Abstract:
Systems and methods are described for providing connectivity to portable electronic devices, such as a cordless telephone, for the purpose of upgrading software features. In a preferred embodiment, portable electronic devices can receive incoming data at the PSTN jack from a personal computer that is also connected to the PSTN via a PSTN modem. In this manner, upgrades can be accomplished without requiring users to disconnect the telephone or to connect additional cables or components. The telephone is temporarily disabled from service only during the downloading of the upgrade software from the personal computer to the telephone. Upgrade software can be received at the personal computer from downloads or from other sources.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/438,526 filed Jan. 8, 2003 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to line connected devices, and more particularly to methods for transferring data to update features in a line connected device.  
           [0004]    2. Background of the Invention  
           [0005]    Modern cordless telephones are evolving to include many features in addition to standard functionality for placing telephone calls. For instance, cordless telephones are now becoming available that enable users to adjust ring tone and graphics displays, and otherwise personalize the interface of the telephone. Users can make selections from lists of options stored in telephone memory to customize the telephone to each respective user&#39;s preferences.  
           [0006]    Since cordless telephones have a limited memory capacity, only a finite number of selections are usually made available to a user for customization. In any event, no matter how many different possible options are available for selection from the memory of a telephone, users may be interested in choosing from still more options of different tunes, designs, etc. Since many consumers may be willing to purchase different selections if they were made available, a market is created for software upgrades for cordless telephones. By producing electronic devices that are upgradeable, companies can foster consumer goodwill and loyalty while still maintaining or improving profit margins.  
           [0007]    Unfortunately, once a digital device such as a cordless telephone is released into the consumer market, it becomes very difficult to upgrade or update the telephone with new software or firmware. One obvious method for upgrading a telephone is to manually disassemble the telephone and replace the processor or memory, or temporarily remove the memory from the telephone to add new software. Of course, this method is not practical for the vast majority of consumers, who are unlikely to have the skills necessary to perform such tasks.  
           [0008]    Even if a portable electronic device can be especially designed to enable software updates, this might not be cost effective if the benefits from including this functionality are outweighed by the associated additional costs of design and manufacture. Adding functionality to an electronic device involves additional computer architecture design, software programming, parts and components, which may be incrementally expensive. Further, regardless of the development costs, consumers will not utilize such a feature unless the steps that are necessary to update the device are relatively uncomplicated and easy to be performed. Since many portable electronic devices, such as cellular or cordless telephones, have somewhat small GUI displays with limited interfaces, this can be particularly challenging. Finally, the additional components that are necessary to enable the device to be upgraded must not overwhelm the existing physical size of the device or the spacing of other components within the device. Since, for example, cellular and cordless telephones are designed to be lightweight and comfortably hand-held, the weight and size associated with every component is always an important design consideration.  
           [0009]    Accordingly, there is a need for a method and system for transferring data to a cordless telephone to facilitate updating and upgrading the functionality of the device, and which is relatively easy to use and does not significantly contribute to the cost, size and weight of the device.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    Systems and methods are described for providing connectivity to line connected devices, such as a cordless telephone, for the purpose of upgrading software features. In a preferred embodiment, portable electronic devices can receive incoming data at the PSTN jack from a personal computer that is also connected to the PSTN via a PSTN modem. In this manner, upgrades can be accomplished without requiring users to disconnect the device or to connect additional cables or components. The telephone may be temporarily disabled from service during the downloading of the upgrade software from the personal computer to the telephone. Upgrade software can be received at the personal computer from downloads or from other sources.  
           [0011]    The line connected device can be communicatively connected to the computer modem in several different arrangements. In one embodiment, the device and computer modem are each connected to the PSTN line along with other telephone extensions within a home, such that all devices are in parallel. The modem and device can be configured to enable an on-hook or off-hook upgrading process.  
           [0012]    In a second embodiment, the computer modem is connected to the PSTN through an additional pass-through line jack in the line connected device, such that the two devices are serially connected. The line connected device can isolate this connection from the rest of the PSTN to facilitate direct information transfer.  
           [0013]    In a third embodiment, the line connected device is connected to the PSTN through an additional pass-through line jack in the computer modem, so that the two devices are serially connected in a different manner. In this embodiment, the modem can isolate the connection to the PSTN for directing information transfer.  
           [0014]    In each of these embodiments, the line connected device may be any type of device that connects to a telephone line and is capable of being upgraded in programmable memory. This may include a cordless telephone system, a corded telephone, a facsimile machine, photocopier, answering machine, etc.  
           [0015]    A method is disclosed for programming a line connected device. Encoded signals are received at a line interface of the device. The encoded signals that include device programming signals detected and routed to programmable memory in the device. The device programming signals are transmitted to the line interface during a programming mode, telephone signals or other encoded signals are transmitted to the line interface during an operation mode, and the device switches between programming and operation modes.  
           [0016]    A method is also disclosed for programming information in a cordless telephone. FSK encoded signals received at a line jack are decoded in a decoder. The cordless telephone detects whether the FSK encoded signals include telephone programming signals, and if so, the programming signals are routed to programmable memory in the cordless telephone.  
           [0017]    A programmable line connected device is also described, comprising a line interface for receiving encoded signals, a detector for detecting that the encoded signals include device programming signals, and a controller for routing programming signals to a programmable memory. Device programming signals are transmitted to the line interface during a programming mode, telephone signals or other encoded signals are transmitted to the line interface during an operation mode, and the device switches between programming and operation modes.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional arrangement of a plurality of peripheral devices to a personal computer.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a connection of a personal computer to a base of a cordless telephone via a computer modem according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of components within a base unit and a handset of a cordless telephone.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a parallel connection of a personal computer, a cordless telephone, and other telephones to a PSTN line within a home according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a computer modem connected to the PSTN through a pass-through line jack in a telephone, such that the two devices are serially connected according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a telephone connected to the PSTN through a pass-through line jack in a computer modem, such that the two devices are serially connected according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for programming a line connected device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for programming a line connected device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]    Data may be transmitted to electronic devices in several possible formats in accordance with a variety of different mechanisms. For instance, one method for communicating data to electronic devices or systems is via conventional peripheral ports on a personal computer or laptop computer, as shown in FIG. 1. As examples, a conventional printer  11  can be connected to a computer  10  via a serial/parallel connection  12  (utilizing an RS-232 cable), or a digital camera  13  may connect to a computer  10  via a USB port  14  (utilizing a USB cable). Instead of utilizing a conventional connection, it is also possible to connect a peripheral via a device-specific connection at a port  16  utilizing a device-specific protocol.  
         [0027]    In addition to communicating data to or from such peripheral devices in the ordinary course of operation (e.g., sending information to be printed to printer  11 , or sending pictures to be stored in memory from camera  13 ), it is possible to upgrade memory within the peripherals through these connections. As an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 illustrates a connection of a cordless telephone to a personal computer or laptop computer to upgrade functionality of the telephone. As can be seen, the personal computer is directly connected to the base set of the cordless telephone via a telephone line and a computer modem within the personal computer.  
         [0028]    It is particularly advantageous to upgrade a cordless telephone via the telephone line because the cordless telephone already includes a telephone input/output jack for its normal operation. Accordingly, it is not necessary to include an additional interface component solely for the purpose of enabling upgrades. Use of other such data interfaces, such as the serial/parallel connection or USB port of a personal computer, would require different hardware that contributes to the cost of the telephone.  
         [0029]    There are several possible protocols by which a telephone controller can enable memory in the telephone to receive software updates. For example, an option may be presented in the graphical user interface (GUI) of the telephone for the user to temporarily operate the telephone in a “programming mode.” This mode temporarily shuts down operation of the telephone so that the memory and associated processing will be allocated to receive upgrade information. As an alternative, the CPU may automatically switch the telephone into a programming mode once a signal is presented at the input port. Presence of a signal at the input port can then trigger a display at the GUI to notify the user of the status an upgrade in progress and when the upgrade is completed. However, if the upgrade will occur within only a few seconds and while the telephone is still on-hook, it may not be necessary to disable the telephone and provide status information at the GUI.  
         [0030]    For performing upgrades according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to use the existing processing capabilities already provided in a telephone. Particularly, modern cordless telephones and mobile cellular telephones typically include a digital signal processor (DSP) for decoding and processing control signals that are incident to the telephone from the PSTN through the advanced intelligent network (AIN). Modern telephones that are “caller-ID enabled” can decode a frequency-shift-key (FSK) encoded signal that is transmitted along with a ringing signal over the telephone network. The FSK encoded signal typically contains one or more packet headers that identifies the type of incoming data, and a payload perhaps containing a calling party name and telephone number. When this is decoded using an integrated DSP, the telephone forwards at least some of this information to the telephone display, and may also store at least the incoming telephone number in memory apportioned as a calling log. Therefore, a modern telephone already includes the necessary components and processing capability for receiving encoded signals and forwarding data to the telephone display and memory registers.  
         [0031]    Returning to FIG. 2, it can be seen that personal computer  20  includes a computer modem  21 , which can connect to a telephone line  23  via an output jack  22 . The telephone line  23  is incoming to cordless telephone base unit  24  via telephone line input/output jack  25 . The base unit of the cordless telephone assembly communicates with the handset  26  via an RF connection.  
         [0032]    As described above, a modern cordless telephone that is caller-ID enabled will recognize an FSK-encoded caller ID signal incoming at line input/output jack  25  as a control signal at  1200  baud. In one embodiment for performing an upgrade function, the computer modem  21  can be configured to provide a similar FSK-encoded signal provided by personal computer  20 . The FSK-encoded signal will include packet headers that indicate, instead of a caller-ID signal, an instruction that is recognized by the FSK-decoder  27  as an upgrade signal. Decoding this signal in FSK decoder  27  instructs the base unit to store the payload information as a memory upgrade.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 illustrates the components within the base unit  30   a  and handset  30   b  of the cordless telephone system. The incoming upgrade information is received in the line in/out interface  31 , where it is routed to FSK decoder  32 . Control processor(s)  33   a t hen route the decoded upgrade data to RAM  34   a , EEPROM  35  or other memory within the base. Alternatively, the data is transcoded, modulated, and transmitted to the handset through an RF connection  36   a,    36   b,  where it is decompressed, demodulated and routed to RAM  34   b,  EEPROM  35   b,  or other memory within the handset  30   b  at the direction of control processor(s)  33   b.  During the time of an upgrade, the handset bus disables microphone input  37  and other input from the handset (e.g., handset keys) as well as the speaker output  38 .  
         [0034]    Continuing with FIG. 2, in another embodiment, instead of providing an FSK-encoded signal to the telephone base unit, the modem  21  can operate in a conventional manner. That is, the modem will dial a telephone number, which will send a signal to the cordless base unit, and a modem (or a receive-only modem) within the cordless base will “pick up” the call and engage in data transfer between the devices. Advantages of this protocol are that (i) it enables higher bit-rate data transmission between the two units for transmitting more information, and (ii) it does not require modem  21  to perform in a manner that is different from its normal operation. However, additional modem-like processing capability is required at the telephone base unit to participate in modem communications with the personal computer  20 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection of a personal computer  40  and computer modem  41 , a cordless telephone base  43 , and an extension telephone  45 , all to a PSTN line  42  within a home. As can be seen, each of these devices are connected in parallel. In normal operation, if any of these devices goes off-hook to connect to the PSTN (e.g., to initiate or receive a telephone call, or to initiate an on-line communication), the telephone line is “occupied” such that other extensions will not be able to initiate separate communications or receive telephone calls (other than sharing the line to participate in an existing conversation).  
         [0036]    The cordless telephone system can be upgraded while connected in the configuration of FIG. 4 either while being on-hook or off-hook. For an on-hook connection, the other extension phone  45  will not be configured to receive the FSK-encoded signal, and so it will ignore temporary signaling that will occur in the line. Likewise, the temporary signaling will be ignored by the PSTN as the signal propagates out of the home.  
         [0037]    As was described above, the upgrade can occur while the units are on-hook by sending an FSK-encoded signal from the modem. The signal is decoded in an FSK decoder in the controller of the base unit. The decoded signal is a stream of packets, and the header indicates the address for delivery of the payload. The payload contains the software for updating ring tones, graphics displays, etc.  
         [0038]    As an alternative embodiment, the upgrade can also occur by temporarily placing the cordless telephone off-hook. In this manner, any extension telephones  45  will not be able to utilize the network during the upgrade operation. While the line is off-hook, a standard caller-ID transfer can be initiated by the modem  41 , by sending a  1200  baud FSK signal in compliance with CID protocol. Once the information transfer is complete, the computer can then put the line back on-hook. The transmitted FSK signals will not be interpreted as a dialing command because they are comprised of a different tone set.  
         [0039]    One problem that is associated with temporarily placing a cordless telephone off-hook is that a dial tone propagates through the line, which may interfere with the modem signals and FSK signals. One method to correct this is to use digital or analog filtering, built into the base unit, to filter out the tone. Another method is to adjust the amplitude or volume level of the modem tone to overpower the dial tone.  
         [0040]    There are also methods to avoid the dial tone altogether. In one manner, a single DTMF digit is dialed, as if a call is being initiated. This will cause the line to become silent temporarily. During the temporary period, normal modem transfer of the FSK signal can be accomplished. As yet another method, a code can be transmitted from the telephone to the central office to request that the dial tone is temporarily disconnected.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5 illustrates a different connection between the computer  50  and modem  51 , cordless phone base unit  52 , and PSTN line  55  as compared with FIG. 4. In FIG. 5, the cordless base unit  55  is connected to the PSTN  55  as in a conventional arrangement, but modem  51  is indirectly connected, as a “daisy chain,” to the PSTN through line  54  connected between the modem and the base unit. The base unit includes two input/output jacks, one of which is a pass-through to connect the modem. The extension phone  56  is connected to PSTN in parallel with the cordless phone. The arrangement presented in FIG. 5 can be particularly useful if a consumer wishes to connect two devices to the PSTN but has only a single telephone outlet at a particular location.  
         [0042]    In this arrangement, the computer  50  communicates directly to the cordless telephone, which can detect when the computer modem requests to provide a download. The cordless telephone can detect this because the auxiliary input jack (connected with line  54 ) would not otherwise receive FSK-encoded signals. In response, the cordless telephone base can then isolate this connection from the rest of the PSTN so that direct information transfer can take place. Alternatively, when the telephone is in an “regular operation” mode, the modem interface jack on the cordless telephone is a mere “pass through.” However, when the telephone is switched to be in a programming mode, the modem interface jack on the cordless telephone is disconnected from the telephone line jack. In this manner, the modem will not initiate an outgoing call, and the telephone need not be placed off-hook.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, except that in this embodiment it is the modem  61  that connects the cordless telephone base unit  62  to the PSTN  64 . The cordless telephone base is “daisy-chained” via a dedicated line  63 . The extension phone  65  is connected to the PSTN  64  in parallel with computer  60  and modem  61 .  
         [0044]    In this arrangement, an upgrade is still initiated by computer  60 , which uses modem  61  to isolate the cordless base unit  62  from the network during the period of the upgrade. This can be done by special programming of a conventional modem, or through use of a specialized modem. From the perspective of the cordless telephone, the upgrade transaction occurs in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 2. By including a switch in the modem that triggers between a “programmable” mode and “regular operations” mode, the modem can be configured to send signals only to the cordless telephone during programming, and not to the PSTN.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 7 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for programming a line conmected device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0046]    Once an encoded signal is received at the line_in jack in the base of the cordless phone in step  71 , the signal is routed to the FSK decoder in the base controller and decoded, in step  72 . If the encoded signal includes CID information (along with a ringing signal), as determined in step  73 , the CID information is displayed on the graphical user interface in step  74  (which may be on the handset or base unit of the cordless telephone), and, depending the configuration of the cordless telephone, the CID information may be stored in a calling log, in step  75 .  
         [0047]    If it is determined that the decoded information is not CID information, then the telephone is switched to a programming mode in step  76 , and the programming information is routed to programmable memory in step  77 . Alternatively, a user can manually switch the telephone to a programming mode before the encoded signal is received. Optionally, a step may be included to place the telephone off-hook during the update.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow diagram of another method for programming a line connected device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0049]    In this embodiment, instead of specially configuring a modem to provide FSK-encoded signals to be decoded and interpreted by the FSK decoder in the controller of the cordless telephone, the input interface can be configured to receive standard modem signals. In FIG. 8, when a user desires to program the cordless telephone, the user sets the telephone to a programmable mode, using a predetermined code sequence or a prompt on the graphical user interface, in step  81 . The user can initiates transmission of the program code through a personal computer. The cordless telephone will then receive modem initialization signals from the modem in step  82 , and will return modem initialization signals via a standard modem communications protocol to initiate a communication, in step  83 . It may be necessary to specially configure the cordless telephone to provide these initialization signals. The modem will then send payload data for receipt in the cordless telephone in step  84 , which is then routed to programmable memory in the telephone in step  85 . The payload data may be FSK encoded and decoded in the FSK decoder as described with reference to FIG. 7.  
         [0050]    The examples described above illustrate how a line connected device can be upgraded using FSK encoded data and an FSK decoder. No particular modulation scheme is required, although it is advantageous to modulate the signal in accordance with the typical operation of the electronic device. The present invention is not intended to be limited to performing upgrades in a cordless telephone, instead, this method and system can be implemented in any telephone line connected electronic device having a DSP, and analog input and programmable storage. Examples of other such devices include corded telephones, facsimile machines, answering machines, and other computer modems.  
         [0051]    The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.  
         [0052]    Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.