GB2298992A

GB2298992A - Telephone system having a wireless link between phone jack and telephone appliance

Info

Publication number: GB2298992A
Application number: GB9604648A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Theodore Sizer
Original assignee: AT&T Corp
Current assignee: AT&T Corp
Priority date: 1995-03-13
Filing date: 1996-03-05
Publication date: 1996-09-18
Also published as: JPH08265399A; CA2169491A1; GB9604648D0

Abstract

A telephone system has a wireless connection between a phone jack (or socket) 12 and a remote telephone appliance, for example, a notebook computer 18. The wireless phone jack 12 is connected to a wired telephone connection such as a wall jack and receives signals from a wired telephone line. The phone jack produces a carrier signal which is modulated with signals received from the telephone line for transmission to an appliance jack 16 connected to the remote appliance 18. The appliance jack 16 also receives signals from the remote appliance 18 and generates a carrier signal which is modulated by signals received from the remote appliance 18 for transmission to the phone jack 12. The wireless transmission may be by radio, infrared or ultrasonic signals. The system removes the need for a cumbersome wire connecting between the remote appliance and the wall jack.

Description

WIRELESS PHONE JACK Field of the Invention This invention relates to a wireless phone jack connected to a wired phone connection for transmitting signals to a remote device.

Background of the Invention Many portable devices and appliances, such as notebook computers, connect to the phone line via a modem, and a wired phone connection, such as an RJ-ll connector and wall jack to receive telephone signals and thus communicate through the telephone network. Often, the wire connecting between the device and the wall jack are cumbersome, hindering the user from moving around the premises when using the device. A cord connected between the device and the wall jack could be easily entangled, causing discomfort and a safety hazard. It is therefore advantageous if a wireless phone connection could be created between a wired phone connection such as a wall jack and the device which is to communicate through the telephone network.

In accordance with the present invention, a wireless phone connection can now be created between a wall jack, such as an RJ-ll type jack, and a remote appliance or device that is to receive the phone signals, such as a notebook computer. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a wireless phone jack is connected to a wired telephone connection such as a wall jack. Signals are received from the wired phone connection. The phone jack produces a carrier signal, which is then modulated with the signals received from the phone line for transmission to a remote appliance device, such as a notebook computer.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the phone jack includes an infrared LED which receives the modulated carrier signal and emits a modulated infrared signal in response. In another aspect of the present invention, the carrier signal is a radio frequency carrier signal which has been frequency modulated and transmitted via an antenna. The radio frequency carrier signal can be formed from a voltage controlled oscillator.

An appliance jack, connected to the remote appliance device, receives, and, if necessary, demodulates the modulated signals from the phone jack and then forwards them to the remote appliance device in demodulated format.

The appliance jack in turn produces an appliance carrier signal which is modulated by any signals received from the remote appliance device. These modulated signals drive an LED or are transmitted by radio carrier directly to the phone jack, thus establishing a communication link between the phone network and the remote appliance device.

Brief Descrintion of the Drawings The foregoing advantages and features of the present invention will be appreciated more fully from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic environmental view of the wireless phone jack and system of the present invention which enables a wireless connection to exist between a phone network and remote appliance device such as the illustrated portable computer.

Figure 2 is a high level block diagram of the various components of the present invention using wireless infrared signals between a phone jack and remote appliance device.

Figure 3 is a high level block diagram of the various components of the present invention using modulated radio communication.

Figure 4 is a high level flow chart depicting one sequence of possible steps for establishing the wireless link between the phone jack and remote appliance device.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to Figure 1, there is illustrated an environmental schematic view of a premises 10, such as an office, which has the phone jack of the present invention, indicated at 12, connected into a wired telephone connection 14, such as an RJ-ll wall jack to form a communication link with an appliance jack, indicated at 16, connected into a remote appliance device, as the illustrated notebook computer 18. Throughout the description, the notebook computer will also be referred to as a remote appliance device under the numeral designation 18.In accordance with the present invention, the phone jack 12 receives signals from the local exchange carrier (LEC) 20 connected into the wired telephone connection 14 and produces a carrier signal which is modulated by signals received from the wired telephone connection for transmission to the remote appliance device 18 via the appliance jack 16 connected thereto.

The appliance jack 16 receives the modulated signals and also modulates an appliance carrier signal with signals received from the appliance for transmission to the phone jack 12 to enable communication between the two devices. In one aspect of the present invention, the modulated carrier signal of the appliance jack 16 drives an infrared generating LED that receives the modulated carrier signal and emits a modulated infrared signal to the appliance jack. In another aspect of the present invention, the modulated carrier signal is a radio frequency signal. In still another aspect of the invention, the modulated carrier signal comprises an ultrasonic signal.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is illustrated a high level schematic block diagram of the phone jack 12 and appliance jack 16 of the present invention. As illustrated, the phone jack 12 connects via an RJ-ll connector for communication with the Local Exchange Corner (LEC). In this illustrated embodiment, signals are received through the standard two wire connection 22, 23 and into standard 2 wire to 4 wire hybrid 26 which separates the incoming and outgoing signals and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 28 which generates a carrier signal. The carrier signal in one embodiment is about 800 KHz, but this frequency can vary. The telephone signals are typically limited to the frequency band between about 300 and 3000 Hz. This low frequency information frequency modulates or pulse frequency modulates the carrier.The carrier then drives an LED circuit, indicated generally at 30 as illustrated in Figure 2, which generates the infrared signal 32 into the premises 10. The infrared signal 32 can be bounced off the ceiling 34 into the appliance jack connected through the RJ-ll jack 36 of the notebook computer 18 (Figure 1).

The appliance jack 16 includes a light detecting diode circuit, indicated generally at 40 that receives the infrared signal and generates a current, which is then detected by a phase locked loop circuit shown at block 42.

This signal from the phase locked loop circuit 42 enters an amplifier 44 and then enters the remote appliance device 18. In the case of a notebook computer, the signal enters a modem 46 through a standard RJ-ll jack 36.

Communication is then established from the remote appliance device 18 back to the phone jack 12 and telephone network via the LEC 20. The appliance jack 16 receives a signal from the modem of the computer or some other signal from the device 18. The signal enters an amplifier circuit 50. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 52 develops a carrier which is modulated by the appliance signal to drive an LED circuit, indicated generally at 54. The modulated infrared signal 56 is bounced off the wall and ceiling 34 to a receiving diode circuit, indicated generally at 57 of the phone jack 12.

The signal is transmitted to the detector circuitry (the phase-locked loop circuit 58) and then through an amplifier 59 and into the telephone network via LEC 20 forming a closed loop communication system.

Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment where the modulated carrier signal is maintained as a frequency modulated radio signal and transmitted via a radio frequency amplifier 60 and antenna 63 to an antenna 64 and amplifier 66 of the appliance jack 16 connected to the notebook computer. The appliance jack 16 produces a radio signal which is amplified by a radio amplifier 68 and transmitted via antennae 70 to receiving antennae 72 and amplifier 74. All references in this illustrated embodiment for common components retain their original numbering. This embodiment will have similar circuitry, except the additional amplifiers and antennae, which can be contained on one circuit board.

Referring now to Figure 4, a flow chart depicts one method in which the communication link can be established between the phone jack 12 and appliance jack 16. For purposes of clarity, all reference numerals begin in the 100 series.

The user initially decides to make a call (Block 100). The remote unit 16 emits a tone without data to initiate communications (Block 102). A wall unit 12 detects the tone and in turn causes a connection to be made with the local exchange carrier 20 and thus goes "off hook" (Block 104). The wall unit 12 now transmits with a dial tone impressed on the transmitted signal (Block 106).

Referring to Figure 5, a second flow chart depicts one method for the remote unit to make an outgoing call.

For purposes of clarity, all reference numerals in figure 5 describing the flow chart begin in the 200 series.

The incoming call rings (Block 200) and the wall unit 12 emits a tone without the data impressed (Block 202).

The remote unit 16 then detects the tone from the wall unit 12 (Block 204). The remote unit 16 then decides whether to accept or reject the incoming call (Block 206).

If the remote unit 16 rejects the call, the call is terminated (Block 208). If the call is accepted, the remote unit 15 emits a tone to the wall unit 12 to indicate a desire to answer the incoming call (Block 210).

The wall unit 12 then detects the tone from the remote unit, and connects to the local exchange carrier, i.e., goes off hook (Block 212).

It is to be understood that the above description is only one preferred embodiment of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be devised by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CrrAIMS:

1. A wireless phone jack comprising means for connecting to a wired telephone connection such as a wall jack, means for receiving telephone signals from the wired phone connection, means for producing a carrier signal, and means for modulating the carrier signal with the telephone signals received from the wired telephone connection for transmission to a remote appliance device.

2. The phone jack according to claim 1, including an infrared LED that receives said modulated carrier signal and emits a modulated infrared signal.

3. The phone jack according to claim 1 wherein said carrier signal comprises a radio frequency signal.

4. The phone jack according to claim 1 wherein said carrier signal comprises an ultrasonic signal,

5. The phone jack according to claim 1 including means for receiving a modulated signal from a remote appliance device for establishing communication therewith.

