Abstract:
A selectively removable module, such as a PCMCIA card, inserted into a host computer system, such as a notebook computer, is provided that has a electrical interface between the module circuitry and the host computer circuitry, A wireless data channel is implemented between the module circuitry and the host computer system circuitry that is independent of the electrical interface. This wireless communications channel is implemented entirely within the confines of the external housing of the host computing system. One embodiment uses an infrared LED or emitter to transmit infrared signals from the module circuitry to an infrared sensitive phototransistor located within the host and electrically connected to the host circuitry. Likewise, an infrared LED or emitter located within the host computer housing and electrically connected to the host computer circuitry transmits an infrared signal to a infrared sensitive phototransistor located on the module and electrically connected to the module circuitry to complete a bi-directional, wireless data transmission channel. The internal wireless data transmission channel allows large data throughput without interfering with the operation or capacity of the normal electromechanical interface between the module circuitry and the host computer system. Such a wireless data communications channel finds particular use in implementing a speakerphone on a host computer system, such as a notebook computer, having a microphone and speaker but using the circuitry in a PCMCIA modem card to manage and control the speakerphone.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     The field of the invention relates to the extensibility of standardized electrical interconnection schemes such as the PCMCIA interface. The invention also relates to communication systems between a host system and a selectively removable module, such as a PCMCIA card, the communication system operating while the card is electrically connected to the host system. More particularly, the invention relates to infrared communication systems for communicating between entities sharing the same power supply or that are otherwise electrically connected. 
     2. Present State of the Art 
     In many instances, host systems, such as computer systems, provide a form of extensibility through the use of modular additions that are typically electrically connected with the host system when added. An example of such modular additions are specialized cards that fit into a PC mother board or PCMCIA cards that fit into a notebook computer PCMCIA receptacle. Such cards are electrically connected to the host system according to a defined interface and typically derive power from the host system in order to operate the circuitry contained therein. The electrical connection further allows communication of data and control information between the two entities. 
     The defined interface is composed of physical dimensions such as card size, type of electrical contacts, number of electrical contacts, etc. and operating characteristics, such as signals presented on each contact, timing of signals, and/or scheme of operation. Such standardization allows manufacturers other than the host system manufacturer to create the extensible modules for interacting with the host system. Throughout this application, reference will be made to the PCMCIA standard as a representative example and not by way of limitation. The concepts illustrated in connection with the present invention as used with a PCMCIA card can be applied to any standardized interface. 
     While standards have the advantage of allowing others to successfully interface with the host system, they have limitations that may hamper a card designer. The standards define the number and meaning of electrical connections between the host system and the card and there may be conflict with the objectives of the card designer in accessing facilities found on circuitry within the host system. A standard typically sacrifices some flexibility in order to have the predictability that allows all who design to the standard the ability to interact with the host system. Card designers are sometimes limited in their options since designing to the standard is necessary in order to have a ready market for the card because host system manufacturers will typically support only one or two standards. 
     Using the PCMCIA standard as a representative example, some of the limitations of a standard will be shown. The PCMCIA standard has defined digital signals (e.g., binary data) and control signals in order to transfer digital information between card and host. The PCMCIA standard does not have facility for analog signals a significant limitation depending on the functionality of a given PCMCIA card. 
     A representative example throughout this application is that of a speakerphone incorporated on a PCMCIA modem card using a host system microphone and speaker as part of its implementation. Because of such an arrangement, the PCMCIA card requires the analog signal to pass from the microphone to the PCMCIA card and for control thereon before being communicated through the telephone line connector found on the PCMCIA card. Likewise, analog signals will need to be communicated from the PCMCIA modem card to the speaker located on the host system. There needs to be some way to communicate this analog signal between the host system and the PCMCIA card. This particular representative example and the implementation thereof along with the present invention will be shown in more detail hereafter. 
     Other situations where the host system needs to communicate with the selectively removable card or module in a manner beyond that of the predefined interface include modem DAA cards, data acquisition systems, etc. 
     It becomes impractical to simply change the standardized interface or omit it altogether in lieu of a custom-designed interface due to the acceptance of standards by host system designers Typically, a host system manufacturer will include one or perhaps two defined interfaces for the interconnection of cards or other extensible modules and if they are not chosen by component manufacturer, there will not be a ready market for the card. It is economically infeasible to attempt to persuade all manufacturers to adopt a custom interface when standards exist that allow most functionality to be implemented therein. It is naturally more desirable to simply extend the existing standard in some fashion in order to accomplish the particular purposes of a selectively removable card or module designer. 
     Others have attempted to address this extensibility issue and extend a given interface by multiplexing the interface signals, adding additional mechanical and electrical connection arrangements, or by using an external connection between the selectively removable card or module and another connection or interface found and available by the host system through an external cable connecting the two devices. Each of these potential solutions suffer serious detrimental characteristics that lead to a continual search for a better solution. 
     Multiplexing the signals found on a standardized connection such as the PCMCIA interface uses the same physical or mechanical connection and simply shares the signal band width between the PCMCIA standard protocol and the extension provided by the selectively removable card designer in order to accomplish the desired task. For example, in the representative example of a speakerphone implemented on a modem PCMCIA card, analog voice signals would be mixed with the PCMCIA digital signals in order to transfer voice signals to and from a PCMCIA card (and phone line) and the host system microphone and speaker. The drawbacks encountered include an overburdening of the signals carried on the respective PCMCIA contacts that leads to errors, inefficient operation, and sometimes a performance degradation. Additionally, conflicts may occur with the PCMCIA architecture such that normal communications between the card and the host are sometimes interrupted. Finally, the amount of data communicated between card and host may be insufficient for an application because of the reduction in available band width due to sharing the signals. 
     Another method of extending the capabilities of an interface is through the use of additional mechanical electrical connections. For example, a side pin can be mounted on the frame of a PCMCIA card for interaction with the corresponding receptacle found within the card guide mounted on the host or other location. Other variations include forms of spring contacts to engage to two metal components, one located on the card frame and the other located on the card guide or otherwise mounted at the host. Such electromechanical connections have been found in many instances to lack solid contact and therefore are less reliable. Furthermore, they are susceptible to increases wear during normal operation because of the location of the electromechanical location. Finally, such a sidepin connection can be very expensive due to the extensive modifications made to the card frame and to the card guide adding additional components. 
     Many host systems have a variety of different interfaces in order to meet the demands of different communication devices. For example, a PC will have in many instances a sound card having a line out connection or a line in connection in order to handle specifically analog voice signals. A final method of extending the capabilities of a given interface uses external cables to connect the analog data input or output from a sound card to an external connection on the PCMCIA card itself. In this manner, the voice data can be communicated through this external cable and causing no interference with the normal PCMCIA connection. Such an external cable and connector arrangement is cumbersome and unwieldy and requires more physical componentry on the card which in turn increases manufacturing complexity and expense. Furthermore, the external cable or cables are ever present and add to overall desktop clutter. Since a PCMCIA card is used in many instances for use with a portable notebook computer that is set up and taken down often, the additional time and effort for connecting yet another cable is bothersome. 
     In conclusion, there exists a need for a way of communicating to a selectively removable card that is connected to a host system through a standardized interface that does not use the standardized interface but is also inexpensive, reliable, and convenient for the user of the system and selectively removable card. Though attempts have been made to remedy this problem and allow such communication between host and selectively removable modular card, the drawbacks can be so undesirable as to prohibit actual implementation because of added expense, complexity, and unreliability. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to allow wireless communication between a host and a selectively removable card electrically connected to the host without utilizing any hardware external to the host housing. 
     It is another object of the present invention to allow wireless communication between a host and a selectively removable card or module electrically connected to the host without extra electromechanical connections and without multiplexing signals on a standardized interface. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to allow wireless communication completely within a host system housing between a host and a selectively removable card or module. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to extend the data pull capabilities between a selectively removable card or module and a host-system and overcome the limitations of a standardized interface electrically connecting the card or module to the host system. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention maybe realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein an apparatus and method for wireless communication between a host and a selectively removable card electrically connected to the host is presented. 
     The present invention incorporates a wireless communications channel between a host system and a selectively removable card electrically connected within the host system The host system and the selectively removable card will share the same power supply to power the circuitry found on each but will communicate at least a portion of the data between them through the wireless communications channel. They may also, and in fact typically do, communicate information through a standardized connection, such as a PCMCIA interface that provides connection between them. 
     In many instances, the wireless communications channel is used to overcome limitations in such a standardized interface. For example, the PCMCIA interface defines all of the pin or contact connections thereby making it impossible for a designer to add additional signals to be communicated between the host system and a PCMCIA card. Further, there is no requirement that there be a standardized interface only that the selectively removable card or module is electrically connected and at least receives power through that electrical connection. 
     One exemplary embodiment of the present invention extends the PCMCIA interface so that analog voice data can be communicated between a selectively removable PCMCIA card and a host (typically a notebook computer) that has a speaker and a microphone contained therein. One application of such an exemplary embodiment is to create a speakerphone with the PCMCIA card providing the interconnection to a standard phone jack. If the selectively removable PCMCIA card can receive and transmit analog voice signals, then the card may be configured to act as a speakerphone. This is a particularly beneficial extension to a PCMCIA card already configured to be a data modem that are currently prevalent and popular with owners of notebook computers. 
     A wireless communications channel comprises a first and second wireless signal transfer means thereby making up a bi-directional data channel. One wireless signal transfer means resides on the PCMCIA card while the other wireless signal transfer means resides on the host and the two are so oriented that communications can occur between them. For example, an infrared emitting LED and a photo transistor to receive and respond to infrared emissions can comprise each of the two signal transfer means and would be so oriented that the infrared light emitted from the IR LED may easily reach the corresponding photo transistor. 
     While the exemplary embodiment shows a bi-directional communications channel, the present invention could be embodied as a unidirectional channel between either the host to the selectively removable card or between the selectively removable card and the host. Such unidirectional implementations would be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     In a PCMCIA implementation as disclosed in the exemplary embodiment, the infrared LED or emitter and photo transistor for the PCMCIA card can be positioned to transmit and receive through the top or bottom cover portion of the jacket of the PCMCIA card or through the side or frame area of the PCMCIA card. To allow transmission through the PCMCIA card jacket, two common techniques are employed. First, a smokey gray plastic similar to that found in consumer electronic remote controls can be used to cover the area where the IR LED and photo transistor are located such as the covers or side frames. This is particularly convenient for side transmission of the signal transfer means since they can be simply mounted on the PCMCIA card circuit board with no additional hardware or mechanical additions that will in turn minimize the manufacturing cost of the present invention. Another method is to bore appropriately sized holes to allow the infrared emissions to occur through the PCMCIA card, this typically occurring in the jacket or the side chassis. In general, any form of packaging that allows the infrared light to pass can be utilized. 
     Naturally, other forms of wireless transmission and reception can be used to implement the present invention. For example radio frequency or ultrasonic frequency devices could be used in place of infrared LEDs and corresponding photo transistors. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawing depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a notebook computer having a PCMCIA card inserted therein that is connected both to a telephone and a phone line for use in a unique speakerphone application illustrating the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a PCMCIA card incorporating one embodiment of the present invention wherein the infrared transmission and reception means operate through orifices in the upper jacket of the PCMCIA card; 
     FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective of a PCMCIA card of FIG. 2 while the card is inserted in its receptacle and showing communication between the card and the host computer; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a PCMCIA card incorporating another embodiment of the present invention wherein the infrared transmission and reception means operate through the upper jacket constructed of an infrared permeable material; 
     FIG. 5 is a cutaway perspective of a PCMCIA card of FIG. 4 while the card is inserted in its receptacle and showing communication between the card and the host computer; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective of a PCMCIA card incorporating another embodiment of the present invention wherein the infrared transmission and reception means operate through orifices in the side of the PCMCIA chassis. 
     FIG. 7 is cutaway perspective of the PCMCIA card of FIG. 6 showing how the wireless signal transfer means operates through the chassis of the PCMCIA card to interact with corresponding wireless signal transfer means on the host computer within the host housing; 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective of a PCMCIA card incorporating another embodiment of the present invention wherein the infrared transmission and reception means operate through the side of the PCMCIA chassis constructed of an infrared permeable material; 
     FIG. 9 is cutaway perspective of the PCMCIA card of FIG. 8 showing how the wireless signal transfer means operates through the side of the PCMCIA card to interact with corresponding wireless signal transfer means on the host computer within the host housing; 
     FIG. 10 is a block schematic diagram of a speakerphone application using a PCMCIA card in a host computer in communicating using wireless transmitters and receivers to communicate between the PCMCIA card and the host computer; and 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing sample implementations of a typical infrared transmitter and a typical infrared receiver. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As used herein, the term “wireless signal transfer means” refers to any known method and/or apparatus for transmitting and receiving analog or digital signals from one point to another point. The medium for transmitting the signals may be light waves, including infrared light, radio waves, ultrasonic waves, or any other waves along the electromagnetic spectrum. For purposes of the illustrative and exemplary embodiments, infrared LEDs to transmit a signal and phototransistors that are sensitive to infrared light to receive the signal are shown as an example of a wireless signal transfer means. This form of wireless signal transfer means is shown by way of example and not by limitation and those skilled in the art will undoubtedly understand and appreciate various different ways of transmitting a signal without the use of wires or other physical implements between two points. 
     As used herein, the term “selectively removable module” refers to a component that is optional to the normal functioning of a host computer system. Such a module will receive power from the host system to power its internal circuitry and may optionally communicate with the host through an electromechanical interface to transmit and receive data and control information. Shown by way of example and not by limitation throughout this application is a selectively removable module in the form of a PCMCIA component card that communicates through the PCMCIA interface. Other examples of selectively removable modules include but are not limited to standard computer add-in cards such as sound cards, data acquisition cards, modems, video cards, etc. but would also include chips and other modules that connect directly to a computer mother board, other add-in components such as SIMMs used for memory, etc. 
     FIG. 1 shows a notebook computer  20  having a PCMCIA card  22  inserted therein, the PCMCIA card  22  and notebook computer  20  cooperating to form a speakerphone. The notebook computer  20  has a microphone  24  and a speaker  25  that will be used in implementing the speakerphone according to the present invention. Notebook  20  also has an external housing  26  that encompasses and encloses all the internal computer circuitry. The PCMCIA card  22  acts as a selectively removable module that can be inserted and electronically coupled with the internal computer circuitry of the notebook computer  20 . The PCMCIA card  22  has an external jacket that encompasses and encloses its internal circuitry with at least a portion thereof contained within the external housing  26  of the notebook computer  20 . 
     The PCMCIA card  22  also has a RJ11 jack  30  extending therefrom that has a phone cord  32  connected thereto by RJ11 plug  31  that will electrically connect the PCMCIA card internal circuitry to a phone line. Also, the PCMCIA card  22  connects to a special IO connector  34  that is connected to a telephone by phone line  40 . An off-hook detect mechanism is found within the IO connector  34  and comprises internal circuitry to determine when a telephone is in the off-hook state so that this status can be communicated to the PCMCIA card in order to disable the speakerphone. These components are necessary for interfacing the PCMCIA card  22  controlling the speakerphone with the phone network through phone line  32  and with a standard telephone through phone line  40 . 
     The internal circuitry of the PCMCIA card  22  in conjunction with the circuitry of the notebook computer  20  will provide a speakerphone application utilizing the available microphone  24  and speaker  25  incorporated into the notebook computer  20 . It may be noted that microphone  24  may be replaced by a sound card and externally connected microphone and be functionally equivalent for purposes of this speakerphone application. In like manner, the speaker  25  may be replaced by external speakers connected to a standard sound card. Furthermore, signals are transferred between the PCMCIA card  22  and the notebook computer  20  internal circuitry by way of a wireless signal transfer means thereby implementing the present invention as shown hereafter. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective drawing of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as used in the notebook computer  20  of FIG. 1 incorporating the unique communication apparatus of the present invention and for implementing a speakerphone. The PCMCIA modem card comprises an upper jacket piece  41 , a lower jacket piece  43 , and an internal circuit assembly  45 . The upper and lower jacket pieces,  41  and  43 , respectively, encompass the internal circuit assembly to form the exterior confines of the card. 
     The internal circuitry assembly  45  is composed of a circuit board  47  populated with various components interconnected so as to provide modem functionality (or alternatively other functionality). Encircling the circuit board  47 , is a supporting frame  51  and a host computer interface  49 . The host computer interface  49  is electrically coupled to the circuitry on the circuit board  47  so as to provide an electrical connection to the host computer system, typically a notebook computer. In this example, the host computer interface  49  is configured according to the PCMCIA standard. Furthermore, an IO receptacle  53  and an RJ11 jack assembly  55  are electronically coupled to the circuit board  47 . 
     The RJ11 jack assembly  55  is composed an RJ11 jack  57  fit within a RJ11 jack base  59  that is selectively extensible with respect to the supporting frame  51  by way of a spring mechanism assembly  61 . This allows the RJ11 jack to be either extended away from the main body of the PCMCIA card or stored internal to the card. This is useful for allowing the jack to be internally stored when not in use so as to keep all aspects of the PCMCIA card within the external housing of the host computer environment. 
     Important to the present invention is a phototransistor  63  that is sensitive to infrared light and an infrared LED  65  that emits infrared light. A complementary infrared LED is found on the host computer system in line with the phototransistor  63  and a complementary phototransistor is found on the host system in line with infrared LED  65 . Furthermore, the upper jacket piece  41  has orifice  73  and orifice  75  that allow infrared light signals to pass uninhibited. Alternatively, orifices may be contained in the lower jacket piece  43  and the infrared LED  65  and the phototransistor  63  properly placed on the bottom side of the circuit board  47 . The upper jacket piece  41  and the lower jacket piece  42  are typically constructed of steel about 0.008 inch in thickness and the orifices are bored into the respective pieces according to embodiment and configuration. 
     In this manner, signals can be transferred in a wireless manner between the circuitry found on circuit board  47  and the host computer system circuitry without passing through the host computer interface  49 . This bi-directional wireless data communication channel overcomes the problems found in the art and provides an advantageous implementation of high band width information communication. This is necessary in a number of applications, and exemplary application being the speakerphone capability implementation into a standard PCMCIA modem as shown hereafter in more detail. 
     Exemplary phototransistors used in this and other embodiments would be model LPT-80A or model SFH307 phototransistors available from Siemens. Equivalent to phototransistors as used throughout this application would be a photodiode accompanied by a gain circuit as would be known by those skilled in the art. Exemplary infrared emitter or LED would be model IRL 81A or model IRA 81A, again from Siemens. 
     One of the important characteristics of the above-mentioned models for the phototransistor and the infrared LED is the availability in miniaturized packaging. This allows such components to be used on the relatively small PCMCIA form factor, that is a common standard for use with notebook computers. 
     FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the PCMCIA card inserted in a notebook computer with the infrared LED and infrared sensitive phototransistor being completely within the confines of the external host computer housing for the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. A PCMCIA modem card  67  is inserted into a PCMCIA receptacle  69  that is electrically coupled to the host computer mother board  71 . The PCMCIA modem card  67  also has a RJ11 jack assembly  55  shown in the extended position for interfacing with a phone network. 
     Once in the inserted position, the infrared sensitive phototransistor  75  and the infrared LED  77  (not shown in FIG. 2) are at a position completely within the external housing  67  of the host computer system. It may be noted that while a notebook computer is shown in this example, that any computer system may be used as the host computer system such as a desk top computer systems, palm top computer systems, video game systems, and a variety of consumer electronics, etc. 
     Furthermore, an infrared LED  79  and infrared sensitive phototransistor  81  are connected to a base  83  and electronically connected to the host computer system circuit board  71  through connection means  85 . Again, the infrared LED  79  and the infrared sensitive transistor  81  that are electrically connected to the host computer system circuit board  71  are again completely enclosed within the host computer system housing  87 . Furthermore, when the PCMCIA modem card  67  is in the inserted position, the infrared LED  79  is linearly aligned with the infrared sensitive phototransistor  63  and the infrared sensitive phototransistor  81  is linearly aligned with the infrared LED  65  so as to allow signals to pass between the respective LED-photo-transistor pairs found on the PCMCIA modem card  67  and base  83  to allow bi-directional wireless signal transfer between the PCMCIA modem card  67  and the host computer circuit board  71  through orifices  73  and  75 , respectively. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are other ways of allowing the infrared signals between the infrared sensitive photo-transistor  64  and infrared LED  66  on the PCMCIA modem card  68  with the infrared LED  80  and the infrared sensitive photo-transistor  82  located on the base mounting  84  than simply passing through holes drilled therein to allow the infrared signals to pass. For example, infrared transparent materials may be used in PCMCIA card construction as will be shown hereafter in connection with another embodiment. Additionally, those skilled in the art will note that the transmission componentry may be placed anywhere within the PCMCIA modem card  67  so long as they are linearly aligned with corresponding IR componentry electrically connected to the host computer system circuit board  71 . 
     It may be noted that the infrared LED  79  and the infrared sensitive phototransistor  81  may be mounted on the host computer system circuit board  71  with the corresponding infrared sensitive phototransistor  63  and infrared LED  65  mounted on the back side of the PCMCIA modem card  67  circuit board  47  to avoid having a separate base  83  and electrical connection means  85 . Naturally, in such a configuration the lower jacket piece  43  of the PCMCIA modem card  67  would have to let infrared light pass uninhibited through holes, transparent material, or in some other manner. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective drawing of another embodiment of the present invention as used in the notebook computer  20  of FIG. 1 incorporating the unique communication apparatus of the present invention and for implementing a speakerphone. The PCMCIA modem card comprises an upper jacket piece  42 , a lower jacket piece  44 , and an internal circuit assembly  46 . The upper and lower jacket pieces,  42  and  44 , respectively, encompass the internal circuit assembly to form the exterior confines of the card. 
     The internal circuitry assembly  46  is composed of a circuit board  48  populated with various components interconnected so as to provide modem functionality (or alternatively other functionality). Encircling the circuit board  48 , is a supporting frame  52  and a host computer interface  50 . The host computer interface  50  is electrically coupled to the circuitry on the circuit board  48  so as to provide an electrical connection to the host computer system, typically a notebook computer. In this example, the host computer interface  50  is configured according to the PCMCIA standard. Furthermore, an IO receptacle  54  and an RJ11 jack assembly  56  are electronically coupled to the circuit board  48 . 
     The RJ11 jack assembly  56  is composed an RJ11 jack  58  fit within a RJ11 jack base  60  that is selectively extensible with respect to the supporting frame  52  by way of a spring mechanism assembly  62 . This allows the RJ11 jack to be either extended away from the main body of the PCMCIA card or stored internal to the card. This is useful for allowing the jack to be internally stored when not in use so as to keep all aspects of the PCMCIA card within the external housing of the host computer environment. 
     Important to the present invention is a phototransistor  64  that is sensitive to infrared light and an infrared LED  66  that emits infrared light. A complementary infrared LED is found on the host computer system in line with the phototransistor  64  and a complementary phototransistor is found on the host system in line with infrared LED  66 . Furthermore, the upper jacket piece  42  is made of a material that will allow infrared light signals to pass uninhibited. In this manner, signals can be transferred in a wireless manner between the circuitry found on circuit board  48  and the host computer system circuitry without passing through the host computer interface  50  to form a bi-directional wireless data communication channel. 
     One material used in this exemplary embodiment that allows infrared light to pass through the upper jacket piece  42  uninhibited, is LEXAN® resin available from the General Electric plastics division of the General Electric Company located at One Plastics Avenue, Pittsfield, Mass. 01201. As used in this embodiment, visible light transmission is inhibited, infrared light transmission is permitted, and the material has a physical “look” of being black. 
     FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the PCMCIA card inserted in a notebook computer with the infrared LED and infrared sensitive phototransistor being completely within the confines of the external host computer housing for the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. A PCMCIA modem card  68  is inserted into a PCMCIA receptacle  70  that is electrically coupled to the host computer mother board  72 . The PCMCIA modem card  68  also has a RJ11 jack assembly  56  shown in the extended position for interfacing with a phone network. 
     Once in the inserted position, the infrared sensitive phototransistor  76  and the infrared LED  78  are at a position completely within the external housing  68  of the host computer system. 
     Furthermore, an infrared LED  80  and infrared sensitive phototransistor  82  are connected to a base  84  and electronically connected to the host computer system circuit board  72  through connection means  86 . Again, the infrared LED  80  and the infrared sensitive transistor  82  that are electrically connected to the host computer system circuit board  72  are again completely enclosed within the host computer system housing  88 . Furthermore, when the PCMCIA modem card  68  is in the inserted position, the infrared LED  80  is linearly aligned with the infrared sensitive phototransistor  64  and the infrared sensitive phototransistor  82  is linearly aligned with the infrared LED  66  so as to allow signals to pass between the respective LED-photo-transistor pairs found on the PCMCIA modem card  68  and base  84  to allow bi-directional wireless signal transfer between the PCMCIA modem card  68  and the host computer circuit board  72 . 
     FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a PCMCIA modem card with the infrared transmitting and receiving circuitry located along the PCMCIA card edge or side and the transmission occurs through holes bored in the side frame. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a PCMCIA modem card according to this alternative embodiment. An upper jack piece  92  and a lower jacket piece  94  encompass an internal circuitry assembly  96  in order to form the PCMCIA modem card. In this embodiment, the upper jacket piece  92  and the lower jacket piece are constructed of standard materials, typically metal. 
     The internal circuit assembly  96  has a circuit board  98  having componentry for a standard telecommunication modem. The circuit board  98  is electrically connected to a host computer interface  100  that will be used to connect the circuit board  98  with the host computer circuit board. Further, a supporting frame  102  holds the circuit board  98 , as well as the host computer interface  100 , a IO receptacle  104 , and an RJ11 jack assembly  106 . 
     The RJ11 jack assembly  106  has a RJ11 jack  108  formed within a RJ11 jack base  110  that is capable of being in a position inside of the assembled PCMCIA modem or in a position extending out from the PCMCIA modem to allow a mating RJ11 plug to be inserted into the RJ11 Jack  108 . The spring mechanism assembly  112  allows RJ11 jack base  110  to easily and selectively extend and retract between a storage position with RJ11 jack  108  located within the PCMCIA modem card and an extended operational position. 
     Mounted on the circuit board  98  is an infrared sensitive phototransistor  114  and an infrared LED  116  The infrared sensitive phototransistor  114  and IR emitter  116  are oriented in a sideways position so that they may emit and receive infrared signals through orifices  118  and  120 , respectively, located within the supporting frame  102 . This will allow infrared signal transmission through the supporting frame and the corresponding card guide to mating infrared sensitive phototransistor and IR emitter electrically connected to the host computer system mother board. 
     FIG. 7 is a cutaway perspective view of the PCMCIA modem card  122  of FIG. 6 as it appears when inserted into a PCMCIA receptacle of a host computer system such as a notebook system as shown in FIG.  1 . The PCMCIA receptacle  124  is electrically connected to a host computer circuit board  126  that is populated with the host computer circuitry. Furthermore, it can be noted that the infrared sensitive phototransistor  114  and the infrared LED  116  located on the PCMCIA modem card  122  circuit board  98  are completely within the host housing  128 . Also, on the host computer circuit board  126  is an infrared LED  130  and infrared sensitive phototransistor  132 . These components allow the receipt and transmission of IR signals from the host computer circuit board  126  in another location. 
     Specifically, infrared LED  130  on host computer circuit board  126  is positioned so as to be linearly aligned with the infrared sensitive phototransistor  114  located on the modem circuit board  98  so that signals may be transmitted from the infrared LED  130  and received by the infrared sensitive phototransistor  114  thereby providing a communication path from the host computer circuit board  126  to the modem circuit board  98 . To facilitate the transmission, orifice  118  allows the infrared signal to pass directly between the infrared LED  130  and the infrared sensitive phototransistor  114 . 
     In like manner, the infrared sensitive phototransistor  132  located on the host computer circuit board  128  may receive infrared signals through orifice  120  from the infrared LED  116  located on the modem circuit board  98 . In this manner, signals may travel from the modem circuit board  98  to the host computer circuit board  126 . Together, the infrared LED  130  infrared sensitive phototransistor  114  pair and infrared LED  116  infrared sensitive  132  pair, respectively, form a bi-directional wireless data channel that wirelessly transferred signals between the host computer circuit board  126  and the modem circuit board  98 . 
     FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a PCMCIA modem card with the infrared transmitting and receiving circuitry located along the side of the supporting frame with the signal transmitted through the supporting frame constructed infrared transparent material. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a PCMCIA modem card according to this alternative embodiment. An upper jack piece  91  and a lower jacket piece  93  encompass an internal circuitry assembly  95  in order to form the PCMCIA modem card. In this embodiment, the upper jacket piece  91  and the lower jacket piece  93  are constructed of standard materials, typically metal. 
