The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 2000
Filed:
May. 02, 1997
Steven A Tuckner, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., Moundsview, MN (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides for a virtual modem device for connecting to a plurality of active communication applications in an environment wherein communication applications utilize a communications driver when talking to an actual modem attached to the system. The virtual modem device selectively connects the communication applications to an actual modem, handles and connects incoming calls to the appropriate communication application, and provides for direct connection capability. The invention utilizes a software communications driver and a master communications application to control the driver connectivity to fool each communication application that it is connected to the actual modem. The virtual modem is implemented by creating a communications driver in software that emulates a modem in idle mode (e.g., when it is not off-hook and in command mode) and is utilized for each communication application that is connected to a communication port designated as a virtual modem.