US5982768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual band modem for high bandwidth communications
Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1997-07-25
•
Granted: 1999-11-09
•
Expires: 2017-07-25
Abstract
Abstract The present invention allows a modem to operate in both the voice band, from 300 to 3400 Hz, and also in the ADSL band, which extends above 3400 Hz. Unlike conventional ADSL modems, the present invention avoids the computationally-intensive operations required to extract all the available band of a telephone subscriber loop. Consequently, the present invention can be implemented with low-cost modifications to existing voice band modems. The present invention thereby offers higher data transfer rates at a fraction of the cost of more complicated ADSL modems. The present invention also provides bypassing functions, which allow communications through a modem located at the telephone central office side of a subscriber loop to be switched through a packet-switched network, which is capable of accommodating high data transfer rates, instead of a central office switching system, which generally imposes unnecessary limitations on data transfer rates.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald M. Bellenger
- 👤 Steven P. Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04M11/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 79
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface, the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, and the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface including a mechanism to negotiate with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second; and a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the communication circuit between an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, and an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface, the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, and the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface including a mechanism to negotiate with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second; and a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the communication circuit between an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, and an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus does not include circuitry to communicate using an ISDN protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: if the communication circuit communicates on a plurality of orthogonal channels on a single physical channel, the effective symbol rate is equal to the summation of the symbol rates across the plurality of orthogonal channels; and if the communication circuit communicates on a single physical channel, the effective symbol rate is equal to the symbol rate for the single channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit is used to communicate facsimile signals with the remote modem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1, including a line probing mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface, the line probing mechanism including resources to determine if the telephone line is capable of passing information at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, including a mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface that exchanges information with the remote modem to identify a continuation of a previous communication session with the remote modem.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
The apparatus of claim 1, including a mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface that exchanges information with the remote modem to identify a continuation of a previous communication session with the remote modem, the mechanism including: a mechanism that exchanges identifying information for old parameters of an old communication session at the end of the old communication session; a mechanism that starts a new communication session by exchanging the identifying information for the old parameters, so that if the old parameters match, the new communication session starts with the old parameters, and if the old parameters mismatch the connection between the first modem and the second modem is retrained to produce new parameters for the new communication session.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, including a mechanism to probe the communication channel to determine modulation parameters for communications across the communication channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, including a mechanism to train a connection between the first modem and the second modem for echo cancellation and equalization.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit includes: a modulating circuit; a demodulating circuit; a digital-to-analog converter; and an analog-to-digital converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the negotiation mechanism facilitates a modified V.8 exchange with the remote modem to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telephone line includes a subscriber loop.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telephone line includes a connection through a telephone switching system.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface, the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at a rate below 64,000 bits per second, and the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at a rate above 64,000 bits per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface including a mechanism to negotiate with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at a rate above 64,000 bits per second; and a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the communication circuit between a rate below 64,000 bits per second, and a rate above 64,000 symbols per second.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface, the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at a rate below 64,000 bits per second, and the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at a rate above 64,000 bits per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface including a mechanism to negotiate with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at a rate above 64,000 bits per second; and a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the communication circuit between a rate below 64,000 bits per second, and a rate above 64,000 symbols per second.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface, the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate using both a V.34/56K protocol and an ISDN protocol through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface including a mechanism to negotiate with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem using the V.34/56K protocol or the ISDN protocol; and a transfer rate switching mechanism coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the communication circuit between the V.34/56K protocol and the ISDN protocol.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface, the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate using both a V.34/56K protocol and an ISDN protocol through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface including a mechanism to negotiate with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem using the V.34/56K protocol or the ISDN protocol; and a transfer rate switching mechanism coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the communication circuit between the V.34/56K protocol and the ISDN protocol.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line and a packet-switched network, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface and the network interface, the communication circuit communicating at an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second, or an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism for switching the communication circuit between an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second and an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; and a mechanism that converts between analog circuit-based data on the telephone line and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line and a packet-switched network, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface and the network interface, the communication circuit communicating at an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second, or an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism for switching the communication circuit between an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second and an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; and a mechanism that converts between analog circuit-based data on the telephone line and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus does not include circuitry to communicate using an ISDN protocol.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 16, including a switch coupled to a central office switching system, and coupled between the telephone line interface and the communication circuit for switching the telephone line between the central office switching system and the packet-switched network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the communication circuit is used to communicate facsimile signals with the remote modem.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line and a packet-switched network, comprising: telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface and the network interface, the communication circuit communicating at an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, or an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second; and a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism for switching the communication circuit between an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second and an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line and a packet-switched network, comprising: telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface and the network interface, the communication circuit communicating at an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, or an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second; and a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism for switching the communication circuit between an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second and an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line and a packet-switched network, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface and the network interface, the communication circuit communicating at a rate below 64,000 bits per second, or a rate above 64,000 bits per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at a rate above 64,000 bits per second; and a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism for switching the communication circuit between a rate below 64,000 bits per second and a rate above 64,000 bits per second.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line and a packet-switched network, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface and the network interface, the communication circuit communicating at a rate below 64,000 bits per second, or a rate above 64,000 bits per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at a rate above 64,000 bits per second; and a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism for switching the communication circuit between a rate below 64,000 bits per second and a rate above 64,000 bits per second.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line and a packet-switched network, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface and the network interface, the communication circuit communicating using both a V.34/56K protocol and an ISDN protocol through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem using the V.34/56K protocol or the ISDN protocol; and a transfer rate switching mechanism coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism for switching the communication circuit between the V.34/56K protocol and the ISDN protocol.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line and a packet-switched network, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface and the network interface, the communication circuit communicating using both a V.34/56K protocol and an ISDN protocol through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem using the V.34/56K protocol or the ISDN protocol; and a transfer rate switching mechanism coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism for switching the communication circuit between the V.34/56K protocol and the ISDN protocol.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a plurality of telephone lines and a packet-switched network, comprising: a plurality of telephone line interfaces coupled to the plurality of telephone lines; a network interface coupled to a packet-switched network; a plurality of communication circuits coupled to respective telephone line interfaces in the plurality of telephone line interfaces and the network interface, communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second, and communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second through to the telephone line interface; at least one negotiation mechanism coupled to telephone lines in the plurality of telephone line interfaces for negotiation with a plurality of remote modems coupled to the plurality of telephone lines to determine whether to communicate with remote modems in the plurality of remote modems at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; at least one transfer rate switching system coupled to communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits and to at least one negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the plurality of communication circuits between an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second and an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; and a mechanism that converts between analog circuit-based data on telephone lines in the plurality of telephone lines and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a plurality of telephone lines and a packet-switched network, comprising: a plurality of telephone line interfaces coupled to the plurality of telephone lines; a network interface coupled to a packet-switched network; a plurality of communication circuits coupled to respective telephone line interfaces in the plurality of telephone line interfaces and the network interface, communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second, and communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second through to the telephone line interface; at least one negotiation mechanism coupled to telephone lines in the plurality of telephone line interfaces for negotiation with a plurality of remote modems coupled to the plurality of telephone lines to determine whether to communicate with remote modems in the plurality of remote modems at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; at least one transfer rate switching system coupled to communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits and to at least one negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the plurality of communication circuits between an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second and an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; and a mechanism that converts between analog circuit-based data on telephone lines in the plurality of telephone lines and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the apparatus does not include circuitry to communicate using an ISDN protocol.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 23, including a switch coupled to a central office switching system, and coupled between the plurality of telephone line interfaces and the plurality of communication circuits for switching telephone lines in the plurality of telephone lines between the central office switching system and the packet-switched network.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits are used to communicate facsimile signals with remote modems in the plurality of remote modems.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line between a first modem and a second modem, the telephone line being coupled to the first modem and the second modem, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line; negotiating between the first modem and the second modem through the connection to establish an agreed-upon communication rate; if the agreed-upon communication rate is below 8,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 8,000 effective symbols per second; and if the agreed-upon communication rate is above 8,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 8,000 effective symbols per second.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line between a first modem and a second modem, the telephone line being coupled to the first modem and the second modem, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line; negotiating between the first modem and the second modem through the connection to establish an agreed-upon communication rate; if the agreed-upon communication rate is below 8,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 8,000 effective symbols per second; and if the agreed-upon communication rate is above 8,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 8,000 effective symbols per second.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the communicating between the first modem and the second modem does not involve an ISDN protocol.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27, wherein communications between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line include facsimile signals.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 27, including the step of probing the telephone line to determine if the telephone line is capable of passing information at greater than 8,000 effective symbols per second.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 27, including the step of exchanging information between the first modem and the second modem to identify a continuation of a previous communication session between the first modem and the second modem.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
105 words
The method of claim 27, including the step of exchanging information between the first modem and the second modem to identify a continuation of a previous communication session between the first modem and the second modem, wherein the step of exchanging information includes: exchanging identifying information for old parameters of an old communication session at the end of the old communication session; starting a new communication session by exchanging the identifying information for the old parameters; if the old parameters match, starting a new session with the old parameters; if the old parameters mismatch, retraining the connection between the first modem and the second modem.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27, including the step of probing the communication channel to determine modulation parameters for communications across the communication channel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27, including the step of training a connection between the first modem and the second modem for echo cancellation and equalization.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the step of communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 8,000 effective symbols per second and the step of communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 8,000 effective symbols per second, include the steps of: modulating a signal; demodulating a signal; converting an analog signal to a digital signal; and converting a digital signal to an analog signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the step of negotiating performs a modified V.8 exchange between the first modem and the second modem to determine whether to communicate between the first modem and the second modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the telephone line includes a subscriber loop.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the telephone line includes a connection through a telephone switching system.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the second modem is coupled to a packet-switched network, and including the step of establishing a connection from the second modem through the packet-switched network.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line between a first modem and a second modem, the telephone line being coupled to the first modem and the second modem, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line; negotiating between the first modem and the second modem through the connection to establish an agreed-upon communication rate; if the agreed-upon communication rate is below 64,000 bits per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 64,000 bits per second; and if the agreed-upon communication rate is above 64,000 bits per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 64,000 bits per second.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line between a first modem and a second modem, the telephone line being coupled to the first modem and the second modem, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line; negotiating between the first modem and the second modem through the connection to establish an agreed-upon communication rate; if the agreed-upon communication rate is below 64,000 bits per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 64,000 bits per second; and if the agreed-upon communication rate is above 64,000 bits per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 64,000 bits per second.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line between a first modem and a second modem, the telephone line being coupled to the first modem and the second modem, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line; negotiating between the first modem and the second modem through the connection to establish an agreed-upon communication protocol; if the agreed-upon communication protocol is a V.34/56K protocol, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line using a V.34/56K protocol; and if the agreed-upon communication protocol is an ISDN protocol, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line using the ISDN protocol.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line between a first modem and a second modem, the telephone line being coupled to the first modem and the second modem, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line; negotiating between the first modem and the second modem through the connection to establish an agreed-upon communication protocol; if the agreed-upon communication protocol is a V.34/56K protocol, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line using a V.34/56K protocol; and if the agreed-upon communication protocol is an ISDN protocol, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line using the ISDN protocol.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line and for bypassing a central office switching system, the method operating in a system including, a first modem coupled to the telephone line, a switch coupled to the telephone line, a central office switching system, and a second modem, the second modem coupled to a packet-switched network, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a connection between the telephone line and the switch; receiving a control signal to switch the telephone line to the packet-switched network; switching the telephone line to the packet-switched network through the second modem in response to the control signal; exchanging information between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line to establish an agreed-upon communication rate; if the agreed-upon communication rate is below 4,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 4,000 effective symbols per second; if the agreed-upon communication rate is above 4,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 4,000 effective symbols per second; establishing a connection from the second modem through the packet-switched network; and converting between analog circuit-based data on the telephone line and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line and for bypassing a central office switching system, the method operating in a system including, a first modem coupled to the telephone line, a switch coupled to the telephone line, a central office switching system, and a second modem, the second modem coupled to a packet-switched network, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a connection between the telephone line and the switch; receiving a control signal to switch the telephone line to the packet-switched network; switching the telephone line to the packet-switched network through the second modem in response to the control signal; exchanging information between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line to establish an agreed-upon communication rate; if the agreed-upon communication rate is below 4,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 4,000 effective symbols per second; if the agreed-upon communication rate is above 4,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 4,000 effective symbols per second; establishing a connection from the second modem through the packet-switched network; and converting between analog circuit-based data on the telephone line and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 42, wherein the communicating between the first and second modem does not involve an ISDN protocol.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 42, wherein communications between the first modem and the second modem across the communication channel include facsimile signals.