On net bus for distributing fax transmissions

Abstract

Method and system are described for fax transmission distribution by an online fax service provider. In one embodiment, an electronic document is received, over a computer network, to be routed to a fax telephone number. A request is transmitted to an online database to determine whether the fax telephone number is registered to not receive incoming fax transmissions over a circuit-switched network. In response to determining that the fax telephone number is registered, the electronic document is transmitted to a destination address. In response to determining that the fax telephone number is not registered, an outgoing call is placed to the fax telephone number and the electronic document is transmitted in a fax format over the outgoing call.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, over a computer network, an electronic document and a fax telephone number;   transmitting, over the computer network, a request to an online database to determine whether the fax telephone number is registered to not receive incoming fax transmissions over a circuit-switched network;   responsive to determining that the fax telephone number is not registered,
 placing an outgoing call to the fax telephone number; and 
 transmitting the electronic document in a fax format over the outgoing call.