Abstract: A data communication device is provided that can be connected to a host computer to add communications capabilities to the host. The data communication device contains a user-programmable multi-channel pager/e-mail receiver that has both numeric and alphanumeric capabilities and a modem. Further, the data communication device may be used with the host as a telephone set or a telephone answering machine. When the device is used as a telephone answering machine and a user desires to retrieve stored messages, the local telephone office is prevented from placing a fast busy signal on the telephone line. The user can update the firmware of the data communication device, or it can be updated remotely by downloading a new firmware version using the pager/e-mail receiver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing high speed inter-computer data transmission using multiple low speed communication links. At the transmitting site, a high speed data stream is split into multiple low speed data stream and multiplexed onto to the low speed links. The receiver demultiplexes, buffers, and synchronizes the multiple low speed data streams to recreate the high speed data stream.