WO2001019070A1 - Utilizing a facsimile service for sending e-mail - Google Patents
Utilizing a facsimile service for sending e-mail Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001019070A1 WO2001019070A1 PCT/IL2000/000532 IL0000532W WO0119070A1 WO 2001019070 A1 WO2001019070 A1 WO 2001019070A1 IL 0000532 W IL0000532 W IL 0000532W WO 0119070 A1 WO0119070 A1 WO 0119070A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- facsimile
- addressee
- message
- sending
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- 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
-
- 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
- H04N1/32037—Automation of particular transmitter jobs, e.g. multi-address calling, auto-dialing
- H04N1/32042—Automation of particular transmitter jobs, e.g. multi-address calling, auto-dialing with reading of job-marks on a page
-
- 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
- H04N1/32358—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 using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter
- H04N1/324—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 using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
- H04N1/32406—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 using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange in connection with routing or relaying, e.g. using a fax-server or a store-and-forward facility
- H04N1/32411—Handling instructions for routing or relaying
-
- 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
- H04N2201/0015—Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
- H04N2201/0024—Converting image communication control signals, e.g. group 3 facsimile protocol signals, to non-image communication control signals or vice versa
-
- 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
Definitions
- E-mail messaging is one of the major uses of the Internet and has grown over recent years to become one of the major means over communications.
- Forwarding of e-mail to a fax is well known and an example can be seen in the functions of software such as Microsoft's Outlook" application.
- Forwarding of e-mail to a telephone is also known, such as the Maiipush service provided by several cellular telephone companies, for example, as described on their web site (http://www.mailpush.com).
- a server computer checks the e-mail box of each registered client and forwards the e-mail to the mailbox owner's telephone and reads the text through the voice modem or CTI card (for example Dialogic's Proline/2V or Dialogic/4, Dialogic Corporation, 1115 Route Ten, Parsippany, N.J. 070-4596, USA).
- the voice modem or CTI card for example Dialogic's Proline/2V or Dialogic/4, Dialogic Corporation, 1115 Route Ten, Parsippany, N.J. 070-4596, USA.
- a voice message can be transmitted as an attached wave file that can be played to the telephone directly, or be converted to text using a Speech-to-text engine such as commercially available from IBM and Lernout & Hauspie).
- the receiver of the e-mail can record a reply wave file through the telephone and use the reply function of the e-mail software to send a reply via the telephone.
- Sending a facsimile message requires both the sender and recipient to have a facsimile machine or special fax software for receiving a fax message directly at the recipient's computer.
- the present invention provides a method for utilizing a facsimile service for sending e-mail.
- a method for sending a facsimile message to an email address includes the steps of. a sender appending the telephone facsimile number associated with the addressee to the facsimile message being sent to the addressee; a sender sending the facsimile message to a pre-allocated service number associated with a dedicated server; converting the facsimile message to a Tagged Image File (TIF); using an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to recognize and abstract the telephone facsimile number of the addressee from the TIF file; retrieving the email address associated with the telephone facsimile number of the addressee; and sending an e-mail formatted message containing the facsimile message via the Internet to the addressee's associated e-mail address.
- a sender appending the telephone facsimile number associated with the addressee to the facsimile message being sent to the addressee converting the facsimile message to a Tagged Image File (TIF); using an Optical Character Recognition (OCR
- the e-mail formatted message includes an attached TIF file.
- the addressee's telephone facsimile number is converted to an e-mail address via a look-up table (LUT).
- the look-up table is stored within the dedicated server.
- the look-up table is created by the sender and stored at an Internet web site.
- the LUT further includes a security code.
- the steps of converting, using an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) engine, retrieving and sending are carried out by the dedicated server.
- OCR Optical Character Recognition
- the step of appending includes the step of appending the email address of the addressee.
- the method further includes the steps of: recognizing the appended email address from the TIF file; and comparing the email address abstracted from the LUT with the appended email address.
- the step of using an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) engine includes the step of filtering out random noise.
- a dedicated server for forwarding incoming facsimile messages as e-mail messages.
- the server includes a Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) card, a converter in communication with the CTI card for converting the facsimile messages to a TIF file for attachment to an email message and an OCR engine for recognizing the destination of the addressee. If the destination is a facsimile number, the number is converted to an associated email address before sending the facsimile message on as an attached TIF file.
- CTI Computer Telephone Integration
- FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the method for sending a facsimile message to an email address, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustration of the method for sending a facsimile message to an email address.
- Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of the method for sending a facsimile message to an email address, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustration of the method for sending a facsimile message to an email address.
- An user prepares a document to send by fax (facsimile) (step 202), adds a blank sheet of paper on which the facsimile number of the recipient (of the fax) is written or printed (step 204).
- the fax is then sent to the special service number allocated by the Service Company (step 206). On receipt at the service, the fax is directed to the server 20.
- the dedicated server 20 is similar to the proxy server described in PCT
- the dedicated server 20 generally comprises a Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) card 22 connected to a wave
- API Application Program Interface
- the dedicated server 20 can further comprise components such as a voice proxy telephone server and a transport provider for receiving and forwarding voice/text messages.
- the CTI card 22 converts the message to a TIF (Tagged Image File) file
- An OCR (Optical Character Recognition) engine 26 is used to recognize the recipient fax number (step 214).
- the recipient's facsimile number is referenced against one or more e-mail addresses stored in a look-up table (LUT) 28 (step 216).
- the look-up table 28 is a table that correlates a telephone/fax number with one, or several, e-mail addresses. It can be created manually or preferably through the Internet 40. If the Internet is used, a special web site is created by the service provider in which the user inserts a list of facsimile numbers and corresponding e-mail addresses. In addition, a special security code (which is not public) can also be entered to avoid misusing this service by illegitimate users.
- T-mailer software prepares an email message 32 with an attached TIF file (step 218) and sends the message via the Internet 40 to the recipient's e-mail address 42 (step 220).
- the dedicated server 20 is similar to the present Assignees T-Mailer service and consists of a PC having one or more CTI cards attached thereto.
- CTI cards can convert analogous voice data into digital data, for example, the DI60SC-LS card by Dialogic or convert the facsimile message into a TIF file, for example.
- the message is then submitted as a regular e-mail with a TIF attachment via the Internet to an email address.
- the dedicated server 20 is similar to the proxy server described in PCT Patent Application: PCT/IL99/00516 assigned to the Assignees of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference.
- the dedicated server 20 generally comprises a Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) card, a converter * ⁇ n communication with the CTI card for converting the facsimile messages to a TIF file and an OCR engine.
- CTI Computer Telephone Integration
- the TIF file is send as an attachment to an email message.
- the OCR engine recognizes the destination of the addressee. If the destination is a facsimile number, the number is converted to an associated email address before sending the facsimile message on as an attached TIF file.
- the server can also include a message storage device.
- the dedicated server 20 can optionally further comprises components such as a voice proxy telephone server and a transport provider for receiving and forwarding voice/text messages.
- the sender can also add the email address (if known) to the page containing the addressee's facsimile message.
- the appended email address can then be compared with the email address abstracted from the LUT for confirmation of accuracy.
- the user can add the email number of the recipient to the additional blank sheet (step 204') instead of the facsimile number of the recipient.
- the other steps are identical to that described hereinabove with respect to Figs. 1 and 2, except that a LUT 28 is not required. In this case, the user does not need to register on the web in order to send a fax to an email address.
