Facsimile device for providing a user-to-user signaling function and a method for transferring and receiving facsimile data by using the same

• US 6,535,296 B1
• Filed: 11/30/1998
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Oak, Seung-Soo
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carter, Tia A.
• Application Number:
  US09/201,127
• Time in Patent Office: 1,569 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/402, 358/403, 358/407, 358/468, 379/100.01, 379/100.09, 379/100.12, 379/100.13, 379/93-5-
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00312 with a digital transmission apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, SMS or ISDN device transmitting or receiving via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network or the internet H04N1/00214; transmission of digital information H04L
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32797 Systems adapted to communicate over more than one channel, e.g. via ISDN changing transmission mode according to type of channel H04N2201/33364; multichannel or multilink communication protocols H04L69/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0457 Connection protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0471 Terminal access circuits

Abstract

A facsimile device includes a device capable of transferring and receiving a message in a user-to-user signaling manner and an S-type interface card which is connected to an integrated service digital network (ISDN). According to the present invention, the facsimile device transfers and receives messages through a D channel to be used for transferring signals in the user-to-user signaling manner even though the facsimile device communicates with another facsimile device through B channels of the ISDN to transfer and receive data. Accordingly, channels provided to the facsimile device can be efficiently used.

Claims

1. In a facsimile device which includes a device for transferring and receiving a message in a user-to-user signaling manner and which includes an S-type interface card for connection to an integrated service digital network (ISDN) having a D channel, the improvement wherein the message transferring and receiving device includes:

an input section for inputting a message to be transferred;

a storage section for storing the inputted message;

a transferring section for transferring the stored message in the user-to-user signaling manner using the D channel of the ISDN;

a receiving section for receiving a transferred message;

an output section for outputting tie received message; and

a controller for detecting input signals from the input, storage, transferring, receiving and output sections, and for generating a control signal corresponding to each of said input signals.

2. In the facsimile device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input section and the output section are formed on a single panel.

3. In the facsimile device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said message transferring and receiving device further comprises user-operated control keys for selecting input, storage and transfer functions to actuate said input, storage and transferring sections.

4. In the facsimile device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said message transferring and receiving device further comprises a print control key for selecting a print function to actuate said output section to drive a printer of said facsimile device to print out the received message.

5. In the facsimile device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said message transferring and receiving device further comprises a display window for displaying control messages prompting a user to enter needed control data, and for displaying a list of previously inputted messages for user review and selection of a desired message to be transferred.

6. A method for transferring and receiving a message over an integrated service digital network (ISDN) having a D channel by using a facsimile device having an S-type interface card, comprising the steps of:

inputting a message to be transferred;

transferring the inputted message in a user-to-user manner over the D channel of the ISDN; and

receiving a transferred message in the user-to-user manner over the D chancel of the ISDN.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the step, after the inputting step, of storing the message to be transferred, wherein the stored message is transferred during the transferring step.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inputting step includes the steps of:

indicating a list of the messages which are stored; and

selecting one of the messages from the list for transfer during the transferring step.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the receiving step includes the steps of:

outputting the received message on a display;

determining whether or not to print the received message; and

printing the received message when an order to print the received message is inputted.

10. A facsimile device comprising first means for transferring and receiving messages in a user-to-user signaling manner over an integrated service digital network (ISDN) having a D channel and second means for connecting the facsimile device to the ISDN, wherein said first means comprises:

an input section for inputting a message to be transferred;

a storage section for storing the inputted message;

a transferring section for transferring the stored message in the user-to-user signaling manner over the D channel of the ISDN;

a receiving section for receiving a transferred message over the D channel of the ISDN; and

an output section for outputting the received message.

11. The facsimile device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first means further comprises a controller for detecting input signals from the input, storage, transferring, receiving and output sections, and for generating a control signal corresponding to each respective one of the input signals.

12. The facsimile device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the input section and the output section are formed on a single panel.

13. The facsimile device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first means comprises user-operated control keys for selecting input storage and transfer functions to actuate sad input, storage and transferring sections.

14. The facsimile device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first means further comprises a print control key for selecting a print function to actuate said output section to drive a printer of said facsimile device to print out the received message.

15. The facsimile device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first means further comprises a display window for displaying control messages prompting a user to enter needed control data, and for displaying a list of previously inputted messages for user review and selection of a desired message to be transferred.

16. An apparatus for transferring and receiving a message by using a facsimile device connected to an integrated service digital network (ISDN), said apparatus comprising:

input means for inputting a message to be transferred;

transfer means for transferring the inputted message in a user-to-user manner over the D channel of the ISDN; and

receiving means for receiving a transferred message in the user-to-user or over the D channel of the ISDN.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further comprising storage means for storing the message to be transferred after the inputting of the message to be transferred, wherein the stored massage is transferred.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said input means displays a list of messages which are stored so that a user can select one of the messages for transfer.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said receiving means outputs the received message on a display, determines whether or not to print the received message, and prints the received message in response to an order to print the received message from a user.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, further comprising user-operated control keys for selecting input, storage and transfer functions to actuate said input, storage and transfer means.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a print control key for selecting a print function to actuate said receiving means to drive a printer of said facsimile device to print out the received message.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a display window for displaying control messages prompting a user to enter needed control data, and for displaying a list of previously inputted messages for user review and selection of a desired message to be transferred.