WO2000079780A1 - Internet facsimile system - Google Patents

Abstract

A facsimile system integrated with both standard facsimile functions and Internet facsimile functions includes a server apparatus (22) for receiving an incoming call from a PSTN through a DID trunk (30) or the Internet via LAN (20) and router (26), and which detects an address signal and corresponding message. The server apparatus (22) stores the message, receives a request for the message, retrieves the message, and provides at least a portion of the message to a specific recipient (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, or 34). A connected standard facsimile machine (12a or 12b) can send Internet facsimiles, adding additional information with the keypad of the facsimile machine to track billing or transaction information. A connected personal computer (14a, 14b, or 34) can send Internet and standard facsimiles by sending an e-mail with or without an attachment, receive incoming facsimile traffic, or remotely retrieve a received facsimile from a remote computer (34) with a web browser.

Description

LNTERNET FACSIMILE SYSTEM

This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Serial No.

60/140,898, filed June 23, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its

entirety.

BACKGROUND

The facsimile machine is quickly becoming a standard piece of office

equipment, and many households now also possess a facsimile machine. Because a

facsimile machine can be a significant asset that is heavily relied upon, difficulties arise

when a facsimile machine is unavailable to receive a facsimile message. This situation

may arise when the facsimile machine is busy receiving another message, when the

machine is transmitting a message of its own, or when the machine malfunctions or

runs out of paper. During these times, a person must typically attempt to re-send the

message until communication is established with the desired facsimile machine. This

experience can be frustrating, can consume quite a bit of the person's time, and can

prevent the person from performing more productive tasks. While certain more

advanced facsimile machines will attempt to establish communication a number of

times, it is still necessary to check on the facsimile machine and ensure that the message

has been successfully transmitted.

A number of costs are involved in operating a facsimile machine. In addition

to labor costs and supplies, a facsimile machine may present other costs that are

sometimes overlooked. These costs include the loss of business or the loss of goodwill

that occurs when the facsimile machine is not accessible by another facsimile machine.

These costs can occur for various reasons, such as when the facsimile machine is out of paper, when the machine needs repairing, or when the facsimile machine is busy with

another message. Even though operation of a facsimile machine can be costly, many

are even further disadvantaged in not having access to a facsimile machine.

Although documents may be quickly transferred between facsimile machines,

such documents are not always quickly routed to the intended recipient. This may

occur because the receiving facsimile machine is unattended, or because established

routing procedures delay the delivery of the documents. In addition, the nature of the

facsimile message also renders it difficult for the intended recipient to receive a sensitive

message without having the message exposed to others who can intercept and read the

message. If the intended recipient is unaware that the message is being sent, other

people may see the message while it is being delivered or while the message remains

next to the machine.

Even for those that utilize a message routing system and especially for those

that do not have any type of system, it is usually difficult for a person to retrieve

facsimile messages while away from the fax machine. Typically, a person away on

business must call into the office and be informed by someone in the office as to the

facsimile messages that have been received. Consequently, the person must call into the

office during normal business hours while someone is in the office and is therefore

limited in the time that the information in a facsimile message can be relayed. The

retrieval of facsimile messages while away from the office is not without certain other

costs. For one, the person often must incur long distance telephone charges when the

person calls the office to check on the messages and to have someone in the office send

the messages to another facsimile. The person will then incur the expenses of transmitting the message to a fax bureau or hotel desk as well as the receiving location's

own charges for use of their equipment.

Many companies follow a standard business practice of ma taining records

of the correspondence between itself and other entities. The correspondence that has

been traditionally tracked and recorded includes letters and other materials mailed to or

from a company to the other entity. Although tracking correspondence of printed

materials is relatively easy, it has proven more difficult to similarly track and record

other types of correspondence (e.g., facsimile messages). For example, accurate

tracking of facsimile messages is difficult since the facsimile messages may only be

partially printed at the facsimile machine or the messages may be lost or only partially

delivered to their intended recipients. Facsimile messages also present difficulties since

they are often delivered within an organization through different channels than ordinary

mail, and thus may not be subject to the normal record keeping procedures of the

company.

SUMMARY

A facsimile system (and corresponding method) in accordance with a

preferred embodiment of the invention is provided that is integrated with both standard

telephony facsimile functions and facsimile over the Internet. A user is provided with

the capability to send Internet facsimiles from a standard facsimile machine without

changing the user's dialing behavior, add additional information (e.g., customer codes)

with the keypad of a standard facsimile machine to track billing or transaction

information, send Internet and standard facsimiles from a PC by sending an e-mail with

or without an attachment, receive mcorriing facsimile traffic as an e-mail, Web page, or have it printed upon receipt, remotely retrieve a received facsimile from any Web

browser in the world, and create, print, forward, re-send, save or e-mail any facsimile

event (previously sent or received) from any Web browser in the world.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a facsimile server system

includes an apparatus for receiving an coming call from a PSTN or through another

network (e.g., Internet) and for detecting an address signal associated with the

incoming call, one or more information reception modules for receiving a message

accompanying the address signal, one or more storage areas for storing the message, a

user browser program for allowing manipulation of the message, a receiver for receiving

a request for the message, a retrieval device for retrieving the message from the storage

areas, and a transmitting device for providing a least a portion of the message to a

specific recipient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustratively represents a facsimile system in accordance with a

preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustratively represents a fax server in accordance with a preferred

embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustratively represents a system constructed in accordance with

another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 provides a block diagram representation of an exemplary

implementation of a fax server in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the

invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments and applications of the invention will now be

described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Other embodiments may be realized and

structural or logical changes may be made to the disclosed embodiments without

departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Although the preferred

embodiments disclosed herein have been particularly described as an implementation of

Internet facsimile system, it should be readily apparent that the invention may be

embodied to implement any system having the same or similar problems.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a facsimile

system 10 is provided with one or more information reception/transmission modules,

such as, for example, facsimile machines 12a, 12b and computers or workstations

( "PCs" ) 14a, 14b. (When discussing the facsimile machines 12a, 12b in general, they

will be referred to herein as facsimile machines 12, when discussing the PCs 14a, 14b in

general, they will be denoted as PCs 14, and when discussing the redialers 18a, 18b in

general, they will be denoted as redialers 18.) Each of the facsimile machines 12 may

be connected by a redialer 18 (FIG. 3) to a conventional private branch exchange

( "PBX") 16 (e.g., a Meridian 1 produced by Nortel Networks). Each PC 14 is

preferably connected to local area network ( "LAN" ) 20.

As is described hereinafter, an Internet facsimile gateway and server ( "fax

server" ) 22 is provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention to

process facsimile traffic directed to, or originating within, the system 10. The fax server

22 in this illustrated embodiment is added to a corporate LAN, such as the LAN 20,

which may be part of a wide area network (WAN) to provide enterprise facsimile capabihty. In a preferred embodiment, the fax server 22 is a stand alone device or

system implemented with a number of hardware and/or software modules, as depicted

in FIG. 2. As shown, one or more processors 220 are used to execute the functionality

of fax server 22 in accordance with an executable program stored in memory module

222. Processor 220 may also be used to control one or more of the modules contained

in fax server 22 through communication over bus 228 or other links. Receiver module

224 and transmitter module 226 are respectively employed to receive and transmit calls

(including facsimile information), user data and control information, and any other

information processed by fax server 22. Memory module 222 additionally stores calls

(including facsimile information), user data and control information, and any other

information utilized witiiin fax server 22.

The facsimile traffic which may be handled by the fax server 22 includes

traffic: (i) originated by the facsimile machines 12 and intended for recipient facsimile

machines or recipient PCs, (ii) originated by the PCs 14 and intended for recipient

facsimile machines or recipient PCs, (iii) originated by an external PC and received

through the PSTN or the Internet by facsimile machines 12 or PCs 14, or (iv)

originated by an external facsimile machine and received through the PSTN or the

Internet by facsimile machines 12 or PCs 14. The fax server 22 is capable of handling

mcoming facsimile traffic received from the PSTN by the PBX 16, as well as such

mcoming traffic received from the Internet by the LAN 20 via router 26.

Inbound calls containing facsimile transmissions ( "faxes") are preferably

received by a direct inward dialing ( "DID " ) trunk 30, which permits intended

recipients of inbound faxes to be distinguished on the basis of an address signal indicating the telephone number being called. This implementation permits inbound

faxes received by fax server 22 to be processed (e.g., routed, printed, stored for remote

retrieval and other functions) in accordance with predetermined preferences for the user

associated with each DID number. Users associated with a particular DID may specify

that faxes are to be printed to one or more designated fax machines 12, directed to one

or more PCs 14, forwarded to one or more e-mail accounts, stored for retrieval by

(local or remote) PCs 14, 34, forwarded to other destinations through the

PSTN/Internet, etc. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, an inbound facsimile

may also be posted on a personal inbox Web page made available for access by the

recipient. The Web page access permits actions such as viewing, forwarding, storing,

printing, etc. When a recipient is not clearly identified, inbound faxes received at the

PBX 16 from the PSTN (or from the Internet) may be stored vv tiiin a default mailbox

within the fax server 22 and viewed to determine the intended recipient.

