Method and apparatus for delivery of digital images over a computer network

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting data, such as class 1, 2, or 13 facsimile image data streams, over Internet Global Area Networks. In one embodiment of the invention related to the transmission of facsimile data, a first device converts local facsimile image data streams into electronic data streams, transmits the data stream over the network, to a second device at the remote facsimile machine which reconverts the electronic data to facsimile image data and prints it out on said remote facsimile machine.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for sending and receiving digital image data from a computer network, wherein said digital image data carries an electronic destination address and is transported over said computer network in accordance with standard network transmission protocols, said apparatus comprising: 
 network interface means for coupling said apparatus to said computer network;    apparatus address means for storing a unique electronic apparatus address for said apparatus;    signal recognition means for determining receive status information;    address receiver means coupled to said network interface means for receiving said electronic destination address;    address comparison means coupled to said apparatus address means and to said address receiver means for comparing said electronic destination address to said unique apparatus address and providing a match signal when said two addresses are the same;    digital image data receiver means coupled to said network interface means, said address comparison means and to said signal recognition means for receiving said digital image data when said match signal is provided.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further including encryption means connected to said conversion means and said electronic mail agent for selectively encoding/decoding said converted electronic mail data.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further including a public/private key encryption means connected to said conversion means and said electronic mail agent for selectively encoding/decoding said converted electronic mail date.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further including a public/private key encryption means which specifically utilizes the Rijndael encryption/decryption algorithms connected to said conversion means and said electronic mail agent for selectively encoding/decoding said converted electronic mail data.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further including a secret key encryption means connected to said conversion means and said electronic mail agent for selectively encoding/decoding said converted electronic mail data.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further including a secret key encryption means which specifically utilizes encryption/decryption algorithms derived from Vernam ciphers connected to said conversion means and said electronic mail agent for selectively encoding/decoding said converted electronic mail data.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  further including a public/private two key encryption/decryption means together with means for accessing and retrieving a public key from a private address book.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said electronic mail agent is a commercial mail agent and said mail server resident on the internet global area networks is a commercial server for said agent.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said electronic mail agent is a public mail agent and said mail server resident on the internet global area network is a public server.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said output means includes store/dial/connect circuitry to operatively connect the apparatus via said mail server resident on the internet global area network to a remote mail agent connected via a remote mail server to said Internet Global Area Network.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said electronic management means includes a keypad input device having at least send/receive functions; fax and e-mail address functions; and mail server, private address book, and fax machine query functions for commanding operation of said apparatus.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  further including an RJ 11 input terminal connected to said signal recognition means for operatively connecting said apparatus to a class 1, 2, or 3 facsimile machine standard output terminal.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  further including an RJ 11 output terminal connected to said output means for operatively connecting said apparatus via a POTS line to said mail server resident on the internet global area networks.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said apparatus is powered by a separate DC voltage power supply operatively connected thereto and adapted to be connected to a standard commercial AC power source.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said conversion means includes electronic means for attaching/detaching native facsimile images to the electronic mail format data created by said conversion means for transmission/reception over the internet global area networks.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said electronic means includes e-mail extender MIME protocol.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said electronic means includes direct e-mail Ip addressing.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein said direct e-mail IP addressing is a standard unique IP address on the internet global area networks.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein said direct e-mail IP addressing is a pseudo IP address on the internet global area networks.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said unique apparatus address is derived from the information embedded in the hardware of the apparatus.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said unique apparatus address is derived from the information obtained from a global positioning satellite network connected to the hardware of the apparatus.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said unique apparatus address is derived from the information obtained from biometric input connected to the hardware of the apparatus.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said unique apparatus address is derived from the information obtained from behavioral input patterns connected to the hardware of the apparatus.