Multiple integrated machine system

US 6,806,977 B1
Filed: 12/24/1999
Issued: 10/19/2004
Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1998
Status: Expired due to Fees

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1. A multiple integrated machine system capable of performing as at least two or more digital machines, the multiple integrated machine system comprising:

two or more digital machine elements controlled by the same operating system, each of the digital machine elements including hardware portions and software portions and each digital machine element being capable of performing as part of one of the digital machines, each of the digital machine elements being different;

a digital machine element grouping control unit automatically and operatively connecting predetermined digital machine elements in a first combination to form a first digital machine upon receipt of a first digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the first digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the first digital machine, and automatically and operatively connecting predetermined digital machine elements in a second combination to form a second digital machine upon receipt of a second digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the second digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the second digital machine, the first combination of predetermined digital machine elements being different from the second combination of digital machine elements;

a first subgroup function control unit associated with the first digital machine for selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the first digital machine; and

a second subgroup function control unit associated with the second digital machine for selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the second digital machine, wherein the first digital machine is a small office home office digital machine having at least two of the function modes selected from the group comprising a message center mode, a storage center mode, a document center mode, and an internet center mode with at least one of the message center mode, the storage center mode, the document center mode, and the internet center mode having an email function, and wherein the first subgroup function control unit selects for use one of the message center mode, the storage center mode, the document center mode, and the internet center mode.

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Abstract

A multiple integrated machine system (hereafter referred to as “MIMS”) capable of performing as at least two or more digital machines. The MIMS comprises two or more digital machine elements controlled by the same operating system software. Each of the digital machine elements includes hardware portions and software portions and each digital machine element is capable of performing as part of one of the digital machines. Each of the digital machine elements is different. A digital machine element grouping control unit is also provided. The digital machine element grouping control unit automatically and operatively connects predetermined digital machine elements in a first combination to form a first digital machine upon receipt of a first digital machine selection, and automatically and operatively connects predetermined digital machine elements in a second combination to form a second digital machine upon receipt of a second digital machine selection.

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27 Claims

1. A multiple integrated machine system capable of performing as at least two or more digital machines, the multiple integrated machine system comprising:
- two or more digital machine elements controlled by the same operating system, each of the digital machine elements including hardware portions and software portions and each digital machine element being capable of performing as part of one of the digital machines, each of the digital machine elements being different;
  
  a digital machine element grouping control unit automatically and operatively connecting predetermined digital machine elements in a first combination to form a first digital machine upon receipt of a first digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the first digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the first digital machine, and automatically and operatively connecting predetermined digital machine elements in a second combination to form a second digital machine upon receipt of a second digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the second digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the second digital machine, the first combination of predetermined digital machine elements being different from the second combination of digital machine elements;
  
  a first subgroup function control unit associated with the first digital machine for selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the first digital machine; and
  
  a second subgroup function control unit associated with the second digital machine for selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the second digital machine, wherein the first digital machine is a small office home office digital machine having at least two of the function modes selected from the group comprising a message center mode, a storage center mode, a document center mode, and an internet center mode with at least one of the message center mode, the storage center mode, the document center mode, and the internet center mode having an email function, and wherein the first subgroup function control unit selects for use one of the message center mode, the storage center mode, the document center mode, and the internet center mode.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- - 2. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 1, wherein the second digital machine is a PC digital machine having multiple PC digital machine program functions and wherein the second subgroup function control unit selects for use one or more of the PC digital machine program functions.
  - 3. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 1, wherein one of the digital machine elements of the first digital machine is a storage digital machine element storing a plurality of predetermined email addresses and wherein when the first subgroup function control unit selects the document center mode and the first digital machine receives an email message transmitted from an email address stored in the storage digital machine element, the first digital machine prints the email message.
  - 4. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 1, wherein when the first subgroup function control unit selects the document center mode and the first digital machine receives an email message, the first digital machine prints the email message.
  - 5. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 1, wherein the digital machine elements, the digital machine element grouping control unit, the first subgroup function control unit and the second subgroup function control unit are all contained in a single housing.
  - 6. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 1, wherein the storage center mode of the first digital machine includes a storage function for storing data on a storage digital machine element, a copy function for copying data from the storage digital machine element, a scanning function for scanning data to the storage digital machine element, and a printing function for printing data stored on the storage digital machine element.
  - 7. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 6, wherein the digital machine elements, the digital machine element grouping control unit, the first subgroup function control unit and the second subgroup function control unit are all contained in a single housing.
  - 8. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 1, wherein one of the digital machine elements forming the first digital machine is a telephone digital machine element, and the message center mode allows telephone, facsimile, pager and E-mail functions.
  - 9. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 8, wherein one of the digital machine elements forming the first digital machine is a modem digital machine element, and the message center mode connects the telephone digital machine element to the modem digital machine element without causing the telephone digital machine element to output a human perceivable indication.
  - 10. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 1, wherein the second digital machine is a television digital machine and the second subgroup function control unit selects for use the functions selected from the group comprising a display function for displaying television programs, and a selection function for selecting television programs.

11. A multiple integrated machine system capable of performing as at least two or more digital machines, the multiple integrated machine system comprising:
- two or more digital machine elements controlled by the same operating system, each of the digital machine elements including hardware portions and software portions and each digital machine element being capable of performing as part of one of the digital machines, each of the digital machine elements being different;
  
  a digital machine element grouping control unit automatically and operatively connecting predetermined digital machine elements in a first combination to form a first digital machine upon receipt of a first digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the first digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the first digital machine, and automatically and operatively connecting predetermined digital machine elements in a second combination to form a second digital machine upon receipt of a second digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the second digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the second digital machine, the first combination of predetermined digital machine elements being different from the second combination of digital machine elements;
  
  a first subgroup function control unit associated with the first digital machine for selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the first digital machine; and
  
  a second subgroup function control unit associated with the second digital machine for selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the second digital machine, wherein one of the digital machine elements is a random access memory digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements is a power supply digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements is a printer digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements is a scanner digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements is a telephone digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements is a keyboard digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements is a personal computer compatible display digital machine element, and one of the digital machine elements is a personal computer compatible central processing digital machine element, and wherein the first digital machine is a PC digital machine formed by the combination of the random access memory digital machine element, the power supply digital machine element, the printer digital machine element, the keyboard digital machine element, the personal computer compatible display digital machine element, and the personal computer compatible central processing digital machine element, and wherein the second digital machine is a small office home office digital machine formed by the combination of the random access memory digital machine element, the power supply digital machine element, the telephone digital machine element, the printer digital machine element, the scanner digital machine element and the keyboard digital machine element.
- View Dependent Claims (12)
- - 12. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 11, wherein the digital machine elements, the digital machine element grouping control unit, the first subgroup function control unit, and the second subgroup function control unit are all contained in a single housing.

13. A multiple integrated machine system capable of performing as at least a PC digital machine and a SOHO digital machine, the multiple integrated machine system comprising:
- two or more digital machine elements controlled by the same operating system software, each of the digital machine elements including hardware portions and software portions and each digital machine element being capable of performing as part of at least one of the PC digital machine and the SOHO digital machine;
  
  a digital machine element grouping control unit automatically and operatively connecting predetermined digital machine elements in a first combination to form the PC digital machine having multiple PC digital machine program functions whereby the digital machine elements forming the PC digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the PC digital machine, and automatically and operatively connecting predetermined digital machine elements in a second combination to form the SOHO digital machine upon receipt of a second digital machine selection the SOHO digital machine having at least two of the function modes selected from the group comprising a message center mode, a storage center mode, a document center mode, and an internet center mode whereby the digital machine elements forming the SOHO digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the SOHO digital machine;
  
  a first subgroup function control unit associated with the PC digital machine for selecting for use one or more of the PC digital machine program functions to be performed by the PC digital machine; and
  
  a second subgroup function control unit associated with the SOHO digital machine for selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the SOHO digital machine.
- View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
- - 14. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 13, wherein the same operating system software is defined further as Linux operating system software.
  - 15. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 13, wherein the same operating system software is defined further as Windows NT operating system software.
  - 16. The multiple integrated machine system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the PC digital machine, and the SOHO digital machine include an operating system software running thereon, the operating system software running on the at least one of the PC digital machine, and the SOHO digital machine being different from the operating system software controlling each of the digital machine elements.

17. A kiosk multiple integrated machine system capable of performing as at least an information manufacturing machine and a SOHO digital machine located at a point of sale, the kiosk multiple integrated machine system comprising:
- two or more digital machine elements controlled by the same operating system software, each of the digital machine elements including hardware portions and software portions and each digital machine element being capable of performing as part of at least one of the information manufacturing machine and the SOHO digital machine;
  
  a digital machine element grouping control unit automatically and operatively connecting predetermined digital machine elements in a first combination to form the information manufacturing digital machine for incorporating information onto a material object at the point of sale whereby the digital machine elements forming the information manufacturing digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the information manufacturing digital machine, and automatically and operatively connecting predetermined digital machine elements in a second combination to form the SOHO digital machine upon receipt of a second digital machine selection the SOHO digital machine having at least two of the function modes selected from the group comprising a message center mode, a storage center mode, a document center mode, and an internet center mode whereby the digital machine elements forming the SOHO digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the SOHO digital machine;
  
  a first subgroup function control unit associated with the information manufacturing digital machine for selecting for use one or more of the functions to be performed by the information manufacturing digital machine; and
  
  a second subgroup function control unit associated with the SOHO digital machine for selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the SOHO digital machine.

18. A method for forming at least two or more digital machines within a same housing, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing two or more digital machine elements within the housing with the digital machine elements controlled by the same operating system, each of the digital machine elements including hardware portions and software portions and each digital machine element being capable of performing as part of one of the digital machines;
  
  receiving a first digital machine selection;
  
  connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in a first combination to form the first digital machine upon receipt of the first digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the first digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the first digital machine, the first digital machine being a small office home office digital machine having at least two of the function modes selected from the group comprising a message center mode, a storage center mode, a document center mode, and an internet center mode with at least one of the message center mode, the storage center mode, the document center mode, and the internet center mode having an email function;
  
  selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the first digital machine;
  
  receiving a second digital machine selection;
  
  connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in a second combination to form a second digital machine upon receipt of the second digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the second digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the second digital machine, the first combination of predetermined digital machine elements being different from the second combination of digital machine elements;
  
  selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the second digital machine; and
  
  selecting for use one of the message center mode, the storage center mode, the document center mode, and the internet center mode.
- View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- - 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second digital machine is a PC digital machine having multiple PC digital machine program functions and wherein the method further comprises the step of selecting for use one or more of the PC digital machine program functions.
  - 20. The method of claim 18, wherein in the step of connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in the first combination, one of the digital machine elements of the first digital machine is a storage digital machine element storing a plurality of predetermined email addresses and wherein the method further comprises the steps of receiving an email message transmitted from an email address stored in the storage digital machine element;
    - determining whether the email message is transmitted from one of the email addresses stored in the storage digital machine element, and printing the email message in response to determining that the email message is transmitted from one of the email addresses stored in the storage digital machine element.
  - 21. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of receiving an email message, and automatically printing the email message in response to receiving the email message.
  - 22. The method of claim 18, wherein in the step of connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in the first combination, the storage center mode of the first digital machine includes a storage function for storing data on a storage digital machine element, a copy function for copying data from the storage digital machine element, a scanning function for scanning data to the storage digital machine element, and a printing function for printing data stored on the storage digital machine element.
  - 23. The method of claim 18, wherein in the step of connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in the first combination, one of the digital machine elements forming the first digital machine is a telephone digital machine element, and the message center mode allows telephone, facsimile, pager and E-mail functions.
  - 24. The method of claim 23, wherein in the step of connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in the first combination, one of the digital machine elements forming the first digital machine is a modem digital machine element, and the method further comprises the step of connecting the telephone digital machine element to the modem digital machine element without causing the telephone digital machine element to output a human perceivable indication.
  - 25. The method of claim 18, wherein in the step of connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in the second combination, the second digital machine is a television digital machine and the method further comprises the steps of selecting television programs and displaying television programs.

