WO2001048612A1

WO2001048612A1 - Data transmission apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2001048612A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/001578
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sammy Kannis
Original assignee: Sammy Kannis
Priority date: 1999-12-24
Filing date: 2000-12-22
Publication date: 2001-07-05
Also published as: AU719863B3

Abstract

The present invention provides a wireless communications apparatus for wireless communications between a computing device and at least one mobile telecommunications network, the apparatus including a housing with at least one data port mounted in the housing for communicating with the computing device, wherein the at least one data port is suitable for connecting to the computing device without the interconnection of a cable, and the at least one data port includes a first data port which is directly connectable to a serial port of the computing device.

Description

Data Transmission Apparatus

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns an apparatus for wireless communication between a computing device and a mobile communications network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the rise in popularity of personal computers, there has been a growing need to transmit data between computers . When computers are located far from each other geographically, a telecommunications network is required for data transmission. Landline telecommunications networks have been convenient in the past for personal computers. However, as portable or "laptop" computers become popular, mobile telecommunications networks are increasingly being used to provide wireless data transmission. Conventional "mobile" or "cellular" telephones have been used for this purpose. In order to interface a laptop computer with a mobile telephone configured for analog operation, a data adaption device such as a modem is required to adapt data being sent or received. The modem outputs tones which are fed into the mobile telephone via a cable, and is typically in the form of a thin card placed in a slot in the computer. The configuration of the modem and computer is in accordance with the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) standard.

In order to interface a laptop computer with a conventional mobile telephone configured for digital operation, a digital output port of the computer is coupled to the mobile telephone via a cable. The digital output port is typ:cally configured in accordance with the RS-232 standard.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any- other element or integer or group of elements or integers .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a wireless communications apparatus for wireless communications between a computing device and at least one mobile telecommunications network, the apparatus including a housing with at least one data port mounted in the housing for communicating with the computing device, wherein the at least one data port is suitable for connecting to the computing device without the interconnection of a cable, and the at least one data port includes a first data port which is directly connectable to a serial port of the computing device. The computing device may be any type of computing device and may be a desktop PC or laptop.

This approach is quite different to the current practice of using a cable to connect a conventional mobile telephone to a computing device. For example, the data port may comprise a plug or socket which connects directly to a respective socket or plug in a computer.

The data port of the communications apparatus may be configured to connect with a data adaptor, such as a PCMCIA card. Alternatively, the data port of the communications apparatus may be configured to connect directly to a serial data port of a computing device. Preferably, the communications apparatus includes two separate data ports, a first data port being configured to connect directly to a data adaptor without the use of a cable, and a second data port configured to connect directly to a serial data port of a computing device without the use of a cable. The first and second data ports may be located on opposite sides of the housing. The communications apparatus may include a modem inside the housing and interface directly with the computing device via a PCMCIA interface. Such an embodiment dispenses with the need to use a PCMCIA card as an interface between the apparatus and computing device. The apparatus may communicate with the mobile telecommunications network using an rf transmitter and receiver. The communications apparatus may be constructed without user interface facilities such as a keypad or display screen, thus allowing the weight and manufacturing costs to be minimised. The apparatus may be a dedicated device for communicating with a computing device and may optionally be constructed without a microphone or speaker. Other rudimentary user-interface facilities may also be provided, including a signal strength indicator, a power indicator, an "in-use" indicator, and an earphone socket. However, it will be understood that the apparatus may also include a microphone and speaker for detecting and transmitting, respectively, voice communications. The communications apparatus may optionally be powered from a power source provided in the computing device. Such an arrangement would further reduce the expense and weight of the communications apparatus. In another embodiment, the communications apparatus comprises a portable power source, such as one or more batteries. The batteries are preferably rechargeable. In another embodiment, the communications apparatus comprises a connector, such as a power socket, for connecting to an external power source.

The communications apparatus may be arranged to transmit and/or receive data over either a digital network, an analog network, or both digital and analog networks .

A second aspect of the present invention provides a wireless communications apparatus dedicated for handling telecommunications to and/or from a computing device and at least one mobile telecommunications network, the apparatus including housing with at least one data port mounted in the housing for communicating with the computing device, the at least one data port including a data port which is directly connectable to a serial data port of the computing device.

This aspect of the invention therefore preferably provides a device which is dedicated for mobile network communications with a PC and therefore does not have any other function. There is no dedicated mobile network communications device currently available for communications with computing devices .

Preferably, the data port is suitable for directly connecting to the computing device (i.e without any intervening cable) , as discussed above in relation to the first aspect of the present invention. This aspect of the present invention may have some or all of the features of the first aspect of the present invention.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a wireless communications apparatus for wireless communications between a computing device and at least one mobile telecommunications network, the apparatus not including an interface enabling the user to input telephone numbers, whereby the telephone numbers for communication are input via the computing device.

This aspect of the invention may include any or all of the features of the aspects of the invention discussed above .

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of an embodiment of a communications apparatus according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the communications apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the major components of the communications apparatus shown in Figs . 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of a wireless communications apparatus will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 - 3. The communications apparatus 10 includes a housing 20 with two data ports 30, 40 on opposite sides of the housing. The first data port 30 includes a slot 50 for connecting to a PCMCIA card. The second data port 40 includes a connector 60 for plugging into a serial port of a computer.

The housing 20 also includes an earphone socket 70, a signal strength indicator 80, a power indicator 90, an "in-use" indicator 100, a switch 110 for switching between a digital transmission mode and an analog transmission mode, and an internal aerial 120.

The main components inside the communications apparatus 10 will now be described with reference to Figure 3. A SIM (subscriber identification module) reader 130 identifies the unique code of a telephone network subscriber before establishing a network connection between the communications apparatus 10 and mobile phone network. A power supply control logic blockl40 includes electronic circuitry to maintain a correct and stable power supply, and to ensure optimal usage of a battery which powers the apparatus 10. An interface circuit 150 provides the necessary interconnection or handshaking hardware between the communications apparatus 10 and a computer. A microprocessor and control unit 160 interprets and processes serial data which is input into, and output from, a computer serial data port. The microprocessor and control unit 160 carries out the processing task of a conventional modem. The microprocessor and control unit also includes a memory

170. An audio signal converter 180 provides analogue-to- digital signal conversion circuitry which enables the apparatus to operate as an audio communications tool . A digital signal processor 190 handles digital communications data flow which occurs between a computer and a telephone network via the communications apparatus . A radio frequency transmitter and receiver 200 operates as a two-way communications facility which transmits and receives digital data processed within the digital signal processor and the microprocessor control unit.

The communications apparatus may be used to provide wireless communications with many different types of computing devices, including PC's, laptop or notebook computers, palm-sized computers, or electronic diaries, or organisers.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A wireless communications apparatus for wireless communications between a computing device and at least one mobile telecommunications network, the apparatus including a housing with at least one data port mounted in the housing for communicating with the computing device, wherein the at least one data port is suitable for connecting to the computing device without the interconnection of a cable, and the at least one data port includes a first data port which is directly connectable to a serial port of the computing device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one data port further comprises a second data port.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second data port is directly connectable to the computing device via a PCMCIA interface.

4. A wireless communications apparatus dedicated for handling telecommunications to and/or from a computing device and at least one mobile telecommunications network, the apparatus including a housing with at least one data port mounted in the housing for communicating with the computing device, the at least one data port including a data port which is directly connectable to a serial data port of the computing device.

5. A wireless communications apparatus for wireless communications between a computing device and at least one mobile telecommunications network, the apparatus not including an interface enabling the user to input telephone numbers, whereby the telephone numbers for communication are input via the computing device.

6. A wireless communications apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.