Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-17
2001-12-11
Burgess, Glenton B. (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
C710S008000, C710S015000, C709S201000, C709S202000, C709S203000, C709S228000, C709S229000, C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06330597
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to communication systems and more particularly to a computer communication system that, among other things, monitors, controls, and diagnoses inefficiencies in communication parameters of the computer communication system while one computer system communicates with another computer system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In traditional implementations, control and monitoring of computer communication systems primarily concern monitoring and controlling internal parameters of modems and are performed through the use of modem control strings such as “AT commands”. AT commands require a user to switch the modem from data to command mode so that the modem can be controlled with AT commands. Thus, AT commands interfere with the typical data flow of the modem and the commands do not reflect the true state of the modem in real time. Of note, in some traditional hardware modem implementations, limited control and status monitoring capabilities are obtained through adding special non-standard hardware interfaces. However, these special hardware interfaces are a relatively expensive solution to the problem of real time modem monitoring and the usage is limited due to its complexity.
If the user chooses not to add the additional network equipment to retrieve the modem information, the user is forced to rely on verbal guidance from another person, such as a support technician, located at a second modem site. This support technician views the parameters of the modem connection from their end of the connection, performs a modem diagnosis based on available resources, and reports configuration options to the user for manual modem control and monitoring. Clearly, this process for modem monitoring and control is unsatisfactory because, among other things, the process requires detailed and easily misunderstood verbal instructions for modem configuration, the process requires the modem to be switched from data to command mode to enter the diagnostic commands for modem configuration, and at least two people are required to diagnose and configure a single modem. Thus, the monitor and configuration process is time consuming and frustrating for those involved.
Of current interest is a computer communication system that overcomes the disadvantages of the related art. Among other advantages and benefits, the computer communication system according to the principles of the present invention monitors, controls, and diagnoses inefficiencies in communication parameters of the computer communication system while one computer system communicates with another computer system. In one embodiment, the computer communication system provides a modem monitor and control system that provides modem monitoring and control without requiring user interaction or switching the modem between data and command modes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The principles according to the present invention can be realized through a communication system for monitoring, controlling, or configuring communication parameters of a remote communication device from a local communication system or a local communication device from a remote communication system. For example, the communication system monitors a communication channel that is created between two modems and controls the second modem by adjusting internal settings of the second modem that represent communication parameters. The second modem is communicatively coupled to the first modem to carry out ongoing communications between the first modem and the second modem through the communication channel. Further, a software module is associated with the first modem, and the software module accesses the internal settings of the second modem via the communication channel and performs diagnostics using the internal settings of the second modem. Of course, the software module could access the internal settings of the first modem directly and perform diagnostics using the internal settings of the first modem. Further, the software module can control the internal parameters of the either the second modem or the first modem regardless of which modem the software module is associated with.
The software module of the communication system typically includes a modem interface that interacts with the software module and assists the software module in performing diagnostics using the internal parameters of either the first or the second modem. Also, the software module accesses the communication channel transparently to the ongoing communications between the first modem and the second modem when the software module performs the diagnostics. Further, the software module accesses the communication channel without detrimentally affecting the ongoing communications between the first modem and the second modem. In another embodiment, the software module performs diagnostics using the internal parameters of the second modem via the same communication channel that is used to carry out ongoing communications between the first modem and the second modem. Of note, the software module can also control the internal parameters of the second modem.
The diagnostics performed by the software module of the communication system include monitoring a data stream in the communication channel in view of the internal settings of the second modem. Further, the diagnostics performed by the software module comprise configuring the internal settings of the second modem based on information obtained regarding the data stream between the first modem and the second modem. In addition, the diagnostics performed by the software module comprise controlling the internal settings of the second modem according to information obtained regarding the data stream between the first modem and the second modem.
It should be noted that the software module may include either a user interactive interface for diagnostics, or an automatic interface for diagnostics that requires no further user interaction. Further, the communication system may include a plurality of software modules being associated, respectively, with each of a plurality of modems. Regardless of the number of modems in the communication system, the modems are communicatively coupled via a network. The network is typically selected from the group consisting of a local area network, a wide area network, and a global area network, however, the network may include any combination of a local, wide, or global area network. In other words, the network could operate according to almost any existing network protocol, e.g., a peer-to-peer network, a transmission control protocol/Internet protocol network (TCP/IP), etc.
In another embodiment, the present invention can be described as a communication system comprising a first communication device having internal parameters; a second communication device having internal parameters and being communicatively coupled to the first communication device; a communications link that passes a data stream between the first communication device and the second communication device; and a module associated with the communications link that adjusts the internal parameters of one of the communication devices based on characteristics of the internal parameters of either the first communication device, the second communication device, or both.
In this embodiment, the module may include a communication interface that interacts with the communications link such that the module operates transparently to the data stream of the communications link. Further, the first communication device may be a local communication device and the second communication device may be a remote communication device. In addition, similar to the first embodiment, the communications link operates on a network such as a local area network, a wide area network, or a global area network or a combination thereof. In many embodiments, the communication system is designed for modems operating in a computer communication system. Thus, to assist in understanding the principles according to the present invention, the exemplary embod
Collin Zeev
Tamir Tal
Burgess Glenton B.
Conexant Systems Inc.
Farjami & Farjami LLP
Le Hieu C.
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