Methods and systems for communicating and controlling facsimile information

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to methods and systems for communicating and controlling data in a network. More specifically, the invention relates to managing and controlling incoming telephone calls to a network when subscribers to the network do not have multiple telephone lines in the network.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#In the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views thereof:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network which implements the inventive methods described herein; and

#FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of the methods provided in accordance with the present invention which can be implemented in software.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, a network 10 is depicted wherein incoming telephone calls can be managed and routed to a desired location depending on the nature and character of the calls as determined and classified by the inventive methods. The network 10 may be any type of computer network such as the Internet, the known switched telephone network, a wireless network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) or other networks through which analog and/or digital communications may take place. For ease of description throughout, network 10 will be described as a wireless network.

#A subscriber 20 to wireless network 10 will communicate with the network 10 through a standard wireless device such as a mobile telephone, a personal or laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) a beeper, a FAX machine, or any other device which is configured to transmit and receive wireless communications. This communication can be received by any communications device as will be described in more detail. Typically, subscriber 20 will only have one wireless telephone line to network 10, but subscriber 20 may subscribe to more than one wireless line. Whether subscriber 20 has access to one or more lines to network 10, there will doubtless be times when all of the subscriber 20's lines are being occupied, or are otherwise in use such that an incoming call to the subscriber 20 through network 10 will not be able to be completed.

#This scenario will occur since many other parties and devices may try to contact subscriber 20 at the same time. For example, but not intending to limit the invention in any way, a standard landline telephone 20, a personal or laptop computer 40, a FAX machine 50, a wireless telephone 60, a beeper 70, a PDA (wireless or landline-based) 80, or other devices may be used by others to try and contact subscriber 20 through network 10. Conventionally, a server 90 is associated with network 10 and provides the required functionality to run data and voice communications through network 10. There are many servers that are commercially available on the market today which are used to drive networks, for example, the PROLIANT server sold by Compaq Computer Corp. (Houston, Tex.) may be employed. Other servers are known to those skilled in the art which may also be used to run network 10.