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ISDN modem capable of self-configuring to use one of a variety of

1. Jan 26 1999 U S Patent seiBojodo NY Jo wapoyy DIA zef q6ze 9c IN31SAS ejqeyeduio Wal der vd E Lie G oee EJ Lee yun Jayndwoy dode ae Pv LL 01 oce J e ZOE C ace Loe ovy 00 5 864 559 1 ISDN MODEM CAPABLE OF SELF CONFIGURING TO USE ONE OF A VARIETY OF PRE PROGRAMMED ISDN PROTOCOLS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The incredible success and rapid growth of the Internet has understandably generated a demand for ever increasing bandwidth in accessing information on the Internet As a result ISDN equipment has become very attractive to many people in both offices and homes Instead of the 28 8 kbits sec or 33 5 kbits sec that are usually possible under ideal circumstances which are rare an ISDN modem deliv ers reliably from 56 kbits sec to 128 kbits sec depending on circumstances Even though ISDN equipment is popular the fact remains that configuring ISDN modems can be quite tricky and time consuming especially for the uninitiated One of the reasons this is so is that in addition to the normal set of modem set up parameters in North America there are a variety of ISDN standards Because there are a number of standards that may be used it is necessary when configuring an ISDN modem to program the standard used by the local switch of the phone company into the modem or adapter device in order for device to work properly There are three main standards which are Natio
2. SDN modem that conventional difficulties arise that make the present invention valuable FIG 1 is a flow diagram depicting a portion of a con ventional setup procedure for an ISDN modem At step 100 in the conventional procedure the process is at the point that the ISDN standard used by the phone company needs to be set In conventional technology this is a manual procedure Typically the user is offered at step 101 a selection of the standard IDN protocols The user then selects at step 102 one of the choices or enters supposedly pertinent data in a data field presented by the setup system on the user s display monitor At step 103 the system determines if the user s input is a valid input If not control returns to step 101 and the user has an opportunity to alter the input After a valid input is made the user is allowed to review the selection at step 104 The user the continues from step 105 to set up other items until setup is complete When setup is complete the user may try to use the modem If the ISDN protocol input was correct the modem should operate If not the user must terminate the whole procedure and start the setup procedure all over again selecting hopefully one of the other options for ISDN protocol standard As it is necessary to complete the entire process before determining if the protocol standard was correct the con ventional process can be a long frustrating and time con suming procedure FIG 2 is a
3. United States Patent 5 Jou et al US005864559A 5 864 559 Jan 26 1999 1 Patent Number 4 Date of Patent 54 ISDN MODEM CAPABLE OF SELF CONFIGURING TO USE ONE OF A VARIETY OF PRE PROGRAMMED ISDN PROTOCOLS 75 Inventors Liangwha Jou San Jose William C Davis Burlingame Dean Hamilton Newark all of Calif 73 Assignee Ascend Communications Inc Alameda Calif 21 Appl No 702 309 22 Filed Aug 23 1996 BI Int CLS iom ent better H04J 3 16 52 U Sz CL sss 370 465 370 250 370 437 375 222 375 231 58 Field of Search 370 250 351 370 437 465 466 467 379 213 207 201 375 222 231 319 395 700 56 References Cited U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 4 841 561 6 1989 Hill ee 375 222 4 953 210 8 1990 McGlynn et al 375 231 5 517 646 5 1996 Piccirillo et al 395 700 5 521 965 5 1996 D Alessio et al 379 213 5 612 975 3 1997 Becker et al sss 375 319 Yes Try AT amp T ESS Custom Yes Try NT DMS100 Custom 2 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 0579269 A1 4 1988 European Pat Off H04M 11 06 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Chirayil et al Modem IC Supports Three 1200 BPS Stan dards IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics vol CE 31 No 3 1985 Primary Examiner Douglas W Olms Assistant Examiner Shick Hom Attorney Agent or Firm Weingarten Schurgin Gagnebin amp Hayes LLP 57 ABSTRACT An ISDN modem is p
4. ade at step 205 If a connection is made using AT amp T ESS Custom as checked at step 205 control passes directly to step 212 IF at step 205 a connection is not made a timer function is started at step 206 and the system continues to try with the AT amp T standard protocol until either success is achieved or the timer times out If the timer times 10 15 20 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 4 out without success being achieved control passes on to step 207 and NT DMS 100 Custom is tried At step 208 the system checks for a successful connection and when and if a connection is achieved control passes directly to step 212 If a successful connection is not achieved at step 208 a timer function is started at step 209 and as long as a connection is not made control keeps looping back to step 207 until either a successful connection is made or until the timer function at step 209 times out In the example shown there are three different protocols shown to be tried It will be apparent to those with skill in the art that there could be more or fewer and the order of trial could be different as well without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention In addition the time limits in steps 203 206 and 209 are in this example on the order of a few seconds 5 to 15 seconds for example It will be apparent to those with skill in the art that these times can vary considerably and that not all of the time limit
