Fax-compatible Internet appliance

• US 20020101620A1
• Filed: 07/11/2001
• Published: 08/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glen Edward Ivey, Imran Sharif, John Bremsteller, Tawhidur Rahman, William Knapp
• Original Assignee: Glen Edward Ivey, Imran Sharif, John Bremsteller, Tawhidur Rahman, William Knapp
• Inventors: Rahman, Tawhidur, Bremsteller, John, Sharif, Imran, Ivey, Glen Edward, Knapp, William
• Granted Patent: US 6,980,313 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/400
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00291 with receiver circuitry television receiver circuitry per se H04N5/44
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0035 User-machine interface; Control console input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0075 by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset

Abstract

A Fax-compatible Internet appliance includes a network connection section for communication with a network using both data protocols and fax protocols, a video section including a video signal output for outputting video signals to be displayed on a video display, a user interface signal receiver for receiving user interface signals generated by a reduced-keyset user interface device, and a processing unit which controls the network connection section and the video section to generate video signals for displaying received fax messages on the video display. The processing unit provides user interface functions via the video display and user interface signals, the interface functions enabling the user to control transmission, reception and display of fax messages solely through the reduced-keyset user interface unit.

Claims

1. An Internet appliance for transmitting and receiving fax messages, comprising:

a network connection section for communication with a network, the network connection device being capable of communicating using both data protocols and fax protocols;

a video section including a video signal output connectable to a video display for outputting video signals to be displayed on the video display;

a user interface signal receiver for receiving user interface signals generated by a reduced-keyset user interface device; and

a processing unit which controls the network connection section and the video section to generate video signals for displaying received fax messages on the video display, wherein the processing unit provides user interface functions by generating video signals for displaying information to the user and processing the user interface signals received by the user interface signal receiver in accordance with the information displayed to the user, the interface functions enabling the user to control transmission, reception and display of fax messages solely through the reduced-keyset user interface unit.

2. The Internet appliance of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is operable to store received fax messages on a server connected to the network.

3. The Internet appliance of claim 2, wherein the network connection section is operable to maintain simultaneous connection with a transmitting fax system and the server over the network, and wherein the processing unit is operable to store incoming fax messages on a server connected to the network at the time the messages are received.

4. The Internet appliance of claim 2, wherein the user interface functions include searching, filtering, and cataloging a collection of received fax message stored on the server.

5. The Internet appliance of claim 1, wherein the processing unit causes a viewing receipt to be transmitted to an originating fax system after displaying a fax message received from the originating fax system on the video display.

6. The Internet appliance of claim 1, further comprising a printing section for selectively printing stored fax messages in response to a user selection.