Email-to-Fax Gateway for Automatic Transmission Method Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing message and document delivery systems require senders to specify the transmission method, which may not be the most efficient or effective for the recipient, limiting the use of alternative methods beyond conventional fax.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method where a server determines the recipient's preferred transmission method based on their associated user account, allowing for email messages to be sent using either email or fax transmission methods automatically, depending on the recipient's account availability and format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sender specifies the transmission method, then the transmission process is simple and direct, but the transmission method may not be the most efficient or effective for the recipient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the recipient to automatically select and specify their preferred transmission method through a user account associated with their fax number. The sender simply sends an email to the recipient's fax number, and the system autonomously determines the optimal transmission method (email or fax) based on the recipient's account settings, eliminating the need for the sender to manually specify the transmission method while ensuring efficient delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (email-to-fax gateway) that receives emails addressed to fax numbers and automatically routes them through the appropriate transmission method. This intermediary service acts as a bridge between the sender's email and the recipient's fax, intelligently selecting the most efficient transmission path without requiring direct involvement from the sender in specifying the method.
2Ease of manufacture
If the system only supports conventional fax transmission, then the system is simple to implement, but it lacks flexibility in using alternative transmission methods
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to support multiple transmission methods (both email and conventional fax) through a unified email-to-fax gateway. The recipient can register their fax number with the gateway service, which then provides universal access to both email and fax transmission capabilities. This multi-functional approach allows the system to adapt to different transmission preferences and requirements while maintaining a single, simple registration process for the recipient.
Data Source
AI summary
A first email message is received. The first email message has a first recipient email address and a first payload. The first recipient email address has a first username portion and a first domain name portion. If a user account is associated with the first username portion, then the first payload is transmitted to an email address associated with that user account. Otherwise, the first payload is transmitted, via a fax transmission method, to a first destination specified by a first destination identifier based on the first username portion of the first recipient email address.