Interface circuit for utilizing a facsimile machine coupled to a PC as a scanner or printer
DC CAFC
First Claim
1. A method of transferring digital image data signals between a computer equipped with send/receive driver communications software and a facsimile machine to cause said facsimile machine to operate as a printing device, comprising the steps of:
- (a) coupling the facsimile machine to the computer through a bi-directional direct connection via a passive link;
(b) conditioning the facsimile machine to receive print image data from the computer;
(c) conditioning the computer for initiating transmission of print image digital data to said facsimile machine of a document to be printed by said facsimile machine;
(d) upon activating the send driver communications software of the computer the print image digital data from the computer is transferred without interruption through a receiving port of the facsimile machine, whereby the print image digital signals of the computer are processed by the facsimile machine into signals for printing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for interfacing a conventional facsimile machine with a PC enabling the use of the facsimile machine as a scanner or printer. A first switch assembly selectively couples the PC modem and facsimile machine either to independent telephone lines in a normal mode or to one another in a scan/print mode. A manually operated switch assembly is depressed for a brief interval sufficient to activate a ringing circuit which converts DC power from a small battery source to a 20 Hz sine wave of 90 volt amplitude and applies the sine wave signal to the PC to cause the PC or facsimile to enter into a scan or print mode, respectively. The manually operable switch is then released to apply a constant current to the facsimile machine to simulate an off-hook condition. A facsimile machine start button is then operated to start the facsimile machine which scans documents provided therein and transmits the scanned data in a conventional facsimile transmission format or activate the PC to transmit a fax in conventional facsimile transmission format to utilize the facsimile machine as a printer. The PC may be equipped with a suitable software program for converting non-graphic, i.e. such as word-type information into a binary format suitable for use in word processing applications and may store the data in a memory for subsequent use. An automatic circuit may be provided to initiate a scanning or printing mode responsive to receipt of a unique number received from either the facsimile machine or the PC, thus eliminating the need for switches.
36 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of transferring digital image data signals between a computer equipped with send/receive driver communications software and a facsimile machine to cause said facsimile machine to operate as a printing device, comprising the steps of:
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(a) coupling the facsimile machine to the computer through a bi-directional direct connection via a passive link; (b) conditioning the facsimile machine to receive print image data from the computer; (c) conditioning the computer for initiating transmission of print image digital data to said facsimile machine of a document to be printed by said facsimile machine; (d) upon activating the send driver communications software of the computer the print image digital data from the computer is transferred without interruption through a receiving port of the facsimile machine, whereby the print image digital signals of the computer are processed by the facsimile machine into signals for printing.
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2. A method of connecting the scan or print apparatus of a facsimile machine configuration to a computer, in order to support image data transmissions for scanning or printing between the facsimile machine and the computer, comprising the steps of:
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coupling the facsimile machine to the computer through a bi-directional direct connection via a passive link between the facsimile machine and the computer;
conditioning a scan or print mode for the facsimile machine and the computer, as needed;conditioning the transmission of image data signals between the facsimile machine and the computer for the selected scan or print mode; said computer being equipped with send/receive driver communications software enabling the sending of image data to the facsimile machine for printing or receiving of the scanned facsimile machine image data by the computer for use as needed. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of using a facsimile machine operably linked to a computer to print transmitted digital image data received from a computer by the facsimile machine, or scan digital image data transmitted from the facsimile machine to the computer through a bi-directional direct connection via a passive link, the method comprising:
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(a) providing the bi-directional direct connection via a passive link for transfer of digital image data representative of images between the computer and the facsimile machine; (b) activating a print or scan mode on the computer and facsimile machine, said computer or facsimile machine being equipped with send and receive driver communications software enabling the transfer of the digital image data between the computer and the facsimile machine; and (c) transmitting the digital image data from the computer to the facsimile machine for printing, or transmitting scanned digital image data from the facsimile machine to the computer, over the bi-directional direct connection via the passive link in accordance with an instruction.
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeInfinity Computer Products Incorporated
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Original AssigneeMarvin Jules Nachman, Legal Representative
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InventorsNachman, Bruce Gregory
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Primary Examiner(s)Lee, Cheukfan
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Application NumberUS11/084,297Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,424 DaysField of Search358/442,468,443,400,401,474,434-437,1.13,1.15,440,1.6,296 379/100.15,100.01,100.02,100.06,100.05,100.13,93.1US Class Current358/442CPC Class CodesH04N 1/00236 using an image reading or r...H04N 1/00238 using an image reproducing ...H04N 1/00241 using an image reading devi...H04N 2201/0034 Details of the connection, ...H04N 2201/0062 Stand-alone interface deviceH04N 2201/0093 Facsimile machine H04N2201/...
