Method and system for special processing of FAX transmission

Abstract

A method and system for special handling of fax transmissions are described. In one embodiment, an electronic device receives a first searchable electronic document and a fax telephone number. The device determines that the document is to be transmitted as an electronic message based on the number. The device generates a second searchable electronic document from the first searchable electronic document. The device adds an electronic signature to the second document that includes at least one of a timestamp of when the first document was received, a page number of the second document, and originating device information. The device transmits an electronic message that includes the second document to a destination address according to the number. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] (Cross - References) This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Non - Provisional Application No. 17 / 189, filed on March 1, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a FAX system that performs special processing of FAX transmissions. Other embodiments are also described.

Background Art

[0003] Despite the spread of message delivery services using the Internet, FAX messaging continues to be an important means for the secure delivery of messages between individuals worldwide. Conventional FAX messaging services require both a dedicated FAX device and a dedicated FAX number to receive FAX transmissions. Current FAX messaging services eliminate the need for dedicated FAX devices and use the Internet to provide greater flexibility for subscribers of those services to transmit and receive FAX messages. For example, subscribers to current FAX messaging services are assigned a Direct Inward Dialing (DID) telephone number, which the subscriber distributes to others who want to send a FAX message to the subscriber. The DID telephone number is effectively the subscriber's individual FAX number. When an incoming FAX transmission is received at a particular DID telephone number, the FAX messaging service generates a FAX message in a format suitable for transmission via a data network such as the Internet from that FAX transmission and sends the FAX message to the subscriber (e.g., the subscriber's email address).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Many industries, such as the healthcare industry, use FAX to securely transmit documents between healthcare providers (or organizations). For example, a healthcare provider may transmit a FAX containing a patient's medical record for storage (and subsequent retrieval) to another healthcare provider or to an electronic medical record (EMR) system. To manage incoming FAXes, the provider may subscribe to one or more FAX services of a FAX service provider. For example, a FAX service provider may offer an email FAX service to subscribers in which incoming FAX transmissions received via a data network (e.g., the Internet) are routed (or forwarded) to the subscribers. In this case, the incoming FAX transmission may include a FAX file (e.g., a searchable portable document format (PDF) file) as an attachment and have the form of an email addressed to an email server managed by the FAX service provider. When the email is received, the FAX service provider may add a timestamp (e.g., to accurately identify the date of the FAX transmission) and convert the PDF file to a format suitable for FAX transmission, such as a tagged image file format (TIFF) that is a still image. The FAX service provider may send the still image to the subscriber, which may be the subscriber's email address or the subscriber's FAX phone number.

[0005] As a result of the conversion to a still image, the transmitted FAX file does not contain searchable text and does not retain any of the formatting items of the original PDF file. Thus, the receiving subscriber needs to perform additional processing on the image (e.g., run optical character recognition (OCR) software) to create a separate searchable file. Such additional processing is time-consuming and a burden on the subscriber. Therefore, there is a need for a FAX service that performs special processing on incoming FAX transmissions to provide the subscriber with a searchable document that is also authenticated in a manner similar to FAX transmissions routed as still images.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a method for performing special processing on incoming FAX transmissions, performed by a programmed processor of an electronic device (e.g., a server of a FAX service provider). For example, the device receives, via a computer network, from a source device, a first searchable electronic document and a FAX phone number to which the searchable electronic document is routed as a FAX transmission. The device determines that the first document is to be transmitted as an electronic message (such as an e-mail) via the computer network based on the FAX phone number. The device generates a second searchable electronic document from the first searchable electronic document. For example, if the first document has a single-file format such as a word processing format, a spreadsheet format, or a display format, the device converts the first document to a second file format such as a searchable portable document format (PDF). The device adds to the second document an electronic signature that includes at least one of a timestamp when the first document was received, the number of pages of the second document, and source device information (e.g., the outbound phone number of the source device). The device transmits, via the computer network, an electronic message (e.g., an e-mail) including the second document to a destination address according to the FAX phone number. Thereby, subscribers of a healthcare provider can securely and efficiently transmit and receive searchable electronic documents via FAX.

[0007] The above summary does not include an exhaustive listing of all aspects of the present disclosure. It is intended that the present disclosure include all systems and methods that are practicable from all suitable combinations of the various aspects outlined above, as well as those disclosed in the following detailed description and particularly pointed out in the claims filed in this application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary.

[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure are shown by way of example and not as limitations in the figures of the accompanying drawings, and in the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements. Note that references to "embodiments" or "an embodiment" of the disclosure in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and it should be noted that they mean at least one embodiment. Also, a given figure may be used to show features of multiple embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all elements in that figure may be necessary for a given embodiment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] With reference to the accompanying drawings, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. When the aspects of the embodiments described here are not clearly defined, it always means that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited only to the parts shown, and it is only for illustrative purposes. Also, although many details are described, it should be understood that some embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced without those details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques are not shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0011] As used herein, the reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment, but each embodiment may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, such expressions do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a FAX (service provider) system 10 according to some embodiments. The FAX system 10 includes three source (or originating) devices 1 to 3, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 4, a voice / data (e.g., computer) network (e.g., the Internet) 5, one or more FAX service provider servers (e.g., a FAX server, or an electronic device) 6, and three destination devices 7 to 9. In one embodiment, the system may include more (e.g., source, destination, etc.) devices, or fewer devices.

[0013] As shown, source devices 1 and 2 are coupled to server 6 via the PSTN, and source device 3 is coupled to the server via a computer network. As shown, source device 1 is a FAX device and source device 2 is a desktop computer. In one embodiment, devices 1 and 2 may be any electronic device capable of making outgoing calls to (or receiving incoming calls from, e.g., FAX) fax service provider server 6 via PSTN 4. For example, FAX device 1 may use a suitable FAX protocol such as the Group 3 protocol defined by the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) (e.g., the protocol defined in ITU-T Recommendations T.30 and T.4) to transmit a FAX transmission via PSTN 4. A user may operate the FAX device, for example, by placing a paper document on the FAX device and entering the recipient's telephone number into the FAX device, thereby transmitting the FAX transmission to the recipient. This FAX device scans the paper document and converts the content of the document into an electronic FAX format. Alternatively, the FAX device may convert an electronic document into an electronic FAX format. The FAX device makes an outgoing call by utilizing dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signaling. When the call is answered (e.g., by server 6), the FAX device transmits the content of the document via the PSTN in the form of audible frequency tones (e.g., FAX tones according to the Group 3 protocol). When received, the FAX transmission may be stored in the server (more specifically, in the server's memory) in a facsimile file format (e.g., tagged image file format (TIFF)). In one embodiment, desktop 2 may include a dial-up modem and telephone communication software that, when executed, uses the dial-up modem to transmit a FAX transmission via the PSTN. Specifically, this software may be configured to receive the FAX telephone number to which the document is to be transmitted (e.g., via a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a display screen coupled to the desktop).The desktop uses a dial-up modem to originate an outgoing call in order to convert the document into a suitable FAX file format and establish a dial-up connection with server 6 via the PSTN. Once established, the desktop can transmit the FAX file as described herein.

[0014] The source device 3 is coupled to server 6 via computer network 5. As shown, the source device 3 is a laptop computer. However, in another embodiment, device 3 may be any type of device that can transmit a FAX transmission (e.g., an electronic message, etc.) to FAX service provider server 6 via a computer network. In particular, the source device 3 may include FAX software configured to transmit a FAX transmission, such as an electronic message containing a FAX file, when executed by the device. As another example, the source device 3 can establish a communication data link with FAX server 6 (e.g., via an application programming interface (API)) and transmit an electronic message over that connection. In another embodiment, the source device may transmit the message to the FAX server using any known method. In some embodiments, the source device 3 may be a portable device such as a mobile phone (or smartphone).

[0015] Also as shown, the destination device 7 is a FAX device coupled to server 6 via the PSTN. The destination devices 8 and 9 are a mobile phone and one or more servers, respectively, coupled to server 6 via computer network 5. In one embodiment, device 7 may be any electronic device capable of transmitting / receiving FAX transmissions via the PSTN, and devices 8 and 9 may be any electronic devices capable of transmitting / receiving FAX transmissions via computer network 5. The transmission and reception of FAX transmissions via a computer network are further described herein.

[0016] In one embodiment, the voice / data network 5 may include an infrastructure that enables one or more devices, such as a router, an access point, one or more servers, etc., to send and receive FAX transmissions (e.g., electronic messages). In some embodiments, the network may also include one or more cellular phone base stations, all of which may be part of a communication network (e.g., a 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network) that supports data transmission (and / or voice calls) for mobile devices. The infrastructure of this network is further described herein.

[0017] Server 6 is a stand-alone server computer or a cluster of server computers configured to perform one or more FAX service operations, as described herein. In one embodiment, the server may be part of a cloud computing system that can execute the operations of a FAX service provider as a cloud-based service. These operations are further described herein.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a FAX service provider server 6 according to some embodiments. The FAX server is operated by one or more FAX service providers and can handle FAX transmissions destined for one or more subscribers of the FAX service. Typically, a FAX service (or more specifically, a FAX service provider) assigns different direct inward dialing (DID) telephone numbers (e.g., FAX telephone numbers) to each subscriber. The subscriber distributes that DID number to others who want to send a FAX message (as an incoming FAX transmission) to that subscriber. The DID number is effectively the subscriber's individual FAX number. In one embodiment, the FAX telephone number is an identifier unique to the subscriber. When a sender transmits a FAX transmission to the subscriber's DID number (e.g., via the PSTN as described herein), the server receives the FAX transmission and generates a FAX message from the FAX transmission (or decodes the message content within the FAX transmission). The generated FAX message may have a format viewable by the subscriber on an electronic (e.g., destination) device, such as PDF, TIFF, etc., and becomes available to the subscriber (e.g., for viewing).

[0019] In another embodiment, the FAX server 6 may receive incoming FAX transmissions (e.g., as electronic messages) via the voice / data network 5. For example, a user (e.g., another subscriber or non-subscriber) may transmit an e-mail containing a FAX file (or transmission) (e.g., as an attached file) via a data network (e.g., the Internet). In one embodiment, the FAX file may have a FAX-appropriate format such as TIFF. In another embodiment, the FAX file may be a searchable electronic document such as a searchable PDF. In some embodiments, the FAX file may have an executable format that allows a user to search, add, delete, and / or edit data (e.g., text, images, etc.) within the file by one or more applications. For example, the file may have a word processing format executable by a word processing software application, a spreadsheet format executable by a spreadsheet software application, a display format executable by a display application. In one embodiment, the FAX file may have any searchable file format.

[0020] In one embodiment, the received electronic message may also include the outbound (or recipient) address to which the FAX file contained therein is to be transmitted. Returning to the above example, the e-mail may include the subscriber's e-mail address to which the FAX transmission is routed by the FAX server. To route the FAX transmission, the e-mail address may indicate the subscriber's outbound address and / or identification information. For example, the outbound address may be the username of the e-mail address, which may be the DID phone number assigned to the subscriber to which the FAX is routed (e.g., by FAX transmission over the PSTN), and the domain name of the e-mail address may be associated with the FAX service provider. When the e-mail is received, the FAX server may be configured to determine how to route the FAX transmission based on the e-mail address, more specifically the username of the e-mail address (e.g., the FAX phone number of the DID). The routing of the FAX phone number is further described herein.

[0021] When an incoming FAX transmission is received, the FAX server 6 can make the FAX message available to the subscriber by various means. In one embodiment, the FAX server can transmit the FAX message to the subscriber's e-mail address (e.g., the destination address). In another embodiment, the FAX server stores the FAX message in the data storage until the FAX message can be accessed by the subscriber via the computer network 5 from the data storage. For example, the FAX message may remain stored on a web server accessible via the Internet. In another embodiment, a notification indicating that a new FAX message is available (addressed) is sent to the subscriber, such as a Short Message Service (SMS) message. In one embodiment, the notification may include information on how to access the new message (e.g., an e-mail notification including a link such as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to the stored FAX message). In another embodiment, the notification can be transmitted to a known phone number associated with the subscriber as any type of electronic message (e.g., an SMS message, a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message, etc.). In this case, the electronic message may include the above-described information such as a URL. In another embodiment, the message may include the generated FAX message as an attached file.

[0022] In another embodiment, the FAX server can transmit (e.g., route) an incoming FAX transmission received from the source device to one or more destination devices in the same manner as the method described herein. For example, the FAX server can transmit the FAX transmission to a destination device (e.g., device 7) via the PSTN 4. In particular, the FAX server can initiate an outgoing call (e.g., to a FAX phone number associated with the subscriber), and when the call is answered, the FAX server transmits the FAX transmission as described herein.

[0023] In some embodiments, the FAX server 6 may transmit (distribute) incoming FAX transmissions (more specifically, FAX files received in the transmission) via a communication data connection with one or more destination devices. In particular, the FAX server may be configured to establish a communication data connection with a destination device such as server 9 via computer network 5 and using, by way of an API, the destination address of the server, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a domain name. Once established, the FAX server may transmit an electronic message, including the FAX transmission (more specifically, the FAX file or the processed FAX file), to the destination device via the data connection (e.g., as one or more data packets such as IP packets). In one embodiment, the FAX server may establish the connection via a website hosted by (or on) the destination device. In this case, the destination address may be a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) including the domain name associated with the destination device. The FAX server may establish a data connection to the URL according to any data transfer (application) protocol such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP). In some embodiments, the FAX server may establish a connection with the destination device using any protocol (e.g., application layer) within the protocol stack of the server and transmit the data (e.g., as one or more data packets).

[0024] In some embodiments, the FAX server 6 may transmit the electronic message as an e-mail (e.g., a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) message). In this case, the electronic message may be included (e.g., as text) within the body of the e-mail. In another embodiment, the electronic message may include a FAX message (e.g., an electronic document) as an attachment to the e-mail, formatted according to the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) protocol.

[0025] In another embodiment, the FAX server 6 may establish a secure communication data connection with the destination device. Specifically, the FAX server may establish a communication data connection with the destination device via the computer network 5 according to its destination address (e.g., IP address) and using an encryption protocol such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS). For example, to access a website hosted by the destination device, the FAX server may use the application layer protocol HTTP (e.g., HTTPS) via TLS or SSL. Once the secure communication data connection is established, the FAX server transmits the data (e.g., electronic message) to the destination device (after encryption) according to the encryption protocol. In some embodiments, the FAX server may establish a secure communication tunnel with the destination device. For example, the FAX server may use the IP address or domain name of the destination device to establish a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection with the destination device. Once established, the FAX server may transmit the electronic message via the VPN connection. For example, the FAX server may establish a communication data connection with a VPN server, and through this communication data connection (e.g., when the VPN connection is established), the FAX server can communicate with the destination device (using any communication protocol such as HTTPS). As another example, once the secure communication tunnel is established, the FAX server 6 may transmit an e-mail (SMTP message) with a FAX message attached as described herein.

[0026] As described so far, the FAX server 6 can be configured to establish a communication data connection with one or more destination devices in order to route (or transfer) incoming FAX transmissions. In another embodiment, the FAX server can receive incoming FAX transmissions through one or more communication data connections with a source device such as the laptop 3. For example, the source device can establish any one of the communication data connections with the FAX server as described herein. For example, the source device can access a website hosted by the FAX service provider server 6 according to any application layer protocol such as HTTPS and transmit an incoming FAX.

