Patent ID: 6046824
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A long term facsimile transmission storage and retrieval system, comprising:first processor means adapted to provide facsimile logging, said first processor means operatively coupled between at least one telephone line via a private branch exchange extensions or a standard telephone line and at least one facsimile machine via a local connection, said first processor means storing and forwarding inbound facsimile transmissions that arrive on said at least one telephone line and outbound facsimile transmission that originate from said at least one facsimile machine over said local connection, said first processor means operative to permanently archive said inbound and said outbound facsimile transmissions on long term archive media so as to permit random retrieval;a database coupled to said first processor means, said database for holding relevant data associated with said stored facsimile transmission;second processor means operatively coupled to said first processor means, said second processor means able to search and retrieve said facsimile transmissions previously stored by said first processor means on said long term archive media, said search and retrieval operations occurring independently of said inbound transmission, outbound transmission and archiving functions of said first processor means;means for accepting and processing data supplied by a user, said data including operator identity, account information for billing and sub address data;third processor means operatively coupled to said first processor means, said third processor means for generating and sending a confirmation message to the user regarding the result of the facsimile transmission;means for appending said sub address data to said outbound facsimile transmissions; andbypass means coupled between said first processor means and said at least one telephone line and between said first processor means and said at least one facsimile machine, said bypass means operative to receive a keep alive indication from said first processor means, said bypass means operative to disconnect said first processor means and connect said at least one telephone line directly to said at least one facsimile machine in the event said keep alive indication is not received within a predetermined time period.