Patent US6134017A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6134017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Facsimile manager
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1994-11-14
•
Granted: 2000-10-17
•
Expires: 2014-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for managing printing and scanning and faxing functionality of a facsimile machine via a bi-directional parallel interface with which the facsimile machine is equipped. More particularly, a facsimile manager is provided for managing image files connected with printing, scanning and faxing. In addition, printing and scanning drivers are provided by which any Windows application program can access such printing, scanning and faxing functionality.
Inventors
- 👤 Avraham Ron Schlank
- 👤 Chet Allen Erez
- 👤 Stanley H. Wong
- 👤 Yu-Chen Tuan
- 👤 Calvin C. Yee
- 👤 Peter A. Knott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/0035; H04N1/00352; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00236; H04N1/00238; H04N1/00241; H04N1/00384; H04N1/00397; H04N1/00405; H04N1/00408; H04N1/00411; H04N1/00413; H04N1/00416; H04N1/00419; H04N1/00424; H04N1/00427; H04N1/00432; H04N1/00437; H04N1/00466; H04N1/00472; H04N1/00474; H04N1/00482; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0074
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 152
Claim 1
Independent Claim
371 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, the facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and further having an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images and send-fax images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of send-fax images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give send-fax images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected send-fax images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
371 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, the facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and further having an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images and send-fax images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of send-fax images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give send-fax images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected send-fax images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, further comprising a viewer module into which images can be deposited for viewing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said in-box and said out-box both include thumbnail viewers for viewing a thumbnail rendering of selected images therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 3, wherein, in response to selection of the thumbnail rendering, the selected image is deposited into a viewer module for viewing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said scanning module includes an image buffer for storing and displaying scanned-in images received from the communication module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 5, wherein said scanner display includes image composition commands including commands to rotate, to zoom and to select other pages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, further comprising an envelope module which assembles files from said in-box and said out-box to create a sealed envelope file which is deposited in said in box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein the interface is a bi-directional parallel interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said another application program is a Windows application program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said facsimile manager is comprised by a host computer separate from said facsimile machine, and wherein said interface is an external hardware interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said communication module, subsequent to a step of obtaining an image from facsimile memory, issues a command via the interface to the facsimile machine so as to cause the facsimile machine to delete the image from facsimile memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein polling by said communication module is regular in accordance with a timer message.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein said communication module polls the facsimile machine by issuing a command via the interface for the facsimile machine to return an image file identification, and determines that an image is present in facsimile memory when the image file identification returned from the facsimile machine is a valid file identification.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module, the scanning module, the fax module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 15, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 15, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 15, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 1, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
311 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, the facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and further having an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls automatically and repeatedly the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile machine via the interface, and accepts images and send-fax images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of send-fax, and which permits user-selection of images from the list; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give send-fax images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected send-fax images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
311 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, the facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and further having an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls automatically and repeatedly the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile machine via the interface, and accepts images and send-fax images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of send-fax, and which permits user-selection of images from the list; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give send-fax images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected send-fax images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, further comprising a viewer module into which images can be deposited for viewing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said in-box and said out-box both include thumbnail viewers for viewing a thumbnail rendering of selected images therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 22, wherein, in response to selection of the thumbnail rendering, the selected image is deposited into a viewer module for viewing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said scanning module includes an image buffer for storing and displaying scanned-in images received from the communication module.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 24, wherein said scanner display includes image composition commands including commands to rotate, to zoom and to select other pages.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, further comprising an envelope module which assembles files from said in-box and said out-box to create a sealed envelope file which is deposited in said in-box.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein the interface is a bi-directional parallel interface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said another application program is a Windows application program.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said facsimile manager is comprised by a host computer separate from said facsimile machine, and wherein said interface is an external hardware interface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
46 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said communication module, subsequent to a step of obtaining an image from facsimile memory, issues a command via the interface to the facsimile machine so as to cause the facsimile machine to delete the image from facsimile memory.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein polling by said communication module is regular in accordance with a timer message.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein said communication module polls the facsimile machine by issuing a command via the interface for the facsimile machine to return an image file identification, and determines that an image is present in facsimile memory when the image file identification returned from the facsimile machine is a valid file identification.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module, the scanning module and the fax module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
49 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 34, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 34 wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 34, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 20, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
372 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing functionality of a facsimile machine, the facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and further having an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a received-fax image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the received-fax image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images and send-fax images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including the received-fax images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of send-fax images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list; a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give send-fax images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module, so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected send-fax images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine, and so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a transfer operation of an image received by the facsimile machine, wherein the fax module receives a corresponding received-fax image via the software interface from the communication module, and stores the received-fax image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
372 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing functionality of a facsimile machine, the facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and further having an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a received-fax image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the received-fax image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images and send-fax images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including the received-fax images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of send-fax images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list; a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give send-fax images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module, so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected send-fax images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine, and so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a transfer operation of an image received by the facsimile machine, wherein the fax module receives a corresponding received-fax image via the software interface from the communication module, and stores the received-fax image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, further comprising a viewer module into which images can be deposited for viewing.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein said in-box and said out-box both include thumbnail viewers for viewing a thumbnail rendering of selected images therein.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 41, wherein, in response to selection of the thumbnail rendering, the selected image is deposited into a viewer module for viewing.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, further comprising an envelope module which assembles files from said in-box and said out-box to create a sealed envelope file which is deposited in said in-box.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein the interface is a bi-directional parallel interface.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein said another application program is a Windows application program.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein said facsimile manager is comprised by a host computer separate from said facsimile machine, and wherein said interface is an external hardware interface.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
46 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein said communication module, subsequent to a step of obtaining an image from facsimile memory, issues a command via the interface to the facsimile machine so as to cause the facsimile machine to delete the image from facsimile memory.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein polling by said communication module is regular in accordance with a timer message.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
57 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein said communication module polls the facsimile machine by issuing a command via the interface for the facsimile machine to return an image file identification, and determines that an image is present in facsimile memory when the image file identification returned from the facsimile machine is a valid file identification.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
53 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module, the fax module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
49 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 51, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 51, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 51, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 39, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the received-fax image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
315 words
An apparatus manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of an image processing apparatus having an image memory for storing image data and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the apparatus manager executes, the apparatus manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the image processing apparatus via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the image processing apparatus via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the image memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the image memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the image processing apparatus via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the image processing apparatus for subsequent print out by the image processing apparatus.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
315 words
An apparatus manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of an image processing apparatus having an image memory for storing image data and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the apparatus manager executes, the apparatus manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the image processing apparatus via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the image processing apparatus via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the image memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the image memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the image processing apparatus via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the image processing apparatus for subsequent print out by the image processing apparatus.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, further comprising a viewer module into which images can be deposited for viewing.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said in-box and said out-box both include thumbnail viewers for viewing a thumbnail rendering of selected images therein.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 58, wherein, in response to selection of the thumbnail rendering, the selected image is deposited into a viewer module for viewing.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said scanning module includes an image buffer for storing and displaying scanned-in images received from the communication module.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 60, wherein said scanner display includes image composition commands including commands to rotate, to zoom and to select other pages.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, further comprising an envelope module which assembles files from said in-box and said out-box to create a sealed envelope file which is deposited in said in-box.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein the interface is a bi-directional parallel interface.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said another application program is a Windows application program.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said facsimile manager is comprised by a host computer separate from said facsimile machine, and wherein said interface is an external hardware interface.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said communication module, subsequent to a step of obtaining an image from facsimile memory, issues a command via the interface to the facsimile machine so as to cause the facsimile machine to delete the image from facsimile memory.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein polling by said communication module is regular in accordance with a timer message.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein said communication module polls the facsimile machine by issuing a command via the interface for the facsimile machine to return an image file identification, and determines that an image is present in facsimile memory when the image file identification returned from the facsimile machine is a valid file identification.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein the communication module polls the image memory.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein the image processing apparatus is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module, the scanning module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 70, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the image processing apparatus through a connection between the computer system and the image processing apparatus, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the image processing apparatus is performed over the same connection.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 70, wherein the image processing apparatus is not running under the operating system.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 70, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the image processing apparatus based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 56, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the image memory of the image processing apparatus.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
229 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of a facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images from another application program via the software interface; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; and a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
229 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of a facsimile machine having a facsimile memory for storing image data and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module automatically and repeatedly polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images from another application program via the software interface; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from the other application program, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; and a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
20 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, further comprising a viewer module into which images can be deposited for viewing.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
23 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said in-box includes a thumbnail viewer for viewing a thumbnail rendering of selected images therein.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
27 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 77, wherein, in response to selection of the thumbnail rendering, the selected image is deposited into a viewer module for viewing.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
26 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said scanning module includes an image buffer for storing and displaying scanned-in images received from the communication module.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
26 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 79, wherein said scanner display includes image composition commands including commands to rotate, to zoom and to select other pages.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
30 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, further comprising an envelope module which assembles files from said in-box to create a sealed envelope file which is deposited in said in-box.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein the interface is a bi-directional parallel interface.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
17 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said another application program is a Windows application program.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
31 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said facsimile manager is comprised by a host computer separate from said facsimile machine, and wherein said interface is an external hardware interface.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
46 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said communication module, subsequent to a step of obtaining an image from facsimile memory, issues a command via the interface to the facsimile machine so as to cause the facsimile machine to delete the image from facsimile memory.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
21 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein polling by said communication module is regular in accordance with a timer message.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
57 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein said communication module polls the facsimile machine by issuing a command via the interface for the facsimile machine to return an image file identification, and determines that an image is present in facsimile memory when the image file identification returned from the facsimile machine is a valid file identification.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
50 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module and the scanning module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
49 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 89, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
18 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 89 wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
24 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 89, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
32 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 75, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
380 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so a to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
380 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so a to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
20 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 94, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 94, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
56 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 94, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module, the scanning module, the fax module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
49 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 97, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
18 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 97, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
24 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 97, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
32 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 94, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
320 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
320 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
20 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 102, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 102, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
53 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 102, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module, the scanning module and the fax module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
49 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 105, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
18 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 105, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
24 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 105, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
32 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 52, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
382 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether an image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including received images from the facsimile machine and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images; a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module, so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine, and so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a transfer operation of an image received by the facsimile machine, wherein the fax module receives a corresponding received-fax image via the software interface from the communication module, and stores the received-fax image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
382 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate printing functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface to determine whether an image is present in the facsimile memory, obtains the image from the facsimile memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including received images from the facsimile machine and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images; a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module, so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine, and so as to cause the communication module to command the facsimile machine via the interface to initiate a transfer operation of an image received by the facsimile machine, wherein the fax module receives a corresponding received-fax image via the software interface from the communication module, and stores the received-fax image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent print out by the facsimile machine.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
20 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 110, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 110, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
53 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 110, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module, the fax module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
49 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 113, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
18 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 113, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
24 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 113, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
31 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 110, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the image from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.
Claim 126
Independent Claim
331 words
An apparatus manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of an image processing apparatus, having an image memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the apparatus manager executes, the apparatus manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the image processing apparatus via the interface, in which the communication module polls the image processing apparatus via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the image memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the image memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of image, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the image processing apparatus via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receive a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the image processing apparatus for subsequent printout by the image processing apparatus.
Claim 127
Independent Claim
331 words
An apparatus manager for permitting a user to operate printing and scanning functionality of an image processing apparatus, having an image memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the apparatus manager executes, the apparatus manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the image processing apparatus via the interface, in which the communication module polls the image processing apparatus via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the image memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the image memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of image, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images; a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the image processing apparatus via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receive a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said in-box or said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the image processing apparatus for subsequent printout by the image processing apparatus.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 118, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 118, wherein the communication module polls the image memory.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 118, wherein the image processing apparatus is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module, the scanning module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 121, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the image processing apparatus through a connection between the computer system and the image processing apparatus, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the image processing apparatus is performed over the same connection.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 121, wherein the image processing apparatus is not running under the operating system.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 121, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the image processing apparatus based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 118, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the image memory of the image processing apparatus.
Claim 135
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of an image processing apparatus, having an image memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the apparatus manager executes, the apparatus manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the image processing apparatus via the interface, in which the communication module polls the image processing apparatus via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the image memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the image memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; and a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the image processing apparatus via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box.
Claim 136
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus manager for permitting a user to operate scanning functionality of an image processing apparatus, having an image memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the apparatus manager executes, the apparatus manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the image processing apparatus via the interface, in which the communication module polls the image processing apparatus via the interface to determine whether a scanned-in image is present in the image memory, obtains the scanned-in image from the image memory via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from another application program; a user-activatable in-box which is operable to receive an image from the communication module via the software interface, and which when activated displays a list of images provided by the communication module, such images including scanned-in images and images from other application programs, the list including information which indicates each source of the images, the in-box further being operable to permit user-selection of images from the list; and a scanning module which interacts with the software interface so as to cause the communication module to command the image processing apparatus via the interface to initiate a scanning operation, which receives a corresponding scanned-in image from the communication module via the software interface, and which stores the scanned-in image for display in the list of images in said in-box.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 126, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 126, wherein the communication module polls the image memory.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 126, wherein the image processing apparatus is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module and the scanning module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 129, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the image processing apparatus through a connection between the computer system and the image processing apparatus, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the image processing apparatus is performed over the same connection.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 129, wherein the image processing apparatus is not running under the operating system.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 129, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the image processing apparatus based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus manager according to claim 126, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete the scanned-in image from the image memory of the image processing apparatus.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
235 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate output functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine and from another application program; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images; a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent printout by the facsimile machine.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
235 words
A facsimile manager for permitting a user to operate output functionality of a facsimile machine, having a facsimile memory for storing images and being equipped with an interface for connecting to separate computing equipment on which the facsimile manager executes, the facsimile manager comprising: a software interface with a communication module which is functionally connected to the facsimile machine via the interface, in which the communication module polls the facsimile machine via the interface, and accepts images via the software interface from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine and from another application program; a user-activatable out-box which when activated displays a list of images, and which permits user-selection of images from the list, the list including information which indicates each source of the images; a fax module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected images via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent facsimile transmission by the facsimile machine; and a print module which interacts with the software interface so as to give images selected from the list of images in said out-box to the communication module and so as to cause the communication module to transfer the selected image via the interface to the facsimile machine for subsequent printout by the facsimile machine.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
20 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 134, wherein the information which indicates each source of the images is an icon.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 134, wherein the communication module polls the facsimile memory.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
53 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 134, wherein the facsimile machine is connected to a computer system and runs under an operating system on the computer system, and wherein the communication module, the fax module and the print module run under the same operating system on the computer system as the facsimile manager.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
49 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 137, wherein the communication module is functionally connected to the interface of the facsimile machine through a connection between the computer system and the facsimile machine, and wherein each of plural repeated polls of the facsimile machine is performed over the same connection.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
18 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 137, wherein the facsimile machine is not running under the operating system.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
24 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 137, wherein the communication module repeatedly polls the facsimile machine based on timer messages from the operating system.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
30 words
A facsimile manager according to claim 134, wherein the communication module further commands the facsimile machine via the interface to delete images from the facsimile memory of the facsimile machine.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-17 | 2004-04-17 | 2004-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-17 | 2008-04-17 | 2008-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-17 | 2012-04-17 | 2012-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |