Apparatus and method for transmitting facsimile data

A method for transmitting data in real-time over a digital data network, or an analog network, wherein the facsimile data is sent as data packets on the digital data network, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) monitoring a number in an area being dialed by a facsimile device;
• b) determining whether the number is a long distance number and whether the area is being serviced by the digital data network;
• and
• c) receiving facsimile data in an interface by which a user gains access to the digital data network, said interface including a first POP (point-of presence) and a second POP, wherein said first POP sends said data packets to said second POP over the digital data network,
• wherein in step (b), when a destination facsimile number is dialed, the number is read to determine if the number can be accessed, and if the destination facsimile number cannot be accessed, the facsimile transmission is sent over the analog network using a G3 protocol, and if the destination facsimile number can be accessed, then the facsimile data is sent to the first POP which is accessed via a local telephone call over a standard telephone line.

A facsimile system for transmitting data in real-time over a standard digital data network, or an analog network, wherein the facsimile data is sent in data packets on the digital data network, said facsimile system comprising:

• a monitoring and determining unit for monitoring a number in an area being dialed by a facsimile device, and determining whether said number is one of a local number, an intra-lata number, an inter-lata number and a long distance number, and for determining whether the area is being serviced by the digital data network;
• and
• a receiving and processing unit for receiving facsimile data from said first means, said receiving and processing unit being an interface by which a user gains access to the digital data network,
• wherein said receiving and processing unit includes processors connected via Local Area Networks (LANs) to control communication between facsimile modems,
• wherein said receiving and processing unit includes a first POP (point-of presence) and a second POP, and wherein said monitoring and determining unit is connected between the facsimile device and a phone jack, and wherein when a destination facsimile number is dialed, said monitoring and determining unit reads in the number and determines if the number can be accessed by said receiving and processing unit, and if the destination facsimile number cannot be accessed by said receiving and processing unit, the facsimile transmission is sent over the analog network using a standard G3 protocol, and if the destination facsimile number can be accessed by said receiving and processing unit, said monitoring and determining unit sends the facsimile data to the first POP which is accessed via a local telephone call over a standard telephone line.

A facsimile system for transmitting data in real-time over a standard digital data network, or an analog network, wherein the facsimile data is sent in data packets on the digital data network, said facsimile system comprising:

• a monitoring and determining unit for monitoring a number in an area being dialed by a facsimile device, and determining whether said number is one of a local number and a long distance number, and for determining whether the area is being serviced by the digital data network;
• and
• a receiving and processing unit for receiving facsimile data from said first means, said receiving and processing unit being an interface by which a user gains access to the digital data network,
• wherein said receiving and processing unit includes processors connected via Local Area Networks (LANs) to control communication between facsimile modems,
• wherein said receiving and processing unit includes a first POP (point-of presence) and a second POP, and wherein said monitoring and determining unit is connected between the facsimile device and a phone jack, and wherein when a destination facsimile number is dialed, said monitoring and determining unit reads in the number and determines if the number can be accessed by said receiving and processing unit, and if the destination facsimile number cannot be accessed by said receiving and processing unit, the facsimile transmission is sent over the analog network using a standard G3 protocol, and if the destination facsimile number can be accessed by said receiving and processing unit, said monitoring and determining unit sends the facsimile data to the first POP which is accessed via a local telephone call over a standard telephone line.