[0027] This server includes a communication interface 20, one or more processors 21, and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 22. Examples of non-transitory machine-readable storage media can include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, flash memory devices, and phase change memory. Although illustrated as being built into the server 6, one or more of the components can be part of a separate electronic device such as a separate data storage device, the medium 22. As illustrated, the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium stores a FAX service provider software program (or FAX software) 23, subscriber data 25, and audit data 26. The FAX software includes a document processing component 24 configured to, when executed by one or more processes, process incoming FAX transmissions, generate a searchable electronic document, and add an electronic signature as described herein.

[0028] The communication interface 20 provides an interface for the FAX server 6 to receive incoming FAX transmissions (e.g., from the source devices 1 to 3) and / or transmit FAX transmissions (e.g., to the destination devices 7 to 9) via a network such as the PSTN 4 and / or the computer network 5. For example, the communication interface is configured to establish a communication link with the source device 1 via the PSTN, through which incoming FAX is received by a downlink signal, and is configured to establish a communication link with the destination device 7 via the PSTN, through which FAX is transmitted by an uplink signal. Similarly, the interface is configured to establish a data connection (such as a VPN connection) with one or more destination devices.

[0029] In one embodiment, the subscriber data 25 may include information of subscribers of one or more FAX services. Specifically, the data may have a form of a data structure including a lookup table having subscriber (e.g., identification) information such as the name of the subscriber, the personal phone number of the subscriber (which may be associated with a destination device such as mobile phone 8), and the assigned DID phone number of the subscriber. In some embodiments, this data structure may include one or more destination addresses that are the routing (transfer) destinations of incoming FAX transmissions received by the FAX service provider for a particular subscriber. For example, the destination address of the subscriber may include an email address, a (e.g., voice) phone number, a FAX phone number, an IP address, etc. In one embodiment, the subscriber data may include subscriber settings or preferences such as to which destination address the subscriber wants an incoming FAX transmission to be routed (or transferred) by the FAX system. In another embodiment, the subscriber preference may indicate in what format the FAX transmission is to be received by the subscriber. For example, the subscriber preference may indicate that the incoming FAX transmission is to be routed in a suitable FAX format such as TIFF and / or in another format such as PDF. In one embodiment, the subscriber preference may indicate whether the FAX software (document processing component 24) is to perform additional (or special) processing operations upon an incoming FAX transmission. The operations executed by component 24 will be further described herein.

[0030] In some embodiments, the audit data 26 may include information regarding FAX transmissions received, processed, and / or transmitted (or routed) by the FAX service provider server 6. For example, the audit data may be stored in a data structure including information such as the timestamp and document information of the incoming FAX transmission. The audit data will be further described herein.

[0031] The processor 21 may include one or more data processing circuits that are generically referred to herein as "processor". This processor may execute FAX software 23 (at least partially) stored in the memory 22 to perform some or all of the operations and methods of the FAX service provider described in this specification for one or more of the embodiments related to the server 6. In particular, the FAX software can process FAX transmissions addressed to one or more subscribers of the FAX service (for example, when executed by the processor 21). For example, the FAX software is configured to receive incoming FAX transmissions and the outbound address to which the FAX transmission is transmitted by the source device (for example, via the communication interface of the FAX server), and is configured to determine how to route the received incoming FAX transmission. For example, if the incoming FAX transmission is via the PSTN, the outbound address may be the DID phone number from which the source device transmits the FAX. In one embodiment, the determination of how the FAX is routed is based on whether the outbound address is associated with a subscriber. In that case, the FAX software may determine how to route the FAX transmission based on the preferences of the subscriber in the subscriber data 25. The determination of how to route the FAX transmission will be further described herein.

[0032] In one embodiment, the document processing component 24 is configured to process received FAX transmissions. For example, a received FAX transmission may be an electronic message (e.g., via e-mail, communication data connection, etc.) that includes a searchable electronic document in any format (e.g., a first) such as a word processing format, a spreadsheet format, or a display format. This component generates a different (e.g., a second) searchable electronic document from the first searchable electronic document (e.g., having a different file format than the file format of the first document). For example, the second searchable electronic document may be a searchable PDF document generated from a word processing document. In one embodiment, the generated second searchable electronic document may preserve (maintain) all formatting settings (e.g., font, font size, font color, spacing, margins, alignment, etc.) of the first document. For example, the generated searchable PDF document may include embedded fonts from the first searchable electronic document (e.g., a word processing document). The component adds an electronic signature to authenticate the second document, and the second document is transmitted to the destination device. Thereby, the routed FAX transmission remains a searchable document and includes an electronic signature that authenticates the transmission of the document. This is in contrast to conventional FAX transmissions that are transmitted in a non-searchable FAX format such as TIFF. The operations performed by this component are further described herein.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process 30 for performing processing during a FAX transmission, according to some embodiments. This process may be executed by the FAX service provider server 6 (e.g., the FAX service provider software program 23) of the FAX system 10 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the document processing component 24 of the FAX software 32 executed by one or more processors of the server may perform at least some of the operations described herein.

[0034] Process 30 begins (block 31) when FAX server 6 receives, via a computer network (e.g., network 5), a searchable electronic document (or first document), e.g., a first one, and a FAX telephone number to which the first document is to be routed as a FAX transmission. Specifically, FAX server 6 may receive an electronic message that includes the document as an attached file, and the outbound address to which the document is being transmitted (e.g., by the source device), where the outbound address may include a FAX telephone number. In one embodiment, the first searchable electronic document may be a searchable electronic document in any format, such as a word processing format, PDF, etc., as described herein. Such a document may include (embedded) formatting (e.g., as metadata) such as font selection, font size, font color, spacing, margins, alignment, images overlaid on the document, etc. In some embodiments, the outbound address may be data (e.g., metadata) that is part of an electronic message (e.g., the header of one or more data packets that include the electronic message). For example, if the electronic message is an e-mail, the outbound address is the e-mail address to which the e-mail is being sent. In this case, FAX software 23 may receive the e-mail routed to the FAX server based on the e-mail domain address. As described herein, the username of the e-mail address may include a FAX telephone number (e.g., as the outbound address). As described herein, the first searchable electronic document may be received via a communication data connection established (e.g., in advance) between the source device and the FAX server (via an API). In one embodiment, the FAX telephone number may be received based on the established connection. For example, the FAX telephone number may be part of the domain of a URL used to establish a connection via a file transfer protocol such as HTTPS. As another example, the FAX telephone number may be part of one or more data packets transmitted across the connection (e.g., in the header of the packet).

[0035] The server determines whether its FAX phone number (or outbound address) is associated with one or more subscribers of the FAX service (determination block 32). For example, the FAX software 23 may determine whether the FAX phone number is associated with a subscriber of the FAX service. In one embodiment, the FAX software may search the subscriber data 25 by performing a table lookup using, for example, the FAX phone number. In particular, this software may determine whether subscriber information (e.g., the name of the subscriber) is associated with the FAX phone number. In one embodiment, the software may determine whether the subscriber is an "existing" subscriber. For example, an existing subscriber may be a subscriber who has an existing subscription (e.g., the subscriber's fees have been paid up to now), or a subscriber whose subscription has not expired. In response to the FAX phone number not being associated with a (e.g., existing) subscriber, the server converts the document into a FAX - suitable format such as TIFF (block 34). The server transmits the document as a FAX via a circuit - switched network such as the PSTN4 (block 35). For example, the FAX software dials an outbound call to the FAX phone number via the communication interface 20 and, when answered (by a destination device such as the FAX device 7), transmits the FAX - formatted document via that outbound call.

[0036] The server audits one or more of the operations performed (block 36). In particular, the server may audit the operations by storing data regarding the reception of the electronic document, the processing of the document, and / or the transmission of the document (e.g., in the audit data 26). For example, the server may store the reception timestamp when the electronic document was received, processing information such as information indicating that the electronic document was converted to the FAX format (the timestamp when the conversion occurred), and the transmission timestamp when its FAX transmission was sent via the circuit - switched network. In one embodiment, other information may be stored as well. The audit data is further described herein.

[0037] However, if a FAX phone number is associated with a subscriber, the FAX server determines whether to transmit the document as an electronic message (e.g., an e-mail) via computer network 5 based on the FAX phone number (decision block 33). In particular, the server determines whether the document is to be transmitted as an electronic message (e.g., as an e-mail via a communication data connection such as a VPN connection) or whether the document is to be transmitted as an audible frequency tone via the PSTN based on subscription data 25. In particular, the server determines whether the preference of the (e.g., existing) subscriber associated with the FAX phone number indicates how incoming FAX transmissions are to be routed by the FAX server. If the subscriber preference indicates that incoming FAX transmissions are to be routed as FAX via the PSTN, the FAX server proceeds to convert the document into a FAX-appropriate format, as described in block 34. In another embodiment, if the subscriber preference does not indicate any method, the FAX server may automatically proceed to block 34.

[0038] Otherwise, the FAX server determines that the document is to be transmitted as a searchable electronic document (block 37). Specifically, the FAX server may make this determination based on the subscriber preference in the subscriber data 25. For example, the FAX software may determine whether the subscriber has selected that incoming FAX transmissions are to be processed to generate a searchable document that is routed to the subscriber (e.g., the subscriber's destination address). Such a selection may be based on whether the subscriber has paid an additional subscription fee to the FAX service provider for this additional processing.

[0039] The FAX server generates (block 38) a second searchable electronic document (e.g., a second document) from the first received searchable electronic document. For example, the document processing component 24 may convert a first document (which may have any searchable format such as a word - processing format, a spreadsheet format, etc.) into a second searchable electronic document. In one embodiment, the second document may have the same or a different file format as the first document. For example, if the first document is a word - processing document, the second document may be a searchable PDF document. In one embodiment, the document processing component may use any known conversion software application to convert the first document into the second document. For example, the document processing component may use any type of PDF conversion software to convert the document into a searchable PDF document.

[0040] In one embodiment, the second document may retain some or all of the characteristics of the first document. For example, the second document may include the same (or different) number of pages as the first document. As described herein, the second document may retain some or all of the formatting of the original searchable electronic document, such as font selection, font size, font color, spacing, etc. As another example, the formatting may be retained as metadata for a PDF document, etc., which may retain at least some of the metadata of the original document, such as author, file name, date, and other settings / preferences (e.g., in an extensible markup language (XML) format).

[0041] The FAX server authenticates the second document by adding an electronic signature to the document (block 39). The electronic signature can include text (and / or an image) added to at least a portion (e.g., within the margins) of one or more pages of the second searchable electronic document. In one embodiment, once the electronic signature is added, the added signature can be made persistent on the document so that it cannot be edited or manipulated by the user through the use of a document viewing software application. In one embodiment, the electronic signature authenticates the second document by including information regarding the incoming FAX transmission. For example, the signature can include at least one of a (e.g., reception) timestamp when the first searchable electronic document was received by the FAX server, the number of pages of the second document, and sender device information (e.g., the inbound address of the sender device such as an inbound (FAX) phone number, an inbound e-mail address). In one embodiment, the electronic signature can include at least some of the same information included in the FAX header of a FAX transmitted as an audible frequency tone as described herein. In another embodiment, the electronic signature can be similar to a FAX header, such as being positioned along the header portion of the second document.

[0042] The FAX server transmits an electronic message containing an authenticated searchable document to a destination device according to a FAX telephone number via a computer network (block 40). In particular, the FAX software may perform a table lookup on the subscriber data 25 to determine one or more destination addresses for which the subscriber of that FAX telephone number has requested routing of the FAX transmission. For example, if the destination address is an e-mail address, the FAX software transmits an e-mail containing the authenticated searchable document to the subscriber's e-mail address (as an electronic message) (e.g., personal, work, etc.). As another example, if the destination address is a (e.g., mobile) telephone number, the FAX software may transmit the authenticated document in an SMS message and / or a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message. In another aspect, the electronic message may be transmitted via a communication data connection as described herein. In this case, the determined destination address may be the domain name or address (e.g., IP address) of the server (or computer), and the FAX software may establish a connection with the destination device according to the IP address via the computer network. Once established, the FAX software may transmit the electronic message via the connection. In one embodiment, the FAX software may transmit the message according to an encryption protocol such as the TLS protocol as described herein.

[0043] The server audits, as described herein, one or more of the operations performed in block 36. For example, the server may (determine and) store information regarding the reception of a first searchable electronic document (e.g., reception timestamp) and information regarding the generation and transmission of a second searchable electronic document.

[0044] Some embodiments perform a variation of process 30. For example, certain operations of process 30 may not be performed in the exact order illustrated and described. Certain operations may not be performed in a series of consecutive operations, some operations may be omitted, and different specific operations may be performed in different embodiments. For example, instead of determining that the document is transmitted as a searchable document at block 37, the FAX server may determine that the document is transmitted as a tone via the PSTN. In one embodiment, this determination may be based on user preferences associated with the subscriber stored in subscriber data 25. In this case, the FAX server may be configured to transmit the document as an electronic message to the subscriber (e.g., the subscriber's destination address). Alternatively, the FAX server may convert the document to FAX format and transmit the FAX via the PSTN.

[0045] In another embodiment, in response to a determination that the document is not transmitted as a searchable document, server 6 may perform at least some different operations. For example, instead of determining that the document is transmitted as a searchable document at block 37, the server may determine that additional document processing is not performed to convert the document to a (e.g., another) searchable document. For example, subscriber preferences may indicate that no special processing is to be performed (e.g., by subscriber selection, by subscriber non-payment, etc.). In this case, the device may omit the operations performed at block 38 and / or omit the operations performed at block 39 and proceed to transmit the electronic message including the document.

[0046] As described thus far, the document received for FAX transmission is a searchable electronic document received via computer network 4. In another embodiment, the document may be an incoming FAX received in FAX format via the PSTN. In this case, to generate a second searchable electronic document at block 38, the FAX server may execute OCR software as described herein.

[0047] In another embodiment, at least some of the operations described herein can be performed in any order and / or multiple times throughout process 30. For example, rather than (or in addition to) auditing the operations that have been performed after a FAX transmission, the server may audit an operation as it is being performed. As an example, when receiving a first searchable electronic document, the server may determine and store a reception timestamp indicating when the document was received. At each step, or thereafter, the server may store information regarding the operation performed at that step.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data structure 50 including auditing data 26 associated with the processing of a FAX transmission according to some embodiments. Specifically, the data structure includes a table containing data regarding incoming FAX transmissions to FAX server 6. As shown, this table includes received data, document processing data, and transmission data. The received data includes information regarding the received incoming FAX transmission, which may include a reception timestamp indicating when the FAX transmission was received, information of the sender (or origin) such as the sender's phone number or e-mail address, recipient information that may include the FAX phone number to which the incoming FAX transmission is sent, and document information including information regarding the incoming FAX transmission such as the number of pages, document type, etc. In one embodiment, server 6 may determine and store the received data when receiving an incoming FAX.

