said modem antenna on a first side and said modem transmitter and said modem receiver on a second side, said duplexor coordinating and controlling simultaneous two-way communication over said modem antenna so that the modem may operate in full duplex.

9. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 8, wherein said modem transceiver further comprises:

a cloning circuit, said cloning circuit coupled to said modem oscillation circuit, said modem transmitter, and said modem receiver, said cloning circuit having a jack to which said line interface transceiver may be coupled, said cloning circuit indicating and identifying said modem transceiver to said line interface transceiver to prevent unauthorized interception of signals exchanged between said modem transceiver and said line interface transceiver.

10. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 9, wherein said cloning circuit further comprises:

a microcontroller for processing instructions, said microcontroller coupled to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver;

a memory for storing data, said memory coupled to said microcontroller; and

instructions in the form of software directing activities of said microcontroller;

whereby

said microcontroller identifies said modem transceiver to said line interface transceiver, said line interface transceiver transmitting address information to said modem transceiver to prevent cloning.

11. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 7, wherein said modem oscillation circuit further comprises:

a crystal oscillator; and

a phase locked loop (PLL), said PLL coupled to said crystal oscillator on a first side and said transmitter and said receiver on a second side.

12. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 7, wherein said modem transceiver further comprises:

a telephone line simulator circuit, said telephone line simulator circuit sensing signals from said line interface transceiver indicating an incoming call and establishing the proper off hook signals for the modem coupled to said telephone line simulator circuit, said telephone line simulator circuit coupled on a first side to the modem and coupled on a second side to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver.

13. A wireless phone-line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network, comprising:

a line interface transceiver coupled to the telephone switching network, said line interface transceiver transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

a modem transceiver coupled to the modem, said modem transceiver transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from said line interface transceiver;

said line interface transceiver having;

a line transmitter for transmitting wireless audio signals to said modem transceiver;

a line receiver for receiving wireless audio signals from said modem transceiver;

a line oscillation circuit coupled to said line transmitter and said line receiver, said line oscillation circuit providing first frequency signals to said line transmitter and said line receiver, said line oscillation circuit having;

a first crystal oscillator; and

a first phase locked loop (PLL), said first PLL coupled to said first crystal oscillator on a first side and said line transmitter and said line receiver on a second side;

a line antenna, said line antenna coupled to said line transmitter and said line receiver, said line antenna transmitting line transmitter signals to said modem transceiver, said line antenna receiving modem transceiver signals from said modem transceiver, said line antenna hidden or camouflaged;

a first duplexor, said first duplexor coupled between said line antenna on a first side and said line transmitter and said line receiver on a second side, said first duplexor coordinating and controlling simultaneous two-way communication over said line antenna so that the modem may operate in full duplex;

a first cloning circuit, said first cloning circuit coupled to said line oscillation circuit and said line transmitter and said line receiver, said first cloning circuit having a first cloning jack to which said modem transceiver may be coupled, said first cloning circuit recognizing and identifying said modem transceiver to prevent unauthorized interception of signals exchanged between said line interface transceiver and said modem transceiver, said first cloning circuit having;

a first microcontroller for processing instructions, said first microcontroller coupled to said line transmitter and said line receiver;

a first memory for storing data, said memory coupled to said microcontroller; and

first instructions in the form of software directing activities of said microcontroller;

whereby

said first microcontroller polls, queries, and identifies a modem transceiver coupled to said first cloning jack, said line interface transceiver transmitting address information to said modem transceiver to prevent illegal cloning of a modem transceiver; and

a line sensing and isolation circuit, said line sensing and isolation circuit coupled on a first side to at least one telephone jack and coupled on a second side to said line transmitter and said line receiver, said line sensing and isolation circuit sensing activity on the telephone switching network;

whereby

audio/analog signals are transceived by said line interface transceiver with said modem transceiver to couple said modem with said telephone switching network; and

said modem transceiver having;

a modem transmitter for transmitting wireless audio signals to said line interface transceiver;

a modem receiver for receiving wireless audio signals from said line interface transceiver;

a modem oscillation circuit coupled to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver, said modem oscillation circuit providing frequency signals to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver, said modem oscillation circuit having;

a second crystal oscillator; and

a second phase locked loop (PLL), said second PLL coupled to said second crystal oscillator on a first side and said modem transmitter and said modem receiver on a second side;

a modem antenna, said modem antenna coupled to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver, said modem antenna transmitting modem transmitter signals to said line interface transceiver, said modem antenna receiving line interface transceiver signals from said line interface transceiver, said modem antenna hidden or camouflaged;

a second duplexor, said second duplexor coupled between said modem antenna on a first side and said modem transmitter and said modem receiver on a second side, said second duplexor coordinating and controlling simultaneous two-way communication over said modem antenna so that the modem may operate in full duplex;

