Personal digital assistant facilitated communication system

• US 20040073709A1
• Filed: 10/08/2003
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CommWorks Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: E-mate Enterprises, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Bloomfield, Mark C.
• Application Number:
  US10/681,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073709A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/246
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00206 Transmitting or receiving computer data via an image communication device, e.g. a facsimile transceiver H04N1/00236 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0041 Point to point H04N2201/0039 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0053 Optical, e.g. using an infrared link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0086 Image transceiver H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention comprises a bifurcated interface, including apparatus and methods/processes, for integrated use in a fax-to-email system, and the invention further comprises the enhanced communication system, including apparatus and methods, which results from the integration in the fax-to-email system of the bifurcated interface. In accordance with the present invention, the bifurcated interface provides an alternative or additional method for command entry to the interface of a fax-to-email system through a remote, commercially available, personal digital assistant or like device (all such devices currently known or developed hereafter being collectively referred to herein as “personal data assistant” or “PDA”) modified by software to perform functions of the present invention. Delivery of commands, and other data, from the PDA is made, preferably, via infrared signals, but, alternatively, by direct cable syncing and other techniques known to those in the PDA field. Thus, the interface of the enhanced communication system of the present invention is bifurcated having a portable traveler portion (also referred to herein as the “interface traveler” or “traveler”), embodied by the programmed PDA, and a host portion (also referred to herein as the “interface host” or “host”) in a more permanent connection with the fax function of the fax-to-email system. The PDA, when loaded with and operating the software in accordance with the present invention, functions as the interface traveler portion, and becomes (at least temporarily) a specially programmed data entry tool with command communicating ability and a protocol shared by (or matched to) the interface host portion. The system can also be used in cooperation with Internet Web service for reporting, accounting, information services, and user interaction.

Claims

1. A method of communicating information, comprising the step of delivering facsimile information from a facsimile generating device to a user supplied e-maa address in computer readable image data format which is capable of being viewed on a computer screen, wherein the step of delivering comprises the steps of:

entering the user e-mail address through a computing device;

delivering the facsimile information using facsimile protocol along a first communication network to a fax/to/e-mail gateway;

converting at the gateway the facsimile information into a computer readable image data file capable of being displayed on a computer screen;

creating at the gateway an e-mail message including an addressed e-mail header to which is attached the computer readable image data file; and

delivering the e-mail message from the gateway though a global computer network to an electronic mailbox associated with the e-mail address.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

Sending the user e-mail address to a fax interface.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sending step is accomplished through infrared signals.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the sending step is accomplished through radio signals.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

Sending variable size user data to a fax interface.

6. A communication system for communicating information found originally as an image on paper, said system comprising:

a first communication network;

a facsimile device for generating facsimile information in a first format from information found originally as an image on paper, said facsimile device communicating with said first communication network along a first communication line;

a computing device having means for transmitting and receiving information;

an interface sharing said first communication line with said facsimile device and in communication with said computing device,

said interface including means for receiving and communicating an alphanumeric address associated with an electronic mail address,

said interface including means for sending information to said computing device;

said interface including means for generating commands on the first communication line;

a computer network; and

a gateway server positioned between said first communication network and said computer network,

said gateway server being in communication with said first communication network and being in communication with said computer network and providing a communication link therebetween;

said gateway server selectively operating in a fax-to-data mode in which said gateway server receives facsimile information via said first communication network and communicates data representative of said facsimile information to a destination via said computer network;

said gateway server being responsive to commands received from said interface to initiate operation of said fax-to-data mode.

7. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said computing device further comprising:

an infrared signal transmitter, and

an infrared signal receiver.

8. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said computing device further comprising:

a radio signal transmitter; and

a radio signal receiver.

9. The communication system of claim 6, wherein

said means for receiving and communicating an alphanumeric address associated with an electronic mail address of said fax interface comprises an infrared signal receiver, and

said means for sending information of said fax interface comprises an infrared signal transmitter.

10. The communication system of claim 6, wherein

said means for receiving and communicating an alphanumeric address associated with an electronic mail address of said fax interface comprises a radio signal receiver, and

said means for sending information of said fax interface comprises a radio signal transmitter.