Abstract:
A method and apparatus for automatically selecting a transmission protocol for audio and/or data signal captured for transmission at a remote location. The method and apparatus detects the presence of a first priority transmission system and automatically selects the first priority system if it is present, but will select a secondary default system if the first priority system is not available. The method and apparatus of the invention also permits default to a secondary system if the first priority system is available but is inactive for any reason. Multiple priority levels may be implemented. Both wired and wireless transmission systems may be utilized.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/005,931, filed Jan. 12, 1998. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention is generally related to communications devices for transmitting data over wired and wireless transmissions systems and is specifically directed to an apparatus and method for selecting one of a plurality of transmission circuits in a multi-circuit communications device.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Wireless technology such as cellular telephones, PCS and the like have made construction and operation of low cost wireless devices commonplace. It is now possible not only to transmit audio signals such as spoken words but also to transmit video images, facsimile images, sensor data, computer data and other analog and digital signals through small, even portable, hand held, devices. For example, a device for transmitting digital video signals via a hand held cellular telephone is shown and described in the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/005,932, entitled: Method and Apparatus for Image Capture, Compression and Transmission of a Visual Image over Telephonic or Radio Transmission System, and filed on even date herewith. That application describes a hand held device for capturing visual images and converting them into a standard Group III format for transmission over cellular telephone or other wireless means to a Group III facsimile system. The device, in one embodiment, contains a cellular telephone with the image capture and transmission device embodied in a integrated hand held unit.  
           [0006]    The user of such a device may, at times, prefer to use a transmission system other than cellular/wireless due to lack of adequate cellular service, security concerns, lower cost land line service, faster land line transmission or other reliability issues. In such cases it would be desirable to be able to transmit the captured image via a land line system without relying on any wireless communication system. This often means the system has to be physically disconnected from the wireless communication device and reconnected to the land line communications system.  
           [0007]    It would be desirable to provide a means and method for automatically recognizing the presence of a land line connection, thereby intercepting the wireless communication and transmitting the data over the land line without additional input from the user and without requiring physical disconnect and reconnect.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The subject invention is directed to a method and apparatus for selecting between wireless or wired operation that is simple and transparent to the user. The switching criteria may be implemented by a solid state switch, a mechanical interface or a voltage, protocol or signal detector to establish priorities and select transmission system depending upon a variety of factors, including quality of signal, costs, encryption requirements and the like.  
           [0009]    In the simplest embodiment, a cellular telephone includes an RJ-11 jack which, when not connected to a land line, permits the cellular telephone to operate in the normal manner. Whenever a land line is connected to the RJ-11 jack, the cellular handset operates as a normal land line telephone, with all dialing activating the land line and not the cellular system and with incoming calls being received via the land line. Voice communications operate in a normal wired telephone mode. It is also a feature of the invention that cellular incoming calls may be detected and received via the cellular system during the time when the RJ-11 jack is connected to a land line, whereby incoming cellular calls are not missed. The system is also adapted for incorporating an RJ-45 jack, whereby Internet transmission can be selected on lieu of wireless or other transmission systems. This permits the user to operate over the desirable system, whether the priority is costs, security, reliability, speed or a combination of these criteria. The priority hierarchy is arbitrary, depending on application.  
           [0010]    In the preferred embodiments of the invention, means for detecting the presence of a wireline service is provided directly on the cellular handset. This is accomplished by physical insertion of a wireline into the RJ-11 or RJ-45 jack or by electrical detection of the wireline itself. The following embodiments have been incorporated to accomplish this function: (1) a physical switch is installed behind the RJ-11 or RJ-45 jack to detect insertion of a wireline plug; (2) optical detection; (3) detection of a dial tone or other audio detection; (4) detection of line voltage to determine the presence of a connection, (5) detection of the presence of a digital signal or digital protocol to determine the presence of a connection. A combination of detection systems may be utilized for better reliability. For example, if a physical switch is used in combination with the dial tone detector, the system will go into land line mode as soon as a wireline plug is inserted in the RJ-11 jack. However, if no dial tone is detected when a transmission is initiated, the system will default to the wireless mode.  
           [0011]    The same methods can also be employed to switch between first priority and second or lower priority transmission systems of the same genre. For example, the system may include a low cost wired, Internet based standard land line primary system and a high cost, wired, secure land line secondary transmission system. The apparatus and method of the present invention permits the system to always select the low cost line, for example, if it is present by being connected through the RJ-45 jack, but will default to the secondary transmission system through the RJ-11 jack if the low cost Internet based line is not connected, or cannot be accessed. Another example would be the use of multiple wireless systems such as PCS wireless backed up by analog wireless or cellular. Wired and wireless systems could also be combined a as primary and secondary systems.  
           [0012]    The methods and apparatus of the invention are equally suitable for use with voice communications, data transmission and image transmission (as described in the aforementioned co-pending application). This increases the overall versatility and reliability of the system by eliminating the dependency on one transmission system.  
           [0013]    The versatility is particularly valuable for users who must have near uninterrupted service availability. For example, wireless service may not be adequate, or may be altogether unavailable, in certain areas. Interference may effect the quality of the transmission. Security may be an issue. Law enforcement, fire and medical emergency services and other high response or high security users will require reliable transmission systems under a variety of circumstances. The availability of transparent primary, secondary, and even tertiary communications systems are extremely advantageous in such applications.  
           [0014]    Therefore, it is an object and feature of the subject invention to provide for a simple and reliable method of and apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of transmission systems for transmitting data.  
           [0015]    It is a further object and feature of the invention to provide for a method and apparatus for selecting a transmission system in a transparent manner, without disruption to the user.  
           [0016]    It is also an object and feature of the invention to provide for a method and apparatus for automatically selecting between a wired and a wireless transmission system.  
           [0017]    It is also an object and feature of the invention to provide for a method and apparatus for selecting between multiple wired systems or between multiple wireless systems.  
           [0018]    It is an additional object and feature of the invention to provide for a method and apparatus for automatically selecting between a wired and a wireless transmission system for transmitting visual image data collected by a remote hand held capture and transmission device.  
           [0019]    It is yet another object and feature of the invention to provide for a method and apparatus for detecting the availability of a preferred transmission system and for automatically defaulting to a secondary system in the event of unavailability or high error rates.  
           [0020]    Other objects and features of the invention will be readily apparent from the drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switch for an RJ-11 modular style connector incorporating the physical features of the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2A is a decision flow diagram consistent with the configuration shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2B is a decision flow diagram showing multiple transmission options.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2C is a decision flow diagram similar to FIG. 2B, expanded to show a select and failure default loop for each circuit option.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2D is a decision flow diagram showing multiple transmission options combining wired and wireless transmission option.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a decision flow diagram for a system including a default mode.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 4A and 4B comprise perspective views of a hand held device incorporating the features of the invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is a decision flow diagram for a system including primary, secondary and tertiary transmission systems and related default modes.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 is a configuration of the system for a wireless only embodiment using a cellular telephone.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 is a configuration for a three protocol wireless system.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is a configuration for a three protocol wireless system incorporating a data modem.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 9 is a configuration for a three protocol wireless system incorporating a data modem in combination with an audio transmitting and receiving capability.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 10 is a configuration for a three protocol wireless system for use with an agile wireless radio transmission system.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11 is a configuration for a three protocol wireless system for use with an agile wireless radio transmission system and incorporating a data modem.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 12 is a configuration for a three protocol wireless system for use with an agile wireless radio transmission system and incorporating a data modem in combination with an audio transmitting and receiving capability.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 9 showing a multiple input system combination for both wireless and wired systems in combination with discrete circuitry.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 14 is a system having multiple input capability with multiple wired and wireless systems in combination with shared circuitry.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 15 is a DSP based highly integrated configuration of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]    The preferred embodiments of the invention comprise a method of and apparatus for transparently selecting one of a plurality of transmission schemes for transmitting audio and/or data signals from a hand held, portable signal capture device. The connections to the transmission system can be any compatible method including, by way of example, an RJ-11 switch for land line telephone, an 8 pin modular jack such as an RJ-45 type jack, for ISDN, LAN, Internet or Ethernet transmission, or other. While for convenience of discussion reference is made to RJ-11 and RJ-45 jacks throughout the description, such terms are not intended to be limiting.  
         [0040]    A physical switch configuration is shown in FIG. 1 and utilizes an RJ-11 modular jack which can be installed in hand held, portable data capture and transmission device. In the simplest form, a cellular telephone or similar portable device would include the RJ-11 modular jack  10  installed directly in the unit.  
         [0041]    As shown in FIG. 1, the modular jack  10  includes a receptacle or socket  12  adapted for receiving a standard mated plug (not shown) on a wireline POTS (plain old telephone service) telephone system. A pair of switch contacts  14 ,  16  are provided with a plunger  18  being positioned to be intercepted by the wireline plug when it is inserted in the receptacle  12 . When the wireline plug is inserted, the plunger  18  is engaged and moved to close the contacts  14  and  16 , completing the circuit therebetween, positively indicating the presence of a wireline plug. The system then sends the transmissions over the wireline rather than over the cellular system.  
         [0042]    A simple decision flow diagram for this system is shown in FIG. 2A. As there shown, the contacts  14 ,  16  define the basic decision block  20  for determining the presence of the wireline connection. If the wireline is detected, then all transmissions are via wireline as indicated at  24 . If the wireline is not present, then all transmissions continue to be via the wireless system as indicated at  22 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 2B shows a generic flow diagram for selecting a prioritzed transmission system based on either pre-programmed priority parameters, or on operator input, as will be further explained. Once the presence of a signal to be transmitted is detected as indicated at Start  41 , the highest priority system is initially checked as indicated at  43  and transmission is initiated by the YES decision and as indicatd at circuit “A”  45 . In the event the highest priority system is not available a NO decision then initiates the detection of the presence of the next priority system “B”  49  as indicated at decision block  47 . This continues in hierarchal order through system “C”  63  as decision block  51 , and so on. If no system is availabe, an ERROR signal is generated at  55 . The classes or systems and number of systems utilized is virtually limitless.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 2C is also set up to select and use, in priority order, circuit “A”  45 , circuit “B”  49  or circuit “C”  53 , as in FIG. 2C. In addition, the system of FIG. 2C includes a select and default loop for each circuit, as indicated by the select circuit “A” block  57  and the failure check mode identified as the circuit “A” fails decision block  59 . As shown, if circuit “A” is determined to be present at  43 , it is selected as indicated at  57 . Then secondary check at  59  permits the system to default back to the priority selection process in the event circuit “A” fails for any reason. Similar select and default blocks are provided for each of the circuit options, as indicated by blocks  61  and  63  for circuit “B”  49 , and blocks  65  and  67  for circuit “C”  53 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 2D shows a decision flow diagram for a multiple level system incorporating the teachings of FIGS. 1 and 2A. The apparatus and method of the invention permit transparent selection of any first priority transmission system over secondary systems, as demonstrated in FIG. 2B. This is true whether the wired systems is landline telephone, Internet, network or other. The system also permits prioritizing connections to maximize transmission criteria. For example, if security is the primary criterium, then the priority system would be of highest security. If cost is the major issue, then the first priority would be the lowest cost transmission alternative. FIG. 2A shows a system with four transmission options in a prioritized hierarchy. When a transmission is initiated, as shown at  19 , the system first checks for the lowest cost connection, such as the Internet on an RJ-45 network connection at  21  and uses the Internet as indicated at  23 , if available. If the Internet connection is not available at  25 , the system defaults to an ISDN connection, as shown at  27 . The third priority is landline telephone (POTS) as indicated at  20 , which is chosen, if available, see  24 . In the event none of the above are available, the system defaults to wireless, see  29  and  22 , or indicate error, as at  31 , if no system is operable. The priority scheme and the options available is arbitrary, based on application.  
         [0046]    It is desirable that the system be capable of confirming that the wireline is not only available but is also in an operative mode to assure proper transmission. As shown in FIG. 3 once the presence of a wireline has been detected at  20 , the operability of the wireline is confirmed by checking for the presence of a dial tone, as shown at  26 . If a dial tone is detected, the wireline is selected as indicated at  24 . If a dial tone is not detected, the system defaults to wireless, as indicated at  30 . Where desired, an error message can be sent to the user, as indicated at  28 , to alert the user that the wireline transmission system is not being use even though it was selected. This may be particularly important for security issues, and will permit the user to interrupt transmission if the default mode is not acceptable.  
         [0047]    A typical cellular telephone device  32  with a visual image transmission module  34  attached to it is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The visual image transmission module  34  is connected to the cellular telephone via the cable  36  and the data port  38  on the telephone. The standard battery pack  40  is mounted on the visual image transmission module  34 . This system is more fully described in the aforementioned co-pending application Ser. No. 09/005,932, entitled: Method and Apparatus for Image Capture, Compression and Transmission of a Visual Image over Telephonic or Radio Transmission System, filed on even date herewith and incorporated by reference therein. The RJ-11 jack  10  is mounted in the module  34  and the logic circuitry for operating the switching and verification sequence is located in the module, thus eliminating any modification of the base telephone unit  32 . An ISDN RJ-45 jack II and an LAN RJ-45 jack  13  is also provided. The wireless transmission is transmitted via the antenna  33 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 5 is a basic decision flow diagram for a three protocol system. As wireless services become more pervasive, additional types of services will become available. There are currently available analog AMPS format, E-AMPS, N-AMPS, PCS, GSM and digital versions of AMPS systems. “Satellite Cellular” systems such as proposed in Iridium, Teledesic and others are also scheduled to come into service. These services, in any order and mix, can be prioritized and automatically selected. As shown in FIG. 5, a facsimile camera or other data capture system (not shown, see FIG. 4) can implement a wireline interface, a PCS interface and/or a cellular interface in any selected prioritization, for transmission, for example, to any Group III facsimile receiving station. The services can be configured to select the highest priority based on user criteria such as cost, security, reliability and/or speed of transmission. For example, one system may have priority over another for data transmission because of reliability issues, whereas a second system may have priority for voice transmission because of cost issues. The method of priority can further be user selected, such as costs, security, personal/business use and the like.  
         [0049]    As shown in FIG. 5, the basic decision detecting the presence of a wireline is made at  20 , utilizing the RJ-11 switch as in the previous configurations. If a wireline is present, the logic proceeds as shown in FIG. 3, and as indicated at blocks  20 ,  26 , and  24 . In the event a wireline is not present, the system will first look for a PCS connection, as indicated at  42 . If detected the PCS system is activated as indicated at  44 . If the PCS system is not detected, the system attempts to select a cellular system as indicated at block  46 . If the cellular system is detected, it is activated as indicated at  48 . If none of the systems are detected or active, an error signal is produced as shown at  50 . That is, if the PCS connection is not successful, the system defaults back to a cellular service.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 6 is an illustration of a system wherein one of a plurality of cellular telephone systems, as indicated at  56 , would be selected based on predetermined criteria in the control processor  60 , for transmission via the antenna  58 . The voice input and output of the system is throught the microphone  52  and the speaker  54 , respectively. The control processor  60  may be preprogrammed or may be operator controlled, as indicated by the keypad  62 , with operator monitoring at display  64 . The system permits selection of a transmission scheme based on three distinct criteria groups: (1) type of input/output; (2) operating parameters or conditions; and (3) type of transmission. For example, the input may be either digital or analog under group (1). The operating parameters may include costs, quality of transmission, requirement for encryption, type of transmission, e.g., personal or business, geographic limitations, and the like. Transmisson systems can be any of the availble systems ranging from, by way of example, land line telephone, cellular telephone, radio, Internet, Ethernet, LAN and other systems.  
         [0051]    The logic circuitry and decision logic for a first configuration utilizing a plurality of wireless transmission schemes is shown in more detail in FIG. 7. Multiple wireless transceivers of the same or different genre are supported by this configuration. For example, Wireless “A”  66  could be a cellular telepephone, whereas wireless “B” could be a dedicated frequency radio and wireless “c” an agile frequency radio. Any combination can be utilized based on application. In the configuration shown, the control processor will use a logic decision flow in the same manner as set forth in FIG. 5 to select between wireless A transmission system  66 , wireless B transmission system  68  and wireless C transmission system  70 . For example, the wireless A system  66  may be first priority, corresponding to a “yes” decision at block  20  of FIG. 5. Wireless A cannot be detected, the system defaults first to wireless B and then to wireless C. If no system can be accessed, an error signal will be provided at display  64 .  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 8 illustrates a system similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, but adapted for data transmission. In the system there shown, a data modem  72  provides the input/output device for the radio transmission systems  66 ,  68  and  70 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 9 illustrates a combination data and audio system, and as indicated includes logic for selecting either the audio mode or the data mode, see control lines  74  and  76 , respectively. The mode may be selected either by input from the keypad  62  or may be automated to detect either a data signal or an audio signal.  
         [0054]    Multiple communication schemes, such as multiple individual radios, or a single universal programmable radio, may be used for multiple wireless service systems. A single programmable agile radio is a preferred embodiment because less hardware, space and power is required by the universal radio. This configuration is illustrated in FIG. 10 for an audio transmission device. Multiple system schemes are particularly useful for users having near 100% circuit availability requirements, such as, by way of example, law enforcement or emergency operations. Any single wireless service may not be available at a given moment because of geographic proximity of the radio system, equipment failure, circuity unavailability due to heavy usage, electrical interference, or other service interruptions. Many user systems currently rely on a dedicated transmission system such as, by way of example, a dedicated municipal radio system. While these are often proprietary and are not based on common carriers and standard circuits such as PCS or cellular systems, they can be overloaded or inoperative at times, making emergency transmissions difficult. By creating a secondary proprietary or even a common carrier backup, critical time can be saved when primary transmission systems are non-functional.  
         [0055]    As shown in FIG. 10, a typical wireless radio transmission circuit in accordance with the present invention will include an audio input device such as microphone  32  and an audio output device such as speaker  54 , providing input to a programmable wireless radio  56 , in the well known manner, for transmission via a typical antenna  58 . The teachings of the subject invention may be incorporated by utilizing the control processor  60  to define and program the logic decisions via an input device such as keyboard  62 . An optional display system may be provided. The select controls  80 ,  82  and  83  for the programmable radio  56  identify the radio system or frequency for transmission based on predetermined criteria.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 adapted for data transmission.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 12 is a configuration similar to FIG. 10 adapted for a combination audio and data system, along the lines of the system shown in FIG. 9.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 9 and shows a system capable of selecting between the wireless transceiver  66 , a wired LAN connected through the RJ-45 jack, the LAN interface  92 , protocol engine  94  and the CODEC module  96 , or the POTS interface  98  and RJ-11 jack  100  utilizing discrete circuitry depending on the transmission system selected. In this embodiment, there are three genre or classes of transmission available, wireless as indicated by transceiver  66  and antenna  58 ; wired LAN as indicated the the CODEC module  96 , the protocol engine  94  and the LAN interface  92 , with an RJ-11 connector jack  90 ; and land line or POTS telephone, as indicated by the POTS interface  98  and the RJ-11 connector jack  100 . The input may be either digital, as indicated by the data modem  53 , or analog, as indicated by the microphone  52  and the speaker  54 . Where an analog transmissions system is used, sych as the wireless transceiver or the POTS interface, the analog input is connected directly to the transceiver. Where a digital input signal is to be sent over an analog output system the signal is converted, and likewise, where an analog signal is sent over digital transmission systems. For example, the CODEC module compresses and digitizes analog audio input for transmission via the internet and decompresses and converts digital signal recieved via the internet for receipt at the analog I/O device such as speaker  54 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 14 is a comprehensive system for transmitting text data via an I/O device, or a modem interface  104 , as well as voice via the voice CODEC module, as in FIG. 13, but utilizes a shared circuitry or complex circurity configuration. In this configuration, three input devices are provided, a digital text data I/O  102 , a digital data modem  104  and an analog I/O comprising Micropone  110  and speaker  108 . The analog data bus is provided as indicated at  111 ,  113 , and when conversion between digital and anolg voice signals are required, the voice CODEC  106  is employed. A digital data bus is provided at  107 ,  109  for directing the digital signal to a protocol engine for provided output sinals in proper protocol on signal bus  113 ,  115 . The example shown in FIG. 10 supports transmission over a plurality of analog and digital transmission systems, as follows: a first digital wireless system “A”  112 , a second digital wireless system “B ”  114 , a digital LAN system  116  supported by the RJ-45 jack  117 , an analog wireless tranceiver  118  such as a cellular telephone and a land line telephone sytem as indicated by POTS interface  120  supported by RJ-11 jack  121 . As previously described, the analog signals bypass the protocol engine  111  when transmitted or received via an analog system. The control processor  122  provides control parameters including the priority selection procedure and may be operator controll at keypad  126  or may be pre programmed. A display  124  provides operator monitoring capability. This system will permit complex priority decisions. For example, one transmission system may be first priority for a voice only transmission, whereas a second system may be first priority for a text only data transmission. Time of day may be a factor in choosing priorities as well, depending on whether a transmission is sent during peak or off-peak periods.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 15 is a DSP based highly integrated embodiment of the complex, combination system as shown in FIG. 14, with all of the input from the data device and voice systems being input into a central processor  128  for conditioning. The output from the processor is then introduced to the various transmission interfaces, including the agile radio  130 , POTS interface  132  and RJ-11 jack  133 , and the LAN interface  134  and RJ-11 jack  135 . As before, operator monitoring and control is provided by the display  136  and the keyboard interface  138 . The processor  128  provices the functions of the protocol engine, the CODEC, various I/O conditioning schemes, as well as control parameters for selecting and prioritizing transmission systems. The DSP processor also provided check switch status, and can monitor and check for the presence of line voltages or various audio signals such as a dial tone, busy tone, progress tone, modem tones, ringing tones and the like to determine the availability and operability of the selected transmission schemes. The processor is also utilized to check for and confirm the presence of data and to verify the protocol for transmission and receipt. Where desired, the processor can be utilized for general purpose functions, as well, such as network supervision, and system monitoring and control.  
         [0061]    The method and apparatus of the subject invention greatly enhances the reliability of data and audio transmission by providing multiple transmission schemes which may be automatically selected without input from the user. While certain features and embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, it will be readily understood that the invention includes all modifications and enhancements within the scope and spirit of the following claims.