Facsimile distribution manager

Abstract

A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for electronically distributing facsimile messages directly to users according to recipient preferences. The method comprises the steps of receiving a message from a transmitting facsimile via a telephone network, automatically parsing the message to extract a recipient direct dial telephone number from the message, receiving a fax payload from the transmitting facsimile in a fax server, determining an e-mail address and at least one recipient fax preference from the direct dial telephone number, processing the fax payload in the fax server according to the recipient fax preference, and directing the processed fax message according to the recipient fax preference. In one embodiment of the present invention, method further comprises the steps of reading a grayscale transform from a memory accessible to the fax server, and applying the grayscale transform to the fax payload. This allows the facsimile to be presented to the user with improved grayscale rendering accuracy. In another embodiment of the present invention, recipient's direct dial telephone number is extracted using the direct inward dial facility of a facsimile card, thus providing a simple straightforward means for determining the identity of the intended recipient. In another embodiment of the present invention, the e-mail address of the intended recipient is obtained from an address lookup facility of a messaging and collaboration application. The apparatus comprises means for performing the foregoing steps, and the article of manufacture comprises a program storage device tangibly embodying instructions for performing these steps.