Mobile Device Facsimile Transmission via RTP and FoIP Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current facsimile document transmission methods are limited by the need for physical facsimile machines and lack of real-time, mobile capabilities for sending and receiving facsimile transmissions, especially in environments where traditional communication networks are unavailable.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a facsimile transmission engine on mobile communication devices that uses a real-time protocol (RTP) over Internet Protocol (IP) to send and receive facsimile images directly via a data channel, connecting to a FoIP gateway for conversion between IP and PSTN networks, allowing for real-time facsimile transmission and reception even when the device is not connected to a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional facsimile machines are used for document transmission, then reliable facsimile transmission can be achieved, but mobility and accessibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communication device is equipped with a facsimile transmission engine that enables it to perform both mobile communication and facsimile transmission functions. This multi-functionality allows the device to serve as both a mobile phone and a fax machine, eliminating the need for separate physical facsimile machines and improving mobility while maintaining reliable facsimile transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
A gateway is introduced as an intermediary component that connects the IP-based mobile communication network with the traditional PSTN facsimile network. The gateway translates and mediates between different communication protocols, enabling seamless facsimile transmission between mobile devices and traditional fax machines without requiring both parties to use the same network infrastructure
2Speed
If real-time facsimile transmission over IP network is implemented, then mobility and speed are improved, but compatibility with traditional PSTN networks becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a protocol translator and intermediary between the IP-based mobile communication network and the traditional PSTN network. It converts IP packets into PSTN-compatible signals and vice versa, enabling real-time facsimile transmission over IP networks while maintaining full compatibility with traditional PSTN facsimile machines, thus resolving the compatibility issue without sacrificing transmission speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters such as data rate, encoding format, and protocol selection based on the target network type (IP or PSTN). This parameter adaptation allows the facsimile transmission engine to optimize transmission speed for IP networks while automatically adjusting to maintain compatibility when communicating with traditional PSTN facsimile machines
3Productivity
If mobile devices are equipped with facsimile transmission engine, then physical facsimile machines can be eliminated, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The facsimile transmission engine is designed to operate autonomously on the mobile device, automatically performing document scanning, image processing, format conversion, and transmission without requiring external physical facsimile machines or manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate fax machines and improves document transmission efficiency by consolidating all functions within the mobile device's software
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical and hardware-based facsimile transmission system with a software-based implementation on mobile devices. Instead of using physical fax machines with mechanical components, the system uses software engines that leverage the mobile device's existing hardware (camera, processor, network interface) to perform all facsimile functions, thereby reducing physical device complexity while maintaining or improving productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device can send and receive realtime facsimile transmissions over a data channel available to the device. The device can implement a real time facsimile protocol over the data channel, which can generally be a packet switched network connection, such as an IP connection. An image capture device can be employed to obtain an image of a document that can be facsimile transmitted from the wireless device over the data channel. The document image may be converted to a format generally usable with facsimile transmissions. The wireless device can be configured to transmit immediately following image capture, or after a desired number of images are captured. A contact list that may be included with the wireless device may be used to select a destination address for facsimile transmission. A printing device can be the destination address to permit wireless or mobile printing.