Patent ID: 6061502
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
A communications device comprising:a modem which transmits data in accordance with a facsimile transmission protocol and in accordance with an electronic mail protocol and receives data in accordance with a facsimile receive protocol and in accordance with a electronic mail protocol;a scanner which generates digital data indicative of information on a printed medium which contains information for transmission to a remote communications device;an information entry device for entry of information designating a destination for transmission of said information contained on said printed medium; anda controller programmed to recognize said designating destination as identifying a telephone number for causing transmission of said digital data in accordance with a facsimile transmission protocol to a facsimile device identified by said telephone number and programmed to recognize said designating destination as identifying an electronic mail address for causing transmission of said digital data in accordance with an electronic mail transmission protocol to an electronic mailbox identified by said electronic mail address,said controller further recognizing a command requesting retrieval of a listing of electronic mail messages from a specified electronic mail address and initiating communication with a remote communications device corresponding to said specified electronic mail address to cause transmission of a list of all messages from the specified electronic mail address and causing transmission of the identity of one or more messages among a received listing to retrieve a requested electronic message.