US 2004/0073709 A1 · Personal digital assistant facilitated communication system

Abstract

The present invention comprises a bifurcated interface, including apparatus and methods/processes, for integrated use in a fax-to-email system, and the invention further comprises the enhanced communication system, including apparatus and methods, which results from the integration in the fax-to-email system of the bifurcated interface. In accordance with the present invention, the bifurcated interface provides an alternative or additional method for command entry to the interface of a fax-to-email system through a remote, commercially available, personal digital assistant or like device (all such devices currently known or developed hereafter being collectively referred to herein as “personal data assistant” or “PDA”) modified by software to perform functions of the present invention. Delivery of commands, and other data, from the PDA is made, preferably, via infrared signals, but, alternatively, by direct cable syncing and other techniques known to those in the PDA field. Thus, the interface of the enhanced communication system of the present invention is bifurcated having a portable traveler portion (also referred to herein as the “interface traveler” or “traveler”), embodied by the programmed PDA, and a host portion (also referred to herein as the “interface host” or “host”) in a more permanent connection with the fax function of the fax-to-email system. The PDA, when loaded with and operating the software in accordance with the present invention, functions as the interface traveler portion, and becomes (at least temporarily) a specially programmed data entry tool with command communicating ability and a protocol shared by (or matched to) the interface host portion. The system can also be used in cooperation with Internet Web service for reporting, accounting, information services, and user interaction.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method of communicating information, comprising the step of delivering facsimile information from a facsimile generating device to a user supplied e-maa address in computer readable image data format which is capable of being viewed on a computer screen, wherein the step of delivering comprises the steps of:

entering the user e-mail address through a computing device;
delivering the facsimile information using facsimile protocol along a first communication network to a fax/to/e-mail gateway;
converting at the gateway the facsimile information into a computer readable image data file capable of being displayed on a computer screen;
creating at the gateway an e-mail message including an addressed e-mail header to which is attached the computer readable image data file;
and
delivering the e-mail message from the gateway though a global computer network to an electronic mailbox associated with the e-mail address.

3 more elements

A communication system for communicating information found originally as an image on paper, said system comprising:

a first communication network;
a facsimile device for generating facsimile information in a first format from information found originally as an image on paper, said facsimile device communicating with said first communication network along a first communication line;
a computing device having means for transmitting and receiving information;
an interface sharing said first communication line with said facsimile device and in communication with said computing device,
said interface including means for receiving and communicating an alphanumeric address associated with an electronic mail address,
said interface including means for sending information to said computing device;
said interface including means for generating commands on the first communication line;
a computer network;
and
a gateway server positioned between said first communication network and said computer network,
said gateway server being in communication with said first communication network and being in communication with said computer network and providing a communication link therebetween;
said gateway server selectively operating in a fax-to-data mode in which said gateway server receives facsimile information via said first communication network and communicates data representative of said facsimile information to a destination via said computer network;
said gateway server being responsive to commands received from said interface to initiate operation of said fax-to-data mode.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Personal digital assistant facilitated communication system

Life of this patent

Personal digital assistant facilitated communication system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10