Information retrieval system utilizing facsimile communication and paper forms with preset format

• US 5,231,510 A
• Filed: 04/22/1991
• Issued: 07/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: I-Fax.com Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cristian A. Worthington
• Inventors: Worthington, Cristian A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRINICH, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US07/688,820
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 358/400, 358/402-403, 358/468, 379/100
• US Class Current: 358/400
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32771 in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32778 using a mark-sheet or machine-readable code request

Abstract

A system for the automated transfer of data includes a means for transmitting a paper form by telephone, a means for receiving the transmitted image of that form, and a computer connected to the receiving means. The format on the paper form is prepared using a program on the computer, and a copy of that format is stored in the computer. The format includes option boxes, alphanumeric blocks for specific data collection and blank figure-8 boxes for collecting numerical information. An operator of the computer selects the particular format required according to the needs of the location(s) having the transmitting means. The format is then transmitted to the location(s) either physically as a paper form or electronically over the telephone. Personnel at the location(s) select from the various options on the paper form, and return an image of the form by telephone to the receiving means. Without requiring human supervision, the computer interprets the responses using its stored knowledge of the positions on the form at which the various options were placed when the particular format was created. The response may include data that the computer adds to data bases or may be a command such as asking the computer to send the current state of a data base by telephone to the location(s).

Claims

1. An information retrieval system based on facsimile communication between a central location and a series of other locations, the system comprising:

(a) a facsimile transmitting facility at each of the other locations, each transmitting facility converting data on a paper form having a preset format into electronic images;

(b) a facsimile receiving facility at the central location for receiving the electronic images; and

,

(c) a computer connected to the facsimile receiving facility, the computer generating the preset format and using knowledge of that format to create from the electronic images data files having a content corresponding to the data on the paper form.

2. An information retrieval system based on facsimile communication between a central location and a series of other locations, the system comprising:

(a) a facsimile transmitting facility at each of the other locations, each transmitting facility converting data on a paper form having a preset format into electronic images, each of the other locations also having a facsimile receiving facility;

(b) a facsimile receiving facility at the central location for receiving the electronic images, the central location also having a facsimile transmitting facility; and

,

(c) a computer connected to the facsimile receiving facility and having knowledge of the preset format on the paper form, the computer using that knowledge to create from the electronic images data files having a content corresponding to the data on the paper form, the preset format for the paper form being transmitted from the facsimile transmitting facility at the central location to the facsimile receiving facility at each of the other locations.

3. An information retrieval system based on facsimile communication between a central location and a series of other locations, the system comprising:

(a) a facsimile transmitting facility at each of the other locations, each transmitting facility converting data on a paper form having a preset format into electronic images, each of the other locations also having a facsimile receiving facility;

(b) a facsimile receiving facility at the central location for receiving the electronic images, the central location also having a facsimile transmitting facility; and

,

(c) a computer connected to the facsimile receiving facility and having knowledge of the preset format on the paper form, the computer using that knowledge to create from the electronic images data files having a content corresponding to the data on the paper form, the computer using the content of the data files to continuously update a series of internal data bases;

wherein the facsimile transmitting facility at each of the other locations is used to request data in the series of data bases and wherein the facsimile receiving facility at each of the other locations is used to receive the requested data.

4. A process for transferring data to a central location having a facsimile receiving facility from a series of other locations each having a facsimile transmitting facility, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing multiple copies of a paper form having a specified format;

(b) distributing at least one copy of the paper form to each of the other locations;

(c) receiving on the receiving facility at the central location electronic images of data on the paper form fed into the transmitting facility at any of the other locations;

(d) interpreting the received electronic images by means of a computer connected to the receiving facility and having knowledge of the specified format on the paper form at the other locations; and

,

(e) creating data files from the interpreted electronic images by means of the computer.

5. A process as in claim 4, wherein the specified format for the paper form used in step (a) is prepared by the computer connected to the receiving facility for interpreting the electronic images in step (d).

6. A process as in claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the other locations also has a facsimile receiving facility and wherein the central location also has facsimile transmitting facility, and wherein the distribution of the paper form in step (b) is performed by transmitting a copy of the paper form from the transmitting facility at the central location to the receiving facility at each of the other locations.