Method and apparatus for sending and receiving multimedia messages

• US 5,802,314 A
• Filed: 06/05/1995
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Wood, Loren A., Tullis, Thomas S., Fontana, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Treat, William M.
• Application Number:
  US08/461,759
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 395/154, 395/200.31, 395/200.76, 379/88, 379/89, 379/93.15, 379/100.13
• US Class Current: 709/246
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0067 Converting to still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 Converting from still picture data

Abstract

A multimedia message handling apparatus comprises a keyboard for inputting text information, a microphone for inputting voice information, a scanner for inputting image information, and binary means for inputting binary information. A processor is provided for mixing at least two of text information, voice information, image information, binary information and OLE information to generate a multimedia message in which the different types of information are separately identifiable. A memory stores the generated multimedia message. The multimedia message handling apparatus further includes a facsimile interface for sending and receiving image information through a telephone interface, a voice synthesizer/digitizer for sending and receiving voice information through the telephone interface, a modem for sending and receiving image information, text information, voice information and binary information through the telephone interface, and a network control unit for selectively connecting the telephone interface to the facsimile interface, the voice synthesizer/digitizer, or the modem in accordance with message characteristics on the telephone interface. Multimedia messages received by the apparatus are stored in the memory where they may be viewed or otherwise processed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transmitting a multimedia message to a recipient, the multimedia message including first type information mixed together with second type information different from the first type information, said apparatus comprising:

a memory for storing at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient, for storing the multimedia message comprising the first type information mixed together with the second type information, and for storing a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types; and

a processor adapted to execute instructions for mixing the first type information and the second type information so as to generate a multimedia message in which the first type information and the second type information are separately identifiable, and adapted to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary based on the at least one media type stored in the memory, and, in a case that conversion is necessary, to select one of the plurality of different conversion instructions for automatically converting the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism, the selected one of the plurality of different conversion instructions being selected based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one media type stored in the memory, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multimedia message generated by said processor includes at least one page of mixed first and second type information, and wherein said processor is adapted to generate map information which identifies the first type and the second type information.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the multimedia message generated by said processor includes plural pages, and wherein said processor is adapted to generate link information among the plural pages.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a memory for storing plural multimedia messages, wherein said processor is adapted to generate header information for each of said plural multimedia messages.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said processor is adapted to arrange said plural multimedia messages into plural folders.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising transmission means for transmitting the multimedia message.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transmission means is selected from the group consisting of a facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising second transmission means different from said transmission means for transmitting the multimedia message.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said transmission means comprises a modem and said second transmission means comprises a facsimile interface and wherein said instructions are adapted to convert text type information into image type information.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said instructions are further adapted to convert image type information into text type information.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a voice synthesizer connected to the voice telephone, wherein said instructions are adapted to convert text type information into voice type information.

12. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising scheduling means for scheduling transmission of the multimedia message by said transmission means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transmission means is adapted to receive commands from a telephone interface and wherein said processor is adapted to process the commands received by said transmission means.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said processor is adapted to cause transmission of a multimedia message in accordance with the processed commands.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising first input means and second input means different from said first input means, said first and second input means for inputting first type information and second type information, respectively.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said first and second input means are selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard, and a microphone.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying the multimedia message, wherein said processor mixes the first type information and the second type information such that the multimedia message formed by said processor is adapted for multimedia display on said display.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising edit means for editing the multimedia message.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a host computer interface for exchanging information with a host computer, wherein said edit means is adapted to edit the exchanged information.

21. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus transmits the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein the processor determines whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one media type stored in the memory, and, in cases where conversion is necessary, the processor selects one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a message transmission queue;

wherein converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients are stored in the message transmission queue, and each message is transmitted to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanisms at a scheduled time.

23. Multimedia message system for transmitting a multimedia message to a recipient, comprising:

a memory for storing at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient, for storing a multimedia message having at least one page that includes first type information mixed with second type information different from the first type information such that the first and second types are separately identifiable, and for storing a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting a respective one of the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

a processor adapted to execute instructions for mixing the first type information and the second type information so as to generate a multimedia message in which the first type information and the second type information are separately identifiable, and adapted to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary based on the at least one media type stored in the memory, and, in a case that conversion is necessary, to select one of the plurality of different conversion instructions for automatically converting the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism, the selected one of the plurality of different conversion instructions being selected based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one media type stored in the memory, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types; and

transmission means for transmitting the converted multimedia message to the recipient.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein said transmission means is selected from the group consisting of facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

25. A system according to claim 23, further comprising second transmission means different from said transmission means for transmitting the multimedia message stored in said memory.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein said transmission means comprises a modem and said second transmission means comprises a facsimile interface and wherein said processor is adapted to convert text type information into image type information.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein said processor is further adapted to convert image type information into text type information.

28. A system according to claim 26, further comprising a voice synthesizer connected to the voice telephone, wherein said processor is adapted to convert text type information into voice type information.

29. A system according to claim 23, further comprising scheduling means for scheduling transmission of the multimedia message by said transmission means.

30. A system according to claim 23, wherein said transmission means is adapted to receive commands from the telephone interface and further comprising process means for processing the commands received by said transmission means.

31. A system according to claim 30, wherein said process means is adapted to cause transmission of a multimedia message in accordance with the processed commands.

32. A system according to claim 30, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

33. A system according to claim 23, wherein said memory is adapted to store map information which identifies the first type information and the second type information in said at least one page.

34. A system according to claim 33, wherein said memory is adapted to store multimedia messages comprising plural pages and to store link information among the plural pages.

35. A system according to claim 34, wherein said memory is adapted to store plural multimedia messages, and to store header information for each of said plural multimedia messages.

36. A system according to claim 23, further comprising first input means and second input means different from said first input means, said first and second input means for inputting first type information and second type information, respectively, and process means adapted to execute instructions for processing the first and second type information input by said first and second input means into a multimedia message and for causing said memory to store the multimedia message.

