Facsimile store and forward system with local interface translating DTMF signals into store and forward system commands

A facsimile communication method utilizing an interface device coupled to a local facsimile machine through a first telephone line and selectively coupled to a remotely located facsimile store and forward facility through a second telephone line and a public switched telephone network, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving user-generated dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals at the interface device, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device correspond to a request to communicate facsimile information to a remotely located destination facsimile machine identified by a destination telephone number regardless of initial availability of the remotely located destination facsimile machine;
• translating the DTMF signals at the interface device into at least one facility command of a plurality of available facility commands for the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• dialing the destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device;
• connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device;
• monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for call progress signals;
• disconnecting the second telephone line from the first telephone line to hang-up the second telephone line in response to any result other than a timely answer on the second telephone line;
• supplying telephone line power from the interface device only to the first telephone line in quick response to disconnection of the second telephone line;
• calling the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device over the second telephone line;
• transmitting the facility command from the interface device to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• receiving the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• analyzing the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to identify the facility command among the plurality of available facility commands;
• and
• executing the facility command to complete the facsimile communication method.

A facsimile communication method utilizing an interface device coupled to a local facsimile machine through a first telephone line and selectively coupled to a remotely located facsimile store and forward facility through a second telephone line and a public switched telephone network, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving user-generated dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals at the interface device, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device correspond to a request to communicate facsimile information to a remotely located destination facsimile machine identified by a destination telephone number regardless of initial availability of the remotely located destination facsimile machine;
• translating the DTMF signals at the interface device into at least one facility command of a plurality of available facility commands for the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• calling the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device over the second telephone line;
• transmitting the facility command from the interface device to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• receiving the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• analyzing the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to identify the facility command among the plurality of available facility commands;
• and
• executing the facility command to complete the facsimile communication method, wherein the executing step includes;
• generating a connect/hold command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• transmitting the connect/hold command to the interface device;
• receiving the connect/hold command at the interface device;
• connecting the first telephone line to the second telephone line at the interface device;
• receiving facsimile information from the local facsimile machine at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• storing the facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• monitoring the connected second telephone line at the interface device for concluding handshaking signals;
• and
• supplying load from the interface device to the second telephone line in response to detecting the concluding handshaking signals.

A facsimile communication method utilizing an interface device coupled to a local facsimile machine through a first telephone line and selectively coupled to a remotely located facsimile store and forward facility through a second telephone line and a public switched telephone network, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving user-generated dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals at the interface device, wherein the DTMF signals received by the interface device correspond to a request to communicate facsimile information to a remotely located destination facsimile machine identified by a destination telephone number regardless of initial availability of the remotely located destination facsimile machine;
• translating the DTMF signals at the interface device into at least one facility command of a plurality of available facility commands for the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• calling the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility from the interface device over the second telephone line;
• transmitting the facility command from the interface device to the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• receiving the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• analyzing the facility command at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to identify the facility command among the plurality of available facility commands;
• and
• executing the facility command to complete the facsimile communication method, wherein the executing step includes:
• receiving facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility through interface device;
• storing the facsimile information at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility;
• commanding the interface device from the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to dial the destination telephone number to establish a connection on the second telephone line between the interface device and the remotely located destination facsimile machine;
• instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to suspend the connection between the interface device and the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility on the second telephone line;
• dialing the destination telephone number over the second telephone line from the interface device to establish the connection on the second telephone line between the interface device and a remotely located destination facsimile machine;
• instructing the public switched telephone network from the interface device to connect the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the remotely located destination facsimile machine;
• transmitting facsimile information stored at the remotely located facsimile store and forward facility to the remotely located destination facsimile machine.