Digital Message Processing System

Abstract

The invention comprises a wireless apparatus and system for automatic processing of digital “messages” to a remote system at a predefined destination address. Initial transmission occurs via a wireless network, and the apparatus process allows the simultaneous capture of new messages while transmissions are occurring. The destination address may correspond to an e-mail account, or may correspond to a remote server from which the message can be efficiently processed and/or further distributed. In the latter case, data packaged with the digital message is used to control processing of the message at the server, based on a combination of pre-defined system and user options. Secured Internet access to the server allows flexible user access to system parameters for configuration of message handling and distribution options, including the option to build named distribution lists that are downloaded to the wireless apparatus. For example, configuration data specified on the server may be downloaded to the wireless apparatus to allow users to quickly specify storage and distribution options for each message, such as archival for later retrieval, forwarding to recipients in a distribution list group, and/or immediate presentation to a monitoring station for analysis and follow-up. The apparatus and system is designed to provide quick and simple digital message capture and delivery for business and personal use.

1 . A system for processing configuration data utilizable in operating a remote device, comprising: 
 at least one server system including at least a memory device for storing configuration data;    at least one device designed to operate using said configuration data;    a user interface coupled to said at least one server system via a network wherein said user interface is configured to allow user updates to said configuration data and provide said configuration data to said at least one server system;    said at least one server system coupled to said at least one device via a network, wherein said at least one server system is configured to relay said configuration data to said at least one device in response to a triggering event.    
   
   
       2 . System of  claim 1 , wherein said triggering event comprises receipt of a request for said configuration data from said one device.  
   
   
       3 . System of  claim 1 , wherein said triggering event comprises receipt of updates to said configuration data from said user interface.  
   
   
       4 . System of  claim 1 , wherein said server system further comprises an internal clock mechanism, and said triggering event comprises reaching a pre-defined time.  
   
   
       5 . System of  claim 1 , wherein said configuration data comprises contact information.  
   
   
       6 . System of  claim 1 , wherein said configuration data comprises message classifications.  
   
   
       7 . System of  claim 1 , where said server is coupled to said at least one device via a wireless network.  
   
   
       8 . Digital message processing system comprising: 
 at least one wireless digital apparatus, wherein each said apparatus includes a processor, a memory, and a destination address and one or more previously defined recipient codes stored in said memory, a user interface connected to said processor for at least displaying one or more said recipient codes and receiving signals indicating user selection of a displayed recipient code, a digital recorder connected to said processor for capturing one or more digital records in response to signals from said user interface, a RF communications device connected to said processor, and processor control means, responsive to signals received from said user interface, for transmitting a message, including at least one said selected recipient code and one said digital record, to said destination address via said RF communications device; and    a server associated with said destination address and responsive to messages received at said destination address from each said wireless digital apparatus; a database storing account configuration data including recipient code data; a server communication device; and server control means for parsing said recipient code from each said message, retrieving from said database account configuration data that is associated with said recipient code, and processing each said message according to said account configuration data.    
   
   
       9 . Digital message processing system of  claim 8 , wherein said server control means further comprises means for transmitting account configuration data including at least one recipient code to at least one said wireless digital apparatus; and wherein said processor control means of each said wireless digital apparatus is responsive to receiving account configuration data transmitted from said server to update said memory of said wireless digital apparatus with at least a portion of said account configuration data.  
   
   
       10 . Digital message processing system of  claim 8 , wherein said server control means processing of said message further comprises archiving at least a portion of said message on said server.  
   
   
       11 . Digital message processing system of  claim 8 , wherein said server control means processing of said message further comprises distributing at least a portion of said message to one or more recipient addresses associated with said recipient code in said account configuration data.  
   
   
       12 . Digital message processing system of  claim 8 , wherein said server control means processing of said message further comprises archiving at least a portion of said message on said server and distributing instructions for accessing archived portions of said message to one or more recipient addresses associated with said recipient code in said account configuration data.  
   
   
       13 . Digital message processing system of  claim 8 , wherein said message further comprises an account identifier, said account configuration data further includes an account identifier, and said server control means is for parsing said recipient code and said account identifier from each said message, retrieving from said database account configuration data that is associated with both said account identifier and said recipient code, and processing each said message according to said account configuration data.  
   
   
       14 . Digital message processing system of  claim 8 , wherein said digital recorder records an audio message and said server control means processing of said message further comprises distributing at least the audio portion of said message to one or more recipient addresses associated with said recipient code in said account configuration data.  
   
   
       15 . A server method for processing data collected from a remote location, said method comprising: 
 recording configuration data indicating an identity of a subscriber, and identifiers of one or more remote devices associated with the subscriber, and subscriber preferences for processing data received from each of said remote devices;    receiving a message including at least captured data collected at a remote location by a remote device with at least one data recording device coupled thereto; and    processing the captured data based on the configuration data previously associated with the remote devices.    
   
   
       16 . Server method of  claim 15 , wherein said processing step further comprises sending at least part of the message to at least one recipient within said configuration data.  
   
   
       17 . Server method of  claim 15 , wherein said processing step further comprises saving at least part of the message at an address within said configuration data.  
   
   
       18 . Server method of  claim 15 , wherein said processing step further comprises saving at least part of the message in a database on the server.  
   
   
       19 . Server method of  claim 15 , wherein said message further comprises a code and said processing step further comprises sending at least part of the message to at least one recipient associated with the code within said configuration data.  
   
   
       20 . Server method of  claim 15 , wherein said message further comprises a code and said processing step further comprises saving at least part of the message at an address associated with the code within said configuration data.  
   
   
       21 . Server method of  claim 15 , wherein said message further comprises a subscriber ID and said processing step further comprises saving at least part of the message at an address associated with the subscriber ID on the server.