Limited-bandwidth electronic data communication system

A limited-bandwidth network electronic data communication server includes an electronic data transmission server and a network terminal in communication with the electronic data transmission server over a communications network. The electronic data transmission server includes a data receiver for receiving a request for transmission of an e-mail attachment to a network terminal over a communications network. The e-mail attachment includes content and data defining the presentation of the content. A data processing system is in communication with the data receiver for converting the e-mail attachment into a less memory-intensive data format. The data processing system is configured to perform the conversion by extracting the content from the e-mail attachment without the presentation data. A data transmitter is in communication with the data processing system for transmitting the extracted content to the network terminal over the communications network without the presentation data.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for data communication over a network. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and system for transmitting electronic messages over a limited bandwidth network, such as a wireless network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless communications devices, such as c-mail pagers, wireless telephones and personal data assistants, have become increasingly popular due to their ability to provide users with electronic messaging capabilities outside the confines of the office workplace. To enhance the portability and battery life of such devices, the typical wireless communications device includes a low powered microprocessor, limited memory resources, and a low resolution display. However, notwithstanding the popularity of these devices, the conventional wireless communications device is deficient in a number of respects.

First, given the limited computational capabilities of these devices, it is often difficult to receive and process messages having dense or complex informational content, such as messages which include images, sound effects and/or complex textual formatting. This problem is compounded by limitations in wireless bandwidth.

Second, often an originator of an e-mail message will attach a non-MIME-based document to the MIME-based section of the message. For example, the originator of the e-mail message might attach a document created with word processor software, spreadsheet software or graphics presentation software. Given that each document type can have any of variety of different file formats, it often difficult, if not impossible, to view the content of document attachments on the conventional wireless communications device given the limited computational capabilities of these devices.

Third, the computational and display resolution capabilities of these devices can vary considerably from manufacturer to manufacturer. Consequently, an electronic message configured for reception and review on one wireless communications device may not be accurately displayed on another wireless communications device.

Fourth, users of wireless communications devices typically must pay their respective wireless service provider for the wireless service in accordance with the volume of data received with their device. Since the user of the wireless communications device cannot preview the electronic message prior to receipt on their device, the cost associated with the ownership of these devices can be prohibitive.

Therefore, there remains a need for an electronic data communication system for message transmission to wireless communications devices which recognizes the computational power and bandwidth limitations associated with these devices, the varied computational and display capabilities of these devices, the variety of available electronic message formats, and the costs associated with ownership and operation of these devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic transmission system and a method of electronic data transmission which addresses at least one deficiency of the conventional electronic message communication system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic data terminal and a method of electronic data transmission which addresses which addresses at least one deficiency of the conventional electronic message transmission system.

The electronic data transmission system, according to the first aspect of the present invention, includes a data receiver, a data formatter and a data transmitter. The data receiver is configured to receive a request for transmission of electronic data to a network terminal over a communications network, with the transmission request including at least one data filtration parameter defining a desired resolution of the electronic data. The data formatter is in communication with the data receiver for formatting the electronic data in accordance with the data filtration parameter. The data transmitter is in communication with the data formatter for transmitting the formatted data to the network terminal over the communications network.

The method of electronic data transmission, according to the first aspect of the present invention, includes the steps of (1) receiving a request for transmission of electronic data over a communications network to a network terminal, the transmission request including at least one data filtration parameter defining a desired resolution of the electronic data; (2) formatting the electronic data in accordance with the data filtration parameter; and (3) transmitting the formatted data to the network terminal over the communications network.

The electronic data terminal, according to the second aspect of the present invention, includes a data receiver, a data reformatter and a data transmitter. The data receiver is configured to receive over a communications network a data package from a data server. The data reformatter is in communication with the data receiver for extracting electronic data from the data package. The data transmitter is in communication with the data formatter for providing the data server with a request for retransmission of the electronic data, with the retransmission request including at least one data filtration parameter defining a desired resolution for the retransmitted electronic data.

The method of electronic data transmission, according to the second aspect of the present invention, includes the steps of (1) receiving over a communications network a data package from a data server; (2) extracting electronic data from the data package; and (3) in accordance with a resolution of the extracted electronic data providing the data server with a request for retransmission of the electronic data, the retransmission request including at least one data filtration parameter defining a desired resolution for the retransmitted electronic data.

