Apparatus and method for transmitting text data directly to a facsimile machine
First Claim
1. A method for transmitting a report in text data from a monitoring apparatus to a facsimile machine, the apparatus being connected directly to process equipment by electrical leads for monitoring at least one separately-controlled process variable, the method including the steps of:
- providing a conversion module within the apparatus and having firmware embedded in at least one semiconductor chip therein for converting a first code to a second code;
transmitting a command set to the conversion module for selecting a facsimile mode of operation;
implementing transmission of text data to the conversion module in a first code, the text data relating to at least one process variable;
initiating a converting step upon the occurrence of at least one of a predetermined plurality of events including (a) receipt at the conversion module of a signal indicating the end of the text data and (b) the absence of text data transmission over a time in excess of a predetermined time;
converting such text data to a second code using only firmware, thereby providing converted binary text data; and
,transmitting such converted binary text data from the apparatus directly to the facsimile machine, such converted binary text data being in the form of a report transmitted over a telephone line.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring apparatus includes a conversion module having firmware embedded therein for converting text data in a first code such as ASCII to binary text data in a second code such as facsimile scan line code. A memory module is connected to the conversion module for facilitating communication of text data in a first code between the conversion module and such memory module. An analog module is connected to the conversion module for interfacing the modem with the telephone line. The apparatus is arranged to monitor a parameter of a controlled process variable, e.g., temperature, signal strength, humidity or the like and responsively generate text data in a first code. The apparatus converts such text data in first code to binary text data in a second code and transmits such converted text data directly to a facsimile machine. Such operation is accomplished without the use of a PC or floppy or hard discs, program cards or other PC-like devices. A method for transmitting text data directly to a facsimile machine is also disclosed.
28 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for transmitting a report in text data from a monitoring apparatus to a facsimile machine, the apparatus being connected directly to process equipment by electrical leads for monitoring at least one separately-controlled process variable, the method including the steps of:
-
providing a conversion module within the apparatus and having firmware embedded in at least one semiconductor chip therein for converting a first code to a second code; transmitting a command set to the conversion module for selecting a facsimile mode of operation; implementing transmission of text data to the conversion module in a first code, the text data relating to at least one process variable; initiating a converting step upon the occurrence of at least one of a predetermined plurality of events including (a) receipt at the conversion module of a signal indicating the end of the text data and (b) the absence of text data transmission over a time in excess of a predetermined time; converting such text data to a second code using only firmware, thereby providing converted binary text data; and
,transmitting such converted binary text data from the apparatus directly to the facsimile machine, such converted binary text data being in the form of a report transmitted over a telephone line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An apparatus for monitoring at least one separately-controlled equipment process variable and reporting the status of the variable directly to a facsimile machine over a telephone line, the apparatus being connected directly to such equipment by electrical leads, the apparatus being free of magnetic discs and program input boards used to convert text data in a first code to binary text data in a second code, the apparatus including:
-
a conversion module within the apparatus and having firmware embedded in at least one semiconductor chip therein for converting text data in a first code to binary text data in a second code upon the occurrence of at least one of a predetermined plurality of events including (a) receipt at the conversion module of a signal indicating the end of the text data and (b) the absence of text data transmission over a time in excess of a predetermined time; a memory module connected to the conversion module for facilitating communication of text data in a first code between the conversion module and such memory module; an analog module connected to the conversion module for interfacing a modem with the telephone line; the apparatus thereby being arranged to generate text data in a first code, convert such text data to binary data in a second code using only the firmware and transmit such converted binary data in the form of a report directly to the facsimile machine over the telephone line. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification