U.S. patent number RE34,429 [Application Number 07/817,733] was granted by the patent office on 1993-11-02 for interactive facsimile system and method of information retrieval.
Invention is credited to David F. Baran, Paul Baran.
United States Patent |
RE34,429 |
Baran , et al. |
November 2, 1993 |
Interactive facsimile system and method of information
retrieval
Abstract
This invention allows unmodified CCITT Group 3 and 4 facsimile
transceivers to interactively select and retrieve facsimile pages
from a shared facsimile data base FAX serve system ("FAX server").
The remote facsimile transceiver user marks a paper selector sheet
forms using a pencil or pen. The selector sheet is transmitted via
the remote facsimile transmitter, preferably in a turn-around
polling mode, to the FAX server unit. The FAX server unit processes
the facsimile signal rapidly, interpreting the selector sheet and
selecting the pages desired to be retrieved prior to the normal
CCITT Recommendation T.30 timeout, which would otherwise abort the
line connection. The invention allows the requested information to
be returned during the same telephone call. If turn-around polling
is not available, then the FAX server initiates alternative
strategies culminating in an automatic callback with the
information desired. The capability created allows facsimile
transceivers to be used as interactive terminals for selective
retrieval of text and graphics, without requiring alphanumeric
keyboard interaction or the need for manual intervention.
Inventors: |
Baran; Paul (Atherton, CA),
Baran; David F. (Berkeley, CA) |
Family
ID: |
26983867 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/817,733 |
Filed: |
January 7, 1992 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
323282 |
Mar 14, 1989 |
04893333 |
Jan 9, 1990 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
379/100.11;
358/468; 379/100.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B
7/00 (20130101); H04M 11/00 (20130101); H04N
1/0036 (20130101); H04N 1/00366 (20130101); H04N
1/32778 (20130101); H04N 1/00379 (20130101); H04N
1/2179 (20130101); H04N 1/32771 (20130101); H04N
1/00371 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09B
7/00 (20060101); H04M 11/00 (20060101); H04N
1/21 (20060101); H04N 1/327 (20060101); H04M
011/08 (); H04N 001/42 () |
Field of
Search: |
;379/100
;358/400,401,402,468 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0170469 |
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May 1986 |
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EP |
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57-152072 |
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Sep 1982 |
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JP |
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59-200569 |
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Nov 1984 |
|
JP |
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62-227269 |
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Mar 1986 |
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JP |
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61-13862 |
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Jun 1986 |
|
JP |
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62-233971 |
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Oct 1987 |
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JP |
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62-272751 |
|
Nov 1987 |
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JP |
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63-242060 |
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Oct 1988 |
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JP |
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Other References
"FAX reporter", by Buyers Laboratory, Inc., Spectra FAX:
Phone+FAX+Computer=Value-Added Solutions, May 1989, vol. 3, No. 5.
.
Hitachi Gives "High Five" to Himail 20F, Oct. 1988, vol. 2, No. 10,
p. 5, Buyers Laboratory, Facsimile Machines, Hackensack, N.J. .
Murata Business Systems, Inc., Murata F-50 Documentation. .
Chorus Data Systems, New Product Information, Mar. 21, 1988,
Optical Disk Document System Adds, Facsimile and Electronic Mail
Capabilities. .
The Wall Street Journal, "Wang to Introduce Innovative System For
Keyboard Phobic Computer Users", Nov. 1, 1988, p. B6. .
FAX Reporter, "CAN-FAX Supercharges Canon Fax with Value-added
Powers", Buyers Laboratories, Dec. 1988, vol. 2, No. 12, pp. 3-5.
.
International Telecom, "X..TM. Response". .
R. Gallerani, L. Lesi and D. Maio, "ARFAX: A Document Filing System
which Uses a Facsimile as Acquisition Device," in Alta Frequenza,
Aug. 1987, No. 6..
|
Primary Examiner: Schreyer; Stafford
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jones; Allston L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A FAX server apparatus for interactively providing requested
portions of stored information to an inquiring CCITT FAX
transceiver by means of a machine readable information selector
sheet marked by the requesting party and transmitted by the
inquiring FAX transceiver to the FAX server via telephone lines,
said FAX server comprising:
CCITT modem means for communicating with said CCITT FAX transceiver
to electronically receive said transmitted selector sheet and to
transmit the requested information .Iadd.thereto.Iaddend.;
machine readable means for interpreting the machine readable
markings on the selector sheet received by said CCITT modem
means;
memory means for storing the information from which the requestor
can select; and
retrieval means under the control of said machine readable means
for retrieving the information requested by the requesting party
from said memory means and coupling the retrieved information to
said CCITT modem means.
2. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1 with said CCITT FAX
transceiver having turnaround polling capability, wherein:
the combination of the operation times of said machine readable
means and said retrieval means is sufficiently short so as to
permit the analysis of the received selector sheet and the
retrieval of the requested information to permit the transmission
of a polling direction turnaround signal within the turnaround
delay of said CCITT FAX transceiver to allow retrieval of the
requested information during the telephone call initiated by the
requestor via said CCITT FAX transceiver.
3. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1 with said CCITT FAX
transceiver containing a valid calling station identification
number, said FAX server further comprising:
identification means coupled to said CCITT modem means for
analyzing and converting the received calling station
identification number into a valid local telephone number of said
CCITT FAX transceiver, and for dialing said valid local telephone
number for connecting said FAX server to said CCITT FAX transceiver
to transmit the selected information to the requestor via the CCITT
FAX transceiver from which the request was originally made during a
second telephone call.
4. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1 with said selector sheet
containing spaces for the requestor to enter the telephone number
of said CCITT FAX transceiver, said FAX server further
comprising:
analysis means coupled to said machine readable means for
converting said telephone number entered on said selector card into
a valid local telephone number of said CCITT FAX transceiver, and
coupled to said CCITT modem means for dialing said valid local
telephone number for connecting said FAX server to said CCITT FAX
transceiver to transmit the selected information to the requestor
via the CCITT FAX transceiver from which the request was originally
made during a second telephone call.
5. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 4 further comprises form
generation means coupled to the CCITT modem means for generating a
selector sheet that contains the telephone number of a calling
CCITT FAX transceiver for transmission to said calling CCITT FAX
transceiver.
6. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1 with said CCITT FAX
transceiver containing a unique digital identification number
having a first field containing a digital value uniquely
identifying the information to be retrieved, and a second field
containing the telephone number of the FAX transceiver to which the
requested information is to be transmitted , said FAX server
further comprising:
decoding means coupled to said CCITT modem means for decoding the
field of said unique digital identification number and for dialing
said valid local telephone number for connecting said FAX server to
said CCITT FAX transceiver to transmit the selected information to
the requestor via the CCITT FAX transceiver from which the request
was originally made during a second telephone call, and coupled to
said retrieval means to select from the memory means the
information requested in the identification number.
7. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:
communications means coupled to said machine readable means for
accessing a remote computer based information system with the
capability of creating information pages on-line data in response
to the information request for transmission to the FAX
transceiver.
8. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1 wherein:
said memory means includes a data base organized in the form of
pages of information; and
said retrieval means has an up-date mode for adding or deleting
pages of information to or from the memory means by sending a
selector sheet having appropriate markings together with the pages
of information that are to be added to or deleted from said data
base.
9. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:
said CCITT modem means includes:
means for determining if said CCITT FAX transceiver is using
turnaround polling, or has transmitted a usable calling station
identification number; and
said machine readable means includes:
means for decoding a telephone number of said CCITT FAX transceiver
from said selector sheet if said CCITT modem means does not detect
the existence of turnaround polling or a usable calling station
identification number.
10. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said machine
readable means is capable of reading:
one or more printed fields on said selector sheet that are to
facilitate and constrain requestor markings to improve machine
reading speed and accuracy.
11. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said machine
readable means is capable of reading identifying symbols of the
information requested from one or more of the fields on said
selector sheet.
12. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said machine
readable means is capable of reading at least a portion of a
preprinted page containing an unique illustration as said selector
sheet.
13. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said machine
readable means can uniquely recognize a bar code label on said
selector sheet. .[.14. A FAX server apparatus for providing
requested portions of stored information to a selected CCITT FAX
transceiver, said information being requested by means of a
touch-tone telephone, said CCITT FAX transceiver and touch-tone
telephone being connected to the FAX server via telephone lines,
said FAX server comprising:
decoder means for decoding touch-tone signals received from the
telephone line:
interpreter means coupled to the decoder means for converting said
the touch-tone signals into commands that uniquely correspond to
the requested information and;
memory means for storing the information from which the request can
be made;
retrieval means under the control of said interpreter means for
retrieving the information requested from said memory means;
and
CCITT modem means for communicating with said CCITT FAX transceiver
to electronically transmit the requested information to the CCITT
FAX
transceiver..]. .[.15. A FAX server as in claim 14 wherein said
interpreter means also converts said touch-tone signals that
correspond to the telephone number of said CCITT FAX transceiver
into a valid local telephone number of said CCITT FAX
transceiver..]. .[.16. A FAX server as in claim 14 wherein;
said FAX server further comprises:
voice recognition means for interpreting voice sounds received from
the telephone line and converting them into commands to allow the
user to request selected portions of the stored information by
voice transmission; and
said retrieval means is further under the control of said voice
recognition means for retrieving the information requested from
said memory means..]. .[.17. A FAX server apparatus for providing
requested portions of stored information to a selected CCITT FAX
transceiver, said information being requested by means of a
telephone, said FAX transceiver and telephone being connected to
the FAX server via telephone lines, said FAX server comprising:
voice recognition means for interpreting voice sounds received from
the telephone line and converting them into commands to allow the
user to request selected portions of the stored information by
voice transmission;
memory means for storing the information from which the request can
be made;
retrieval means under the control of said voice recognition means
for retrieving the information requested from said memory means;
and
CCITT modem means for communicating with said CCITT FAX transceiver
to electronically transmit the requested information to the CCITT
FAX transceiver..]. .[.18. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 17
wherein said FAX server further comprises:
ANI automatic number recognition means for extracting the telephone
number of said CCITT FAX transceiver from the handshake signals
received by the FAX server from the CCITT FAX transceiver; and
translation means for translating the number received by the ANI
automatic number recognition means into a valid local operative
telephone number..].
9. A method of information retrieval comprising the steps of:
a. marking a selector sheet to define the information
requested;
b. transmitting the selector sheet of step a. via a CCITT FAX
transceiver having a turnaround polling capability;
c. analyzing the selector sheet transmitted in step b. to determine
the information requested;
d. transmitting a direction reversal signal to the CCITT FAX
transceiver within the timing constraints window allowed by CCITT
Recommendation T.30; and
e. transmitting the requested information to the FAX transceiver of
step b.
.Iadd.20. A FAX server apparatus for receiving instructions and
data from a CCITT FAX transceiver by means of a machine readable
information selector sheet marked by a transmitting party and
transmitted by the FAX transceiver to the FAX server via telephone
lines to alter information stored by said FAX server by adding
data, deleting data or modifying previously stored data, said FAX
server comprising:
CCITT modem means for communicating with said CCITT FAX transceiver
to electrically receive said transmitted selector sheet and
data;
machine readable means for interpreting the machine readable
markings on the selector sheet received by said CCITT modem means;
and
memory means for storing data; and
retrieval means under the control of said machine readable means
for adding data, deleting data or modifying data in said memory
means in accordance with the markings on said selector sheet with
said modified data being retrievable in subsequent independent
requests from a FAX transceiver.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 20
wherein:
said memory means includes a data base organized in the form of
pages of information; and
said retrieval means up-dates the data stored in said memory means
by adding, deleting or modifying pages of information to, from, or
in, the memory means in accordance with said markings on said
selector sheet and pages of information that accompany said
selector sheet that represent the data that is to be added to, or
modified in, said data base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A FAX server
apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said memory means is a computer
system. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A FAX server apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said memory means is a mini-computer system. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. A FAX server apparatus for providing requested portions
of stored information to an inquiring CCITT FAX transceiver by
means of one of a family of machine readable information selector
sheet marked by the requesting party and transmitted by the
inquiring FAX transceiver to the FAX server via telephone lines,
said family of selector sheets being known to said FAX server, said
FAX server comprising:
CCITT modem means for communicating with said CCITT FAX transceiver
to electronically receive said transmitted selector sheet and to
transmit the requested information thereto;
machine readable means for interpreting the machine readable
markings on the selector sheet received by said CCITT modem means,
said machine readable means including:
identifying means for identifying mismarked and selector sheets
that are not members of said known family of selector sheets;
memory means for storing the information from which the requestor
can select; and
retrieval means under the control of said machine readable means
for retrieving the information requested by the requesting party
from said memory means and coupling the retrieved information to
said CCITT modem
means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A FAX server as in claim 24 wherein said
identification means causes a starter kit to be sent to said
requesting party when said requesting party transmits a blank sheet
to said FAX server. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A FAX server as in claim 24
wherein said identification means causes a message to be
transmitted to said requesting party when a mismarked selector
sheet or a selector sheet that is not a member of the known family
of selector sheets has been received informing the requesting party
of the receipt of said mismarked or unknown selector sheet by said
FAX server. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A FAX server as in claim 24 with
said selector sheets including at least one fiduciary mark to
identify the orientation of said selector sheet, wherein said
machine readable means of said FAX server adjusts the reading of
said selectors sheets in accordance with said fiduciary marks to
properly read the marks placed on said selector sheets by said
transmitting party. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A FAX server as in claim 24
with said selector sheets including at least one machine readable
field for entry of the telephone number of said transmitting FAX,
wherein:
said machine readable means of said FAX server also reads the
telephone number of the transmitting FAX;
said memory means stores the telephone number of said transmitting
FAX decoded by said machine readable means; and
said FAX server further includes recall means for recalling
transmitting FAX telephone numbers from said memory means for later
transmitting information to said transmitting FAX. .Iaddend.
Description
Background of the Invention
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to graphic retrieval capability for existing
CCITT Group 3 and 4 FAX transceivers by the use of a novel
interactive shared FAX retrieval server (hereinafter referred to as
"FAX server"). FAX transceivers follow a common set of CCITT
international standards. Adherence to these standards and protocols
allows FAX transceivers from different manufactures to effectively
intercommunicate. The present invention relates to the interactive
use of an unmodified FAX transceiver serving both as an inquiry
terminal and as an output device for the retrieval of pages either
stored or created remotely. In particular this invention provides
an inquiry process that uses a pencil and paper input form to allow
rapid retrieval of information and uses any existing CCITT FAX
transceiver.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A FAX is often used for manual information retrieval today in
business. A voice telephone call, or a facsimile request, is made
to a clerk who then sends the requested pages to the caller by FAX.
Sometimes trade magazine advertisements list a dedicated voice
telephone number to encourage inquires where the caller is asked to
supply their FAX number so that requested material can be returned
by FAX. The fastest return speed currently promised in the
literature is "less than one hour." Graphic information retrieval
for large data bases, using a CRT display is often used in the
prior art. Information is selected interactively using a full
keyboard and a CRT display. When the desired information is found,
a printed copy is then made. The copy is then either sent by FAX or
by mail.
Perhaps the closest relevant art to the present invention is that
of a FAX transceiver using passwords and operating in a polling
mode. With password operation for polling, the FAX transceiver with
text to be sent can be set to require, prior to reception, a
pre-agreed four digit numeric "password". The four digit privacy
polling key, or password, is generally entered via a keyboard on
the FAX transceiver. However, as a practical matter, this is a
highly constrained approach and not used in practice in this manner
as a selective retrieval mechanism.
The general avoidance of highly constrained keyboard selection to
facilitate system use by untrained potential users is advantageous.
A pencil and paper input selection means would allow widespread
access to all users. In particular, users that cannot, or prefer
not to, use a computer keyboard would be provided access to such a
system. By allowing a pencil, or a similar marking device, and
paper retrieval selector input device, use of the system would be
available even without training, to open new interactive FAX
retrieval applications that would serve the broadest possible base
of potential users. Since there is a large population of FAX
transceivers in service today, each becomes a candidate for use as
a retrieval terminal when used with the desired FAX server
described above. Another improvement over the existing art that is
advantageous would be the ability of the system to return
information sought immediately upon request, perhaps even during
the requestor's telephone call. This would allow minimization of
the telephone tolls paid by the FAX server and would permit
supporting applications where the user pays for the cost of
delivery of the requested copies. The present invention provides
such a system.
Summary of the Invention
CCITT FAX transceivers communicate with other FAX transceivers via
the public switched telephone network. In the present invention,
connection is made from any FAX transceiver to a remote FAX server.
Via a FAX transceiver, the user transmits an appropriately filled
in selector sheet. The marked areas on the selector sheet are
machine read and interpreted by the reception unit of a FAX server
to determine what information is being sought by the user.
In one mode of operation, this is done prior to the FAX
transceiver's "time-out", so that the designated information is
returned to the requestor during the user's initiated telephone
call. To do so preferentially requires that the FAX transceiver
contain a turn-around polling option, and that very rapid
processing take place within the FAX server, immediately upon
receipt of the selector sheet. In this mode, the marked areas on
the selector sheet are analyzed and selection of the desired pages
made and returned prior to the time-out limitation present in the
CCITT T.30 Recommendation.
The invention teaches that the use of transmitted patterns
relatively insensitive to positional alignment, plus proper
handshaking, facilitates machine recognition of markings of an
incoming selector sheet to allow the server to return the materials
requested to the caller quickly. While in one mode it is assumed
that the FAX transceiver has a turn-around polling feature, it is
also necessary to serve all other FAX transceivers as well,
including those that lack any polling capability and even those
that lack calling subscriber identification--an internal telephone
number identifier that can be sent during the FAX transceiver's
call set up.
The FAX server of the present invention is designed to support all
FAX transceivers that meet minimum CCITT standards regardless of
any optional features that they lack. In the T.30 Recommendation
the calling FAX transceiver "wakes up" the called FAX unit. The
called FAX unit replies with a list of the internal features, or
facilities, that it supports. The calling FAX transceiver then
makes its decision as to feature choices. The calling FAX
transceiver can be viewed as the master and the called machine as
the slave.
In the present invention, intelligence is concentrated at the FAX
server, while the FAX transceivers are relatively "dumb" devices.
As the called FAX server does not directly learn about the
capabilities of the calling FAX transceiver, this is done by
inference. For example, if the calling FAX transceiver does not
attempt to poll, then the FAX server of the present invention
assumes that the calling FAX transceiver lacks polling capability.
In the present invention, a number of different options are
inferred about the calling FAX transceiver (e.g. whether the
calling FAX transceiver has turn-around polling; simple polling; or
no polling at all). The FAX server's response can be different in
each case.
Some, but not all, FAX transceivers contain an internal telephone
number identification described in CCITT Recommendation T.30 which
should correspond to the international telephone number of the FAX
transceiver, including country code. In practice, the U.S. country
code is rarely used. Sometimes even the area code is missing. And,
usually the long distance dialing prefix ("1") is also missing. In
some cases that have been encountered, the wrong telephone number
is found, and in others a telephone number was never entered. A FAX
transceiver with turn-around polling, combined with a FAX server
with rapid machine reading of the selector sheet and processing
provides a sufficiently short turn-around time to permit delivery
of the information sought on the same telephone call.
But if the FAX transceiver has only simple polling (i.e. it can
either transmit, or receive on a single call, but not both), an
alternative approach is used. If the FAX server seeks to have the
user alone pay for the telephone calls, then two calls by the
calling FAX transceiver are required. During the first call, the
user transmits a selector sheet that designates the information
requested. During the second call by the user, in the simple
polling mode, the FAX server returns the material requested. There
are ways that the two calls can be logically related automatically.
The internal telephone number in the FAX transceiver could be used
to associate the two calls received within a short time window.
Alternatively, the FAX server can call back the FAX transceiver's
internal telephone number. Another fallback alternative is to
require FAX transceivers that lack a valid internal telephone
number to put their actual telephone number onto the selector
sheet. The CCITT Recommendation T.30 calls for a 20 decimal digit
number corresponding to the international telephone number of the
FAX transceiver to be entered into the FAX transceiver by the user
at the time of installation. That telephone number must be
converted into a locally usable format by the FAX server before it
can be used in a call-back mode.
There is one further potential complication. Since the present
invention seeks to serve all potential users, even those without
prior access to a selector sheet or instructions, the FAX server of
the present invention will also respond to the transmission of a
blank sheet of paper in lieu of a selector sheet as a request for
initial help. The response of the FAX server to a blank sheet is to
send the assumed novice user a "starter kit" consisting of a
selector sheet and simple instructions. Additional copies of the
selector sheet can be made on an office copier. Sometimes, it will
be necessary to get the starter kit to the user without relying
upon the FAX transceiver's internal telephone number (i.e. the user
has only a low cost FAX transceiver with minimal capabilities and
lacks an internal telephone number capability).
To handle this case, the present invention uses touch-tone
telephone transmission, reception and detection of the standard
dual frequency tones used by telephone systems for dialing. Such
telephone dialing detection is distinct from the FAX process and
protocols. Another embodiment of the present invention allows the
FAX server to use the same telephone number for both FAX and voice
telephone inquiry. To accomplish this when an incoming call is
received by the FAX server, the connection is first made to the FAX
modem. If the transmission came from an automatic transmission FAX
transceiver, its handshaking would start by transmitting a calling
tone (CNG--this is an 1100 Hz tone transmitted with a period of 0.5
seconds on and three seconds off). If a time interval of longer
than three seconds is observed without the presence of the 1100 Hz
tone, the FAX server then assumes that the incoming call is either
a voice call or a manually operated FAX transceiver. When a CNG
tone is detected, the FAX modem is engaged. If no calling tone is
detected, a DTMF (dual tone multiple frequency) detector is
connected to receive touch-tone signals and a pre-recorded or
digitized voice message transmits instructions to the FAX
transceiver's user.
For example, these instructions advise a user of a manual
transmitting FAX transceiver to press a touch-tone dial key "1".
The FAX server's modem is then connected and then transmits the CED
(called station identification signal, a 2100 Hz tone). If the "1"
key is not pressed, it is then assumed that a voice telephone call
is underway, and instructions are then provided to the user as to
how to use the system. The user is then advised by a a voice
message to enter their FAX transceiver's telephone number via the
touch-tone keypad on their telephone. Specific pages can be
recalled by this arrangement as well.
The touch-tone approach is primarily advantageous in the first
iteration of an interactive series and less so in later iterations
since the initial user would additionally be sent a selector sheet
and instructions via their FAX transceiver. Each such selector
sheet sent by the FAX server would have the telephone number of the
user's FAX transceiver pre-imprinted thereon, in machine readable
format. This then obviates the need for more than one touch-tone
call in this manner. Most FAX transceivers come equipped with a
telephone attached that could be used for this application.
A possible alternative to touch-tone dialing is the use of speaker
independent voice recognition. For example Texas Instruments
publication SPRN 036p. 7, Feb. 1989 describes the SRS-1 chip for
speaker independent recognition of a 12 word vocabulary, adequate
to recognize all digits from 0 to 9 plus two separators. One
retrieval application that has been encountered requires periodic
retrieval of the same page but updated in time, such as a wheather
report. In that case the 20 digits reserved for the FAX transceiver
number are replaced by a 10 digit telephone number and a 10 digit
number describing the specific set of pages desired. The FAX server
thus separates the two components to identify the information
desired and the telephone number of the FAX transceiver that is to
receive the information.
The above techniques in various combinations achieve information
retrieval process conducted entirely without manual intervention.
This in turn allows every ordinary FAX transceiver to become an
interactive data terminal. The requested information is returned
during the same telephone call, or during an immediately subsequent
call. If desired, the major communications costs can be borne
solely by the calling party to allow significant new high volume
business applications to become economically viable.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one of a plurality of FAX transceivers
connected to a single FAX server of the present invention for
information retrieval.
FIGS. 2a-2e are pictorial representations of several selector
sheets which could be used to select information to be retrieved
from the FAX server of FIG. 1.
FIG. 2f is a pictorial representation of a frame input selector
sheet for adding data to the stored data base of the FAX server of
the present invention.
FIG. 2g is a pictorial representation of a follow-up selector sheet
provided to the user as the last page in the material provided to
use the present invention for advertiser follow-up.
FIG. 3 is a simplified flow chart of the process of retrieving
pages of information from the system of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of the functioning of an
example of a machine readable interpretation of a user entered
selector sheet.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example of a machine readable
interpretation of a selector sheet of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the options by which the FAX server
determines the "address" for all FAX transceivers found in
practice.
FIGS. 7a-7b is a flow chart showing the process to determine and
respond to the different FAX transceivers as a subset of FIG.
6.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a physical configuration of the
hardware units comprising the server of the present invention.
FIGS. 9a-9c show a series of shortened selector sheets for use with
the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram that illustrations the operation of the
present invention in another mode of operation.
FIGS. 11a-11b are a flow chart of the use of touch-tone/andio
recognition as a method of selection and user identification.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Throughout the following discussion numerous abbreviations of
standard facsimile terms are used. Table I provides a definition of
those terms.
TABLE I ______________________________________ ABBREVIATION SUMMARY
______________________________________ CCITT = Consultive Committee
for International Telegraphy and Telephone Server Unit Sends: CED =
Called Station Indentification DIS = Digital Identification Signal
Server Unit Receives: DCS = Digital Command Signal TRAINING =
Signal Used to Set Modem Para- meters Server Unit Sends: CFR =
Confirmation to Receive DTC = Digital Transmit Command CIG =
Calling Subscriber Identification CSI = Called Subscriber
Identification ______________________________________
Simplified Block Diagram
Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown three major blocks in an overall
system block diagram: a FAX transceiver 10; a telco switch 12; and
a shared FAX server 20. FAX transceiver 10 is representative of
conventional FAX transceivers and is provided for the requester to
request and receive copies of selected information that is
prestored in a shared FAX server 20. In a multiline environment,
typical of the present invention, the telco switch 12 (telephone
company switching equipment) interconnects one or more FAX
transceivers 10 via lines 14a-14c to a plurality of input lines
16a-16c of FAX server 20. The multiple line system is the most
efficient application for the present invention, however, the
concept is equally applicable to a single line system.
The typical FAX transceiver 10, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a
scanner 32 for reading a document 30 and formatting the information
therefrom in a graphical electronic format, pixel by pixel, line by
line. The graphically formatted signal is then transferred from
scanner 32 to data compressor 34 before being applied to modem 36
for transmission to telco switch 12 and server 20. Modem 36 also
functions to receive a signal from server 20 via telco switch 12.
The received signal is transferred from modem 36 to data
decompressor 38 where the received signal is decompressed before
being transferred to printer 40. Printer 40 in turn converts the
electronic signal received by it to a format for printing the data
encoded in the electronic signal on media 42.
FIG. 1 further shows that shared FAX server 20 includes modems
22a-22c which communicate with lines 16a-16c which communicate with
lines 16a-16c of telco switch 12. Internally, each of modems
22a-22c is connected to transfer the incoming signal to the machine
reading (mark sense/OCR) system 24. The output signal from the
machine readable system 24 is then coupled to data selector 26
where the addresses for the desired information are decoded. The
decoded addresses are then coupled to disk memory 28 where the
desired data has been previously stored in compressed form by known
techniques. The selected date is then transferred from disk memory
28, to the appropriate modem 22a-22c from which the information was
requested, for transmission to the requester via the associated
line 16a-16c.
The FAX transceiver 10 optically scans each page to be transmitted,
converting the input raster image into a compressed format as
described in CCITT Recommendation T.4 for the Group 3 FAX
transceivers, and Recommendation T.5 for the Group 4 FAX
transceivers. The digital output signal modulates a CCITT V.29
modem 36, which operates at 9600/7200/4800/2400 bits per second,
depending upon the line quality encountered during the call. The
standard V.29 modem used in facsimile systems is a half duplex
device. Signals are first sent in one direction between the
facsimile transceiver and the server 20. Alternatingly, this
direction of data flow is reversed to allow reception of "hand
shaking", or coordinating signals, and thence image transmission in
accordance with the T.30 Recommendation.
Images are sent in T.4 Recommendation compressed format, so that it
is necessary to expand the image into a full raster for printing at
the FAX transceiver 10. The FAX server 20 is shown interfacing with
a bank of V.29 modems 22a-22c to simultaneously support multiple
FAX transceivers 10. However, only a single modem is required for
single line operation. (In the case of Group 4 machines, this
termination could occur at 64 Kilobit/sec or other speeds.) A
shared machine reading system 24 operates upon the received
signals, senses the markings on a selector sheet electronically
from a bit map of the selector sheet, and interprets the user
markings on each selector sheet page (discussed more completely
below). The value of these markings are translated into data
commands to determine the locations of the stored date to be
retrieved and sent to the calling FAX transceiver 10. In the
interest of data storage economy, this information is preserved in
compressed format, and need not be expanded at the time of
transmission.
Selector Sheets
FIGS. 2a-2e show examples of selector sheet formats that may be
used in various versions of the present invention. FIG. 2a shows a
sample advertisement 44 from a trade magazine with an information
retrieval number encoded in a bar code 46 which is printed
therewith. Additionally, space 58 is provided for the requestor to
enter a name and address for the advertiser to follow-up, if they
so choose. Each of FIGS. 2b-2e shows a different selector sheet
format each containing a number of fields. Those fields may be
marked by pencil, pen or similar marking deviccs.
If a reader wishes to obtain more information on a product
advertised in a trade magazine wherein the advertisement 44
includes the information retrieval number encoded in the form of a
bar code 46 as in FIG. 2a, the reader simply removes the
advertisement, or advertisements, of interest, completes the name
and address fields 58 below the bar code 46, calls the information
retrieval number provided in the magazine, and transmits at least
the bar code portions of each of the advertisements of interest via
a FAX transceiver 10. FAX server 20 then decodes the bar codes and
transmits a copy of the information stored in memory 28 to the
reader's FAX transceiver 10. In lieu of a bar code, it is possible
to mechanically read and recognize an entire advertisement to
indicate the information desired without the necessity of a bar
code label.
In FIG. 2b selector sheet 54 allows abbreviated requests for
products advertised in trade magazines, prenumbered governmental
forms, etc. The reader fills in an address field 58 and marks by
hand printed characters up to three retrieval numbers of products,
or forms, of interest, and the telephone number of the requestor's
FAX transceiver if it lacks turn-around polling. These numbers can
be reliably interpreted by FAX server 20, provided the characters
are constrained to follow the back ground pattern guide printed as
shown on selector sheet 54.
Recognition of the markings by FAX server 20 must be done with an
occasional expectation of poorly formed markings. In FIG. 2c-2e,
marking blocks with a series of fiduciary position indicators 56
are used to provide some immunity to errors that might otherwise be
caused by minor skewing of the selector sheet or by minor size
changes of the array when users duplicate the selector sheets on
office copiers.
Other machine readable arrangements, such as those using Fourier
Transformation character recognition schemes, to avoid position
dependence can also be used. The only constraint is the efficacy of
the machine reading character recognition algorithms for poorly
formed and transmitted indicia. The interactive nature of the
process allows correction of errors by informing the caller that
the input was ambiguous or unreadable.
The selector sheets illustrated in FIGS. 2c and 2d are electronic
versions of the "bingo" postal cards 48, bound into magazines.
These cards 48 allow abbreviated requests for products advertised
in the magazines with the only difference between them being the
addition of field 60 in FIG. 2d for the optional inclusion of the
sender's FAX number when turn-around polling is not a feature of
the sender's FAX transceiver. To use either of the cards of FIGS.
2c and 2d, the reader fills in address field 58, shades in the
squares 62 on the card corresponding to the retrieval numbers found
in the product advertisements of interest, and optionally shades in
squares 60 for the sender's FAX transceiver number. The card is
then transmitted as discussed above in relation to FIG. 2a. To
enter the telephone number, one square in each column in the
appropriate row is to be filled in. In FIG. 2d the number
987/654-3210 is entered by way of example. Similarly, field 62 is
for the entry of a plurality of "bingo" numbers, as shown in FIGS.
2c and 2d the numbers 0-139 may be selected from. By way of
example, the numbers 3, 16, 22, 25, 44, 59, 60, 61, 87, 101, 127
and 133 have been selected in FIG. 2d.
Referring next to FIG. 2e there is shown another selector sheet
format. This selector sheet includes three fields: the name and
address field 58, and the optional FAX transceiver telephone number
field 60 (both of which were discussed above), and field 64 for the
entry of a plurality of selected retrieval numerals. Field 64 is
shown as having three sub-fields, 64a-64c. Each of the sub-fields
is capable of displaying a number from 0-9999. By way of example,
sub-field 64a is encoded with the numeral 7,451.
FIG. 2f shows a representative cover sheet to be used by the owner,
or an advertiser, to add/remove/modify information to or in the
data base stored on disk 28 of FAX server 20 by means of a FAX
transceiver. The form includes three fields. Field 67 is for the
manual entry of information to identify the advertiser. Field 68 is
an informational field to identify the information needed to be
entered into each of sub-fields 66a-66f. Sub-fields 66a-66e are
completed as was described above for sub-fields 66a-66c of FIG. 2e.
In sub-field 66a the starting address in the memory of disk 28
where the data is, or is to be, stored is entered. Sub-field 66b is
where the information retrieval number (bingo number) of that
information is entered. Sub-field 66c is for the entry of a page
count of the number of pages that are included, or to be included,
in the memory for that retrieval number. The number to be entered
in sub-field 66d is a password number for access to read any pages
already stored at the selected address location, and the number to
be entered in sub-field 66e is a second password number that will
allow the user to read into and write out of the selected memory
address. Finally, sub-field 66f is provided to select the function
that the user wishes to perform: to add, remove or modify pages to,
from or in the memory; or to designate a page as a front or back
cover page.
Once the input form of FIG. 2f is completed, it is placed on top of
the pages to be added to, or modified in, the data base, the stack
of pages are transmitted via a FAX transceiver 10 to FAX server 20.
If pages are to be removed, then the form of FIG. 2f is
transmitted, as above, alone. The machine reading system 24 then
reads the form and decodes the passwords to see if they correspond
to those of the memory address specified on the form. If the
passwords and the address are in agreement, then the function
selected in sub-field 66f is performed.
FIG. 2g shows a representative follow-up form that FAX server 20
might be programmed to provide to the user at the end of the
transmission of data pages via FAX transceiver 10. FAX server 20,
stores in memory 28 each user's FAX transceiver telephone number
and assigns a transaction number when the user makes an initial
request for information. That transaction number is coded into the
three columns of field 70 by FAX server 20. If the requestor wishes
to have a representative of the advertiser follow-up on the
inquiry, the user would complete the appropriate blocks of field 71
and retransmit the form of FIG. 2g to FAX server 20. FAX server 20
will then store that request in memory 28 together with the user's
earlier supplied address and telephone number data from field 58 of
the selector sheet originally used by the user. FAX server 20 is
able to make that association by means of the transaction number in
field 70 and by matching the FAX number identification provided
with the transmission of the form of FIG. 2g with the FAX
identification number previously stored with the field 58 data.
This request for additional information is then available for later
printout, or recall, by the advertiser.
Other response card formats may require the user to place check
marks in a series of small printed boxes corresponding to answers
to questions. Where the potential population of items to be
selected from is large, and where the number of items desired on a
single call is small, the blocks can be organized to allow the
marking of multi digit numbers. For example, a data base of
10,000,000 entries would require only 7.times.10 or 70 blocks per
item to be retrieved.
In FIGS. 2a-2f an address title block 58 is shown on the selector
sheet. With postal mail return systems such address title blocks
are, of course, mandatory. In the present invention there are
situations where selector sheets may be used that do not require
the use of an address field, since the calling FAX transceiver 10,
in accordance with CCITT Recommendation T.30, transmits a calling
station identification number. This exchanged information tag by
general practice corresponds to the telephone number of the calling
party's FAX transceiver 10. In such cases the CSI can be used as
the return address. Thus, there are applications encountered in the
use of FAX server 20 where no address field is used, since that
information is in effect built into the facsimile transmission
process, by virtue of the Recommendation T.30 requirement. In
practice some minimum cost FAX transceivers lack provision for an
internal telephone number. Some FAX transceivers have never been
programmed with the correct telephone number, or any telephone
number at all. Also, rather than using the international telephone
number in accordance with the T.30 Recommendation, only the local
number or the area code plus the local number is found in practice
in the U.S. To be able to call back, it has been found that it is
necessary for FAX server 20 to modify the CSID. For example, this
would include adding a "1" for out of area code calls, and
stripping off the prefixes for local area code calls. Additional
changes are necessary for international use, which includes the
addition of the international access code and the country code.
User Operation
FIG. 3 is an operational flow diagram of FAX server 20 of the
present invention as viewed by the user of FAX transceiver 10. The
incoming compressed data is received by receiver 74 of modem 72
from telephone line 16. The data is then stored (block 80) in a RAM
78. RAM 78 is then interrogated by compressor/de-compressor 84
where a fast expander 86 is used to decompress the data transmitted
by the user. The electronic bit map of the user entered selector
sheet is then electronically passed to the machine reading
subsystem 90 where the retrieval numbers entered in a constrained
form or in shaded squares, or other machine readable formats, are
decoded electronically and passed to block 94 where a table look-up
function is performed to convert the retrieval number to an address
in memory where the requested data is stored. The address is then
applied to block 92 to seek the address location on disk 98.
Interpreter 90 also transfers the written name and address
information from field 58 to address information compressor 88
before that information is stored on disk 98 for later retrieval
for follow-up by the advertiser. The requested pages are then read
from disk 98 and passed to RAM 78 (block 82) in compressed form for
transmission to the user (block 76) by modem 72.
While a local memory unit 98 is described, a remote data base could
be used as well. In some cases where the pages to be transmitted
contain very recent information, a remote computer is interrogated
and the latest information used to form the page is transmitted
upon request. Thus this system may also serve as an output device
for a large distributed computer rather than a fixed sized memory
as may inadvertently be suggested by this simplified explanation of
the system.
If the user has only the telephone number of the shared FAX server
20 and no select sheet at the outset, FAX server 20 would use a
mode wherein a selector sheet is provided on the first telephone
call. In that mode the known telephone number of FAX server 20
would be dialed by the user and the user would send a blank page to
FAX server 20. During transmission of this page, the user would, in
the preferred operating mode of the present invention, enable the
turn-around polling function of the user's FAX transceiver 10.
The FAX server 20 receives and analyzes the incoming image. If the
incoming page cannot be interpreted as a valid marked selector
sheet, then a blank selector sheet is immediately returned to the
FAX user on the same telephone call. Thus the system effectively
bootstraps itself to provide the missing selector sheet. Once a
copy of the selector sheet is in hand, the user may make as many
additional copies of the selector sheet using an office copier as
desired. When the selector sheet is properly filled in and
transmitted, the requested pages will be quickly returned during
the same telephone call if the user's FAX transceiver has
turn-around polling capabilities.