5. dicated CPU and memory 8 The ISDN modem of claim 4 wherein the modem is an internal modem configured as an expansion card for the computer and wherein the internal modem shares a CPU and memory with the computer 9 The ISDN modem of claim 4 wherein the ISDN modem is implemented as a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association PCMCIA card and wherein the modem has a dedicated CPU and memory kok o k k k
6. e is selected for continued use or until all preprogrammed protocols are tested 10 15 20 25 30 35 6 2 The method of claim 1 wherein in the event all preprogrammed protocols are tested without a successful connection the system offers a user an opportunity to enter a protocol for use 3 The method of claim 1 wherein the protocols include AT amp T ESS Custom National ISDN and NT DMS 100 4 An ISDN modem capable of operation according to any one of multiple preprogrammed ISDN protocols compris ing a scheduler for setting the modem to operate according to one after another of the preprogrammed ISDN proto cols a timed tester adapted for attempting to connect to an ISDN switch by each of the selected protocols for a preset period of time after the modem is set to operate according to each protocol and a selector adapted for selecting the protocol for continued use that is in use at the time a successful connection is made 5 The ISDN modem of claim 4 wherein in the event that all of the list of preprogrammed protocols are tried without a successful connection the user is offered an input mecha nism for selecting an alternative protocol for operation 6 The ISDN modem of claim 4 wherein the protocols include AT amp T ESS Custom National ISDN and NT DMS 100 7 The ISDN modem of claim 4 wherein the ISDN modem is an external modem connected to a computer via a serial port and wherein the modem has a de
7. flow diagram depicting a portion of a method for setting up an ISDN modem in an embodiment of the present invention At step 200 the process arrives at the point that the standard protocol is to be determined and entered At step 201 the system in this embodiment of the invention automatically selects National ISDN standard This is per haps the most often used type The order of the different types tested however and the number of the different types tested is exemplary and may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention At step 202 the system determines automatically if the selection was correct The determination is made by trial If the modem operates properly the selection was correct and control passes directly to step 212 If at step 202 the modem is not working control goes to step 203 where a timer function is started the first time through If the time limit for the test has not been reached control goes back to step 201 and the system continues to try to connect with the local phone equipment by the first protocol in this case National ISDN When and if success is achieved control passes directly to step 212 If the timer function at step 203 times out without a proper connection being made using National ISDN control passes step 204 and the system attempts to connect the modem to the local phone equipment using AT amp T ESS Custom Again as in the first trial the system checks for a connection being m
8. indicator lights represented by lamp 327 a CPU 321 storage 323 for operating code data storage 324 and Parameter storage 325 The CPU and memory are necessary for the stand alone modem Although not explicitly shown in FIG 3 PC 311 is connected to ISDN network 300 via link 310 through an internal ISDN adapter without dedicated CPU or memory In the internal configuration the modem shares the PC CPU and memory and is thus generally less expensive than the external modem Laptop Computer 302 uses a PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card International Association plug in card now generally termed a PC card that has the same architecture as AU 320 and is connected via link 301 to the ISDN network It will be apparent to those with skill in the art that there are many alterations that might be made in the embodiments of the invention described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention For example as has been described above the specific protocols to be tried and the order in which they are tried in embodiments of the inven tion may vary widely Also the manner in which control 5 864 559 5 code is written to accomplish the functions described may vary among individual programmers because it is well known in the art that individual programmers have indi vidual preferences in programming There are similarly many alternatives in the manner in which specific circuitry may be provided in embodiments of the invent
9. ion Other options will occur to those with skill in the art given the examples described above while remaining within the scope of the invention The invention is limited only by the scope of the claims which follow What is claimed is 1 In configuring an ISDN modem to operate with an unknown ISDN switch a method for identifying the switch type and setting the modem to operate with an ISDN protocol compatible with the switch comprising the steps of a setting the modem by preprogrammed code to attempt operation with a first ISDN protocol of multiple pre programmed ISDN protocols by which the modem may be set to operate b attempting for a first preset time period to connect to the switch by using the first ISDN protocol c selecting the first ISDN protocol for continued use in the event the connection attempt in b is successful d setting the modem to operate by a second of the multiple ISDN protocols in the event the first preset time passes without a successful connection e attempting for a second preset time period to connect to the switch by using the second ISDN protocol f selecting the second ISDN protocol for continued use in the event the connection attempt in e is successful and g continuing to change the protocol to others of the ISDN protocols and to attempt to connect as in steps 2 f until a successful connection is made and the protocol in use at the time of the successful connection is mad
10. nal ISDN which is more or less the standard ISDN AT amp T ESS5 Custom and Northern Telecom DMS100 Custom PVCO1 or PVCO2 The standards pertain in large extent to the data protocol of data packets communicated on the phone line and the differences in this regard are not critical to the present invention and are well known to those with skill in the art so are not described in detail here What does happen is that in the various standards the way a phone number is presented in dialing is different For example in one stan dard a number to be dialed may have to be preceded by a pound sign in another by an asterisk and in another by the letter N Typically a local phone company tries to notify customers and potential customers of the local standard but due to very large volume and other reasons the information doesn t always get out to the right people as needed As a result there is a lot of guesswork involved for most ordinary folks in configuring an ISDN modem A typical conventional procedure is presented below What is clearly needed is a system that allows a user to plug in a modem and expect it to work plug and play configuration without having to deal with what type of communication standard the local phone company might be using SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method is provided for configuring an ISDN modem to operate with an unknown ISDN switch The method com p
11. ne of multiple preprogrammed ISDN protocols is provided comprising a scheduler for setting the modem to operate according to one after another of the preprogrammed ISDN protocols a timed tester adapted for attempting to connect to an ISDN Switch by each of the selected protocols for a preset period of time after the modem is set to operate according to each protocol and a selector adapted for selecting the protocol for contin ued use that is in use at the time a successful connection is made In this modem in the event that all of the list of preprogrammed protocols are tried without a successful connection the user is offered an input mechanism for selecting an alternative protocol for operation The protocols include AT amp T ESS Custom National ISDN and NT DMS100 In some embodiments modems according to the invention are external modems connected to a computer via a serial port wherein the modem has a dedicated CPU and memory In other embodiments the modems are internal modems configured as expansion cards for a computer In these embodiments the internal modem shares a CPU and memory with the computer In some embodiments the modems are Personal Computer Memory Card International Association PCMCIA card modems in which case the modems have each a dedicated CPU and memory as is the case with external modems described above Modems according to embodiments of the invention herein and equivalents provide a greatly enhanced setu
12. p procedure compared to the procedures of the prior art whereby a user whether or not trained and initiated in the details of ISDN protocols and equipment may easily and successfully install and setup an ISDN modem without knowing the nature of the local phone company s equip ment BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG 1 is a flow diagram depicting a portion of a con ventional setup procedure for an ISDN modem FIG 2 is a flow diagram depicting a portion of a method for setting up an ISDN modem in an embodiment of the present invention FIG 3 is a diagram of modem and adapter unit AU topologies in embodiments of the present invention DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS When one purchases an ISDN modem the package includes the modem itself which may be an external type made to be connected to a computer by a serial port or an internal type made to plug into an expansion port inside the computer typically via an edge connector Also included is 5 864 559 3 an instruction manual User s Manual and a set of software for configuring and driving the modem Unless the software is installed on the computer and the proper configuration data is supplied the modem cannot be expected to operate Part of the configuration data that has to supplied is the standard ISDN protocol which the local phone company uses which is a function of the phone company s equip ment It is in the installation and setup procedure for an I
13. reprogrammed to operate by any one of multiple ISDN protocols and is provided with a setup program wherein with the modem connected to an ISDN switch the multiple protocols are automatically tested one at a time until one is found by which a successful connec tion to the switch may be made or until all fail In the event a successful connection is made that protocol in use at the time of the successful connection is selected for continued use In the event that all preprogrammed protocols fail a user is offered an input mechanism whereby an alternative protocol selection may be entered for trial 9 Claims 3 Drawing Sheets AT amp T ESS Custom National ISDN NT DMS100 Custom Get user input Viewing by User Valid Selection Yes Continue Setup 214 other items U S Patent Jan 26 1999 Sheet 1 of 3 5 864 559 100 Offer user selection AT amp T ESS Custom National ISDN NT DMS100 101 102 Get user input 103 Valid Selection 104 Viewing by User Continue Setup ba other items FIG 1 Example of Prior Art U S Patent Jan 26 1999 Sheet 2 of 3 5 864 559 ee Start PBX 29 alization determination Try National ISDN _9 AT amp T ESS Custom National ISDN NT DMS100 Custom Get user input Viewing by User Try NT DMS100 Custom Yes 214 Continue Setup other items FIG 2 Example of preferred Embodiment 5 864 559 Sheet 3 of 3
14. rises steps of a setting the modem by preprogrammed code to attempt operation with a first protocol of multiple preprogrammed protocols by which the modem may be set to operate b attempting for a first preset time period to connect to the switch by using the first protocol c selecting the first protocol for continued use in the event the connec tion attempt in b is successful d setting the modem to operate by a second of the multiple protocols in the event the first preset time passes without a successful connection e attempting for a second preset time to connect to the switch by using the second protocol f selecting the second protocol for continued use in the event the connection 10 15 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 2 attempt in e is successful g continuing to change the protocol and to attempt to connect as in steps a f until a successful connection is made and the protocol in use at the time of the successful connection is made is selected for continued use or until all preprogrammed protocols are tested In the event all preprogrammed protocols are tested in the method described immediately above without a successful connection the system offers a user an opportunity to enter a protocol for use The protocols include AT amp T ESS Custom National ISDN and NT DMS100 in a preferred embodiment In one aspect of the invention an ISDN modem capable of operation according to any o
15. s need to be the same If any one of the automatic trials is successful control eventually arrives at step 212 and the results are then presented to the user at step 213 for approval If the user approves control goes to step 214 and setup continues in the conventional manner After setup is finished then the user can expect the modem to operate properly If the user does not approve control passes to step 210 If all the automatic set ups fail the process also arrives at step 210 and the user is then offered manual selection as in the prior art and described relative to FIG 1 Step 210 where manual selection is offered is only reached if the automatic set up steps fail or if the user vetoes the selection the system has made to arrive at step 212 FIG 3 is a diagram of modem and adapter unit AU topologies in embodiments of the present invention FIG 3 shows three exemplary computers a laptop computer 302 an IBM compatible computer 311 and a third personal computer PC 330 which may or may not be IBM com patible PC 330 is connected to ISDN network 300 by an external ISDN adapter unit 320 AU 320 is connected to PC 330 by a serial link 331 by serial interface port 329b of AU 320 Connection to ISDN network 300 is by ISDN link 440 connected at ISDN interface port 329a Internal to AU 320 there are network interface circuitry 322 typically termed NT1 for Network Terminator Type 1 system interface 326 with a serial port and

ISDN modem capable of self-configuring to use one of a variety of

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