Email capable fax machine and methods for using the same

Details Email capable fax machine and methods for using the same Email capable fax machine and methods for using the same

1999-11-23

2003-09-02

Coles, Edward (Department: 2622)

Facsimile and static presentation processing

Static presentation processing

Communication

C358S440000, C358S468000, C382S181000, C382S186000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06614551

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to the field of fax machines.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fax machines are used for communicating images. They do this by scanning an image, generating corresponding data according to a fax protocol, and transmitting the data. The data can be transmitted during scanning, or stored and transmitted when scanning is complete.
A prior fax machine is now described with reference to FIG.
1
. Fax machine
20
includes a processor
22
, and a memory
24
for temporarily storing the fax type data. A fax type modem
26
is coupled with the processor, and with a telephone line
28
.
Fax machine
20
is typically capable of both a transmit and a receive operation. In both cases the data is transferred through the telephone line. Both operations are described with reference to
FIG. 2
, where fax machine
20
performs a transmit operation and a second fax machine
30
, which is substantially identical to fax machine
20
, concurrently performs a receive operation.
Fax machine
30
is coupled by a telephone line
32
to a network
34
. Line
28
is also coupled to network
34
.
A numeric keypad
36
of fax machine
20
is used to enter the telephone number that addresses fax machine
30
through the network. Typically a display
38
on the calling machine shows the telephone number that is being entered. The processor activates the modem, which dials the entered telephone number.
A telephone connection is established when telephone lines
28
and
32
become connected through network
34
. Then a series of tones by each machine to the other establish a fax type handshake, according to a fax protocol.
A sheet
40
bears an image
42
that is to be transmitted. Image
42
is scanned by a fax type scanner
44
(
FIG. 1
) of fax machine
20
. Fax type scanners may be different from other types of scanners. In
FIG. 2
the scanner
44
is under a bar
46
that defines a slit. As sheet
40
is moved through the slit, the image is scanned.
Scanning generates fax type data that represents the image. This data is generated according to a standard protocol for fax machines.
The data is then transmitted from fax machine
20
through the connected telephone lines to fax machine
30
. As it is being transmitted, the fax type data is represented as arrow
38
.
In the receive operation, incoming fax type data is received through a modem into a processor of the receiving fax machine. The data is then forwarded (also known as applied) to a special fax-type printer
50
of the fax machine. A fax type printer is responsive to fax type data. The data causes the printer to print, on its own paper
52
, a facsimile
54
of image
38
.
In both the transmit and the receive operations, only fax-type data is sent and received over the telephone line. As such, fax machines are limited to communicating only with other fax machines. In addition, faxing requires tying up two telephone numbers concurrently. Once connected, they have to stay connected, typically for the relatively long time it takes to scan.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an email capable fax machine that includes a fax-type scanner to scan an image to generate fax type data that corresponds to the image. The fax machine further includes a keyboard to accept an entry of a telephone number or an email address, and a processor to interpret whether the keyboard entry is a telephone number type or an email address type. The processor converts the fax type data into internet type data corresponding to the image if the type is interpreted to be an email address type. The fax machine further includes a modem coupled with the processor to dial a destination telephone number and a predetermined internet service provider depending on the type.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5247591 (1993-09-01), Baran
patent: 5461488 (1995-10-01), Witek
patent: 5805298 (1998-09-01), Ho et al.
patent: 6104500 (2000-08-01), Alam et al.
patent: 6195694 (2001-02-01), Chen et al.
patent: 6389124 (2002-05-01), Schnarel et al.

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