Importance

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Abstract

A fax machine works as a fax machine, and is capable of sending and receiving image data by email. In addition to a fax type scanner and fax type printer, the device includes an alphanumeric keyboard, a processor and a memory. The device is configured as a customer for an internet service provider, with its own email address, i.e., a user name and password. The device includes an internet type modem that is set up for calling either another fax machine or a customer number of the provider. The user enters in the keyboard either the telephone number of the other fax machine, or the email address of the addressee. The processor determines which one is entered by examining the entry for the '169' character of an email address. If it is a regular fax transmission, the other fax machine is dialed, and the document is scanned and transmitted. If it is an email transmission, the document is stored, converted into an internet type graphics file, and then emailed as an attachment to the email address through the internet service provider. The email is received by a human email user who can view the file in a screen of a personal computer without needing a fax machine. Alternately the email is received by another fax machine of the invention, which stores it, converts it to fax type data, and then prints it as if receiving a regular fax transmission.

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First Claim