WO1999053657A1 - Communications system and method for transmitting data - Google Patents

Communications system and method for transmitting data Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999053657A1
WO1999053657A1 PCT/EP1999/002490 EP9902490W WO9953657A1 WO 1999053657 A1 WO1999053657 A1 WO 1999053657A1 EP 9902490 W EP9902490 W EP 9902490W WO 9953657 A1 WO9953657 A1 WO 9953657A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
central server
fax
mail
generator
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP1999/002490
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael Mohr
Original Assignee
Dci Database For Commerce And Industry Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dci Database For Commerce And Industry Ag filed Critical Dci Database For Commerce And Industry Ag
Priority to EP99917977A priority Critical patent/EP1072130A1/en
Priority to CA002328445A priority patent/CA2328445A1/en
Publication of WO1999053657A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999053657A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
    • H04N1/00209—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
    • H04N1/00214—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax details of transmission
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
    • H04L51/06—Message adaptation to terminal or network requirements
    • H04L51/066—Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L9/00—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
    • H04L9/40—Network security protocols
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
    • H04N1/00209—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
    • H04N1/00214—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax details of transmission
    • H04N1/00217—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax details of transmission only involving computer data transmission protocols, e.g. SMTP, WAP or HTTP
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
    • H04N1/00244—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server with a server, e.g. an internet server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
    • H04N1/32101—Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
    • H04N1/32106—Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title separate from the image data, e.g. in a different computer file
    • H04N1/32122—Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title separate from the image data, e.g. in a different computer file in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
    • H04N2201/0065—Converting image data to a format usable by the connected apparatus or vice versa
    • H04N2201/0068—Converting from still picture data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0077—Types of the still picture apparatus
    • H04N2201/0093—Facsimile machine
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
    • H04N2201/3201—Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
    • H04N2201/3204—Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of data relating to a user, sender, addressee, machine or electronic recording medium
    • H04N2201/3205—Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of data relating to a user, sender, addressee, machine or electronic recording medium of identification information, e.g. name or ID code
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
    • H04N2201/3201—Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
    • H04N2201/3204—Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of data relating to a user, sender, addressee, machine or electronic recording medium
    • H04N2201/3207—Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of data relating to a user, sender, addressee, machine or electronic recording medium of an address
    • H04N2201/3208—Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of data relating to a user, sender, addressee, machine or electronic recording medium of an address of an e-mail or network address

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a communication system for transmitting data from a large number of data transmitters to a large number of data receivers. It also relates to a method for transmitting data from a large number of data transmitters to a large number of data receivers.
  • the above invention has set itself the task of creating a communication system and a method for transmitting data from a multiplicity of data transmitters to a multiplicity of data receivers which avoid the disadvantages of the prior art shown above.
  • the communication system comprises a multiplicity of fax transmission stations, each of which is assigned to a specific data transmitter, a central server which has an input connection unit and an output connection unit, and a multiplicity data processing stations, each of which is assigned to a specific data receiver, the communication system being distinguished by the following further features:
  • the fax transmission stations are connected via a data network and the input connection unit to a fax reception station assigned to the central server;
  • the data processing stations are connected to the central server via the output connection unit and a data network;
  • the central server comprises a data transmitter database which contains entries at least on the identity of the connected data transmitter;
  • the central server also includes a data recipient database which contains entries relating at least to the e-mail address and identity of the connected data recipient;
  • the central server further comprises an automatic website generator which converts the data of the incoming faxes into websites and an automatic e-mail generator; the e-mails generated by the e-mail generator contain links to the websites generated by the website generator.
  • the fax sending stations send data to a fax receiving station assigned to the central server; the data are linked to identity data, which are stored in a data transmitter database of the central server; a website generator of the central server automatically converts the data contained in the incoming faxes into one website at a time; an e-mail generator on the central server automatically generates e-mails that contain links to the generated web pages; the central server automatically sends the generated e-mails to the e-mail addresses of the data recipients stored in a data recipient database.
  • the central server connected according to the present invention between the data senders and the data receivers thus takes care of the automatic conversion of the data received by fax from the data senders into a website format, the collection, storage and provision of websites according to the data containing faxes of the data senders and the automatically via E - Mail notification of data recipients that new data-containing websites are available.
  • the identity of the data sender is communicated, which results from the automatic use of the data sender database.
  • the link is made either via the fax identifier of the data sender.
  • the central server has an extension-capable fax card, whereby each connected data transmitter is assigned its own virtual fax number of the fax receiving station; in this case there is a link to the identity data stored in the data transmitter database on the basis of the selected virtual fax number, the fax identifier of the data transmitter being able to be used as a plausibility or access control.
  • the decisive factor here is the at least one link in the e-mail to the at least one website which is referred to in the e-mail in question. This is in practice for the users connected to the system according to the invention only a minimal effort is required to get the desired data.
  • each data transmitter connected to the communication system only needs to send a single fax containing the current data; he saves money, shortens the occupancy of his fax transmission station and does not have to worry about the actuality of the data of the data recipients he is courting. There is also no mass sending of e-mails with linked fax files, which relieves the strain on the data networks.
  • the data recipients are not showered with piles of paper; Rather, after receiving the incoming e-mail on the new websites, each data recipient decides for himself when and to what extent he accesses the website and - if interested - downloads the data contained there and, if necessary, prints it out. This also results in cost and other advantages for the recipient, by avoiding the data system being filled with "data scrap" or by saving fax paper and ink. Furthermore, the availability of his fax machine or his PC fax station is not restricted by unsolicited incoming faxes from the data senders.
  • the data transmitter database also contains data relating to the affiliation of the connected data transmitters to at least one specific data transmitter group. This allows automatic, targeted preparation and forwarding of the data, in that the e-mails addressed to the data recipients only contain information on websites that contain the data from data senders of a certain data transmitter group.
  • the data receiver database additionally contains entries about which data groups that correspond to specific data transmitter groups are of interest to the respective data receiver.
  • grouping criteria include in particular industry affiliation and / or product groups.
  • the data receiver database is assigned a setting module for data receiver-specific settings for receiving e-mail.
  • a setting module allows a specific definition of the requirements for receiving e-mail by the data recipient himself.
  • the data recipient can define which data groups (see above) should be included in the e-mails addressed to him.
  • the data receiver can, for example, set the frequency (period) with which it is informed about newly set websites.
  • the data recipient can, for example, use a corresponding setting to stipulate that data originating from certain data senders are not taken into account in e-mails addressed to him (blocking notice). Due to the individual adjustability of specifications for e-mail reception, the data flow within the communication system can be further freed and the user friendliness can be further increased.
  • the central server includes a data archive that stores all the data received.
  • This is expediently created as a website archive in which the data records which have already been converted into the website format are stored. This enables access at any time - for example via a button on the current website - to data that is no longer current.
  • Such a data archive is suitable for documenting the temporal development of the data transmitter. In this way, the data recipients can gain clues as to which data sender they are connecting with, in particular want to do business with.
  • the central server can comprise a fax transmission station. This is particularly useful in connection with a reminder routine running in the central server, which uses an automatically generated fax to remind the data senders, of which no fax was received within a defined period, of the transmission of current data.
  • the text recognition level comprises a search term memory, which in particular contains entries on central grouping criteria. If the automatic check of an incoming fax in the text recognition stage shows that a certain search term entered in the search term memory, which can for example characterize a certain product group, appears, the e-mail generator sends a corresponding message to the relevant e-mail address. mail built in.
  • multi-page data faxes are converted into a corresponding number of websites.
  • the link in the e-mail only leads to the website corresponding to the first fax page; only this is loaded when the link is called.
  • the data recipient can scroll to the other pages using the corresponding buttons or (if they are not interested) exit without having loaded all the data contained in the relevant data fax and transformed into websites. This option also saves him time.
  • the three data senders are individualized by their fax machines 1, each of which comprises a fax sending station 2 and a fax receiving station 3.
  • the fax transmission station 2 of each data transmitter is connected to the fax reception station 4 of a central server via a data network.
  • the fax receiving station 4 is in turn connected to two further units of the central server 5, namely a website generator 7 and a reminder routine 8.
  • the website generator 7 automatically converts the data received by the fax receiving station 4 of the central server 5 into a website format and converts the generated ones Websites 9 in a data network.
  • the entirety of all generated web pages 9 is stored to form a data archive; Every data recipient can access all saved websites.
  • the website generator 7 accesses a data transmitter database 10 in order to determine the identity of the fax identifier of the fax received at the fax receiving station 4 - or alternatively the virtual fax number of the fax receiving station 4 individually assigned to the relevant data transmitter and selected by it Assign data sender.
  • the websites 9 can contain information about the identity of the data transmitter.
  • An e-mail generator 11 is connected to the website generator 7, which in turn has access to a data recipient database 12.
  • the e-mail generator 11 generates and sends e-mails to the data processors. tion stations 13 of the data receiver.
  • the e-mail generator 11 retrieves the e-mail addresses of the data recipients from the data recipient database 12.
  • the data receiver database 12 also contains data on which data groups the respective data receiver wishes to receive data for. This is automatically taken into account by the e-mail generator 11 when the e-mails are created by omitting a reference to websites which are based on faxes from data senders which, according to a corresponding entry in the data sender database 10, are not assigned to the relevant data groups are.
  • specifications of the connected data receivers for e-mail dispatch are taken into account, which are stored in the data receiver database 12 and can, for example, relate to the frequency of an e-mail notification .
  • the data recipient shown since the data recipient shown has received an e-mail for the last time, data faxes of the three data senders shown have been received by the server 4 for the product groups of interest to him.
  • the e-mail generated by the e-mail generator 11 and directed to the relevant data recipient therefore contains the reference to the three generated websites 9, each with a link to the relevant website.
  • the information contained in the e-mail generated by the e-mail generator 11 in addition to the identity of the data recipient and the time at which the e-mail was sent also provide essential information about the websites 9 provided, for example by indicating the time the fax was received or Creation of the corresponding website, the data sender, whose data in the corresponding website O 99/53657 -, -, PCT / EP99 / 02490
  • the data recipient Via the links contained in the e-mail, the data recipient can access the corresponding websites 9 directly from the e-mail. If he determines that the data provided there are of interest to him, he can download it to his data processing station 13 and print it out if necessary.
  • a setting module 14 is connected to the data receiver database 12, by means of which each data receiver can directly set the specifications for receiving e-mail, in particular by specifying data groups of interest, blocking unwanted data senders (NOT list) and the e- mail frequency (period) defined.
  • the reminder routine 8 has already been mentioned above. This reminder routine runs in the background. Provided that no fax arrives from a certain data transmitter within a predetermined period of time, it automatically creates a reminder fax that is sent from a fax transmission station 15 of the central server to the fax receiving station 3 of the data transmitter concerned. Of course, such a reminder routine can also be handled via email instead of fax.

Abstract

A communications system for transmitting data from data transmitters to data receivers comprises fax-transmission stations (2) which are allocated to the data transmitters, a central server (5) and data processing stations (13) which are allocated to the data receivers. The fax-transmitting stations (2) are linked to a fax-receiving station (4) of the server (5) by a data network. The data processing stations (13) are linked to the server (5) by a data network. The server (5) comprises a data transmitter data base (10) which contains entries at least relating to the identity of the data transmitters connected and a data receiver data base (12) containing entries for at least the e-mail address and identity of the data receivers connected. The server (5) also comprises an automatic web page generator (7) which converts the data in the incoming faxes into web pages (9) and an automatic e-mail generator (11). The e-mails generated by said e-mail generator (11) contain links to the web pages (9) generated by the web page generator (7).

Description

Koπravunikationssystem sowie Verfahren zur Übertragung von Daten Communication system and method for the transmission of data
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Kommunikations- system zur Übertragung von Daten von einer Vielzahl von Datensendern zu einer Vielzahl von Datenempfängern. Sie betrifft des weiteren ein Verfahren zur Übertragung von Daten von einer Vielzahl von Datensendern zu einer Vielzahl von Datenempfängern.The present invention relates to a communication system for transmitting data from a large number of data transmitters to a large number of data receivers. It also relates to a method for transmitting data from a large number of data transmitters to a large number of data receivers.
Im modernen Geschäftsleben ist der wirtschaftliche Erfolg maßgeblich davon abhängig, wie schnell bestimmte Datenempfänger Kenntnis von aktuellen Daten von Datensendern erhalten. Im Hinblick auf die mitunter nur kurze Aktualität der Daten erfolgt deren Übermittlung von den Datensendern zu den Datenempfängern in aller Regel auf elektronischem Wege. Dies gilt namentlich für an einen großen Empfängerkreis gerichtete, nur kurzfristig gültige werbende Angebote. Solche Werbeangebote werden zur Steigerung der Werbewirkung im allgemeinen graphisch ausgestaltet (Logos etc.). Nicht zuletzt deshalb erfolgt ihr Versand grundsätzlich per Fax, wobei entweder eine direkte Faxübertragung vom Datensender an die Datenempfänger erfolgt oder aber - unter Einschaltung eines entsprechenden Dienstleisters - ein Versand als E-mail, dem - wegen der werbewirksamen graphischen Aufmachung der Mitteilungen - eine Faxdatei angefügt ist.In modern business life, economic success depends largely on how quickly certain data recipients get knowledge of current data from data senders. In view of the fact that the data is sometimes only up-to-date, it is usually transmitted electronically from the data senders to the data recipients. This applies in particular to advertising offers addressed to a large group of recipients and only valid at short notice. Such advertising offers are generally designed graphically (logos etc.) to increase the advertising impact. Not least because of this, they are always sent by fax, whereby either a direct fax transmission from the data sender to the data recipient takes place or - with the involvement of a corresponding service provider - a transmission as e-mail, to which - due to the effective graphic presentation of the messages - a fax file is attached is.
Beide Versandarten sind mit gravierenden Nachteilen verbunden. Beim direkten Faxversand erhält der Datenempfänger, ohne daß er dies beeinflussen kann, bei Faxempfang per PC durch unerwünschte Werbung eine große Menge "Datenschrott" in seiner EDV-Anlage; bei konventionellem Faxempfang erhält er dementsprechend eine große Menge an Papier, wobei auf seine Kosten Papier und Tinte verbraucht werden. In jedem Falle muß der Datenempfänger eine unüberschaubare Datenmenge sichten, und sein Faxgerät ist vielfach belegt. Für den Datensender sind die beträchtlichen Kosten für de Faxübermittlung sowie die hohen Belegungszeiten seines Faxgerätes von Nachteil. Der Versand der Mitteilungen per E-mail führt - aufgrund der gewaltigen Datenmengen der den E-mails angefügten Faxdateien einerseits und der großen Anzahl der parallel informierten Datenempfänger andererseits - zu einer Verstopfung der Datenübertragungsnetze. Auch das Herunterladen der E- mails nimmt - wiederum wegen des Datenumfangs - beträchtliche Zeit in Anspruch. Im übrigen kommen auch hier die informierten Datenempfänger nicht um eine Sichtung der eingehenden E-mails herum.Both shipping methods are associated with serious disadvantages. When sending faxes directly, the recipient of the data receives a large amount of "junk data" in his EDP system when receiving faxes on a PC through unwanted advertising; at Accordingly, conventional fax reception receives a large amount of paper, using paper and ink at its own expense. In any case, the data recipient must view an unmanageable amount of data, and his fax machine is often occupied. For the data sender, the considerable costs for fax transmission and the long occupancy times of his fax machine are disadvantageous. Sending messages by e-mail - due to the huge amount of data in the fax files attached to the e-mails on the one hand and the large number of data recipients informed in parallel - on the other hand - leads to a clogging of the data transmission networks. Downloading the e-mails also takes a considerable amount of time, again because of the volume of data. Incidentally, the informed data recipients cannot avoid sighting the incoming e-mails.
Die vorstehende Erfindung hat sich zur Aufgabe gestellt, ein KommunikationsSystem sowie ein Verfahren zur Übertragung von Daten von einer Vielzahl von Datensendern zu einer Vielzahl von Datenempfängern zu schaffen, die die vorstehend aufgezeigten Nachteile des Standes der Technik vermeiden.The above invention has set itself the task of creating a communication system and a method for transmitting data from a multiplicity of data transmitters to a multiplicity of data receivers which avoid the disadvantages of the prior art shown above.
Gelöst wird diese Aufgabe gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung dadurch, daß das Kommunikationssystem eine Vielzahl von Faxsendestationen, von denen jede einem spezifischen Datensender zugeordnet ist, einen zentralen Server, der eine Eingabe-Anschluß-Einheit und eine Ausgabe-Anschluß-Einheit aufweist, und eine Vielzahl von Datenverarbeitungsstationen, von denen jede einem spezifischen Datenempfänger zugeordnet ist, umfaßt, wobei sich das Kommunikationssystem durch die folgenden weiteren Merkmale auszeichnet: Die Faxsendestationen sind über ein Datennetz und die Eingabe-Anschluß-Einheit mit einer dem zentralen Server zugeordneten Faxempfangsstation verbunden; die Datenverarbeitungsstationen sind über die Ausgabe-Anschluß-Einheit und ein Datennetz mit dem zentralen Server verbunden; der zentrale Server umfaßt eine Datensenderdatenbank, die Einträge zumindest zur Identität der angeschlossenen Datensender enthält; der zentrale Server umfaßt ferner eine Datenempfän- gerdatenbank, die Einträge zumindest zu E-mail- Adresse und Identität der angeschlossenen Datenempfänger enthält; der zentrale Server umfaßt des weiteren einen die Daten der eingehenden Faxe in Webseiten umsetzenden automatischen Webseiten-Generator und einen automatischen E-mail-Generator; die vom E-mail-Generator generierten E-mails enthalten Links zu den vom Webseiten-Generator generierten Webseiten.This object is achieved according to the present invention in that the communication system comprises a multiplicity of fax transmission stations, each of which is assigned to a specific data transmitter, a central server which has an input connection unit and an output connection unit, and a multiplicity data processing stations, each of which is assigned to a specific data receiver, the communication system being distinguished by the following further features: The fax transmission stations are connected via a data network and the input connection unit to a fax reception station assigned to the central server; the data processing stations are connected to the central server via the output connection unit and a data network; the central server comprises a data transmitter database which contains entries at least on the identity of the connected data transmitter; the central server also includes a data recipient database which contains entries relating at least to the e-mail address and identity of the connected data recipient; the central server further comprises an automatic website generator which converts the data of the incoming faxes into websites and an automatic e-mail generator; the e-mails generated by the e-mail generator contain links to the websites generated by the website generator.
Das unter Nutzung dieses Kommunikationssystems durchführbare erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zeichnet sich durch die nachstehenden fünf Verfahrensschritte aus :The method according to the invention that can be carried out using this communication system is characterized by the following five method steps:
Die Faxsendestationen senden Daten an eine dem zentralen Server zugeordnete Faxempfangsstation; die Daten werden mit Identitätsdaten verknüpft, die in einer Datensenderdatenbank des zentralen Servers abgespeichert sind; ein Webseiten-Generator des zentralen Servers setzt die in den eingehenden Faxen enthaltenen Daten automatisch in jeweils eine Webseite um; ein E-mail-Generator des zentralen Servers erzeugt automatisch E-mails, die Links zu den generierten Webseiten enthalten; der zentrale Server versendet automatisch die erzeugten E-mails an die in einer Datenempfanger- datenbank abgespeicherten E-mail-Adressen der Datenempfänger.The fax sending stations send data to a fax receiving station assigned to the central server; the data are linked to identity data, which are stored in a data transmitter database of the central server; a website generator of the central server automatically converts the data contained in the incoming faxes into one website at a time; an e-mail generator on the central server automatically generates e-mails that contain links to the generated web pages; the central server automatically sends the generated e-mails to the e-mail addresses of the data recipients stored in a data recipient database.
Der gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung zwischen die Datensender und die Datenempfänger geschaltete zentrale Server besorgt somit die automatische Konvertierung der per Fax eingegangenen Daten der Datensender in ein Webseitenformat, das Sammeln, Bevorraten und Bereitstellen von Webseiten entsprechend den Daten enthaltenden Faxen der Datensender und die automatisch per E- mail erfolgende Benachrichtigung der Datenempfänger darüber, daß neue Daten enthaltende Webseiten verfügbar sind. In dem E-mail wird u.a. die Identität des Datensenders mitgeteilt, die sich unter automatischer Nutzung der Datensenderdatenbank ergibt. Die Verknüpfung erfolgt dabei entweder über die Faxkennung des Datensenders . Oder aber der zentrale Server verfügt über eine durchwahlfähige Faxkarte, wobei jedem angeschlossenen Datensender eine eigene virtuelle Faxnummer der Faxempfangsstation zugeordnet ist; in diesem Falle erfolgt eine Verknüpfung mit den in der Datensenderdatenbank abgelegten Identitätsdaten anhand der angewählten virtuellen Faxnummer, wobei die Faxkennung des Datensenders als Plausibilitäts- bzw. Zugangs- kontrolle genutzt werden kann. Maßgeblich ist dabei der mindestens eine Link in dem E-mail zu der mindestens einen Webseite, auf die in dem betreffenden E-mail hingewiesen wird. Für die an das erfindungsgemäße System angeschlossenen Nutzer ist hiermit in der Praxis ein nur minimaler Aufwand verbunden, um an die gewünschten Daten zu gelangen.The central server connected according to the present invention between the data senders and the data receivers thus takes care of the automatic conversion of the data received by fax from the data senders into a website format, the collection, storage and provision of websites according to the data containing faxes of the data senders and the automatically via E - Mail notification of data recipients that new data-containing websites are available. In the e-mail the identity of the data sender is communicated, which results from the automatic use of the data sender database. The link is made either via the fax identifier of the data sender. Or the central server has an extension-capable fax card, whereby each connected data transmitter is assigned its own virtual fax number of the fax receiving station; in this case there is a link to the identity data stored in the data transmitter database on the basis of the selected virtual fax number, the fax identifier of the data transmitter being able to be used as a plausibility or access control. The decisive factor here is the at least one link in the e-mail to the at least one website which is referred to in the e-mail in question. This is in practice for the users connected to the system according to the invention only a minimal effort is required to get the desired data.
Die Vorteile der vorliegenden Erfindung sind, um nur die wichtigsten zu nennen, die folgenden: Unabhängig von der Anzahl der umworbenen Datenempfänger braucht jeder an das Kommunikationssystem angeschlossene Datensender lediglich ein einziges die aktuellen Daten enthaltendes Fax zu versenden; er spart Geld, verkürzt die Belegungsdauer seiner Faxsendestation und braucht sich im übrigen um die Aktualität der Daten der von ihm umworbenen Datenempfänger nicht zu kümmern. Es kommt ferner nicht zu einem Massenversand von E-mails mit angeknüpften Faxdateien, wodurch eine Entlastung der Datennetze eintritt . Die Datenempfänger werden nicht mit Bergen von Papier überschüttet; vielmehr entscheidet jeder Datenempfänger nach Zugang des auf die neu eingestellten Webseiten eingehenden E-mails selbst, wann und in welchem Umfang er auf die Webseiten zugreift und - bei Interesse - die dort enthaltenen Daten ggf. herunterlädt und bei Bedarf ausdruckt. Auch empfängerseitig ergeben sich somit Kosten- und sonstige Vorteile, indem die Belegung der EDV-Anlage mit "Datenschrott" vermieden wird bzw. Faxpapier und Tinte eingespart werden. Ferner ist die Verfügbarkeit seines Faxgerätes bzw. seiner PC-Faxstation nicht durch unaufgefordert eingehende Faxe der Datensender eingeschränkt. Auch muß der Datenempfänger, anders als dies beim Versand von E-mails mit angeknüpften Fax-Dateien der Fall ist, nicht erst mit erheblichem Zeitaufwand die betreffenden E-mails herunterladen, um die Daten zu sichten und ggf. zu erkennen, daß diese für ihn gänzlich unbrauchbar sind. In weiterer Ausgestaltung der Erfindung kann vorgesehen sein, daß die Datensenderdatenbank ferner Daten zu der Zugehörigkeit der angeschlossenen Datensender zu mindestens einer bestimmten Datensendergruppe enthält. Dies gestattet eine automatische zielgerichtete Aufbereitung und Weiterleitung der Daten, indem die an die Datenempfänger gerichteten E-mails Hinweise ausschließlich auf solche Webseiten enthalten, die die von Datensendern einer bestimmten Datensendergruppe stammenden Daten enthalten. In diesem Falle enthält die Datenempfängerdatenbank zusätzlich Einträge darüber, an welchen Datengruppen, die zu bestimmten Datensender- gruppen korrespondieren, der jeweilige Datenempfänger Interesse hat. Auf diese Weise enthalten die an die Datenempfänger gerichteten E-mails erst gar keine Hinweise auf solche bereitgestellten Webseiten, die ausschließlich Daten enthalten, die nicht den den betreffenden Datenempfänger interessierenden Datengruppen angehören. Bei Einsatz des erfindungsgemäßen Kommunikationssystems im Bereich des Handels kommen dabei als Gruppierungskriterien insbesondere Branchenzugehörigkeit und/oder Produktgruppen in Betracht .The advantages of the present invention, to name only the most important, are the following: Regardless of the number of data recipients being advertised, each data transmitter connected to the communication system only needs to send a single fax containing the current data; he saves money, shortens the occupancy of his fax transmission station and does not have to worry about the actuality of the data of the data recipients he is courting. There is also no mass sending of e-mails with linked fax files, which relieves the strain on the data networks. The data recipients are not showered with piles of paper; Rather, after receiving the incoming e-mail on the new websites, each data recipient decides for himself when and to what extent he accesses the website and - if interested - downloads the data contained there and, if necessary, prints it out. This also results in cost and other advantages for the recipient, by avoiding the data system being filled with "data scrap" or by saving fax paper and ink. Furthermore, the availability of his fax machine or his PC fax station is not restricted by unsolicited incoming faxes from the data senders. Also, unlike when sending e-mails with linked fax files, the data recipient does not have to download the relevant e-mails with a considerable amount of time in order to view the data and, if necessary, to recognize that it is for him are completely unusable. In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the data transmitter database also contains data relating to the affiliation of the connected data transmitters to at least one specific data transmitter group. This allows automatic, targeted preparation and forwarding of the data, in that the e-mails addressed to the data recipients only contain information on websites that contain the data from data senders of a certain data transmitter group. In this case, the data receiver database additionally contains entries about which data groups that correspond to specific data transmitter groups are of interest to the respective data receiver. In this way, the e-mails addressed to the data recipients do not contain any references to the websites provided, which only contain data that does not belong to the data groups of interest to the data recipient concerned. When using the communication system according to the invention in the retail sector, grouping criteria include in particular industry affiliation and / or product groups.
Der Datenempfängerdatenbank ist gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Weiterbildung der Erfindung ein Einstell- modul für datenempfängerspezifische Einstellungen zum E-mail-Empfang zugeordnet. Ein derartiges Einstellmodul läßt eine spezifische Definition der Vorgaben zum E- mail-Empfang durch den Datenempfänger selbst zu. Der Datenempfänger kann dabei insbesondere selbst definieren, welche Datengruppen (siehe oben) in den an ihn gerichteten E-mails berücksichtigt werden sollen. Ferner kann der Datenempfänger beispielsweise einstellen, mit welcher Häufigkeit (Periode) er über neu eingestellte Webseiten informiert wird. Des weiteren kann der Datenempfänger beispielsweise über eine entsprechende Einstellung festlegen, daß Daten, die von bestimmten Datensendern stammen, in an ihn gerichteten E-mails nicht berücksichtigt werden (Sperrvermerk) . Durch die individuelle Einstellbarkeit von Vorgaben zum E-mail-Empfang kann der Datenfluß innerhalb des Kommunikationssystems weiter entfrachtet und die Nutzerfreundlichkeit weiter gesteigert werden.According to a further preferred development of the invention, the data receiver database is assigned a setting module for data receiver-specific settings for receiving e-mail. Such a setting module allows a specific definition of the requirements for receiving e-mail by the data recipient himself. In particular, the data recipient can define which data groups (see above) should be included in the e-mails addressed to him. Furthermore, the data receiver can, for example, set the frequency (period) with which it is informed about newly set websites. Of In addition, the data recipient can, for example, use a corresponding setting to stipulate that data originating from certain data senders are not taken into account in e-mails addressed to him (blocking notice). Due to the individual adjustability of specifications for e-mail reception, the data flow within the communication system can be further freed and the user friendliness can be further increased.
Eine wiederum andere Weiterbildung der vorliegenden Erfindung zeichnet sich dadurch aus, daß der zentrale Server ein sämtliche eingegangenen Daten abspeicherndes Datenarchiv umfaßt. Dieses ist zweckmäßigerweise als Webseitenarchiv, in dem die bereits in das Webseitenformat konvertierten Datensätze abgelegt sind, angelegt. Dies ermöglicht den jederzeitigen Zugriff - beispielsweise über einen Button auf der jeweils aktuellen Webseite - auch auf nicht mehr aktuelle Daten. Ein derartiges Datenarchiv ist geeignet, die zeitliche Entwicklung der Datensender zu dokumentieren. Die Datenempfänger können auf diese Weise Anhaltspunkte gewinnen, mit welchem Datensender sie in Verbindung treten, insbesondere ein Geschäft abwickeln wollen.Yet another development of the present invention is characterized in that the central server includes a data archive that stores all the data received. This is expediently created as a website archive in which the data records which have already been converted into the website format are stored. This enables access at any time - for example via a button on the current website - to data that is no longer current. Such a data archive is suitable for documenting the temporal development of the data transmitter. In this way, the data recipients can gain clues as to which data sender they are connecting with, in particular want to do business with.
