Abstract: A system and method for the reception of content items, including the ability to handle a plurality of service announcement formats and the ability to select, for a plurality of network access points, the best access point for receiving items.

Abstract: A computer integrated with universal telephone functions, includes a normal computer and system thereof. The computer is integrated with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) telephone interface and communication functions thereof, the PSTN telephone, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephone, wireless communication, faxes and the computer are integrated in the computer system, a user simply needs a terminal (telephone handle/mobile telephone), to use the PSTN and the network telephone conveniently.

Abstract: An invented image processing apparatus includes an image data storing unit for storing image data in a prescribed file format, an image data information producing unit for producing, in response to a request from a user, image data information corresponding to the image data stored in the image data storing unit, a requested format entering unit for entering a requested format of the image data designated by the user from the image data information, and a transmitting unit for transmitting the image data corresponding to the requested format. A user can obtain the image data stored in the prescribed file format with user's desired file format.

Abstract: A communication device configured to be connected with a public network and an IP network is provided, the communication device including a communication controller that selectively performs one of a public line communication process via the public network and an IP communication process via the IP network. When determining that a redialing process to reattempt the IP communication process via the IP network is unlikely to be successfully performed, the communication controller performs a fallback process to attempt the public line communication process via the public network after switching from the IP communication process via the IP network to the public line communication process via the public network, in a situation where a setting for performing the fallback process is configured. When determining that the redialing process via the IP network is not unlikely to be successfully performed, the communication controller performs the redialing process.

Abstract: The present specification discloses systems and methods for verifying facsimile numbers associated with facsimile lines. The facsimile line may be provided in a standalone facsimile machine or may be part of a multi-function device. The present specification also discloses a routine for verifying and, if required, correcting an inaccurate telephone number displayed associated with a facsimile line. The verification may be performed automatically at predefined intervals or upon receiving a prompt from a user.

Abstract: A method of controlling a fax of an image forming apparatus which transmits/receives a fax using a plurality of telephone lines, includes detecting a size of a fax data to be transmitted; checking communication settings of the plurality of telephone lines according to the detection result; detecting whether the plurality of telephone lines are in use; and selecting one of the plurality of telephone lines to transmit the fax data using the communication settings of the telephone lines and whether the telephone lines are in use. An image forming apparatus with a multi-line faxing function capable of transmitting a fax by automatically selecting a telephone line with a favorable communication setting among a plurality of telephone lines, thereby reducing time involved in fax transmission and waste of communication charges.

Abstract: A facsimile machine and a method for forwarding facsimile data are disclosed. The facsimile forward method, the facsimile forward method comprises receiving facsimile data from a facsimile sending machine over a telephone network; extracting identification information from the facsimile data; determining whether the identification information matches a plurality of predetermined identification information; and forwarding the facsimile data to a destination E-mail address over a communication network other than the telephone network, when the identification information matches any of the plurality of predetermined identification information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to protect and audit communication line status are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a set of available communication lines from a media gateway, associating a plurality of destination numbers with respective ones of the available communication lines, and dialing the plurality of destination numbers from the media gateway to identify the communication line status information.

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: A telephony system that accepts inputs, such as account codes, from a variety of devices and interfaces. The system includes a server with a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a control module, a call status module, an endpoint interface module, a storage interface module, a call transfer module, a TAPI interface module, a configuration module, and an extension library module. A server is capable of prompting several devices for an input and then accepting an input from any of the devices. Thus, a server enables a user to initiate a phone call on one device and then input information using a different device.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching a user between an IP network and a PSTN is disclosed in the present invention and includes a user port, a Subscriber Line Interface Circuit, a detection circuit, a PSTN port, an IP network interface circuit and an action unit. A method for switching a user between the IP network and the PSTN is also disclosed. According to the method, the action unit is controlled by the control signal from a CPU, thereby implementing the user switching between the IP network and the PSTN on the apparatus. The apparatus and the method enable one or more users to switch between the IP network and the PSTN, implements flexible user selection between the two networks and offers user communication backup when failure occurs. Accordingly, the present invention increases the satisfaction of users and the core competence of enterprises.

Abstract: A network device to control a transmission rate of one or more fax data units transferred between a transmitting and a receiving network device. The transmission rate is controlled based on one or more control parameters. The control parameters may be generated based on comparing the configured values and the capability values. The configured values may represent allowable transmission characteristics of a network path provisioned between a transmitting and a receiving network device and the capability values may represent the transmission capabilities of the transmitting and the receiving network device.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a call monitoring service for multiple telecommunications units. When an incoming communication directed to a subscriber's simultaneous ring number is received, outgoing communications are placed to each of the telecommunications units associated with the subscriber's simultaneous ring number. A determination is made as to whether the incoming communication should be routed to the voice mail system. If the incoming communication should be routed to the voice mail system and the call monitoring service is activated, a communication between the calling party and the voice mail system is established. A determination is made as to whether a user of one of the telecommunications units takes an action to connect to the communication between the calling party and the voice mail system. If an action is detected, then a communication between the calling party, the voice mail system, and the telecommunications unit is established.

Abstract: A controlling system for an electronic peripheral device is provided. The controlling system comprises an electronic peripheral device having a plurality of communication interfaces and a plurality of functions, at least one terminal device connectable to one of the communication interfaces of the electronic peripheral device via one of communication networks so that the terminal device can use one of the plurality of functions based on as to through which communication interface an instruction from the terminal device is received when the at least one of the plurality of functions is determined to be available, a function availability setting system, by which availability of at least one of the plurality of functions to the terminal device is set, and a function execution controlling system which controls execution of the at least one of the plurality of functions based on as to through which communication interface the instruction is received.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a method of making a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection to a remote network. The method includes detecting the presence of a powered-on network capable device that is connected to a DSL modem; establishing a network connection over a DSL line to the remote network after detecting the presence of the powered on network capable device; terminating the network connection over the DSL line after detecting an absence of network capable devices connected to the DSL modem; and releasing network resources supported by the remote network after the network connection is terminated.

Abstract: A document transmission apparatus reduces troublesome labor of an operator when transmitting document data, inputted from a scanner or the like, by various transmission methods such as electronic mail, facsimile, remote printing and file transfer. An address book containing a receiver and a plurality of transmission methods for transmitting document data to the receiver is generated. Upon transmission instruction, an appropriate transmission method is selected by the receiver, then document data is converted into data of an appropriate data format, and the converted data is transmitted. Further, a notice of transmission indicating that the document data has been transmitted is transmitted to the receiver of the document data by a method different from the transmission method of the document data. Thus, the document data can be reliably delivered to the receiver.

Abstract: A method for limiting bit rate in IP facsimile, in this method the highest bit rate that the called gateway allows is determined, after the call connection is set up, the called fax machine transmits the digital identification containing the highest facsimile bit rate that the called fax machine provides, the called gateway compares the highest facsimile bit rate that the called fax machine provides with the determined highest bit rate that the called gateway allows, then selects the lower and inserts in the frame and transmits to the calling fax machine, the calling fax machine compares the bit rate with the highest bit rate that the calling fax machine itself provides, the lowest will be the highest bit rate at which message is transmitted, then the message is transmitted, confirmed, then the call connection is released. In this method, when the network becomes bad, the highest facsimile bit rate is limited through gateway to improve quality of pictures.

Abstract: A plural-communication-line-containing apparatus capable of containing plural communication lines comprises: a communication-line-type discriminator for discriminating a type of communication line; a communication-line-number counter for counting the number of communication lines for each type of communication line; a communication-line-name determiner for determining a communication line name on the basis of the discriminated type of communication line and the counted number of communication lines; and a communication-line-name display for displaying the determined communication line name. Thus, in the plural-communication-line-containing apparatus capable of being connected with the plural communication lines, the names of the communication lines can be appropriately displayed and an operator can easily discriminate the communication lines.

Abstract: In conjunction with a data communication network (53) carrying multiple telephony signals and allowing for connection of telephone sets (17), a system and method in which two external feeders (55a, 55b) connect to the data network (53) at two distinct points via two distinct devices. The data network can be based on dedicated wiring or can use existing in premises medium such as telephone, powerlines or CATV wiring. In the latter case, the wiring can still carry the original service for which it was installed. The external telephone connections can be based on the traditional PSTN, CATV network, cellular telephone network or any other telephone service provider network, using specific adapter for any medium used. In the case of connection to a POTS telephone signal, VoIP gateway (or any other converter) is required.

Abstract: A document scanning device reads an image on a document while scanning the image, and generates image data based on the image. The document scanning device selects and sets a scanning speed in accordance with a transfer mode used when the document scanning device transfers the image data to another apparatus. The document scanning device controls the amount of generated image data by using the set scanning speed to successively read the image, whereby optimal transfer processing in accordance with the transfer mode can be performed. By switching a transfer path in accordance with the type of the read data, i.e., binary data per pixel or multilevel data per pixel, efficient data transfer can be performed.

Abstract: In conjunction with a data communication network carrying multiple telephony signals and allowing for connection of telephone sets, a system and method in which two external feeders connect to the data network at two distinct points via two distinct devices. The data network can be based on dedicated wiring or can use existing in-premises medium such as telephone, powerlines or CATV wiring. In the latter case, the wiring can still carry the original service for which it was installed. The external telephone connections can be based on the traditional PSTN, CATV network, cellular telephone network or any other telephone service provider network, using specific adapter for any medium used. In the case of connection to a POTS telephone signal, VoIP gateway (or any other converter) is required.

Abstract: Provided are a name service system and a method thereof.

Abstract: A communication terminal unit has a system control section including a communication error detection section that detects a communication error, which occurs at the time of originating a call over an IP network or a public network. A communication error analysis section analyzes the thus-detected communication error, and in accordance with the result of analysis of the communication error, a call origination network determination section automatically determines whether to re-dial a call over the IP network or the public network. As a result, when detecting a communication error at the time of origination of a call over the IP network or the public network, a system control section performs control operation for analyzing the communication error and automatically determining whether to re-dial a call over the IP network or over the public network.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus having a wired interface for wired connection to a terminal device and a wireless unit for connection to a terminal device wirelessly discriminates the state of power supply at start-up and, based upon the result of discrimination, relays data communication between the terminal device connected to the wired interface and another terminal device connected by the wireless unit.

Abstract: A communication terminal unit has a system control section including a call destination specification information analysis section that analyzes a destination number which is assigned to a communications terminal unit at the other end and input at the time of origination of a call. On the basis of a result of analysis of the destination number performed by the call destination specification information analysis section, a call origination network determination section automatically determines to originate a call over an IP network or over a public network through use of the destination information that has been subjected to analysis and through use of selected network setting information stored in a selected network setting storage section. Selected network setting information required to automatically determine to originate a call over the IP network or over the public network is stored in the call origination network determination section.

Abstract: After the user purchased an information apparatus, even when he turns on a power source without setting a line and automatic line identification fails, a demonstration mode is not started, and when the information apparatus exists in a shop, the demonstration mode can be certainly started by the minimum number of steps.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a call monitoring service for multiple telecommunications units. When an incoming communication directed to a subscriber's simultaneous ring number is received, outgoing communications are placed to each of the telecommunications units associated with the subscriber's simultaneous ring number. A determination is made as to whether the incoming communication should be routed to the voice mail system. If the incoming communication should be routed to the voice mail system and the call monitoring service is activated, a communication between the calling party and the voice mail system is established. A determination is made as to whether a user of one of the telecommunications units takes an action to connect to the communication between the calling party and the voice mail system. If an action is detected, then a communication between the calling party, the voice mail system, and the telecommunications unit is established.

Abstract: A data transmission apparatus capable of transmitting image data to a recipient using recipient's desired transmission parameters regardless of whether the recipient resides inside or outside an intranet to which the apparatus is connected, wherein the recipient is requested via an e-mail to designate the desired transmission parameters through the most appropriate transmission medium that is set in consideration of the recipient's location. Specifically, the transmission medium is set to a Web browser if the recipient resides inside the intranet to which the apparatus is connected, while it is set to an e-mail if the recipient resides outside the intranet.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus having an Internet facsimile communication device and a G3 facsimile communication device includes a detector for detecting a facsimile function of a communication partner's apparatus during communication by the G3 facsimile communication device, and a controller for performing control of causing the G3 facsimile communication device to disconnect communication in a G3 facsimile mode and shifting to communication by the Internet facsimile communication device, based on the detection of the facsimile function of the communication partner's apparatus by the detector.

Abstract: A telephony system that accepts inputs, such as account codes, from a variety of devices and interfaces. The system includes a server with a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a control module, a call status module, an endpoint interface module, a storage interface module, a call transfer module, a TAPI interface module, a configuration module, and an extension library module. A server is capable of prompting several devices for an input and then accepting an input from any of the devices. Thus, a server enables a user to initiate a phone call on one device and then input information using a different device.

Abstract: A plural-communication-line-containing apparatus capable of containing plural communication lines comprises: a communication-line-type discriminator for discriminating a type of communication line; a communication-line-number counter for counting the number of communication lines for each type of communication line; a communication-line-name determiner for determining a communication line name on the basis of the discriminated type of communication line and the counted number of communication lines; and a communication-line-name display for displaying the determined communication line name. Thus, in the plural-communication-line-containing apparatus capable of being connected with the plural communication lines, the names of the communication lines can be appropriately displayed and an operator can easily discriminate the communication lines.

Abstract: A network facsimile device capable of Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) receiving, via a network, electronic mail (email) to which facsimile image data is attached, the network facsimile device includes domain registration means for registering a domain of an address of the network facsimile device, and email address registration means for registering a plurality of email addresses indicating the network facsimile device. The network facsimile device receives email when an address attached to such email is the network facsimile device domain and is one of the plurality of email addresses registered in the email address registration means.

Abstract: A communication device includes a communication unit carrying out a communication by a plurality of communication channels and a plurality of communication protocols and a management table including plural groups of registered information, wherein one group includes a communication channel and a communication protocol that can be used by a receiving communication device, and identification information used by the communication channel and the communication protocol. The communication device also includes a control unit obtaining the management table in advance, remote from the communication device, selecting one group of the registered information corresponding to the receiving communication device, and controlling the communication unit to carry out the communication using the selected group of registered information.

Abstract: A method of establishing a fax connection on a link which is a portion of a composite connection. The method includes transmitting at least some signals of a negotiation procedure on the link and initiating a retrain on the connection, without identifying a problem on the connection of the link, the retrain being initiated after transmitting the at least some signals of the negotiation procedure but before transmitting data on the data channel of the link due to the negotiation procedure.

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.

Abstract: A method is provided for on-demand communications in a communication network with support for a plurality of communication units participating in a common communication, which includes multiple signal initiators, each supplying a signal, which are virtually simultaneously conveyed as part of the common communication. At least one example of an on-demand communication includes push to talk. Additionally, a signal initiator is provided, which is adapted to support on-demand communications in a multi-signal initiator environment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a network communication system that provides textual communication and call transferring between nodes. The system further allows simultaneous notification of multiple nodes of an incoming call. The system includes a local computer that may also serve as a node in the system. A call may originate with the local computer or be generated by a remote device that is in communication with the local computer. The local computer generates a call indicator that is transmitted to one or more nodes simultaneously. Selection of the nodes may be based on user intervention or by predefined groupings. Each node receiving a call indicator is configured to generate a ring message in response. The ring message is displayed on an output device to alert a node user to the incoming call. In response to the ring message, a node user may choose to accept or decline the call. A node user's responses to the call indicator are transmitted to the local computer.

Abstract: A system and method for managing mobile communications is disclosed. The system and method can determine which of several systems associated with a motor vehicle is permitted to communicate with a user interface in the motor vehicle. The user interface is used to assist in facilitating communications between a user and one of the communications systems. The user interface can include a display and be connected to at least one loudspeaker. The various systems associated with the vehicle communicate with one another and determine which system can communicate with the user interface.

