Receipt and notification of messasges with image data

Abstract

A method and system is provided for receiving a message containing image data and sending a message to notify of the receipt of the message. The system may have a plurality of access devices which are coupled to each other over a network such as the Internet. These access devices may include computers, workstations, and the like. Upon receipt of a message containing image data, such as facsimile data, a notification of the message may be sent to a recipient, such as a message in the form of an email message or a paging message. The system may be configured based on the specifications of the caller and/or the recipient.

1 . A method for receiving a message with image data and sending a notification message comprising:
 receiving a message at an access device from a network, said message comprising image data;   receiving sender/receiver information associated with said message at said access device from said network;   storing said image data in a storage device coupled to said access device;   processing said sender/receiver information; and   sending a notification based on said step of processing containing information related to said message.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said step of processing comprises selecting an email address; and   wherein said step of sending comprises sending an email message to said email address.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said email address is specified by a recipient. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said image data comprises facsimile data. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein said step of processing comprises selecting a paging address; and   wherein said step of sending comprises sending a paging message to said paging address.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said paging message is delivered using part of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said paging address is specified by a sender. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said image data comprises facsimile data. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sender/receiver information comprises a telephone number associated with a recipient of said message. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said steps of receiving utilize a TCP/IP-based communication protocol. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said network includes part of the Internet. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of sending utilizes a TCP/IP-based communication protocol. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said network includes part of the Internet. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said steps of receiving and said step of sending utilize a TCP/IP-based communication protocol. 
     
     
         15 . A system for receiving a message with image data and sending a notification message comprising:
 an access device that receives a message and sender/receiver information from a network, said message comprising image data;   a storage device coupled to said access device that stores said image data;   wherein said access device processes said sender/receiver information and sends a notification containing information related to said message.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said access device selects an email address based on said processing of said sender/receiver information and sends an email message to said email address. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said email address is specified by a recipient. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said image data comprises facsimile data. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said access device selects a paging address based on said processing of said sender/receiver information and sends a paging message to said paging address. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said paging message is delivered using part of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said paging address is specified by a sender. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said image data comprises facsimile data. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said sender/receiver information comprises a telephone number associated with a recipient of said message. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said receiving of said message and sender/receiver information utilizes a TCP/IP-based communication protocol. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein said network includes part of the Internet. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said sending of said notification utilizes a TCP/IP-based communication protocol. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein said network includes part of the Internet. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said receiving of said message and sender/receiver information and said sending of said notification utilize a TCP/IP-based communication protocol.