Document communication systems for use in automobiles

• US 6,748,306 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2001
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Lipowicz, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US09/894,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20030004626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/301, 701/27, 701/98, 701/214, 701/23, 701/24, 701/33, 340/903, 340/436, 340/902, 340/988, 340/425.5, 340/539, 342/455, 455/462, 455/557, 348/358
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/00 Testing of vehicles testing fluid tightness G01M3/00; testing elastic properties of bodies or chassis, e.g. torsion-testing, G01M5/00; testing alignment of vehicle headlight devices G01M11/06; testing of engines G01M15/00

Abstract

A document device, including an input scanner and printer, is installed in an automobile. The document device can transmit and receive image data wirelessly, and further interacts with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device within the automobile to determine the location of the automobile. Aspects of documents based on received image data, and the destinations of transmitted image data, can be made dependent on the location of the automobile at any time. Received image data is retained in memory and printed out when the car is in a predetermined condition, such as being turned on.

Claims

1. A method of operating a document device installed in an automobile, the document device including a printer, a memory, and means for accepting external signals, comprising the steps of:

accepting external signals and storing the external signals as input image data in the memory;

determining an operating condition of the automobile; and

as a result of the automobile being in a predetermined operating condition, indicating that input image data is in the memory.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined operating condition is that the automobile is turned on.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of printing the input image data in the memory.

4. The method of claim 3, the printing step further comprising the step of combining the input image data with pre-stored image data in the memory to yield a printed document.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of printing the input image data in the memory in response to the automobile being in a predetermined operating condition.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined operating condition for the printing step is that the automobile is stationary.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of

determining a location of the automobile; and

affecting an aspect of the input image data in memory as a result of said determination.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined operating condition is that the automobile is stationary.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising

providing a selection interface to enable a user to cause printing an image related to the input image data.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising

determining that the automobile is stationary;

and

printing an image related to the input image data if the automobile is stationary.

7. A method of operating a document device installed in an automobile, the document device including a printer, a memory, and means for accepting external signals, comprising the steps of:

accepting external signals and storing the external signals as input image data in the memory;

when the automobile is in a predetermined operating condition, indicating that input image data is in the memory; and

displaying a title related to a set of input image data in the memory.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the displaying step occurs in response to the automobile being in a predetermined operating condition.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined operating condition for the displaying step is that the automobile is stationary.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined operating condition is that the automobile is turned on.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising

providing a selection interface to enable a user to cause printing an image related to the input image data.

16. The method of claim 7, further comprising

determining that the automobile is stationary;

and

printing an image related to the input image data if the automobile is stationary.