Intended recipients of faxes received by the fax server 22 may also specify one

or more notification options by configuring their individual client settings. For

example, intended recipients may be notified of receipt of faxes via e-mail or "pop-up"

network messaging systems (e.g., AIM), via a pager (e.g., by displaying caller

identification number of the sender of the fax), or other messaging device/system.

As noted above, the fax server 22 may transmit facsimile messages either

through the PSTN (via PBX 16) or through the Internet (via LAN 20 and router 26)

based upon instructions provided by the originator of the facsimile traffic. Faxes may be

originated by the PCs 14 by sending a standard e-mail message, with or without

attachment, or by printing to a fax printer driver in order to create an attachment, or by similar mechanisms. The originated fax is thus (i) received by the fax server 22 via LAN

20, (ii) converted into a predefined format (e.g., TIFF) (if necessary), and (iii)

preferably stored prior to transmission. In accordance with a preferred embodiment,

the originated facsimile can be viewed, printed, scheduled for transmission, re-directed,

forwarded and otherwise manipulated through a client browser program executing on

either a PC 14 or on a remotely located PC 34 in communication (e.g., through

Internet) with fax server 22.

In a preferred embodiment, the fax server 22 creates a record of each

facsimile (inbound/outbound) transaction or event, thereby enabling tracking of all

facsimile events on the basis of user identity, client codes, DID, etc. The facsimile

transaction information maintained by the fax server 22 will also preferably be

accessible, via LAN 20 or other networks, to applicable billing or expense tracking

programs.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, when outbound faxes are

originated by one of the facsimile machines 12, no dialing charges are incurred as the

"call" is placed to an analog extension 38 of the PBX 16 associated with the fax server

22. In particular, the applicable redialer 18 forwards dual tone multi -frequency

(DTMF) digits of the telephone number corresponding to the intended fax recipient to

fax server 22 via the analog extension 38. In addition, various other information (e.g.,

account coding information, user identification, etc.) entered by a user sending a

facsimile by way of a facsimile machine 12 is also forwarded by the applicable redialer 18

to the fax server 22. In alternative embodiments, the transmitting facsimile machine

may be equipped with the redialer 18 and routed through the PBX 16 (FIG. 3) or may be directly connected to the fax server 22 (FIG. 1) without the redialer function. The

application may allow the facsimile to be sent in the standard fashion, or allow the user

to select special options by keying a sequence of DTMF tones to assign a specific user,

client identification, feature to the fax, etc. After keying the appropriate digits, the

redialer 18 dials the extension of the fax server 22 (assuming a PBX system is used).

The fax server 22 will accept the DTMF information, store the information as variables,

and process the event. The redialers 18 are optional, and may be omitted, thus routing

the facsimile machines 12 directly through the PBX 16.

In a preferred embodiment, the outbound Internet- based facsimile traffic

originated by the fax server 22 is transmitted utilizing one or more services such as the

Open Port Harmony fax-over-IP messaging service offered by various network service

providers ( "NSPs" ), mcluding UUNET. As is indicated by FIG. 1, a fax/hub server 40

serves as a gateway for providing such outbound Internet-based facsimile traffic to an

Internet- based NSP such as UUNET. The fax/hub server 40 is configured with an

application programming interface ( "API " ) described in product documentation

entitled Open Port Internet Gateway SDK/API (Software Developers Kit/Application

Programming Interface), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In a

preferred embodiment, the fax server 22 is configured for compatibility with the API

defined by the Open Port Internet Gateway. Further, routing options for either the IP

or the PSTN are preferably based on area code and/or country code. It is preferred

that any PC to facsimile transactions are to be handled via e-mail, although other

methodologies, such as, for example, the current UUFAX, also may be supported.

Facsimile documents may be sent as an e-mail attachment from a software application

(e.g., any MS Office application), or printed to a special printer driver that will create an appropriate attachment. Standard e-mails may be converted from one file format to

another, such as from RTF to TIFF. All transaction details may be stored in the native

format of the fax server 22 and offer the same interactivity and behavior as all other

facsimile types.

In an alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, component boards establish

connectivity between the facsimile machines 12' and the PSTN. This alternate

embodiment preferably will include an S-connect board for interconnecting standard

facsimile machines 12' directly to the fax server 22' rather than to the PBX 16' or to the

PSTN. The alternate embodiment of FIG. 2 effectively eliminates the need for redialers

to be interposed between participating facsimile machines and the system PBX.

Now will be discussed several features of the fax server 22. Although many

other features may be added, the following lists a set of features any one or more can be

utilized. The fax server 22 can intelligently decide by which method to send a facsimile,

based on user/administrator defined criteria, either through a standard facsimile

machine or Internet facsimile-based transmission. The fax server 22 is preferably

compatible, for outgoing traffic, and capable of requesting event status of sent

facsimiles. The fax server 22 is capable of sending and receiving facsimile traffic via

PSTN through analog or digital telephone interfaces (telephony integration), and it

should be capable of sending a facsimile via e-mail with no attachment by using any

standard mail client, including Exchange, Outlook, Notes, Udora, SMTP/POP3

compatible clients, etc.

The fax server 22 can preferably print any document from any Windows

software application to an appropriate facsimile driver, allowing it to be sent either through the facsimile driver' s intelligence or as an e-mail attachment. Another feature

of the fax server 22 available is the ability to send a facsimile from a standard fax

machine, with or without a redialer, and have the facsimile stored in the fax server 22

for tracking, modification, and intelligent routing. Further, a central database on the

fax server 22 can be used for storing all facsimile activity and related information

retrievable through third party software via ODBC.

The fax server 22 can be capable of managing all user preferences from a

standard web browser. Also, the fax server 22 is capable of viewing, printing,

forwarding, and re-submitting all facsimile events. User access to facsimile events can

be authenticated via the fax server 22 security.

The fax server 22 can further be able to receive standard facsimile documents,

distribute received facsimile documents to individual users based on the users'

individual preferences, offer user selectable preferences for inbound fax disposition,

automatically print an incoming facsimile event to a specified network printer,

automatically forward an incoming facsimile event to another facsimile number, send an

mcoming facsimile event as an e-mail attachment, page a user with the caller

identification of the sender upon receipt of a facsimile event, and store mcoming

facsimile events for remote interactive voice response (1NR) retrieval.

Other features of the fax server 22 available include allowing account codes

and user identification numbers to be attached to outgoing facsimile event records by

DTMF with a standard facsimile machine, allowing account codes and user

identification numbers to be attached to outgoing facsimile events when sent

electronically, and be fully operable in heterogeneous/legacy LAN environments. In addition, the fax server 22 allows one to view sent and received facsimiles via a user's

personal fax mailbox Web page, view facsimile events as a thumbnail photo, at the user's

option, in his/her Web site, and view facsimiles at various sizes from the SWB. A Web-

based graphical user interface (WGUI) can create storage folders on the server, move

facsimile events to multiple folders on the server, sort events by sender, recipient, date

or size, support three sorting levels, offer a standard set of reports, partially modifiable

by user, and offer all features of the WGUI, but cover events enterprise wide. Also,

facsimile events may be encrypted and viewable only by sender if option selected by

user, and the facsimile events may be tracked by sender or originator.

EXAMPLE

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following

illustrative example of specific implementations of the invention.

An exemplary embodiment utilizes an integrated hardware and software

solution for enteφrise Internet protocol (IP) and standard faxing. A gateway/server is

provided which incoφorates a Windows NT-based telephone server processing all

facsimile traffic for an organization including fax to fax, PC to fax, PC to PC and fax to

PC transactions. The gateway/server also acts as a gateway to the PSTN or to a global

UUFAX network. The gateway/server is interconnected to a local area network (LAN)

as a server, and a private branch exchange (PBX) as an analog extension. Facsimile

traffic is either directed to the gateway/server via the IP on the LAN, or through

telephony boards. Preferably, all functionality is processed at the server, allowing a

client independent environment. A user may initiate an Internet facsimile transmission

by sending a standard e-mail, with or without an attachment, or by sending a standard facsimile via a standard facsimile machine. Inbound facsimile traffic may be managed

and distributed via individual direct inward dialing (DID) numbers or a general

mailbox. If DID functionality is used, inbound faxes can be routed/printed/stored

according to a user's specifications. Users may select a variety of handling options.

FIG. 4 provides a block diagram representation of the functional components

of (or software modules utilized in) this exemplary fax server 22. Referring to FIG. 4, a

client management module 50 contains a set of tables serving to define the preferences

of users of the system 10. Such tables will include, for example, user information and

event handling options. In a preferred embodiment, the information within the client

management module 50 is maintained by users or an administrator by way of a series of

ASP pages, each of which may employ Java and ActiveX controls. All event hanclling

modules vvitiuri the fax server 22 are designed to reference the client management

module 50, specifically the user tables, in order to determine the appropriate course of

action in response to a specific event.

An administration management module 52 functions similarly to the client

management module 50, but information within this module 52 will take precedence

over information within the client management module 50 with respect to event

processing logic. In a preferred embodiment, full client and administrative functional

and transactional control are possible from any browser, allowing queue and transaction

management for remote viewing, printing, re-directing, scheduling, forwarding, storage

and notification type selection while out of the office. In addition, all facsimile events

may be tracked by user and/or client codes, offering open database connectivity

(ODBC) for custom billing solutions for professional firms. An administrative interface with the administrative module 52 may be in a

HTML-based program. Features of the interface may include storage and archival

options, set porting options for Internet and standard facsimile delivery options, set

purge options, enablement of client features and security locks, and set inbound options

for general mailbox. The inbound options may include storing inbound facsimile(s) for

remote retrieval or future action, automatically printing facsimile(s) upon receipt

and/or forwarding to an e-mail address, forwarding facsimile(s) to another facsimile

machine and setting time options for retrieval settings, and taking any optional action

on a facsimile event (e.g., forward, print or view). A client interface also may be

HTML-based, and may be accessible from the Internet if the LAN 20 is so configured.

Various options for the client interface include storage and archival options for the user,

set purge options, and set inbound options for the user mailbox. The set inbound

options may include storing inbound facsimile(s) for remote retrieval or future action,

automatically printing facsimile(s) upon receipt, forwarding facsirnile(s) to an e-mail

address, forwarding facsimile(s) to another facsimile machine, setting time options for

retrieval settings (e.g., forward all facsimiles received from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. to user's

home fax), and taking any optional action on a fax event (e.g., forward, print or view).

An e-mail module 56 is preferably included to allow seamless integration of

facsimile services to the user and to eliminate the need for client software. The e-mail

module 56 may be derived from a commercially available facsimile platform, and will

preferably be capable of being integrated with accepted e-mail utilities, such as

Microsoft Exchange. As such, the module 56 could be implemented to support the MS

Exchange Server and related clients (including Outlook). The module 56 integrates

mail system users automatically, elin inating the need for separate user setup. The module 56 automatically converts e-mail messages and attachments to a predefined

native format and posts the appropriate information to tables within a database

subsystem 60. Preferably, the tables are Visual Fox Pro ("VFP") tables. The database

subsystem 60 includes a plurality of logical tables for storing records of events processed

by event handling modules of the system 10 and of other activities related to operation

of the system 10. The database 60 also includes mechanisms for retrieving transaction

statistics and event processing information. Through this subsystem 60, a user can track

all events, facsimile and PC originated, from the same interface with the same options

available for both. In scalable enteφrise implementations, the database system 60

preferably may utilize a MS SQL Server, and will preferably run on MS VFP.

A telephony module 64 is operative to process all mcoming and direct

outgoing events. In a preferred embodiment, the telephony module 64 utilizes

MasterVOX software to effect its functionality. Preferably, all inbound facsimiles will be

accepted by the telephony module 64 and processed by MasterVOX. MasterVOX will

record all relevant information, and store the event in a VFP table. All possible action

on the disposition and notification of the facsimile event is processed in MasterVOX.

Notification options may include pager, e-mail, IVR and other notification message

options selected in the user configuration (recipient determined by the dialed number

information service (DNIS)). Disposition actions may include e-mailing, printing or

facsimiie-forwarding. After performing the appropriate function and updating the

necessary database flags, an event may be stored in the database. Upon being stored in

the database, MasterVOX (or scheduled module) will spawn a VBNFP function to

perform any necessary actions not performed by MasterVOX, including the conversion of one file format, such as TIFF, to another file format, such as GIF. Both formats may

be stored in the event record allowing HTML compatibility.

An IP Integration module 68, typically realized using Visual Basic or C++,

functions as a conversion utility compliant with Open Port's SDK/API to facilitate

communication with UUNET's fax/hub server 40. The IP integration module 68 also

acts to facilitate processing by the database subsystem 60 of event information and the

receipt of event status information from the fax/hub server 40.

A number of component boards 72 serve to integrate the fax server 22 with

the LAN 20 and the PBX 16. The component boards 72 are available commercially

from entities such as Natural Microsystems ( "NMS " ), and in a preferred embodiment

include an AG-8 board and its 4 port equivalent. The component boards 72 may

terminate all standard incoming facsimile traffic and send all outbound facsimile traffic

instructed for direct send. Connectivity to the LAN 20 preferably will be by standard

10/100 Ethernet NIC. It is assumed that the control protocol will preferably have a

iriinimum of T-l connectivity to UUNET.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and

illustrated, it should be apparent that many modifications to the embociiments and

implementations of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit or

scope of the invention. For example, while the illustrated embodiments have been

described utilizing Internet communications, it should be readily apparent that other

communication systems or (wired/wireless) networks (e.g., intranets, extranets, private

bulletin boards, individual local or wide area networks, ICQ, IRC channels, instant

messaging systems, etc.) using real-time or non-real-time systems in lieu of or in addition to the disclosed Internet resources may also be utilized. Although facsimile or

computer-based client-side devices have been used in the illustrated embodiments, it

should be readily apparent that the invention may be implemented utilizing any type of

equivalent client apparatus (e.g., network/stand-alone computers, personal digital

assistants (PDAs), WebTV (or other Internet-only) terminals, set-top boxes,

cellular/PCS phones, screenphones, pagers, kiosks, t-hin-client, or other known (wired

or wireless) communication devices).

While only a limited number of components of particular embodiments have

been illustrated in the embodiments described herein (e.g., only two facsimile machines

12a, 12b, two desktop systems 14a, 14b, shown in FIG. 1), it should be apparent that

any number (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . N) of the same or equivalent components may be used

during implementation of the invention.

The modules described herein, particularly those illustrated or inherent in the

instant disclosure may be one or more hardware, software, or hybrid components

residing in (or distributed among) one or more local or remote computer systems.

Although the modules are shown or described as physically separated components, it

should be readily apparent that the modules may be combined or further separated into

a variety of different components, sharing different resources (including processing

units, memory, clock devices, software routines, etc.) as required for the particular

implementation of the embodiments disclosed herein. Indeed, for the illustrated

embodiments, one or more of entire modules (e.g., redialers 18) and their

corresponding functionalities may be omitted when reducing the invention to practice.

User interface devices may be any device used to input and/or ouφut information. The user interface device may be implemented as a graphical user interface (GUI)

containing a display or the like, or may be a link to other user input/ouφut devices

known in the art.

In addition, memory units described herein may be any one or more known

storage devices (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM),

hard disk drive (HDD), floppy drive, zip drive, compact disk- ROM, DVD, bubble

memory, etc.), and may also be one or more memory devices embedded within a

processor, or shared with one or more of the other components. The computer

programs or algorithms described herein may easily be configured as one or more

hardware modules, and the hardware modules shown may easily be configured as one or

more sof ware modules without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the

invention is not limited by the foregoing description, drawings, or specific examples

enumerated herein, and shall only be limited by the scope of the claims appended

hereto.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A facsimile system comprising:

an apparatus for receiving an incoming call from a PSTN or through the

Internet and for detecting an address signal associated with said mcoming call;

one or more information reception modules for receiving a message

accompanying said address signal;

one or more storage areas for storing said message;

a user browser program for allowing manipulation of said message;

means for receiving a request for said message;

means for retrieving said message from said storage areas; and

means for providing at least a portion of said message to a specific recipient.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said storage areas are operatively

coupled to one or more user stations.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said storage areas and user stations are

operatively coupled via a local area network.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for providing includes

means for transmitting at least a portion of said message to the specific recipient via

the Internet.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a device for converting said

message from a first file format to a predetermined second file format, wherein said

storage areas are adapted to store said message in said predetermined second file

format.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said mcoming call is received by a

direct inward dialing trunk.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a default mailbox for

temporary storage of said message when the direct inward dialing trunk is

unavailable.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means for notifying the

specific recipient of said message.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said notifying means includes one or

more from the group consisting of e-mail, network messaging, and paging.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said user browser program is adapted

to allow said message to be viewed, printed, scheduled for transmission, re-directed,

or forwarded.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a private branch exchange

in electrical connection with said apparatus.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting an

outgoing facsimile to the PSTN or through the Internet.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a device for converting said outgoing facsimile from a first file format to a

predetermined second file format; and

one or more storage areas for storing said outgoing facsimile.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said storage areas are adapted to

store said outgoing facsimile in said predetermined second file format.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising a recordation program for

recording information derived from the receipt or transmission of each facsimile.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a tracking program,

wherein the derived information enables said tracking program to track each

facsimile.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a billing and expense

tracking program adapted to utilize the derived information.

18. A facsimile server system comprising:

an apparatus for receiving a first digital image of a first document;

one or more storage areas for storing said first digital image;

a transmitter for transmitting said first digital image to a first external

network;

one or more information reception modules for receiving a request to view

said first digital image;

means for retrieving said first digital image from said storage areas; and

means for providing a least a portion of said first digital image for viewing.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said apparatus for receiving said first

digital image is adapted to receive a second digital image which is storable in said

storage areas, and wherein said transmitter is adapted to transmit said second digital

image to a second external network.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said first external network comprises

a PSTN.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said transmitter is adapted to

transmit said first digital image through a private branch exchange.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said transmitter transmits said first

digital image according to a first predefined protocol.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein said second external network

comprises the Internet.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said transmitter is adapted to

transmit said second digital image through a local area network.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said transmitter transmits said second

digital image according to a second predefined protocol.

26. The system of claim 19, further comprising means for receiving a

request to view said second digital image, means for retrieving said second digital

image from said storage areas, and means for providing at least a portion of said

second digital image to a specific recipient.

27. The system of claim 19, further comprising means for receiving

instructions from a sender of said second digital image to transmit said second

digital image to a specific recipient over said second external network.

28. The system of claim 18, further comprising a device for converting

said digital image from a first file format to a predetermined second file format,

wherein said storage areas are adapted to store said first digital image within said

storage area in said second file format.

29. A method for storing and delivering facsimile messages, said method

comprising the steps of:

receiving from an external network an incoming call carrying a message;

identifying a specific recipient to receive said message;

storing said message in a storage area, said storage area being coupled to a

plurality of recipient stations via a local area network;

receiving a request from said specific recipient to view said message;

retrieving said message from said storage area; and

providing a least a portion of said message to said specific recipient.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising notifying said specific

recipient of receipt of said message .

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said providing act includes

transmitting said message to said specified recipient over said local area network.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein said providing act includes

transmitting said message to said specified recipient over the Internet.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising converting said message

from a first file format to a second predetermined file format and storing said

message in said storage area in said second predeteπnined file format.

34. A facsimile system for processing facsimile information, the facsimile

system comprising:

a fax server comprising:

a processor;

a storage module storing received calls;

a receiver module receiving calls containing facsimile information; and

a storage module storing received calls;

a transmitter module transmitting the received calls to respective designated

recipient modules based on predetermined user preference data, wherein the designated

recipient modules are in communication with the facsimile system through a local area

network (LAN), public switched telephone networks (PSTN), and the Internet.

35. The facsimile system as recited in claim 34, wherein the received calls

contain user identification information, and wherein the received calls are transmitted

by said transmitter module to respective designated recipient modules based on the user

preference data corresponding to user identification information in the received calls.

36. The facsimile system as recited in claim 35, wherein the received calls

are inbound calls received from external sources over the PSTN.

37. The facsimile system as recited in claim 35, wherein the received calls

are outbound calls received from internal personal computers and internal facsimile

machines in communication with said fax server.

38. The facsimile system as recited in claim 34, wherein the designated

recipient modules include local facsimile machines in communication with said fax

server through a private branch exchange (PBX), local personal computers in

communication with said fax server through the LAN, remote personal computers in

communication with said fax server through the Internet, and remote facsimile

machines in communication with said fax server through the PSTN.

39. The facsimile system as recited in claim 34, wherein a remote

communication device accesses said fax server to review the facsimile information of at

least one received call.

40. The facsimile system as recited in claim 39, wherein the remote

communication device is a personal digital assistant in communication with said fax

server through the Internet.