APPARATUS FOR FORWARDING A MESSAGE

Abstract: A facsimile machine (10) is provided with a memory (14) for storing an incoming message and a control unit (16) for transmitting the message to another facsimile machine, which may be easily portable, on receiving a signal from the other machine or after a pre-programmed time entered into the control unit (16) by operating a control panel (17).

Description: the second station, the message stored in the storage means is transmitted to the second station. If a portable facsimile machine is connected to the communications link at the station, the message transmitted to the station can be decoded by the portable machine and a record of the message generated by the machine. Following is a description, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic representation, of one method of carrying the invention into effect. In the drawing there is shown appratus 10 comprising a frame 11 having located thereon a socket 12 for receiving a plug (not shown) of a telecommunications link and a power supply 13. Also located on the frame is a circuit comprising a non volatile battery driven memory 14, an auto-dialling auto-answering modem 15 and a control unit 16, the circuit including the socket 12 and the power supply 13 and including a manually operable control panel 17. The apparatus is connected to a communications link by inserting the plug in the socket 12. On detecting an incoming facsimile call according to the standard CCITT Groups 2,3 or any other current facsimile standards, the control unit 16 causes the incoming facsimile message to be decoded by the modem 15 and stores the message in the memory 1 , which may have the capacity to store many such messages. Subsequently, the control unit 16 causes the modem 15 to call a forwarding station by way of the communications link, at which station there is located a facsimile machine, and to transmit the message from the memory 14 to the station whereby the message issues as a record generated by the machine. The control unit 16 is adapted to receive and store signals indicative of the forwarding station and to call the forwarding station on receiving the incoming facsimile call or after a pre-programmed time entered into the control unit 16 by operating the control panel 17. The control unit 16 also is adapted to delay if communication with the forwarding station cannot be established. Furthermore, the control unit 16 is adapted to forward any stored messages by way of the communications link to the forwarding station on being interrogated only by that station, information regarding the station having been entered into the control unit 16 by operating the control panel 17. It will be appreciated that apparatus according to the present invention provides an advantage in that it would make available portable facsimile machines which could be connected to a telecommunications network and arranged to generate a record of a message forwarded thereto by the apparatus. Furthermore, such apparatus would be inexpensive to manufacture because it would comprise substantially an assembly of standard components and the provision of relatively simple control software. The components would include the modem 15 which would be of a type approved by Authority and the apparatus should, therefore, comply with requirements of the Authority. It will also be appreciated that apparatus according to the present invention is independent of the state of technology of a local communications network and has the capacity to forward messages to any station which can be called directly, including a station located in a country different from the country in which the apparatus is I located.

Claims: Claims 1. Apparatus (10) for forwarding a message by way of a communications link comprising receiving means (12) for receiving the message from a station, decoding means (15) for decoding the message received by the receiving means (12) and storage means (14) for storing the message decoded by the decoding means (15) characterised in that there is provided control means (16) for controlling communication with a second station by way of the communications link so that, on receiving a signal from the second station, the message stored in the storage means (14) is transmitted to the second station. 2. Apparatus (10) as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the control means (16) is adapted to receive and store signals indicative of the second station. 3. Apparatus (10) as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the control means (16) is adapted to transmit the message stored in the storage means (14) at a predetermined interval. 4. Apparatus (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the control means (16) is adapted to delay transmitting the message to the second station if communication with the second station cannot be established. 5. Apparatus (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the control means (16) is adapted to transmit any messages to the second station on being interrogated only by that station. 6. Apparatus (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that there is provided means (17) for entering in the storage means (14) information relating to the second station.

Inventors: HATTON LESLIE, HATTON, LESLIE
Applicants: HATTON LESLIE, HATTON, LESLIE
Application year: 1990
Main classification: H04L12
IPC codes: H04L12, H04N1