CA2110722C

CA2110722C - Programmable universal modem system

Info

Publication number: CA2110722C
Application number: CA002110722A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Joseph B. Sainton
Original assignee: SPECTRUM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Current assignee: MLR LLC
Priority date: 1992-04-06
Filing date: 1993-04-06
Publication date: 1997-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2013-04-06
Also published as: CA2110722A1; BR9305468A; CZ2694A3; NO934401L; AU666092B2; FI935425A; RU2108003C1; JPH06508255A; SK1494A3; US5367563A; FI935425A0; TW309206U; EP0587862A1; HUT67256A; AU3939693A; WO1993020643A1; NO934401D0; US5249218A; BG98359A; EP0587862A4

Abstract

A system (102) comprises a portable computer (104) with a central processing unit (106) and associated software (108) and a modem (110) with an output jack (112) carrying data transmit (128), data receive (126) tip, ring (134), and programmable digital input/output (130) lines sufficient to facilitate control of a large number of alternative telephone access devices (116). The operation and functions of the tip, ring, TX, RX and programmable DIO lines are controlled in a preferred embodiment by software in the modem (110) under the control of the software in the computer (104). In a preferred embodiment, a user operates the software in the computer (104) to specify a type or model of telephone access device (116) being used with the modem (110) and the RX, TX, tip and ring lines are rendered either operable or inoperable and a required subset of the programmable DIO lines are caused to operate in a manner necessary to achieve interactive control of an attached telephone access device (116).

Description

2 111~ 2 2 P~/US93/02937 , ~OI ~I~Rr~ 2c'~- MC~L ~SL~ ~I
AND 11-....~" FOR USING TEI~ SA~IE

13ACRGROUND OF q~IE 1 NV1: ~llON

Techni c~l Fi el d The present invention relates to a data transmission system and method which can be selectively used wi~h a landline telephone system or with ~ variety of alternative telephone systems, particularly radiotelerhc~ s.

RAckqround Art In years p~st, mobile data transmission was difficult in that there w~s no public carrier capable of selectively co~ ting widely separated mobile users wi~hing to e~ha~q~ data. The first mobile information transmission systems of this type became widely av~ilA~le to the p~hlic in the last ~A~ in the form of cellular radio telephone systems. These cellular telepho~e systems were primarily designed for ~oice communications, but inventors wor~in~ in the field also de~eloped data modems for use with these cellul~r ~e~ G,~ systems. The first commer~Ally practical modem of this type is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
,697r281~to O'~ van, assigned to the assignee of the p.~ent Arrl tion. This early modem was rApa~le of h~qf~ ~n~n~ the char~cteristics of a cellul_r bus, but the /~~ h~rdw~re of such modem~ was designed specif~cAlly for a particular model of cellular tel0phone, so that the same modem could not be used with a variety of different telephones.

W093~20643 2 1 1 0 7 2 2 PCr/US93~02g37 ~

One early attempt to sol~e this problem was the development of microprocessor controlled interfaces which connected to a cellular telephone bus and provided an external connector emulating a st~n~rd RJ-ll landline telephone ~ack. Some of these interfaces, such as the interface disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,718,080 to Serrano et al., were cApAhle of connecting to a plurality of cellular telephones and modifying their operation to use each telephone effec~ively. The ~AB-3X~ sold by Morrison and Dempsey Communications, could I~S
function with different cellul~r telep~n~s if different ~ c4-connecting c ~hles ~nd in~er~-l firmw~re ~ipc were installed in the device- Other cellul~r interfaces h~
emul_ting a 1 An~ e te~phone ~_ck are shown in ~.S. -~Patents 4,012,596, 4,658,096, 4,775,997 and 4,922,5173to West, Jr. et al. ~nd 4,?37,975 to Shafer.
While effectiYe for their stated purpo~e, these lA~Aline emul_tor interf~ces h_ve a number of siqn~ficA~t dis~dv_ntages which render them ineffective in certai~ desi~Ahl~ _pplic_tions. First, these interf~ces ~d~_e connected computing deYices to the ~le~st common denomin~tor~ control functionality of an old-style mech~nir~l tel~ ,o,~. Thus, although a co~puter ~nd modem connected to such an interf~ce ~re c~p~ble of ~ophi~t~c~ted ~v..~Lol functions, ~nd the mlcroproce-sor-conL.olled ce~ telephone is r~pahle of performing ~ ~riety of functions ~nd proYiding dlgital st~tus jn~rm~tion, a two-wire S~A~ d An-1og telephone interface pro~ided b~tween these two microprocessor ~y~t _ s does not permit sophi~ticated inter~ction b~L~Iac.~ the connect~d ~ystems. In addition, these 1~ ne ~ck emulation interfaces inh~,E--Lly include co~tly and ~ ~-hungry circuitry such as dial tone gen~,~Lo.D. Fi n~l ly~ ~ o~ Ling a modem to a cellular telephone using such a system does not W~93/2~3 ~) t 1 0 7 2 2 PCT/US93/02937 facilitate a high level of integration and portability which is needed to make portable data transmission pr_ctic~l for a variety of users. Specifically, the syfitems involve addition-l cables, circuit boards, housings, and exterr~l power supplies which must he transported by the user.
'~ U.S. Paten~ ,837,81~ to TA~Ah-shi et al. shows a ' ~ i ~5/~~ facsimile mac~ which works with both a wireline h ~ z ? ~o~ telephone _nd a radiotel~-h~-.~. A v_riable resistor is ad~usted to provide the co~ L output level for the ~c~A ~ ~ r_diotel~rh~ne. The TA~Ah-~hi m~c~in~ is autom_tirAlly switched from wireline to radio transmission modes d~p~ nq on the hook status of the connected tel~r~one sets. Ta~Ah-shi does not include any e~-hlin~
disclosure of radiotelephone dialing controlled by the fax m_chine.
, . ... . . .. . _ t--' '~- ' --''-'' U- S. Patenti~ 868,863~to Hartley et al. shows an A r , __,~. .
nterface for connecting a modem to a variety of ~0~ ~ ~l/o6 country-srec~ anAlin~ telephone systems and suggests ~D ~ ~ that a modem might be configured to provide either digital or ~n~log o~L~L, but does not pro~ide a system for connecting a modem to control a radiotelephone.
With the de~elopment of additional types of ~lternati~e telephone systems, such as airpl~ne se~t telephone system~, digital cellular telephone syst~ms, lo~ po~er p~r~on~l telephone sy~tems, and others, the d f~r~9ncies of prior art interface schemes h~ve become ~en ~ore app~rent, ~ince the number of interfaces thaS
~mst b- puscha~ed and tr~ns~Led by ~ person wishing to tr~nsmlt data using these s~~ms can become quite large~
Allowed U.S. P~tent Aprlir~tion Seri~l No.
07/531,762 for ~System and Method for Interfacing Computer~ to Di~er~e Telephone Networks~, ~ssigned to the assignee of the ~~ -ent application, discloses a r - WO g3/20643 - ~ '' , PCr/US93/02g37 ~

21~0722 - 4 -novel interface scheme in which a stAn~rdized modem transmits a~~lo~ da~a signals and generic digital command 5i~n-l~ t~rough a single ~ack. When connected to a l~n~line telephone ~ck, the ~ack ~ 'CQS S~An~a~d 1An~1ine DTNF ~ s and transmits tip and ring data signals. An exte~nAl interface cable specifically designed to be compatible with one or more alternative telephone system telephones can also be connected b~L~ern the modem ~ac~ ~nd such telephones. When 80 connected, the modem ~ses its generic digital command language to c~..L~ol the ~el~hone, and these generic command~ are transl~ted into control signals a~ o~iate for the particular telephone bus by circuitry located in the interface c~ble.
This interf~ce scheme .e~.~sents a significant advance over prior ~rt interface schemes, because one relati~ely simple modem can be used with virtually any type of telephone system or telephone. The interface r~hle of this system, which is the part of the interface hardware that is fipec~fic to the particulsr telephone, is lig~tweight, inexpensive to manufacture compared to prior art interfaces, and can be powered by either a portable eomputer battery or portable telephone battery ~ithDut adver~ely effecting battery oper~ting time.
Ho~v~r, if a ~odem of this type is to be used with l~rge number of diffe e..~ alternative telephone syste~s ~uch ~s the ~for _ entioned systems c~ ently under dev~lopc~nt, the use of a c~ble hl o orating cv.,~_ ~ion circuitry ~nd ~v~ ng cap~city become~ less de~i r~hl 9~ bec~use of the ~p~nc~ involved in constructing the c~bles. Therefore, there is a need for n interf~ce ~ystem and method for connecting a st~nd~rd~zed modem to a variety of different telephone sy~tems without intermediate signal ~.o~essing h~rdware.

wos3/20643 2110722 PCr/usg3/o2g37 r~;~lMM~Y OF TPF~ ON
Therefore, it is a general ob~ect of the present ~ ,.Lion to provide a ~y~tem incl~ nq a general purpose modem ra~hle of funct~ ng with a variety of differinq telephone systems.
A further general ob~ect of the pre~ent invention is to provide a method for operably connecting a modem to a variety of differing telephone systems.
Another ob~ect of the pre~ent i..~.,Lion is to provide a modem having a ~;ngle connector ~ack for connection to a variety of t~l~phone ~ystemfi.
~ et another ob~ect of the present invention is to provide a computer modem which can connect to a variety of telephone systems by means of programmable digital input/o~L~L lines which operate differently ~er~n~în~
on the requirements of the p~rticul~r t~l~phone device connected to the modem.
Another o~ect of the present i,.~a,.Lion is to provide a system for L~ mitting d~ta suit~ble for use with a plurality of diff-ring telephone system access d~vices, in which a computer is provided with software ~nd a modem with a plurality of general pu~03~
connect~on lines, such that a u~er can ~elect the type of tel-pbone access device using the ~oftw~re, wh~s~
th ~od ~ con~rQlled ~o th~t lt~ g~neral purpo~e connection line~ take on the ~pecific operating 1Yt~rface chbrActeristic~ required by the connected tel phonn acce~ d vice.
~ It~ al~o an ob~~ t of the pre~ent inv~nti~n to pror~de a co~puter modem having ~n output ~ack which ~n~ at ~ tip and ring lines and al~o digital data ~e8, ~O that by connection of an appropriate cable t~e ; ~odem can be u~ed with ~ landline telephone ~y~tem or th an alt~r~~tive telephone ~yst _ .