Abstract: This invention provides a first communication apparatus, which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and can describe different contents image header information each including a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like in image data having a predetermined number of pixels upon sending the image data to a plurality of destinations, and a communication method. This invention also provides a second communication apparatus which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and has a first mode in which image header information such as a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like can be described in image data having a predetermined number of pixels and can send the image data, and a second mode in which image data having one of various resolutions and an indefinite number of pixels can be sent.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a printer to a cellular radio system. The adapter allows the printer to conduct facsimile operations. The adapter has a facsimile module which includes executable instructions for decoding fax data and processing the fax data to generate print data for printing; a cell radio; one or more communication ports having at least one of the communication ports in communication with the printer; and a data encoder in communication with the facsimile module and the cell radio. The data encoder is configured to convert data transmitted between the facsimile module and the cell radio.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a register for registering a facsimile number of a sending destination for an abbreviation number, a register for registering an electronic mail address of the sending destination for the same abbreviation number, a key corresponding to the abbreviation number, a key representing facsimile sending, and a key representing electronic mail sending, a unit for executing the facsimile sending of a read image to the registered facsimile number when the key representing the facsimile sending is depressed pursuant to depression of the key corresponding to the abbreviation number, and a unit for executing the electronic mail sending of the read image to the registered electronic mail address when the key representing the electronic mail sending is depressed pursuant to depression of the key corresponding to the abbreviation number, so that it is possible to reduce the number of necessary keys.

Abstract: This invention provides a first communication apparatus, which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and can describe different contents image header information each including a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like in image data having a predetermined number of pixels upon sending the image data to a plurality of destinations, and a communication method. This invention also provides a second communication apparatus which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and has a first mode in which image header information such as a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like can be described in image data having a predetermined number of pixels and can send the image data, and a second mode in which image data having one of various resolutions and an indefinite number of pixels can be sent.

Abstract: This invention provides a first communication apparatus, which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and can describe different contents image header information each including a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like in image data having a predetermined number of pixels upon sending the image data to a plurality of destinations, and a communication method. This invention also provides a second communication apparatus which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and has a first mode in which image header information such as a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like can be described in image data having a predetermined number of pixels and can send the image data, and a second mode in which image data having one of various resolutions and an indefinite number of pixels can be sent.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus management system for setting various parameters of the image forming apparatus according to a job instruction from the client machine 2 comprises a host server 4 equipped with an external database 5 for storing various parameters of the image forming apparatus 1 corresponding to the predetermined job conditions, said host server retrieving various parameters satisfying the job conditions from the external database 5 according to the external parameter request and delivering the parameters, and a client server 3 connected to said host server 4 in a bidirectionally communicable way, said client server associated with communications between said client machine 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 and making an external parameter request to the host server 4 as well as supplying various parameters delivered from the host server 4 to the image forming apparatus 1.

Abstract: An Internet facsimile apparatus as a sender makes inquiry about capability, which a destination Internet facsimile apparatus possesses, to a local server in a local network. When the local server has no capability information of the destination stored, the sender makes inquiry to a DNS server higher than the local server and obtains capability information of the destination from the DNS server. Then, the sender registers the obtained capability information of the destination to a memory, which the local server or the sender has. This realizes that the sender can surely obtain capability information of the destination. Also, this makes it possible to automatically register capability information of the destination to the memory of the local server or the sender.

Abstract: In a communication system having a first communication apparatus capable of a first communication via a first communication line such as a wire line and a second communication apparatus capable of a second communication via a second communication line such as a wireless line, information input from an information input unit of the first communication apparatus is transmitted over the second communication line via the second communication apparatus.

Abstract: A method of transmitting an information transfer request from a client data terminal which is coupled to a local area network to a called data terminal which is coupled to the local area network and a public switched telephone network includes the steps of collecting, storing, generating, creating, sending, and transmitting. The collecting step collects information sets of communication capabilities of different data terminals on the local area network on the client data terminal. The storing step stores the information sets into a memory. On the client data terminal, the generating step generates data of facsimile image information with reference to one of the information sets pertaining to the called data terminal. The creating step creates on the client data terminal an information transfer request for requesting transmission of the facsimile image information to an arbitrary facsimile machine connected to the public switched telephone network.

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.

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.

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.