San Jose-based Centigram Communications has a facasimile store-and-forward application on its audio information processing system. FaxMemo enables users to store and forward fax documents, in the same way as speech messages are handled. A mnemonic voice prompts guide the caller through each action, from facsimile send and retrieve to more complex functions. After reaching a mailbox, the caller is given several options including leaving a fax message or fax message with spoken annotation. The caller then sends a fax and the document is stored in the user’s mailbox. To retrieve stored messages and faxes, the user calls the mailbox, enters a passcode and simply presses the telephone keypad to play stored messages. When the software detects a fax annotated with a spoken message, the system informs the user that it is a fax message, and plays any spoken message accompanying the fax. After playing the voice message, the system lists fax delivery options. It can be delivered to a previously selected default fax number or to any fax number input by the user. The user can retrieve the fax at any machine in the world, forward the stored document to another fax machine or mailbox or simply store the fax for later retrieval. Fax messages can also be forwarded to other mailboxes. The FaxMemo application runs at the same time as Centigram’s voice processing applications and on the same machine, requiring a software upgrade only. No price given.
