Abstract: An information processing apparatus for exchanging information with a plurality of other apparatuses connected thereto through a bidirectional interface includes a storage unit for storing attribute information of IDs and users of the plurality of other apparatuses, a search unit for searching the storage unit for IDs of apparatuses belonging to designated attribute information, and a transmission unit for transmitting information to the plurality of apparatuses searched by the search unit. An information processing method using this information processing apparatus, and a storage medium storing control programs for the information processing apparatus and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A facsimile device includes local area network communication controlling means for exchanging data between the facsimile device and the terminal of a correspondence partner through a local area network connected to an internet. An exchanging network communication controlling means is provided for exchanging image information between the facsimile device and the terminal of the correspondence partner through an exchanging network in accordance with a predetermined facsimile transmitting procedure. Telephone number converting table means is provided for registering telephone numbers used to place a call by use of the exchanging network and a group of addresses for transmitting signals by use of the local area network, for the terminals of the respective correspondence partners.

Abstract: An original document of one or more pages containing human-readable printed information is encoded in one or more two-dimensional bar code symbols and transmitted by facsimile to a remote site where a facsimile of the symbols is machine read, decoded and printed to provide an accurate reproduction of the original document. The facsimile symbol can be facsimile transmitted to another remote site where the facsimile symbol is regenerated, machine read, decoded and printed as another reproduction of the original document. The machine readability of the symbol facilitates computer entry of the original document printed information. The coded symbol may also contain data used at a remote site to control processing and dissemination of the original document printed information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for qualifying fax numbers for a select network, such as a store-and-forward network, which includes a distributed database stored in or accessible by each of a plurality of access nodes in the select network, and a local database in each autodialer connected to an associated fax machine and at least one access node. Methods are provided for updating the distributed and local databases to avoid each autodialer of a given customer group having to validate a number already validated by another member of the group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus including a facsimile server for a local area network (LAN) configured to automatically transmit information including client addresses to facsimile terminals on public telephone networks. The facsimile server includes a memory configured to store an address list, entries in which contain a calling number, a local number, and a user name, each specifying a same information processing apparatus (e.g., client) on the LAN. The facsimile server is configured to respond to a request for sending the address list. When a source facsimile terminal sends image information to a client of the facsimile server without specifying a calling number for the client, the facsimile server detects that the calling number is missed and automatically sends the address list back to the facsimile terminal so that the facsimile terminal can properly retransmit the image information for a second time while identifying the client in the second transmission.

Abstract: A group-three facsimile machine answers a call by transmitting at least one non-standard tone, before transmitting the standard called terminal identification tone or modulated answer tone. The non-standard tone invites the calling facsimile machine to modify the usual group-three handshaking procedure in such a way that under certain conditions, the procedure can be shortened. Among the many possible modifications are immediate transmission of a password, immediate transmission of training signals if the calling facsimile machine already knows the capabilities of the called facsimile machine, and immediate disconnection if the non-standard tone indicates that the called facsimile machine lacks a necessary capability.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a digital facsimile message that includes a subaddress. A source terminal forms a digital facsimile message by using information input by a user in response to prompting inquiries generated by the source terminal. In response to a prompt, a user enters whether the user will enter a subaddress to route the message to a destination terminal. If an affirmative response is received, the source terminal prompts the user to input the subaddress and later to input a telephone number of a destination server which services the destination terminal. The source terminal receives a response from a user indicating whether the subaddress is used for the routing of the digital facsimile message. Based on the input data, the source terminal forms a digital facsimile message that includes the subaddress of the destination terminal. The message may then be sent over a communications channel to the destination server, which then routes the message to the destination terminal.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus is connected to an information processing apparatus, such as a computer, which executes a communication protocol defined by a general-purpose communication application software program. The facsimile apparatus includes an own number memory which stores an own number, and determines whether or not an addressing number sent by the computer corresponds with the own number. When the own number and the addressing number do not correspond with each other, the facsimile apparatus transmits image data sent from the computer to another facsimile apparatus which is indicated by the addressing number. If the own number and the addressing number correspond with each other, the facsimile apparatus responds to the computer with dummy response information, and image data is sent from the computer to a printer to be printed out.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a control circuit. The control circuit performs control for switching between sorter bins (n), control for changing receiving terminal information consisting of a telephone number and abbreviated name of a receiver in accordance with a calling signal, control for changing a received information output method in accordance with a calling signal, and control for selecting one of a first use condition for a plurality of users and a second use condition for a single user. The first operation mode is defined by the switching control for the sorter bins (n) and change control for the receiving terminal information. This first operation mode is executed when the first use condition is selected. The second operation mode is defined by the change control for the received information output method. This second operation mode is executed when the second use condition is selected.

Abstract: A method and system from integrating a headerless apparatus into a messaging environment. The method and system enable message routing capabilities to and from conventionally headerless apparatus, such as scanners and digital copiers. The apparatus work in conjunction with a document router to provide full-featured and secure message routing capabilities, including scanning images directly to an electronic mailbox, and retrieving messages from within the messaging environment for output at the apparatus.

Abstract: A facsimile device of the present invention includes: a memory for storing a source facsimile number corresponding to an information source which has a piece of or a plurality of pieces of information, a plurality of broadcast facsimile numbers corresponding to a plurality of broadcast receivers, and a procedure by which information is extracted from the plurality of pieces of information of the information source; a dialer dialing the source facsimile number corresponding to the information source so as to communicate with the information source; and a controller extracting the information from the plurality of pieces of information of the information source based on the procedure for extracting the information and allowing the information to be stored in the memory, wherein the dialer dials a broadcast facsimile number corresponding to one of the plurality of broadcast receivers after a lapse of a predetermined time so as to communicate with the one of the plurality of broadcast receivers, and the controlle

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus comprises an image scanner and a coder for image transmission, a decoder and a printer for image reception, and a modem and a network control unit for connection with a subscriber's line. These elements are connected to a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus. The presence/absence of printing paper is detected by a sensor. When the printing paper is absent, received image data is not supplied to the printer and instead is written in an image memory for performing a so-called substitute reception. The facsimile apparatus further comprises a dial number memory for storing a dial number of a predetermined facsimile apparatus, and a dialer for automatically dialing the dial number stored in the dial number memory. When the substitute reception is completed, the dial number stored in the dial number memory is dialed, and the image data stored in the image memory by the substitute reception is transferred to the predetermined facsimile apparatus and is printed.

Abstract: A method of automatically and selectively storing documents in memory in a facsimile system, includes the steps of: registering a telephone number of predetermined facsimile transmission sources in memory when a reception-to-memory registration function key is input; checking if an automatic data storage function key is selected, when facsimile data is received; detecting whether a telephone number of a sending station loaded in a non-standard code matches a telephone number previously registered in memory, when the automatic data storage function is selected; and automatically storing a document in memory where a match was found.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus receives and stores image data, receives a sub-address signal, and processes the stored image data using pre-stored processing corresponding to the received sub-address signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is offered of certifying delivery of a facsimile transmission. The method includes the steps of detecting a facsimile transmission from an originating facsimile machine to a destination facsimile machine. The method further includes the steps of receiving acknowledgement from the destination facsimile machine that a page of the facsimile transmission was received and certifying delivery of the page by outputting a copy of the page with indicia of delivery printed thereon.

Abstract: A method of automatically routing a facsimile transmission from a calling party to a called party over the Internet. A facsimile transmission is detected from a calling party's CPE device. A destination number for the called party's CPE device and a corresponding remote Internet gateway are determined. The facsimile transmission is routed to a local Internet gateway wherein it is converted to a form compatible with the protocol used by the Internet. It is then routed over the Internet to the remote gateway wherein it is converted to a form compatible with the protocol used by the telephone network. The facsimile transmission is then routed to the called party's CPE device.

Abstract: An interface is provided for connecting a standard telephone line and/or a standard facsimile machine with a distributive communication network interface such as a personal computer, whereby facsimile signal present on the telephone line or at the facsimile machine may be transmitted via the Internet to a remote station without the use of long distance or international telephone signal carriers. The facsimile signal may be sent or received via the network using the network, without interfering with the capability to receive and send facsimile signals in the normal manner via a standard telephone line.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a transmission motor (90), and when an original to be transmitted is moved by the transmission motor in a sub-scanning direction, sequential lines in the sub-scanning direction are scanned by a contact image sensor (100) in a main scanning direction, and therefore, image data of a black dot or a white dot is outputted by the contact image sensor. A microcomputer (60) specifies a line in which a black dot outputted from the contact image sensor first exists as a start line, and specifies an area on the basis of the start line and an end line which is determined by a fact that three white lines in which no black dots are detected appear after the start line. Addressing information is recognized on the basis of the image data outputted from the contact image sensor which is scanning the area.

Abstract: For selectively receiving a facsimile image data, a sender's facsimile telephone number is registered in the register of a receiver's facsimile machine. Such a method can include the steps of receiving the sender's facsimile telephone number during the communication protocol exchange upon ringing of an incoming signal, detecting whether the sender's facsimile telephone number is registered in the receiver's register, and disconnecting the receiving line to stop the facsimile reception if the sender's facsimile telephone number is not registered in the receiver's register.

Abstract: A facsimile machine includes a machine housing; an upper guide member disposed above the machine housing and adapted to be movable between an operating position, in which a document transport path is formed, and an open position, in which the document transport path is opened; an operating panel mounted on the top of the upper guide member and provided with dial number call keys for calling previously stored dial numbers of destinations, and a function switching key for selecting from two alternative call dial numbers stored for each of the dial number call keys; and a key switching plate having openings through which the key heads of the dial number call keys are exposed with the key switching plate disposed on the operating panel so as to be invertible between a first position and a second position and adapted to move the function switching key in a switching manner upon the inversion thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a facsimile apparatus and controlling method, in which a confidential box number for PC transmission function for sending received information to a personal computer (15) is preliminarily registered. When a facsimile correspondence accompanying the confidential box number for PC transmission function is received, a control section (1) sends out the received information to an interface (10). Thus, the facsimile apparatus can distinguish information to be destined for the personal computer (15) from other received information to automatically send the information to the personal computer (15) by utilizing a confidential communication function thereof.

Abstract: A facsimile machine capable of receiving input of data from a switchboard over a telephone circuit during a silent interval between a first ring signal and a second ring signal, and including a network control unit NCU for detecting the first ring signal; a clock for starting measurement of a predetermined duration of time when the NCU detects the first ring signal and stopping measurement of the predetermined duration of time between an end of the data and a beginning of the second ring signal; and a CPU for causing the NCU to close a telephone circuit when the clock stops measurement of the predetermined duration of time.

Abstract: There is provided an image receiving apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus which can record and output the received image data on a page unit basis. The apparatus comprises: a receiving unit to receive image data; a recorder to record the received image data; a generator to generate reception ID information including a reception number and a page number; and a controller for allowing the reception ID information to be added and recorded to the received image data every page. The recording mode is manually or automatically set into either a mode to cut and output the received image on a page unit basis or a mode to cut and output the received image on a communication unit basis.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially transmitting a plurality of multipage documents via a facsimile includes an optical scanner, an optical character recognition apparatus, and a feature recognizer apparatus. The present apparatus allows hands-free transmittal of several multipage documents by automatically determining from the document's cover sheet the values of operating parameters, such as the telephone numbers of destination facsimile machines and the number of pages in the document to transmit. Human intervention is not required to dial phone numbers or separate documents that are to be transmitted to different destinations. Moreover, the present apparatus allows for direct transmittal of copies to those persons indicated in the document to receive the same without the need to know the other recipients of the document.

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.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus includes a multi-address call unit, having a plurality of multi-address call modes including at least a first multi-address call mode and a second multi-address call mode, for transmitting image data to a plurality of destinations, a console/display unit for setting a proper multi-address call mode of the multi-address call unit, and a main control unit for controlling multi-address transmission in accordance with the proper multi-address call mode set by the console/display unit.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus which enables the printer section and document original reading section thereof to be used as a printer and image reader, respectively, for a personal computer. To use the reading section for reading a document original as the image reader for the personal computer, the operation mode of the facsimile apparatus is switched from an ordinary operation mode to a PC-FAX mode. When a document original is read by the reading section in the PC-FAX mode, the facsimile apparatus behaves as if it received a call-in of facsimile correspondence, and sends image data to the personal computer. Further, by operating an operation section, a printer function call number is registered for an external input printing function which enables information input to an interface to be printed out. When a call-out command designating a phone number is sent to the facsimile apparatus from the personal computer, a control section judges if the phone number agrees with the printer function call number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving document images including portions linked to one or more electronic addresses. The linked portion of the document is identified using a predetermined visual attribute, such as bold-face text, or delimiters to mark the portion. The document image is then transmitted using, e.g., existing apparatus for transmitting images, such as a facsimile machine. An electronic address associated with the identified portion of the document is also transmitted using existing techniques, such as by touch-tone telephone. The address may be a voice telephone number, facsimile telephone number, World Wide Web address, or any other address with which communication can be established. At the receiving end, both the document image and electronic address are received. Pattern matching is performed on the document image to identify the portion with the predetermined attribute as a linked portion. The received electronic address is then correlated with the linked portion.

Abstract: A facsimile automatic delivery system which delivers documents which are managed in a hierarchical structure, by using a facsimile device to destinations indicated in a destination list. A transmission management editing unit produces and manages transmission management information in which transmission results such as transmission completion and transmission incompletion are managed in accordance with the destination list and in the hierarchical structure. A retrieval unit retrieves a document to be transmitted from a filing device, on the basis of the transmission management information supplied from the transmission management editing unit. A data conversion unit converts the document which is to be transmitted and obtained as a result of the retrieval, into a form which can be facsimiled. A facsimile transmission unit transmits the converted data to a destination indicated in the destination list.

Abstract: This invention relates to the automatic receipt and distristribution of facsimile mail, herein known as fax mail. It is particularly important in situations where there is a relatively large number fax users and relatively few fax machines to perform the sending and receiving. In this case the manual distribution is cumbersome and slow, and provides little tracking or security. This invention provides a fairly simple method to automatically distribute fax mail to a number of recipient that are network connected to a server or main computer. At the same time the method provides a means for handling fax mail that does not have with it the routing information necessary to automatically route it to the intended recipient. The process also has means to provide tracking and security for auditing purposes.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a facsimile communication supplementary service device that allows facsimile communication users to receive accurate service information from telephone switching facilities without performing any operations whatsoever. When a call is received, the facsimile signal analysis and decision part determines whether said call is a facsimile signal, and if it is, monitors the communication until it is completed. When the communication is completed, the charging system calculates the communication charge and the facsimile response part prepares the facsimile information. Then, if the originating party requested for the automatic immediate charge notification service, then the system calls back the originating terminal and sends said facsimile information. As a result, the originating terminal, if it is a facsimile terminal, can receive information on communication charge as a facsimile message. Consulting information may also be added to said charge information.

Abstract: An incoming message automatic reporting system installed in the telephone line of a fax machine to automatically notify the addressee after the sender has sent a fax message to the fax machine, the system including a microprocessor, a multi-frequency decoder, a multi-frequency signal generator, a voice IC, a telephone line interface, and three electric connectors, wherein when the sender inputs the code number of a sub-telephone set, the code number is simultaneously stored in the microprocessor, when the sender's fax message is completely received by the addressee's fax machine, the microprocessor picks up the stored code number to dial the sub-telephone set of the addressee, and drives the voice IC to send a voice message to the addressee when the addressee picks up the handset of the sub-telephone set, informing the addressee of the incoming of a fax message.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus which can output a plurality of copies of received information includes a reception unit, a printer, and a controller. When a plurality of copies of received information are to be output, the controller adds information, indicating that the plurality of copies of received information are output, to each copy of recorded information.

Abstract: When a call signal is received, the caller's telephone number transmitted from the switchboard is stored in the RAM. Then, whether the caller's telephone number matches one of telephone numbers stored in the abbreviated-dialing list is determined in S29. When the caller's telephone number matches one telephone number stored in that list (Yes in S29), the attribute stored in correspondence with the caller's telephone number is judged in S31. Then, a reception mode suited for the determined attribute is selected and set to the facsimile machine 1 in S34, S36, or S38. Afterward, a reception operation of the set mode is performed in S35, S37, or S39. At this stage, the telephone circuit is first connected.

Abstract: A communications device transmits and receives information in accordance with both facsimile and electronic mail communications protocols. The communications device recognizes a destination identifier, identifying a remote communications device as either a facsimile device or an e-mail device and transmits a document in accordance with the communications protocol utilized by the identified device. The communications device also allows the retrieval of electronic mail messages stored at a remote electronic mailbox. A user enters an electronic mail address, from which messages are desired to be retrieved, and presses a Retrieve button. The communications device initiates communication with an electronic post office corresponding to the entered electronic mail address and causes transmission of electronic mail messages stored in the specified mailbox.

Abstract: A method for registering a multi-terminal identification of a facsimile system and selectively transmitting the multi-terminal identification during a transmission mode. At a terminal identification register mode, a user's terminal number and a terminal identification are registered in a multi-terminal identification register table. At an automatic dialing data register mode, automatic dialing data and the terminal number are registered in an automatic dialing data register table. The terminal identification of the multi-terminal identification register table is selectively transmitted according to the received terminal number.

Abstract: A facsimile machine which may be successfully operated by a user, using a dialing mode with which the user is already familiar. Programed dialing, monitor dialing, and speed dialing are integrated in a way that does not artificially constrain the user to only certain combinations of commands. Users who are dialing through a PBX or placing the call through a credit card company, may dial the call interactively using one or more string of numbers stored in memory along with numbers entered directly from the keypad, with the user receiving audible feedback in the form of dial tones, beeps and tones, and recorded verbal instructions. Various international dialing functions such as Mercury are stored and accessed in the same way the user would access other numbers stored in a speed dial or one-touch dial memory location.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus includes a reserving circuit for reserving transmission of data, a communicating circuit for performing data communication, and a communication control circuit for determining transmission destinations for a plurality of data reserved by the reserving circuit and simultaneously transmitting all data destined to a given transmission destination to this destination.

Abstract: A facsimile machine including a first facsimile-data transmitter and/or a first facsimile-data receiver, a first telephone set, a data receiver including a connector connectable to an external computer for receiving, from the computer, designating data designating a second telephone set, and a calling device which calls the second telephone set designated by the designating data, so as to connect the first telephone set to the second telephone set via a communication line.

Abstract: A facsimile machine including a first facsimile-data receiver including a connector connectable to an external computer for receiving, from the computer, facsimile data including image data representing an image, and receiver-designating data designating a second facsimile-data receiver to which the facsimile data are transmitted, a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits the facsimile data to the second facsimile-data receiver designated by the receiver-designating data, a recorder which records, on a recording medium, the image represented by the image data of the facsimile data, a memory which stores self-designating data designating the first facsimile-data receiver, the receiver-designating data and the self-designating data being of same kind of data as each other, so that the receiver-designating data are comparable with the self-designating data, and a control device which controls the recorder to record the image represented by the image data when the receiver-designating data are identical with t

Abstract: In the present invention, a transmission control procedure from the time when a calling facsimile receives a digital identification signal from a called facsimile to the time when the calling facsimile transmits a facsimile message is carried out by control signals using tone signals. For example, the calling facsimile sends out to the called facsimile a first control signal indicating that facsimile transmission should be performed through a particular procedure if it receives the digital identification signal from the called facsimile. The called facsimile sends to the calling facsimile, if it receives the first control signal, a second control signal indicating that the first control signal is received. The calling facsimile sends out to the called facsimile a third control signal indicating that a facsimile message should be sent and then, sends out the facsimile message to the called facsimile if it receives the second control signal.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a copying machine and a central processing apparatus provided with a facsimile function. When originals are distributed to a plurality of destinations, a destination list is stored in the central processing apparatus in advance. At this time, as to the destinations to which originals are transmitted through the facsimile, telephone numbers thereof are simultaneously stored. The central processing apparatus controls the copying machine and the facsimile function on the basis of the stored data, so that originals are sent by the facsimile to places to which they should be sent by the facsimile, and also copied originals are sent to places to which they should, respectively.

Abstract: Transmitting e-mail attachments from a sender of a network to a recipient of the network. According to an embodiment, an attachment is stored in a storage means visible to the network and relatively local to the sender, the attachment having a unique network address. The sender requests an e-mail option from the recipient, which provides a configurable e-mail page to the sender in response to the request. An attachment reference comprising the network address of the attachment is supplied to the configurable e-mail page.

Abstract: An intelligent services network platform (ISN) of a telephone carrier network is equipped with a fax store and forward system (FSFS) capable of relaying fax transmissions between a customer's fax machine and an international destination. An autodialer associated with the fax machine automatically dials an 800 number designating the FSFS. It also automatically dials the preselected destination number and concurrently transmits an identification of the transmitting fax machine. An automatic call distributor in the ISN responds to the 800 number and transfers the fax transmission to an automated response unit which validates the customer's call. Thereafter, The FSFS is enabled to communicate directly with the sending fax machine to receive and store the transmitted fax.

Abstract: A telecommunications process and circuit for sequentially and continuously transmitting documents of different destinations by group-designating and registering the number of pages and facsimile numbers to be transmitted, when a different-place transmission mode is selected; dialing the first facsimile number registered, to thereby transmit the first designated document; detecting whether transmission of the first document transmitted has been completed; and dialing the next group-designated facsimile number after transmission of the first document has been completed, and then sending another document designated.

Abstract: A facsimile storage exchange apparatus which is connected to a plurality of facsimile devices to temporarily store an original input from the facsimile device of at least one source and transmit and distribute the original to the facsimile devices of a plurality of specified destinations includes a storage memory for storing the original transmitted from the facsimile device of the source, transmission distribution section for transmitting and distributing the original stored in the storage memory to the facsimile devices of the destinations according to a command from the facsimile device of the source, transmission distribution result detecting section for detecting result information relating to the success or failure of the transmission distribution effected by the transmission distribution section, transmission distribution result transmitting section for transmitting the result information detected by the transmission distribution result detecting section to the facsimile device of the source, and recei

Abstract: A facsimile mail apparatus having a facsimile information mail service function for the purpose of improving efficiency of facsimile mail delivery including:storage portions for storing management information indicating correspondences between: a plurality of sending lines for connecting an exchange governing a plurality of facsimile terminals to the facsimile mail apparatus, and a plurality of sending line groups defined according to a predetermined condition; anda delivery management portion for determining a sending line group to be used when sending facsimile information to a plurality of facsimile terminals, by referring to the management information stored in the storage portion.

Abstract: A communication device that can operate as a facsimile only, telephone only, or combined device having the ability to retransmit data, either a message or identification data, originated at a first site to another site. The device has the capability of breaking communications when incoming data is identical to data previously received based upon the identification data of the originator.

Abstract: A communication (comm) system is disclosed which comprises a master comm apparatus (app) coupled to a comm line and at least a slave comm app communicating with the master comm app and the comm line using wireless comm, the master comm app including: a detection portion for detecting a disconnection between the master comm app and the comm line and between the master comm app and the slave comm app and detecting a cause of the disconnection; a data generation portion responsive to the detection portion for generating logging data according to the disconnection and the cause; a memory for storing the logging data from the data generation portion; and a reading portion for reading the logging data from the memory in response to a request. The logging data is transmitted to the telephone line or a maintenance terminal wire-less communicated with the master comm app in response to a data transmission request.