W093t2~3 PCT/US93/02937 ~
21.~..0722 A further ob~ect of the invention is to provide a computer modem with a memory for storing a plurality of telephone sy~tem ~oftw~re drivers, which m~y be selectively activated to u~e the modem w~th a plurality of L~s of telephone systems Another ob~ect of the present invention is to provide a system including a computer wit~
comm~ tions software and a modem with a re~ ~y~mmable memory device ~nd a univers~l p.o~.~mm~ble telephone system ~o,,~-Lion ~ck Still ~nother ob~ect of the present invention is to provide a system including ~ computer with communications software _nd a modem with a .~mm~ble memory deYice and a universal .G~ ~mmable ~ephQne system connection ~sck, wherein the communications software operAtes to selectiYely download ~nto modem memory softw_re drivers for the desired telephone system or systems, ~nd wherein the ~odem c~n be selectively operated using one of such software drivers to control call placement functions of a variety of tel~phone systems A further ob~ect of the yr~sont invention is to proYide _ method of connecting a stan~ o~ modem to a rl~Al ~ty of typ~s of telephone systems in which the mod~m ha~ a plurality of multipurpose yr~, _ 'vle digital CG~L~vl lines for ~G..L~Q~ g a connected telQphone term~nal, ~nd the functions of the ~v.L,~l l~n~ are selected by ~odem control softw~re a~_~,ding to the operating character~stics of the ter~inal These o~ects and others are achieved ~n the pr~nt in~ention by pro~iding a system comprising a portable computer with a central ~,vc~sing unit and as~ociated ~oftware Tbe computer further ~ncorporates a modem with an output ~ack c~rrying data ~,a..~mit ~T~), data receive (R~), tip, rinq, and ~.oy,~mm~ble digital W~93/2~3 11 0~ 22 PCT/US93/02937 input/output (DIO) lines. A sufficient number of plG~.ammable digital input/output lines are provided to facilitate control of a large number of alternative telephone access devices. The operation and functions of the tip, ring, TX, RX and y-oy.&~mable DIO lines are controlled by software in the modem under the control of the software in the computer. The functinn~lity of each line at any time depends on the type of telephone device connected to the modem. In a preferred embodiment, a user operates the software in the computer to specify a type or model of telephone Acc~s device h~i~g used with the modem, whe~e~ the RX, TX, tip and ring lines are rendered either operable or ;n~r~able, and a required subset of the prog.ammable DIO lines are cAl~e~ to operate in a m~nner neces~ry to achieve interactive control of an ~ttached tele~hone access device.
R~T~F n~CRIpTT~l~ OF ~u~ DRAWINGS
Figure la is a ~lock diagram fihowing the system of the ~La~nt invention connected for use ~ith a radiotelephone, while Figure lb is a block diagram showing the same system connected for use with a landl~ne telephone system.
Figure 2 i8 a flowchart showing the operation of the computer software used in the sy~tem to select the telephone access device to be connected, and thus the system'~ mode of operation.
- Figure 3 i8 a schematic diagram of the modem of the pre~ent inv~nti Qn with a cable providin~ operative connection to a first type of radio telephone.
Figure 4 i~ a flowchart showing the Rteps performed by softw~re in the modem or the computer to control the operation of the lines fol the connection shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the modem of the ~..~ent invention and a cable for connecting this wogJ~2~3 2 11 0 7 2 2 rcr/usg3/o2937 ~

modem to a stAn~Ard landline telephone jack for use with the l~n~ine telephone system.
Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the steps performed by software in the modem or the computer to control the operation of the lines for the connection shown in Figure 5.

DETAILED D~SCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to Figures la and lb, a portable data communications system according to the present invention is shown generally at 102. Portable data communication system 102 is configured for use with a radiotelephone in the embodiment of Figure la, while portable data communication system 102 is configured for use with a lAn~line telep~o~ system i~ t~e e~bodiment of Figure lb. In both embodiments, system 102 comprises a c~mputer 104 which i,l~o,~olates CPU 106, software 108, and modem 110.
Computer 104 mAy be any type of computer. In a preferred e~hoAjment, computer 104 may be an IBM-Compatible portable computer r~nni~ under the Microsoft ~S- W S operating ystem, and CPU 106 may typically be one of a number of mi~ ~lo~e~sors manufactured by Intel in the 80X86 series. CPU 106 is co~erted to access ~oftware 108, which is contained in a memory device such a~ a random access, read-only or reprogrammable per-unent memory, or on a mass stor~ge device such as a magnetic disk drive, optical disk drive, or ~hhle memory. Of course, those skilled in the art will ~ J~ the computer 104 also has a large number of other operating components ronn~rted to CPU 106. For ex~mple, v~rious memory and mass storage devices, input and output ports, auxiliary ~lo~ssors, and necessary ~u~orting ~omponents may be provided. Computer 104 :
W~93/2~3 2 110~ 2 2 PCT/US93/02937 g also preferably has means facilitating user in~eraction with and c~,.L ~1 of computer 104, such as an information display s~.~en, and a keyboard or touch ~creen. As thi~
other associated hardware is generally ~v~ve~Lio~ it is omitted from drawing Figures la _nd lb for clarity and will not be described in greater detail.
CPU 106 is co~n~-ted to a novel modem 110 which has a port 112 for connecting the modem to a tels~n~
network ~C9~ device. Preferably modem 110 is integrated into a main circuit board of the computer 104 or i8 constructed on a separate circuit board and installed in _ card slot provided for that purpose in computer 104. Ilo-le~er, modem 110 could also be constructed for exte~n~l connection to computer 104.
Modem port 112 preferably takes the form of a st~nA~d RJ-45 tel~p~one connector h_ving 8 pins.
In the embodiment of Figure la, port 112 is connected by _ cable 114 to a connector 118 of an acces~
derice 116 which is a terminal device for connection to an _lterna~ive telephone system. The term ~alternative telephone ~ystem~ will be used herein to define co~munication ~y~tems, other th~n tradit;o~-l an-l_ndline tel ~p~nne ~ystems, which permit tr~n~m;~ion of~n~srm~tion b~ .. a first station and any of _ la-ge nu~ber of other ~tation~ which can bQ ~electQd by the .
f~rst ~a~o~ through a ~ial~ng~ or equ~val~nt station des$gnating operation. The i.-~aJ.Lion will be described hers:~n us~nq t~he ~q-rple of a re~ ar radiotelephone ~y~t m, ~nd t-rm1nal 116 w~ll thus be referred to as ~r~diotelephone~ 116. Howa~e~, it ~hould b~ re~og~ d th~t the invention is not so limited and could b~ used with any alternative telephone ~ystem now existing or developed ~n the LuL~,e including cellular telephones, low power p~_~o~-l telephones, ~atellite-telephones, airplane seat phones, and other types.

W093/2~3 ; ~ 2 PCT/USg3/02g37 ~

Radiotelerhon~ 116 is ~..ve..tional and includes a control unit 120, a trAn-~Diver 122 and a connecting bus 124 b~L~ .. control unit 120 _nd tr_nsceiver 122.
Connector 118 permits ext~ connection to one or more lines of bus 124. ~a~iotelephone 116 may be an integrated h_nd-held unit, or cor~trol unit 120 and trAn~ceiver 122 m_y be contained in separate housings and bus 124 m~y include a connecting cable for connecting control unit 120 and transceiver 122. If r~diotelephone 116 is ~n integrated hand-held r~d~otelephone, connector 118 will gen rally be a ~o~,iet~ry connector located in the housing of radiotelephone 116 which pro~ides ex~e~nAl access to selected d~ta ~nd control lines of bus 124. If r~diotelephone 116 is constructed with multiple separate housings, cQ~n~tor 118 may be implemented as a tap inserted in the connection ~L.I~en control unit 120 and ~c~i~er 122.
Connecting cable 114 is pro~ided on one end with an RJ-45 conne~tor for connecting to modem port 112, and on the other end with a connector compatible with co~n~tor 118. Connecting c~ble 114 carries a receive data line (RX) 126, a tr~nsmit d~ta line (TX) 128, and one or more p.G~dm~mable digital input/output (DI0) lines 130.
It should be not d th~t while the preferred bod~m~nt of the connection betw~n r~diotelep~one 116 ~nd -od _ 110 h~s been described, other embodiments ~re ~pos~ble. For ex~ple, pa al le- digit~l tran~mission n~ eould be pro~ided for R~ ~nd/or TX functions.
Also, a w~ interf~ce such as a r~dio or infrared ts~nsmitter and receiver could be substiLuL~-l for the h~rdwired connection shown in the prefa ~-l embodiment.
The ~.~..Lor has determined that most telephone netvor~ ~ccess devices for altern~tive telephone srstems, such as radiotelephone 116, can be controlled W~93/2~3 2 110-~z 2 PCT/US93/02g37 using only a few variable ~unction programmable digital input/o~L~L lines 130. In particulsr, it has been found that a large number of alternative-type t~l~r~ones can be effecti~ely controlled and made to operate for data transmission and reception purposes using RX line 126, ~X line 128, and up to three programmable DI0 lines 130. However, a larger number of DIO lines 130 could also be pro~iding by using a second connector in addition to the RJ-45 connector, or a single ronnector with a larger number of pins. In one se~o~A~y embodiment, the lines carried by modem port 112 are divided and carried by a plurality of connectors. ~or example, tip and ring lines carried by modem port 112 could be carried in a stAn~-d RJ-ll jack and RX line 126, TX line 128, and ~,oy,~mma~le DI0 lines 130 could be carried in a separate ronn~ctor, such as an RJ-45 connector.
Modem.llO can be configured to provide a ~ariety of input and output signals on DIO lines 130, depen~in~ on the type of alternative telephone 116 being used. Then, by providing an a~.o~iate cable 114 for connecting modem 110 and alternati~e telephone 116, a user can transfer data using computer 104 in conjunction with an alternative telephone network. Specifically, in a prefe~ el embod~ment, a user can operate computer 104 using special software 108 to select the type of teler~ne 116 that will be used. Appropriate portions of software 108 may then be loaded into modem 110 and selected for use. In this way, the lines carried by c~ble 114 effectively control the operstion of telephone 116 in placing calls and transmitting and recei~ing d~ta. Modem 110 can thus be used with any type of alternati~e telephone system, including cellular telephones, low power personal telephones, airplane seat phones, satellite telephones, and other types of W093~2~3 ~- j rCT/US93/02937 -~
~ ~liOrl~,~2--12--telephone systems now available or which may be developed in the future. Nodem 110 will preferably operate using a variety of protocols dep~ g on the characteristics of the telerho~ system being used to transmit data. When used with a cellular telephone system, modem 110 will preferably operate with the protocols disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,697,281 owned by the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by refe ~nca.
As shown in Figure lb, computer 104 incorporating modem 110 can also be connected to a lAnA~in~ telephone interface 132 which is a telerhone neL~o k access device for landline tel~p~one systQms. A~ i nA i cAted previously, modem port 112 is preferably provided in the form of an RJ-45 c~nector. ~.AnAl ine telerh~
interface 132 may take the form of an RJ-ll wall plug provi~ing tip ~nd ring connections to a local telephone c~ntral office. C~ble 134 i~ connected L~ ell the RJ-connector of modem port 112 and the l~n~l ine interface 132 to connect the tip and ring lines of modem p~rt 112 to the tip and ring lines ea~_Lively of landline ~el~h~c interface }32. Preferably, pins 4 an~d 5 of tbe RJ-45 connector of modem port 112 are assign d to the tip and ring lines, so that c_ble 134 may b~ a standard l~n~line telelbo..e cable having RJ-lq conno~LG~_ at each end. Thus, modem 110 provides compa~i hi 1 i ty with a wide variety of alternative telephone systems, while maintA;~ing backward co~p~t~h~ ty with the ~lng tip and ring lAn~line telephone system. The operation and ~ G~ Lmming of modem 110 may further i..~os~or~te the te~chings of allowed U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/531,762, filed June 1, 1990 entitled ~System and Method for Interfacing Computers to Di~erse Telephone Networks~, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by W~93/2~3 PCT/US93/02g37 reference. When computer 104 snd modem 110 are connected to a lA~ e telephone interf_ce 132 ~s shown in Figure lb, modem 110 will generate s~a~Ard dual tone multi-f.e~e.~c~ (DTMF) telephone control signals on the tip and ring lines to place rAlls~ and will then transfer data over the tip and ring lines. When ~r".~ ed to an alternative telephone system, such as r_diotelephone 116 _s shown in Figure la, modem 110 will generate digital control 5i~n-l~ to control call pl_cement. The ~o..~.ol signals generated will be transmitted over ~ oy~mmable DIO lines 130 and/or the R~ line 126 and TX line 128 and will be specific to the type of altern~tive tel~phone being u~ed a~ selected by the softu~re.
Softw_re 108 is ~ ~?~icated communications ~.o~ am which initi~tes and controls the operation of modem lI0.
A primary function of software 108 is the selection and loading into modem 110 of drivers for particul_r telephone devices to be u~ed with system 102. The term ~driver~ will be used herein to define ~ny combination of ~.og am ~n~truction~ and/or d_ta which is specific to a particular brand, model, or type of telep~Qne network ~cce~ device. In one embodiment, a --pA~ate ~ Ated ~oftware dri~-~x ~o~ ~m is provided for each telephone device which ~i 1 be u~ed with the ry~tem.
In anoth~r ~mbodiment, a rpQcific driver ~o~.~m i~
provided fox 1 an~ e telephone systems _nd a gene~al i 7~A driver ~ m is also provided for ~cce~ing ~ltesn~t~ve-ty~pe telephone ~y~tem~. The gen~ral~e~ driver ~.o~.~m operates using a d~ta t~ble which h~s driver d~ta defining the interface scheme of ~rious altern~tive-type telephone ~CCQSS devices. The gene~Ali~eA ~gs~m operates appropriately with p~r~ticulsr altesnative-type telephone device by referring to this data table ~nd retrieving the W093/2~3 2 1 1 0 7 ~ 2 PCT/USg3/02g37 _ - 14 _ ne~s~ y inform~tion at e~ch step of the p.~r~m. A
tyri ra 1 list of data elements sufficient for the pe.~o.mance of some of the basic functions of system 102 is provided in Table 1. In many cas~, the d~ta table will include bit ma~ks which identify which of the RX, TX, and DI0 lines will be u~ed to ~fo.m a particul~r transm;~ion or sensing function. .sincs there are fewer than eight of these lines in the preCe~l embodiment, a single byte bit mask will be suffici4nt to define the function of these lines as to a particular operation.
The b~sic l~t of data elements pro~ided in T~ble 1 can be eYran~ed as desired to include any information ~bout the telephone that is needed to perform a desired operation.

~ . ' g3/20643 2110722 Pcr/us93/o2937 ~ T-T~n DATA TABLE ~T-~M~TS
nA~A ~lements for ~odel/Type Identi~icAtion MAsk for interf~ced line~ which ~re normally high Mask for interfaced lines which are normally low Mafik for interfaced lines which normally alternate ~GL~ high and low levels ~ta ~lements for Chec~i n~ Bus Av~ilability Mask for lines which must be high before ~Aking control of bus Mask for lines which must be low before taking control of bus n~tA l;~le~ents for TA1r; n~ rnnl rol of Elus ~ask for I/O lines to be given a ~high~ level to t~ke control of bus Mask for I/O lines to be given a low level to take control of bus Ma~k identifying lines used for serial digital trsnsmission ~ask identifyîng lines used for serial clocking operations Data to be serially transmitted to take control of bus Data which should be received from phone Data identifying protocol~, i.e. clock high to~low, which operation should be performed first, etc.
~ask for I/O l~nes to be given a "high~ level to ~i~Ahle ~peaker and microphone ~a~k for I/O lines to be given a ~low~ level to disable ~p~-ker and microphone n~A ~l~m~ntS for P~rfOr~;~g D;A1;n~ and Data Operations ~ask identifying line or lines to be used for transmission Data indicating audio level for transmission Initial data to be transmitted Data to be transmitted to dial ~0 Data to be transmitted to dial ~1~

Data to be transmitted to dial ~9"
Data to be tranQmitted to ~send~ dialed digits Data to be tran~mitted to ~end~ call Data on acknowledgement signals to be received, if any ~n~ing d~ta to be transmitted W093/2~3 2l in7 2 2i~ PCT/US93/02937 The driver fioftware for a particular telephone de~ice will ger~ y be downloaded into storage memory of modem 110 (for example, ~flA~ u~y,&deable memory~) before that telephone de~ice is used with modem 110.
The choice of de~ign for the driving softw~re is dependent on the number of telephone devices which are to be u~ed wlth a s~ngle modem 110. If a very large number of telephone devices are to be used, the memory required to hold separate dri~er prGy~ for each telephone will al~o be large, And it will be desirable to pro~ide a generic operating program which operates using.a data table for each telç~ho~ device, as shown in T~ble 1. Pref~r~bly, the memory of modem 110 will hold sever_l different drivers at the same time and will permit rerla~emQnt or upgrAAi~ of the drivers as needed.
A generAl~ flowchart for software 108 is shown in Figure 2. Upon transfer of control of CPU 106 to software 100, the p,G~,~m first determines what type and model of telephone is to be used for a comm~ni~tions ses ion ~s shown in block 150. Preferably, a default selection will be provided for the user based on pa~t u ge p~LL~ s or based on the connection of a part~cular ~e~hle: or the receipt of telephone-bus-sr~ r gn~ls as se~--d through modem port 112. If the cable is sen~, a default may be provided in each gen~ral ~ s of devices, i.e. one default for tip-and-ring.devicès and~one default for alternative telephone de~ices. If driver information for particular telephones has beQn pre~iously downloa~~d into the memory of modem 110, this information may also be used in deterri~ng the default. For example, if modem 110 has driver information stored for landline telephones and for a NEC P300 cellular radiotelephone, then sensing ,~

W~93/2~3 ; 21 1~7'22 PcT/us93/o2s37 - 17 _ of the connection of a cable to lines of modem port 112 other than the tip and ring lines will cause the NEC
P300 driver to be selected as the default.
If actual bus signals are ~q~ , rather than merely general cable connections, ~oftware 108 may be able to identify or at least narrow down the particular model of telephone device being used ~ on rest-state signal levels transmitted by the bus 124 of the altern_tive-type telephone. That i~, certain lines may be driven ~high" or ~low~ by the tel~rhone. A bit mask defined for each alternative-type tel~rbQn~ could be comp_red with the bit pAttern sensed on the RX, TX, and DI0 lines to narrow down or positively determine the - type of telerhone connected.
It is possible to p-ovide sor~ ~re 108 with drivers for all commerciall-~ aVA; 1 Ahl ~ alternative-type telephones. ~owe~r, m~ Aining _nd distributing up-to-date driver sets woul- be cumbersome, and might not provide su'bstanti_l b~nefits since _ny given user will typically access only a few alternative-type telephones.
Ther fore, in the usual c_se, driver software for the landline telephone system will be built into software 108, and driver softw_re specif~c to particular altsrn-tiv -type telephones may be provided in 8 eparately purr~-reA p-~age along with an _ppropriat~
cable 114. Thu~, only a few (perh ps one to ten) driv-rs for the telephone de~ices normally used by the user will be ~ava~ilahle in the system, _nd it may be ~;p4-s~ble~to exclude all but one po~hlç identity of the telephone device connected by fairly rudimentary sensing of the telephone device bus lines.
Preferably, the user may view a ~enu of telephone devices for which drivers are avA~ 1 e in the system ~- 102 and select a device to be used or desiqnate new default telephone devices.

W093/20643 2 ~ 7i2 2 P~/USg3/02937 ~ hen the default telephone de~ice has been Aco~pted by the user or a different driver has been ma~ally chosen, software 108 determines whether the required driver exists in modem memory as shown at block 152. If the selected driver is not ~vail~ble to the modem, ~oftware 108 will preferably downls~ the driver to the modem memory ~s shown in block 154. Preferably, the driver ~oftwar~ will be stored in non-volatile memory so that downloading is only required during the first operation after the user has obtained access to a new telephone n~L o.k acce~s de~ice, and is not nece~ary each time modem 110 operates. However, if desired, software 108 could instead operate to downlo~d the required driver to volatile RAM in modem 110 each time software 108 is aetivated.
After software 108 ensures that the necessary _river is ~vA~lAhle, the driver is designated as the oper~tive dri~er in block 156, for example by defining pointer~ to the memory locations of the desired driver instructions anq/or data. Modem 110 is thus set to oper~te wit~ the selected driver.
Next, in block 158, software 108 transmits to modem 110 ~nstruct~ons defining the desired operation. For ~x~mple, if a data tr~nsfer call is tO be placed to the nu~ber 555-1234, an instruction (preferably part of a predefined or st~nA~rdi2ed modem instruction set) to thifi effect would be transmitted by computer 104 to mod~m 110.
Th~n, in block 160, software 108 operates to tr~nsfer digit~l data in either or both directions b~L-~.. the computer 104 and a remote modem device through the connected telephone system. This transfer of information m~y be accomplished by a number of method~ well ~nown in the art, which may incorporate ~cript~ ~to~ r 3sing functions, f ile trans f er functions, 3 211'07 22 PCI'/US93/02937 --; 19 --or the computer 104 may be placed in a terminal emulation mode for interactive comml~nirAtion with the remote device.
Of course, those skilled in the art will ~e.iG!~I.ire that the system of the present invention could be made to perform the ~ame operat~ons with ~oc&sJing, memory, and software configurations other than the preferred configurations described herein. For ex~mple, modem 110 could be controlled from, and the driver software could be resident in, computer 104 rather than being downlo~ded to modem 110. This mode of operation would be preferred if the modem 110 is integrated onto the m~in bo~rd of computer 104.
F~gure 3 is a hlorlr schematic diagram of modem 110 and rahle 114 of Figure la, configured for use with an NEC ~lodel P300 Cellular telephone 116. Modem 110 comprises a computer connection port 202, controller 204., ~ory 206, data pump 208, opera~io~ amplifiers 210 and 212, isolation transfonner 214, hook switch 216 ~nd various a~oriated resistors ~nd c~racitors for perfon~ biasing, lo~ding, i~ol~ting, ~nd levèl ~tching functions in the circuit. Controller 204, ~_or~ 206, and data pump 208 are CG--ve-~ i on-l. For ex~pl-, ~Gnl.loller 204 D~y be a Rockwell Cl9, memory 206~y~ ihA TC55257, and data pump 208 m~y ~e a Rock~rell R6634.
llod_ ~port 112 has ~ight lines terminating in an y ~ccessible RJ-45 connector. Pin 8 of this conn-ctor~ connected to RX line 218, which is operatively connected to an RX-In terminal of data pump 208 and ~al80 to a first I/O port of controller 204. Pin 7 is~ connected to ground. Pin 6 i~ biased to +5 volts DC by a connection to a power ~ource through a resistor and i operatively connected by DI0 line 220 to a recQ~
I/O port of controller 204. Pin S of the RJ-45 ,~

WO 93/20643 ' ?~ 1 t 0 7 22 PCI~US93/02937 connector is connected through hook ~witch 216 and the prim~ry winA-ng of i~olation tran~former 214 to pin 4 of the RJ-45 connector. The secondary win~in~ of i~olation transformer 214 is connected through operat~
am~ e~s 210 and 212 to the RX-In and TX-Out pins of data pump 208. Pin 3 of the RJ-45 conne_ LOS i~
connected by DIO line 222 to a third I/O port of ~o..L.o~ 204. Pin 2 of the RJ-45 connector is biased to 0 volts by a pull-down resistor connected to ground, and is further connected by DIO l~ne 224 to a fourth I/O
port of ~o..L.oller 204. Pin 1 of the RJ-45 connector is connected by TX connecting line 226 to the TX-Out terminal of data pump 208 and to a fifth I/0 port of controller 204. Addi~ CO~ven~ i nn~ 1 tip and ring interface circuitry not shown in the diagram but well known in the art may al~o be provided, such as a ring ~ voltage detector circuit.
'~ The ~X-In and TX-Out pins of data pump 208 are thus connected through appropriate interface circuitry to the tip and ring lines (pins 4 and 5 of the RJ-45 connector) to f~ tate transfer of data using 8 con~g~ion-l tip and ring interface. The RX-In and RX-Out pins are also operatively connected to RX and TX lines of the RJ-45 connector, respect~ively. Thus, a two-wire to four-wire conversion means is provided for operatively connecting the two wire analog data interface of d~ta pump 208 simultaneously to a tip and ring interface and also to an RX-TX interface.
Hook switch 216 is prov~ded for ~electively connectlng the tip and ring lines to create an on-hook or off-hook condition, and operate~ under cG..L ol of the ..Lloller 204 by a connection which is omitted from the drawing for cl~rity. Although not shown in the drawing, isolation switches can ~lso be provided for the RX and TX pins of the RJ-45 connector, operating under control w~ g3,20643 '2 1 1~ ~ 2 ~ Pcr/us93/o2937 of controller 204, to ~,eve,.t transfer of signals through the RX and TX lines when the tip and ring interface is in use, and vice versa. Thus, controller 204 i~ provided with a means for selectively activating either a tip-and-ring style interface or an RX-TX style interface depe~Ain~ on the requirements of the attached telephone device. IIc~e~er, in the preferred embodiment, both the RX/T~ ~nd tip-and-ring interfaces are acti~ated and oper~ble whenever modem 110 is activated, and the interface that is uQed for carrying data is determined by the connections made by cable 114 or cable 134.
Preferably, the cables used with the system will operably connect either the RX/TX lines or the tip-and-ring lines to a tele~hone device, but not both.
The data pump 208, through its connection to the tip-and-ring or ~-TX lines, pro~ides analog data transfer cap-hility. Significantly, in addition to selecting the interface stAndArd~ controller 204 can selectively operate the modem 110 in either an analog or di~ital data transfer mode. This capability is facil~tated by the connection of the RX pin 8 and TX pin 1 of the RJ-45 connector to the first and fifth I/0 port~ of ~O~-L oller 204. Controller 204 may selectively d~activate data pump 208 and activate its first and f~fth I/0 ports to transfer data in serial digital form over the RX and TX lines of modem port 112. As a result, ~odem 110 of the present invention can be used w~th t~lephone systems which use analog data transmi~sion, such as public cellular radiotelephones, ~nd also w~th systems using digital transmission, such a~ certain digital cellular telephones currently under development which incorporate their own modulstion and demodulation devices for transmitting digitized voice Si~ ~

W093/2~3 ~110 7 2 2 PCT/US93/02937 The connection of I/0 ports to the ~x and TX lines al~o permits sensing the y.~ence of ~ignals on the~e lines, partic~lA~ly when the modem 110 is not tr~n~ferring data. For example, a ringing signal msy be generated on the spP~k.~r line of radiotelephone 116 wh~ch i~ connected to the RX line, and this si~n-~ co~l~
be ~-n-~A by c~..L oller 204 to initiate a call answering ~equence of modem 110. This I/O port connection also facilitates biasing of the RX ~nd TX lines which, as will be seen, i~ desirAhl~ for controlling alternative tel~rhone operation.
Computer connection port 202 provides an operative connection to fscilitate interactive control and transfer of data LcL.reen modem 110 and computer 104 (shown in Figures la and lb). Port 202 may be a serial port, a parallel port, a bus connection, or have any other a~ iate configuration depending on the interface provided in the design of computer 104 for the connection of modem 110. Port 202 is operatively connected to Co..L oller 204, which is operatively connected by a plurality of lines to both data pump 208 and m~mory 206. Memory 206 provides read/write storage of data during modem operation, and also provides permanent or ~emi-permanent storage for operating ~oftw~re of modem 110. Preferably, memory 206 may i..~o p~,~te ~flash upgr~eAhle memory which can he loaded or reloaded with a particular desired set of ~n~tructions which are then retained in memory 206 until c replaced in a ~ubsequent ~.G~,~mming operation.
In this first example, the modem 110 is confiqured for u~e with an NEC Model P300 cellular tel~p~on~.
Tho~e ~ in the art will recognize that ~ on the di~clo~ure herein, similar configurations could be provided for a variety of cellular and other alternative telephones.

W~93/2~3 ~ 0 7 22 PCT/US93/02937 Cable 114, as shown in the inset of Figure 3, is provided with an RJ-45 plug 228 at one end and a type 2303 connector 230 at its other end. The RJ-45 connector 228 mates with the RJ-45 ~ack of modem port 112, and the type 2303 connector 230 connects to a mating connector 118 on the NEC P300 cellular telephone 116. The pin connections of cable 114 are shown in Figure 3, and also in Table 2.

saa~ NNE~TO~S FOR ~E~ P300 PIN ~a~
1 TX 8, 3 TXAF
HFRAST
~: 2 DIO 4 DATA

~ 4 RING
;~ ' 5 TIP
6 DIO 1~ SCX
7 GROU~D 9, 12 GROUND

T~ble 2 , .
Through the design of cable 114, DIO lines 130 are connected to the particular lines of cellular bus 124 of '~ radioteIephone 116 which must be actuated to control the -~ placement and .~_6~Lion of calls using radiotelephone 116. As shown in the diagram, for certain telephones such as the NEC P300, the number of lines of cellular WO 93/20643 ' ~ ' i rcr/uss3/02s bus 124 to be actuated may be gre_ter thsn the number of ~o~mmable DI0 linQs 130 provided by modem port 112.
In ~uch cases, ~s in the example shown here, TX line 128 and RX line 126 may b~ connected to more than one line of bus 124, such as th~ough bi_sing resi~tors.
Prefera_ly, the lines of bus 124 which share a single line from modem port 112 ~re g-ouped ~o that the signals they require need not be provtded at the same time ~s si~n-l~ to other line~ of bus 124 connected to the ~ame line of modem port 112. Altern~tively, if ~uch a grouping is not possible, TX l~ne 128, in particul_r, can be u~ed to bi~s a line of r~ lAr bus 124 which is to be held at a high level during d~ta transmission. TX
line 128 can then be held high ~ n~ periods when no data is transmitted. In many cases the brief drops of TX 128 to ~ low level during d~ta tran~mission m_y not a~ sely effect the op~r_tion of cellular bus 124 since intern~l cap_cit_nce m~y p.eJ~nL the addition~lly connected bi_~ed line of cellular bus 124 from becoming ~~nhia~ed by the toggling of TX line 128.
The function of the var~ous lines of the NEC P300 cellul~r telephone~ connector 118 will be described only in gener~l terms herein sufficient to promote ~n under~tanding of the ~.e~e..~ invention. -.ho_c ~killed in the ast will reco~ that the construction ~nd programming of the ~ystem of the ~ent invention to work with any sp~cific ~lternative-type telephon~ must be performed with refe ~ e to the bus interface spea~ ation of the p_r~ict~lar alternative telephone which i~ to be used, as defined by the man~facturer of that telephone. For ex_mple, for the NEC P300 cellular tel~phone, the ~TRSE-800-21A data/A~ o interface ~p~c~ication~ produced by NEC America pro~ides spec~ ations for the preci~e signal ~equences to be tr_nsm~tted to externally control the NEC P300 telephone, and is incorporated herein by reference. The signals and sequences required vary depending on the manufacturer and model of telephone to be used, and are not part of the present invention.
In the example of Figure 3, RX pin 8 is connected to SPK pin 2 which is an audio output or "external speaker" line of bus 124. DIO pin 6 is connected to SCK
pin 11, which is a serial clock line which is biased from high to low by either the telephone or an external device to indicate the presence of valid data on DATA
pin 4. HFRAST pin 3 can be biased to 5+ volts DC to disable the microphone and speaker of telephone 116.
The level of BUSY pin 10 can be raised and lowered to indicate the present availability of bus 124. DATA pin 4 is a bi-directional serial digital data line capable of transmitting and receiving signals to indicate the status of radiotelephone 116 and to initiate operations such as call placement operations under external control. TXAF pin 8 is an audio signal input line which accepts and analog microphone signal.
The operation of modem 110 to initiate a call and the transmission and reception of data using the NEC
P300 cellular telephone will now be described with reference to the flowchart of Figure 4. The flowchart of Figure 4 shows the steps performed by a software routine stored in memory 206 and performed by controller 204 in response to a program initiation signal received through port 202 from computer 104. The software routine used may be provided specifically for the NEC
P300, or a generalized program may be provided, along with a data table which defines the interfacing scheme of the NEC P300 so that the generalized software program can operate with the NEC P300 as described herein.
Figure 4 shows the steps performed by the software of modem 110 to place a call and transfer data using an WOg3/2~3 PCT/US93/02937 al~er~tive tel~phone network access device. The~e steps will be described with particular reference to the example of Figure 3 which u~es an NEC P300 cellul~r telephone 116 as the slternat~ve telephone n~ro ~ ~
acc~ de~ice. In the first step, shown as block 302, the mode~ verifies that radiotelephone 116 is connected and ready to operate. One or more of the lines of modem port 112 (~hown in Figure 3) may be sensed by O~..L oller 204 to determine whether c~ble ~14 has been ~re,ly ~nstalled to connect modem 110 to radiotelephone 116.
~odem 110 can determine whether radiotelephone 116 is ready to receive c~,.L ol instructions by sensing the status of the BUSY line of radiotelephone 116. A low signal level on the BUSY line indicates that radiotelephone 116 is not avAilAhle to receive commands.
When modem 110 has determined that radiotelephone 116 i~ connected and ready to operate in placing a ca~l to-transfer data, modem 110 will disable the microphone and sp~k~r of radiotelephone 116 as shown in block 304 of the flowch~rt of Figure 4. The microphone of radiot~lephone 116 is dis~bled to prevent ambient noi~e from ~nterfering with the transmission of data. The ~pe~ker of r~diotelephone 116 is disabled so that the u~er i8 not fv~ to listen to a data carrier and/or modulated data signal over the speaker of radiotelçphQn~
~16. In the example shown using the NEC P300, the di~bl~ng of the microphone and sp~A~er of r~diotelephone 116 is accomplished by biasing RX line 126 to ~5 volts DC u~ing the connected first I/O port of r 204, and biasing the TX line 128 to ~5 volts DC by placing ~a ~high~ level signal on the ~cQ~A I/~
port of controller 204. ~iasing the RX and TX line~ to ~5 volts DC places a high level signal on the SP~, ~RAST, and TXAF lines of the NEC P300 which has the effect of ~is~hling the microphone and earpiece and ~g3/2~3 7 2 1 107 22 PCT/US93/02937 activating the transfer of ~n~io signals to ro~ tor 118.
As shown in block 306, the ~oftware of modem 110 then ~et~ the a~ o O~ L level of d_t_ pump 208 to the proper level for an~log e~ iOn and transmi~fiion of d_ta over the RX line 126 and T~ line 128 respectively.
For the NEC P300 cellul_r radiotelephone, _n Al~io level of -28dB is preferred. Ha~ , for other ~e~ 1 Ar radiotelephones or other type _lternative telephones, different _udio levels will customarily be re~uired.
B~ca~e data pump 208 i~ ~apa~le of _d~usting its audio level in sa~v..~e to ~oftware-driven commands of controller 204, it is possible to u~e modem 110 with ~
wide variety of _lternative telephones. If the alternative tel~pho~e is one which includes its own modulating _nd demodul_ting device similar to data pump 208, modem I10 m~y transmit and receive digital signals over th~ RX and TX lines using the I/O ports of oG~.L.oller 204 a~ described pre~iou~ly. If o~_ aLion in this mode is de~ired, the a~ Aio level of data pump 208 will be ~et to 0, i.e. the d_ta pump 208 will be ed. ~f the _udio level required by the connected telephone is lower than the r_nge of the data pump 208 used in the circuit, a resistor c~n be provided in the RX line 126 in c~ble 114 to reduce the output voltage.
H~ving optimized the functions of modem 110 for the particular alternative telephone in use, modem 110 will then transmit co _ and si~n-ls to initiate a telephone call, as ~hown ~n hl ock 308 of Figure 4. The commands will be tran~m~tted by ~ $ning particular functions to the DIO lines 130 a~o,ding to the type of alternative telephone in use. In the case of the NEC P300 cellular radiotelephone 116, the progr~mmable DI0 lines 130 are connected to the SCK, BUSY, and DATA lines of bus 124 of radiotelephone 116. It will be ~_G~..ized that the :
wo g3,2~3 ~ 1 1 0 7 2 ~ - 28 - PCT/US93/02937 software-controlled function of the DIO lines 130 will be ~Dl~rted dep~ g on the ch~r~cteristic~ of the alt~rn-tive t~ h~ device heing used. In addition to the connections required, the preci~e sign~ls (and the timing of the signals) which are tran~mitted to the lt~r~~tive telephone device to produce the desired operations, will be determined with reference to the interface ~pecification which is defined by the man~neL~a~ of the particular _ltern~tive telephone device. In the c_se of the NEC P300 cellular radiotelephone, dial commands will be transm~tted according to the signal definitions provided in the NEC
Data/A~ o Interface Specific_tion previously ref~,e.,. n l. In general, for the NEC P300 cellular radiotelephone 116, modem 110 will provide a dial comm~nd by pulling the BUSY line low to gain control of the bus, and then tr~nsmitting the comm_nd in serial dig~t,l ~a~h i Qn to the DATA line, pro~iding a cloc~
sign_l for the seriAl dAta tr~nsmission on the SCg line.
TYP;~A11Y, the dial commands may take the form of ~ mulating commands ~vailA~le in the command set of the altern_tive telephone system. For ex~mple, to di~l the telephone number 555-1234 using the NEC P300 cellular radiotelephone 116, modem 110 would se~e..Lially tr nsmit ~e~,ess emulating comm~nds on the DATA line for e_ch of the 7 digits of the tel~ph number, beg~ning with S _nd en~ing with 4. Modem 110 would then transmit a command on the DATA line to emulate the pressing of the ~send~ key on r-~istelephone 116. A~ a r-sult, radiotelephone 116 will perform the oper~tions it would have performed if the user had dialed the number on its keypad and pressed the ~send~
key, re~ulting in the placement of a call to the specified telephone number.

W~93/2~3 - 29 2 1 1 0 7 2 2 PCT~us93~0293~

In the next ~tep of the flowchart of Figure 4, in block 310, modem 110 determines whether a connection has been made to the ~elected te~ h~--F number. Thi~
determination is made by receiving status information from the alternative-type telephone. In the ca~e of NEC
P300 cellul~r radiotelephone 116, call st~tus inform~tion will be ~LuL.led to modem 110 on the DATA
line. If the al~rn~tive ~ele~~ device is not p~hle of providing detailed status information, modem 110 may operate by ~ssuming that a connection has been m~de and waiting for a carrier on the RX line 126 L~L.,~mitted by a co ~e~ n~ modem at the ~i~19 ~rl~p~ne number. A time-out clock of, for ex~mple, 20 seconds could be provided in this case, and if no c~rrier signal is received from the remote location before the end of the~defined period, modem 110 will a~sume that the connection attempt has failed and operate accor~in~ly. Specifically, in the c~se of a connection failure, control will transfer to block 316 of Figure 4 wh~e~-~,c... modem 110 will transmit a comm~nd to the ~lternative telephone directing it to end the call placement ~ttempt. In the case of the NEC P300 ~ radiot~l~rh~ne 116, a command to emulate the pressing of the ~end~ key could be transmitted. Then, ~s ~hown in block 318, modem llO will reset its inter~-l operation and release its control over bus 124 of radiotelephone 116. In the case of the NEC P300, modem llO will ~llow the busy line tO return to a ~high~ level to relinquish control of the bus. Preferably, modem llO
w~ll generate an in~ioation to the user that the call has been Ai~-Q~ne~ted, or that it could not be placed.
If the connection is made, control transfers to block 312 in which data is transmitted and/or received over the TX line 128 and RX line 126 respectively.
Tyric~l ly~ this step will involve transmission and W093/2~3 ~ 1 1 0 7 2 2 30 _ PCT/USg3/029 ~e~e~Lion of carriers which must be detected by the modems at each end to allow data transmission. Also, modem 110 may negotiate protocols to be used, including e.,o~ co~e~Lion protocols and speed of tran~mission with the remotely connected modem. The proto~
preferred by modem 110 in the negotiation will be determined by the type of telephone system being used.
For example, ~n a cellular system, ~h~n~ed error ing protocols will be preferred ~ Q fr~i n~
interference, ~nd hand-offs in ~uch systems inherently cau~e an i..-.es~ed rate of e~ o.s which must be a_Led. When the ~o.,~c-~ion has been fully e~tablished in this manner, modem 110 may transmit and/or recei~e data on TX line 128 and RX line 126.
Tran~fer of data mAy be accomplished by a number of general methods which can be selected by the user. For ex~mple, the communications software may enter a terminal emulation mode permitting direct interaction of the u~er with a remote computer. Alternati~ely, the software ~ay enter a file transfer mode for transferring data to or from msmory or a storage medium.
The transfer of data will continue until the tran~fer i~ complete ~s shown in block 314, either by v~rtue of there being no further data which is to be tran~ferrQd, or by virtue of some interruption in the telephon- ~hic'h causes a permanent interruption in the data link. Preferably, temporary interruptions such as tho~e occurring during cell hand-offs in a cellular telephone ~y~tem, will be tolerated as long as such ~- inte.,~t;ions do not e~.~ a predetermined time-out determined w$th refe.a..~e to the characteristics of the particular alternative telephone syfitem in ~se.
It i~ generally preferred to ~utomate the placement of data transfer r~l~s under co~trol of the computer 104 a~ol~ing to the flowchart of Figure 4. It will also be W~g3/2~3 - 31 - 211 07 22 PCT/US93/02g37 desirable to similarly automate other line control functions which are known in the modem ~rt. For example, auto-answer rAp~hility can be provided in which the modem i~ rlace~ in a waiting mode to receive data transfer calls. When the modem is in auto answer mode and a ringi n~ signal is received, the s_me general 86~ F of steps will be performed as decc~ih~ with refel~.~e to ~igure 4, but the commands transmitted to the altern~tive-type telephone in ~lock 308 will be commands to answer the incoming call, rather than to place a c~ll. Although less pref~ ~, it i~ ~lso possible to provide only a minimal rA~Ahility of modem 110 to ~o..~.ol a connected alternative-type telephone.
For example, in the flowchart of Figure 4, blocks 308 and 316 could he eliminated, and call placement and termination would then be mann~lly performed by the user using the controls of the ~lternative-type telephone.
Modem 110 would still operate to ~ hle the microphone and sr~aker and take ~O~L ol of the telephone bus after the call is placed, and would then release the bus and sr~hle the microphone and sp~a~e~ after completion of the dat~ tran~f-r.
In ~ddition to h~ving a plurality of function~l modes permitting selective operation with a variety of alternative-type ~el~ph~ne systems, modem 110 can be us-d with a standard l~n~line telephone system, as will b~ described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 shows modem 110 operatively c~nnected to a l~n~l;ne telephone syst _ in the ro~f~guration shown previously in Figure lb. Pins 1-3 ~nd pins 6-8 of the ~J-45 connector of ~odem port 112 are not connected in th~s configuratlon.
Tbe tlp and ring line~ ~p~ns 4 and 5 respectively) are connected to tip and ring lines of a stA~-rd landline telephone wall ~ack by a cable 134 having RJ-ll connectors at each end. To accommodate such a W093~2~3 ~ 122 32 - PCT/US93/02937 connection, the RJ-45 cQ~ tor of modem 110 is preferably of the type which will accommodate insertion of other RJ-45 connectors, and also a centered insertion of an RJ-ll connector ha~ing a slightly lesser width and 6 pin~ rather thsn 8. Thus, pins 4 and 5 of the RJ-45 connection of modem port 112 will be connected to the third and fourth pins res~__Lively of a 6-pin RJ-ll connector inserted in the RJ-45 ~ack.
The operating ~oftware of controller 204, which as de~ bed pre~iously may be stored in memory 206, provides for different operating parameters in the configuration of Figure 5 than are provided in the configuration of Figure 3. As noted previously, the softw~re provided may either include a separate program for lAn~line operation, or may be generalized, in which case a data table will be pro~ided with the program specifying which functions are to be performed and which lines are to be used for particular functions, so as to provide the operation described herein with respect to landline telephone systems. Figure 6 shows a flowchart definin~ the functions of the software of modem 110 in placing a l~n~line call when modem 110 is ro~çted to a 1An~line telephone ~ystem as shown in Figure 5. In hlock 502 of the flowchart, the call placement function begins with verification that the landline telophone ystem is connected and ready for use by the modem in plac~ng a call. Typically, this verification function ~ay be performed by tAking the landline telephone line off :hook using hook switch 216, and detecting the presence or absence of a dial tone on the tip and ring lines. Th~s operation thus differs from the operation defined in block 302 of Figure 4 in that no digital data interchange occurs between modem 1~0 and the connected telephone system.

.

W~93~2~3 2 1 1 0 7 2 2 PCT/USg3/0293~

Next, as shown in block 504, the data pump 208 audio level is set by controller 204 to an optimized level for l~nAl ine tel~rh~n? communication. In a preLeY e~ embodiment, the ~ io level for lAnAline communications will be set to a value in the range of -10 to -25d~.
In block 506, dual-tone multi-frequency telephone l in~ sir-~s are generated by ~on~e~Lional circuitry a~ociated ~ith modem 110 and transmitted over the tip and ring lines to the landline telephone system. Dual-tone multi-f~e~cncy signal generation may be provided as a r~pAhil-ty of dats pump 208, or a separate DTMF
generating circuit (not shown) may be provided within modem 110 and operatively ~on~ected tO the tip and ring lines in a manner which is well known in the art. This AiAlinq o~e.aLion, in contrast to the operation of block 308 in Figure 4, does not involve the transmission of digital oo..~ol and h~nAch ~i~g signals through the variAhl~ function ~ o~l~mmable DI0 lines 130, but instead is an analog transmission of st~n~Ardized DTMF
telephone ~o.,L~ol si~-ls over the tip and ring lines.
In ~lo~k 508, modem 110 monitors the signals on the t~p and rin~ lines to determine whether a connection has been made to the dialed telephone number. In particular, data pump 208 may be operated to detect a carrier signal transmitted by a distant modem at the dialed telephone number, with the receipt of the carrier ~ c~ting that a data transfer connection has k~en complet~d. When the data transfer connection has been made, digit~l data to be transferred is transmitted and received over the tip and ring lines and t~e tip and ring interface circuitry of modem 110 by the data pump 208. Dat~ pump 208 transmits modulated signals ~e~a~enting digital data to be transmitted throuqh the TX-Out pin, and receives modulated signals representing W093/2~3 '~?;1~ 0722 - 34 - PCT/US93/02937 r~

digital data through the RX-In pin. Controller 204 reeeives data to be transmitted from eomputer 104 through port 202 and passes the data to data pump 208 for transmi~sion. Controller 204 reeeives incoming data from data pump 208 in digital form and transmits this data through port 202 to eomputer 104. CG-.L oller 204 determines the error co re~Ling and other protoeols whieh _re to be used in the transmission of d~ta dc~-~nl~ng on the software ~Gy am. e?~ e of the greater r~liAhility of a hard-wired lAn~line telephone system, simpler e,~o~ co~ ecLing protoeols whieh generate less overhe~d are preferred for lAn~l in~
eommunieations. As noted before, beeause syste~s whieh i..c~,~orate radio transmi~sion of data are subjeet to interferenee, fading, transmitter hand-offs, and other sourees of data error, more eomplex error eorreeting protoeols sueh as forward error CO~L_ Lion, variable paeket sizing and other ~erhni ~ues may be used with alternative-type telephone systems.
When the desired transfer of data has been eompIeted, as shown at hl ~k 512, eontrol pa~ from ~ k 510 to hloek 514 and eontroller 204 operates hook switeh 216 to pl~ee the tip and ring lines on hook thus diseonneeting the eall. In eases where the desired eall eannot be eompl~ted for the transfer of data, eontrol is passed from ~lo~k 508 to bloe~ 514, bypassing the transmission and ~e~e~Lion of data, and the eall is onneeted~ Preferably, in this ease, eontroller 204 prov~des a signal to eomputer 104 to alert the user to the nature of the eall fa~ re.
R~ea~e the DIO l~nes 130 ean be operated vari~bly to interfaee with various types of telephones 116, ~
single moden ean be used with All existing landline ~nd eellular networks, as well as other types of telephone networks whieh ~ay eome into eommon use. Thus, this W~93/2~3 ' PCT/VS93/02937 - 35 ~ 21 10 7 2 2 modem eliminates the need for a computer user to have seversl mod~ms. In addition, the stAnA-rd, generic nature of the modem means that it can be pr~A~ in very l~rge ~ant~ties by manufacturers ~nd ~tocko~ ~n ~mall qu~ntities by re~Ai1e~s si~rè there will be no great proliferation of models. The generic nature of the modem and the fact thAt the modem can be ~e~.~.~mmed by software 108 i..L~ into computer 104, to t'hus work with new and different types of access devices 116 me~ns th_t modem 110 can be integrated into the m~in circuit board of computer 104. Such an integrated modem can be u~ ~ded for use with new telephones and telephone-like systems by int~ g new operating software, rather thsn by replacing the modem hardware. R~CA~e of its generic nature, the modem AccQrding to the present i..~e..Lion can also be mass ~o~ F,-~ for l~ttle more than the cost of a lAn~line-only mod _. The modem ~o~ding to the present ~ J~I io~ contains all the complex circuitry necessary to est~blish Co D~nic~tions. Only relatively simple and inexpensive connecting c~bles need be specific to the telephone which is to be used with the modem. Thus, the system of the present i-.~e-.Lion further ~e1UCLS the tot~l end user cost of multi-network data transmission access.

Claims

1. 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.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the jack means comprises a single standardized telephone connector.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the single standardized telephone connector is an RJ-45 connector.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmission of data is performed at a variable audio level, said audio level specified according to the software driver in use.

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 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.

6. The system of claim 5 including at least one cable means for operably connecting said jack means to a connection port of said telephone network access device.

7. The system of claim 6 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.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said cable means is a standard RJ-11 landline telephone cable.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said standard RJ-11 landline telephone cable operably connects said tip-and-ring interface to said telephone network access device without operably connecting said transmit line and receive line interface to said telephone network access device.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said first connector is an RJ-45 connector.

11. The system of claim 6 wherein one said cable means operably connects one or more of said control lines and said receive line and transmit line interface to a selected radiotelephone network access device without operably connecting said tip and ring interface to said radiotelephone network access device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said cable means comprises level setting means for setting the signal level transmitted by said transmit line and receive line interface.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said level setting means comprises a resistor installed in said cable means.

14. The system of claim 6 wherein a plurality of said cable means are provided, each cable means specifically designed in conjunction with said software drivers to render said system operable with at least one of said telephone network access devices.

15. The system of claim 5 wherein said jack means comprises two connectors, a first connector for connecting to said tip and ring interface and a second connector for connecting to said receive line and transmit line interface.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said first connector is an RJ-11 connector having six pins and said tip-and-ring interface uses the third and fourth pins of said RJ-11 connector.

17. The system of claim 5 wherein the receive and transmit interface operates at a specified audio level, said audio level variable under the control of said modem controller means according to the requirements of the telephone network access device in use.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said software drivers include data defining the required audio level for the selected telephone network access device whereby said audio level is appropriately set.

19. The system of claim 5 wherein the modem controller means further comprises digital data ports operably connected to said receive line and said transmit line respectively, whereby said modem controller may selectively control and monitor the signal levels on said receive line and said transmit line.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said modem controller means selectively operates to transfer data in digital form over said receive line and transmit line interface.

21. The system of claim 5 including bifunctional means for selectively operating said receive line and transmit line interface in a first mode to transfer an analog signal representing modulated digital data and in a second mode to transfer a digital data signal in bipolar form, the selection between said modes determined by the type of telephone network access device in use.

22. The system of claim 5 wherein the modem controller means operates to transfer digital data in one of two modes: a first mode wherein said receive line and transmit line interface transfers a signal representing digital data, and a second mode wherein said tip and ring interface transfers an analog signal representing digital data, the selection of said first or second mode determined by the type of telephone network access device in use.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said software drivers define the mode of operation to be used with a particular telephone network access device.

24. The system of claim 5 wherein the modem controller means selectively operates the modem means in one of three data transfer modes: a first mode wherein analog signals representing modulated digital data are transferred using said receive line and transmit line interface, a second mode wherein digital data signals in bipolar digital form are transferred using said receive line and transmit line interface, and a third mode in which said analog signals of the first mode representing modulated digital data are transferred using said tip and ring interface, wherein the selection between said modes is programmably determined depending on the type of telephone network access device in use.

25. The system of claim 5 wherein said modem controller means comprises memory for storing a plurality of said software drivers.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein said communications software of said computer means selectively downloads desired software drivers to said memory of said modem controller means.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein said memory comprises storage and upgrade means whereby said software drivers are retained for use in said modem means until replaced by the operation of said communications software in response to a user instruction.

28. 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, comprising:
computer means for processing data transferable over the telephone network access device, and having a data communications program;
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;
two-wire to four-wire connection means operatively connected to said data pump means for providing a tip-and-ring interface 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 and 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 data access arrangement, and said data pump means for controlling the operation of said modem means by accessing one of a plurality of software drivers for operating said modem in conjunction with one of said plurality of telephone network access devices, whereby the operation of said control signal lines is varied in response to said software drivers to permit the control of call placement functions of different types of telephone network access devices by said modem means; and jack means connected to said control signal lines, said data lines, and said data access arrangement for providing an external connection of said tip and ring interface, said receive 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.

29. A system for transferring data between a computing device and a remote device using a selected one of a plurality of telephone network access devices including at least one radiotelephone network access device, comprising:
modem means for connection to said computing device and further connectable by at least one of a receive line and transmit line interface and a tip and ring line interface to one of said telephone network access devices for transferring data between said computing device and a remote data transfer device over said connected telephone network access device, said modem means operating selectively to transfer digital data in one of at least two modes depending on the type of telephone network access device in use: a first mode using said receive line and transmit line interface to transfer a signal representing digital data, and a second mode using said tip and ring interface to transfer an analog signal representing digital data, said modem means comprising:

modem controller means connected to said computer means for controlling the mode of operation of said modem means and for controlling call placement functions of said connected telephone network access devices in response to a software driver; and memory means connected to said modem controller means for storing one or more of said software drivers, each including data specific to at least one particular telephone network access device for use by said modem controller means in selecting an appropriate one of said modes of operation of the modem and generating appropriate call placement control commands specific to said particular telephone network access device; and a data communications program designed to operate in the computing device and capable of accessing a plurality of said software drivers and thereafter selectively downloading one or more of said software drivers to said memory means for subsequent use in transferring data using an associated telephone network access device connected to said modem means.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said memory means has the capacity to store a plurality of said software drivers.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said memory means stores a software driver for a landline telephone connection and at least one software driver for a cellular radiotelephone connection.

32. The system of claim 29 wherein said memory means comprises flash reprogrammable memory.

33. The system of claim 29 further comprising jack means for connecting said tip and ring interface and said transmit line and receive line interface to said one of said telephone network access devices.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein said jack means comprises a standard telephone connector, and further comprising cable means extending at least between a first connector mating with said standard telephone connector and a second connector mating with a connection port of said telephone network access device.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein said cable means is a standard RJ-11 landline telephone cable.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein said standard RJ-11 landline telephone cable operably connects said tip-and-ring interface to said telephone network access device without operably connecting said transmit line and receive line interface to said telephone network access device.

37. The system of claim 34 wherein said first connector is an RJ-45 connector.

38. The system of claim 34 wherein one said cable means operably connects one or more of said control lines and said receive line and transmit line interface to a selected radiotelephone network access device without operably connecting said tip and ring interface to said radiotelephone network access device.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein said cable means comprises level setting means for setting the signal level transmitted by said transmit line and receive line interface.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein said level setting means comprises a resistor installed in said cable means.

41. The system of claim 34 wherein a plurality of said cable means are provided, each cable means specifically designed in conjunction with said software drivers to render said system operable with at least one of said telephone network access devices.

42. The system of claim 33 wherein said jack means comprises two connectors, a first connector for connecting to said tip and ring interface and a second connector for connecting to said receive line and transmit line interface.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein said first connector is an RJ-11 connector having six pins and said tip-and-ring interface uses the third and fourth pins of said RJ-11 connector.

44. The system of claim 29 wherein the receive and transmit interface operates at a specified audio level, said audio level variable under the control of said modem controller means according to the requirements of the telephone network access device in use.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein said software drivers include data defining the required audio level for the selected telephone network access device whereby said audio level is appropriately set.

46. The system of claim 29 wherein the modem controller means further comprises digital data ports operably connected to said receive line and said transmit line respectively, whereby said modem controller may selectively control and monitor the signal levels on said receive line and said transmit line.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein said modem controller means selectively operates to transfer data in digital form over said receive line and transmit line interface.

48. The system of claim 29 further comprising bifunctional means for selectively operating said receive line and transmit line interface in a first mode to transfer an analog signal representing modulated digital data and in a second mode to transfer a digital data signal in bipolar form, the selection between said modes determined by the type of telephone network access device in use.

49. The system of claim 29 wherein the modem controller means operates to transfer digital data in one of two modes: a first mode wherein said receive line and transmit line interface transfers a signal representing digital data, and a second mode wherein said tip and ring interface transfers an analog signal representing digital data, the selection of said first or second mode determined by the type of telephone network access device in use.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein said software drivers define the mode of operation to be used with a particular telephone network access device.

51. The system of claim 29 wherein the modem controller means selectively operates the modem means in one of three data transfer modes: a first mode wherein analog signals representing modulated digital data are transferred using said receive line and transmit line interface, a second mode wherein digital data signals in bipolar digital form are transferred using said receive line and transmit line interface, and a third mode in which said analog signals of the first mode representing modulated digital data are transferred using said tip and ring interface, wherein the selection between said modes is programmably determined depending on the type of telephone network access device in use.

52. The system of claim 29 wherein said memory comprises storage and upgrade means whereby said software drivers are retained for use in said modem means until replaced by the operation of said communications software in response to a user instruction.

53. An integrated computer and modem system for processing and transferring data using a selected one of a plurality of telephone network access devices including at least one radiotelephone network access device, comprising:
computer means for processing data transferable over the telephone network access device, and having a data communications program;
modem means integrated with 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 data access arrangement operatively connected to said data pump means for providing a tip-and-ring interface 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; and jack means connected to said control signal lines, said data lines, and said data access arrangement for providing a dedicated external connection of said tip and ring interface, said receive 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 the communications software of said computer comprises software drivers for selectively controlling the operation of said modem means in conjunction with one of said plurality of telephone network access devices, said communications software operating to vary the operation of said control signal lines in response to said selected software drivers to permit the control of call placement functions of different types of telephone network access devices by said modem means.

54. A portable computer system adapted for transferring data over a radio telephone network when directly connected to a specific radio telephone access device having a specific external connector for allowing external control of the radio telephone access device, comprising a transportable computer housing;
computer means mounted within said computer housing for processing data transferrable over a radio telephone network access device;

modem means operably connected to the computer means and mounted substantially within said transportable computer housing for transferring data between said computer means and a remote data transfer device over a radio telephone network access device, said modem means comprising, data pump means for transferring data between the modem means and a radio telephone access device;

receive and transmit data lines operatively connected to said data pump means to provide a receiver and transmit line interface for carrying data between the modem means and a radio telephone access device;

control signal lines adaptable to carry control signals for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of different types of radio telephone network access devices;

program controllable modem controller means connected to said computer means, said control signal lines, and said data pump means for controlling the operation of said modem means in response to a modem control program to permit the control of call placement function of a specific type of radio telephone network access device by said modem;

jack means mounted on said transportable computer housing and connected to said control lines, and said receive and transmit data lines for providing an external connection of said receive and transmit line interface to allow said modem means to be connected with different types of radio telephone network access devices;

matched program and cable means for causing the computer system to be suitable for transferring data over a radio telephone network only upon connection with a specific radio telephone access device, said matched program and cable means including a device specific multi-line cable means for interconnecting at one end with said jack means and adapted for connection at the other end with the device specific external connection of a specific radio telephone access device to interconnect said receive and transmit data lines and said control lines with said specific external connector of the telephone access device;

program means for programming said modem controller means to cause said control lines to function in a manner suitable only for the specific radio telephone access device with which said cable means is adapted to be connected.

55. A kit for programming and connecting a computer connected, programmable modem to one of a plurality of different types of cellular telephones having different control protocols, respectively, for controlling phone functions and having different external electrical connectors, respectively, to receive external control signals formatted in accordance with the control protocols for controlling cellular phone operation to allow data to be transferred and received by the computer over a cellular network, comprising a cellular telephone cable means for interconnecting a specific one of the cellular telephones to the modem, said cellular telephone cable means including a conductive cable having a modem connector at one end for connection with the modem and a cellular telephone connector at the other end for connection with the specific external electrical connector of one of the plurality of cellular telephones, and a non-volatile digital data recording medium containing a software driver adapted to be loaded into the programmable modem for causing the modem to produce control signals in accordance with the control protocol necessary to operate the specific cellular telephone with which said conductive cable is adapted to be connected.

56. 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:

(1) 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:
(a) a standardized connector mating with a corresponding connector in the computer means to operably connect the modem for data transfer with the computer means;

(b) 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;

(c) 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;

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

(e) 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;

(f) 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 is 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 driver stored in said memory means;

(2) 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 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;

(3) 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 (4) 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.

57. A modem unit as defined in claim 56, wherein said jack means includes a port for receiving said compatible connector at said one end of said multi-line cable means to form an electrical connection between said control signal lines, said receive line and said transmit line with corresponding lines in said multi-line cable means.

58. A modem unit as defined in claim 56, wherein said jack means includes a standard telephone connector.

59. A modem unit as defined in claim 58, wherein the receive and transmit interface operates at a specified audio level, said audio level being variable under the control of said modem controller means according to the requirements of the telephone network access device to which said multi-line cable means is connected.

60. A modem unit as defined in claim 56, wherein said software driver includes data defining the required audio level for the selected telephone network access device whereby said audio level is appropriately set.

61. A modem unit as defined in claim 56, wherein said modem controller means further comprises digital data ports operably connected to said receive line and said transmit line, respectively, whereby said modem controller means may selectively control and monitor the signal levels on said receive line and said transmit line.

62. A modem unit as defined in claim 61, wherein said modem controller means selectively operates to transfer data in digital form over said receive line and transmit line interface.

63. A modem unit as defined in claim 56, further including bi-functional means for selectively operating said receive line and transmit line interface in a first mode to transfer an analog signal representing modulated digital data and in a second mode to transfer a digital data signal in bipolar form, the selection between said modes being determined by the type of telephone network access device in use.

64. A modem unit as defined in claim 56, wherein said memory means includes sufficient memory capacity to store a plurality of said software drivers.