Patent Publication Number: US-2006003746-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for providing network support for fax management via a mobile device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing network support for facsimile (fax) management via a mobile device. More particularly, the exemplary embodiments described relate to a technique that allows a mobile subscriber to manage incoming faxes by choosing, for example, to read, store, delete, forward, or print the fax at the time the fax call is received. In addition, the system allows a mobile subscriber to manage faxes that have already been stored on a network fax management system from a mobile handset by, for example, reading, printing, deleting, or forwarding the received faxes.  
      While the invention is particularly directed to the art of mobile fax management, and will be thus described with specific reference thereto, it will be appreciated that the invention may have usefulness in other fields and applications. For example, the invention may be used in other situations where it would be desirable to manage electronic documents stored on a network from a mobile device.  
      By way of background, as wireless technologies increasingly penetrate the marketplace, many consumers are opting to discontinue existing landline telephone services and become exclusive wireless customers in the area of telecommunications. Consequently, there is a need to be able to perform many tasks on a wireless basis. Among these tasks is the ability to manage faxes (e.g. manage faxes from a mobile handset).  
      There are mobile fax devices known in the art. However, these mobile fax devices suffer from a number of deficiencies. For example, known mobile devices have limitations on memory capability which makes it impossible to keep, store, and manage multiple faxes. In addition, mobile phones do not have sufficient capability to be able to exclusively handle fax management. Currently, no network support is known to exist to assist in overcoming these deficiencies.  
      The present invention contemplates a new and improved network support system for fax management via a mobile device that resolves the above-referenced difficulties and others.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A method and apparatus for providing network support for fax management via a mobile device are provided.  
      In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises receiving a call to a mobile device used by a mobile subscriber, recognizing the call as a fax call associated with a fax, determining if the mobile device is enabled to receive the fax call, sending the fax call to the mobile device, if the mobile device is enabled to receive the fax call, determining if the mobile device answers the fax call and providing the mobile device with a menu identifying a plurality of fax management options, if the mobile device is answered.  
      In another aspect of the invention, the method comprises receiving a call from the mobile device used by a mobile subscriber, recognizing the call as a fax management call, determining if the mobile subscriber associated with the mobile device is a valid subscriber and providing the mobile device with a menu identifying a plurality of fax management options.  
      In another aspect of the invention, the system or apparatus of the present invention comprises means to accomplish the methods of the present invention.  
      An advantage of the present invention is that storing and managing faxes is improved because memory and storage devices on the network are typically larger and more expandable.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is that subscribers have improved control over management of faxes.  
      Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention exists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, and steps of the method, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary implementation of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an example fax management system and related elements of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method according to the present invention; and,  
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same,  FIG. 1  provides a view of an overall exemplary system according to the present invention and a network into which it is incorporated. As shown, a network  10  includes a mobile switching center (MSC)  12  that communicates through a base station  14  to a mobile device  16  associated with a mobile subscriber. A voicemail system  18  and a fax management system  20  are also in communication with the mobile switching center (MSC)  12 . A subscriber database  22  is provided to the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  to make relevant subscriber data regarding subscriber profiles and available services accessible to the mobile switching center (MSC)  12 . In addition, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  is shown as being connected through a public switched telephone network (PSTN)  24  to another device such as a fax device  26  or the like.  
      In operation, the described embodiments of the present invention provide a plurality of functions when a fax is sent to a mobile device. For example, as the fax call is received, the present system allows the mobile subscriber to choose to receive the entire fax at the mobile device (if possible), choose to read only the fax header information (e.g., sending party, sending party&#39;s number, number of pages, title of fax), or choose to store the fax on the network fax management system  20 . Of course, the mobile subscriber may also choose to delete the incoming fax, forward the incoming fax to another number, or choose to print the fax using its mobile device  16 , provided that the mobile device or handset is also a mobile fax device. If the mobile subscriber is not available to receive the fax call and thus not available to decide the manner in which the call should be handled, the system preferably, by default, stores the fax in the network fax management system  20  for later processing by the mobile subscriber.  
