IP Library Granted Patent US 7,606,873
Granted Patent B2
US 7,606,873 · App. 10/692,435 · Granted Oct 20, 2009

Initiating distribution of server based content via web-enabled device

Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,606,873
App. No.
10/692,435
Granted
Oct 20, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

Content that is stored on a remote server is distributed via a communications network. The distribution of the content, such as a document or pictures, is initiated via a properly enabled device, such as a web-enabled phone, handheld computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or personal computer. In this manner, a website can be used as a repository for documents, and the sender is not required to have physical possession of the document to be sent or have a locally stored electronic copy of the document to be sent.

Claims (44)

1. A method for distributing content over a communications network, the method comprising:

storing content at a storage associated with a fax server;

logging on to the fax server by a web-enabled device operated by a user;

authenticating the web-enabled device;

generating a list of accessible content available at the fax server, the list including only content that is accessible to the web-enabled device and that was stored at the storage by the user or by an associate of the user from the content available at the fax server;

providing the list to the web-enabled device;

selecting a particular accessible content from the list;

transmitting the selection to the fax server;

retrieving the selected content from the storage associated with the fax server;

sending destination information to the fax server by the web-enabled device as to one or more designated devices, not including the web-enabled device, which are selected by the web-enabled device to receive the selected content;

forwarding the selected content and destination information to a fax service provider;

faxing from the fax service provider the selected accessible content to the one or more designated devices.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving a request for content distribution from the web-enabled device, prior to generating the list.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving login information at the web-enabled device, and transmitting the login information to the fax server, wherein authenticating the web-enabled device comprises authenticating the login information.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving a fax number for the one or more designated devices at the fax sewer from the web-enabled device, prior to faxing the selected accessible content.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the web-enabled device comprises a browser, further comprising receiving and displaying the list on the browser of the web-enabled device.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein faxing comprises fax over IP.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising providing the web-enabled device so that the web-enabled device is publicly accessible.

8. A method for initiating the electronic distribution of content over a communications network, the method comprising:

transmitting login information to a fax server from a device;

authenticating the login information at the fax sewer, thereby authenticating the device;

generating a list of accessible content at the fax server associated with the authenticated device, the content having been provided by a party associated with the authenticated device and stored at a storage associated with the fax server by the party associated with the authenticated device or by an associate of the party associated with the authenticated device;

providing the list to the authenticated device;

receiving, at the authenticated device, a selection of accessible content from the list;

transmitting the selection to the fax server;

retrieving the selected accessible content from the storage associated with the fax server;

sending address/location information associated with a designated device to the fax server from the authenticated device, the designated device being different from the authenticated device;

forwarding the selected content and destination designated device address/location information to a fax service provider; and

faxing the selected accessible content from the fax service provider to the designated device using the address/location information.

9. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising receiving a request for content distribution from the authenticated device, prior to generating the list.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein sending address/location information associated with a designated device comprises sending a fax number to the fax server.

11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the authenticated device comprises a browser, further comprising receiving and displaying the list on the browser of the authenticated device.

12. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising providing the authenticated device so that the authenticated device is publicly accessible.

13. A system for faxing content to a designated device, the system comprising:

a web-enabled device that is different from the designated device and that can receive and provide a listing of content;

a fax server with an associated storage device, the associated storage device maintaining content that had been previously provided by a party associated with the web-enabled device to the associated storage device, the fax server generating the listing of content, the listing including only content that is accessible to the web-enabled device and that had been previously stored at the associated storage device by the party or by an associate of the party, providing the listing to the web-enabled device, receiving a selection of content from the web-enabled device, retrieving the selected content, and forwarding the selected content to a fax service provider for faxing the selected content to the designated device selected by the web-enabled device; and

an authentication system for authenticating the web-enabled device;

wherein the listing provided to the web-enabled device only includes content that is accessible to the web-enabled device based on its authentication.

14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the web-enabled device sends a request for content distribution to the fax server to activate the fax server generating the listing of content.

15. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the web-enabled device is adapted to receive login information and provide the login information to the fax server for authentication.

16. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the server transmits the content to a fax number associated with the designated device.

17. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the web-enabled device includes a browser that displays the listing.

18. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the web-enabled device is publicly accessible.

19. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the content comprises at least one of documents, pictures, and data.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2014
From: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 034541/0477 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2004
From: TAYLOR, BRANDON VAUGHN; HAAR, MALCOLM; GAO, TIA
To: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 014828/0862 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2004
From: TAYLOR, BRANDON VAUGHN; HAAR, MALCOLM; GAO, TIA
To: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015055/0677 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050108323A1 · May 19, 2005