Patent US6092104A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6092104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for transmitting a facsimile from a desktop computer by using electronic mail
Assignee: Openprint LLC
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Filing: 1998-07-22
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Granted: 2000-07-18
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Expires: 2018-07-22
Abstract
Abstract The invention according to a preferred embodiment provides a method for capturing print images from a computer application software program and transmitting the images to an e-mail address specified by a user. The method includes the steps of detecting custom printer driver selection from the user; capturing the document using the custom printer driver; converting one or more pages of the document into one or more images using an interface; attaching one or more images to an e-mail message; displaying the e-mail message and allowing the e-mail message to be edited by the user, wherein editing includes specifying one or more addresses where the document is to be sent; and sending the e-mail message, and, optionally dialing and connecting to the Internet if necessary, prior to sending the document to the designated e-mail addresses.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher T. Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00209; H04N1/00212; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0015; H04N2201/0065; H04N2201/0067; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/0086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for transmitting an image converted from a document containing at least one page of text and/or graphical information generated from a computer application software program running on a computer and for sending the image via electronic mail to at least on e-mail address specified by a user, said method comprising: detecting a printer driver selection from said user; capturing said document using said custom printer driver; converting said at least one page of said document into one or more images using an interface; attaching said one or more images to an e-mail message; prompting said user for at least one e-mail address; and causing said e-mail message to be sent to said at least one e-mail address.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for transmitting an image converted from a document containing at least one page of text and/or graphical information generated from a computer application software program running on a computer and for sending the image via electronic mail to at least on e-mail address specified by a user, said method comprising: detecting a printer driver selection from said user; capturing said document using said custom printer driver; converting said at least one page of said document into one or more images using an interface; attaching said one or more images to an e-mail message; prompting said user for at least one e-mail address; and causing said e-mail message to be sent to said at least one e-mail address.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method for transmitting an image as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of causing the computer to be connected to the Internet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for transmitting an image as claimed in claim 1, wherein said capturing of said document comprises generating a file in a Device Independent Bitmap (DIB) format.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for transmitting an image as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of converting said one or more pages of said document into one or more images further comprises the step of converting said file from the DIB format into Graphics Interchange Format (GIF).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method for transmitting an image as claimed in claim 1, wherein said capturing said document comprises capturing color information of said document; and converting said one or more pages of said document further comprises conversion of color information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method for transmitting an image as claimed in claim 1, wherein said capturing said document further comprising utilizing an Application Program Interface and a universal printer driver of a graphical operating system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for transmitting an image as claimed in claim 1, further comprises the step of prompting the user for editing said e-mail message.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for transmitting a document containing at least one page of text and/or graphical information generated from an application software program by a user, wherein the application software program operates under a graphical environment on a computer system having a display, a processing unit, memory devices, data input devices, and network connection means, said method comprising: detecting the selection of a custom printer driver by the user; invoking said custom printer driver when selected; invoking an interface; obtaining graphical information about said at least one page of said document to be printed; using said printer driver to save said graphical information of said at least one page as Device Independent Bitmap (DIB) file; passing said DIB file to said interface; using said interface to convert said DIB file to Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) file; indexing said at least one page; repeating said determining step until there are no more pages to be printed; shutting down said printer driver; displaying said interface; prompting the user for an e-mail address; detecting a send command from the user; attaching said one or more converted pages in GIF format to said email message; and transmitting said message.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for transmitting a document containing at least one page of text and/or graphical information generated from an application software program by a user, wherein the application software program operates under a graphical environment on a computer system having a display, a processing unit, memory devices, data input devices, and network connection means, said method comprising: detecting the selection of a custom printer driver by the user; invoking said custom printer driver when selected; invoking an interface; obtaining graphical information about said at least one page of said document to be printed; using said printer driver to save said graphical information of said at least one page as Device Independent Bitmap (DIB) file; passing said DIB file to said interface; using said interface to convert said DIB file to Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) file; indexing said at least one page; repeating said determining step until there are no more pages to be printed; shutting down said printer driver; displaying said interface; prompting the user for an e-mail address; detecting a send command from the user; attaching said one or more converted pages in GIF format to said email message; and transmitting said message.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for transmitting an image as claimed in claim 8, wherein the step of prompting the user for an e-mail address further comprises the step of prompting the user for editing an e-mail message.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising the step of determining whether the computer is connected to the Internet; and, providing connection to the Internet as needed prior to transmitting said message.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising closing said interface after said message is transmitted, wherein closing said interface includes cleaning up said files and the memory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of returning the user to the application software program.
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) | 2003-07-18 | 2004-01-17 | 2004-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-18 | 2008-01-17 | 2008-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-18 | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |