4,972,457
`[11] Patent Number:
`[19]
`United States Patent
`
`
`
`
` O’Sullivan [45] Date of Patent: Nov. 20, 1990
`
`[54] PORTABLE HYBRID COMl‘IIUNICATION
`SYSTEM AND METHODS
`Inventor: Harry M. O’Sullivan, Red Oak, Tex.
`[75]
`[73] Assignee:
`Spectrum Information Technologies,
`Inc” Dallas, Tex.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 301’521
`[22] Filed:
`Jan, 19, 1939
`
`5
`
`'
`............................................ H04M 11/00
`Int. Cl.
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl. ........................................ 379/59; 379/61;
`_
`379/63
`[58] Field of Search ........................ 379/59, 61, 63, 67
`[56]
`References Cited
`
`U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,503,288 5/ 1985 Kessler .................................. 379/67
`4,578,537
`3/1986 Faggin et a1.
`.
`4,591,661 5/1986 Benedetto et al. .................... 379/61
`4594373 9/1937 Etoh -
`4’697'231 9/1937 O’Sullivan ‘
`4 718 080
`1/1988 Serrano et a].
`’
`’
`.
`4,823,373 4/1989 Takahashi et al. .................... 379/58
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“
`,,
`:trgne, P’ S" 286 Laptop ’ Info World Pews, 5/25/88’
`Priman; Examiner—Jul F. Ng
`
`.
`
`Assistant Examiner—Jhancy Augustus
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sixbey, Friedman, Leedom &
`Ferguson
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A laptop device includes a personal computer, a cellular
`transceiver, a speakerphone, and a hybrid communica-
`tions control unit. The device has connectors for attach—
`ing a headset, cellular control unit, land telephone line,
`and additional speakers and microphones. The micro-
`processor-controlled hybrid communications control
`unit includes a modem, 3 data access arrangement, and
`a tone generator as well as digital, analog, and power
`switches. The hybrid communications control unit
`switches the communications components and pro—
`vides, under program control, the proper protocols,
`level, and impedance matching to connect the modem,
`Speakerphone, headset, speaker/microphone, or cellu-
`lar control unit to the landline or to the cellular network
`via the transceiver, Matching and switching operations
`are automatic and transparent to the user. The unit can
`also connect two of the terminal devices or connect the
`.
`.
`.
`.
`cellular and landlines for call relaying. The devrce is
`capable of connecting plural calls at the S
`e time. The
`hybrid communications control unit may be controlled
`by its internal firmware, by toggle switches, or by com-
`mands issued from the personal computer.
`24 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`F —————————————————— ‘l
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`COMPUTER
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`EXHIBIT
`Petitioner .. Kyocera
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`PX 1003
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`Nova. 20, 1990
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`use, Patent
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`Nov.20,1990
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`U.S® Patent
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`Nova 20, 1990
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
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`4,972,457
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`U.S., Patent
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`Nov.20, 1990
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
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`4,972,457
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`FIG. 7
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`0 START
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`(CONNECT DIGITAL TO TRU )
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`U.Sm Patent
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`Nova 20, 1990
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`Sheet 8 of 10
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`4,972,457
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`‘ US. Patent
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`Nov. 20, 1990
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`Sheet 9 of 10
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`US» Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 1990
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
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`4,972,457
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`
`

`

`4,972,457
`
`1
`
`PORTABLE HYBRID COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM AND METHODS
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`Technology offers the consumer many choices in
`communications hardware, allowing both data and
`voice transmission. These choices include portable
`computers with internal modems, hands-free speaker-
`phones, landline telephones, and cellular telephones.
`Modern portable computers may be equipped with an
`internal modem and data access arrangement that al-
`lows the internal modem to be connected through an
`RJ-ll connector to the Public Switched Telephone
`Network. Examples of this technology include portable
`computers manufactured by Zenith and NEC. These
`portable computers generally include a speaker used for
`_ call progress monitoring; and this speaker is used
`strictly as an analog output device. The internal
`modems are used only for sending and receiving modu-
`lated digital information through the public switched
`telephone network. Methods of modulation include the
`Bell 212, Bell 103 CCI'IT v.21, CCITT V.22 and
`CCITT v.22 bis standards.
`Hands-free Speakerphones can be found in many of-
`fices and homes. Generally, these Speakerphones are
`used as an adjunct to a classical telephone which con-
`sists of a cradle and handset, and these Speakerphones
`are used for analog voice communications over the
`public switched telephone network. Digital switching
`techniques are sometimes used within the speakerphone
`circuits to prevent analog feedback from microphone
`pickup of the speaker output.
`Cellular telephones as currently manufactured by
`Motorola (USA), OKI (Japan) and others consist of a
`radio transceiver unit (TRU) and a control unit (CU),
`analogous to the cradle and handset of a conventional
`landline telephone. The transceiver unit is connected to
`the control unit with numerous wires, these wires trans-
`ferring the analog information as in a conventional land-
`line telephone, and also transferring digital information
`not used in a conventional landline telephone. This
`digital information may contain key press, display, and
`monitoring information, as well as cellular call set-up
`instructions. An example of this digital and analog con-
`nection can be found in AMPS based cellular tele-
`phones, as well as other functionally similar specifica-
`tions. A complete description of the AMPS system is
`provided in “The Bell System Technical Journal”,
`1979, v.1 58, No. 1, pages 1—269. Cellular phones may
`also provide a hands-free speakerphone, similar to
`speakerphones available for landline phones.
`Landline and cellular telephones generally provide
`means of indicating to the user their current operating
`state. For example, when a key is pressed, an audible
`tone is heard, providing audio feedback, or, when an
`incoming call is sensed, an audible tone (RING) is
`heard.
`
`There have been attempts in the prior art to combine
`some of the devices described above. For example, the
`addition of a modem to a cellular phone and means for
`controlling a cellular phone was disclosed by the pres-
`ent inventor in his U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,281. Although
`this patent provides for modern, transceiver unit and
`control unit analog and digital control, it does not pro-
`vide a method for connecting numerous communication
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`devices selectively to both land line and cellular tele-
`phone networks.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,080 shows a device which con-
`nects a standard landline telephone or modem to a cellu-
`lar car phone, while U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,537 shows an
`interface which may connect a personal computer, a
`speakerphone, and a modem to one or more landlines.
`As a final example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,123 teaches a
`method of adapting one or more telephone lines for
`either data or voice communications.
`None of these known devices or methods succeeds in
`achieving the functionality ultimately possible from the
`combination of a modem, portable computer, cellular
`phone, speakerphone, headset, and landline connection.
`Were these devices combined within a compact, porta-
`ble package, the user could use the computer, transmit
`data, and/or place a cellular voice call, using speaker-
`phone or headset, from any location served by a cellular
`network. Further, the user could bring the unit into
`home or office and connect it to the public switched
`telephone network. With both cellular and landline
`connections available, the user could place two calls at
`once, transmitting voice or data over either line. Signifi-
`cantly, the portable computer could initiate all these
`operations under program control. If all these devices
`could be combined in an integrated unit so that any pair
`of devices could function together, the result would be
`an uniquely valuable business and personal tool.
`Prior to the invention disclosed herein, this combina-
`tion was not conceived of in the art for a number of
`reasons, but primarily because the devices described
`were considered to be incompatible. For example, as
`explained in the inventor’s prior U.S. Pat. No.
`4,697,281, an ordinary modem loses data during cell
`handoffs when operated over a cellular link. As another
`example, ordinary telephones do not provide the cor-
`rect control signals to place calls on the cellular net-
`work, and cellular control units cannot be used as land-
`line handsets. Thus, an integrated portable unit which
`combines a personal computer, cellular transmitter,
`modem and speaker phone with headset, cellular con-
`trol unit, and land telephone connections could not be
`implemented by merely wiring known devices together.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is a primary object of the present invention to pro-
`vide a novel and improved portable hybrid communica-
`tion system incorporating an integrated, portable unit
`which includes a personal computer, cellular transmit-
`ter, modem, and speakerphone, and which has external
`connections for a headset, cellular control unit, and land
`telephone line, such that any of these devices may be
`used with any other device. The invention further in-
`cludes a novel and improved method and apparatus to
`switch the numerous analog and digital parts of landline
`telephones, cellular telephones and modems so that any
`parts of this unit may be used together. This is all ac-
`complished with a control system mounted on a circuit
`card which fits in a modem slot or similar card receiv-
`ing slot in a portable computer.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`a novel and improved portable hybrid communication
`system which provides a personal computer with the
`means to command a specific pairing of a cellular trans-
`mitter, modem, and speakerphone, as well as external
`connections to a headset, cellular control unit and land-
`line telephone line. This command may be sent by an
`
`Kyocera PX 1003_12
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`Kyocera PX 1003_12
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`

`

`3
`automated program, or at the interactive request of the
`person using the personal computer.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to pro-
`vide a novel and improved portable hybrid communica-
`tion system which can switch a modem onto either a
`landline or cellular telephone network.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`a novel and improved portable hybrid communication
`system which controls the power to a cellular control
`unit as necessary, so that power to the control unit is
`available only when the control unit is to be used.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to pro-
`vide a novel and improved portable hybrid communica-
`tion system which can sense the ON or OFF condition
`of the power to a transceiver unit.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`a novel portable hybrid communication system which
`has complete control of a transceiver unit, providing
`the necessary signals to the transceiver unit for the
`transceiver unit to function properly, and sensing all of 20
`the signals generated by the transceiver unit, said con-
`trol being possible without the need of a cellular control
`unit.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Yet another object of the present invention is to pro-
`vide a novel portable hybrid communication system
`with complete control of a cellular control unit, provid-
`ing the necessary signals to the control unit for the
`control unit to function properly, and sensing all of the
`signals generated by the control unit, allowing use of 30
`the cellular control unit.
`
`25
`
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`a novel portable hybrid Communication system that can
`sense whether or not a headset, cellular control unit,
`landline, or other device is connected to the invention.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a novel
`portable hybrid communication system that selectively
`provides suitable control signals and data transfer pro-
`tocols depending on the devices used and depending on
`whether cellular or land lines are being used.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a novel
`portable hybrid communication control system. that
`performs analog signal conditioning so that the analog
`signals of the speakerphone, headset, control unit,
`modem, tone generator, transceiver, and landline are
`matched in impedance and level according to definite
`standards.
`
`A further object of the invention is to provide a novel
`portable hybrid communication system that can relay a
`cellular call over a land line or a land line call over a
`cellular network.
`
`A further object of the invention is to provide a novel
`portable hybrid communication system that can simul-
`taneously connect a modem or voice terminal device to
`the cellular network, while connecting another device
`(modem or terminal) to a landline, permitting simulta-
`neous voice and data communications.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a novel
`portable hybrid communication system which inte-
`grates a modem, portable computer, and cellular trans-
`mitter into a case, the case having a retractable cellular
`antenna.
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`These objects and others are achieved by providing a
`novel and improved portable hybrid communication
`system which is a laptop device including a personal
`computer, a cellular transceiver, a speakerphone, and a
`hybrid communications control unit. The device has
`connectors for attaching a headset, cellular control unit,
`
`65
`
`4,972,457
`
`4
`land telephone line, and additional speakers and micro-
`phones.
`The hybrid communications control unit is micro-
`processor controlled and includes a modem, a data
`access arrangement, and a tone generator as well as
`digital, analog, and power switches. The hybrid com-
`munications control unit switches the communications
`
`components and provides, under‘program control, the
`proper protocols,
`level, and impedance matching to
`connect the modem, speakerphone, headset, speaker/-
`microphone, or cellular control unit to the landline or to
`the cellular network via the transceiver.
`Matching and switching operations are automatic and
`transparent to the user. The unit can also connect two
`of the terminal devices or connect the cellular and land-
`lines for call relaying. Finally, the device is capable of
`connecting plural calls at the same time over different
`networks.
`
`The hybrid communications control unit may be
`controlled by its internal firmware, by toggle switches,
`or by commands issued from the personal computer.
`Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
`apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings,
`description, and claims herein.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a typical cellular tele-
`phone, with reference to appropriate external connec-
`tions;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a typical landline tele-
`phone, with reference to appropriate external connec-
`tions;
`FIG. 3,., is a block diagram of a typical speakerphone
`system; speakerphone,.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the invention, with typi-
`cal externally connected devices shown;
`FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing examples of
`the level and impedance matching circuitry associated
`with the analog switch of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a cutaway view showing the installation of
`the hybrid communication control unit in the computer
`case;
`FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the procedure for
`relaying an incoming cellular call to a landline;
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a port of the digital
`switch;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a typical method of
`digitally .sensing an analog signal; and
`FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing how a toggle
`switch may simultaneously provide power to an exter-
`nal device and generate a digital logic signal.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`The drawings of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the inputs,
`outputs, and components of prior art cellular tele-
`phones, landline telephone and Speakerphones.
`In FIG. 1, a conventional cellular telephone is shown
`generally at 2. The cellular telephone includes a trans-
`ceiver unit 4, with an external power line 6 which ob-
`tains power from an external power supply 8. The trans-
`ceiver unit 4 uses an external antenna 10 to send and
`receive analog voice and modulated digital instructions
`relative to a cellular network 12 having an antenna 32.
`These cellular network instructions include call set-up
`instructions, incoming call instructions and other cellu-
`lar network control instructions. A cellular control unit
`14 comprises a display 16, a keypad 18, a speaker 20, and
`
`Kyocera PX 1003_13
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`4,972,457
`
`6
`processor for data and software storage. The read-only
`memory preferably contains operating software which
`is the machine-code equivalent of the source code con-
`tained in the microfiche appendix attached to this speci-
`fication.
`
`5
`a microphone 22. The transceiver unit 4 communicates
`with the cellular control unit 14 using a bus 24 consist-
`ing of numerous wires including analog wires 26, digital
`wires 28, and power wires 30. It is important to note
`that without this bus (collection of numerous wires)
`between the transceiver unit and the control unit, nei-
`ther the transceiver unit nor the control unit will func-
`tion properly. The analog voice signals present at the
`control unit 14 can be obtained from the analog wires
`26, or can be generated by the microphone 22 to be sent
`through the analog wires. The digital information that
`occurs when a key is pressed on the key pad 18 is sent
`through the digital wires 28. Also digital information
`may be received over the digital wires 28. The power
`that is necessary to the proper functioning of the con-
`trol unit 14 is obtained from the transceiver unit 4
`through the power wires 30. The transceiver unit 4
`communicates with the cellular telephone network” 12
`using radio waves, these waves being transmitted and
`received using antennas 10 and 32.
`In FIG. 2 a conventional landline telephone is shown
`generally at 34. This telephone 34 consists of a cradle 36
`and a handset 38. The telephone 34 is connected to a
`public switched telephone network 40 by analog wires
`41 which carry analog telephone signals. The cradle 36
`includes Data Access Arrangement (DAA) section 42,
`keypad 44, and ringer circuit 46, while the handset 38
`includes speaker 48 and microphone 50. Data Access
`Arrangement section 42 contains the analog filters and
`protection devices required to connect to the public
`switched telephone network 40. The key pad 44 is used
`to provide the number to be called to the public
`switched telephone network 40, and ringer circuit 46
`and associated signalling means are provided to inform
`the user when there is an incoming call.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional speaker-
`phone, shown generally at 52. It consists of a micro-
`phone 54 and speaker 56 connected respectively by
`analog transmitting lines 58 and analog receiving lines
`60 to an analog feedback prevention switch 62. Analog
`signals are sent via analog wires 64 between the speak-
`erphone 52 and other devices and networks (not
`shown). If the speakerphone 52 needs a power source, it
`is provided through power wires 66.
`The novel means for connecting and controlling
`these prior art devices will now be described with par-
`ticular reference to FIG. 4. In this figure, units previ-
`ously described are given like reference numerals. The
`hybrid communications control unit of the present in-
`vention is shown generally at 68. The hybrid communi-
`cations control unit contains a microprocessor 70 with
`’RAM and ROM memory and input and output ports, an
`analog switch 72, a digital switch 74, a power arbitra-
`tion unit 76, a computer interface 78, a tone generator
`80, a modem 82, a data access arrangement 42, and end
`user accessible toggle switches 86. All power to the unit
`and its parts is obtained from an external power supply
`88. A portable personal computer 90 is connected to the
`unit 60 through the computer interface 78.
`The power supply 88 is preferably the battery of the
`portable computer 90, or an external power supply' for
`the portable computer, but the power supply 88 may
`also be any other source of power.
`The microprocessor 70 may preferably be a Toshiba
`ZS4—C15, which incorporates a Zilog 280 processor,
`280~P10 parallel port, ZSO‘SIO serial port, and
`Z80—CTC. As explained previously, both random ac-
`cess and readonly memories are connected to the micro-
`
`10
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`The portable personal computer 90 may be any pro-
`grammable computing device, such as a hand-held cal-
`culator or portable computer. One suitable model is an
`ITC CAT 286 which uses the MS-DOS operating sys-
`tem and is compatible with the IBM personal computer
`AT.
`The hybrid communications control unit 68 connects
`to the public switched telephone network 40 using
`wires 41 and data access arrangement circuit 42, which
`are the essential components of the landline telephone
`34 of FIG. 2. The physical connection is preferably by
`means of a conventional RJ—ll modular telephone con-
`nector. Analog lines 92 connect from the data access
`arrangement 42 to analog switch 72, where the analog
`signals may be switched or conditioned using methods
`which will be described later in more detail. This
`switching and conditioning allows the analog lines from
`the data access arrangement 42 to be selectively con-
`nected by the analog switch with the analog lines of any
`other connected device, such as speakerphone 52. This
`selective connection is controlled by the microproces-
`sor 70, either as a result of a user request made known
`to the microprocessor 70 through toggle switches 86 or
`because of a request from the portable personal com-
`puter 90 transmitted through the computer interface 78.
`The toggle switches 86 are connected to input ports
`of microprocessor 70. They may be of the type that can
`be sensed directly by the microprocessor 70, that is of a
`5 volt DC logic level, or they may require debouncing
`or other conditioning before being sensed by the micro-
`processor 70. Preferably, four toggle switches are pro-
`vided. The first switch can be manually actuated to
`signal the microprocessor 70 that the cellular control
`unit 14 is inserted. The second toggle switch, when
`manually activated, signals the microprocessor that the
`user wishes to mute the output of a microphone 103 in
`use during a voice communication. The third toggle
`switch provides power to the cellular control unit 14,
`and the last toggle switch both controls power to the
`cellular transceiver 4 and provides a logic signal to the
`microprocessor 70 in the manner explained below. The
`power control
`functions of these last
`two toggle
`switches may occur directly, with the toggle switch
`making or breaking a connection between the power
`supply and the controlled unit as shown in FIG. 10, or
`the toggle switch may cause the microprocessor to
`control the provision of power to the controlled unit.
`As shown in FIG. 10, any of the toggle switches may
`be used to provide high current 12V DC power to an
`external device. In this figure, power is provided to
`control unit 14. External power supply 88 producing 12
`VDC is connected to one of ’the toggle switches 86,
`which is connected to control unit 14 by power line 85.
`A conventional emitter follower voltage regulator cir-
`cuit 87 is connected between power line 85 and an input
`port of microprocessor 70. Voltage regulator circuit 87
`provides approximately 5 volts DC to microprocessor
`70 when toggle switch 86 is closed, and zero volts when
`toggle switch 86 is open. Of course, any other voltage
`regulator circuit could be used in place of the circuit
`shown. In this way, high current 12V DC power may
`be switched and at the same time presented to the mi-
`croprocessor as a low current, 5 volt logic level so that
`
`Kyocera PX 1003_14
`
`Kyocera PX 1003_14
`
`

`

`7
`the microprocessor can sense the position of toggle
`switch 86.
`
`4,972,457
`
`Of course, a larger number of toggle switches may be
`provided depending on the preference of the end user.
`These additional switches might initiate any function
`performed by the present invention.
`The hybrid communication control unit 68 is prefera-
`bly constructed on a circuit card about four inches wide
`by five inches long. In the preferred embodiment, as
`shown in FIG. 6, this card containing the hybrid com-
`munications control unit is of an appropriate configura-
`tion to fit in a modem slot 89 of personal computer 90.
`The card is provided with an appropriate conventional
`connector 95 which mates with a conventional modem
`card connector 91 mounted on the motherboard 93 of 15
`computer 90, allowing transfer of signals between the
`computer interface 78 of hybrid communication control
`unit 68 and portable computer 90.
`The type of connector 95 used depends on the com-
`puter selected for construction of the present invention.
`The connector might be any multi-pin male, multi-pin
`female, or EIA connector. Alternatively, the card con-
`taining hybrid communication control unit 68 might be
`provided with edge contacts to mate with a printed
`circuit board edge connector in the computer 90. While
`the most common and desirable connection means have
`been described herein, those skilled in the art will rec-
`ognize that other known connection means could be
`used.
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`embodiment, an external jack for connection of a roof-
`mount or other antenna could be provided.
`The card bearing the hybrid communication control
`unit 68 is also provided with several other connectors.