Gemäß einer wiederum anderen Weiterbildung der Erfindung kann der zentrale Server eine Faxsendestation umfassen. Dies ist zweckmäßig insbesondere im Zusammenhang mit einer in dem zentralen Server ablaufenden Erinnerungsroutine, die Datensender, von denen innerhalb eines definierten Zeitabschnittes kein Fax einging, mit einem automatisch erstellten Fax an die Übersendung aktueller Daten erinnert .According to yet another development of the invention, the central server can comprise a fax transmission station. This is particularly useful in connection with a reminder routine running in the central server, which uses an automatically generated fax to remind the data senders, of which no fax was received within a defined period, of the transmission of current data.
Schließlich kann gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung vorgesehen sein, daß die eingehenden Faxe einer mit einer OCR-Software ausgerüsteten Texterkennungsstufe zugeführt werden. Die Texterkennungsstufe umfaßt dabei einen SuchbegriffSpeicher, der insbesondere Einträge zu zentralen Gruppierungskriterien enthält. Ergibt die automatische Überprüfung eines eingehenden Faxes in der Texterkennungsstufe, daß ein bestimmter, in dem Suchbegriffsspeicher eingetragener Suchbegriff, der beispielsweise eine bestimmte Produkt- gruppe charakterisieren kann, auftaucht, so wird durch den E-mail-Generator ein entsprechender Hinweis in das betreffende E-mail eingebaut.Finally, according to a development of the invention, it can be provided that the incoming faxes a text recognition stage equipped with OCR software. The text recognition level comprises a search term memory, which in particular contains entries on central grouping criteria. If the automatic check of an incoming fax in the text recognition stage shows that a certain search term entered in the search term memory, which can for example characterize a certain product group, appears, the e-mail generator sends a corresponding message to the relevant e-mail address. mail built in.
Der Vollständigkeit halber sei darauf hingewiesen, daß mehrseitige Datenfaxe in eine entsprechende Anzahl von Webseiten umgesetzt werden. Der Link in dem E-mail führt bei einer aus mehrseitigen Datenfaxen generierten Mehrzahl von Webseiten jeweils nur zu der der ersten Faxseite entsprechenden Webseite; nur diese wird bei Aufruf des Links geladen. Der Datenempfänger kann nach Sichtung dieser Webseite (bei Interesse) zu den weiteren Seiten blättern, wozu entsprechende Buttons dienen, oder (bei Desinteresse) aussteigen, ohne zuvor sämtliche in dem betreffenden Datenfax enthaltenen, in Webseiten transformierte Daten geladen zu haben. Auch diese Möglichkeit stellt ihm einen Zeitgewinn zur Verfügung.For the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that multi-page data faxes are converted into a corresponding number of websites. In the case of a plurality of websites generated from multi-page data faxes, the link in the e-mail only leads to the website corresponding to the first fax page; only this is loaded when the link is called. After viewing this website (if interested), the data recipient can scroll to the other pages using the corresponding buttons or (if they are not interested) exit without having loaded all the data contained in the relevant data fax and transformed into websites. This option also saves him time.
Im folgenden wird die vorliegende Erfindung anhand der Zeichnung näher erläutert. Diese veranschaulicht eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Kommunikationssystems, bei dem die von drei angeschlossenen Datensendern bereitgestellten Daten fünf angeschlossenen Datenempfängern verfügbar gemacht werden. Der Übersichtlichkeit halber ist dabei nur ein Datenempfänger mit sämtlichen Verbindungen zu verschie- denen Einheiten des Systems vollständig dargestellt; die übrigen, in gleicher Weise angeschlossenen Datenempfänger sind nur angedeutet.The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. This illustrates a preferred embodiment of the communication system according to the invention, in which the data provided by three connected data transmitters are made available to five connected data receivers. For the sake of clarity, only one data receiver with all connections must be moved. which units of the system are shown in full; the other data receivers connected in the same way are only hinted at.
Die drei Datensender seien durch ihre Faxgeräte 1 individualisiert, die jeweils eine Faxsendestation 2 und eine Faxempfangsstation 3 umfassen. Die Faxsendestation 2 jedes Datensenders steht über ein Datennetz mit der Faxempfangsstation 4 eines zentralen Servers in Verbindung. Die Faxempfangsstation 4 steht ihrerseits mit zwei weiteren Einheiten des zentralen Servers 5 in Verbindung, nämlich mit einem Webseitengenerator 7 und einer Erinnerungsroutine 8. Der Webseitengenerator 7 setzt die von der Faxempfangsstation 4 des zentralen Servers 5 empfangenen Daten automatisch in ein Webseitenformat um und stellt die generierten Webseiten 9 in ein Datennetz ein. Die Gesamtheit aller generierten Webseiten 9 wird zur Bildung eines Datenarchivs gespeichert; jedem Datenempfänger ist der Zugriff auf sämtlichen abgespeicherten Webseiten möglich. Bei der Erstellung einer Webseite 9 greift der Webseitengenerator 7 auf eine Datensenderdatenbank 10 zurück, um der Faxkennung des bei der Faxempfangsstation 4 eingegangenen Faxes - oder alternativ der dem betreffenden Datensender individuell zugeordneten, von ihm angewählten virtuellen Faxnummer der Faxempfangsstation 4 - einen seiner Identität nach bestimmten Datensender zuzuordnen. Die Webseiten 9 können neben den von dem jeweiligen Datensender bereitgestellten Daten Angaben zu der Identität des Datensenders enthalten.The three data senders are individualized by their fax machines 1, each of which comprises a fax sending station 2 and a fax receiving station 3. The fax transmission station 2 of each data transmitter is connected to the fax reception station 4 of a central server via a data network. The fax receiving station 4 is in turn connected to two further units of the central server 5, namely a website generator 7 and a reminder routine 8. The website generator 7 automatically converts the data received by the fax receiving station 4 of the central server 5 into a website format and converts the generated ones Websites 9 in a data network. The entirety of all generated web pages 9 is stored to form a data archive; Every data recipient can access all saved websites. When creating a website 9, the website generator 7 accesses a data transmitter database 10 in order to determine the identity of the fax identifier of the fax received at the fax receiving station 4 - or alternatively the virtual fax number of the fax receiving station 4 individually assigned to the relevant data transmitter and selected by it Assign data sender. In addition to the data provided by the respective data transmitter, the websites 9 can contain information about the identity of the data transmitter.
Mit dem Webseitengenerator 7 steht ein E-mail-Generator 11 in Verbindung, welcher seinerseits Zugriff hat auf eine Datenempfängerdatenbank 12. Der E-mail-Generator 11 erzeugt und versendet E-mails an die Datenverarbei- tungsstationen 13 der Datenempfänger. Die E-mail- Adressen der Datenempfänger ruft der E-mail-Generator 11 dabei aus der Datenempfängerdatenbank 12 ab. Die Datenempfängerdatenbank 12 enthält dabei des weiteren Daten, zu welchen Datengruppen der jeweilige Datenempfänger Daten zu erhalten wünscht. Dies wird von dem E-mail-Generator 11 bei der Erstellung der E-mails automatisch berücksichtigt, indem ein Hinweis auf Webseiten unterbleibt, die auf Faxe von Datensendern zurückgehen, welche - gemäß einem entsprechenden Eintrag in der Datensenderdatenbank 10 - nicht den betreffenden Datengruppen zugeordnet sind. Ferner werden bei der Erstellung und Versendung der E-mails durch den E-mail-Generator 11 Vorgaben der angeschlossenen Datenempfänger zum E-mail-Versand berücksichtigt, die in der Datenempfängerdatenbank 12 abgespeichert sind und beispielsweise die Häufigkeit einer E-mail- Benachrichtigung betreffen können.An e-mail generator 11 is connected to the website generator 7, which in turn has access to a data recipient database 12. The e-mail generator 11 generates and sends e-mails to the data processors. tion stations 13 of the data receiver. The e-mail generator 11 retrieves the e-mail addresses of the data recipients from the data recipient database 12. The data receiver database 12 also contains data on which data groups the respective data receiver wishes to receive data for. This is automatically taken into account by the e-mail generator 11 when the e-mails are created by omitting a reference to websites which are based on faxes from data senders which, according to a corresponding entry in the data sender database 10, are not assigned to the relevant data groups are. Furthermore, when creating and sending the e-mails by the e-mail generator 11, specifications of the connected data receivers for e-mail dispatch are taken into account, which are stored in the data receiver database 12 and can, for example, relate to the frequency of an e-mail notification .
In dem vorliegenden Beispiel seien, seitdem der dargestellte Datenempfänger zum letzten mal ein E-mail erhalten hat, zu den ihn interessierenden Produktgruppen Datenfaxe der drei dargestellten Datensender bei dem Server 4 eingegangen. Das von dem E-mail-Generator 11 erzeugte, an den betreffenden Datenempfänger gerichtete E-mail enthält daher den Hinweis auf die drei generierten Webseiten 9, jeweils mit einem Link zu der betreffenden Webseite. Die in dem von dem E-mail- Generator 11 erzeugten E-mail zusätzlich zur Identität des Datenempfängers und Zeitpunkt des E-mail-Versands enthaltenen Hinweise geben ferner wesentliche Informationen zu den bereitgestellten Webseiten 9, beispielsweise indem sie den Zeitpunkt des Faxeingangs bzw. der Erstellung der entsprechenden Webseite, den Datensender, dessen Daten in der entsprechenden Webseite O 99/53657 -, -, PCT/EP99/02490In the present example, since the data recipient shown has received an e-mail for the last time, data faxes of the three data senders shown have been received by the server 4 for the product groups of interest to him. The e-mail generated by the e-mail generator 11 and directed to the relevant data recipient therefore contains the reference to the three generated websites 9, each with a link to the relevant website. The information contained in the e-mail generated by the e-mail generator 11 in addition to the identity of the data recipient and the time at which the e-mail was sent also provide essential information about the websites 9 provided, for example by indicating the time the fax was received or Creation of the corresponding website, the data sender, whose data in the corresponding website O 99/53657 -, -, PCT / EP99 / 02490
verfügbar sind, sowie in der - nicht dargestellten - Texterkennungsstufe (s.o.) erkannte Suchbegriffe angeben. Über die in dem E-mail enthaltenen Links kann der Datenempfänger unmittelbar aus dem E-mail heraus auf die entsprechenden Webseiten 9 zugreifen. Stellt er fest, daß die dort bereitgestellten Daten für ihn von Interesse sind, kann er sich diese auf seine Datenverarbeitungsstation 13 herunterladen und ggf. ausdrucken.are available, as well as specify recognized search terms in the - not shown - text recognition level (see above). Via the links contained in the e-mail, the data recipient can access the corresponding websites 9 directly from the e-mail. If he determines that the data provided there are of interest to him, he can download it to his data processing station 13 and print it out if necessary.
Mit der Datenempfängerdatenbank 12 steht ein Einstell- modul 14 in Verbindung, mit welchem jeder Datenempfänger selbst unmittelbar die Vorgaben für den E-mail- Empfang einstellen kann, insbesondere indem er interessierende Datengruppen spezifiziert, unerwünschte Datensender sperrt (NOT-Liste) und die E-mail-Häufigkeit (Periode) definiert.A setting module 14 is connected to the data receiver database 12, by means of which each data receiver can directly set the specifications for receiving e-mail, in particular by specifying data groups of interest, blocking unwanted data senders (NOT list) and the e- mail frequency (period) defined.
Weiter oben wurde bereits die Erinnerungsroutine 8 erwähnt. Diese Erinnerungsroutine läuft im Hintergrund ab. Sie erstellt, sofern von einem bestimmten Datensender innerhalb eines vorgegebenen Zeitraumes kein Fax eingeht, automatisch ein Erinnerungsfax, das von einer Faxsendestation 15 des zentralen Servers der Faxempfangsstation 3 des betreffenden Datensenders zugesandt wird. Selbstverständlich kann eine derartige Erinnerungsroutine statt über Fax auch über E-mail abgewickelt werden. The reminder routine 8 has already been mentioned above. This reminder routine runs in the background. Provided that no fax arrives from a certain data transmitter within a predetermined period of time, it automatically creates a reminder fax that is sent from a fax transmission station 15 of the central server to the fax receiving station 3 of the data transmitter concerned. Of course, such a reminder routine can also be handled via email instead of fax.

Claims

AnsprücheExpectations
Kommunikationssystem zur Übertragung von Daten von einer Vielzahl von Datensendern zu einer Vielzahl von Datenempfängern, umfassend eine Vielzahl von Faxsendestationen (2) , von denen jede einem spezifischen Datensender zugeordnet ist, einen zentralen Server (5) , der eine Eingabe-Anschluß- Einheit und eine Ausgabe-Anschluß-Einheit aufweist, und eine Vielzahl von Datenverarbeitungsstationen (13) , von denen jede einem spezifischen Datenempfänger zugeordnet ist, mit den folgenden weiteren Merkmalen:Communication system for the transmission of data from a multiplicity of data transmitters to a multiplicity of data receivers, comprising a multiplicity of fax transmission stations (2), each of which is assigned to a specific data transmitter, a central server (5), which has an input connection unit and a Output terminal unit, and a plurality of data processing stations (13), each of which is assigned to a specific data receiver, with the following further features:
Die Faxsendestationen (2) sind über ein Datennetz und die Eingabe-Anschluß-Einheit mit einer dem zentralen Server (5) zugeordneten Faxempfangsstation (4) verbunden; die Datenverarbeitungsstationen (13) sind über die Ausgabe-Anschluß-Einheit und ein Datennetz mit dem zentralen Server (5) verbunden; der zentrale Server (5) umfaßt eine Datensenderdatenbank (10) , die Einträge zumindest zur Identität der angeschlossenen Datensender enthält ; der zentrale Server (5) umfaßt ferner eine Datenempfängerdatenbank (12) , die Einträge zumindest zu E-mail-Adresse und Identität der angeschlossenen Datenempfänger enthält; der zentrale Server (5) umfaßt des weiteren einen die Daten der eingehenden Faxe in Webseiten (9) umsetzenden automatischen Webseiten-Generator (7) und einen automatischen E-mail-Generator (11) ; die vom E-mail-Generator (11) generierten E- mails enthalten Links zu den vom Webseiten- Generator (11) generierten Webseiten (9) .The fax transmission stations (2) are connected via a data network and the input connection unit to a fax reception station (4) assigned to the central server (5); the data processing stations (13) are connected to the central server (5) via the output connection unit and a data network; the central server (5) comprises a data transmitter database (10) which contains entries at least on the identity of the connected data transmitter; the central server (5) further comprises a data receiver database (12) which contains entries relating at least to the e-mail address and identity of the connected data receiver; the central server (5) further comprises an automatic website generator (7) which converts the data of the incoming faxes into websites (9) and an automatic e-mail generator (11); the e-mails generated by the e-mail generator (11) contain links to the websites (9) generated by the website generator (11).
2. Kommunikationssystem nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Datensenderdatenbank (10) ferner Einträge zur Zugehörigkeit der angeschlossenen Datensender zu mindestens einer bestimmten Datensendergruppe enthält .2. Communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that the data transmitter database (10) further contains entries relating to the affiliation of the connected data transmitter to at least one specific data transmitter group.
3. Kommunikationssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der zentrale Server (5) ein sämtliche eingegangenen Daten abspeicherndes Datenarchiv umfaßt .3. Communication system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the central server (5) comprises a data archive storing all the received data.
4. Kommunikationssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der zentrale Server (5) eine Faxsendestation (15) umfaßt.4. Communication system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the central server (5) comprises a fax transmission station (15).
5. Kommunikationssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der zentrale Server (5) eine Erinnerungs- routine (8) umfaßt.5. Communication system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the central server (5) comprises a reminder routine (8).
6. Kommunikationssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Datenempfängerdatenbank (12) ein Einstell- modul (14) für datenempfängerspezifische Einstellungen zum E-mail-Empfang zugeordnet ist.6. Communication system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the data receiver database (12) has a setting module (14) for data recipient-specific settings for receiving e-mail is assigned.
Verfahren zur Übertragung von Daten von einer Vielzahl von Datensendern zu einer Vielzahl von Datenempfängern, wobei jedem Datensender eine über ein Datennetz und eine Eingabe-Anschluß-Einheit an einen zentralen Server (5) angeschlossene Faxsendestation (2) und jedem Datenempfänger eine über eine Ausgabe-Anschluß-Einheit und ein Datennetz an den zentralen Server (5) angeschlossene Datenverarbeitungsstation (13) zugeordnet ist, mit den folgenden Merkmalen:Method for transmitting data from a large number of data transmitters to a large number of data receivers, each data transmitter having a fax transmission station (2) connected to a central server (5) via a data network and an input connection unit, and each data receiver having a Connection unit and a data network to the central server (5) connected data processing station (13) is assigned, with the following features:
Die Faxsendestationen senden Daten an eine dem zentralen Server (5) zugeordnete Faxempfangsstation (4) ; die Daten werden mit Identitätsdaten verknüpft, die in einer Datensenderdatenbank (10) des zentralen Servers (5) abgespeichert sind; ein Webseiten-Generator (7) des zentralen Servers (5) setzt die in den eingehenden Faxen enthaltenen Daten automatisch in jeweils eine Webseite (9) um; ein E-mail-Generator (11) des zentralen Servers (5) erzeugt automatisch E-mails, die Links zu den generierten Webseiten (9) enthalten; der zentrale Server (5) versendet automatisch die erzeugten E-mails an die in einer Datenempfängerdatenbank (12) abgespeicherten E- mail-Adressen der Datenempfänger. The fax sending stations send data to a fax receiving station (4) assigned to the central server (5); the data are linked to identity data which are stored in a data transmitter database (10) of the central server (5); a website generator (7) of the central server (5) automatically converts the data contained in the incoming faxes into one website (9); an e-mail generator (11) of the central server (5) automatically generates e-mails containing links to the generated websites (9); The central server (5) automatically sends the generated e-mails to the e-mail addresses of the data recipients stored in a data recipient database (12).
PCT/EP1999/002490 1998-04-15 1999-04-14 Communications system and method for transmitting data WO1999053657A1 (en)

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