Facsimile telecommunications system and method

• US 7,202,978 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Catch Curve, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Catch Curve, Inc.
• Inventors: Kennedy, James R., Gordon, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, II; Jerome
• Application Number:
  US10/927,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20050088703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 358/400, 358/407, 358/479, 358/402, 358/404, 358/405, 358/434, 358/435, 358/410, 358/436, 358/438, 358/439, 379/100.01, 379/109, 370/61
• US Class Current: 358/400
• 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. The store and forward facilities include a computer for controlling operations and mass data storage equipment. 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. The system can also be used in cooperation with a paperless facsimile machine which directly displays the facsimile message on a screen and is capable of entering outgoing facsimile messages to the store and forward facility.

Claims

1. One or more computer readable media storing a program with instructions that upon execution by a computer acting as at least a part of a store and forward facility, the computer having access to a mass storage device and being coupled to a switched telephone network, wherein the stored instructions cause the computer to control operation of the store and forward facility to facilitate facsimile communication between a transmitting facsimile machine and an intended receiving facsimile machine by performing the steps comprising of:

a) receiving transmissions from the transmitting facsimile machine via the switched telephone network;

b) storing facsimile transmissions together with information identifying the transmitting facsimile machine and the intended receiving facsimile machine;

c) transmitting a facsimile message stored in the mass storage device to the intended receiving facsimile machine;

d) providing a reply service allowing an addressee associated with the intended receiving facsimile machine to send a reply message which is selected from a reply service menu back to (1) the transmitting facsimile machine or (2) a telephone number designated in an instruction received from a subscriber.

2. The media of claim 1, wherein the reply service menu is a menu of standardized responses.

3. The media of claim 1, wherein the reply service menu is a menu of customized responses.

4. The media of claim 1, wherein the reply message is in a form of voice.

5. The media of claim 4, wherein the reply message is in a form of automated-voice.

6. One or more computer readable media storing a program with instructions that upon execution by a computer acting as at least a part of a store and forward facility, the computer having access to a mass storage device and being coupled to a switched telephone network, wherein the stored instructions cause the computer to control operation of the store and forward facility to facilitate facsimile communications between a transmitting facsimile machine and an intended receiving facsimile machine by performing the steps comprising of:

a) receiving facsimile messages from transmitting facsimile machines;

b) recording received facsimile messages in the mass storage device together with information indicating the transmitting facsimile machine and the intended receiving facsimile machines;

c) if an intended receiving facsimile machine is busy or otherwise unavailable to receive at the time the computer attempts contact to transmit a facsimile message, of periodically retrying to transmit the facsimile message to the intended receiving facsimile machine; and

d) upon successful receipt of a facsimile transmission by the addressee, of providing a reply service menu for transmitting a message selected from said menu to the transmitting facsimile machine or an instructed telephone number.

7. The media of claim 6, wherein the reply service menu is a menu of standardized responses.

8. The media of claim 6, wherein the reply service menu is a menu of customized responses.

9. The media of claim 6, wherein the reply message is in a form of voice.

10. The media of claim 6, wherein the reply message is in a form of automated-voice.