37. A system according to claim 36, wherein said first and second input means are selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard, and a microphone.

38. A system according to claim 37, further comprising display means for displaying the multimedia message.

39. A system according to claim 38, further comprising edit means for editing the multimedia message.

40. A system according to claim 39, further comprising a host computer interface for exchanging information with a host computer, wherein said edit means is adapted to edit the exchanged information.

41. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the apparatus transmits the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein the processor determines whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one media type stored in the memory, and, in cases where conversion is necessary, the processor selects one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

42. An apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising a message transmission queue;

wherein converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients are stored in the message transmission queue, and each message is transmitted to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanisms at a scheduled time.

43. Apparatus for sending and receiving multimedia messages, comprising:

first input means for inputting first type information;

second input means for inputting second type information different from the first type information;

a memory for storing at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of a recipient, for storing the first type information mixed together with the second type information, and for storing a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting a respective one of the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

process means adapted to execute instructions for mixing the first type information and the second type information so as to generate a multimedia message in which the first type information and the second type information are separately identifiable, and adapted to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary based on the at least one media type stored in the memory, and, in a case that conversion is necessary, to select one of the plurality of different conversion instructions for automatically converting the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism, the selected one of the plurality of different conversion instructions being selected based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one media type stored in the memory, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types;

said memory having at least one folder for storing the multimedia message generated by said process means; and

transmission means for transmitting the converted multimedia message to a transmission interface and for receiving a multimedia message from the transmission interface, wherein the multimedia message received by said transmission means is stored in said memory.

44. Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the multimedia message generated by said processor includes at least one page of mixed first and second type information, and wherein said process means is adapted to generate map information which identifies the first type information and the second type information and to store the map information in said memory.

45. Apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the multimedia message generated by said process means includes plural pages, and wherein said process means is adapted to generate link information among the plural pages and to store the link information is said memory.

46. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said process means is adapted to generate header information for the multimedia message and to store the header information in said memory.

47. Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said memory includes a second folder and wherein the multimedia message received by said transmission means is stored in the second folder.

48. Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said transmission means is selected from the group consisting of facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

49. Apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising second transmission means different from said transmission means for transmitting a multimedia message stored said memory.

50. Apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said transmission means comprises a modem and said second transmission means comprises a facsimile interface and wherein said process means is adapted to convert text type information into image type information.

51. Apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said process means is further adapted to convert image type information into text type information.

52. Apparatus according to claim 50, further comprising a voice synthesizer connected to the voice telephone, wherein said process means is adapted to convert text type information into voice type information.

53. Apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising scheduling means for scheduling transmission of the multimedia message by said transmission means.

54. Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said transmission means is adapted to receive commands from a telephone interface and wherein said process means is adapted to process the commands received by said transmission means.

55. Apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said process means is adapted to cause transmission of the multimedia message stored in said memory in accordance with the processed command.

56. Apparatus according to claim 54, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

57. Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said first and second input means are selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard and a microphone.

58. Apparatus according to claim 57, further comprising a display for displaying the multimedia message.

59. Apparatus according to claim 58, further comprising edit means for editing the multimedia message.

60. Apparatus according to claim 59, further comprising a host computer interface for exchanging information with a host computer wherein said edit means is adapted to edit the exchanged information.

61. Apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising second transmission means for transmitting a multimedia message stored in said memory to the telephone interface.

62. Apparatus according to claim 61, further comprising a network control unit for selectively connecting the telephone interface to said transmission means or said second transmission means in accordance with message characteristics on the telephone interface.

63. Apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said transmission means and said second transmission means are selected from the group consisting of a facsimile interface, a modem and a voice digitizer.

64. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the apparatus transmits the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein the process means determines whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one media type stored in the memory, and, in cases where conversion is necessary, the processor selects one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

65. An apparatus according to claim 64, further comprising a message transmission queue;

wherein converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients are stored in the message transmission queue, and each message is transmitted to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanisms at a scheduled time.

66. A multimedia message handling apparatus comprising:

a keyboard for inputting text information;

a microphone for inputting voice information;

a scanner for inputting image information;

binary means for inputting binary information;

a processor for mixing at least two of text information, voice information, image information, binary information and OLE information to generate a multimedia message having such different types of information in separately identifiable form;

a memory for storing the multimedia message comprising the at least two of text information, voice information, image information, binary information and OLE information;

a facsimile interface for sending and receiving image information through a telephone interface, wherein, in a case that a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism receives image information, said processor selects one image-producing conversion routine from among plural conversion routines and executes the selected image-producing conversion routine so as to automatically convert each different type of information in the multimedia message to image information prior to transmitting the multimedia message through the facsimile interface, the selected image-producing conversion routine being selected based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different information types into another, different one of the plurality of different information types;

a voice synthesizer/digitizer for sending and receiving voice information through a telephone interface, wherein, in a case that the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism receives voice information, said processor selects one voice-producing conversion routine from among the plural conversion routines and executes the selected voice-producing conversion routine so as to automatically convert each different type of information in the multimedia message to voice information prior to transmitting the multimedia message through the telephone interface, the selected voice-producing conversion routine being selected based on the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities;

a modem for sending and receiving image information, text information, voice information and binary information, mixed together in multimedia messages, through the telephone interface, wherein received multimedia messages are stored in said memory; and

a network control unit for selectively connecting the telephone interface to the facsimile interface, the voice synthesizer/digitizer, or the modem in accordance with the message characteristics on the telephone interface.

67. Apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said processor generates map information which identifies the text information, the voice information, the image information, the binary information and the OLE information in a multimedia message.

68. Apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said processor generates link information among plural pages of a multimedia message.

