Method and Apparatus for Sending and Receiving Facsimile Transmission over a Non-Telephonic Transmission System

Abstract

An interface is provided for connecting a standard telephone line and/or a standard facsimile machine with a distributive communication network interface such as a personal computer, whereby facsimile signal present on the telephone line or at the facsimile machine may be transmitted via the Internet to a remote station without the use of long distance or international telephone signal carriers. The facsimile signal may be sent or received via the network using the network, without interfering with the capability to receive and send facsimile signals in the normal manner via a standard telephone line.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . Apparatus configured for communication with an internet protocol network, said apparatus comprising:
 an interface configured to be connected to receive data from at least one of the following:
 an internet protocol network, 
 a computer, and 
 a business machine configured for communication according to at least a facsimile protocol; 
   said interface being configured to receive data in at least one of the following formats:
 a facsimile protocol format, 
 a digital format, and 
 an internet protocol format; 
   said interface including a processor;   said interface including application software embodied in suitable memory, said application software being executable by operation of said processor; and   wherein execution of said application software by operations of said processor provides converted data, the converted data being one of the following:
 data in a digital format received by said interface to data in a facsimile protocol format; 
 data in a facsimile protocol format received by said interface to data in a digital format; 
 data in an internet protocol format received by said interface to data in a facsimile protocol format; and 
 data in a digital format received by said interface to data in a facsimile protocol format. 
   
   
   
       18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17  and further comprising:
 wherein said interface is configured to selectively output the converted data to one of the following:
 an internet protocol network, 
 a computer, and 
 a business machine configured for communication according to at least a facsimile protocol. 
   
   
   
       19 . Apparatus according to  claim 17  and further comprising:
 wherein said interface is connected to receive data from at least two of the following:
 an internet protocol network, 
 a computer, and 
 a business machine configured for communication according to at least a facsimile protocol. 
   
   
   
       20 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  and further comprising:
 said interface including a switch operable to direct the output to at least one of the following:
 a network connection in communication with an internet protocol network, 
 a computer in direct communication with the interface, and 
 a business machine in direct communication with the interface, the business machine being configured for communication according to at least a facsimile protocol. 
   
   
   
       21 . Apparatus according to  claim 17  and further comprising:
 said interface includes a switch which is selectively operable to prevent communication between at least two of the following:
 an internet protocol network in communication with the interface, 
 a computer in communication with the interface, and 
 a business machine in communication with the interface. 
   
   
   
       22 . Apparatus suitable to be connected for communication over at least one of a phone line, a computer, and an internet protocol network, said apparatus comprising:
 an interface in communication with an internet protocol network, said interface being configured to receive and send transmissions of data according to a facsimile protocol, said interface including a processor, said interface including executable software embodied in suitable memory, such that operation of the processor:
 converts encoded documents from facsimile protocol format to a digital data format compatible with a computer; 
 converts encoded documents from a digital format compatible with a computer to data in a facsimile protocol format; 
 converting data in facsimile protocol format to data in internet protocol for transmission over an internet protocol network; and 
 converting data in internet protocol network to data in digital format compatible with a computer.