Facsimile store and forward system with local interface translating DTMF signals into store and forward system commands

• US 5,555,100 A
• Filed: 10/07/1993
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xpedite Systems LLC (Open Text Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Audiofax Incorporated (AudioFAX IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Troxell, Brian A, Mullis, Johnny P., Bloomfield, Mark C., Jackson, Deborah J., Dyer, Joseph T., McCown, Bruce A., Castro, Edward F., Lemons, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rogers, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US08/132,997
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 358/402, 358/403, 358/407, 358/434, 358/435, 358/436, 358/437, 358/438, 358/439, 358/440, 358/442, 358/468, 379/100
• US Class Current: 358/402
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00029 Diagnosis, i.e. identifying a problem by comparison with a normal state
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00079 remotely
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00885 Power supply means, e.g. arrangements for the control of power supply to the apparatus or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00888 Control thereof
• 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 1/32432 in a particular memory file for retrieval by the user, e.g. in a facsimile mailbox
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32771 in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32782 using a tone- or pulse-coded request

Abstract

A local router interface couples a conventional facsimile device to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to communicate with a remotely located facsimile store and forward facility (F-SAFF) to perform a host of improved facsimile service methods, including a never no answer or busy send (NNABS) method, a never no answer receive (NNAR) method, a private facsimile method, a will call facsimile method, a pager facsimile method, a facsimile mail method, a facsimile information retrieve method, a facsimile information send method, a facsimile cover method, a facsimile speed cover method, a facsimile broadcast method, a facsimile flexible broadcast method, a facsimile access restriction method, a facsimile conversion method, an urgent facsimile method, and a facsimile addition method. Innocuous call progress monitoring with fast busy detection, post-fax line holding, F-SAFF-to-remote and remote-to-F-SAFF bridging are provided. The router includes detectors for loop-current, ring signals, call progress signals, precise busy signals, dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals, and modulated data signals, as well as generators for going off-hook, generating and transmitting DTMF signals and modulated data signals over a wall phone line as well as ring and dial tone signals through an adjustable amplifier circuit and a subscriber line interface circuit to a fax telephone line. A switching connection circuit is also included for selectively connecting the wall phone line to the fax phone line and for selectively connecting other components of the telephony interface thereto.

Claims

1. A facsimile communication method utilizing an interface device coupled to a local facsimile machine through a first telephone line and selectively coupled to a remotely located facsimile store and forward facility through a second telephone line and a public switched telephone network, the method comprising steps of:

receiving dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals at the interface device generated by the local facsimile machine in response to user input;

translating the DTMF signals received at the interface device from the local facsimile machine into at least one facility command of a plurality of available facility commands for the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

calling the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device over the second telephone line to establish a connection between the interface device and the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the facility command from the interface device over the second telephone line and through the public switched telephone network to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

receiving the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

analyzing the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to identify the facility command among the plurality of available facility commands;

generating an interface connect/hold command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the interface connect/hold command through the public switched telephone network and the second telephone line to the interface device;

receiving the interface connect/hold command at the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device;

monitoring the local facsimile machine from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility for facsimile machine tones;

receiving facsimile information from the local facsimile machine at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals;

supplying load from the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals to maintain the connection between the interface device and the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility as the local facsimile machine hangs up the first telephone line; and

hanging up the second telephone line at the interface device.

2. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals correspond to a request for a diagnostics service, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

generating a diagnostics report and an interface connect command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the interface connect command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

receiving the interface connect command at the interface device;

monitoring the first telephone line for loop current at the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device in response to detecting no loop current on the first telephone line;

notifying the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device that the local facsimile machine is connected to the first telephone line upon detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device;

monitoring the local facsimile machine from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility for facsimile machine tones; and

transmitting the diagnostics report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine in response to detecting the facsimile machine tones.

3. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals correspond to a request for an information service administration service, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

storing the facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility as information service information;

generating an information service index report and an interface connect command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the interface connect command from the remotely located facsimile store and ;

forward facility to the interface device;

receiving the interface connect command at the interface device;

monitoring the first telephone line for loop current at the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device in response to detecting no loop current on the first telephone line;

notifying the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device that the local facsimile machine is connected to the first telephone line upon detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device;

monitoring the local facsimile machine from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility for facsimile machine tones; and

transmitting the information service index report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine in response to detecting the facsimile machine tones.

4. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals correspond to a request for a cover service administration service, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

storing the facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility as cover service information;

generating a cover service index report and an interface connect command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the interface connect command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

receiving the interface connect command at the interface device;

monitoring the first telephone line for loop current at the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device in response to detecting no loop current on the first telephone line;

notifying the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device that the local facsimile machine is connected to the first telephone line upon detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device;

monitoring the local facsimile machine from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility for facsimile machine tones; and

transmitting the cover service index report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine in response to detecting the facsimile machine tones.

5. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals correspond to a request to transfer facsimile information to a remotely located facsimile machine with a destination telephone number regardless of initial availability, and

further comprising steps of, before the translating step,

dialing the destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for call progress signals;

disconnecting the second telephone line from the first telephone line to hang-up the second telephone line in response to any result other than a timely answer on the second telephone line; and

supplying battery from the interface device only to the first telephone line in quick response to disconnection of the second telephone line;

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

storing the facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding another interface connect/hold command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

monitoring the local facsimile machine from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility for facsimile machine tones;

transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine in response to detecting the facsimile machine tones;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals;

supplying load from the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the destination number again and transfer the call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

dialing the destination telephone number again over the second telephone line from the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the first call to the second call; and

transmitting the facsimile information stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to a remotely located facsimile machine.

6. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals include a plurality of destination telephone numbers and further correspond to a request to broadcast facsimile information to a plurality of remotely located destination facsimile machines identified by the plurality of destination telephone numbers,

wherein the at least one facility command includes the plurality of destination of telephone numbers, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding another interface connect/hold command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals;

supplying load front the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals;

analyzing at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility the plurality of present destination telephone numbers to determine a first, preferably long distance, destination telephone number;

scheduling subsequent delivery of the facsimile information to all remaining destinations of the remaining present destination telephone numbers of the plurality of present destination telephone numbers;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the first, preferably long distance, destination telephone number and transfer the call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

dialing the first, preferably long distance, destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the first call to the second call; and

transmitting the facsimile information stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility, to the destination corresponding to the first, preferably long distance, destination telephone number.

7. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals include a broadcast list number corresponding to a plurality of destination telephone numbers stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility,

wherein the DTMF signals further correspond to a request to broadcast facsimile information to a plurality of remotely located destination facsimile machines identified by the plurality of destination telephone numbers,

wherein the at least one facility command includes the broadcast list number, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding another interface connect/hold command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals;

supplying load from the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals;

analyzing at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility the plurality of destination telephone numbers to determine a first, preferably long distance, destination telephone number;

scheduling subsequent delivery of the facsimile information to all remaining destinations of the remaining destination telephone numbers of the plurality of destination telephone numbers;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the first, preferably long distance, destination telephone number and transfer the call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

dialing the first, preferably long distance, destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the suspended call to the present call on the second telephone line; and

transmitting the facsimile information stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the destination corresponding to the first, preferably long distance, destination telephone number.

8. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals include a destination telephone number and an identification of stored facsimile information stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility,

wherein the DTMF signals further correspond to a request to send stored facsimile information to a remotely located destination facsimile machine identified by the destination telephone number,

wherein the at least one facility command includes the destination telephone number and the identification of the stored facsimile information, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

prepending the facsimile information received from the local facsimile machine to the stored facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to form facsimile information for delivery;

generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding another interface connect/hold command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals;

supplying load from the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the present destination telephone number and transfer the call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

dialing the present destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the suspended call to the present call on the second telephone line; and

transmitting the facsimile information for delivery from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to a destination corresponding to the present destination telephone number.

9. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals include a destination telephone number and an identification of stored cover sheet facsimile information stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility,

wherein the DTMF signals further correspond to a request to send stored cover sheet facsimile information along with facsimile information from the local facsimile machine to a remotely located destination facsimile machine identified by the destination telephone number,

wherein the at least one facility command includes the destination telephone number and the identification of the stored cover sheet facsimile information, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

creating delivery cover sheet facsimile information by combining the identified stored cover sheet facsimile information with information taken from a portion of a first page of the facsimile information received from the local facsimile machine;

prepending the delivery cover sheet facsimile information to the facsimile information received from the local facsimile machine at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to form facsimile information for delivery;

generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding another interface connect/hold command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals;

supplying load from the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the present destination telephone number and transfer the call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

dialing the present destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the suspended call to the present call on the second telephone line; and

transmitting the facsimile information for delivery from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to a destination corresponding to the present destination telephone number.

10. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals include an identification of a stored destination telephone number and stored cover sheet facsimile information stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility,

wherein the DTMF signals further correspond to a request to send stored cover sheet facsimile information along with facsimile information from the local facsimile machine to a remotely located destination facsimile machine identified by the stored destination telephone number,

wherein the at least one facility command includes the identification of the stored destination telephone number and stored cover sheet facsimile information, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

prepending the identified stored cover sheet facsimile information to the facsimile information received from the local facsimile machine at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to form facsimile information for delivery;

generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding another interface connect/hold command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals;

supplying load from the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the identified stored destination telephone number and transfer the call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

dialing the present destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the suspended call to the present call on the second telephone line; and

transmitting the facsimile information for delivery from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to a destination corresponding to the identified stored destination telephone number.

11. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals include a destination telephone number corresponding to a recipient destination,

wherein the DTMF signals further correspond to a request for a private facsimile service,

wherein the at least one facility command includes the destination telephone number, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

storing the facsimile information received from the local facsimile machine at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

generating a private facsimile service retrieval code at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

generating a private facsimile service notification report including the private facsimile retrieval code at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding another interface connect/hold command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals;

supplying load from the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the present destination telephone number and transfer the call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

dialing the present destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the suspended call to the present call on the second telephone line;

transmitting the private facsimile service notification report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the recipient destination;

answering a call from a remote facsimile machine at the interface device on the second telephone line;

receiving dual tone multi-frequency signals at the interface device from the remote facsimile machine, including the private facsimile service retrieval code;

analyzing the signals received from the remote facsimile machine at the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

placing a call to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device over the second telephone line;

translating the signals received from the interface device from the remote facsimile machine into a second facility command, including the private facsimile service retrieval code, for the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the second facility command from the interface device over the second telephone line and through the public switched telephone network to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

receiving the second facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

analyzing the second facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding the interface device front the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to transfer the suspended call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the suspended first call to the call presently on the second telephone line;

finding the facsimile information received front the local facsimile machine stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility corresponding to the private facsimile service retrieval code; and

transmitting the facsimile information corresponding to the private facsimile service retrieval code to the remote facsimile machine.

12. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals correspond to a request for a will call facsimile service, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

storing the facsimile information received from the local facsimile machine at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

generating a will call facsimile service retrieval code at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

generating a job confirmation report with the will call facsimile service retrieval code at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding an interface connect command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine;

answering a call from a remote facsimile machine at the interface device on the second telephone line;

receiving dual tone multi-frequency signals at the interface device from the remote facsimile machine, including the will call facsimile service retrieval code;

analyzing the signals received from the remote facsimile machine at the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

placing a call to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device over the second telephone line;

translating the signals received at the interface device from the remote facsimile machine into a second facility command, including the will call facsimile service retrieval code, for the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the second facility command from the interface device over the second telephone line and through the public switched telephone network to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

receiving the second facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

analyzing the second facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to transfer the suspended call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the suspended call to the call presently on the second telephone line;

finding the facsimile information received from the local facsimile machine stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility corresponding to the will call facsimile service retrieval code; and

transmitting the facsimile information corresponding to the will call facsimile service retrieval code to the remote facsimile machine.

13. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals correspond to a request for a pager notification service,

wherein the DTMF signals include a present pager notification telephone number,

wherein the at least one facility command includes the present pager notification telephone number, and

further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

storing the facsimile information received from the local facsimile machine at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

generating at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility a pager digit delivery string including a telephone number of the second telephone line stored in the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility and a pager notification service retrieval code;

generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding another interface connect/hold command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals;

supplying load from the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the present pager notification telephone number and transfer the call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

dialing the present pager notification telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the suspended call to the call on the second telephone line;

transmitting the pager digit delivery string from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to a destination corresponding to the present page notification telephone number;

answering a call from a remote facsimile machine at the interface device on the second telephone line;

receiving dual tone multi-frequency signals at the interface device from the remote facsimile machine, including the pager notification service retrieval code;

analyzing the signals received from the remote facsimile machine at the interface device;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the call on the second telephone line;

placing a call to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device over the second telephone line;

translating the signals received at the interface device from the remote facsimile machine into a second facility command, including the pager notification service retrieval code, for the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the second facility command from the interface device over the second telephone line and through the public switched telephone network to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

receiving the second facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

analyzing the second facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to transfer the suspended call;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the suspended call to the call presently on the second telephone line;

finding the facsimile information received from the local facsimile machine stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility corresponding to the pager notification service retrieval code; and

transmitting the facsimile information corresponding to the pager notification service retrieval code to the remote facsimile machine.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device from the local facsimile machine include a destination telephone number of a remotely located destination facsimile machine.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device from the local facsimile machine further include additional DTMF signals representative of a facility command.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device from the local facsimile machine consist only of the destination telephone number of the remotely located destination facsimile machine.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device from the local facsimile machine correspond to a request to communicate facsimile information to a remotely located destination facsimile machine regardless of initial availability of the remotely located destination facsimile machine.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device from the local facsimile machine consist only of a destination telephone number of the remotely located destination facsimile machine.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device from the local facsimile machine include a destination telephone number of the remotely located destination facsimile machine.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising steps of, immediately preceding the calling step,

dialing the destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device:

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device; and

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for call progress signals.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising steps of, immediately following the monitoring step,

disconnecting the second telephone line from the first telephone line to hang-up the second telephone line in response to any result other than a timely answer on the second telephone line;

and

supplying battery from the interface device only to the first telephone line in quick response to disconnection of the second telephone line.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial a destination telephone number to establish a connection on the second telephone line between the interface device and a remotely located destination facsimile machine;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the connection between the interface device and the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility on the second telephone line; and

dialing the destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device to establish the connection on the second telephone line between the interface device and a remotely located destination facsimile machine.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising steps of, after the step of dialing the destination telephone number,

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the remotely located facsimile store and forward :

facility to the remotely located destination facsimile machine; and

transmitting facsimile information stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the remotely located destination facsimile machine.

24. The method of claim 1,

wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device from the local facsimile machine correspond to a request to communicate facsimile information to a remotely located destination facsimile machine regardless of initial availability of the remotely located destination facsimile machine;

wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device from the local facsimile machine include a destination telephone number of the remotely located destination facsimile machine;

further comprising steps of, immediately preceding the calling step,

dialing the destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for call progress signals;

disconnecting the second telephone line from the first telephone line to hang-up the second telephone line in response to any result other than a timely answer on the second telephone line;

supplying battery from the interface device only to the first telephone line in quick response to disconnection of the second telephone line; and

further comprising a step of, before the hanging up step,

storing the facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device from the local facsimile machine consist only of the destination telephone number of the remotely located destination facsimile machine.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising steps of, after the hanging up step,

dialing the destination telephone member from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

and

forwarding the stored facsimile information from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the remotely located destination facsimile machine.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the destination telephone number to establish a connection on the second telephone line between the interface device and a remotely located destination facsimile machine;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the connection between the interface device and the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility on the second telephone line;

dialing the destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device to establish the connection on the second telephone line between the interface device and a remotely located destination facsimile machine;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the remotely located destination facsimile machine; and

transmitting facsimile information stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the remotely located destination facsimile machine.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

generating a connect command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the connect command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

monitoring the local facsimile machine from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility for facsimile machine tones; and

transmitting facsimile information from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine in response to detecting facsimile machine tones.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising a step of, before the step of transmitting facsimile information, generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility, and wherein the step of transmitting facsimile information includes transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising a step of, before the step of transmitting facsimile information, generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility, and wherein the step of transmitting facsimile information includes transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine.

31. The method of claim 24, further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

generating a connect command at the remotely located facsimile store and fonvard facility;

transmitting the connect command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

monitoring the local facsimile machine from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility for facsimile machine tones; and

transmitting facsimile information from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine in response to detecting facsimile machine tones.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of, before the hanging up step,

generating a connect command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the connect command from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

monitoring the local facsimile machine from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility for facsimile machine tones; and

transmitting facsimile information from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine in response to detecting facsimile machine tones.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising a step of, before the step of transmitting facsimile information, generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility, and wherein the step of transmitting facsimile information includes transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and :

forward facility to the local facsimile machine.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the job confirmation report includes a reduced image of a first page of the facsimile information received at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the local facsimile machine.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device from the local facsimile machine include DTMF signals outside conventional telephone number formats.

36. A facsimile communication method utilizing an interface device coupled to a local facsimile machine through a first telephone line and selectively coupled to a remotely located facsimile store and forward facility through a second telephone line and a public switched telephone network, the method comprising steps of:

receiving user-generated dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals at the interface device, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device correspond to a request to communicate facsimile information to a remotely located destination facsimile machine identified by a destination telephone number regardless of initial availability of the remotely located destination facsimile machine;

translating the DTMF signals at the interface device into at least one facility command of a plurality of available facility commands for the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

dialing the destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for call progress signals;

disconnecting the second telephone line from the first telephone line to hang-up the second telephone line in response to any result other than a timely answer on the second telephone line;

supplying telephone line power from the interface device only to the first telephone line in quick response to disconnection of the second telephone line;

calling the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device over the second telephone line;

transmitting the facility command from the interface device to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

receiving the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

analyzing the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to identify the facility command among the plurality of available facility commands; and

executing the facility command to complete the facsimile communication method.

37. A facsimile communication method utilizing an interface device coupled to a local facsimile machine through a first telephone line and selectively coupled to a remotely located facsimile store and forward facility through a second telephone line and a public switched telephone network, the method comprising steps of:

receiving user-generated dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals at the interface device, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device correspond to a request to communicate facsimile information to a remotely located destination facsimile machine identified by a destination telephone number regardless of initial availability of the remotely located destination facsimile machine;

translating the DTMF signals at the interface device into at least one facility command of a plurality of available facility commands for the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

calling the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device over the second telephone line;

transmitting the facility command from the interface device to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

receiving the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

analyzing the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to identify the facility command among the plurality of available facility commands; and

executing the facility command to complete the facsimile communication method, wherein the executing step includes;

generating a connect/hold command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the connect/hold command to the interface device;

receiving the connect/hold command at the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device;

receiving facsimile information from the local facsimile machine at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

storing the facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals; and

supplying load from the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the executing step further includes

generating a connect command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

transmitting the connect command to the interface device;

receiving the connect command at the interface device;

transmitting a ring signal on the first telephone line from the interface device;

connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device in response to detecting loop current on the first telephone line;

monitoring the local facsimile machine from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility for facsimile machine tones; and

transmitting facsimile information from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the local facsimile machine in response to detecting facsimile machine tones.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising a step of, before the step of transmitting facsimile information, generating a job confirmation report at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility, and wherein the step of transmitting facsimile information includes transmitting the job confirmation report from the remotely located facsimile store and fonvard facility to the local facsimile machine.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the job confirmation report includes a reduced image of a first page of the facsimile information received at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the local facsimile machine.

41. A facsimile communication method utilizing an interface device coupled to a local facsimile machine through a first telephone line and selectively coupled to a remotely located facsimile store and forward facility through a second telephone line and a public switched telephone network, the method comprising steps of:

receiving user-generated dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals at the interface device, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device correspond to a request to communicate facsimile information to a remotely located destination facsimile machine identified by a destination telephone number regardless of initial availability of the remotely located destination facsimile machine;

translating the DTMF signals at the interface device into at least one facility command of a plurality of available facility commands for the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

calling the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device over the second telephone line;

transmitting the facility command from the interface device to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

receiving the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

analyzing the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to identify the facility command among the plurality of available facility commands; and

executing the facility command to complete the facsimile communication method, wherein the executing step includes;

receiving facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility through interface device;

storing the facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;

commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the destination telephone number to establish a connection on the second telephone line between the interface device and the remotely located destination facsimile machine;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the connection between the interface device and the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility on the second telephone line;

dialing the destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device to establish the connection on the second telephone line between the interface device and a remotely located destination facsimile machine;

instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the remotely located destination facsimile machine;

transmitting facsimile information stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the remotely located destination facsimile machine.