US 5,568,536 AGranted

Selective reconfiguration method and apparatus in a multiple application personal communications device

AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation

InventorsByron K. Tiller, David J. Allard, Connie Y. Au, Francis J. Canova, Jr., Daniel M. Hsieh, Julie F. Goodwin, Debra A. G. Johnson, Charles S. Lanier, James R. Lewis, Jean L. Stout, William Villafana, Raymond L. Yee, Russell S. Padgett, Robert B. Ferrier, Anthony F. Corkell, Thomas T. Murakami, Bradley J. DeBauche, Wayne P. Whitley, Neal A. Osborn, Brent A. Beatty, Roger L. Cox, James C. Wulf, Jose L. Rivero

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Abstract

An option attach connector has a first indicator bit combination that alerts the device that a public switched telephone network connection has been made to it. The presence of the first indicator bit combination is a signal to the device that telephone, FAX, and E-MAIL communications applications are to be conducted over a PSTN link. The presence of the first indicator bit combination invokes a stored computer program to provide appropriate connections between the PSTN link and the telephone, FAX, and modem hardware in the device. The connections are made by an audio multiplexer that receives control signals from the system CPU, while executing the stored computer program. The program determines the communications application selected by the user and selectively configures the PSTN link to be connected to the either the ear piece and microphone for voice communications, or to the FAX/modem for FAX communications, or to the modem alone for E-MAIL communications. The absence of the option attach connector invokes a default indicator bit combination that alerts the device that a cellular telephone network connection is desired by the user. The presence of the default indicator bit combination is a signal to the device that telephone, FAX, and E-mail communications applications are to be conducted over a cellular network.

A system for providing selective reconfiguration in a multiple application personal communications device, comprising:

a data storage in the device, for storing program instructions;
a bus means in the device, coupled to said data storage;
a data processor in the device, coupled to said data storage over said bus means, for executing said stored program instructions;
a multiplexer means coupled to the data processor, for selectively interconnecting signal lines connected thereto, in response to control signals from the data processor;
a voice transducer means coupled to said multiplexer means;
a program means stored in the data storage, having a first portion for managing communications using a public switched telephone network;
said program means having a second portion, for managing communications using a mobile radio telephone network;
a decoding means coupled to the data processor and to the data storage, for selectively causing either said first portion or said second portion of said program means to be executed by the data processor;
an option connector receptacle coupled to said decoding means;
a first option attach connector having a terminal coupled to said public switched telephone network, for selective connection to said option connector receptacle;
said terminal of said first option attach connector being coupled to said multiplexer means;
a first connector identification means included with said first option attach connector, for identifying said first option attach connector to said decoding means when said first connector is connected to said receptacle, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing the execution of said first portion of said program means;
said first connector identification means included with said first option attach connector, identifying said first option attach connector to said decoding means when said first connector is connected to said receptacle, and in response thereto, said decoding means causing said data processor to signal said multiplexer to couple said public switched telephone network to said voice transducer means;
said decoding means causing said second portion of said program means to be executed when said first connector is not connected to said receptacle.

11 more elements

Facts

Application

08/279,644Filed 25 Jul 1994

Granted

22 Oct 1996

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

H04M 1/72403
User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones: with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
G06F 1/1656
Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626:…
H04M 1/24
Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers: arrangements for testing
H04M 1/72409
With means for local support of applications that increase the functionality: by interfacing with external accessories

Abstract

Claims9