Importance

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Abstract

Method and apparatus are provided for delivering hard-copy facsimile documents, the confidential information of which is visibly concealed. In general, the apparatus includes a facsimile message concealing mechanism which cooperates with a facsimile message recording unit to produce secured hard-copy facsimile documents. In one embodiment, the apparatus is the form of a facsimile machine having facsimile transmission and reception capabilities. Facsimile messages to be transmitted are encoded with one or more command codes which are sent with the facsimile message. At a receiving station suitably adapted to the transmission scheme, the command codes are decoded to reveal specific instructions and message data. Using this decoded information, the receiving station executes the transmitted command, such as concealing the recorded facsimile message, to produce a secured hard-copy facsimile document. In an alternative embodiment, a facsimile accessory device is provided which operably associates with conventional facsimile machines, so as to receive ejected facsimile sheets, recognize symbol command codes reproduced thereon, and execute the recognized command, such as concealing confidential information on the recorded facsimile sheets.

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First Claim