In accordance with one implementation of the invention, using the data transmitter an operator of an electronic data terminal transmits a request for transmission of an electronic message from the electronic data transmission system to the electronic data terminal. Upon receipt of the transmission request, the data formatter of the electronic data transmission system formats the electronic message in accordance with a default filtration parameter associated with the electronic data terminal, and assembles the electronic message as part of an electronic data package. Alternately, the retransmission request may include at least one data filtration parameter defining a desired alternate resolution for the electronic message, in which case the data formatter of the electronic data transmission system formats the electronic message in accordance with the specified filtration parameter. Typical filtration parameters may require replacement of particular words with recognized abbreviations, removal of font and attribute data, replacement of formatting data with format tags to reduce a byte length of the electronic data, and/or removal of graphics data from the electronic data.

When the formatting step is completed, the data transmitter of the electronic data transmission system transmits the electronic data package to the electronic data terminal. Upon receipt of the electronic data package, the data reformatter of the electronic data terminal extracts the electronic message from the data package for review by the operator of the electronic data terminal. If the operator of the electronic data terminal concludes that the resolution of the extracted electronic message is unsatisfactory, the operator can transmit a request to the electronic data transmission system for retransmission of the electronic message. The retransmission request includes at least one data filtration parameter defining the desired alternate resolution for the electronic message.

Alternately, if the operator desires that the electronic message be transmitted to a network resource, such as a network printer, the operator transmits a request to the electronic data transmitter for retransmission of the electronic message. Upon receipt of the retransmission request, the electronic data transmission system queries a central resource registry to identify a user access level for the specified network resource, and then determines from the access level defined for the network resource whether the electronic data terminal is authorized for communication with the specified network resource. The electronic data transmission system then transmits the original unfiltered electronic message to the network resource in accordance with the determined authorization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning toFIG. 1, a limited-bandwidth electronic data communication system, denoted generally as100, is shown comprising an electronic data server102, a network resource104, a resource registry106, an electronic data transmission system200in communication with the electronic data server102, and a network terminal300. Typically, the electronic data communication system100includes a plurality of the electronic data servers102, a plurality of the network resources106, a plurality of the electronic data transmission systems200, and a plurality of the network terminals300, however for enhanced clarity of discussion,FIG. 1only shows a single electronic data server102, a single network resource104, a single electronic data transmission system200, and a single network terminal300. Further, any of the network resources104and the network terminals300may comprise either land-based communications devices or wireless communications devices.

The electronic data communication system100also includes a land-based communications network108for facilitating communication between the electronic data server102, land-based versions of the network resources104, the resource registry106, the electronic data fission system200, and land-based versions of the network terminals300. Preferably, the electronic data server102is accessible to the electronic data transmission system200over a secure communication channel110established between the electronic data server102and the electronic data transmission system200, however the electronic data server102may also be accessible to the electronic data transmission system200over the land-based communications network108. In addition to the land-based communications network108, preferably the electronic data communication system100includes a wireless communications network112for facilitating communication between wireless versions of the network resources104, the electronic data transmission system200, and wireless versions of the network terminals300. However, it should be understood that the electronic data communication system100is not limited to the foregoing network configuration, but instead may comprise a single land-based network or a single wireless network, as the requirements of the network resources104and the network terminals300dictate.

Preferably, the land-based communications network108comprises the Internet, and the electronic data servers102comprise land-based network-enabled POP3 e-mail servers for receiving and storing electronic mail messages received from remote SMTP e-mail servers over the Internet. However, the electronic data servers102need not be e-mail servers, but instead may comprise any computer server which is configured to transmit electronic data to one of the electronic data transmission systems200. For instance, any of the electronic data servers102may comprise a music file server, an image file server, a multimedia file server, a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server, or even a Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) World Wide Web server.

Typically, each network resource104comprises a printing device, and in particular, an IPP-compliant printer. However, the network resources104need not only be networked printers (IPP-compliant or otherwise), but instead may comprise any of a variety of data communication devices, including facsimile machines, image servers and file servers. Further, as discussed above, the electronic data communication system100is not limited for use with land-based data communications devices, but instead can be used to provide access to wireless communications devices. For instance, any of the network resources104may comprise e-mail pagers or a-mail enabled wireless telephones. Typically, the network resources104are directly accessible over the respective communications network108,112. For instance, one of the network resources104may comprises an IPP-capable printer or facsimile machine. However, in one variation, at least one of the network resources104is not directly accessible over the respective communications network108,112, but instead is indirectly accessible over the communications network108,112via a suitable server.

The resource registry106comprises a computer server configured for interfacing with the communications network108, and includes a resource database114and a user registration database116. The resource database114includes resource records identifying parameters associated with the network resources104. Preferably, each resource record includes a network address field, a resource type field, and a user access level field for the associated network resource104.

The network address field identifies the network address of the network resource104. If the network resource104is directly accessible over the communications network108, the network address field identifies the network address of the network resource104. However, if the network resource104is not directly accessible over the communications network108, but instead is linked to the communications network108via a suitable server, the network address field identifies the network address of the server associated with the network resource104.

The resource type field identifies the type of data communication device of the network resource104. For instance, the resource type field may specify that the network resource104is a printer, a plotter, a facsimile machine, an image server or a file server. Further, the resource type field may include a resource type sub-field specifying a sub-class of the network resource type. For example, the resource type sub-field may specify that the network resource is an IPP-capable printer or facsimile machine, or a non-IPP-capable printer or facsimile machine.

The user access level field identifies the type of communications access which the network terminals300are allowed to have in regards to the associated network resource104. In the embodiment, as presently envisaged, the user access level field establishes that the network resource104allows one of:(a) “public access” in which any network terminal300of the electronic data communication system100can communicate with the network resource104;(b) “private access” in which only members (eg. employees) of the enterprise associated with the network resource104can communicate with the network resource104; and(c) “authorized access” in which only particular network terminals300can communicate with the network resource104.

If the user access level field specifies “authorized access” for a network resource104, preferably the user access level field includes a sub-field which lists the network addresses of the network terminals300authorized to access the network resource104, and a sub-field which includes an authorization password which the identified network terminals300must provide in order to access the network resource104. If the user access level field specifies “private access” for a network resource104, preferably the user access level field includes a sub-field which lists the network addresses of the network terminals300which are deemed to members of the enterprise.

It should be understood, however, that the user access level field is not limited to identifying only the foregoing predefined user access levels, but may instead identify more than one of the predefined user access levels, or other user access levels altogether. For instance, the user access level field may identify that the associated network resource104allows both private access to all employees of the enterprise responsible for operation of the network resource104, and authorized access to other pre-identified network terminals300. Further, the user access level field may also include one or more sub-fields which provide additional restrictions/permissions on the type of communications access which the network terminals300are allowed to have in regards to the associated network resource104. For instance, the user access level sub-fields may limit the hours of operation of the network resource104, or may place restrictions on the type of access limitations on a per-user basis, or per-group basis. Other variations on the type of access will be readily apparent, and are intended to be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Preferably, each resource record also includes an information field which provides additional information on the network resource104, such as data handling capabilities, resource pricing and geographical co-ordinates. This latter parameter is particularly advantageous for use with mobile network terminals300, such as a wireless-enabled personal data assistant or an e-mail-enabled wireless telephone, since it allows the network terminal300to identify the nearest one of a plurality of available network resources104. In addition, each resource record includes a pseudo-name field, and a username/password field. The pseudo-name field contains a resource pseudo-name which identifies the network resource104to the network terminals300. Preferably, the pseudo-name is a network alias that identifies the physical location and properties of the network resource104, but does not identify the network address of the resource104. The username/password field contains a unique username and password combination uniquely associated with the administrator of the associated network resource104.

The user registration database116of the resource registry106includes user records each uniquely associated with an operator of a respective network terminal300. Preferably, each user record identifies the registered user's name, post office address and/or e-mail address, and a default filtration parameter (discussed below) for the transmission of electronic data to the operator's wireless terminal300. In addition, each user record specifies a password uniquely associated with the operator which the operator must spec in order to receive secure electronic data from the data server102, and to update the operator's user record and to obtain access to network resources104configured for “authorized access”.

The resource registry106is configured to provide administrators of the network resources104with controlled access to the records of the resource database114to allow the administrators to update the network address field, the resource type field, the user access level field, the resource information field, the pseudo-name field, and the username/password field of the resource record for the associated network resource104. This mechanism allows network administrators to change, for example, the network address and/or the restrictions/permissions of the network resources104under their control, or even the network resource104itself, without having to notify each network terminal300of the change. The resource registry106is also configured to provide controlled access to the records of the user registration database116so that only the operator of the network terminal300which established the user record can update the user record.

As shown inFIG. 2, each electronic data transmission system200is provided as a network-enabled computer server and comprises a Lad-based network interface202for interfacing with the land-based communications network108, a wireless network interface204for interfacing with the wireless network112, and a data processing system206in communication with the land-based network interface202and the wireless network interface204. Typically, the land-based network interface202comprises an Ethernet network circuit card and the wireless network interface204comprises an RF antenna, however the electronic data transmitter200need not include both a land-based network interface202and a wireless network interface204but instead could be limited to only a land-based network interface202or a wireless network interface204as dictated by the network configuration.

The wireless network interface204typically is configured as a data receiver for receiving a transmission request for transmission of electronic data over the wireless communications network112to one of the network terminals300. The land-based network interface202typically is configured to transmit the transmission request to the data server102over the land-based communications network108, and to receive the requested electronic data from the data server102. Typically, the electronic data comprises an e-mail message having an attachment document, however the electronic data can comprise other data forms, as discussed above, such as an HTML e-mail message, an electronic sound/music file, an electronic image file or an HTML document.

The data processing system206includes a central processing unit (CPU)208, and a non-volatile memory storage device (DISC)210(such as a magnetic disc memory or electronic memory) and a read/write memory (RAM)212both in communication with the CPU208. Preferably, the DISC210includes a dictionary database211which includes a table of recognized words or phrases and associated pre-defined binary phrase tags. As will be explained, the data processing system206uses the dictionary database21to convert pre-established words and/or phrases into binary phrase tags in order to reduce the byte size of the electronic data transmitted to the network terminal300.

The DISC210also includes data which, when loaded into the RAM212, comprise processor instructions for the CPU208. The processor instructions establish in the RAM212one or more memory objects defining a data format processor214and an authorization processor222in communication with the network interfaces202,204. Typically, the data format processor214comprises a format reorganizer216, a data formatter218, and a data compressor220.

The format reorganizer216is configured to convert the received electronic data from the original format to a less memory-intensive format. For instance, if the electronic data comprises the attachment to an e-mail message, and the attachment comprises an electronic spreadsheet data file, the format reorganizer216would calculate the values of each cell of the spreadsheet and output the resulting numbers. Consequently the number of bytes occupied by the electronic data would be reduced since the electronic data would no longer include the spreadsheet formulae. Alternately, if the attachment comprises a raster image, such as a facsimile transmission, the format reorganizer would convert the image data to text data, thereby again reducing the number of bytes occupied by the electronic data.

The data formatter218is in communication with the output of the format reorganizer216, and is configured to format the electronic data in accordance with one or more data filtration parameters. The data filtration parameters may comprise either default filtration parameters for the network terminal300, or filtration parameters received from the network terminal300together with the transmission request. If the electronic data comprises a text message either attached to an e-mail message or included in the body of an e-mail message, appropriate filtration parameters include:(a) a “space parameter” for instructing the data formatter218to remove one or more of white space, fine spacing data and tabbing data from the text of the e-mail message;(b) a “punctuation parameter” for instructing the data formatter218to remove punctuation from the text of the e-mail message;(c) a “font parameter” for instructing the data formatter218to remove from the e-mail attachment font data and/or attribute data associated with the text of the e-mail message;(d) a “graphics parameter” for instructing the data formatter218to remove any graphics data from the e-mail message;(e) a “formatting parameter” for instructing the data formatter218to replacing paragraph formatting data, such as paragraph justification data and indent data from the text of the e-mail message with predefined format tags;(f) a “word abbreviation parameter” for instructing the data formatter218to replace recognized words in the e-mail message with pre-defined word abbreviations; and(g) a “dictionary lookup parameter” for instructing the data formatter218to replace recognized words or phrases in the e-mail message with pre-defined phrase tags for reducing the byte length of the electronic data.

As will be apparent, the foregoing list of filtration parameters is not exhaustive, but may be expanded in accordance with the context of the electronic data. Preferably, the data formatter218is configured with a sufficient number of filtration parameters so as to offer several levels of data filtration. Further, the filtration parameters are not limited for use with e-mail attachments, but can also be used in association with the body of an e-mail message. In addition, the filtration parameters are not limited for use with electronic text data, but can be used with other forms of electronic data, such as electronic music files or electronic image files. For instance, if the data server102includes electronic music files, the data formatter218can be configured to convert stereo channel data to mono channel data, or to boost or reduce the gain of selected ranges of frequencies. If the data server102includes electronic image files, the data formatter218can be configured to reduce the resolution of the image in accordance with the graphics handling capabilities of the network terminal300. Other forms of filtration parameters will be apparent to those of ordinary skill, and are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

The data compressor220is configured to compress the formatted electronic data to further reduce the size of the data transmission to the network terminals300. Preferably, the data compressor220is configured to use a standard compression algorithm, such as LZW, to compress the data, however the data compressor220may also be configured to use a proprietary compression algorithm suited to the content of the electronic data.

The authorization processor222of the data processing system206is provided to determine whether the network terminal300is authorized to transmit data to selected network resources104, and to facilitate the transmission of electronic data between the data server102and the selected network resource104upon command from then network terminal300. This aspect of the invention will be explained in greater detail below.

Preferably, each network terminal300is provided as a network-enabled wireless communications device, such as a wireless-enabled personal data assistant or an e-mail-enabled wireless telephone. However, the network terminals300may instead comprise land-based network-enabled communications devices, such as portable computers, or a mixture of wireless and land-based communications devices. As shown inFIG. 3, the network terminal300comprises a wireless network interface302for interfacing the network terminal300with the wireless communications network112, a user interface304, and a data processing system306in communication with the network interface302and the wireless network interface304. Preferably, the user interface304comprises a data entry device308(such as keyboard, microphone or writing tablet), and a display device310(such as a CRT or LCD display). However, as will be apparent, if the data server102contains music files, the user interface308will include a speaker instead of the display device310.

The data processing system306includes a central processing unit (CPU)312, and a non-volatile memory storage device (ROM)314(such as an electronic memory) and a read/write memory (RAM)316both in communication with the CPU312.

Preferably, the ROM314includes a dictionary database318which includes a table of recognized words or phrases and associated pre defined binary phrase tags. As will be explained, the data processing system306uses the dictionary database318to convert phrase tags received in electronic data transmitted to the network terminal300into the corresponding text.

The ROM314also includes data which, when loaded into the RAM316, comprise processor instructions for the CPU312. The processor instructions establish in the RAM316one or more memory objects defining a data reprocessor320in communication with the network interface302, the user interface304and the dictionary database318. Typically, the data reprocessor320comprises a data decompressor322and a data reformatter324.

The wireless network interface302typically is configured as a data transmitter to provide the wireless communications network112with a request for transmission of electronic data. As discussed above, the transmission request can include one or more filtration parameters. The wireless network interface302is also configured as a data receiver for receiving an electronic data package from the electronic data transmission system200over the wireless communications network112in response to the transmission request. The data decompressor322is configured to decompress the compressed electronic data received from the electronic data transmission system200, and to extract the decompressed formatted electronic data from the received data package. The data reformatter324is configured to reformat the formatted electronic data using the format tags and the pre-defined phrase tags included in the electronic data, and then to transmit the extracted electronic data to the display device310for review.

The process by which an operator of a network terminal300receives and transmits electronic data with the network terminal300will now descried with reference toFIG. 4. At step400, the operator of the network terminal300logs in to the electronic data communication system100by transmitting to the electronic data transmission system200the operator's name and assigned password. By logging in to the electronic data communication system100, the operator will have access to any network resources104which have “authorized access” as the user access level and which have identified the operator as a user authorized to access the network resource104. However, it should be appreciated that the operator need not log in to the electronic data communication system100, however the operator will then only have access to the network resources104which have established “public access” as the user access level.

