AU684217B2

AU684217B2 - A modulator/demodulator arrangement for data transmission in a radio communication system

Info

Publication number: AU684217B2
Application number: AU31634/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dominicus Nicolaas Maria Dijkstra; Rene Cornelis Hendrik Van Toledo
Original assignee: Koninklijke PTT Nederland NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke KPN NV
Priority date: 1994-07-19
Filing date: 1995-07-18
Publication date: 1997-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2015-07-18
Also published as: NL9401183A; EP0772945A1; WO1996003008A1; CA2193112A1; AU3163495A

Description

Title :

A MODULATOR/DEMODULATOR ARRANGEMENT FOR DATA TRANSMISSION IN A RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.

A. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a modulator / demodulator arrangement for coupling a data terminal to a transceiver arrangement, which modulator / demodulator arrangement is provided with: transceiving means to be coupled to the data terminal, - modulation / demodulation means to be coupled to the transceiver arrangement via a connection, further transceiving means to be coupled via a further connection to the transceiver arrangement, and processor means for controlling the transceiving means and for controlling the modulation / demodulation means and for controlling the further transceiving means.

Such a modulator / demodulator arrangement is known from WO 92/10047. Via the transceiving means, such as for example a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter or UART, data originating from the data terminal, for example from a PC, is supplied to the processor means, which supply said data via the modulation / demodulation means and via the connection to the transceiver arrangement, such as for example, a mobile station or cordless handset. Said connection to the transceiver arrangement is for example formed by a coupling to the microphone connections and loudspeaker connections associated with the transceiver arrangement. Before the modulator / demodulator arrangement can supply data to the transceiver arrangement, a radio connection between the transceiver arrangement and a base station has to be set up and a fixed connection between the base station and an other modulator / demodulator arrangement has to be set up. This takes place via said further transceiving means, said further connection for example being established by a coupling to the display connections and keyboard connections associated with the transceiver arrangement, and enables that the modulator / demodulator arrangement controls the transceiver arrangement via the further transceiving means, such as for example a further UART, and vice versa. This entails an automatic set up of the radio connection. As soon as the radio .connection and the fixed connection have been set up, data from the modulator / demodulator arrangement which is coupled to the transceiver arrangement can be sent to the other modulator / demodulator arrangement which is coupled to the base station, and vice versa.

Such a modulator / demodulator arrangement, inter alia, has the disadvantage that, being a part of a larger system which comprises the data terminal, the modulator / demodulator arrangement and the transceiver arrangement, said modulator / demodulator arrangement causes the system, as a whole, to function disadvantageously.

B SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is, inter alia, to provide a modulator / demodulator arrangement of the kind mentioned in the preamble which, being part of a larger system, comprising the data terminal, the modulator / demodulator arrangement and the transceiver arrangement, causes the system, as a whole, to function more advantageously.

Thereto the modulator / demodulator arrangement according to the invention is characterised in that the processor means comprise switching means for activating a coupling present via one of both connections and de-activating a coupling present via the other one. By activating the coupling present via the further connection and de-activating the coupling present via the connection, the radio connection is set up automatically via the further transceiving means, and by de-activating the coupling present via the further connection and activating the coupling present via the connection, data can be sent, whereby the transceiver arrangement does not have to possess any knowledge about which of both connections is to be used. Due to this, an ordinary transceiver arrangement could be used, without complex adaptations being necessary. This causes the system, as a whole, to function more advantageously. The invention is based on the insight, inter alia, that the transceiver arrangement should not need to have any knowledge about which of both connections is to be used, because this knowkledge would require complex adaptations of ordinary transceiver arrangements. Thus the problem of the combination functioning disadvantageously, which combination comprises the modulator / demodulator arrangement and the transceiver arrangement, is solved by having the switching means activate one of both connections and de-activate the other one. It has to be noted, that the connection and the further connection could be realised by using one physical coupling, with the data signals and the signalling signals being still transmitted separately, for example via time-multiplexing or frequency- multiplexing techniques. The presence of a separation, in time or in frequency, is still important here. Furthermore, the concepts

"connection" and "further connection" are to be interpreted as broad as possible here, so that for example optical couplings, ultrasonic couplings and magnetic couplings can fall within this description. A first embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement according to the invention is characterised in that the processor means comprise generating means for generating a radio connection set-up command destined for the transceiver arrangement and to be transmitted via the further transceiving means and via the further connection, and - detecting means for detecting a radio connection confirmation command originating from the transceiver arrangement and to be received via the further connection and via the further transceiving means, a coupling via the connection being de-activated and a coupling via the further connection being activated.

By generating, via the generating means, a radio connection set¬ up command destined for the transceiver device and to be transmitted via the further transceiving means and via the further connection, the transceiver arrangement is automatically controlled to set up a radio connection to a base station. As soon as the radio connection to the base station has been set up, either by the base station or by the transceiver arrangement a radio connection confirmation command is generated, which via the further connection is supplied to the modulator / demodulator arrangement, where it is detected by the detecting means via the further transceiving means.

A second embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement according to the invention is characterised in that the processor means comprise other detecting means for detecting an initial command originating from the data terminal and to be received via the transceiving means, with the generating means comprising conversion means for converting the initial command into the radio communication set-up command. By detecting, via the other detecting means, an initial command originating from the data terminal and to be received via the transceiving means, and converting it, via the conversion means, into the radio connection set-up command, a radio connection can be initiated from the data terminal. A third embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement according to the invention is characterised in that the processor means comprise further detecting means for detecting a radio connection presence command originating from the transceiver arrangement and to be received via the further connection and via the further transceiving means, and further generating means for generating a response command destined for the transceiver arrangement and to be transmitted via the further transceiving means and via the further connection. By detecting, via the further detecting means, a radio connection presence command originating from the transceiver arrangement and to be received via the further connection and the further transceiving means, and by generating, via the further generating means, a response command destined for the transceiver arrangement and to be transmitted via the further transceiving means and the further connection, the transceiver arrangement is automatically controlled by the modulator / demodulator arrangement to respond to a radio connection initiated from the base station.

A fourth embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement according to the invention is characterised in that the processor means comprise other generating means for generating, in response to the radio connection presence command, an information command destined for the data terminal and to be transmitted via the transceiving means. By generating, via the other generating means, in response to the radio connection presence command an information command destined for the data terminal and to be transmitted via the transceiving means, the data terminal is automatically informed of the radio connection initiated from the base station.

A fifth embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement according to the invention is characterised in that the switching means de-activate, in response to a radio connection confirmation command or a radio connection presence command, a coupling present via the further connection, and activate a coupling present via the connection, for transmitting data via the modulation / demodulation means and via the connection, and for receiving data via the connection and via the modulation / demodulation means. By de-ac ivating, via the switching means in response to a radio connection confirmation command or a radio connection presence command a coupling present via the further connection, and activating a coupling present via the connection, the modulator / demodulator arrangement is automatically prepared for transmitting data via the modulation / demodulation means and via the connection, and for receiving data via the connection and via the modulation / demodulation means.

A sixth embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement in accordance with the invention is characterised in that the processor means comprise still further generating means for generating, in response to an end command, a radio connection interrupt command, whereby the switching means, in response to the end command, de¬ activate the coupling present via the connection and activate the coupling present via the further connection for transmitting the radio connection interrupt command via the further transceiving means and via the further connection.

By generating, in response to an end command, a radio connection interrupt command via the still further generating means, and de¬ activating, via the switching means in response to the end command, the coupling present via the connection, and activating the coupling present via the further connection for transmitting the radio connection interrupt command, via the further transceiving means and via the further connection, the transceiver arrangement is automatically controlled to interrupt the radio connection to the base station. In this context the end command can either originate from the data terminal or from the transceiver arrangement (for example as a result of a detected bad radio connection quality) , or from the modulator / demodulator arrangement itself (for example as a result of many detected data errors).

The invention furthermore relates to a method for setting up a data connection from a first to a second modulator / demodulator arrangement, via a transceiver arrangement which is coupled to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, and via a base station which is coupled to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement.

Said method according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises the following steps of: transmitting a radio connection set-up command from the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, via a first connection, to the transceiver arrangement, setting up a radio connection to the base station, in response to the radio connection set-up command, by the transceiver arrangement, - transmitting a radio connection confirmation command by the transceiver arrangement, after having set up the radio connection, via the first connection to the modulator / demodulator arrangement, de-activating the first connection by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, in response to the radio connection confirmation command, and activating a second connection, setting up a communication connection to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement by the base station, transmitting a modem command by the second modulator / demodulator arrangement to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, via the base station, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the second connection, and transmitting data to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, in response to the modem command, via the second connection, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the base station. By transmitting the radio connection set-up command via the first connection (the further connection), and in response thereto, setting up the radio connection to the base station, and, after having set up the radio connection, transmitting the radio connection confirmation command via the first connection, signalling takes place via the first connection. Subsequently, in response to the radio connection confirmation command, the first connection is de-activated and the second connection (the connection) is activated, and the base stations sets up the communication connection to the .second modulator / demodulator arrangement, which via the base station, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the second connection, transmits the modem command (such as for example a modem tone) to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement. In response to said modem command, data can then be transmitted via the second connection, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the base station, and vice versa. The invention furthermore relates to a method for setting up a data connection from a second to a first modulator / demodulator arrangement, via a base station which is coupled to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement, and via a transceiver arrangement which is coupled to a first modulator / demodulator arrangement.

Said method in accordance with the invention is characterised in that it comprises the following steps of: transmitting a call command from the second modulator / demodulator arrangement to the base station, setting up a radio connection to the transceiver arrangement, in response to the call command, by the base station, - transmitting a radio connection presence command to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, after the radio connection has been set up, by the transceiver arrangement, via a first connection, transmitting a response command to the transceiver arrangement, via the first connection, by the modulator / demodulator arrangement, de-activating the first connection by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, in response to the radio connection presence command, and activating a second connection, - transmitting a modem command to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, via the second connection, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the base station, and transmitting data to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, in response to the modem command, by the second modulator / demodulator arrangement, via the base station, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the second connection. By transmitting the call command, and in response thereto, setting up the radio connection to the transceiver arrangement, and, after the radio connection has been set up, transmitting the radio connection presence command via the first connection and transmitting the response command via the first connection, signalling takes place via the first connection. Then, in response to the radio connection presence command, the first connection is de-activated and the second connection is activated, and the first modulator / demodulator arrangement transmits the modem command to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement, via the second connection, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the base station, after which, in response to the modem command, data is transmitted via the base station, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the second connection, and vice versa.

From US 5,127,041 a system and a method for interfacing computers to diverse telephone networks are known, but it is not known from this document to provide the modulator / demodulator arrangement with switching means for activating a coupling present via one of both connections and de-activating a coupling present via the other one.

C REFERENCES

■ I-ETS (Interim European Telecom Standard) 300131

■ W0 92/10047

■ US 5,127,041

■ Dutch patent application No. 9401183 (priority document)

All references are considered to be incorporated in the present patent application.

D EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The invention will be elucidated more in detail at the hand of an exemplary embodiment represented in the Figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a survey of a complete system comprising a modulator / demodulator arrangement according to the invention, and Figure 2 shows a modulator / demodulator arrangement according to the invention, situated between a data terminal and a transceiver arrangement. The survey represented in Figure 1 of a complete system comprises a data terminal 1, such as for example a PC or a laptop, a modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 according to the invention and which is coupled to the data terminal 1, a transceiver arrangement 3 coupled to modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, a base station 5 coupled to transceiver arrangement 3 via a radio channel 4, a modulator / demodulator 7 coupled to base station 5, possibly via a network 6, and a data terminal 8, such as for example a PC or a laptop, which is coupled to modulator / demodulator 7.

The modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 according to the invention as represented in Figure 2 comprises transceiving means 10, such as for example a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter or UART which are coupled to data terminal 1 via a coupling 30. Furthermore, transceiving means 10 are coupled to processor means 14 via a coupling 31 and via a control coupling 37. Modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 further comprises modulation / demodulation means 13, which are coupled to transceiver arrangement 3 via a connection 45. Furthermore, modulation / demodulation means 13 are coupled to processor means 14 via a coupling 44 and via a control coupling 38. Modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 also comprises further transceiving means 11, such as for example a further Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter or UART, which are coupled to transceiver arrangement 3 via a further connection 33. Furthermore, further transceiving means 11 are coupled to processor means 14 via a coupling 32 and via a control coupling 36. Transceiver arrangement 3 disposes of a transceiver antenna 9 for communicating in a radio manner with base station 5 via channel 4.

The processor means 14 associated with modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 comprise generating means 21, detecting means 22, switching means 23 and a processor 20. Generating means 21 are coupled, via coupling 31, to transceiving means 10, to detecting means 22 and to processor 20, and are coupled, via coupling 32, to transceiving means 11, detecting means 22 and processor 20, and are coupled, via a coupling 39, to detecting means 22, and are coupled via a control coupling 34, to processor 20, and are coupled, via a control coupling 35, to switching means 35. Detecting means 22 are coupled, via coupling 31, to transceiving means 10, to generating means 21 and to processor 20, and are coupled, via coupling 32, to transceiving means 11, to generating means 21 and to processor 20, and are coupled, via a coupling 39, to generating means 21, and are coupled, via a control coupling 41, to processor 20, and are coupled, via a control coupling 40, to switching means 35. Switching means 23 are coupled to processor 20 via a control coupling 42, and are coupled to generating means 21 via control coupling 35, and are coupled to detecting means 22 via control coupling 40, and are coupled to transceiving means 10 via control coupling 37 and to transceiving means 11 via control coupling 36. Processor 20 is coupled to memory 12 via coupling 43, and is coupled to transceiver arrangement 3 via coupling 46, and is coupled to transceiving means 10, to generating means 21 and to detecting means 22, via coupling 31, and is coupled to transceiving means 11, to generating means 21 and to detecting means 22, via coupling 32, and is coupled to modulation / demodulation means 13 via coupling 44, and is coupled to generating means 21 via control coupling 34, and is coupled to detecting means 22 via control coupling

41, and is coupled to switching means 23 via control coupling 42.

The operation of the modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 represented in Figure 2 is, if a data connection is to be set up from data terminal 1, as follows. Data terminal 1 transmits an initial command via coupling 30 to transceiving means 10, which transmit said initial command, possibly after a certain operation, to processor 20,- generating means 21 and detecting means 22 via coupling 31. Furthermore, transceiving means 10 transmit a signal via control coupling 37 to switching means 23, which signal indicates that transceiving means 10 have received a command. In response to said signal, switching means 23 inform processor 20, via control coupling

