Facsimile Relay System Patents (Class 358/407)
  • Patent number: 6894799
    Abstract: A facsimile machine (F) that is capable of performing a confidential transmission, broadcast transmission, etc. by batch transmission. If a user of the facsimile machine wants to send a plurality of image data to a recipient, for instance, confidentially and simultaneously at a specified time, the image data is accumulated in a memory box (5a) for confidential batch transmission. The image data is then sent to the recipient by batch transmission. The facsimile machine (F) determines whether image data is for batch transmission or real time transmission. If the image data is for real time transmission, it is not stored in the memory box (5a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kuwahara, Shinji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6882438
    Abstract: A data terminal coupled to a local area network and a public switched telephone network includes first and second communications devices and a controller. The first and second communications devices transmit and receive communications data through the local area network and communications information through the public switched telephone network, respectively. The controller instructs the first communications device to perform a first data transfer operation for transferring communications data to a destination data terminal connected to the local area network when the second communications device receives destination identification information identifying the destination data terminal during a time when the second communications device performs a receiving operation for receiving the communications information from a communications machine connected to the public switched telephone network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kanaya
  • Patent number: 6856432
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for converting messages includes stations coupled to facsimile devices and to client machines by a network to allow users at the client machines to communicate with users at the facsimile devices. In addition, the stations include processors for extracting information from messages sent by users at the facsimile devices and received by the stations, using the extracted information to convert the messages, and sending the converted messages through the network to the users at the client machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Gureasko Bobrow, Larry Melvin Masinter
  • Patent number: 6856431
    Abstract: A gateway apparatus includes facsimile and Internet communications mechanisms, a memory, and a communications controller. The facsimile communications mechanism receives facsimile communications protocols and facsimile information from a calling facsimile apparatus through the telephone network. The Internet communications mechanism transmits the facsimile information in a packet format to a called facsimile apparatus via a different gateway apparatus through the Internet and the telephone network. The memory stores data representing a calling facsimile number of the calling facsimile apparatus in association with a called facsimile number of the called facsimile apparatus. The communications controller determines before establishing a line connection whether the facsimile number of the calling facsimile apparatus is registered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Ohta
  • Patent number: 6833934
    Abstract: As described above, a user selects desired ones of the transmission results and then depresses the start key. Then, only the selected transmission results are extracted from the transmission results recorded in a transmission management section 18a and are printed in a transmission management record. Thus, only the transmission results selected from many, which the user wishes to check, can be printed. This prevents a waste of paper sheets. Moreover, since only the transmission results the user has selected are printed in the form of a transmission management record, the user can check and confirm them easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuo Suehiro
  • Publication number: 20040252348
    Abstract: Automated facsimile monitoring methods, systems, and computer program products can track response data from multiple facsimiles sent to different locations and generate electronically accessible failure reports to allow for error or faults to be tracked and assessed to thereby allow corrective action to be initiated in a more timely manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Wealthy Desai
  • Patent number: 6825955
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus which is capable of notifying a called facsimile terminal of an electronic mail transmission includes a facsimile image transmitter and receiver, a memory, an electronic mail generator, an electronic mail transmitter and receiver, and an electronic mail controller. The memory registers a plurality of facsimile terminals to be called and stores information sets pertinent thereto, wherein each of the information sets includes a user name, a facsimile number, and an electronic mail address for an Internet communication. The electronic mail generator generates electronic mail with an image file, addressed to one of the registered facsimile terminals using the electronic mail address thereof. The electronic mail transmitter and receiver transmits the electronic mail to an Internet server of a subscribing Internet service provider and receives electronic mail from the Internet server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Shibata
  • Patent number: 6825947
