WO1990010989A1 - Systeme serveur de fac-simile sollicite par la voix - Google Patents

Systeme serveur de fac-simile sollicite par la voix Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1990010989A1
WO1990010989A1 PCT/US1990/001065 US9001065W WO9010989A1 WO 1990010989 A1 WO1990010989 A1 WO 1990010989A1 US 9001065 W US9001065 W US 9001065W WO 9010989 A1 WO9010989 A1 WO 9010989A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
signals
user
voice
telephone line
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1990/001065
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David C. Rae
Donald G. Leckrone
Original Assignee
Spectrafax Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Spectrafax Corporation filed Critical Spectrafax Corporation
Publication of WO1990010989A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990010989A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
    • H04N1/327—Initiating, continuing or ending a single-mode communication; Handshaking therefor
    • H04N1/32765—Initiating a communication
    • H04N1/32771—Initiating a communication in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
    • H04N1/32782—Initiating a communication in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document using a tone- or pulse-coded request
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/002—Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/16—Sound input; Sound output
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
    • H04N1/00206—Transmitting or receiving computer data via an image communication device, e.g. a facsimile transceiver
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
    • H04N1/2166—Intermediate information storage for mass storage, e.g. in document filing systems
    • H04N1/2179—Interfaces allowing access to a plurality of users, e.g. connection to electronic image libraries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
    • H04N1/327—Initiating, continuing or ending a single-mode communication; Handshaking therefor
    • H04N1/32765—Initiating a communication
    • H04N1/32771—Initiating a communication in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
    • H04N2201/0034—Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to database acquisition systems in which a user can access data stored in a storage medium via a telephone line.
  • a smart terminal usually consists of a keyboard and a display device containing a microprocessor for providing local control of the operation of the terminal.
  • DTMF dual tone multi-frequency
  • This invention provides a method and apparatus for enabling a user to acquire specifically requested data from an unattended database storage location without the need for costly equipment.
  • This invention also enables a user to obtain graphic image data automatically from an unattended database location on a substantially real time basis.
  • This invention provides a method of transmitting graphic and/or textual data stored in a data storage medium to a requester's facsimile machine over a telephone line, comprising the steps of responding to an incoming call from a requester with a prerecorded voice message, receiving signals representing specific data in the data storage medium desired by the requester, retrieving the specific data from the data storage medium, instructing the requester to place his facsimile machine on-line, transmitting the specific data in facsimile format over the telephone line to the facsimile machine, and terminating the incoming call.
  • This invention further provides an apparatus for transmitting graphic and/or textual data requested by a user to a facsimile machine of the user over the telephone line, comprising a host computer including a memory means for storing the graphic and textual data means for receiving an incoming call from the user over the telephone line, voice generation means for generating voice signals over the telephone line to the user, the voice signals representing instructions informing the user of individual items of data in the memory means which can be selected by the user for transmission, and instructions informing the user of specific code signals associated with each item of data, means for receiving code signals from the user over the telephone line representing selected items of data, means for decoding the received code signals to identify the selected items of data, means for retrieving the identified items of data from the memory means, means for transmitting the retrieved data in facsimile form to the facsimile machine, and means for terminating the incoming call after completion of the facsimile transmission.
  • a host computer including a memory means for storing the graphic and textual data means for receiving an incoming call from the user over the
  • the present invention thus enables a user to obtain graphic and/or textual data from a remote database using only a telephone and a standard facsimile machine.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of one preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram for illustrating the configuration of one embodiment of a voice board 210 of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of one embodiment of the fax board 230 of Figure 1;
  • Figures 4A and 4B are flow charts illustrating a main processing routine of the computer 200 of Figure 1, according to the present invention
  • Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine for obtaining a user's password
  • Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine for obtaining a user's account number.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the overall configuration of a system in conjunction with one preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a user's facsimile machine/telephone system 100 is interconnected to an unattended database storage location 200, which may be a computer or another type of data storage device, over a telephone line 150.
  • the telephone line is preferably a portion of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) so that the facsimile machine/telephone system 100 may call the computer 200.
  • PSTN public switched telephone network
  • the computer 200 (which may be a minicomputer, personal computer or other suitable computer) is equipped with a voice board 210 and a fax board 230 and is loaded with specific software 250 to operate the system in the database acquisition mode described hereinbelow.
  • the voice and fax capabilities could be implemented with DSP (Digital Signal Processing) chips in the motherboard of the computer.
  • a schematic block diagram of voice board 210 is illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the voice board is an integrated circuit module which is placed into a standard I/O slot of the PC to interconnect with the PC's data and control buses.
  • Such voice board are commercially available devices, such as Model D-40 B from Dialogic Corporation, for example. However, other equivalent voice boards may be used for purposes of the present invention.
  • the typical layout of a four line voice board consists of a plurality of telephone interface lines 211 which connect with outside callers, analog processing circuits 212 connected to the telephone interface 211, A/D - D/A converter circuits 213 connected to the analog processing circuits 212, and compressor-decompressor circuitry 214 connected to the digital/analog converters 213.
  • the compressor- decompressors 214 are connected to an internal bus 215 of the voice board which is connected to I/O controller 216 and a memory buffer 217.
  • the I/P controller 216 and memory buffer 217 are further connected to the personal computer bus 300.
  • the operation of the voice board is as follows.
  • a plurality of voice messages are stored in a memory as compressed digital voice data.
  • the compressed voice data is obtained by having an announcer speak into a telephone device connected to a telephone interface line 211, processing the resultant analog waveform in the processing circuit 212, converting the processed analog signal into a digital signal in the analog to digital part of the converter 213, compressing the digital data in the circuit 214, and storing the compressed data in memory via the input/output controller 216 and the internal bus 215.
  • a voice message to be output is obtained from the memory, loaded into the memory buffer 217, and processed in the reverse order to output a voice analog signal at the telephone interface line 211 to be received by the speaker of a telephone handset.
  • FIG 3 is a block diagram of the structure of the fax board of 230 of Figure 1.
  • the fax board may also be obtained as a commercially available unit, such as the "Connection Coprocessor” available from Intel Corporation, the “Personal Link” available from SpectraFax Corporation, or equivalent boards from other manufacturers.
  • the fax board 230 consists of a data access arrangement (DAA) device 231, a modem 232, an SDLC controller 233, a microprocessor 234, a low address latch 235, an EPROM 236, random access memory 237, an inbound latch 239, I/O address decoder 240, an outbound latch 241, and a direct memory access (DMA) controller 242.
  • DMA direct memory access
  • the various components of the board are interconnected via an internal bus 238, while the inbound and outbound latches, the DMA controller, and the I/O address decoder are connected to the host computer via the host computer bus 300.
  • the fax board is controlled by the host computer through a series of commands loaded into the inbound latch 239 from the host processor.
  • the fax board receives DMA data from the host processor to send fax documents via the fax modem 232 to a telephone line connected to the DAA 231. Status and control data is communicated to the host processor via the outbound latch 241.
  • the main processing routine is illustrated in Figs. 4A and 4B.
  • the main program is started by performing various initialization functions.
  • the host computer waits for an indication of an incoming call from the voice board.
  • the voice board is caused to output a welcome message at step 254. If an account number is required, processing advances to step 255, which initiates the account number subroutine as illustrated in Figure 6.
  • the voice board outputs a request for an account number at step 501.
  • the system waits for the input of DTMF signals representing the caller's account number.
  • the DTMF signals are decoded and compared with a list of valid account numbers at step 503. If the account number is valid, it is recorded at step 505 for billing purposes and processing returns to the main routine at step 506. If the account number is not determined to be valid, the voice board outputs an error message and asks the user to try again at step 504, upon which the subroutine returns to step 502 to await the input of a new account number.
  • step 256 calls up the password subroutine as illustrated in Figure 5.
  • the voice board is caused to output a message requesting the user to input a password at step 401.
  • the system waits for the caller to complete the input of DTMF signals representing the password.
  • the DTMF signals are converted to password data at step 403, and the decoded password is checked for validity. If the password is valid, it is recorded at step 405 and the subroutine transfers processing to the main routine at step 406. If the password was judged to be invalid, the voice board is caused to output an error message at step 404 and the subroutine returns to step 402 to await the inputting of another password.
  • step 257 the voice board is caused to output instructions informing the caller of the different types and items of data which are available for transmission as a facsimile along with DTMF codes corresponding to each of the listed items of data.
  • the voice board outputs a prompt signal prompting the caller to input the codes corresponding to the item of data that has been selected for reception at the caller's facsimile machine.
  • the program proceeds to step 258 as illustrated in Figure 4B.
  • step 258 the system waits for the completion of code input from the caller.
  • step 259 the DTMF codes signals are converted to digital product codes and are checked for validity.
  • step 259 Upon identification of a valid product code at step 259, the processing advances to step 261 in which the file containing the requested data is located for transfer to the fax board to be sent as a facsimile over the existing telephone connection. If the product code decoded at step 259 does not correspond to a valid data file, the program proceeds to step 260 which causes the voice board to output an error message requesting the caller to input another code and returns to step 258. At step 262, the voice board outputs a message instructing the caller to press the start key on his facsimile machine to place the machine on line in a ready state to receive a facsimile transmission. The program then advances to step 263 in which the fax board is instructed to send the identified file as a facsimile transmission. In an alternative embodiment, at step 262 the caller can be given the option to input the telephone number of an alternate facsimile machine to which the transmission should be directed.
  • the telephone connection is transferred to the fax board which then transmits the data in the identified file in a facsimile format, after handshaking with the fax machine to determine the correct operating parameters. The transmission is then checked to determine whether a satisfactory send has occurred. If an error has been detected, the program proceeds to step 266 in which the error is recorded. Otherwise, the call is terminated by releasing the phone line connection at step 265. The system then resets to await the next call at step 267.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Library & Information Science (AREA)
  • Facsimiles In General (AREA)

Abstract

Procédé et appareil de transmission de données graphiques et/ou textuelles requises spécialement depuis un emplacement de stockage d'une base de données automatique (200) vers un télécopieur (100) d'un demandeur par l'intermédiaire d'une ligne téléphonique (150), comprenant un ordinateur central (200) tel qu'un PC modifié avec un module de transmission de télécopie (230) et un module générateur de voix (210). L'ordinateur central (200) reçoit des appels téléphoniques et sollicite la personne qui appelle en utilisant le module générateur de voix (210) pour sélectionner des fichiers de données en utilisant les touches DTMF d'un téléphone standard. Le PC peut être laissé sans surveillance et peut tourner automatiquement dans le mode de transmission de télécopie. Les demandeurs peuvent immédiatement avoir accès aux données de texte et d'image requises en utilisant simplement un téléphone standard et un télécopieur (100).
PCT/US1990/001065 1989-03-10 1990-03-02 Systeme serveur de fac-simile sollicite par la voix WO1990010989A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US32171589A 1989-03-10 1989-03-10
US321,715 1989-03-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990010989A1 true WO1990010989A1 (fr) 1990-09-20

Family

ID=23251728

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1990/001065 WO1990010989A1 (fr) 1989-03-10 1990-03-02 Systeme serveur de fac-simile sollicite par la voix

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5184990A (fr)
WO (1) WO1990010989A1 (fr)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0516459A2 (fr) * 1991-05-30 1992-12-02 Schwaderer, Helen B. Serveur de fac-similé avec émulation d'un déclenchement par appel d'un opérateur
WO1993020647A1 (fr) * 1992-04-01 1993-10-14 Moss Christopher Donald Sibtho Dispositif de transmission de donnees
EP0611135A1 (fr) * 1993-02-08 1994-08-17 Intervoice, Inc. Unité de réponse à parole multilingue
DE4315947A1 (de) * 1993-05-12 1994-11-17 Siemens Ag Verfahren und Anordnung zur Signalübertragung zwischen einer Audioeinrichtung und einer Fernsprecheinrichtung
EP0630144A2 (fr) * 1993-06-18 1994-12-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Dispositif pour fournir des services dans un réseau de communication
GB2282725A (en) * 1993-10-07 1995-04-12 Julien Snell Facsimile information library
US5418628A (en) * 1989-12-22 1995-05-23 Perkins; John L. Integrated data communication system
EP0671843A1 (fr) * 1994-03-11 1995-09-13 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de communication pour utilisation avec le réseau téléphonique public
US5452106A (en) * 1992-05-27 1995-09-19 Exfax Technologies Ltd Pty Modem device for communication of facsimile or file data
WO1996000476A1 (fr) * 1994-06-27 1996-01-04 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Systeme de commande d'un poste telephonique raccorde a un telecopieur, a l'aide d'une liaison pc-fax
US6614889B2 (en) 2000-04-20 2003-09-02 Exfax Technologies Pty. Ltd. Software controlled switch device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU655917B2 (en) * 1989-12-22 1995-01-19 John Leslie Perkins Data communication

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2052122A (en) * 1979-06-19 1981-01-21 Hitachi Ltd Voice frequency response system
JPS57152072A (en) * 1981-03-17 1982-09-20 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Audio response/video retrieval composite processing system

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2052122A (en) * 1979-06-19 1981-01-21 Hitachi Ltd Voice frequency response system
JPS57152072A (en) * 1981-03-17 1982-09-20 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Audio response/video retrieval composite processing system

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
ANONUMOUS, "Document Distribution System", INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DISCLOSURES, 25 May 1988, page 2, right hand column, last full paragraph. *
R.J. PERDUE et al., "Conversant 1 Voice System: Architecture and Applications", AT&T TECHNICAL JOURNAL, Sept./Oct. 1986, Vol. 65, issue 5, see Figure 1,4,5; page 35 left hand column lines 1-7, pages 40-43. *

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5418628A (en) * 1989-12-22 1995-05-23 Perkins; John L. Integrated data communication system
EP0516459A3 (en) * 1991-05-30 1993-03-31 Schwaderer, Helen B. Facsimile server with manual call release emulation
EP0516459A2 (fr) * 1991-05-30 1992-12-02 Schwaderer, Helen B. Serveur de fac-similé avec émulation d'un déclenchement par appel d'un opérateur
WO1993020647A1 (fr) * 1992-04-01 1993-10-14 Moss Christopher Donald Sibtho Dispositif de transmission de donnees
US5452106A (en) * 1992-05-27 1995-09-19 Exfax Technologies Ltd Pty Modem device for communication of facsimile or file data
EP0611135A1 (fr) * 1993-02-08 1994-08-17 Intervoice, Inc. Unité de réponse à parole multilingue
DE4315947A1 (de) * 1993-05-12 1994-11-17 Siemens Ag Verfahren und Anordnung zur Signalübertragung zwischen einer Audioeinrichtung und einer Fernsprecheinrichtung
EP0630144A3 (fr) * 1993-06-18 1995-03-15 Siemens Ag Dispositif pour fournir des services dans un réseau de communication.
EP0630144A2 (fr) * 1993-06-18 1994-12-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Dispositif pour fournir des services dans un réseau de communication
GB2282725A (en) * 1993-10-07 1995-04-12 Julien Snell Facsimile information library
EP0671843A1 (fr) * 1994-03-11 1995-09-13 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de communication pour utilisation avec le réseau téléphonique public
US5577106A (en) * 1994-03-11 1996-11-19 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Communication apparatus for use with public telephone network
WO1996000476A1 (fr) * 1994-06-27 1996-01-04 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Systeme de commande d'un poste telephonique raccorde a un telecopieur, a l'aide d'une liaison pc-fax
US6795204B1 (en) 1994-06-27 2004-09-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Controlling by means of a pc-fax link a telephone terminal connected to a fax machine
US6614889B2 (en) 2000-04-20 2003-09-02 Exfax Technologies Pty. Ltd. Software controlled switch device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU5184990A (en) 1990-10-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5136634A (en) Voice operated facsimile machine network
US5357562A (en) Automated facsimile/voice memory managing system
US5517556A (en) Call processing system with facsimile processing
US5764738A (en) Document distribution system
US5031204A (en) Interactive diagnostic system for cellular telephones
US4935954A (en) Automated message retrieval system
US5561705A (en) Apparatus for auto dialing telephone numbers and DTMF tones in a personal communication device
EP0753956A2 (fr) Système de commutation téléphonique, distributeur automatique d'appels et méthode utilisant un réseau informatique pour la connexion aux terminaux d'ordinateur d'opérateurs éloignés
US20090104898A1 (en) A telephone using a connection network for processing data remotely from the telephone
EP0576205A2 (fr) Traitement automatique d'appels à plusieurs modes de communication dans un système de télécommunication
US20010012336A1 (en) Automated message system for a calling party
WO1990010989A1 (fr) Systeme serveur de fac-simile sollicite par la voix
US5566231A (en) Apparatus and system for recording and accessing information received over a telephone network
WO1997050222A9 (fr) Telephone sans fil intelligent
US9294626B1 (en) Voice based addressing of voice messages
US5566232A (en) System and apparatus for recording and accessing information received over a phone network using a premises phone for control
US5844970A (en) Multi-user personal message transmitting and receiving system
EP0504068A2 (fr) Dispositif fac-similé de communication
JPH0336464B2 (fr)
US5926525A (en) Information service method through automatic answering function in facsimile system
EP0516459A2 (fr) Serveur de fac-similé avec émulation d'un déclenchement par appel d'un opérateur
KR950001550B1 (ko) 전화 설문 조사 장치
KR910000701B1 (ko) 텍스트 단말과 팩시밀리 단말간의 상호 정보 전송장치
JP2695206B2 (ja) 通信装置
KR100451898B1 (ko) 음성인식을 이용한 자동다이얼링 통화시스템 및 그 서비스방법

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU BG BR CA FI HU JP KR NO RO SU

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LU NL SE