US6023345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Facsimile to E-mail communication system with local interface
Assignee: Openprint LLC
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Filing: 1997-09-24
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Granted: 2000-02-08
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Expires: 2017-09-24
Abstract
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. The system can also be used in cooperation with Internet Web service for reporting, accounting, information services, and user interaction.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark C. Bloomfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/06; H04L51/066; H04N1/00209; H04N1/00212; H04N1/00281; H04N1/00312; H04N1/32; H04N1/333; H04N1/33392; H04M; H04M7/00; H04M7/006; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0065; H04N2201/0068; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/0086; H04N2201/0093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A communication system for communicating information found originally as an image on paper, said system comprising: a first communication network; a facsimile device for generating facsimile information in a first format from information found originally as an image on paper, said facsimile device communicating with said first communication network along a first communication Line; a interface device sharing said first communication line with said facsimile device; a computer network; and a server in communication with said first communication network and in communication with said computer network; said server selectively operating in a fax-to-data made in which said server receives facsimile information via said first communication network along said first communication line and communicates data representative of said facsimile information to a destination via said computer network; said server being responsive to commands received over said first communication line from said interface device to initiate operation of said fax-to-data mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A communication system for communicating information found originally as an image on paper, said system comprising: a first communication network; a facsimile device for generating facsimile information in a first format from information found originally as an image on paper, said facsimile device communicating with said first communication network along a first communication Line; a interface device sharing said first communication line with said facsimile device; a computer network; and a server in communication with said first communication network and in communication with said computer network; said server selectively operating in a fax-to-data made in which said server receives facsimile information via said first communication network along said first communication line and communicates data representative of said facsimile information to a destination via said computer network; said server being responsive to commands received over said first communication line from said interface device to initiate operation of said fax-to-data mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: conversion software associated with said gateway server, said conversion software converting facsimile information generated by said facsimile device into image data in a second format; an electronic mailbox associated with said computer network; and an e-mail device configured to access information stored in said electronic mailbox, said e-mail device being operable to receive and display on a computer screen data formatted in said second format.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 2, further comprising encoding means associated with said gateway server for encoding said image data in said second format, said e-mail device being configured to automatically decode said image data in the second format upon receipt thereof from said mailbox.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said interface device includes a display screen constructed and arranged for displaying alphanumeric characters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication network is the public telephone network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said fax interface device is incorporated as part of said facsimile device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said computer network is a global computer network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 7, wherein said global computer network includes, at least in part, the internet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication network is a private switched telephone network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said interface device comprises: means for receiving and communicating an address associated with an electronic mail address; and means for generating commands on said first communication line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 10, wherein said means for receiving of said interface device includes, at least, a standard telephone keypad.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
A communication system for communication information found originally as an image on paper, said system comprising: a public switched telephone network ("PSTN"); a computer network; a server in communication with said PSTN and being in communication with said computer network; a facsimile device for generating facsimile information from information found originally as an image on paper, said facsimile device communicating with said PSTN along a first communication link; and an interface device communicating with said PSTN along said first communication link and being responsive to signals received at said interface device to facilitate communication between said facsimile device and said gateway server and to facilitate delivery of facsimile information from said facsimile device to an e-mail address associated with the computer network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
122 words
A communication system for communication information found originally as an image on paper, said system comprising: a public switched telephone network ("PSTN"); a computer network; a server in communication with said PSTN and being in communication with said computer network; a facsimile device for generating facsimile information from information found originally as an image on paper, said facsimile device communicating with said PSTN along a first communication link; and an interface device communicating with said PSTN along said first communication link and being responsive to signals received at said interface device to facilitate communication between said facsimile device and said gateway server and to facilitate delivery of facsimile information from said facsimile device to an e-mail address associated with the computer network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
108 words
A communication system for communicating, with the assistance of a public communication network ("PN") and a global computer communications network, information found originally as an image on paper, said system comprising: a server in communication with the PN and in communication with the computer network; a facsimile device for generating facsimile information from information found originally as an image on paper, said facsimile device communicating with PN; an interface device responsive to signals received at said interface device to facilitate communications between said facsimile device and said server and to facilitate delivery of facsimile information from said facsimile device to an e-mail address associated with the computer network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
108 words
A communication system for communicating, with the assistance of a public communication network ("PN") and a global computer communications network, information found originally as an image on paper, said system comprising: a server in communication with the PN and in communication with the computer network; a facsimile device for generating facsimile information from information found originally as an image on paper, said facsimile device communicating with PN; an interface device responsive to signals received at said interface device to facilitate communications between said facsimile device and said server and to facilitate delivery of facsimile information from said facsimile device to an e-mail address associated with the computer network.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-07 | 2003-08-09 | 2004-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | 2008-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-07 | 2011-08-09 | 2012-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |