Online Fax Routing via Database Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fax services require dedicated fax lines and machines, leading to high costs and inefficiencies, especially for consumers with multiple fax numbers, as they incur significant expenses and bottlenecks when receiving multiple faxes over public switched telephone networks (PSTN).
Innovation Solution
A method where an online fax service provider routes incoming fax transmissions through a computer network, circumventing PSTN by checking if the fax number is registered with an online database, and if so, delivers the fax as an email attachment, thereby avoiding PSTN usage and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fax services use dedicated fax lines over PSTN, then fax transmissions can be received reliably, but costs increase significantly and transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an online database as an intermediary between the fax receiving system and PSTN. The database stores registered fax numbers and routes incoming fax transmissions through data networks instead of PSTN when matches are found, thereby reducing PSTN dependency while maintaining reliable delivery through the registration verification mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables fax numbers to serve dual purposes: traditional PSTN fax reception and internet-based fax routing. By registering fax numbers in the online database, the same number can receive faxes through both traditional and modern channels, eliminating the need for separate systems and improving overall efficiency
2Ease of operation
If consumers receive multiple faxes over dedicated fax lines, then all fax transmissions can be received, but telephone costs increase due to per-minute charges
Solution Approach 1:
The online database acts as an intermediary that intercepts and redirects fax transmissions before they reach PSTN. By checking the database for registered numbers and routing through data networks, the system eliminates PSTN per-minute charges while maintaining the ability to receive multiple faxes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical PSTN telephone network with an electronic data network for fax transmission. This substitution eliminates the need for physical telephone line usage and associated per-minute charges, while maintaining fax reception capability through internet-based routing
3Reliability
If fax transmissions are sent over PSTN, then dedicated fax numbers can be used, but transmission time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The online database serves as an intermediary that accelerates fax delivery by routing transmissions through high-speed data networks instead of PSTN. The registration verification process ensures reliable delivery while the data network path reduces transmission time significantly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from PSTN voice/fax lines to internet data networks. This parameter change transforms the transmission path from slow, circuit-switched telephone lines to fast, packet-switched data networks, dramatically reducing transmission duration while maintaining delivery reliability through the registration system
Data Source
AI summary
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.