    Abstract: When the CPU determines in S308 that a user of the facsimile machine is indicated, then local user specific data indicating the local user indicated in S308 is stored in ROM in S310. In S314, image is retrieved from a document. In S318, an e-mail message with the local user specific data registered as the transmission source is prepared. In S320, the CPU dials up the SMTP server and in S324, the CPU transmits the e-mail message. Accordingly, the remote user can return e-mail message to the user registered on the received e-mail message. The local user can receive the return e-mail message on his or her personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunobu Asai
  • Patent number: 6816286
    Abstract: A data forwarding system allows receivers with limited capabilities to receive information that was transmitted in a format which the user could not otherwise receive. For example, a receiver which does not include a fax modem may receive faxes which are transmitted to a station. The station receives the fax transmission and transmits it on to the receiver in a format compatible with the receiver's hardware and software. In addition, transactions which occur at a variety of sites may be transmitted to a remote station which then forwards the information about the transactions to the user's receiver. At the receiver, the information may be analyzed using conventional accounting software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Sundaram Ramakesavan
  • Publication number: 20040218224
    Abstract: In an implementation of facsimile transmission with instruction sub-code, a sending device contacts a receiving device to initiate a fax session with the receiving device and communicates an instruction sub-code to the receiving device before a fax protocol exchange is initiated. Fax protocol exchange information is then received from the receiving device and, in response, the sending device communicates fax protocol exchange information and communicates a facsimile transmission that includes fax data to the receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Alan Eddy Cariffe
  • Publication number: 20040212842
    Abstract: A scan ID, which is operation identification information having been used for selection of an image reading condition or the like, is used for selection of a communication destination from among a plurality of host PCs having network-connection to a scanner relay apparatus. Information such as an image reading condition associated with the scan ID is sent to a host PC defined as a communication destination, and a scan command sent back from the host PC, whose protocol is converted, is sent to a scanner apparatus. Furthermore, image data sent back from the scanner apparatus is sent to the host PC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Kazunori Miyamoto, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Masakazu Suzuki, Mariko Arai, Masahiro Inoue
  • Publication number: 20040212828
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Vidius Inc.
    Inventors: Ariei Peled, Guy Lupo, Lidror Troyansky, Arik Baratz, Ofir Carny, Oren Tirosh
  • Patent number: 6801341
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Raymond Joffe, Ilya Umansky
  • Publication number: 20040190053
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus transmits facsimile data converted from e-mail data to a facsimile destination via a public communication network. A receiver receives the e-mail data from a requesting node. A memory stores a password and a domain name of a requesting node. An acquiring section acquires a destination address including at least a telephone number, a password and a domain name, from the requesting node. A converter converts the e-mail data into facsimile data. A comparator compares the password and the domain name acquired by the acquiring section, with the password and the domain name stored in the memory, respectively. A facsimile transmitter transmits the converted facsimile data to the facsimile destination designated by the telephone number when a result of the comparison indicates that the password and the domain name acquired are the same as the password and the domain name stored in said memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kumi Okada, Kiyoshi Toyoda
  • Patent number: 6798870
    Abstract: The invention describes a non-real time fax transmission and reception system, in which fax emulation or “spoofer” software resides between application software and a fax/modem device. The fax/modem device may be comprised of hardware or software in any proportion. The fax spoofer software uses a fax/modem emulator to interface between requesting application software to have the application software believe that it is communicating with an actual, as opposed to virtual, fax/modem device. The emulator creates a class 1 or class 2 fax/modem session of the transmission request, which may be transmitted to a fax/modem device at a later point in time. Additionally, the fax spoofer software may be used to buffer, queue, or process incoming facsimiles, which can either be stored in the local memory of a fax/modem device or in the memory portion of the fax spoofer software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynnette Lines, Gordon G. Free
  • Patent number: 6785021
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating facsimile transmissions has one or more store and forward facilities, each associated with a plurality of subscriber facsimile machines, typically coupled over the switched telephone network. The store and forward facilities include a computer for controlling operations and mass data storage equipment. A subscriber to the system delivers an outgoing facsimile message to the store and forward facility with which it is associated, which records the fax message together with data as to originating facsimile machine and destination facsimile machine. The store and forward facility then delivers the facsimile message to the intended receiver facsimile machine, either directly or through another store and forward facility. If unsuccessful on an initial attempt, the store and forward facility periodically retrys to send the facsimile message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Audiofax, IP, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Gordon, James R. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6781721
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus is connected to a telephone network and to an internet network. The facsimile apparatus is capable of receiving E-mail data via the internet network and transmitting facsimile data to a facsimile destination via the telephone network. A detector detects a password indicating an instruction to relay the received E-mail data to the facsimile destination, and a telephone number of the facsimile destination, in a mail address of the E-mail data. A generator, when the detector detects the password and the telephone number, deletes the password from the mail address, and generates header information including a mail address after deleting the password. A converter converts the E-mail data, including the header information, into facsimile data. A transmitter transmits the converted facsimile data with the header information, but without the password to the facsimile destination indicated by the telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Toyoda, Kumi Okada
  • Patent number: 6778287
    Abstract: An electronic mail system connected to a network includes a section for converting an image of a document surface into corresponding document image data, and a section for compressing the document image data into compression-resultant image data. The electronic mail system also includes a section for converting the compression-resultant image data into corresponding image data of a given electronic-mail format, a section for receiving information of an electronic-mail destination address, and a section for transmitting the image data of the electronic-mail format toward the electronic-mail destination address via the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Toyoda, Tatsuo Bando, Toshihisa Sawada
  • Publication number: 20040148436
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system, a server, a method, and a program for recognizing various images including characters and pattern images by using a recognition management server (300) and a second terminal group (200) connected to a first terminal group (100) via a network. It is possible to effectively and reliably recognize a character image and a pattern image which cannot be recognized by the first terminal group alone. The first terminal group (100) inputs an image to be recognized and transmits the image to be recognized to the recognition management server (300). The recognition management server (300) transmits the image to be recognized to the second terminal group (200). The second terminal group (200) receives the image to be recognized and transmits a recognition result corresponding to the image to be recognized, to the recognition management server (300).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Risei Notsu
  • Patent number: 6760119
    Abstract: A relay device for providing communication between a sensing device and a computer system includes first and second communications modules and a processor. The first communications module receives first indicating data transmitted from the sensing device in a first format. The indicating data is sensed by the sensing device when it is placed into an operative position in relation to first coded data forming part of a first interface disposed on a first surface. In particular, the indicating data includes a first region identity indicative of an identity of a region associated with the first interface. The processor is configured to generate second indicating data based on the first indicating data. The second communications module then transmits the second indicating data in a second format to the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Tobin Allen King
  • Publication number: 20040105118
    Abstract: An optimal call routing system and method based upon pre-configured heuristics. In one aspect of the invention, a heuristic routing method can be provided in which a request to transmit an electronic document to a target destination can be received. A set of statistics associated with the target destination can be retrieved from a data store. A heuristically optimal route can be selected from the set of statistics through which the electronic document can be transmitted to the target destination. Subsequently, the electronic document can be transmitted to the target destination over the selected heuristically optimal route. Finally, statistics relating to the transmission can be collected and stored in the data store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Venali, Inc.
    Inventors: Amin El-Gazzar, Adrian Puente, Hartmut Wolf
  • Patent number: 6744535
    Abstract: Pixel information and control information transmitted by a facsimile machine 1a is received by a procedure controlling circuit 13 having a MODEM 13a for facsimile machines. A facsimile procedure controller 14 decodes the pixel information and the control information. A connection/transfer controller 15 edits the decoded information and produces a control packet and a pixel packet. The control packet and the pixel packet are output to a local area network (LAN) 4 via a LAN controller 17 and a LAN control circuit 18. When receiving a facsimile, the control packet signal transmitted via the LAN 4 is converted into pixel control information by the connection/transfer controller 15, and the pixel control information is supplied to the facsimile procedure controller 14. The connection/transfer controller 15 also converts the received pixel packet signal into pixel information. The pixel information is temporarily stored in a memory 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasubumi Chimura, Kouichi Izumi
  • Publication number: 20040100648
    Abstract: A device and method for transmitting or receiving faxes via a packet-switched computer network to which the device connects itself via the public switched telephone network (PSTN). The device may be an interface connectable between a conventional fax machine and a telephone line, or it may be an integrated fax machine including a scanner, printer, keypad and other features of a conventional fax machine. The interface-type device generates signals that emulate the signals a conventional fax machine would receive via the telephone line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Robert T. Kulakowski
  • Patent number: 6742049
    Abstract: The invention provides a communication apparatus easy for use. A CPU registers a nickname, a sub-address signal and a transfer address corresponding to a ring type multi-address transmission number, also registers a sub-address signal and a communication specification corresponding to a memory box, further select the start of a ring type multi-address transmission, enters a password signal, discriminates at the reception of a sub-address signal in data reception whether the ring type multi-address transmission is designated by such sub-address signal, and changes the handling of the password signal according to the result of such discrimination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6741370
    Abstract: A facsimile data transmitted from a facsimile terminal 2 through a pay station telephone network (PSTN) 1 and received by a private branch exchange 3 is automatically transferred between a voice mail device 5, a facsimile mail device 4, electronic mail devices 8a and 8b, and key telephone sets 6a and 6b. A circuit interface portion 50 of the voice mail device 5 processes the received data. An aural response control portion 51 of the voice mail device 5 reads an aural guidance data of an aural guidance data memory portion 56 and controls a response. A communication transfer control portion 53 performs a control for transferring the data from the facsimile terminal 2 through the circuit interface portion 50 to a facsimile mail device 4, on the basis of a transfer control information which is stored in a memory portion 54. A hard disk device 55 stores a voice mail data from the facsimile terminal 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Koushiro Kakoi
  • Patent number: 6707580
    Abstract: A fax to E-mail system and related method are shown, whereby a hardcopy document is sent via a fax device to its recipient via electronic mail through a data network (such as the Internet), and is delivered in such a manner that it can be retrieved by the recipient at an E-mail device, in the ordinary course of retrieving the E-mail, and displayed on the screen of the E-mail device. The invention provides for and accomplishes the delivery of a document, which begins as a hardcopy, as an electronic file retrieved through E-mail recipient's terminal and displayed on the computer screen of the E-mail recipient's terminal. The system and method also provides for an interface device which connects to a conventional fax device for communicating E-mail addresses and routing hardcopy documents to the E-mail network. The invention provides a means for embedding the functions of the interface device into conventional fax devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: E-Mate Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Mark C. Bloomfield
  • Patent number: 6704775
    Abstract: A server of a facsimile information managing system receives facsimile image information, stores it, generates index information, which refers to its storage location, transmits it, accepts a request for specifying the storage location, and transmits facsimile image information stored in the specified storage location, a relay relays index information, the request for specifying the storage location of the facsimile image and facsimile image information, a client accepts an input for selecting the storage location of facsimile image information from the index information, transmits the request for specifying the selected storage location to the server, receives facsimile image information transmitted by the server, and displays it. An HTML format is used in index information, a GIF format is used in facsimile image information, and a WWW browser is used in processing of client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Cosat, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Sato, Hiroyasu Tanabe
  • Patent number: 6700674
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus is capable of automatically transmitting image data through two communication routes, a communication route via an internet and a public communication switched network. The facsimile apparatus has the capability of establishing a priority order for transmitting data through the two communication routes. In a normal transmission, the data will be transmitted through the highest priority communication route. In another mode, if communication cannot be made through the first communication route, normally the highest priority communication route, the system will automatically attempt to transmit the data through the second communication route. In a final mode, when it is determined that a transmission is urgent, the apparatus executes a two-route transmission operation. In the two-route transmission operation, if e-mail is the highest priority, the apparatus transmits the data together with e-mail to a personal computer of the addressee via the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Otsuka, Fumihiro Minamizawa, Satoshi Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20040036911
    Abstract: Real-time printer status information according to the USB standard can be obtained during a print data process. The printing can be forcedly stopped during reception of the print data. Normal data and packet data can be easily handled and PDL data can be also easily handled. An image forming system has: a host having a communication function unit; and an image forming apparatus having first and second communication units and a relay unit, wherein the first communication unit communicates data with the communication function unit via the relay unit and the second communication unit communicates the data with the communication function unit via the relay unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Saida
