Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Input/output access regulation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-18
2001-07-10
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Input/output access regulation
C710S014000, C710S051000, C710S120000, C375S216000, C375S220000, C375S222000, C712S208000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260084
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to a modem and, in particular, a modem for allowing communications with a host using either an RS-232 or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.
Modems allow a host, such as a computer, to transfer data over telephone networks. Typically, the data is transferred to another modem over Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) lines. The receiving modem then transfers the data to another host. Modems connect to a POTS line through an RJ11 jack.
Typically modems connect to a host computer through an RS-232 serial port. As the demands for more connectivity to host computers has grown, the demand for a more versatile connection to a host has also grown. Thus, computers are providing Universal Serial Bus (USB) connections. The USB connections operate pursuant to the USB specification, currently version 1.0. Additional specifications may be used, such as the USB Class Definition for Communication Devices (CDC) or non-USB specifications. As computers or hosts with USB interfaces are created, modems providing USB interfaces may be desired. However, many computers continue to use RS-232 interfaces for modem connections. Thus, a different modem may need to be purchased depending on the type of interface on the host computer.
SUMMARY
The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. By way of introduction, the preferred embodiment described below includes a method and system for providing modem communications between a host and a telephone system. A modem with both an RS-232 interface and a USB interface connects to the host. The modem detects which of the two interfaces is connected to the host and determines an appropriate data path. For connections to the USB interface, data is routed through a USB processor and over a serial link to the modem processor responsible for modem communications and the transfer of modem data to the POTS line. The serial link between the USB processor and the modem processor is used to transfer both modem data and processor communications. A plurality of control lines are used to indicate the type of data being transferred over the serial link. For RS-232 connections, the modem data is transferred to the modem processor. Thus, one modem device may be used for either USB or RS-232 connections. Further aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with the preferred embodiments.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5809070 (1998-09-01), Krishnan et al.
patent: 5859993 (1999-01-01), Snyder
patent: 5949765 (1999-09-01), Deadman et al.
patent: 6058433 (2000-05-01), Gilbert
patent: 6097411 (2000-08-01), Allport
patent: 404329171 (1992-11-01), None
Albazzaz Thuraia
Endejan Edward B.
Haddad Khalil C.
Pfutzenreuter William C.
Wilson James Y.
3Com Corporation
Baniak Pine & Gannon
Lee Thomas
Peyton Tammara
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