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

• US 7,089,487 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2003
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mary Y.Y. Tsai
• Original Assignee: Mary Y.Y. Tsai
• Inventors: Tsai, Irving
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huynh, Thu V.
• Application Number:
  US10/659,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 715/517, 715/501.1, 715/513, 715/522, 358/440, 358/462, 358/434, 358/442
• US Class Current: 715/208
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45512 Command shells
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• 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 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• 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. A method for receiving and processing data to provide executable content to portions of a facsimile document comprising:

receiving data using a facsimile reception protocol, said received data having one or more portions associated with virtual machine instruction code;

identifying the portions of the received facsimile data associated with the virtual machine instruction code;

using the received facsimile data to acquire the associated virtual machine instruction code;

displaying the received facsimile data;

executing the virtual machine instruction code in connection with the portion of the displayed facsimile data associated therewith;

acquiring scripting language instruction code, and

using the scripting language instruction code in connection with the facsimile data.

2. An apparatus for receiving and processing data to provide executable content to portions of a facsimile document comprising:

means for receiving data using a facsimile reception protocol, said received data having one or more portions associated with virtual machine instruction code;

means for identifying the portions of the received facsimile data associated with the virtual machine instruction code;

means for using the received facsimile data to acquire the associated virtual machine instruction code;

means for displaying the received facsimile data, and

means for executing the virtual machine instruction code in connection with the portion of the displayed facsimile data associated therewith.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising:

means for acquiring scripting language instruction code, and

means for using the scripting language instruction code in connection with the facsimile data.

4. An apparatus for receiving and processing data to provide executable content to portions of a facsimile document comprising:

means for receiving data using a facsimile reception protocol, said received data having one or more portions associated with virtual machine instruction code;

means for identifying the portions of the received facsimile data associated with the virtual machine instruction code;

means for using the received facsimile data to acquire the associated virtual machine instruction code;

means for displaying the received facsimile data;

means for executing the virtual machine instruction code in connection with the portion of the displayed facsimile data associated therewith;

means for acquiring scripting language instruction code, and

means for using the scripting language instruction code in connection with the facsimile data.