Method and apparatus for automated facsimile message confirmation

A shared facsimile reception system, comprising:

• a computer configured to receive, from a single telephone connection, a plurality of facsimile messages, each destined for a different one of a number of users of the shared facsimile reception system and further configured to provide a confirmation message of a reception by a user to the sources of the facsimile messages by one or more methodologies including via e-mall, wherein such confirmation message is transmitted by one or more methodologies including via e-mail and comprises a computer network address of a storage location associated with at least a first facsimile message and comprising at least the first facsimile message.

A subscriber-based facsimile reception system, comprising a facsimile reception station configured to receive facsimile messages for a number of subscribers from a single telephone connection and to confirm, through one or more methodologies including email, successful reception by intended recipients thereof by way of a confirmation message to a sender of each of said facsimile messages, each confirmation message including a computer network address at which information associated with the facsimile message can be accessed.

A method comprising:

• determining that a facsimile message has been successfully received by an intended recipient of the facsimile message;
• and
• notifying a sender of the facsimile message that the facsimile message has been successfully received, by sending a confirmation message to the sender at a communication address associated with a source of the facsimile message, including transmitting the confirmation message via e-mail, wherein the confirmation message includes a computer network address of a location at which information associated with the facsimile message can be accessed.

A method comprising:

• determining that a facsimile message has been successfully received by an intended recipient of the facsimile message;
• and
• notifying a sender of the facsimile message that the facsimile message has been successfully received by the intended recipient, by sending a confirmation message to the sender at a communication address associated with a source of the facsimile message, wherein the communication address is specified by the intended recipient of the facsimile message.

A method comprising:

• determining that a facsimile message has been successfully received by an intended recipient of the facsimile message;
• and
• notifying a sender of the facsimile message that the facsimile message has been successfully received by the intended recipient, by sending a confirmation message to the sender at a communication address associated with a source of the facsimile message, wherein said notifying includes automatically determining the communication address in response to an indication by the intended recipient that the confirmation message is to be sent.