Abstract:
A fax over Internet protocol client driver. The present invention enables a client to support a fax over Internet protocol. Whereas conventional systems commonly rely upon an Internet service provider (ISP) to support the fax over Internet protocol functionality, the invention ensures that a client can perform multiple Internet sessions, one of which is a fax over Internet protocol session. There is no need to disconnect from a current Internet session, and then re-establish another Internet session. The client is any number of devices including a personal computer, a laptop computer, a pen based computer, an Internet capable fax machine, or any other fax capable device. By providing a fax over Internet protocol driver within the client, the client can send a fax transmission over the Internet, even in the situation where the ISP that the client solicits does not support that particular functionality.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates generally to communications via the Internet; and, more particularly, it relates to an embedded facsimile over Internet protocol into a variety of devices. 
   2. Related Art 
   In conventional systems that are operable to transmit facsimile (fax) over the Internet, the burden is commonly placed upon the Internet service providers (ISPs) to perform and provide the fax over Internet protocol.  FIG. 1  shows a conventional embodiment  100  where ISPs support a fax over Internet protocol session. A fax # 1   110  dials into a telephone network provider # 1   120 . The telephone network provider # 1   120  then couples to an ISP # 1   130 . The ISP # 1   130  is operable to perform the fax over Internet protocol  132 , most commonly implemented as a T38 protocol  134 . The ISP # 1   130  communicates to an ISP# 2   135  via an Internet protocol network  199 . The Internet protocol network  199  is itself the Internet in some embodiments, and it is a private dedicated network operating using an Internet protocol in others. The ISP # 2   135 , similar to the ISP # 1   130 , is operable to perform the fax over Internet protocol  137 , again most commonly implemented as a T38 protocol  139 . The ISP # 2   125  then contacts a telephone network provider # 2   125  that calls a fax # 2   115  to complete the fax transaction. As shown within the  FIG. 1 , the connection between the fax # 1   110  and the fax # 2   115 , represented by the L1-L3-L4-L5-L6 connections, is a fax over Internet protocol session. 
   Similarly, a client  150  employing a class 1, class 2, or class 2.0 fax modem and fax software package is also operable to send a fax to the fax # 2   115  using the ISP provided fax over Internet protocol. The client  150  is any number of computers including a laptop computer  151  or a personal computer  152 . The client  150  dials into the telephone network provider # 1   120 . The telephone network provider # 1   120  then couples to the ISP # 1   130 . The ISP # 1   130  performs the fax over Internet protocol  132 . The ISP # 1   130  communicates to the ISP# 2   135  via the Internet protocol network  199 . The ISP # 2   125  then contacts the telephone network provider # 2   125  that calls the fax # 2   115  to complete the fax transaction. As shown within the  FIG. 1 , the connection between the client  150  and the fax # 2   115 , represented by the L2-L3-L4-L5-L6 connections, in is also a fax over Internet protocol session. 
   One deficiency in the conventional fax over Internet protocol, in it being supported by an ISP as shown in the  FIG. 1 , is that when a user of the client  150  is performing any Internet access session (other than a fax over Internet protocol session), that user must first de-couple from his current Internet access session in order to perform his fax over Internet protocol session. 
   Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional systems will become apparent to one of skill in the art through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Various aspects of the present invention can be found in a T38 client driver system. The T38 client driver system includes a client having a T38 protocol client driver that is operable to support a fax over Internet protocol session, a first Internet service provider to which the client connects, a second Internet service provider that is operable to support a T38 protocol, and an Internet protocol network. The first Internet service provider and the second Internet service provider are communicatively coupled via the Internet protocol network. The T38 client driver system also includes a telephone network provider and a fax machine that is operable to be connect to the second Internet service provider via the telephone network provider. A fax over Internet protocol session is maintained between the client and the fax machine via the first Internet service provider, the Internet protocol network, the second Internet service provider, and the telephone network provider. The client maintains the fax over Internet protocol session with the fax machine using the T38 protocol client driver. 
   In certain embodiments of the invention, the client contains a memory, and the T38 protocol driver is contained in the memory. The Internet protocol network is a private network that is operable using an Internet protocol. The client connects to the first Internet service provider using an integrated services digital network. The client connects to the first Internet service provider using an asymmetric digital subscriber line. The client is operable to maintain at least one additional Internet protocol session or multiple Internet protocol sessions including the fax over Internet protocol session. The client is a laptop computer in some embodiments. The client contains a modem having firmware, and firmware contains the T38 protocol client driver. 
   Other aspects of the present invention can be found in a fax over Internet protocol driver system. The fax over Internet protocol driver system contains a client having a fax over Internet protocol client driver that is operable to support a fax over Internet protocol session, a first Internet service provider to which the client connects, and an Internet protocol network that connects the first Internet service provider and a second Internet service provider. In addition, the fax over Internet protocol driver system includes a fax machine that is operable to be communicatively coupled to the second Internet service provider, and the client maintains a fax over Internet protocol session with the fax machine using the fax over Internet protocol client driver. 
   In certain embodiments of the invention, the client maintains an additional Internet protocol session or multiple Internet protocol sessions. The Internet protocol network is itself the Internet in some embodiments. The Internet protocol network is a private network that is operable using an Internet protocol in other embodiments. The client is a personal computer. The fax over Internet protocol uses the T38 protocol. The client connects to the first Internet service provider using a public switched telecommunications network. 
   Other aspects of the present invention can be found in a method to support a fax over Internet protocol session. The method involves connecting a client to a first Internet service provider over a first connection where the client comprises a fax over Internet protocol client driver that is operable to support a fax over Internet protocol session. The method also involves establishing a second connection between the first Internet service provider and a second Internet service provider via an Internet protocol network where the second Internet service provider establishes a third connection with a fax machine. Finally, the method involves transmitting a fax from the client to the fax machine using a fax over Internet protocol session that is supported by the fax over Internet protocol client driver of the client via the first connection, the second connection, and the third connection. 
   In certain embodiments of the invention, the first connection is an asymmetric digital subscriber line. The client is any number of devices including another fax machine that is Internet capable. The Internet protocol network is a private network that is operable using an Internet protocol in some embodiments method is also operable to support an additional Internet protocol session along with the fax over Internet protocol session. 
   Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments are considered in conjunction with the following drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a system diagram illustrating Internet Service Providers supporting FoIP  100  in accordance with prior art. 
       FIG. 2  is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a fax over Internet protocol client driver system built in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a system diagram illustrating another embodiment of a fax over Internet protocol client driver system built in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a T38 client driver, built in accordance with the present invention, that is compatible with a computing system. 
       FIG. 5  is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a fax over Internet protocol client driver, built in accordance with the present invention, that is compatible with a computing system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 2  is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a fax over Internet protocol client driver system  200  built in accordance with the present invention. Within the fax over Internet protocol client driver system  200 , a client  250  is operable to connect to an Internet service provider (ISP) # 1   230  as shown by a connection to ISP cloud  220 . An embedded fax over Internet protocol driver  253  is contained within the client  250 . If desired, a T38 protocol  254  is supported by the fax over Internet protocol driver  253 . The client  250  is any number of devices including a laptop computer  251  or a personal computer  252 . The client  250  uses any number of various ways  221  to perform the connection to the ISP  220  including using a public switched telephone/telecommunications network (PSTN) when using a modem. In addition, the client  250  uses any number of various ways  221  to perform the connection to the ISP  220  including using an integrated services digital network (ISDN), an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), or an Ethernet connection when using a network access card, as shown within the number of various ways  221 . 
   After the client connects to the ISP # 1   230  via the connection to the ISP  220  cloud, the ISP # 1   230  connects to an ISP# 2   235  via an Internet protocol network  299 . The Internet protocol network  299  is itself the Internet in some embodiments, and it is a private dedicated network operating using an Internet protocol in others. The ISP # 2   235  is operable to perform a fax over Internet protocol  237 , most commonly implemented as a T38 protocol  239 . The ISP # 2   225  then contacts a telephone network provider # 2   225  that calls a fax # 2   215  to complete the fax transaction. As shown within the  FIG. 2 , the connection between the client  250  and the fax # 2   215 , represented by the L1-L2-L3-L4 connections, is a fax over Internet protocol session provided between the client  250  and the fax # 2   215 . Using the embedded fax over Internet protocol driver  253  within the client  250 , a user of the client  250  is provided the capability to maintain a current Internet session and also to initiate a fax over Internet protocol session simultaneously. Given that the fax over Internet protocol is supported by the client  250  itself, the client  250  need not rely on an ISP to support a fax over Internet protocol session. 
     FIG. 3  is a system diagram illustrating another embodiment of a fax over Internet protocol client driver system  300  built in accordance with the present invention. The fax over Internet protocol client driver system  300  contains a client  350  into which a fax over Internet protocol driver  320  is installed. The client  350  is any number of devices including a laptop computer  351 , a personal computer  352 , a pen computer  353 , an Internet capable fax  354 , or any other fax capable device  359 . For example, the any other fax capable device  359  is a fax-capable Internet appliance that contains the fax over Internet protocol driver  320  in order to send a fax over the Internet in certain embodiments of the invention. 
   The fax over Internet protocol driver  320  contains a T38 protocol  322  in certain embodiments of the invention. The T38 protocol  322  is contained in software (S/W)  332  on the client  350 . In alternative embodiments, the T38 protocol  322  is contained in firmware in a modem/network access card  331 , a printer driver in the client&#39;s memory  334 , or within read only memory (ROM) of the modem/network access card  335 . If desired, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) located on a modem card/network access card  333  supports the T38 protocol  322 . In addition, any other code storage medium  339  is also operable to store the T38 protocol  322  that is used to support the fax over Internet protocol driver  320 . 
   As described above and also further described below, when using a PSTN to connect to an ISP, a modem is employed. When using any of the other methods to connect to the ISP, a network access card is employed. Either a network access card or a modem is used in the various embodiments of the invention as required by the particular situation without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     FIG. 4  is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a T38 client driver  400 , built in accordance with the present invention, that is compatible with a computing system. The T38 client driver  400  that is compatible with a computing system contains a computing system  410  that connects to an ISP  430  as shown by a connection to ISP cloud  420 . The ISP  430  is operable to connect to an Internet protocol network  499 . The Internet protocol network  499  is itself the Internet in some embodiments, and it is a private dedicated network operating using an Internet protocol in others. 
   The computing system  410  uses any number of various ways  421  to perform the connection to the ISP  420  including using a public switched telephone/telecommunications network (PSTN) when using a modem. In addition, the computing system  410  uses any number of various ways  421  to perform the connection to the ISP  420  including using an integrated services digital network (ISDN), an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), or an Ethernet connection when using a network access card, as shown within the number of various ways  421 . 
   The computing system  410  contains a modem/network access card  412  and a memory  414 . As described above, when using the PSTN to connect to the ISP, a modem is employed. When using any of the other methods to connect to the ISP, a network access card is employed. The block  412  includes either a network access card or a modem, in whichever embodiment is used in the particular situation. The memory  414  supports a T38 protocol  422  to perform a fax over Internet protocol session. A software (S/W)  432  supports the T38 protocol  422  in some embodiments. A printer driver located in memory  434  supports the T38 protocol  422  in other embodiments. The memory  414  and the modem  412  are communicatively coupled within the computing system  410 . In alternative embodiments, a T38 protocol  421  is operable within the modem  412  itself. The T38 protocol  421  is supported within the modem  412  using a number of different ways including firmware within the modem/network access card  431 , an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) located on a modem card/network access card  433 , or a read only memory (ROM)  435  located on the modem/network access card  412 . 
   The  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the invention where the fax over Internet protocol driver is embedded in the computing system  410 . A user of the computing system  410  is able to operate a fax over Internet protocol session and other Internet protocol sessions simultaneously. 
     FIG. 5  is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a fax over Internet protocol client driver  500 , built in accordance with the present invention, that is compatible with a computing system. The T38 client driver  500  that is compatible with a computing system contains a computing system  510  that connects to an ISP  530  as shown by a connection to ISP cloud  520 . The ISP  530  is operable to connect to an Internet protocol network  599 . The Internet protocol network  599  is itself the Internet in some embodiments, and it is a private dedicated network operating using an Internet protocol in others. 
   The computing system  510  uses any number of various ways  521  to perform the connection to the ISP  520  including using a public switched telephone/telecommunications network (PSTN) when using a modem. In addition, the computing system  510  uses any number of various ways  521  to perform the connection to the ISP  520  including using an integrated services digital network (ISDN), an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), or an Ethernet connection when using a network access card, as shown within the number of various ways  521 . 
   The computing system  510  contains a modem/network access card  512 . As described above, when using the PSTN to connect to the ISP, a modem is employed. When using any of the other methods to connect to the ISP, a network access card is employed. The block  512  includes either a network access card or a modem, in whichever embodiment is used in the particular situation. In addition, the computing system is operable to perform multiple protocol support  517 . The modem  512  supports fax over Internet protocol functionality  590 . In some embodiments, the fax over Internet protocol functionality  590  is supported by a T38 protocol functionality  521 . The multiple protocol support  517  includes at least voice/fax information  518  and data information  519 . In addition, any other information type  590  is able to be supported in accordance with the present invention. The multiple protocol support  517  provides a user of the computing system the opportunity to maintain multiple Internet protocol sessions. The  FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the invention where the fax over Internet protocol driver is embedded in the computing system  510 . 
   In view of the above detailed description of the present invention and associated drawings, other modifications and variations will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. It should also be apparent that such other modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.