Method and system for relaying communications from authorized users
First Claim
1. A method for transmitting, comprising the steps of:
- registering a user by inputting an identifier of the user and inputting billing information of the user to create registration information;
transmitting to the user an authorization code which is only valid for a predetermined number of communications;
creating a communication by the user which includes a message and the authorization code;
transmitting the communication from a first location to a second location;
receiving the communication at the second location;
determining if the communication which has been received is from an authorized user;
determining if the communication which has been received contains a valid authorization code;
transmitting an object from the second location to a third location, when the communication is determined to be from an authorized user and the communication is determined to contain a valid authorization code; and
providing a new authorization code which is only valid for a predetermined number of communications using said registration information.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for converting an email message to a facsimile only for authorized users of an account which has been previously created. After a user registers and provides an email address and appropriate billing information, stamps or authorization codes are transmitted to the user via email. When the user desires to have an email message transmitted via facsimile to another party, the user transmits, from a registered account, an email message which includes the fax number to which the facsimile is to be transmitted and contains a stamp. A computer operated by a service provider receives the email message, checks to see that the email message originated from a valid account, and contains a valid stamp. The stamp is then removed from the email, the email is converted to an image which is transmitted via facsimile to the appropriate telephone number, and the account which was previously registered is billed.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for transmitting, comprising the steps of:
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registering a user by inputting an identifier of the user and inputting billing information of the user to create registration information; transmitting to the user an authorization code which is only valid for a predetermined number of communications; creating a communication by the user which includes a message and the authorization code; transmitting the communication from a first location to a second location; receiving the communication at the second location; determining if the communication which has been received is from an authorized user; determining if the communication which has been received contains a valid authorization code; transmitting an object from the second location to a third location, when the communication is determined to be from an authorized user and the communication is determined to contain a valid authorization code; and providing a new authorization code which is only valid for a predetermined number of communications using said registration information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for transmitting, comprising:
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means for registering a user by inputting an identifier of the user and inputting billing information of the user to create registration information; means for transmitting to the user an authorization code which is only valid for a predetermined number of communications; means for creating a communication by the user which includes a message and the authorization code; means for transmitting the communication from a first location to a second location; means for receiving the communication at the second location; means for determining if the communication which has been received is from an authorized user; means for determining if the communication which has been received contains a valid authorization code; and means for transmitting an object from the second location to a third location, when the communication is determined to be from an authorized user and the communication is determined to contain a valid authorization code; and means for providing a new authorization code which is only valid for a predetermined number of communications using said registration information. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for converting an electronic mail message to a facsimile message, comprising the steps of:
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registering a user by inputting an identifier of the user which is an electronic mail address of the user, and inputting billing information of the user; transmitting to the user an authorization code which is only valid for a predetermined number of uses, after the step of registering; creating an electronic mail message by the user which includes the authorization code, the identifier of the user which is the electronic mail address of the user, and a telephone number of a facsimile machine; transmitting the electronic mail message as a communication from a first location to a second location; receiving the communication at the second location; determining if the communication which has been received is from an authorized user by determining if the electronic mail message originated from the electronic mail address of the user which has been registered; determining if the communication which has been received contains a valid authorization code; and converting the electronic mail message to a facsimile message without the authorization code; and transmitting the facsimile message from the second location to the telephone number of a facsimile machine which is at a third location. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method for transmitting, comprising the steps of:
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creating a communication by the user which includes a message and an authorization code therein; transmitting the communication from a first location to a second location; receiving the communication at the second location; determining if the communication which has been received contains a valid authorization code; and transmitting an object from the second location to a third location, when the communication is determined to contain a valid authorization code. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification