MXPA98008742A - Method and apparatus for automatic selection of data service for digi wireless communication networks - Google Patents

Abstract

In a digital cellular communications network, calls to and from a fax machine or other data equipment coupled to a digital telephone require special coding circuits. Calls to and from a fax machine or other data device use modulated amplitude and / or phase tones that can be handled more efficiently by monitoring such incoming calls to determine the presence of audio control tones. Upon the detection of such tones, the appropriate coding circuits are automatically switched into appropriately encoded / decoded data tones in a manner that allows automatic transmission of data over a wireless cellular network using CDMA, TDMA or other digital protocols.

Description

* »" - 1 - METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC SELECTION OF SERVICE OF DATA FOR DIGITAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to communication networks. In particular, this invention relates to digital wireless communication networks also known as digital cellular networks. 10 Digital cellular communication networks are well known. Instead of using an analog signal to modulate a radio frequency carrier, the digitized and encoded information is modulated on a radio frequency wave which is received, and the information retrieved by decoding and conversion of the digital information again to an analog format. Most digital cellular networks use what is called CDMA, TDMA or other coding techniques to transport digital information between subscribers. Figure 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a digital cellular communication system (10) of the prior art. A cellular service provider (12) provides wireless cellular communications service to subscribers that include the ability to communicate between REF. 28599 J - 3 - However, a problem with the wireless cellular networks of the prior art is their inability to adapt the data transmission without first using a special dialing procedure to access special coding circuits. Facsimile machines (28, 32), which are commonly used to transmit documents, using audio frequency tones to transmit digitized images. The audio frequency tones used by the facsimile machines (28, 32) are modulated in terms of phase and amplitude and the coding circuits (23) used to digitize the voice information can not properly encode tones of a fax machine. Similarly, the tones used by modems to exchange data between computers are modulated in phase and amplitude.

To fax a document over a digital wireless communication network, the party calling with a fax to send to someone using a digital cellular telephone network must dial a different number from the cellular service provider that is equipped to accept calls from facsimile machine. After a call has been established with such a number, the telephone number of the cellular service user to whom the fax is addressed must be entered in order to direct the call to the appropriate telephone. This two stage marking procedure is annoying and requires the calling party's information. # - '- 4 - Another method to provide fax capability to digital wireless subscribers is to assign a separate number to subscriber (26) to which circuits are coupled (30) coding for data transmission. However, a disadvantage of this approach is that for each subscriber, the cellular service provider must assign two numbers: one number for voice frequency telephone calls and another number for facsimile transmissions. A problem with these digital cellular networks of The prior art is its inability to automatically adapt data transmissions, such as those of a fax machine but also include those originating from a computer. Since voice signals are encoded using a technique and data signals that are encoded using a different technique, a method and apparatus is needed to automatically direct the data calls to the appropriate equipment to encode data which would be an improvement over the prior art. The parties that call a subscriber of a digital cellular service The wireless operator who wishes to send data, that is, either fax or computer data, must be able to dial a number belonging to the cellular subscriber and have either a voice frequency exchange with the subscriber or send a fax or other data to the subscriber without having to dial a separate number.

A cellular service provider can adapt user data transmissions automatically without having to assign separate numbers for data transmission. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic service selection technique for use with digital wireless networks in which the voice frequency signals and the data signals can be automatically switched to the appropriate coding circuits before transmission in the network digital wireless BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A method and apparatus for automatically identifying a call from a fax machine and for detecting it, for sending the call to the appropriate conversion circuits for encoding facsimile machine data for transmission in a wireless network is provided herein. digital The invention is comprised of circuits that monitor incoming or outgoing calls to or from a digital wireless subscriber to detect the presence of facsimile machine connection tones, the presence of which identifies the call as originating from a fax machine .