      In addition, the presently described embodiments provide the mobile user with other capabilities. For example, the present system allows the mobile subscriber to interact with the network fax management system  20  from the mobile device  16  in order to manage faxes that have been stored on the network fax management system  20 . Accordingly, the mobile subscriber may use the mobile device  16  to read new or stored faxes, print stored faxes, delete stored faxes, and forward stored faxes to another number.  
      To realize the functionality of the presently described embodiments of the invention, a variety of implementations may be used. The network shown in  FIG. 1  is simply an example. It should be appreciated that the base station  14 , public switched telephone network  24  and fax device  26  can take a variety of known forms—or may be replaced with other network components that provide similar functionality. It should also be understood that other components (such as computers having fax capability, other mobile devices, . . . etc.) may also be used in the system to utilize the functionality of the presently described embodiments. Still further modifications to the network of  FIG. 1  may be implemented as a result of a different generation of wireless technology. For example, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  may be replaced by a primary switching module of another form suited to different technology.  
      Likewise, the mobile device  16  can take the form of that which is known in the art. For example, it may be in the form of a wireless phone and/or a wireless fax machine. In any event, however, the mobile device  16  preferably has sufficient capability to store data, accept downloaded data and/or instructions from the network, display data, and provide sufficient interface capability to the network to realize the functionality of the present invention. Such capability is typically present in mobile phones presently manufactured.  
      The mobile switching center  12 , subscriber database  22 , and the voicemail system  18  may require modifications that will be apparent from this description. Moreover, the fax management system  20  is included within the system  10  in order to realize the invention.  
      For example, mobile switching center (MSC)  12  preferably is able to receive an incoming fax call, and recognize that call as a fax call by reading an appropriate bit in the message, for example. The mobile switching center (MSC)  12 , under the present invention, preferably has the ability to accept the fax call and connect to the fax management system  20  to, among other functions, provide the mobile subscriber with options on how to handle incoming fax calls when answered. In this regard, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  has the ability to communicate (e.g. handshake) with the fax device  26 , for example, to complete the fax call, store the fax in the fax management system  20 , and notify the mobile subscriber  16 . This functionality of recognizing and completing the fax call is well known in fax technology and is implemented in the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  in this embodiment. It should be understood that this may also be implemented directly within the fax management system  20 —in which case the mobile switching center (MSC) itself would only need to recognize a fax call and pass it on to the fax management system  20 . The mobile switching center (MSC)  12  (or fax management system) is operative in this manner so that the fax device  26  will send the fax to the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  and be removed from the process. This, of course, allows for better fax management, because it can then be supported by the network.  
      As for the notification to the subscriber and the presentation of options to the subscriber, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  is operative to first determine whether the mobile subscriber is a valid subscriber to the contemplated fax management service by accessing the subscriber database  22 . In this regard, the subscriber database  22  will be supplemented with an additional field indicating fax management capability.  
      If the subscriber is a valid subscriber, the subscriber is presented with options/instructions from the fax management system  20  through the network that may require subscriber input. For example, the instructions may require the mobile subscriber to press “1” to read the fax header information only, press “2” to store the fax on the fax management system, . . . etc. The mobile switching center (MSC)  12  then collects the digits entered by the mobile subscriber and forwards them for processing to the fax management system  20 . It should be understood that such processing may require further action of the mobile switching center (MSC)  12 . For example, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  may be further used to communicate with the mobile device  16  or may be used to initiate a call to another device (as in the case of call forwarding).  
      In addition, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  is also operative to communicate with the mobile subscriber and preferably recognizes a subscriber call to the fax management system  29 . Of course, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  will preferably have the ability to validate that mobile subscriber via access to the subscriber database  22 . If the mobile subscriber is not an authorized user, an error message will be played and the call will be ended. If, however, the subscriber is an authorized user, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  will connect the mobile subscriber to the fax management system  20  so that an appropriate menu of options may be presented to the mobile subscriber thereby. For example, the mobile subscriber may be presented with the options of reading a new fax by pressing “1”, reading an old fax by pressing “2”, printing a fax by pressing “3”, deleting a fax by pressing “4”, forwarding a fax to another destination number by pressing “5”, or exiting by pressing “6”. In this regard, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  collects the digits entered by the mobile subscriber and conveys them to the fax management system  20  so the appropriate functions can be performed. Again, it should be understood that such processing may require further action of the mobile switching center (MSC)  12 . For example, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  may be further used to communicate with the mobile device  16  or may be used to initiate a call to another device (as in the case of call forwarding).  
      The voicemail system  18  may be used by the present system as an option for providing notification to the mobile subscriber that a fax has been received. In this regard, the fax management system  20  or the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  may provide a recorded message to the voicemail inbox of the mobile subscriber upon receipt and storage of a fax.  
      With reference to  FIG. 2 , the fax management system  20  is shown. The fax management system  20 , which is in communication with the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  and, consequently and by example, the mobile device  16  and the fax device  26 , includes an interface  30 . The interface  30  communicates with a fax sending module  32 , a fax receiving module  34 , and a fax storage module  36 . The fax storage module may store faxes in a variety of different data formats as may be appropriate; however, it is preferred that the faxes be stored in bitmap form so that it can be conveniently retrieved and downloaded for viewing. Of course, the interface allows the mobile subscriber  16 , through the MSC  12 , to send, receive, and store faxes. Also shown in  FIG. 2  is a delete module  38  which allows appropriate deletion of faxes that are stored upon the command of the mobile user  16 . Of course, as an alternative, the fax management system  20  may simply provide a time threshold to permit deletion of stored faxes upon expiration of a timer.  
      It should be appreciated that, although the mobile switching center  12 , the subscriber database  22 , the fax management system  20  and the voicemail system  18  are shown as separate components, such components, or some combination thereof, may well be incorporated with the same network element, such as a mobile switching center. For example, the fax management system  20  may be incorporated as a module within the mobile switching center  12 .  
      Along these lines, the operation of the network elements illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is supported by the elements shown, appropriate hardware, and appropriate software implementing the methods of the present invention. However, it should be understood that the method recited in connection with FIGS.  14  may well be embodied in software that is stored within the fax management system  20 , the mobile switching center (MSC)  12 , or distributed among those elements and/or others. For example, the software that controls the actions of the elements may be embodied in the interface  30  and the appropriate module of the mobile switching center (MSC)  12 . If the fax management system  20  is primarily housed within the mobile switching center (MSC)  12 , then the control software may reside in a single module.  
      With that in mind,  FIG. 3  illustrates a method  100  according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The method  100  is initiated upon receipt by the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  of a fax sent to a mobile device  16  (at  102 ). Of course, as noted above, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  recognizes the transmission and stores the incoming fax. However, before storing, it is first determined whether the mobile fax feature is enabled for the particular mobile subscriber, e.g. the mobile subscriber associated with the mobile device  16  (at  104 ). The mobile switching center (MSC)  12  determines if the mobile subscriber is an authorized user of the fax management system  20  by accessing the subscriber database  22 . If not, an error message is returned to the sender (at  106 ). If, however, the fax feature is enabled for a particular subscriber, the fax call is connected and the fax is stored, at least temporarily, in, for example, fax receiving module  34  (at  108 ). A determination is then made as to whether the mobile subscriber answers the call (at  110 ). If not, the incoming fax is stored on the network fax management system  20  in the fax storage module  36  (at  112 ), and the acknowledgement of the success or failure of the call is provided to the sending party (at  114 ). If, however, the mobile subscriber answers the fax call, the fax management system  20 , through the mobile switching center (MSC)  12 , provides the called party with a menu of fax management options (at  116 ). The mobile subscriber then responds to the menu by entering digits which are recognized by the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  and passed on to the fax management system  20  through the interface  30 .  
      As a result of the presentation of options, for example, the mobile subscriber may choose to read header information only (at  118 ). The subscriber is then given the option to store (or maintain) the fax in storage module  36  and/or delete the fax through delete module  38  (at  120 ). The mobile subscriber may select to read the entire fax (at  122 ) and then also be given the option to store and/or delete the fax, as above (at  124 ). The ability to read the fax will depend largely on the memory capacity of the mobile device  16 . In this regard, sufficient memory space is required on the mobile device to accept a download of the fax, which is preferably stored in a bitmap form. In this regard, the ability to read the fax may also depend on the length of the fax. The mobile subscriber may choose to store the fax without reading it (at  126 ), in which case the fax is stored in the storage module  36  of the network fax management system  20  (at  128 ). The mobile subscriber may choose to delete the fax, through delete module  38  (at  130 ). The mobile subscriber may also select the option of forwarding the fax to a different number (at  132 ). In this case, the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  will originate and connect a new fax call to that number upon initiation by the fax sending module  32  (at  134 ). Last, the mobile subscriber may choose to print the fax (at  136 ). If so, a determination is made as to whether the mobile device, such as mobile device  16 , is enabled to do so (at  138 ). If so, the fax is printed (at  140 ). If not, however, an error message is sent to the mobile subscriber (at  142 ) and the fax is simply stored in storage module  36  (at  144 ).  
      As noted above, the presently described fax management technique also allows for management of faxes that have been received and are stored. In this regard,  FIG. 4  illustrates method  200  relating to fax management of stored faxes.  
      Initially, a mobile subscriber initiates a call directly to the fax management system (at  202 ). The mobile switching center (MSC)  12  determines if the mobile subscriber is an authorized user of the fax management system  20  by accessing the subscriber database  22  (at  204 ). If the mobile subscriber is not a valid subscriber, an error message is returned (at  206 ). However, if the mobile subscriber is a valid subscriber to the service, the fax management system  20 , through the mobile switching center (MSC)  12 , stores (at least temporarily) the fax in the fax receiving module  34  and then provides a menu of fax management options to the user (at  208 ).  
      A determination is made as to whether each of the options are valid based on the user subscription and the stored faxes (at  210 ). If the options are valid, the mobile subscriber then responds to the menu by entering digits which are recognized by the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  and passed on to the fax management system  20  through the interface  30 . For example, the mobile subscriber may choose to read a new or old fax (at  212 ). In this case, a copy of the fax may be downloaded to the mobile device  16  (at  214 ). The ability to read the fax will depend largely on the memory capacity of the mobile device  16 . In this regard, sufficient memory space is required on the mobile device to accept a download of the fax, which is preferably stored in a bitmap form. In this regard, the ability to read the fax may also depend on the length of the fax. Next, additional options are given to the user to save the fax in the storage module  36  or delete the fax through delete module  38  (at  216 ). The user may simply choose to delete a fax, through delete module  38  (at  218 ). In this case, the delete module  38 , through the interface  30  and the mobile switching center  12 , requests that the user confirm the deletion (at  220 ) and then determines if the deletion is so confirmed (at  222 ). If not, an error message is simply sent to the subscriber (at  224 ). However, if confirmation of the delete function is made by the user, the fax is deleted from the network (e.g., the fax storage module  36 ) (at  226 ). The user may also choose to forward a stored fax to a different number (at  228 ). The fax sending module  32  then requests the forwarding number (at  230 ). Upon initiation by the fax sending module  32 , the mobile switching center (MSC)  12  then originates a fax call to the forwarding number and the fax is sent (at  232 ). An acknowledgement of the success or failure is provided to the calling party (at  234 ). The user may choose to print a stored fax from the storage module  36  (at  236 ). Of course, a determination is first made as to whether the mobile device  16  is fax enabled (at  238 ). If not, an error message is returned to the user (at  242 ). If, however, the mobile device  16  is a fax-enabled device, the fax is printed (at  240 ). The last option available to the user is that of exiting (at  244 ).  
      It should be appreciated that upon completion of each of these options, the user is presented with the menu. This will allow the subscriber to exercise a number of the options in connection with a single fax or exercise one or many options in connection with multiple faxes. For example, the subscriber may first decide to read a fax and then later print that same fax. Of course, the subscriber will ultimately need to exit the program, which constitutes another option.  
      In addition, it should be understood that the subscriber may also be provided with the opportunity to set preferences and create a subscriber profile. This profile may then be accessed by the fax management system or the mobile switching center to implement available functionality. For example, a subscriber may wish to forego notification and simply have all faxes directly stored. As a further example, a subscriber may wish to set a time threshold on storage of faxes.  
      The above description merely provides a disclosure of particular embodiments of the invention and is not intended for the purposes of limiting the same thereto. As such, the invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. Rather, it is recognized that one skilled in the art could conceive alternative embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention.