Standalone device for identifying available document services in a token-enabled operating environment

• US 6,493,760 B1
• Filed: 06/28/1999
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Majandro LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Pendlebury, David L., Lamming, Michael G., Eldridge, Margery A., Jones, Christopher M., Stringer, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Dung C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HO, CHUONG T
• Application Number:
  US09/340,749
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/200, 709/206, 709/225, 709/229, 358/400, 713/171, 713/182
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Non token-enabled devices are token-enabled using a token-enabler unit for operation in a distributed environment with mobile computing devices that reference documents using tokens. The mobile computing device is used to configure the token-enabler unit with identifying information of the non token-enabled device. The token-enabler unit, which is not operatively coupled to the non token-enabled device, is either fixedly attached or proximately located near the non token-enabled devices. In operation, mobile computing devices query the token-enabler unit for identifying information of the non token-enabled device, thereby seamlessly integrating the operation of non token-enabled devices with token-enabled devices.

Claims

1. In a distributed system for providing document services with a mobile computing device having a memory for storing document tokens that reference electronic documents stored on file servers accessible by a token-enabled server, an apparatus for providing access from the mobile computing device to a non token-enabled device adapted to provide document services for the electronic documents identified by the document tokens, said apparatus comprising:

a token-enabler unit proximately located to the non token-enabled device for receiving and responding to queries from the mobile computing device requesting identification of document services available at the non token-enabled device;

wherein the token-enabler unit establishes a communication channel with the mobile computing device for receiving the queries from the mobile computing device;

the token-enabler unit responding to the queries by transmitting to the mobile computing device over the communication channel information for accessing through the token-enabled server document services available at the non token-enabled device; and

wherein the token-enabler unit operates independent from a network forming part of the distributed system over which the mobile computing device, the token-enabled server, and the non token-enabled device communicate to deliver an electronic document identified by a document token stored on the mobile computing device to the non token-enabled device through the token-enabled server for having document services performed thereon.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the token-enabler unit responds to queries from the mobile computing device by providing a list of document services available to the mobile computing device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the list of available services includes one of a fax service, a print service, and an email service.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the token-enabler unit further comprises a program module for responding to configuration requests.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the token-enabler unit responds to queries from the mobile computing device by providing a unique identifier for accessing at the token-enabled server the availability of document services at the non token-enabled device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the token-enabled server stores directory information for identifying with the unique identifier the document services available at the non token-enabled device.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the token-enabler unit further comprises a transceiver.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transceiver further comprises an infrared transceiver.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the token-enabler unit further comprises a memory for storing program instructions for responding to service requests.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the memory of the token-enabler unit has stored therein instructions for responding to configuration requests.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the token-enabler unit receives configuration requests from the mobile computing device.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the token-enabler unit further comprises hardware communication means for responding to queries over the communication channel from the token-enabled device that request a list of available services offered by the non token-enabled device to which the token-enabler unit is proximately located.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the token-enabler unit responds to queries for information with a telephone number.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the token-enabler unit responds to queries for information by transmitting to the mobile computing device a telephone number of a non token-enabled facsimile machine.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the token-enabler unit responds to queries for information by transmitting to the mobile computing device a network address of a non token-enabled printer.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, the token-enabler unit further comprising an adhesive pad for attaching the token-enabler unit to the non token-enabled device.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, the token-enabler unit, further comprising a battery power source.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the token-enabler unit is configured by the token-enabled server.

19. In a distributed system for providing document services with a mobile computing device having a memory for storing document tokens that reference electronic documents stored on file servers accessible by a token-enabled server, an apparatus for providing access from the mobile computing device to a non token-enabled facsimile machine adapted to provide document services for the electronic documents identified by the document tokens, said apparatus comprising:

a token-enabler unit proximately located to the non token-enabled facsimile machine for receiving and responding to queries from the mobile computing device requesting identification of document services available at the non token-enabled facsimile machine;

wherein the token-enabler unit establishes a communication channel with the mobile computing device for receiving the queries from the mobile computing device;

the token-enabler unit responding to the queries by transmitting to the mobile computing device over the communication channel information for accessing through the token-enabled server document services available at the non token-enabled facsimile machine; and

wherein the token-enabler unit operates independent from a network forming part of the distributed system over which the mobile computing device, the token-enabled server, and the non token-enabled facsimile machine communicate to deliver an electronic document identified by a document token stored on the mobile computing device to the non token-enabled facsimile machine through the token-enabled server.

20. In a distributed system for providing document services with a mobile computing device having a memory for storing document tokens that reference electronic documents stored on file servers accessible by a token-enabled server, an apparatus for providing access from the mobile computing device to a non token-enabled printer adapted to provide document services for the electronic documents identified by the document tokens, said apparatus comprising:

a token-enabler unit proximately located to the non token-enabled printer for receiving and responding to queries from the mobile computing device requesting identification of document services available at the non token-enabled printer;

wherein the token-enabler unit establishes a communication channel with the mobile computing device for receiving the queries from the mobile computing device;

the token-enabler unit responding to the queries by transmitting to the mobile computing device over the communication channel information for accessing through the token-enabled server document services available at the non token-enabled printer;

. and

wherein the token-enabler unit operates independent from a network forming part of the distributed system over which the mobile computing device, the token-enabled server, and the non token-enabled printer communicate to deliver an electronic document identified by a document token stored on the mobile computing device to the non token-enabled printer through the token-enabled server for printing.