Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Specific signal processing circuitry
Patent
1992-06-15
1995-05-23
Brinich, Stephen
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Specific signal processing circuitry
358401, 358442, H04N 140
Patent
active
054186285
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an integrated data communication system, and relates in particular to apparatus permitting binary file transfer, and as an option, although not exclusively, binary file transfer in conjunction with facsimile transception.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Facsimile machines provide for speedy document transfer between locations, however they have a number of drawbacks, particularly in relation to the joint preparation of documents using word processors at different locations. This task requires that each version of a document be printed and transmitted by facsimile to one or more other parties, then retyped into a different word processor for further editing. Such a procedure is time consuming and awkward.
Other electronic communication techniques have evolved in parallel with facsimile machines, these being directed to the provision of data transfer between various locations.
A first example of this is modem to modem communications between computers, whereby each computer must support like communication software to facilitate the exchange of information, and particularly compatibility of the respective operating system, modems and the communication protocol. In addition, it is necessary to have technically skilled operators involved. Modem to modem transfers can provide interactive communications between various computers including file transfers of data or other information such as word processing files.
PC-Fax communication systems have recently been developed, whereby a PC can have a card added as hardware to facilitate a similar function to that of a facsimile machine. The PC can take any text file or video file, as are commonly used in many current word processors, and code convert the data into a format suitable for transmission as a facsimile. The PC and the receiving facsimile machine will conduct all the call establishment and pre-message procedures in order to set up communication, but the receiving facsimile machine will believe it is communication with another facsimile machine. The received information is then processed as usual.
If the receiving machine is a PC-Fax, the incoming facsimile transmission can be viewed on a screen or optionally printed using a printer with graphics capability. However, substantial optical or pseudo-optical character recognition procedures are required in order to reproduce the original document in text form, this requiring powerful processing and substantial memory capability. Therefore, PC-Fax to PC-Fax communication is not of practical interest, rather only the PC-Fax to facsimile machine communication has practical value, in that a sender need not purchase a facsimile machine to send faxes.
Within certain of the PC-Fax cards, binary file transfers are possible between cards of a similar manufacture and design. Such binary file transfer procedures require the full facilities of a PC, and are not possible with existing facsimile machines acting as a receiver.
Some facsimile machines have the capability of connection to PC's, but the functions achieved by such connections are limited to localized image transfer and document printing operations.
In no prior art systems is it possible to combine conventional facsimile techniques with conveniently operated non-facsimile or binary file transfers.
OBJECT AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome one or more of the drawbacks in the prior art, and to provide apparatus for the convenient transmission and reception of binary file data and, as an option, also facsimile data at the option of a user.
Therefore, the invention provides an integrated communication system comprising a facsimile transceiver and a data transceiver, whereby, in use, the system can optionally: choice of, at least, whether documents are transceived or whether binary file data is transceived.
The invention also provides a facsimile machine for the transmission of documents, said facsimile machine being operable to provide facsimile transmission or binary file data
REFERENCES:
patent: 4918722 (1990-04-01), Duehren et al.
patent: 4994926 (1991-02-01), Gordon et al.
patent: 5065427 (1991-11-01), Godbole
patent: 5091790 (1992-02-01), Silverberg
patent: 5136634 (1992-08-01), Rae et al.
patent: 5227893 (1993-07-01), Ett
Applicant, please note!Application #40703/85 is not considered since a publication date cannot be determined.
Brinich Stephen
Grant Jerome
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