Facsimile telecommunications system and method

• US 6,785,021 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2000
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Catch Curve, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AudioFAX IP, LLC
• Inventors: Kennedy, James R., Gordon, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, II, Jerome
• Application Number:
  US09/717,996
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 358/400, 358/402, 358/401, 358/407, 358/404, 358/403, 358/434, 358/435, 358/436, 358/442, 358/440, 358/438, 358/439, 358/405, 379/100.08, 379/100.09, 379/100.12, 379/100.15, 379/100.16
• US Class Current: 358/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32064 Multi-address calling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32074 Redialing, e.g. after failure to make a connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3208 Transmitting a plurality of separate messages to a common destination in a single transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/324 intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32406 in connection with routing or relaying, e.g. using a fax-server or a store-and-forward facility stored and forward data switching systems H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32411 Handling instructions for routing or relaying
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32422 Reprocessing messages, e.g. in case the intended destination is busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32432 in a particular memory file for retrieval by the user, e.g. in a facsimile mailbox
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3218 of a confirmation, acknowledgement or receipt
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3219 of a job status, e.g. successful execution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3295 Deletion of stored data; Preventing such deletion

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating facsimile transmissions has one or more store and forward facilities, each associated with a plurality of subscriber facsimile machines, typically coupled over the switched telephone network. The store and forward facilities include a computer for controlling operations and mass data storage equipment. A subscriber to the system delivers an outgoing facsimile message to the store and forward facility with which it is associated, which records the fax message together with data as to originating facsimile machine and destination facsimile machine. The store and forward facility then delivers the facsimile message to the intended receiver facsimile machine, either directly or through another store and forward facility. If unsuccessful on an initial attempt, the store and forward facility periodically retrys to send the facsimile message. The system also provides spooling of all facsimile messages for an intended receiver machine, which are all transmitted upon making connection with the receiver machine. Subscriber mailboxes are provided as part of the mass storage, which can be accessed by a subscriber to have his messages delivered to any facsimile machine he designates. Secure facsimile transmission is achieved through use of subscriber PIN numbers. Broadcasting, redirecting messages and cost accounting can also be achieved by the system and method.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating facsimile communications between an originating fax device and a destination fax device, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at an originating store and forward facility, during a first communication session between an originating fax device and an originating store and forward facility, a facsimile message from the originating fax device;

passing the facsimile message from the originating store and forward facility to a destination store and forward facility; and

forwarding a portion of the information to a destination fax device by the destination store and forward facility while said receiving step is still being performed and prior to termination of the first communication session.

2. The method as claims in claim 1, wherein the information comprises a message and a command, and wherein said passing the information step comprises the step of passing the message and command, and said forwarding step comprises the step of forwarding the message while said receiving step is still being performed.

3. A method of facilitating facsimile communications, comprising the steps of:

identifying a first store and forward facility;

assigning to each subscriber of a plurality of subscribers a unique destination telephone number, wherein the dialing of the unique destination telephone number of each subscriber results in the related telephone call being switched by the switched telephone network to the first store and forward facility;

receiving at the first store and forward facility a telephone call switched to the store and forward facility by the switched telephone network as result of a sender dialing one of the unique destination telephone numbers, whereby an originating telephone call is made;

receiving over the originating telephone call connection information from an originating fax device at the first store and forward facility;

forwarding at least some of the information from the first store and forward facility to at least a second store and forward facility geographically separated from the first store and forward facility;

storing at least some of the information in the second store and forward facility; and

while the steps of receiving information, forwarding and storing are still being performed, sending at least some of the information to a destination associated with the unique destination telephone number.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sending step comprises the step of sending at least some of the information to a mailbox defined in a computer storage medium, whereby the destination associated with the unique destination telephone number is the mailbox.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sending step comprises the step of sending at least some of the information to a telephone line of a destination fax device.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

at least temporarily storing the message at the second store and forward facility; and

managing the information stored in the second facsimile store and forward facility by commands received at the originating store and forward facility after the information has been stored in the second facsimile store and forward facility.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of communicating a status report back to the calling fax device.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the forwarding step includes the step of transmitting by a most expedient communication mechanism.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the forwarding step includes delivery over the switched telephone network.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the forwarding step includes delivery employing digital communications.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein the second store and forward facility dials the unique destination telephone number and attempts delivery of the facsimile message to a fax device over the switched telephone network.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of, if a fax device does not answer or receive at the time the second store and forward facility attempts delivery, periodically redialing the unique destination telephone number and retrying delivery of the facsimile message.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of, upon successful completion of a delivery of the facsimile message to a fax device upon dialing of the unique destination telephone number, generating a confirmation message confirming delivery.

