Modem on hold

• US 6,912,276 B1
• Filed: 09/10/1999
• Issued: 06/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Olafsson, Sverrir, Webster, Andrew, Borden, Craig E., Raasch, Charles F., Doshi, Nimesh, Beadle, Burk, Otten, Robert T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Application Number:
  US09/393,616
• Time in Patent Office: 2,118 Days
• Field of Search: 379/90.01, 379/93.02, 379/93.05, 379/93.09, 379/93.11, 379 9312- 9313, 379/93.23, 379/93.29, 379 9331- 9335, 37914204-14208, 379/215.01, 379/90.05, 375/222, 370/352, 370/469
• US Class Current: 379/93.35
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1438 Negotiation of transmission parameters prior to communication modified according to link quality H04L1/0001
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold

Abstract

A modem to modem communication system supports call waiting services by exchanging hold request and acknowledge signals before relinquishing the line servicing incoming calls. Thereafter, the modem to modem session is reestablished without having to redial. The hold request may be denied or accepted, and may define the duration a modem will hold before hanging up. The holding modem maintains the session by fooling the higher protocol layers, making them believe that the modem is not on hold. Three-way calling services are also used to free up the shared line for outgoing calls while maintaining the session with holding modems. A table may be employed to screen incoming calls through a comparison of the caller ID information with that in the table. The table may be within the modem or the host computer.

Claims

1. A first modem for communication with a second modem over a communication channel, said first modem being in communication with a handset, said first modem comprising:

an off-hook detector capable of detecting said handset going off-hook, while said first modem is in communication with said second modem, and further being capable of generating an attention signal in response thereto; and

a transmitter capable of transmitting a hold request to said second modem in response to said attention signal;

wherein said handset is placed off-hook by a user for dialing an outgoing call, and wherein said communication between said modems over said communication channel ceases for a period of time after transmitting said hold request, and wherein said first modem keeps an upper layer protocol alive during said period of time by manufacturing data and presenting said data to an upper layer to maintain an appearance of receiving said data from said second modem.

2. The first modem of claim 1, wherein said hold request includes said period of time.

3. The first modem of claim 1, wherein said hold request is transmitted using a secondary channel.

5. The first modem of claim 1, wherein a dial tone is provided to said handset after said communication between said modems over said communication channel ceases.

6. The first modem of claim 1, wherein a modem signal used for data communication between said first modem and said second modem is interrupted after said transmitter transmits said hold request to said second modem.

4. The first modem of 1, wherein said first modem receives an acknowledgement in response to said hold request.

7. A communication method for use between a first modem and a second modem in communication over a communication channel, said first modem being in communication with a handset, said communication method comprising the steps of:

detecting said handset going off-hook;

transmitting a hold request to said second modem in response to said handset going off-hook;

ceasing said communication with said second modem over said communication channel by said first modem for a period of time;

causing a dial tone to be generated for dialing an outgoing call using said handset; and

keeping an upper layer protocol alive during said period of time by manufacturing data and presenting said data to an upper layer to maintain an appearance of receiving said data from said second modem.

8. The communication method of claim 7, wherein said hold request includes said period of time.

9. The communication method of claim 7, wherein said transmitting step uses a secondary channel for transmitting said hold request.

10. The communication method of claim 7, further comprising the step of receiving an acknowledgement in response to said hold request.

11. The communication method of claim 7, wherein a modem signal used for data communication between said first modem and said second modem is interrupted after said transmitting step.

12. A first modem capable of communicating with a second modem over a communication channel, a portion of said communication channel existing over a telephone line between said first modem and a central office, said first modem comprising:

a receiver capable of receiving a relinquishment request, while said telephone line is in use by said first modem for communication with said second modem, to relinquish said use of said telephone line; and

a transmitter capable of transmitting a hold request to said second modem to place said communication between said modems on hold;

wherein said communication between said modems is placed on hold and said use of said telephone line is relinquished, and wherein said first modem causes a dial tone to be generated over said telephone line after said communication between said moderns is placed on hold, and wherein said first modem keeps an upper layer protocol alive while said modems are on hold by manufacturing data and presenting said data to an upper layer to maintain an appearance of receiving said data from said second modem.

13. The first modem of claim 12, wherein a handset shares said telephone line with said first modem, and wherein said relinquishment request is received as a result of said handset going off-hook.

14. The first modem of claim 12, wherein said relinquishment request is received as a result of instructing said first modem to dial a number.

15. The first modem of claim 12, wherein a third device shares said telephone line with said first modem, and wherein said relinquishment request is received from said third device.

16. The first modem of claim 15, wherein said third device places a call on said telephone line.

17. The first modem of claim 12, wherein said dial tone is received as a result of using a three-way call feature supported by said central office.

18. A method of sharing a telephone line for use by a first modem, said first modem being in communication with a second modem over a communication channel, a portion of said communication channel existing over said telephone line between said first modem and a central office, said method comprising:

receiving a relinquishment request, while said telephone line is in use by said first modem for communication with said second modem, to relinquish said use of said telephone line;

transmitting a hold request to said second modem to place said communication between said modems on hold;

placing said communication between said modems on hold;

keeping an upper layer protocol alive by manufacturing data and presenting said data to an upper layer to maintain an appearance of receiving said data from said second modem;

relinquishing said use of said telephone line; and

causing a dial tone to be generated over said telephone line.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a handset shares said telephone line with said first modem, and wherein said relinquishment request is received as a result of said handset going off-hook.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said relinquishment request is received as a result of instructing said first modem to dial a number.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein a third device shares said telephone line with said first modem, and wherein said relinquishment request is received from said third device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said third device places a call on said telephone line.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said dial tone is received as a result of using a three-way call feature supported by said central office.