Communications device with remote device identifier recognition and transmission in accordance with the recognized identifier

A communications device comprising:

• first means for entry of communication commands including destination information which identifies a remote communications device;
• data transmission means for transmitting data in accordance with a facsimile transmission protocol and an electronic mail protocol;
• transmission information input means for receiving information to be transmitted to said remote communications device;
• and
• means for identifying said destination information as corresponding to a telephone number or an electronic mail address and for transmitting said information to be transmitted to said remote communications device in accordance with a facsimile transmission protocol if said destination information corresponds to a telephone number and for transmitting said information to be transmitted to said remote communications device in accordance with an electronic mail protocol if said destination information corresponds to an electronic mail address.

A communications device operable to transmit and receive data in accordance with a facsimile protocol and an electronic mail protocol, comprising, in a single housing:

• remote device identification means for accepting a destination identifier which identifies a remote communications device;
• means responsive to said destination identifier being in the form of a telephone number for causing transmission of information contained on a paper input medium in accordance with a facsimile protocol;
• means, responsive to said destination identifier being in the form of an electronic mail address for causing transmission of said information contained on said paper input medium in accordance with an electronic mail protocol;
• and
• retrieval means, responsive to a retrieve command for initiating communication with a remote electronic mailbox, identified by a destination identifier entered via said remote device identification means, for causing transmission of electronic mail stored in said remote electronic mailbox to said communications device.