SE516987C2 - Method and apparatus for receiving messages - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and to an arrangement (20) for converting fax messages to e-mail via reserved connection numbers in a telephone exchange (10, 14) for the distribution of converted fax messages to computers (28) having allotted extension or connection numbers and connected to a company data network (26).

Description

Distributes them over a data network to connected computers. The invention then allows everyone who is connected to the data network to have their own fax via electronic mail, ie. the ability to receive faxes at their workplace without having access to a conventional fax machine.

In order to achieve the objects and advantages of the present invention, it relates to a method for receiving facsimiles via a computer network with connected computers. Computer-connected to the data network receives a facsimile extension telephone number and a telephone exchange. The telephone exchange lays out obtained numbers on an internal or external link, depending on the embodiment of the invention, to a facsimile server, which converts received facsimiles into electronic mail and forwards them over the data network via an electronic mail server to resp. facsimile number connected computer in the data network. The facsimile is thus received via electronic mail at resp. computer connected.

In one embodiment, facsimile numbers for connected are reserved by number analysis in the exchange via a table.

In addition, the facsimile server and the electronic mail server may be included in one and the same server.

The facsimile server, according to the present invention, can in one embodiment convert a facsimile telephony telephone number to an address for electronic mail via a database.

The invention also relates to a device for receiving facsimiles via data networks, whereby computer-connected to the data network can obtain a facsimile number in a telephone exchange.

The device comprises means for receiving facsimile from the exchange and converting facsimile to electronic mail, means for status signaling and detection of communication towards the exchange, means for interpreting address information and means for controlling data communication from and to the exchange and for controlling the electronic the mail to the computer network's computer connected.

The device can, among other things, be connected between the exchange and the server for distribution of electronic mail. Optionally, the server for distribution of electronic mail may be included in a server common to the device.

In one embodiment, it converts the facsimile telecommunication unit to an address for electronic mail via a database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES Further, in the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings for a better understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a system for receiving faxes according to the present invention.

P33237SE01 / UDO, YA 0 o u n o; 10 15 20.:.: So 516 987 3 Fig. 2 illustrates a fax server that converts received faxes into electronic mail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is based on a computer connected, to a computer network or computer network, being able to receive faxes on its computer without having access to a fax machine.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1, which schematically shows a company's internal telecommunications and data networks. Data networks can be of the type LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network) etc.

Via a telecommunications station 10, a company e-mail is received from a fax machine 12. The fax is connected via the telecommunications station 10, which comprises an AX exchange, to the company exchange 14. Common such company exchanges 14 are of the brand MD-110, MERIDIAN etc. The exchange 14 has connected telephones 16 with resp. extension number. Furthermore, the switch 14 is connected to a via 18, three-channel hair intended for fax only. The Vian in turn connects to a fax server 20 according to the present invention, which converts received faxes into electronic mail, such as e-mail. The fax converted to electronic mail is sent on a line 22 to an e-mail server 24, which in turn connects to the company's data network 26.

Fax arrives in a so-called file in image format, whereby an electronic mail message (e-mail, e-mail) is created in the fax server, which is connected or attached to the image format. The term converted to electronic mail should therefore also be interpreted in light of this.

The server 24 is i.a. intended for distribution of e-mail over the data network to connected computers 28. Each computer 28 in the data network 26 which can receive e-mail resp. electronic mail has been assigned an extension number in the telephone exchange 14.

To configure the corporate exchange 14, a number series is created, through so-called number analysis in the exchange 14 via a table, which is folded or reserved for faxes only. For example, a company switchboard has been assigned the main number 134000 with conventional telephone extensions 134000 to 134400. In addition, for faxes according to the present invention, the number series 1345000 to 134599 has been reserved. All traffic towards the number series 134500 to 599, from for example faxes 12, will be directed towards a specific interface which in the case of a telephone switch MD-110 from Ericsson is called TLU23. The letter combination TLU has no relevant meaning, but is attributable to Ericsson's ABC classification such as AX etc. TLU23 is the interface that is connected to the fax server 20 with any PC.

TLU23 can be configured to send information in what is called "forward" on a current connection.

A common interface, used for example for signaling between the PX237S50l / UDO exchange, YA u a ø | g. 10 15 20 25 30 516 987 4 14, in the present invention, and servers such as server 20 are designated E&M (Ear & Mouth).

In the event of a call from the fax 12 to the fax extension number 134557, the TLU 23 will, on the selected connection of the three channels, send to the fax server 20 the numbers 557 in the number series for fax extensions. This information is sent in the form of DTMF (Dual Tone Multiple Frequency-L signaling), which is followed by a telecommunications connection being connected to the fax server 20 where the fax is received. mail.

In a database in the fax server 20, the computer or computer assigned to the received fax number, here 557 in the number 134557, is checked. distributes the converted fax over the corporate data network 26 to a connected computer with extension 557 for receiving faxes.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates how the fax server according to the present invention is designed for receiving faxes and converting them into electronic mail for forwarding to a server 24 and for the correct connection in the company's data network 26. The server 20, which may be a PC, receives the fax for connection 557 via one of the channels in vian 18. The fax arrives at a line card for receiving faxes, here with three lines per module. The fax is converted into electronic mail via means for converting fax signals into text or Greek files for e-mail.

The server 20 also includes a digital card for e.g. status signaling and detection of faxes against e.g. a telephone exchange such as MD-110, i.e. a card 32 which synchronizes and monitors communication between the exchange 14 and the line card 30 resp. the fax server 20. Furthermore, the server comprises a means for detecting and interpreting address information from the exchange 14.

The server 20 is controlled by the necessary means for steering towards the exchange 14 and the current network 26.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, faxes may be routed directly to a fax server 20 from a parent telephone exchange 10 with DTMF signaling or decadal pulse signaling, for example through an AX exchange or other exchange, via truncated lines, without establishing communication with a corporate exchange 14. This means that the exchange 10 initially sends identity tones for the requested extension number, which thus enables detection and transmission of faxes via direct lines from the exchange 10 to the fax server 20 according to the above-discussed approach, but without E&M signaling.

The means according to the present invention can be fully or partially realized by means of software which controls processors and other integrated circuits for converting faxes to P33237SEX) l / UDO, YA I ø | o now 516 987 electronic mail.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but it is the wording of the appended patents that they initiate the invention for a person skilled in the art.

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Claims (8)

10 15 20 25 a u ao noe 51% 987 Patentkrav Method for receiving facsimiles via a data network (26) with connected computers (28), characterized in that computer-connected to the data network (26) can obtain a facsimile extension telephone number in a telephone exchange (10, 14), which lays out received numbers of a link interface to a facsimile server (20), which converts received facsimiles into electronic mail and forwards them, via a connection (22) and a server over the electronic mail data network (26) to the respective facsimile number connected computer in the data network (26), facsimile is received as electronic mail at the respective computer connected. Method according to claim 1, connected connected by number analysis in the exchange (14) via a table. A method according to claims 1 and 2, (20) and the server (24) for electronic mail are included in one and the same server. A method according to claims 1-3, in that the facsimile server (20) converts a facsimile extension telephone number to an address for electronic mail via a database. 5. A device (20) for receiving a facsimile via a data network (26), characterized in that the facsimile number of the characteristic of the facsimile server is characterized in that computer-connected (28) to the data network can obtain a facsimile number in a telephone exchange (26). 10, 14) and comprising means (30) for receiving facsimile from the exchange and converting facsimile to electronic mail, means (32) for status signaling and detection of communication to the exchange, means for interpreting (34) address information and means ( 36) for controlling data communication from and to the exchange and for controlling the electronic mail to the computer network's (26) computer connected. Device according to claim 5, the exchange (10, 14) and the server (24) for distribution of electronic mail. Device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the connection between them is characterized in that the electronic mail server (24) is included in a server. Device according to claims 5-7, the facsimile telephone number to an address for electronic mail via a database. characterized by the fact that it converts P33237SED1 / UDO, YA and n