Inter-modal messaging communication is described. In one embodiment, a method of communication includes receiving an electronic mail message to be distributed and determining whether the electronic mail message is a multi-modal distribution message. Respective portions of the message may be separated for each mode of distribution. The separated portions may represent portions to be delivered by SMS messaging and facsimile, for example. The method further includes the steps of transmitting a short message comprising the short message portion of the mail message and establishing a conversation comprising conversation attributes. The conversation attributes are referenced, in certain aspects, to maintain a conversation between an originator of the received electronic mail message and a distribution address of short message portion of the mail message. For example, upon receipt of a short message in reply, the short message may be forwarded to an originator of the conversation.

A facsimile apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether a transmission destination is a gateway that uses a protocol for performing fax communication in real time on the IP network, and a control unit configured to perform control, if the determination unit determines that the transmission destination is a gateway apparatus, to transmit a packet of a smaller size and add a smaller number of redundant packets compared to when the transmission destination is not a gateway apparatus.

The present invention provides systems and methods for the virtualization, aggregation, and distributed processing of facsimile communications. The Remote FAX Interconnect known as etherFAX is a system and method that allows for the reception and delivery of information based on cloud computing infrastructure to or from one or more facsimile systems using Internet/web based communication protocols such as HTTP(S) as the transport between a facsimile capable application or hardware and the remotely accessible etherFAX services.

A method for converting a facsimile includes receiving the facsimile via the public-switched telephone network, generating an enhanced portable document format (EPDF) file that includes information in addition to image information and communicating the EPDF file to an e-mail server. The EPDF file can then be communicated as an attachment to an e-mail message addressed to the intended recipient of the facsimile. A facsimile processing system includes a public-switched telephone network interface, a packet-switched network interface, a mail transfer protocol server, an input agent, a job processor and a translator. The input agent identifies and forwards the incoming facsimile to the job processor. The job processor determines when an EPDF file is desired and communicates appropriate instructions to the translator. The translator generates the EPDF file in response to the instructions and the image information from the facsimile. The translator integrates signatures and repositionable notes in outbound facsimiles.

Embodiments of systems and methods for the sending, delivery and receiving of faxes according to particular protocols are disclosed. Certain embodiments may receive a fax from a sender and determine if the ability exists to send the fax over a computer based network according to a particular protocol. If there is no destination associated with the fax number for the protocol the fax may be sent according to the fax number. If, however, there is a destination for the protocol associated with the fax number an attempt is made to send the fax to the destination according to the protocol.

Embodiments of systems and methods for the sending, delivery and receiving of faxes are disclosed herein. In particular, certain embodiments include a fax connector that may be deployed at a user's site, and a faxing system that may be deployed remotely from the user's site. The fax connector can be accessed at the user's site over a computer based network in order to perform functions associated with faxing, including sending, receiving and obtaining status on faxes. The fax connector deployed at the user's site communicates with the remotely deployed faxing system to send, receive, obtain status on, or perform other functions associated with, faxing.

Embodiments of systems and methods for the sending, delivery and receiving of faxes are disclosed herein. In particular, certain embodiments include a fax connector that may be deployed at a user's site, and a faxing system that may be deployed remotely from the user's site. The fax connector can be accessed at the user's site over a computer based network in order to perform functions associated with faxing, including sending, receiving and obtaining status on faxes. The fax connector deployed at the user's site communicates with the remotely deployed faxing system to send, receive, obtain status on, or perform other functions associated with, faxing.

An image forming apparatus includes a processor configured to form an image, transmit the image to a server that generates a processed image of the image by executing a designated image process on the image and is on an outside of a firewall, and, in a case where the image includes designation information designating the processed image to be transmitted to an instructed transmission destination via a fax line, request an alternative apparatus to fax-transmit the processed image to the transmission destination, the alternative apparatus being on an inside of the firewall together and having a fax function.

An information processing apparatus communicates with a fax apparatus and provides a chat service. The information processing apparatus includes an acceptance unit that accepts an execution instruction on a channel of the chat service from a user and a transmission unit that transmits, based on acceptance of the execution instruction by the acceptance unit, to the fax apparatus, an instruction for the fax apparatus to transmit image data uploaded to the channel of the chat service to a transmission destination and the image data.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform an information processing method. Setting destination information which indicates a destination of fax transmission. Converting a first code into a second code indicating an instruction in a fax transmission function of an image forming apparatus when the destination information includes the first code. Transmitting the destination information to the image forming apparatus, the destination information including the second code.