Electronic mail converting apparatus for facsimile

Details Electronic mail converting apparatus for facsimile Electronic mail converting apparatus for facsimile

1997-10-14

2001-04-03

Au, Amelia (Department: 2723)

Facsimile and static presentation processing

Facsimile

Electronic mailbox

C358S442000, C379S100130, C379S100150

Reexamination Certificate

active

06211972

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an electronic mail (e-mail) converting apparatus enabling facsimile data to be transmitted to an e-mail address.
BACKGROUND ART
When a facsimile document is transmitted as an e-mail, it is necessary to have a large scale system, and a special data processing terminal.
Such conventional facsimile communication system includes a one disclosed in Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 6-164645.
FIG. 1
shows its schematic block diagram. In
FIG. 1
, a facsimile
100
is connected to a host computer
200
to transmit and receive facsimile data over a public network
300
. The facsimile
100
and the host computer
200
constitute a facsimile communication system
400
. The facsimile communication system
400
connects to a local area network
500
connected to a personal computer, a workstation, a printer server, a file server, and the like.
In the conventional facsimile communication system thus arranged, an operator first places a document to be transmitted on a predetermined position of the facsimile
100
, and enters a mail broadcast command, a mail address, and a broadcast address through an operation panel of the facsimile
100
. This causes the facsimile
100
to broadcast input data of the transmit document to the instructed broadcast address, and to direct the host computer
200
to transmit an e-mail the instructed e-mail address. The host computer
200
transmits the transmit document data as an e-mail to the instructed e-mail address according to the instruction from the facsimile
100
.
However, the above facsimile communication system is necessary to arrange a special computer interface between the facsimile and the host computer, an data-processing terminal. In addition, there is a problem that, when an e-mail address is entered, it must be entered through a specific data-processing terminal. Moreover, when facsimile data is converted into an e-mail format, it is necessary to use a specific host computer or data-processing terminal. Furthermore, there are problems in selection of a sender, saving of receiving paper, and privacy protection of the transmit document. Accordingly, it is difficult at present to transmit a facsimile document as an e-mail by utilizing the existing facsimile.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is made in view of the above problems, and intended to provide an electronic mail converting apparatus for facsimile which can be switched between facsimile transmission of a facsimile document and e-mail transmission of a facsimile document to an e-mail address, by using an existing facsimile.
The present invention provides an electronic mail converting apparatus for facsimile comprising connections connecting to a facsimile, a public network, and a LAN, the connections being internally changed over according to the type of data or an instruction, and converting section means for converting data from facsimile data to e-mail data or vice versa, as required, wherein the converted data is transmitted to an instructed destination.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to easily change over between facsimile transmission of a facsimile document and e-mail transmission of a facsimile document by using an existing facsimile, or without using a specific data-processing terminal or computer interface. In addition, according to this configuration, it is possible to convert stored facsimile data into an e-mail format, and to convert a telephone number into an e-mail address, whereby transmitting the data converted into the e-mail format to the address of e-mail.


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“An Online of Facsimile Data Conversion and Interface Equipment”, Susumu Harashima et al., Japan Telecommunications Review, JP, Telecommunication Association, Tokyo, vol. 4, No. 23, Oct. 31, 1981, pp. 342-346.
An English Language Abstract of JP 6-164645.
An English Language Abstract of JP 5-268450.
An English Language Abstract of JP4-265040.
An English Language Abstract of JP4-280140.
An English Language Abstract of JP 4-154340.
An English Language Abstract of JP 55-34520.

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