Method and apparatus for transmitting digital data over an electronic network

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting data, such as class 1, 2, or 3 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.

1 . A facsimile device for transmitting data over a computer network, said facsimile device comprising:
 a control unit for controlling the operation of said facsimile device;   a destination address input device coupled to said control unit for entering a destination address for said data;   a data input device coupled to said control unit for entering said data;   a conversion device coupled to said control unit for converting said data for deliver to a server; and   a transmission device coupled to said control unit for transmitting said converted data to said server.   
     
     
         2 . The facsimile device of  claim 1 , wherein said server includes an electronic mail agent. 
     
     
         3 . The facsimile device of  claim 2 , further including an encryption device coupled to said control unit for encrypting said data prior to delivery to said server. 
     
     
         4 . The facsimile device of  claim 3 , wherein said encryption device includes a public/private key for encrypting said data. 
     
     
         5 . The facsimile device of  claim 2 , wherein said electronic mail agent is a commercial mail agent which cooperates with a mail server that resides on the Internet. 
     
     
         6 . The facsimile device of  claim 2 , wherein said electronic mail agent is a public mail agent and said mail server is a public server. 
     
     
         7 . The facsimile device of  claim 1 , wherein said destination address input device includes a keypad input device for entering said destination address. 
     
     
         8 . The facsimile device of  claim 1 , wherein said conversion device includes means for converting said data to a MIME enabled format. 
     
     
         9 . The facsimile device of  claim 8 , wherein said server includes a MIME enabled electronic mail agent. 
     
     
         10 . The facsimile device of  claim 1 , wherein said data is digital image data. 
     
     
         11 . The facsimile device of  claim 10 , wherein said digital image data is derived from a Group  1 ,  2  or  3  facsimile machine standard. 
     
     
         12 . A facsimile device for receiving data from a server on a computer network, said facsimile device comprising:
 a control unit for controlling the operation of said facsimile device;   a recipient address coupled to said control unit for associating said facsimile device to a predetermined recipient address;   a receiving device coupled to said control unit for receiving said data from said server; and   a conversion device coupled to said control unit for converting said data to a human readable form.   
     
     
         13 . The facsimile device of  claim 12 , wherein said server includes an electronic mail agent. 
     
     
         14 . The facsimile device of  claim 12 , further including a decryption device coupled to said control unit for decrypting said data prior to conversion to human readable form. 
     
     
         15 . The facsimile device of  claim 14 , wherein said decryption device includes a public/private key for decrypting said data. 
     
     
         16 . The facsimile device of  claim 13 , wherein said electronic mail agent is a commercial mail agent which incorporates a mail server that resides on the Internet. 
     
     
         17 . The facsimile device of  claim 13 , wherein said electronic mail agent is a public mail agent and said mail server is a public server. 
     
     
         18 . The facsimile device of  claim 12 , wherein said conversion device includes means for converting said data from a MIME enabled format. 
     
     
         19 . The facsimile device of  claim 18 , wherein said server includes a MIME enabled electronic mail agent. 
     
     
         20 . The facsimile device of  claim 12 , wherein said data is digital image data derived from a Group  1 ,  2  or  3  facsimile machine standard.