System and method for sharing of information over a wireless network

• US 20030003936A1
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Tighe, Christopher P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,928,270 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/517
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/487 Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A system and method is provided for providing wireless electronic content to members of the public. A mobile backbone of an electronic content delivery system is based on mobile vehicles, as of the Postal Service. Alternatively a stationary network to deliver electronic content is established in Postal Service facilities. A device, such as a Family Message Board, receives delivery of the wireless electronic content, whether from a mobile vehicle or fixed postal station. The wireless electronic content may be processed for a variety of uses including email, internet access, graphic messages, and postal secure notifications.

Claims

1. A method for providing wireless electronic content comprising the steps of:

locating a wireless communication system within a postal vehicle;

transmitting said wireless electronic content from said postal vehicle; and

receiving said wireless electronic content.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a family message board device wherein said wireless electronic content is received through the family message board device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said postal vehicle is selected from the group consisting of a postal delivery van, a rural carrier, and a contracted rural carrier private car.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said family message board device comprises a computer, a touch screen, a wireless antenna, and a keyboard.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said family message board further comprises a wireline connection, a stylus pen, an infrared port, a forward button, a backward button, and a roll ball.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said family message board further comprises a solar energy panel, a rechargeable power source, at least one speaker, a backlighting device, a microphone, and a proximity detector.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said proximity detector further comprises an on/off switch.

8. A method for providing wireless electronic communication comprising:

locating a wireless communication system within a mobile postal vehicle wherein said wireless communication system is capable of receiving and transmitting electronic data;

locating a wireless communication system within a stationary postal facility wherein said wireless communication system is capable of receiving and transmitting electronic data;

transmitting electronic data from a mobile postal vehicle to a family message board device including a wireless communication system capable of receiving and transmitting electronic data;

transmitting electronic data from a stationary postal facility to said family message board device; and

receiving electronic data from said family message board

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of transmitting electronic data from said stationary postal facility to said mobile postal vehicle.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of transmitting electronic data from said mobile postal vehicle to said stationary postal facility.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of receiving electronic data from said family message board comprises electronic data received by either said stationary postal facility or by said mobile postal vehicle.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting electronic data from said stationary postal facility to said mobile postal vehicle; and

transmitting the same electronic data from said mobile postal vehicle to said family message board

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

rceiving electronic data from said family message board by a mobile postal vehicle; and

rceiving the same electronic data from said mobile postage vehicle by said stationary postal facility.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said customer device comprises at least one functionality from the group consisting of email, internet access, special messages, and secure notification.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said email function further comprises system email or outside email accounts.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said internet access function further comprises a periodic download or an immediate download.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said special messages further comprise graffiti writing board, microphone board or pay-message content.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said secure notification comprises change of address, mail requests, e-bill pay, express mail, certified mail, and receipt on delivery.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said secure notification further comprises an electronic postmark.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein said customer device includes the functionality of an electronic calendar and phone book.

14. A method of providing electronic content communication to the public, the method comprising the steps of:

locating a wireless communication system within a postal vehicle;

transmitting electronic content from said postal vehicle to a customer device; and

receiving said electronic content by a customer device.