Abstract:
A method of handling faxes by a fax machine is provided. The method includes generating user-configured rules, each user-configured rule including a corresponding fax job condition and an associated fax machine action to be performed if the corresponding fax job condition is met. The method also includes generating a user-configured policy for handling faxes in a fax job including the user selecting the user-configured rules to be applied when the user-configured policy is applied and the user ranking the user-configured rules from a highest rank to a lowest rank. The method also includes a fax machine receiving a fax job and applying the user-configured policy to the fax job by applying the user-configured rules in an order of application from the highest ranked rule to the lowest ranked rule.
Abstract:
A spam fax filter which has been configured in accordance with the present invention can include a fax transformation processor configured to transform rasterized fax images into non-rasterized representations of fax images. The spam fax filter further can include a knowledge base of known spam characteristics. Finally, the spam fax filter can include a comparator configured to compare non-rasterized representations of fax images produced by the fax transformation processor to the characteristics in the knowledge base to detect spam fax in the spam fax filter.
Abstract:
In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for a user programmable facsimile (fax) machine to screen unwanted transmission, includes: a programmable facsimile (fax) machine configured to receive a programmable code; and a transmitting fax machine configured to send a destination phone number associated with the programmable fax machine across a network; wherein the programmable fax machine establishes communication with the transmitting fax machine if the transmitting fax machine sends the destination phone number across the network and accepts fax data from the transmitting fax machine if the transmitting fax machine sends a code that matches the programmable code. In another embodiment, a method for a user programmable facsimile (fax) machine to screen unwanted transmission, includes: providing, by a destination user, a programmable code to a programmable facsimile (fax) machine; sending, by a transmitting fax machine, a destination phone number associated with the programmable fax machine across a network; and accepting, by the programmable fax machine, fax data from the transmitting fax machine if the transmitting fax machine sends a code that matches the programmable code.
Abstract:
A network facsimile includes a facsimile function of communicating with a facsimile via a public network and an electronic mail transmission function of transmitting electronic mail containing an image in a prescribed format to a transmission destination connected a local or wide area network. An electronic mail address memory stores an electronic mail address of a transmission destination when the network facsimile transmits an electronic mail to the transmission destination. An electronic mail information storing device stores at least electric mail information when the network facsimile receives the electronic mail information. Also included is an electronic mail scrap determination device configured to determine if an electric mail sent from any one of the transmission destinations is to be scrapped when one of an electric mail address and a domain assigned to the electric mail has not been stored in the electronic mail address memory. An electronic mail scrapping device scraps an electronic mail stored in the electronic mail storing device in accordance with the determination of the electronic mail scrap determination device.
Abstract:
A system and methods for discouraging unwanted electronic communications requires a communication sender who is not recognized by the intended recipient, or who is not approved by the intended recipient, to a post a bond to accompany the communication. Adaptable to eliminating spam, unwanted faxes, unwanted telephone calls, etc., the system and method forces the money associated with the bond to be forfeited if the communication is rejected or deemed undesirable by the recipient. To prevent financially motivated abuse on the part of recipients, the preferred embodiment forfeits the bond money in favor of a third party such as a charity or governmental entity, to which the recipient has no legal obligation. A further safeguard against recipient abuse gives senders a predetermined number of unsolicited communications to send to system subscribers, after which bonds are required to send unapproved communications.
Abstract:
An Internet facsimile apparatus includes an interface accepting remote commands sent by e-mail, a processor permitting or rejecting the remote commands based on a domain name or an e-mail address associated with the remote commands, and a processor executing the remote commands.
Abstract:
A spam fax filter which has been configured in accordance with the present invention can include a fax transformation processor configured to transform rasterized fax images into non-rasterized representations of fax images. The spam fax filter further can include a knowledge base of known spam characteristics. Finally, the spam fax filter can include a comparator configured to compare non-rasterized representations of fax images produced by the fax transformation processor to the characteristics in the knowledge base to detect spam fax in the spam fax filter.
Abstract:
Provided are a fax data transmission controller, a fax server, a fax system, and a method of providing the fax system. The fax data transmission controller can store fax data received via a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and transmit the stored fax data to a fax server, to a facsimile, or to a user computer. The fax server can filter fax data that is received or to be transmitted, and perform authentication on the content of the fax data.