- Servers 20 can be placed all over the world and enable one to send e-mail through out the world at the price of a local call for the fax message.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Computing Systems (AREA)
- Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
- Facsimiles In General (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU68626/00A AU6862600A (en) | 1999-09-05 | 2000-09-05 | Utilizing a facsimile service for sending e-mail |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IL13173499A IL131734A0 (en) | 1999-09-05 | 1999-09-05 | A method and apparatus for telephonic fax service to send e-mail |
IL131734 | 1999-09-05 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001019070A1 true WO2001019070A1 (en) | 2001-03-15 |
Family
ID=11073219
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IL2000/000532 WO2001019070A1 (en) | 1999-09-05 | 2000-09-05 | Utilizing a facsimile service for sending e-mail |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU6862600A (en) |
IL (1) | IL131734A0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001019070A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1892653A1 (en) * | 2006-08-25 | 2008-02-27 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and communications server for sending an electronic message |
CN100407754C (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2008-07-30 | 华为技术有限公司 | Fax quality test method |
CN112153229A (en) * | 2019-06-28 | 2020-12-29 | 东芝泰格有限公司 | Multifunction peripheral, system and method for transmitting document |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4941170A (en) * | 1989-03-20 | 1990-07-10 | Tandem Computers Incorporated | Facsimile transmissions system |
US5115326A (en) * | 1990-06-26 | 1992-05-19 | Hewlett Packard Company | Method of encoding an e-mail address in a fax message and routing the fax message to a destination on a network |
US5247591A (en) * | 1990-10-10 | 1993-09-21 | Interfax, Inc. | Method and apparatus for the primary and secondary routing of fax mesages using hand printed characters |
US5461488A (en) * | 1994-09-12 | 1995-10-24 | Motorola, Inc. | Computerized facsimile (FAX) system and method of operation |
US5479269A (en) * | 1992-04-27 | 1995-12-26 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Automated form handling and generating system and a form sheet associated to said system |
WO1996041463A1 (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1996-12-19 | Geshwind David M | A method for utilizing point-to-point communication devices including fax machines as bi-directional internet terminals |
WO1998017041A2 (en) * | 1996-10-15 | 1998-04-23 | E-Mate Enterprises, Llc | Facsimile to e-mail communication system with local interface |
US5892591A (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 1999-04-06 | International Data Forwarders, Llc | Facsimile transmission via packet switched data networks |
US5903877A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1999-05-11 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Transaction center for processing customer transaction requests from alternative media sources |
US5918227A (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1999-06-29 | Switchboard, Inc. | On-line directory service with a plurality of databases and processors |
US6020980A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 2000-02-01 | Mci Communications Corporation | Facsimile delivery to electronic mail |
US6104500A (en) * | 1998-04-29 | 2000-08-15 | Bcl, Computer Inc. | Networked fax routing via email |
-
1999
- 1999-09-05 IL IL13173499A patent/IL131734A0/en unknown
-
2000
- 2000-09-05 AU AU68626/00A patent/AU6862600A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-09-05 WO PCT/IL2000/000532 patent/WO2001019070A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4941170A (en) * | 1989-03-20 | 1990-07-10 | Tandem Computers Incorporated | Facsimile transmissions system |
US5115326A (en) * | 1990-06-26 | 1992-05-19 | Hewlett Packard Company | Method of encoding an e-mail address in a fax message and routing the fax message to a destination on a network |
US5247591A (en) * | 1990-10-10 | 1993-09-21 | Interfax, Inc. | Method and apparatus for the primary and secondary routing of fax mesages using hand printed characters |
US5479269A (en) * | 1992-04-27 | 1995-12-26 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Automated form handling and generating system and a form sheet associated to said system |
US5461488A (en) * | 1994-09-12 | 1995-10-24 | Motorola, Inc. | Computerized facsimile (FAX) system and method of operation |
WO1996041463A1 (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1996-12-19 | Geshwind David M | A method for utilizing point-to-point communication devices including fax machines as bi-directional internet terminals |
US5918227A (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1999-06-29 | Switchboard, Inc. | On-line directory service with a plurality of databases and processors |
US5903877A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1999-05-11 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Transaction center for processing customer transaction requests from alternative media sources |
US6020980A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 2000-02-01 | Mci Communications Corporation | Facsimile delivery to electronic mail |
WO1998017041A2 (en) * | 1996-10-15 | 1998-04-23 | E-Mate Enterprises, Llc | Facsimile to e-mail communication system with local interface |
US5892591A (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 1999-04-06 | International Data Forwarders, Llc | Facsimile transmission via packet switched data networks |
US6104500A (en) * | 1998-04-29 | 2000-08-15 | Bcl, Computer Inc. | Networked fax routing via email |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN100407754C (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2008-07-30 | 华为技术有限公司 | Fax quality test method |
EP1892653A1 (en) * | 2006-08-25 | 2008-02-27 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and communications server for sending an electronic message |
CN112153229A (en) * | 2019-06-28 | 2020-12-29 | 东芝泰格有限公司 | Multifunction peripheral, system and method for transmitting document |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU6862600A (en) | 2001-04-10 |
IL131734A0 (en) | 2001-03-19 |
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