Facsimile telecommunications system and method

• US 20050088703A1
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1988
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AudioFAX IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: AudioFAX IP, LLC
• Inventors: Kennedy, James R., Gordon, Richard J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,202,978 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/402
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32064 Multi-address calling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32074 Redialing, e.g. after failure to make a connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3208 Transmitting a plurality of separate messages to a common destination in a single transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/324 intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32406 in connection with routing or relaying, e.g. using a fax-server or a store-and-forward facility stored and forward data switching systems H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32411 Handling instructions for routing or relaying
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32422 Reprocessing messages, e.g. in case the intended destination is busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32432 in a particular memory file for retrieval by the user, e.g. in a facsimile mailbox
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3218 of a confirmation, acknowledgement or receipt
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3219 of a job status, e.g. successful execution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3295 Deletion of stored data; Preventing such deletion

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating facsimile transmissions has one or more store and forward facilities. The store and forward facilities include a computer for controlling operations and mass data storage equipment. Subscriber mailboxes are provided as part of the mass storage, which can be accessed by a subscriber to have his messages delivered to any facsimile machine he designates. Secure facsimile transmission is achieved through use of subscriber PIN numbers. The system can also be used in cooperation with a paperless facsimile machine which directly displays the facsimile message on a screen and is capable of entering outgoing facsimile messages to the store and forward facility.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating facsimile communications between a transmitting facsimile machine and at least one intended receiving facsimile machine, comprising at least one store and forward facility, means coupling the at least one store and forward facility to the switched telephone network for receiving transmissions from a transmitting facsimile machine, said store and forward facility including computer means for controlling its operation and including mass storage means for storing facsimile transmissions together with information identifying the transmitting facsimile machine and the at least one intended receiving facsimile machine under control of said computer means, said store and forward facility also including means coupling it to the switched telephone network for transmitting facsimile messages stored in the mass storage means to at least one intended receiving facsimile machine, said computer means being programmed to provide a reply service allowing addressee associated with said at least one intended receiving facsimile machine to send back to the transmitting facsimile machine or a telephone number designated in an instruction received from a subscriber, a reply message which is selected from a reply service menu.