Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Facsimile system interface
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-05
2001-07-03
Grant, II, Jerome (Department: 2624)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Facsimile system interface
C358S468000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256116
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to the handling of attempted transmissions from facsimile machines which are inadvertently received by telephone stations. In particular, this invention is directed to the automatic blocking of unwanted facsimile transmissions by called parties.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of facsimile machines is becoming more prevalent in both the home and the office. In addition, many personal computers contain modems and related software to transmit and receive facsimiles of electronic documents.
Many of these facsimile devices have the capability to automatically re-dial the telephone number of the destination facsimile machine if, for example, a busy signal is detected or a proper connection is not made. These re-dialing systems continue to automatically re-dial the telephone number entered by the facsimile user after a predetermined time delay until the facsimile data is transmitted.
However, if the facsimile operator has entered an incorrect facsimile telephone number, the sending facsimile machine will continue to attempt to contact the destination facsimile machine repeatedly with no hope of success. This situation creates an inefficient use of resources for the facsimile operator and can be a considerable annoyance to the called party receiving repeated misdirected transmission attempts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus for blocking facsimile signals at telephone stations is provided. A facsimile device may erroneously attempt to contact a telephone station through the telephone network. In one embodiment, a facsimile blocking device may recognize a facsimile transmission, determine if the called party is a subscriber, and block the facsimile transmission. In addition, the facsimile blocking device may send a signal to the facsimile device indicating that it is transmitting to an incorrect telephone number.
In another embodiment, a called party may receive the facsimile signal and enter a predetermined blocking request code. The facsimile blocking device may receive the code from the called party and block the facsimile transmission. For example, a telecommunications network may prevent unwanted reception of facsimile transmissions at a telephone station by receiving a dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) code and blocking the transmission to the called party's telephone station.
These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5168376 (1992-12-01), Motohama
patent: 5406387 (1995-04-01), Yamamoto
patent: 5452099 (1995-09-01), Von Meister
patent: 5555100 (1996-09-01), Bloomfield et al.
patent: 5936744 (1999-08-01), Choi
patent: 6014228 (2000-01-01), Castro
AT&T Corporation
Grant II Jerome
Kianni Kevin
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
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