Electronic mail behavior with a multi-function machine

• US 7,831,665 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Issued: 11/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: McCarthy, John C., Litwiller, Debora Margaret Hejza
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne; Ario
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams; Clayton R
• Application Number:
  US11/363,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20060248153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,715 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00413 using menus, i.e. presenting the user with a plurality of selectable options H04N1/00464 takes precedence
• 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 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4433 to an apparatus, part of an apparatus or an apparatus function
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a multifunction communication system comprises a scanner and a multifunction device that processes data received from the scanner. The multifunction device comprises a user interface that allows a user to enter commands to configure at least one functional aspect of the multifunction device, wherein the user is presented with a logical progression of steps that inquire of the user information that is needed to complete an email function. An authentication component communicates with the user interface that requires a user to enter a valid username and password via the user interface to access specific functionality of the multifunction device. An email component facilitates sending one or more email messages that contain data received from the scanner. A receiving component that receives at least one email message from the multifunction device.

Claims

1. A multifunction communication system, comprising:

a scanner that scans and receives data scanned from one or more images on a medium;

a multifunction device that processes data received from the scanner, comprising;

a user interface that allows a user to enter commands to configure at least one functional aspect of the multifunction device, wherein the user is presented with a logical progression of prompts that inquire of user information that is needed to complete an email function, said user interface further including a customizable special key for accessing a list of at least one of commonly used email addresses, portions of email addresses, and user-specific email addresses;

an authentication component that communicates with the user interface that requires the user to enter a valid username and password associated with a particular user account via the user interface to access the specific functionality of the multifunction device, wherein said particular user account has a particular security level designating at least one of email and functionality capabilities; and

an email component that facilitates sending one or more email messages that contain data received from the scanner, said email component having an auto-send to self feature, automatically sending a copy of each email message to the sender along with the selected recipients, wherein said logical progression of prompts is dependent on the enablement or disablement of authentication, said enablement or disablement disposed to determine the particular progression of prompts displayed to the user, and wherein upon enablement of authentication, said username and password are associated with said particular user account including a particular set of data specific to the particular user account, including at least one of user-specific address book, a user-specific group list and a user-specific default subject line;

a timing device that designates a period of time before the user is automatically logged off the account, said timing device capable of utilizing messaging prompts that require the user to make an active decision to log off or remain authenticated, wherein said timing device is configured to interface with said authentication component to establish said designated periods of time;

a processing component that is separate from and communicates with the multifunction device, interfaces with one or more peripheral devices and runs one or more applications employed to communicate with the multifunction device; and

a receiving component that receives at least one email message from the multifunction device, wherein said particular set of data is stored on at least one of said processing component and said multifunction device.

2. The system according to claim 1, further including:

an address book component that locally stores at least one group, wherein the group comprises at least one name and an associated email address.

3. The system according to claim 2, further including:

a remote application that interfaces to the address book component to at least one of add, delete, edit, print or store addresses for subsequent retrieval.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the functional aspect of the multifunction device is one of fax, email, scan and copy.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the user will be required indicate that the user wishes to remain logged in after each predetermined event occurs.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one functional aspect of the multifunction device can be configured remotely via a computer application.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said customizable special key further allows the user to at least one of access and select a text string, automatically populate the “

From;

”

field in an email message and automatically populate the “

To;

”

field in an email message.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the email component automatically sends an email of scanned data to a predetermined email address.

9. The system according to claim 1, further including an SMTP server that accepts data from the multifunction device and transmits the received data to the receiving element.

10. The system according to claim 9, further including a software application employed to configure at least one aspect of the SMTP server.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein communication with the SMTP server requires authentication utilizing one of Kerberos, Secure Sockets Layer, Message-Digest algorithm 5, NTLM and Authenticated Post Office Protocol.

12. A computer-based xerographic method for sending email via a multifunction machine, comprising:

entering a login name and a login password into a processor, wherein said processor;

authenticates the login name and password in an authentication component, said authentication provides access to the specific functionality of the multifunction device;

provides a user interface that allows the user to enter commands to configure at least one aspect of the multifunction machine, wherein the user interface presents a logical progression of prompts that inquire into user information that is needed to complete an email function;

provides a customizable special key for accessing a list of at least one of commonly used email addresses, portions of email addresses, and user-specific email addresses;

initiates scanning of a document;

sends scan automatically to user'"'"'s email address upon completion of document scan, wherein said logical progression of steps depends on the enablement or disablement of user authentication, said enablement or disablement disposed to determine the particular progression of prompts displayed to the user, wherein upon enablement of authentication, said username and password are associated with a particular user account including a particular set of data specific to the user, including at least one of a user-specific address book, a user-specific group list and a user-specific default subject line; and

designating a period of time before said user is automatically logged off the account using a timing device, said timing device capable of utilizing messaging prompts that require the user to make an active decision to log off or remain authenticated, wherein said timing device is configured to interface with said authentication component to establish a designated period of time.

13. The method according to 12, wherein the scanning can be initiated at substantially any step within the method.

14. A computer-based method for sending email of a scanned document via a multifunction machine, comprising:

a processor for;

providing an authentication component for authenticating a login name and password;

providing a user interface that allows a user to enter commands to configure at least one aspect of the multifunction machine, wherein said user interface presents a logical progression of prompts that inquire of user information that is needed to complete an email function, said user interface further includes a customizable special key for accessing a list of at least one of commonly used email addresses, portions of email addresses, and user-specific email addresses;

populating the “

From;

”

field with an email address;

populating the “

To;

”

field with the email address of the “

From;

”

field;

pressing the Start key to initiate scanning of a document;

verifying the validity of the email in the “

From;

”

field;

scanning the document;

sending an email of the document to the address in the “

To;

”

field and to the user'"'"'s email address upon completion of document scan, wherein said logical progression of prompts depends on the enablement or disablement of user authentication, said enablement or disablement disposed to determine the particular progression of prompts displayed to the user, wherein upon enablement of authentication, said username and password are associated with a particular user account including a particular set of data specific to the user, including at least one of user-specific address book, a user-specific group list and a user-specific default subject line; and

providing messaging prompts to the user using a timing device that require an active decision to log off or remain authenticated, wherein the machine automatically logs off if no response is received within a particular time designation determined by said timing device.

15. The method according to claim 14, further including:

populating the “

To;

”

field utilizing one of an address book, a customizable .com key, manual entry via an alphanumeric keypad, selecting via a prompt to send to self, and automatically via an auto send to self feature.

16. The method according to claim 14, further including:

populating the “

From;

”

field utilizing one of authentication to automatically populate the field, manually via alphanumeric keyboard, utilizing a preset default value, selection from an address book and via a customizable .com key.