Patent ID: 7525691

Claim:
A method for delivering a facsimile to an electronic mailbox, the method comprising: a) interfacing with a plurality of communication channels for receiving facsimile messages, wherein each communication channel is capable of supporting a communication session from an originating facsimile machine via a switched telephone network; b) associating a telephone number from a plurality of telephone numbers on a switched telephone network with an intended facsimile recipient; c) receiving a telephone call via a selected communication channel from the plurality of communication channels; d) participating in a communication session with an originating facsimile machine using a facsimile protocol via the selected communication channel, wherein the participating step comprises receiving an inbound fax message for the intended facsimile recipient; and e) directing the inbound fax message to a mailbox defined in a computer storage and from which the intended facsimile recipient can retrieve the inbound fax message.