26. A method for forming at least two or more digital machines within a same housing, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing two or more digital machine elements within the housing with the digital machine elements controlled by the same operating system, each of the digital machine elements including hardware portions and software portions and each digital machine element being capable of performing as part of one of the digital machines, one of the digital machine elements being a random access memory digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements being a power supply digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements being a printer digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements being a scanner digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements being a telephone digital machine element, one of the digital-machine elements being a keyboard digital machine element, one of the digital machine elements being a personal computer compatible display digital machine element, and one of the digital machine elements being a personal computer compatible central processing digital machine element;
  
  receiving a first digital machine selection;
  
  connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in a first combination to form the first digital machine upon receipt of the first digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the first digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the first digital machine, the first digital machine being a PC digital machine formed by the combination of the random access memory digital machine element, the power supply digital machine element, the printer digital machine element, the keyboard digital machine element, the personal computer compatible display digital machine element, and the personal computer compatible central processing digital machine element;
  
  selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the first digital machine;
  
  receiving a second digital machine selection;
  
  connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in a second combination to form a second digital machine upon receipt of the second digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the second digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the second digital machine, the second digital machine being a small office home office digital machine formed by the combination of the random access memory digital machine element, the power supply digital machine element, the telephone digital machine element, the printer digital machine element, the scanner digital machine element and the keyboard digital machine element, the first combination of predetermined digital machine elements being different from the second combination of digital machine elements; and
  
  selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the second digital machine.

27. A method for forming at least two or more digital machines within a same housing, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing two or more digital machine elements within the housing with the digital machine elements controlled by the same operating system, each of the digital machine elements including hardware portions and software portions and each digital machine element being capable of performing as part of one of the digital machines;
  
  receiving a first digital machine selection;
  
  connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in a first combination to form the first digital machine upon receipt of the first digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the first digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the first digital machine;
  
  selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the first digital machine;
  
  receiving a second digital machine selection;
  
  connecting, automatically and operatively, predetermined digital machine elements in a second combination to form a second digital machine upon receipt of the second digital machine selection whereby the digital machine elements forming the second digital machine are capable of performing one or more functions of the second digital machine, the first combination of predetermined digital machine elements being different from the second combination of digital machine elements;
  
  selecting for use one or more function modes to be performed by the second digital machine; and
  
  wherein each of the digital machine elements controlled by the same operating system software is further defined as an electronic digital machine element with some of the electronic digital machine elements having program software indicative of one or more functions for the first digital machine and the second digital machine stored thereon and wherein the method further comprises the step of selecting the program software for the first digital machine to provide one or more than one functions for the first digital machine, and selecting the program software for the second digital machine to provide one or more than one functions for the second digital machine.

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Current Assignee
Bryan E. Freeny (Freeny), Charles C. Freeny III (Freeny), James P. Freeny III
Original Assignee
Automated Business Companies
Inventors
Freeny, Bryan E., Freeny, III, Charles C.
Primary Examiner(s)
Grant, II, Jerome

Application Number

US09/472,712
Time in Patent Office

1,761 Days
Field of Search

358/11.15, 358/402, 358/1.13, 379/100.01, 379/100.06, 379/100.08, 379/102.02, 379/102.03, 345/552
US Class Current

358/1.15
CPC Class Codes

H04N 1/00204   with a digital computer or ...

H04N 1/00291   with receiver circuitry tel...

H04N 1/00352   Input means H04N1/00411 tak...

H04N 1/00384   Key input means, e.g. butto...

H04N 1/00392   Other manual input means, e...

H04N 1/00408   Display of information to t...

H04N 1/00413   using menus, i.e. presentin...

H04N 1/00493   Particular location of the ...

H04N 1/00496   Constructional details of t...

H04N 2201/0039   Connection via a network

H04N 2201/0094   Multifunctional device, i.e...

Multiple integrated machine system

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Multiple integrated machine system

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