Abstract: A document delivery network server having a set of integrated functions including sending, receiving, routing and filing of FAXes and e-mails to other users which achieves numerous advantages over the prior art. The document delivery system is based on a client/server model having both analog and digital Fax line capabilities. The server side provides very highly integrated systems functionality based on industry standard, commercially available hardware and a mix of industry standard and proprietary software components including integrated FAX/modem modules, an embedded OS, embedded plug-and-play driver sets, embedded e-mail gateways, an embedded FAX archive, embedded back-up/restore, proprietary high efficiency line utilization and highly efficient load balancing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and software for notification of multi-function peripheral (MFP) receive jobs are disclosed. A system provides a MFP configured to store at least one remote communication identifier, to process a MFP job associated with the at least one remote communication identifier, and to transmit, in response to an event associated with the MFP job, notification directed to the remote communication identifier. The MFP may receive the remote communication identifiers from embedded MFP jobs or may receive them from previously stored user profiles that specify notification preferences for different job types. The remote identification identifier may be, for example, an email address or a telephone number.

Abstract: A facsimile machine, capable of being connected to an external telephone, including a data access apparatus in the form of a semiconductor device, includes a power circuit configured to output a calling signal and supply voltage to the external telephone; a relay configured to switch between a first state in which the external telephone is connected to the power circuit and a second state in which the external telephone is connected to a public line; a detection portion configured to detect a signal level of a signal line between the power circuit and the relay; and a control portion configured to issue an output instruction of the calling signal to the power circuit on the basis of the content of a signal received by the data access apparatus and a detection result obtained by the detection portion in the first state.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a communication start request receiving unit and a response notification output unit. The communication start request receiving unit receives, via a first communication path, a communication start request that is output from a source communication apparatus and is transmitted via a relay apparatus. The response notification output unit outputs a first response notification or a second response notification to the relay apparatus via the first communication path when the communication start request receiving unit receives, via the first communication path, a communication start request for starting communication using a second communication standard in a case where the number of apparatuses with which the communication apparatus is communicating using the second communication standard has reached a predetermined number. The first response notification indicates that communication is being performed.

Abstract: A fax data transmission device receives fax data, and stores it together with an identifier for identifying the fax data. The fax data transmission device sends receipt information which includes the identifier and a notification that the fax data identified by the identifier has been received, to an external device. The fax data transmission device receives destination information relating to a destination to which the fax data should be forwarded, as a reply to the receipt information. The fax data transmission device sends the fax data to the destination specified based on the destination information.

Abstract: A method and system for managing facsimile (fax) data in an integrated manner. The system includes an integrated fax server, and a fax terminal configured to transmit and receive fax data via a first communication network and to transmit both the transmitted and received fax data to the integrated fax server via a second communication network. The integrated fax server stores fax data received from the fax terminal in a database. The fax terminal includes a fax machine connector configured to receive fax data from a fax machine, a first communication network connector configured to transmit and receive fax data via a first communication network, and a server interface unit configured to transmit fax data to the integrated fax server. Accordingly, the integrated fax server manages transmitted and received fax documents with increased efficiency and security. Thus, the difficulty of managing fax documents due to spacial restriction is diminished.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image communication apparatus comprising a first FAX communication unit configured to make communications with a partner apparatus according to a first FAX communication function using a public telephone network, a second FAX communication unit configured to make communications with a partner apparatus according to a second FAX communication function using an IP network, an accepter unit configured to accept an operation designation of the first and second FAX communication functions, and a limiter unit configured to limit the first and second FAX communication functions based on the operation designation accepted by the accepter unit.

Abstract: An approach for processing scanned document data includes a document processing network service receiving, from a scanning device, scanned document data that represents text contained in one or more printed documents. The document processing network service, sends, based on mobile device data received from the scanning device, the scanned document data (or text data generated from the scanned document data) to one or more mobile devices identified in the mobile device data. An approach for processing scanned document data also includes a document processing network service, in response to receiving scanned document data and recipient data from a scanning device, extracting contact information from the scanned document data and causing the contact information to be stored in association from the recipient data to allow a mobile device of an intended recipient to receive the contact information and initiate a call to a phone number identified in the contact information.

Abstract: A communication system that integrates audio and visual messaging, including a mobile communication device for receiving visual messages and for transmitting voice messages to a recipient, a base station system in communication with the mobile communication device, an electronic mail gateway for delivering visual messages to the base station system for transmission to the mobile communication device, and an integrated mail gateway for receiving from the base station a voice message and addressing information that were both transmitted from the mobile communication device. The integrated mail gateway is programmed to create an e-mail message comprising the voice message. The integrated mail gateway is also programmed to use the addressing information to address the e-mail message, and to send the addressed e-mail message to the recipient.

Abstract: A fax processing system handles faxes that are originally destined for a recipient's phone number. The fax processing system communicates with the fax recipient via a data communications network (for example, the Internet) and can provide more sophisticated fax handling capabilities than conventional fax machines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing return fax document deliveries is disclosed. The method may include receiving fax data for transmission to a first party, storing the received fax data, encoding a digital mark, creating fax image using the stored fax data and the encoded digital mark, transmitting the generated fax image to the first party, receiving a return fax image from the first party, the return fax image including the fax data and the encoded digital mark, decoding the digital mark, extracting any information on the return fax image that was added by the first party, and routing the return fax image with the stored fax data, the decoded digital mark, and the extracted additional information to at least one workflow recipient.

Abstract: In order to process data by a plurality of processing methods defined for each of a plurality of users with a simple operation, MFP includes a HDD having a group BOX for storing data, related with at least two users, and creates a group table which associates at least two data processing methods respectively corresponding to at least two users with the group BOX. When data is stored into the group BOX, the stored data is processed according to each of at least two data processing methods associated with the group BOX.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus has a line interface for facsimile communication and is capable of communicating with a host computer through a remote host computer interface or a local host computer interface. The facsimile apparatus includes a facsimile data transferring unit for transferring facsimile data to the host computer through the remote host computer interface or the local host computer interface; an interface recognizing unit for recognizing the host computer interface that is connected from among the remote host computer interface and the local host computer interface; a transfer destination registering unit for registering a destination of the host computer to which the facsimile data transferring unit transfers the facsimile data through the remote host computer interface when the interface recognizing unit recognizes that the remote host computer interface is connected.

Abstract: A method for a computer system for transmitting a facsimile to an electronic destination, includes receiving the facsimile comprising an instruction page with an optical representation of the electronic destination address and an optical representation of a user selection of an option, and a document encoded in a fax format, determining the electronic destination address from the optical representation of the electronic destination address, wherein the electronic destination address need not be known to the computer system before receiving the facsimile, determining the one selected option in response to the optical representation of the user selection of the option, determining a modified document in response to the document and in response to the one selected option, encoding the modified document into a second transmission format, and transmitting the modified document and additional service provider data encoded in the second transmission format to the electronic destination address.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus capable of communicating with external apparatuses determines whether image data received from the external apparatuses is a first type of image data that was to be transmitted to the image communication apparatus or a second type of image data that was to be transmitted to other image communication apparatuses, and performs predetermined processing based on the determination result.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, methods and systems are provided for processing facsimiles. A call processing system receives a first message transmitted from a first carrier system regarding a facsimile call to a phone address. The first message includes an identifier associated with the user. The identifier is used to determine if the user is authorized to receive call processing system services. If the user is authorized, a second message is transmitted to the first carrier system, the second message indicating that the first carrier system is to connect the call to the call processing system. The call processing system is connected to the call. A facsimile is received via the call at the call processing system. Information regarding the facsimile call is provided over a network, wherein some or all of the information is displayed in a call log visually accessible by the user.

Abstract: Methods for managing and routine multiple telephone calls through a wireless network provide efficient and cost-effective ways in which a subscriber to the network can take advantage of the multiple services being offered. When the subscriber has only one line in the network, or when the subscriber often uses more than one line, multiple telephone calls may attempt transmission to the subscriber and so the subscriber may miss the call. The inventive methods determine what type of incoming call is attempting to contact the subscriber and routes the call to another location, such as the subscriber's voice mail, if the subscriber is otherwise occupying his or her line or lines in the network. The methods are particular useful for storing and forwarding facsimile messages to subscriber.

Abstract: An IFAX has a call controller that transmits and receives a SIP message to and from a destination apparatus via a SIP server, a file transmitter/receiver that transmits and receives image data to and from a Web server, and a communication manager that exchanges information for managing the image data transfer to and from the destination apparatus, by adding predetermined information to the SIP message. Thereby, the IFAX transfers the image data via the Web server while performing SIP-based communication with the destination apparatus.

Abstract: A method, and a system using the method, of managing and using a profile to be associated with a document. The method includes generating an identifier based on the profile and printing the identifier for use in scanning documents to be associated with the profile.

Abstract: A facsimile machine including an electronic mail receiving device, a condition data setting portion sets various condition data related to output of electronic mail (e-mail) message and stores the set condition data into an EEPROM. The condition data is used when an output method and an output timing of the e-mail message are specified based on contents of the e-mail message. The condition data can be set by a user using an operation inputting portion to meet user's needs. Next, an output condition determining portion compares the e-mail message received at a mail receiving portion, with the set condition data, to specify an output method according to the condition data.

Abstract: An image display system for reading and displaying an image includes an image display device and a scanner device that is connected to the image display device through a network. The image display device, when receiving instructions to read and display an image mounted on the scanner device from a user, specifies a predetermined reserved file name and transmits a file reading request to the scanner device. The scanner device, when receiving the file reading request, reads the image and transmits image data acquired by reading to the image display device using the reserved file name and makes the image display device display the image data.

Abstract: A system for electronic transmission of handwritten information. The system includes a printed product page having a writing area for entering handwritten information and an address area indicating an address to which the handwritten information is to be sent. The system further includes an electronic pen for initiating transmission of handwritten information written in the writing area to an address indicated in the address area via interaction with the writing and address areas on the product page.

Abstract: A communication apparatus allows an efficient transmission/reception of a document for a sender and a receiver at their respective desired time and location. When a first user transmits a document using a facsimile machine (transmitting device) managed by a server, first, an account of the transmitting device is registered on the server. In such a state, when the first user inputs an account of a second user as a destination into the transmitting device, the transmitting device inquires the server of a registration status of the second user. The server checks the registration status of the account of the second user. When the account of the second user is registered on any facsimile machine (receiving device), the server notifies the transmitting device that the account of the second user is registered on the receiving device. Then, the transmitting device transmits a connection demand to the receiving device to transmit data of the document.

Abstract: A print system includes an image reading apparatus that describes original document image data read from an original document in a page description language, and transmits the data described in the page description language as a copy job; and a printing apparatus that receives the copy job transmitted from the image reading apparatus, and prints out an image corresponding to the original document image data, wherein the image reading apparatus detects a copy preparing operation that is performed prior to the transmission of the copy job and transmits an occupancy notification for notifying occupancy of the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus according to the result of the detection, and wherein the printing apparatus accepts a copy job from the image reading apparatus in accordance with the occupancy notification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting class 1, 2, or 3 fax image data streams over Internet Global Area Networks is shown. A first device converts local fax image data streams into electronic data streams, transmits the data stream over the network, to a second device at the remote fax machine which reconverts the electronic data to fax image data and prints it out on said remote fax machine.

Abstract: Gateway, method, and apparatus for communicating fax data over the Internet.

Abstract: A cooperative processing method for a cooperative processing system which has a plurality of processing apparatuses includes: detecting an error of a process of a cooperative process in an apparatus of the cooperative processing system; and deleting data which relate to the cooperative process from the apparatus or other apparatus which relates to the cooperative process.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus performs a processing of checking periodically whether data addressed to the image processing apparatus exist in a server apparatus while suppressing power consumption as much as possible. The NIC communicates with the server apparatus to check whether a storage unit of the server apparatus stores object data for processing addressed to the image processing apparatus. An energization switching unit switches the energization (power supply) to a main controlling unit that acquires the data addressed to the image processing apparatus from the server apparatus. The NIC controls the energization switching unit to activate the main controlling unit and the printer unit on the condition that the object data for processing addressed to the image processing apparatus is present.

Abstract: A method for ensuring reliable transmission of a DCN signal by a gateway is disclosed. When acting as a sending gateway, the gateway packs a DCN signal detected into an IFP packet and sends the IFP packet to the IP side, then, reports a fax end event to a Soft Switch after a designated delay period; and the Soft Switch issues a State Switching Command for switching the two gateways back to voice state after receiving the fax end event. When acting as a receiving gateway, the gateway modulates a DCN signal detected and sends the modulated DCN signal to a receiving facsimile machine; if a switching command issued by a Soft Switch is received during sending the DCN signal, the gateway delays the switching; if the gateway has not received a switching command after the DCN data is sent, the gateway initiatively reports a fax end event.

Abstract: A network facsimile system is configured such that telephone numbers which a relay server can user are assigned to communication terminals. When a image is transmitted from the communication terminals to destinations outside the network facsimile system via the relaying server, the assigned telephone numbers are used as station signal numbers. When an image is transmitted to the relaying server from origins outside the network facsimile system, destination communication terminals are identified based on the telephone numbers assigned thereto and receiving telephone numbers. Then, the image received by the relaying server is transmitted to the identified communication terminals.

Abstract: A method for ensuring reliable transmission of a DCN signal by a gateway is disclosed. When acting as a sending gateway, the gateway packs a DCN signal detected into an IFP packet and sends the IFP packet to the IP side, then, reports a fax end event to a Soft Switch after a designated delay period; and the Soft Switch issues a State Switching Command for switching the two gateways back to voice state after receiving the fax end event. When acting as a receiving gateway, the gateway modulates a DCN signal detected and sends the modulated DCN signal to a receiving facsimile machine; if a switching command issued by a Soft Switch is received during sending the DCN signal, the gateway delays the switching; if the gateway has not received a switching command after the DCN data is sent, the gateway initiatively reports a fax end event.

Abstract: A fax processing system handles faxes that are originally destined for a recipient's phone number. The fax processing system communicates with the fax recipient via a data communications network (for example, the Internet) and can provide more sophisticated fax handling capabilities than conventional fax machines.

Abstract: A communication system including a transmission apparatus configured to transmit output data and a reception apparatus configured to receive the output data. The reception apparatus includes an output unit configured to execute an outputting procedure based on the output data, an abnormal state notification unit configured to transmit abnormal state notification data to the transmission apparatus, and a retransmission requesting unit configured to transmit retransmission request data if the outputting procedures is not executed normally.

Abstract: A method for a computer includes determining a call-in fax telephone number called by a facsimile transmission device, receiving the facsimile transmission from a facsimile transmission device including a digitized representation of a transmission page including an optical representation of data associated with an e-mail address, determining the data optically, which is independent of the call-in number, determining a graphics template associated with the call-in number, combining a digitized representation of the transmission page with the graphics template to form a digitized representation of a composite page, formatting the digitized representation of the composite page into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile or the scanned image, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the digitized representation of the composite page in the second format to the electronic destination address.

Abstract: A network facsimile system has a communication terminal and relaying server. The network facsimile system is configured such that the communication terminal can transmit an image, through the relaying server, to a destination terminal outside the network facsimile system, that the communication terminal transmits an image to the relaying server in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The relaying server transmits an image to the destination terminal in accordance with a facsimile communication protocol. The communication terminal includes a notification system that notifies a user of the communication terminal of an operation status information indicating an operation status of the network facsimile system during a relaying server side operation period.

Abstract: Provided is a signal conversion apparatus which is connected between a transmitting terminal which transmits printable printing contents according to an analog FAX protocol and a home gateway.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, methods and systems are provided for processing facsimiles. A call processing system receives a first message transmitted from a first carrier system regarding a facsimile call to a phone address. The first message includes an identifier associated with the user. The identifier is used to determine if the user is authorized to receive call processing system services. If the user is authorized, a second message is transmitted to the first carrier system, the second message indicating that the first carrier system is to connect the call to the call processing system. The call processing system is connected to the call. A facsimile is received via the call at the call processing system. Information regarding the facsimile call is provided over a network, wherein some or all of the information is displayed in a call log visually accessible by the user.

Abstract: An image transmission system including an image processing device and a communicating device which are communicable with each other through an access point in an infrastructure mode through an “m” channel, wherein upon a communication failure in the infrastructure mode, the communication mode is switched from the infrastructure mode to an ad hoc mode in which the two devices are directly communicable with each other through an “n” channel. During the communication in the ad hoc mode, the “m” channel is scanned to detect the access point at a predetermined time interval, and upon detection of the access point through the “m” channel, the communication mode is switched back to the infrastructure mode.

Abstract: A data processor is configured to perform wireless communication with a relay transmitter, store a first physical address for the relay transmitter on a storage unit, receive a second physical address for the relay transmitter from the relay transmitter after the data processor being turned on, determine whether the second physical address for the relay transmitter is identical to the first physical address for the relay transmitter, and, when one or more authentication requirements is satisfied, establish wireless connection with the relay transmitter so as to achieve the data communication with an external device via the wireless communication with the relay transmitter. The authentication requirement includes the determination that the second physical address for the relay transmitter is identical to the first physical address for the relay transmitter.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving a fax from a user comprising a digitized document and a billing telephone number associated with the user, wherein the digitized document includes a digitized transmission page including a digitized recipient e-mail address, and wherein a receiving number over which the fax is received is associated with a pay-per-use service, optically recognizing characters of the recipient e-mail address from the digitized e-mail address, determining an attachment in a format suitable for attachment to an e-mail message from the digitized document, sending an e-mail message comprising an e-mail attachment portion including the attachment, an e-mail TO portion including the recipient e-mail address, and an e-mail body portion including a service provider identifier, and submitting a service charge associated with the pay-per-use service against the billing telephone number.

Abstract: A data transmission apparatus includes a holding portion that holds specified transmission destination information, and a control portion that controls the holding portion to keep holding the transmission destination information even after completion of data transmission based on the transmission destination information and stand by in a state of being capable of subsequently transmitting different data to the same transmission destination. The control portion permits or forbids holding of the transmission destination information based on the contents of data transmission. An image data transmission apparatus determines the presence or absence of a possibility that a set transmission destination is an erroneously set transmission destination.

Abstract: In a communications device, a terminal machine transmits/receives data over a network and makes a request for a response to a data transmission from a receiving-end machine. In the terminal machine, an e-mail message identifying unit determines whether data to be received over the network is response data to the response request, and a main control unit controls so as to preferentially receive data identified as the response data by the e-mail message identifying unit over other data. Thus, if an e-mail message is transmitted with a request for a disposition verification, a reply message to the disposition verification request can be quickly received from the receiving-end machine.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting errors in a document transfer scheme. A user submits an electronic document transfer scheme to the document processing device including document handling instructions. The electronic document transfer scheme is then received by the document processing device and parsed, via the controller, to extract data representative of the destination designated by the scheme. Preferably, the destination data contained in the scheme provides the document processing device with a location to which a copy of an electronic document is to be sent. The source/destination information is then input as an arc on a graph, so as to generate a representation of the workflow associated with the document transfer scheme. A determination is then made, from the graph, whether the submitted electronic document transfer scheme represents at least one cycle on the graph.

Abstract: A facsimile device connected to a public line in parallel with an external telephone is provided. The facsimile device includes a facsimile circuit configured to send and receive image data through the public line, a voltage detector that detects a voltage of the public line, a telephone status monitoring unit configured to judge whether the external telephone closes the public line based on the voltage of the public line detected by the voltage detector and a reference voltage, a monitoring operation control unit configured to keep the telephone status monitoring unit in an inactive state until a predetermined time elapses from a time when the facsimile circuit releases the public line, and to activate the telephone status monitoring unit if the predetermined time elapses from the time when the facsimile circuit releases the public line.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus determines whether or not a number for executing F-code relay is designated to facsimile data having at least transmitting terminal identification data added thereto, the facsimile data being received from the outside. When it is determined that a number is not designated, the apparatus searches from memory means a transfer box to which a name corresponding to the transmitting terminal identification data has been assigned when a transfer function based on a transfer setting set in a transfer box corresponding to a number denoted by the transmitting terminal identification data is made available. When it is determined that F-code information denoting F-code relay is stored so as to be associated with the searched transfer box, the apparatus performs predetermined processing without performing transfer according to the transfer setting set in the transfer box corresponding to the number denoted by the transmitting terminal identification data.

Abstract: When a facsimile device detects an audio signal via a CNG signal detection unit while detecting an OFF signal in a CNG signal during a telephone conversation, the facsimile device does not detect the audio signal as an OFF signal if the level of the detected audio signal is greater than a threshold and the frequency of the audio signal is within a predetermined audio frequency range. Accordingly, the facsimile device can reliably prevent a false detection of a noise that has a similar signal component to a CNG signal as a CNG signal. It is possible to prevent the facsimile machine from being automatically shifted to a facsimile receiving made by the false detection of the noise.

Abstract: A data transmission/reception system provides the recipient of image data with flexible options for handling the image data. The system transmits notification mail to a cellular phone owned by the recipient when transmitting facsimile data from a transmitting facsimile machine to a receiving facsimile machine. The recipient transmits a command from the cellular phone indicating how the facsimile data received by the receiving facsimile machine should be handled. In response to the command received from the cellular phone, the receiving facsimile machine either forms an image based on the facsimile data on paper or forwards the facsimile data to another facsimile machine near the recipient. Accordingly, the recipient can transmit a forwarding command instructing the receiving facsimile machine to transmit the facsimile data to a facsimile machine nearby when the recipient is in a remote location, thereby enabling the recipient to view an image based on the facsimile data at any time.

Abstract: The invention claimed is a method for creating and utilizing a paper intermediary, ideally termed a document routing form, to serve as a lead sheet to a set of documents to be scanned on a scanner connected to a computer, or a computer connected to a workgroup. Computer readable data, such as bar code, printed on the routing form serve as data instructions to the inventive software to process a set of scanned documents in a variety of end outcome options. The document routing forms may be printed on an 8.5 by 11 inch sheet of paper, or on an adhesive type label, and contain selection options that determine an outcome to documents scanned. Options for end outcomes may include processing the scan as an email, a fax, or being sent to a User's electronic archive. The inventive software facilitates data retrieval from a secondary source such as a User's electronic archive to be utilized in the outcome process.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a fax communication system for communicating fax information transmitted from a sending fax device to a fax recipient through a packet switching network. The sending fax device includes a data pump for modulating and demodulating fax information and a protocol subsystem for encoding and decoding the modulated fax information. The fax sending fax device modulates the fax information prior to transmission thereof. At least one access server is coupled between the sending fax device and the fax recipient and within the packet switching network At least one of the access servers receives modulated fax information from the sending fax device and demodulates the received fax information.

Abstract: A method and communication system is provided to identify a calling/called party when the call is being set up but before the call is answered. In the method, a first terminal and a second terminal are respectively provided with opposing terminal's image data before the call is answered. The image data of the first and second terminals can be registered in a media server disposed between the first and second terminals, and the image data can be transmitted between the first terminal and the media server and between the second terminal and the media server in accordance with an SIP protocol.