Distribution Management System Fax Routing via Client Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Web-based application servers face challenges in sending fax transmissions that appear to originate from multiple companies, leading to billing burdens and overhead for the application server company, as current systems lack the ability to route fax transmissions from the correct company source.
Innovation Solution
A distribution management system translates documents and routes them through client devices associated with the intended fax destination, allowing fax transmissions to appear as originating from the correct company, thereby shifting transmission charges to the appropriate company.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the application server directly sends fax transmissions, then the fax can be sent quickly, but the transmission charges are incurred by the application server company and the fax appears to come from a central source rather than the correct company
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distribution management system as an intermediary between the application server and the fax transmission network. This intermediary receives documents from the application server, determines the appropriate client device associated with the intended company, and routes the fax transmission through that client device. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining fast transmission while ensuring charges are incurred by the correct company and the fax appears to originate from the proper source.
2Device complexity
If the application server sends fax transmissions from a central fax number, then the transmission process is simple, but multiple companies cannot have their fax transmissions appear to come from their specific company phone numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fax transmission function by associating each client device with specific company identifiers and phone numbers. Instead of a single centralized fax number, the system divides the transmission capability across multiple client devices, each representing a different company. The distribution management system selects the appropriate segment (client device) based on the document and intended destination, enabling multiple companies to have distinct fax identities while maintaining a unified transmission process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the distribution management system routes fax through client devices, then transmission charges are correctly allocated to each company, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the distribution management system determines the intended company and destination, identifies the associated client device, and routes the transmission accordingly. The system receives information about the document and intended recipient, processes this information to determine the correct routing path, and executes the transmission through the appropriate client device. This feedback loop ensures accurate cost allocation while managing system complexity through automated decision-making rules.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for delivering documents. A web based application server transmits a document to a distribution management system. The distribution management system then translates the document if necessary (e.g., from a spreadsheet to a PDF and a fax) and sends the translated document to one or more destinations such as email inboxes, printers, and fax machines. For fax deliveries, the distribution management system sends the document to a particular client device that is associated with the fax destination. For example, the client device that actually transmits the fax may reside at a company, and the fax machine may be at a customer of that company. In this manner, fax transmissions appear to come from the correct source (not the distribution management system), and transmission charges associated with the fax are incurred by the appropriate company (not the company associated with the distribution management system).