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Method and apparatus for facsimile enhancement

  • US 5,224,156 A
  • Filed: 07/19/1990
  • Issued: 06/29/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Facsimile enhancement apparatus connected between a CCITT Group 3 facsimile machine and an incoming telephone line to the CCITT Group 3 facsimile machine to intercept a facsimile message in facsimile compatible form which is input on the incoming telephone line and to store the facsimile message in a designated location in memory when said facsimile enhancement apparatus is to directed by delivery command signals received on the incoming telephone line, said facsimile enhancement apparatus is physically located on the premises where the CCITT Group 3 facsimile machine is located, said facsimile enhancement apparatus comprises:

  • a data access arrangement operatively connected to the incoming telephone line;

    a normally-closed relay operatively connected between said data access arrangement and the facsimile machine, the position of said normally-closed relay is controlled by the delivery command signals;

    a central processing unit;

    a DTMF signal detector means operatively connected between said data access arrangement and said central processing unit to detect the delivery command signals and provide an output to said central processing unit;

    a DTMF signal generator means operatively connected between said data access arrangement and said central processing unit to generate DTMF tone signals when so directed by said central processing unit;

    a facsimile modem unit operatively connected between said data access arrangement and said central processing unit to convert the facsimile message in facsimile compatible form, when received by said facsimile enhancement apparatus, into digital format and to convert a facsimile message from digital format into facsimile compatible form, when transmitted by said facsimile enhancement apparatus;

    first memory means operatively connected to said central processing unit to receive a facsimile message in digital format from said facsimile modem and to store said facsimile message in a predetermined location designated by said delivery command signals; and

    second memory means operatively connected to said central processing unit to receive and store access codes for the predetermined locations in said first memory means;

    whereby an access code must be entered into said facsimile enhancement apparatus for said predetermined location in said first memory means containing said facsimile message and checked against and be the same as the stored access code stored in said second memory means before said facsimile message can be output from said first memory means and transmitted from said facsimile enhancement apparatus to a facsimile machine for printing out a hardcopy of said facsimile message.

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