JPH09252357A - Modem - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute communication using a public line of a data terminal equipment by utilizing effectively an infrared ray communication function provided to the data terminal equipment such as a portable personal computer. SOLUTION: The MODEM 10 is provided with an infrared ray communication interface 15 conducting infrared ray communication with an external data terminal equipment 5, with a changeover circuit 16 switching the connection between a data terminal equipment(DTE) interface 13 and the infrared ray communication interface to a LINE interface 12, a control circuit 17 allowing the changeover circuit 16 to make changeover processing depending on a communication start signal from the interfaces 12, 13, 15. The control circuit 17 allows the changeover circuit 16 to make changeover processing in response to the communication start signal from the infrared ray communication interface 15 or the LINE interface 12, establishes the connection relation between the infrared ray communication interface 15 and the LINE interface 12, a MODEM circuit 11 converts the signal form and the communication is conducted between the data terminal equipment 5 and a public line 2 via the infrared ray communication interface 15 and the LINE interface 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a modulator / demodulator (that is, a modem) interposed between a computer and a public line to perform data communication between the computer and the public line, and more particularly to infrared communication. The present invention also relates to a modulator / demodulator having

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A modem called a modem is used for communication between computers using a public line, and in recent years when personal computers have spread, it is widely used for so-called personal computer communication. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a conventional modem 1, to which a public line modular outlet 2, a desktop personal computer 3 which is a personal computer, and a telephone 4 are connected.

The modem 1 includes a modulation / demodulation circuit 11 for performing modulation / demodulation processing of signals to be transmitted / received, a line interface (LINE interface) 12 for connecting to a public line,
Data terminal interface (DTE interface) 13 connected to the communication interface of the computer 3
And a telephone interface (TEL
Interface) 14. When the modem 1 is used, the LINE interface 11 is connected to the modular outlet 2 of the public line via the modular cable 21, and the DTE interface 12 is connected to the computer 3 via the serial transfer cable (RS-232C).
Cable 31 and the TEL interface 13 is connected to the telephone 4 via a modular cable 41.

The DTE is a data terminal device (Data T
The DTE interface is an interface for data communication with a data terminal device such as a computer. Also, RS-232
C is a serial interface standard established by EIA in the United States and is widely used for connecting a data terminal and a modem.

That is, in the data communication between the desktop computer 3 and another computer via the public line, the modulation / demodulation circuit 11 performs conversion between the voice signal and the digital signal, and the desktop personal computer 3 and the DTE interface 13 are connected. Digital signals transmitted and received between the LINE interface 12 and the public line are transmitted and received as voice signals. Also, in communication between the telephone 4 and another telephone via a public line, the modulation / demodulation circuit 11 performs modulation / demodulation processing suitable for the line, and outputs a voice signal to the telephone 4
And send and receive between and public line.

[0006]

In recent years, many data terminal devices such as portable personal computers have a function of performing data communication by infrared communication, such as between personal computers or between personal computers and printers. The data communication can be performed by cordless communication using infrared rays.

Even in a data terminal device having such an infrared communication function, when performing data communication to a remote place where infrared rays do not reach or data communication with a data terminal device having no infrared communication function. , It is necessary to use a public line through the modem 1, but in this case, the infrared communication function, which has the convenience of being cordless, could not be used. That is, even in the data terminal device 5 having the infrared communication function, its communication interface (RS-232C interface) is connected to the DTE interface 13 of the modem via a cable, and communication is performed by the same cable connection as above. I have to
Cumbersome work such as preparation of hardware such as cables and cable connection was required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and requires the preparation of hardware and complicated work by effectively utilizing the infrared communication function provided in a data terminal device such as a portable personal computer. An object of the present invention is to provide a modulation / demodulation device that can carry out communication using the public line of the data terminal device without doing so.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a modulation / demodulation device according to the present invention is provided between a computer and a public line to convert between a digital signal and a voice signal. In a modulation / demodulation device for transmitting and receiving a signal between a computer and a public line by means of a LINE interface connected to the public line, a DTE interface connected to the communication interface of the computer, and an external data terminal device. An infrared communication interface that performs infrared communication, a modulation / demodulation circuit that performs signal format conversion processing between the line interface and each of the other interfaces, and a switching circuit that switches the connection relationship between the data terminal interface and the infrared communication interface for the line interface. , Communication start signal from each interface Depending characterized by comprising a control circuit to perform the switching process to the switching circuit.

That is, when a computer cable-connected to the DTE interface performs data communication with a public line, the control circuit causes the switching circuit to perform switching processing in response to a communication start signal from the DTE interface or the LINE interface, and the DTE. Interface and L
Establishes a connection relationship with the INE interface. Then, the modulation / demodulation circuit converts the signal format between the computer and the public line, and the communication between the computer and the public line is performed via the DTE interface and the LINE interface.

When a data terminal device such as a computer, which is infrared-connected to the infrared communication interface, performs data communication with a public line, the control circuit operates as a switching circuit in response to a communication start signal from the infrared communication interface or the LINE interface. A switching process is performed to establish a connection relationship between the infrared communication interface and the LINE interface. Then, the modulation / demodulation circuit converts the signal format between the data terminal device and the public line, and causes the data terminal device and the public line to communicate via the infrared communication interface and the LINE interface.

Further, the modulation / demodulation device according to the present invention further comprises a TEL interface connected to the telephone, and the switching circuit switches the connection relation of the data terminal interface, the infrared interface, and the telephone interface to the line interface. And That is, when a cordless or stationary telephone connected wirelessly or by wire to the TEL interface communicates with a public line, the control circuit causes the switching circuit to perform switching processing in response to a communication start signal from the TEL interface or LINE interface. , Establish a connection between the TEL interface and the LINE interface. Then, the modulation / demodulation circuit converts the signal format between the telephone and the public line, and the communication between the telephone and the public line is performed via the TEL interface and the LINE interface. When using a cordless telephone,
The TEL interface has a wireless communication function.

The modulation / demodulation device according to the present invention is configured as an adapter separate from the computer, and is connected to the computer and the public line via a cable as necessary. It should be noted that by making such a portability possible, it is possible to share the modulation / demodulation device with other computers and improve the usability of the modulation / demodulation device. It may be configured.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A modulation / demodulation device (modem) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 1, a modem 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a modulation / demodulation circuit 11 that performs a format conversion process of a signal to be transmitted and received, and an LI for connecting to a public line.
The modem 1 has an NE interface 12, a DTE interface 13 connected to the communication interface (RS-232C interface) of the computer 3, and a TEL interface 14 connected to the telephone 4.
In the use of 0, the LINE interface 11 is connected to the modular outlet 2 of the public line via the modular cable 21, the DTE interface 12 is connected to the computer 3 via the RS-232C cable 31, and the TEL interface 13 is connected to the telephone 4. Connected to a modular jack of the above through a modular cable 41. That is, the modem 10 of this embodiment is configured as a communication adapter separate from the computer 3, and is cable-connected as described above when used.

The modem 10 also has an infrared communication interface 15 having an infrared communication function,
The infrared communication interface 15 establishes an infrared communication connection with the data terminal device 5 having an infrared communication function.
Further, the modem 10 has a switching circuit 16 that switches the connection relationship of the interfaces 13, 14, and 15 with respect to the LINE interface 12, and a control circuit 17 that causes the switching circuit 16 to perform this switching process, and will be described later. In addition, the control circuit 17 controls each interface 12, 13,
The communication start signals from 14 and 15 are monitored, and a control signal is transmitted to the switching circuit 16 according to the communication start signal to cause the switching processing to be performed.

Therefore, according to the modem 10 of this embodiment, when the computer 3 performs data communication with the public line, the control circuit 17 causes the switching circuit 16 to respond to the communication start signal from the DTE interface 13 or the LINE interface 12. Switching processing is performed to establish a connection relationship between the DTE interface 13 and the LINE interface 12, and the modulation / demodulation circuit 11 converts the signal format between the computer 3 and the public line so that the computer 3 and the public line are connected. To communicate.

When the data terminal device 5 uses infrared communication to perform data communication with a public line, the control circuit 17 causes the switching circuit 16 to respond to a communication start signal from the infrared communication interface 15 or the LINE interface 12.
Infrared communication interface 1
5 and the LINE interface 12 are established, and the modulation / demodulation circuit 11 converts the signal format between the data terminal device 5 and the public line to perform communication between the data terminal device 5 and the public line. .

When the telephone 4 communicates with a public line, the control circuit 17 is responsive to a communication start signal from the TEL interface 14 or the LINE interface 12.
Causes the switching circuit 16 to perform the switching process, establishes the connection relationship between the TEL interface 14 and the LINE interface 12, and the modem circuit 11 converts the signal format between the telephone 4 and the public line, and the telephone 4 and the public line. Make communication with the line.

FIG. 2 shows a modem 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The modem 10 of this embodiment
1 is the same as the above-described embodiment except that it is improved so as to correspond to the cordless telephone 40, and therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the respective portions and the duplicated description will be omitted. That is, the TEL interface 141 provided in the modem 101 has a wireless communication function and is connected to the cordless telephone 40 by wireless communication. Therefore, T
The EL interface 141 functions as a master unit of the cordless telephone system, and the cordless telephone 40 functions as a slave unit. The modem 101 operates in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the communication between the computer 3 and the public line, the communication between the data terminal device 5 and the public line, and the cordless telephone 40 and the public line are performed. Communication between them.

Next, the operation of the modem described in each of the above embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. When the power of the modem is turned on, the control circuit 17 monitors the communication start signal from each of the interfaces 12, 13, 14 (141) and 15 (step S1), and in response to this communication start signal, the TEL mode (step S2), DTE mode (step S3), infrared communication mode 1 (step S4),
Either process of the infrared communication mode 2 (step S5) is started. That is, when an on-hook signal is obtained from the TEL interface 14 (141) to which the telephone 4 (40) is connected or the infrared communication interface 15 to which the data terminal device 5 is connected, TEL mode processing (step S2) or infrared communication Mode 1 (step S4) is started, and RS is transmitted from the DTE interface 13 to which the computer 3 is connected or the infrared communication interface 15 to which the data terminal device 5 is connected.
DT when the communication start signal by 323C is obtained
The E mode processing (step S3) or the infrared communication mode 2 (step S5) is started.

In the TEL mode (step S2), the switching circuit 16 controls the TEL interface 14 (141).
Is connected to the LINE interface 12 and communication is performed via the public line (step S6). And TEL
Telephone 4 (4
When the line cut-off signal from 0) is obtained, the control circuit 17 cuts off the public line and ends the communication process (step S7). In the DTE mode (step S3), the switching circuit 16 connects the DTE interface 13 to the LINE interface 12 and the modulation circuit 11 (step S8), and the modulation circuit 11 converts the digital signal and the audio signal. , Makes communication via a public line (step S6). Then, when the communication end signal from the computer 3 is obtained via the DTE interface 13, the control circuit 17 performs the public line disconnection process and ends the communication process (step S7).

In the infrared communication mode 1 (step S4), the switching circuit 16 causes the infrared communication interface 1 to operate.
5 is connected to the LINE interface 12 and also connected to the modulation circuit 11 (step S8), and the modulation circuit 11 converts the digital signal and the voice signal to perform communication via the public line (step S6). . Then, when the communication end signal is received from the data terminal device 5 via the infrared communication interface 15, the control circuit 17 performs the public line disconnection process and ends the communication process (step S7). In the infrared communication mode 2 (step S5),
The switching circuit 16 connects the infrared communication interface 15 to the DTE interface (step S9), and connects the DTE interface 13 to the LINE interface 1
2 and the modulation circuit 11 are connected, and the modulation circuit 11 converts the digital signal and the voice signal to perform communication via the public line based on RS-232C (step S10). Then, when the communication end signal is received from the data terminal device 5 via the infrared communication interface 15, the control circuit 17 performs the public line disconnection process and ends the communication process (step S11).

[0023]

As described above, according to the modulation / demodulation device of the present invention, the infrared communication interface is provided together with the LINE interface and the DTE interface, and the connection relation of each interface is switched according to the communication start signal. A data terminal device having a communication function can be connected to a public line by infrared communication, and the conventional cable connection can be eliminated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modem according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the modem according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional modem.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Public line modular outlet, 3 ... Computer, 4, 40 ... Telephone, 5 ... Data terminal device, 10, 101 ... Modem, 11 ... Modulation / demodulation circuit, 12 ... LINE interface, 13
... DTE interface, 14, 141 ... TE
L interface, 15 ... Infrared communication interface, 16 ... Switching circuit, 17 ... Control circuit,

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A modulation / demodulation device, which is interposed between a computer and a public line, for transmitting and receiving a signal between the computer and the public line by converting between a digital signal and a voice signal. The line interface connected to the public line, the data terminal interface connected to the communication interface of the computer, the infrared communication interface for infrared communication with the external data terminal device, and the line interface and other interfaces A modulation / demodulation circuit for converting the signal format between signals, a switching circuit for switching the connection relationship between the data terminal interface and the infrared communication interface with respect to the line interface, and the switching circuit for the switching circuit in response to a communication start signal from each interface. Equipped with a control circuit Modem, characterized in that the. 2. The modulation / demodulation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a telephone interface connected to a telephone, wherein the switching circuit has a data terminal interface, an infrared communication interface, and a line interface.
A modulation / demodulation device characterized by switching connection relations of a telephone interface. 3. The modulation / demodulation device according to claim 2, wherein the telephone interface has a wireless communication function, and the telephone interface and the cordless telephone are connected by wireless communication. . 4. The modulation / demodulation device according to claim 1, wherein the modulation / demodulation device is configured as an adapter separate from the computer and is connected to the computer via a cable. Modulator and demodulator.