Patent US6131136A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6131136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Dual mode modem for automatically selecting between wireless and wire-based communication modes
Assignee: Gateway Inc
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Filing: 1997-12-12
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Granted: 2000-10-10
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Expires: 2017-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A dual modem automatically switches between a wireless and wire-based communication modes using mode selection circuitry that detects when a wire-based communications network, such as a standard land-line telephone network, is coupled to the modem. When the modem selection circuitry detects the presence of the wire-based communications network, it couples modem processing circuitry to a wire-based interface. When the modem selection circuitry fails to detect the presence of the wire-based communications network, it couples the modem processing circuitry to a wireless interface and the wireless interface is also powered for coupling to a wireless communications network, such as a cellular phone network. The wireless interface is not powered when the modem is coupled to the wire-based communications network.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank W. Liebenow
- 👤 Ajay Gupta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5691; H04L12/5692; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A dual mode modem for automatically selecting between wireless and wire-based communication modes, the modem comprising: mode selection circuitry coupled to modem processing circuitry; a wired interface selectively coupled to a wire-based communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry; and a wireless interface selectively coupled to a wireless communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry, wherein the mode selection circuitry routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wired interface when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network, and routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wireless interface when the wired interface is not coupled to the wire-based communications network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A dual mode modem for automatically selecting between wireless and wire-based communication modes, the modem comprising: mode selection circuitry coupled to modem processing circuitry; a wired interface selectively coupled to a wire-based communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry; and a wireless interface selectively coupled to a wireless communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry, wherein the mode selection circuitry routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wired interface when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network, and routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wireless interface when the wired interface is not coupled to the wire-based communications network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The modem of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface is powered for coupling to the wireless communications network when the wired interface is not coupled to the wire-based communications network and not powered when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The modem of claim 1, wherein the mode selection circuitry comprises switching circuitry coupled to detection circuitry, wherein the switching circuitry selectively couples the modem processing circuitry to the wired interface or the wireless interface based on a signal from the detection circuitry.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The modem of claim 3, wherein the detection circuitry comprises a physical switch that signals the switching circuitry to couple the modem processing circuitry to the wired interface when a phone cord is coupled to the wired interface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The modem of claim 3, wherein the detection circuitry comprises an electrical switch that signals the switching circuitry to couple the modem processing circuitry to the wired interface when a phone cord is coupled to the wired interface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The modem of claim 1, wherein the wired interface comprises a phone jack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The modem of claim 6, wherein the phone jack has extended and retracted positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The modem of claim 7, wherein the mode selection circuitry couples the modem processing circuitry to the wired interface when the phone jack is in the extended position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The modem of claim 1, wherein the mode selection circuitry detects the presence of a loop current in the wired interface when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network and further couples the modem processing circuitry to the wired interface when the loop current is present.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The modem of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface comprises a transmitter and a receiver suitable for transmitting and receiving radio waves used in cellular phone communications, and a signal processor for converting between the radio waves and computer data.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of automatically selectively coupling modem processing circuitry in a modem to wireless and wire-based communications networks comprising the steps of: detecting if a wired interface in the modem is coupled to the wire-based communications network; coupling the modem processing circuitry to the wired interface upon detecting the wire-based communications network; and coupling the modem processing circuitry to a wireless interface for further coupling to the wireless communications network upon failing to detect the wire-based communications network.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of automatically selectively coupling modem processing circuitry in a modem to wireless and wire-based communications networks comprising the steps of: detecting if a wired interface in the modem is coupled to the wire-based communications network; coupling the modem processing circuitry to the wired interface upon detecting the wire-based communications network; and coupling the modem processing circuitry to a wireless interface for further coupling to the wireless communications network upon failing to detect the wire-based communications network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: supplying power to the wireless interface when the wire-based communications network is not detected; and not supplying power to the wireless interface when the wire-based communications network is detected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
A communications system comprising: a computer having a communications port; a modem coupled to the communications port for transferring data from the computer to wireless and wire-based communications networks, the modem comprising: mode selection circuitry coupled to modem processing circuitry; a wired interface selectively coupled to a wire-based communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry; and a wireless interface selectively coupled to a wireless communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry, wherein the mode selection circuitry routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wired interface when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network, and routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wireless interface when the wired interface is not coupled to the wire-based communications network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
A communications system comprising: a computer having a communications port; a modem coupled to the communications port for transferring data from the computer to wireless and wire-based communications networks, the modem comprising: mode selection circuitry coupled to modem processing circuitry; a wired interface selectively coupled to a wire-based communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry; and a wireless interface selectively coupled to a wireless communications network and further coupled to the mode selection circuitry, wherein the mode selection circuitry routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wired interface when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network, and routes data between the modem processing circuitry and the wireless interface when the wired interface is not coupled to the wire-based communications network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The communications system of claim 13, wherein the wireless interface is powered by a power supply in the computer for coupling to the wireless communications network when the wired interface is not coupled to the wire-based communications network and not powered by the power supply when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The communication system of claim 13, wherein the mode selection circuitry comprises switching circuitry coupled to detection circuitry, wherein the switching circuitry selectively couples the modem processing circuitry to the wired interface or the wireless interface based on a signal from the detection circuitry.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The communication system of claim 13, wherein the mode selection circuitry detects the presence of a loop current in the wired interface when the wired interface is coupled to the wire-based communications network and further couples the modem processing circuitry to the wired interface when the loop current is present.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The communication system of claim 13, wherein the wireless interface comprises a transmitter and a receiver suitable for transmitting and receiving cellular phone signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-10 | 2004-04-10 | 2004-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-04-10 | 2008-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-10 | 2012-04-10 | 2012-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |