RU2608876C2 - Method and device for sending and receiving fax based on instant communication service - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: communication.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to sending and receiving a fax based on instant communication service. System for sending and receiving fax based on instant communication service, comprising apparatus for sending fax, apparatus for receiving fax, fax server, instant communication sender client, instant communication receiver client and instant communication server.

EFFECT: technical result is improvement of reliability of receiving and sending fax.

16 cl, 15 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for sending and receiving (or referred to as “transmitting and receiving”) a fax (or referred to as “facsimile”) based on an instant communication service. Using a mobile information terminal based on instant communication services, it is possible to provide a fax sending and receiving function (also referred to as a “facsimile function”).

State of the art

In a fax machine sold on the current market, except for the traditional method of sending and receiving a fax between peers, a method for sending and receiving a fax is also used, for example, a method for sending and receiving a fax based on email or a method for sending and receiving a fax based on a cell phone (e.g. smartphone). For example, using the AO 3G-Fax ™ method or the GFax ™ method, which includes group fax features (i.e., sending a fax to a group), voice greeting, central fax management, paperless fax, and sending and receiving faxes between your cell phone and fax machine, you can send and receive a fax according to the remote control. In other words, currently, facsimile is undergoing changes.

However, traditional methods for sending and receiving a fax still have some problems.

On the one hand, the fax reception control function is not included in traditional methods of sending and receiving faxes. Thus, the recipient's identification number (e.g., fax number) is entered or selected by the sender. As a result, sometimes the recipient cannot receive what the sender sent, due, for example, to the wrong input of the sender, or that the sender sent, is sent to another fax number of the recipient, which is inconvenient for the recipient. In addition, the recipient cannot determine the time of receipt. In the case where a confidential fax is sent to the recipient, it is preferable that the recipient himself can receive the confidential fax. However, in the event that the recipient cannot choose the time of receipt, he cannot receive the confidential fax in a timely manner. Thus, in this case, a confidential fax can be received by another person earlier; which may lead to leakage of confidential information. To avoid this kind of incident, it is necessary to send a confidential fax at the time chosen by the recipient.

On the other hand, the fax notification function is not included in traditional fax sending and receiving methods. Thus, the sender does not know, after he sends the fax to the recipient, whether the recipient received the fax. For example, the sender cannot confirm how many pages were received by the recipient unless he made this kind of confirmation by making a phone call to the recipient. Also, in the case when it is not possible to receive a fax due to a malfunction of the device on the recipient side, the recipient must contact the sender to ask him to resend the fax.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the above-described problems of traditional approaches, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system capable of providing the above-described fax receipt control function and a fax receipt notification function. Using this kind of method or system, the fax machine can simply acquire the fax reception control function and the fax notification function based on cooperation with mobile information terminals (e.g. smartphones), as well as an instant communication service (e.g., a WeChat ™ service, QQ ™ or Credulity ™), which allows you to provide a more valuable fax machine. The above fax reception control functions and the WeChat ™ fax notification function are hereinafter simply described as WeChat and taken as an example for illustration.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for sending and receiving a fax. When the fax is a confidential fax, the method includes the step of assigning the recipient, the step of scanning and sending, the step of notifying the sending, and the step of confidential sending.

At the destination destination stage, the sender of the fax selects, on the fax sending apparatus corresponding to the fax number of the sender, one or more recipients as objects for receiving the fax. The fax sending machine is used to send a fax. The sender, as well as one or more recipients, are registered on the fax sending machine by registering, in which the identification data of each of the sender and one or more recipients associated with one or more fax numbers are stored on the fax sending machine, and the identification data of each of the sender and one or more recipients include at least an instant communication identification number.

In the scanning and sending step, the sender uses the fax sending apparatus to scan the data to be sent, whereby the fax sending apparatus receives and stores the scanned data and at least one thumbnail image of the scanned data; The fax sending machine considers each of one or more recipients as a receiver and sends the fax number of the fax sending machine, one or more fax numbers of the receiver, the sender’s identification, the identification of each of one or more recipients, and at least one thumbnail image to fax - a server that is connected to the fax machine through the network; and the fax server considers the point in time when the fax server receives at least one thumbnail as the start time of the job.

In the sending notification phase, the fax server uses the instant communication server, which provides the instant communication service, to send the sending notification to the receiver. The sending notification includes the start time of the job, the identity of the sender, one or more fax numbers of the receiver, the number of pages of scanned data, and at least one thumbnail image.

At the confidential sending stage, the receiver assigns a fax receipt number for receiving scanned data and sends, through the instant communication server, a receiving instruction for receiving scanned data to the fax server; the fax server sends, after receiving the receive instruction, including the fax receive number, the receive fax number to the fax sending apparatus, and instructs the fax sending apparatus to start sending scanned data; and the fax sending apparatus sends scanned data to the fax receiving apparatus corresponding to the fax receiving number.

In addition, at the sending notification stage, the instant communication server informs the sender, after the fax server sends the sending notification to the receiver, that the sending notification has been delivered.

In addition, the method further includes the step of notifying the result of the dispatch after the confidential dispatch step. At the stage of notifying the sending result, the fax sending machine sends, after sending the scanned data, the sending result to the fax server, and the sending result includes whether the scanned data was sent successfully, the number of pages of scanned data and the time of sending the scanned data; and the fax server sends, via the instant communication server, the result of the sending to the sender and one or more recipients.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes a cancellation step. At the cancellation stage, the sender sends, via the instant communication server, a cancellation instruction to cancel sending the scanned data to the fax server; the fax server instructs, upon receipt of the cancellation instruction, the fax sending apparatus to erase; and the fax sending apparatus erases the scanned data and at least one thumbnail image stored on the fax sending apparatus.

In addition, after the cancellation step, the fax sending apparatus returns a cancellation result indicating whether the erasure was successful to the fax server, and the fax server sends the cancellation result via the instant communication server to the sender.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the step of resending after the step of notifying the result of the sending. At the step of re-sending, one or more recipients request a fax server, through the instant communication server, to resend the scanned data; the confidential dispatch phase is carried out; and the step of notifying the result of the dispatch is carried out.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes, when the fax is a non-confidential fax, a destination destination step, a scanning and sending step, a sending notification step and a non-confidential sending step.

It should be noted that since the stage of destination of the recipient, the stage of scanning and sending, and the stage of notification of sending are the same as in the first embodiment, their descriptions are omitted here, and only the stage of non-confidential sending is described in detail below.

At the non-confidential sending stage, the fax server instructs the fax sending machine to start sending scanned data; and the fax sending apparatus sends scanned data to the fax receiving apparatuses corresponding to one or more fax numbers of the receiver.

In addition, in respective embodiments, the identity may also include a personal name or an alias.

In addition, in the respective embodiments, the registration can also be carried out by the instant communication server.

Furthermore, in respective embodiments, the instant communication identification number may be a WeChat account. In this case, the instant communication server is the WeChat public platform server, and the instant communication service is the WeChat public platform service.

According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for sending and receiving a fax. The system can be used when the fax is a non-confidential fax and includes a fax sending machine, a fax receiving machine, a fax server, an instant communication sender client, an instant communication recipient client and an instant communication server.

The fax sending machine is used by the sender of the fax to send the fax and corresponds to the fax number of the sender.

The fax reception apparatus is used by the fax recipient to receive the fax and corresponds to the fax number of the recipient.

The fax server provides a fax service and communicates with the fax sending apparatus and the fax receiving apparatus.

The sending client of instant communication is the instant communication client used by the sender.

The instant communication recipient client is the instant communication client used by the recipient.

The instant communication server provides instant communication service, communicates with the client sending the instant communication and the client receiving the instant communication, and is able to communicate with the fax server.

In the system, the sender and the recipient are registered by registering, in which the identity of each of the sender and recipient associated with the fax number is stored on the fax sending machine. Identification data includes at least an instantaneous identification number of each of the sender and receiver.

The sender uses the fax sending apparatus to scan the data to be sent, and the fax sending apparatus receives and stores the scanned data and at least one thumbnail image thereof.

The fax sending apparatus sends the fax number of the fax sending apparatus, the fax number of the fax receiving apparatus, sender identification data, recipient identification data and at least one thumbnail image to the fax server, and the fax server considers the point in time when the fax server receives at least one thumbnail as the initial time of the task. The fax server can also send relevant information to the instant server.

The instant communication server sends a notification of sending to the client-recipient of instant communication. The sending notification includes the start time of the job, the identity of the sender, the fax number of the fax receiving apparatus, the number of pages of scanned data, and at least one thumbnail image.

After the instant communication server sends a notification of sending to the receiving client, the fax server instructs the fax sending machine to start sending scanned data.

The fax sending machine sends scanned data to the fax receiving machine.

According to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for sending and receiving a fax. The system is based on the system according to the fifth embodiment. In particular, the system according to this embodiment further includes another fax receiving apparatus used by the recipient to receive the fax. The other fax receiving apparatus is different from the fax receiving apparatus in the fifth embodiment, and the fax number of the other fax receiving apparatus is not stored on the fax sending apparatus. Such a system can provide a fax notification function and a fax reception control function as described above, and can be used to send a confidential fax.

In this case, after the instant communication server sends a notification of sending to the instant communication recipient client, the recipient sends to the fax server, through the instant communication server, a receiving instruction for receiving scanned data, and assigns a fax number for receiving scanned data from the fax the numbers of said fax receiving apparatus and the fax number of another fax receiving apparatus as the fax receiving number.

After the fax server receives the receive instruction including the fax receive number, the fax server sends the receive fax number to the fax sending apparatus and instructs the fax sending apparatus to start sending scanned data.

The fax sending machine sends scanned data to the fax receiving machine corresponding to the fax receiving number.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a fax sending and receiving scenario in which the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of operations for sending and receiving a fax according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the recipient's WeChat operating interface;

FIG. 4 shows the recipient's WeChat operating interface;

FIG. 5 shows the recipient's WeChat operating interface;

FIG. 6 shows the recipient's WeChat operating interface;

FIG. 7 shows the recipient's WeChat operating interface;

FIG. 8 shows the recipient's WeChat operating interface;

FIG. 9 shows the operation interface of the WeChat sender;

FIG. 10 shows the operation interface of the WeChat sender;

FIG. 11 shows a sender WeChat operating interface;

FIG. 12 shows the operating interface of the WeChat sender;

FIG. 13 shows the sender WeChat operating interface;

FIG. 14 shows the operating interface of the WeChat sender; and

FIG. 15 shows the operating interface of the WeChat sender.

The implementation of the invention

In order for those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the present invention will now be specifically described based on the drawings and various embodiments.

First Embodiment

In this embodiment, a method for sending and receiving a fax based on the instant communication service is presented according to FIG. 1-15. The method can be used to send and receive confidential faxes.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the instant communication service used according to the method is, for example, a WeChat public platform service. Using the WeChat software operating interfaces (also referred to as “WeChat interfaces”) installed on the mobile phones (eg, smartphones) of the sender and the recipient, the fax reception control function and the fax receipt notification function can be provided as described above. The identification data of each sender and recipient, as well as the received (e) default facsimile (e) number (s) corresponding to (e) the identification data, are recorded (i.e. stored) in the address book of the fax sending machine (C). The identity includes at least a WeChat account, and may also include a personal name or nickname.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recipient assignment step is first performed, in which the sender (A) turns on the fax sending apparatus and selects one or more recipients (B) on the fax sending apparatus (C) to send the fax (in this embodiment, the fax is a confidential fax) (step S1).

Then, a scanning and sending step is performed, in which the sender allows the fax sending apparatus (C) to scan the data to be sent, and allows the scanned data and at least one thumbnail image to be stored on the fax sending apparatus (C) (step S2). After this, the fax sending apparatus (C) receives, based on the registered information of the recipient (B), the default recipient fax number (B) and sends its own fax number, recipient fax number (B), sender identification (A) and identification recipient data (B) and at least one thumbnail image obtained from the scanned data to the fax server. And then the fax server considers the point in time when it itself receives information related to the scanned data (for example, at least one thumbnail image) as the initial job time (step S3).

After that, the step of sending notification is carried out. The fax server communicates with the WeChat public platform server (also called the “WeChat server”) and sends a sending notification to the recipient (B) using the WeChat server. For example, in this embodiment, the fax server may contact the recipient (B) using the WeChat interfaces shown in FIG. 3-6, and send, via the WeChat server, a sending notification including the start time of the job, sender identification (A), default recipient fax number (B), number of pages of scanned data, and at least one a thumbnail image of the recipient's WeChat interface (B) to inform him of the presence of a fax. And then, as shown in FIG. 9, the sender (A) is informed via its WeChat interface about contact with the recipient (B), i.e. the delivery of the notification of the dispatch (step S4).

Then the confidential sending phase is carried out. After the recipient (B) receives the notification of sending, he can choose a convenient time for receiving a fax. The recipient (B), using its WeChat interface, first selects the fax receive number to receive the fax, and then sends the receive instruction for receiving the fax to the fax server through the WeChat server. For example, in this embodiment, after the recipient (B) clicks on the sending notification information displayed on the WeChat interface shown in FIG. 3, it enters the Confidential Fax main page shown in FIG. 4. Then, after the recipient (B) clicks on the “Received Fax” option shown in FIG. 4, it enters the list page shown in FIG. 5. And then, after the recipient (B) clicks on the “fax” element shown in FIG. 5, it enters the detail page shown in FIG. 6. The detail page includes the sender, the default received fax number, and a thumbnail image associated with the first page of the fax. On the detail page, the recipient (B) can select a default fax receipt number for receiving a fax or reselect a new fax number for receiving a fax (step S5).

In the case when the default fax reception number is selected, the recipient (B) can click directly on the “Accept” button at the bottom of the detail page. After that, the fax server asks the fax machine (C) to send the scanned data stored on it using the default received fax number. And then, the fax sending apparatus (C) starts sending scanned data (step S6).

In the case when it is necessary to re-select a new fax number, on the details page, the recipient (B) can check the box "Re-select fax number", enter a new fax number and click on the "Accept" button. After that, the fax server sends a new fax number to the fax machine (C) and instructs it to send the scanned data to the new fax number. And then, the fax sending apparatus (C) starts sending scanned data (step S8).

Finally, the step of notifying the result of the dispatch is carried out. After the fax sending machine (C) sends the scanned data, the sending result is returned to the fax server from the fax sending machine (C). The sending result includes whether the scanned data was sent successfully, the number of pages of scanned data, and the sending time. After that, the WeChat server receives the sending result from the fax server and sends the sending result to the instant communication clients (for convenience, also referred to as “WeChat clients”) of the sender (A) and the recipient (B) (step S10). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the recipient (B) has received a sending result notification indicating that the fax was sent by the fax sending apparatus (C). At this time, the recipient (B) may enter the detail page shown in FIG. 8 by clicking on the send result information shown in FIG. 7. It should be noted that on the detail page shown in FIG. 8, the “status” in the upper right corner has changed to “accepted”. On the other hand, in the same way, the sender (A) can also enter the confidential fax home page of his WeChat client shown in FIG. 10 by clicking on the sending result information shown on the page of its WeChat client shown in FIG. 9. After that, by clicking on the “sent fax” option in it, the sender (A) can go to the “sent fax” page shown in FIG. 11 to check fax receipt status. It should be noted that upon receipt of the fax, the sender (A) may receive a notification indicating that the fax was received by the recipient (B), as shown in FIG. 13-15.

In this embodiment, the recipient (B) may include one or more recipients.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the sender (A) and recipient (B) personal names, fax numbers and WeChat accounts are registered on the fax sending apparatus (C), this kind of registration can also be performed on the WeChat interface via the WeChat server.

In addition, with this kind of registration, the identity of each sender (A) and receiver (B) may correspond to one or more default fax numbers.

As a result, in the case of sending a confidential fax, the choice of both the fax number and the time for receiving the confidential fax by the recipient (B) can not only ensure the convenience of the recipient (B) when receiving the confidential fax, but also prevent leakage of the confidential fax.

In addition, using the WeChat service, the sender (A) can capture the status of receiving a confidential fax at any time in order to be able to take timely measures if necessary.

Second Embodiment

In this embodiment, the sender (A) may also cancel sending a fax in the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, a cancellation step is specifically described with reference to FIG. 2, the cancellation step can be used in case of sending the above confidential fax.

First, the sender (A) sends a cancel instruction to cancel sending the scanned data to the fax server through the WeChat server. For example, in this embodiment, the sender (A) may click on the information of the sent fax displayed on the WeChat interface (“sent fax” page) of the sending client shown in FIG. 11 to enter the detail page of the same sending client. It should be noted that at this time the sent fax was not received by the recipient (B). On the details page, by clicking on the “cancel” button, you can send the cancellation instruction to the fax server through the WeChat server (step S14).

Then, having received the cancellation instruction, the fax server instructs the fax sending apparatus (C) to carry out the cancellation process (step S15).

Then, the fax sending apparatus (C) erases both the scanned data and at least one thumbnail image stored thereon (step S16), and then returns the cancellation result to the fax server, which indicates whether the cancellation process was completed.

After that, the fax server communicates with the WeChat server and sends the cancellation result to the sender (A) through the WeChat server to inform the sender (A). In the event that the cancellation process cannot be completed, if necessary, the sender (A) can again carry out the cancellation process or refuse the cancellation process.

Other steps are the same as in the first embodiment; as a result, their descriptions are omitted here.

It should be noted that the cancellation process can be carried out in step S13, and can also be carried out in step S18, as shown in FIG. 2. In the first case, "status: not accepted", displayed in the upper right corner, changes to "status: canceled". Thus, the cancellation process can prevent the leak of scanned data stored on the fax sending apparatus (C).

Third Embodiment

In this embodiment, after step S10 and before the fax is canceled by the sender (A) in the second embodiment, the recipient (B) may also ask, several times, the sender (A) to resend the fax.

Hereinafter, the re-sending step is specifically described with reference to FIG. 2. The resend step can be used to send the above confidential fax.

First, the recipient (B) can send the request instruction to resend the fax to the fax server via the WeChat server from the WeChat client-recipient interface (step S12).

Then, steps S5-S10 shown in FIG. 2 are implemented in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

It should be noted that the other steps are the same as in the first embodiment; as a result, their descriptions are omitted here.

Fourth Embodiment

In this embodiment, the fax notification function by the WeChat service in the first embodiment is saved, but the fax reception control function in the first embodiment is omitted.

First, the step of appointing the recipient is carried out. The sender (A) turns on the fax sending machine (C) and selects the recipient's fax number (B) on the fax sending machine (C). The fax number corresponds to the fax machine (D).

Then the stage of scanning and sending is carried out. The sender (A) instructs the fax sending apparatus (C) to scan the data to be sent and save the scanned data and at least one thumbnail image thereof. And then, the fax sending apparatus (C) sends its own fax number, the fax number of the fax receiving apparatus (D) for receiving the scanned data, the sender ID (A), the recipient ID (B), and at least one thumbnail image scanned data to the fax server, and the fax server considers the point in time when the fax server receives at least one thumbnail image as the initial job time.

Then the step of sending notification is carried out. The fax server communicates with the WeChat server and sends a sending notification via the WeChat server, which includes the start time of the job, sender ID (A), recipient fax number (B), the number of pages of scanned data and at least one A thumbnail image of the recipient's WeChat client (B) to inform the recipient (B) of the availability of a fax. And then the fax server informs the sender (A) about the contact with the recipient (B), i.e. about the delivery of the notice of dispatch.

After that, the stage of non-confidential sending is carried out. The fax server instructs the fax sending apparatus (C) to send scanned data to the fax receiving apparatus (D), and then the fax sending apparatus (C) starts sending scanned data.

Finally, the step of notifying the dispatch result is carried out. After the machine (C) sending the fax sends the scanned data, it returns the result of sending to the fax server. The sending result includes whether the sending of the scanned data was successful, the number of pages of scanned data, and the time of sending. And then, the fax server sends, through the WeChat server, the result of sending to the WeChat clients the sender (A) and the recipient (B).

Thus, in this embodiment, the tasks of the WeChat clients and the WeChat server are to provide a fax notification function; timely inform the recipient (B) of the availability of a fax; and enable the sender (B) to know, at any time, the status of receipt of the fax, so that, if necessary, take timely action.

Compared with the three above-described embodiments, the number of steps of the method according to this embodiment is reduced. However, since the security level of this method is low, this method is not suitable for sending confidential faxes.

Fifth Embodiment

In this embodiment, a system is provided for sending a fax based on an instant communication service. Using the software operating interfaces of mobile phones (for example, smartphones) of the sender and recipient to provide the above-mentioned fax notification function allows you to use the system to send and receive non-confidential faxes.

Hereinafter, a system according to this embodiment is specifically illustrated with reference to FIG. 2. It should be noted that the instant communication service used in this embodiment is a service of the WeChat public platform.

The system includes a fax sending apparatus (C), a fax receiving apparatus (D), a fax server, a sending client, a receiving client, and an instant communication server.

The fax sending apparatus (C) is used by the fax sender (A) (in this embodiment, the fax is a non-confidential fax) to send the fax, and the fax sending apparatus (C) corresponds to the fax number of the sender (A).

The fax receiving apparatus (D) is used by the fax receiver (B) to receive the fax, and the fax receiving apparatus (D) corresponds to the fax number of the recipient (B).

A fax server is used to provide fax services, and the fax server communicates with both the fax sending apparatus (C) and the fax receiving apparatus (D).

The sending client is, for example, the WeChat client used by the sender (A).

The recipient client is, for example, the WeChat client used by the recipient (B).

The instant server is, for example, a WeChat server for providing WeChat services, and the instant server communicates with both the sending client and the receiving client. Also, the instant server can communicate with the fax server.

The fax sending and receiving method implemented in the system according to this embodiment is identical to the method described in the fourth embodiment.

First, the sender (A) and the receiver (B) carry out registration, which provides for the storage of both the identification data of both and the fax numbers corresponding to the identification data on the fax sending apparatus (C). The identity of each sender (A) and receiver (B) includes at least a WeChat account, and may also include a personal name or alias. Registration can also be done using WeChat-based services.

Then, the sender (A) uses the fax sending apparatus (C) to scan the data to be sent, and then the fax sending apparatus (C) receives and stores the scanned data and at least one thumbnail image thereof.

Then, the fax sending apparatus (C) sends its fax number, fax number of the fax receiving apparatus (D), sender ID (A), recipient ID (B), and at least one thumbnail image to the fax server, and fax - the server considers the point in time when the fax server receives the thumbnail image as the initial time of the job. And the fax server can send relevant information to the WeChat server.

After that, the WeChat server sends a notification of sending to the client-recipient WeChat. The sending notification includes the start time of the job, the sender's identity (A), the fax number of the fax machine (D), the number of pages of scanned data, and at least one thumbnail image.

Then, after the WeChat server sends the sending notification to the WeChat recipient client, the fax server instructs the fax sending apparatus (C) to send the scanned data.

Finally, the fax sending apparatus (C) sends scanned data to the fax receiving apparatus (D).

Sixth Embodiment

In this embodiment, a system for sending and receiving a fax based on the instant communication service can be used to send and receive a confidential fax. Using the system, it is possible to provide both a fax notification function and a fax reception control function as described above.

It should be noted that the system according to this embodiment is based on the system according to the fifth embodiment, and the difference between them is that the system corresponding to this system further includes another fax receiving apparatus (not shown in the drawings) used the recipient (B). Another facsimile apparatus differs from said facsimile apparatus (D) described in the fifth embodiment. And the fax number of another fax receiving apparatus is not registered (stored) on the fax sending apparatus (C).

In addition, in this embodiment, after the WeChat server sends a sending notification to the recipient WeChat client of the recipient (B), the recipient (B) selects one of the fax numbers of said fax receiving apparatus (D) and another fax receiving apparatus in as the fax receiving number for receiving scanned data, and sends, through the WeChat server to the fax server, a receiving instruction for receiving scanned data, which includes the receiving fax number.

Then, having accepted the receive instruction, the fax server sends the receive fax number to the fax sending apparatus (C), and instructs the fax sending apparatus (C) to start sending scanned data.

Finally, the fax sending apparatus (C) sends scanned data to the fax receiving apparatus corresponding to the fax receiving number.

Although the present invention is described with reference to specific embodiments selected for illustration purposes, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but those skilled in the art can propose numerous modifications thereof without departing from the basic principles and technical scope of the present invention .

This application is based on China Patent Application No. 201410117862.2, filed March 26, 2014, and claims priority over it, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims (78)

1. A method for sending and receiving faxes based on instant communication services, comprising: a recipient assignment step, a scanning and sending step, and a sending notification step, wherein at the stage of appointment of the recipient, the sender of the fax selects, on the fax sending apparatus corresponding to the fax number of the sender, one or more recipients as objects for receiving the fax, the fax sending apparatus being used to send the fax; the sender, as well as one or more recipients, are registered on the fax sending apparatus by registering, in which the identification data of each of the sender and one or more recipients associated with one or more fax numbers are stored on the fax sending apparatus; and the identity of each of the sender and one or more recipients includes at least an instant communication identification number, wherein at the stage of scanning and sending, the sender uses the fax sending apparatus to scan the data to be sent, and the fax sending apparatus receives and stores the scanned data and at least one thumbnail image of the scanned data; the fax sending apparatus considers each of one or more recipients as a receiver, and sends the fax number of the fax sending apparatus, one or more fax numbers of the receiver, the identity of the sender, the identification of each of one or more recipients and at least one thumbnail image a fax server that is connected to the fax machine through the network; and the fax server considers the point in time when the fax server receives at least one thumbnail image as the initial time of the job, and at the stage of the notice of dispatch, the fax server uses the instant communication server, which provides the instant communication service, to send notification of sending to the receiver; and the notice of sending includes the initial time of the job, the identity of the sender, one or more fax numbers of the receiver, the number of pages of scanned data, and at least one thumbnail image. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of confidential dispatch after the step of the notification of dispatch, in which: at the confidential sending stage, the receiver selects a fax receiving number for receiving scanned data and sends the receiving instruction to the fax server via the instant communication server to receive the scanned data; the fax server, after receiving the receive instruction including the fax receive number, sends the receive fax number to the fax sending apparatus and instructs the fax sending apparatus to start sending scanned data; and The fax sending machine sends scanned data to the fax receiving machine corresponding to the fax receiving number. 3. The method according to p. 2, in which: at the stage of the notice of dispatch, after the fax server sends the sending notification to the receiver, the instant communication server informs the sender that the sending notification has been delivered. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of notifying the result of the dispatch after the confidential dispatch step, in which: at the stage of notification of the result of the dispatch, after the fax sending apparatus sends scanned data, the fax sending apparatus sends the sending result to the fax server, and the sending result includes whether the scanned data has been sent successfully, the number of pages of scanned data and the sending time scanned data; and the fax server sends the result of sending to the sender and one or more recipients via the instant communication server. 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of re-sending after the step of notifying the result of the dispatch, in which: at the stage of re-sending, one or more recipients request a fax server, through the instant communication server, to resend the scanned data; the confidential dispatch phase is carried out; and the step of notifying the result of the dispatch is carried out. 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising a cancellation step, in which: at the stage of cancellation, the sender sends a cancellation instruction through the instant server to the fax server to cancel sending the scanned data; after the fax server receives the cancellation instruction, the fax server instructs the fax sending machine to cancel; and the fax sending apparatus erases the scanned data and at least one thumbnail image stored therein after the fax sending apparatus receives the cancellation instruction. 7. The method according to p. 6, in which: after the cancellation step, the fax sending machine returns the cancellation result to the fax server indicating whether the cancellation was successful, and the fax server sends the cancellation result to the sender through the instant communication server. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of non-confidential dispatch after the step of the notification of dispatch, in which: at the stage of non-confidential dispatch, the fax server instructs the fax sending machine to start sending scanned data; and fax machine sends scanned data to fax receiving apparatuses corresponding to one or more fax numbers of the receiver. 9. The method according to p. 8, in which: at the stage of the notice of dispatch, after the fax server sends the sending notification to the receiver, the instant communication server informs the sender that the sending notification has been delivered. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of notifying the result of the dispatch after the non-confidential step, in which: at the stage of notification of the result of the dispatch, after the fax sending apparatus sends scanned data, the fax sending apparatus sends the sending result to the fax server, and the sending result includes whether the scanned data has been successfully sent, the number of pages of scanned data and the time of sending the scanned data. 11. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, in which: Identification data additionally includes a personal name. 12. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, in which: registration is carried out using an instant communication server. 13. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, in which: the instant connection identification number is the WeChat account, the instant communication server is the WeChat public platform server, and instant communication service is a service based on the WeChat public platform. 14. A system for sending and receiving faxes based on instant communication services, comprising: a fax sending apparatus, a fax receiving apparatus, a fax server, an instant sending client, an instant communication receiving client and an instant communication server, the fax sending machine is used by the fax sender to send the fax and corresponds to the fax number of the sender, the fax receiving apparatus is used by the fax recipient to receive the fax and corresponds to the fax number of the recipient, the fax server provides a fax service and communicates with the fax sending apparatus and the fax receiving apparatus, the sender-client of instant communication is the client of instant communication used by the sender, the instant communication recipient client is the instant communication client used by the recipient, and the instant communication server provides instant communication service, communicates with the sending client of instant communication and the receiving client of instant communication, and is able to communicate with the fax server, moreover the sender and recipient are registered by registering in which the identity of each of the sender and recipient associated with the fax number is stored on the fax sending apparatus, the identification data including at least an instantaneous identification number of each of the sender and recipient, the sender uses the fax sending apparatus to scan the data to be sent, and the fax sending apparatus receives and stores the scanned data and at least one thumbnail image of the scanned data, the fax sending apparatus sends the fax number of the fax sending apparatus, the fax number of the fax receiving apparatus, sender identification data, recipient identification data and at least one thumbnail image to the fax server, and the fax server considers the point in time when the fax server receives at least at least one thumbnail as the initial time of the task, and the instant communication server sends a notification of sending to the client-recipient of instant communication, and the notification of sending includes the initial time of the job, the identity of the sender, the fax number of the fax receiving apparatus, the number of pages of scanned data and at least one thumbnail image. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising another fax machine that is used by the recipient to receive the fax, and is different from the fax receiving apparatus, and whose fax number is not stored on the fax sending apparatus, in which: after the instant communication server sends a notification of sending to the instant recipient client, the recipient selects the fax number for receiving scanned data from the fax number of the fax receiving machine and the fax number of another fax receiving machine as the receiving fax number, and sends it to the fax -server through the instant communication server receive instructions for receiving scanned data, and after the fax server receives the receive instruction including the fax receive number, the fax server sends the receive fax number to the fax sending apparatus, and instructs the fax sending apparatus to start sending scanned data, wherein The fax sending machine sends scanned data to the fax receiving machine corresponding to the fax receiving number. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein: after the instant communication server sends a notification of sending to the client-recipient of instant communication, the fax server instructs the fax sending apparatus to start sending scanned data, and The fax sending machine sends scanned data to the fax receiving machine.

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