42, that a command has arrived via coupling 30. Via control coupling 42, processor 20 informs switching means 23 of the fact that generating means 21 are to be de-activated via control coupling 35, and that detecting means 22 are to be activated via control coupling 40. Subsequently, detecting means 22 detect the command supplied via coupling 31, and inform processor 20, via control coupling 41, that the command is an initial command originating from data terminal 1. Processor 20 then informs switching means 23, via control coupling 42, of the fact that generating means 21 are to be activated via control coupling 35, and that detecting means 22 are to be de-activated via control coupling 40. Generating means 21, which comprise conversion means, receive the initial command originating from processor 20 and supplied via coupling 31, and convert it into a radio connection set¬ up command. Then, generating means 21 inform processor 20, via control coupling 34, of the successful conversion, which processor 20 in response thereto via control coupling 42 instructs switching means 23 to have generating means 21, via control coupling 35, generate the radio connection set-up command via coupling 32, and to activate via control coupling 36 further transceiving means 11. Further transceiving means 11 receive said radio connection set-up command via coupling 32 and transmit it, possibly after a certain operation, via coupling 33 to transceiver arrangement 3, which in response thereto sets up a radio connection to base station 5. Furthermore, further transceiving means 11 transmit a signal, via control coupling 36, to switching means 23, which signal indicates that further transceiving means 11 have transmitted a command. In response to said signal switching means 23 inform, via control coupling 42, processor 20 that a command has been transmitted to transceiver arrangement 3 via coupling 33.

As soon as the radio connection between transceiver arrangement 3 and base station 5 has been set up, transceiver arrangement 3 transmits a radio connection confirmation command, via coupling 33, to further transceiving means 11, which transmit said radio connection confirmation command, possibly after a certain operation, to processor 20, generating means 21 and detecting means 22 via coupling 32. furthermore, further transceiving means 11 transmit a signal, via control coupling 36, to switching means 23 which signal indicates that further transceiving means 11 have received a command. In response to said signal, switching means 23 inform processor 20, via control coupling 42, that a command has arrived via coupling 33. Processor 20 informs switching means 23, via control coupling 42, of the fact that generating means 21 are to be de-activated via control coupling 35 and that detecting means 22 are to be activated via control coupling 40. Detecting means 22 then detect the command supplied via coupling 32, and inform processor 20, via control coupling 41, that the command is a radio connection confirmation command originating from transceiver arrangement 3. Via control coupling 42, processor 20 informs switching means 23 of the fact that further transceiving means 11 are to be de¬ activated via control coupling 36 and that modulation / demodulation means 13 are to be activated via control coupling 38.

Meanwhile base station 5 has set up a communication connection, possibly via network 6, with modulator / demodulator 7, which in response thereto generates a modem command, such as for example a modem tone, and transmits it to base station 5, which transmits said modem command to transceiver arrangement 3 via channel 4. The modem command is supplied to modulation / demodulation means 13 by transceiver arrangement 3 via coupling 45, which modulation demodulation means 13 supply said modem command, possibly after a certain operation, to processor 20 via coupling 44. Furthermore, modulation / demodulation means 13 transmit, via control coupling 38, a signal to switching means 23, which signal indicates that modulation / demodulation means 13 have received a command. In response to said signal, switching means 23 inform processor 20, via control coupling 42, that a command has arrived via coupling 44. Processor 20 informs, via control coupling 42, switching means 23 of the fact that generating means 21 are to be de-activated via control coupling 35 and that detecting means 22 are to be activated via control coupling 40. Detecting means 22 then detect the command supplied, via coupling 44 and via coupling 32, and inform processor 20, via control coupling 41, that the command is a modem command originating from transceiver arrangement 3. Via control coupling 42, processor 20 informs switching means 23 of the fact that generating means 21 are to be activated via control coupling 35 and that detecting means 22 are to be de-activated via control coupling 40. Generating means 21, which comprise conversion means, receive the supplied modem command originating from processor 20 via coupling 32, and convert it into an information command. Thereupon generating means 21 inform processor 20, via control coupling 34, of the successful conversion, which in response thereto instructs switching means 23, via control coupling 42, to have generating means 21, via control coupling 35, generate the information command, via coupling 31. Transceiving means 10 receive said information command via coupling 31, and, via coupling 30, transmit it, possibly after a certain operation, to data terminal 1 which in response thereto starts generating data. Transceiving means 10 transmit a signal, via control coupling 37, to switching means 23 which signal indicates that the information command has been transmitted. In response to said signal, switching means 23 inform processor 20, via control coupling 42, that a command has been transmitted via coupling 30. Via control coupling 42, processor 20 then informs switching means 23 of the fact that generating means 21 are to be de-activated via control coupling 35, and that detecting means 22 are to be activated via control coupling 40. In response to the information command, data originating from data terminal 1, subsequently flows, via coupling 30, transceiving means 10, coupling 31, processor 20, coupling 44, modulation / demodulation means 13 and coupling 45, to transceiver arrangement 3, which transmits said data to base station 5 via channel 4. During said data transport, detecting means 22 detect data flowing via coupling 31, and inform processor 20, via control coupling 41, as soon as an end command situated in the data flow is detected. Via control coupling 42, processor 20 then informs switching means 23 of the fact that generating means 21 are to be activated via control coupling 35 and that detecting means 22 are to be de-activated via control coupling 40. Generating means 21, which comprise conversion means, receive the end command originating from processor 20 and supplied via coupling 31 and convert said command into a radio connection interrupt command. Thereupon generating means 21 inform processor 20, via control coupling 34, of the successful conversion, which in response thereto instructs switching means 23, via control coupling 42, to have generating means 21, via control coupling 35, generate the radio connection set-up command, via coupling 32, and to have further transceiving means 11, via control coupling 36, activated, and to have modulation / demodulation means 13 de-activated via control coupling 38. Further transceiving means 11 receive said radio connection interrupt command, via coupling 32, and transmit it, possibly after a certain operation, via coupling 33 to transceiver arrangement 3, which in response thereto interrupts the radio connection to base station 5. Furthermore, further transceiving means 11 transmit, via control coupling 36, a signal to switching means 23 which signal indicates that further transceiving means 11 have transmitted a command. In response to said signal, switching means 23, via control coupling 42, inform processor 20 that a command has been transmitted, via coupling 33, to transceiver arrangement 3.

The operation of the modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 represented in Figure 2, if a data connection has to be set up from data terminal 8, is as follows. Data terminal 8 transmits an initial command to modulator / demodulator 7, which converts said initial command into a call command, which is supplied to base station 5, possibly via network 6. In response to the call command, base station 5 sets up a radio connection to transceiver arrangement 3 via channel 4. As soon as the radio connection has been set up, transceiver arrangement 3 generates a radio connection presence command, which is transmitted to modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 via coupling 33. Further transceiving means 11 receive said radio connection presence command and, possibly after a certain operation, transmit it to processor 20, generating means 21 and detecting means 22 via coupling 32. Furthermore, further transceiving means 11 transmit, via control coupling 36, a signal to switching means 23 which signal indicates that further transceiving means 11 have received a command. In response to said signal switching means 23 inform processor 20, via control coupling 42, that a command has arrived via coupling 33. Via control coupling 42, processor 20 informs switching means 23 of the fact that generating means 21 are to be de-activated via control coupling 35 and that detecting means 22 are to be activated via control coupling 40. Detecting means 22 then detect the command supplied via coupling 32, and inform processor 20, via control coupling 41, that the command is a radio connection presence command originating from transceiver arrangement 3. Via control coupling 42, processor 20 then informs switching means 23 of the fact that generating means 21 are to be activated via control coupling 35 and that detecting means 22 are to be de-activated via control coupling

40. Generating means 21, which comprise conversion means, receive the radio connection presence command originating from processor 20 and fed via coupling 32, and convert it into a response command. Thereupon generating means 21 inform processor 20, via control coupling 34, of the successful conversion, which in response thereto instructs switching means 23, via control coupling 42, to have generating means 21, via control coupling 35, generate the response command, via coupling 32. Further transceiving means 11 receive said response command, via coupling 32, and transmit it, possibly after a certain operation, to transceiver arrangement 3 via coupling 33, which device 3 is thereby informed of the fact that modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 is ready. Furthermore, further transceiving means 11 transmit a signal to switching means 23, via control coupling 36, which signal indicates that further transceiving means 11 have transmitted a command. In response to said signal, switching means 23 inform processor 20, via control coupling 42, that a command has been transmitted to transceiver arrangement 3, via coupling 33, whereupon processor 20 informs switching means 23, via control coupling 42, of the fact that further transceiving means 11 are to be de-activated via control coupling 36 and that modulation / demodulation means 13 are to be activated via control coupling 38.

Furthermore, processor 20 instructs generating means 21, via control coupling 34, to generate a modem command, such as for example a modem tone, and to feed said modem command to modulation / demodulation means 13 via coupling 32, processor 20 and coupling 44. Possibly after a certain operation, the modem command is then supplied to transceiver arrangement 3 by modulation / demodulation means 13, via coupling 45, with modulation / demodulation means 13 transmitting a signal to switching means 23, via control coupling 38, which signal indicates that modulation / demodulation means 13 have transmitted a command. In response to said signal, switching means 23 inform processor 20, via control coupling 42, that a command has been transmitted via coupling 45. Via control coupling 34, processor 20 instructs generating means 21 to generate an information command and to supply this to transceiving means 10 via coupling 31. Transceiving means 10 receive said information command via coupling 31, and transmit it to data terminal 1, possibly after a certain operation, via coupling 30, which terminal 1 is thereby informed of the situation. Transceiving means 10 transmit a signal, via control coupling 37, to switching means 23, which signal indicates that the information command has been transmitted. In response to said signal, switching means 23 inform processor 20, via control coupling 42, that a command has been transmitted via coupling 30. Via control coupling 42, processor 20 then informs switching means 23 of the fact that generating means 21 are to be de-activated via control coupling 35, and that detecting means 22 are to be activated via control coupling 40.

Meanwhile, the modem command has been transmitted from transceiver arrangement 3 to modulator / demodulator 7 via channel 4, base station 5 and possibly network 6, whereupon data terminal 8 starts generating data. Said data flows from data terminal 8, modulator / demodulator 7, possibly network 6, base station 5, channel 4, and transceiver arrangement 3 to modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, via coupling 45. In modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, said data is received by modulation / demodulation means 13 and transmitted via coupling 44, via processor 20, and via coupling 31 to transceiving means 10, which transmit the data to data terminal 1 via coupling 30. During said data transport, detecting means 22 detect the data flowing via coupling 31, and inform processor 20 via control coupling 41 as soon as an end command situated in the data flow is detected. Via control coupling 42, processor 20 then informs switching means 23 of the fact that generating means 21 are to be activated via control coupling 35 and that detecting means 22 are to be de-activated via control coupling 40. Generating means 21, which comprise conversion means, receive the end command originating from processor 20 and supplied via coupling 31, and convert it into a radio connection interrupt command. Then, generating means 21 inform, via control coupling 34, processor 20 of the successful conversion, which processor instructs, in response thereto via control coupling 35, switching means 23 to have generating means 21 generate the radio connection interrupt command via coupling 32 and to activate further transceiving means 11 via control coupling 36 and to de-activate modulation / demodulation means 13 via control coupling 38. Further transceiving means 11 receive said radio connection interrupt command via coupling 32 and transmit it, possibly after a certain operation, via coupling 33, to transceiver arrangement 3, which in response thereto interrupts the radio connection to the base station 5. Furthermore, further transceiving means 11 transmit a signal to switching means 23, via control coupling 36, which signal indicates that further transceiving means 11 have transmitted a command. In response to said signal, switching means 23 inform processor 20, via control coupling 42, that a command has been transmitted to transceiver arrangement 3, via coupling 33.

The invention therefore relates to a modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 for coupling a data terminal 1 to a transceiver arrangement 3, which modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 is provided with transceiving means 10 to be coupled to the data terminal 1, - modulation / demodulation means 13 to be coupled to the transceiver arrangement 3, via a coupling 45, and processor means 14 for controlling the transceiving means 10 and for controlling the modulation / demodulation means 13, and is characterised in that the modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 is provided with further transceiving means 11, to be controlled by the processor means 14 and to be coupled to the transceiver arrangement 3 via a further coupling 33.

An embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 has the characteristic that the processor means 14 comprise generating means 21 for generating a radio connection set-up command destined for the transceiver arrangement 3 and to be transmitted via the further transceiving means 11 and via the further connection 33, and comprise detecting means 22 for detecting a radio connection confirmation command originating from the transceiver arrangement 3 and to be received via the further connection 33 and via the further transceiving means 11.

An embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 has the characteristic that the processor means 14 comprise other detecting means 22 for detecting an initial command originating from the data terminal 1 and to be received by the transceiving means 10, with the generating means 21 comprising conversion means for converting the initial command into the radio connection set-up command.

An embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 has the characteristic that the processor means 14 comprise further detecting means 22 for detecting a radio connection presence command originating from a transceiver arrangement 3 and to be received via the further connection 33 and via the further transceiving means 11, and comprise further generating means 21 for generating a response command destined for the transceiver arrangement 3 and to be transmitted via the further transceiving means 11 and via the further connection 33.

An embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 has the characteristic that the processor means 14 comprise different generating means 21 for generating, in response to the- radio connection presence command, an information command destined for the data terminal 1 and to be transmitted via the transceiving means 10. An embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 has the characteristic that the processor means 14 comprise switching means 23 for de-activating, in response to a radio connection confirmation command or a radio connection presence command, a coupling present via a further connection 33, and for activating a coupling present via the connection 45 for transmitting data, via the modulation / demodulation means 13 and via the connection 45, and for receiving data, via the connection 45 and via the modulation / demodulation means 13.

An embodiment of the modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 has the characteristic that the processor means 14 comprise still further generating means for generating a radio connection interrupt command, in response to an end command, and comprise switching means 23 for de¬ activating, in response to the end command, the coupling present via the connection 45 and for activating the coupling present via the further connection 33 for transmitting the radio connection interrupt command, via the further transceiving means 11 and via the further connection 33.

The generating means 21 represented in Figure 2 therefore comprise the generating means, the further generating means, the still further generating means and the other generating means and the conversion means. Generating means 21 could be entirely implemented in a software form, for example with the help of a table, with the table being read-out at a certain location in response to a certain input signal or a certain input command. They could also be implemented entirely in a hardware form, for example with the help of logic circuits such as gate circuits, shift registers and flipflops; several combinations between software and hardware implementations are furthermore conceivable. A modem command could, for example, be realised in the form of a modem tone by generating a sinusoidal signal in a software manner, and possibly converting said signal then via a digital-to-analogue conversion, or by means of a hardware sine generator.

The detecting means 22 represented in Figure 2 therefore comprise the detecting means, the further detecting means and the other detecting means. Detecting means could be entirely implemented in a software form, for example with the help of a table, with a corresponding signal or a certain input command being searched in the table, in response to a certain input signal or a certain input command, and with, in case such corresponding signal or command being found, the location thereof being decisive for the interpretation of the signal or command concerned. It could also be entirely implemented in a hardware form, for example with the help of logical circuit, such as gate circuits, shift registers and flipflops; several combinations between software and hardware implementations are furthermore conceivable.

The switching means 23 represented in Figure 2 could be implemented entirely in a software form, for example with the help of a table, with the table being read-out at a certain location, in response to a certain input signal or a certain input command, with said location or the content at said location determining which unit which is coupled to the switching means is controlled. They could also be implemented entirely in a hardware form, for example with the help of logical circuits, such as gate circuits, shift registers and flipflops; several combinations between software and hardware implementations are furthermore conceivable. De-activating (activating) a coupling present via the further connection 33 and activating (de-activating) a coupling present via the connection 45 by the (further) switching means takes place by controlling transceiving means 11 and modulation / demodulation means 13. Of course, it is also possible to control the couplings situated before and/or behind said means itself, for example by providing switches in said couplings. The transceiving means 10 and further transceiving means 11 represented in Figure 2 each, for example, consist of a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter or UART, and processor 20, for example, consists of a so-called 68000 micro processor to which a coupling-through facility can be added in order to be able, for example, to couple-through couplings 31 and 32 to coupling 44. Such a coupling-through facility could, for example, be realised with switches to be controlled by processor 20. Thus it becomes possible to obtain a kind of "transparent mode" for the data transport, with data flowing through the processor means 14 in a transparent manner. Furthermore, conversion means associated with the generating means 21 could be realised in another manner by making use of memory 12, which is addressed, via processor 20 and coupling 43, in order to convert signals and/or commands. In the same manner parts of the functionalities to be realised by generating means 21 and detecting means 22, can be realised via memory 43, which corresponds to a more software form implementation, as a result of which generating means 21 and detecting means 22 can be more simply arranged or can even be omitted (that is to say entirely integrated in processor 20) . Preferably modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 will be used as a plug-in card in data terminal 1, in which case an entire or partial integration of the modulator / demodulator arrangement in the data terminal becomes an option.

Naturally, modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 could not only be coupled to a transceiver arrangement via coupling 45, but an attachment to a communication line (telephone line) could instead be realised via coupling 45, in which case of course no radio connection set-up commands, radio connection confirmation commands, radio connection presence commands and the like will be transmitted and/or received. When (now and then) said alternative is going to be used, either modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 is to be adjusted to one of both possibilities (via a transmit mode or a line mode), or modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 is to detect automatically the connect-state to one of both possibilities. This could be realised by transmitting a forward command (for example the radio connection set¬ up command or certain data), via coupling 33 or via coupling 45, and to detect whether transceiver arrangement 3 reacts to said forward command within a certain time interval, for example by retransmitting a return command (for example the radio connection confirmation command or certain data) , but could also be realised by conducting a measurement, via coupling 45 or via coupling 46, for example the presence of a flowing current through coupling 46 if this is used for the voltage supply for transceiver arrangement 3, or an impedance measurement of impedances situated behind coupling 45 or coupling 46. Connection 45 is for example connected to the loudspeaker connections and the microphone connections of transceiver arrangement 3, with, if modulation / demodulation means 13 are provided with a so- called forked circuit, said loudspeaker connections and microphone connections also have to be coupled to connection 45 via a forked circuit. Further connection 33 is, for example, connected to keyboard connections and display connections of transceiver arrangement 3, with possible so-called forked circuits being usable. Many further command are of course conceivable, such as a command which temporarily stops data transport when a radio connection is temporarily too bad to be used for data transport, but still keeps the radio connection intact. The temporary nature of said command can either be created by means of a fixed time interval after which the radio connection has to be improved or is otherwise interrupted, and by means of ordinary waiting at the improved radio connection. Detection thereof takes place in transceiver arrangement 3 (message to modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, for example via coupling 46, or via couplings 33 and/or 45 with activating or de-activating having to take place) or happens in modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, for example via modulation / demodulation means 13 and/or processor 20.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for setting up a data connection from a first to a second modulator / demodulator arrangement, via a transceiver arrangement 3 which is coupled to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, and via a base station 5 which is coupled to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement 7, and is characterised in that the method comprises the following steps of transmitting a radio connection set-up command from the first modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 to the transceiver arrangement 3, via a first connection 33, setting up a radio connection to the base station 5, in response to the radio connection set-up command, by the transceiver arrangement 3, - transmitting a radio connection confirmation command to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 by the transceiver arrangement 3, after having set up the radio connection, via the first connection 33, de-activating the first connection, in response to the radio connection confirmation command, by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, and activating a second connection

45, setting up a communication connection to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement 7 by the base station 5, transmitting a modem command to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 by the second modulator / demodulator arrangement 7, via the base station 5, via the transceiver arrangement 3, and via the second connection 45, and transmitting data to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement 7 by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement

2, in response to the modem command, via the second connection 45, via the transceiver arrangement 3, and via the base station 5.

