System for efficient message distribution by succesively selecting and converting to an alternate distribution media indicated in a priority table upon preferred media failure

• US 5,381,527 A
• Filed: 11/13/1991
• Issued: 01/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Inniss, Hadyn A., Johnson, William J., Keller, Robert S., Williams, Marvin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choules, Jack M.
• Application Number:
  US07/791,818
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 371/11.1, 371/11.2, 371/8.2, 340/825.01, 340/825.03, 340/825.81, 395/200, 395/500, 395/575
• US Class Current: 709/239
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0435 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/002 Details
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/908 Multimedia

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for the efficient distribution of messages utilizing a data processing system. A distribution channel is selected in response to a user selection of a particular distribution media. If transmission via the selected distribution channel fails, an alternate distribution media is automatically selected and the message converted to that alternate distribution media. Transmission is then attempted utilizing the alternate distribution media via a different distribution channel. In one depicted embodiment of the present invention the process of automatically selecting a different distribution media and attempting transmission via a different distribution channel continues until such time as a transmission is successful or a specified maximum number of attempted transmissions has occurred.

Claims

1. A method for the efficient distribution of messages within a system having a plurality of distribution channels, each of said distribution channels being characterized by at least one distribution media, said method comprising the steps of:

selecting a particular one elf said plurality of distribution channels in response to a user selection of a particular distribution media for a selected message;

attempting transmission of said selected message via said particular one of said distribution channels utilizing said particular distribution media;

in response to a failure of transmission of said selected message via said particular one of said distribution channels, determining if said user has designated at least one alternate distribution medium among said plurality of distribution media for said selected message in a priority table;

in response to a determination that said user has designated said at least one alternate distribution medium for said selected message, automatically successively attempting conversion of said selected message to one of said alternate distribution media designated in the priority table and having a next highest priority;

thereafter, attempting transmission of said selected message via a second one of said distribution channels characterized by said one of said alternate distribution media in response to a successful conversion of said selected message; and

in response to said failure of transmission and a determination that said user has not designated an alternate distribution medium for said selected message;

not attempting conversion of said selected message to an alternate one of said distribution media.

2. The method for the efficient distribution of messages within a system according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

selecting a maximum number of attempted transmissions; and

,

automatically alerting a user upon an occurrence of said maximum number of attempted transmissions.

3. A system for the efficient distribution of messages said system having a plurality of distribution channels, each of said distribution channels being characterized by at least one distribution media, said method comprising the steps of:

means responsive to a user selection of a particular distribution media for a selected message for selecting a particular one of said plurality of distribution channels;

means for attempting transmission of said selected message via said particular one of said distribution channels;

means responsive to a failure of transmission of said selected message via said particular one of said distribution channels for determining if said user has designated at least one alternate distribution median among said plurality of distribution media for said selected message in a priority table;

means responsive to a determination that said user has designated said at least one alternate distribution medium for said selected message, automatically successively attempting conversion of said selected message to one of said alternate distribution media designated in the priority table and having a next highest priority;

means for thereafter attempting transmission of said selected message via a second one of said distribution channels characterized by said one of said alternate distribution media in response to a successful conversion of said selected message; and

means responsive to a determination that said user has not designated an alternate distribution medium for said selected message, not converting said selected message to an alternate one of said distribution media.

4. A system for the efficient distribution of messages according to claim 3, further comprising:

means for permitting a user to enter a maximum number of attempted transmissions; and

,

means for automatically alerting said user upon an occurrence of said maximum number of attempted transmissions.