Method and apparatus for making a voice and/or data call...

Telephonic communications – Telephone line or system combined with diverse electrical... – Having transmission of a digital message signal over a...

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C379S093340, C379S100150

Reexamination Certificate

active

06298121

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of Data Communication. More specifically, the present invention relates to data circuit terminating equipments (DCEs) such as modems for transmitting voice and data over analog-loop telephone lines.
2. Background Information
Current DCEs that support transmission of both voice and data over a single analog-loop telephone line typically implement the support in one of two approaches. Under the first approach, a DCE operates in one of two switchable modes, a voice mode and a data mode, whereas under the second approach, a DCE operates in a single continuous combined voice and data mode.
More specifically, under the first approach, both the call originating and call responding DCEs start out in the voice mode, where analog voice signals are bypassed from the transmitting telephone coupled to one of the DCEs onto the analog-loop telephone line, and similarly from the analog-loop telephone line to the receiving telephone coupled to the other DCE. While the DCEs are in voice mode, no data are transmitted by the DCEs on behalf of data transmitting equipments (DTEs), such as computers, coupled to the DCEs at both end of the connection. To switch into the data mode, one of the DTEs would cause its DCE to transmit a predetermined signal pattern on its behalf. Upon detection of the predetermined signal pattern, the other DCE would acknowledge. If the acknowledgment is received by the initiating DCE within a predetermined time period, the DCEs would jointly establish a data transmission protocol, enter the data mode, and mute the DCE's voice path. The DTEs can now transmit data to each other through their respective DCEs and over the analog-loop telephone line. At the end of data transmission, the DTE that initiated the mode switching would cause its DCE to transmit another predetermined signal pattern on its behalf, return to the voice mode, and unmute the voice path. Likewise, upon detection of this other predetermined signal pattern, the other DCE would also forward the signal to its DTE, return to the voice mode, and unmute the voice path. Voice signals are once again bypassed from the transmitting telephone onto the telephone line, and from the telephone line to the receiving telephone.
Under the second approach, the DCEs always operate in a single continuous combined voice and data mode. The DCEs jointly establish a data transmission protocol at start up. The analog voice signals received from the coupled telephones are digitized by the DCEs or forwarded to the coupled DTEs for digitization. The DCEs transmit the digitized voice signals intermixed with the data received from the coupled DTEs. Conversely, the digitized voice signals received from the analog-loop telephone line are converted back into analog voice signals by the DCEs or forwarded to the coupled DTEs for conversion. The DCEs then forward the analog voice signals to the telephones.
The first approach has the disadvantage that there is no voice communication between the connected parties during data transmission. Thus, DCEs implementing the first approach are really suitable only for applications where voice communication is unnecessary during data transmission or data transmission is merely required intermittently and for short durations.
The second approach has the disadvantage that the DCEs on both ends of the connection must support continuous combined voice and data mode. Therefore, for applications frequently involving “unacquainted” users, an initial phone call using “standalone” telephones directly coupled to another analog-loop telephone line must be made to establish the fact that such continuous combined voice and data call can be made between two DCE coupled telephones. Thus, DCEs implementing the second approach are really suitable only for applications involving primarily “acquainted” users.
With the continuing increase in the capabilities of microprocessor based desktop computers, they are being applied to more and more applications that require simultaneous voice and data communications between two users. A particular example of these applications is personal conferencing where users at different sites cooperate orally and interactively with a shared workspace application on the creation or review of documents. Another example is remote technical support where the support engineers communicate orally with the users as well as interacting remotely with programs executing on the users' systems for diagnostic or demonstration purposes. Due to the disadvantages discussed above, neither types of DCEs serve these applications well. As a result, most users of these applications resort to two telephone lines, with one dedicated for voice communication, and the other dedicated to data communication.
Thus, it is desirable to be able to support voice and data communication between two users over a single analog-loop telephone line in a more flexible and user friendly manner. As will be disclosed in more detail below, the present invention provide for such method and apparatus that advantageously achieves these and other desirable results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention advantageously achieves the desired results by providing an otherwise conventional DCE with an enhanced micro-controller having multiple operating modes. The enhanced micro-controller responsive to local events/commands and remote commands, controls the operation of the DCE in one of at least four modes, an idle mode, an analog voice mode, a digital data mode, and a simultaneous voice and data (SVD) mode.
During operation, upon detection of its local telephone going from an “on-hook” condition to an “off-hook” condition, the micro-controller of a DCE places the DCE in the analog voice mode from the idle mode, and operates the DCE accordingly. Under the analog voice mode, the micro-controller causes only analog voice signals to be exchanged with the other DCE at the other end of the connection.
From the analog voice mode, the micro-controller returns the DCE to the idle mode, upon detection of its local telephone being returned to the “on hook” condition, and operates the DCE accordingly. Alternatively, the micro-controller places the DCE in the SVD mode, upon receipt of either a “dial” command from its local DTE, or a predetermined start up signal pattern from the other DCE, and operates the DCE accordingly. Under the SVD mode, the micro-controller causes digitized voice as well as data to be exchanged with the other DCE.
From the SVD mode, the micro-controller returns the DCE to the analog voice mode, upon receipt of either a “hang up” command from its local DTE, or a “data disconnect” command from the other DCE, and operates the DCE accordingly. Alternatively, the micro-controller places the DCE in the digital data mode, upon either detecting its local telephone being returned to the “on hook” condition, or receipt of a “voice disconnect” command from the other DCE, and operates the DCE accordingly. Under the digital data mode, the micro-controller causes only data to be exchanged with the other DCE.
From the digital data mode, the micro-controller returns the DCE to the SVD mode, upon either detecting its local telephone being returned to the “off hook” condition, or receipt of a “voice restart” command from the other DCE, and operates the DCE accordingly. Alternatively, the micro-controller places the DCE in the idle mode, upon receipt of either a “hang up” command from its local DTE or a “data disconnect” from the other DCE.


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