IP Fax Server Mediating High-Resolution Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer fax systems face challenges with low resolution fax transmissions, which can lead to errors in automated processing and render images unusable, especially in business workflows, and attempting to transmit high-resolution faxes over the PSTN results in unacceptably long delivery times.
Innovation Solution
A system that maps unique Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to conventional fax numbers, allowing users connected to the Internet to send high-definition color faxes using IP fax protocols, with a server mediating the transmission and selecting the preferred method among conventional fax, IP fax, email, or secure document delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution fax transmission is attempted over PSTN, then image quality improves, but delivery time becomes unacceptably long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an IP fax server as an intermediary component that mediates between the PSTN fax network and IP-based communication infrastructure. This server receives high-resolution fax data over IP networks and converts/transmits it through appropriate protocols, enabling fast delivery without sacrificing image quality by leveraging the speed of IP networks while maintaining compatibility with fax standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from traditional PSTN telephone lines to IP-based networks. By transmitting fax data over IP protocols instead of conventional voice-grade telephone lines, the system achieves significantly higher transmission speeds while maintaining the ability to deliver high-resolution images through appropriate protocol conversion and compression techniques
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional fax protocol is used, then compatibility is maintained, but resolution remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The IP fax server is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple protocols and transmission methods. It can receive faxes in various formats (T.30, T.38, MIME, PDF, etc.), convert them appropriately, and transmit through different channels (PSTN, IP networks, email systems). This universal capability allows the system to maintain backward compatibility with conventional fax protocols while simultaneously supporting high-resolution IP-based transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system maps unique addresses to the conventional fax numbers of conventional fax devices (such as conventional fax machines and computing devices having conventional fax capabilities). A transmitting user who is connected to the Internet may send an IP fax to a receiving user who is also connected to the Internet by addressing the receiving user using the receiving user's unique address, even if the sending user and receiving user are not within the same local network. A server outside of the receiving user's local network mediates the transmission of the IP fax from the transmitting user to the receiving user. The server may select a preferred transmission method of the recipient (e.g., conventional fax, IP fax, email, or secure document delivery) and transmit the fax to the receiving user using that preferred transmission method. Transmitted faxes may be in color and/or contain high-definition content.