Information retrievel arrangement including facsimile apparatus

A facsimile machine comprising

• means for dialing a communication connection to a remote data base system,
• means responsive to a user input for enabling an interactive operating mode at said facsimile machine and for sending an enable signal, said enable signal not including any facsimile encoded data, over said connection to enable an interactive operating mode at said system, which outputs a preselected facsimile message to said facsimile machine during said connection and which enables said user at said facsimile machine to make multiple separate information requests to said system during said connection and to receive a separate facsimile message from said system in response to each of such requests.

A facsimile machine comprising

• means for dialing a communication connection to a remote data base system over a communication facility, and
• means operable by a user for sending an enable signal during said communication connection to said system requesting a receipt of a facsimile message therefrom listing a menu of services available from said system and data required by said user at said facsimile machine to activate such services of said remote data base system during said communication connection, said enable signal not including any facsimile encoded data.

A method of operating a data base system comprising the steps of

• establishing an interactive operating mode in response to a receipt of an enable signal received over a communication connection from a remote facsimile apparatus, said enable signal not including any facsimile encoded data,
• outputting a preselected facsimile message to said remote facsimile apparatus upon receipt of said enable signal during said communication connection, and
• selecting information for output to said remote facsimile apparatus, as one or more additional facsimile messages, using a request signal received over said connection following the establishment of said interactive operating mode.

A method of operating a facsimile machine during a communication connection to a remote facsimile message distribution system, comprising the steps of

• sending an enable signal over an established connection to enable an interactive operating mode at said system, which automatically outputs a preselected facsimile message over said connection to said facsimile machine, said enable signal not including any facsimile encoded data,
• in response to said preselected facsimile message received from said system, transmitting an information request signal to said system using data received in said facsimile message, and
• receiving additional information as one or more additional facsimile messages from said system.