     The internal circuit assembly  95  has a circuit board  97  having componentry for a standard telecommunication modem. The circuit board  97  is electrically connected to a host computer interface  99  that will be used to connect the circuit board  97  with the host computer circuit board. Further, a supporting frame  101  holds the circuit board  97 , as well as the host computer interface  99 , a IO receptacle  103 , and an RJ11 jack assembly  105 . 
     The RJ11 jack assembly  105  has a RJ11 jack  107  formed within a RJ11 jack base  109  that is capable of being in a position inside of the assembled PCMCIA modem or in a position extending out from the PCMCIA modem to allow a mating RJ11 plug to be inserted into the RJ11 jack  107 . The spring mechanism assembly  111  allows RJ11 jack base  109  to easily and selectively extend and retract between a storage position with RJ11 jack  107  located within the PCMCIA modem card and an extended operational position. 
     Mounted on the circuit board  97  is an infrared sensitive phototransistor  113  and an infrared LED  115 . The infrared sensitive phototransistor  113  and IR emitter  115  are oriented in a sideways position so that they may emit and receive infrared signals through the supporting frame  101  that is constructed of an infrared transparent material such as LEXAN®. This will allow infrared signal transmission through the supporting frame  101  and the corresponding card guide to mating infrared sensitive phototransistor and IR emitter electrically connected to the host computer system mother board. 
     FIG. 9 is a cutaway perspective view of the PCMCIA modem card  121  of FIG. 8 as it appears when inserted into a PCMCIA receptacle of a host computer system such as a notebook system as shown in FIG.  1 . The PCMCIA receptacle  123  is electrically connected to a host computer circuit board  125  that is populated with the host computer circuitry. Furthermore, it can be noted that the infrared sensitive phototransistor  113  and the infrared LED  115  located on the PCMCIA modem card  121  circuit board  97  are completely within the host housing  127 . Also, on the host computer circuit board  125  is an infrared LED  129  and infrared sensitive phototransistor  131 . These components allow the receipt and transmission of IR signals from the host computer circuit board  125  in another location. 
     Specifically, infrared LED  129  on host computer circuit board  125  is positioned so as to be linearly aligned with the infrared sensitive phototransistor  113  located on the modem circuit board  97  so that signals may be transmitted from the infrared LED  129  and received by the infrared sensitive phototransistor  113  thereby providing a communication path from the host computer circuit board  125  to the modem circuit board  97 . To facilitate the transmission, the supporting frame is constructed of a material that allows infrared signals to pass uninhibited. 
     In like manner, the infrared sensitive phototransistor  131  located on the host computer circuit board  127  may receive infrared signals through the transparent supporting frame  101  from the infrared LED  115  located on the modem circuit board  97 . In this manner, signals may travel from the modem circuit board  97  to the host computer circuit board  125 . Together, the infrared LED  129  infrared sensitive phototransistor  113  pair and infrared LED  115  infrared sensitive  131  pair, respectively, form a bi-directional wireless data channel that wirelessly transferred signals between the host computer circuit board  125  and the modem circuit board  97 . 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing the componentry that can be added to a standard PCMCIA modem card and host computer system in order to implement a speakerphone. Besides modem componentry, the PCMCIA card will include the functional componentry included within the box  134 . Likewise, the host computer will incorporate functionality enclosed within the box  136 . A telephone  138  is hooked by a phone cable  140  to an off-hook detect circuit  142 . The off-hook detect circuit  142  is part of a physical IO connector and cable represented by box  144  that will hook into a PCMCIA card through a pin IO receptacle  146  (shown in FIG. 1 as part of the IO connection  34 ). The off-hook detect hook circuit  142  will determine whether or not the telephone  138  is in use so that the speakerphone may be disabled when a user picks up the handset of telephone  138 . 
     Furthermore, a phone cable  148  connects the PCMCIA card as represented by box  134  through RJ11 connection  150  to the phone network  152 . Both the pins from the IO receptacle  146  and the RJ11 connection  150  are fed into a data access arrangement  154  for digital processing. This is accomplished through passing the signals from the data access arrangement  154  to a line CODEC  156  and onto a data signal processing echo canceler  158 . 
     The data access arrangement (DAA)  154  is the circuitry necessary for accessing or transmitting an analog signal according to the requirements of communications network to which the PCMCIA card  134  is attached. This includes opto-isolators, transformers, and other mechanisms standard in the art allowing connection between systems having different electrical characteristics and requirements. 
     The line CODEC  156  digitizes the signal taken off of the phone line as received from the data access arrangement  154  by way of an analog-to-digital converter. This allows the signal data to be manipulated by echo cancellation circuit  158  or any other digital signal processing that may be required. 
     After digital signal processing, the digital signal will be converted to an analog signal by the audio CODEC  194  before being transmitted through a wireless communications channel to the host computer  136  as will be explained in more detail hereafter. It may be noted that the logical block diagram shows two separate CODECs, line CODEC  156  and audio CODEC  194 , residing on the PCMCIA card  134 . This is only illustrative of function and those skilled in the art will see that the same CODEC may perform the same function depending on physical implementation. 
     A microcontroller  160  controls the digital signal processing echo cancellation circuit  158  as well as provides an interface with the rest of the modem circuitry not shown in FIG.  10 . Furthermore, to provide such interfacing behavior, the microcontroller  160  accesses RAM  162  and ROM  164  for programming and calculations as well as a custom ASIC  166  for interfacing through the PCMCIA interface  168  to electrically communicate with the host computer system. 
     Within the host computer  136  is a microphone  170  and a speaker  172  that are used as part of the speakerphone implementation. Signals from the speaker  170  will eventually reach the digital processing echo canceler  158  as controlled by microcontroller  160  and signals broadcast through the speaker  172  will be signals originating from the digital signaling processing echo canceler  158  as controlled by the microcontroller  160 . 
     For voice signals received from microphone  170 , an analog signal is received from a microphone biasing circuit  174  representing the voice signal that is amplified in amplifier  176  before running through stereo CODEC  178 . The stereo CODEC  178  may be used to digitize the analog voice signal received from the microphone in order to store the information on the disk drive of the host computer system. This would be useful for an answering machine implemented as part of the system and other applications requiring the storage of voice data. 
     Furthermore, the stereo CODEC  178  can be controlled by host computer system software in order implement a gain control function for adjusting the volume of the signal as perceived through the speaker  172 . In this manner, the stereo CODEC  178  could be making an analog-to-analog conversion of the signal implementing the desired signal gain affects. 
     Additionally, the stereo CODEC  178  allows signals from different sources to be mixed. For example, an answering machine implementation could allow the incoming analog signal transmitted from the PCMCIA card and the stored digital signal being heard by the caller to be mixed and simultaneously monitored through the speaker  172  on the host computer  136 . 
     After processing in the stereo CODEC  178 , the analog signal will be run through a transmission amplifier  180  and pass through a temperature compensated current source  182  before being transmitted from an infrared LED  184 . The temperature compensated current source  182  is for assuring that proper signal levels are transmitted at the infrared LED  184  over temperature. 
     The infrared LED  184  sends an infrared signal (analog) across to an infrared sensitive transistor  186  as represented by transmit arrows  188  and receive arrows  190 . In this way, microphone speech data is transmitted to the PCMCIA modem card for processing through a wireless data channel without burdening the PCMCIA interface. This is necessary in order to have enough information band width preserve high speech quality by sending an adequate amount of information for processing. The signal received by the infrared sensitive phototransistor  186  is amplified through a receiver amp  192  before being passed onto audio CODEC  194  for conversion from analog to digital format and processed through the digital system processing echo cancellation circuitry  158 . 
     Signals to be transmitted on speaker  172  will originate from the phone or phone line, pass through line CODEC  156  for conversion to digital format, pass through the digital signal processing echo cancellation circuitry  158 , pass through audio CODEC  194  for conversion back to analog format, and arrive at transmission amplifier  196  that prepares the signal for transmission from the PCMCIA modem card to the host computer. Again, the signal passes through a temperature compensated current source  198  in order to assure that a consistent transmit level will be found at the infrared LED  200  over temperature. 
     Transmission occurs between the infrared LED  200  found on the PCMCIA modem card and the infrared sensitive phototransistor  202  found on the host computer as shown by transmit arrows  204  and receive arrows  206 . Again, this will occur in a linear orientation and will be facilitated by orifices in the PCMCIA modem card or some form of covering that will allow the infrared signal to transfer uninhibited. 
     While transmission is shown for an analog signal, some applications may transmit digital signals. Analog signal transmission has the advantage of typically being less costly to implement since the signal may be transmitted over a single infrared LED/phototransistor pair (or two pairs for full-duplex operation as shown). Digital transmission may require more infrared LED/phototransistor pairs due to the timing signals, bus widths, etc. associated with digital signals. The added hardware increases cost and may be prohibitive depending on the specific application. The present invention contemplates wireless transfer of signals as explained regardless of signal format. 
     Once the signal is received on the host computer, it passes through a receiver amplifier  208  to strengthen the signal before passing through the stereo CODEC  178  and on to the actual speaker amplifier  210  before being heard through speaker  172 . Alternatively, the stereo CODEC  178  may digitize the analog signal received for storage at the host computer  136 . 
     It is important to note that the transmission and reception of the infrared signal occurs without any mechanical connection. The respective infrared transmitter (LED) and infrared receiver (infrared sensitive photo transistor) are simply placed in a physical orientation so that the transmission may occur uninhibited. Furthermore, any form of wireless transmission means may be used to accomplish the same data transmission channel. For example, a low strength radio signal could be transmitted and received between PCMCIA card and host computer to effectuate the same data transmission capabilities and again without burdening the electromechanical connection through the PCMCIA interface. FIG. 11 shows a typical IR transmitter and a typical IR receiver that can be implemented as part of the infrared transmission wireless signal transfer link as explained previously. Those skilled in the art will recognize how to use such a circuit and may incorporate other circuits of equivalent purpose but achieving the same transmission and reception and capabilities. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrated and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.