Automatic networked facsimile queuing system
First Claim
1. A method of optimizing facsimile transmission wait time in a device including a facsimile functionality connected in a network system of devices with said facsimile functionality including:
- at a first device, receiving and storing job data and job instructions in a job memory for a facsimile job;
determining a transmission time for the facsimile job as a function of previous stored and uncompleted jobs in said job memory;
querying at least one other facsimile machine connected to the network to determine the likelihood of an earlier transmission time at said other facsimile machine;
transferring said facsimile job to said other facsimile machine upon determination of said earlier transmission time.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A plurality of multifunction devices each having a facsimile function are connected together in a networking arrangement. Upon receipt of a job requiring a facsimile function, such a device initially checks its queues to determine whether there are any current facsimile jobs in the queues which would delay the transmission of the just-received job. If there are none, the job is transmitted in accordance with the device job priority control arrangement. If prior facsimile jobs are present in the queue, the device checks, via its network connection, other networked devices having facsimile capability from a preprogrammed list thereof, to determine whether any of the devices are not busy. In such a case, the job, with facsimile control instruction and data, is transferred to the non-busy facsimile for transmission.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of optimizing facsimile transmission wait time in a device including a facsimile functionality connected in a network system of devices with said facsimile functionality including:
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at a first device, receiving and storing job data and job instructions in a job memory for a facsimile job; determining a transmission time for the facsimile job as a function of previous stored and uncompleted jobs in said job memory; querying at least one other facsimile machine connected to the network to determine the likelihood of an earlier transmission time at said other facsimile machine; transferring said facsimile job to said other facsimile machine upon determination of said earlier transmission time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system providing optimized transmission of facsimile documents by machines with a facsimile transmission functionality connected in a network system of machines with the facsimile transmission functionality including:
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means for receiving and storing job data and job instructions in a job memory for a facsimile job; means for determining a transmission time for the facsimile job as a function of previous stored and uncompleted jobs in said job memory; means for querying at least one other facsimile machine connected to the network to determine the likelihood of an earlier transmission time at said other facsimile machine; means for transferring said facsimile job to said other facsimile machine upon determination of the earlier transmission time. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification