Method and system are described for fax transmission distribution by an online fax service provider. In one embodiment, an electronic document is received, over a computer network, to be routed to a fax telephone number. A request is transmitted to an online database to determine whether the fax telephone number is registered to not receive incoming fax transmissions over a circuit-switched network. In response to determining that the fax telephone number is registered, the electronic document is transmitted to a destination address. In response to determining that the fax telephone number is not registered, an outgoing call is placed to the fax telephone number and the electronic document is transmitted in a fax format over the outgoing call.

Method and system are described for fax transmission distribution by an online fax service provider. In one embodiment, an electronic document is received, over a computer network, to be routed to a fax telephone number. A request is transmitted to an online database to determine whether the fax telephone number is registered to not receive incoming fax transmissions over a circuit-switched network. In response to determining that the fax telephone number is registered, the electronic document is transmitted to a destination address. In response to determining that the fax telephone number is not registered, an outgoing call is placed to the fax telephone number and the electronic document is transmitted in a fax format over the outgoing call.

Methods and system are described for fax transmission distribution. In one embodiment, the electronic message receives, over a circuit-switched network, an incoming call signal that identifies a fax telephone number as an outbound address, where the fax telephone number is uniquely and permanently associated to a user. The device receives an incoming fax transmission associated with the incoming call signal, where the incoming fax transmission includes a fax message in a fax suitable format, where the fax message is associated with the user. The device transmits, over a computer network, an electronic message that includes the fax message and the fax telephone number to a destination address based on the fax telephone number.

Methods and systems are described for distributing and receiving fax transmissions via a data connection that is owned by a service provider. In one embodiment, a fax server receives a signaling protocol invite from a telephone service provider in response to the telephone service provider receiving, over a circuit switched network and from a source device, an incoming call signal to a fax telephone number of the service provider. The server responds to the invite by establishing a data connection based on the signaling protocol with the telephone service provider, where the data connection is owned by the service provider. The server receives an incoming fax message that is in a fax format and is routed by the telephone service provider as the source device transmits the incoming fax message. The server transmits the fax message to a destination address.

Methods and systems are described for distributing and receiving fax transmissions via a data connection that is owned by a service provider. In one embodiment, a fax server receives a signaling protocol invite from a telephone service provider in response to the telephone service provider receiving, over a circuit switched network and from a source device, an incoming call signal to a fax telephone number of the service provider. The server responds to the invite by establishing a data connection based on the signaling protocol with the telephone service provider, where the data connection is owned by the service provider. The server receives an incoming fax message that is in a fax format and is routed by the telephone service provider as the source device transmits the incoming fax message. The server transmits the fax message to a destination address.

Methods and system are described for special processing of fax transmissions. In one embodiment, an electronic device receives a first searchable electronic document and a fax telephone number. The device determines that the document is to be transmitted as an electronic message based on the number. The device generates a second searchable electronic document from the first document. The device adds an electronic signature to the second document that includes at least one of a timestamp of when the first document was received, a number of pages of the second document, and source device information. The device transmits the electronic message that includes the second document to a destination address according to the number. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Method and system are described for fax transmission distribution by an online fax service provider. In one embodiment, an electronic document is received, over a computer network, to be routed to a fax telephone number. A request is transmitted to an online database to determine whether the fax telephone number is registered to not receive incoming fax transmissions over a circuit-switched network. In response to determining that the fax telephone number is registered, the electronic document is transmitted to a destination address. In response to determining that the fax telephone number is not registered, an outgoing call is placed to the fax telephone number and the electronic document is transmitted in a fax format over the outgoing call.

Methods and system are described for special processing of fax transmissions. In one embodiment, an electronic device receives a first searchable electronic document and a fax telephone number. The device determines that the document is to be transmitted as an electronic message based on the number. The device generates a second searchable electronic document from the first document. The device adds an electronic signature to the second document that includes at least one of a timestamp of when the first document was received, a number of pages of the second document, and source device information. The device transmits the electronic message that includes the second document to a destination address according to the number. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

An image communication apparatus, to communicate with a telephone set, includes a first control unit, a detection unit, a generation unit, and a second control unit. The first control unit controls the image communication apparatus. The detection unit detects an occurrence of a telephone set off-hook state. The generation unit generates a pseudo-CI signal for ringing the telephone set or an intermittent off-hook voltage to be supplied to the detection unit. The telephone set is connected to a communication line or the generation unit. The second control unit controls the generation unit. Where the telephone set is controlled to wait for a call without being allowed to ring in a power-saving state, the telephone set is connected to the generation unit and placed in the power-saving state. In the power-saving state, the second control unit controls the generation unit to supply a generated intermittent off-hook voltage to the detection unit.

The facsimile apparatus of the present invention, and the method of controlling the same, switches a connection between a telephone device and a telephone line between connected and cut off, has a power supply for supplying power to the telephone device, and, in a state where the telephone device and the telephone line are connected and supply of power from the power supply to the telephone device is stopped, in a case that an off-hook of the telephone device is detected by a detection unit for detecting an off-hook and an on-hook of the telephone device, controls to start supply of power from the power supply to the telephone device.