Electronic mail system with RF communications to mobile processors originating from outside of the electronic mail system and method of

Claims

We claim:

1. A system for transmitting originated information from one of a plurality of originating processors in an electronic mail system to at least one of a plurality of destination processors in an electronic mail system comprising:

at least one gateway switch, the at least one gateway switch storing originated information received from one of the plurality of originating processors prior to transmission of the originated information to the at least one of the plurality of the destination processors;

a RF information transmission network for transmitting the originated information to at least one RF receiver which transfers the originated information to the at least one of the plurality of destination processors;

at least one interface switch, the at least one interface switch being coupled to at least one gateway switch and to the RF information transmission network and transmitting the originated information received from the at least one gateway switch to the RF information transmission network; and

at least one additional processor with each additional processor being coupled to at least one interface switch, one of the at least one additional processor originating other originated information from outside any electronic mail system for transmission to the at least one of the plurality of destination processors by the RF information transmission network and an address of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors to receive the other originated information transmitted by the RF information transmission network or an identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information for transmission to the at least one of the plurality of the destination processors and transferring the other originated information to the at least one of the plurality of the destination processors; and wherein

the interface switch receiving the other originated information originating from the one additional processor and the address or identification number adds RF network information used by the RF information transmission network during transmission of the other originated information to the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information to the other originated information: and

each electronic mail system in the system transmits other information from one of its plurality of originating processors through a wireline to at least one of its plurality of destination processors without transmission using the RF information transmission network.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information is added to the other originated information originated by the one additional processor originating the other originated information.

3. A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein:

the one additional processor adds the identification number of the at least one RF receiver by matching an identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors inputted to the one additional processor with a stored identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors and adds an identification number of the at least one RF receiver stored with the matched identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors to the other originated information.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information is added to the other originated information originated by the additional processor by the interface switch receiving the other originated information and the address or the identification number from the one additional processor.

5. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

the interface switch receiving the other originated information adds the identification number of the at least one RF receiver by matching an identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors inputted to the one additional processor with a stored identification of at least one of the plurality of destination processors and adds an identification number of the at least one RF receiver stored with the matched identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors to the other originated information.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the interface switch receiving the other originated information stores the originated information which has been received from the plurality of originating processors and the other originated information, assembles the originated information received from the plurality of the originating processors and the other originated information into a packet and transmits the packet to the RF information transmission network.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein the RF information transmission network comprises:

a RF information transmission network switch, the RF information transmission network switch receiving the packet from the interface switch disassembles the packet into disassembled information including the other originated information; and wherein

the RF information transmission network transmits the disassembled other originated information and the identification number from the RF information transmission network switch to another RF information transmission network switch in the RF information transmission network storing a file containing the identification number and any destination of the at least one RF receiver in the RF information transmission network to which the other originated information and identification number is to be transmitted by the RF information transmission network and adds any destination of the at least one RF receiver stored in the file containing the identification number to the other originated information and the RF information transmission network in response to any added destination transmits the other originated information and the identification number to any added destination of the at least one RF receiver for RF broadcast to the at least one RF receiver.

8. A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein:

the interface switch receiving the other originated information stores the originated information which has been received from the plurality of originating processors and the other originated information, assembles the originated information received from the plurality of the originating processors and the other originated information into a packet and transmits the packet to the RF information transmission network.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein the RF information transmission network comprises:

a RF information transmission network switch, the RF information transmission network switch receiving the packet from the interface switch disassembles the packet into disassembled information including the other originated information; and wherein

the RF information transmission network transmits the disassembled other originated information and the identification number from the RF information transmission network switch to another RF information transmission network switch in the RF information transmission network storing a file containing the identification number and any destination of the at least one RF receiver in the RF information transmission network to which the other originated information and identification number is to be transmitted by the RF information transmission network and adds any destination of the at least one RF receiver stored in the file containing the identification number to the other originated information and the RF information transmission network in response to any added destination transmits the other originated information and the identification number to any added destination of the at least one RF receiver for RF broadcast to the at least one RF receiver.

10. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein:

the interface switch receiving the other originated information stores the originated information which has been received from the plurality of originating processors and the other originated information, assembles the originated information received from the plurality of the originating processors and the other originated information into a packet and transmits the packet to the RF information transmission network.

11. A system in accordance with claim 10 wherein the RF information transmission network comprises:

a RF information transmission network switch, the RF information transmission network switch receiving the packet from the interface switch disassembles the packet into disassembled information including the other originated information; and wherein

the RF information transmission network transmits the disassembled other originated information and the identification number from the RF information transmission network switch to another RF information transmission network switch in the RF information transmission network storing a file containing the identification number and any destination of the at least one RF receiver in the RF information transmission network to which the other originated information and identification number is to be transmitted by the RF information transmission network and adds any destination of the at least one RF receiver stored in the file containing the identification number to the other originated information and the RF information transmission network in response to any added destination transmits the other originated information and the identification number to any added destination of the at least one RF receiver for RF broadcast to the at least once RF receiver.

12. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

the interface switch receiving the other originated information stores the originated information which has been received from the plurality of originating processors and the other originated information, assembles the originated information received from the plurality of the originating processors and the other originated information into a packet and transmits the packet to the RF information transmission network.

13. A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein the RF information transmission network comprises:

a RF information transmission network switch, the RF information transmission network switch receiving the packet from the interface switch disassembles the packet into disassembled information including the other originated information; and wherein

the RF information transmission network transmits the disassembled other originated information and the identification number from the RF information transmission network switch to another RF information transmission network switch in the RF information transmission network storing a file containing the identification number and any destination of the at least one RF receiver in the RF information transmission network to which the other originated information and identification number is to be transmitted by the RF information transmission network and adds any destination of the at least one RF receiver stored in the file containing the identification number to the other originated information and the RF information transmission network in response to any added destination transmits the other originated information and the identification number to any added destination of the at least one RF receiver for RF broadcast to the at least one RF receiver.

14. A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein:

the interface switch receiving the other originated information stores the originated information which has been received from the plurality of originating processors and the other originated information, assembles the originated information received from the plurality of the originating processors and the other originated information into a packet and transmits the packet to the RF information transmission network.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14 wherein the RF information transmission network comprises:

a RF information transmission network switch, the RF information transmission network switch receiving the packet from the interface switch disassembles the packet into disassembled information including the other originated information; and wherein

the RF information transmission network transmits the disassembled other originated information and the identification number from the RF information transmission network switch to another RF information transmission network switch in the RF information transmission network storing a file containing the identification number and any destination of the at least one RF receiver in the RF information transmission network to which the other originated information and identification number is to be transmitted by the RF information transmission network and adds any destination of the at least one RF receiver stored in the file containing the identification number to the other originated information and the RF information transmission network in response to any added destination transmits the other originated information and the identification number to any added destination of the at least one RF receiver for RF broadcast to the at least one RF receiver.

16. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

17. A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

18. A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

19. A system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

20. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

21. A system in accordance with claim 3 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

22. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

23. A system in accordance with claim 4 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

24. A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

25. A system in accordance with claim 5 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

26. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

27. A system in accordance with claim 6 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

28. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

29. A system in accordance with claim 7 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

30. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

31. A system in accordance with claim 8 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

32. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

33. A system in accordance with claim 9 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

34. A system in accordance with claim 10 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

35. A system in accordance with claim 10 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the .plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

36. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

37. A system in accordance with claim 11 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

38. A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

39. A system in accordance with claim 12 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

40. A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

41. A system in accordance with claim 13 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

42. A system in accordance with claim 14 wherein:

the at least one Of the plurality Of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

43. A system in accordance with claim 14 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

44. A system in accordance with claim 15 wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

45. A system in accordance with claim 15 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

46. A system for transmitting originated information from one of a plurality of originating processors in an electronic mail system to at least one of a plurality of destination processors in an electronic mail system comprising:

a RF information transmission network for transmitting the originated information to at least one RF receiver which transfers the originated information to the at least one of the plurality of destination processors;

at least one interface switch, the at least one interface switch being coupled to the electronic mail system containing the plurality of the originating processors and to the RF information transmission network and transmitting the originated information received from the electronic mail system containing the plurality of originating processors to the RF information transmission network; and

at least one additional processor with each additional processor being coupled to at least one interface switch, one of the at least one additional processor originating other originated information from outside any electronic mail system for transmission to the at least one of the plurality of destination processors by the RF information transmission network and an address of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors to receive the other originated information transmitted by the RF information transmission network or an identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information for transmission to the at least one of the plurality of destination processors and transferring the other originated information to the at least one of the plurality of destination processors; and wherein

the interface switch receiving the other originated information originating from the one additional processor and the address or identification number adds RF network information used by the RF information transmission network during transmission of the other originated information to the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information to the other originated information; and

each electronic mail system in the system transmits other information from one of its plurality of originating processors through a wireline to at least one of its plurality of destination processors without transmission using the RF information transmission network.

47. A system in accordance with claim 46 wherein:

the identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information is added to the other originated information originated by the one additional processor originating the other originated information.

48. A system in accordance with claim 47 wherein:

the one additional processor adds the identification number of the at least ode RF receiver by matching an identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors inputted to the one additional processor with a stored identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors and adds an identification number of the at least one RF receiver stored with the matched identification of the at least one of a plurality of destination processors to the other originated information.

49. A system in accordance with claim 46 wherein:

the identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information is added to the other originated information originated by the additional processor by the interface switch receiving the other originated information and the address or the identification number from the one additional processor.

50. A system in accordance with claim 49 wherein:

the interface switch receiving the other originated information adds the identification number of the at least one RF receiver by matching an identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors inputted to the one additional processor with a stored identification of at least one of the plurality of destination processors and adds an identification number of the at least one RF receiver stored with the matched identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors to the other originated information.

51. A system in accordance with claim 46 wherein:

the interface switch receiving the other originated information stores the originated information which has been received from the plurality of originating processors and the other originated information, assembles the originated information received from the plurality of the originated processors and the other originated information into a packet and transmits the packet to the RF information transmission network.

52. A system in accordance with claim 51 wherein the RF information transmission network comprises:

a RF information transmission network switch, the RF information transmission network switch receiving the packet from the interface switch disassembles the packet into disassembled information including the other originated information and wherein

the RF information transmission network transmits the disassembled other originated information and the identification number information to the destination from the RF information transmission network switch to another RF information transmission network switch in the RF information transmission network storing a file containing the identification number and any destination of the at least one RF receiver in the RF information transmission network to which the other originated information and identification number is to be transmitted by the RF information transmission network and adds any destination of the at least one RF receiver stored in the file containing the identification number to the other originated information and the RF information transmission network in response to any added destination transmits the other originated information and the identification number to any added destination of the at least one RF receiver for RF broadcast to the at least one RF receiver.

53. A system in accordance with claim 46 wherein:

the destination processor is within the electronic mail system containing the originating processors.

54. A system in accordance with claim 46 further comprising:

another electronic mail system; and wherein

the at least one of the plurality of destination processors is within the another electronic mail system.

55. A method for transmitting originated information from one of a plurality of originating processors in an electronic mail system to at least one of a plurality of destination processors in an electronic mail system comprising:

transmitting the originated information from the electronic mail system containing the plurality of originating processors to an interface switch;

transmitting the originated information from the interface switch to a RF information transmission network which transmits the originated information to at least one RF receiver which transfers the originated information to the at least one of the plurality of destination processors;

originating at an additional processor from outside any electronic mail system other originated information for transmission to the at least one of the plurality of destination processors in the electronic mail system by the RF information transmission network and an address of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors to receive the other originated information transmitted by the RF information transmission network or an identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information for transmission to the at least one of the plurality of destination processors and transmitting the other originated information and address or identification number to the interface switch; and

transmitting the other originated information from the interface switch to the RF information transmission network which transmits the other originated information to at least one RF receiver which transfers the other originated information to the at least one of the plurality of destination processors; and wherein

the interface switch in response to receiving the other originated information and the address or identification number adds RF network information used by the RF information transmission network during transmission of the other originated information to the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information; and

each electronic mail system in the system transmits other information from one of its plurality of originating processors through a wireline to at least one of its plurality of destination processors without transmission using the RF information transmission network.

56. A method in accordance with claim 55 wherein:

the originated information is transmitted from an electronic mail system containing the plurality of originating processors through a gateway switch to the interface switch.

57. A method in accordance with claim 55 wherein:

the identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information is added to the other originated information originated by the one additional processor originating the other originated information.

58. A method in accordance with claim 56 wherein:

the identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information is added to the other originated information originated by the one additional processor originating the other originated information.

59. A method in accordance with claim 55 wherein:

the one additional processor adds the identification number of the at least one RF receiver by matching an identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors inputted to the one additional processor with a stored identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors and adds an identification number of the at least one RF receiver stored with the matched identification of the at least one of a plurality of destination processors to the other originated information.

60. A method in accordance with claim 56 wherein:

the one additional processor adds the identification number of the at least one RF receiver by matching an identification of the at least one of the plurality of destination processors inputted to the one additional processor with a stored identification of the at least one of a plurality of destination processors and adds an identification number of the at least one RF receiver stored with the matched identification of the at least one of a plurality of destination processors to the other originated information.

61. A method in accordance with claim 55 wherein:

the identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information is added to the other originated information originated by the additional processor by the interface switch receiving the other originated information from the one additional processor.

62. A method in accordance with claim 56 wherein:

the identification number of the at least one RF receiver receiving the other originated information is added to the other originated information originated by the additional processor by the interface switch receiving the other originated information from the one additional processor.

63. A method in accordance with claim 55 wherein:

the interface switch receiving the other originated information stores the originated information which has been received from the plurality of originating processors and the other originated information, assembles the originated information received from the plurality of the originating processors and the other originated information into a packet and transmits the packet to the RF information transmission network.

64. A method in accordance with claim 63 further comprising:

a RF information transmission network switch receiving the packet from the interface switch disassembles the packet into disassembled information including the other originated information; and

the RF information transmission network transmits the disassembled other originated information and the identification number from the RF information transmission network switch to another RF information transmission network switch in the RF information transmission network storing a file containing the identification number and any destination of the at least one RF receiver in the RF information transmission network to which the other originated information and the identification number is to be transmitted by the RF information transmission network and adds any destination of the at least one RF receiver stored in the file containing the identification number to the other originated information and the RF information transmission network in response to any added destination transmits the other originated information and the identification number to any added destination of the at least one RF receiver for RF broadcast to the at least one RF receiver.

65. A method in accordance with claim 56 wherein:

the interface switch receiving the other originated information stores the originated information which has been received from the plurality of originating processors and the other originated information, assembles the originated information received from the plurality of the originating processors and the other originated information into a packet and transmits the packet to the RF information transmission network.

66. A method in accordance with claim 65 wherein:

the RF information transmission network switch receiving the packet from the interface switch disassembles the packet into disassembled information including the other originated information; and

the RF information transmission network transmits the disassembled other originated information and the identification number from the RF information transmission network switch to another RF information transmission network switch in the RF information transmission network storing a file containing the identification number and any destination of the at least one RF receiver in the RF information transmission network to which the other originated information and the identification number is to be transmitted by the RF information transmission network and adds any destination of the at least one RF receiver stored in the file containing the identification number to the other originated information and the RF information transmission network in response to any added destination transmits the other originated information and the identification number to any added destination of the at least one RF receiver for RF broadcast to the at least one RF receiver.

67. A method in accordance with claim 55 further comprising:

the transmission of the other originated information is to the at least one destination processor within an electronic mail system different than an electronic mail system containing the plurality of originating processors.

68. A method in accordance with claim 55 wherein:

the transmission of the other originated information is to the at least one destination processor within an electronic mail system containing the plurality of originating processors.

69. A method in accordance with claim 55 wherein:

the at least one RF receiver receives the other originated information when the destination processor is turned off and transfers the other originated information to the at least one destination processor at a time subsequent to reception of the originated information by the at least one receiver when the destination processor is turned on.

70. A method in accordance with claim 69 wherein:

the at least one RF receiver is portable.

71. A method in accordance with claim 69 wherein:

the at least one RF receiver and the at least one destination processor in an electronic mail system are portable.

72. A method in accordance with claim 69 wherein:

the transfer of the other originated information occurs after the at least one RF receiver is electrically connected to the at least one destination processor in an electronic mail system.

73. A method in accordance with claim 56 wherein:

the at least one RF receiver receives the other originated information when the destination processor is turned off and transfers the other originated information to the at least one destination processor at a time subsequent to reception of the originated information by the at least one receiver when the destination processor is turned on.

74. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein:

the at least one RF receiver is portable.

75. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein:

the at least one RF receiver and the at least one destination processor are portable.

76. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein:

the transfer of the other originated information occurs after the at least one RF receiver is connected to the at least one destination processor in an electronic mail system.

77. A method in accordance with claim 55 wherein:

the transfer occurs under control of a program stored by the at least one destination processor and makes the other originated information accessible to application programs stored within the at least one destination processor.

78. A method in accordance with claim 67 wherein:

the transfer occurs under control of a program stored by the at least one destination processor and makes the other originated information accessible to application programs stored within the at least one destination processor.

79. A method in accordance with claim 55 further comprising:

transmitting the originated information from the one of plurality of originating processors to at least one of the destination processors without use of the RF information transmission network through a telephone network.

80. A method in accordance with claim 79 wherein:

the transmission of the originated information through a telephone network is through either a public or private switch telephone network.