Patent ID: 6417934
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: H04M,H04N

Abstract:
A fax broadcast and fax-on-demand system comprising:a central fax storage and control means: a plurality of fax servers, connected in a computer network to the central fax storage and control means, each fax server for performing telephony and fax functions on a plurality of fax channels connectable to telephone lines in a telephone network, each fax server having local storage means for storing documents and fax information, each fax server adapted to perform telephony and fax functions on each of their respective fax channels; configuration means for designating each fax channel as an incoming or outgoing fax channel by storing a record of said designation; broadcast means for associating a document and a subscriber fax number and further associating said document and number with a outgoing fax channel, and sending a copy of said document, fax number and a fax channel reference to the local storage means of the fax server having that fax channel; and fax-on-demand means for listening for calls on the incoming fax channels, answering a call from a subscriber, identifying the subscriber and the document required by the subscriber, associating said document and subscriber number with an outgoing fax channel, and sending said document, fax number and fax channel reference to the local storage means of the fax server having that fax channel, and initiating transmit of the document to the subscriber.