Modem for selectively connecting to a land line or to a cellular telephone

Abstract

A modem is incorporated into a laptop computer and directly connected to either a cellular phone, a land line, or both. The modem is provided with two connectors, one for connection with a cellular phone or external DAA, the other for connection to a normal land line via an internal DAA. The modem selectively enables either the connector for the cellular phone or external DAA, or the connector for its internal DAA. The modem defaults to selecting the cellular phone or external DAA if it is connected, and only if they are not connected selects the internal DAA. These defaults can be overridden by user commands. Further, the modem can independently power down a connected internal DAA, external DAA, or cellular phone to conserve power.

4 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the step of determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected and the step of selecting the internal data access arrangement each further comprise the steps of: 
 sending a signal instructing any connected data access arrangement to respond with a code;    attempting to receive said code; and    determining if any received code is a valid code indicating a proper data access arrangement.    
     
     
         5 . A method for establishing a communications link using a modem that includes a cellular phone connector, an external data access arrangement connector, and an internal data access arrangement, comprising the steps of: 
 determining whether an operational cellular phone is connected to the cellular phone connector;    determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected to the external data access arrangement connector;    if the operational cellular phone is connected, selecting the operational cellular phone for establishing a communications link;    if the external data access arrangement is connected, selecting the external data access arrangement for establishing a communications link; and    if neither an external data access arrangement nor an operational cellular phone is connected, selecting the internal data access arrangement for establishing a communications link.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  in which the cellular phone connector is the same connector as the external data access arrangement connector, wherein the steps of determining whether an external data access arrangement and determining whether an operational cellular phone is connected each further comprise the step of determining whether the external data access arrangement is connected to the combined cellular phone and external data access arrangement connector.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected and the step of selecting the internal data access arrangement each further comprise the steps of: 
 sending a signal instructing any connected data access arrangement to respond with a code;    attempting to receive said code; and    determining if any received code is a valid code indicating a proper data access arrangement.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of determining whether an external data access arrangement is connected and the step of selecting the internal data access arrangement each further comprise the steps of: 
 sending a signal instructing any connected data access arrangement to respond with a code;    attempting to receive said code; and    determining if any received code is a valid code indicating a proper data access arrangement.