[0049] Document processing data may include information regarding when and how an incoming FAX transmission is processed by a FAX server. For example, the processing data may include a processing timestamp indicating when the document was processed, processing information indicating how the document was processed (e.g., indicating that a first searchable electronic document was converted to a second searchable electronic document and indicating from which format to which format the document was converted), and updated document information (e.g., indicating that the page size of the processed document was changed from 5 pages to 6 pages). Transmission data may include information regarding the transmission (or routing) of the FAX transmission, which information may include a transmission timestamp and a destination address to which the FAX was routed. In one embodiment, more or less information may be stored within the data structure.

[0050] One embodiment may be a product in which instructions for programming one or more data processing components (herein generically referred to as “processors”) to perform the operations described above are stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. For example, in one embodiment, the process 30 described above in FIG. 3 may be performed by a processor 21 executing instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium may be part of the FAX server 6 as described herein. In other embodiments, some of these operations may be performed by certain hardware components including hardware logic. These operations may alternatively be performed by any combination of programmed data processing components and fixed hard-wired circuitry components.

[0051] Specific embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, but such embodiments are merely illustrative of a wide disclosure and not limiting thereof, and furthermore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific structures and configurations shown and described, as various other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Note that the embodiments can be further described in view of the following clauses. Clause 1. A method executed by a programmed processor of an electronic device, comprising: Receiving, via a computer network, from a source device, a first searchable electronic document and a fax telephone number to which the document is to be routed as a fax transmission; Determining that the first searchable electronic document is to be transmitted as an electronic message via the computer network based on the fax telephone number; Generating a second searchable electronic document from the first searchable electronic document; Adding to the second searchable electronic document an electronic signature including at least one of a timestamp when the first searchable electronic document was received, the number of pages of the second searchable electronic document, and source device information; Transmitting, via the computer network, an electronic message including the second searchable document to a destination address according to the fax telephone number. A method comprising the above. Clause 2. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the first searchable electronic document has a first file format, and generating the second searchable electronic document includes converting the first searchable electronic document from the first file format to a second file format that is searchable and different from the first file format. Clause 3. The first file format is one of a word processing format, a spreadsheet format, or a presentation format, and the second file format is a searchable Portable Document Format (PDF). The method according to Clause 2. Clause 4. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the second searchable electronic document retains all formatting settings of the first searchable electronic document. Clause 5. The destination address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a domain name of the destination device, and transmitting the electronic message Establishing a virtual private network (VPN) connection with the destination device using the IP address or the domain name via the computer network; Transmitting the electronic message to the destination device via the VPN connection; The method according to claim 1, comprising: Clause 6. Transmitting the electronic message comprises: Establishing a communication data connection with the destination device according to the destination address via the computer network; Transmitting the electronic message via the communication data connection according to an encryption protocol, the encryption protocol including one of a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol or a Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol; The method according to claim 1, comprising: Clause 7. When the destination address is an e-mail address, the electronic message is an e-mail; When the destination address is a telephone number, the electronic message is a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message; The method according to claim 1. Clause 8. Further comprising determining whether the FAX telephone number is associated with a subscriber of a FAX service, and determining that the first searchable electronic document is transmitted as the electronic message in response to a determination that the FAX telephone number is associated with the subscriber; the method according to claim 1. Clause 9. In response to a determination that the FAX telephone number is not associated with the subscriber, the method Converts the first searchable electronic document into a document in FAX format; Makes an outgoing call to the FAX telephone number; Transmits the document via the outgoing call using an audible frequency tone; And further comprises: The method according to claim 8. Clause 10. The FAX phone number is the method described in Clause 8, which is a unique identifier for the subscriber. Clause 11. The method described in Clause 1, further comprising auditing one or more of the operations performed to store information regarding the reception of the first searchable electronic document and the generation and transmission of the second searchable electronic document. Clause 12. A method executed by a programmed processor of an electronic device, comprising: Receiving, via a computer network, from a source device, a first searchable electronic document for FAX transmission to a FAX phone number; Determining, based on the FAX phone number, whether the first searchable electronic document is to be transmitted as a FAX or as an electronic message; In response to a determination that the first searchable electronic document is to be transmitted as an electronic message, Generating, from the first searchable electronic document, a second searchable electronic document including an electronic signature, the electronic signature including at least one of a timestamp when the first searchable electronic document was received, the number of pages of the second searchable electronic document, and source device information; Transmitting, via the computer network, the electronic message including the second searchable electronic document to a destination address according to the FAX phone number. A method including the above steps. Clause 13. The method described in Clause 12, wherein the first searchable electronic document has a first file format, and generating the second searchable electronic document includes converting the first searchable electronic document from the first file format to a second file format that is searchable and different from the first file format. Clause 14. The first file format is one of a word processing format, a spreadsheet format, or a presentation format, and the second file format is a searchable Portable Document Format (PDF). The method according to item 13. Item 15. The method according to item 12, wherein the PDF document retains all formatting settings of the word processing software document. Item 16. The destination address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a domain name of the destination address, and transmitting the electronic message includes establishing a virtual private network (VPN) connection with the destination device via the computer network using the IP address or the domain name, and transmitting the electronic message via the VPN connection. The method according to item 12. Item 17. Transmitting the electronic message includes establishing a communication data connection with the destination device associated with the destination address via the computer network, and transmitting the electronic message via the communication data connection according to an encryption protocol, the encryption protocol including one of a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol or a Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol. The method according to item 12. Item 18. A processor and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to receive, via a computer network, from a source device, a first searchable electronic document and a fax telephone number to which the document is routed as a fax transmission, and determine that the first searchable electronic document is to be transmitted as an electronic message via the computer network based on the fax telephone number, and generate a second searchable electronic document from the first searchable electronic document, and Adding an electronic signature including at least one of a timestamp when the first searchable electronic document is received, the number of pages of the second searchable electronic document, and source device information to the second searchable electronic document; Transmitting, via the computer network, an electronic message including the second searchable electronic document to a destination address according to the FAX telephone number; A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium causing the above to be performed; A system comprising the above. Clause 19. The first searchable electronic document has a first file format, and generating the second searchable electronic document includes converting the first searchable electronic document from the first file format to a second file format that is searchable and different from the first file format. The system according to Clause 18. Clause 20. The first file format is one of a word processing format, a spreadsheet format, or a display format; The second file format is a searchable Portable Document Format (PDF). The system according to Clause 19. The system according to Clause 19. Clause 21. The second searchable electronic document retains all formatting settings of the first searchable electronic document. The system according to Clause 18. Clause 22. The destination address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a domain name of the destination device, and the instructions for transmitting the electronic message include: Establishing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection with the destination device using the IP address or the domain name via the computer network; Transmitting the electronic message via the VPN connection. The system according to Clause 18. The system according to Clause 18, including instructions for performing the above. Clause 23. The instructions for transmitting the electronic message include: Establishing a communication data connection with a destination device associated with the destination address via the computer network using the destination address; Transmitting the electronic message over the communication data connection in accordance with an encryption protocol, the encryption protocol including one of a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol or a Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol; The system of claim 18, comprising instructions for performing the above. Clause 24. When the destination address is an e-mail address, the electronic message is an e-mail, When the destination address is a telephone number, the electronic message is a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message. The system of claim 18. Clause 25. The non-transitory machine-readable medium further includes instructions for auditing one or more of the operations performed to store information regarding the reception of the first searchable electronic document and the generation and transmission of the second searchable electronic document, the system of claim 18.

[0052] In some embodiments, the disclosure may include, for example, the expression "at least one of [element A] and [element B]". This expression can refer to one or more of the elements. For example, "at least one of A and B" can refer to "A", "B", or "A and B". Specifically, "at least one of A and B" can refer to "at least one of A and at least one of B", or "either at least one of A or B". In some embodiments, the disclosure may include, for example, the expression "[element A], [element B], and / or [element C]". This expression can refer to any one of those elements or any combination thereof. For example, "A, B, and / or C" can refer to "A", "B", "C", "A and B", "A and C", "B and C", or "A, B, and C".

Claims

1. A method executed by a programmed processor of a FAX service provider server, comprising: Receiving, via a computer network, from a source device, a first searchable electronic document and a FAX phone number to which the document is to be routed as a FAX transmission; Determining that the first searchable electronic document is to be transmitted as an electronic message via the computer network based on the FAX phone number; Generating a second searchable electronic document from the first searchable electronic document, the second searchable electronic document having all searchable text and image data of the first searchable electronic document; Adding an electronic signature to the second searchable electronic document, the electronic signature authenticating all searchable text and image data in the second searchable electronic document and including at least one of a timestamp when the first searchable electronic document was received, the number of pages of the second searchable electronic document, and source device information; Transmitting, via the computer network, an electronic message including the second searchable document to a destination address according to the FAX phone number; Determining whether the FAX phone number is associated with a subscriber of the FAX service; The determining that the first searchable electronic document is to be transmitted as the electronic message is in response to a determination that the FAX phone number is associated with the subscriber; In response to a determination that the FAX phone number is not associated with the subscriber, Converting the first searchable electronic document into a FAX format document; Initiating an outgoing call to the FAX phone number; A method comprising the above steps.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first searchable electronic document has a first file format, and generating the second searchable electronic document includes converting the first searchable electronic document from the first file format to a second file format that is searchable and different from the first file format.

3. The first file format is one of a word processing format, a spreadsheet format, or a presentation format. The second file format is a searchable Portable Document Format (PDF). The method according to claim 2.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second searchable electronic document retains all formatting settings of the first searchable electronic document.

5. The destination address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a domain name of the destination device, and transmitting the electronic message comprises establishing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection with the destination device using the IP address or the domain name via the computer network, and transmitting the electronic message to the destination device via the VPN connection. The method according to claim 1.

6. Transmitting the electronic message comprises establishing a communication data connection with the destination device according to the destination address via the computer network, and transmitting the electronic message via the communication data connection according to an encryption protocol, the encryption protocol including one of a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol or a Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol. The method according to claim 1.

7. When the destination address is an e-mail address, the electronic message is an e-mail, and when the destination address is a telephone number, the electronic message is a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message. The method according to claim 1.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the FAX telephone number is an identifier unique to the subscriber.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising auditing one or more of the operations performed to store information regarding the reception of the first searchable electronic document and the generation and transmission of the second searchable electronic document.

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