Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Specific signal processing circuitry
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-15
2002-09-24
Grant, II, Jerome (Department: 2724)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Specific signal processing circuitry
C358S448000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06456402
ABSTRACT:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a multi-function machine which is capable of reproducing an electronic image into printed matter. More particularly, this invention relates to a multi-function machine which combines two or more separate electronic images into a single image which may be printed, stored, or faxed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Multi-function machines have been recently developed. These machines commonly include the capability to print a digitally formatted document which is downloaded from a host computer. As is known in the art, the print function of the multi-function machine is realized by utilizing a laser and a polygon mirror to write information on a photoreceptor. The photoreceptor is subsequently placed in contact with a piece of paper which acquires the image written on the photoreceptor.
Prior art multi-function machines also commonly include the capability to digitally copy a document. As is known in the art, the digital copying aspect of these machines is realized through a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) which acquires a digital data representation of an image. The digital image data is then conveyed to the printer portion of the machine which yields a printed document.
Prior art multi-function machines may also include a capability to send and receive facsimile data. Received facsimile data is usually printed in accordance with the printer aspect of the multi-function machine. A document to be sent by facsimile is typically scanned and encoded by the CCD element of the multi-function machine.
Recently, a multi-function machine has been developed which has the capability of combining one or more individual functions. For instance, image data from a computer may be combined with a scanned image to produce a printed image. This device directly prints any merged image data. No capability is provided for routing the merged image data to other data processing devices.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a multi-function machine capable of combining two separate images into a single electronic image.
It is a related object of the present invention to provide a multi-function machine which combines different image data into a combined image data file which may be routed to memory or to an output device such as a fax or a host computer.
These and other objects are achieved by a multi-function machine for combining and routing image data. The multi-function machine includes a number of functional units, for instance, a digital copier which produces scanned image data, a printer which prints data from a computer, and a facsimile device which receives and sends facsimile image data. Image data from one or a number of sources may be combined to form merged image data, corresponding to a merger of the individual images. The merged image data may then be conveyed to any of a number of user selectable destinations, including a printer, a host computer, or a facsimile device.
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Dickstein , Shapiro, Morin & Oshinsky, LLP
Grant II Jerome
Ricoh & Company, Ltd.
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