Method and system for modification of fax data rate over wireless channels

• US 6,144,464 A
• Filed: 09/11/1997
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Brown, Brady, Wheeler, John, Rupp, Scott W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, II, Jerome
• Application Number:
  US08/927,693
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 358/400, 358/405, 358/407, 358/409, 358/434, 358/436, 358/435, 358/438, 358/439, 358/442, 358/443, 379/100.01, 379/100.06, 379/100.09, 379/100.12, 379/102.01, 379/102.02
• US Class Current: 358/442
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2659 for data rate control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/18 Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3333 during transmission, input or output of the picture signal; within a single document or page
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/33361 according to characteristics or the state of the communication line H04N1/33353 and H04N2201/33371 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3335 Speed or rate

Abstract

A method and apparatus for improving the successful transmission of facsimile data over a wireless communication channel is provided comprising a facsimile machine, a wireless transceiver and a connector interfacing therebetween. The facsimile machine detects an interface with the wireless transceiver and notifies the facsimile machine of a wireless communication channel through which facsimile data will traverse. The facsimile machine, in conjunction with the wireless transceiver, establishes a wireless communication channel according to an initial data transfer rate corresponding with the capability of the wireless transceiver or known communication channel conditions. The facsimile machine then exchanges facsimile data over the wireless communication channel and a receiving facsimile machine evaluates the facsimile data to detect errors injected through the wireless communication channel. When such errors are detected, the facsimile machine may institute retransmission of the previous facsimile data relying upon an anticipated improved condition of the wireless communication channel. When the conditions of this wireless communication channel have not improved, the facsimile machine renegotiates a data transfer rate more conducive with the present capability of the wireless communication channel. A facsimile machine further determines when the wireless transceiver is removed and reverts back to traditional wired communication channel data rates.

Claims

1. In a facsimile machine interfaced to a wireless transceiver, a method for improving successful transmission of facsimile data over a full duplex point to point wireless communication channel, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting a connection of said facsimile machine with said wireless transceiver for transceiving said facsimile data over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel;

(b) upon detection of said connection of said facsimile machine with said wireless transceiver, enabling monitoring of said facsimile data for evaluating data errors;

(c) establishing said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel with a data transfer rate corresponding with the capability of said wireless transceiver as a data transfer rate;

(d) transceiving said facsimile data over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel, said facsimile data transceived over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel being directly compatible with said facsimile machine; and

(e) during said transceiving of said facsimile data, altering said data transfer rate when said facsimile data includes a threshold number of data errors resulting from transmission over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said detecting said interface of said facsimile machine with said wireless transceiver step comprises the step of said facsimile machine reading an identifier designating a specific type of said wireless transceiver.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said reading said identifier step comprises the step of reading said identifier associated with a connector interfacing said facsimile machine with said wireless transceiver, said connector being unique to a type of said wireless transceiver.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said establishing said wireless communication channel with an initial data transfer rate step further comprises selecting an initial data transfer rate corresponding to a rate less than the maximum data transfer rate capable by said wireless transceiver.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said establishing said wireless communication channel with an initial data transfer rate step further comprises the step of employing a facsimile transmission standard that incorporates error detection, retransmission and data transfer rate renegotiation capabilities.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein said facsimile transmission standard takes the form of the class 1 facsimile standard further employing the error correction mode (ECM) capability therein.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said altering said data transfer rate when said facsimile data includes data errors step comprises the steps of:

a) when said facsimile machine receives said facsimile data, requesting a lower data transfer rate of a transmitting facsimile machine;

b) when said facsimile machine transmits said facsimile data, reducing said data transfer rate when requested by a receiving facsimile machine.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein when said facsimile machine receives facsimile data, requesting a reduction of said data transfer rate when a threshold number of retransmissions at said transfer data rate have failed.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of when said facsimile machine ceases to detect said wireless transceiver, said facsimile machine establishing a communication channel through negotiation of said initial data transfer rate corresponding with the capability of said facsimile machine.

10. A facsimile machine capable of modifying a data transfer rate of facsimile data transceived over a full duplex point to point wireless communication channel, comprising:

(a) a fax modem including a wireless transceiver identifier module to detect a connection of said facsimile modem with a wireless transceiver and upon detection of said connection, said fax modem enabling monitoring of said facsimile data for data errors, said fax modem also capable of negotiating and renegotiating during said transceiving of said facsimile data said data transfer rate for transceiving said facsimile data over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel, said data transfer rate being consistent with the capability of said wireless transceiver and said facsimile data for transceiving over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel being directly compatible with said facsimile machine; and

(b) a host operatively coupled with said fax modem to execute a fax protocol employing error detection functionality.

11. The facsimile machine as recited in claim 10, wherein said fax modem further comprises a fax protocol module for performing said negotiation and renegotiation of said data transfer rate for said facsimile data.

12. The facsimile machine as recited in claim 11, wherein said fax protocol module comprises a data transfer rate negotiation module compliant with the class 1 facsimile protocol.

13. The facsimile machine as recited in claim 10, wherein said host further comprises a fax protocol module incorporating error correction mode (ECM).

14. The facsimile machine as recited in claim 13, wherein said fax protocol module further comprises a retransmission module for attempting retransmission of protocol data for a threshold number of times.

15. A fax modem capable of modifying a data transmission rate of facsimile data transceived over a full duplex point to point wireless communication channel, comprising:

(a) a wireless transceiver identifier module to detect connection of said fax modem with a wireless transceiver; and

(b) a fax protocol module, whereupon detection of said connection of said fax modem with said wireless transceiver to negotiate said data transfer rate and monitor said facsimile data for evaluating data errors and renegotiate during said transceiving of said facsimile data said data transfer rate for said facsimile data when said facsimile data includes a threshold number of data errors, said facsimile data transceived over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel being directly compatible with a facsimile machine.

16. The fax modem as recited in claim 15, wherein said fax protocol module comprises a data transfer rate negotiation module compliant with the Class 1 facsimile protocol.

17. A computer-readable medium for a facsimile machine interfaced to a wireless transceiver to improve transmission of facsimile data over a full duplex point to point wireless communication channel, said computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

(a) detecting a connection of said facsimile machine with said wireless transceiver for transceiving said facsimile data over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel;

(b) upon detection of said connection of said facsimile machine with said wireless transceiver, enabling monitoring of said facsimile data for evaluating data errors;

(c) establishing said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel with a data transfer rate corresponding with the capability of said wireless transceiver as a data transfer rate;

(d) transceiving said facsimile data over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel, said facsimile data transceived over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel being directly compatible with said facsimile machine; and

(e) during said transceiving of said facsimile data, altering said data transfer rate when said facsimile data includes a threshold number of data errors resulting from transmission over said full duplex point to point wireless communication channel.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, having further computer executable instructions wherein said detecting said interface of said facsimile machine with said wireless transceiver step comprises computer-executable instructions for performing the step of said facsimile machine reading an identifier designating a specific type of said wireless transceiver.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, having further computer executable instructions wherein said reading said identifier step comprises computer executable instructions for performing the step of reading said identifier associated with a connector interfacing said facsimile machine with said wireless transceiver, said connector being unique to said wireless transceiver.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, having further computer executable instructions wherein said establishing said wireless communication channel with an initial data transfer rate step further comprises computer executable instructions for performing the step of selecting an initial data transfer rate corresponding to a rate less than the maximum data transfer rate capable by said wireless transceiver.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, having further computer executable instructions wherein said establishing said wireless communication channel with an initial data transfer rate step further comprises computer executable instructions for performing the step of employing a facsimile transmission standard that incorporates error detection, retransmission and data transfer rate renegotiation capabilities.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, having further computer executable instructions wherein said altering said data transfer rate when said facsimile data includes data errors step comprises computer executable instructions for performing the steps of:

a) when said facsimile machine receives said facsimile data, requesting a lower data transfer rate of a transmitting facsimile machine;

b) when said facsimile machine transmits said facsimile data, reducing said data transfer rate when requested by a receiving facsimile machine.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, having further computer executable instructions wherein when said facsimile machine receives facsimile data, requesting a reduction of said data transfer rate when a threshold number of retransmissions at said data transfer rate have failed.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, having further computer executable instructions for performing the step of when said facsimile machine ceases to detect said wireless transceiver, said facsimile machine establishing a communication channel through negotiation of said initial data transfer rate corresponding with the capability of said facsimile machine.