System and method for facsimile load balancing

• US 5,917,615 A
• Filed: 03/31/1994
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Reifman, Jeffrey Brian, Tobey, Chris Edward, DelBene, Kurt Davis, Marceau, Renee
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRINICH, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US08/221,370
• Time in Patent Office: 1,916 Days
• Field of Search: 358/400, 358/402-403, 358/407, 358/468, 358/404
• US Class Current: 358/468
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00206 Transmitting or receiving computer data via an image communication device, e.g. a facsimile transceiver H04N1/00236 takes precedence
• 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 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00413 using menus, i.e. presenting the user with a plurality of selectable options H04N1/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00427 using a menu list H04N1/00421, H04N1/00424, H04N1/00429 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00437 Intelligent menus, e.g. anticipating user selections
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00477 Indicating status, e.g. of a job for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N2201/3219
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00962 Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32005 Automation of particular receiver jobs, e.g. rejecting unwanted calls requesting a communication from a transmitter H04N1/32771; with picture signal storage for forwarding messages H04N1/32358
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32037 Automation of particular transmitter jobs, e.g. multi-address calling, auto-dialing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3208 Transmitting a plurality of separate messages to a common destination in a single transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32112 in a separate computer file, document page or paper sheet, e.g. a fax cover sheet H04N1/32122 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32411 Handling instructions for routing or relaying
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32416 Storage of instructions or retrieval of prestored instructions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32502 in systems having a plurality of input or output devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32523 : a plurality of output devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32545 : Distributing a job or task among a plurality of input devices or a plurality of output devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 : Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 : Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0086 : Image transceiver H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3212 : of data relating to a job, e.g. communication, capture or filing of an image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 : of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 : of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission

Abstract

A user interface simplifies operation of a intelligent facsimile machine (IFAX). A display screen displays a plurality of menus and allows the user to select from the menus. The IFAX can store a plurality of digital cover pages to minimize transmission time for a facsimile cover page. The user may select from a list of stored digital cover pages. The user may also attach a binary data file to a facsimile message and transfer the data to another facsimile machine. The IFAX uses a storage location for storing outgoing facsimile messages. The IFAX periodically check the storage location to determine if more than one facsimile message is to be transmitted to the same location and transmits the facsimile messages in one facsimile telephone call. If the IFAX is coupled to a second IFAX on a network, the two IFAX machines can balance the work load by sending a load transfer request if the number of outgoing facsimile messages exceeds a predetermined threshold level. The IFAX can also route incoming facsimile messages to a variety of destinations such as a floppy disk or other storage device, or an external computer. The IFAX can also relay incoming facsimile messages to another facsimile machine, using a set or relay instructions. The relay instructions may be stored in the IFAX or may be a portion of the incoming facsimile message. The relay instructions may be nested, and the IFAX sends the facsimile message to a second IFAX with instructions for the second IFAX to relay the facsimile message to a third facsimile machine. The IFAX contains security measures to prevent unauthorized relaying.

Claims

1. A method in first and second facsimile machines for facsimile communication, the first and second facsimile machines being coupled together to form a network, the first facsimile machine having a variable workload corresponding to a plurality of stored data files awaiting transmission to corresponding designated recipients, the method comprising the steps of:

in the first facsimile machine, determining a workload value indicative of the variable workload;

determining if said workload value exceeds a predetermined value; and

if said workload value exceeds said predetermined value transferring at least one of the stored data files from the first facsimile machine to the second facsimile machine over the network for transmission to the corresponding designated recipient by the second facsimile machine so that said one transferred data file is transmitted to the corresponding designated recipient by the second facsimile machine rather than the first facsimile machine.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein after transferring each of said transferred data files said step of determining determines said workload value for the remaining ones of the stored data files.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first facsimile machine continues to transfer said stored data files to the second facsimile machine over the network until said value does not exceed said predetermined value.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said workload value corresponds to a preselected number of stored data files.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said workload value corresponds to a preselected transmission time required for transmission of stored data files.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of stored data files has a data file size and said workload value corresponds to a preselected total size of the stored data files.

7. A method in first and second facsimile machines for facsimile communication, the first and second facsimile machines being coupled together with the first facsimile machine having a workload value corresponding to a plurality of data files stored in the first facsimile machine awaiting transmission to corresponding designated recipients, the method comprising the steps of:

determining the workload for the first facsimile machine; and

if said determined workload value exceeds a threshold value, transferring at least a first stored data file from the first facsimile machine to the second facsimile machine.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said workload value corresponds to a preselected number of stored data files.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said workload value corresponds to a preselected transmission time required for transmission of stored data files.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of stored data files has a data file size and said workload value corresponds to a preselected total size of the stored data files.

11. The method of claim 7, further including the step of transmitting said transferred data file from the second facsimile machine to the corresponding designated recipient.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the first and second facsimile machines are coupled together by a computer network and said step of transferring uses said computer network to transfer said first stored data file.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of transferring at least said first stored data file continues to transfer ones of the stored data files until said determined workload value does not exceed said threshold value.

14. The method of claim 7, further including the steps of:

transmitting a transfer request to the second facsimile machine if said determined workload value exceeds said threshold value; and

in the second facsimile machine, transmitting a reply signal to the first facsimile machine if the second facsimile machine is available to transmit facsimile messages, said step of transferring at least said first stored data file occurring upon receipt of said reply signal.

15. A method of facsimile communication for use with a plurality of facsimile machines coupled together, a first one of the plurality of facsimile machines having a plurality of stored data files awaiting transmission to corresponding designated recipients, the method comprising the steps of:

in the first facsimile machine, determining a value corresponding to the stored data files;

if said value exceeds a threshold value, transmitting a transfer request from the first facsimile machine to the others of the plurality of facsimile machines to determine if any of the others of the plurality of facsimile machines are available to transmit a facsimile message; and

if one of the others of the plurality of facsimile machines is available to transmit a facsimile message, transferring at least one of the plurality of stored data file from the first facsimile machine to said available facsimile machine.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said workload value corresponds to a preselected number of stored data files.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said workload value corresponds to a preselected transmission time required for transmission of stored data files.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of stored data files has a data file size and said workload value corresponds to a preselected total size of the stored data files.

19. The method of claim 15, further including the step of transmitting said transferred data file to the corresponding designated recipient by said available facsimile machine.

20. The method of claim 15, further including the step of transmitting a reply signal from said available facsimile machine to the first facsimile machine if said available facsimile machine is available to transmit facsimile messages, said step of transferring at least said one stored data file occurring upon receipt of said reply signal.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein said available facsimile machine transmits a confirmation signal to the first facsimile machine when said transferred data file is received by said available facsimile machine.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the first facsimile machine deletes said at least first stored data file from the first facsimile machine following receipt of said confirmation signal from said available facsimile machine.

23. A system for facsimile communication including first and second facsimile machines, the first and second facsimile machines being coupled together and each including a modem for facsimile transmission, the system comprising:

a storage area within the first facsimile machine having a plurality of stored data files awaiting transmission to corresponding designated recipients;

a workload calculator in the first facsimile machine to determine a workload value corresponding to said plurality of stored data files; and

a controller to transfer at least one of said plurality of stored data file from the first facsimile machine to the second facsimile machine for transmission to said corresponding designated recipient by the modem in the second facsimile machine if said workload value exceeds a predetermined value.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said workload calculator determines said workload value based on a preselected number of stored data files.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein said workload calculator determines said workload value based on a preselected transmission time required for transmission of stored data files.

26. The system of claim 23 wherein each of said plurality of stored data files has a data file size and said workload calculator determines said workload value based on a preselected total size of stored data files.

27. The system of claim 23 wherein the first and second facsimile machines are coupled together by a computer network, the system further including first and second network controllers in the first and second facsimile machines, respectively, said first network controller transferring said at least one stored data file using said computer network.

28. The system of claim 23 wherein said workload calculator determines said workload value after said controller transfers said at least one stored data file, said controller continuing to transfer ones of said stored data files until said workload value does not exceed said predetermined value.

29. A system of facsimile communication for use with a plurality facsimile machines coupled together, the system comprising:

a storage area within a first one of the plurality of facsimile machines having a plurality of stored data files awaiting transmission to corresponding designated recipients;

a workload calculator in the first facsimile machine to determine a workload value corresponding to said plurality of stored data files;

a first controller within the first facsimile machine to transmit, if said workload value exceeds a predetermined value, a transfer request from said first facsimile machine to the others of the plurality of facsimile machines to determine if any of the others of the plurality of facsimile machines are available to transmit a facsimile message, and to transfer at least one stored data file from said first facsimile machine to an available one of the others of the plurality of facsimile machines;

a second controller within said available facsimile machine to transmit a reply if said available facsimile machine is available to transmit a facsimile message, said first controller transferring said stored data file upon receipt of said reply; and

a modem within said available facsimile machine to transmit said transferred data file to said corresponding designated recipient so that said transferred data file is transmitted to said corresponding designated recipient by said available facsimile machine rather than said first facsimile machine.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said workload calculator determines said workload value based on a preselected number of stored data files.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein said workload calculator determines said workload value based on a preselected transmission time required for transmission of stored data files.

32. The system of claim 29 wherein each of said plurality of stored data files has a data file size and calculator determines said workload value based on a preselected total size of stored data files.

33. The system of claim 29 wherein said second controller transmits a confirmation signal to the first facsimile machine when said transferred data file is received by said available facsimile machine.

34. The system of claim 33, further including a file manager within the first facsimile machine to delete said first stored data file from the first facsimile machine following receipt of said confirmation signal from said available facsimile machine.