  • Patent number: 6693729
    Abstract: A fax to E-mail system and related method are shown, whereby a hardcopy document is sent via a fax device to its recipient via electronic mail through a data network (such as the Internet), and is delivered in such a manner that it can be retrieved by the recipient at an E-mail device, in the ordinary course of retrieving the E-mail, and displayed on the screen of the E-mail device. The invention provides for and accomplishes the delivery of a document, which begins as a hardcopy, as an electronic file retrieved through E-mail recipient's terminal and displayed on the computer screen of the E-mail recipient's terminal. The system and method also provides for an interface device which connects to a conventional fax device for communicating E-mail addresses and routing hardcopy documents to the E-mail network. The invention provides a means for embedding the functions of the interface device into conventional fax devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Mark C. Bloomfield
  • Publication number: 20040027619
    Abstract: In the present invention, an information distribution terminal adds an ID of the terminal and ID of a user of the terminal to transmission information to relay and distribute in relying and distributing the transmission information including an electronic coupon, and an information compiling server that finally receives the transmission information refers to IDs of terminals or users of the terminals added successively due to relay, and provides benefits to the users corresponding to the IDS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Sato, Tomoaki Ito, Takao Yamaguchi, Ichiro Takei
  • Publication number: 20040021889
    Abstract: A scanner device, e.g. a multi function peripheral device incorporating scan, copy and print functions, and a method of operation, in which the device is user operable to directly establish a communication link with a network server having email receive and transmit functionality, e.g. an internet server, and to transmit to the network server over the transmission link, message header data including at least an email address of a sender and of at least one intended recipient; accompanied by the scanned content of a source document scanned by the device, to the network server for transmission to the or each recipient. No intermediate processor computer processing is involved in transmitting the scanned data from the scanner device to the network server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: David A. McAfee, Derrill Sturgeon, John C. Barker
  • Publication number: 20040021896
    Abstract: A transmittance and receiving method of Internet facsimile system The Internet facsimile system includes a telephone network, a transmitting network, a server and an office machine. The server has therein a network interface and a memory unit. The office machine includes a data storage means and network interface. The office machine sends a fax through the telephone network and establishes connection with the server through the transmitting network. The storage means has a memory capacity much less than that of the memory unit. Therefore, the transmittance and receiving method of Internet facsimile system capitalize on the tremendous memory capacity provided by the server as a mid-term storage such that the memory shortage of the office machine is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Teco Image Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ko-Meng Chen
  • Publication number: 20040021894
    Abstract: The invention teaches elimination of the need for allocating a telephony port or equivalent processor resource for realtime facsimile transmission through a broadband access gateway by replacing a fax modem or analog fax machine with a computer system having a network connection to the gateway. A software application on the computer uses a serial port redirector that provides a virtual communication port for facsimile software applications that would otherwise use a fax modem on a computer. The port redirector captures fax data sent to a serial communication port on the computer and sends it to the virtual fax module on the gateway. The gateway has a virtual fax software application associated which emulates a Class 1 or Class 2 fax modem interface from the client-side PC. The gateway uses a codec to convert fax data into ITU T.38 standards for “Procedures for real-time Group 3 facsimile communication over IP networks”. Packetized T.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Satish Mundra
  • Patent number: 6683698
    Abstract: A relaying apparatus relays an E-mail to a facsimile destination. The relaying apparatus stores a non-public mail address, which is accessible only by an authorized sender having authorization, and a public mail address, which is accessible to a sender regardless of authorization. A receiver receives the E-mail via a network, a recognizer recognizes a destination address from the received E-mail, and a determination section determines whether the recognized destination address is the non-public mail address or the public mail address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Toyoda, Kumi Okada
  • Patent number: 6674541
    Abstract: A method for transmitting facsimile data between facsimile apparatuses each connected to a relay apparatus, and relay apparatuses being connected each other through an internet protocol network, includes steps of: performing an address conversion from a telephone number of a facsimile apparatus of the reception side to an IP address corresponding to the telephone number; transmitting a request for TCP connection to a relay apparatus corresponding to a destination of the IP address when receiving an identifying signal which indicates transmission of the facsimile data from the facsimile apparatus of the sending side; and transmitting the facsimile data to the relay apparatus corresponding to the destination of the IP address based on the TCP connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hideki Kamiyama, Kazuki Yoshiura, Katsuo Gomi, Hiroaki Hamano, Ryoichi Doi
  • Patent number: 6671063
    Abstract: In this communication system, a terminal is connected through a network to a network facsimile apparatus which is a network connection type and has communication and printing functions, a printer driver for the network facsimile at the terminal directly receives various instructions (transmission, printing and registration) for a document opened at the terminal to transfer the instruction and the document to the network facsimile apparatus, and the network facsimile apparatus transmits the document which is instructed to transmit using the communication function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Iida
  • Patent number: 6671061
    Abstract: A fax broadcasting system for use in a packet switching network environment for transferring fascimile information in the form of multiple packets which are received from a sending communications device to a plurality of receiving communications devices includes a networking device for receiving, in packet form, an email message from the sending communication device. The email message includes fascimile (fax) infomation, which is also received in packet form (packets of fax information). The networking device is utilized for transmitting the fax information to the receiving communications devices. The networking device includes a processing device having a plurality of storage spaces, each of said plurality of storage spaces for storing one packet of the fax information (a packet storage space), the processing device for receiving the email message, in packet form, having attached thereto fax information in packet form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Raymond Joffe, Gregory Scott Mercurio
  • Patent number: 6658094
    Abstract: Voice/fax messages are stored in an intelligent network. A network server receives an incoming call from a subscriber and, if the incoming call contains a voice/fax message, a trigger device is used to call up a voice/fax storage service which stores the voice/fax message either on a voice/fax storage server or in a subscriber terminal of the called subscriber. The corresponding apparatus has a callback device which is driven when a given time period is exceeded or when the message has been retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gero Offer
  • Patent number: 6654148
    Abstract: When detecting a signal from a communication network, signal detection is performed corresponding to the characteristics of a communication apparatus of a communication partner and the characteristics of the communication network, and to prevent erroneous detection of a signal due to a voice or the like. More specifically, using a tone detection function of a modem of a communication unit, a control unit determines if a signal of at least one period has been detected in accordance with detection parameters, i.e., a frequency, a level, and an on-time and an off-time, which correspond to a tone signal to be detected and which can deal with variations in the characteristics of the signal. When a signal of at least one period has been detected, changed detection parameters are calculated and set by adding margins to the frequency, the level, and the on-time and the off-time of the detected signal, and a signal of at least one period is again detected using the newly set detection parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruyuki Nishii
  • Patent number: 6650440
    Abstract: A communication system for transmission of facsimile (fax) information using an email message from a sending fax device used by a sending fax user to a receiving fax device used by a receiving fix user through at least one mailer device including a sending gateway device coupled to the sending fax device for causing transfer of a fax message received from the fax device. The sending gateway device further attaches the transferred fax message to an email message. At least one of the mailer device is coupled to a receiving gateway device and is further coupled to the sending gateway device for receiving the email message and transferring the same to the receiving gateway device. The receiving gateway device is coupled to the receiving fax device for detaching the fax information from the transferred email message and coupling the detached fax information, through a receiving communication link, to the receiving fax device for use by the receiving fax user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel George Wing
  • Patent number: 6643034
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating facsimile transmissions has one or more store and forward facilities, each associated with a plurality of subscriber facsimile machines, typically coupled over the switched telephone network. The store and forward facilities include a computer for controlling operations and mass data storage equipment. A subscriber to the system delivers an outgoing facsimile message to the store and forward facility with which it is associated, which records the fax message together with data as to originating facsimile machine and destination facsimile machine. The store and forward facility then delivers the facsimile message to the intended receiver facsimile machine, either directly or through another store and forward facility. If unsuccessful on an initial attempt, the store and forward facility periodically retrys to send the facsimile message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Audiofax IP, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Gordon, James R. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030202217
    Abstract: In a facsimile system having a server device connected to a local-area network system, to which a plurality of client terminals are connected, and connected also to an ISDN and a pay-station telephone network, the server device performs communication with the pay-station telephone network and the plurality of client terminals, performs communication with the ISDN and the plurality of client terminals, and changes over communication between the ISDN and the pay-station telephone network in accordance with a command from each of the plurality of client terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiichi Limoto, Ken Kuroda, Eiichiro Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 6639693
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a data communication apparatus and a method which can transfer data even if a terminal is not operated. The data communication apparatus comprises reception means for receiving data from a transmission side, connection means for connecting the apparatus to an external device, initiation means for initiating the external device when the external device which is connected through said connection means is not in an operable state, and discrimination means for discriminating a type of data which is received by said reception means, wherein said initiation means performs an initiation on the basis of a discriminated result of said discrimination means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seishi Ejiri, Shin Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6639974
    Abstract: A fax routing system and method using a standard fax machine and personal computer. The telephone number is decoded from the telephone number dialing which is generated by the fax machine. This number is looked up in a table. If a corresponding Internet-address is found, the fax is downloaded from the fax machine, converted into a computer file, and sent to the recipient via his Internet address. If a corresponding Internet address is not found, the decoded number is dialed on a telephone line and, thereafter, the telephone line is connected to the fax machine for normal fax delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Infotrieve, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Elias Bashoura, Charles J. Coudsi, Peter Victor Derycz, Fady Joseph Garabet
  • Patent number: 6639689
    Abstract: A relay broadcast instructing station transmits to a relay broadcast distributing station final distribution recipient's SID, SUB, TSI, and DCS information as well as facsimile data. The relay station then transmits the facsimile data to the recipients. The relay station also sends back to the instructing station a report indicating the delivery status of the facsimile data. The facsimile numbers of the recipients and the facsimile number of the instructing station are pre-stored in a memory of the relay station, and used for the distribution of the facsimile data to the recipients and for the transmission of the distribution report back to the instructing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 6636333
    Abstract: A remote facsimile machine 61 calls a facsimile device 1 in S10 so that the facsimile machine 1 connects the telephone circuit in S32. When the remote facsimile machine 61 detects circuit connection in S12, the remote facsimile machine 61 transmits in S14 a transmission request signals and a facsimile number of the subject remote facsimile machine 61 to the facsimile device 1. The facsimile device 1 receives in S34 the transmission request signal and the remote facsimile number. The facsimile device 1 calls in S50 the remote facsimile machine 61 based on the remote facsimile number received in S34, and transmits stored image information to the remote facsimile machine 61.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junji Hatamura, Kenichi Dan
  • Publication number: 20030193696
    Abstract: In a communications network, voice and facsimile calls are established between first and second and second terminals via first and second media gateways in a communications network. Each gateway is capable of autonomous transitioning between a voice over IP (VoIP) call mpde and a facsimile ov er IP (FoIP) call mode. A bearer path for the call is established via a media gateway controller. During call setup, the media gateways exchange confirmation of each gateway's capability to perform autonomous transitioning between VoIP and FoIP call modes. The call is established as a VoIP call, and, on a determination by the media gateways that a facsimile call is required, each media gateway autonomously transitions between its VoIP and FoIP call modes without the intervention of the media gateway controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Dominic Walker, Graeme Gibbs
  • Patent number: 6633413
    Abstract: A system for managing printing and scanning and faxing functionality of a facsimile machine via a bi-directional parallel interface with which the facsimile machine is equipped. More particularly, a facsimile manager is provided for managing image files connected with printing, scanning and faxing. In addition, printing and scanning drivers are provided by which any Windows application program can access such printing, scanning and faxing functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Avraham Ron Schlank, Chet Allen Erez, Stanley H. Wong, Yu-Chen Tuan, Calvin C. Yee, Peter A. Knott
  • Patent number: 6633399
    Abstract: When received mail contains divided data, the divided data is stored in a RAM until it accumulates a predetermined amount. Then, the predetermined amount of divided mail data is combined to restore the undivided original data file for printing. Accordingly, the original image can be readily restored even from mail data which has been received as a plurality of pieces of mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koshi Fukazawa