Interface circuit for utilizing a facsimile coupled to a PC as a scanner or printer
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method of creating a scanning capability from a facsimile machine to a computer, with scanned image digital data signals transmitted through a bi-directional connection via a passive link between the facsimile machine and the computer, comprising the steps of:
- by-passing or isolating the facsimile machine and the computer from the public network telephone line;
coupling the facsimile machine to the computer;
conditioning the computer to receive digital facsimile signals representing data on a scanned document; and
conditioning the facsimile machine to transmit digital signals representing data on a scanned document to the computer, said computer being equipped with send/receive driver communications software enabling the reception of scanned image signals from the facsimile machine, said transmitted digital facsimile signals being received directly into the computer through the bi-directional direct connection via the passive link, thereafter, said computer processing the received digital facsimile signals of the scanned document as needed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for interfacing a conventional facsimile machine with a PC enabling the use of the facsimile machine as a scanner or printer. A first switch assembly selectively couples the PC modem and facsimile machine either to independent telephone lines in a normal mode or to one another in a scan/print mode. A manually operated switch assembly is depressed for a brief interval sufficient to activate a ringing circuit which converts DC power from a small battery source to a 20 Hz sine wave of 90 volt amplitude and applies the sine wave signal to the PC to cause the PC or facsimile to enter into a scan or print mode, respectively. The manually operable switch is then released to apply a constant current to the facsimile machine to simulate an off-hook condition. A facsimile machine start button is then operated to start the facsimile machine which scans documents provided therein and transmits the scanned data in a conventional facsimile transmission format or activate the PC to transmit a fax in conventional facsimile transmission format to utilize the facsimile machine as a printer. The PC may be equipped with a suitable software program for converting non-graphic, i.e. such as word-type information into a binary format suitable for use in word processing applications and may store the data in a memory for subsequent use. An automatic circuit may be provided to initiate a scanning or printing mode responsive to receipt of a unique number received from either the facsimile machine or the PC, thus eliminating the need for switches.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of creating a scanning capability from a facsimile machine to a computer, with scanned image digital data signals transmitted through a bi-directional connection via a passive link between the facsimile machine and the computer, comprising the steps of:
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by-passing or isolating the facsimile machine and the computer from the public network telephone line;
coupling the facsimile machine to the computer;
conditioning the computer to receive digital facsimile signals representing data on a scanned document; and
conditioning the facsimile machine to transmit digital signals representing data on a scanned document to the computer, said computer being equipped with send/receive driver communications software enabling the reception of scanned image signals from the facsimile machine, said transmitted digital facsimile signals being received directly into the computer through the bi-directional direct connection via the passive link, thereafter, said computer processing the received digital facsimile signals of the scanned document as needed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of creating a scanning capability from a facsimile machine to a computer equipped with a modem, with scanned image data signals transferred through a bi-directional direct connection via a passive link between the facsimile machine and the computer, comprising the steps of:
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by-passing or isolating the facsimile machine and the computer from the public network telephone line;
coupling the facsimile to the computer;
conditioning the computer to receive facsimile signals representing data on a scanned document; and
conditioning the facsimile machine to transmit signals representing data on a scanned document to the computer, said computer being equipped with send/receive driver communications software enabling the reception of scanned image signals from the facsimile machine, said transmitted facsimile signals being received through the bi-directional direct connection via the passive link to the computer modem, thereafter, said computer processing the received facsimile signals of the scanned document as needed.
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7. A method of making a facsimile machine operable as a scanner and printer for a personal computer, by transferring digital data through a bi-directional direct connection via a passive link between the facsimile machine and the computer, each of the facsimile machine and personal computer for communicating normally using at least one public network telephone line, comprising the steps of:
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configuring the facsimile machine to communicate with the personal computer using a digital connector port of the facsimile machine and personal computer, with both the facsimile machine and personal computer isolated from said at least one public network telephone line;
arranging the facsimile machine to be in a digital connection mode; and
shifting the personal computer to a connected mode for sending or receiving digital signals through the bi-directional direct connection via the passive link for scanning and printing between the computer and the facsimile machine, in a facsimile format, using the digital connector port of the personal computer, said computer being equipped with send/receive driver communications software enabling the transfer of the scanning and printing signals between the computer and the facsimile machine. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of using a facsimile machine as a scanner and printer by transferring data signals through a bi-directional direct connection via a passive link between the facsimile machine and the personal computer, each of the facsimile machine and personal computer for communicating using telephone types of circuits, said facsimile machine and computer being isolated from the public telephone network, comprising the steps of:
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(a) configuring the facsimile machine to communicate with the personal computer using the facsimile machine, and by-passing or isolating the facsimile machine and computer from the public telephone network;
(b) arranging the facsimile machine to be in a simulated off-hook condition, or connection mode; and
(c) shifting the personal computer to an off-hook condition, or connection mode for sending or receiving signals in facsimile formats through the bi-directional direct connection via the passive link between the personal computer and the facsimile machine;
said computer being equipped with send/receive driver communications software enabling the transfer of the scanning and printing signals between the computer and the facsimile machine. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of using a facsimile machine with a computer, one or both of which being connected to a telephone line such that said facsimile machine operates as a scanning and printing device for the computer when isolated from the telephone line comprising the steps of:
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(a) coupling the facsimile machine to the computer through a bi-directional direct connection via a passive link;
(b) generating a signal to simulate an off-hook condition or connection mode providing a direct path whereby the facsimile machine is conditioned to transmit or receive signals through the bi-directional direction via the passive link to the computer;
(c) generating a facsimile machine signal whereby the computer is conditioned to receive signals representing data on a scanned document; and
(d) generating a computer signal whereby the facsimile machine is conditioned to receive signals representing data on a document to be printed;
said computer being equipped with send/receive driver communications software enabling the reception of scanned image signals from the facsimile machine or the sending of computer data to the facsimile machine for printing.
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19. A method of using a facsimile machine with a computer, one or both of which being connected to a telephone line such that said facsimile machine operates as a printing device for the computer when isolated from the telephone line, comprising the steps of:
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(a) coupling the facsimile machine to the computer through a bi-directional direct connection via a passive link, which enables transfer of digital image signals in both directions;
(b) generating a signal representative of a facsimile machine communications signals, whereby the computer is conditioned to transmit signals representing data on a document to be printed; and
(c) generating a signal to simulate an off-hook condition or connection mode providing a direct path whereby the facsimile machine is conditioned to receive signals through the bi-directional direct connection via the passive link representing data from the computer of a document to be printed.
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20. A method of making a facsimile machine operable as a scanner and printer for a computer, each of the facsimile machine and computer for communicating normally using at least one public network telephone line, comprising the steps of:
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(a) configuring the facsimile machine to communicate with the personal computer through a bi-directional direct connection via a passive link between a digital connector port on the facsimile machine and a digital connector port on the computer, with both the facsimile machine and computer by-passing or isolated from said at least one public network telephone line;
(b) arranging the facsimile machine to send or receive digital data signals; and
(c) coupling the digital data signals through the bi-directional direct connection via the passive link between the personal computer and the facsimile machine;
said computer being equipped with send/receive driver communications software enabling the reception of scanned image signals from the facsimile machine or the sending of computer data to the facsimile machine for printing.
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Specification