Modem for selectively connecting to a land line or to a cellular telephone

• US 6,295,460 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1993
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MLR, LLC
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Nagel, Paul E., Jones, Randall L., Bunch, Thomas G., Castell, Robin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUNG, NAY AUNG
• Application Number:
  US08/148,661
• Time in Patent Office: 2,881 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/59, 379/93, 379/94, 379/96, 379/97, 379/98, 379/93.01, 379/93.28, 379/93.29, 455/90, 455/418, 455/422, 455/432, 455/436, 455/553, 455/556, 455/557, 455/575, 455/550
• US Class Current: 455/557
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A modem is incorporated into a laptop computer and directly connected to either a cellular phone, a land line, or both. The modem is provided with two connectors, one for connection with a cellular phone or external DAA, the other for connection to a normal land line via an internal DAA. The modem selectively enables either the connector for the cellular phone or external DAA, or the connector for its internal DAA. The modem defaults to selecting the cellular phone or external DAA if it is connected, and only if they are not connected selects the internal DAA. These defaults can be overridden by user commands. Further, the modem can independently power down a connected internal DAA, external DAA, or cellular phone to conserve power.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a communications link using a modem that includes a connector and an internal data access arrangement, comprising the steps of:

determining whether an operational cellular phone is connected to the connector;

if the operational cellular phone is connected, selecting the operational cellular phone for establishing a communications link;

if an operational cellular phone is not connected, determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected to the connector;

if the external data access arrangement is connected and an operational cellular phone is not connected, selecting the external data access arrangement for establishing a communications link; and

if an external data access arrangement is not connected and an operational cellular phone is not connected, selecting the internal data access arrangement for establishing a communications link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected and the step of selecting the internal data access arrangement each further comprise the steps of:

sending a signal instructing any connected data access arrangement to respond with a code;

attempting to receive said code; and

determining if any received code is a valid code indicating a proper data access arrangement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected and the step of selecting the internal data access arrangement each further comprise the steps of:

sending a signal instructing any connected data access arrangement to respond with a code;

attempting to receive said code; and

determining if any received code is a valid code indicating a proper data access arrangement.

4. A system for transferring data using a selected one of a plurality of telephone network access devices including at least one radiotelephone network access device when supplied with one of a plurality of different software drivers having the operating commands necessary for controlling the selected telephone network access devices, comprising:

computer means for processing data transferable over the telephone network access device, and having a data communications program; and

modem means operably connected to the computer means for transferring data between said computer means and a remote data transfer device over said radiotelephone network access devices, said modem means comprising a single integrated portable unit including;

data lines internal to the modem means for carrying the data passing between the modem means and the radiotelephone network access device;

control signal lines internal to the modem means for carrying control signals for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of said radiotelephone network access device;

jack means connected to said control signal lines and said data lines for providing an external connection of said data lines and signal lines to said radiotelephone network access device; and

modem controller means connected to said computer means and said control signal lines for controlling the operation of said modem means, said modem controller means operating to access one of the plurality of software drivers for operating said modem means in conjunction with the selected one of said plurality of telephone network access devices to cause the operation of said control signal lines to be varied in response to said software driver to permit the control of call placement functions of the selected telephone network access device by said modem means, wherein the jack means comprises a single standardized telephone connector and said modem controller means further comprises;

means for determining whether an operational cellular phone is connected to the single standardized telephone connected to the single standardized telephone connector;

means for selecting the operational cellular phone for establishing a communications link if the operational cellular phone is connected;

means for determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected to the single standardized telephone connector if an operational cellular phone is not connected; and

means for selecting the external data access arrangement for establishing a communications link if the external data access arrangement is connected and an operational cellular phone is not connected.

5. A system for transferring data using a selected one of a plurality of telephone network access devices including at least one radiotelephone network access device when supplied with one of a plurality of different software drivers having the operating commands necessary for controlling the selected telephone network access devices, comprising:

computer means for processing data transferable over the telephone network access device, and having a data communications program; and

modem means operably connected to the computer means for transferring data between said computer means and a remote data transfer device over said radiotelephone network access devices, said modem means comprising a single integrated portable unit including;

data lines internal to the modem means for carrying the data passing between the modem means and the radiotelephone network access device;

control signal lines internal to the modem means for carrying control signals for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of said radiotelephone network access device;

jack means connected to said control signal lines and said data lines for providing an external connection of said data lines and signal lines to said radiotelephone network access device; and

modem controller means connected to said computer means and said control signal lines for controlling the operation of said modem means, said modem controller means operating to access one of the plurality of software drivers for operating said modem means in conjunction with the selected one of said plurality of telephone network access devices to cause the operation of said control signal lines to be varied in response to said software driver to permit the control of call placement functions of the selected telephone network access device by said modem means, wherein the single standardized telephone connector is an RJ-45 connector and said modem controller means further comprises;

means for determining whether an operational cellular phone is connected to the RJ-45 connector;

means for selecting the operational cellular phone for establishing a communications link if the operational cellular phone is connected;

means for determining whether an external data access arrangement for establishing a communications link if the external data access arrangement is connected and an operational cellular phone is not connected.

6. A system for transferring data using a selected one of a plurality of telephone network access devices including at least one radiotelephone network access device when supplied with one of a plurality of different software drivers having the operating commands necessary for controlling the selected telephone network access devices, comprising:

computer means for processing data transferable over the telephone network access device, and having a data communications program; and

modem means operably connected to the computer means for transferring data between said computer means and a remote data transfer device over said telephone network access devices, said modem means comprising;

data pump means for transferring data between the modem means and the telephone network access device;

a tip-and-ring interface operatively connected to said data pump means for carrying signals between the modem means and said telephone network access device at least when said telephone network access device operates using a tip-and-ring interface;

receive and transmit data lines operatively connected to said data pump means to provide a receive line and transmit line interface for carrying data between the modem means and said telephone network access device at least when said telephone network access device operates using a receive line and transmit line interface;

control signal lines for carrying control signals for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of said radiotelephone network access device;

modem controller means connected to said computer means, said control signal lines, said tip-and-ring interface, and said data pump means for controlling the operation of said modem means by accessing one of the plurality of software drivers for operating said modem means in conjunction with the selected one of said plurality of telephone network access devices to cause the operation of said control signal lines to be varied in response to said software driver to permit the control of call placement functions of the selected telephone network access device by said modem means; and

jack means connected to said control signal lines, said data lines, and said tip-and-ring interface for providing an external connection of said tip-and-ring interface, said receiving line and transmit line interface, and said control signal lines as required to operably connect the modem means to said selected telephone network access device, wherein said modem controller means further comprises;

means for determining whether an operational cellular phone is connected to the jack means;

means for selecting the operational cellular phone for establishing a communications link if the operational cellular phone is connected;

means for determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected to the jack means if an operational cellular phone is not connected; and

means for selecting the external data access arrangement for establishing a communications link if the external data access arrangement is connected and an operational cellular phone is not connected.

7. A system for transferring data using a selected one of a plurality of telephone network access devices including at least one radiotelephone network access device when supplied with one of a plurality of different software drivers having the operating commands necessary for controlling the selected telephone network access devices, comprising:

computer means for processing data transferable over the telephone network access device, and having a data communications program; and

modem means operably connected to the computer means for transferring data between said computer means and a remote data transfer device over said telephone network access devices, said modem means comprising;

data pump means for transferring data between the modem means and the telephone network access device;

a tip-and-ring interface operatively connected to said data pump means for carrying signals between the modem means and said telephone network access device at least when said telephone network access device operates using a tip-and-ring interface;

receive and transmit data lines operatively connected to said data pump means to provide a receive line and transmit line interface for carrying data between the modem means and said telephone network access device at least when said telephone network access device operates using a receive line and transmit line interface;

control signal lines for carrying control signals for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of said radiotelephone network access device;

modem controller means connected to said computer means, said control signal lines, said tip-and-ring interface, and said data pump means for controlling the operation of said modem means by accessing one of the plurality of software drivers for operating said modem means in conjunction with the selected one of said plurality of telephone network access devices to cause the operation of said control signal lines to be varied in response to said software driver to permit the control of call placement functions of the selected telephone network access device by said modem means; and

jack means connected to said control signal lines, said data lines, and said tip-and-ring interface for providing an external connection of said tip-and-ring interface, said receiving line and transmit line interface, and said control signal lines as required to operably connect the modem means to said selected telephone network access device, the system including at least one cable means for operably connecting said jack means to a connection port of said telephone network access device, wherein said jack means comprises a standard telephone connector, and said cable means extends at least between a first connector mating with said standard telephone connector and a second connector mating with said connection port of said telephone network access device, wherein said modem controller means further comprises;

means for determining whether an operational cellular phone is connected to the standard telephone connection;

means for selecting the operational cellular phone for establishing a communications link if the operational cellular phone is connected;

means for determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected to the standard telephone connector if an operational cellular phone is not connected; and

means for selecting the external data access arrangement for establishing a communications link if the external data access arrangement is connected and an operational cellular phone is not connected.

8. A system for transferring data using a selected one of a plurality of telephone network access devices including at least one radiotelephone network access device when supplied with one of a plurality of different software drivers having the operating commands necessary for controlling the selected telephone network access devices, comprising:

computer means for processing data transferable over the telephone network access device, and having a data communications program; and

modem means operably connected to the computer means for transferring data between said computer means and a remote data transfer device over said telephone network access devices, said modem means comprising;

data pump means for transferring data between the modem means and the telephone network access device;

a tip-and-ring interface operatively connected to said data pump means for carrying signals between the modem means and said telephone network access device at least when said telephone network access device operates using a tip-and-ring interface;

receive and transmit data lines operatively connected to said data pump means to provide a receive line and transmit line interface for carrying data between the modem means and said telephone network access device at least when said telephone network access device operates using a receive line and transmit line interface;

control signal lines for carrying control signals for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of said radiotelephone network access device;

modem controller means connected to said computer means, said control signal lines, said tip-and-ring interface, and said data pump means for controlling the operation of said modem means by accessing one of the plurality of software drivers for operating said modem means in conjunction with the selected one of said plurality of telephone network access devices to cause the operation of said control signal lines to be varied in response to said software driver to permit the control of call placement functions of the selected telephone network access device by said modem means; and

jack means connected to said control signal lines, said data lines, and said tip-and-ring interface for providing an external connection of said tip-and-ring interface, said receiving line and transmit line interface, and said control signal lines as required to operably connect the modem means to said selected telephone network access device, the system including at least one cable means for operably connecting said jack means to a connection port of said telephone network access device, wherein said jack means comprises a standard telephone connector, and said cable means extends at least between a first connector mating with said standard telephone connector and a second connector mating with said connection port of said telephone network access device, wherein said first connector is an RJ-45 connector, wherein said modem controller means further comprises;

means for determining whether an operational cellular phone is connected to the RJ-45 connector;

means for selecting the operational cellular phone for establishing a communications link if the operational cellular phone is connected;

means for determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected to the RJ-45 connector if an operational cellular phone is not connected; and

means for selecting the external data access arrangement for establishing a communications link if the external data access arrangement is connected and an operational cellular phone is not connected.

9. A single integrated portable modem unit for installation on a portable computer means for sending and receiving data over a standard cellular radiotelephone network, having basic circuits compatible with a plurality of portable radiotelephone network access devices responding to predetermined call placement function commands and adapted for a particular type of radiotelephone network access device by provision of a device-specific program control component and a cable connection, comprising:

(a) a single integrated portable hardware portion adapted for installation on a variety of said portable computer means for use with at least one said radiotelephone network access device, including at least;

(i) a standardized connector mating with a corresponding connector in the computer means to operably connect the modem for data transfer with the computer means;

(ii) data pump means for modulating data signals received from the computer means to adapt the data signals for transmission to the remote data transfer device over the cellular radiotelephone network and for demodulating data signals received from the remote data transfer device over the cellular radiotelephone network for transfer to the computer means;

(iii) a receive and transmit interface including a receive line and a transmit line connected with said data pump means and adapted to be connected with the radiotelephone network access device for carrying data between the data pump means and the radiotelephone network access device;

(iv) memory means for storing a software driver for generating operating commands for controlling unique call placement functions of the radiotelephone network access device;

(v) a plurality of control signal lines adapted to carry control signals for controlling and/or monitoring call placement functions of the radiotelephone network access device;

(vi) modem controller means connected to said control signal lines, said receive and transmit interface, said data pump means, and said memory means for controlling the operation of the modem to allow data to be exchanged between the computer means and the remote data transfer device through the receive and transmit interface when the modem connected to the radiotelephone network access device and for controlling the call placement functions of the radiotelephone network access device through said control lines and said receive and transmit interface as determined by the software drive stored in said memory means;

(b) a jack means connected to said control signal lines and said data lines for providing an external connection to the radiotelephone network access device of said radiotelephone network access device of said receive line and transmit line interface and a number of said control signal lines as required to operably connect the modem to the radiotelephone network access device;

(c) a multi-line cable means having a connector compatible with said jack means at one end thereof and a connector compatible with the radiotelephone network access device at another end thereof for operably connecting said jack means to the specific radiotelephone network access device; and

(d) at least one said software driver installed in said memory means containing information for generating call placement function commands on the control signal lines in conjunction with line connections established by the cable means so that said modem controller means uses said software driver to generate call placement function commands for transmission through said cable means to predetermined terminals on the radiotelephone network access device appropriately connected thereto to control call placement functions of the radiotelephone network access device, wherein said modem controller means further comprises;

means for determining whether an operational cellular phone is connected to the jack means;

means for selecting the operational cellular phone for establishing a communications link if the operational cellular phone is connected;

means for determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected to the jack means if an operational cellular phone is not connected; and

means for selecting the external data access arrangement for establishing a communications link if the external data access arrangement is connected and an operational cellular phone is not connected.