69. Apparatus according to claim 68, wherein said processor generates header information for a multimedia message.

70. Apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said processor is adapted to convert text information into image information.

71. Apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said processor is further adapted to convert image information into text information.

72. Apparatus according to claim 71, wherein said processor is adapted to convert text information into voice information.

73. Apparatus according to claim 66, further comprising scheduling means for scheduling transmission of the multimedia message.

74. Apparatus according to claim 66 wherein said processor receives commands from the telephone interface.

75. Apparatus according to claim 74, wherein said processor causes transmission of a multimedia message in accordance with the processed commands.

76. Apparatus according to claim 74, wherein the commands are received from the voice digitizer/synthesizer in the form of DTMF signals.

77. Apparatus according to claim 66, further comprising display means for displaying the multimedia message.

78. Apparatus according to claim 77, further comprising edit means for editing the multimedia message.

79. Apparatus according to claim 78, further comprising a host computer interface for exchanging information with a host computer, wherein said edit means is adapted to edit the exchanged information.

80. Apparatus according to claim 77, wherein said keyboard is displayed by said display means.

81. An apparatus according to claim 66, further comprising a message transmission queue;

wherein each converted message is stored in the message transmission queue, and each message is transmitted from the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

82. A method for transmitting a multimedia message to a recipient, the multimedia message including first type information and second type information different from the first type information, said method comprising the steps of:

storing at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient;

storing the first type information mixed together with the second type information, and storing a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

mixing the first type information and the second type information to generate a multimedia message in which the first type information and the second type information are separately identifiable;

determining whether conversion of the first and/or second types of information is required based on the at least one media type stored in the storing step;

selecting, in a case that conversion is required, one of the plurality of different conversion instructions based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one media type stored in the storing step, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types; and

executing the selected one of the conversion instructions so as to automatically convert the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

83. A method according to claim 82, wherein the multimedia message includes at least one page of mixed first and second type information, and further comprising the step of generating map information which identifies the first type and the second type information.

84. A method according to claim 83, wherein the multimedia message includes plural pages, further comprising the step of generating link information among the plural pages.

85. A method according to claim 84, further comprising the step of storing plural multimedia messages and generating header information for each of said plural multimedia messages.

86. A method according to claim 85, further comprising the step of arranging said plural multimedia messages into plural folders.

87. A method according to claim 82, further comprising the step of transmitting the multimedia message.

88. A method according to claim 87, wherein the multimedia message is transmitted via a medium selected from the group consisting of a facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

89. A method according to claim 87, further comprising the step of providing at least two transmission media different from each other for transmitting the multimedia message.

90. A method according to claim 89, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts text type information into image type information.

91. A method according to claim 89, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts image type information into text type information.

92. A method according to claim 90, further comprising the step of converting text type information into voice type information.

93. A method according to claim 87, further comprising the step of scheduling transmission of the multimedia message.

94. A method according to claim 87, further comprising the step of receiving commands from a telephone interface and processing the commands so received.

95. A method according to claim 94, further comprising the step of transmitting a multimedia message in accordance with the processed commands.

96. A method according to claim 94, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

97. A method according to claim 82, further comprising the step of inputting first type information and second type information different from said first type information.

98. A method according to claim 97, wherein said first and second type information is input from a medium selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard, and a microphone.

99. A method according to claim 82, further comprising the step of displaying the multimedia message.

100. A method according to claim 99, further comprising the step of editing the multimedia message.

101. A method according to claim 100, further comprising the step of exchanging information with a host computer and editing the exchanged information.

102. A method according to claim 82, wherein the method is able to transmit the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein, in a case that the multimedia message is to be transmitted to a plurality of recipients, the method further comprises the steps of;

determining whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one media type stored in the storing step; and

selecting, in cases where conversion is necessary, one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

103. A method according to claim 102, further comprising the steps of:

storing converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients in a message transmission queue; and

transmitting each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

104. A method of transmitting a multimedia message to a recipient, comprising the steps of:

storing at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient;

storing a multimedia message having at least one page that includes first type information mixed with second type information different from the first type information such that the first and second types are separately identifiable;

storing a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

determining whether conversion of the first and/or second types of information is required based on the at least one media type stored in the storing step;

selecting, in a case that conversion is required, one of the plurality of different conversion instructions based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one media type stored in the storing step, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types;

executing the selected one of the conversion instructions so as to automatically convert the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism; and

transmitting the converted multimedia message to the recipient.

105. A method according to claim 104, wherein said multimedia message is transmitted via a medium selected from the group consisting of facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

106. A method according to claim 104, further comprising the step of providing at least two transmission media different from each other for transmitting the stored multimedia message.

107. A method according to claim 106, wherein said at least two transmission media comprise a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts text type information into image type information.

108. A method according to claim 106, wherein said at least two transmission media comprise a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts image type information into text type information.

109. A method according to claim 107, further comprising the step of converting text type information into voice type information in said converting step.

110. A method according to claim 104, further comprising the step of scheduling transmission of the multimedia message.

111. A method according to claim 104, further comprising the step of receiving commands from a telephone interface and processing the commands so received.

112. A method according to claim 111, further comprising the step of transmitting a multimedia message in accordance with the processed commands.

113. A method according to claim 111, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

114. A method according to claim 104, wherein said storing step stores map information which identifies the first type information and the second type information in said at least one page.

115. A method according to claim 114, wherein said storing step stores multimedia messages comprising plural pages and also stores link information among the plural pages.

116. A method according to claim 115, wherein said storing step stores plural multimedia messages, and also stores header information for each of said plural multimedia messages.

117. A method according to claim 104, further comprising the steps of:

inputting first type information and second type information different from said first type information;

processing the first and second type information into a multimedia message; and

storing the multimedia message.

118. A method according to claim 117, wherein said first and second type information is input via a medium selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard, and a microphone.

119. A method according to claim 118, further comprising the step of displaying the multimedia message on a display.

120. A method according to claim 119, further comprising the step of editing the multimedia message.

121. A method according to claim 120, further comprising the step of exchanging information with a host computer and editing the exchanged information.

122. A method according to claim 104, wherein the method is able to transmit the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein, in a case that the multimedia message is to be transmitted to a plurality of recipients, the method further comprises the steps of;

determining whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one stored media type; and

selecting, in cases where conversion is necessary, one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

123. A method according to claim 122, further comprising the steps of:

storing converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients in a message transmission queue; and

transmitting each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

124. A method for sending and receiving multimedia messages, comprising the steps of:

inputting first type information;

inputting second type information different from the first type information;

storing at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient;

storing a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

mixing the first type information and the second type information to generate a multimedia message in which the first type information and the second type information are separately identifiable;

storing the multimedia message;

determining whether conversion of the first and/or second types of information is required based on the at least one media type stored in the storing step;

selecting, in a case that conversion is required, one of the plurality of different conversion instructions based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one media type stored in the storing step, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types;

executing the selected one of the conversion instructions so as to automatically convert the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism;

transmitting the converted multimedia message to a transmission interface; and

receiving a multimedia message from the transmission interface, wherein the received multimedia message is stored.

125. A method according to claim 124, wherein the multimedia message includes at least one page of mixed first and second type information, further comprising the step of generating map information which identifies the first type information and the second type information and storing the map information.

126. A method according to claim 125, wherein the multimedia message includes plural pages, further comprising the step of generating link information among the plural pages and storing the link information.

127. A method according to claim 126, further comprising the step of generating header information for the multimedia message and storing the header information.

128. A method according to claim 127, further comprising the step of storing received multimedia messages in a second folder.

129. A method according to claim 124, wherein said multimedia messages are transmitted over a medium selected from the group consisting of facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

130. A method according to claim 124, further comprising the step of providing at least two transmission media different from each other for transmitting a stored multimedia message.

131. A method according to claim 130, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts text type information into image type information.

132. A method according to claim 130, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts image type information into text type information.

133. A method according to claim 131, further comprising the step of converting text type information into voice type information.

134. A method according to claim 124, further comprising the step of scheduling transmission of the multimedia message.

135. A method according to claim 124, further comprising the step of receiving commands from a telephone interface and processing the commands so received.

136. A method according to claim 135, further comprising the step of transmitting the stored multimedia message in accordance with the processed command.

137. A method according to claim 135, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

138. A method according to claim 124, wherein said first and second type information are input from a medium selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard and a microphone.

139. A method according to claim 138, further comprising the step of displaying the multimedia message.

140. A method according to claim 139, further comprising the step of editing the multimedia message.

141. A method according to claim 140, further comprising the step of exchanging information with a host computer and editing the exchanged information.

142. A method according to claim 130, further comprising the step of selectively connecting a telephone interface to one of said at least two transmission media in accordance with message characteristics on the telephone interface.

143. A method according to claim 142, wherein said at least two transmission media are selected from the group consisting of a facsimile interface, a modem and a voice digitizer.

144. A method according to claim 124, wherein the method is able to transmit the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein, in a case that the multimedia message is to be transmitted to a plurality of recipients, the method further comprises the steps of;

determining whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one stored media type; and

selecting, in cases where conversion is necessary, one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

145. A method according to claim 144, further comprising the steps of:

storing converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients in a message transmission queue; and

transmitting each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

146. A method for handling a multimedia message, comprising the steps of:

inputting text information on a keyboard;

inputting voice information through a microphone;

inputting image information via a scanner;

inputting binary information;

mixing at least two of text information, voice information, image information, binary information and OLE information to generate a multimedia message in which the different types of information are separately identifiable;

storing the multimedia message comprising the at least two of text information, voice information, image information, binary information and OLE information;

sending and receiving image information through a telephone interface, wherein, in a case that a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism receives image information, one image-producing conversion routine is selected from among plural conversion routines and, using the selected image-producing conversion routine, each different type of information in the multimedia message is automatically converted to image information prior to sending the multimedia message, the selected image-producing conversion routine being selected based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different information types into another, different one of the plurality of different information types;

sending and receiving voice information through a telephone interface, wherein, in a case that the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism receives voice information, one voice-producing conversion routine is selected from among the plural conversion routines and, using the selected voice-producing conversion routine, each different type of information in the multimedia message is automatically converted to voice information prior to sending the multimedia message, the selected voice-producing conversion routine being selected based on the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities;

sending and receiving image information, text information, voice information and binary information mixed together in multimedia messages, through the telephone interface, wherein received multimedia messages are stored; and

selectively connecting the telephone interface to a facsimile interface, a voice synthesizer/digitizer, or a modem in accordance with the message characteristics.

147. A method according to claim 146, further comprising the step of generating map information which identifies the text information, the voice information, the image information, the binary information and the OLE information in a multimedia message.

148. A method according to claim 147, further comprising the step of generating link information among plural pages of a multimedia message.

149. A method according to claim 148, further comprising the step of generating header information for a multimedia message.

150. A method according to claim 146, wherein text information is converted into image information.

151. A method according to claim 146, wherein image information is converted into text information.

152. A method according to claim 151, wherein text information is converted into voice information.

153. A method according to claim 146, further comprising the step of scheduling transmission of the multimedia message.

154. A method according to claim 146, further comprising the step of receiving commands from the telephone interface.

155. A method according to claim 154, further comprising the step of transmitting a multimedia message in accordance with the received commands.

156. A method according to claim 154, wherein the commands are received from the voice digitizer/synthesizer in the form of DTMF signals.

157. A method according to claim 146, further comprising the step of displaying the multimedia message.

158. A method according to claim 157, further comprising the step of editing the multimedia message.

159. A method according to claim 158, further comprising the step of exchanging information with a host computer and editing the exchanged information.

160. A method according to claim 146, further comprising the steps of:

storing each converted messages in a message transmission queue; and

transmitting each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

161. Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer executable process steps to transmit a multimedia message to a recipient, the multimedia message including first type information and second type information different from the first type, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

code to store at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient, and to store the first type information mixed together with the second type information, and to store a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

code to mix the first type information and the second type information to generate a multimedia message in which the first type information and the second type information are separately identifiable;

code to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second types of information is required based on the at least one stored media type;

code to select, in a case that conversion is required, one of the plurality of different conversion instructions based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one stored media type, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types; and

code to execute the selected one of the conversion instructions so as to automatically convert the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

162. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 161, wherein the multimedia message includes the at least one page of mixed first and second type information, and further comprising code to generate map information which identifies the first type and the second type information.

163. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 162, wherein the multimedia message includes plural pages, and further comprising code to generate link information among the plural pages.

164. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 163, further comprising code to store plural multimedia messages and to generate header information for each of said plural multimedia messages.

165. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 164, further comprising code to arrange said plural multimedia messages into plural folders.

166. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 161, further comprising code to transmit the multimedia message.

167. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 166, wherein the multimedia message is transmitted via a medium selected from the group consisting of a facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

168. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 166, further comprising code to provide at least two transmission media different from each other for transmitting the multimedia message.

169. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 168, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said code to convert converts text type information into image type information.

170. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 168, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said code to convert converts image type information into text type information.

171. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 169, further comprising code to convert text type information into voice type information.

172. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 166, further comprising code to schedule transmission of the multimedia message.

173. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 166, further comprising code to receive commands from a telephone interface and to process the commands so received.

174. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 166, further comprising code to transmit a multimedia message in accordance with the processed commands.

175. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 173, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

176. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 161, further comprising code to input first type information and second type information different from said first type information.

177. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 176, wherein said first and second type information is input from a medium selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard and a microphone.

178. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 161, further comprising code to display the multimedia message.

179. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 178, further comprising code to edit the multimedia message.

180. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 179, further comprising code to exchange information with a host computer and to edit the exchanged information.

181. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 161, further comprising process steps to transmit the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein, in a case that the multimedia message is to be transmitted to a plurality of recipients, the process steps further comprise;

code to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one stored media type; and

code to select, in cases where conversion is necessary, one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

182. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 181, further comprising:

code to store converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients in a message transmission queue; and

code to transmit each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

183. Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer executable process steps to transmit a multimedia message to a recipient, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

code to store at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient, and to store a multimedia message having at least one page that includes first type information mixed with second type information different from the first type information such that the first and second types are separately identifiable;

code to store a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

code to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second types of information is required based on the at least one stored media type;

code to select, in a case that conversion is required, one of the plurality of different conversion instructions based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one stored media type, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types;

code to execute the selected one of the conversion instructions so as to automatically convert the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism; and

code to transmit the converted multimedia message to the recipient.

184. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 183, wherein said multimedia message is transmitted via a medium selected from the group consisting of facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

185. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 183, further comprising code to provide at least two transmission media different from each other for transmitting the stored multimedia message.

186. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 185, wherein said at least two transmission media comprise a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said code to convert converts text type information into image type information.

187. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 186, further comprising code to convert text type information into voice type information.

188. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 185, wherein said at least two transmission media comprise a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said code to convert converts image type information into text type information.

189. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 183, further comprising code to schedule transmission of the multimedia message.

190. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 183, further comprising code to receive commands from a telephone interface and to process the commands so received.

191. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 190, further comprising code to transmit a multimedia message in accordance with the processed commands.

192. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 190, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

193. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 183, wherein said code to store stores map information which identifies the first type information and the second type information in said at least one page.

194. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 193, wherein said code to store stores multimedia messages comprising plural pages and also stores link information among the plural pages.

195. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 194, wherein said code to store stores plural multimedia messages, and also stores header information for each of said plural multimedia messages.

196. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 183, further comprising:

code to input first type information and second type information different from said first type information;

code to process the first and second type information into a multimedia message; and

code to store the multimedia message.

197. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 196, wherein said first and second type information is input via a medium selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard and a microphone.

198. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 197, further comprising code to display the multimedia message on a display.

199. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 198, further comprising code to edit the multimedia message.

200. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 199, further comprising code to exchange information with a host computer and to edit the exchanged information.

201. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 183, further comprising process steps to transmit the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein, in a case that the multimedia message is to be transmitted to a plurality of recipients, the process steps further comprise;

code to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one stored media type; and

code to select, in cases where conversion is necessary, one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

202. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 201, further comprising:

code to store converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients in a message transmission queue; and

code to transmit each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

203. Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer executable process steps to send and receive multimedia messages, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

code to input first type information;

code to input second type information different from the first type information;

code to store at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient, and to store a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

code to mix the first type information and the second type information to generate a multimedia message in which the first type information and the second type information are separately identifiable;

code to store the multimedia message;

code to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second types of information is required based on the at least one stored media type;

code to select, in a case that conversion is required, one of the plurality of different conversion instructions based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one stored media type, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types;

code to execute the selected one of the conversion instructions so as to automatically convert the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism;

code to transmit the converted multimedia message to a transmission interface; and

code to receive a multimedia message from the transmission interface, wherein the received multimedia message is stored.

204. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 203, wherein the multimedia message includes at least one page of mixed first and second type information, further comprising code to generate map information which identifies the first type information and the second type information and to store the map information.

205. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 204, wherein the multimedia message includes plural pages, further comprising code to generate link information among the plural pages and to store the link information.

206. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 205, further comprising code to generate header information for the multimedia message and to store the header information.

207. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 206, further comprising code to store received multimedia messages in a second folder.

208. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 203, wherein said multimedia messages are transmitted over a medium selected from the group consisting of facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

209. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 203, further comprising code to provide at least two transmission media different from each other for transmitting a stored multimedia message.

210. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 209, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said code to convert converts text type information into image type information.

211. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 209, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said code to convert converts image type information into text type information.

212. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 210, further comprising code to convert text type information into voice type information.

213. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 203, further comprising code to schedule transmission of the multimedia message.

214. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 203, further comprising code to receive commands from a telephone interface and to process the commands so received.

215. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 214, further comprising code to transmit the stored multimedia message in accordance with the processed command.

216. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 214, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

217. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 203, wherein said first and second type information are input from a medium selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard and a microphone.

218. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 217, further comprising code to display the multimedia message.

219. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 218, further comprising code to edit the multimedia message.

220. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 219, further comprising code to exchange information with a host computer and to edit the exchanged information.

221. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 209, further comprising code to selectively connect the telephone interface to one of said at least two transmission media in accordance with message characteristics on the telephone interface.

222. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 221, wherein said at least two transmission media are selected from the group consisting of a facsimile interface, a modem and a voice digitizer.

223. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 203, further comprising process steps to transmit the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein, in a case that the multimedia message is to be transmitted to a plurality of recipients, the process steps comprise;

code to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one stored media type; and

code to select, in cases where conversion is necessary, one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

224. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 223, further comprising:

code to store converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients in a message transmission queue; and

code to transmit each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

225. Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer executable process steps to handle a multimedia message, said computer-executable process steps comprising:

code to input text information on a keyboard;

code to input voice information through a microphone;

code to input image information via a scanner;

code to input binary information;

code to mix at least two of text information, voice information, image information, binary information and OLE information to generate a multimedia message in which the different types of information are separately identifiable;

code to store the multimedia message comprising at least two of text information, voice information, image information, binary information and OLE information;

code to send and to receive image information through a telephone interface, wherein, in a case that a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism receives image information, one image-producing conversion routine is selected from among plural conversion routines and, using the selected image-producing conversion routine, each different type of information in the multimedia message is automatically converted to image information prior to sending the multimedia message, the selected image-producing conversion routine being selected based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different information types into another, different one of the plurality of different information types;

code to send and receive voice information through a telephone interface, wherein, in a case that the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism receives voice information, one voice-producing conversion routine is selected from among the plural conversion routines and, using the selected voice-producing conversion routine, each different type of information in the multimedia message is automatically converted to voice information prior to sending the multimedia message, the selected voice-producing conversion routine being selected based on the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities;

code to send and to receive image information, text information, voice information and binary information, mixed together in multimedia messages, through the telephone interface, wherein received multimedia messages are stored; and

code to selectively connect the telephone interface to a facsimile interface, a voice synthesizer/digitizer, or a modem in accordance with the message characteristics.

226. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 225, further comprising code to generate map information which identifies the text information, the voice information, the image information, the binary information and the OLE information in a multimedia message.

227. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 226, further comprising code to generate link information among plural pages of a multimedia message.

228. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 227, further comprising code to generate header information for a multimedia message.

229. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 225, further comprising code to convert first type information into second type information.

230. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 225, wherein text information is converted into image information.

231. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 225, wherein said image information is converted into text information.

232. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 231, wherein said text information is converted into voice information.

233. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 225, further comprising code to schedule transmission of the multimedia message.

234. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 225, further comprising code to receive commands from the telephone interface.

235. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 234, further comprising code to transmit a multimedia message in accordance with the received commands.

236. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 234, wherein the commands are received from the voice digitizer/synthesizer in the form of DTMF signals.

237. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 225, further comprising code to display the multimedia message.

238. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 237, further comprising code to edit the multimedia message.

239. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 238, further comprising code to exchange information with a host computer and to edit the exchanged information.

240. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 225, further comprising:

code to store each converted messages in a message transmission queue; and

code to transmit each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

241. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps, the computer-executable process steps to transmit a multimedia message to a recipient, the multimedia message including first type information and second type information different from the first type information, the computer-executable process steps comprising:

a storing step to store at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient, to store the first type information mixed together with the second type information, and to store a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

a mixing step to mix the first type information and the second type information to generate a multimedia message in which the first type information and the second type information are separately identifiable;

a determining step to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second types of information is required based on the at least one media type stored in the storing step;

a selecting step to select, in a case that conversion is required, one of the plurality of different conversion instructions based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one media type stored in the storing step, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types; and

an executing step to execute the selected one of the conversion instructions so as to automatically convert the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

242. A computer-readable medium according to claim 241, wherein the multimedia message includes the at least one page of mixed first and second type information, and further comprising a generating step to generate map information which identifies the first type and the second type information.

243. A computer-readable medium according to claim 242, wherein the multimedia message includes plural pages, and further comprising a generating step to generate link information among the plural pages.

244. A computer-readable medium according to claim 243, further comprising a storing step to store plural multimedia messages and to generate header information for each of said plural multimedia messages.

245. A computer-readable medium according to claim 244, further comprising an arranging step to arrange said plural multimedia messages into plural folders.

246. A computer-readable medium according to claim 241, further comprising a transmitting step to transmit the multimedia message.

247. A computer-readable medium according to claim 246, wherein the multimedia message is transmitted via a medium selected from the group consisting of a facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

248. A computer-readable medium according to claim 246, further comprising a providing step to provide at least two transmission media different from each other for transmitting the multimedia message.

249. A computer-readable medium according to claim 248, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts text type information into image type information.

250. A computer-readable medium according to claim 248, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts image type information into text type information.

251. A computer-readable medium according to claim 249, further comprising a converting step to convert text type information into voice type information.

252. A computer-readable medium according to claim 246, further comprising a scheduling step to schedule transmission of the multimedia message.

253. A computer-readable medium according to claim 246, further comprising a receiving step to receive commands from a telephone interface and to process the commands so received.

254. A computer-readable medium according to claim 253, further comprising a transmitting step to transmit a multimedia message in accordance with the processed commands.

255. A computer-readable medium according to claim 253, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

256. A computer-readable medium according to claim 241, further comprising an inputting step to input first type information and second type information different from said first type information.

257. A computer-readable medium according to claim 256, wherein said first and second type information is input from a medium selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard and a microphone.

258. A computer-readable medium according to claim 241, further comprising a displaying step to display the multimedia message.

259. A computer-readable medium according to claim 258, further comprising an editing step to edit the multimedia message.

260. A computer-readable medium according to claim 259, further comprising an exchanging step to exchange information with a host computer and to edit the exchanged information.

261. A computer-readable medium according to claim 241, further comprising process steps to transmit the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein, in a case that the multimedia message is to be transmitted to a plurality of recipients, the process steps further comprise;

a determining step to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one stored media type; and

a selecting step to select, in cases where conversion is necessary, one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

262. A computer-readable medium according to claim 261, further comprising:

a storing step to store converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients in a message transmission queue; and

a transmitting step to transmit each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

263. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps, the computer-executable process steps to transmit a multimedia message to a recipient, the computer-executable process steps comprising:

a first storing step to store at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient, and to store a multimedia message having at least one page that includes first type information mixed with second type information different from the first type information such that the first and second types are separately identifiable;

a second storing step to store a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

a determining step to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second types of information is required based on the at least one media type stored in the first storing step;

a selecting step to select, in a case that conversion is required, one of the plurality of different conversion instructions based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one media type stored in the first storing step, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types;

an executing step to execute the selected one of the conversion instructions so as to automatically convert the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism; and

a transmitting step to transmit the converted multimedia message to the recipient.

264. A computer-readable medium according to claim 263, wherein said multimedia message is transmitted via a medium selected from the group consisting of facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

265. A computer-readable medium according to claim 263, further comprising a providing step to provide at least two transmission media different from each other for transmitting the stored multimedia message.

266. A computer-readable medium according to claim 265, wherein said at least two transmission media comprise a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts text type information into image type information.

267. A computer-readable medium according to claim 266, further comprising a converting step to convert text type information into voice type information.

268. A computer-readable medium according to claim 265, wherein said at least two transmission media comprise a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said code to convert converts image type information into text type information.

269. A computer-readable medium according to claim 263, further comprising a scheduling step to schedule transmission of the multimedia message.

270. A computer-readable medium according to claim 263, further comprising a receiving step to receive commands from a telephone interface and to process the commands so received.

271. A computer-readable medium according to claim 270, further comprising a transmitting step to transmit a multimedia message in accordance with the processed commands.

272. A computer-readable medium according to claim 270, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

273. A computer-readable medium according to claim 263, wherein said storing step stores map information which identifies the first type information and the second type information in said at least one page.

274. A computer-readable medium according to claim 273, wherein said storing step stores multimedia messages comprising plural pages and also stores link information among the plural pages.

275. A computer-readable medium according to claim 274, wherein said storing step stores plural multimedia messages, and also stores header information for each of said plural multimedia messages.

276. A computer-readable medium according to claim 263, further comprising:

an inputting step to input first type information and second type information different from said first type information;

a processing step to process the first and second type information into a multimedia message; and

a storing step to store the multimedia message.

277. A computer-readable medium according to claim 276, wherein said first and second type information is input via a medium selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard and a microphone.

278. A computer-readable medium according to claim 277, further comprising a displaying step to display the multimedia message.

279. A computer-readable medium according to claim 278, further comprising an editing step to edit the multimedia message.

280. A computer-readable medium according to claim 279, further comprising an exchanging step to exchange information with a host computer and to edit the exchanged information.

281. A computer-readable medium according to claim 263, further comprising process steps to transmit the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein, in a case that the multimedia message is to be transmitted to a plurality of recipients, the process steps further comprise;

a determining step to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one stored media type; and

a selecting step to select, in cases where conversion is necessary, one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

282. A computer-readable medium according to claim 281, further comprising:

storing step to store converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients in a message transmission queue; and

a transmitting step to transmit each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

283. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps, the computer-executable process steps to send and receive multimedia messages, the computer-executable process steps comprising:

a first inputting step to input first type information;

a second inputting step to input second type information different from the first type information;

a first storing step to store at least one of a plurality of different media types which correspond to a receiving mechanism of the recipient, and to store a plurality of different conversion instructions, each one of the conversion instructions for converting the first and second type information into a respective one of the plurality of different media types;

a mixing step to mix the first type information and the second type information to generate a multimedia message in which the first type information and the second type information are separately identifiable;

a second storing step to store the multimedia message;

a determining step to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second types of information is required based on the at least one media type stored in the first storing step;

a selecting step to select, in a case that conversion is required, one of the plurality of different conversion instructions based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities and based on the at least one media type stored in the first storing step, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different media types into another, different one of the plurality of different media types;

an executing step to execute the selected one of the conversion instructions so as to automatically convert the first and/or second type information to one of the plurality of different media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism;

a transmitting step to transmit the converted multimedia message to a transmission interface; and

a receiving step to receive a multimedia message from the transmission interface, wherein the received multimedia message is stored.

284. A computer-readable medium according to claim 283, wherein the multimedia message includes at least one page of mixed first and second type information, further comprising a generating step to generate map information which identifies the first type information and the second type information and to store the map information.

285. A computer-readable medium according to claim 284, wherein the multimedia message includes plural pages, further comprising a generating step to generate link information among the plural pages and to store the link information.

286. A computer-readable medium according to claim 285, further comprising a generating step to generate header information for the multimedia message and to store the header information.

287. A computer-readable medium according to claim 286, further comprising a storing step to store received multimedia messages in a second folder.

288. A computer-readable medium according to claim 283, wherein said multimedia messages are transmitted over a medium selected from the group consisting of facsimile interface, a modem, and a voice telephone.

289. A computer-readable medium according to claim 283, further comprising a providing step to provide at least two transmission media different from each other for transmitting a stored multimedia message.

290. A computer-readable medium according to claim 289, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts text type information into image type information.

291. A computer-readable medium according to claim 289, wherein said at least two transmission media are a modem and a facsimile interface, respectively, and wherein said converting step converts image type information into text type information.

292. A computer-readable medium according to claim 290, further comprising a converting step to convert text type information into voice type information.

293. A computer-readable medium according to claim 283, further comprising a scheduling step to schedule transmission of the multimedia message.

294. A computer-readable medium according to claim 283, further comprising a receiving step to receive commands from a telephone interface and to process the commands so received.

295. A computer-readable medium according to claim 294, further comprising a transmitting step to transmit the stored multimedia message in accordance with the processed command.

296. A computer-readable medium according to claim 294, wherein the commands are DTMF signals on the telephone interface.

297. A computer-readable medium according to claim 283, wherein said first and second type information are input from a medium selected from the group consisting of a scanner, a video interface, a text keyboard and a microphone.

298. A computer-readable medium according to claim 297, further comprising a displaying step to display the multimedia message.

299. A computer-readable medium according to claim 298, further comprising an editing step to edit the multimedia message.

300. A computer-readable medium according to claim 299, further comprising an exchanging step to exchange information with a host computer and to edit the exchanged information.

301. A computer-readable medium according to claim 289, further comprising a connecting step to selectively connect the telephone interface to one of said at least two transmission media in accordance with message characteristics on the telephone interface.

302. A computer-readable medium according to claim 301, wherein said at least two transmission media are selected from the group consisting of a facsimile interface, a modem and a voice digitizer.

303. A computer-readable medium according to claim 283, further comprising process steps to transmit the multimedia message to a plurality of recipients;

and

wherein, in a case that the multimedia message is to be transmitted to a plurality of recipients, the process steps comprise;

a determining step to determine whether conversion of the first and/or second type information is necessary for each of the plurality of recipients based on the at least one stored media type; and

a selecting step to select, in cases where conversion is necessary, one or more of the plurality of conversion instructions to automatically convert, for each of the plurality of recipients, the first and/or second type information into one of a plurality of different delivery media types that corresponds to the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism.

304. A computer-readable medium according to claim 303, further comprising:

a storing step to store converted messages for each of the plurality of recipients in a message transmission queue; and

a transmitting step to transmit each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.

305. A computer-readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps, the computer-executable process steps to handle a multimedia message, the computer-executable process steps comprising:

a first inputting step to input text information on a keyboard;

a second inputting step to input voice information through a microphone;

a third inputting step to input image information via a scanner;

a fourth inputting step to input binary information;

a mixing step to mix at least two of text information, voice information, image information, binary information and OLE information to generate a multimedia message in which the different types of information are separately identifiable;

a storing step to store the multimedia message comprising at least two of text information, voice information, image information, binary information and OLE information;

a step to send and to receive image information through a telephone interface, wherein, in a case that a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism receives image information, one image-producing conversion routine is selected from among plural conversion routines and, using the selected image-producing conversion routine, each different type of information in the multimedia message is automatically converted to image information prior to sending the multimedia message, the selected image-producing conversion routine being selected based on a table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities, wherein the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities indicates an extent to which it is possible to convert each one of the plurality of different information types into another, different one of the plurality of different information types;

a step to send and to receive voice information through a telephone interface, wherein, in a case that the recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism receives voice information, one voice-producing conversion routine is selected from among the plural conversion routines and, using the selected voice-producing conversion routine, each different type of information in the multimedia message is automatically converted to voice information prior to sending the multimedia message, the selected voice-producing conversion routine being selected based on the table of permissible and impermissible conversion capabilities;

a step to send and to receive image information, text information, voice information and binary information, mixed together in multimedia messages, through the telephone interface, wherein received multimedia messages are stored; and

a connecting step to selectively connect the telephone interface to a facsimile interface, a voice synthesizer/digitizer, or a modem in accordance with the message characteristics.

306. A computer-readable medium according to claim 305, further comprising a generating step to generate map information which identifies the text information, the voice information, the image information, the binary information and the OLE information in a multimedia message.

307. A computer-readable medium according to claim 306, further comprising a generating step to generate link information among plural pages of a multimedia message.

308. A computer-readable medium according to claim 307, further comprising a generating step to generate header information for a multimedia message.

309. A computer-readable medium according to claim 305, further comprising a converting step to convert first type information into second type information.

310. A computer-readable medium according to claim 305, wherein text information is converted into image information.

311. A computer-readable medium according to claim 305, wherein said image information is converted into text information.

312. A computer-readable medium according to claim 311, wherein said text information is converted into voice information.

313. A computer-readable medium according to claim 305, further comprising a scheduling step to schedule transmission of the multimedia message.

314. A computer-readable medium according to claim 305, further comprising a receiving step to receive commands from the telephone interface.

315. A computer-readable medium according to claim 314, further comprising a transmitting step to transmit a multimedia message in accordance with the received commands.

316. A computer-readable medium according to claim 314, wherein the commands are received from the voice digitizer/synthesizer in the form of DTMF signals.

317. A computer-readable medium according to claim 305, further comprising a displaying step to display the multimedia message.

318. A computer-readable medium according to claim 317, further comprising an editing step to edit the multimedia message.

319. A computer-readable medium according to claim 318, further comprising an exchanging step to exchange information with a host computer and to edit the exchanged information.

320. A computer-readable medium according to claim 305, further comprising:

a storing step to store each converted message in a message transmission queue; and

a transmitting step to transmit each message stored in the message transmission queue to a recipient'"'"'s receiving mechanism at a scheduled time.