JP2006515728A - System and method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents - Google Patents

Abstract

A fax machine (10) for a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail comprises a processor and a memory to send voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to associated recipients. It is configured to be routed.
The fax machine (10) has an operation panel (12), operation display screen (14), microphone / speaker (16), telephone handset (18), sealed paper tray (20), auxiliary paper tray (22), printer, A communication bus interconnecting the audio / video recording camera (26), voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display (28), modem (30), processor, memory and fax transceiver elements is provided. In addition, the fax machine (10) has an additional keypad, PCI slot, voice generation circuit, voice recognition circuit, voice card, paper scanner, barcode reader, finger / thumb fingerprint scanner, retina scanner, stylus pen, signature pad, A shredder, network control unit, input / output port, etc. can also be provided.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to facsimile transceivers (faxes), and more particularly to routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and ensuring fax security with simultaneous remote video communication capabilities. System and / or method. A person who sends a document to the fax machine with the simultaneous remote video communication function can view the fax of the document created by the fax machine, and can approve or disable the sending of the fax.

  Fax transmitters and receivers initially took 7 minutes to send a page, which was poor and error-prone, but today, fax transmitters used in almost all offices can send and receive several pages per minute. It has become. Fax transceivers are unique to today's office. The reason is that the use of a fax machine is simple and has become generally accepted as a form of communication.

  Unfortunately, fax machines have several drawbacks. One of them is the lack of routing function. When a fax is sent, it is usually printed on the receiving fax machine and then left on the printing table. This is not a problem in some offices, but whenever two or more people use the same fax machine, it can happen that the documents get lost in a mess and cannot reach the person.

  Furthermore, fax machine security is also a drawback of conventional fax machines. A fax document can be read by someone who happened to be there when the fax was sent without routing and security features. In this way, confidential information can be inadvertently exposed.

  Financial institutions and various forms of private enterprises and government agencies have always had the ability to send documents electronically under the conditions of security and receipt control. The ability to accurately and securely transmit electronic signature approvals, confidential documents, certification records, financial certificates, and funding approval copies is essential to the functioning of all major modern organizations. As communication technology has advanced over the years, various systems and methods have been devised to support secure document transmission and transmission receipt confirmation. From telegrams, telephones, various wireless communication systems, and modernized versions of these wireless communication systems, high-function digitization and complex types, document replication with security is the most reliable and acceptable communication technology Has been achieved by integrating with the best security management practices.

  Fax has been widely used as a method for sending documents. As the name suggests, the fax is a reproduction of the actual original document. The purpose of the fax is the same for all components and is to create a remote copy with the authority of the original document. In fact, the beginning of the use of fax machines is before the time when telegrams were widely used. In 1843, British Alexander Bane devised a device consisting of two pens connected to two pendulums. The two pendulums were connected to a single wire that could replicate text on a conductive surface. In 1925, Edward Berne, France, invented a method using light and photocells that can convert light and no-light conditions into electronic impulses that can be transmitted. This is the basic principle on which all modern fax machines work. The invention of smaller and more efficient semiconductor components for electronic equipment has effectively created smaller and faster optical-based fax machines in the 1970s and 1980s. More recently, fax machines have become associated with the regular transmission of documents to public and private telephone networks as a normal part of daily work. Modern fax machines use two-way digital communication signals embodied as analog dial tones to and from public networks. Fax technology uses protocols or digital signal methods that are compatible with modern data processing and computer systems. This allows modern computer modems (modulators / demodulators) to support data communication between a computer and a fax machine. The standard governing the international interoperability of modern fax systems is the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT), most recently the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Group 3 protocol that specifies a 9600 bit per second fax standard. Set and regulated.

  Security for incoming documents is usually done manually. This includes, for example, placing staff / employees (or guardians) beside the fax machine when receiving confidential documents, or installing the fax machine in a physically secure facility or room, etc. It is. Electronic security is usually achieved through the use of access codes that can be programmed into the receive buffer of the fax machine. In addition, reception confirmation can usually be performed electronically by assigning staff members or employees, or by creating a simple mail transport protocol (SMTP) message response by the fax machine itself. In the case of an electronic response, the reception confirmation displays the completion of communication while it is unknown whether the received message is legible.

  In addition to the remote document copying fax method as a method for secure document transmission, video document image processing methods have been proposed. As camera recordings become smaller and with the ability to create higher quality images, it is possible to shoot every single document or series of documents, and the images are digitized and stored in a database. Or, when necessary, it can be transmitted to a remote place using an existing telephone network or a new high-speed private network. A paper version with authority for these images can then be created locally by a fax or printer using a standard printing device associated with a local storage medium. Data processing and network security devices and systems such as passwords, access codes, physical key locks, intrusion alarms, network firewalls, network restrictions and message blocking software used as host devices are stored or communicated images It can serve to ensure the delivery of data. Image processing documents residing in a protected database that require access and index selection procedures are inherently more secure than faxed paper documents. Acknowledgment options are available through the host system's unique message function. In order to provide the highest level of security and complete document receipt confirmation to financial institutions, private enterprises and government agencies, a fax or image processing device capable of sending a copy of the highest confidential document authority is required. There is a need for an apparatus that can be confident that the document sent by the document creator or document sender is exactly the same as the document received by the sending fax machine. Many such devices and methods have been proposed for practical use.

  Various attempts have been made to solve the above problems, but nothing has been done in a more simple and efficient manner than the present invention.

  Related techniques are introduced in the following references.

  US Patent Application Release 2002/0033961 A1 released on March 21, 2002 by Frederick J. Murphy is a method for securely converting and communicating electronic information from one communication protocol form through a packet-switched network and An apparatus is described. Murphy's application does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0036794 A1, released March 28, 2002 by Burnhard Bormer et al., Describes a method and apparatus for centralizing data communications between transmitting and receiving network elements. . The Bormer et al. Application does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Patent Application Release No. 6,188,488 issued May 9, 2002 by Masashi Eguchi describes a fax server or email device that connects to an email server. This e-mail server includes means for querying the size of the e-mail addressed to the e-mail server and addressed to the fax server or electronic device, and comparing the size of the received e-mail with the receivable size. . The Eguchi patent does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Patent Application No. 2002/0075539 A1, released June 20, 2002 by Shane Concera et al., Describes a system for transmitting original communications intended for an original sender to a secondary sender, and / Or describes a method. Concera et al. Do not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Patent Application Release No. 2002/0080415 A1, released by Naoko Akimoto et al. On June 27, 2002, discloses a communication device for transferring received data as an e-mail, its control method, and control of the communication device. A storage medium for storing the program is described. Akimoto et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Patent Application Release No. 2002/0085745 A1 released on July 4, 2002 by John E. Jones et al. And US Patent No. 6,363,164 B1 issued on March 26, 2002 are full image scans. And a document / monetary processing system that can process documents using a money discriminator. Jones and other applications and patents do not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Patent Application Release No. 2002/0101620 A1, released August 1, 2002 by Imran Sharif et al., Provides a paperless function and sends and receives faxes using the function of a network server to store and record data The machine is described. Sharif et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Patent Application Release No. 2002/0149644 A1, released on October 17, 2002 by Rodolfo Jodra et al., Converts the original data file of the content provider into a different color space to compose the proof data file. The final hard copy operation equipment to be described. Jodra et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Patent No. 4,010,466 issued March 1, 1977 by Steven R. Hofstein describes a method and system for electronic image storage and display, where the display is on a raster scan television display. The signal seen and transmitted includes a series of scan lines in the field of the television display where the line rate is lower than the horizontal television line rate and is a fraction of an integer. Hofstein et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,719, issued September 6, 1988, by Endo Etslow, is a fax system with a storage unit for storing video information, which is read from a document that is laser scanned at the receiving end. After that, the transmission side can confirm communication reception. When the sender requests a response for recording confirmation, the receiver prepares a response for confirming receipt of the document. The fax master controller is responsible for coordinating communication, printing and video operations between the transmitter and receiver. The Endo patent does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,812 issued Dec. 19, 1989 to Raymond F. Dinan et al. Describes a document image processing system. Dinant et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  U.S. Pat. Is described. Gear and other patents do not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,068 issued July 26, 1994 by Sakai Masanori et al. Describes an image processing system. Sakai et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,809 issued December 24, 1996 by Herve Lecore et al. Describes a system and process for sending secure faxes including a sending fax machine, a receiving fax machine, and a registered fax server. Yes. Lucore et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Pat. No. 5,602,936 issued February 11, 1997 by W. Thomas Green et al. Describes a method and apparatus for recovering data from a scanning device and storing the recovered data digitally. Yes. Green et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,725 issued April 8, 1977 by Arasher T. Gordon, for reading information from a remote computer by a personal computer (PC) with a fax modem in which communication is initiated A method and apparatus are described. The Gordon patent does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,404 issued July 1, 1997 by Shinichi Hashimoto et al. Describes a fax server system. In this fax server system, a computer terminal or fax server terminal that sends and receives faxes interconnects other computer terminals or customer terminals that access fax data stored in the fax server by the network over the network, and the received faxes are customer terminals. When the fax server terminal is accessed for the first time, the fax server terminal transmits the data confirmation reception of the fax data as response data to the original terminal that sent the fax data. Hashimoto et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Pat. No. 5,774,879 issued June 30, 1998 by Gene M. Casti et al. Describes an automated financial instrument processing system. Casti et al. Do not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,637 issued February 16, 1999 by Hiroyuki Nakanishi describes an image communication system that allows data stored in memory to be conveniently accessed from a remote location. The Nakanishi patent does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,116 issued October 31, 2000 by Gregory G. Odom et al. Was encrypted confidentially for documents received confidentially over the existing telephone communication line and received by a fax machine Describes the method and system for creating documents. Odom et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Pat. No. 6,157,464, issued December 5, 2000 by Mark C. Bloomfield et al., Has a local interface that works together to host a fax service method and a fax store located remotely. Describes a fax storage and forwarding system including forwarding facilities. Bloomfield et al. Do not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Pat. No. 6,181,837 issued January 30, 2001 by Thomas Cahir et al. Describes a method and apparatus for storing and retrieving images of documents. Kahir et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  U.S. Pat.No. 6,204,929 issued March 20, 2001 by Tokunori Kato describes a communication device that can prevent external light from entering the communication device to prevent incorrect operation. Yes. The Kato 929 patent does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Patent No. 6,330,079 issued December 11, 2001 by Andrew J. Dagan et al. Describes a comprehensive voicemail and faxmail platform for communication systems. The Dagan et al patent does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Pat. No. 6,363,360, issued March 26, 2002 by Martin P. Madden, analyzes and proposes a contractual option arrangement to trade a financial institution's deposit burden base for a given amount and time Describes a system and method for delivery. Madden et al. Does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  US Pat. No. 6,366,892 issued April 2, 2002 by Charles J. Altman describes a method for automating legal documents, particularly for public and commercial loans. The Altman patent does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  German Patent Application Publication No. 3,733,650 A1, released on April 14, 1988, describes a message communication system. German patent application '650 does not suggest a system and / or method for sending voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2-82740, released on March 23, 1990, describes fax storage and transfer conversion. Japanese Patent Application '740 does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-6149, released on January 11, 1991, describes a subscriber registration multiple address book registration system for fax storage and transfer conversion devices. Japanese Patent Application '149 does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  Japanese Patent Application No. 5-160620, released on July 23, 1993, describes an image processing method. Japanese Patent Application '620 does not suggest a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents as claimed in the present invention.

  None of the above inventions and patents, either alone or in combination, are considered to describe the claimed invention.

  The present invention relates to a fax machine for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. The fax machine includes a processor and memory. The fax machine is configured to route voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to associated recipients.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a fax system. The fax system includes a first fax machine that is communicatively interconnected with a second fax machine. The first fax machine includes a processor and memory and is configured to route voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to associated recipients. The second fax machine also includes a processor and memory and is configured to route voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to the associated recipient. The first fax machine is configured to route voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to the associated recipient at the second fax machine.

  Furthermore, part of the invention relates to a method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. The method includes providing a first fax machine and a second fax machine. The first fax machine is communicatively interconnected with the second fax machine for communication of the first voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. The first voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail is transmitted from the first fax machine to the second fax machine along with the recipient's fax code. The first voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail is received with the recipient's fax code at the second fax machine. Access to the first voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail from the second fax machine is controlled based on re-entry of the recipient's fax code at the second fax machine.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a fax machine. The fax machine is equipped with a recording camera that can scan fax documents. The signature pad allows you to electronically sign a fax. The sealed paper tray can receive the printed fax documents. The sealed paper tray has a transparent cover and is sealed and cannot be seen by the user. The voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display can display the image before the fax is released to its recipient.

  Further, a portion of the present invention relates to a fax system having a first fax machine that is communicatively interconnected with a second fax machine. The first fax machine has a recording camera that can scan fax documents. The signature pad allows you to electronically sign a fax. The sealed paper tray can receive and receive printed documents of printed faxes. The sealed paper tray has a transparent cover and is sealed and cannot be seen by the user. The voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display can display the image before the fax is released to its recipient. The second fax machine has a recording camera that can scan fax print documents, and a signature pad allows the fax to be digitally signed. The sealed paper tray can receive the printed document of the received fax. The sealed paper tray has a transparent cover and is sealed and cannot be seen by the user. The voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display can display the image before the fax is released to its recipient. The first fax machine controls the function of the second fax machine when sending a fax to the second fax machine. The second fax machine controls the function of the first fax machine when sending a fax to the first fax machine.

  Furthermore, part of the invention relates to a method for viewing a fax document. The method includes providing a recording camera and a voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display to the first and second fax machines, respectively. The first fax machine is communicatively interconnected with the second fax machine for the first transaction. The first fax is made from the first fax machine to the second fax machine. The first fax is received at the second fax machine. The second fax machine is controlled by the first fax machine until the first transaction of the first fax is completed. The image of the first fax is displayed on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail of the first fax machine. The first fax is electronically released from the second fax machine after the first fax image is displayed in the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail of the first fax machine .

  The present invention is a system and / or method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents. Of course, the invention disclosed herein can have many different embodiments. The drawings and the detailed description below are preferred embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is an illustration of the principles of the invention and is not limited to the embodiments shown.

  The fax machine according to the present invention comprises a processor and memory, the fax machine being arranged for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to the relevant recipient. Fax transceiver includes operation panel, operation display screen, microphone / speaker, telephone handset, sealed paper tray, attached paper tray, printer, audio / video recording camera, voicemail / videomail / faxmail display monitor, modem, processor, A communication bus is provided for interconnecting memory and fax machine components. In addition, the fax machine has an additional keypad, peripheral component interconnect (PCI) slot, voice generation circuit, voice recognition circuit, voice card, paper scanner, barcode reader, finger / thumb fingerprint scanner, retina scanner, stylus pen , Signature pad, shredder, character generator, network control unit, input / output port, hard drive, removable drive and / or antenna.

  The fax machine is an expanded memory that can store multiple sent voicemails, videomails and / or faxmails and a routing that can selectively send sent voicemails, videomails and / or faxmails to specific users. / Provide security protocol. In addition, the security protocol allows the fax sender to access the receiving fax machine to verify whether voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail has been received and accessed by the desired recipient. A secure system.

  The system also includes a network card that allows the sending and / or receiving fax machine of the present invention to connect to a wide area and / or local area network connection. With the network connection, voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail stored in the receiving fax machine can be accessed from a remote computer. The sending fax machine can instruct the receiving fax machine to forward a copy of voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail to a remote computer.

  Finally, the system includes a security protocol that allows the use of negotiable certificates, in particular specially prepared fax forms to securely fax checks.

  Sending side fax machine with recording camera and voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display, receiving side with recording camera and voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display for transaction When interconnected with a fax machine, the sending fax machine sends a fax to the receiving fax machine. The receiving fax machine receives the fax, and the sending fax machine controls the receiving fax machine until the fax transmission transaction ends. The fax image can be viewed on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the sending side fax machine.

  The sending fax machine can then open the fax electronically from the receiving fax machine after viewing the fax with the sending fax machine. The fax image can then be printed by the receiving fax machine after the fax is opened electronically. The fax print image is then scanned by the recording camera of the receiving fax machine. The scanned, printed image of the first fax is then displayed on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the sending fax machine. The scanned and printed image is then physically released from the receiving fax machine and the user scans and prints the scanned and printed fax image on the sending fax machine. You can get a document. In addition, the computing device can also be interconnected to the sending fax machine and controls the functions of the sending fax machine.

  Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a fax machine 10 configured to send and / or receive voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and view fax documents of the present invention. As used herein, voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail are all forms of electronic voice messaging (voice mail), electronic video messaging (video mail) and / or fax messaging (fax mail). Point to. In addition, conventional fax machines can also be configured to send the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail of the present invention and allow a little fit to view the fax document.

  The fax machine 10 can be configured to send and receive faxes. When a user (sender) sends a fax of an important or confidential electronic document or scanned physical document from the sending fax machine 10 to the receiving fax machine 10, the sender of the fax An electronic image can be previewed and the fax can be approved or rejected based on the electronic image previewed prior to “electronically opening” the fax.

  The electronic release of the fax used here means that the control of the electronic image of the received fax transmitted from the sending fax transmitter / receiver 10 to the receiving fax transmitter / receiver 10 is released. When the fax is electronically opened by the sender at the sending fax machine 10, the sender can "physically open" the fax. The physical release of the fax used here opens control of the fax print image to the receiving fax machine 10 and the user of the receiving fax machine 10 physically opens the fax print image. It means you can get it.

  In other words, the fax sender maintains control of the fax at the sending fax machine 10 before the fax is electronically released at the receiving fax machine 10. After the fax image is printed on the receiving fax machine 10, the fax sender can send the fax before physically releasing it, for example, by causing the receiving fax machine 10 to control the fax print image. Maintain control of access to print images. In addition, the user (recipient) of the receiving fax machine 10 can also electronically control the fax at the receiving fax machine 10 after the fax sender has released the fax control electronically and / or physically. And / or maintained physically. In addition, the fax machine 10 can receive an electronic or printed version of the fax at each fax machine 10 after the fax sender and / or recipient has previewed and / or electronically and / or physically opened the fax. Allows you to sign electronically.

  The fax machine 10 is configured to communicatively interconnect with all known fax machines and perform all the various functions of a conventional fax machine. However, the fax machine 10 also has unique features not found in conventional fax machines, especially when it is communicatively interconnected with another fax machine. The fax machine 10 is communicatively interconnected with a cable line, a digital reception contract line, a satellite, an optical fiber or the like according to a telephone line or a situation, and is electronically interconnected with a power supply line such as utility piping.

  Further, the fax machine 10 can be communicatively interconnected with a single or multiple computers 80 that include a monitor 82, keyboard 84, mouse 86, and the like. The computer 80 may be any type of computer, such as an IBM PC, a Macintosh computer, or an IBM interchangeable computer. The fax machine 10 is powered by a common commercial or home power supply and connects to a commercial or home voice telephone and / or a local area network / wide area network (LAN / WAN) system. The fax machine 10 can have any number of normal functions found in conventional fax machines such as document sensors, coders, decoders, and the like. Fax transceiver 10 is accessed through a LAN / WAN or other general-purpose data port by a PC or other similar device to program, control, receive voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and view documents It is configured as follows.

  The fax machine 10 includes an operation panel 12, an operation display screen 14, a microphone / speaker 16, a telephone handset 18, a sealed paper tray 20, an auxiliary paper tray 22, a printer 24, an audio / video recording camera 26, voice mail, video mail and A fax mail display unit 28 and a modem 30 are provided. Optional operation of the fax machine The alphanumeric keyboard 32 and / or mouse 34 allows the user of the fax machine 10 to create functions of the fax machine 10 in a manner similar to the use of a computer mouse. In this case, the user of the fax machine 10 can use the mouse 34 to move / instruct to the position and / or icon of the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display unit 28. After placing the mouse 34 at a desired position, the user can click to activate a function corresponding to the selected icon or the like.

  The operation panel 12 may have an LCD control. The operation display screen 14 and the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display unit 28 are, for example, an LCD display, an organic LCD display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED display (OLED), a thin film transistor display, a cathode ray tube (CRT display), Any type of display, such as plasma voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display may be used. The sealed paper tray 20 is preferably a sealed transparent document receiving holder. The audio / video recording camera 26 is configured to record voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent and received from the fax machine 10. The fax machine 10 is configured to be accessed through a LAN / WAN or other general purpose data port (see PCI slot 38 in FIG. 2) by a computer, program, control and other similar devices for viewing documents. .

  Audio / video recording camera 26 is configured to view all of the faxes that the sender wants to see / hear before being physically and / or electronically released from fax machine 10. Further, the recording camera 26 may record images and sounds. This function has the greatest potential when the fax machine 10 is connected to another fax machine 10 via a network. For example, if the sender of the sending fax machine 10 wishes to enter into a contract and / or agreement with a remote recipient of the fax machine 10 to which the sender is connected, the sender will send a contract and / or an agreement, etc. The voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail can be read by the recipient and the recipient can be informed that the contract and / or agreement is being signed.

  When receiving a fax to be sent, the recording camera 26 scans and records each fax image of the receiving fax machine 10 after the fax image is printed, and the user of the receiving fax machine 10 (recipient). ) On the receiving fax machine 10 on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display 28 and / or using the signature pad 56 to electronically sign the fax image on the receiving fax machine 10. be able to. When the incoming fax image is received by the receiving fax machine 10, the sender of the fax is further sent by the sending fax machine 10 via the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display 28. Preview the image and, for example, print and / or electronically communicate with the recipient's interconnected computing device to electronically and / or physically release the fax image at the receiving fax machine 10 The fax image can be approved or rejected before. The recording camera 26 of the receiving fax machine 10 scans the incoming fax image through a transparent cover on the sealed paper tray 22.

  When a call from the fax sender of the sending fax machine 10 arrives at the receiving fax machine 10, the recording camera 26 of the receiving fax machine 10 is activated and the sender is a voice mail of the sending fax machine 10. The fax image can be previewed on a computing device that interconnects with the video mail and / or fax mail display 28 or the sending fax transceiver 10. Further, the sender can record the fax image on the memory of the sending fax machine 10 or on a computing device interconnected with the sending fax machine 10. In the case of sending a check (monetary) fax, the sender can view the check tracking number and the document on the check fax / check paper. The fax / check form has a check tracking number sent by the sender before sending the fax.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fax machine 10 further includes a processor 66, a memory 68, and a communication bus 76 that interconnects all the elements of the fax machine 10. The processor 66 is shared or dedicated hardware and includes hardware capable of executing software, but does not include only this hardware. The memory 68 includes random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). RAM includes volatile or non-volatile RAM and can store large amounts of information. The processor 60 is designed to have unique functions as described below. ROM can store programs such as basic input / output system (BIOS) and POST, and programs that control input / output operations of hardware components such as keyboards and floppy disk drives. Furthermore, the fax machine 10 can also receive a network card for connection to the LAN.

  In addition, the fax machine 10 includes an additional keypad 36, PCI slot 38, voice generation circuit 40, voice recognition circuit 42, voice card 44, paper scanner 46, barcode reader 48, finger / thumb fingerprint scanner 50, retinal scanner 52. , Stylus pen 54, signature pad 56, shredder 58, character generator 60, network control unit 62, input / output port 64, hard drive 70, removable drive 72 and / or antenna 74.

  The voice generation circuit 40 can read the encrypted digitized message stored in the memory of the fax machine 10 and communicate it to the user of the fax machine 10 through the microphone / speaker 16 or the telephone handset 18. Those who use the fax machine 10 via the microphone / speaker 16 can perform comprehensive voice / image recording exchanges between the fax machines 10. The voice recognition circuit 42 allows the fax machine 10 to identify an appropriate recipient of the fax machine 10.

  The voice card 44 may be a conventional voice card and is used to store, send and / or receive voice mail. These audio cards are digital signal processors (DSPs), digital-to-analog converters (DACs), analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), read-only memory (ROM) or data, and instruments for connecting to external music. It usually has a flash memory for storing a digital interface (MIDI), a plug-in port for connecting a speaker / microphone of a line input / output terminal, and a game port for connecting to a joystick or game pad. The audio card 44 can reproduce pre-recorded audio, record with various media from an external source (microphone or tape player), synthesize the audio, and process the existing audio. DAC and ADC provide a way to input and output audio to and from the audio card under DSP supervision. In addition, the DSP also oversees all changes to voice. The rest of the process is handled by the processor 66 of the fax machine 10.

Audio cards can be connected to headphones, speakers, microphones, radios, digital audio tapes (DAT), CD-ROM drives, etc. The voice card receives a continuous, analog waveform input signal from the microphone plug socket. The received analog signal has various amplitudes and frequencies. The voice card software selects which input to use. The waveform signal is processed in real time by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The digital output from the ADC flows to the DSP. The DSP is programmed by a series of instructions stored in another chip on the voice card. In addition, while the above is being done, the DSP allows the processor to perform other tasks.
The DSP sends the waveform to the processor 66. Digital data is processed by processor 66 and sent to memory 68 or hard drive 70. To listen to pre-recorded wavy files, simply reverse this process. Digital data is read from the hard drive or memory and transferred to the processor 66. The processor 66 transfers the data to the voice card DSP. The DSP decompresses files compressed with digital data. The digital data stream from the decompressed DSP is processed in real time by the DAC circuit chip, resulting in an analog signal that can be heard through headphones or speakers depending on where the headphone plug socket of the audio card is connected.

  The shredder 58 destroys all fax documents received by the fax machine 10 by the fax machine 10, and the disabled / wrong / misaligned fax documents are passed to the wrong hands and confidential information and personal signatures are received. Configured to prevent misuse. In addition, the shredder 58 can destroy fax mail that the sender does not meet the accuracy criteria or fax mail that does not meet certain security measures of the fax machine 10.

  Signature pad 56 includes an electromagnetic digitizer that provides an uncompressed and / or compressed digital signature signal that is created, communicated, and printed on a fax image. The signature pad 56 has an upper part and a lower part. The signature pad 56 includes a placement guide for properly placing a signature created by a user of the signature pad 56 to accurately place the signature on voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail.

  The stylus 54 is used to sign the signature pad 56. The stylus includes an electronic circuit and forms part of the digitizer circuit. The stylus 54 is connected to the signature pad 56 by a stylus cable. When the stylus 54 is not in use, it may be stored in a suitably configured container. Further, the signature pad 56 is composed of a full-size sheet so that a user who makes a contract transaction can make an initial correction for the contract / agreement made.

  The sender electronically sends the fax to a computing device that interconnects with the recipient's fax machine 10 or electronically and / or releases the sent fax by physically releasing the printed image of the fax. Prior to physical release, the sent fax image can be previewed on the sender's fax machine 10. Further, after the fax is sent to the remote fax machine 10, the sender can further send the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display 28 on the sender's fax machine 10. After previewing the fax image, the signature can be provided to the remote fax machine 10 by signing the signature pad 56 with the sender's fax machine 10. The sender can also use the signature pad at the sender's fax machine 10 to sign the fax image, and before electronically and / or physically releasing the fax at the recipient's fax machine 10. You can also preview the image.

  The recipient must electronically send the fax to a PC that interconnects with the recipient's fax machine 10 or print the fax image electronically and / or physically before releasing the fax. The transmitted fax image can be previewed on the recipient's fax machine 10. The recipient previewed the fax image on the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display 28 after the fax was sent to the recipient's fax machine 10 and on the recipient's fax machine 10 Later, you can provide your signature at that location by signing the signature pad 56 of the recipient's fax machine 10. Further, the recipient signs the fax image using the signature pad 56 of the recipient's fax machine 10 and before electronically and / or physically releasing the fax at the recipient's fax machine 10. You can also preview the fax image.

  When a fax image is printed after the fax is electronically released from the sender's fax machine 10, the fax print image is placed under a transparent cover on the document. In addition, the printed image of the fax can be viewed before being signed by either the sender and / or the recipient. If the sender and / or recipient decides to sign the fax print image after the fax image has been printed, the sender and / or recipient scrolls the faxed document to the bottom of the imaging device / printer. Or the imaging device / printer is moved to the top of the faxed document and desired to print the sender's and / or recipient's pre-saved signature or book title made on the spot Make sure that the location is signed.

  When a sending fax machine 10 or a little-fit similar fax machine is connected to a receiving fax machine 10 or a little-fitting similar fax machine, the sending fax machine 10 All functions of the receiving fax machine 10 are controlled, and the operation panel 12 of the receiving fax machine 10 becomes inoperable. This provides security so that the sender can fully consider, confirm, reconfirm, approve and / or disallow the fax before it is electronically and / or physically released at the receiving fax machine 10. No one interferes with the receiving fax machine 10 until it is provided to the sender and the fax communication of the sending fax machine 10 is completed.

  The fax machine 10 includes fax software stored in the memory 68 of the fax machine 10. The fax software has multiple fax transceiver commands, which can be used on any user-friendly computer medium, such as computer hard drive 70, removable drive 72 (floppy disk, CD ROM, etc.), flash memory Electronically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical memory, electromagnetic media memory, etc. can also be stored and / or transferred to the memory 68 through the PC interface. The fax software is read and processed by processor 66, causing processor 66 to perform the programmed functions. The movement and command process and data are controlled and executed by the processor 66. The fax software includes instructions for causing the processor 66 to recognize information about the content of voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail. In addition, the external computing device is configured with fax software stored therein so that when the computing device communicatively connects to the fax machine 10, that is, the fax is sent from the fax machine 10. In doing so, the computing device can be configured to control the functions of the fax machine 10.

  The fax machine 10 can be configured in various modes by fax software. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of modes 100 in which the fax software constitutes the fax machine 10 includes a confirmation mode 102, a delivery certification request mode 104, a check mode 106, a check fax mode 108, and a user viewing only mode 110. , Finger / thumb fingerprint scan mode 112, retina scan mode 114, read-only mode 116, immediate status mode 118, copy (CC) mode 120, fax queue mode 122, identification mode 124, directory prompt mode 126, I am here Who is there (IHWT) mode 128, portrait mode 130, absence message mode 132, reference / library mode 134, touchpad mode 136, voice recognition mode 138, joint line mode 140, documents A viewing mode 142 and a contract mode 144 are included. The user of the fax machine 10 can use the interconnecting mouse 34 to view a list of all available modes of the fax machine 10 on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display 28. When the mouse 34 is placed on a specific icon associated with the desired mode available, the user can click and activate that specific icon to activate the corresponding mode.

  The confirmation mode 102 allows the user to confirm whether the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent from the fax machine 10 has been received by the recipient of the receiving fax machine 10. The delivery certificate request mode 104 allows the user to automatically receive the latest information on the delivery certificate request for all voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent to the receiving fax machine 10. The check mode 106 allows the user to immediately confirm whether voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent from the fax machine 10 has been retrieved by the recipient of the associated receiving fax machine 10. Check fax mode 108 allows a user to securely fax a financial check, such as a paycheck or other check payment.

  The user viewing only mode 110 allows the user to configure the fax machine 10 so that the person viewing the fax can view “read only” fax communications. The finger / thumb fingerprint scan mode 112 allows the user to confirm the authenticity of the intended recipient by finger / thumb fingerprint scan. The retinal scan mode 114 allows the user to confirm the authenticity of the intended recipient by the retinal scan. Read-only mode 116 allows the user to configure fax machine 10 to listen / read only voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. Immediate status mode 118 allows the user to be automatically notified that voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail has been received at his / her fax machine 10.

  Copy (CC) mode 120 allows the user to initiate voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail by sending a copy of the tracking number of the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail back to the sending fax machine 10 I can confirm that. Fax queue mode 122 provides the fax machine 10 with a fax queue that places incoming calls sent on a first-come-first-served basis, and the receiving fax machine 10 receives the recipient's specific voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail Prompts indicating the approximate time to do can be provided to incoming callers (senders etc.).

  The identification mode 124 allows the user to confirm whether the contacted fax machine 10 is the intended fax machine 10. The directory prompt mode 126 allows a user using the fax machine 10 to instruct the receiving fax machine 10 to be interconnected to provide a directory of extension numbers available on the receiving fax machine 10. The IHWT mode 128 allows users of the fax machine 10 to communicate in a manner similar to instant messaging and / or email. Depending on the portrait mode 130, the fax machine with camera can send images of the sender and / or recipient to the user and voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail, or images of people and objects (such as live feeds). Can be provided. The absence message mode 132 causes an absence message such as “vacation”, “being ill”, etc. to appear on the receiving fax machine 10 and a specific recipient of the receiving fax machine 10 can receive voice mail, video mail and / or fax. The sender can be informed that it is not at a certain time to receive the mail. The reference / library mode 134 allows the fax machine 10 to store in the fax machine 10 that contains voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail information that the company / vendor wants its employees / customers to use. Allows internal and / or external access to the database. For example, a company / vendor price sheet may be saved with an extension number for retrieval by the company / vendor salesperson and automatically re-saved for later reference. In addition, the save function can save voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail.

  Touchpad mode 136 allows fax transceiver 10 to be configured and started with a full-size touchpad so that participants can perform instant messaging (IM) with script versus typing. The sender can send a scripted note to a personal extension number for later retrieval. Scripts have an advantage in expressing themselves. With the voice recognition mode 138, the fax machine 10 is configured to match the intended recipient with a set of pre-saved voice libraries before sending voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. Can do. All human voices have unique characteristics. If voice recognition is required for voicemail, videomail, and / or faxmail (for additional security), the fax machine 10 will check the voice library before sending voicemail, videomail, and / or faxmail. It can be programmed to match a pre-stored receiving fax machine 10.

  The joint line mode 140 allows the sending fax machine 10 to be communicatively connected to multiple receiving fax machines 10 through the common line (eg, placing a conference call on the phone and placing a call) As well as allowing a person to communicate with multiple people / members on different phone numbers). With document viewing mode 142, the fax machine 10 requires the fax sender to electronically and / or physically send the fax to the receiving fax machine 10 and preview the fax image before releasing it. It can be configured so that it can be confirmed by the fax transceiver 10.

  Contract mode 144 allows fax senders such as contracts, agreements, and agreements that require signatures from both parties (senders, etc.) to see both signatures at both fax destinations and sender / receiver fax machine 10 it can. In addition, the contract mode 144 can print copies of contracts, agreements, agreements etc. (both signed by both parties) executed by both senders and receivers, and can see the copied copies printed by both parties. . Further, the contract mode can be used together with the joint line mode, and the fax machine 10 can be connected to a plurality of receiving fax machines 10 through the common line. In the case of multiple sending / receiving fax machines 10 communicatively connected to the contract mode and the joint line mode, each sending / receiving fax machine 10 has a contract and agreement in which each participant is in each place by split screen technology. Fax electronic images and / or fax print images such as letters, agreements, etc. can be viewed. The modes can be combined on the fax machine 10.

  FIG. 4 illustrates a method for sending voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to a particular recipient. Here, recipients of voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail use at least the fax machine 10 shown in FIGS. A user (e.g., the sender) attempting to send voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail dials the fax number of the receiving fax machine 10 (step 200), and the receiving fax machine 10 is sent to the sender. Wait to respond to the signal. When the signal is confirmed (step 202), the sender has a few seconds to dial the extension number (receiver passcode (step 204). The receiver passcode is pre-assigned to the specific user of the receiving fax machine 10 in advance. A given number or identifier.

  After the sender has dialed the recipient passcode configured for the recipient, the sender can also dial the security passcode configured for the specific voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail (step 206). Thereafter, the sent voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail cannot be accessed unless the recipient passcode and the security passcode are entered. This security passcode is provided by the sender of the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail, and the recipient is contacted before accessing the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. In this way, the security of fax communication is enhanced.

