Network distributed fax device

摘要

An embodiment of the present invention includes a fax communication system for communicating fax information transmitted from a sending fax device to a fax recipient through a packet switching network. The sending fax device includes a data pump for modulating and demodulating fax information and a protocol subsystem for encoding and decoding the modulated fax information. The fax sending fax device modulates the fax information prior to transmission thereof. At least one access server is coupled between the sending fax device and the fax recipient and within the packet switching network At least one of the access servers receives modulated fax information from the sending fax device and demodulates the received fax information. The fax relay server is responsive to the demodulated fax information and operative to decode the received demodulated fax information for transmission thereof to the fax recipient, wherein the at least one access server and fax relay server function as a network distributed fax device allowing for expansion of fax functionality throughout the network while preserving the reliability and robustness of the network.