6. The phone jack according to claim 1 wherein power producing a carrier signal and modulating same is drawn from a wired phone connection.

7. The phone jack according to claim 1 wherein said means for connecting the phone jack comprises an RJ-11 connector.

8. The phone jack according to claim 1 wherein said means for producing a carrier signal comprises a voltage controlled oscillator.

9. A wireless phone jack comprising means for connecting to a wired telephone connection such as a wall jack, means for receiving telephone signals from the phone connector, means for producing a carrier signal, means for modulating the carrier signal with the telephone signals received from the wired telephone connection, an infrared LED that receives said modulated carrier signal and emits a modulated infrared signal in response, and means for receiving a modulated infrared signal from a remote appliance device for establishing a communication link therewith.

10. The phone jack according to claim 9 wherein the power producing a carrier signal and modulating same is drawn from the wired phone connection.

11. The phone jack according to claim 9 wherein said means for connecting the phone jack comprises an RJ-ll connector.

12. The phone jack according to claim 9 wherein said means for producing a carrier signal comprises a voltage controlled oscillator.

13. A wireless phone jack comprising means for connecting to a wired telephone connection such as a wall jack, means for receiving signals from the wired phone connector, means for producing a radio frequency carrier signal, means for frequency modulating the carrier signal with the signals received from the wired telephone connection, means for transmitting the frequency modulated carrier to a remote appliance device, and means for receiving a modulated signal from the remote appliance device for establishing a communication link therewith.

14. The phone jack according to claim 13 wherein the power producing the carrier signal and modulating same is drawn from the wired phone connection.

15. The phone jack according to claim 13 wherein said means for connecting the phone jack comprises an RJ11 connector.

16. The phone jack according to claim 13 wherein said means for producing a radio frequency carrier signal comprises a voltage controlled oscillator.

17. The phone jack according to claim 13 wherein said means for receiving a modulated signal comprises a phase locked loop circuit.

18. A wireless phone jack system comprising a phone jack having means for connecting the jack to a wired telephone connection such as a wall jack, said phone jack including means for receiving signals from the wired telephone connection, means for producing a carrier signal, means for modulating the carrier signal with the telephone signals received from the wired phone connector for transmission of said modulated signals, and an appliance jack, including means for connecting said appliance jack to an appliance connection, said appliance jack including means for receiving said modulated signals from said phone jack.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said phone jack includes an infrared LED that receives said modulated carrier signal and emits a modulated infrared signal.

20. The system according to claim 18 wherein said carrier signal of said phone jack comprises a radio frequency signal.

21. The system according to claim 18 wherein said phone jack includes means for receiving a modulated signal from a remote appliance device for establishing communication therewith.

22. The system according to claim 18 wherein said carrier signal generated by said phone jack comprises an ultrasonic signal.

23. The system according to claim 18 wherein said appliance jack includes means for producing an appliance carrier signal, and including means for modulating said appliance carrier signal with signals received from the appliance for transmission to said phone jack.

24. The system according to claim 23 wherein said phone jack includes means for receiving said modulated appliance carrier signal.

25. The system according to claim 18 wherein the power producing a carrier signal and modulating same is drawn from a wired phone connection.

26. The system according to claim 18 wherein said means for connecting the phone jack comprises an RJ-ll connector.

27. The system according to claim 18 wherein said means for producing a carrier signal comprises a voltage controlled oscillator.

28. A wireless phone jack system comprising a phone jack having means for connecting the jack to a wired phone connection such as a wall jack, said phone jack including means for receiving signals from the wired phone connection, means for producing a carrier signal, means for modulating the carrier signal with the signals received from the wired phone connection, an infrared generating LED that receives the modulated carrier signal and emits a modulated infrared signal, and an appliance jack, including means for connecting said appliance jack to an appliance connection such as an RJ-ll connector, said appliance jack including means for receiving said modulated infrared signals from said phone jack.

29. The system according to claim 28 wherein said appliance jack includes means for producing an appliance carrier signal, including means for modulating said appliance carrier signal with an infrared generating LED that receives the modulated carrier signal and emits a modulated infrared signal for transmission to said phone jack.

30. The system according to claim 28 wherein said phone jack includes means for receiving said modulated infrared appliance carrier signal.

31. The system according to claim 28 wherein power producing a carrier signal and modulating same is drawn from a wired phone connection.

32. The system according to claim 28 wherein said means for connecting the phone jack comprises an RJ-ll connector.

33. The system according to claim 28 including a voltage controlled oscillator for producing a carrier signal.