  Once the passcode and / or security code is entered, the sender sends a voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail (usually by pressing the send button on the transmitter) (step 208), and the voicemail, videomail. And / or the fax mail is stored in the memory location given that particular passcode. If no passcode is received, the sent voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail is stored in the memory location given to the unassigned voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail. After the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail is sent, the sender's fax machine 10 prints the communication confirmation and / or stores the communication confirmation in memory (step 210) and terminates the communication call. (Step 212).

  The sending fax machine 10 can be configured to automatically provide a pass code to all sent voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and send this code to the receiving fax machine 10. The receiving fax machine 10 then stores this code along with the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. In addition, passcodes are printed with visible or invisible ink along with other standard information such as date, tracking number, recipient's fax machine number, and time on the surface of all sent voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail. can do.

  FIG. 5 shows the steps performed when the sending fax machine 10 provides a passcode to all sent voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail and sends this code to the receiving fax machine 10. The processor 66 waits for the ringtone and tries to establish communication with the external fax machine 10 (step 300). When communication is established (step 302), the processor 66 pauses for a predetermined time and listens for a passcode (step 304). If no passcode is received (step 306), processor 66 provides voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to a general memory location for storage (step 308). All sent voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail are stored in this memory location and are accessible to any user.

  When the passcode is received and recognized (step 306), the processor 66 designates registration in memory for the user corresponding to the passcode (step 310). At that time, if a security code is received (step 312), the processor 66 blocks access to the faxed information after receiving the security code. Thereafter, the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail are all stored in a pre-made memory registration.

  FIG. 6 shows the steps of retrieving voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. In order to search for voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail, the recipient looks at the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display section 28 to determine whether voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail has been received. Confirm whether or not (step 400). The recipient passcode entered by the fax sender can be converted to a text name by the processor 66. This information can be preprogrammed. For example, the number 1254 can be converted to a title such as a docket manager or the name of an employee such as Bob Smith.

  If there is a voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail, the recipient enters his recipient passcode (step 402). This passcode can be confirmed by the processor 66. If either voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail has a security code, the recipient must enter a security code for each of the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail with security ( Step 404). If the recipient code is incorrect, the fax machine 10 waits for the correct recipient code to be entered by the recipient. If the recipient code and / or security code is correct (step 408), the recipient may request to print voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail (step 408), voice mail, video mail and / or A fax mail can be requested to be forwarded to the interconnected computer (step 410). Voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail can be displayed as default on the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display 28 (step 416), and voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail can be It can be stored on the fax machine 10 and accessed by interconnecting computers in a network connection.

  Voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail can be retrieved from any form of external computer connected to the LAN or WAN. In such a case, the processor 66 of the fax machine 10 communicates with the network connection H through the network card inserted in the fax machine 10 as shown in FIG. From here, voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail can be routed to the external computer C. The procedure for confirming voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail is the same as described above, except that the recipient of the interconnecting computer will store the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail in the computer's memory. With the option to print voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail from printers that are stored, deleted and / or interconnected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the fax machine 10 may also have a remote access function. Users can remotely send voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to memory, or remotely check the contents of voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent to fax machine 10 The transceiver 10 can be accessed.

  Remote access to the fax machine 10 involves a remote access user (remote user) that first calls the fax machine 10 and waits for the fax machine to establish a communication line (step 600). ) And (Step 602)). At this point, the remote user sends a signal to the fax machine 10 and stops trying to establish a communication line with the remote fax machine 10 by pressing a predetermined key such as a sharp (#) key, for example. be able to. Thereafter, the voice generation circuit 40 presents a voice selection menu and gives the remote user the option to enter either a transmission passcode or a security passcode (step 604).

  When a remote user enters a passcode, security passcode, etc. (step 606), the processor 66 verifies the code (step 608) and how much voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail is this particular passcode. Tells the user at the remote location whether it is in the given memory (step 610). With voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail, the user can dial the remote fax machine 10 number. Then, the fax machine 10 dials and transmits the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail stored under this transmission code to the remote fax machine 10 (steps 612, 614, 616, 620, 622). 624).

  In addition, the fax machine 10 allows the fax sender to check whether the intended recipient has received and accessed a particular voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. Can be accessed. This allows the sender to confirm a search for voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail at the recipient's fax machine 10 by silent call. The sender has accessed the recipient and not only has the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail been received, but also the secret that the receiver has actually read the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail. Can be confirmed. Since the passcode can be used for all private mail, the fax machine 10 allows the sender to call the recipient's fax machine 10 and passcode and a specific voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail number. And the fax machine 10 can check if voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail has been searched, or if the search has not yet been made. This feature is useful in all systems configured to carry out the content of the present invention, particularly in communications between businesses. Visible or invisible communication numbers can appear on the face of all voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail sent along with other standard information such as date, recipient fax number, etc.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the fax machine 10 can be configured in a confirmation mode. When voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail is sent and the fax machine 10 is configured in confirmation mode (step 700), a silent call is made (step 702) and no signal is received (Step 706), the fax machine 10 waits for a signal and confirms the signal (Step 704). Whether a voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail tracking number has been entered, the status of the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail has been searched, and the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail has been searched by the recipient Or whether the search has not been performed yet (steps 706, 710, 712, 714). Further, the fax machine 10 can be configured in a delivery certificate request mode. When a voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail is sent to a specific receiving fax machine 10 and the sending fax machine 10 is configured in the delivery certificate request mode, the sender The latest information on the delivery certificate request can be automatically received for all sent voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail.

  In addition, the sender programs the extension number of the receiving fax machine 10 together with the delivery certificate request communication so that the next time the sending fax machine 10 will be interconnected with a specific receiving fax machine 10 in communication. Until the recipient of the receiving fax machine 10 retrieves the associated voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail, the latest information such as that the search has not yet been performed can be revealed. At this time, all relevant data such as time and date are sent back to the transmitting fax machine 10 as evidence that the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail has been delivered. Further, the receiving fax machine 10 is configured such that when the sending fax machine 10 is configured in the delivery certificate request mode and the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail is transmitted to the receiving fax machine 10, It can also be configured to automatically dial back to the transceiver 10. Such optional features are primarily for inter-enterprise use, and companies believe that timely communication is better than saving calls.

  Voice messages (such as voice mail) are added to or included in voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent from the fax machine 10 when sending voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. May be. After the sender has punched the voicemail code, the sender can pick up the handset and wait for the telephone prompt to signal to leave a voicemail message. Recipients of voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail with voice mail attached are notified by an icon and a tracking number appearing on the preview screen. The recipient can enter the tracking number and receive the voicemail attachment. Voicemail can be added to all previously sent voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail until they are retrieved by the recipient. In addition, voice mail can be sent alone without attachment and can be retrieved from any fax machine 10 or from any fax machine 10 connected by computer or telephone.

  In order to access the voicemail left on the fax machine 10 by telephone, the user enters an extension number and tells how much voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail has not been searched yet To save, send and / or listen to unread voicemail, or to search for video / faxmail as described above.

  To offset the extra memory storage space in the fax machine 10 for voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail, the fax machine 10 includes one or more secondary telephone / DSL / cable lines for faxing. All voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail not sent from the memory of the transceiver 10 can be configured as default. More specifically, it is configured so that transmission of voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail is not hindered by time-consuming information collection communication such as confirmation of mode communication, voice mail communication, etc. can do. The fax machine 10 is instructed to default to a particular communication line when there is a speed problem with a particular voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail.

  Maintaining the delivery speed of voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail, the fax sender / receiver 10 scans hard copy documents before electronically connecting to another fax machine 10 It can be strengthened by inserting it into 10 memories. Such delivery speed management for maintaining the delivery speed of voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail improves the practicality of the fax machine 10. Because electronic movement of voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail requires a short connection time compared to the long time waiting for the fax to be scrolled and scanned by the fax machine 10 after being connected. Because it does not.

  Faxing a check securely involves communication between the sending fax machine 10 and the receiving fax machine 10. A check paper is used that includes the terminology of the conventional check 804 in addition to some unique features. A sample check paper 800 is shown in FIG. The check paper 800 may be of full-size paper so that it can be easily inserted into the fax machine 10. A barcode 802 is attached to one side of the check paper 800, and a unique tracking number is placed on the printed check. The tracking number appears repeatedly alongside the barcode 802 of the check paper 800.

  The check paper 800 is made of a cellulosic fiber net and can be made using any paper manufacturing process such as an “acidic” process or an “alkaline” process. Check paper 800 contains a mixture of specific types of cellulosic fibers, minerals and / or plastic fillers, dyes, sizing agents, strength-enhancing polymers, etc. manufactured to a precisely defined standard and is finished according to the user's wishes be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the fax machine 10 monitors the communication circuit for incoming telephone calls (step 900). When an incoming telephone call is received, a communication circuit is established (step 902). If the sending fax machine 10 is in the mode of faxing a check, a check fax signal is sent, which is sensed by the receiving fax machine 10 (step 900). At this point, the receiving fax machine 10 takes the check sheet from the auxiliary paper tray and places it in a position where it can be scanned by the bar code reader.

  The bar code reader scans the bar code of the check, reveals the tracking number, and sends it back to the sending fax machine 10 (step 908). Thereafter, the receiving fax machine 10 waits for a predetermined time until the tracking number is received and confirmed (step 910). If the tracking number is not received and confirmed before the predetermined time expires, the fax transaction ends. If the tracking number is received and matches the transmitted tracking number, the receiving fax machine 10 sends back a signal instructing the sending fax machine 10 to send a check (step 912). All the received check information is stored in memory and a copy is sent to the sending fax machine 10 (step 914). Thereafter, the receiving fax machine 10 waits for a while until it receives a print signal from the sending fax machine 10 (step 916). The inter-company fax machine 10 can be configured to omit some of the security steps. For example, as long as the barcode reader of the receiving fax machine 10 accurately scans the sheet aligned with the check paper, the check can be sent to the inter-company fax machine 10. Upon receipt of the signal, the check is printed (step 918), and the transaction ends, and if no signal is received, the check information is erased from memory (step 920).

  As outlined in FIG. 12, to send a check, the sender dials the receiving fax machine 10 to establish a communication line (steps 1000, 1050). The transmitting fax machine 10 waits until a tracking number is received (step 1052). If the number is not received within a predetermined time, the transaction ends. When the tracking number is received, the tracking number is displayed on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display unit 28 (step 1054). At that time, the user inputs the tracking number into the operation panel 12 of the transmitting fax machine 10, and the transmitting fax machine 10 starts transmission to the receiving fax machine 10 (step 1056). If the number is confirmed, the receiving fax machine 10 sends a signal to the sending fax machine 10 to start sending the check. If this transmission is successful, the sending fax machine 10 sends a check (step 1020), for example, prints a predetermined message on the check (eg, negotiable) (step 1022), and the transaction ends.

  By sending a check to a secure / locked section of the sealed paper tray 20 of the fax machine 10, the check and its security can be enhanced when the fax machine 10 is in check fax mode. . In addition, such a seal may be used if the securely locked section is physically locked, or if the specific code that initiates this securely locked section receives a matching code from the receiving fax machine 10. It is also possible to program the fax machine 10 so that the secure / locked section of one paper tray 20 does not function. The fax machine 10 can also include a machine foldable device configured to show only the name of the recipient of the check to protect the privacy of the amount (eg, a payroll check).

  The security of voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail via the fax machine 10 is set to the user browsing only mode 110, the finger / thumb fingerprint scan mode 112, the retina scan mode 114 and / or the voice recognition mode 138. It can be further strengthened by configuring. The fax machine 10 can also be configured to trigger an alarm when its particular security configuration is breached. Such an alarm trigger generates an audible sound at a predetermined decibel level, or a wireless or wired signal communication that informs a remote authorized person that the security protocol has been broken. be able to. The user viewing only mode 110 involves the use of a retractable screen cover with an eye hole that allows only the user to view “read only” transactions. First, the screen cover is placed on the receiving fax machine 10. Voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail are triggered when the user's and / or recipient's eyes / faces are placed behind the picture cover and sensed by the sensor. When a voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail has an audio part, the user can not only see it but also the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail audio part along with the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail Headphones can be interconnected with the fax machine 10. If the user's and / or recipient's eyes / face and headphones are removed from behind the screen cover, the sensor will not detect its presence and voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail will be released.

  In the finger / thumb scan mode 112, the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail recipient needs to touch the scanning pad, thereby verifying the authenticity of the intended recipient. When transmission of voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail is established, transmission is started. In the retina scan mode 114, the recipient of the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail needs to look at his retina, thereby verifying the authenticity of the recipient. When transmission of voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail is established, transmission is started.

  Finger / thumb fingerprint scan mode 112, retinal scan mode 114 and / or voice recognition mode 138 can be used to send voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail in user view only mode 110 to user view only mode 110. Additional security is provided.

The sender can also combine modes. For example, if the sender requires user viewing only mode 110 and finger / thumb fingerprint scanning mode 112, the receiver activates a retractable screen cover, places his eyes in position, and scans the fingerprint The voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail must be sent. Finger / thumb fingerprint scan mode 112, retinal scan mode 114, and / or voice recognition mode 138 require pre-loading a library of fingerprint scans, retinal scans, and voice samples for all persons using the associated fax machine 10.
Such a fingerprint scan, retinal scan and / or pre-loading of a library of audio samples can be performed based on the user's wishes. For example, some companies / contractors load employee fax scans, retinal scans, and / or voice samples into each fax machine 10 that is used in each fax machine used. Some load them only in the fax machine 10. Finger / thumb fingerprints and / or retinal scans are performed to identify current voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail recipients in the future.

  For example, a user may want to release a particular voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail to a particular recipient, but may not be able to confirm without leaving the recipient's unique fingerprint characteristics after some time. However, it is clear that such a recipient knows that he has been thoroughly examined and does not attempt to escape the security system of the fax machine 10. If finger / thumb scan mode 112, retinal scan mode 114 and / or voice recognition mode 138 is requested from the sender of voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail, voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail will be They do not have to be sent in read-only mode, they can be printed and / or stored. These modes are modeled on the check fax mode 108 associated with bar code reading, which sends a transmission number and may be required to be sent by the sender as described above. In other words, the scanned fingerprint / retina / sound produces a unique number that can be used prior to transmission.

  When the user is expecting to receive voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and / or check, the user can configure the fax machine 10 in the immediate status mode 118. If the fax machine 10 is configured in the immediate status mode 118, the fax machine 10 can notify the user immediately / simultaneously when receiving voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. This is done by entering the immediate status mode with the extension holder key, entering the extension number of the other party, and then entering the number that the other party can contact, such as a mobile phone, PC, IM, landline, pager, etc. be able to.

  If the user wants to send a copy of voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail from the fax machine 10 to the receiving fax machine 10 or send a confirmation that the user has entered CC mode 120 A fax machine 10 can be configured. After this configuration, the sending fax machine 10 can be configured to first make a copy transmission and then display the tracking number along with the name of the copy recipient on the person's copy of the sending fax machine 10. . In the case of multiple copy transmissions, all copy transmissions are performed prior to transmission to the principal. The principal (the recipient of the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail) will then receive the tracking number for all copy transmissions, and using the fax machine 10, the principal may confirm these distributed copy transmissions. it can.

  The fax queue mode 122 provides the receiving fax machine 10 with a fax queue that arranges incoming calls on a first-come, first-served basis. And / or provide a prompt indicating the approximate time to receive the fax mail. For example, fax queue mode 122 will allow fax machine 10 to “deliver your email in approximately 30 seconds”, “deliver your email in 10 seconds”, “deliver your email” Etc. so that messages can be given.

  The identification mode 124 allows the user to confirm whether the fax machine 10 with which the user has contacted is the intended fax machine 10. When the sender needs to verify that the particular fax machine 10 that he / she contacted is actually the intended fax machine 10, the sender configures the fax machine in identification mode 124 and sends / receives the receiving fax machine. Instruct the receiving fax machine 10 to disclose the owner, location, etc. of the machine 10 in words, through reading the display screen, or both. If the identification is correct, the sender can safely release the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail.

  Directory prompt mode 126 allows a user using the sending fax machine 10 to instruct the receiving fax machine 10 to provide a directory of extensions that are available on the interconnecting receiving fax machine 10. . The extension numbers that can be used are not all the extension numbers of the receiving fax machine 10.

  The IHWT mode 128 allows the user of the fax machine 10 to communicate in a manner similar to instant messaging or email. For example, a fax machine 10 configured in IHWT mode communicates with another fax machine 10 in a manner similar to instant messaging or email, or interconnects with local area and / or wide area network communications And can communicate in the same way as instant messaging and email. This feature allows computer devices that interconnect with fax machine 10 and / or fax machine 10 with IHWT mode 128 to communicate in a manner similar to instant messaging and email. This interconnection can be achieved by telephone / cable, local area and / or wide area network communications. A list of all participants can be seen on each user's display screen and chat with any person configured in this mode. The company / merchant will stay in the network within the company / merchant rather than connected to the Internet. Further, if a message requires an immediate response, for example, business executives have found that employees / colleagues choose infinite voicemail over many phone calls. Although this function does not always have all the delivery certificates normally provided in the fax machine 10, this function and its usefulness exceed this drawback.

  Portrait mode 130 allows a fax machine with a camera to provide users with images of senders and / or recipients of voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail. The fax machine 10 can be configured in various ways to implement the portrait mode 130. For example, the mirror can be placed near the received fax document so that the image reflected in the mirror can be viewed from the receiving fax machine 10 and / or the remote fax machine 10. Further, the camera 26 can be configured so that the direction of the camera lens can be adjusted together with the swivel.

  The absence message mode 132 configures an absence message such as “vacation” or “disease” in the receiving fax machine 10 so that a specific person of the receiving fax machine 10 can receive voice mail and video mail at a specific time. And / or the sender knows that it cannot receive fax mail. The absence message mode 132 immediately alerts the sender and allows the sender to access the absence message stored in the fax machine 10. The absence message can be stored in the fax machine 10 or can be communicably connected to the fax machine 10 from a remote device. With the exception of IHWT mode 128, the person at the receiving fax machine 10 cannot say "I did not receive voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail".

  The absence message can be verbal, printed, or video. Video may be performed by using a digital camera for easy loading and a hard drive to supplement the memory. The reference / library mode 134 operates in the same manner as described above. If for some reason the fax receiver 10 is unable to receive voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail (eg, disconnection, unprogrammed extension number, malfunctioning communication link, etc.), the sender may receive voicemail, videomail and If fax mail cannot be delivered, it will be notified immediately, thereby minimizing delays in voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail.

  The reference / library mode 134 is a fax machine that provides internal and / or external access to a stored database of the fax machine 10 that stores documents / information that the company / vendor wants its employees / customers to use. Enable to 10. For example, a company / merchant price sheet can be saved with an extension number, retrieved by the company / merchant sales representative, and automatically re-saved for future reference. In addition, the save function can save video and / or audio. The interconnecting mouse 34 allows the user to use this function very effectively. This is because the user can quickly click on the reference / library mode icon and select from a list of available documents such as fax cover sheets. In addition, the stored document can be programmed to provide predetermined information, such as the user's return address. When the user enters the passcode, the user's return address will automatically appear on the fax cover sheet with the date / time etc. and the ability to type below the findings (such as through a programmed fax editor) Information can be sent to its intended recipient.

  Touchpad mode 136 allows fax transceiver 10 to be configured and started with a full-size touchpad so that participants can make instant messages with script-to-typing. The sender can send a scripted note to a personal extension number for later retrieval. Scripts have an advantage in expressing themselves. With the voice recognition mode 138, the fax machine 10 is configured to match the intended recipient with a set of pre-saved voice libraries before sending voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. Can do. All human voices have unique characteristics. If voice recognition is required for voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail (for additional security), the fax machine 10 will check the voice library before sending voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail. It can be programmed to match a pre-stored receiving fax machine 10.

  The joint line mode 140 allows the sending fax machine 10 to communicatively connect to multiple receiving fax machines 10 through the common line (eg, placing a conference call on the phone and placing a call) As well as allowing a person to communicate with multiple people / members on different phone numbers). With document viewing mode 142, the fax machine 10 requires the fax sender to electronically and / or physically send the fax to the receiving fax machine 10 and preview the fax image before releasing it. You can check with the fax machine 10 Contract mode 144 allows fax senders such as contracts, agreements, and agreements that require signatures from both parties (senders, etc.) to see both signatures at both fax destinations and sender / receiver fax machine 10 it can.

  Furthermore, the contract mode 144 can also print copies of contracts, agreements, agreements, etc. (both signed by both parties) executed by both senders and receivers, and contracts executed by both senders and receivers, You can see copies of agreements, agreements, etc. (signed by both parties, etc.). Also, the contract mode can be used together with the joint line mode, and the fax machine 10 can be connected to a plurality of receiving fax machines 10 through the common line. In the case of multiple transmitting / receiving fax machines 10 communicatively connected to the contract mode and the joint line mode, each transmitting / receiving fax machine 10 has a contract and agreement in which each participant is at each location by split screen technology. Fax electronic images and / or fax print images such as letters, agreements, etc. can be viewed. Any or all of the above modes can be combined on the fax machine 10.

  If the sender's fax machine 10 is set to contract mode 144 and the sender sends a fax, such as a contract, agreement, or agreement, to the recipient of the receiver's fax machine 10, the fax, such as a contract, agreement, or agreement Are sent back to the sending fax machine 10 so that the fax can be released electronically and / or physically at both the sending fax machine 10 and the receiving fax machine 10. Both the sender and the recipient can send fax images of their contracts, agreements, agreements, etc. to their respective fax machines 10 prior to the electronic and / or physical release of the faxes, such as contracts, agreements, agreements, etc. A voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display unit 28 can be previewed. Both senders and receivers of contracts, agreements, agreements, etc. faxes are preferred after the fax of contracts, agreements, agreements, etc. has been sent to the receiving fax machine 10 and the sender / receiver is preferred Contracts by signing the signature pad 56 of each fax machine 10 after previewing the fax image on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display 28 of each fax machine 10 using split screen technology. You can sign your fax. In addition, both the sender and receiver use the signature pad 56 of each fax machine 10 to sign a fax image, such as a contract, agreement, or agreement, and then electronically and It is also possible to preview the fax image before physically releasing the fax.

  After the fax is electronically released from the sending fax machine, a fax image such as a contract, agreement, or agreement is printed on each sending / receiving fax machine 10 and then the respective documents on the sending / receiving fax machine 10 A printed image of the fax is placed under the transparent cover of the sealed paper tray 20 above. Furthermore, fax print images, such as contracts, agreements, and agreements, can be previewed before being signed by the sender and / or recipient. If the sender and / or recipient decides to sign the fax print image of the contract, agreement, agreement, etc. after the fax image of the contract, agreement, agreement, etc. has been printed, then the sender and / or Recipients can scroll through fax print images such as contracts, agreements, agreements, etc., and place them under the imager / printer, or a pre-stored or signed on-site sender In order to print the recipient's signature, the imaging device / printer may be moved to the top of the fax document so that the signature is placed at the desired location. In addition, the sender and / or the recipient can independently sign a fax print image, such as a contract, agreement, or agreement, at each location. For example, a signature is made by the sending fax machine 10 and a signature is made by the receiving fax machine 10. Preferably, contract mode 144 is used where the sender first signs the contract, agreement, agreement, etc., and then requires the receiver and / or others to sign the contract, agreement, agreement, etc. Can be configured.

  The light of the recording camera 26 and the receiving fax machine 10 is installed in a movable swivel and gives its signal to the coder and decoder. The coder and decoder sample the received information. At this time, when the receiving fax machine 10 is configured in the document viewing mode 142, the high quality video image data is compressed by the compression unit and then transmitted to the receiving fax machine 10 through the modem 30. The modem 30 of the sending fax machine 10 receives a command from the processor 66 of the sending fax machine 10. The instructions are stored in the message buffer of the remote fax machine 10 or in an attempt to maintain an open channel for the sending fax machine 10 to view the fax coded video signal. In the case of a fax, the receiving fax machine 10 starts its printer 24 and upon receiving a response message that it is ready to print a fax image, the receiving fax machine 10 dials again.

  When the fax image decoded and decompressed on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display unit 28 of the sending fax machine 10 is received and previewed, a message indicating approval or disapproval of the key is received. The message is sent to the processor 66 of the receiving fax machine 10 and the message on the sealed document receiving holder is released (electronically and / or physically). Show.

  The fax machine 10 is configured to allow secure document printing, reading, recording camera scanning, and / or electronic or physical release functions. After physical release of fax information by the memory 68 of the receiving fax machine 10, the printer 24 selects a sheet of paper from the paper pull-in chamber of the fax machine 10. In the case of a laser printer, the printing laser charges static electricity on the intended piece of paper. Thereafter, the paper charged with static electricity by the print drive wheel is fed onto the toner drum wheel, and the toner drum wheel applies toner to the portion of the paper where electricity is charged. Further, the paper is fed into a sealed document receiving holder with the transparent portion facing up. The light provided with the recording camera of the fax machine 10 illuminates the transparent part. The paper is then scanned by the recording camera 26, which decodes and decompresses the video signal to minimize the transmission delay and then sends the paper print image back to the sending fax machine 10 for review. . Upon receiving a keyed message response from the sending fax machine 10, the printer 24 further charges and applies toner to the printed paper corresponding to the fax sender's decision to approve or reject the fax. When the toner has been applied, the printed paper is pushed out of the fax machine 10.

  The paper that is scanned and faxed to another device is placed in the fax machine 10 from the document intake tray. The document take-in roller moves the paper by a paper scanner 46, which optically scans the paper contents, digitizes the scanned image of the paper, and stores the fax image data in the remote fax machine 10 memory. Sent to 68 by modem 30. In addition, the scanned paper is pushed out of the fax machine 10 by the fax document roller wheel. Upon receiving a message that the remote fax machine 10 has received the fax in the sealed paper tray 20 and received a message that the fax image is ready for review, the operator operating the fax will receive an accompanying voicemail, A fax image can be viewed on the video mail and / or fax mail display unit 28.

  FIG. 13 shows a diagram of a method of using the fax machine 10 to send a check. The sender or payer writes a check at his home or office location 1100. Using the fax machine 10, the check is sent over the local telephone line and public switching network 1110 to the corresponding fax machine 10 at the vendor or vendor payment account location 1112. Using the fax machine 10, the payer 1100 confirms that the fax approving the check has been sent correctly to the payee 1112, and checks the paper with the approval stamp from the sealed paper tray 20 of the fax machine 10. Release copies electronically and / or physically. After receiving an approved fax check, the vendor or dealer correctly endorses the faxed check and pays using a fax machine 10 connected to the private or public switched telephone network 1110 via a voice telephone line. To do so, fax or deposit a check endorsed by your bank 1114 or payer's bank 1118 as the case may be. If an intermediary or US Federal Reserve Bank 1116 is involved, fax, preview, approval and release when the endorsed and finally canceled check is sent to the payer's bank 1118 and sent back to the sender or payer 1100 The process is the same. For writers, vendors, and banks writing checks connected to each other via private networks or data circuits, the procedure is different from that described above.

  Horse mail delivery and telegrams were more efficient than any other means during their heyday. The US postal system has grown to be reliable, but it has become obsolete in today's fast-paced world. Use postal mail if you think next day delivery or if next day delivery is fast and it's cheap to pay $ 10. To date, fax machines are “unsatisfactory”, the Internet is “paper jam” (advertising / pop-up advertising), and “dangerous” (computer viruses / hackers).

The fax machine 10 will function and hold forever. The fax machine 10 allows the sender of voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail to control voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail, and the sender can fax voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail over the WAN. Transmission to the intended recipient using the transceiver 10 can be confirmed. From this point of view, the fax machine 10 is a system connected to the user's office by wire, cable, etc., the printer at the intended recipient is under the user 's control, and the fax document is It can be safely stored in a glass container until the user feels proofreading the fax or can deliver or destroy the fax.

  Extension number and corresponding name in the connecting LAN and fax transmitter / receiver 10 can send voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail with proof of delivery, the user can be a postman I feel like I placed my voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail in the mailbox. Alternatively, the user can chat (instant messaging) as on the Internet. If all offices are equipped with a fax machine 10, all offices will be connected. The fax machine 10 has endless possibilities.

  While the invention will be described in conjunction with references to preferred embodiments thereof, various modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and the like may change these elements. The person skilled in the art will understand that they can. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the subject matter of the invention without departing from the essential subject matter of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perimeter view of a personalized fax system for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a personalized fax system for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of modes associated with a personalized fax system for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and viewing fax documents of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail from a receiving fax machine according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail of the present invention to a receiving fax machine. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for viewing or receiving a fax document while also giving or receiving instructions to print or save voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail to a fax machine in accordance with the present invention. . FIG. 7 is a peripheral view for viewing a fax system and a routing system for voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for remotely accessing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail from the fax machine according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method for a sender to confirm that a recipient has received voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail and view a fax document in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 10 is an example of a check fax paper of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for securely faxing a check to a receiving fax machine according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for securely faxing a check to a sending fax machine in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a method of using a fax machine for sending checks according to the present invention.

    The same reference characters refer to the respective characteristics consistently on all attached drawings.

Claims (242)

  A fax machine for routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail with a processor and memory, configured to route voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to the relevant recipients Fax transmitter / receiver.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising an operation panel.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising an operation display screen.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a microphone / speaker.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a telephone handset.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a sealed paper tray.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary paper tray.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a printer.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising an audio / video recording camera.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a modem.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a keyboard.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a mouse.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a keypad.   The fax machine according to claim 13, wherein the operation keypad comprises a telephone keypad.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a peripheral component interconnection slot.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a voice generation circuit.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a voice recognition circuit.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a voice card.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a paper scanner.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a bar code reader.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a finger / thumb fingerprint scanner.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a retinal scanner.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a stylus.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a signature pad.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a shredder.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a hard drive.   The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a removable drive.   Fax software that configures the fax machine in a confirmation mode so that the user can check whether the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent from the fax machine has been retrieved by the recipient of the receiving fax machine 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine comprises a fax machine.   Fax software that configures the fax machine in the delivery certificate request mode so that the user can automatically receive the latest information of the delivery certificate request for each of the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent to the receiving fax machine 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a fax machine.   Put the fax machine in check mode so that the user can quickly verify whether the voice mail, video mail sent from the fax machine, and / or fax mail has been retrieved by the recipient of the relevant destination fax machine. 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, including the fact that the fax machine includes the software to constitute.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine includes software for configuring the fax machine in a fax check mode so that a user can fax a cash check securely.   The fax machine should include software that configures the fax machine in user-only mode so that the person viewing the fax can view / listen to "read-only" voicemail, video mail and / or faxmail. The fax machine according to claim 1 including:   The fax machine has a retractable screen cover with a perforated eye so that the user viewing the fax can view / listen to "read-only" voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail 34. The fax machine according to claim 33 configured in a dedicated mode.   2. The fax transmission / reception of claim 1, wherein the fax transmission / reception includes software for configuring the fax transmission / reception device in a finger / thumb fingerprint scanning mode so that the user can verify the authenticity of the intended recipient by the finger / thumb fingerprint scanning Machine.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine includes software for configuring the fax machine in a retinal scan mode so that the user can confirm the authenticity of the intended recipient by the retinal scan.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine includes software that configures the fax machine to read-only mode so that the user can only view / listen to voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail.   The fax machine includes software that configures the fax machine in an immediate status mode so that the user can be automatically notified that voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail has been received at the user's fax machine. 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, including providing.   Copy (CC) mode to let the user confirm that the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail has been activated by copying the tracking number of the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail to the fax machine 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine includes software that constitutes the fax machine.   Fax queue that places incoming phone calls on a first-come-first-served basis and gives the caller a prompt that indicates the approximate time it will take for the fax machine to receive the sender's specific voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine comprises software for configuring a fax queue mode in the fax machine to prepare for sending and receiving faxes.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine includes software that configures the fax machine with an identification mode so that a user can verify whether the receiving fax machine is the intended fax machine.   The fax machine receives software that configures the fax machine in a directory prompt mode so that the user can prompt a directory of extension numbers available on the receiving fax machine to the interconnecting fax machine. 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, including providing.   I am here so that users of fax machines can communicate in a manner similar to instant messaging and email, who is there (IHWT) mode? 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, which includes what the transceiver has.   44. The fax machine according to claim 43, wherein the fax machine is configured to communicate with another fax machine in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.   44. The fax machine according to claim 43, wherein the fax machine is configured to communicate with computing devices interconnected with a network connection in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.   The fax machine must have software that configures the fax machine in portrait mode so that the fax machine with camera can provide voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail, images of people and objects to the user. The fax machine according to claim 1 including:   An absence message can be placed on the receiving fax machine to inform the sender that a particular person on the receiving fax machine cannot receive voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail at a particular time. 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine includes software for configuring the fax machine in a message mode.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine includes software for configuring the fax machine in a reference / library mode to allow internal / external access to documents / information stored in a saved database.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine includes software that configures the touch pad mode on the fax machine to activate a full-size touchpad and allow participants to script instant messages.   Configure the fax machine in voice recognition mode so that the fax machine can match the intended recipient with the pre-saved library of voice before sending voice, video, and / or fax mail 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, comprising providing the fax machine with software.   Claim wherein the fax machine includes software for configuring the fax machine to be in a joint-line mode so that the sending fax machine can be communicatively connected to a plurality of receiving fax machines via a common line. Item 1. Fax transceiver.   Enter document viewing mode to allow the fax sender to check if the fax sender needs to preview the fax image before electronically / physically releasing the fax to the receiving fax machine 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein the fax machine includes software that constitutes the fax machine.   Contract / contract / contract fax that requires signatures from both sender and receiver Fax transceivers in contract mode so that senders and receivers can see their signatures on their respective fax machines 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising: the fax machine having software configured as described above.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, further comprising a check sheet with a tracking number and a barcode attached to one side of the check sheet.   2. The fax machine according to claim 1, wherein an alarm is activated as soon as the security of the fax machine is broken.   56. The fax machine according to claim 55, wherein the alarm emits an audible sound at a predetermined decibel level.   56. The fax machine according to claim 55, wherein the alarm signals the remote authorized person to inform the remote authorized person that the fax machine's security protocol has been breached. A first fax machine communicatively interconnects with a second fax machine;
The first fax machine has a processor and memory and is configured to route voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to the relevant recipients, and the second fax machine has a processor and memory. Configured to route voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail to the relevant recipients,
A fax system in which a first fax machine is configured to route voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail to an associated recipient of the second fax machine.   59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein each of the first and second fax machines further comprises an operation panel.   59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein each of the first and second fax machines further includes an operation display screen.   59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a microphone / speaker.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a telephone handset.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a sealed paper tray.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise an auxiliary paper tray.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a printer.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise an audio / video recording camera.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a modem.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a keyboard.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a mouse.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a keypad.   The fax system of claim 70, wherein the keypad comprises a telephone keypad.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a peripheral component interconnect slot.   59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a voice generation circuit.   59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a voice recognition circuit.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a voice card.   59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a paper scanner.   59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a bar code reader.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a finger / thumb fingerprint scanner.   59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein each of the first and second fax transmissions further comprises a retinal scanner.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a stylus.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a signature pad.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a shredder.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a hard drive.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each further comprise a removable drive.   Fax software that configures the fax machine in confirmation mode to allow the user to check whether the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent from the fax machine has been retrieved by the recipient of the receiving fax machine 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each comprise.   Fax software that configures the fax machine in the delivery certificate request mode so that the user can automatically receive the latest information of the delivery certificate request for all voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent to the receiving fax machine 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax machines each comprise.   Configure the fax machine in check mode so that the user can quickly verify if the voice mail, video mail sent from the fax machine, and / or fax mail has been retrieved by the recipient of the relevant fax machine 59. The fax system according to claim 58, further comprising: the first and second fax machines each having software to perform.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein each of the first and second fax machines includes software that configures the fax machine in fax check mode so that the user can securely fax a cash check.   The first and second fax software that configures the fax machine in a user viewing only mode so that a fax viewer can view / listen to "read-only" voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein each includes a transceiver.   Each of the first and second fax machines further comprises a retractable screen cover with a perforated eye so that the person viewing the fax sees "read only" voice, video and / or fax mail 95. The fax machine according to claim 90, wherein the fax transceiver is configured in a user viewing only mode so that it can be heard.   Each of the first and second fax machines includes software that configures the fax machine in a finger / thumb fingerprint scan mode so that the user can verify the authenticity of the intended recipient in the finger / thumb fingerprint scan. 59. The fax system of claim 58, comprising:   59. The fax of claim 58, wherein each of the first and second fax machines includes software for configuring the fax machine in a retinal scan mode so that a user can verify the authenticity of the intended recipient in the retinal scan. system.   Claim wherein each of the first and second fax machines includes software that configures the fax machine to read only mode so that a user can only view / listen to voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. Item 58's fax system.   The first and first software for configuring the fax machine in immediate status mode so that the user can be automatically notified that voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail has been received at the user's fax machine. 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein each includes two fax machines.   Copy (CC) mode to let the user confirm that the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail has been activated by copying the tracking number of the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail to the fax machine 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein said first and second fax transceivers each comprise software comprising a fax transceiver.   Fax queue that places incoming phone calls on a first-come-first-served basis and gives the caller a prompt that indicates the approximate time it will take for the fax machine to receive the sender's specific voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein each of the first and second fax machines includes software for configuring a fax queue mode in the fax machine to prepare for sending and receiving faxes.   Claim wherein each of the first and second fax machines includes software that configures the fax machine to have an identification mode so that a user can verify whether the receiving fax machine is the intended fax machine. Item 58's fax system.   The first and second software for configuring the fax machine in a directory prompt mode so that a user can prompt a directory of extension numbers available on the receiving fax machine to the receiving fax machine to be interconnected. 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein each fax machine includes:   I am here so that users of fax machines can communicate in the same way as instant messaging and email, who is there (IHWT) mode? 59. The fax system according to claim 58, comprising including each of the first and second fax machines.   101. The fax machine according to claim 100, wherein the first and second fax machines are configured to communicate with another fax machine in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.   101. The fax machine according to claim 100, wherein the first and second fax machines are configured to communicate in a manner similar to instant messaging or email with a computing device interconnected with a network connection.   The first and second fax software that configures the fax machine in portrait mode so that the fax machine with camera can provide voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail, images of people and objects to the user 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein each includes a transceiver.   An absence message is placed on the receiving fax machine so that a specific person on the receiving fax machine can notify the sender that voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail cannot be received at a particular time. 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each include software for configuring the fax machine in a message mode.   59. The method of claim 58, wherein each of the first and second fax machines includes software that configures the fax machine in a reference / library mode for internal / external access to documents / information stored in a save database. Fax system.   59. The method of claim 58, wherein each of the first and second fax machines includes software that configures the touch pad mode on the fax machine to activate a full-size touch pad and allow participants to script instant messages. Fax system.   A fax machine that supports voice recognition mode so that the fax machine can match the intended recipient with the pre-saved library of voice before sending voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail. 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each comprise software to constitute.   The first and second fax software for configuring the corresponding fax transceiver in the joint line mode so that the sending fax transceiver can be communicatively connected to a plurality of receiving fax transceivers on the joint line. 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein each includes a transceiver.   Enter document viewing mode to allow the fax sender to check if the fax sender needs to preview the fax image before electronically / physically releasing the fax to the receiving fax machine 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each include software that constitutes a corresponding fax machine.   Place the fax machine in contract mode so that senders and recipients of contract / agreement / consultation faxes that require signatures from both the sender and receiver can see the other's signature on the corresponding fax machine 59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each comprise software to constitute.   59. The fax system according to claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines each include a check sheet with a tracking number and a bar code on one side of the check sheet.   59. The fax system of claim 58, wherein the first and second fax machines are each configured to trigger an alarm as soon as the fax machine is compromised.   113. The fuck system of claim 112, wherein the alarm emits an audible sound at a predetermined decibel level.   113. The fax system of claim 112, wherein the alert signals the remote authorized person to inform the remote authorized person that the fax transceiver security protocol has been breached. In the method of routing voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail,
Providing the first fax machine,
Provide a second fax machine,
Communicatively interconnecting a first fax machine and a second fax machine for sending voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail;
Send a first voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail with the recipient's fax code from the first fax machine to the second fax machine;
Receive a first voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail with the recipient's fax code at a second fax machine;
Controlling access from the second fax machine to the first voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail based on re-entry of the recipient's fax code of the second fax machine .   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a control panel.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with an operation display screen.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a microphone / speaker.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a telephone handset.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a sealed paper tray.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with an auxiliary paper tray.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a printer.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with an audio / video recording camera.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a modem.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a keyboard.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a mouse.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a keypad.   128. The method of claim 127, further comprising providing the telephone keypad as a telephone keypad.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a peripheral component interconnect slot.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a sound generation circuit.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a voice recognition circuit.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a voice card.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a voicemail, videomail, and / or faxmail display.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a paper scanner.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a barcode reader.   116. The method of claim 115, comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a finger / thumb fingerprint scanner.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a retinal scanner.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a stylus.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a signature pad.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a shredder.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a hard drive.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing each of the first and second fax machines with a removable drive.   First and second fax transmission and reception in confirmation mode to allow the user to check whether the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail sent from the fax machine has been retrieved by the recipient of the receiving fax machine 118. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the machine.   First and second fax transmission and reception in delivery certificate request mode so that the user can automatically retrieve the latest information on the delivery certificate request for all voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail sent to the receiving fax machine 118. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the machine.   First and second in check mode so that the user can quickly confirm whether the voice mail, video mail sent from the fax machine and / or fax mail has been retrieved by the recipient of the relevant destination fax machine 118. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring a fax transceiver.   118. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in fax check mode so that a user can securely fax a cash check.   Further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a user viewing only mode so that a fax viewer can view / listen to "read only" voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail. 116. The method of claim 115.   The first and second fax machines each have a retractable screen cover with a hole in the eye so that the person viewing the fax can see / listen to “read-only” voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail 148. The method of claim 147, further comprising configuring a user viewing only mode to allow 149. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a finger / thumb fingerprint scan mode so that the user can verify the authenticity of the intended recipient in the finger / thumb fingerprint scan. .
  116. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in retinal scan mode so that a user can verify the authenticity of the intended recipient in the retinal scan.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring a read only mode to the first and second fax machines so that the user can only view / listen to voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail.   Configure the first and second fax machines in immediate status mode so that the user can be automatically notified that voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail has been received at the user's fax machine 116. The method of claim 115, further comprising:   Copy (CC) mode to let the user confirm that the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail has been activated by copying the tracking number of the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail to the fax machine 118. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines.   Fax queue that places incoming phone calls on a first-come-first-served basis and gives the caller a prompt that indicates the approximate time it will take for the fax machine to receive the sender's specific voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail 118. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring a fax queue mode on the first and second fax machines to prepare for sending and receiving faxes.   118. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring an identification mode on the first and second fax machines so that the user can verify whether the receiving fax machine is the intended fax machine.   Configure the first and second fax machines in directory prompt mode so that the user can prompt the extension fax directory available on the receiving fax machine to the interconnecting fax machine. 118. The method of claim 115, further comprising:   I'm here so that users of fax machines can communicate in the same way as instant messaging and email, who is there (IHWT) mode with the first and second fax machines 118. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring.   158. The method of claim 157, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines to communicate with another fax machine in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.   158. The method of claim 157, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines to communicate with computing devices interconnected with the network connection in a manner similar to instant messaging or email.   Further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in portrait mode so that the fax machine with the camera can provide voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail, images of people and objects to the user. 116. The method of claim 115.   An answering message can be placed in the receiving fax machine and the sender can notify the sender that a particular person on the receiving fax machine is not sending voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail at a particular time. 116. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a mode.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines in a reference / library mode for internal / external access to documents / information stored in a storage database.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring a touchpad mode on the first and second fax machines to activate a full size touchpad and allow participants to script instant messages.   First and second in voice recognition mode to allow the fax machine to match the intended recipient with the pre-saved library of voice before sending voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail 118. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring a fax machine.   The method further comprises configuring the first and second fax machines in a joint-line mode so that the sending fax machine can be communicatively connected to a plurality of receiving fax machines via a joint line. 115 ways.   Enter document viewing mode to allow the fax sender to check if the fax sender needs to preview the fax image before electronically / physically releasing the fax to the receiving fax machine 118. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines.   First and second faxes so that senders and recipients of contract / agreement / consultation faxes that require signatures from both the sender and recipient can see the other's signature on the corresponding fax machine 116. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the transceiver to contract mode.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring first and second fax machines with check paper with a tracking number and bar code on one side of the check paper.   116. The method of claim 115, further comprising configuring the first and second fax machines to trigger an alarm upon the associated fax machine security being breached.   170. The method of claim 169, wherein the alarm emits an audible sound at a predetermined decibel level.   170. The method of claim 169, wherein the alert signals the remote authorized person to inform the remote authorized person that the fax machine security protocol has been breached. A recording camera that can scan fax transmission print documents,
A signature pad for electronically signing faxes;
Received fax print documents, sealed paper trays with transparent covers and sealed from users,
A fax machine comprising a voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display that can display a fax image before the fax is released to a fax recipient.   173. The fax machine according to claim 172, wherein a voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display portion of the fax machine can display the fax using split screen technology.   173. The fax machine according to claim 172, wherein a voice mail, video mail, and / or fax mail display portion of the fax machine can display the fax after the fax is sent by the fax machine and before the fax is printed. Claims that the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display of the fax machine can display faxes using split screen technology
174 fax machines.   173. The fax machine according to claim 172, wherein after the fax is displayed, the signature pad can digitally sign the fax before the fax is printed.   173. The fax machine according to claim 172, wherein after the fax is printed, the signature pad can digitally sign the fax before the fax is physically released.   173. The fax machine according to claim 172, wherein the recording camera is installed on top of the transparent cover of the sealed paper tray.   173. The fax machine of claim 172, further comprising an operator panel capable of dialing a remote fax machine number and transmitting a document viewing mode with the fax to activate a recording camera of the remote fax machine. Transceiver.   180. The fax machine according to claim 179, wherein an operation panel of the fax machine is capable of transmitting a document viewing code along with the fax to activate the recording camera of the fax machine.   The fax machine dials the remote fax machine number, sends an approval / disapproval code to the fax, prints an approval / disapproval message on the front of the fax print document, and is sent from the remote fax machine 173. A fax machine according to claim 172, which causes a printed document to be extruded.   The fax machine dials the remote fax machine number, sends an approval / disapproval code to the fax, prints an approval / disapproval message on the front of the fax print document, and prints the print document from the fax machine. 173. The fax machine according to claim 172, which is extruded.   181. Fax according to claim 172, wherein the fax machine can compress and decompress faxes received at the fax machine and forward it to the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the fax machine that sent the fax. Transceiver.   173. The fax machine according to claim 172, further comprising a computer interconnected with the fax machine capable of electronically viewing the fax received by the fax machine on the computer and controlling the fax machine by the computer. In the fax system of the first fax machine that is communicatively interconnected with the second fax machine,
The first fax machine is
A recording camera that can scan fax documents,
A signature pad for digitally signing faxes,
Received fax print documents, sealed paper trays with transparent covers and sealed from users,
A voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display that can display the fax image before the fax is released to the fax recipient;
The second fax machine is
A recording camera that can scan fax documents,
A signature pad for digitally signing faxes,
Received fax print documents, sealed paper trays with transparent covers and sealed from users,
A voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display that can display the fax image before the fax is released to the fax recipient;
When the first fax machine sends a fax to the second fax machine, the first fax machine controls the function of the second fax machine, and the second fax machine Wherein the second fax machine controls functions of the first fax machine when transmitting a fax to the first fax machine.   Voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display on either the first or second fax machine after the fax has been sent by the first or second fax machine but before the fax is electronically released 185. The fax system of claim 185, wherein a department is capable of displaying a fax.   187. The fax system of claim 186, wherein the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display portion of either the first or second fax machine is capable of displaying faxes using split screen technology.   After the fax is sent by the first or second fax machine, before the fax is printed, the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display on either the first or second fax machine 185. The fax system of claim 185, wherein the fax system is capable of displaying a fax.   196. The fax system of claim 188, wherein the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display portion of either the first or second fax machine is capable of displaying faxes using split screen technology.   After the fax is printed by the first or second fax machine, before the fax is physically released, the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail of either the first or second fax machine 185. The fax system according to claim 185, wherein the display unit can display the fax.   196. The fax system of claim 190, wherein the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display portion of either the first or second fax machine is capable of displaying faxes using split screen technology.   196. The fax system of claim 185, wherein after the fax is displayed, the signature pad of either the first or second fax machine can digitally sign the fax before the fax is printed.   186. The fax system of claim 185, wherein after the fax is printed and before the fax is physically released, either the first or second fax machine can have either signature pad to electronically sign the fax.   186. The fax system of claim 185, wherein the recording camera of either the first or second fax machine is installed on top of the transparent cover of each sealed paper tray of the first or second fax machine.   Dial the remote fax machine number and send an operation panel that can send a document viewing mode with the fax to activate the remote fax machine's recording camera. 185. The fax system according to claim 185, further comprising each transceiver.   196. A fax machine according to claim 195, wherein each operating panel of each of the first and second fax machines can send a mode for viewing a document with the fax to activate the recording camera of the associated first or second fax machine. system.   The first and second fax machines each dial the remote fax machine number, send an approval / disapproval code to the fax and print an approval / disapproval message on the front of the fax print document, 195. The fax system of claim 185, wherein the printed document can be extruded from a remote fax machine.   The first and second fax machines dial the remote fax machine number and send an approval / disapproval code to the fax to print an approval / disapproval message on the front of the fax print document. 200. The fax system of claim 197, wherein the printed document can be extruded from each of the first and second fax machines.   The first and second fax machines compress and decompress the faxes received by the first and second fax machines, respectively, and the voice / voice / video mail and / or fax mail of the fax machine that performed the fax 186. The fax system of claim 185, wherein the fax system is transferable to a display.   Either the first or second, which can electronically view the fax received by the first or second fax machine on the computer and can control the first or second fax machine by the computer 196. The fax system of claim 185, further comprising a computer interconnected with the fax machine. In the way to see the fax,
The first fax machine has a recording camera and voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display,
A second fax machine has a recording camera and a voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display;
Communicatively interconnecting the first fax machine and the second fax machine for the first transaction,
Send the first fax from the first fax machine to the second fax machine,
Receive the first fax with the second fax machine,
Control the second fax machine with the first fax machine until the first fax has been sent,
Preview the image of the first fax on the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display on the first fax machine,
After previewing the first fax image on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the first fax machine, electronically release the first fax from the second fax machine A method characterized by that.   The first fax machine's voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display section previews the first fax image using split screen technology. 202. The method of claim 201, further comprising previewing an image of the first fax on the fax mail display.   After previewing the image of the first fax on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display on the first fax machine, and before releasing the first fax electronically, the second fax 202. The method of claim 201, further comprising previewing a first fax image on a transceiver voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display.   The step of previewing the first fax image on the second fax machine's voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display is using split screen technology to the second fax machine's voicemail and videomail. 204. The method of claim 203, further comprising previewing an image of the first fax on the fax mail display.   Further comprising electronically signing the first fax using the first fax machine after previewing the image of the first fax and before electronically releasing the first fax 202. The method of claim 201. After releasing the first fax electronically, print the first fax image on the second fax machine,
Scan the print image of the first fax with the recording camera of the second fax machine,
Display the scanned print image of the first fax on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the first fax machine;
After previewing the scanned print image of the first fax on the first fax machine, physically release the scanned print image of the first fax from the second fax machine. 202. The method of claim 201, further comprising:   The step of displaying the scanned print image of the first fax in the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the first fax machine is the voice of the first fax machine using split image technology. 205. The method of claim 206, further comprising displaying a scanned print image of the first fax on a mail, video mail and / or fax mail display.   After displaying the scanned print image of the first fax on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the first fax machine, and before physically releasing the first fax, 205. The method of claim 206, further comprising displaying a scanned print image of the first fax on a voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display of the second fax machine.   The step of displaying the scanned print image of the first fax in the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the second fax machine is a split screen technology and uses the second fax machine's voice. 209. The method of claim 208, further comprising displaying a scanned print image of the first fax on a mail, video mail and / or fax mail display.   After printing the image of the first fax and before physically releasing the first fax, further signing the first fax electronically using the first fax machine 207. The method of claim 206, comprising:   Further comprising electronically signing the first fax using a second fax machine after printing the image of the first fax and before physically releasing the first fax 206. The method of claim 206. After releasing the first fax electronically, print the first fax image on the first fax machine,
The first fax machine's recording camera scans the first fax print image,
Display the scanned print image of the first fax on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the first fax machine;
After previewing the scanned print image of the first fax on the first fax machine, physically release the scanned print image of the first fax from the first fax machine. 207. The method of claim 206, further comprising:   The step of displaying the scanned print image of the first fax in the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the first fax machine is the voice of the first fax machine using split image technology. 223. The method of claim 212, further comprising displaying a scanned print image of the first fax on a mail, video mail and / or fax mail display.   After displaying the scanned print image of the first fax on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the first fax machine, and before physically releasing the first fax, 213. The method of claim 212, further comprising displaying a scanned printed image of the first fax on a voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display of the second fax machine.   The step of displaying the scanned print image of the first fax in the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the second fax machine is a split screen technology and uses the second fax machine's voice. 205. The method of claim 214, further comprising displaying a scanned print image of the first fax on a mail, video mail and / or fax mail display.   After printing the image of the first fax and before physically releasing the first fax, further signing the first fax electronically using the first fax machine 223. The method of claim 212 comprising.   Further comprising electronically signing the first fax using a second fax machine after printing the image of the first fax and before physically releasing the first fax 223. The method of claim 212. The step of sending the first fax is
Send a document viewing mode with the first fax,
202. The method of claim 201, further comprising activating a recording camera of the second fax machine. The step of sending the first fax is
Send a document viewing mode with the first fax,
202. The method of claim 201, further comprising activating a recording camera of the first fax machine. The step of sending the first fax is
Send an approval / disapproval code with the first fax,
Print an approval / disapproval message on the surface of the scanned print image of the first fax,
202. The method of claim 201, comprising extruding a scanned printed image of the first fax. Interconnect the computer with the first fax machine,
202. The method of claim 201, further comprising controlling a function of the first fax machine with a computer. Communicatively interconnecting a second fax machine and a first fax machine for a second transaction,
Send the second fax from the second fax machine to the first fax machine,
Receive the second fax with the first fax machine,
Control the first fax machine with the second fax machine until the second transaction to send the second fax is completed,
Preview the second fax image on the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display on the second fax machine,
202. The method of claim 201, further comprising: electronically releasing the second fax after previewing the second fax image at the second fax machine.   The step of previewing the second fax image on the second fax machine's voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display is using split screen technology to the second fax machine's voicemail and videomail. 223. The method of claim 222, further comprising: previewing a second fax image on the fax mail display.   After previewing the image of the second fax on the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display on the second fax machine, the first fax before releasing the second fax electronically 223. The method of claim 222, further comprising previewing a second fax image on a transceiver voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display.   The step of previewing the second fax image on the first fax machine's voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display is using the split screen technology for the first fax machine's voicemail and videomail. 224. The method of claim 224, further comprising: previewing a second fax image on the fax mail display.   Further comprising electronically signing the second fax using the second fax machine after previewing the image of the second fax and before electronically releasing the second fax 223. The method of claim 222.   Further including electronically signing the second fax using the first fax machine after previewing the image of the second fax and before releasing the second fax electronically 223. The method of claim 222. After releasing the second fax electronically, print the second fax image on the first fax machine,
Scan the print image of the second fax with the recording camera of the first fax machine,
Display the scanned print image of the second fax on the voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display of the second fax machine,
After previewing the scanned print image of the second fax on the second fax machine, physically release the scanned print image of the second fax from the first fax machine. 223. The method of claim 222, further comprising:   The step of displaying the scanned print image of the second fax on the second fax machine's voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display is the second fax machine's voice using split image technology. 229. The method of claim 228, further comprising displaying a scanned print image of the second fax on a mail, video mail and / or fax mail display.   After displaying the scanned print image of the second fax on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the second fax machine, and before physically releasing the second fax, 229. The method of claim 228, further comprising displaying a scanned printed image of the second fax on a voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display of the first fax machine.   The step of displaying the scanned print image of the second fax on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the first fax machine is a split screen technology and the voice of the first fax machine is displayed. 230. The method of claim 230, further comprising displaying a scanned print image of the second fax on a mail, video mail and / or fax mail display.   Further comprising electronically signing the second fax using the second fax machine after printing the image of the second fax and before physically releasing the second fax 228. The method of claim 228.   Further comprising electronically signing the second fax using the first fax machine after printing the image of the second fax and before physically releasing the second fax. The method of paragraph 228. After releasing the second fax electronically, print the second fax image on the second fax machine,
The second fax machine's recording camera scans the second fax print image,
Display the scanned print image of the second fax on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the first fax machine,
Further, after previewing the scanned print image of the second fax on the first fax machine, further releasing the scanned print image of the second fax from the second fax machine. 223. The method of claim 222, comprising.   The step of displaying the scanned print image of the second fax on the first fax machine's voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display is the first fax machine's voice using split image technology. 235. The method of claim 234, further comprising displaying a scanned printed image of the second fax on a mail, video mail and / or fax mail display.   After displaying the scanned print image of the second fax on the voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display of the first fax machine, and before physically releasing the second fax, 235. The method of claim 234, further comprising displaying a scanned printed image of the second fax on a voicemail, videomail and / or faxmail display of the second fax machine.   The step of displaying the scanned print image of the second fax on the second fax machine's voice mail, video mail and / or fax mail display is the second fax machine's voice using split screen technology. 237. The method of claim 236, further comprising displaying a scanned print image of the second fax on a mail, video mail and / or fax mail display.   Further including electronically signing the second fax using the first fax machine after printing the image of the second fax and before physically releasing the second fax 234. The method of claim 234.   Claims include: electronically signing a second fax using a second fax machine after printing the image of the second fax and before physically releasing the second fax. 234 ways. The second step of sending a fax is
Send a document viewing mode with the second fax,
223. The method of claim 222, further comprising starting a recording camera of the first fax machine. The second step of sending a fax is
Send a document viewing mode with the second fax,
223. The method of claim 222, further comprising activating a recording camera of the second fax machine. The second step of sending a fax is
Send an approval / disapproval code with the second fax,
Print an approval / disapproval message on the surface of the scanned print image of the second fax,
223. The method of claim 222, further comprising extruding a scanned print image of the second fax.
Print an approval / disapproval message on the surface of the scanned print image of the second fax,
223. The method of claim 222, further comprising extruding a scanned print image of the second fax.

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