Europaisches Patentamt
`
`European Patent Office
`Office européen des brevets
`
`llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`® Pubhcatlon number:
`
`O 529 788 A1
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`9 ®
`
`@ Application number: 923064372
`
`@ Int. C|.5: H04N 1/00
`
`® Date of filing: 14.07.92
`
`Priority: 01.08.91 AU 7559/91
`
`Date of publication of application:
`03.03.93 Bulletin 93/09
`
`Designated Contracting States:
`DK FR GB
`
`@ Applicant: DU PONT (AUSTRALIA) LTD..
`168 Walker Street
`
`North Sydney, NSW 2060(AU)
`Applicant: CREATIVE PRODUCT DESIGN PTY
`LIMITED
`
`Bldg. 6, Spencer Court, 617-643 Spencer
`Street
`West Melbourne, Victoria 3000(AU)
`
`@ Data transmitting and/or receiving device.
`
`is disclosed which permits
`(10)
`@ A transceiver
`(preferably) facsimile transmissions over a commu-
`nications network (4) using a data storage medium
`(1) such as a disk (3) or a memory card (2) with
`which transmission data is stored prior to transmis-
`sion and after the reception.
`In a portable embodi-
`
`@ Inventor: Schmocker, Thomas Walter
`clo Du Pont (Australia) Limited 168 Walker
`Street
`
`North Sydney NSW 2060(AU)
`Inventor: Cocks, Ian Robert
`
`Lot 9, Tarletons, Road, Rockbank, Victoria _
`3335,
`
`AuSt,a“a(AU)
`
`Representative: Barnard, Eric Edward et al
`BROOKES & MARTIN High Holborn House
`52/54 High Holborn
`London WC1V 6SE (GB)
`
`
`
`ment, the transceiver includes a self-contained pow-
`er supply (16) and limited user interface (13). Trans-
`mission data can be either up-loaded to, or down-
`loaded from the data storage medium (1) using a
`known computer system.
`
`PC
`USER
`
`
`COMMUNEAWONS
`INTERFACE
`INTERFACE
`.13.
`.17.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DATA
`CENTRAL
`
`MEMUM
`Paocessmc
`INTERFACE
`UNIT
`
`.11.
`.12.
`
`COMMUMCAWONS
`NETVVORK
`
`INTERFACE
`.15.
`
`
`
`
`POWER SUPPLY
`.15-
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`NETWORK
`
`(3. ‘lOl3.5xl3.0. ll
`
`4/
`
`EX H IBIT
`Petitioner - Kyocera
`
`PX 1011
`
`H9' 1'
`
`Rank Xerox (UK) Business Services
`
`Kyocera PX 1011__1
`
`EP0529788A1
`
`DATASTORAGE
`MEWUM
`.1.
`
`MEMORY
`CARD
`
`.2.
`
`

`
`EP 0 529 788 A1
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to data transmit-
`ting and/or
`receiving devices and,
`in particular,
`discloses such a device that
`receives data for
`
`transmission, and stores data from reception on a
`portable data storage medium.
`
`Background 10 the Invention
`
`Devices adapted for transmitting and receiving
`data over communications channels are well known
`in the art. Such devices include telex machines
`
`typed into the
`transmission is
`wherein data for
`machine which is then transmitted generally over a
`telephone communication link. Advanced telex ma-
`chines can derive a data source directly from a
`computer and transmit that data once a source file
`has been created. Similarly, received data can be
`stored directly in a source file.
`More recently, facsimile transmission machines
`have been used to transmit data at substantially
`higher
`rates than telex machines and generally,
`facsimile machines require data to be input on a
`sheet of paper which is scanned and the scanned
`data transmitted over a communications link such
`
`as a telephone line. More recently, computer sys-
`tems have been developed whereby facsimile mes-
`sages can be transmitted and received without an
`intermediate paper stage. This arrangement, similar
`to the automatic telex, sources and delivers data
`from a computer.
`In each of the known arrangements, it is neces-
`sary to directly interface the computer with the
`communications channel and this is generally pro-
`vided by a data modem which converts computer
`serial data, generally in RS232 configuration,
`into
`signals that can be provided directly to the commu-
`nications link.
`In stand-alone facsimile machines.
`the data modem is included in the machine. The
`
`use of data modems have gained particular use in
`personal computer systems and can be provided
`either as a printed circuit card that can be incor-
`porated into the personal computer, or as a stand-
`alone device connected between the communica-
`
`tions link and the personal computer.
`in personal
`However,
`recent developments
`computers have created what has become known
`as the laptop computer which is substantially porta-
`ble and consumes little power. A further advance-
`ment on the laptop computer
`is
`the so-called
`Notebook-PC which operates in a manner similar to
`a laptop personal computer except that the display,
`usually a liquid crystal display, also functions as a
`data input device using an electronic pen. Data is
`stored and edited on a display-by-display basis.
`
`In accordance with one aspect of the present
`invention there is disclosed a data transmitting
`and/or receiving device comprising a data medium
`interface for interconnecting said device with a data
`storage medium from which transmission data can
`be read for transmission and/or stored after recep-
`tion, processor means connected to said data me-
`dium interface, and a communications interface
`connected to said processor means, said commu-
`nications interface interconnecting said device with
`a communications link over which said transmis-
`
`sion data is conveyed, said processor means con-
`trolling the transfer of said transmission data be-
`tween said data storage medium and said commu-
`nications link, and vice versa.
`
`Generally, the data storage medium is a porta-
`ble medium such as a diskette or a memory card.
`Also generally,
`the device is portable and
`powered by a battery power source. Additionally,
`the communications link can be any known com-
`munications link such as a telephone line,
`radio
`channel or optical channel.
`
`Brief Description Of the Drawings
`
`A number of embodiments of the present in-
`vention will now be described with reference to the
`
`drawings in which:
`Figure 1
`is a schematic block diagram of a
`general arrangement; and
`Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a
`preferred device for
`interconnection to a tele-
`phone line.
`
`Best and Other Modes of Carrying Out
`Invention
`
`the
`
`Referring to Figure 1, a data transceiver 10 is
`shown which includes a data medium interface 11
`
`connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 12.
`The CPU 12 also connects to a user interface 13, a
`data modem 14 which in turn connects to a com-
`munications network interface 15. The communica-
`
`tions network interface 15 is adapted for connection
`to a communications network 4. The data tran-
`
`sceiver 10, via the data medium interface 11,
`
`is
`
`connectable to a portable data storage medium 1
`such as a memory card 2 or a disk 3 as shown.
`Also, preferably, a PC communications interface 17
`is provided which permits interconnection between
`the CPU 12 and a personal computer (PC) or like
`device.
`
`Using this arrangement, data intended for
`transmission can be stored on the data storage
`medium 1 whereupon,
`for transmission,
`the me-
`dium 1
`is inserted into the data medium interface
`
`Kyocera PX 1011_2
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`EP 0 529 788 A1
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`the
`11 whereupon, under control of the CPU 12,
`data transceiver 10 transmits that data over the
`
`communications network 4. In a similar manner, the
`data transceiver 10 can receive data from the com-
`munications network 4 and store it on the data
`
`storage medium 1. The medium 1 can then be
`withdrawn from the transceiver 10.
`
`In this manner, a mainframe computer, per-
`sonal computer,
`laptop computer or Notebook PC
`for example, hereinafter
`referred to as computer
`systems, can be used to programme the data
`storage medium 1 with a message for transmission
`wherein the medium 1 can be removed from the
`
`computer device and inserted into the data tran-
`sceiver 10. Similarly,
`received messages can be
`viewed using the computer system by removing
`the data storage medium 1
`from the data medium
`interface 11 and inserting same into the computer
`system.
`With technology available as of the date of this
`application, the data storage medium 1 can be a
`floppy disk 3 as known in the art such as 3 *5" disk.
`If such a disk 3 is used, the data medium interface
`
`11 is a disk drive capable of reading data from, and
`writing data to, the disk 3. However, due to sub-
`stantial power consumption of a disk drive,
`this
`arrangement is not preferred.
`The arrangement shown is particularly conduc-
`ive to the use of a memory card 2 in which the
`data medium interface 11 is a memory card adapt-
`or which connects the memory card 2 directly to
`the CPU 12.
