Modem with hold and quick connect functionality

• US 7,634,070 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2006
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Otten, Robert T., Olafsson, Sverrir, Webster, Andrew, Borden, Craig E., Raasch, Charles F., Doshi, Nimesh, Beadle, Burk
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Stella L
• Application Number:
  US11/412,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20060210037A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.35, 379/93.32, 379/93.31
• 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. A quick startup procedure for a modem system utilizes known characteristics of a previously established communication channel to reduce the initialization period associated with subsequent connections over the same channel.

Claims

1. A method of reducing time for use by a first modem to connect to a second modem via a communication channel, said first modem being in communication with a handset, said method comprising:

receiving a first digital impairment learning sequence from said second modem over said communication channel;

determining first one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel based on analyzing said first digital impairment learning sequence;

interrupting said communication channel;

terminating said interrupting;

receiving a signal point sequence from said second modem;

determining second one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel based on analyzing said signal point sequence;

initializing said first modem with said one or more parameters to reconnect to said second modem if said first one or more digital impairment attributes are similar to corresponding said second one or more digital impairment attributes;

wherein said first modem comprises,

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.

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

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

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

5. The method 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.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said signal point sequence is a modified answer tone.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said modified answer tone is an ANSpcm signal.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining one or more parameters for initializing said first modem for connection over said communication channel;

storing said one or more parameters at said first modem;

wherein said terminating said interrupting comprises transmitting a reconnect indication after said interrupting and wherein said signal point sequence is received from said second modem in response to said reconnect indication.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said interrupting disconnects said first modem from said second modem.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said terminating includes dialing a phone number associated with said second modem.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said interrupting places communication between said first modem and second modem on hold.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said terminating is performed without dialing a phone number associated with said second modem.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more of parameters comprise data associated with equalizer settings for said first modem.

14. A communication method of reducing time 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:

configuring a quick reconnect sequence comprising;

receiving a first digital impairment learning sequence from said second modem over said communication channel;

determining first one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel based on analyzing said first digital impairment learning sequence;

interrupting said communication channel;

terminating said interrupting;

receiving a signal point sequence from said second modem;

determining second one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel based on analyzing said signal point sequence;

initializing said first modem with said one or more parameters to reconnect to said second modem if said first one or more digital impairment attributes are similar to corresponding said second one or more digital impairment attributes;

configuring a modem on hold sequence comprising;

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.

15. The communication method of claim 14, wherein said hold request includes said period of time.

16. The communication method of claim 14, wherein said transmitting step uses a secondary channel for transmitting said hold request.

17. The communication method of claim 14, further comprising the step of receiving an acknowledgement in response to said hold request.

18. The communication method of claim 14, wherein a modem signal used for data communication between said first modem and said second modem is interrupted after said transmitting step.

19. The communication method according to claim 14, wherein said signal point sequence is an ANSpcm signal.

20. The communication method according to claim 19, further comprising a step of receiving a reply signal prior to said receiving said ANSpcm signal, wherein said reply signal comprising a transition sequence configured to enable said first modem to determined robbed bit signaling characteristics of said communication channel.

21. The communication method according to claim 20, wherein said transition sequence comprises positive and negative value of at least one signal point.

22. 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 w

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 modems is placed on hold, and wherein said first modem keeps an upper layer protocol alive while said modems are on hold;

a memory element configured to store first one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel and further store one or more parameters for initializing said first modem for connection over said communication channel;

a receiver section configured to receive a first digital impairment learning sequence from said second modem, and further receive a reply signal from said second modem over said communication channel in response to a request transmitted by said first modem over said communication channel to terminate a temporary interruption in said communication channel; and

a processor element configured to analyze said first digital impairment learning sequence to determine said first one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel and store said one or more digital impairment attributes in said memory, and to initialize said first modem with said one or more parameters in response to said reply signal if said processor determines that second one or more digital impairment attributes of said communication channel based on analyzing said reply signal are similar to said first one or more digital impairment attributes.

23. The first modem of claim 22, 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.

24. The first modem of claim 22, wherein said relinquishment request is received as a result of instructing said first modem to dial a number.

25. The first modem of claim 22, wherein a third device shares said telephone line with said first modem, and wherein said relinquishment request is received from said third device.

26. The first modem of claim 25, wherein said third device places a call on said telephone line.

27. The first modem of claim 22, wherein said dial tone is received as a result of using a three-way call feature supported by said central office.

28. The first modem of claim 22, wherein said reply signal is an ANSpcm signal.

29. The first modem according to claim 22, wherein said first modem is compatible with ITU-T Recommendation V.90.

30. The first modem according to claim 22, wherein said one or more of parameters comprise data associated with equalizer settings for said first modem.