Method and apparatus for routing data information conveyed in a facsimile message

• US 6,104,505 A
• Filed: 04/30/1997
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited, Ricoh Corporation (Ricoh Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited, Ricoh Corporation (Ricoh Company Limited)
• Inventors: Malik, Naeem Iqbal
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, II, Jerome
• Application Number:
  US08/841,655
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 379/100.17, 358/434, 358/400, 358/435, 358/436, 358/442, 358/468
• US Class Current: 358/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32117 in a separate transmission or protocol signal prior to or subsequent to the image data transmission, e.g. in digital identification signal [DIS], in non standard setup [NSS] or in non standard field [NSF] for mode signalling H04N1/333
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/324 intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32411 Handling instructions for routing or relaying
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling

Abstract

A method and apparatus that provides any type of data information in a facsimile message is configured to accept data information at a source terminal from an external device and send the data information to one or more destination terminals via a facsimile message. In particular, a processor formats the data information in the form of one or more non-standard frames that are conventionally used only to support point to point polling operations for two facsimile devices. The data information is accepted from an external data source and converted by the processor to the one or more NSF frames. A routing feature of the present invention allows the facsimile message containing the data information to one or more destination terminal which are user-selectable at the source terminal.

Claims

1. A method for forming a digital message to be routed to at least one destination terminal comprising the steps of:

receiving from an external source data information that is to be included in said digital message;

storing at a source terminal the data information that is to be routed to the at least one destination terminal in said digital message;

dividing said data information into segments;

forming a first facsimile compatible non-standard frame comprising,

forming a first subframe that includes at least one of said segments, and

forming a second subframe that includes an extension indication value indicative of whether said first facsimile compatible non-standard frame is a last frame of said message; and

forming a second facsimile compatible non-standard frame if said extension indication value included in said second subframe indicates said first frame is not said last frame, said second facsimile compatible non-standard frame having a second subframe that includes another one of said segments.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving comprises receiving said data information from at least one of a FireWire connector, a RJ-11 connector, a fiber optic connector, an integrated services digital network connector, a coaxial cable connector, and a universal serial bus connector.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving step comprises receiving said data information from at least one of a digital versatile disc apparatus, a video camera, a photocopier, a computer, and a compact disc player.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of including at least two identifiers of respective destination terminals in said message so that said message may be routed to said respective destination terminals at a destination server apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said step of forming a first facsimile compatible non-standard frame comprises forming a first CCITT T.30 non-standard frame; and

said step of forming a second facsimile compatible non-standard frame comprises forming a second CCITT T.30 non-standard frame.

6. An apparatus configured to form a digital message to be routed to at least one destination terminal comprising:

means for receiving from an external source data information that is to be included in said digital message;

means for storing the data information that is to be routed to the at least one destination terminal;

means for dividing said data information into segments;

means for forming a first facsimile compatible non-standard frame comprising,

means for forming a first subframe that includes at least one of said segments, and

means for forming a second subframe that includes an extension indication value indicative of whether said frame is a last frame of said message; and

means for forming a second facsimile compatible non-standard frame if said extension indication value included in said second subframe indicates said first frame is not said last frame, said second facsimile compatible non-standard frame having a second subframe that includes another one of said segments.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for receiving comprises at least one of a FireWire connector, a RJ-11 connector, a fiber optic connector, an integrated services digital network connector, a coaxial cable connector, and a universal serial bus connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for receiving is for receiving said data information from at least one of a digital versatile disc apparatus, a video camera, a photocopier, a computer, and a compact disc player.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means for including at least two identifiers of respective destination terminals in said message so that said message may be routed to said respective destination terminals at a destination server apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

said means for forming a first facsimile compatible non-standard frame comprises means for forming a first CCITT T.30 non-standard frame; and

said means for forming a second facsimile compatible non-standard frame comprises means for forming a second CCITT T.30 non-standard frame.

11. An apparatus configured to form a digital message to be routed to at least one destination terminal comprising:

a connector configured to receive said data information from an external data source, said connector comprising at least one of a FireWire connector, a RJ-11 connector, a fiber optic connector, an integrated services digital network connector, a coaxial cable connector, and a universal serial bus connector;

a bus configured to transport digital signals;

a memory that stores data information to be routed to the at least one destination terminal, said memory being coupled to said bus;

a processor being coupled to said bus, said processor comprising,

a retrieval mechanism configured to retrieve at least one segment of said data information from said memory via said bus,

a first frame formatting mechanism configured to form a first facsimile compatible non-standard frame comprising a first subframe that includes at least one of said segments and a second subframe that includes an extension indication value indicative of whether said frame is a last frame of said message, and

a second frame formatting mechanism configured to form a second facsimile compatible non-standard frame if said extension indication value included in said second subframe indicates said first frame is not said last frame, said second facsimile compatible non-standard frame having a second subframe that includes another one of said segments.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an input controller configured to receive said data information from at least one of a digital versatile disc apparatus, a video camera, a photocopier, a computer and a compact disc player.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said processor further comprises an identification formatting mechanism configured to include at least two identifiers of respective destination terminals in said message so that said message may be routed to said respective destination terminals at a destination server apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a receiver configured to receive said digital message and extract said data information and said at least two identifiers therefrom; and

a routing mechanism configured to route copies of said data information to respective of said destination terminals corresponding to said at least two identifiers.