GB2412535A

GB2412535A - XML file transmission by fax

Info

Publication number: GB2412535A
Application number: GB0406525A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nikola Kasic
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-23
Filing date: 2004-03-23
Publication date: 2005-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-23
Also published as: GB0406525D0; GB2412535B

Abstract

The invention relates to fax communication of extensible markup language (XML) files over a PSTN network. Apparatus is described having determining means operable to determine from either a received signal or locally stored information, whether to transmit data representing an XML file and fax transmission means operable in response to the determining means to transmit data representing an XML file in a fax call. Also described is apparatus having fax receiving means operable to receive data representing an XML file in a fax call and means for extracting information from the data.

Description

1 241 2535 Data Transmission by Fax The invention relates to apparatus, to

apparatus comprising fax receiving means, to a system, to a method, to methods of operating apparatus, and to a method of s transmitting information.

Conventional fax transmission occurs over a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or other telephony network and involves a 'handshaking' procedure between two fax machines, wherein a number of preliminary signals are transferred between the machines to enable them to establish a fax connection. Each of the fax machines may be either a standalone or a computer-based fax machine connected to a telephony network. One or more images to be transmitted are obtained, either by scanning a printed image or through conversion of an electronic data file, and are converted to a time varying signal which is modulated before transmission via the telephony network from one fax machine to another. The receiving fax machine receives and demodulates the signal and from it reproduces the image from the signal for presentation, either by way of a printed document or as an electronic image file. The receiving fax machine acknowledges that the image has been received, and the connection, or session, is then ended. The sending fax machine uses the acknowledgement to ensure that the image has been transmitted, and a confirmation may be produced for referral by a user, which includes information such as the time and duration of the transmission and the number of pages sent.

Despite the introduction of more technologically advanced methods of information transfer, such as Internet Protocol (IP) file transfers, fax transmissions have a number of advantages over other modes of communicating information. One such advantage is the fact that fax transmissions are standardised, so can always be interpreted by the receiving fax machine for correct reproduction of the original image or images. In contrast, other modes of communication are not so standardised and it is not unusual for a recipient to not have the software or other means needed to reproduce a transmitted message. r - 2

A further advantage of fax transmissions is that a real-time bidirectional connection is made between the sending and receiving stations. The transmitting fax machine knows, from acknowledgment signals sent by the receiving fax machine, that the receiving fax machine has correctly received the transmission. This is in contrast to other data transfer systems such as e-mail, where 'transmission verification messages' do not tend to be immediate because of the connection-less nature of email transmission systems. Also, verification messages in such systems may not provide a reliable indication that the recipient has actually been able to reproduce the contents of a transmission, since it is possible that the recipient will not have the appropriate means for doing so.

It is for these reasons that fax is the standard mode of communicating documents in business particularly in the legal and financial sectors. However, certain limitations to fax transmissions exist, in particularly with respect to the processing of any information received by fax, which, being in a graphical format, would normally need to be entered manually at the receiver end for processing by a computer program or for inclusion in a database.

One proposed solution to this problem is the use of optical character recognition (OCR) to convert received graphical images to text data. An example of such a system is found in KR-A-9405253. However, the error rates of OCR systems combined with the typically low resolution of the images transmitted by fax mean that OCR methods are not normally suitable for applications requiring accurate data communication.

Further 'fax over IF' technologies have also been developed to address some of the limitations of fax transmissions. Examples are the T.37 and T. 38 I-fax protocols.

These provide real-time fax solutions whereby a portion of the transmission path between terminals includes, besides the PSTN pathway, an IF network link such as the Internet. However, certain drawbacks remain. For example, these protocols are not compatible with existing analogue fax equipment without the implementation of complex gateways. Also, there is no guarantee of delivery of a required image to a recipient and furthermore, since the system involves sending messages as image files - 3 in the same manner as conventional fax, there remain limitations to the processing of received data.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) protocol T.434 version 2 describes how binary data may be sent by fax. The equivalent protocol in the United States is TIA/EIA-614. The T.434 protocol introduces a number of parameters and a description of the coding to be used in binary file transfers by fax. An example of apparatus operating according to the T. 434 protocol in the fax transfer of binary file data IS provided in US 6, 061, 146.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus comprising determining means operable to determine from a) a received signal or b) locally stored information, whether to transmit data representing an XML file, and fax transmission means operable in response to the determining means to transmit data representing an XML file in a fax call.

This invention allows the transmission of information m a manner that is capable of reliable machine extraction, potentially obviating the need for human transfer of information to a target system. The advantages of conventional fax, such as immediate acknowledgement of message delivery are maintained.

The apparatus can comprise requesting means operable to send a signal requesting information concerning whether to transmit data representing an XML file. This is advantageous smce it can allow the apparatus to enquire of a receiving fax apparatus whether it would be appropriate to transmit XML data.

The transmission means may be operable to transmit image data and to refrain from transmitting data representing an XML file in response to a negative determination as to whether to transmit data representing an XML file. This can allow the apparatus to be useable with legacy devices.

The transmission means preferably is operable to transmit the data and to refrain from transmitting image data in response to a negative determination as to whether - 4 to transmit image data. This can allow the fax call to be shorter than if image data only were transmitted, with the attendant possible cost savings. The inventor considers that the transmission of image data in addition to XML data may not be necessary in certain circumstances. s

The transmission means may be operable to receive image data for transmission.

Image data in this context means data constituting a bitmap representation of an image, or data derived from a bitmap representation of an image, for example through compression. The transmission means alternatively can be operable to convert the data into image data for transmission.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus composing fax receiving means operable to receive data representing an XML file in a fax call and means for extracting information from the data.

The apparatus may further comprise means for converting the data to image data.

The apparatus preferably comprises sending means operable to send a signal indicating that the apparatus can extract information from the data.

The fax receiving means can be operable to receive image data in the fax call, and/or can comprise means for converting the data to image data. Since data representing an XML file may be converted to image data by the apparatus, it is not always necessary for sending fax apparatus to send the image data. It may be important that the image produced by the receiving fax apparatus is an accurate representation of the image that would have been transmitted by the sending apparatus. The conversion method used for converting XML data to image data determines the appearance of the image produced. To advantage, therefore, the sending and receiving fax apparatus are able to implement the same conversion method.

The sending means can be operable to send a signal indicating that image data is required. This can allow only XML data to be transmitted, if this IS appropriate, with the attendant benefits. - 5

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a system composing: determining means associated with a first apparatus operable for determining whether a second apparatus is capable of extracting information from data representing an XML file; fax transmission means associated with the first apparatus for transmitting data representing an XML file in a fax call; and fax receiving means associated with the second apparatus for receiving the data.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising: determining at a first apparatus whether a second apparatus is capable of extracting information from data representing an XML file; in response to a positive determination, transmitting from the first apparatus in a fax session data representing an XML file; and receiving the data at the second apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating apparatus, the method comprising: determining from a received signal whether to transmit data representing an XML file; and transmitting data representing an XML file in a fax call in response to a positive determination.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating apparatus, the method comprising: receiving data representing an XML file in a fax call; and extracting information from the data representing an XML file.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided a method of transmitting information, the method comprising sending data representing an XML file and image data in a single fax call.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a system including fax apparatus constructed and operating according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a fax modem forming part of one component of the Figure 1 system; and - 6 Figures 3 to 5 are schematic diagrams of systems including fax apparatus constructed and operating according to second, third and fourth embodiments of the invention respectively.

s Referring to Figure 1, a first (sending) fax apparatus 1 is coupled to a second (receiving) fax apparatus 2 via a public switched telephone network 3. The first fax apparatus 1 includes a first server computer 4 coupled via a first data connection 5 to a first facsimile modulator-demodulator (fax modem) 6, which is connected to the PSTN. A first database 7 is connected to the first server 4 via a second data connection 8.

The second (receiving) fax apparatus 2 includes a second server computer 9 coupled via a third data connection 10 to a second fax modem 11. The PSTN 3 is connected to the second fax modem 11. A second database 12 is also connected to the second server computer 9 via a fourth data connection 13. In addition, one or more software applications 14 are associated with the second server computer apparatus 9, these applications operating using a computer terminal (not shown) attached to the server 9.

In operation, information for transfer by fax is provided to the first server computer 4 by data transfer from a connected device or system (not shown). This information is provided in the form of an Extensible Markup Language (XML) data file. Details of the intended recipient of the information for transfer by fax are also provided to the first server computer 4, either directly by a user or by transfer from a connected device or system. These details may compose a fax telephone number or alternatively other recipient identification data enabling the recipient's fax telephone number to be determined. Determmation of the recipient's telephone number can be done by the first server computer 4 or by the first fax modem 6.

The XML data file and the recipient data are transferred from the first server computer 4 to the first fax modem 6 via the first data connection 5. Also the first server 4 provides image data relating to the XML data file, to the first database 7, along with the recipient data, for storage therein. - 7

Figure 2 illustrates schematically the circuitry of the first fax modem 6. The first fax modem 6 comprises a fax receiver 21 having a first mput line 22, a data demodulator 23, a data decompressor 24, input circuitry 25 having a second input line 26, XML to image conversion means 27, a clock 28, memory 29, output circuitry 30 having a first output line 31, a data compressor 32, a modulator 33, and a fax transmitter 34 having a second output line 35. In this example all the internal components are interconnected by means of a data bus 36.

0 The XML data file for transmission by the first fax modem 6 and the recipient identification data are received at the input circuitry 25 from the server computer 4 via the second input line 26. The XML data file and recipient identification data are then temporarily stored in the memory 29. A copy of the XML data file is transferred to the XML to image conversion means 27, which produces image data representing an image corresponding to the XML data file. The image data is of a nature suitable for transmission by fax. It may be for example a GIF, PDF, TIFF, JPEG or bitmap. The image data is stored in the memory 29 along with the XML data file and the recipient identification data.

The XML data file and image data, once ready for transmission, are passed to the data compressor 32 for compression. One form of compression is applied to the XML data and another IS applied to the image data. The resulting compressed data is passed to the modulator 33 for modulation before being transmitted by the fax transmitter 34 via the PSTN 3 to the recipient, which in this example is the second fax apparatus 2. The fax transmitter 34 is operable according to conventional fax protocols for handshaking procedures and data transfer. In addition to the conventional handshaking procedures for establishing a connection between the first fax apparatus 1 and the second fax apparatus 2, the fax transmitter 34 is operable to transmit a signal requesting information concerning whether the second fax apparatus 2 is operable to process XML data files. In this embodiment the second fax apparatus 2 is operable to process XML data files and therefore responds to the request signal with an XML capable response signal. The fax transmitter 34 in response to receiving the XML capable response signal transmits - 8 the image data and the XML data file to the second fax apparatus 2. If the receiving fax apparatus responds to the request with a negative determination, i.e. a non-XML capable response signal, the fax transmitter 34 transmits the image data and refrains from transmitting the XML data file. If the fax modem 6 does not receive a response signal, it infers that the second fax apparatus 2 is not XML capable, so transmits only the image data. However, for the purposes of illustration, it is hereafter assumed that the receiving fax apparatus 2 is XML data capable.

In this embodiment, the second fax modem 11 has the same components as the first fax modem 6. Reference is made to Figure 2 also when describing the second fax modem 1 1.

The second fax modem 11 receives the compressed and modulated XML data and image data at its receiver 21 via the first input line 22. This received data is transferred via the data bus 36 to the data demodulator 23, which demodulates the data before it is decompressed by the decompressor 24. The resulting image data and XML data file are then transferred along with data identifying the fax sender, via the data bus 36 to the output circuitry 30 which transmits them to the second server computer apparatus 9 via the data connection 10.

The image data is provided to the second database 12, along with the sender identification data, for storage therein. This provides a record of received fax transmissions. In alternative embodiments the XML data file may also be provided to the second database 12, or may be provided in place of the image data.

The fax transmitter 34 may be operable according to any number of a range of future and existing fax protocols. These protocols may include those developed for binary data transfer or those specifically developed for the transfer of XML data files. These protocols may or may not be backwards compatible with earlier protocols.

Information for transmission may be provided to the first server computer 4 directly from a user of the server computer 4, for instance using an input device such as a computer keyboard. If information for transmission by fax is not provided to the first server computer 4 in the form of an Extensible Markup Language (XML) data file the first server computer 4 may be able to create an XML data file by suitable conversion of, for example, a word processing or spreadsheet s file.

The XML data file may be provided by the first server computer 4 to the database 7 in addition to the image data, or may be provided in place of the image data. The storing of the XML data and/or the image data provides a record of fax transmissions sent by the first fax apparatus 1. Alternatively, the database 7 may be connected directly to the first fax modem 6 instead of the first server computer 4.

Similarly, the second database 12 may be connected directly to the second fax modem 11. The databases 7, 12 and/or the computer server apparatus 4, 9 may be located remotely from their corresponding fax modem 6, 11.

The first (sending) fax apparatus 1 may transmit, during the handshaking procedure, an indication of the speed at which XML data and/or image data will be transmitted. Indications of compression methods, modulation methods and error correction methods or other such parameters may also be provided. If the second (receiving) fax apparatus 2 is unable to operate according to the value of any of these parameters, it will send a response to the first fax machine 1 indicating this. A number of options are then possible. The sending and receiving fax machines 1, 2 may negotiate to determine common parameter values at which both machines can operate. If no common parameter values are found, limited transmission can still occur In certain cases. For example if a common value for the speed at which XML data will be transmitted cannot be found, the first fax apparatus might refram from transmitting the XML data file. Alternatively, the fax call may be terminated Typically, an XML data file comprises a number of data fields, each of which may contain information. The beginning and end of each field is marked with an indicator of what the field relates to. In order for a software application to use effectively information extracted from an XML data file, it is necessary to ensure that the Information is extracted from the appropriate data field. Accordingly, the communication between the XML enabled sending and receiving fax apparatus 1, 2 involves ensuring that the receiving fax apparatus 2 is able to utllise at least some of the information included in the XML data file. There are a number of ways in which this can occur. For example, the sending fax apparatus 1 can send data s identifying the data fields included in an XML data Ale which is intended to be sent by inclusion of the names of the fields. Alternatively, the sending fax apparatus 1 can use an identifier which can be used by the receiving fax apparatus 2 to determine what data fields are included in the XML data file, and optionally as well the sequence of the data fields in the XML data file. A further alternative is to transmit an identifier which identifies a 'template', or document type definition (DTD), which can be used to look up what data fields are included. The sequence of the data fields may not be important. The receiving fax apparatus 2 then utilises this information to determine whether it would be beneficial for the sending fax apparatus 1 to transmit the XML data file, and sends an appropriate signal to the sending fax apparatus.

Alternatively, the sending fax apparatus 1 may be operable to send a signal to the receiving fax apparatus 2 enquiring what are the XML data capabilities of the receiving fax apparatus. The receiving fax apparatus 2 can respond with data indicating the data fields from which information can be extracted and utilised, or alternatively respond with one or more identifiers which can be utilised by the sending fax apparatus 1 to determine what forms of XML data file are appropriate to be used. The sending fax apparatus 1 may be capable of preparing more than one type of XML data file, different types for example including different data fields in one or more different orders. The sending fax apparatus 1 may then be operable to prepare an XML data file which is suitable for reception by the receiving fax apparatus 2, according to the notified XML capabilities. Alternatively, if this functionality is not provided, the sending fax apparatus 1 may instead determine that the sending of an XML data file would not be beneficial, and m this case send only image data.

The XML converter 27 of the second (receiving) fax apparatus 2 is operable to convert XML data to image data. Since the image can be produced from the XML - 11 data, the image data need not be transmitted. However, when converting XML data to image data, the conversion method determines the appearance of the image produced. The receiving fax apparatus 2 ensures that it can produce from the XML data the same image that the sending fax apparatus 1 would have transmitted. The s first fax apparatus 1 may therefore be operable to send a signal to the second fax apparatus 2 requesting information relating toitsXMLto image data converting capabilities. If there is compatibility between the format of the XML data file and the conversion capabilities of the receiving fax apparatus 2, then the second fax apparatus 2 responds to the first fax machine with a signal indicating that the first fax machine 1 may refrain from sending the image data. For example, if the receiving fax apparatus 2 can apply the same conversion that the sending fax apparatus 1 would apply then there IS compatibility. The XML data is then transmitted and the XML converter 27 of the second fax apparatus 2 produces data representing an image corresponding to the XML data. This may be a bitmap, or may take any other suitable form. The XML data and this image data are then provided to the second server computer 9 as previously described. The first fax apparatus 1 refrains from transmitting image data since the second fax machine 2 can produce the appropriate image from the XML data. This significantly reduces the amount of data that is transmitted durmg the fax call and therefore reduces the duration of the fax call, with potential cost savings.

If the second fax machine 2 does not have the required conversion capabilities then the first fax machine 1 could refrain from transmitting the image data, and instead transmit the XML data alone. However, this transfer may not be classified as a fax transmission in certain sectors such as the legal or financial sectors, although this position may change in coming years. Accordingly, it is preferred to transmit both the image data and XML data as previously described. Alternatively, the receiving fax apparatus may reject the call.

In a further embodiment, instructions for the conversion may be provided to the second fax apparatus 2 along with the XML data so that the second fax machine 2 can perform the XML to image conversion accurately. This may take the form of a macro or a computer program for example. The second fax apparatus may be - 12 operable to store these instructions in its memory 29 for use in converting XML data that may be received or sent in future transmissions. Alternatively, the conversion instructions may be transferred via another route such as e-mail, by a user of the sending fax apparatus.

Alternatively, each set of available conversion instructions may be held in an externally accessible database along with a unique ID code. The sending fax machine 1 may in this situation use such a unique code to reference the particular conversion to be used. Both apparatus may be operable to store multiple sets of conversion instructions and may communicate with each other during the handshaking procedure of a fax call to find a commonly held set of conversion instructions. The receiving fax may receive XML data during a fax call and subsequently obtain the conversion instructions needed to produce the appropriate image from it.

Numerous other schemes are within the scope of the invention, as will be appreciated by the skilled person In the example of Figure 1, the first and second fax modems 6, 11 operate according to the Group 3 (G3) standard of fax transmissions defined by the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT), which is part of the ITU. The compression method employed by both the first and second fax modems 1, 2 in the compression of at least the image data is that commonly used under Group 3 fax transmissions, namely run-length encoding. This involves a combination of the compression methods of Modified Huffman (MH), Modified Read (MR) and Modified Modified Read (MMR). Run-length encoding operates by minimlsing repetition in data to be transmitted and generally results in a reduction in the amount of data to between a fifth and a twentieth of the original data size.

Alternative compression methods may be used.

Modulation under Group 3 fax standards can be performed according to a variety of standards defined by the ITU. For sending image data and binary data files these range In transfer rate from 2400bps (V.27ter, 1200 Baud, a bandwidth of 1150Hz to - 13 2450Hz and 2 bits per sample) up to 14400bps (V.17, 2400 Baud, a bandwidth of 550Hz to 3050Hz, and 6 bits per sample). In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the first and second fax modems 6, 11 operate according to V.27ter at 4800bps for sending binary data files and image data. As regards handshaking and other such communication signals, these are transmitted using V.21 at 300bps.

The above described fax modems 6, 11 may alternatively operate according to the Group 4 or other fax transmission standards.

The fax apparatus 1, 2 may comprise means for encrypting and/or decrypting data, for instance operable according to conventional public/private key encryption techniques. In one example this involves the receiving fax apparatus 2 Issuing a public key for encryption to the sending apparatus 1 during the handshaking phase.

The sending apparatus 1 then encrypts data that is to be transmitted using this public key and transmits the encrypted data to the receiving fax apparatus 2 in the normal way. The receiving fax apparatus 2 may then decrypt the encrypted data using a private key. This could apply to the image data and/or the XML data file.

An alternative embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 3. In this Figure, reference numerals are retained from Figure 1 for like elements. The main difference between the embodiment of Figure 3 and the embodiment of Figure 1 is that the server computer 4 of Figure 3 is arranged to provide, along with an XML data file communicated via the link 5 to the fax modem 6, data representing the corresponding image. Accordingly, the fax modem 6 does not need to perform any conversion of an XML data file to a corresponding image, so the XML converter 27 can be omitted therefrom. As with the Figure 1, the fax modem 6 is arranged to determine the capabilities of the fax modem 11 at the receiving station, and to send XML data files and/or image data accordingly.

A still further embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 4. Here, a sending fax apparatus 20 is connected via a PSTN 23 to areceiving fax apparatus 24. Instead of the sending fax apparatus 20 including a separate server computer - 14 and fax modem, it is provided as a unitary device. The fax apparatus 20 includes a motherboard, indicated at 21, and a fax card 22.

In this embodiment, the fax card 22 performs communication functions but does s not perform any processing or conversion. The motherboard 21 includes processing and memory resources (not shown) which perform all of the other functions of the fax apparatus 1 of Figure 1 or Figure 3. The fax apparatus 20, 24 may or may not include an XML converter for converting XML data into images.

0 The fax apparatus 24 Is substantially the same as the fax apparatus 20. When the fax apparatus 24 is used to receive a fax, information from the received XML data file is extracted by a motherboard 25 forming part thereof, and information contained in the XML data file is extracted for use by software running on the fax apparatus 24 or by a computer device (not shown) connected to this fax apparatus.

A still further embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 5. Here, first and second fax apparatuses 40, 44 are connected by a PSTN 43. Each fax apparatus 40, 44 is substantially the same as a standard fax machine, except that each is provided with means for sending a signal requesting information concerning whether or not to transmit XML data, i. e. a signal for determining whether or not a receiving fax machine is XML data capable, and also means for responding to such signals with a response indicating XML data capabilities. Each apparatus 40, 44 may also be provided with means for sending a signal requesting information concerning whether or not to transmit image data, i.e. a signal for determining whether or not a recelvmg fax machine can produce an appropriate image from transmitted XML data, and also means for responding to such signals with a response indicating XML to image data transformation capabilities. As such, each fax apparatus 40, 44 includes apparatus similar to and having the same functionality as the fax modem 6 or the fax modem 11 of Figures 1 or 3. The fax apparatus 40, 44 may or may not include an XML converter for converting XML data files into images.

Each of the fax apparatuses 40, 441S provided with paper feeder and scanning means, so that it can be used as a conventional fax machine. Each is also provided - 15 with means for receiving XML data files for transmission. Referring to the first fax apparatus 40, a link 41 to a computer network 42 is shown. Any computer (not shown) connected to the network 42 may communicate XML data files via the link 41 to the fax apparatus 40, from where the XML data file, and optionally any image, s can be sent via a PSTN 43 to a receiving fax apparatus 44. The sending fax apparatus 40 is also shown provided with a port 45 for receiving removable data storage media. Storage media shown at 46, and can for example take the form of a memory stick, an optical disk or other optical storage means, magnetic disk, or the like. XML data files can be communicated from the media 46 to the fax apparatus 40 via the port 45. The receiving fax apparatus 44 is provided with corresponding means for receiving data, so can operate in substantially the same way.

The fax apparatus 40, 44 may comprise other data communication means for transmitting XML data received during a fax call or data derived from the received Is XML data to external devices. This may, for instance comprise infrared or Bluetooth (RTM) communication means.

Although the embodiments of Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 are illustrated as having the same type of apparatus at each end of a fax connection, the invention is not limited to this. Indeed, any combination of fax apparatus may be used to communicate information according to the invention. Of course, if a sendmg fax apparatus is XML data capable but a receiving fax apparatus is not, then this is detected by the sending fax apparatus and only image data is sent, as in a conventional fax transmission.

Any of the fax apparatus described above may additionally be provided with printing means. This can be used to provide a printed record of faxes sent, and/or a printed record of faxes received.

It may not be necessary for a sending fax apparatus to enquire of a receiving fax apparatus what its XML data handling capabilities are on every fax call. Instead, this information may be gathered during one fax call, and stored locally. The next time a fax call is made to the same receiving fax apparatus, the sending fax apparatus may - 16 use the stored information to determine the XML data handling capabilities of the receiving fax machine without needing to send a request signal nor process a response signal. Alternatively, the XML data handling capabilities of receiving fax apparatus may be pre-programmed in the memory of sending fax apparatus for future reference.

Although embodiments involving fax communication over a PSTN network have been described, the invention also applies to communication wholly or partly over other networks such as dedicated closed phone networks or private networks that may be isolated from public networks.

The fax apparatus 1, 2 may be operable for data transfer over other communication connections, such as over an ISDN connection. This could, for example, enable data transfer at bandwidths of 64kbps per channel rather than at the much slower speeds of conventional telephone networks. - 17

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus comprising: determ1nmg means operable to determine

from a) a received signal or b) s locally stored information, whether to transmit data representing an XML file; and fax transmission means operable in response to the determining means to transmit data representing an XML file in a fax call.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising requesting means operable to send a signal requesting information concerning whether to transmit data representing an XML file.
3. Apparatus according to claim I or 2, wherein the transmission means is operable to transmit image data and to refrain from transmitting data representing an XML file in response to a negative determination as to whether to transmit data representing an XML file.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the determining means is operable to determine from the received signal whether to transmit data representing an XML file and whether to transmit image data.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the determining means is operable to determine from one part of the received signal whether to transmit data representing an XML file and from another part of the received signal, separated in time from the one part, whether to transmit image data.
6. Apparatus according to claims 2 and 5, wherein the requesting means is operable to send the signal comprising one part requesting information concerning whether to transmit data representing an XML file and another part, separated in time from the one part, requesting information concerning whether to transmit image data. - 18
7. Apparatus according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the transmission means IS operable to transmit image data and data representing an XML Ale in response to a positive determination as to whether to transmit image data.

s
8. Apparatus according to claim 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the transmission means is operable to transmit the data and to refrain from transmitting image data in response to a negative determination as to whether to transmit image data.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the transmission means is operable to convert the data into image data for transmission.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transmission means Is operable to receive image data for transmission.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherem the transmission means receives the data from a server computer apparatus.
12. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11, comprising printing means arranged to print a graphical representation of the image data.
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, arranged to cause transmitted XML and/or image data to be stored at least semi-permanently.
14. Apparatus comprising: fax receiving means operable to receive data representing an XML file in a fax call; and means for extracting information from the data.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising sending means operable to send a signal indicating that the apparatus can extract information from the data.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the sending means is operable to send the signal in response to a request. - 19
17. Apparatus according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the fax receiving means is further operable to receive image data in the fax call.
18. Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 17 further comprising means for converting the data to image data.
19. Apparatus according to any one of claims 14to 18, wherein the sending means is operable to send a signal indicating that image data is required.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the sending means is operable to send the signal indicating whether image data is required to the fax apparatus in response to a request from the fax apparatus to send the indication indicating whether image data is required.
21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the extracting means comprises a server computer apparatus.
22. Apparatus according to claims 17 or 18, including printing means arranged to print aa graphical representation of the image data
23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 25, arranged to cause received XML and/or image data to be stored at least semi-permanently.
24. Fax sending and receiving apparatus comprising apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13 and according to any of claims 14 to 23.
25. A system comprising: determining means associated with a first apparatus operable for determining whether a second apparatus is capable of extracting information from data representing an XML file; fax transmission means associated with the first apparatus for transmitting data representing an XML file in a fax call; and rim - 20 fax receiving means associated with the second apparatus for receiving the data.
26. A system comprising fax sending apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to s 13 and fax receiving apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 23.
27. A method comprising: determining at a first apparatus whether a second apparatus IS capable of extracting information from data representing an XML file; 0 in response to a positive determination, transmitting from the first apparatus in a fax session data representing an XML file; and receiving the data at the second apparatus.
28. A method of operating apparatus, the method comprising: determining from a received signal whether to transmit data representing an XML file; and transmitting data representing an XML file in a fax call in response to a positive determination.
29. A method of operating apparatus, the method comprising: receiving data representing an XML file in a fax call; and extracting information from the data representing an XML file.
30. A method according to claim 29 further comprising converting the data to image data.
31. A method of transmitting information, the method comprising: sending data representing an XML file and image data in a single fax call.