Abstract: When received facsimile data is TSI-transferred, an image forming apparatus selects one box from a table which includes at least one of a box to which a number of a transmission source is assigned as a name and a box to which a part of a number of a transmission source and a symbol attached to the front or last of the number are assigned as a name. In the case where the selected box has the name in which the symbol is added to the front of the part of the number, a last number of a number indicated by data included in the TSI, which has the number of digits identical to those of the part of the number, is compared with the part of the number for all digits. As a result of the comparison, in the case where they match each other, the apparatus transfers the received facsimile data according to transfer setting of the box.

Abstract: A data transmission apparatus having a plurality of data transmission functions includes: a transmission operation storage device that, for each data transmission function, stores recipient information that was input during an immediately prior transmission operation; a selecting device that selects one data transmission function from a plurality of data transmission functions; an operation content reading device that reads contents of transmission operations; a resend executing device that reads recipient information for the data transmission function selected from the transmission function storage device by the selecting device, and executes a transmission operation based on the read recipient information; and a transmission executing device that stores the read operation content in the transmission operation storage device as recipient information for the data transmission function selected by the selecting device, and executes a transmission operation based on the read operation content.

Abstract: A method and system is described to provide data to an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System. The method may comprise accessing an image communicated from a voice-communication device and communicating the image to an optical character recognition (OCR) module. Thereafter, data extracted from the image by the OCR module may be accessed and communicated for use in one or more IVR processes. The extracted data may be communicated to the device and confirmation that the extracted data corresponds to data in the image may be monitored. For example, the method may discover capabilities of the device to identify different communication options to communicate the image from the device. The options may be communicated to the device for presentation to a user. Upon receiving an indication of an option selected by the user, the IVR system may be configured to allow receipt of the image via the user selected option.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for storing print jobs. The system and method comprise acquiring print job data representative of a desired print job, which print job data is comprised of a PDL format associated with a selected printer device and selectively storing the print job data in a selected storage location or cabinet in a storage medium. The system and method further comprises acquiring print status information including data representative of a name associated with the print job data and data representative of a size of the print job data and selectively storing the print status information associatively with the print job data. The system and method also comprises selectively communicating the print job data to generate an image for display in an associated display device and selectively communicating the print job data to the selected printer device to obtain a printout thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a document processing system and method. The method begins with a user logging onto a document processing system, inputs identification data, and selects one or more documents for document processing by the document processing system. The selected document is then uploaded to the document processing system, which renders the document to determine the number of pages and other document relevant information. The user then selects one of the available service locations. The cost associated with the requested document processing operation is then calculated and displayed to the user, along with available payment options. Once the user has selected the desired payment method, the document, with selected options and preferences, is transmitted to the selected service location for output on a document processing device thereon. The received request is stored in queue until such time as the user releases the request for further processing.

Abstract: A web-enabled live scanner is provided. In one embodiment, a live scanner includes an image interface capable of being coupled to a network. A camera detects an image of a print. The image is stored in a memory. The image interface includes a web server, socket server, and a picture taker. A remote user can use a browser to control the web-enabled live scanner over a network.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for combining an electronic mail (email) address or addresses and/or facsimile telephone numbers into a fax message, so that when received by a server the fax document is processed and transmitted as an email attachment to the email addresses or a fax message to the telephone numbers of the intended fax recipients. This allows the user to be able to send faxes and emails from a conventional fax machine or personal computer without having an Internet connection.

Abstract: An image capture, conversion, compression, storage and transmission system provides a data signal representing the image in a format and protocol capable of being transmitted over any of a plurality of readily available transmission systems and received by readily available, standard equipment receiving stations. In its most comprehensive form, the system is capable of sending and receiving audio, documentary and visual image data to and from standard remote stations readily available throughout the world.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for enforcing a distribution policy with respect to information transmitted from a sending fax machine to a recipient fax machine as fax traffic is presented. The method comprising defining an information distribution policy with respect to the fax traffic, then monitoring the fax traffic in accordance with the distribution policy, where the monitoring comprising: (i) de-modulating the fax traffic being monitored into a digital stream; (ii) reconstructing from the digital stream a graphic image representing at least part of the information within the fax traffic; and (iii) analyzing information within the reconstructed image, and then applying the distribution policy with respect to the analyzed fax traffic.

Abstract: Provided are a fax data transmission controller, a fax server, a fax system. and a method of providing the fax system. The fax data transmission controller can store fax data received via a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and transmit the stored fax data to a fax server, to a facsimile, or to a user computer. The fax server can filter fax data that is received or to be transmitted, and perform authentication on the content of the fax data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a scanner engine and an operation panel is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: a display part for displaying a selection screen for selecting a transfer destination of scanned data from among a plurality of transfer destinations on the operation panel; a scanning process part for causing the scanner engine to scan a document to produce scanned data; and a transfer part for transferring the scanned data to one or more selected transfer destinations.

Abstract: A network facsimile system including a relaying server and a communication terminal connected through a network. The relaying server has a facsimile communication system, an image data creating system, an information obtaining system, and a relaying server side data communication system. Further, the communication terminal includes a communication terminal side data communication system and an image data processing system. The relaying server includes a status setting system that sets an operational status of the network facsimile system to a receivable state where the communication terminal can receive the image through the relaying server when the communication terminal has become usable by a user of the communication terminal.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving a print request from an information device, a transmitting unit for, upon receiving the print request, transmitting address information of a server and identification information of the printing apparatus to the information device, and a printing unit for carrying out printing based on print data received from the information device via the server.

Abstract: A control unit of a multifunction image forming apparatus obtains document information concerning copied documents, scanner read documents, and e-mail documents, and stores the obtained document information to a storing unit of a document storing unit. The control unit counts usage frequency concerning each document stored in the document storing unit, and stores the information as usage frequency information. The control unit has the operator, who carries out document searching, input predetermined information. The control unit matches the input information, and determines whether the operator is an authorized person concerning the searched document. In a case where it is determined that the operator is a legitimate authorized person, the control unit displays the information of the documents stored in the document storing unit, in an order of high usage frequency, to a display unit of an input operation unit, based on the usage frequency information.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printing apparatus, a terminal apparatus for transmitting and receiving information, a notification part notifying a user of the printing apparatus of information on authority of the user to use the printing apparatus, and a network connecting the printing apparatus, the terminal apparatus, and the notification means so that information transmission and reception in the system is performed through an electrical signal via the network.

Abstract: A destination address of transmission of designated image data attached to e-mail and a notification destination address to be notified of error information if a transmission error occurs are set. If a transmission error occurs due to size excess of the transmitted e-mail, retransmission confirmation information containing the error information and designate input accept information for accepting designate input which designates whether to execute retransmission of the e-mail in which the transmission error has occurred is generated. The generated retransmission confirmation information is notified to a notification destination specified by the set notification destination address.

Abstract: An Internet facsimile gateway device that exchanges image information between a data terminal device and a facsimile device through a telecommunication network and the Internet by taking the steps of transmitting the image information included in an electronic mail message to the facsimile device when the Internet facsimile gateway device receives the electronic mail message requesting image-information transmission to the facsimile device, creating a delivery-confirmation mail message notifying a result of the image-information transmission after the image-information transmission by the Internet facsimile gateway device is completed if the electronic mail message requests the Internet facsimile gateway device to transmit the delivery-confirmation mail message to an original address of the electronic mail message, and transmitting the delivery-confirmation mail message to the original address of the electronic mail message.

Abstract: A facsimile device 10 serving as a transmission device of the present invention has a maintenance information base (MIB) 23a storing address data. When the facsimile device 10 receives a SNMP-based packet including a GET command, the address data is retrieved and transmitted to an external device 3. When the facsimile device 10 receives a SNMP-based packet including a SET command, address data included in the packet is retrieved and registered into the MIB 23a.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing network devices, which allow the user to intuitively recognize errors that have occurred in network devices. When an error monitoring module (701) detects any error that has occurred in a network device, a corresponding URL address acquisition module (702) acquires a URL address corresponding to an error category. An electrical generation component generates electrical message data for error information, which contains the acquired URL address, and sends it to an electrical sending module (706). Since the user can access error information provided by an HTTP server module (708) by clicking the URL address described on the received electrical message once, he or she can intuitively recognize the error contents by simple operations.

Abstract: An information distribution system that includes an information reading apparatus reading out data distributed from an information medium and an information display apparatus having an information acquisition unit for acquiring the data distributed from said information reading apparatus, a display for displaying the data acquired by said information acquisition unit, and a display limitation unit for imposing display limitations on the data acquired by said information acquisition unit according to the state of connection between said information reading apparatus and the information display apparatus.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment for the inventive portable picture storage device comprises an input for receiving a plurality of pictures, a storage area for storing the plurality of pictures, and a plurality of user interface indicator. Each indicator is associated with a respective meta data of a plurality of meta data, and each meta data indicates at least one disposition of a plurality of dispositions. At least one picture of the plurality of pictures is associated with a meta data and thereby at least one disposition, via activation of an indicator.

Abstract: Method for monitoring delivery of e-mail messages includes delivering an e-mail message to a primary, recipient, determining the time at which the e-mail message was delivered to the primary recipient, and determining whether the primary recipient reads the e-mail message within a primary maximum time frame. When the primary recipient does not read the e-mail message within the primary maximum time frame, delivering a copy of the e-mail message to a secondary recipient, determining the time at which the e-mail message was delivered to the secondary recipient, and determining whether the secondary recipient reads the e-mail message within a secondary maximum time frame. When both the primary and secondary recipients do not read the e-mail message within the secondary maximum time frame, appropriate action is taken such as notifying a predesignated available recipient to enable the available recipient to attend to facilitating a response to the e-mail message.

Abstract: A bifurcated interface for integrated use in a fax-to-email system provides an alternative or additional method for command entry a fax-to-email system preferably through a remote, commercially available, personal digital assistant or like device modified by software to perform the command entry functions. Delivery of commands, and other data, from the PDA is made, preferably, via infrared signals, but, alternatively, by direct cable syncing and other techniques. Thus, the interface is bifurcated having a portable traveler portion and a host portion in a more permanent connection with the fax function of the fax-to-email system. The PDA functions as the interface traveler portion, and becomes (at least temporarily) a specially programmed data entry tool with command communicating ability and a protocol shared by (or matched to) the interface host portion. The system can also be used in cooperation with Internet Web service for reporting, accounting, information services, and user interaction.

Abstract: A facsimile which is capable of executing a plurality of jobs in parallel and which comprises a touch-sensitive screen according to the invention displays the contents of each job in the order of a read job, a facsimile transmission job, a print job, and a facsimile reception job on the touch-sensitive screen (displays the contents of each job without selecting the type of job whose contents are to be displayed).

Abstract: The image data transmitting apparatus acquires the address book data corresponding to the user or such data and the transmittal cover letter data from the server apparatus, selects, out of the acquired information on destinations, the destination according to selecting operation by the user, generates transmittal cover letter image data based on the transmittal cover letter data related to the selected destination and attaches the image data to be transmitted as second and subsequent pages, thereby generating the image data with the transmittal cover letter attached thereto. While thus generated image data with the transmittal cover letter attached thereto is transmitted to the destination, transmission is prohibited of image data other than thus generated image data with the transmittal cover letter attached thereto.

Abstract: In a multi-function image forming apparatus connected with a network, an email transmission device extracts image data of an address area, a subject area, and a body area of an original document from image data of the original document according to a designated one of a plurality of pieces of OCR area information stored in an OCR area information storage device, performs character recognition relative to the extracted image data of an address area, a subject area, and a body area of the original document with an OCR device to obtain character strings of the address area, the subject area, and the body area of the original document, sets the obtained character strings of the address area, the subject area, and the body area of the original document as an address, a subject, and a body of an email, and transmits the email while attaching the image data of the original document to the body of the email.

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: 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 method for converting a facsimile includes receiving the facsimile via the public-switched telephone network, generating an enhanced portable document format (EPDF) file that includes information in addition to image information and communicating the EPDF file to an e-mail server. The EPDF file can then be communicated as an attachment to an e-mail message addressed to the intended recipient of the facsimile. A facsimile processing system includes a public-switched telephone network interface, a packet-switched network interface, a mail transfer protocol server, an input agent, a job processor and a translator. The input agent identifies and forwards the incoming facsimile to the job processor. The job processor determines when an EPDF file is desired and communicates appropriate instructions to the translator. The translator generates the EPDF file in response to the instructions and the image information from the facsimile.

Abstract: A system generates an electronic image of a document for later retrieval through a network connection. The system uses a network accessible scanning device to enable scanning of a document to generate an electronic image thereof and an electronic repository to electronically store the electronic image. The electronic repository designates an electronic address for the stored electronic image and communicates the electronic address to the network accessible scanning device. The network accessible scanning device provides information to a user scanning the document. The information relates to the electronic repository designated address.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for integrated electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail messaging. A common message format is defined for use by an electronic mail service and a telecommunications service so electronic mail messages that may include voice and fax mail attachments may be exchanged between the services. Message senders and receivers may choose from a variety of filter and forward options that allow them to manage their communications and specify a preference for receiving messages at the electronic mail or telecommunications service. Forwarding and conversion of messages is performed automatically. The options are used to define a set of rules to be applied to inbound and outbound messages so that messages are sent and received in accordance with the preferences of the senders and receivers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image communication apparatus that allows e-mail transmission with excellent versatility. Based on a result of detection provided by a document detecting section (3) for detecting the presence or absence of a document, it is determined whether or not an e-mail is transmitted with use of an attachment file by an e-mail transmitting section (7). For example, when the presence of a document is detected by the document detecting section (3), a control section (2) acts to create an e-mail with document image data read by a reading section (4) in attachment-file form, and to transmit the created e-mail. When the absence of a document is detected by the document detecting section (3), the control section acts to create an e-mail without using an attachment file of image data, and to transmit the created e-mail.

Abstract: Provided are a network scanner and a method of organizing and maintaining a network scanning system, which makes a list of users who are currently connected to the network scanner and automatically maintains the users connections to the network scanner even when an Internet protocol (IP) address of the network scanner changes. The method involves (a) enabling the computer to transmit user information to the network scanner, the user information being input by a user of the computer with the use of a client program installed in the computer; (b) enabling the network scanner to receive the user information from the client program; and (c) enabling the network scanner to make a user list by using the received user information.

Abstract: Recipient information is allocated to a transmission box in the image processing apparatus based on the header information in the e-mail sent from the external terminal. Scanned image data is stored and linked to the same transmission box. Subsequently, based on the recipient information, the image data is sent to the recipient as an attachment to an e-mail addressed to the recipient. Because the recipient information and the image data are linked via the transmission box, it is not necessary to simultaneously designate the recipient and input the image data. Therefore, the operation panel of the image processing apparatus need not be occupied for a long period of time.

Abstract: When log data is stored in a shared area of RAM provided in a multifunction device, a personal computer generates and transmits a log page having links to image data. These links are links to files (image data) registered in a log table. The log table includes a list of content identified by the log data stored in the RAM of the multifunction device. This log data can identify a file only when the multifunction device determines that the image data may be recorded. Accordingly, the personal computer can generate log pages having links to files for which image data can be recorded, that is, files that can be made public via a communication network.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus reads a multi-page original document and obtains multiple sets of image data, creates virtual combination information that indicates the interrelationships among the obtained multiple sets of image data, separately sends the obtained multiple sets of image data and sends the virtual combination information. Consequently, the computer that received the multiple sets of image data and the virtual combination information can recognize the received multiple sets of image data as separate sets of image data, while associating the received multiple sets of image data with one another.

Abstract: A method of storing an electronic document on a computer. The computer is coupled to a system including at least one document handling device connected to the computer via a communications network. The method includes, in the document handling device, determining a user identity and scanning a document to generate the electronic document. The method also includes, in at least part of the system identifying the computer using the determined user identity, and causing the scanned electronic document to be transferred to the identified computer via the communications network, thereby the electronic document being stored on the identified computer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming system are supplied capable of obtaining a simple system structure without increasing traffic. In the system, an image forming apparatus is connected with a delivery source user terminal serving as a delivery source of print data, and with at least one delivery destination user terminal allowed to use the print data via network.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a document size detecting unit, a first image data generating unit, a size acquiring unit, a size comparing unit, a second image data generating unit, an image data transmitting unit, and a first transmission result outputting unit. The document size detecting unit detects a first size of a first document. The first image data generating unit generates first image data based on a first image on the first document. The size acquiring unit acquires a second size of a second document that can be received by a reception-side apparatus. The size comparing unit compares the first size with the second size. The second image data generating unit generates second image data for forming a second image on the second document from the first image data based on a comparing result of the size comparing unit. The image data transmitting unit transmits the second image data to the reception-side apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mail reception unit configured to access a mail server based on designated mail account information and perform reception of an electronic mail, a mail management unit configured to store the electronic mail received by the mail reception unit in a readable state, a reading unit configured to read a document image and generate document image data, a detection unit configured to detect electronic mail identification information contained in the document image data, a retrieval unit configured to search for an electronic mail corresponding to the electronic mail the mail management unit identification information, and a printing unit configured to perform printing of the electronic mail stored in the mail management unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a communication apparatus with plural communication functions, which, in case of importing plural address information, judges whether the communication function corresponding to each address information is effective or not and selectively importing only the address information of which the corresponding communication function is effective.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is supplied capable of feeding paper or ejecting paper to position which is desired by user.

Abstract: A method for adding a user's e-mail address to the address book of a networked document output device includes receiving an electronic message from a user, automatically extracting the sender's electronic address, and automatically adding the electronic address to an address book used by the document output device. A networked document output device includes memory for storing document data, means for sending document to users on a network, means for receiving electronic communications from a networked user, and a controller for practicing a method that includes extracting an electronic address from a received e-mail, and adding the user's address to a local address book.

Abstract: An Internet facsimile apparatus is configured to receive e-mail and to print the e-mail. The Internet facsimile apparatus includes a controller that determines whether the received e-mail includes a text part when it is determined that the received e-mail comprises a multipart structure, and determines whether the text part includes a predetermined pair of codes. The controller replaces a character string between the predetermined pair of codes with another predetermined code when it is determined that the text part includes the predetermined pair of codes, so that the character string replaced by the another predetermined code is not printed.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus transmits e-mail to a reception apparatus through a network by selecting one of a communication method via a mail server and a communication method without intervention of a mail server. This transmission apparatus generates the e-mail and transmits, to the reception apparatus, the e-mail and information representing the reply method of a transmittal confirmation request in response to the e-mail. The transmission apparatus receives, from the reception apparatus in accordance with the reply method, a transmittal confirmation result in response to the transmitted e-mail.

Abstract: In a communication system having a network capable of converting data in a first format into data in a second format to perform communication, and a data communication apparatus capable of performing communication of the data in the first format, the data communication apparatus transmits information indicating a priority level of an image such that the network can recognize the information, when transmitting the image to the network in the first format. The network converts the data in the first format transmitted by the data communication apparatus into data in the second format, and attaches priority level data, based on the information indicating the priority level of the received image, to the data converted into the second format when performing communication.

Abstract: A facsimile communication device has a multicast function capable of sequentially transmitting a transmission image to a plurality of receiving devices. The facsimile communication device includes an origination information data generation unit for generating origination information data related to the facsimile communication device; a multicast destination information data generation unit for generating multicast destination information data related to a multicast destination to which the facsimile communication device transmits the transmission image; and a transmission image data generation unit for adding the origination information data generated with the origination information data generation unit and the multicast destination information data generated with the multicast destination information data generation unit to the transmission image.

Abstract: A mail server extracts a character unregistered in a portable terminal from received mail data and affixes the font data of the character concerned to the mail data or inserts a reading tag indicating the reading (pronunciation) of the character concerned into the mail data. The portable terminal additionally registers the font data affixed to the mail data into a font database before the received mail data are displayed. Furthermore, in the display processing of the mail data, a character for which the corresponding font data is unregistered is replaced by a no-font symbol and then displayed. Furthermore, the font of each character constituting the reading tag is read out and this font is displayed subsequently to the no-font symbol.

Abstract: A facsimile machine provided with a remote operation mode enabling a caller from a remote device to access and retrieve data from the facsimile machine and including a memory for storing the data to be accessed and retrieved by a caller during the remote operation mode; a switch for turning on and off the remote operation mode; facsimile reception determination unit for determining which of a facsimile reception possible condition and a facsimile reception impossible condition that the facsimile machine is in; and reception process unit for performing, when the facsimile reception determination unit determines that the facsimile machine is in a facsimile reception possible condition, reception of an incoming call regardless of whether the switch has turned the remote operation mode on or off and for performing reception of the incoming call when both the facsimile reception determination unit determines that the facsimile machine is in a facsimile reception impossible condition and the switch has turned the r

Abstract: The network facsimile apparatus is able to communicate using both a public switched telephone network and a computer network, and has a facsimile section which transmits and receives an image via the public switched telephone network, a network communication section which transmits and receives data via the computer network, a storage which is to store received data and a structured document, a web server which transmits received data or a structured document to the computer network, and a reception list generating section which generates a structured document of reception list indicative of document information of received data.