`
`Devices such as the memory card 2 are known
`in the art and essentially consist of random access
`memory (RAM) incorporated into a card-like device
`with dimensions of approximately 100mm x 60mm
`x 4mm. The memory card 2 represents non—volatile
`RAM which, once loaded with data, can be with-
`drawn from an interface device and transferred to
`
`other devices in a manner similar to floppy disks.
`Recently,
`the PCMCIA (Personal Computer
`Memory Card International Association) standard
`has been developed which allows
`for memory
`cards to be developed having a storage capacity
`up to about 64 megabytes. Such devices offer
`substantially more memory capacity than known
`floppy disks with substantially faster access times
`for reading and writing data. Also, such memory
`cards utilize a pin and socket connector and a
`drive mechanism such as a disk drive is not re-
`
`quired. Accordingly, memory cards consume little
`or no more power, other than that required to read
`and store data.
`In addition, memory cards have
`allowed for the substantial acceptance of the versa-
`tility and portability of Notebook-PCs.
`Apart from floppy disks and memory cards as
`described,
`the data storage medium can also be
`for example, removable hard disks, storage tapes,
`
`10
`
`smart cards, bubble memory units, and EEPROM
`cards, and other such non—volatile portable storage
`media as may be developed in the future.
`The communications network interface 15 pro-
`vides appropriate functional, physical and safety
`requirements necessary for connection of the data
`transceiver 10 to the communications network 4.
`
`The communications network 4 can for example be
`a
`public
`switch
`telecommunications
`network
`(PSTN) but can also be other transmission media
`such as an integrated services digital network
`(ISDN), satellite links,
`infra-red links,
`local area
`network, wide area networks, microwave links, fibre
`
`optic links and RF links or networks such as cel-
`lular telephone networks.
`The CPU 12 controls the operation of the data
`transceiver 10 including the data medium interface
`11 and the data modem 14. The CPU 12 acts to
`
`fetch set-up data from a configuration file resident
`in the data storage medium 1, and use this in-
`formation to determine the file to be transmitted,
`the destination of
`the transmission, such as the
`
`telephone number to be dialled, the dialling format
`and other relevant
`information. The CPU 12 con-
`trols the modem 14 and the network interface 15 to
`initiate a call and establish a link to the commu-
`nications network 4. Data can then be transmitted
`
`from the data storage medium 1
`on the communications network 4.
`
`to the destination
`
`Reception of data operates in a similar manner,
`however the CPU 12 controls the modem 14 and
`
`the network interface 15 to answer an incoming call
`and receive data that is stored on the data storage
`medium 1.
`
`in both transmission and reception,
`Preferably,
`a log file is stored on the data storage medium 1 to
`allow a user to view transmission information on
`
`including the data time of
`the computer system,
`connection, connection status,
`the size of data
`transfer and any other relevant data.
`The data modem 14 provides for monitoring of
`the network 4 as well as monitoring call progress
`functions in addition to necessary modulation and
`demodulation circuitry. The modem 14 can also
`include for various applications, digitising and re-
`production circuits for speech, music and video.
`The data transceiver 10 is generally controlled
`automatically by the central processing unit 12
`whereby, upon insertion of the data storage me-
`dium 1, and physical connection to the commu-
`nications network 4, transmission of data stored on
`the medium 1 can occur automatically. Accord-
`ingly,
`the user interface 13 need only be simple
`because any necessary control
`information is pre-
`programmed onto the configuration file of the data
`storage medium 1. However,
`in general,
`the user
`interface 13 can provide status indicator
`lights
`which show the user the status of data transmission
`
`Kyocera PX 1011_3
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`EP 0 529 788 A1
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`reception and can also include switches which can
`manually implement or abort data transmission re-
`ception.
`The data transceiver 10 receives power from
`the power supply 16 connected to the various
`components within and,
`in the preferred portable
`embodiment,
`the power supply 16 comprises a
`battery arrangement.
`In other embodiments the
`power supply can be derived directly from the
`communications network 4, or where the data tran-
`sceiver 10 is non—portable, as will be later de-
`scribed,
`the power supply 16 can derive power
`from a mains supply. A combination of these ar-
`rangements can also be provided.
`incorporating a
`In
`the portable embodiment,
`battery power supply, the power supply 16 incor-
`porates circuity which enables powering of the data
`transceiver 10 only upon insertion of the data stor-
`age medium 1, and the establishment of a connec-
`tion to the communications network 4. This allows
`
`the data tran-
`preservation of battery power until
`sceiver 10 is correctly configured to either transmit
`or receive data.
`Where the PC communications interface 17 is
`
`this permits initialization of the CPU 12
`provided,
`and other associated components where neces-
`sary. Also, the interface 17 permits the transceiver
`10 to be directly connected to the computer sys-
`tem for transmission and reception,
`therefore not
`requiring the storage of transmission data on the
`medium 1. When used as such, the transceiver 10
`
`operates in a manner corresponding to known data
`modems.
`
`Figure 2 shows a specific embodiment of a
`portable data transceiver 100 configured to receive
`a PCMCIA memory card 20 and to connect to a
`telephone line 30 forming part of a PSTN.
`As seen in Figure 2, the PCMCIA memory card
`20 represents a standardised device which is con-
`nectable
`to
`personal
`computers,
`laptops
`and
`Notebook-PCs. Standard memory cards 20 include
`non-volatile random access memory (RAM) 21 and
`control circuitry 22 each of which connecting to
`strip of connector pins 24.
`In this manner,
`the
`memory card 20 acts as portable RAM which can
`be transferred from one computer system to an-
`other. Generally, existing computer systems create
`data files using proprietary software such as either
`or both of MS DOS (registered trade mark) or
`Windows 3 (registered trade mark) environments.
`For the transmission of data, a user creates a
`
`message file which is stored in the memory card
`20. The user also creates a configuration file which
`contains necessary set-up information such as the
`transmission destination (e.g. telephone number to
`be dialled), a transmission mode of operating the
`transceiver 100, which data files are to be transmit-
`ted as well as transmission information such as
`
`data rates. The card 20 is then removed from the
`
`computer system and inserted into a memory card
`adaptor 110 of the transceiver 100. The memory
`card adaptor 110 includes a socket strip 112 which
`mates with the pin strip 24 of the memory card 20.
`The socket strip 112 interconnects with a data bus
`132, an address bus 134 and a control bus 135,
`which connect to a microprocessor unit (MPU) 130.
`A control logic unit 131 provides memory decoding
`and other functions required to allow interconnec-
`tion of peripheral devices to the MPU 130.
`In this
`manner,
`the MPU 130 can directly access data
`stored in the RAM 21 of the card 20.
`A data modem 150 connects to the busses
`
`132, 134 and 135 and includes a converter 152
`which receives data from the data bus 132 and
`
`converts that parallel data into serial data for trans-
`mission. For transmission, serial data is output to a
`modulator 154 such as frequency modulator or
`phase shift modulator which supplies a telephone
`line adaptor 160. The telephone line adaptor 160
`includes any circuitry required to isolate the tele-
`phone line 30 from the remaining electronic cir-
`cuitry of the transceiver 100. Such adaptors 160
`and data modems 150 are well known to those
`skilled in the art of data modems.
`The data modem 150 also includes a de-
`
`modulator 156 which operates when the transceiver
`100 is receiving information from the telephone line
`30. From the demodulator 156, serial data is con-
`verted into parallel data which is output on the data
`bus 132 for storage in the RAM 21.
`Preferably, the MPU 130 is a single-chip, multi-
`function device and many examples of such are
`known in the art. Generally, the MPU 130 includes
`a read-only memory (ROM) 136 in which a control-
`ling program is stored and is used to control the
`operation of the transceiver 100. Not illustrated is a
`power supply such as the power supply 16 shown
`in Figure 1. The interconnection of such a supply
`would also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
`The transceiver 100 also includes a RAM 181
`
`in addition to any available space in the
`which,
`RAM 21, can be used for buffering data, error
`detection/correction and other temporary storage.
`Configuration parameters which require permanent
`storage but can be user alterable can be retained
`in a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) or EEPROM 183.
`Also, a real-time clock 182 is provided so that
`all transmitted and received files can be time/date
`
`stamped. The clock 182 can be set via a direct
`connection to a computer system via a commu-
`nications interface formed by a serial channel port
`171 of the MPU 130, a level translator 172 and a
`communications connector 173, each known in the
`art.
`
`Also connected to the busses 132, 134 and
`
`135,
`
`is a user interface adaptor 140 which provides
`
`Kyocera PX 1011_4
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`
`EP 0 529 788 A1
`
`interface components
`interconnection with user
`such as dual-colour light emitting diodes (LEDs)
`143, 144, and 145 and push button switches 141
`and 142. Preferably, the LEDs 143 to 145 are dual
`coloured as shown in Figure 2 to indicate to a user
`the relevant status of the transceiver 100. The push
`buttons 141 and 142 allow for manual control of the
`
`file
`configuration
`the
`100 where
`transceiver
`(already described) does not automatically institute
`the transmission or reception of a message. Where
`a memory card is not inserted into the adaptor 110,
`the "power" LED 143 is green and the other LEDs
`144 and 145 are off.
`
`Transmission
`
`On insertion of the memory card 20 into the
`adaptor 110,
`the MPU 130 checks both the con-
`figuration file and/or required data files for integrity
`and once confirmed,
`the LED 144 is
`illuminated
`
`green to show "READY". Data and configuration
`errors are indicated by the LED 144 flashing red
`indicating an error. When this occurs,
`the appro-
`priate date and time, generally obtained from a
`real-time clock preferably included with the MPU
`130 is written to a log file on the memory card 20
`which can be later read by a computer system.
`The configuration file of the memory card 20 is
`then read by the MPU 130 and if an automatic
`transmit mode is enabled, the MPU 130 instructs
`the telephone line adaptor 160 to seize the tele-
`phone line 30. When this is done,
`the LED 143
`illuminates red indicating "ON LINE". The required
`number is then dialled, either using DTMF or de-
`cadic dialling as set by the configuration file or by
`internal switching of the data modem 150 which
`can be set up for either method of dialling.
`The data modem 150 then commences hand-
`
`shake sequences with the receiving device at the
`other end of the telephone line 30 and once these
`have been completed,
`the LED 145 illuminates
`green indicating "TRANSMlT". When this occurs,
`data is transferred from the RAM 21 to the destina-
`
`tion over the telephone line 30. On completion of
`transmission,
`the LED 145 is turned off and the
`
`LED 143 returns to green and the LED 144 flashes
`green indicating the completion of
`transmission.
`The memory card 20 can then be removed.
`The configuration file can also include settings
`for automatic re-dialling when a bad transmission
`or connection is obtained. Also, multiple files can
`be programmed for transmission to various destina-
`tions, and operate in a manner similar
`to that
`described above.
`Where the transceiver 100 is used to commu-
`
`nicate directly to a computer system via a tele-
`phone line 30,
`initial hand-shaken data modem
`calls operate in a similar manner except that addi-
`
`tional log-on and control scripts files are required to
`be stored on the card 20.
`
`required where a
`transmission is
`If manual
`manually operated facsimile or data modem is
`used at
`the received end,
`the configuration file
`stored in the memory card 20 contains a manual
`flag and the transceiver 100 upon reading such a
`flag follows a similar start sequence to that de-
`scribed above except that when dialling is required,
`it is necessary for the user to depress the start/stop
`button 142 to commence transmission. For exam-
`
`ple, where the transceiver 100 is connected for
`example,
`in series or parallel with a standard tele-
`phone handset, the telephone line connection can
`be established by the user dialling on the tele-
`phone in the normal way, and upon hearing fax or
`data modem tones over the telephone connection,
`can then depress the start button 142 to com-
`mence data transmission.
`
`Receive
`
`An incoming call can only be received by the
`transceiver 100 when a memory card 20 is inserted
`into the adaptor 110. When an incoming call
`is
`received,
`the transceiver 100 will check the con-
`
`If the card 20 is not
`figuration file on the card 20.
`inserted, or
`the card 20 is set up for manual
`receive,
`then the incoming call
`is directed to a
`telephone handset, connected in parallel or series
`with the telephone line adaptor 160.
`If
`the configuration file contains auto receive
`commands, the transceiver 100 will answer the call
`and monitor the line for fax or data modem tones. If
`
`no tones are detected after one second, the call is
`
`assumed to be voice and a ring tone is then sent to
`both the calling party and the parallel or series
`connected telephone handset which can then be
`answered as a normal call. When the incoming ring
`is detected,
`the LED 143 flashes red indicating
`"ON LINE" with the ring cadence and remain on
`during the one second line monitor period. The
`LED 143 again flashes red when a local ring-tone is
`being generated.
`the tran-
`If
`fax or data tones are detected,
`sceiver 100 commences the hand—shake sequence
`and receives any transmitted information which is
`stored in the RAM 21 along with a log file giving
`the date, time and any error information. The LED
`145 illuminates red to indicate "RECEIVE" and the
`
`LED 143 remains illuminated red indicating "ON-
`LINE'' until the call is complete.
`In the case of manual calls, the user is required
`to lift the handpiece of the local parallel connected
`telephone on the ring, and after hearing fax/data
`modem calls, press the start button 142.
`As seen in Figure 2, the transceiver 100 also
`includes an abort button 141 which is used to stop
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`EP 0 529 788 A1
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`10
`
`transmission or reception on demand by the user.
`In addition to fax/data transfer the transceiver
`
`a computer system to be connected to the tele-
`communications link via a cable or other means
`
`100 can also contain voice encode/decode circuitry
`which in some cases is included in the modem
`
`150. The transceiver 100 can then perform all
`functions of a telephone answering machine in ad-
`dition to that of a fax with the added advantage of
`smoother integration.
`One desk-top application is where the tran-
`sceiver 100 answers incoming calls and re-directs,
`if no fax tones are detected, as described above,
`but then answers the call
`if an attached telephone
`has not gone off-hook within a preset number of
`rings. Once answered, an outgoing message can
`be retrieved from the memory card 20 and incom-
`ing messages would be stored on the card 20.
`Messages can be recorded/replayed by internal
`audio circuitry and transducers or transferred to a
`computer system fitted with sound facilities.
`A portable application could function in a simi-
`lar manner without local audio record/play circuitry
`to reduce size/power consumption.
`The PC communications interface can be used
`to allow the transceiver 100 to behave as a stan-
`
`dard on-line data/fax modem similarly to commonly
`available units. Standard command sets such as
`
`"Hayes AT" and TR29/EIA-578 can be implement-
`ed allowing use of third party data communications
`and fax software.
`
`The transceiver 100 can provide the ability to
`relay fax, data or voice messages to remote loca-
`tions on detection of an incoming call from another
`transceiver unit (portable for example). On recogni-
`tion
`of
`a
`proprietary
`command
`sequence
`during/after
`call
`establishment
`the
`remote
`PC/transceiver can interrogate the main unit
`for
`received status information and, on request of the
`remote user, re-transmit the selected files for view-
`
`ing or printing. The original files can then be de-
`leted on request.
`The transceivers 10 and 100 can be readily
`provided with any communications channel and,
`apart from individual portable units, can be incor-
`porated into standard telephone handsets, pay tele-
`phones, mobile telephones, computers, paper op-
`erated facsimile machines, or any product that con-
`tains a telecommunications network connection.
`In
`
`such embodiments,
`
`the communications network
`
`interface 15 or telephone line adaptor 160 can be
`omitted as these will generally reside in the equip-
`ment
`into which the transceivers 10 or 100 are
`
`being incorporated. Depending on function of the
`equipment, the data modems 14 and 150 may also
`be not required.
`The transceiver 10 and 100 provide various
`advantages over currently available data transmis-
`sion systems. The use of the data storage medium
`1 such as memory card 20 eliminates the need for
`
`In this
`when transmission/reception is in progress.
`manner,
`the computer system can be used for
`another purpose. Furthermore, the use of memory
`cards provides for storage of
`large volumes of
`transmitted information in a convenient package
`without the necessity to reproduce that information
`in hard copy form. Also,
`the transceivers 10 and
`100 can be configured in a small size package
`consuming low amounts of power which affords
`portability and use in mobile telephone systems as
`well as other low power devices such as public pay
`telephones and private telephones.
`As seen in Figure 2, the memory card 20 can
`be additionally supplied with a read-only memory
`(ROM) 23 which can include a key-code.
`In this
`manner, the transceiver 100 can be used to only
`permit
`transmission and reception of messages
`when the key code in the ROM 23 matches, or
`mates with a corresponding key code residing in
`the ROM 136 of the MPU 130. For example, when
`a memory card 20 is inserted into the adaptor 110,
`the MPU 130 can then immediately interrogate the
`key code on the card 20 and compare that with
`that stored within the ROM 136.
