Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Communication
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-18
2001-03-27
Mancuso, Joseph (Department: 2624)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Communication
C358S001130, C358S434000, C358S468000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208427
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a personal digital assistant (PDA), and more particularly, to a PDA printer and a printing method containing a display capable of displaying characters and graphic data, a fax modem capable of transmitting and receiving fax data, and a memory capable of storing data.
2. Description of the Related Art
As society becomes more complex and diversified, user demands for data communication services also become diversified. These demands have been satisfied through developments in data communication technology. In this context, the PDA has emerged. The PDA, serving as a portable computer, fax, and electronic pocket book, is so named because it provides personal and multimedia services which incorporate recent data communication technology. The PDA enables a user to easily access a small and portable terminal using a pen or voice, instead of a conventional keyboard, and provides a graphic user interface (GUI) environment. In addition, the PDA serves as a notebook computer which allows external communication.
Data communication, including Internet connection, PSTN connection to an information media like UNITEL, and fax communication, has recently become the most significant function of the PDA.
Generally, PDA fax transmission is performed by means of a simple note made on a memo pad included in the PDA. In a conventional PDA, a note is printed by direct connection to a printer or by using fax transmission. However, the former method requires a driver program for driving the printer, which results in development constraints upon the driver program and portable printer. Therefore, the latter method is used.
However, because the purpose of conventional fax transmission is simply to transmit a note by fax, it is inconvenient to transmit a formal document and utilize fax transmission for printing. Header output such as reception time, fax number, and page number on the upper portion of a fax note creates inconvenience to a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the present invention is to provide a PDA printer and a printing method in which a fax transmission function is improved by outputting a note without a header, as if the note were printed by a printer.
To meet this objective, a PDA printer has been developed which contains a display capable of displaying characters and graphic data, a fax modem capable of transmitting and receiving fax data, and a memory capable of storing data, that comprises:
a user interface through the display that allows a user to select a fax note which is stored in the memory, insert/remove a fax header, set margins, and input fax transmission instructions;
a fax note storage for storing the fax note selected by the user;
a header information flag for storing fax header insertion and removal instructions provided by the user;
a margin information storage for storing fax note margin instructions provided by the user;
a fax connection setter for initializing the fax modem for fax transmission and setting an environment for fax transmission to a receiving fax machine upon input of the fax transmission instructions;
a fax header information controller for inserting or removing a fax header based on information stored in the header information flag when fax transmission is ready;
a bit map image generator for reading fax header data inserted by the fax header information controller, and the fax note and margin information from the fax note storage and the margin information storage, and generating bit map image data;
a data format converter for converting the bit map image data into a data format for fax transmission;
a data transmitter for transmitting the data converted by the data format converter; and
a fax connection releaser for terminating fax connection when data is completely transmitted by the data transmitter.
A printing method has also been developed for a PDA which has a display capable of displaying characters and graphic data, a fax modem capable of transmitting and receiving fax data, and a memory capable of storing data. The printing method comprises the steps of:
(a) providing a user interface through the display that allows a user to select a fax note stored in the memory, insert/remove a fax header, and set upper, lower, right, and left margins;
(b) selecting one of an insertion and removal menu item provided by the user interface;
(c) setting upper, lower, right, and left margins for a fax note through the user interface;
(d) selecting a fax note to be transmitted through the user interface;
(e) initializing the modem for fax transmission, setting an environment for fax connection to a receiving fax and preparing for transmission;
(f) reading the selected header insertion/removal instructions, inserting a fax header if fax header insertion is indicated, converting the inserted fax header into bit map image data, converting the bit map image data into fax transmission data, and if fax header removal is indicated, the procedure goes to the next step without data transmission;
(g) converting the note and the margin instructions into bit map image data, converting the bit map data image into fax transmission data, and transmitting the fax transmission data; and
(h) terminating fax connection if the fax note is completely transmitted.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5410416 (1995-04-01), Amberg et al.
patent: 5513254 (1996-04-01), Markowitz
patent: 5822123 (1998-10-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5877746 (1999-03-01), Parks et al.
patent: 5892587 (1999-04-01), Okada et al.
patent: 5917615 (1999-06-01), Reifman et al.
patent: 0 426 412 (1991-05-01), None
patent: 58-87564 (1983-05-01), None
patent: 5-92858 (1993-12-01), None
patent: 8-172496 (1996-02-01), None
Laser Class 7000/7500, Instruction Book, p. 198, 1993.*
Macformat, Sep. 1, 1993, Future Publishing Ltd., UK XP002061491, p. 21.
Mancuso Joseph
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
Tran Douglas
LandOfFree
Personal digital assistant (PDA) printer apparatus and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Personal digital assistant (PDA) printer apparatus and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Personal digital assistant (PDA) printer apparatus and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2503783