Method and system for remote retrieval of messages using spontaneous networking technology

• US 6,654,601 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Winkelman, John H., Rojas, John W., Strobel, Kevin L., Norris, James R. Jr., Picoult, Cheryl L.
• Primary Examiner(s): APPIAH, CHARLES NANA
• Application Number:
  US09/727,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412, 455/413, 455/414, 455/415, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/550, 455/445, 455/575, 455/461, 455/41.2, 709/200, 709/217, 709/228, 709/223, 709/206, 709/207, 379/88.22, 379/100.08, 379/93.07, 379/93.08, 379/100.13
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and system for remote receipt of a message, such as a telephone, e-mail, facsimile or paper message. A server or data center is provided for receiving messages from a sender communicating with a recipient mobile device. The data center sends the message to the mobile device. If the recipient desires to receive the message, he/she indicates this on his/her mobile device. The mobile device and the device which will receive the message, i.e., the destination device, are spontaneously networked such that the mobile device communicates the information to the destination device without requirement of ensuring the compatibility of programs or networks. Prior to transmission, the mobile device determines if any translation or transcoding of the original message is required in order for the destination device to receive the message in proper format. Once transcoding or translation is effected, the message is routed to the destination device for output.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving a message remotely comprising the steps at

(a) sending at least one message via facsimile, a computer-based device, a telephone or a photocopier to a data center

(b) invoking by the data center a user of a destination device or a user of a mobile device stored preferences to determine in which format the user of the destination or mobile device will receive the message

(c) sending at least one message from the data center to the destination device, wherein the sending of the message is based upon the data centers assessment of the user of the destination device stored preferences;

(d) sending said at least one message from the data center to the mobile device, wherein the sending of the message is based upon the data center'"'"'s Assessment of the user of the mobile device stored preferences;

(e) translating said at least one stored messages to a format compatible with said destination device; and

(f) communicating spontaneously said at least one message between said mobile device, wherein the mobile device is a telephone or computer-based device and said destination device, wherein the destination device is a photocopier, or a facsimile, so that the user of the destination device or the user of the mobile device will receive the message in the desired mobile device or destination device in a compatible format.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said message is divided into sections and sent to said mobile device in said sections.

3. The method of claim 1 further including sending a confirmation notification to said mobile device that said message was sent to said destination device address.

4. The method of claim 3, further Including the step of determining said recipient preferences and sending said message according to said recipient preferences.

5. The method of claim 1 further including sending a confirmation notification to said data center that said message was sent to said mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1 further including printing said message at said destination device.

7. The method of claim 1, further including the step of determining a recipient.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said mobile device is a personal digital assistant.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said messages are delivered securely and stored until said recipient retrieves said messages.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said mobile device is a cell phone.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said mobile device is a laptop.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said message is an e-mail.