`If
`the codes
`
`match, further operation of the transceiver 100 is
`enabled allowing either transmission or reception.
`In this manner, data stored in the RAM 21 of the
`memory card 20 can be protected from unauthoris-
`ed reading by a user not in possession of the keys
`within the ROM 23.
`
`the key codes may be stored
`Alternatively,
`only within the RAM 21 and hence can be varied
`on a periodic basis. Such an arrangement would
`not require the ROM 23 to be provided with the
`memory card 20.
`The transceiver 100, due to the ready acces-
`sibility of
`the RAM 21, can operate at a wide
`variety of data rates. Typically 4800 baud and 9600
`baud are used in telephone systems, but in RF or
`optical systems, substantially higher data rates,
`generally up to 100 MHz can be used.
`
`Industrial Applicability
`
`The embodiments described are applicable to
`data transmission systems and in particular where
`a portable means of data transmission is required.
`The foregoing describes only a number of em-
`bodiments of the present invention and modifica-
`tions, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be
`made thereto without departing from the scope of
`the present invention.
`
`Kyocera PX 1011_6
`
`

`
`EP 0 529 788 A1
`
`nications link, and an adaptor (160) interfacing
`said modem with said link.
`
`to
`A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1
`8 and further comprising a computer interface
`(17) adapted to permit direct interconnection of
`said device with a computer system thereby
`enabling transmission and/or reception of data
`directly from and/or into said computer sys-
`tem, without the need for intermediate storage
`of said transmission data on said data storage
`medium.
`
`. A device as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said
`device is adapted to be initialized by said
`computer system via said computer interface.
`
`. A device as claimed in Claim 10, further com-
`prising a real-time clock adapted to be initial-
`ized by said computer system and permitting
`recording of
`the time of transmission and/or
`reception of said transmission data.
`
`to
`. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1
`are
`11, wherein
`transmission
`parameters
`stored on said data storage medium together
`with said transmission data to identify a des-
`tination and source of said data and a selec-
`table code of transmission.
`
`to
`. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1
`12, wherein said device is adapted to utilize
`free memory within said data storage medium
`as free memory for said processor means.
`
`to
`. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1
`13, further comprising a free memory means
`associated with said processor means and
`used for temporary storage of said transmis-
`sion data and/or transmission parameters ap-
`plicable thereto.
`
`to
`. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1
`14 and further comprising a user interface (13)
`adapted to indicate a transmission/reception
`state of said device and permitting user control
`over
`the commencement and ending of a
`transmission and/or reception.
`
`Claims
`
`1. A data transmitting and/or receiving device (10,
`100) comprising a data medium interface (11,
`110) for interconnecting said device with a data
`storage medium (1, 20) from which transmis-
`sion data can be read for transmission and/or
`
`reception, processor means (12,
`stored after
`130) connected to said data medium interface,
`and a communications interface (15, 150, 160)
`connected to said processor means, said com-
`munications interface interconnecting said de-
`vice with a communications link (4, 30) over
`which said transmission data is conveyed, said
`processor means controlling the transfer of
`said transmission data between said data stor-
`
`age medium and said communications link,
`and vice versa.
`
`A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said
`data storage medium (1, 20) is selected from
`the group consisting of a diskette, a memory
`card, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a smart
`card, a bubble memory unit and an EEPROM
`card.
`
`A device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said
`
`data storage medium is a memory card (20)
`configured in accordance with the PCMCIA
`standard.
`
`A device as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein
`said device is portable and powered by a
`battery power source.
`
`A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to
`4 wherein said communications link is selected
`
`from a group consisting of a radio channel, an
`optical channel, a public switch telecommuni-
`cations network, an integrated services digital
`network, a wide area network and a local area
`network.
`
`A device as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein
`the communications link is an infra-red link
`
`and/or a fibre optic link.
`
`A device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said
`communications link is a radio channel se-
`
`lected from the group consisting of a satellite
`link, a microwave link, and a cellular telephone
`network.
`
`A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to
`7, wherein said communications interface (15)
`at least includes a data modem (150) adapted
`for modulation and/or demodulation of said
`transmission data carried over said commu-
`
`Kyocera PX 1011_7
`
`

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`Kyocera PX 1011_10