Interface circuit for utilizing a facsimile machine coupled to a PC as a scanner or printer
DC CAFC
First Claim
1. A method of printing in a facsimile machine when the facsimile machine is connected to a computer by a bi-directional direct passive link, comprising:
- providing a digital serial communications port in the facsimile machine;
receiving an instruction at the digital serial communications port from the computer to place the facsimile machine into a print mode, the instruction being received using a standard protocol of the facsimile machine;
receiving digital image data at the digital serial communications port from the computer via the bi-directional direct passive link, the digital image data being transmitted in a standard facsimile machine format and being representative of content to be printed onto media by the facsimile machine; and
processing the digital image data substantially as it is received at the digital serial communications port to print the content onto the media at the facsimile machine.
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Abstract
Printing and scanning methods using a facsimile machine communicating with a computer over a bi-directional direct passive link connected between digital communication ports of the computer and facsimile machine Upon receipt of an instruction at the facsimile machine, the printing method includes receiving digital image data from the computer via the bi-directional direct passive link. The digital image data is processed substantially as it is received at the facsimile machine and printed onto media. Upon receipt of an instruction at the facsimile machine, the scanning method includes scanning content from media provided within the facsimile machine to create digital image data digital image data representative of the content, and providing the digital image data substantially as it is created to the computer via the bi-directional direct passive link. The instructions and digital image data are transmitted in a standard facsimile machine format using standard facsimile machine protocols.
7 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of printing in a facsimile machine when the facsimile machine is connected to a computer by a bi-directional direct passive link, comprising:
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providing a digital serial communications port in the facsimile machine; receiving an instruction at the digital serial communications port from the computer to place the facsimile machine into a print mode, the instruction being received using a standard protocol of the facsimile machine; receiving digital image data at the digital serial communications port from the computer via the bi-directional direct passive link, the digital image data being transmitted in a standard facsimile machine format and being representative of content to be printed onto media by the facsimile machine; and processing the digital image data substantially as it is received at the digital serial communications port to print the content onto the media at the facsimile machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of scanning in a facsimile machine when the facsimile machine is connected to a computer by a bi-directional direct passive link, comprising:
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providing a digital serial communications port in the facsimile machine; receiving an instruction at the digital serial communications port from the computer to place the facsimile machine into a scanning mode, the instruction being received using a standard protocol of the facsimile machine; scanning content from media provided within the facsimile machine to create digital image data representative of the content; and providing the digital image data substantially as it is created to the digital serial communications port for communication to the computer via the bi-directional direct passive link, the digital image data being transmitted in a standard facsimile machine format. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeInfinity Computer Products Incorporated
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Original AssigneeInfinity Computer Products Incorporated
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InventorsNachman, Bruce G.
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Primary Examiner(s)Lee, Cheukfan
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Application NumberUS13/317,310Publication NumberTime in Patent Office375 DaysField of Search358/1.13, 358/1.15, 358/442, 358/468, 358/296, 358/440, 358434-437, 358/474, 379/100.01, 379/100.02, 379/100.06, 379/100.05, 379/100.13US Class Current358/1.13CPC 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/...
