U.S. patent application number 09/145146 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-09 for method and system for a wireless digital message service.
Invention is credited to ECKERSLEY, STEPHEN W., FRAZIER, EDWARD C., TERMINI, EUGENE D., WEIR, III, VICTOR A..
Application Number | 20010012339 09/145146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22511792 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010012339 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FRAZIER, EDWARD C. ; et
al. |
August 9, 2001 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A WIRELESS DIGITAL MESSAGE SERVICE
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and system for
transmitting a digital message from a source to one or more
receiving devices. After the digital message is received from the
source, the one or more receiving devices are selected from a list
of addressable receiving devices and the digital message is routed
through a local area network until the digital message can be
transmitted to the one or more receiving devices. The digital
message is then transmitted to the one or more receiving devices
using a single wireless transmission. Alternatively, the present
invention provides a method and system for transmitting a digital
message from a source to one or more destinations. After the
digital message is received from the source, the digital message is
transmitted over a wireless communications link to each of the one
or more destinations, if any, that has a device for receiving the
digital message over the wireless communications link. The digital
message is also transmitted over a telephone network to each of the
one or more destinations, if any, that has a device for receiving
the digital message over the telephone network but not over the
wireless communications link.
Inventors: |
FRAZIER, EDWARD C.;
(ARLINGTON, TX) ; WEIR, III, VICTOR A.;
(ARLINGTON, TX) ; TERMINI, EUGENE D.; (ROCKWALL,
TX) ; ECKERSLEY, STEPHEN W.; (ARLINGTON, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DANIEL J CHALKER
GARDERE & WYNNE
SUITE 3000
1601 ELM STREET
DALLAS
TX
75201
|
Family ID: |
22511792 |
Appl. No.: |
09/145146 |
Filed: |
September 1, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/93.01 ;
358/400; 379/93.05; 379/93.24; 455/557 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00108 20130101;
H04N 1/32797 20130101; H04W 4/12 20130101; H04N 1/00281 20130101;
H04W 4/06 20130101; H04N 1/00103 20130101; H04N 1/00315
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/93.01 ;
379/93.05; 379/93.24; 358/400; 455/557 |
International
Class: |
H04M 011/00; H04N
001/00; H04M 001/00; H04B 001/38 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for transmitting a digital message from a source to one
or more receiving devices, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving the digital message from the source; selecting the one or
more receiving devices from a list of addressable receiving
devices; routing the digital message through a local area network
until the digital message can be transmitted to the one or more
receiving devices; and transmitting the digital message to the one
or more receiving devices using a single wireless transmission.
2. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
digital message is a facsimile message.
3. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
digital message is a color facsimile message.
4. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
digital message is an advertisement.
5. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
digital message is a bill.
6. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
single wireless transmission is a radio frequency broadcast.
7. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
single wireless transmission is a satellite broadcast.
8. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
source is a facsimile machine.
9. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
source is a wireless facsimile machine.
10. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
source is a scanner.
11. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
source is a computer.
12. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
list of addressable receiving devices comprises one or more
wireless facsimile machines.
13. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
list of addressable receiving devices comprises one or more
wireless facsimile adapters, each wireless facsimile adapter
connected to a facsimile machine.
14. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the
list of addressable receiving devices comprises one or more
wireless computer adapters, each wireless computer adapter
connected to a computer.
15. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, further
comprising the step of routing the digital message through a wide
area network until the one or more receiving devices are accessible
through the local area network.
16. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices as recited in claim 1, further
comprising the step of confirming that the one or more receiving
devices have received the digital message.
17. A method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving the digital message from the source; transmitting the
digital message over a wireless communications link to each of the
one or more destinations, if any, that has a device for receiving
the digital message over the wireless communications link; and
transmitting the digital message over a telephone network to each
of the one or more destinations, if any, that has a device for
receiving the digital message over the telephone network but not
over the wireless communications link.
18. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 17, further comprising
the step of selecting the one or more destinations from a list of
destinations.
19. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 17, wherein the
wireless communications link is a radio frequency transmission.
20. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 17, wherein the
wireless communications link is a satellite data link.
21. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 17, wherein the device
for receiving the digital message over the wireless communications
link comprises a wireless facsimile machine.
22. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 17, wherein the
digital message is transmitted to the device for receiving the
digital message over the wireless communications link using a
single wireless transmission.
23. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 17, wherein the device
for receiving the digital message over the telephone network but
not over the wireless communications link comprises a facsimile
machines connected to a telephone network.
24. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 17, further comprising
the step of creating the digital message by scanning one or more
documents.
25. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 17, further comprising
the step of routing the digital message through a local area
network until the digital message can be transmitted to each of the
one or more destinations.
26. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 25, further comprising
the step of routing the digital message through a wide area network
until each of the one or more destinations are accessible through
the local area network.
27. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 17, further comprising
the step of confirming that the devices at the one or more
destinations received the digital message.
28. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 27, wherein the
confirmation is transmitted over the wireless communications
link.
29. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 27, wherein the
confirmation is transmitted over the telephone network.
30. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 17, further comprising
the step of sending a hard copy of the digital message to each of
the one or more destinations, if any, that do not have a device for
receiving the digital message over the wireless communications link
or the telephone network.
31. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 30, further comprising
the steps of: printing the hard copy of the digital message; and
packaging the hard copy for delivery to each of the one or more
destinations that are not capable of receiving the digital message
over the wireless communications link or the telephone network.
32. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 30, wherein the hard
copy is sent by mail.
33. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 30, wherein the hard
copy is sent by a priority mail service.
34. The method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more destinations as recited in claim 30, wherein the hard
copy is sent by a courier service.
35. A method for transmitting a digital message from a source to
one or more receiving devices, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving the digital message from the source; routing the digital
message through a local area network until the digital message can
be transmitted to each of the one or more receiving devices;
transmitting the digital message over a wireless communications
link to each of the one or more destinations, if any, that has a
device for receiving the digital message over the wireless
communications link; transmitting the digital message over a
telephone network to each of the one or more destinations, if any,
that has a device for receiving the digital message over the
telephone network but not over the wireless communications link;
and sending a hard copy of the digital message to each of the one
or more destinations that do not have devices for receiving the
digital message over the wireless communications link or the
telephone network.
36. A system for transmitting a digital message, the system
comprising: one or more devices capable of receiving the digital
message over a wireless communications link; a communications
network comprising one or more communication nodes communicably
linked to one or more server computers, each communication node
having a broadcast range and the capability of establishing the
wireless communications link and transmitting the digital message
to the one or more devices that are located within the broadcast
range; and the one or more server computers receiving the digital
message from a source and routing the digital message over the
communications network to the one or more communication nodes that
will transmit the digital message to the one or more devices.
37. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, further comprising: one or more devices capable of
receiving the digital message over a telephone network; a telephone
network interface communicably linking each server computer to the
telephone network; and the one or more server computers routing the
digital message to the one or more devices capable of receiving the
digital message over the telephone network using the telephone
network interface.
38. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, wherein the wireless communications link is a radio
frequency transmission.
39. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, wherein the source is a facsimile machine connected to a
telephone network.
40. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, wherein the one or more communication nodes are
communicably linked to the one or more server computers using
microwave communication links.
41. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, wherein the one or more communication nodes are
communicably linked to the one or more server computers using fiber
optic communication links.
42. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, wherein the source is a wireless facsimile machine.
43. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, wherein the source is a scanner.
44. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, wherein the source is a computer.
45. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, wherein the one or more devices comprise one or more
wireless facsimile machines.
46. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, wherein the digital message is transmitted to more than
one of the receiving devices that are capable of receiving the
digital message over the wireless communications link using a
single wireless transmission.
47. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 36, wherein the one or more receiving devices comprise one or
more facsimile machines connected to a telephone network.
