Method and system for facsimile delivery using dial-up modem pools

Abstract

A method and system for communicating a facsimile (fax) message over a computer network. A user initiates the sending of the fax to a recipient fax transceiver located outside the user's local-toll area of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). A first fax transceiver transmits the fax to a first server, wherein the first fax transceiver and the first server both are located in the same local-toll area. The first server then transmits the fax via the Internet to a second server, which is located in the same local-toll area as the recipient fax transceiver. The second server, having an inbound, dial-up access modem pool, is configured to process and transmit the fax via the local PSTN to the recipient fax transceiver.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 840,548, filed Apr. 23, 2001, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates generally to Internet Protocol telephony, and more particularly to a system and a method for utilizing inbound, dial-up modem pools to deliver store-and-forward facsimiles. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] The transmission of a facsimile (fax), from one fax machine to another, using the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is a common activity. Studies suggest that an average Fortune 500 company incurs a cost of about $15 million each year for sending faxes over the PSTN. Additionally, reports estimate that the worldwide, long-distance fax bill in 1997 amounted to $30 billion. However, the use of the Internet can significantly reduce the cost of long-distance faxing. The Internet is the well-known elect...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The invention, in its different embodiments, utilizes ISP's dial-up modems to reduce the cost of long-distance faxing. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of communicating a fax message via a computer network. The method comprises receiving the fax message by a server having at least one dial-up modem, determining availability of the dial-up modem, and sending the fax message via the dial-up modem to a receiver.

Problems solved by technology

However, the recent emergence of other links, such as broadband, Internet-access technology, is threatening to make existing local dial-up modem pools obsolete, or at least largely underutilized.

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