The machine reading system 24 of FIG. 1 contains hardware and
software to perform the functions of blocks 80-90 of FIG. 3.
Similarly, data selector 26 of FIG. 1 performs the functions of
blocks 92 and 94 of FIG. 3.
Address Field Processing
The selector sheet contains a field for the mailing and telephone
addresses of the information requestor. This field can be filled in
by pencil, pen, or typewriter. The state of the art of optical
character recognition is not adequate at this date for accurate
reliable conversion of unconstrained handwriting. Thus FAX server
20 retains the address field as a separate facsimile based image.
The area occupied by the label field is relatively small. Thus,
this image may be stored and transmitted at relatively low cost,
combined with the digital data derived from the constrained numbers
in the bingo fields. As an example, a copy of an information
request for a product could be sent by FAX to the local sales
department. This transmission might consist of a FAX image of the
address field plus the interpreted bingo fields.
Machine Reading Interpretation
FIG. 4 graphically illustrates the electronic reading of a user
entered selector sheet by the general machine readable system 24
(FIG. 1) and the machine reading subsystem 90 (FIG. 3). In neither
instance is the selector sheet recreated in a hard print-out for
reading by the mark sense unit 24 or 90. Each operates
electronically on the user entered selector sheet in the form of a
decompressed bit map.
The procedure illustrated in FIG. 4 is for a selector sheet such as
those shown in FIGS. 2c-2g where there are fiduciary position
indicators 56 which identify the rows and columns of the regions
where the user is to enter the retrieval number (s) of interest.
The intersection of the columns and rows defined by indicators 56
identify blank squares which the user shades in where the square
corresponds with the retrieval number of interest. Indicators 56
are used so that the mark sense interpretation can first locate the
portion of the received document that includes machine readable
information. This is necessary to make adjustments for the selector
sheet being feed at an angle, or if the machine readable portion is
located other than at a specific location on the page.
For purposes of illustration, the fiduciary position indicators 56
oriented horizontally across the top of FIG. 4 are labelled "H",
"1", "2", etc., and those oriented vertically down the left edge of
FIG. 4 are labelled "V", "1", "2", etc. At the intersection of each
of the numbered horizontal and vertical columns defined by the
corresponding indicators 56 is a blank square 185. In this example,
three of those squares, 172-176, have been shaded to illustrate the
shading of such squares by a user. In normal operation a FAX
transceiver 10 scans the user inputted document a single pixel line
at a time with each square of a selector sheet being six to eight
pixels in height and twelve to sixteen pixels in width. Since the
FAX transceiver begins its scanning in the upper left corner of the
document being transmitted, FAX server 20 assumes that the first
pixel, or scan, lines in the decompressed bit map are from the top
of the document transmitted with the scanning having been conducted
from left to right, top to bottom.
Machine reading units 24 and 90 are programmed to first identify
the horizontal row of fiduciary position indicators 56 by sensing
the occurrence of a plurality of approximately equally spaced pixel
bursts each containing an approximately equal number of pixels in
each burst in substantial alignment with similar bursts in a
plurality of contiguous pixel lines. From this information the
vertical limits for the squares that have been potentially filed by
the user are defined (e.g. left and right edges 182 an 184 of
horizontal indicator 56 labeled "3"). As scanning progresses, the
vertical indicator 56 that has been numbered "1" is detected in the
same way that the horizontal indicators 56 have been identified
yielding the upper horizontal limit 178 to the first row of squares
that could have been completed by the user prior to transmitting
the selector sheet. As scanning continues to the right, in this
example, the shaded square 172 is encountered by each scan line
that defines the vertical indicator 56 numbered "1". The mark sense
software identifies this square by checking its location against
the vertical limits that were earlier identified while continuing
to look for the lower horizontal limit 180 of the vertical
indicator 56 in this row. Subsequent rows are similarly checked.
Thus, given the vertical and horizontal limits on each of the user
filed squares, the software can identify the retrieval number
entered by the user via the selector sheet. Other techniques could
be similarly used instead of the fiduciary position indicator
technique discussed above. A confined location approach as
discussed in relation to FIG. 2b, or bar code scanning as discussed
in relation to FIG. 2a could be used.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the machine reading procedure for
identifying the user selected retrieval numbers as discussed in
relation to FIG. 4. In FIG. 5 the procedure begins at START block
186. The scanning of the bit map is started in the upper left
corner of the document and proceeds from left to right (block 188)
followed by the scanning of the next line from right to left (block
190). The consecutive line scanning continues until the upper and
lower limits of the X, or horizontal, fiduciary position indicators
56 are identified (block 192). Blocks 190 and 192 are cycled
through repeatedly until the lower limits of the horizontal
fiduciary position indicators 56 are identified. The right and left
limits of each of the horizontal fiduciary position indicator 56
are then recoreded (block 194). Scanning continues at block 196
until the top limit of the next Y fiduciary position indicator 56
is identified and it's position recorded at block 198. Next the
darkness level of each active matrix area is compared to a
threshold level line by line (block 200). The consecutive line
scanning continues until the upper and lower limits of all of the
Y, or vertical, fiduciary position indicators 56 are identified
(block 202). If all of the Y blocks have not been identified, flow
returns to block 196 for the continuation of the process through
blocks 196-200. When the scanning is complete (block 204), flow
proceeds to block 206 where each of the active matrix areas defined
by these X and Y limits where a user may have filled in the square
are checked to see if the pixel density within each of those areas
is greater than a threshold density level (block 206). If the
threshold level is exceeded, the block is read as having been so
marked and the corresponding retrieval number for each such square
is outputted to data selector 26. Next, block 210 tests to
determine if there are additional mark sense areas on the same
page. If there are flow returns to block 190 to decode those areas,
if there are no additional mark sense areas on the page then flow
is returned to block 188 to begin the reading of the next mark
sense card.
Other types of input selector sheets either with constrained
fields, or other electronically identifiable information fields
could be read directly from the bit map data in a similar fashion.
The actual form of machine reading used is not germane to this
invention and the above description is intended primarily for
explanatory purposes. Machine reading is a widely known operation
with numerous known techniques for performing this operation.
Polling Options
FIG. 6 is an options showing the system alternatives for serving
FAX transceivers 10 with different capabilities. The options, or
decision, tree presents the different approaches used by the
present invention to cope with each of the various FAX transceiver
configurations currently in use. The detailed flow charts of FIGS.
7a, 7b and 11 describe the data flow within the blocks of FIG. 6 in
detail. Those in FIGS. 7a and 7b, are shown here within a
dotted-outline identified as 228, and those of FIG. .[.4.].
.Iadd.11 .Iaddend.are shown within a dotted-outline identified as
230. The block .[.238.]. .Iadd.231 .Iaddend.is representative of
the entire population of all FAX transceivers and is divided into
those FAX transceivers having a polling capability (block 232) and
those without (block 234). The next level considers turn-around
polling (block 236). Here only a single telephone call placed via
FAX transceiver 10 is required for complete operation. However,
where FAX transceiver 10 has simple (non-turnaround) polling (block
238) then two sequential calls are required by the calling FAX
transceiver as shown. The case where FAX transceiver 10 lacks
polling or the user prefers not to use polling (block 234) is
divided into two cases. The first case includes FAX transceivers
that have a valid calling station user identification number (block
240), while the second case includes those FAX transceivers that
either lack a calling subscriber user identification number, or
holds an incorrect number (block 244). In the later case a selector
sheet can be used to transmit the telephone number (block 246).
This again requires two telephone calls. The first is a call by FAX
transceiver 10 to the FAX server 20. The second call is a reverse
call placed by the FAX server 20 to transmit the information
requested. Another response to the situation where the user lacks a
valid calling subscriber number (block 244) is an alternative
telephone path (block 248). A touch-tone telephone dial
transmitting dual tone multiple frequency signals (block 250) can
be used or voice recognition of digits can accomplish the same
objective (block .[.252.]..Iadd.253.Iaddend.). In both of these
cases, one call is made via a voice telephone together with a
return call by FAX server 20.
Detailed Flow Chart
The detailed flow chart of FIGS. 7a and 7b considers a number of
cases marked A, B, C, D and E which are described in a block in the
upper right hand corner. In each of the above-identified cases, the
first four blocks of FIG. 7a are always traversed.
All calls to FAX server 20 are initiated by a user (block 104), the
ring is detected (block 106), the FAX server 20 goes off hook
(block 108), and the telephone line is monitored to determine if
the call is a voice call or a modem to modem call (block 110). The
process of determining whether the incoming call is a non-FAX call
is described in detail in FIG. 11, as is the processing of a voice
or touch-tone call or manual FAX transceiver. The handshaking
process that is the heart of the process is described briefly in
block 112 and in detail below. In the following the arrows
represent the direction of the signals listed.
TABLE II ______________________________________ Normal: Calling
Unit Sending to the Called Unit Calling Called
______________________________________ CNG.fwdarw. CNG is an
audible tone which the calling unit sends to indicate that it is an
automated unit. This tone is 1100 Hz that is alternately on for 0.5
seconds then off for 3 seconds. The primary purpose of this signal
is to indicate to a human that a FAX machine is calling - in the
case of a FAX machine which is on an extension of a PBX. .rarw.CED
When the called station answers the phone, it sends this signal
back. This tone is 2100 Hz, and lasts for between 2.6 and 4.0
seconds. The called unit then delays for about 75 milliseconds
before continuing. .rarw.DIS The DIS (Digital identification
signal) consists of three basic parts. The first part signals the
desired data rate, how wide the recording width can be, how long
the pages can be, etc. The second part of DIS is the called
subscriber identification (CSI). It is OPTIONAL, and is the
international telephone number of the called subscriber. This field
allows only digits and the space character. The third part is the
non-standard facilities field (NSF). It, too, is an optional field.
DSC.fwdarw. (Sent if the calling unit wishes to transmit) This is
called "command to receive." The calling unit commands the
answering unit to receive. TSI.fwdarw.(optional).fwdarw. Following
DCS, the calling unit may also send TSI which indicates that the
following information is the identification of the transmitting
station. TSI is supposed to be the international telephone number
including telephone country code, area code, and subscriber number.
It is encoded the same way as the CSI and allows only digits and
the space character. NSS.fwdarw.(optional).fwdarw. Following the
optional TSI, the called unit may also send an optional NSS field
which is a command to the other end as to how to use the
nonstandard facilities that were expressed in the NSF field
earlier. TCF.fwdarw. Following the optional NSS field, the calling
unit sends the digital command TCF which is all zeros for 1.5
seconds. It indicates that training has begun. .rarw.CFR The
confirmation to receive signal (CFR) indicates the pre-message
procedure has been completed and that message transmission may
begin. If training was not successful (in the viewpoint of the
called unit), it sends failure to train (FTT) back which causes
training to begin again. message.fwdarw. The calling FAX machine
then transmits the message. .fwdarw. Post-message response, one of
the following: [1] EOP (end of procedure): this was the last page,
[2] MPS (multipage signal): there are more pages, which will be
sent assuming a positive response to this signal, [3] EOM (end of
message): this was the last page of this message, but that we want
to do something else. This is the way that turnaround polling is
done. Following acknowledgement of this signal, communications
picks up back at the DIS stage.
______________________________________
TABLE III ______________________________________ How Regular
Polling Works ______________________________________ CNG.fwdarw.
.rarw.CED .rarw.DIS CIG.fwdarw. This is the calling station
identification. It is encoded the same as the CSI and TSI.
DTC.fwdarw. This is called the Digital Transmit Command - it
commands the receiver to transmit. NSS.fwdarw. This signal is the
command response to the information contained in the NSF field.
.rarw.DCS This is the response to the DTC command. It commands the
calling unit to receive. From this point forward, everything is
just like the regular transmission diagrammed above, only with the
arrows reversed. ______________________________________
TABLE IV
How Turnaround Polling Works
There are two halves to turnaround polling. During the first half,
the calling machine transmits a page to the called unit. During the
second half, the called unit transmits back to the calling unit. At
the end of the first half (i.e. after the page has been sent from
the calling to the called unit), the calling unit sends an EOM
message. The called unit then responds with MCF (message
confirmation). Following message confirmation, it goes back and
begins at the CSI stage (i.e. it acts just like it answered the
telephone again). The calling unit is smart enough to know that
it's doing the second half of turn-around polling and it sends the
normal signals to do polling.
Thus, turnaround polling really isn't anything more than a slightly
different behavior that occurs between the machines in response to
the EOM signal.
It is through the handshake function that the parameters of the
intertransmission between the FAX transceiver 10 is established and
FAX server 20 is informed whether transceiver 10 has polling
capabilities. If FAX transceiver 10 has turn-around polling, then
there will not be a transmission of a DTC command immediately
(block 114) and flow will be transferred to block 116. At block 116
the input sheet is read and tested to see if it is a valid request
for information block 118). If the input sheet is a blank sheet or
an approved data selector sheet for use with the installation, flow
continues to block 126 to determine if the DTC command has been
received in the allotted time. If FAX transceiver 10 has
turn-around polling, that signal will have been received and
control will be transferred to block 134 where the user's request
is processed and the requested information is transmitted to the
user. If the user transmitted a completed selector sheet then the
information sent will be the selected information, however, if the
user transmitted a blank sheet to FAX server 20 will send the user
a selector sheet for use in selecting the desired information
during a subsequent call.
If the user's transceiver 10 has either simple polling or no
polling and has made the first telephone call to request
information, the data flow is blocks 104-118 and 126 as for the
turn-around polling situation. The difference is that the DTC
command will not have been received at block 114 or at block 126
within the allotted time. Thus flow continues from block 126 to
block 136 where FAX server 20 records the user's transceiver's
telephone number either from the transmitted CIG signal, or by
reading the number from the appropriate field on the selector sheet
transmitted by the user. Next, FAX server 20 hangs up (block 138),
starts a timer (block 139) and control returns to block 104.
If the user's transceiver 10 has simple polling and the user calls
FAX server 20 back within the time limit of the timer (block 139),
FAX transceiver 10 will transmit a DTC command to FAX server 20
(block 114) and FAX server 20 will compare the CIG or telephone
number of FAX transceiver 10 with those stored in the previous time
period (block 130). If the comparison is true and the user
requested data during the previous call, flow shifts to block 134
where the user is sent the requested pages. If the user transmitted
a blank page during the previous transmission then flow continues
to block 132 to provide the user with a blank selector sheet.
If the user's transceiver 10 does not have polling, or if the user
did not call back within the time provided (block 140) by the timer
(block 139), FAX server 20 will call the user's transceiver 10
using the stored CIG or telephone number (block 142). When the
connection is made, FAX server 20 will send only a minimum number
of pages of those requested by the user or a blank selector sheet
if the user transmitted a blank page during the first call (block
144).
Next, if the user has the appropriate passwords to allow them to
alter some or all of the data stored in FAX server 20, that can be
done remotely by transmitting a data change selector sheet to FAX
server 20. In this way the user can add to or delete from, the data
stored in the memory of FAX server 20. The flow for this operation
begins with blocks 104-118. At block 118 the data change selector
sheet is recognized as not a valid request for data and flow is
directed to block 120 where the input form is tested to determine
if it is a valid form for altering the data stored in FAX server
20. If it is, the user is allowed to alter the stored data as
desired (block 122). However, if the user was somehow able to get
to block 120 without the appropriate authorized form to change the
stored data (e.g. incorrect password) flow is directed to block 124
where the user is warned and the system operator is advised as to
the unauthorized attempt to alter the data stored in FAX server
20.
Hardware Implementation
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an implementation of FAX server 20 of
the present invention. This implementation includes a
micro-processor 160 connected via bus 161 to a ROM 157, a RAM 158,
a disk controller 166, an image processor board 148, and FAX modems
150-156. Also included is a plurality of hard disks and their
associated drive mechanisms 168a-168d which interface with disk
controller 166. Optionally, FAX server 20 may include a CRT display
162 and a data compressor 170 each connected to data bus 161, and a
scanner 172 which interfaces with data compressor 170. Also shown
is a power supply 164 to provide electrical power to each component
of the system outlined above. A typical implementation would be by
means of an IBM AT personal computer which is shown enclosed by
line 146 with each of the components shown being either standard
elements of such a computer or off the shelf items that are
interfaced to computer 146 via the bus 161.
In comparison, the elements of FIG. 8 correspond by function with
the elements of FIG. 1 as follows: disks 168a-168d to disk 28; disk
controller 166 to data selector 26; processor 160, RAM 158, ROM 157
and the related software to machine reading system 24, and modems
150-156 to modems 22a-22c.
NSF Interactive Mode
FIGS. 9a-9c show another format for a selector sheet 174 for use
with the present invention in any of its modes of operation,
however, this shortened form is necessary, for the mode of
operation discussed below with respect to FIG. 10. Selector sheet
174 contains four constrained data fields 178-184 and a last page
indicator box 176. Fields 178-182 are each for entry of up to a
four digit data retrieval number, and field 182 is provided for the
optional inclusion of the the telephone number of the user's
transceiver 10. As discussed above, when polling is used and FAX
transceiver 10 sends a CSI signal, it is not necessary to include a
number in field 184. Block 176 is included for indicating the last
sheet being transmitted in the mode of operation discussed below in
respect to FIG. 10.
For transceivers that have the NSF (Non Standard Facilities)
capability of CCITT T.30 and turn-around polling, it is possible to
make the FAX transceiver 10/FAX server 20 combination truly
interactive. The NSF mode allows turn-around between FAX
transceiver 10 and FAX server 20 without waiting for the normal
time out period to expire. This process is further accelerated by
using a short form of the selector sheet similar to the on shown in
FIG. 9a. To save even more time, the training between FAX
transceiver 10 and FAX server 20 is overlapped with the image
interpretation functions. After modem training has occurred in each
direction, it can be avoided for each interactive reversal by
recalling the modem parameters for the last transmission.
This arrangement in essence keeps the channel open allowing the
system user to mark the next selector sheet. If the selector sheet
has an end of transmission block 176 which can be marked to
indicate the end of transmission, that can reduce the telephone
connect time. Without an indication of the end of transmission, a
long time-out period, on the order of a minute or two, is needed to
terminate the transmission. The above discussion assumes that a
CCITT V.29 half duplex modem is used for the facsimile
transmission. If a full duplex modem is used the operation can be
further overlapped.
In FIG. 10 a time/function flow chart is shown for the operation of
transceiver 10 and FAX server 20 when the shortened selector sheet
and the NSF function of transceiver 10 is utilized to make this an
interactive data transfer system. Initially the user instructs FAX
transceiver 10 to dial FAX server 20 (block 186) which is
immediately followed by the handshake and training signals (block
188). The user next transmits a first shortened selector sheet like
that of FIG. 9a (block 190), which is received by FAX server 20
(block 192) at substantially the same time. The sample selector
sheet of FIG. 9a shows the user requesting information that is
associated with retrieval number 3027 and has provided the
transceiver telephone number even though that is optional when
polling exists between FAX transceiver 10 and FAX server 20.
Following the transmission of the first selector sheet, transceiver
10 immediately sends the turn-around signal (block 194), then the
modem of FAX server 20 sends the necessary training signals (block
196) to keep the two units interconnected. FAX server 20 then sends
the user the pages that correspond to the data retrieval number
selected by the user. Those pages are received by the user (block
200) and FAX server 20 sends the turn-around signal (block 202).
Since the NSF mode is being utilized, the user has up to a minute
or so to complete the next selector sheet (block 204). The user
then transmits the next completed selector sheet 176 (block 206)
which is received by FAX server 20 (block 208). Immediately after
sending the second selector sheet, transceiver 10 sends the
turn-around signal (block 210). Server FAX 20 then sends the
requested data (block 212), as above, the data is received by the
user (block 214), and FAX server 20 again sends the turn-around
signal (block 216). This procedure continues until the user sends a
selector sheet 174 on which box 176, the last page indicator, is
checked (block 220). FAX server 20 receives that sheet (block 222),
and both FAX transceiver 10 and FAX server 20 then terminate the
transmission (blocks 224 and 226). As a result of the NSF function
many of the various steps of the interaction between FAX
transceiver 10 and FAX server 20 occur at substantially the same
time as illustrated in FIG. 10.
FIGS. 11a-11b are a detailed flow chart of the process of
separating FAX signals from voice/DTMF signalling instructions.
Reference is made to block 110 of FIG. 7a, which is shown in
further detail in blocks 260 and 262. An examination is made
whether a calling tone has been received from block 108 of FIG. 7a
within a three second period (block 260). If so, then it is assumed
to be a signal from an automatic send FAX transceiver. An
acknowledging CED signal is then sent (block 262) to block 112 of
FIG. 7a. Otherwise, the incoming call is assumed to be a voice or
manual FAX call (block 264).
A voice announcement inquires whether voice instructions are
desired (block 264). If so, key 2 on a touch-tone telephone is
pressed, in response, by the user. A DTMF detector (block 266)
detects this request, and this is followed by voice instructions
(block 268) before continuing to block 272. If the user did not
press key 2 when passing through block 264 to ask for instructions,
the user is then asked in block 270 whether he or she is using a
manual FAX transceiver, if so the use is instructed to press key 1.
Upon doing so a CED is transmitted and detected at block 262.
Otherwise control moves to block 272 where the user is asked if
they wish to receive a specific page or pages via FAX transceiver
10.
If key 3 is depressed the DTMF detector detects the request (block
296) and the user is asked to enter the item number of the item
desired (block 288). If the requested number is misentered or not
followed by the appropriate end symbol, the user is given three
more tries to enter the number (blocks 290 and 292) before exiting
the subroutine (block 308). If an appropriate number is entered at
block 288, control proceeds to block 278. The portion of the
operation from this point forward is discussed below.
If key 3 is not depressed the user is asked in block 274 whether
printed instructions are desired, and, if so, a selector sheet is
delivered upon pressing key 4. Upon detection of the key 4 signal
DFMF signal in block 276, a request to ascertain the caller's
telephone number is then made (block 278).
At block 278 the user is asked to enter the telephone number of
their FAX transceiver. The user is given a total of three attempts
to do so (blocks 298 and 300) and upon failing to do so the
subroutine is exited (block 308). If the telephone number is
entered, then control proceeds to block 280.
The user is next instructed to hang up and to await the
transmission of the requested materials (blocks 280, 302, 304 and
306). If the user fails to hang up the telephone after being
instructed twice to do so (block 306) control passes to block
308.
If at block 274 the user did not enter a "4" an opportunity is
presented to call a human operator during normal business hours
(block 282) by pressing key 6, at which time a voice connection is
made to the operator (block 284). If a "6" is not entered in
response to block 282, control transfers to block 296 where the
user is given three chances to make one of the selections from
blocks 264, 270, 272, 274 and 282. If the user fails to make one of
those selections during any of those allotted tries, control
proceeds to EXIT (block 308), as it does upon completion of the
voice call at block 284.
While this invention has been described in terms of several modes
of operation, it is contemplated that persons reading the preceding
descriptions and studying the drawings will realize various
alterations and modifications. It is therefore intended that the
following appended claims be interpreted as including all such
alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and
scope of the present invention.
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