Claims
- 1. A method of communicating information, comprising the step of delivering facsimile information from a facsimile generating device to a user supplied e-maa address in computer readable image data format which is capable of being viewed on a computer screen, wherein the step of delivering comprises the steps of:
entering the user e-mail address through a computing device; delivering the facsimile information using facsimile protocol along a first communication network to a fax/to/e-mail gateway; converting at the gateway the facsimile information into a computer readable image data file capable of being displayed on a computer screen; creating at the gateway an e-mail message including an addressed e-mail header to which is attached the computer readable image data file; and delivering the e-mail message from the gateway though a global computer network to an electronic mailbox associated with the e-mail address.
- 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
Sending the user e-mail address to a fax interface.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sending step is accomplished through infrared signals.
- 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the sending step is accomplished through radio signals.
- 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
Sending variable size user data to a fax interface.
- 6. A communication system for communicating information found originally as an image on paper, said system comprising:
a first communication network; a facsimile device for generating facsimile information in a first format from information found originally as an image on paper, said facsimile device communicating with said first communication network along a first communication line; a computing device having means for transmitting and receiving information; an interface sharing said first communication line with said facsimile device and in communication with said computing device,
said interface including means for receiving and communicating an alphanumeric address associated with an electronic mail address, said interface including means for sending information to said computing device; said interface including means for generating commands on the first communication line; a computer network; and a gateway server positioned between said first communication network and said computer network,
said gateway server being in communication with said first communication network and being in communication with said computer network and providing a communication link therebetween; said gateway server selectively operating in a fax-to-data mode in which said gateway server receives facsimile information via said first communication network and communicates data representative of said facsimile information to a destination via said computer network; said gateway server being responsive to commands received from said interface to initiate operation of said fax-to-data mode.
- 7. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said computing device further comprising:
an infrared signal transmitter, and an infrared signal receiver.
- 8. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said computing device further comprising:
a radio signal transmitter; and a radio signal receiver.
- 9. The communication system of claim 6, wherein
said means for receiving and communicating an alphanumeric address associated with an electronic mail address of said fax interface comprises an infrared signal receiver, and said means for sending information of said fax interface comprises an infrared signal transmitter.
- 10. The communication system of claim 6, wherein
said means for receiving and communicating an alphanumeric address associated with an electronic mail address of said fax interface comprises a radio signal receiver, and said means for sending information of said fax interface comprises a radio signal transmitter.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Ser. No. 60/229,317, filed Aug. 30, 2000.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60229317 |
Aug 2000 |
US |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09723349 |
Nov 2000 |
US |
Child |
10681562 |
Oct 2003 |
US |