The invention still further relates to a method for setting up a data connection from a second to a first modulator / demodulator arrangement, via a base station 5 which is coupled to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement 7, and via a transceiver arrangement 3 which is coupled to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, and is characterised in that the method comprises the following steps of: transmitting a call command from the second modulator / demodulator arrangement 7 to the base station 5, - setting up a radio connection to the transceiver arrangement 3, in response to the call command, by the base station 5, transmitting a radio connection presence command to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, after the radio connection has been set up, by the transceiver arrangement 3, via a first connection 33, transmitting a response command to the transceiver arrangement

3, via the first connection 33, by the modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, de-activating the first connection 33 by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, in response to the radio connection presence command, and activating a second connection 45, transmitting a modem command to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement 7 by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, via the second connection 45, and via the transceiver arrangement 3, and via the base station 5, and transmitting data to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement 2, in response to the modem command, by the second modulator / demodulator arrangement 7, via the base station 5, via the transceiver arrangement 3, and via the second connection

45.

Both methods both relate, inter alia, to so-called tele-point systems as so-called cordless systems, with either modulator / demodulator arrangement 2 has to be adjusted to one of both systems (via a public mode or a private mode) , or it is to be indicated from data terminal 1 via which system the data transport will take place, for example, by providing the initial command and possible other commands with this information. Furthermore, in case of use in a tele- point system and in case of use in a cordless system, identification information and/or verification information concerning the transmitting side and/or receiving side could be added to initial commands and/or radio connection set-up commands and the like.

Claims

E CLAIMS

1. A modulator / demodulator arrangement for coupling a data terminal to a transceiver arrangement, which modulator / demodulator arrangement is provided with: transceiving means to be coupled to the data terminal, - modulation / demodulation means to be coupled via a connection to the transceiver arrangement, further transceiving means to be coupled via a further connection to the transceiver arrangement, and processor means for controlling the transceiving means and for controlling the modulation / demodulation means and for controlling the further transceiving means, characterised in that the processor means comprise switching means for activating a coupling present via one of both connections and de-activating a coupling present via the other one.

2. A modulator / demodulator arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the processor means comprise - generating means for generating a radio connection set-up command destined for the transceiver arrangement and to be transmitted via the further transceiving means and via the further connection, and detecting means for detecting a radio connection confirmation command originating from the transceiver arrangement and to be received via the further connection and via the further transceiving means, a coupling via the connection being de-activated and a coupling via the further connection being activated.

3. A modulator / demodulator arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the processor means comprise other detecting means for detecting an initial command originating from the data terminal and to be received via the transceiving means, with the generating means comprising conversion means for converting the initial command into the radio communication set-up command.

4. A modulator / demodulator arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the processor means comprise further detecting means for detecting a radio connection presence command originating from the transceiver arrangement and to be received via the further connection and via the further transceiving means, and further generating means for generating a response command destined for the transceiver arrangement and to be transmitted via the further transceiving means and via the further connection.

5. A modulator / demodulator arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that the processor means comprise other generating means for generating, in response to the radio connection presence command, an information command destined for the data terminal and to be transmitted via the transceiving means.

6. A modulator / demodulator arrangement according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterised in that the switching means de-activate, in response to a radio connection confirmation command or a radio connection presence command, a coupling present via the further connection, and activate a coupling present via the connection, for transmitting data via the modulation / demodulation means and via the connection, and for receiving data via the connection and via the modulation / demodulation means.

7. A modulator / demodulator arrangement according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterised in that the processor means comprise still further generating means for generating, in response to an end command, a radio connection interrupt command, whereby the switching means, in response to the end command, de-activate the coupling present via the connection and activate the coupling present via the further connection for transmitting the radio connection interrupt command via the further transceiving means and via the further connection.

8. A method for setting up a data connection from a first to a second modulator / demodulator arrangement, via a transceiver arrangement which is coupled to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, and via a base station which is coupled to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement, characterised in that the method comprises the following steps of transmitting a radio connection set-up command from the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, via a first connection, to the transceiver arrangement, setting up a radio connection to the base station, in response to the radio connection set-up command, by the transceiver arrangement, transmitting a radio connection confirmation command by the transceiver arrangement, after having set up the radio connection, via the first connection to the modulator / demodulator arrangement, de-activating the first connection by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, in response to the radio connection confirmation command, and activating a second connection, setting up a communication connection to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement by the base station, transmitting a modem command by the second modulator / demodulator arrangement to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, via the base station, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the second connection, and transmitting data to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, in response to the modem command, via the second connection, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the base station.

9. A method for setting up a data connection from a second to a first modulator / demodulator arrangement, via a base station which is coupled to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement 7, and via a transceiver arrangement which is coupled to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, characterised in that the method comprises the following steps of transmitting a call command from the second modulator / demodulator arrangement to the base station, setting up a radio connection to the transceiver arrangement, in response to the call command, by the base station, - transmitting a radio connection presence command to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, after the radio connection has been set up, by the transceiver arrangement, via a first connection, transmitting a response command to the transceiver arrangement, via the first connection, by the modulator / demodulator arrangement, de-activating the first connection by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, in response to the radio connection presence command, and activating a second connection, - transmitting a modem command to the second modulator / demodulator arrangement by the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, via the second connection, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the base station, and transmitting data to the first modulator / demodulator arrangement, in response to the modem command, by the second modulator / demodulator arrangement, via the base station, via the transceiver arrangement, and via the second connection.