Abstract:
A system and method for controlling facsimile communications is disclosed. A facsimile machine contains a touch-sensitive display that displays a plurality of display screens containing step-by step instructions allowing a user to use complex facsimile functions. The facsimile machine displays a plurality of menus on the touch-sensitive display, and the user can select the desired option by touching the touch-sensitive display in the location corresponding to the desired option. The touch-sensitive display also displays a prompt that provides the user with instructions related to the particular screen display. The predetermined input locations on the touch-sensitive display are designed to appear like buttons and are labeled to correspond to their function. A button appears to be depressed when the user touches it. The facsimile machine indicates the selection of a button by displaying the button in a depressed position when the user touches the touch-sensitive display, and the facsimile machine performs the function associated with the button when the user removes his finger from the touch-sensitive display. This allows the user to slide his finger to a different button and perform a different function if so desired. An optional hardware keypad with a plurality of buttons, some of which correspond to buttons on the touch-sensitive display, can be used to enter commands into the facsimile machine.
Abstract:
A system and method for controlling facsimile communications is disclosed. A facsimile machine contains a plurality of display screens containing step-by step instructions allowing a user to use complex facsimile functions. The facsimile machine contains a phonebook containing information, including facsimile telephone numbers, for a plurality of remote facsimile machines. The facsimile machine can detect the facsimile telephone number and name of a remote facsimile machine sending an incoming facsimile message and store the information about the remote facsimile machine in the phonebook. The facsimile machine can be configured to ignore incoming facsimile messages from remote facsimile machine not listed in the phonebook. Similarly, the facsimile machine can be configured to permit outgoing facsimile messages to be transmitted only to remote facsimile machines listed in the phonebook. The user can display the phonebook on a display and select information associated with a remote facsimile machine, and the facsimile machine will determine the facsimile telephone number from the selected information using the phonebook. The user can also group a set a remote facsimile machine together so that an outgoing facsimile message can be specified as going to any one of the remote facsimile machines in the group, and the facsimile machine will send the outgoing facsimile message to all members of the group.
Abstract:
A user interface simplifies operation of a intelligent facsimile machine (IFAX). A display screen displays a plurality of menus and allows the user to select from the menus. The IFAX can store a plurality of digital cover pages to minimize transmission time for a facsimile cover page. The user may select from a list of stored digital cover pages. The user may also attach a binary data file to a facsimile message and transfer the data to another facsimile machine. The IFAX uses a storage location for storing outgoing facsimile messages. The IFAX periodically check the storage location to determine if more than one facsimile message is to be transmitted to the same location and transmits the facsimile messages in one facsimile telephone call. If the IFAX is coupled to a second IFAX on a network, the two IFAX machines can balance the work load by sending a load transfer request if the number of outgoing facsimile messages exceeds a predetermined threshold level. The IFAX can also route incoming facsimile messages to a variety of destinations such as a floppy disk or other storage device, or an external computer. The IFAX can also relay incoming facsimile messages to another facsimile machine, using a set or relay instructions. The relay instructions may be stored in the IFAX or may be a portion of the incoming facsimile message. The relay instructions may be nested, and the IFAX sends the facsimile message to a second IFAX with instructions for the second IFAX to relay the facsimile message to a third facsimile machine. The IFAX contains security measures to prevent unauthorized relaying.
Abstract:
A user interface simplifies operation of a intelligent facsimile machine (IFAX). A display screen displays a plurality of menus and allows the user to select from the menus. The IFAX can store a plurality of digital cover pages to minimize transmission time for a facsimile cover page. The user may select from a list of stored digital cover pages. The user may also attach a binary data file to a facsimile message and transfer the data to another facsimile machine. The IFAX uses a storage location for storing outgoing facsimile messages. The IFAX periodically check the storage location to determine if more than one facsimile message is to be transmitted to the same location and transmits the facsimile messages in one facsimile telephone call. If the IFAX is coupled to a second IFAX on a network, the two IFAX machines can balance the work load by sending a load transfer request if the number of outgoing facsimile messages exceeds a predetermined threshold level. The IFAX can also route incoming facsimile messages to a variety of destinations such as a floppy disk or other storage device, or an external computer. The IFAX can also relay incoming facsimile messages to another facsimile machine, using a set or relay instructions. The relay instructions may be stored in the IFAX or may be a portion of the incoming facsimile message. The relay instructions may be nested, and the IFAX sends the facsimile message to a second IFAX with instructions for the second IFAX to relay the facsimile message to a third facsimile machine. The IFAX contains security measures to prevent unauthorized relaying.
Abstract:
A user interface simplifies operation of a facsimile machine (FAX). A display screen displays a plurality of menus and allows the user to select from the menus. The display contains a touch-sensitive screen to allow the user to select menu options by touching the display screen in a position corresponding to the displayed menu option. The user interface is context sensitive and can interpret the user selections in determining which menu to display. If the user makes an incorrect selection, the system instructs the user as to the proper selection.
Abstract:
A system and method for controlling facsimile communications is disclosed. A facsimile machine contains a plurality of display screens containing step-by step instructions allowing a user to use complex facsimile functions. The facsimile machine contains a phonebook containing information, including facsimile telephone numbers, for a plurality of remote facsimile machines. The facsimile machine can detect the facsimile telephone number and name of a remote facsimile machine sending an incoming facsimile message and store the information about the remote facsimile machine in the phonebook. The facsimile machine can be configured to ignore incoming facsimile messages from remote facsimile machine not listed in the phonebook. Similarly, the facsimile machine can be configured to permit outgoing facsimile messages to be transmitted only to remote facsimile machines listed in the phonebook. The user can display the phonebook on a display and select information associated with a remote facsimile machine, and the facsimile machine will determine the facsimile telephone number from the selected information using the phonebook. The user can also group a set a remote facsimile machine together so that an outgoing facsimile message can be specified as going to any one of the remote facsimile machines in the group, and the facsimile machine will send the outgoing facsimile message to all members of the group.