Method and apparatus for sending and receiving multimedia messages

Abstract

A multimedia message handling apparatus comprises a keyboard for inputting text information, a microphone for inputting voice information, a scanner for inputting image information, and binary means for inputting binary information. A processor is provided for mixing at least two of text information, voice information, image information, binary information and OLE information to generate a multimedia message in which the different types of information are separately identifiable. A memory stores the generated multimedia message. The multimedia message handling apparatus further includes a facsimile interface for sending and receiving image information through a telephone interface, a voice synthesizer/digitizer for sending and receiving voice information through the telephone interface, a modem for sending and receiving image information, text information, voice information and binary information through the telephone interface, and a network control unit for selectively connecting the telephone interface to the facsimile interface, the voice synthesizer/digitizer, or the modem in accordance with message characteristics on the telephone interface. Multimedia messages received by the apparatus are stored in the memory where they may be viewed or otherwise processed.