Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for distributing image data borne on a selected one of a plurality of documents in response to a data request message identifying said selected one document. The data request message is transmitted by a data requestor over a transmission medium, e.g., typical telephone lines, to the distributing apparatus. The distributing apparatus comprises an addressable memory for storing the plurality of documents. A processing circuit, e.g., a voice board, receives said data request message over the transmission medium and provides address signals corresponding to the selected one document to the memory to read out document image signals therefrom corresponding to the selected one document. A further processing circuit, e.g., a fax board, is connected to the to receive the document image signals for generating and transmitting over the transmission medium to the data requestor a return message bearing image data of the selected one document. The distributing apparatus is connected to the transmission medium by a circuit, which responds to the presence of the data request message on the transmission medium to seize the transmission medium continuously during the operation of both processing circuits, wheeby the return message may be transmitted to the data requestor over the same transmission medium as transmitted the request message to the distributing apparatus.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim