Method and apparatus for linking designated portions of a received document image with an electronic address

• US 5,838,458 A
• Filed: 12/14/1995
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Irving Tsai
• Original Assignee: Irving Tsai
• Inventors: Tsai, Irving
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Sr., Edward L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, CHEUKFAN
• Application Number:
  US08/572,629
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 358/400, 358/442, 358/440, 358/403, 358/402, 358/434, 358/439, 358/407, 358/453, 358/468, 382/181, 382/203, 379/100, 379/100.08, 379/100.15, 379/100.16, 395/788-791, 395/347, 395/352, 395/356, 395/357, 395/776
• US Class Current: 358/402
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00355 Mark-sheet input sensing record carriers G06K7/00; character recognition G06V30/10; document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0036 Alphanumeric symbols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00405 Output means output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00488 providing an audible output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/10 using flat picture-bearing surfaces H04N1/113, H04N1/195 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32032 Polling of transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32112 in a separate computer file, document page or paper sheet, e.g. a fax cover sheet H04N1/32122 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0087 Image storage device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0422 Media holders, covers, supports, backgrounds; Arrangements to facilitate placing of the medium H04N2201/0406 - H04N2201/0412, H04N2201/0434 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0438 Scanning displays; Scanning large surfaces, e.g. projection screens, writing boards
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3209 of a telephone number
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3214 of a date
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 : data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 : of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 : Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3273 : Display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission

Abstract

A method and apparatus for receiving document images including portions linked to one or more electronic addresses. The linked portion of the document is identified using a predetermined visual attribute, such as bold-face text, or delimiters to mark the portion. The document image is then transmitted using, e.g., existing apparatus for transmitting images, such as a facsimile machine. An electronic address associated with the identified portion of the document is also transmitted using existing techniques, such as by touch-tone telephone. The address may be a voice telephone number, facsimile telephone number, World Wide Web address, or any other address with which communication can be established. At the receiving end, both the document image and electronic address are received. Pattern matching is performed on the document image to identify the portion with the predetermined attribute as a linked portion. The received electronic address is then correlated with the linked portion. When the document image is displayed on, e.g., a computer screen, the linked portion is visually identified so that the recipient can access the electronic address by, e.g., clicking on the portion using a mouse. Communication may then be initiated by the recipient with the entity associated with the electronic address.

Claims

1. An apparatus for retrieving Internet information using facsimile data received with a facsimile reception protocol, comprising:

means for receiving facsimile data using a facsimile reception protocol, said facsimile data containing a portion linked to an Internet address;

means for obtaining Internet address information from said portion of received facsimile data;

means for automatically applying said obtained Internet address information for establishing communication with said Internet address;

means for retrieving information from said Internet address; and

means for displaying at least one of the received facsimile data and the retrieved Internet information.