48. A system for transmitting a digital message, the system
comprising: one or more devices capable of receiving the digital
message over a wireless communications link; a satellite
communications network communicably linked to one or more server
computers and capable of establishing the wireless communications
link and transmitting the digital message to the one or more
devices; and the one or more server computers receiving the digital
message from the source and routing the digital message over the
satellite communications network to the one or more devices.
49. The system for transmitting a digital message as recited in
claim 48, further comprising: one or more devices capable of
receiving the digital message over a telephone network; a telephone
network interface communicably linking each server computer to the
telephone network; and the one or more server computers routing the
digital message to the one or more devices capable of receiving the
digital message over the telephone network using the telephone
network interface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless
communication networks, and more particularly to a method and
system for a wireless digital message service.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Without limiting the scope of the present invention, this
background of the present invention is described in connection with
radio frequency facsimile communication networks. The present
invention, however, is not limited to providing facsimile services
in a radio frequency communication network and is applicable to
providing any type of digital message service in a wireless
communication network.
[0003] Telephone based facsimile machines typically require
multiple analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversions. These
conversions reduce the accuracy and efficiency of facsimile
transmissions. Moreover, telephone based facsimile machines are not
capable of receiving or sending color facsimile messages.
[0004] Similarly, broadcast facsimile systems typically send
telephone based facsimile messages to a list of known telephone
numbers, each telephone number presumably providing a connection to
a facsimile machine. Each telephone number is called until all the
telephone numbers on a list have been dialed. If there are errors
during transmission or a busy signal is received, the number is
re-dialed later. Such a system is inefficient, time consuming and
expensive. For example, sending a one page facsimile message that
will take at least thirty (30) seconds to transmit, will take at
least 50 minutes to send the facsimile message to one hundred (100)
facsimile machines. Moreover, many individuals consider this type
of system to be annoying.
[0005] In addition, most facsimile systems do not allow for mobile
facsimile machines. And those systems that do typically utilize a
pager-size data receiver that is plugged into a computer and
printer when a fax is received, rather than a true facsimile
machine. Furthermore, the process to receive and print out the
facsimile message is complicated and tedious.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Other features and advantages of the present invention shall
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to
the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
[0007] The present invention provides a method for transmitting a
digital message from a source to one or more receiving devices.
After the digital message is received from the source, the one or
more receiving devices are selected from a list of addressable
receiving devices and the digital message is routed through a local
area network until the digital message can be transmitted to the
one or more receiving devices. Thereafter, the digital message is
transmitted to the one or more receiving devices using a single
wireless transmission.
[0008] Alternatively, the present invention provides a method for
transmitting a digital message from a source to one or more
receiving destinations. After the digital message is received from
the source, the digital message is transmitted over a wireless
communications link to each of the one or more destinations, if
any, that has a device for receiving the digital message over the
wireless communications link. The digital message is also
transmitted over a telephone network to each of the one or more
destinations, if any, that has a device for receiving the digital
message over the telephone network but not over the wireless
communications link.
[0009] The present invention also provides a method wherein after
the digital message is received from the source, the digital
message is routed through a wide area network, if necessary, until
each of the one or more receiving destinations are accessible by a
local area network. The digital message is then routed through the
local area network until the digital message can be transmitted to
each of the one or more destinations. Next, the digital message is
transmitted over a wireless communications link to each of the one
or more destinations, if any, that has a device for receiving the
digital message over the wireless communications link. The digital
message is also transmitted over a telephone network to each of the
one or more destinations, if any, that has a device for receiving
the digital message over the telephone network but not over the
wireless communications link. In addition, a hard copy of the
digital message is sent to one or more destinations, if any, that
do not have a device for receiving the digital message over the
wireless communications link or the telephone network.
[0010] In addition, the present invention provides a system that
includes one or more devices capable of receiving the digital
message over a wireless communications link, a communications
network comprising one or more communication nodes communicably
linked to one or more server computers and a telephone network
interface communicably linked to each server computer. Each
communication node is capable of establishing the wireless
communications link and transmitting the digital message to the one
or more devices. The one or more server computers receive the
digital message from the source, route the digital message over the
communications network to the one or more devices, if any, that are
located at the one or more receiving devices, and transmit the
digital message to the one or more receiving devices, if any, that
do not have the one or more devices using the telephone network
interface.
[0011] The present invention also provides a system that includes
one or more devices capable of receiving the digital message over a
wireless communications link, a satellite communications network
communicably linked to one or more server computers and a telephone
network interface communicably linked to each server computer. The
satellite communications network is capable of establishing the
wireless communications link and transmitting the digital message
to the one or more devices. The one or more server computers
receive the digital message from the source, route the digital
message over the communications network to the one or more devices,
if any, that are located at the one or more receiving devices, and
transmit the digital message to the one or more receiving devices,
if any, that do not have the one or more devices using the
telephone network interface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and further advantages of the present invention
may be better understood by referring to the following description
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1A illustrates a network topology using six wireless
fax nodes having various ranges and being communicably connected to
a single wireless fax server in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1B illustrates various communication links that can be
used to communicably connect the wireless fax nodes to the wireless
fax server and wireless fax machines in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating the major functional
components for a wireless fax node in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating the major functional
components for a wireless fax node and server in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating the major functional
components for a wireless fax machine in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating the major functional
components for a wireless fax adapter for use with an existing fax
machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating the major functional
components for a wireless fax adapter for use with a personal
computer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0020] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the processing steps for
delivering a digital message in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention provides a wireless digital message
service capable of sending digital messages that are addressed to
individual customers as well as specific delivery areas such as zip
codes. The use of wireless receiving devices, such as wireless
facsimile machine, provides the benefit of allowing the receiving
device to be mobile. In addition, a wireless system allows the
digital messages to be sent in color, which is highly desirable for
businesses wanting to use the system for advertising. Moreover, the
service can alternatively send the digital messages over a public
switched telephone network ("PSTN") to people and businesses that
have regular facsimile machines. And lastly, the service can print,
package and address the digital messages for delivery by mail,
priority mail or courier service to people and businesses that do
not have a facsimile machine.
[0022] The present invention uses an addressing system that
individually identifies and addresses each customer's wireless
facsimile machine. One such addressing system is the Golay
Sequential Code, which uses two code words to represent the end
users address and has a maximum system capacity of four million
users. The selection of codes and formats may depend on a number of
factors, such as the number of subscribers to be served, the number
of addresses assigned to each subscriber, the expected faxing rate,
sectoring arrangement, the data transmission rates possible over
the linking network, the propagation factors of the radio
frequencies to be used, the type of service (fixed or mobile), the
cost of the functionality and the expected error rates. The
addressing system is used in one-way systems to allow businesses to
direct advertising to certain customers and certify receipt. This
allows an advertiser to specify a particular delivery zone, such as
by zip code. In a two-way system the addressing system directs the
transmission to the proper recipient. Certification of delivery is
kept by recording the actual transmission time and destination of
the information in a log.
[0023] The system capacity of the present invention may depend on
the number and characteristics of the radio channels used, the
number of times each channel is reused within the system, the
actual faxing location requirements of the users, the peak
information (address and message) requirements in a location,
tolerable faxing delay, data transmission rate, code efficiency,
diagnostic routines, error detection/correction, protocols,
automatic retry mechanisms, one way and two way networks,
modulation scheme and signal to noise ratio ("S/N"). The number of
communication nodes that are required for an area will depend on
the number of customers and interference factors, such as rain
attenuation, foliage and distance attenuation. Additional
communication nodes may be added by using lower power levels at
each node, re-using frequencies and adding additional cells.
[0024] The service provided by the present invention is also
scalable. The present invention can be implemented as a single node
system and later modified into a multiple node system. The maximum
number of nodes is typically driven by the capacity required for
the customers served. Moreover existing fax protocols limit the
transmission rate because of the extensive time of call setup,
e.g., request-to-send and clear-to-send. A better method is to
transmit the fax as a data file, i.e. TIF, BITMAP, etc. Using this
method, a fax page transmitted at 9600 bps as a data file will take
approximately 5 seconds instead of 33 seconds per page. The
advantages of sending facsimile messages as data files are higher
data throughput, ability to send color faxes, less costly
infrastructure, and transmission as synchronous data, which
eliminates the need for GPS equipment.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1A, a network topology is illustrated
using six wireless fax nodes 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Each of the wireless fax nodes 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 have
various ranges that are illustrated by circles 34, 36, 38, 40, 42
and 44. The physical arrangement of the fax nodes 22, 24, 26, 28,
30 and 32 will vary depending on bandwidth, power ratings,
frequency, terrain, the area to be covered and volume. Similarly,
the ranges 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 will vary based on the same
factors. The wireless fax nodes 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 are
communicably connected to a single wireless fax server 46 by
communication links 48, 50, 52, 54 and 56. These communication
links 48, 50, 52, 54 and 56 may be microwave, fiber optic or other
reasonable communication methods.
[0026] Now referring to FIG. 1B, some of the communication links
that may be used to communicably connect the wireless fax nodes to
the wireless fax server and wireless fax machines are illustrated
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
In this example, wireless fax server 46 transmits a facsimile
message to wireless fax node receiver/transmitter 22 via a
microwave communications link 48. The facsimile message is then
transmitted to the destination wireless fax 58 via wireless
communication link 60. Alternatively, wireless fax server 46
transmits a facsimile message to wireless fax node
receiver/transmitter 26 via a fiber optic cable 56. The facsimile
message is then transmitted to the destination wireless fax 62 via
wireless communication link 64.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 2A, a block diagram illustrating the
major functional components for a wireless fax node is illustrated
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Each communication node 22 receives messages from the connection 48
to the server 46 through an interface 102. The communication node
22 also includes a modem 104, a transmitter/receiver 106 and an
antenna 108. The transmitter/receiver 106, modem 104 and interface
102 are controlled by a network controller 110 that has a network
interface 112. Power is supplied to the node 22 from a power supply
114 and preferably a uninterruptable power supply ("UPS") 114.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2B, a block diagram of the major
functional components for a wireless fax node and server are
illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The server 46 is controlled by a server computer
128 that has a database 136 and data backup system 138. The server
computer 128 receives messages from document input/output
facilities 120, a telephone private branch exchange ("PBX") 122, a
PSTN interface 124 and an interface to long distance network 130.
The PSTN interface connects to the PSTN fax services communication
link 126 and the long distance network interface 130. The long
distance network interface uses communications link 132. The server
sends and receives messages to and from the communication nodes
through the wireless fax node interface 134 through communication
links 48, 50, 52, 54 and 56. The server 46 may be located at the
same location as a communication node 24. As previously discussed,
the communication node 24 includes a modem 142, a
transmitter/receiver 144 and an antenna 146. The
transmitter/receiver 144 and modem 142 are controlled by a network
controller 140 that has a network interface 148. Power is supplied
to the communication node 24 and server 46 from a power supply 150
and preferably a uninterruptable power supply ("UPS") 150.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 3A, a block diagram of the major
functional components for a wireless fax machine are illustrated in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The wireless fax machine 200 receives transmissions from an
external antenna jack 202 or an internal antenna 204. The external
antenna jack 202 is useful when the internal antenna 204 is not
sufficient to pick up the signals, such as deep within a building.
The external antenna jack 202 and internal antenna 204 are
connected to a receiver/transmitter unit 206. In some applications,
the device 200 may only include a receiver 206. In such a case any
outgoing facsimiles would be transmitted over a telephone line 212
via PSTN interface 210. A modem 208 converts the data. The device
200 is controlled by a central processing unit ("CPU") 214 that is
connected to a printer 216, scanner 218, the receiver/transmitter
206, modem 208 and telephone interface 210. Power is supplied to
the wireless fax machine 200 via power supply 220.
[0030] Now referring to FIG. 3B, a block diagram of the major
functional components for a wireless fax adapter for use with an
existing fax machine are illustrated in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The wireless fax adapter 230
receives transmissions from an external antenna jack 232 or an
internal antenna 234. The external antenna jack 232 is useful when
the internal antenna 234 is not sufficient to pick up the signals,
such as deep within a building. The external antenna jack 232 and
internal antenna 234 are connected to a receiver/transmitter unit
236. In some applications, the device 230 may only include a
receiver 236. In such a case any outgoing facsimiles would be
transmitted over a telephone line 242. A modem 238 converts the
data. The wireless fax adapter 230 is controlled by a CPU 244 that
is connected to the receiver/transmitter 236, modem 238, telephone
interface 240, and fax interface 246. The wireless fax adapter 230
is then connected to an existing facsimile machine 250. Power is
supplied to the wireless fax adapter 230 via power supply 248.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 3C, a block diagram of the major
functional components for a wireless PC adapter for use with a
personal computer, such as a laptop or desktop computer, are
illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The wireless PC adapter 260 receives
transmissions from an external antenna jack 262 or an internal
antenna 264. The external antenna jack 262 is useful when the
internal antenna 264 is not sufficient to pick up the signals, such
as deep within a building. The external antenna jack 262 and
internal antenna 264 are connected to a receiver/transmitter unit
266. In some applications, the device 260 may only include a
receiver 266. In such a case any outgoing facsimiles would be
transmitted by a separate modem (not shown) attached to the
personal computer 276. A modem 268 converts the data. The device
260 is controlled by a PC card controller and PC interface 270 that
is connected to modem 268, the PC connection 272, and the power
supply connection 274. The device 260 is then connected to a
personal computer, such as a laptop or desktop computer, 276
through the PC connection 272 and power supply connection 274.
Power may be supplied to the wireless PC adapter 260 via the
personal computer 276 or an external source (not shown).
[0032] Referring to FIG. 4, a flow chart of the processing steps
for delivering a digital message is illustrated in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An digital message
is received in block 302 from a message processing center that
scans the message into electronic form in block 304, or a wireless
facsimile machine 306, or a facsimile machine 308 connected to a
public telephone network. The destination receiving devices are
also selected in block 302. After the digital message has been
received and the receiving devices have been selected in block 302,
the appropriate network routing for the message is determined by
checking a network translation table (not shown) in block 310. If
the receiving device is not local, as determined in decision block
312, the message is routed to the receiving device over a wide area
network in block 314. Once the message reaches the local area
network containing the receiving device or if the receiving device
was local, as determined in decision block 312, the local routing
is determined by checking a local translation table (not shown) in
block 316. The digital message is then routed over the local area
network in block 317 If the receiving device is on the wireless
network, as determined in decision block 318, the message is
transmitted to a wireless facsimile machine 322 at the destination
via the wireless network 324 in block 320. Once the message is
received, a confirmation is transmitted either by telephone message
or wireless message in 326. If, however, the receiving device is
not on the wireless network, as determined in decision block 318,
and if the receiving device is a known PSTN facsimile machine, as
determined in decision block 328, the message is sent to the
destination facsimile machine 332 via a PSTN metro line 334 in
block 330. Once the message is received, a confirmation is
transmitted by telephone message 336.
[0033] If, however, the destination does not have a known PSTN
facsimile machine, as determined in decision block 328, the message
is transmitted to a message processing facility in block 338. At
the message processing facility, a hard copy of the message is
printed out, packaged and addressed to the destination in block
340. The message is then sent to the destination in block 342 based
on the priority specified. As a result, the message may be sent by
Federal Express 344, the U.S. Postal Service 346 using Express
Mail, first class mail or presorted bulk mail, or a courier service
348.
[0034] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various modifications can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth
in the appended claims.
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