`A first of these connectors on the card forms a connec-
`tor for the speakerphone 52 and has three pins which
`provide transmit, receive, and signal ground lines. A
`second connector on the card is for the cellular trans-
`. ceiver and provides a pin for each line in the cellular bus
`10
`24 (shown in FIG. 1). This connector must be compati-
`ble with the cellular control unit jack of the cellular
`transceiver selected, and may be provided with an ex-
`tension cable to facilitate the connection. A third con-
`nector on the card allows external connection of the
`cellular control unit 14 to the card, and is of the type
`that mates with the second connector previously de-
`scribed. A fourth connector allows external connection
`of additional speakers and microphones. This connector
`preferably takes the form of a headset jack. A final
`connector accepts the RJ-ll plug of the public switched
`telephone network as described previously. Additional
`connectors may be provided for additional speakers or
`other known telephone and computing equipment.
`The computer interface 78 is preferably of the type
`that converses directly with a central logic bus of the
`portable computer 90, using the Signetics INS 8250
`universal asynchronous receiver and transmitter and
`conventional techniques. Of course, the device might
`also converse with the portable computer using RS-232
`C or another known standard.
`The data access arrangement 42 (DAA) may be a
`standalone DAA,
`such as Midcom part number
`681—0012. A slight reduction in construction costs can
`be obtained by assembling a DAA out of components
`using techniques well-known in the art, so as to provide
`the protection required to connect
`to the public
`switched telephone network. This method is preferred.
`Digital DAA control lines 94 connect the DAA 42 to
`the input/output ports of microprocessor 70, and the
`control lines include a ringing line. The DAA 42 may be
`controlled directly by the microprocessor 70 using the
`DAA digital control lines 94. This control prompts the
`data access arrangement to issue appropriate signaling
`directions to, and relay directions from,
`the public
`switched telephone network. Such signalling directions
`include Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) dialing,
`on-hook and off-hook conditions, timed on/off hook
`sequences used for pulse dialing, and ringing sense.
`When ringing on the public switched telephone net-
`work line 41 is detected by the DAA 42, the DAA
`preferably causes an interrupt in the program sequence
`of microprocessor 70. Alternatively, the ringing line of
`the DAA control
`lines 94 can be latched and then
`polled by the microprocessor periodically.
`The DTMF signals are obtained from the tone gener-
`ator 80 which is shown as a separate entity but may also
`be located either within the data access arrangement 42
`or within the modem 82. The tone generator 80 is con-
`nected to the analog switch by analog lines 96 and to the
`microprocessor 70 by tone control lines 98. The tone
`generator operates in response to control signals from
`the microprocessor transmitted through the tone con-
`trol lines 98. The microprocessor may obtain the se-
`quence of tones to be transmitted from control unit 14
`or portable computer 90 in a manner that will be ex-
`plained further. Analog signals of the tone generator
`may be passed to the data access arrangement 42
`through the analog switch 72.
`
`In addition, the card of hybrid communications con-
`trol unit 68 could be installed in computer 90 in many
`locations other than modem slot 89. For example, the
`card could be installed in a memory expansion or other
`expansion slot of computer 90. The card could also be
`located externally to the case of computer 90, either
`mounted on the case or designed as a separate unit to be
`cabled to computer 90. Similarly, the card could be
`located in any available space inside the computer case
`and connected by cable to the modem connector, an
`expansion connector, or another connector provided on
`the motherboard 93 of computer 90.
`Since the hybrid communications control unit 68 may
`be installed in the computer 90, it should be recognized
`that, for so me applications, the microprocessor 70 can
`be eliminated and its functions can then be performed
`by the computer 90. For this type of operation, the
`computer interface 78 would be connected back into an
`input port of the computer 90 and the input-output ports
`of the computer 90 would be connected t 0 other com-
`ponents in the hybrid communications control unit 68 in
`the same manner as are the input-output ports of the
`microprocessors 70. For this type of operation, the
`computer 90 must have RAM and ROM memory and
`the capability to operate in response to a program
`which performs the functions of the program in Appen-
`dix A.
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`A cellular antenna 10 may be extended from or re-
`tracted into a compartment 97 of the portable computer
`case so as to protect the antenna when not in use and so
`as to increase the functionality and aesthetic appeal of 60
`the computer case when the system is used but cellular
`access is not desired. In the embodiment shown, the
`antenna moves in a linear fashion in and out of the com-
`partment. Locking means (not shown) may hold the
`antenna in a fixed position. For example, ball-and-
`socket or frict