In summary, transport of information from the source fax machine to the destination fax machine using the S&F network requires three distinct steps: (Note again that, depending upon their proximity, the destination fax machine 70 and the destination network node 40 may be served by the same or different local exchanges.) At this point, the destination node 40 dials the destination fax number to its local exchange 36 which in turn transfers the call via the PSTN to the destination fax machine 70. (Note that, depending upon their proximity, the source fax machine 10 and the source network node 20 may be served by the same or different local exchanges.) Once it has completely received the document, the source node 20 transfers it to the destination network node 40 over dedicated circuit 60. The local exchange 32 then routes the call through the PSTN to the source node. In contrast, if the number is one serviced by the S&F network, the autodialer dials the telephone number corresponding to that of the source network node 20. If for example the destination of the incoming fax is not one serviced by the S&F network, then the autodialer dials the destination fax number directly to the local exchange 32 the call is then carried in a normal fashion by the PSTN 30 to the destination fax machine 70. An autodialer 12, positioned between the source fax machine and PSTN 30, designates incoming faxes for transmission over either the PSTN 30 or S&F network 80. 1 shows schematically PSTN 30 and S&F network 80 connected in parallel between a source fax machine 10 and a destination fax machine 70. In general, S&F networks operate parallel to, and are accessed by, the PSTN. As a mechanism to carry information over long distances, store-and-forward (S&F) networks offer an efficient, low-cost alternative to the existing public switched telephone network (PSTN). The present invention concerns delivery of facsimile (fax) documents over a value added network, such as a store-and-forward network, and more particularly to an automated and integrated method and apparatus to facilitate delivery of a fax document after an initial delivery attempt is unsuccessful.
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