At step402, the electronic data transmission system200queries the user registration database116with the operator's username and password (if provided) to verify the identity of the operator. The electronic data transmission system200then queries the data server102for a list of all electronic data available to the operator of the network terminal300. In the instance where the data server102is a POP3 e-mail server, the electronic data transmission system200logs in to the data server102by providing the data server102with the username and password in accordance with the POP3 authentication protocol.

If the username and password is authenticated, the data server102transmits to the electronic data transmission system200a list of all items of electronic data available to the operator of the network terminal300. Typically, the electronic data listing will include data identifiers uniquely associated with each item of electronic data, together with a subject field identifying the subject of the associated item of electronic data. The electronic data transmission system200then transmits the electronic data listing to the network terminal300over the wireless network112.

Upon receipt, the data processing system306displays the subject fields of the electronic data listing on the display device310. The operator of the network terminal300selects an item of electronic data from the electronic data listing for review using the data entry device308of the network terminal300, at step404, and then transmits the data identifier of the selected electronic data item to the electronic data transmission system200over the wireless network112.

The electronic data transmission system200transmits the data identifier to the data server102, at step406, requesting transmission of the identified electronic data item. As will be appreciated, if the data server102comprises a POP3 e-mail server, the electronic data transmission system200transmits the data identifier to the data server102in accordance with the POP3 authentication protocol.

Typically, the operator of the network terminal300initially will not specify a filtration parameter when transmitting the data identifier to the electronic data transmission system200. Accordingly, upon receipt of the electronic data item from the data server102, the data processing system206of the electronic data transmission system200will query the user registration database116with the operator's username and password to determine the default filtration parameter for the operator's wireless terminal300. Alternately, however, the operator of the network terminal300may transmit a filtration parameter with the data identifier, if the default filtration is not desired.

At step408, the format reorganizer216of the electronic data transmission system200converts the electronic data received from the data server into a less memory-intensive format. If no filtration parameter is specified, the data formatter218of the electronic data transmission system200formats the electronic data received from the format reorganizer216in accordance with the default filtration parameter. However, if a filtration parameter is specified, the data formatter218formats the electronic data in accordance with the specified filtration parameter.

The formatting parameter may instruct the data formatter218to perform any of a number of different formatting operations on the electronic data. As discussed above, if the data server102comprises an e-mail server, the parameter may instruct the data formatter218to perform any of a variety of different e-mail formatting operations on the e-mail message, including the following formatting operations:(a) removal of white space, line spacing data and/or tabbing data from the text of message(b) removal of punctuation from the text of the message(c) removal of font data and/or attribute data associated with the text of the message(d) removal of any graphics data from the message(e) replacement of paragraph formatting data from the text of the message with predefined format tags(f) replacement of recognized words in the message with predefined word abbreviations; and(g) replacement of recognized words or phrases in the message with pre-defined binary phrase tags

At the end of the data formatting step, preferably the data compressor220compresses the formatted electronic data. The electronic data transmission system200then transmits the compressed formatted electronic data to the network terminal300over the wireless network112, at step410. Typically, the compressed formatted electronic data is transmitted as part of an encrypted data package which includes the network address of the network terminal300to provide a level of assurance that the electronic data is not accessible to operators of other network terminals300.

Upon receipt of the data package, the data decompressor322of the wireless terminal300decrypts and decompresses the received electronic data package, at step412, and extracts the decompressed formatted electronic data from the data package. Then, if the decompressed electronic data includes format tags, the data reformatter324reformats the formatted electronic data using the format tags in the electronic data. If the formatted electronic data includes standard word abbreviations, the data reformatter324replaces the word abbreviations with their associated words. Further, if the formatted data also includes predefined binary phrase tags, at step414the data reformatter324queries the dictionary database318with the pre-defined binary phrase tags in order to replace the phrase tags included in the electronic data with their associated words or phrases. The data processing system306then displays the decompressed electronic data on the display device310, at step416.

If upon review of the electronic data, the operator concludes that the electronic data was insufficiently or excessively filtered by the electronic data transmission system200, the operator can request a different level of data filtration at step414by transmitting a desired filtration parameter to the electronic data transmission system200and repeating steps406to416above.

As will be apparent from the foregoing discussion, since the electronic data transmission system200reduces the size of the electronic data prior to transmission to the network terminal300(via data formatting and/or compression), the network bandwidth required to transmit the data package is less than that of the prior art transmission systems. Further, since the operator of a network terminal300can recursively specify alternate data filtration parameters for the desired electronic data, the operator can tailor the level of filtration in accordance with the data resolution capabilities of the network terminal300and the contents/characteristics of the electronic data.

Thus far in the discussion, the process performed by the electronic data communication system100has focussed on its ability to transmit filtered/compressed electronic data to network terminals300. However, the electronic data communication system100can also be used to transmit electronic data to network resources104upon command from the network terminals300. This aspect of the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 5.

As shown therein, at step500the operator of the network terminal300selects a network resource104by transmitting to the electronic data transmission system200a request over the wireless network112for a list of available network resources104. The network resource query may be based upon any desired criteria, including print turn-around time and page size (where the target network resource104is a printer), price, and geography. In addition, the operator may provide the electronic data transmission system200with the geographical coordinates of the wireless terminal300to determine the operator's nearest network resources. The operator may provide its geographical coordinates through any suitable mechanism known to those skilled in the art, including latitude/longitude co-ordinates, GPS, and wireless triangulation.

At step502, the authorization processor222of the electronic data transmission system200transmits to the wireless terminal300a list of pseudo-names associated with each network resource104which satisfies the designated search criteria. If the operator logged in to the electronic data communication system100, the authorization processor222generates the required list by querying the resource database114with the operator's username to identify the network resources104with which the operator has been authorized to communicate. Accordingly, in this scenario the pseudo-name list will include both “public access” network resources104and “authorized access” network resources104with which the operator has been authorized to communicate. Also, if the user is member of an enterprise having network resources104registered with the electronic data communication system100, the pseudo-name list will also identify network resources104which have been registered by the enterprise for “private access”. Otherwise, the pseudo-name list will only identify network resources104registered for public access.

Upon receipt of the resource list, the operator selects a network resource104from the list. Then, at step504, the operator of the network terminal300transmits a transmission request to the electronic data transmission system200, specifying the pseudo-name of the selected network resource104. The authorization processor222of the electronic data transmission system200queries the resource database114with the received pseudo-name for the resource record associated with the pseudo-name. The authorization processor222then extracts the user access level from the user access level field of the retrieved resource record, at step506, and verifies that the network terminal300is still authorized to communicate with the selected network resource104. As will be apparent from the foregoing discussion, if the user access level field specifies “public access” for the network resource104, the network terminal300will be automatically authorized to communicate with the network resource104.

However, if the user access level field specifies “private access” for the network resource104, the authorization processor222determines the network address of the network terminal300from the transmission request transmitted by the network terminal300, and then queries the user access level sub-field with the terminal's network address to determine whether the network terminal300is still authorized to communicate with the network resource104. On the other hand, if the user access level field specifies “authorized access” for the network resource104, the authorization processor222queries the user access level sub-field with the operator's username to determine whether the network terminal300is still authorized to communicate with the network resource104.

If the query at step506reveals that the network terminal300is no longer authorized to communicate with the network resource104, at step508the authorization processor222provides the network terminal300with a notification that the network terminal300is not authorized for communication with the selected resource104. However, if the query at step506reveals that the network terminal300is still authorized to communicate with the network resource104, the authorization processor222queries the network address field of the resource record associated with the network resource104for the network address of the network resource104. The authorization processor222then transmits the original unfiltered uncompressed electronic data to the network resource104at the specified network address, at step510.

Typically, the network resource104will comprise a land-based network resource, accordingly the authorization processor222will transmit the unfiltered uncompressed electronic data to the network resource104over the land-based communications network108. As will be apparent, this mechanism of transmitting electronic data to land-based network resources104is advantageous since it allows the original electronic data to be transmitted to the network resource104without requiring significant wireless network bandwidth. However, the network resource104may also comprise a wireless-based network resource. Although transmission of the original unfiltered uncompressed electronic data to the network resource104would increase the wireless bandwidth requirements of the electronic data communication system100, the transmission of the electronic data to the network resource104would not be hindered by the processing power limitations of the network terminal300.

The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Those of ordinary skill may envisage certain additions, deletions and/or modifications to the described embodiment which, although not explicitly described herein, are encompassed by the spirit or scope of the invention, as defined by the claims appended hereto.