GB2374253A

GB2374253A - DECT cordless dialup

Info

Publication number: GB2374253A
Application number: GB0108632A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chia-Hwa Lee; Lye-Hock Chng; Chin-Lung Wang; Chin-Hooi Tan
Original assignee: Inventec Multimedia and Telecom Corp
Current assignee: Inventec Multimedia and Telecom Corp
Priority date: 2001-04-05
Filing date: 2001-04-05
Publication date: 2002-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-05
Also published as: GB0218238D0; GB2374253B; GB2375271A; GB2375271B; GB0108632D0

Abstract

DECT cordless phone to provide a cordless network dialup function. The disclosed device includes at Least a DECT phone control module, a radio transceiver module, a DC voltage provider for DAA, and a signal transceiving separation module for DAA to cordlessly connect to a DECT host and a computer device. It modifies the fixed PSTN path to the DECT system so as to achieve the cordless dialup function. The dect cordlesss phone connects to a network through a PSTN communication. The cordless is placed on an access docking base, with RJ 11 connector of a computer modem. The cordless connects to an internet service provider (ISP) using a software dial-up program, registering and verifying the cordless. The dect phone is continuously connected to a dect host on a PSTN.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE OF USING DECT CORDLESS PHONES TO PROVIDE A CORDLESS NETWORK DIALUP FUNCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention The invention pertains to a method and device of providing a cordless dialup function and, more particularly, to a method and device of providing a cordless dialup function for DECT cordless phones.

- Related Art Many employees in modern enterprises often need to leave their office due to the nature of their works and therefore are unable to use their office phones for communications. Uses of cellular phones are expensive and not always appropriate for all kinds of business. On the other hand. a PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange) or WLL (Wireless Local Loop) for office buildings may be more suitable in certain cases.

In general, cordless telephony refers to the situation where a user uses a cordless phone to communicate with a fixed host through wireless signals. The host then connects to a PSTN (Public Switch Telephone Network) and a PBX (Private Branch Exchange). The people where the service applies are those moving within an extremely small area. It has a different group of users from those of honeycomb phones installed on vehicle and having a wider communication range. Therefore, if a user wants to use a computer host to dialup through the PSTN 10, he needs the connection between a modem 20 and a DAA (Data Access Arrangement) 30 and a signal wire 40 coupled to the PSTN 10 in order to use the computer device 50 to dialup. send or receive E-mail or faxes. A schematic view showing the direction

connection between a computer device and a PSTN through a modem is shown in FIG. I.

I The WLL aims at the services of a cordless main line and the corresponding extension

phones within a specific range, such as the cordless communication system in the area of a factory, a research institute. a school. a hospital, an office building. or the government. The extension phones for the personnel can be turned into portable ones and used in a certain communication range.

Recently. there is an increasing trend in the application of DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) standards in countries all over the world. The advantages of using the DECT standards include: making digital processed sound quality clearer. enlarging the data transmission range, being able to apply to family and enterprise internal uses, and. under the premise of no interference in high-density communications, combining the DECT standards with the function of receiving electronic mail, faxing and the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Therefore, it has become an important subject to propose a method and device that provides a cordless dialup function through a DECT cordless phone implemented on platforms using the DECT standards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a method and device that uses a DECT cordless phone to have a cordless network dialup function by changing the fixed PSTN path to a DECT system.

The cordless network dialup device includes at least a DECT phone control module. a radio transceiver module. a DC work voltage provider for data access arrangement (DAA), and a signal transceiving separation module. The DECT phone control module and the radio transceiver module combine into a DECT cordless phone. The DC work voltage provider for DAA and the signal transceiving separation module combine into an access docking. The disclosed device achieves the cordless network dialup function by placing the DECT cordless phone on the access docking. Using the disclosed device to cordlessly connect a DECT host and a computer device can provide devices such as notebook computers and PDAs such

functions of network dialup and sending and receiving electronic mail.

I

The invention also discloses a method of using a DECT cordless phone to provide a cordless network dialup function. The method includes at least the following steps : placing a DECT cordless phone on an access docking and connecting a first connector and a second connector, so that a signal line on the access docking connects to the RJI I connector of a computer modem ; driving the DECT cordless phone to use the phone line and connecting the system to an ISP (Internet Service Provide) using a software dialup program in the computer device ; performing registering and verifying procedures after completing the connection; and continuously cordlessly connecting the DECT cordless phone to a DECT host on a PSTN.

This then completes the procedure of using a DECT cordless phone to provide a cordless network dialup function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow illustration only. and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of connecting a computer device to a PSTN in the prior art; FIG. I A is a schematic view showing the structure of cordlessly connecting a computer device to a network through a cordless phone with the DECT standards; FIG. 1 B is a circuit block diagram showing the structure of cordlessly connecting a computer device to a network through a cordless phone with the DECT standards; FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing the detailed structure of a DECT cordless modem : and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of connecting a computer device to a Z= t network using a DECT cordless phone. c

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TH. INVENTION The DECT used in the invention is a public standard technology. Its properties and advantages are: 1. It has a 32kbps shared duplex bit rate. which can be used for high-quality speech broadcasting.

2. The data transmission speed can reach 1 Mbps and the technology can be used in any digital network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

3. It can connect to the PSTN. ISDN. and GSM systems.

4. It supports CLANs (Cordless Local Area Network), public networks, PABXs, wire-connected hosts. and cordless phones.

For users, a cordless user loop system using the DECT as its base can provide complete and thorough services in a PSTN. In the portable mode, it provides users the full mobility within or near their houses. The DECT technology further supports high voice quality, encrypted cellular message transmissions, compatibility with the GAP (Generic Access Profile) protocol, and potential to use the ISDN.

The usual DECT standard adopts the TDMA/TDD (Time Division Multiple Access) method for the communications between cordless phones and the host. The invention proposes a digital cordless phone applicable to the DECT standard to provide a method and device for network dialup. As shown in FIG. lA, the disclosed DECT cordless modem 70 includes a DECT cordless phone 72 and an access docking 74. The access docking 74

provides a DC work voltage to a DAA 30 so that the modem 20 controlled by the computer provi device 50 can effectively transmit DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency) signals and digital file into analog signals. Through a DAA signal transceiving separation module 400 (receiving terminal) of the access docking 74. the signals are indirectly sent to a radio transceiver module 200 (emission terminal) of the DECT cordless phone 72 and then to a

PSTN 10 (FIG. IB). The digital file into analog signals from the PSTN 10 are transmitted through a DECT host 60 to the radio transceiver module 200 (receiving terminal). The signals at the receiving terminal are indirectly transmitted to the DAA 30 through the DAA signal transceiving separation module 400 (emission terminal) to the access docking 74 and then fed back into the modem 20.

A shown in FIG. IB. the DECT cordless modem 70 includes a DECT cordless phone 72 and an access docking 74. The DECT cordless phone 72 contains a DECT phone control module 100 and a radio transceiver module 200. The access docking 74 contains a DC work voltage provider 300 for DAA and a signal transceiving separation module 400 for DAA.

With reference to FIG. 2, the DECT cordless phone 72 and the DAA signal transceiving separation module 400 of the access docking 74 are connected through a first connector 170 (a three-way socket with two sets of two-stroke switches) and a second connector 490 (a

three-way plug). The signal wire 80 can be a usual phone cable.

With reference to FIG. 2, the DECT cordless phone 72 includes a DECT phone control module 100 and a radio transceiver module 200. The DECT phone control module 100 further contains an LCD driver 120, an input unit 130, and a DECT control unit 140. The radio transceiver module 200 contains a RF Module 210 and an antenna 220.

The disclosed DECT control unit 140 mainly modulates/demodulates voice frequency signals. A power management unit 110 connects to the DECT control unit 140 to provide the power the DECT phone control module 100 requires. The power management unit 110 also

provides a charging port input terminal 112 connecting to a charging output terminal 320 so provi I ID as to provide the power the access docking 74 needs. The RF Module 210 connects to the DECT control unit 140. It transmits and receives DTMF signals between the DECT cordless phone 72 and the DECT host 60 through the antenna 220. The DECT host 60 can use the antenna 220 to provide several DECT cordless phones 72 independent communication channel uses within a specific range (approximately 50 meters indoor and 300 meters outdoor). Such applications are not included in the present invention and thus are not

explained in further detail.

Furthermore, the DECT phone control module 100 also includes an LCD to display messages about the execution status. The DECT control unit 140 sends a control signal to drive the LCD driver 120 and provides an input unit 130 to run the message input for the DECT phone control module 100.

A first connector (a three-way socket with two sets of two-stroke switches) and a second connector 490 (a three-way plug) connect between the DECT cordless phone 72 and the DAA signal transceiving separation module 400 of the access docking 74. Through the connection. the ISP 90 can transmit Digital file into analog signals through the PSTN 10 to the DECT host 60. as shown in FIG. lA. The DECT host 60 converts the message from the PSTN 10 into radio signals for emission. When the DECT cordless phone 72 receives the message, the DECT control unit 140 demodulates the message into the same analog signals as those at the ISP 90. The analog signals are output from the voice frequency receiver 144.

Through the first connector 170 and the second connector 490, the signals enter a Transmit Amplifier 430 of the DAA signal transceiving separation module 400. After a supplier tuner 450 defines an optimal signal amplification range, a buffer 410 adjusts to get appropriate internal impedance. Digital file into analog signals transmitted from the ISP through the PSTN 10 are then restored at an RJ 11 connector 470.

In addition, an Echo Cancellation 460 is provided on the output path of the buffer 410 to sample signals in the voice frequency signal amplifier 430 and to compare their phases with the signals sampled from the output terminal of the buffer 410. An auto gain control circuit 440 is responsible for the gain balance of the Transmit Amplifier 430. The DAA signal transceiving separation module 400 further contains an attenuator 442 to bypass the voice frequency signals output from a Receiving Amplifier 420 and input to the Transmit Amplifier 430.

On the other hand. the digital file into analog signals output from the modem unit 20 is

also transmitted from the DDA 30 to the RJ 11 connector 470 of the access docking 74. The signals are separated into an independent circuit path by the Receiving Amplifier 42 and enter a voice frequency emission terminal 144 through the second connector 490 and the first connector 170. The voice frequency is then modulated by the DECT control unit 140 and emitted bs the RF Module 210 and the antenna 220.

The DAA DC work voltage provider 300 includes a rectifier 310 to provide the power rectification (AC to DC) for the access docking 74. It also provides a charging port output terminal 320 to provide the power for the independent operation of the DAA signal transceiving separation module 4 (K0.

---- The computer devices 50 that the invention can be applied to can be notebook computers and PDAs. When connecting to a network for receiving electronic mail or faxes using existing software dialup programs. the invention uses a photoelectric coupling device 480 to detect the signal transmissions. The DECT cordless modem 70 is also activated by the photoelectric coupling device 480.

The input and output signals through the reception amplifier 420 and the emission amplifier 430 further pass through the attenuator 442. After the attenuation, the output signals from the reception amplifier 420 and the input signals to the DECT phone control module 100 are bypassed, lowering the signal gain. The access docking 740 further provides a function similar to the auto start control 146 of the DECT phone control module 100 to switch between emitting and receiving signals. The signals are coupled to a sound input terminal (MIC) 150 through a voice frequency emission terminal 142. A voice frequency receiving terminal 144 is coupled to a sound output terminal (speaker) 160. The signal transmission is achieved through the first connector 170 and the second connector 490.

For the procedure of using the disclosed DECT cordless phone to dialup to a network. please refer to FIG. 3. First a DECT cordless phone is disposed on an access docking so that the signal line on the access docking is connected to the RJ 11 connector on the computer

modem (step 3000). Placing the DECT cordless phone on the access docking is achieved by connecting the first connector and the second connector. As described before, the computer device can be a notebook computer. a PDA. etc. Afterwards. the DECT cordless phone is driven to use the phone line (step 3100). The computer system is then connected to an ISP using some software dialup program (step 3200). After completing the connection. the system registers and verifies its identity with the ISP (step 3300). In general. the ISP asks to verify the login name and password. Finally. through the DECT cordless transmission means. the DECT cordless phone is continuously connected to the DECT host on a PSTN (step 3400). This completes the cordless diaiup procedure using a DECT cordless phone.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in

many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of t the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is : 1. A cordless dialup device utilizing a DECT cordless phone to connect to a network. which comprises: a DECT cordless phone and an access docking ; wherein the DECT cordless phone at least includes:

- a DECT phone control module comprising-a DECT control unit. a voice I I ~, a DECT control unit. a voice frequency emission terminal and a voice frequency receiving terminal; and a radio transceiving module comprising a RF Module connecting to the DECT control unit and transceiving voice frequency signals through an antenna; and the access docking at least includes: a DAA (data access arrangement) DC work voltage provider for providing the power required by the access docking : and a DAA signal transceiving separation module comprising: a Supply & Regulator for defining an optimal signal amplification range: a buffer for providing appropriate impedance for the signal transceiving separation module : a Receiving Amplifier for receiving and amplifying voice

frequency signals ; I Z=

a Transmit Amplifier for emitting and amplifying the voice frequency signals : an auto gain control circuit coupled to the Receiving Amplifier and t, t : l the Transmit Amplifier and balancing the gain of the Transmit Amplifier; and an Echo Cancellation for comparing the phases of signals sampled from the Transmit Amplifier and those sampled from the output terminalo-f the buffer.

-
2. The device of claim 1. wherein the DECT phone control module further comprises an LCD driver and an input unit for connecting to the DECT control unit to execute the message input required by the DECT phone control module.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the DECT control unit further connects to a power management unit that provides the power required by the DECT phone control module.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the DECT control unit further provides a first connector which contains an auto start control for switching between the modes of transmitting and receiving the voice frequency signals.
5. The device of claim 4. wherein the first connector is a three-way socket with two sets of two-stroke switches.
6. The device of claim 1. wherein the DAA signal transceiving separation module further provides a second connector connecting to the first connector and containing an auto start control for switching between the modes of transmitting and receiving the voice frequency signals.
7. The'device of claim 1. wherein the independent use range of the DECT cordless phone is 50 meters indoor and 300 meters outdoor.
8. The device of claim I further comprising a power management unit to provide a charging port input terminal for electrically contacting with the charging port output terminal on the access docking. z : 1
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the charging output terminal further connects to a r rectifier to provide the power required by the access docking. ecti I z : '
10. The device of claim 1. wherein the DECT control unit modulates/demodulates the voice frequency signals.
11. The device of claim I used for the communication with a PSTN.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the DAA signal transceiving separation module further comprises an RJ 11 connector for connecting the cordless dialup device to a computer t : l device.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the computer device can be selected from the

group comprising notebook computers and personal digital assistants. cn
14. The device of claim 1 further comprising a photoelectric coupling device for detecting signal transmissions and starting the cordless dialup device.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein the DAA signal transceiving separation module further comprises an attenuator for bypassing the voice frequency signals inputting to the Receiving Amplifier and outputting from the Transmit Amplifier.
16. An arrangement for using a DECT cordless phone to provide a cordless network dialup function, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or substantially as illustrated in any one of or any combination of FIGS. 1A to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A cordless dialup method utilizing a DECT cordless phone to connect to a network

through a PSTN communication, which method comprises : t7 disposing the DECT cordless phone on an access docking and connecting a signal line on the access docking to an RJ 11 connector of a computer modem ; driving the DECT cordless phone to use a phone line :

connecting to an ISP (Internet Service Provider) using a software dialup program for the computer device ; completing the connection and performing the procedure of registering and verification; and continuously connecting the DECT cordless phone cordlessly to a DECT host on a PSTN.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the computer device can be selected from the group comprising notebook computers and personal digital assistants.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of disposing the DECT cordless phone on an access docking is achieved by connecting a first connector and a second connector.

19. A method for using DECT cordless phones to provide a cordless network dialup function, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or substantially as illustrated in any one of or any combination of the accompanying drawings.

20. An apparatus for using DECT cordless phones to provide a cordless network dialup function, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or substantially as illustrated in any one of or any combination of the accompanying drawings.

Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows

CLAIMS : 1. A cordless dialup arrangement utilizing a DECT cordless phone to connect to a network, which comprises : a DECT cordless phone and an access dock; wherein the DECT cordless phone at least includes : a DECT phone control module comprising a DECT control unit, a voice frequency emission terminal and a voice frequency receiving terminal ; and a radio transceiving module comprising a RF module connecting to the DECT control unit and transceiving voice frequency signals through an antenna; and the access dock at least includes: a DAA (data access arrangement) DC supply voltage provider for providing the power required by the access dock; and a DAA signal transceiving separation module comprising: means for defining an optimal signal amplification range; a buffer for providing appropriate impedance for the signal transceiving separation module; a receiving amplifier for receiving and amplifying voice frequency signals; a transmit amplifier for emitting and amplifying the voice frequency signals ; an auto gain control circuit coupled to the receiving amplifier and the transmit amplifier for balancing the gain of the transmit amplifier ; and an echo cancellation unit for comparing the phases of signals sampled from the transmit amplifier and those sampled from the output terminal of the buffer.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the DECT phone control module further comprises an LCD driver and a input unit for connecting to the DECT

control unit to execute the message input required by the DECT phone control module.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 or claim 2. wherein in use the DECT control unit further connects to a power management unit that provides the power required by the DECT phone control module.

4. The arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the DECT control unit has a first connector which is arranged to provide an auto start control signal for switching between the modes of transmitting and receiving the voice frequency signals.

5. The arrangement of claim 4, wherein. the first connector is a three-way socket with two sets of two-stroke switches.

6. The arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the D M signal transceiving separation module has a second connector connecting to the first connector and is arranged to provide an auto start control signal for switching between the modes of transmitting and receiving the voice frequency signals.

7. The arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the independent use range of the DECT cordiess phone is about 50 meters indoors and about 300 meters outdoors.

8. The arrangement of any preceding claim, further comprising a power management unit with a charging port input terminal for electrically contacting a charging port output terminal on the access dock.

9. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein the charging output terminal is connected to a rectifier to provide the power required by the access dock.

10. The arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the DECT control unit modulates/demodulates the voice frequency signal.

11. The arrangement of any preceding claim when arranged for communication with the PSTN.

12. The arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the DAA signal transceiving separation module further comprises an RJ 11 connector for connecting the cordless dialup device to a computer device.

13. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein the computer device is a notebook computer or a personal digital assistant.

14. The arrangement of any preceding claim, further comprising a photoelectric coupling device for detecting signal transmissions and starting the cordless dialup device.

15. The arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the DAA signal transceiving separation module further comprises an attenuator for bypassing the voice frequency signals input to the receiving amplifier and output from the transmit amplifier.