Fax-to-email and email-to-fax communication system and method

Communication system and method for fax to email and email to fax

<p>2. . . Stand-alone fax machine</p><p>4. . . Computer workstation</p><p>5. . . Fax/email communication system</p><p>8. . . Network Operations Center (NOC)</p><p>10. . . Point of convergence (POPS)</p><p>20. . . Fax modem group</p><p>twenty two. . . Fax server</p><p>twenty four. . . Advertising and Statistics (ad/stat) server</p><p>26. . . Email server</p><p>28. . . Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit</p><p>30. . . Ethernet switch</p><p>32. . . IP router</p><p>34. . . T1 Channel Service Unit (CSU)</p><p>39. . . Mail transfer</p><p>60. . . Fax collector</p><p>61. . . Character box</p><p>63. . . Timing mark</p><p>64. . . Fax to email channel</p><p>66. . . E-mail to fax channel</p><p>68. . . Export fax collector</p><p>70, 71. . . Software architecture</p><p>72. . . Confirmation and command editor</p><p>74. . . Title page editor</p><p>76. . . Page Descriptive Performance Engine</p><p>82. . . Internet access router and firewall component (IP router)</p><p>84. . . T1 Channel Service Unit (CSU)</p><p>86. . . Ethernet switch</p><p>88. . . Web server</p><p>90. . . Private branch exchange (PBX)</p><p>92. . . Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit</p><p>94. . . Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) server</p><p>96. . . NOC Statistics Server</p><p>98. . . NOC Advertising Statistics Server</p><p>100. . . NOC workstation</p><p>102. . . Management/Development Workstation</p>

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the hardware structure of the interface (POP) of a fax/email interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A shows a procedure for obtaining an address page according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a procedure for sending an e-mail from a facsimile machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user interacts with the system of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows an example of the address page received by the POP in Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a block diagram of the POP software architecture of Figure 2.

Figure 6 shows an example of the fax-to-email confirmation page received by the POP in Figure 2.

Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a network operation center (NOC).

FIG. 8A shows a procedure for sending a fax from an e-mail to a user interacting with the system of the present invention according to a preferred example of the present invention.

The procedure shown in FIG. 8B is a reply procedure, in which a fax page is returned to reply that the fax has been received, and the fax is sent according to the procedure of FIG. 8A.

Copyright notice

The part disclosed in this patent document contains content protected by copyright. The copyright owner will not conflict with the form of xerographic reproduction in the patent files or records of the Patent and Trademark Office in this patent document or in this patent disclosure, but retains All copyrights.

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a facsimile (fax)/email (email) communication system. In particular, the present invention can transmit and/or receive e-mails, webpage downloads and faxes from any stand-alone fax machine, among other events. The web page is a file written in hypertext markup language (HTML) and stored on a web server. When the web browser wants to display, the image will also be used in that part of the web page.

The fax image can be transmitted through the Internet by converting the fax signal in the fax format into an e-mail format (such as RFC-822). Once the conversion is completed, the e-mail can be sent to the intended destination via the Internet according to the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) or similar protocol. The Internet is a global network based on the TCP/IP (TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet Protocol) network. Currently, there are various user-type services that allow users to send fax images through the Internet.

According to one of the services, provided by companies such as eFax, Jfax, CallWave, and Telebot, each user is configured with a unique phone number. Any documents faxed to this number will be converted into email format and sent to the user's email directory (inbox). One disadvantage of this type of service is that users need to have a specific phone number associated with their email address. The second disadvantage is that the user must assign his personal fax phone number to anyone who may fax to the user. Finally, from the point of view of the service provider, this type of service is quite expensive because the cost of purchasing and operating a large number of individual and dedicated phone numbers is very high.