14. A method of facilitating communications between an originating fax device and a destination, comprising the steps of:

identifying a store and forward facility;

assigning to each subscriber of a plurality of subscribers a unique destination telephone number, wherein the dialing of the unique destination telephone number of each subscriber results in the related telephone call being switched by a switched telephone network to the first store and forward facility;

receiving at the first store and forward facility a telephone call switched to the store and forward facility by the switched telephone network as result of a sender dialing one of the unique destination telephone numbers, whereby an originating telephone call connection is made;

receiving over the originating telephone call connection from an originating fax device by the store and forward facility a fax image generated by the originating fax device; and

forwarding by the store and forward facility of at least a portion of the image to a destination associated with the first unique destination telephone number while the step of receiving a fax image is still being performed.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of notifying the originating fax device of successful delivery of the fax image to the destination.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the forwarding step comprises the step of forwarding by the store and forward facility of at least a portion of the fax image to a destination fax device while the step of receiving a fax image is still being performed.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the forwarding step comprises the steps of:

passing at least a portion of the image from the store and forward facility to a second store and forward facility; and

forwarding by the second store and forward facility of at least a portion of the image to a destination fax device associated with the first unique destination telephone number while the step of receiving a fax image and the passing step are still being performed.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the forwarding step comprises the step of forwarding by the store and forward facility of at least a portion of the image to a destination mailbox defined in a computer storage and associated with the first unique destination telephone number, while the receiving step is still being performed.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

subsequent in time to the step of receiving a fax image and while the forwarding step is being performed, receiving at the store and forward facility a second telephone call switched to the store and forward facility by the switched telephone network as result of a second sender dialing the first unique destination telephone number, and receiving at the store and forward facility a fax image from and generated by a second originating fax device; and

while the forwarding step is being performed, appending the image received from the second originating fax device to that image received during the first receiving step; and

forwarding to the destination the appended image along with and subsequent to the image received during the first step of receiving a fax image.

26. The method of claim 18 or 23, further comprising the step, in response to instructions received from a mailbox subscriber, of transmitting the image stored in that subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a fax device.

27. The method of claim 14 or 20, further comprising the step of retaining the image in storage associated with the store and forward facility for a predetermined time period after successful delivery of the image to the destination, and, in response to instructions received with respect to a particular fax image, the step of retransmitting that particular fax image to additional facsimile devices.

28. The method of claim 17 or 22, further comprising the step of retaining the image in storage associated with the store and forward facility for a predetermined time period after successful delivery of the image to the destination, and, in response to instructions received with respect to a particular fax image, the step of retransmitting that particular fax image to additional facsimile devices.

29. The method claim 14 or 20, further comprising the step of confirming successful delivery of the image to the destination.

30. The method of claim 18 or 23, further comprising the step, in response to instructions received from a mailbox subscriber via telephone, of transmitting the image stored in that subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a fax device.

85. The method of claim 18 or 33 or 34 or 64, further comprising the steps of:

granting to a computer terminal access to a particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox; and

allowing a user at the computer terminal to view a facsimile message stored in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox.

86. The method of claim 85, and wherein the granting and allowing steps are performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated with the respective mailbox.

87. The method of claim 85, and wherein the granting and allowing steps are performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated with the respective mailbox.

88. The method of claim 18 or 33 or 34 or 64 or 83, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a call at the at least one store and forward facility over the switched telephone network from a remote computer terminal, whereby a communication session is established;

granting to the remote computer terminal access to a particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox; and

allowing a user at the remote computer terminal to view a facsimile message stored in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox.

89. The method of claim 88, and wherein the granting and transmitting steps are performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated with the respective mailbox.

90. The method of claim 88, further comprising the step of providing to a subscriber at the remote computer terminal, during the communication session, one or more of user options selected from the group consisting of:

viewing a queue of facsimile messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

selecting facsimile messages from the queue;

deleting messages from the queue;

arranging the queue according to priority;

reading fax messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

redirecting a facsimile message in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to any facsimile device; and

redirecting a facsimile message in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a printer.

91. The method of claim 90, and wherein the granting, transmitting and providing steps are performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated with the respective mailbox.

92. The method of claim 88, further comprising the steps of providing to a subscriber at the remote computer terminal, during the communication session, at least the user options consisting of:

viewing a queue of facsimile messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

selecting facsimile messages from the queue;

deleting messages from the queue;

arranging the queue according to priority; and

reading fax messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox.

93. The method of claim 92, and wherein the granting and providing steps are performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated with the respective mailbox.

95. The method of claim 18 or 33 or 34 or 64 or 83, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a modem connection between the at least one store and forward facility and a modem equipped computer, at the initiation of the modem equipped computer;

granting to the modem equipped computer access to a particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

allowing a user at the modem equipped computer to view a facsimile message stored in the respective mailbox;

and then redirecting the fax message to a remote facsimile device in response to commands issued from the modem equipped computer.

96. The method of claim 95, and wherein the granting, allowing and redirecting steps are performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated with the respective mailbox.

97. The method of claim 18 or 33 or 34 or 64 or 83, further comprising the steps of:

granting to a remote computer terminal access to a particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox during a communication session initiated by the remote computer terminal; and

in response to instructions received from the remote computer terminal during the communication session, transmitting facsimile messages stored in a particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to the remote computer terminal.

98. The method of claim 18 or 33 or 64 or 83, further comprising the step of, in response to instructions received from a subscriber, transmitting facsimile messages stored in that subscriber'"'"'s mailbox, via the public switched telephone network, to any particular facsimile device designated in the instructions by the subscriber, whereby a subscriber who is traveling or otherwise away from the fixed location of his facsimile device may have facsimile messages collected in his mailbox, and retrieve them from any location where any other facsimile device is situated.

99. The method of claim 98, and wherein the transmitting step is performed only after receipt at at least one store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated with the respective mailbox.

106. The method of claim 18 or 33 or 64 or 83, further including the steps of:

receiving at a store and forward facility a second telephone call switched to the store and forward facility by the switched telephone network as a result of a particular subscriber dialing his unique destination telephone number, whereby a second call connection is made;

recognizing that the second telephone call is not a fax transmission; and

providing to the particular subscriber during the second call connection one or more user options selected from the group consisting of;

hearing a queue of facsimile messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

viewing a queue of facsimile messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

selecting facsimile messages from the queue;

deleting messages from the queue;

arranging the queue according to priority;

hearing facsimile messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

reading fax messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

displaying at a remote computer terminal a facsimile message stored in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

redirecting a facsimile message in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a facsimile device; and

redirecting a facsimile message in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a printer.

107. The method of claim 106, wherein the mailbox of the particular subscriber is defined in a computer storage device geographically separated from the store and forward facility with which the originating telephone call connection was made.

108. The method of claim 106, wherein the mailbox of the particular subscriber is defined in a computer storage device geographically separated from the store and forward facility with which the second telephone call connection was made.

109. The method of claim 106, wherein the providing step is performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the particular subscriber.

110. The method of claim 106, and wherein the store and forward facility with which the originating call connection is made and the store and forward facility with which the second call connection is made are the same store and forward facility.

111. The method of claims 18 or 33 or 64, further comprising the step of, during a communication session initiated by a paperless facsimile terminal machine operating in a computer communication mode, transmitting facsimile messages stored in that subscriber'"'"'s remote mailbox to the paperless facsimile terminal machine for display on a screen.

112. The method of claim 111, and wherein the transmitting step is performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility from the paperless facsimile terminal machine of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated at the respective mailbox.

113. The method of claim 111, further comprising the steps of providing to the subscriber at the paperless facsimile terminal machine, during communication session, one or more of user options selected from the group consisting of;

viewing a queue of facsimile messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

selecting facsimile messages from the queue;

deleting messages from the queue;

arranging the queue according to priority;

reading fax messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

redirecting a facsimile message in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a facsimile device; and

redirecting a facsimile message in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a printer.

114. The method of claim 111, further comprising the steps of providing to the subscriber at the paperless facsimile terminal machine, during the communication session, at least the user options consisting of:

viewing a queue of facsimnle messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

selecting facsimile messages from the queue;

deleting messages from the queue;

arranging the queue according to priority; and

reading fax messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox.

115. The method of claim 114, further comprising the steps of, during the communication session, receiving at a store and forward facility from the paperless facsimile terminal machine an outgoing facsimile message for delivery to an outbound destination and, in response to instruction received from the paperless facsimile terminal machine, transmitting the facsimile message from the store and forward facility to the outbound destination.

116. The method of claim 111, further comprising the steps of, during the communication session, receiving at a store and forward facility from the paperless facsimile terminal machine an outgoing facsimile message for delivery to an outbound destination and, in response to instruction received from the paperless facsimile terminal machine, transmitting the facsimile message from the store and forward facility to the outbound destination.

117. The method of claim 111, wherein mailboxes of particular subscribers are in a computer storage device geographically separated from the at least one store and forward facility, and wherein the transmitting step includes transmitting a facsimile message from a mailbox in the computer storage geographically separated from the at least one store and forward facility.

20. A method of facilitating communications between an originating fax device and a destination, comprising the steps of:

identifying a store and forward facility;

assigning to each subscriber of a plurality of subscribers a unique destination telephone number, wherein the dialing of the unique destination telephone number of each subscriber results in the related telephone call being switched by the switched telephone network to the first store and forward facility;

receiving at the first store and forward facility a telephone call switched to the store and forward facility by the switched telephone network as result of a sender dialing one of the unique destination telephone numbers, whereby an originating telephone call is made;

receiving over the originating telephone call connection, from an originating fax device, by the store and forward facility, a fax image generated by the originating fax device; and

attempting by the store and forward facility to contact a destination associated with the first unique destination telephone number while the receiving step is still being preformed.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of notifying the originating fax device of successful delivery of the image to the destination.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the attempting step comprises the steps of:

passing at least a portion of the image from the store and forward facility to a second store and forward facility; and

trying by the second store and forward facility to contact a destination fax device while the receiving a fax image step and passing step are still being performed.

23. The Method of claim 20, further comprising the step of placing a copy of the image in a mailbox defined in a computer storage and associated with the first unique destination telephone number.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the placing step is begun while the attempting step is being performed.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the placing step is performed upon failure to contact the destination during the attempting step.

31. The method of claim 20, further including the step of establishing in storage associated with the store and forward facility a linked queue spooling all stored images intended for a particular destination, and transmitting all the spooled images intended for that particular destination upon successfully making contact with the destination.

32. The method of claim 20, further including the step, upon being unsuccessful in contacting the destination, of transmitting a message to the originating fax device, either directly or through another store and forward facility associated with that particular originating fax device, indicating that the image has been entered into storage at one of the store and forward facilities, and at least also indicating the reason for a delay in successfully contacting the destination.

33. A facsimile communication method comprising the steps of:

identifying at least one store and forward facility;

assigning to each subscriber of a plurality of subscribers a unique destination telephone number, wherein the dialing of the unique destination telephone number of each subscriber will result in the related telephone call being switched by a switched telephone network to the at least one store and forward facility;

associating a unique mailbox defined in at least one computer storage device with each particular subscriber of the plurality of subscribers;

receiving at the at least one store and forward facility a telephone call switched to the store and forward facility by the public switched telephone network as result of a sender dialing one of the unique destination telephone numbers, whereby an originating telephone call connection is made;

receiving at the store and forward facility, from an originating fax device, over the originating telephone call connection, a facsimile message; and

directing the facsimile message received over the originating telephone call connection to the mailbox associated with the subscriber to whom the dialed one of the unique destination telephone numbers is assigned.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of associating includes associating, with particular subscribers, mailboxes defined in a computer storage device geographically separated from the at least one store and forward facility, and the directing step includes directing the facsimile message to a mailbox defined in the computer storage device geographically separated from the at least one store and forward facility.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the method further comprises the step of forwarding, while the receiving a facsimile message step is still being performed, at least some of the message from the at least one store and forward facility to at least a second store and forward facility geographically separated from the at least one store and forward facility.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the forwarding step includes the step of transmitting by a most expedient communication mechanism.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the forwarding step includes delivery over the switched telephone network.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the forwarding step includes delivery employing digital communications.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the mailbox of a particular subscriber is defined in a mass storage local to the second store and forward facility, and the directing step includes directing the facsimile message to a mailbox defined in the mass storage local to the second store and forward facility.

40. The method of claim 33, further including the step of, in response to instructions received from a subscriber, transmitting facsimile messages stored in that subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a facsimile machine designated by that subscriber in the instructions.

41. The method of claim 33, wherein a subscriber accessing his mailbox by a modem equipped computer may view facsimile messages stored in his respective mailbox.

42. The method of claim 33, wherein the mailbox of a particular subscriber is defined in a mass storage remote to the first store and forward facility, and the directing step includes directing the facsimile message to a mailbox defined in the mass storage remote to the store and forward facility.

43. The method of claim 33, wherein a subscriber accessing his mailbox from a computer may view facsimile messages stored in his respective mailbox.

94. The method of claim 34, 45, 64, 67, or 75, wherein a subscriber accessing his mailbox from a computer may view facsimile messages stored in his respective mailbox.

100. The method of claim 34 or 45, further comprising the step of, in response to instructions received from a subscriber, transmitting facsimile messages stored in that subscriber'"'"'s mailbox at the geographically separated storage device, via the public switched telephone network, to any particular facsimile machine designated in the instructions by the subscriber, whereby a subscriber who is traveling or otherwise away from the fixed location of his facsimile machine may have facsimile messages collected in his mailbox, and retrieve them from any location where any other facsimile machine is situated.

101. The method of claim 100, and wherein the transmitting step is performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated with the respective mailbox.

102. The method of claim 39 or 51, further comprising the step of, in response to instrutions received from a subscriber, transmitting facsimile messages stored in that subscriber'"'"'s mailbox at the second store and forward facility, via the public switched telephone network, to any particular facsimile machine designated in the instructions by the subscriber, whereby a subscriber who is traveling or otherwise away from the fixed location of his facsimile machine may have facsimile messages collected in his mailbox, and retrieve them from any location where any other facsimile machine is situated.

103. The method of claim 102, and wherein the transmitting step is performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated with the respective mailbox.

104. The method of claim 42 or 54 or 67, further comprising the step of, in response to instructions received from a subscriber, transmitting facsimile messages stored in that subscriber'"'"'s mailbox at the remote storage, via the public switched telephone network, to any particular facsimile machine designated in the instructions by the subscriber, whereby a subscriber who is traveling or otherwise away from the fixed location of his facsimile machine may have facsimile messages collected in his mailbox, and retrieve them from any location where any other facsimile machine is situated.

105. The method of claim 104, and wherein the transmitting step is performed only after receipt at a store and forward facility of a unique PIN number of the subscriber associated with the respective mailbox.

118. The method of claim 34, 45, 67, 75, or 78, wherein a fax message in the mailbox of a particular recipient is accessible by that recipient via a computer terminal.

44. A facsimile communication method comprising the steps of:

identifying at least one store and forward facility;

assigning to each subscriber of a first plurality of subscribers a unique destination telephone number, wherein the dialing of the unique destination telephone number of each system subscriber results in the related telephone call being switched by a public switched telephone network to the at least one store and forward facility;

associating a unique mailbox defined in at least one computer storage device with each mailbox subscriber of a plurality of mailbox subscribers, which mailbox subscribers are, also, subscribers of the first plurality of subscribers;

receiving at the at least one store and forward facility a telephone call switched to the store and forward facility by the public switched telephone network as result of a sender dialing one of the unique destination telephone numbers, whereby an originating telephone call connection is made;

receiving at the store and forward facility, from an originating fax device, over the originating telephone call connection, a facsimile message; and

if the dialed one of the unique destination telephone numbers is a destination telephone number assigned to a mailbox subscriber, directing the facsimile message to respective subscriber'"'"'s mailbox.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of associating includes associating, with particular subscribers, mailboxes defined in a computer storage device geographically separated from the at least one store and forward facility, and the directing step includes directing the facsimile message to a mailbox defined in the computer storage device geographically separated from the at least one store and forward facility.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the method further comprises the step of forwarding, while the receiving a facsimile message step is still being performed, at least some of the message from the at least one store and forward facility to at least a second store and forward facility geographically separated from the at least one store and forward facility.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the forwarding step includes the step of transmitting by a most expedient communication mechanism.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the forwarding step includes delivery over the switched telephone network.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein the forwarding step includes delivery employing digital communications.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein the destination telephone number dialed by the sender is not assigned to a mailbox subscriber, and wherein the second store and forward facility dials the one of the unique destination telephone numbers and attempts delivery of the facsimile message to a fax device over the switched telephone network.

51. The method of claim 46, wherein the mailbox of a particular subscriber is defined in a mass storage local to the second store and forward facility, and the directing step includes directing the facsimile message to a mailbox defined in the mass storage local to the second store and forward facility.

52. The method of claim 46, wherein the second store and forward facility attempts delivery of the facsimile message to a fax device over the switched telephone network.

53. The method of claim 44, wherein a subscriber accessing his mailbox by a modem equipped computer may view facsimile messages stored in his respective mailbox.

54. The method of claim 44, wherein the mailbox of a particular subscriber is defined in a mass storage remote to the first store and forward facility, and the directing step includes directing the facsimile message to a mailbox defined in the mass storage remote to the store and forward facility.

55. The method of claim 44, wherein the destination telephone number dialed by the sender is not assigned to a mailbox subscriber, and wherein the at least one store and forward facility dials the one of the unique destination telephone numbers and attempts delivery of the facsimile message to a fax device over the switched telephone network.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of, if a fax device does not answer or receive at the time the at least one store and forward facility attempts delivery, periodically redialing the one of the unique destination telephone numbers and retrying delivery of the facsimile message.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of, upon successful completion of a delivery of the facsimile message to a fax device upon dialing of the one of the unique destination telephone numbers, generating a confirmation message confirming delivery.

58. The method of claim 44, wherein all subscribers of said first plurality of subscribers are mailbox subscribers.

59. The method of claim 44, wherein a subscriber accessing his mailbox from a computer may view facsimile messages stored in his respective mailbox.

60. The method of claim 44, wherein the at least one store and forward facility attempts delivery of the facsimile message to a fax device over the switched telephone network.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising the step of, if a fax device does not answer or receive at the time the at least one store and forward facility attempts delivery, periodically redialing the one of the unique destination telephone numbers and retying delivery of the facsimile message.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising the step of, upon successful completion of a delivery of the facsimile message to a fax, generating a confirmation message confirming delivery.

63. The method of claim 44, further including the step of, in response to instructions received from a subscriber, transmitting facsimile messages stored in that subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a facsimile machine designated by that subscriber in the instructions.

64. A facsimile communication method comprising the steps of:

identifying at least one store and forward facility;

assigning to each subscriber of a plurality of subscribers a unique destination telephone number, wherein the dialing of the unique destination telephone number of each subscriber will result in the related telephone call being switched by a switched telephone network to the at least one store and forward facility;

identifying mailboxes defined in at least one mass storage device and associated with particular subscribers;

associating the mailbox of a particular subscriber with that subscriber'"'"'s unique destination telephone number;

receiving at the at least one store and forward facility a telephone call switched to the store and forward facility by the public switched telephone network as result of a sender dialing one of the unique destination telephone numbers, whereby an originating telephone call connection is made;

receiving facsimile information at the at least one store and forward facility, from an originating fax device, over the originating telephone call connection; and

directing the facsimile information received over the originating telephone call connection to the mailbox associated with the dialed one of the unique destination telephone numbers.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising the step of, in response to instructions received from a subscriber, transmitting facsimile information stored in that subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a facsimile machine designated by that subscriber in the instructions.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein a subscriber accessing his mailbox by a modem equipped computer may view facsimile information stored in his respective mailbox.

67. The method of claim 64, wherein the mailbox of a particular subscriber is defined in a mass storage remote to the receiving store and forward facility, and the directing step includes directing the facsimile message to a mailbox defined in the mass storage remote to the store and forward facility.

68. A method of delivering a facsimile image, said method comprising the steps of:

assigning to each subscriber of a plurality of subscribers a unique destination telephone number, wherein the dialing of the unique destination telephone number of each subscriber will result in the related telephone call being switched by a switched telephone network to a first call handling facility;

identifying mailboxes defined in at least one network based mass storage device and associated with particular subscribers;

associating the mailbox of a particular subscriber with that subscriber'"'"'s unique destination telephone number;

receiving a fax image at the mailbox of a particular subscriber, which receiving is initiated by a sender dialing the particular subscriber'"'"'s unique destination telephone number at a sending fax device,

whereby a sender of a fax image dials a unique destination telephone number intending delivery of a fax image to the subscriber to whom the number is assigned, and delivery of the fax image to the subscriber'"'"'s associated mailbox results; and

granting to a remote computer terminal access to a particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox during a communication session initiated by the remote computer terminal; and

providing to a subscriber at the remote computer terminal, during the communication session, at least the user options consisting of;

viewing a queue of facsimile messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

selecting facsimile messages from the queue;

deleting messages from the queue;

arranging the queue according to priority; and

reading fax messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox.

69. A method of delivering a facsimile image, said method comprising the steps of:

associating each telephone number of a first plurality of telephone numbers on a switched telephone network with an intended recipient of a first plurality of intended facsimile recipients;

receiving at a first call handling facility a telephone call directed to one of the telephone numbers of the first plurality of telephone numbers and switched to the call handling facility by the switched telephone network as a result of the dialing of the one of the telephone numbers;

answering at the call handling facility the received telephone call and interacting using facsimile protocol with an originating fax machine on the other end of the call;

during the call, receiving at the call handling facility from the originating fax device a fax message, using facsimile protocol; and

directing the fax message to one of the destinations selected from the group consisting of (i) a mailbox defined in a computer storage and associated prior to the receipt of the call with a particular recipient and with the particular one of the plurality of telephone numbers and (ii) a fax receiving device.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the fax receiving device comprises a computer terminal with modem.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein, during the directing step, the fax message is directed to a mailbox;

and wherein the method further comprises the step of, in response to instructions received from the particular recipient associated with the mailbox, transmitting the fax message from the mailbox to a fax device.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the fax receiving device comprises a computer terminal with modem.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein a fax message in the mailbox of a particular recipient is accessible by that recipient via a computer terminal with modem.

74. The method of claim 71, wherein a fax message in a particular recipient'"'"'s mailbox is viewable by the recipient gaining access to said particular recipient'"'"'s mailbox through a computer terminal which access the mailbox via the switched telephone network.

75. The method of claim 71, wherein the mailbox of a particular subscriber is defined in a mass storage remote to the receiving call handling facility.

76. The method of claim 71, wherein the directing step comprises at least the step of transferring the facsimile message from the first call handling facility to a second call handling facility remote to the first call handling facility;

and wherein the mailbox of the particular recipient is defined in mass storage local to the second call handling facility.

77. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of providing access to the mailbox of the particular recipient by dialing in to a computer associated with the computer storage.

78. The method of claim 69, wherein, during the directing step, the fax message is directed to a mailbox.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the directing step comprises at least the step of transferring the facsimile message from the first call handling facility to a second call handling facility remote to the first call handling facility;

and where the mailbox of the particular recipient is defined in mass storage local to the second call handling facility.

80. The method of claim 78, further comprising the step of providing access to the mailbox of the particular recipient by dialing in from a computer to a computer associated with the computer storage.

81. The method of claim 80, further comprising the step of enabling, after providing access to the mailbox, one or more of actions selected from the group consisting of:

viewing a queue of facsimile messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

selecting facsimile messages from the queue;

deleting messages from the queue;

arranging the queue according to priority;

reading fax messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

displaying at the remote computer terminal a facsimile message stored in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

redirecting a facsimile message in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a facsimile device; and

redirecting a facsimile message in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox to a printer.

82. The method of claim 78, wherein the mailbox of a particular subscriber is defined in a mass storage remote to the receiving call handling facility.

119. The method of claim 78, wherein a fax message in a particular recipient'"'"'s mailbox is viewable by the recipient gaining access to said particular recipient'"'"'s mailbox through a computer terminal which accesses the mailbox via a communication link initiated from the computer terminal on the switched telephone network.

83. A facsimile communication method comprising the steps of:

receiving at a store and forward facility a telephone call initiated by a sender dialing a destination telephone number uniquely identified with a first subscriber of a plurality of subscribers, whereby an originating telephone call connection is made

receiving at the store and forward facility, from an originating fax device, over the originating telephone call connection, a facsimile message intended for the destination of the first subscriber'"'"'s unique destination telephone number;

directing the facsimile message intended for the first subscriber'"'"'s destination telephone number to an electronic mailbox associated with the first subscriber prior to the step of receiving the call;

granting to a remote computer terminal access to a particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox during a communication session initiated by the remote computer terminal; and

providing to a subscriber at the remote computer terminal, during the communication session, one or more user options selected from the group consisting of;

viewing a queue of facsimile messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

selecting facsimile messages from the queue;

deleting messages from the queue;

arranging the queue according to priority;

displaying at the remote computer terminal a facsimile message stored in the particular subscribers mailbox; and

reading fax messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein the providing step comprises the step of

providing to a subscriber at the remote computer terminal, during the communication session, at least the user options consisting of: viewing a queue of facsimile messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox;

selecting facsimile messages from the queue;

deleting messages from the queue;

arranging the queue according to priority; and

reading fax messages in the particular subscriber'"'"'s mailbox.