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface, the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, and the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface including a mechanism to negotiate with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second; and a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the communication circuit between an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, and an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second, the telephone line includes a subscriber loop.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface, the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, and the communication circuit including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface including a mechanism to negotiate with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second; and a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the communication circuit between an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, and an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second, the telephone line includes a subscriber loop.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 45, including a line probing mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface, the line probing mechanism including resources to determine if the telephone line is capable of passing information at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second and the second modem across the communication channel include facsimile signals.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 45, including a mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface that exchanges information with the remote modem to identify a continuation of a previous communication session with the remote modem.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
119 words
The apparatus of claim 45, including a mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface that exchanges information with the remote modem to identify a continuation of a previous communication session with the remote modem, the mechanism including: a mechanism that exchanges identifying information for old parameters of an old communication session at the end of the old communication session; a mechanism that starts a new communication session by exchanging the identifying information for the old parameters, so that if the old parameters match, the new communication session starts with the old parameters, and if the old parameters mismatch the connection between the first modem and the second modem is retrained to produce new parameters for the new communication session.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the communication circuit includes: a modulating circuit; a demodulating circuit; a digital-to-analog converter; and an analog-to-digital converter.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the negotiation mechanism facilitates a modified V.8 exchange with the remote modem to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line and a packet-switched network, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface and the network interface, the communication circuit communicating at an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second, or an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism for switching the communication circuit between an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second and an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; a mechanism that converts between analog circuit-based data on the telephone line and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network; and a switch coupled to a central office switching system, and coupled between the telephone line interface and the communication circuit for switching the telephone line between the central office switching system and the packet-switched network.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line and a packet-switched network, comprising: a telephone line interface coupled to the telephone line; network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a communication circuit coupled to the telephone line interface and the network interface, the communication circuit communicating at an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second, or an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second through the telephone line interface; a negotiation mechanism coupled to the telephone line interface for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; a transfer rate switching system coupled to the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism for switching the communication circuit between an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second and an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; a mechanism that converts between analog circuit-based data on the telephone line and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network; and a switch coupled to a central office switching system, and coupled between the telephone line interface and the communication circuit for switching the telephone line between the central office switching system and the packet-switched network.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
289 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a plurality of telephone lines and a packet-switched network, comprising: a plurality of telephone line interfaces coupled to the plurality of telephone lines; a network interface coupled to a packet-switched network; a plurality of communication circuits coupled to respective telephone line interfaces in the plurality of telephone line interfaces and the network interface, communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second, and communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second through to the telephone line interface; at least one negotiation mechanism coupled to telephone lines in the plurality of telephone line interfaces for negotiation with a plurality of remote modems coupled to the plurality of telephone lines to determine whether to communicate with remote modems in the plurality of remote modems at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; at least one transfer rate switching system coupled to communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits and to at least one negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the plurality of communication circuits between an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second and an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; a mechanism that converts between analog circuit-based data on telephone lines in the plurality of telephone lines and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network; and a switch coupled to a central office switching system, and coupled between the plurality of telephone line interfaces and the plurality of communication circuits for switching telephone lines in the plurality of telephone lines between the central office switching system and the packet-switched network.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
289 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a plurality of telephone lines and a packet-switched network, comprising: a plurality of telephone line interfaces coupled to the plurality of telephone lines; a network interface coupled to a packet-switched network; a plurality of communication circuits coupled to respective telephone line interfaces in the plurality of telephone line interfaces and the network interface, communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second, and communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits including circuitry to communicate at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second through to the telephone line interface; at least one negotiation mechanism coupled to telephone lines in the plurality of telephone line interfaces for negotiation with a plurality of remote modems coupled to the plurality of telephone lines to determine whether to communicate with remote modems in the plurality of remote modems at an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; at least one transfer rate switching system coupled to communication circuits in the plurality of communication circuits and to at least one negotiation mechanism, including a mechanism to switch the plurality of communication circuits between an effective symbol rate below 4,000 symbols per second and an effective symbol rate above 4,000 symbols per second; a mechanism that converts between analog circuit-based data on telephone lines in the plurality of telephone lines and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network; and a switch coupled to a central office switching system, and coupled between the plurality of telephone line interfaces and the plurality of communication circuits for switching telephone lines in the plurality of telephone lines between the central office switching system and the packet-switched network.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line between a first modem and a second modem, the telephone line being coupled to the first modem and the second modem, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line; negotiating between the first modem and the second modem through the connection to establish an agreed-upon communication rate; if the agreed-upon communication rate is below 8,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 8,000 effective symbols per second; and if the agreed-upon communication rate is above 8,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 8,000 effective symbols per second, wherein the telephone line includes a subscriber loop.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line between a first modem and a second modem, the telephone line being coupled to the first modem and the second modem, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line; negotiating between the first modem and the second modem through the connection to establish an agreed-upon communication rate; if the agreed-upon communication rate is below 8,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 8,000 effective symbols per second; and if the agreed-upon communication rate is above 8,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 8,000 effective symbols per second, wherein the telephone line includes a subscriber loop.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 53, wherein the communicating between the first modem and the second modem does not involve an ISDN protocol.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 53, including the step of probing the telephone line to determine if the telephone line is capable of passing information at greater than 8,000 effective symbols per second.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 53, including the step of exchanging information between the first modem and the second modem to identify a continuation of a previous communication session between the first modem and the second modem.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
106 words
The method of claim 53, including the step of exchanging information between the first modem and the second modem to identify a continuation of a previous communication session between the first modem and the second modem, wherein the step of exchanging information includes: exchanging identifying information for old parameters of an old communication session at the end of the old communication session; starting a new communication session by exchanging the identifying information for the old parameters; if the old parameters match, starting a new session with the old parameters; and if the old parameters mismatch, retraining the connection between the first modem and the second modem.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 53, wherein the step of communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 8,000 effective symbols per second and the step of communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 8,000 effective symbols per second, include the steps of: modulating a signal; demodulating a signal; converting an analog signal to a digital signal; and converting a digital signal to an analog signal.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 53, wherein the step of negotiating performs a modified V.8 exchange between the first modem and the second modem to determine whether to communicate between the first modem and the second modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
235 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line and for bypassing a central office switching system, the method operating in a system including, a first modem coupled to the telephone line, a switch coupled to the telephone line, a central office switching system, and a second modem, the second modem coupled to a packet-switched network, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a connection between the telephone line and the switch; receiving a control signal to switch the telephone line to the packet-switched network; switching the telephone line to the packet-switched network through the second modem in response to the control signal; exchanging information between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line to establish an agreed-upon communication rate; if the agreed-upon communication rate is below 4,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 4,000 effective symbols per second; if the agreed-upon communication rate is above 4,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 4,000 effective symbols per second; establishing a connection from the second modem through the packet-switched network; and converting between analog circuit-based data on the telephone line and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network, wherein the communicating between the first and second modem does not involve an ISDN protocol.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
235 words
A method for transmitting data across a telephone line and for bypassing a central office switching system, the method operating in a system including, a first modem coupled to the telephone line, a switch coupled to the telephone line, a central office switching system, and a second modem, the second modem coupled to a packet-switched network, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a connection between the telephone line and the switch; receiving a control signal to switch the telephone line to the packet-switched network; switching the telephone line to the packet-switched network through the second modem in response to the control signal; exchanging information between the first modem and the second modem through the telephone line to establish an agreed-upon communication rate; if the agreed-upon communication rate is below 4,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate below 4,000 effective symbols per second; if the agreed-upon communication rate is above 4,000 effective symbols per second, communicating between the first modem and the second modem across the telephone line at a rate above 4,000 effective symbols per second; establishing a connection from the second modem through the packet-switched network; and converting between analog circuit-based data on the telephone line and digital packet-based data on the packet-switched network, wherein the communicating between the first and second modem does not involve an ISDN protocol.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line, comprising: an interface means coupled to the telephone line; a communication means coupled to the interface means, the communication means for communicating at an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, or at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second through the interface means; a negotiation means coupled to the interface means for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second; and a switching means coupled to at least one of the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism, for switching the communication means between an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, and an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a telephone line, comprising: an interface means coupled to the telephone line; a communication means coupled to the interface means, the communication means for communicating at an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, or at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second through the interface means; a negotiation means coupled to the interface means for negotiating with a remote modem coupled to the telephone line to determine whether to communicate with the remote modem at an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second; and a switching means coupled to at least one of the communication circuit and the negotiation mechanism, for switching the communication means between an effective symbol rate below 8,000 symbols per second, and an effective symbol rate above 8,000 symbols per second.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |