US5159630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Facsimile message encryption system
Assignee: HONG SHEN-WEN
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Filing: 1991-05-29
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Granted: 1992-10-27
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Expires: 2011-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A system for maintaining the security of information transmitted between facsimile machines includes a transmitting/receiving facsimile machine for receiving input sheets having an encryption zone; an image sensor for detecting the encryption zones; an encryption device for scrambling messages that appear within an encryption zone. Further the system includes means for sensing encryption zones on transmitted messages and for decoding messages that have been scrambled within the encryption zones.
Inventors
- 👤 Ling-Yuan Tseng
- 👤 Min-Chih Hsuan
- 👤 Sheng-Wen Hong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:14
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09C; G09C5/00; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/44; H04N1/448; H04N1/4486
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A system for maintaining the security of information which is transmitted between facsimile machines, comprising: a transmitting/receiving facsimile machine; input sheet means having a visibly-demarked encryption zone of variable size; image sensor means for detecting a beginning point and an ending point of the encryption zone; encryption means for scrambling messages that appear within an encryption zone; and transmission means for transmitting encrypted messages to a receiving facsimile machine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A system for maintaining the security of information which is transmitted between facsimile machines, comprising: a transmitting/receiving facsimile machine; input sheet means having a visibly-demarked encryption zone of variable size; image sensor means for detecting a beginning point and an ending point of the encryption zone; encryption means for scrambling messages that appear within an encryption zone; and transmission means for transmitting encrypted messages to a receiving facsimile machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the transmitting/receiving facsimile machine includes decoding means for decoding messages that have been scrambled within encryption zones.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein the decoding means includes means for sensing encryption zones of transmitted messages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein, in areas on input sheets outside the encryption zones, messages are not encrypted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 1 including means for notifying the receiving machine that the conventional facsimile protocols will not be followed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 1 including an image processor to receive an output of the image sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein the image sensor and the image processor operate to convert patterns into electronic digital signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein the image sensor is at least one of a charge coupled device and a contact-image sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 7 including an image compression/expansion module for receiving output signals from the image processor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein the image compression/expansion module is an analog-to-digital (A/D) convertor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 10 wherein the image compression/expansion module compresses data from the image processor when the transmitting/receiving machine operates to transmit information, and the image compression/expansion module expands data when the transmitting/receiving machine operates to receive information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the transmitting/receiving facsimile machine includes a system controller that operates as a central processing unit and includes memory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the encryption means and the decoding means are embodied in an encryption/decryption module that is an independent unit that can be connected to a receiving/transmitting facsimile machine via its input/output ports.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-27 | 1996-04-27 | 1996-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-27 | 2000-04-27 | 2000-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-27 | 2004-04-27 | 2004-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |