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Claims  |
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We claim:
1. A message management system suitable for use with conventional
telephones and conventional facsimile machines comprising:
means for storing combined multi-media messages, each including a facsimile
portion and a related aurally sensible portion;
means for interfacing said storing means with a telephone network to which
a facsimile machine and an associated telephone set are connected;
means for accepting combined multi-media messages received over said
telephone network by said interfacing means for storage by said storing
means, for a selected subscriber;
single control means, connected to said storing means and said interfacing
means, for accepting commands from said telephone set to retrieve a
selected one of said messages stored in said storing means for said
selected subscriber and transmitting the combined multi-media message
during the same call that said commands were received; and
means for reading said facsimile portion to convert facsimile data to text
data.
2. A message management system suitable for use with conventional
telephones and conventional facsimile machines comprising:
means for storing combined multi-media messages, each including a facsimile
portion and a related aurally sensible portion;
means for interfacing said storing means with a telephone network to which
a facsimile machine and an associated telephone set are connected;
means for accepting combined multi-media messages received over said
telephone network by said interfacing means for storage by said storing
means, for a selected subscriber;
single control means, connected to said storing means and said interfacing
means, for accepting commands from said telephone set to retrieve a
selected one of said messages stored in said storing means for said
selected subscriber and transmitting the combined multi-media message
during the same call that said commands were received; and
means for forwarding messages stored in said storing means to a location
designated in a previously received command.
3. A message management system according to claim 1 or 2 and also
comprising means for providing notification over said telephone network to
the selected subscriber of the arrival of a multi-media message.
4. A message management system according to claim 1 and wherein said
conventional telephones and conventional facsimile machines are located in
close proximity to each other.
5. A message management system according to claim 1 or 2 and wherein said
control means includes means for receiving tones from a DTMF keypad.
6. A message management system according to claim 2 and wherein said
forwarding means comprises:
interconnect subsystem means arranged to interconnect with telephone
switching apparatus and image transmission apparatus,
a control subsystem for providing control instructions to the interconnect
subsystem means, including means for transmitting instructions for
transmitting and receiving image transmissions and voice messages and
means for transmitting instructions for providing voice messages relating
to such image transmissions; and
mass storage subsystem means coupled to the control subsystem for storing
voice and images to be forwarded.
7. A message management system according to claim 6 and wherein said mass
storage subsystem means is operative for storing voice messages, images,
and messages combining voice and images to be forwarded.
8. A message management system according to claim 6 and wherein said
interconnect subsystem means comprises facsimile subsystems and line
subsystems.
9. A message management system according to claim 1 and also comprising
means for storing facsimile records in digital form without an
intermediate conversion to audio.
10. A message management system suitable for use with conventional
telephones and conventional facsimile machines comprising:
means for storing combined multi-media messages, each including a facsimile
portion and a related aurally sensible portion;
means for interfacing said storing means with a telephone network to which
a facsimile machine and an associated telephone set are connected;
means for accepting combined multi-media messages received over said
telephone network by said interfacing means for storage by said storing
means, for a selected subscriber;
single control means, connected to said storing means and said interfacing
means, for accepting commands from said telephone set to retrieve a
selected one of said messages stored in said storing means for said
selected subscriber and transmitting the combined multi-media message
during the same call that said commands were received; and
means for permitting a subscriber receiving said message to reply or
annotate said message in a medium other than that in which the message was
received.
11. A message management system according to claim 10 and wherein said
permitting means includes means for providing voice reply or annotation of
a received message.
12. A message management system comprising:
means for storing messages having at least visually sensible portions in
any of a plurality of mailboxes; and
means for connecting said storing means with a direct inward dial (DID)
line so that said messages may be transmitted to or received from a
selected mailbox identified by a DID number sent over said DID line
without the need for command signals generated from a DTMF telephone set
to identify the selected mailbox.
13. A message management system comprising:
means for storing facsimile messages;
means for interfacing said storing means with a telephone network to which
a facsimile machine and an associated DTMF telephone set are connected;
and
means, connected to said interfacing means and said storing means, for
accepting at least one DTMF command from said telephone set to retrieve
all of said messages for a particular subscriber stored in said storing
means and causing said storing means to output all of said selected
messages in sequence through said interfacing means for receipt by said
facsimile machine without any further commands and during the same call in
which said DTMF commands were transmitted.
14. A message management system comprising:
means for storing messages having a facsimile portion and an aurally
sensible portion;
means for interfacing said storing means with a telephone network to which
a facsimile machine and an associated DTMF telephone set are connected;
and
means, connected to said interfacing means and said storing means, for
accepting at least one DTMF command from said telephone set to retrieve
all of said messages for a particular subscriber stored in said storing
means and causing said storing means to output said facsimile portions and
said aurally sensible portions of all of said selected messages in
sequence through said interfacing means for receipt by said facsimile
machine and said telephone set, respectively, without any further commands
and during the same call in which said DTMF commands were transmitted.
15. A message management system as in claim 13 or 14, further comprising
means for guiding a user in interacting with said system by voice prompts.
16. A message management network comprising:
first and second message management systems, said first message management
system comprising:
first means for storing facsimile messages,
first means for interfacing said first storing means with a telephone
network to which a facsimile machine and a telephone set are connected,
first means for receiving a facsimile message from a facsimile machine,
first means, connected to said first interfacing means and said first
storing means, for accepting commands from said telephone set to identify
a destination to which said message should be sent, and
control means for determining whether said message is to be transferred to
said second message management system;
means for digitally connecting said first and second message management
systems to allow said message as determined by said control means to be
transferred to said second message management system to be transferred
between said first and second message management systems; and
said second message management system comprising:
second means for storing facsimile messages transferred through said
connecting means,
second means for interfacing said second storing means with a telephone
network to which a facsimile machine and a telephone set are connected,
and
second means, connected to said second interfacing means and said second
storing means, for accepting commands from said telephone set to retrieve
said message stored in said second storing means and causing said second
storing means to output said message through said second interfacing means
for receipt by said facsimile machine.
17. A message management network comprising:
first and second message management systems, said first message management
system comprising:
first means for storing messages having a facsimile portion and an aurally
sensible portion,
first means for interfacing said first storing means with a telephone
network to which a facsimile machine and a telephone set are connected,
first means for receiving a message having a facsimile portion and an
aurally sensible portion,
first means, connected to said first interfacing means and said first
storing means, for accepting commands from said telephone set to identify
a destination to which said message should be sent, and
control means for determining whether said message is to be transferred to
said second message management system;
means for digitally connecting said first and second message management
systems to allow said message as determined by said control means to be
transferred to said second message management system to be transferred
between said first and second message management systems; and
said second message management system comprising:
second means for storing messages having a facsimile portion and an aurally
sensible portion transferred through said connecting means,
second means for interfacing said second storing means with a telephone
network to which a facsimile machine and a telephone set are connected,
and
second means, connected to said second interfacing means and said second
storing means, for accepting commands from said telephone set to retrieve
said message stored in said second storing means and causing said second
storing means to output said facsimile portion and said aurally sensible
portion of said message through said second interfacing means for receipt
by said facsimile machine and said telephone set, respectively.
18. A message management network as in claim 16 or 17 wherein said
connecting means includes a local area network.
19. A message management network as in claim 16 or 17 wherein said
connecting means includes an X0.25 network.
20. A message management system comprising:
means for storing facsimile messages;
means for interfacing said storing means with a telephone network to which
a facsimile machine and a telephone set are connected; and
means, connected to said interfacing means and said storing means, for
allowing a first subscriber, receiving a message stored in said storing
means to transfer said message to a second subscriber and for allowing
said first subscriber to attach a voice message to said message being
transferred.
21. A message management system comprising:
means for storing messages having a facsimile portion and an aurally
sensible portion;
means for interfacing said storing means with a telephone network to which
a facsimile machine and an associated telephone set are connected; and
means, connected to said interfacing means and said storing means, for
allowing a first subscriber, receiving a message stored in said storing
means to transfer said message to a second subscriber and for allowing
said first subscriber to attach a voice message to said message being
transferred. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to message management systems generally.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of store and forward systems are known. One such system,
which provides voice, facsimile (fax), data and cryptographic store and
forward capability, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,752. Other voice
store and forward systems are available from major computer manufacturers,
such as Wang and IBM.
Store and forward systems having a facsimile capability are described in
the following patent references:
Japanese Kokai 57-119541 provides a retrieval system for communication for
the purpose of shortening the retrieval time of a facsimile communication
system by reducing transmission and reception signals between the
switchboards of an originating side and a terminating side, by setting the
display of the completion of communication message distribution by
retrieving state call information during communication by using a
time-series number as key information. Communication call information is
controlled by a time-series number, and the number is sent from a
terminating switchboard to an originating switchboard via common-line
signal equipment when a communication message is distributed to a
terminating facsimile terminal. The original switchboard retrieves a
communication information table by the time-series number as key
information to read corresponding communication state information, and
sets the display of the completion of communication message distribution,
thus controlling a communication-call completion state.
Japanese Kokai 57-38055 provides a memory control circuit for storage
exchange facsimile for the purpose of operating a plurality of input and
output ports with different period and data transmission speeds at the
same time, by providing each input/output port storage means and priority
designation gate means and enabling use of memories with priority to ports
faster in the data transmission speed. When video information is inputted
to a memory section, the video information is inputted from a scanner via
a coder. A compressed code data received through a communication control
section from an external line is inputted to the memory section with the
identification number for every original unit. The video data inputted is
stored on a plurality of pages and each page is linked in the order of the
originals. The identification number of each original is managed with an
input/output control section and a system control section provided inside
the memory section. If the output of the original is requested, the system
control section and the video data are sequentially read out from the
memory and transmitted to the output device.
Japanese Kokai 57-78325 provides a transmitting system of facsimile picture
information, for the purpose of reducing the transmission time of picture
information from a transmitter side terminal to a storing switchboard, by
adding the specific time fill code to the storing switchboard in
accordance with the picture information to be transferred. The picture
information stored in a data register is transferred to a transmission
shift register to be converted into series-type signals and transmitted
bit by bit to a communication circuit from the register via a multiplexer.
A main control device calculates the number of bits equivalent to a line
of the transmission picture information based on information regarding the
space of the transmission line of the picture information set to a
parameter register and the data transfer speed of the circuit and then
sets the calculated bit number to a counter. After detecting the line end
signal EOL, the device switches the multiplexer to the side of a time fill
generator if the contents of the counter is larger than zero.
Japanese Kokai 57-192167 provides a facsimile storage exchanger, for the
purpose of efficiently transferring facsimile information to an incoming
terminal with a simple constitution by inserting information to be added
to a facsimile signal after converting the information into coded graphic
information. The conventional device is provided with a graph generating
circuit and a graph insertion circuit. When facsimile information is
transmitted from a facsimile, a storage section stores a facsimile signal.
In this case, a control circuit stores time information given from a clock
section and when the facsimile signal is stored in the storage section, it
is transmitted, via various circuits, and finally coded. The coded data of
the circuit is inserted into a facsimile information graph insertion
circuit and given to a communication control circuit.
Japanese Kokai 58-138148 provides a mail box index output system, for the
purpose of improving the performance and economy in mail box service, by
editing and synthesizing a prescribed part to be an index of each mail in
a mail box and transmitting the picture data to the corresponding
terminal, in a facsimile storage exchange system. First, a mail managing
section reads out a part of an encoded picture data of a head page of each
mail in a desired mail box from a file sequentially and transfers it to an
index forming section. In this section the transferred encoded picture
data is decoded at a decoder as binary data and this is transferred to a
buffer of a full-white recognition circuit via a bus. Thus, when the
encoded picture data relating to the index of all the desired mails are
stored in a memory the data are transferred to a desired facsimile
terminal via the section, a facsimile procedure control section, and a
telephone exchange network for recording and output.
Japanese Kokai 58-138162 provides a facsimile storage converting system,
for the purpose of reducing the load for the facsimile data conversion
control and the file capacity, by encoding and communicating encoded
facsimile data in a form matched to the standards of a facsimile device at
the reception side, after the data is decoded into the original facsimile
data. When only the sub-scanning line density of stored facsimile data is
dissident with the standards of the reception side, the data is matched by
elimination for one line's share at every other line in decoding the data
at a decoding section. Since the amount of facsimile data encoded at an
encoding section is reduced by half of the data transferred from a
facsimile data storage section, the data transferred to a facsimile device
is discontinuous. Then, the encoded data is not transmitted to the device
directly but transferred to the data storage section for storage after the
decoding and storage of data for one original share are finished, the data
is transmitted again to the facsimile device.
Japanese Kokai 58-165452 provides a facsimile exchange system, the purpose
of which is to eliminate the need for the repetition of retransmission
from a transmission terminal, by receiving a telegraphic message
transmitted from a transmission terminal at a facsimile storage exchange
for a reception terminal tentatively even when it is in use, and
transmitting the message automatically when the reception terminal is
free.
Japanese Kokai 59-99846 provides a facsimile communication device for the
the purpose of improving the utilizing efficiency of a 4-wire system
exclusive line by connecting the 4-wire exclusive line to an external
device by switching in response to a control signal. A semi-duplex
communication facsimile terminal is provided with a switching controller
which is connected optionally by switching to an external device by an
output signal of a controller incorporation transmission/receiving
terminal of a 4-wire exclusive. When the undirectional or bidirectional
transmission line is idle, it is used for information transmission between
the devices. As a result, the utilizing efficiency of the lines is
improved.
Japanese Kokai 58-175342 provides a data transmission control system, with
the purpose of eliminating the interruption of the transmission
information due to the congestion of a system and to decrease the
frequency of retransmission, by sending out a time filler when the next
transmission data does not exist after the end position equivalent to a
line of the transmission data is detected. When the picture information is
transmitted to a terminal, a facsimile storage exchange stores the
received picture information once in a storage device and then transmits
the stored picture information to the terminal. An end position EOL of the
picture information equivalent to a line is detected in the transmission
data, whether or not the position shows the end of the data equivalent to
a page. If the EOL does not show the end of the data of a page and no
transmitting request is given for the next transmission data, end mark EOL
of the picture information equivalent to a page is transmitted and then a
time filler is sent out for a maximum of five seconds until the
transmitting request is given to the next transmission data.
Japanese Kokai 59-117845 provides a facsimile storage exchange, for the
purpose of attaining the communication of a facsimile screen at a possible
resolution degree of screen by commanding a compression rate from a
transmission terminal, storing the rate by coding, commanding an expanding
rate from a receiving terminal and decoding the rate. A facsimile signal
inputted from a facsimile terminal passes through a compressor via an
exchange switch, an amount of information is compressed and the signal is
converted into a prescribed code at a coder and stored in a large capacity
file memory. The stored facsimile information is read out from the memory
when it is required to be communicated to a facsimile terminal of output
side, and decoded into the original code at a decoder, the amount of
information is expanded through an expander and the signal is outputted to
a facsimile terminal via an exchange.
Japanese Kokai 57-119537 provides a facsimile communication system, for the
purpose of achieving economization without spoiling the advantage of a
store and forward switching type facsimile communication system, by
immediately transferring data without storing it when the free state of an
incoming terminal is discriminated. Picture information from an
originating terminal is stored in a storing and converting device only
when the central processor of a switchboard judges that the standard of
the originating terminal and the standard of a terminating terminal
extracted from a subscriber file are different from each other, or when
the terminating terminal is busy. When the standards are coincidental and
the terminating terminal is free, a picture signal is transferred
immediately through an instantaneous circuit and never stored.
Japanese Kokai 57-119537 provides a facsimile communication system of store
and forward exchanging type comprising: terminals each having an automatic
reception function; exchange including a subscribers file for storing
standards of said terminals; and a storage and conversion device for
transmitting and receiving picture signals to and from said terminal, said
exchange comprising: a first means for collating the standard of a
transmitting terminal and the standard of a receiving terminal which are
extracted from said subscribers file; and a second means for judging
whether or not said receiving terminal is busy, wherein the picture
signals transmitted out of said transmitting terminal are at once
transferred to said receiving terminal without storing said picture
signals into said storage and conversion device when said first means
determines that the standards of said transmitting and receiving terminals
are identical with each other and when said second means judges that said
receiving terminal is not busy. The facsimile communication system is
characterized in that said picture signals transmitted out of said
transmitting terminal are stored in said storage and conversion device
when said second means judges that said receiving terminal is busy, and
the stored picture signals are transferred to said receiving terminal when
said receiving terminal becomes not busy.
The facsimile store and forward systems described above, with the exception
of the Matthews et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,752, do not have a voice store
and forward capability or the ability to be controlled by the regular
touch-tone (DTMF) keypad of a standard telephone in order to transfer,
send, receive, checkout messages waiting, reply, or listen to help
instructions. They also do not have the ability to annotate facsimile
messages with voice or annotate voice messages with facsimile.
None of the prior art described above includes the feature of providing a
voice notification of receipt of a facsimile message.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a highly efficient and economical
message management system, which incorporates, as a portion thereof,
integrated voice and image store and forward apparatus.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention a message management system for receiving and storing
combined multi-media messages in which a single control means accepts
commands from a telephone set to retrieve a selected one of the messages
stored in a storing means and transmits the combined multi-media message
to a selected subscriber during the same call that the commands were
received.
Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a message management system is provided with means for
interfacing a storage means with a direct inward dial (DID) line so that
messages may be transmitted to or received from a selected mailbox in the
storing means, as identified by a DID number sent over the DID line,
without the need for command signals generated from a DTMF telephone set
to identify the selected mailbox from a plurality of mailboxes.
Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a message management system is provided with storing means,
connected to a telephone network, and means for accepting DTMF commands
from a telephone set connected to the network to retrieve a selected one
of the messages stored in the storing means and causing the storing means
to output the selected message through the telephone network for receipt
by a subscriber during the same call in which the DTMF commands were
transmitted. The message may consist of a facsimile message or a combined
message having a facsimile portion and an aurally sensible portion.
According with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
message management system is provided which includes a storing means,
connected to a telephone network, and means for accepting at least one
DTMF command from a telephone set connected to the network to retrieve all
messages for a particular subscriber stored in the storing means and
causing the storing means to output all of the selected messages in
sequence through the telephone network for receipt without any further
commands and during the same call in which the DTMF commands were
transmitted. Again, the messages may be facsimile messages or may be
combined messages having a facsimile portion and an aurally sensible
portion.
In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention, a
message management system is provided which includes means, connected to a
telephone network, for receiving messages having a facsimile portion and a
related aurally sensible portion from facsimile machines and associated
telephone sets connected to the telephone network. The message management
system also includes means for receiving a command from a remote location
over the telephone network to enable the message, including both the
facsimile portion and the related aurally sensible portion, to be received
by another subscriber at a future time designated by the command.
There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention a message management system including storing means
connected to a telephone network. The system also includes means for
automatically, without subscriber intervention, initiating contact with a
subscriber over the telephone network to provide notification of receipt
of a message stored in the storing means for the subscriber. The message
may be either a facsimile message or a message having a facsimile portion
and an aurally sensible portion.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a message
management system includes means for receiving a combined message having a
facsimile portion and a related aurally sensible portion connected to a
telephone network. According to this embodiment, the system also includes
means for receiving a command from a remote location over the telephone
network to send a combined message, including both the facsimile portion
and the related aurally sensible portion, to a plurality of facsimile
machines and associated telephone sets and means for causing the combined
message to be sent to the plurality of facsimile machines and associated
telephone sets.
In accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention,
a message management system is provided including means for accepting
commands from telephone sets connected to a telephone network to permit
each of a plurality of subscribers to simultaneously access a different
mailbox of a facsimile message storing means. Means are also provided for
guiding a user in interacting with the system by voice prompts.
According to another aspect of the present invention, first and second
message management systems may be connected together by digital means. The
message management systems may be capable of storing and retrieving
facsimile messages or combined messages having a facsimile portion and an
aurally sensible portion. When the first system receives a message that,
according to its address destination, should be delivered to a destination
associated with the second system, the first system determines this fact
and automatically transfers the message over the digital means to the
second system. The second system then delivers the message to its
destination. The manner of interconnection between the two message
management systems may include a local area network or an X-25 network.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a message
management system is provided including means for allowing a first
subscriber, receiving a message stored in a message storing means, to
transfer the message to a second subscriber and for allowing the first
subscriber to attach a voice message to the message being transferred. The
message being transferred may be either a facsimile message or a message
having a facsimile portion and an aurally sensible portion.
A final embodiment of the present invention provides a message management
system including means for accepting a command to forward any later
received facsimile message intended for a particular subscriber over a
telephone network to a facsimile machine defined by that command. The
command can be sent over a telephone set connected to a telephone network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from
the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings
in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustration of a message management system
constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustration of a facsimile subsystem forming
part of the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustration of a line subsystem forming part of
the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustration of a control subsystem forming part
of the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustration of a mass storage subsystem forming
part of the system of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are block diagram illustrations of respectively parallel
and serial MTU (Main Timing Unit); circuitry forming part of the line
subsystem shown in FIG. 3;
FIGS. 7/1-7/4 is a block diagram illustration of SPU (Signal Processing
Unit) circuitry forming part of the line subsystem shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustration of TIU (Telephony Interface Unit)
circuitry employed in the apparatus of FIG. 3; and
FIGS. 9/1-27/3 are flow chart representations describing the man/machine
interface of the system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The message management system of the present invention supports a message
file system and receives and stores image records in subscriber's
mailboxes. As noted above, any suitable type of image transmission may be
employed. A preferred type of image transmission is facsimile
transmission. Therefore, the explanation which follows relates to a
message management system employing facsimile image transmission.
The apparatus of the present invention is capable of informing a subscriber
when a voice message, a facsimile record, or a combination of the two has
been placed in his mailbox. The apparatus informs the subscriber by
calling him over the telephone or by any other suitable technique.
The system, using any DTMF telephone, scans the subscriber's mailbox for
messages which are either voice messages or facsimile records. The
subscriber can then hear or view his messages, delete or keep them, reply
to the sender, or forward them to another subscriber, while optionally
adding annotation.
The subscriber can also forward his facsimile messages to any other
subscriber's mailbox anywhere over the telephone network via a specially
equipped personal computer or a facsimile system. The user can also
retrieve the facsimile message immediately at a facsimile machine or at a
specially equipped PC connected to his telephone line. He can control both
transmission and retrieval of the facsimile message from his telephone
keypad. Equipment for suitable adaptation of a PC is available from TITN
Inc. and GAMALINK both of the U.S.A.
The invention may also comprise text reading capability and capability for
reading out received text. The text reading capability may be provided by
a commercially available DEST PC Scan device available from DEST
Corporation of Milpitas, Calif., and associated Text-Pak software, also
available from DEST Corporation. The voice read out capability may be
provided by voice synthesis apparatus commercially available from Speech
Plus Incorporated of Mountain View Calif. under the trade mark Call Text.
It may therefore be appreciated that incoming faxes may be read to
subscribers over ordinary telephones. Additionally, using the DEST
apparatus, the incoming image, whether text or graphics or a combination
thereof, may be displayed on a subscriber's CRT display.
As noted above, the apparatus of the present invention supports the
addition of a voice annotation to a facsimile record and linking of
facsimile records into multirecord facsimile files.
Anybody, whether or not a subscriber, can create and send a voice message,
a facsimile record or a combined message (facsimile record with voice
annotation) to any subscriber or to any telephone number.
Facsimile records may be sent to a subscriber's mailbox by specifying his
ID or extension number and to a facsimile system (or specially equipped
PC) by specifying its extension number. Facsimile records may be sent to a
non-subscriber's facsimile by specifying its telephone number as well as
to a list of subscribers, non-subscribers, and facsimile systems.
Notification of the arrival of a facsimile record is preferably provided by
a voice message to the subscriber's mailbox and/or a telephone call to a
prespecified telephone number. The subscriber may then forward the
facsimile to any facsimile system or PC over the telephone network
(including a facsimile machine or PC connected to his telephone line).
The entire interaction of the user (subscriber or non-subscriber) with the
system is carried out over the telephone. The user is guided with voice
prompts and controls the system with DTMF keystrokes or with voice
commands. Sending a facsimile to a subscriber and receiving it and
programming the telephone number for notification are all done over the
telephone.
A special option of the system is the support of DID lines with associated
subscriber's mailboxes. The user may call such an appropriate DID number
to send or receive a voice message or facsimile. This eliminates the need
for DTMF telephone sets.
The apparatus of the present invention includes a facsimile subsystem
typically comprising an IBM XT personal computer (PC) or compatible
equipment.
The system of the present invention typically supports up to 32 lines of
voice (telephone) and facsimile (in fixed pairs) or up to 32 voice
(telephone) lines in two | | |