a second cloning circuit, said second cloning circuit coupled to said modem oscillation circuit, said modem transmitter, and said modem receiver, said second cloning circuit having a jack to which said line interface transceiver may be coupled, said second cloning circuit indicating and identifying said modem transceiver to said line interface transceiver to prevent unauthorized interception of signals exchanged between said modem transceiver and said line interface transceiver, said second cloning circuit having;

a second microcontroller for processing instructions, said second microcontroller coupled to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver;

a second memory for storing data, said second memory coupled to said second microcontroller; and

second instructions in the form of software directing activities of said second microcontroller;

whereby

said second microcontroller identifies said modem transceiver to said line interface transceiving, said line interface transceiver transmitting address information to said modem transceiver to prevent cloning; and

a telephone line simulator circuit, said telephone line simulator circuit sensing signals from said line interface transceiving indicating an incoming call, said telephone line simulator circuit separately establishing the proper off hook signals for the modem coupled to said telephone line simulator circuit, said telephone line simulator circuit coupled on a first side to the modem and coupled on a second side to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver;

whereby

audio/analog signals are transceived by said modem transceiver with said line interface transceiver to couple said modem with said telephone switching network;

whereby

modem signals may be exchanged between the modem and the telephone switching network via said line interface transceiver and said modem transceiver.

14. A wireless phone-line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network, comprising:

a line interface transceiver coupled to the telephone switching network, said line interface transceiver transmitting and receiving wireless signals, said line interface transceiver having a line transmitter, a line receiver, a line oscillation circuit, a line antenna, and a cloning circuit;

a modem transceiver coupled to the modem, said modem transceiver transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from said line interface transceiver;

said line transmitter transmitting wireless audio signals to said modem transceiver;

said line receiver receiving wireless audio signals from said modem transceiver;

said line oscillation circuit coupled to said line transmitter and said line receiver, said line oscillation circuit providing frequency signals to said line transmitter and said line receiver;

said line antenna coupled to said line transmitter and said line receiver, said line antenna transmitting line transmitter signals to said modem transceiver, said line antenna receiving modem transceiver signals from said modem transceiver; and

said cloning circuit coupled to said line oscillation circuit and said line transmitter and said line receiver, said cloning circuit having a jack to which said modem transceiver may be coupled, said cloning circuit recognizing and identifying said modem transceiver to prevent unauthorized interception of signals exchanged between said line interface transceiver and said modem transceiver;

whereby

modem signals may be exchanged between the modem and the telephone switching network via said line interface transceiver and said modem transceiver.

15. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 14, wherein said cloning circuit further comprises:

a microcontroller for processing instructions, said microcontroller coupled to said line transmitter and said line receiver;

a memory for storing data, said memory coupled to said microcontroller; and

instructions in the form of software directing activities of said microcontroller;

whereby

said microcontroller polls, queries, and identifies a modem transceiver coupled to said cloning jack, said line interface transceiver transmitting address information to said modem transceiver to prevent illegal cloning of a modem transceiver.

16. A wireless phone-line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network, comprising:

a line interface transceiver coupled to the telephone switching network, said line interface transceiver transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

a modem transceiver coupled to the modem, said modem transceiver transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from said line interface transceiver, said modem transceiver having a modem transmitter, a modem receiver, a modem oscillation circuit, a modem antenna, and a cloning circuit;

said modem transmitter transmitting wireless audio signals to said line interface transceiver;

said modem receiver receiving wireless audio signals from said line interface transceiver;

said modem oscillation circuit coupled to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver, said modem oscillation circuit providing frequency signals to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver;

said modem antenna coupled to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver, said modem antenna transmitting modem transmitter signals to said line interface transceiver, said modem antenna receiving line interface transceiver signals from said line interface transceiver;

said cloning circuit coupled to said modem oscillation circuit, said modem transmitter, and said modem receiver, said cloning circuit having a jack to which said line interface transceiver may be coupled, said cloning circuit indicating and identifying said modem transceiver to said line interface transceiver to prevent unauthorized interception of signals exchanged between said modem transceiver and said line interface transceiver;

whereby

modem signals may be exchanged between the modem and the telephone switching network via said line interface transceiver and said modem transceiver.

17. The wireless phone line interface system for establishing a wireless connection between a modem and a telephone switching network of claim 16, wherein said cloning circuit further comprises:

a microcontroller for processing instructions, said microcontroller coupled to said modem transmitter and said modem receiver;

a memory for storing data, said memory coupled to said microcontroller; and

instructions in the form of software directing activities of said microcontroller;

whereby

said microcontroller identifies said modem transceiver to said line interface transceiver, said line interface transceiver transmitting address information to said modem transceiver to prevent cloning.