Abstract: An exemplary method herein operates to help diagnose and correct facsimile transmission errors. The method detects a first facsimile transmission error using an arbitrarily named “first” facsimile machine (which can be a sending facsimile machine or a receiving facsimile machine). The facsimile transmission error occurs during a first facsimile transmission sent from the sending facsimile machine to the receiving facsimile machine. Upon detecting the first facsimile transmission error, the sending facsimile machine automatically contacts a service center computer. The service center computer automatically connects the sending facsimile machine to the receiving facsimile machine through the service center computer. Then, the sending facsimile machine sends a test facsimile transmission to the receiving facsimile machine through the service center computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that configures a facsimile transmission protocol for a facsimile device is disclosed. The method can include transmitting an echo request via a network connection to a facsimile device. The method can include receiving a response to the echo request via the network connection from the facsimile device. The method can include determining network throughput impairments based on the received response to the echo request. The method can include adjusting a facsimile transmission protocol based on the determined network throughput impairments. The method can include transmitting a facsimile message based on the adjusted facsimile transmission protocol.

Abstract: An exemplary method herein operates to help diagnose and correct facsimile transmission errors. The method detects a first facsimile transmission error using an arbitrarily named “first” facsimile machine (which can be a sending facsimile machine or a receiving facsimile machine). The facsimile transmission error occurs during a first facsimile transmission sent from the sending facsimile machine to the receiving facsimile machine. Upon detecting the first facsimile transmission error, the sending facsimile machine automatically contacts a service center computer. The service center computer automatically connects the sending facsimile machine to the receiving facsimile machine through the service center computer. Then, the sending facsimile machine sends a test facsimile transmission to the receiving facsimile machine through the service center computer.

Abstract: A system and a method of processing faxes are disclosed. The method includes receiving page(s) to be transmitted by a first fax device coupled to a fax transmission network. An address of a recipient is encoded in a field of a fax transmission. The fax transmission, including the page(s) and the encoded recipient address, is transmitted to a second fax device. The received page(s) of the fax are stored at the second fax device and a passcode is generated. The fax is not released for printing until the passcode is submitted to the second fax device.

Abstract: A system and a method of processing faxes are disclosed. The method includes receiving image data that includes a plurality of pages to be transmitted by a first fax device coupled to a fax transmission network. Page number information is encoded in a field of a fax transmission. The fax transmission, including the image data and encoded page number information, is transmitted to a second fax device coupled to the fax transmission network. Whether all pages of the fax transmission are received is determined, based on the transmitted page number information. When fewer than all pages of the fax transmission are received, the received pages of the image data are withheld at the second fax device. When all pages have been received, the pages are concatenated for printing without interruption.

Abstract: A system and a method of authenticating faxes are disclosed. The method includes receiving image data that includes at least one page to be transmitted by a sending fax device. An authentication code is generated at the sending fax device. The authentication code is transmitted to a receiving fax device. The receiving fax device determines whether the authentication code is one which is accepted. If it is, the receiving fax device authorizes commencement of the fax transmission.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that configures a facsimile transmission protocol for a facsimile device is disclosed. The method can include transmitting an echo request via a network connection to a facsimile device. The method can include receiving a response to the echo request via the network connection from the facsimile device. The method can include determining network throughput impairments based on the received response to the echo request. The method can include adjusting a facsimile transmission protocol based on the determined network throughput impairments. The method can include transmitting a facsimile message based on the adjusted facsimile transmission protocol.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the quality of a communication network for facsimile devices, wherein the communication network comprises at least a first facsimile device communicating through a digital network and a second facsimile device communicating through an analog network. The method comprises establishing a connection between the facsimile devices using the communication network, assessing a configuration of the connection between the facsimile devices, identifying at least one problem in the connection between the facsimile devices, and generating a network diagnostic report of the at least one identified problem. A network diagnostic report may be delivered to a user interface. Bits of the facsimile information fields (FIF) of the digital identification signal (DIS) and non-standard facilities (NSF) signal of the second facsimile device are compared to analyze problems with the communication network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus maintain a facsimile number priority hierarchy within a computer storage medium and process a first facsimile call being transmitted through a computerized call processor. The first facsimile call is made between a first telephone number associated with the computerized call processor and a second telephone number not associated with the computerized call processor. While processing the first facsimile call, the computerized call processor receives an indication of an attempt to connect a second facsimile call between the first telephone number and a third telephone number. The third telephone number is not associated with the computerized call processor. The method and apparatus determine a priority between the second telephone number and the third telephone number based on the facsimile number priority hierarchy. If the second telephone number has a higher priority than the third telephone number, the computerized call processor does not connect the second facsimile call.

Abstract: A method for sending an image data file over a network is herein described. In the method, the first device stores an image data file including a plurality of pages. The first device may receive the image data file from an access device via a network. The first device determines if the image data file has at least one tag. The at least one tag identifies a location for including at least one substitute or additional page within the plurality of pages of the image data file. The substitute or additional page(s) is scanned to generate image data comprising the substitute or additional page(s). The image data is then included at the location in the image data file identified by the tag. The image data file, with the substitute or additional page(s), is then sent from the first device to a second device via a network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus transmits an item that is in electronic form over multiple networks. The method begins by receiving the item that is to be electronically transmitted. The method separates the item into at least a first fragment and a second fragment, transmits the first fragment over a first network to a receiving device, and transmits the second fragment over a second network to the receiving device. After the receiving device receives all the different fragments, it combines the first fragment and the second fragment to reproduce the item.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the quality of a communication network for facsimile devices, wherein the communication network comprises at least a first facsimile device communicating through a digital network and a second facsimile device communicating through an analog network. The method comprises establishing a connection between the facsimile devices using the communication network, assessing a configuration of the connection between the facsimile devices, identifying at least one problem in the connection between the facsimile devices, and generating a network diagnostic report of the at least one identified problem. A network diagnostic report may be delivered to a user interface. Bits of the facsimile information fields (FIF) of the digital identification signal (DIS) and non-standard facilities (NSF) signal of the second facsimile device are compared to analyze problems with the communication network.