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US 6,473,498 B1Granted
Method and system for maximizing use of a communication line
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorThomas J. Foth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to the present invention, a single incoming/outgoing line, such as a telephone line, is enabled to transmit and receive information through a variety of information routing systems. The present invention employs a facsimile machine having a monitor/switching device that enables or disables a variety of communication devices based upon signal traffic detected by the monitor in combination with a set of predetermined user priority parameters. Predetermined user priority parameters may include factors such as the time of transmission, the user identity, a user priority override designation and/or the type of information being transferred.
Claims21
A method for utilizing a communication line comprising:
- monitoring a single transmission line to determine whether there is an outgoing transmission;
- determining a type of outgoing transmission via the single line;
- determining a device associated with the outgoing transmission via the single line;
- assigning a first classification to the outgoing transmission based on the type of outgoing transmission and the device associated with the outgoing transmission;
- monitoring the single transmission line to determine whether there is an incoming transmission signal;
- assigning a second classification to the incoming transmission based on the type of incoming transmission and an intended destination of the incoming transmission;
- comparing the first classification and the second classification as a function of a pre-defined criteria;
- terminating the outgoing transmission and permitting the incoming transmission when the second classification takes precedence over the first classification;
- and
- prohibiting the incoming transmission when the first classification takes precedence over the second classification.
7 more elements
A method for utilizing a communication line comprising:
- monitoring a single communication line from an information routing device to determine whether there is an outgoing transmission;
- assigning a first priority signal to the outgoing transmission from the information routing device based on a predetermined criteria;
- wherein the predetermined criteria includes use data and content data;
- detecting whether an incoming transmission is being transmitted to the information routing device, via the single communication line;
- assigning a second priority signal to the incoming transmission based on the predetermined criteria;
- comparing the first priority signal to the second priority signal;
- determining signal precedence based upon said comparison;
- terminating the outgoing transmission and permitting the incoming transmission when the incoming transmission has a higher priority than the outgoing transmission;
- and
- continuing the outgoing transmission when the outgoing transmission has a higher priority than the incoming transmission.
7 more elements
An apparatus for utilizing a communication line comprising:
- means for monitoring a single communication line from an information routing device to determine whether there is an outgoing transmission;
- means for assigning a first priority signal to the outgoing transmission from the information routing device based on a predetermined criteria,
- wherein the predetermined criteria includes use data and content data;
- means for detecting whether an incoming transmission is being transmitted to the information routing device, via the single communication line;
- means for assigning a second priority signal to the incoming transmission based on the predetermined criteria;
- means for comparing the first priority signal to the second priority signal;
- means for determining signal precedence based upon said comparison;
- means for permitting the incoming transmission when the incoming transmission has a higher priority than the outgoing transmission;
- and
- means for continuing the outgoing transmission when the outgoing transmission has a higher priority than the incoming transmission.
7 more elements
An apparatus for utilizing a communication line comprising:
- a routing device adapted to determine priority of transmissions via a single line, wherein the device is adapted to:
- monitor a single transmission line to determine whether there is an outgoing transmission;
- determine a type of outgoing transmission via the single line;
- determine a device associated with the outgoing transmission via the single line;
- assign a first classification to the outgoing transmission based on the type of outgoing transmission and the device associated with the outgoing transmission;
- monitor the single transmission line to determine whether there is an incoming transmission signal;
- assign a second classification to the incoming transmission signal based on the type of incoming transmission and intended destination of the incoming transmission;
- compare the first classification and the second classification as a function of a pre-defined criteria;
- terminate the outgoing transmission and receive the incoming transmission when the second classification takes precedence over the first classification;
- and
- prohibit the incoming transmission when the first classification takes precedence over the second classification.
8 more elements
A method adapted to be stored on a computer-readable medium comprising:
- monitoring a single communication line from an information routing device to determine whether there is an outgoing transmission;
- assigning a first priority signal to the outgoing transmission from the information routing device based on a pre-determined criteria;
- wherein the predetermined criteria includes use data and content data;
- detecting whether an incoming transmission is being transmitted to the information routing device, via the single communication line;
- assigning a second priority signal to the incoming transmission based on the predetermined criteria;
- comparing the first priority signal to the second priority signal;
- determining signal precedence based upon said comparison;
- permitting the incoming transmission when the incoming transmission has a higher priority than the outgoing transmission;
- and
- continuing the outgoing transmission when the outgoing transmission has a higher priority than the incoming transmission.
7 more elements
A method for utilizing a communication line comprising:
- monitoring a single transmission line to determine whether there is a first outgoing transmission;
- determining a type of the first outgoing transmission via the single line;
- determining a device associated with the first outgoing transmission via the single line;
- assigning a first classification to the first outgoing transmission based on the type of transmission and the device associated with the first outgoing transmission;
- monitoring the single transmission line to determine whether there is a second outgoing transmission signal;
- assigning a second classification to the second outgoing transmission based on the type of transmission and a device associated with the second outgoing transmission;
- comparing the first classification and the second classification as a function of a pre-defined criteria;
- terminating the first outgoing transmission and permitting the second outgoing transmission when the second classification takes precedence over the first classification;
- and
- prohibiting the second outgoing transmission when the first classification takes precedence over the second classification.
7 more elements
An apparatus for utilizing a communication line comprising:
- a routing device adapted to determine priority of transmissions via a single line, wherein the device is adapted to:
- monitor a single transmission line to determine whether there is a first outgoing transmission;
- determine a type of first outgoing transmission via the single line;
- determine a device associated with the first outgoing transmission via the single line;
- assign a first classification to the first outgoing transmission based on the type of outgoing transmission and the device associated with the first outgoing transmission;
- monitor the single transmission line to determine whether there is a second outgoing transmission signal;
- assign a second classification to the second outgoing transmission signal based on the type of transmission and a device associated with the second outgoing transmission;
- compare the first classification and the second classification as a function of a pre-defined criteria;
- terminate the first outgoing transmission and permit the second outgoing transmission when the second classification takes precedence over the first classification;
- and
- prohibit the second outgoing transmission when the first classification takes precedence over the second classification.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.