System and method for routing voice/video/fax mail
First Claim
1. A fax machine for routing voice/video/fax mail comprising a processor and memory, said fax machine being configured for routing voice/video/fax mail to associated recipients.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fax machine for a system and/or method for routing voice/video/fax mail includes a processor and memory, and the fax machine is configured for routing voice/video/fax mail to associated recipients. The fax machine includes an operating panel, an operating display screen, a microphone/speaker, a telephone handset, a sealed paper tray, an auxiliary paper tray, a printer, an audio/video recording camera, a voice/video/fax mail display monitor, a modem, a processor, memory, and a communication bus which interconnects of the elements of the fax machine. The fax machine may also include an additional key pad, PCI slots, voice generator circuitry, voice recognition circuitry, a sound card, a paper scanner, a bar code reader, a finger/thumb print scanner, a retina scanner, a stylus pen, a signature pad, a shredder, a hard drive, and/or a removable drive.
150 Citations
171 Claims
-
1. A fax machine for routing voice/video/fax mail comprising a processor and memory, said fax machine being configured for routing voice/video/fax mail to associated recipients.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
-
2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising an operating panel.
-
3. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising an operating display screen.
-
4. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a microphone/speaker.
-
5. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a telephone handset.
-
6. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a sealed paper tray.
-
7. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary paper tray.
-
8. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a printer.
-
9. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising an audio/video recording camera.
-
10. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a modem.
-
11. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a keyboard.
-
12. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a mouse.
-
13. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a key pad.
-
14. The fax machine according to claim 13, wherein the operational key pad comprises a telephone key pad.
-
15. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising peripheral component interconnect slots.
-
16. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising voice generator circuitry.
-
17. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising voice recognition circuitry.
-
18. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a sound card.
-
19. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a voice/video/fax mail display.
-
20. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a paper scanner.
-
21. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a bar code reader.
-
22. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a finger/thumb print scanner.
-
23. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a retina scanner.
-
24. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a stylus.
-
25. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a signature pad.
-
26. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a shredder.
-
27. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a hard drive.
-
28. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a removable drive.
-
29. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
VERIFICATION MODE for enabling a user to determine whether a voice/video/fax mail sent from the fax machine has been retrieved by a recipient at a receiving fax machine. -
30. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED mode for enabling a user to receive aRETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED update automatically with every voice/video/fax mail sent to a receiving fax machine. -
31. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
CHECK mode for enabling a user to rapidly make a determination whether voice/video/fax mail sent from a fax machine has been retrieved by recipients at associated retrieving fax machines. -
32. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
FAX A CHECK mode for enabling a user to securely fax monetary checks. -
33. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY mode for enabling a viewing party to see/hear a “- read only”
voice/video/fax mail.
- read only”
-
34. The fax machine according to claim 33, wherein said fax machine further comprises a retractable screen cover with eyeholes and the fax machine is configured in the
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY mode operable to enable a viewing party to see/hear a “- read only”
voice/video/fax mail.
- read only”
-
35. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
FINGER/THUMB PRINT SCAN mode for enabling a user to verify the authenticity of an intended recipient via a finger/thumb print scan. -
36. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
RETINA SCAN mode for enabling a user to verify an authenticity of an intended recipient via a retina scan. -
37. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
READ ONLY mode for enabling a user to only hear/read voice/video/fax mail. -
38. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in an
INSTANT STATUS mode for enabling a user to be automatically notified if voice/video/fax mail has been received at a fax machine of the user. -
39. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
CARBON COPY (CC) mode for enabling a user to have assurance that a voice/video/fax mail has been initiated by CC'"'"'ing a tracking number of the voice/video/fax mail back to the fax machine. -
40. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
FAX QUEUE mode for providing the fax machine with a fax queue which places incoming calls in a first come first serve basis, and provides incoming callers with a prompt indicating an approximate time the fax machine will receive a particular sender'"'"'s voice/video/fax mail. -
41. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in an
IDENTITY mode for enabling a user to ascertain whether receiving fax machine is an intended target fax machine. -
42. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
DIRECTORY PROMPT mode for enabling a user using to prompt an interconnected receiving fax machine for a directory of extension numbers available at the receiving fax machine. -
43. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in an
I'"'"'M HERE WHO'"'"'S THERE mode for enabling users of said fax machine to communicate in a manner similar to instant messaging or email. -
44. The fax machine according to claim 43, wherein said fax machine is configured to communicate to other fax machines in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.
-
45. The fax machine according to claim 43, wherein said fax machine is configured to communicate to computing devices interconnected to a network connection in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.
-
46. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
PORTRAIT mode for enabling the fax machine equipped with a camera to provide users with images of senders/receivers of voice/video/fax mail, or persons, or things. -
47. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
AWAY MESSAGE mode for enabling an away message to be placed on a receiving fax machine to enable senders to know that a particular individual at the receiving fax machine is not present at a particular time to receive voice/video/fax mail. -
48. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
REFERENCE/LIBRARY mode for providing internal/external access to documents/information stored in a storage database. -
49. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
TOUCH PAD mode to activate a full size touch pad to allow participants to instant message in script. -
50. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
VOICE RECOGNITION mode to enable the fax machine to match an intended receiver with a previously stored library of voices before transmitting a voice/video/fax mail. -
51. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
PARTY LINE mode to enable a transmitting fax machine to be communicatively connected to plural receiving fax machines via a party line. -
52. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
VIEW A DOCUMENT mode to enable the fax machine to determine whether a sender of a fax transmission requires previewing of an image of the fax transmission prior to electronically/physically releasing delivery of the fax transmission to a receiving fax machine. -
53. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein said fax machine includes fax software to configure the fax machine in a
CONTRACT mode to enable the fax machine to enables a sender and a receiver of a fax transmission of a contract/agreement/understanding requiring signatures from both the sender and the receiver to view the signatures of the sender and the receiver at transmitting and receiving fax machines at both ends of the fax transmission. -
54. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising check paper including a tracking number and a bar code running along one side of the check paper.
-
55. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine activates an alarm upon a breach of security of the fax machine.
-
56. The fax machine according to claim 55, wherein the alarm results in emission of an audible sound at a predetermined decibel level.
-
57. The fax machine according to claim 55, wherein the alarm results in transmission of a signal to a remote authorized party to advise them of a breach in security protocol of the fax machine.
-
2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising an operating panel.
-
58. A fax system comprising:
-
a first fax machine communicatively interconnected with a second fax machine, said first fax machine including a processor and memory, and being configured for routing voice/video/fax mail to associated recipients; and
said second fax machine including a processor and memory, and being configured for routing voice/video/fax mail to associated recipients, wherein said first fax machine is configured to route voice/video/fax mail to associated recipients at said second fax machine. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114)
-
59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise an operating panel.
-
60. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise an operating display screen.
-
61. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a microphone/speaker.
-
62. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a telephone handset.
-
63. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a sealed paper tray.
-
64. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise an auxiliary paper tray.
-
65. The fax machine according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a printer.
-
66. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise an audio/video recording camera.
-
67. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a modem.
-
68. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a keyboard.
-
69. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a mouse.
-
70. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a key pad.
-
71. The fax system according to claim 70, wherein the key pad comprises a telephone key pad.
-
72. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise peripheral component interconnect slots.
-
73. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise voice generator circuitry.
-
74. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise voice recognition circuitry.
-
75. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a sound card.
-
76. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a voice/video/fax mail display.
-
77. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a paper scanner.
-
78. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a bar code reader.
-
79. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a finger/thumb print scanner.
-
80. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a retina scanner.
-
81. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a stylus.
-
82. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a signature pad.
-
83. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a shredder.
-
84. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a hard drive.
-
85. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a removable drive.
-
86. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
VERIFICATION MODE for enabling a user to determine whether voice/video/fax mail sent from the fax machine has been retrieved by a recipient at a receiving fax machine. -
87. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED mode for enabling a user to receive aRETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED update automatically with every voice/video/fax mail sent to a receiving fax machine. -
88. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
CHECK mode for enabling a user to rapidly make a determination whether voice/video/fax mail sent from a fax machine has been retrieved by recipients at associated retrieving fax machines. -
89. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
FAX A CHECK mode for enabling a user to securely fax monetary checks. -
90. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY mode for enabling a viewing party to hear/see a “- read only”
voice/video/fax mail.
- read only”
-
91. The fax machine according to claim 90, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise a retractable screen cover with eyeholes and the fax machine is configured in the
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY mode operable to enable a viewing party to hear/see a “- read only”
voice/video/fax mail.
- read only”
-
92. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
FINGER/THUMB PRINT SCAN mode for enabling a user to verify an authenticity of an intended recipient via a finger/thumb print scan. -
93. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
RETINA SCAN mode for enabling a user to verify an authenticity of an intended recipient via a retina scan. -
94. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
READ ONLY mode for enabling a user to only hear/read voice/video/fax mail. -
95. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in an
INSTANT STATUS mode for enabling a user to be automatically notified if voice/video/fax mail has been received at a fax machine of the user. -
96. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a CARBON COPY (CC) mode for enabling a user to have assurance that voice/video/fax mail has been initiated by CC'"'"'ing a tracking number of the voice/video/fax mail back to the fax machine.
-
97. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
FAX QUEUE mode for providing the fax machine with a fax queue which places incoming calls in a first come first serve basis, and provides incoming callers with a prompt indicating an approximate time the fax machine will receive a particular sender'"'"'s voice/video/fax mail. -
98. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in an
IDENTITY mode for enabling a user to ascertain whether receiving fax machine is an intended target fax machine. -
99. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second devices each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
DIRECTORY PROMPT mode for enabling a user using to prompt an interconnected receiving fax machine for a directory of extension numbers available at the receiving fax machine. -
100. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in an
I'"'"'M HERE WHO'"'"'S THERE mode for enabling users of said fax machine to communicate in a manner similar to instant messaging or email. -
101. The fax machine according to claim 100, wherein said first and second fax machines are configured to communicate to other fax machines in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.
-
102. The fax machine according to claim 100, wherein said first and second fax machines are configured to communicate to computing devices interconnected to a network connection in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.
-
103. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
PORTRAIT mode for enabling the fax machine equipped with a camera to provide users with images of senders/receivers of voice/video/fax mail, or persons, or things. -
104. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
AWAY MESSAGE mode for enabling an away message to be placed on a receiving fax machine to enable senders to know that a particular individual at the receiving fax machine is not present at a particular time to receive voice/video/fax mail. -
105. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
REFERENCE LIBRARY mode for providing internal/external access to documents/information stored in a storage database. -
106. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
TOUCH PAD mode to activate a full size touch pad to allow participants to instant message in script. -
107. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the corresponding fax machine in a
VOICE RECOGNITION mode to enable the fax machine to match an intended receiver with a previously stored library of voices before transmitting a fax/voice mail. -
108. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the corresponding fax machine in a
PARTY LINE mode to enable a transmitting fax machine to be communicatively connected to plural receiving fax machines via a party line. -
109. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the corresponding fax machine in a
VIEW A DOCUMENT mode to enable the associated fax machine to determine whether a sender of a fax transmission requires previewing of an image of the fax transmission prior to electronically/physically releasing delivery of the fax transmission to a receiving fax machine. -
110. The fax system machine according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each include fax software to configure the fax machine in a
CONTRACT mode to enable the corresponding fax machine to enables a sender and a receiver of a fax transmission of a contract/agreement/understanding requiring signatures from both the sender and the receiver to view the signatures of the sender and the receiver at transmitting and receiving fax machines at both ends of the fax transmission. -
111. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise check paper including a tracking number and a bar code running along one side of the check paper.
-
112. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines are each configured to activate an alarm upon a breach of security of the associated fax machine.
-
113. The fax system according to claim 112, wherein the alarm results in emission of an audible sound at a predetermined decibel level.
-
114. The fax system according to claim 112, wherein the alarm results in transmission of a signal to a remote authorized party to advise them of a breach in security protocol of the fax machine.
-
59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each further comprise an operating panel.
-
-
115. A method for routing voice/video/fax mail, the method comprising:
-
providing a first fax machine;
providing a second fax machine;
communicatively interconnecting the first fax machine with the second fax machine for a first voice/video/fax mail transmission;
transmitting a first voice/video/fax mail with a recipient fax code from the first fax machine to the second fax machine;
receiving the first voice/video/fax mail with the recipient 11 fax code at the second fax machine; and
controlling access to the first voice/video/fax mail from the second fax machine based on reentry of the recipient fax code at the second fax machine. - View Dependent Claims (116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171)
-
116. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with an operating panel.
-
117. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with an operating display screen.
-
118. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a microphone/speaker.
-
119. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a telephone handset.
-
120. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a sealed paper tray.
-
121. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with an auxiliary paper tray.
-
122. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a printer.
-
123. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with an audio/video recording camera.
-
124. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a modem.
-
125. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a keyboard.
-
126. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a mouse.
-
127. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a key pad.
-
128. The method according to claim 127, further comprising providing the key pad as a telephone key pad.
-
129. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with peripheral component interconnect slots.
-
130. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with voice generator circuitry.
-
131. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with voice recognition circuitry.
-
132. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a sound card.
-
133. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a voice/video/fax mail display.
-
134. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a paper scanner.
-
135. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a bar code reader.
-
136. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a finger/thumb print scanner.
-
137. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a retina scanner.
-
138. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a stylus.
-
139. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a signature pad.
-
140. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a shredder.
-
141. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a hard drive.
-
142. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a removable drive.
-
143. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
VERIFICATION MODE for enabling a user to determine whether a voice/video/fax mail sent from the fax machine has been retrieved by a recipient at a receiving fax machine. -
144. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED mode for enabling a user to receive aRETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED update automatically with every voice/video/fax mail sent to a receiving fax machine. -
145. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
CHECK mode for enabling a user to rapidly make a determination whether voice/video/fax mail sent from a fax machine has been retrieved by recipients at associated retrieving fax machines. -
146. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
FAX A CHECK mode for enabling a user to securely fax monetary checks. -
147. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY mode for enabling a viewing party to see a “- read only”
transfer.
- read only”
-
148. The method according to claim 147, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines with a retractable screen cover with eyeholes and the fax machine is configured in a
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY mode operable to enable a viewing party to hear/see a “- read only”
voice/video/fax mail.
- read only”
-
149. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
FINGER/THUMB PRINT SCAN mode for enabling a user to verify an authenticity of an intended recipient via a finger/thumb print scan. -
150. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
RETINA SCAN mode for enabling a user to verify an authenticity of an intended recipient via a retina scan. -
151. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
READ ONLY mode for enabling a user to only hear/read voice/video/fax mail. -
152. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in an
INSTANT STATUS mode for enabling a user to be automatically notified if voice/video/fax mail has been received at a fax machine of the user. -
153. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a CARBON COPY (CC) mode for enabling a user to have assurance that voice/video/fax mail has been initiated by CC'"'"'ing a tracking number of the voice/video/fax mail back to the fax machine.
-
154. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
FAX QUEUE mode for providing the fax machine with a fax queue which places incoming calls in a first come first serve basis, and provides incoming callers with a prompt indicating an approximate time the fax machine will receive a particular sender'"'"'s voice/video/fax mail. -
155. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in an
IDENTITY mode for enabling a user to ascertain whether receiving fax machine is an intended target fax machine. -
156. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
DIRECTORY PROMPT mode for enabling a user using to prompt an interconnected receiving fax machine for a directory of extension numbers available at the receiving fax machine. -
157. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in an
I'"'"'M HERE WHO'"'"'S THERE mode for enabling users of the first and second fax machines to communicate in a manner similar to instant messaging or email. -
158. The method according to claim 157, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines to communicate to other fax machines in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.
-
159. The method according to claim 157, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines to communicate to computing devices interconnected to a network connection in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.
-
160. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
PORTRAIT mode for enabling the fax machine equipped with a camera to provide users with images of senders/receivers of voice/video/fax mail, or persons, or things. -
161. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in an
AWAY MESSAGE mode for enabling an away message to be placed on either fax machine to enable senders to know that a particular individual at the associated fax machine is not present at a particular time to receive voice/video/fax mail. -
162. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
REFERENCE/LIBRARY mode for providing internal/external access to documents/information stored in a storage database. -
163. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
TOUCH PAD mode to activate a full size touch pad to allow participants to instant message in script. -
164. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
VOICE RECOGNITION mode to enable the fax machine to match an intended receiver with a previously stored library of voices before transmitting a fax/voice mail. -
165. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
PARTY LINE mode to enable a transmitting fax machine to be communicatively connected to plural receiving fax machines via a party line. -
166. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
VIEW A DOCUMENT mode to enable the associated fax machine to determine whether a sender of a fax transmission requires previewing of an image of the fax transmission prior to electronically/physically releasing delivery of the fax transmission to a receiving fax machine. -
167. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a
CONTRACT mode to enable the corresponding fax machine to enable a sender and a receiver of a fax transmission of a contract/agreement/understanding requiring signatures from both the sender and the receiver to view the signatures of the sender and the receiver at transmitting and receiving fax machines at both ends of the fax transmission. -
168. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines with check paper including a tracking number and a bar code running along one side of the check paper.
-
169. The method according to claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines to activate an alarm upon a breach of security of the associated fax machine.
-
170. The method according to claim 169, wherein the alarm results in emission of an audible sound at a predetermined decibel level.
-
171. The method according to claim 169, wherein the alarm results in transmission of a signal to a remote authorized party to advise them of a breach in security protocol of the fax machine.
-
116. The method according to claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with an operating panel.
-
Specification
- Resources
-
Current AssigneeJames Burke
-
Original AssigneeJames Burke
-
InventorsBurke, James
-
Application NumberUS10/736,587Publication NumberTime in Patent OfficeDaysField of SearchUS Class Current358/1.13CPC Class CodesH04N 1/00129 with a display device, e.g....H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving i...H04N 1/00286 with studio circuitry, devi...H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recogn...H04N 1/00334 with an apparatus processin...H04N 1/00965 using a plug-in memory modu...H04N 1/44 Secrecy systemsH04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwo...