Fax message recorder and relay system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fax message recorder and relay system comprising:
- an interface with a first connection means connectable to an external phone line, a second connection means connectable to an interconnection phone line extending from said system to an external, local fax machine, a ring detector to detect an incoming telephone call on the external phone line, and a switching means;
a fax means integral to the system and operably connected to said interface such that the fax means is operable to send and receive fax messages over the external phone line depending on the position of the switching means, said fax means operable to send fax messages over the external phone line independent of the external, local fax machine;
a storage means operably connected to said fax means to receive and store incoming fax messages from a remote fax machine even with the local fax machine receiving the incoming fax messages; and
a controller operably connected to said interface, said storage means, and said fax means, and wherein said controller controls said switching means to allow said storage means to store incoming fax messages sent over the external phone line and intended for the local fax machine and to allow retransmission of the incoming fax messages over the external phone line to a phone number remotely set by an authorized person independently, and after reception, of any incoming fax message.
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Abstract
A fax message record/relay device or system operates in conjunction with a local fax machine. The system allows the local fax machine to operate normally while the record/relay device simply records incoming fax messages and stores them in a memory. An authorized person may call in to the record/relay system and request that the fax messages be forwarded to a telephone number corresponding to a fax machine which the authorized person has immediate access to. The authorized person uses a password and a DTMF push button telephone in order to remotely input commands to the record/relay system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fax message recorder and relay system comprising:
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an interface with a first connection means connectable to an external phone line, a second connection means connectable to an interconnection phone line extending from said system to an external, local fax machine, a ring detector to detect an incoming telephone call on the external phone line, and a switching means; a fax means integral to the system and operably connected to said interface such that the fax means is operable to send and receive fax messages over the external phone line depending on the position of the switching means, said fax means operable to send fax messages over the external phone line independent of the external, local fax machine;
a storage means operably connected to said fax means to receive and store incoming fax messages from a remote fax machine even with the local fax machine receiving the incoming fax messages; anda controller operably connected to said interface, said storage means, and said fax means, and wherein said controller controls said switching means to allow said storage means to store incoming fax messages sent over the external phone line and intended for the local fax machine and to allow retransmission of the incoming fax messages over the external phone line to a phone number remotely set by an authorized person independently, and after reception, of any incoming fax message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A fax message recorder and relay system comprising:
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an interface with a first connection means connectable to an external phone line, a second connection means connectable to an interconnection phone line extending from said system to an external, local fax machine, a ring detector to detect an incoming telephone call on the external phone line, and a switching means; a fax means integral to the system and operably connected to said interface such that the fax means is operable to send and receive fax messages over the external phone line depending on the position of the switching means, said system operable in a recording mode for storing incoming fax messages without said fax means sending protocol signals to a remote fax machine calling on said external phone line and with the local fax machine sending protocol signals to the remote fax machine by way of said interface and said external phone line; a storage means operably connected to said fax means to receive and store incoming fax messages from a remote fax machine even with the local fax machine receiving messages; and
a controller operably connected to said interface, said storage means, and said fax means, and wherein said controller controls said switching means to allow said storage means to store incoming fax message sent over the external phone line and intended for the local fax machine and to allow retransmission of the incoming fax messages over the external phone line to a phone number set by an authorized person. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A fax message recorder and relay system comprising:
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an interface with a first connection means connectable to an external phone line, a second connection means connectable to an interconnection phone line extending from said system to an external, local fax machine, a ring detector to detect an incoming telephone call on the external phone line, and switching means; a fax means integral to the system operably connected to said interface such that the fax means is operable to send and receive fax messages over the external phone line depending on the position of the switching means; a storage means operably connected to said fax means to receive and store incoming fax messages from a remote fax machine even with the local fax machine receiving messages; and a controller operably connected to said interface, said storage means, and said fax means, and wherein said controller controls said switching means to allow said storage means to store incoming fax messages sent over the external phone line and intended for the local fax machine and to allow retransmission of the incoming fax messages over the external phone line to a phone number set by an authorized person, and wherein said system operates in a recording mode for storing incoming fax messages without serving as a terminating system for the external phone line. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of receiving fax messages by using a fax message recorder and relay system having:
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an interface with a first connection means connectable to an external phone line, a second connection means connectable to an interconnection phone line extending from said system to an external, local fax machine, a ring detector to detect an incoming telephone call on the external phone line, and switching means; a fax means integral to the system operably connected to said interface such that the fax means is operable to send and receive fax messages over the external phone line depending on the position of the switching means; a storage means operably connected to said fax means to receive and store incoming fax messages from a remote fax machine even with the local fax machine receiving messages; and a controller operably connected to said interface, said storage means, and said fax means; comprising steps of; storing in said storage means incoming fax messages sent to the local fax machine; calling the phone number of the external, local fax machine from a remote telephone and sending, independent of any received fax message, a forward command to direct said system to forward fax messages to a remote location remotely set with said forward command; and receiving fax messages at the remote location set when the forward command was sent. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification