Facsimile manager

• US 6,134,017 A
• Filed: 11/14/1994
• Issued: 10/17/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Tuan, Yu-Chen, Yee, Calvin C., Wong, Stanley H., Erez, Chet Allen, Knott, Peter A., Schlank, Avraham Ron
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Edward L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALLERSON, MARK E
• Application Number:
  US08/340,360
• Time in Patent Office: 2,164 Days
• Field of Search: 395/115, 395/116, 395/118, 395/155, 395/156, 395/157, 395/164, 395/114, 358/400, 358/442, 358/444, 358/471, 358/402, 358/404, 358/468, 358/443, 358/448, 379/100.08, 379/100.09
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• 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 1/00238 using an image reproducing device as a local output from a computer output via network, e.g. network printing H04N1/00233
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• 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 1/00397 Switches, knobs or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00416 Multi-level menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00424 using a list of graphical elements, e.g. icons or icon bar
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00427 using a menu list H04N1/00421, H04N1/00424, H04N1/00429 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00432 using tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00437 Intelligent menus, e.g. anticipating user selections
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00466 displaying finishing information, e.g. position of punch holes or staple or orientation references
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00472 using a pop-up window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus

Abstract

A system for managing printing and scanning and faxing functionality of a facsimile machine via a bi-directional parallel interface with which the facsimile machine is equipped. More particularly, a facsimile manager is provided for managing image files connected with printing, scanning and faxing. In addition, printing and scanning drivers are provided by which any Windows application program can access such printing, scanning and faxing functionality.

Claims

1. A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, the facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and further having an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images and send-fax images via the software interface from another application program;

a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list;

a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of send-fax images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list;

a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box;

a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give send-fax images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected send-fax images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine; and

a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.

2. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, further comprising a viewer module into which images can be deposited for viewing.

3. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said in-box and said out-box both include thumbnail viewers for viewing a thumbnail rendering of selected images therein.

4. A facsimile manager according to claim 3, wherein, in response to selection of the thumbnail rendering, the selected image is deposited into a viewer module for viewing.

5. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said scanning module includes an image buffer for storing and displaying scanned-in images received from the communication module.

6. A facsimile manager according to claim 5, wherein said scanner display includes image composition commands including commands to rotate, to zoom and to select other pages.

7. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, further comprising an envelope module which assembles files from said in-box and said out-box to create a sealed envelope file which is deposited in said in box.

8. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein the interface is a bi-directional parallel interface.

9. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said another application program is a Windows application program.

10. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said facsimile manager is comprised by a host computer separate from said facsimile machine, and wherein said interface is an external hardware interface.

11. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said communication module, subsequent to a step of obtaining an image from facsimile memory, issues a command via the interface to the facsimile machine so as to cause the facsimile machine to delete the image from facsimile memory.

12. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein polling by said communication module is regular in accordance with a timer message.

13. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said communication module polls the facsimile machine by issuing a command via the interface for the facsimile machine to return an image file identification, and determines that an image is present in facsimile memory when the image file identification returned from the facsimile machine is a valid file identification.

14. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.

15. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module, the scanning module, the fax module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

16. A facsimile manager according to claim 15, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.

17. A facsimile manager according to claim 15, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.

18. A facsimile manager according to claim 15, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.

19. A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.

20. A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, the facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and further having an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls automatically and repeatedly the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile machine via the interface, and accepts images and send-fax images via the software interface from another application program;

a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list;

a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of send-fax, and which permits user-selection of images from the list;

a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and

a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give send-fax images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected send-fax images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine.

21. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, further comprising a viewer module into which images can be deposited for viewing.

22. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said in-box and said out-box both include thumbnail viewers for viewing a thumbnail rendering of selected images therein.

23. A facsimile manager according to claim 22, wherein, in response to selection of the thumbnail rendering, the selected image is deposited into a viewer module for viewing.

24. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said scanning module includes an image buffer for storing and displaying scanned-in images received from the communication module.

25. A facsimile manager according to claim 24, wherein said scanner display includes image composition commands including commands to rotate, to zoom and to select other pages.

26. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, further comprising an envelope module which assembles files from said in-box and said out-box to create a sealed envelope file which is deposited in said in-box.

27. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein the interface is a bi-directional parallel interface.

28. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said another application program is a Windows application program.

29. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said facsimile manager is comprised by a host computer separate from said facsimile machine, and wherein said interface is an external hardware interface.

30. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said communication module, subsequent to a step of obtaining an image from facsimile memory, issues a command via the interface to the facsimile machine so as to cause the facsimile machine to delete the image from facsimile memory.

31. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein polling by said communication module is regular in accordance with a timer message.

32. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said communication module polls the facsimile machine by issuing a command via the interface for the facsimile machine to return an image file identification, and determines that an image is present in facsimile memory when the image file identification returned from the facsimile machine is a valid file identification.

33. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.

34. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module, the scanning module and the fax module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

35. A facsimile manager according to claim 34, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.

36. A facsimile manager according to claim 34 wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.

37. A facsimile manager according to claim 34, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.

38. A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.

39. A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing functionality of a facsimile machine, the facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and further having an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a received-fax image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the received-fax image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images and send-fax images via the software interface from another application program;

a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including the received-fax images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list;

a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of send-fax images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list;

a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give send-fax images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module, so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected send-fax images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine, and so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a transfer operation of an image received by the facsimile machine, wherein the fax module receives a corresponding received-fax image via the software interface from the communication module, and stores the received-fax image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and

a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.

40. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, further comprising a viewer module into which images can be deposited for viewing.

41. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein said in-box and said out-box both include thumbnail viewers for viewing a thumbnail rendering of selected images therein.

42. A facsimile manager according to claim 41, wherein, in response to selection of the thumbnail rendering, the selected image is deposited into a viewer module for viewing.

43. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, further comprising an envelope module which assembles files from said in-box and said out-box to create a sealed envelope file which is deposited in said in-box.

44. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein the interface is a bi-directional parallel interface.

45. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein said another application program is a Windows application program.

46. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein said facsimile manager is comprised by a host computer separate from said facsimile machine, and wherein said interface is an external hardware interface.

47. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein said communication module, subsequent to a step of obtaining an image from facsimile memory, issues a command via the interface to the facsimile machine so as to cause the facsimile machine to delete the image from facsimile memory.

48. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein polling by said communication module is regular in accordance with a timer message.

49. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein said communication module polls the facsimile machine by issuing a command via the interface for the facsimile machine to return an image file identification, and determines that an image is present in facsimile memory when the image file identification returned from the facsimile machine is a valid file identification.

50. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.

51. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module, the fax module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

52. A facsimile manager according to claim 51, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.

53. A facsimile manager according to claim 51, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.

54. A facsimile manager according to claim 51, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.

55. A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the received-fax image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.

109. A facsimile manager according to claim 52, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.

56. An apparatus manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of an image processing apparatus having an image memory for storing image data and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the apparatus manager executes, the apparatus manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the image processing apparatus via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the image processing apparatus via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the image memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the image memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program;

a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list;

a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list;

a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the image processing apparatus via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and

a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the image processing apparatus for subsequent print out by the image processing apparatus.

57. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, further comprising a viewer module into which images can be deposited for viewing.

58. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said in-box and said out-box both include thumbnail viewers for viewing a thumbnail rendering of selected images therein.

59. An apparatus manager according to claim 58, wherein, in response to selection of the thumbnail rendering, the selected image is deposited into a viewer module for viewing.

60. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said scanning module includes an image buffer for storing and displaying scanned-in images received from the communication module.

61. An apparatus manager according to claim 60, wherein said scanner display includes image composition commands including commands to rotate, to zoom and to select other pages.

62. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, further comprising an envelope module which assembles files from said in-box and said out-box to create a sealed envelope file which is deposited in said in-box.

63. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein the interface is a bi-directional parallel interface.

64. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said another application program is a Windows application program.

65. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said facsimile manager is comprised by a host computer separate from said facsimile machine, and wherein said interface is an external hardware interface.

66. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said communication module, subsequent to a step of obtaining an image from facsimile memory, issues a command via the interface to the facsimile machine so as to cause the facsimile machine to delete the image from facsimile memory.

67. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein polling by said communication module is regular in accordance with a timer message.

68. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said communication module polls the facsimile machine by issuing a command via the interface for the facsimile machine to return an image file identification, and determines that an image is present in facsimile memory when the image file identification returned from the facsimile machine is a valid file identification.

69. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein the communication module polls the image memory.

70. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein the image processing apparatus is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module, the scanning module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

71. An apparatus manager according to claim 70, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the image processing apparatus through a connection between the computer system and the image processing apparatus, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the image processing apparatus is performed over the same connection.

72. An apparatus manager according to claim 70, wherein the image processing apparatus is not running under the operating system.

73. An apparatus manager according to claim 70, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the image processing apparatus based on timer messages from the operating system.

74. An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the image memory of the image processing apparatus.

75. A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of a facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images from another application program via the software interface;

a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; and

a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box.

76. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, further comprising a viewer module into which images can be deposited for viewing.

77. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said in-box includes a thumbnail viewer for viewing a thumbnail rendering of selected images therein.

78. A facsimile manager according to claim 77, wherein, in response to selection of the thumbnail rendering, the selected image is deposited into a viewer module for viewing.

79. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said scanning module includes an image buffer for storing and displaying scanned-in images received from the communication module.

80. A facsimile manager according to claim 79, wherein said scanner display includes image composition commands including commands to rotate, to zoom and to select other pages.

81. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, further comprising an envelope module which assembles files from said in-box to create a sealed envelope file which is deposited in said in-box.

82. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein the interface is a bi-directional parallel interface.

83. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said another application program is a Windows application program.

84. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said facsimile manager is comprised by a host computer separate from said facsimile machine, and wherein said interface is an external hardware interface.

85. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said communication module, subsequent to a step of obtaining an image from facsimile memory, issues a command via the interface to the facsimile machine so as to cause the facsimile machine to delete the image from facsimile memory.

86. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein polling by said communication module is regular in accordance with a timer message.

87. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said communication module polls the facsimile machine by issuing a command via the interface for the facsimile machine to return an image file identification, and determines that an image is present in facsimile memory when the image file identification returned from the facsimile machine is a valid file identification.

88. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.

89. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module and the scanning module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

90. A facsimile manager according to claim 89, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.

91. A facsimile manager according to claim 89 wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.

92. A facsimile manager according to claim 89, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.

93. A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.

94. A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program;

a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list;

a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images;

a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so a to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box;

a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine; and

a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.

95. A facsimile manager according to claim 94, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.

96. A facsimile manager according to claim 94, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.

97. A facsimile manager according to claim 94, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module, the scanning module, the fax module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

98. A facsimile manager according to claim 97, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.

99. A facsimile manager according to claim 97, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.

100. A facsimile manager according to claim 97, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.

101. A facsimile manager according to claim 94, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.

102. A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program;

a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list;

a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images;

a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and

a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine.

103. A facsimile manager according to claim 102, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.

104. A facsimile manager according to claim 102, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.

105. A facsimile manager according to claim 102, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module, the scanning module and the fax module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

106. A facsimile manager according to claim 105, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.

107. A facsimile manager according to claim 105, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.

108. A facsimile manager according to claim 105, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.

110. A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether an image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program;

a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including received images from the facsimile machine and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list;

a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images;

a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module, so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine, and so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a transfer operation of an image received by the facsimile machine, wherein the fax module receives a corresponding received-fax image via the software interface from the communication module, and stores the received-fax image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and

a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.

111. A facsimile manager according to claim 110, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.

112. A facsimile manager according to claim 110, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.

113. A facsimile manager according to claim 110, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module, the fax module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

114. A facsimile manager according to claim 113, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.

115. A facsimile manager according to claim 113, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.

116. A facsimile manager according to claim 113, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.

117. A facsimile manager according to claim 110, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.

118. An apparatus manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of an image processing apparatus, having an image memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the apparatus manager executes, the apparatus manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the image processing apparatus via the interface, in which the communication module polls the image processing apparatus via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the image memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the image memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program;

a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list;

a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of image, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images;

a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the image processing apparatus via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receive a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and

a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the image processing apparatus for subsequent printout by the image processing apparatus.

119. An apparatus manager according to claim 118, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.

120. An apparatus manager according to claim 118, wherein the communication module polls the image memory.

121. An apparatus manager according to claim 118, wherein the image processing apparatus is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module, the scanning module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

122. An apparatus manager according to claim 121, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the image processing apparatus through a connection between the computer system and the image processing apparatus, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the image processing apparatus is performed over the same connection.

123. An apparatus manager according to claim 121, wherein the image processing apparatus is not running under the operating system.

124. An apparatus manager according to claim 121, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the image processing apparatus based on timer messages from the operating system.

125. An apparatus manager according to claim 118, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the image memory of the image processing apparatus.

126. An apparatus manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of an image processing apparatus, having an image memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the apparatus manager executes, the apparatus manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the image processing apparatus via the interface, in which the communication module polls the image processing apparatus via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the image memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the image memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program;

a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; and

a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the image processing apparatus via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box.

127. An apparatus manager according to claim 126, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.

128. An apparatus manager according to claim 126, wherein the communication module polls the image memory.

129. An apparatus manager according to claim 126, wherein the image processing apparatus is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module and the scanning module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

130. An apparatus manager according to claim 129, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the image processing apparatus through a connection between the computer system and the image processing apparatus, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the image processing apparatus is performed over the same connection.

131. An apparatus manager according to claim 129, wherein the image processing apparatus is not running under the operating system.

132. An apparatus manager according to claim 129, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the image processing apparatus based on timer messages from the operating system.

133. An apparatus manager according to claim 126, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the image memory of the image processing apparatus.

134. A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate output functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising:

a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine and from another application program;

a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images;

a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine; and

a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent printout by the facsimile machine.

135. A facsimile manager according to claim 134, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.

136. A facsimile manager according to claim 134, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.

137. A facsimile manager according to claim 134, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and

wherein the communication module, the fax module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.

138. A facsimile manager according to claim 137, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.

139. A facsimile manager according to claim 137, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.

140. A facsimile manager according to claim 137, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.

141. A facsimile manager according to claim 134, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete images from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.