Abstract: A multi-function electronic messaging system for transmitting messages over a first communications link having a remote unit for generating forward error corrected signals representing various types of electronic messages, for generating acoustical tones corresponding to the error corrected signals is provided. The acoustical tones are coupled to the send-only first communications link and transferred to a computer. The computer sends an acknowledgement signal back to the user of the remote unit over the first communications link and decodes and error checks the signals. The computer also reformats the various messages and resends them out over various communication links depending on the ultimate destination of the message. The computer may also send messages to the remote unit over a receive-only second communications link. A multi-level method of error detecting and correcting data is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for communicating data between a computer and a unit remote from the computer is provided, comprising receiving input information from a user in the remote unit and for producing data signals corresponding to the input information, producing error corrected message signals from the data signals, generating acoustical tones corresponding to the error corrected message signals, communicating said acoustical tones over a first communications link, said first communications link being bi-directional so that the remote unit communicates data with the computer, and receiving acoustic tones over said first communications link from the computer, the acoustical tones being adjusted for the conditions of the first communication link prior to transmission to the remote unit. The remote unit may also receive data from the computer over a second communications link, which is independent of the first communications link so that the remote unit receives data from two different communications links.