Another service is provided by UUNET, and the user must be attached to the hardware between the user's fax machine and the service network. The purpose of this type of service is to reduce the cost of long-distance faxes for most users. The UUNET system converts the fax into an email-like format, and then sends the email to the nearest UUFAX server via the UUNET network. The UUFAX server will convert the e-mail back to fax format and use a regional telephone to transmit the fax to the destination fax machine. One disadvantage of this type of service is that access to the service requires time, hardware additions and costs.

Summary of the invention

In general, the present invention includes a facsimile/email communication system and method, allowing users to send e-mails from any stand-alone facsimile machine and allowing users to also access from centralized network servers connected to the Internet or It is faxed from the terminal machine (client maChine) to any stand-alone fax machine.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for sending mail from a facsimile machine. Specific examples of the system include: a fax server for receiving a fax in a fax image format, the fax having an e-mail address; a character recoghizer communicating with the fax server for capturing E-mail address; a first format converter is used to receive the fax and convert the fax into an e-mail format e-mail; an e-mail server is used to receive the e-mail and the retrieved e-mail address and the The email is sent to the end position confirmed by the email address; and an advertisement server is used to generate a confirmation page on which there is an advertisement.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for transmitting e-mail from a facsimile machine. A specific example of the method includes the steps: receiving a fax in a fax image format from a starting position, the fax having an email address; retrieving an email address from the fax; converting the fax image format into an email Format email; and generate a confirmation page with advertisements.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a system is provided as a communication between a facsimile machine and e-mail. Specific examples of the system include: a network operation center; and multiple points of presence communicating with the network operation center, each point has a fax server for receiving faxes from a starting position Image format fax, the fax has an email address; a character identifier communicating with the fax server is used to retrieve the email address; a first format converter is used to receive the fax and convert the fax into Email in email format; an email server for receiving emails and the retrieved email address and sending the email to the destination confirmed by the email address; and for an advertising server In order to generate a confirmation page, there is an advertisement on the confirmation page.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a system is provided as a communication between a facsimile machine and e-mail. Specific examples of the system include: a network operation center with a network server that allows users to log in and edit emails on the Internet, and the network server is used to capture the fax number contained in the email; And a plurality of decentralized connection points communicating with the network operation center, each of which has an email server for receiving emails in email format; a first format converter for communicating with the email server Convert it into a fax with a fax image format; an advertising server with a return facsimile page composer is used to generate a return facsimile page containing advertisements; a second format converter is used to receive and Convert the fax and the returned fax page into a facsimile encoded bitmap image; and a fax spooler is used to receive the facsimile encoded bitmap image and send it to the The destination confirmed by the fax number.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for transmitting e-mail from a facsimile machine. The specific example of the method includes the steps: log in the network server in the network operation center; edit the email with the fax number; capture the fax number; convert the email into a fax; There is an advertisement on the return fax page; and the fax and the return fax page are sent to the destination confirmed by the fax number.

Refer to the rest of the specification and the accompanying drawings to better understand the essence and advantages of the present invention.

Schematic description

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the hardware structure of the interface (POP) of a fax/email interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A shows a procedure for obtaining an address page according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a procedure for sending an e-mail from a facsimile machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user interacts with the system of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows an example of the address page received by the POP in Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a block diagram of the POP software architecture of Figure 2.

Figure 6 shows an example of the fax-to-email confirmation page received by the POP in Figure 2.

Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a network operation center (NOC).

FIG. 8A shows a procedure for sending a fax from an e-mail to a user interacting with the system of the present invention according to a preferred example of the present invention.

The procedure shown in FIG. 8B is a reply procedure, in which a fax page is returned to reply that the fax has been received, and the fax is sent according to the procedure of FIG. 8A.

Specific instance description

FIG. 1 shows a high-level block diagram of a fax/email communication system 5 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. System 5 includes a Network Operations Center (NOC) 8, which will selectively connect with the Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) and the Internet, and multiple connection points (POPs) 10 will connect to the Internet through POTS Optionally connect with NOC8. The "Internet" here refers to the network based on the TCP/IP protocol and all the devices that can be accessed here (for example, a local network with an e-mail system and connected to the Internet (localarea network)). (TCP/IP stands for "Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol" is a language that guides communication between all computers on the Internet).

As will be explained in detail below, the system 5 allows users to send e-mails from any stand-alone fax machine 2 and receive faxes from a fax machine or an email sender during various tasks without distribution. Give the fax machine or e-mail transmitter a unique preset fax machine number. Here, it should be emphasized that the fax machine 2, as shown in Figure 1, is only an example. In other words, the facsimile machine used in the content of the present invention can also include any communication device compatible with the facsimile protocol. Similarly, the computer workstation 4, as shown in Fig. 1, is only an example. In other words, any device capable of sending emails can be used instead of the computer workstation 4.

POPs 10 are scattered in vast geographic locations, for example, in the United States or the world. Figure 2 shows a specific example of a POP 10. POP 10 includes multiple fax modem banks 20; multiple fax servers 22; an advertising and statistics (ad/stat) server 24; an email server 26; and an interactive voice response (interactive voice response (IVR) unit 28; an Ethernet switch 30; an IP router (router) 32; and a T-1 channel service unit (CSU) 34. It should be emphasized that the POP10 example shown in Figure 2 is only an example. For example, other structures within the spirit and scope of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the use of high-capacity Internet access dedicated lines (such as T-3), and the use of multiple switching email servers. The background of Figures 1 and 2 will be explained in more detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, it shows how the user obtains the "address page" from the fax server 22 according to an example of the present invention. Step 40, the user will dial (dia1) a specific free (tpll-free) 2 such as 1-800) fax-back number from any fax machine or phone. This fax number is from a telephone network through the POTS to POP 10, based on the user's geographic location. As shown in Figure 2, the fax modem group 20 of the POP 10 will receive faxes on, for example, the B-1 dedicated line, which includes a 24-wire telephone bundle. Then, in step 42, POP 10 will return a blank e-mail "address page" and instructions on how to send e-mail from the user's fax machine to the user.

The e-mail address page is similar to a normal fax cover sheet, but contains several lines of blank character boxes and the local telephone number that the user can use, so the user can send a fax and No need to pay. The area telephone number is generated from a table driven translation process to automatic number identification, and can be detected from outbound 1-800 numbers. In each instance of POP10 in another system 5, a single toll-free number can be used for access. Figure 4 is an example of an email address page. In an example of the character box 61, there will be a "Tickmark" 63 on the edge of each character box 61. The tick mark 63 will prompt the user to enter the character in the character box 61 but away from the edge of the character box. The input of characters far from the edge of the character box is an advantage, because in the later procedure, when the character recognition is performed, the character can be recognized more accurately.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, there is shown how the user interacts with the system 5 of the present invention to send e-mails from the fax machine 2 according to a preferred example of the present invention. Step 44, the user will fill in the final email address he wants to be delivered in the letterboxes by ordinary handwriting, for example, "john_doe@generic.com". In addition, the email address can be printed out in a machine readable format. In another example, the email address page includes an "advanced features page" which can be downloaded from the user's fax so that the user can generate a group distribution list.

Step 46, the user sends the fax to the selected area number of POP10, which is the place received by the fax modem group 20 on the fax server 22. The fax modem group 20 includes an incoming fax spooler 60, which converts the fax into an image file format. For example, the image file can be a standard G3TIFF format, and then temporarily stores the image fax in a region In the collection area of the local disk drive (not shown in the picture). Then the image email address page is sent to one of the fax servers 22 of POP10 for further processing.

In addition to the fax collector 60, as shown in FIG. 5, the software architecture 70 of each fax server 22 includes a front page character recognition module 62, and a fax to email channel (fax-to- email gateway) 64, an email-to-fax channel (email-to ^－ fax gateway) 66 and an outgoing fax spooler 68.

In step 48, the front page character recognition module 62 retrieves the address of the image email from the image email address page. Preferably, the front page character recognition module 62 is performed by optical character recognition (OCR).

Step 50, the fax to email channel 64 will compress the electronic file of the fax into a MIME compatible email message. "MIME" stands for Multipurpose Internet Email Extension ( <img file="TW511367B_D0001.tif" /> ultipurpose <img file="TW511367B_D0002.tif" /> nternet <img file="TW511367B_D0003.tif" /> ail <img file="TW511367B_D0004.tif" /> xtensions) and refers to a formal Internet standard used to regulate the format of the e-mail message so that it can be exchanged in different e-mail systems. Then, the electronic image of the fax is sent to the email server 26 as an attachment of the email.

When the email server 26 receives the fax image, the email server 26 sends the transmission status of the email to the advertising and statistics server (ad/stat server) 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the software architecture 71 of the ad/stat server 24 includes a confirmation and instruction page composer 72, a title page composer 74, and a page descriptive expression. Engine (PostScript rendering engine)76. The confirmation and instruction page editor 72 receives the delivery status of the e-mail from the e-mail server 26 and generates a delivery or non-delivery notification and user instruction page in a page description style.

In step 52, the confirmation and instruction page editor 72 will generate a confirmation and instruction page, and in step 54, it will receive the advertisement from the ad/stat server 24 and incorporate the advertisement into the confirmation and instruction page. In addition, in step 56, the confirmation and instruction page editor 72 will receive the advertisement from the ad/stat server 24, and the advertisement will be incorporated into the email in the format of, for example, a banner. Even better, the advertisements incorporated into the confirmation and instruction pages target the users geographic location. The system 5 will determine the users geographic location from the prefix and area code of the users fax number, and the advertisement will be based on the demographic data characteristics of the users surrounding environment, such as average Income class, to set the target. In another example, the email address confirmation page includes an electronic business activity, wherein the user configures a "check box" in the confirmation and instruction page, and the user can use special advertising fees (advertising offer) to check the more interesting part of the instruction. Figure 6 shows a specific example of the system confirmation and instruction page.

In another example, at the beginning of the program, the user is provided with a toll-based (for example, 1-900) number, that is, instead of step 10 in FIG. 3A, the user can use the above-mentioned free Choose between a free advertising subsidized service or a pay-per-use service that does not incorporate advertisements in the confirmation and instruction pages.

After editing the confirmation and instruction page, the page description engine 76 will convert its rasterized into a fax-encoded bitmap image and send it to the fax server 22, where the export fax collector 68 will The bar-shaped confirmation and instruction pages are stored in the regional disc drive for subsequent transmission. Because the bitmap image representation is a computationally intensive process, in another example, custom load-sharing software is used among several fax servers 22 to distribute the strip process. Step 58, the e-mail (along with the advertisement) will use, for example, the SMTP protocol to send to the desired recipient via the Internet, and the attachment will be in a standard format, such as a GIF file, which is available on most platforms Watch, come and send.

Finally, in step 59, the confirmation and instruction page will be transmitted to the user via POTS, and the advertisement will be incorporated in the confirmation and instruction page, as described above.

Here, it should be emphasized that the software modules of the software architecture shown in Figure 5 are scattered on multiple servers. Those familiar with this technique will understand that all software modules can be resided in a single The server or it resides in a server different from the example in FIG. 5.

In another example, the user can interact with the system of the present invention to send a fax from any stand-alone fax machine to any other stand-alone fax machine. To achieve this goal, the user will obtain a "fax number page", for example, similar to the "email address page" obtained in steps 40 and 42 above. Then the user will enter the fax number of the desired fax recipient, for example, in a handwritten format or a machine-renewable print format, and then send the fax to the selected one in the above steps 44 and 46 In the area code of POP10 (or, in addition, enter a pay-per-use number, also as described above). When the selected POP 10 receives a fax, the fax to email channel 64 will retrieve the fax number and convert the fax's electronic image format into a MIME compatible email message, similar to the above steps 48 and 50. Then, the email server 26 sends the MIME image to the email-to-fax channel 66, which resides in a different POP10, and the email-to-fax channel 66 converts the MIME image into a text format (such as a page description) files. Then, the page description expression engine 96 converts the text format file into a fax-encoded bitmap image. Finally, the export fax collector 68 will receive the fax coded bitmap image and send it to the desired fax recipient.

In another example of the present invention, the webpage can be downloaded by fax. In this example, the user is configured with the above-mentioned "address page". The address page provides a letter box for entering the desired URL (for example, in a handwritten format or a machine-readable print format) and a certain indicator (indicator), which the user can use The number of pages requested by the user in the URL that the user wants to download. One of the prompt words on the address page, for example, can be a series of bubbles in a preset position on the address page.

Referring now to FIG. 7, shown is a network operation center (NOC) 8 according to an example of the present invention. N0C8 functions as the system headquarters and is used to communicate with all POPs 10, as shown in the description in Figure 1. NOC8 includes an Internet access router and firewall component (Internet acceSS router and fireWall comppoent) (IP router) 82, through, for example, T1 channel service unit (CSU) 84 connected to the Internet and Ethernet switch Between servers 86 (for example, the transmission rate is 100MbpS); a network server 88 is connected to the IP router 82; a private branch exchange (PBX) 90, through, for example, the B-1 dedicated line and The telephone network is connected; an interactive voice response (IVR) unit 92 is connected to the PBX 90 and a computer-telephony integrated (CTI) is connected between the IVR unit 92 and the Ethernet switch 86 ) Server 94. The NOC statistics server 96; the NOC advertisement statistics server 98; the NOC workstation 100; and the NOC management/development workstation 102 are also connected to the Ethernet switch 86.

The NOC advertisement statistics server 98 stores statistics related to the advertisements of the advertisers and provides them for use by the advertisers, for example, the number of advertisement transmissions, the number of positive responses from the advertisement viewers, and so on.

The function of the NOC management/development workstation is similar to the helpdesk for users who log in to the web server 88 and can also allow the system provider to develop, for example, to improve the functions of the website provided by the web server 88.

The IVR unit 92 allows the user to dial into the NOC through the PBX 90 using the same 1-800 toll-free access number used in the initial stage of the fax-to-email procedure described above. The IVR 92 provides a user voice prompt (voice prompt), and the user can respond using the phone keypad. The prompt is about, for example, using commands or allowing users to download information from the Internet, such as stock quotes, weather forecasts, travel information, etc.

In another example of the present invention, the user can log in to the network server 88 from, for example, the computer workstation 4 (see FIG. 1), and then send a fax from an e-mail to any stand-alone fax machine. Figure 8A shows an example program to achieve this goal.

In step 110, after the user logs in to the web server 88 (see FIG. 7), the user sends an email to the web server 88. Next, in step 112, the web server 88 will capture and store the user's email address and the fax number that the user wants to send the fax to. This information will be forwarded to the email server 26 of the nearest POP 10 associated with the fax number on the Internet. As shown in FIG. 5 as described above, each email server 26 includes a mail transfer agent 39 for receiving NOC 8 emails. Then, the email-to-fax channel 66 converts the email message into page descriptive text.

In step 114, the title page editor 74 will generate a return fax page, and in step 116 will receive the advertisement from the ad/stat server 24 and incorporate the advertisement into the return fax page. Even better, the advertisement is targeted at the location of the fax recipient. The system 5 compares the area code and the prefix code stored in the ad/stat server 24 to make a judgment from the prefix code and the area code of the recipient's fax number. Once the surrounding environment is identified, the target of the advertisement is set based on the demographic characteristics of the recipient's surrounding environment, such as the average income class. In another example, the return fax page includes an electronic business activity, wherein the fax recipient configures a "check box" in the return fax page, and the recipient can use special advertising fees to check instructions. Interested part.

After editing the returned fax page, the descriptive presentation engine 76 will convert the bar into a fax-encoded bitmap image and send it to the fax modem group 20 of the POP 10, where the fax collector 68 is exported. The striped fax and return fax pages will be stored in the regional disc drive for subsequent transmission.

In step 118, the fax and the return fax page will be sent to the fax recipient in the POTS.

Referring now to FIG. 8B, step 120, when the fax and the return fax page are received, the fax recipient will use the return fax page to reply to the fax and send the reply fax in step 122.

In step 124, the title page editor 74 of the ad/stat server 24 will generate a confirmation page incorporating the second advertisement, and then, in step 126, it will send it back to the user of the return fax page. Steps 124 and 126 follow steps 54 to 59 as described in the fax to e-mail procedure in FIG. 3B.

In the advertising sponsorship of the system and method of the present invention, users can send faxes from any stand-alone fax machine to any other stand-alone fax machine free of charge, thereby saving long-distance telephone charges. Generally speaking, long-distance fax transmission Department must pay. To achieve this, users can simply dial toll-free (1-800) access numbers, as described above, to obtain a dial-to-POP 10 area number. Then, the regional POP 10 will respond to the user by replying to the address page fax. Then, after steps 110 to 118 as described in FIG. 8A, steps 44 to 48 are executed, which are related to the steps described in FIG. 3B. The only difference from the above procedure is that a letter box of the fax address is provided on the address page and the OCR function is provided to retrieve the fax address.

In another example of the present invention, the NOC 8 includes a regional database (not shown in FIG. 7) for storing frequently-occurring user email address books. The user can log in to the web server 88 and upload the address book and the anonymous or real name associated with each email address (for example, "John Doe" of john-doe@generic.com). By doing this, the user can simply fill in the desired recipients anonymous or real name in the letter box of the address page (as shown in Figure 3B), and then send emails from any stand-alone fax machine. .

Finally, in another example of the present invention, the advertiser is configured with a "dynamic print advertising" so that the advertiser can log in to NOC8's web server 88, open an account, generate advertisements and Customize it based on specific demographic information.

In summary, the method and device of the present invention allow users to send e-mails from any stand-alone fax machine in different things; so that users do not need to obtain and assign a unique preset fax number in advance. Another arbitrary stand-alone fax machine receives faxes; and can log in to the network server provided by a centralized operation center to fax from e-mails.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to the preferred method and structure, those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and changes to the disclosed examples without departing from the present invention. Therefore, these modifications and changes are within the spirit and scope of the present invention defined in the scope of the attached patent application.

Symbol description of main components

2. . . Stand-alone fax machine

4. . . Computer workstation

5. . . Fax/email communication system

8. . . Network Operations Center (NOC)

10. . . Point of convergence (POPS)

20. . . Fax modem group

twenty two. . . Fax server

twenty four. . . Advertising and Statistics (ad/stat) server

26. . . Email server

28. . . Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit

30. . . Ethernet switch

32. . . IP router

34. . . T1 Channel Service Unit (CSU)

39. . . Mail transfer

60. . . Fax collector

61. . . Character box

63. . . Timing mark

64. . . Fax to email channel

66. . . E-mail to fax channel

68. . . Export fax collector

70, 71. . . Software architecture

72. . . Confirmation and command editor

74. . . Title page editor

76. . . Page Descriptive Performance Engine

82. . . Internet access router and firewall component (IP router)

84. . . T1 Channel Service Unit (CSU)

86. . . Ethernet switch

88. . . Web server

90. . . Private branch exchange (PBX)

92. . . Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit

94. . . Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) server

96. . . NOC Statistics Server

98. . . NOC Advertising Statistics Server

100. . . NOC workstation

102. . . Management/Development Workstation