If such tones are detected, the call is automatically routed to specialized circuits capable of modulating fax machine tones. If facsimile machine control tones are not detected, the audio signals for the call are routed to other circuits used to digitize and encode voice signals. In an alternative mode, computer modems equipped to produce other control tones can be recognized and used to identify the call as originating from a modern. In this case, other circuits must be used to direct the data. of computer from a modem to other circuits that are capable of encoding the phase and amplitude modulated audio signals used with computer data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a prior art communication system showing the use of a cellular service provider of the equipment necessary to handle facsimile transmissions through a digital wireless network. Figure 2 shows a simplified block diagram of a digital wireless communications network and the cellular infrastructure equipment enhanced by the invention described herein by which calls entering from a fax machine are automatically routed to the appropriate circuits. Figure 3 shows a block diagram for the functional elements of the invention described herein. Figure 4 shows a simplified block diagram of the invention in use at the subscriber end of a digital wireless communications network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Figure 2 shows a simplified block diagram of a wireless digital communications system (200). A digital wireless communication network (202) is comprised of at least the infrastructure (204) of the cellular service provider and at least one digital wireless subscriber unit (208). Actually, there may be many digital wireless subscribers. The digital wireless subscriber unit (208) can be a portable or mobile cellular telephone capable of sending and receiving digitally encoded information using what are referred to as CDMA or TDMA coding techniques. The radio (208) the digital cellular subscriber makes and receives telephone calls by virtue of the radio signals exchanged therebetween and the radius of cellular service subscribers and switching equipment (206), using the well-known prior art. The cellular switch and radio equipment (206) includes circuits for digitizing and encoding voice frequency signals such as those produced by a standard telephone (210). Of course, the unit (208) of the cellular subscriber will have its own handset (212) similar to telephone, through which the user can speak and listen. Circuits within the subscriber unit (208) encode and decode analog voice frequency signals to and from the cellular switch and the radio equipment (206). A call originating from a land line telephone (210) to a digital wireless subscriber unit (208) is carried out by dialing a telephone number corresponding to and identifying the unit (208) of the digital wireless subscriber . The public switched telephone network (214) directs the call to the infrastructure service equipment (204) of the cellular service provider, which includes the aforementioned switch and radio equipment (206). The switching equipment operated by the service provider (206) identifies the subscriber unit which is called (208) of the dialed digits entering the equipment (206) and formats the appropriate signaling information to make the connection between the unit (208) of the subscriber and the infrastructure equipment (206) of the cellular service provider (204). If a call is made to the unit (208) of the mobile or portable cellular subscriber originating from a fax machine (216), the switching equipment operated by the cellular service provider (204) will attempt to encode the information from the fax machine using the same circuits normally used for a voice call. The fax transmission will fail, the called party and the operator of the unit (208) of the mobile subscriber will not receive the document that is intended to be sent in this way. By including a circuit (350) designed to automatically detect facsimile machine connection tones, audio signals from a machine such as a fax machine or a computer modem can be dissected to different coding circuits and this way the phase and amplitude modulated audio frequency signals can be precisely encoded for transmission to the fax machine or to the computer modem of a digital wireless cell phone user without loss of any information. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, an automatic data service selection circuit 350 receives all the calls that enter the cellular service provider equipment 204 and automatically directs the audio signals - what enters the appropriate conversion and modulation circuits upon detection of fax machine connection tones. A fax machine (220) coupled to the radio (208) of the wireless subscriber unit capable of reproducing the fax sent by the calling party from its machine (216) can receive the call after the subscriber's phone reconstructs the tones audio that originated in the fax machine of the sending end. In an alternative embodiment, a data center between a computer (222) and a computer (224) coupled to the unit (208) of the digital wireless subscriber can also be accommodated through the use of the invention described herein. In such an embodiment, the control tones of a fax machine and the control tones of a modem can be tested simultaneously by the automatic data service selection circuit (350) and upon detection of the control tone or the control tone. In a set of control tones, appropriate conversion circuits can be used to properly encode the information for the digital wireless network (202). Figure 3 shows a functional block diagram of an automatic service selection circuit (350) shown in Figure 2. The automatic service selection circuit (350) has an input port (352) into which the audio signals from devices such as a telephone, a modem coupled to a computer or a fax machine. The audio control tone detection circuits (354) include circuits specifically designed to detect the presence of audio control tones, the presence of which indicates the connection of a fax machine or a modem. A relay, analog switch, or other means for directing an analog signal within a portion of the audio control tone detection circuits (354) directs the audio frequency input signals to the circuits (356, 358, 360 ) of appropriate analog-to-digital conversion described below. Audio detection circuits and electronic addressing equipment (354) can be realized using passive or active analog filters constructed to detect particular modem control tones or fax machine connection tones but can also be implemented using processor techniques digital signal through which an audio tone can be digitally tested to determine its amplitude and frequency. The fax machine control tones are well known and standardized. The connection tone of an automatic calling fax machine in transmission mode, ready to transmit to its receiver a digital identification signal from another fax machine is well known to be a tone of 1100 Hz that repeats the sequence on / off 0.5 seconds "on" followed by 3 seconds "off". If the audio control tone detection circuits (354) detect the presence of a control tone of a fax machine, the call may be directed to digitize and code the circuits (356) that are capable, and digitize and code the output of audio tones that are deviated in amplitude and phase from a fax machine and which represent images scanned in it. If the audio control tones of a fax machine are not received within a predetermined length of time, which could be a design choice, the audio control detection circuits (354) can direct the audio entering the port (352) as usual, that is, circuits capable of encoding voice signals (358) for transmission in the digital cellular network. Some of the digital cellular networks currently in use encode in the format called CDMA or TDMA. The selection of appropriate conversion circuits for the particular digital cellular format used in the digital cellular network is a design choice. In another embodiment of the invention, the circuits (354) Audio control detection can perform tests to determine the presence of other additional tones, which can be used to indicate that a call is coming from a computer or other data device, the presence of which can be used by the circuits (354) for audio control detection to direct the audio signal to other additional conversion circuits (360) needed to convert the data tones to the appropriate format for transmission in the digital wireless communications network. In addition to detecting a single control tone, the audio control detection circuits can be constructed to determine the presence of multiple control tones, each at a different frequency, amplitude and / or phase, combined together. In addition, the sequences of one or more tones sent in series can also be used by the data transmission equipment. The presence and order of the serialized tones at different frequencies and / or amplitudes and phases can also be tested and upon detection thereof, audio signals can be routed to the appropriate analog to digital (A / D) conversion circuits. The output of the coding circuits (356, 358 or 360) is coupled to other appropriate coding circuits (362) necessary to format a transmitted bit stream of the appropriate format necessary for transmission in the digital wireless communications network (200). By continuously monitoring the signals entering the input port (352), the automatic service selection circuit (350) eliminates the need to have dedicated switching equipment for fax machines and data signals such as those represented by the number (30) Reference in Figure 1. The automatic service selection circuit shown in Figure 3 can be duplicated for each trunk that enters the equipment of cellular service providers so a call that enters a unit (208 ) of cellular subscriber, as shown in figure 2, will automatically be directed to the appropriate voice coder avoiding missed calls made by facsimile equipment. In instances where a consumer has only a digital wireless cellular service for a residence, the subscriber may need to be able to automatically format facsimile transmissions issued using the device identified above. In Figure 4, the digital wireless communications network includes a unit (402) of the digital wireless cellular subscriber consisting of a cell phone-like transceiver and an automatic service selection circuit (350), shown in Figure 3. Calls from a telephone (406) in the subscriber's house are coupled to the port (352) of the automatic service selection circuit input. Similarly, a fax machine (408) or a digital computer can also be coupled via a modem (410) to the input of the automatic service selection circuit. The calls established to another telephone (412) a computer (414) or another fax machine (416) are easily carried out by the automatic addressing of the automatic coding of audio signals either from the telephone (406), the computer ( 410) or the fax machine (408). The apparatus shown in Figure 3 provides the appropriate coding for voice frequency signals based on the detection of audio control tones emitted by either the fax machine or a modem. The subscriber does not experience call set-up delays, there are no missed calls and the cellular service provider reduces the number of lines or telephone numbers that must be placed additionally to handle the transmitted data transmissions such as those coming from a machine. fax (408) or a computer (410). It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (43)

1. CLAIMS l. A method of automatically coupling the audio, video and audio files of the network to represent data, and voice audio frequencies from an analogue communication network to a digital communications network, for transmission in the Internet. digital communications, the digital communication network converts analog voice signals to digital signals for transmission in the digital communications network using a first analog-to-digital conversion process and converts phase and frequency modulated audio signals to digital signals for transmission over the digital communications network using at least a second analog-to-digital conversion process, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) receiving, from the analog communications network, an analog audio frequency signal for conversion to a digital signal for transmission in a digital communications network; b) testing the analog audio frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined signal / c) addressing the analog frequency signal to a first analog-to-digital signal converter that converts the analog frequency signals to a first digital frequency if the first predetermined signal is present. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes the step of: transmitting the digital signals in the digital communications network. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of testing the analog audio frequency signal for the presence of a first predetermined signal further includes the step of: testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a first signal of predetermined audio frequency. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of testing the analog audio frequency signal for the presence of a first predetermined signal further includes the step of: testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a 1100 Hz tone. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of testing the analog audio frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined signal also includes the steps of: testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a plurality of audio frequency signals. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of testing the analog audio frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined signal also includes the steps of: testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a series of audio frequency signals. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of converting the analog audio signal to digital signals using the first analog to digital conversion process to form a first digital signal stream, before transmission in a network of digital communications, if the first predetermined signal is not present; further comprises the steps of: converting the analog audio signal to digital signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert the voice frequency signals to cellular telephony signals of the CDMA format. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of converting the analog audio signal to digital signals using a first analog to digital conversion process to form a first digital signal stream, before transmission in the network of digital communications, if the first predetermined signal is not present; further comprises the steps of: converting the analog audio signal to digital signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert voice frequency signals to TDMA format cell phone signals. 9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the conversion of the analog audio signal to digital signals using a first analog-to-digital conversion process, before transmission in a digital communications network, if the first predetermined signal is present in the analog audio frequency signal , further comprising the steps of: converting the analog audio signal to digital signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert the audio frequency data signals to cell phone signals of CDMA format. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the conversion of the analog audio signal to digital signals using a first analog-to-digital conversion process, before transmission in a digital communications network, if the first predetermined signal it is present in the analog audio frequency signal, it further comprises the steps of: converting the analog audio signal to digital, signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert the audio frequency data signals to the cell phone signals of TDMA format. 11. A method of automatically coupling audio signals modulated in amplitude, phase and frequency representing data, and audio frequency voice signals from an analog communications network to a digital communications network, for transmission in the network of digital communications, the digital communications network, converts analog voice signals to digital signals for transmission over the digital communications network using a first process, from analog to digital conversion and convert the modulated audio signals in amplitude, phase and frequency to signals digital signals for transmission over the digital communications network using at least a second analog-to-digital conversion process, the process is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) receiving, from the analog communications network, an analog audio frequency signal for conversion to a digital signal for transmission over the. digital communications network; b) testing the analog audio frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined signal; c) sending the analog frequency signal to a first analog-to-digital signal converter that converts the analog frequency signals to a first digital signal, if the first predetermined signal is present; and d) directing the analog frequency signal to a second analog-to-digital signal converter that converts the analog frequency signals to a second digital signal if the first predetermined signal is not present. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes the step of: transmitting the digital signals over the digital communications network. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the step of testing the analog audio frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined signal further includes the step of: testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined audio frequency signal. 14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the step of testing the analog audio frequency signal to determine the presence of a first determined signal also includes the step of: testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a tone of 1100 Hz. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the step of testing the analog audio frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined signal further includes the steps of: testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a plurality of audio frequency signals. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the step of testing the analog audio frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined signal further includes the steps of: testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a series of audio frequency signals. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the step of converting the analog audio signal to digital signals using a first analog to digital conversion process to form a first digital signal stream, before transmission in the network of digital communications, if the first predetermined signal is not present, further comprises the steps of: converting the analog audio signal to digital signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert the voice frequency signals to formatted cell phone signals CDMA. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the step of converting the analog audio signal to digital signals using a first analog to digital conversion process to form a first digital signal stream, before transmission in the network of digital communications, if the first predetermined signal is not present, further comprises the steps of: converting the analog audio signal to digital signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert the voice frequency signals to formatted cell phone signals TDMA 19. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the conversion of the analog audio signal to digital signals using the first analog-to-digital conversion process, before transmission in a digital communications network, if a first one is present. The predetermined signal in the analog audio frequency signal further comprises the steps of: converting the analogue to digital audio signal, signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert the audio frequency data signals to formatted cell phone signals CDMA. 20. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the conversion of the analog audio signal to digital signals using the first analog-to-digital conversion process, before transmission in a digital communications network, if a first predetermined signal is present in the audio frequency signal Analog also comprises the steps of: converting the analog audio signal to digital, signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert the audio frequency data signals to cell phone signals of TDMA format. 21. An apparatus for selectively coupling audio signals modulated in amplitude, phase and frequency representing data, and audio frequency voice signals from an analog communications network to a digital communications network, for transmission in the network of digital communications, the digital communications network converts analog voice signals to digital signals for transmission over the digital communications network using a first analog-to-digital conversion process and converts modulated audio signals in amplitude, phase and frequency to digital signals for transmission over the digital communications network using at least a second analog-to-digital conversion process, the apparatus is characterized in that it consists of: a) a signal receiving means for receiving a frequency signal from the analog communications network analog audio to be converted to a digital signal for transmission over the digital communications network; b) a test means, coupled to the digital reception means for testing the analog audio frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined signal; c) a first converter means coupled to the test means and the signal receiving means for converting the analog audio signal to digital signals using a first analog to digital conversion process to form a first digital signal stream, before transmission in the digital communications network, if the first predetermined signal is not present; and d) a second converter means coupled to the test means and the signal receiving means for converting the analog audio signal to digital signals using the second analog to digital conversion process to form a second digital signal stream prior to transmission in the digital communications network, if present in the first predetermined signal. 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that it further includes: e) a transmission means for transmitting the first and second streams of digital signals over the digital communications network. 23. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the test means further includes: a signal addressing means for directing the analog frequency signal to a first analog to digital signal converting device if a first signal is not present default; and to address the analog frequency signal to a second analog to digital signal converter if the first predetermined signal is present. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the test means includes a means for testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of facsimile machine connection tones. 25. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the test means further includes a means for determining the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined audio frequency signal. 26. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the test means further includes a means for testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined audio frequency signal. 27. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the test means further includes a means for testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of 1100 Hz tones. 28. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized because the test means includes a means for testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a plurality of audio frequency signals. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the means for testing the analog audio frequency signal to determine the presence of a first predetermined signal further includes: means for testing the analog frequency signal to determine the presence of a series of audio frequency signals. 30. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the first conversion means is further constituted by a means for converting the analog audio signal to digital signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert speech frequency signals to signals. cell phone format CDMA. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the second converter means is further constituted by: means for converting the analog audio signal to digital signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert the voice frequency signals to CDMA format cell phone signals. 32. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the first converter means is further constituted by: means for converting the analog audio signal to digital signals for transmission using a conversion process for converting the frequency data signals of audio to TDMA format cell phone signals. 33. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the second media conversion is constituted in addition to a means for converting the analog audio signal to digital signals for transmission using a conversion process to convert the audio frequency data signals. to TDMA format cell phone signals. 34. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the digital communications network is a digital wireless communications network. 35. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the signal receiving means is an audio amplifier stage. 36. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the signal receiving means is a digital signal processor. 37. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the test means is a digital processor. 38. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the converter means includes an analog-to-digital converter circuit. 39. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the first converter means includes a digital converter circuit. 40. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the second converter means includes an analog to digital converter circuit. 41. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the second converter means includes a digital signal processor. 42. The apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that the transmitting means includes a cellular phone. 43. The apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that the transmission means includes a cell phone base station.