Facsimile machine having multi-purpose data ports for signal routing and data management
First Claim
1. A facsimile machine comprising:
- an input port for coupling to a telephone line;
a controller coupled to said input port;
a memory device coupled to said controller;
a plurality of module ports, each of said plurality of module ports for coupling to one of a plurality of equipment modules such that more than one equipment module can be simultaneously coupled to said facsimile machine; and
an input/output controller coupled between said controller and said plurality of module ports,wherein said facsimile machine receives a data transfer, via said telephone line, from a service center, said data transfer intended for one of said plurality of equipment modules coupled to said facsimile machine, said controller determines said one of said plurality of equipment modules said data transfer is intended for based on information included in said data transfer and determines if said one of said plurality of equipment modules is available to receive said data transfer, and if said one of said plurality of equipment modules is available to receive said data transfer, said controller causes said input/output controller to route said data transfer to said one of said plurality of equipment modules.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A facsimile machine that is capable of receiving, transmitting and storing both document images and data transfers, identifying the appropriate device the data transfer is intended for, and providing the data transfer to the appropriate device is disclosed. A facsimile machine is provided with one or more ports for coupling with other office equipment, such as, for example, postage meters, postage scales, personal computers, etc. Data transfers from a service center or the like are received by the facsimile machine and identified as to which device is the intended recipient. The facsimile machine can then send the data transfer to the intended device, or store the data transfer for sending to the intended device at a later time. Accordingly, only a single analog telephone line is required for all of the devices coupled to the facsimile machine.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A facsimile machine comprising:
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an input port for coupling to a telephone line; a controller coupled to said input port; a memory device coupled to said controller; a plurality of module ports, each of said plurality of module ports for coupling to one of a plurality of equipment modules such that more than one equipment module can be simultaneously coupled to said facsimile machine; and an input/output controller coupled between said controller and said plurality of module ports, wherein said facsimile machine receives a data transfer, via said telephone line, from a service center, said data transfer intended for one of said plurality of equipment modules coupled to said facsimile machine, said controller determines said one of said plurality of equipment modules said data transfer is intended for based on information included in said data transfer and determines if said one of said plurality of equipment modules is available to receive said data transfer, and if said one of said plurality of equipment modules is available to receive said data transfer, said controller causes said input/output controller to route said data transfer to said one of said plurality of equipment modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for routing a data transfer comprising:
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a plurality of customer equipment modules; and a facsimile machine coupled to each of said plurality of customer equipment modules, said facsimile machine comprising; an input port for coupling to a telephone line; a controller coupled to said input port; a memory device coupled to said controller; a plurality of module ports, each of said plurality of module ports for coupling said facsimile machine to a respective one of said plurality of customer equipment modules such that more than one customer equipment module can be simultaneously coupled to said facsimile machine; and an input/output controller coupled between said controller and said plurality of module ports, wherein said facsimile machine receives said data transfer from a service center via said telephone line, said data transfer being intended for one of said plurality of customer equipment modules, coupled to said facsimile machine, said controller determines said one of said plurality of customer equipment modules said data transfer is intended for based on information included in the data transfer and determines if said one of said plurality of equipment modules is available to receive said data transfer, and if said one of said plurality of equipment modules is available to receive said data transfer, said controller causes said input/output controller to route said data transfer to said one of said plurality of customer equipment modules. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for routing a data transfer comprising the steps of:
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receiving said data transfer at a facsimile machine, said facsimile machine having a plurality of customer equipment modules simultaneously coupled thereto, said data transfer being intended for one of said plurality of customer equipment modules; determining said one of said plurality of customer equipment modules for which said data transfer is intended based on information included in said data transfer; determining if said one of said plurality of customer equipment modules is available to receive said data transfer; and if said one of said plurality of customer equipment modules is available to receive said data transfer, routing said data transfer to said one of said plurality of customer equipment modules. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification