Pc-Based Digital Facsimile Information Distribution System

This paper describes an information distribution system that merges the personal computer (PC) and facsimile technologies to enhance and expand the capabilities of existing stand-alone facsimile machines. The goal is to identify and develop mechanisms to reliably dispatch or receive a page of text or graphical material to or from any place worldwide within one minute. To allow universal compatibility, the system is designed based on the CCITT recommendations for Group 3 fax apparatus. Automated sending and receiving processes are devised in a user-friendly, menu-driven environment to minimize human intervention. The information dispatching mechanism is integrated with existing PC wordprocessors, graphics editors, and image databases. In addition, the system software is implemented at the application layer of an OSI LAN model as a fax server to provide a cost effective solution for information exchange that rivals existing document delivery system.