Abstract:
A system and method for allowing a host to support a plurality of capture devices have been disclosed. The host includes a application program. In one aspect, the method and system include providing a first digital imaging device module, providing an interface layer, and providing a second digital imaging device module. The first digital imaging device module includes information relating to a first digital imaging device and is for controlling and providing connectivity to the first digital imaging device. The interface layer is for communicating between the application and the first digital imaging device module. The second digital imaging device module includes information relating to a second digital imaging device. The second digital imaging device module is for controlling and providing connectivity to the second digital imaging device and is accessible by the application through the interface layer. In another aspect, the method and system include providing a plurality of capture device modules and providing an interface control layer. Each capture device module corresponds to each of the plurality of capture devices. Each capture device module controls, provides a user interface for, and provides connectivity to the corresponding capture device. The interface control layer is for communicating between the application and each of the plurality of control device modules.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for alerting a user upon receipt of selected messages, independent of the type of device generating the message is provided. Message generating devices include telephony devices (telephone, fax machine, etc.), or data devices such as a computer or PDA. All messages are converted into a format compatible with a data network for delivery to a web server. The web server includes a message notification system with message alert type selection and incoming message filtering. A user designates from a computer the types of messages for which s/he wishes to be alerted, and designates how the alert is to be presented on his/her computer. When messages are received by the web server, they are distinguished by message type, and filtered according to the user defined criteria. Selected messages cause a message indication to be generated provided to a program on the user's computer. The program alerts the user, either visually or audibly, depending on user defined criteria, of the number and type of received messages. One alert type of the present invention includes a flashing icon or LED on the user's computer system.
Abstract:
An image communication apparatus converts image data received through a communication line into bit image data to be reproduced as a visible image by means of using a data converting unit and a reproducing unit. The apparatus converts data from a data processing apparatus into bit image data to be reproduced as a visible image by means of using the data converting unit and the reproducing unit, so as to accomplish an efficient system as a whole.
Abstract:
An electronic mail converting apparatus for facsimile that includes connections connecting to a facsimile, a public network, and a LAN. The connections may be internally changed according to the type of data or an instruction received. A converting device exists for converting data to e-mail data or vice versa, as required, wherein the converted data is transmitted to an instructed designation.
Abstract:
An accessory unit is mounted on an electronic camera, and a printer connects to the electronic camera via a SCSI terminal of the accessory unit. An image signal is captured from a CCD in response to the releasing operation, and the image signal is analog-to-digital converted before being transferred to the accessory unit. The accessory unit converts the image signal into RGB data suitable for the printer, and outputs the RGB data to the printer so that the captured image can be simultaneously with the image-capturing. Moreover, during sequential image-capturing, captured image data is sequentially stored in an uncompressed state in a frame memory of the accessory unit. After sequential image-capturing is completed, the image data is transferred to the camera in an order in which it is stored, and compressed. Further, a background image is recorded in a memory card in advance, and an image is composed from the background image and a captured image (or a reproduced image) in the accessory unit. The composite image data is then transferred to the printer.
Abstract:
The present invention describes a system and process for controlling input and output devices, in particular scanners or cameras, through application programs, where each input or output device can communicate with every application without modification of or addition to the application program and/or the input or output device software. For this, the input or output device is announced to the operating system by way of the application program as a file. The input or output device is started by means of the application program's "Open file" function. The input or output device is announced to the operating system as a drive. A data management function takes over the communication with the driver software for the input and output as well as for the preparation of the required image formats. In this way the data access functions of the application for enabling the reading of data from files are eliminated and, in addition, its own functions for accessing input or output devices through a special interface.
Abstract:
A facsimile communication system includes first and second facsimile machines, first and second modems, and a computer. The first facsimile machine includes a multifunction interface that is coupled to the first modem and the computer. The multifunction interface controls transfer of facsimile data from either the facsimile machine or the computer to the first modem with or without processing of the data. For example, the computer may provide data to the multifunction interface in conventional facsimile format using conventional facsimile software and the multifunction interface performs protocol conversion for transmission via the first modem. Alternatively, the computer may include specialized software that provides the conversion into the desired format for transmission via the first modem. In such a case, the multifunction interface passes through the data received from the computer. Likewise, a conventional facsimile machine may provide the data via the multifunction interface which performs any desired protocol conversion. In a receive mode, a second facsimile machine sends data to the first modem which is converted if required by the multifunction interface and the converted data is provided to either the first facsimile machine or the computer.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for transmitting class 1, 2, or 3 fax image data streams over Internet Global Area Networks is shown. A first device converts local fax image data streams into electronic data streams, transmits the data stream over the network, to a second device at the remote fax machine which reconverts the electronic data to fax image data and prints it out on said remote fax machine.
Abstract:
While Web servers and clients, such as Mosiac, have opened the door to on-line publishers and consumers of information, these services have only been available to those having an Internet connection. In other words, individuals that do not have a direct Internet connection, including a computer and a data channel to the Internet, cannot search for documents and other resources available through the Web. The present invention obtains documents by receiving a facsimile transmission of a document with at least one search term and performing a search based on search terms on the received document.
Abstract:
A Message Storage and Deliver System (MSDS) is connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and receives incoming calls with these calls being facsimile, voice, or data transmissions. The MSDS detects the type of call and stores the message signal in a database. The MSDS is also connected to the Internet and has a hyper-text transfer protocol deamon (HTTPD) for receiving requests from users. The HTTPD forwards requests for certain files or messages to a network server which transmits at least part of the message to the HTTPD and then to the user. In addition to requests for certain documents, the HTTPD may also receive a request in the form of a search query. The search query is forwarded from the HTTPD to an application program for conducting the search of the database. The results of the search are forwarded through the HTTPD to the user. The user may then select one or more files or messages from the search results and may save the search for later reference.