A method and apparatus for receiving document images including portions
linked to one or more electronic addresses. The linked portion of the
document is identified using a predetermined visual attribute, such as
bold-face text, or delimiters to mark the portion. The document image is
then transmitted using, e.g., existing apparatus for transmitting images,
such as a facsimile machine. An electronic address associated with the
identified portion of the document is also transmitted using existing
techniques, such as by touch-tone telephone. The address may be a voice
telephone number, facsimile telephone number, World Wide Web address, or
any other address with which communication can be established. At the
receiving end, both the document image and electronic address are
received. Pattern matching is performed on the document image to identify
the portion with the predetermined attribute as a linked portion. The
received electronic address is then correlated with the linked portion.
When the document image is displayed on, e.g., a computer screen, the
linked portion is visually identified so that the recipient can access
the electronic address by, e.g., clicking on the portion using a mouse.
Communication may then be initiated by the recipient with the entity
associated with the electronic address.