Title of Invention

A METHOD FOR SENDING A COPY OF A FAX FROM AN MULTI-FUNCTION PERIPHERAL DEVICE TO A COMPUTER CONNECTED THROUGH A NETWORK FOR CONTINUOUS MONITORING

Abstract

The invention explains a method for sending a copy of a fax from a Multi-Functional peripheral (MFP)device to a computer connected through a network for continuous monitoring of the said MFR usage comprising the steps of: checking the operation mode of the device whether it is in transmission mode (TX operation) or in the receiving mode (RX operation), where the TX operation involves: dialing the destination fax number; scanning the required document; sending the scanned data to a pre-configured network PC where a program is running to receive the data; sending the fax to the dialed number if the scanned data is send successfully to the networked PC; and discarding the fax if data is not sent successfully to network PC, wherein the RX operation involves: receiving the fax from the sending machine; storing the fax in the memory of the MFO; sending the stored data to a pre-configured network PC where a program is running to receive the data; printing the fax if data is sent successfully to the PC; and discarding the fax if data is not sent successfully to network PC.

Full Text

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is related to Multi Function Peripheral devices (MFP). MFP is the device >vhich can perform multiple functions such as copy, fax, printing and Network related operations like Email, Network Scan etc. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for sending a copy of a fax from an MFP device to a computer connected through a network for continuous monitoring. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART In one of the US Patent No. 5,528,385 titled "Fax modem with Scanning Capability* describes a method for interfacing a facsimile machine with a host computer. This patent provides for scanning documents into the host computer. Here a document is scanned into the host computer through the facsimile machine and transmitted through a common telephone line that is shared between the host computer and the facsimile machine. It also provides for normal fax operations to and from remote locations, in addition to scanning of the documents into the computer. However, it does not describe any means for reducing PSTN charges, and scanning the document to a computer connected through a network. Another US Patent No. 6157464 titled "Facsimile Store and Forward System with Local Interface" provides for various services and a method to communicate with a remotely located facsimile facility. However, this does not provide any means for reducing PSTN charges. In another US Patent No. 6,075,849 titled "Method of Monitoring a Data Transmission" describes a method of monitoring data transmitted by a facsimile machine through a telephone line and maintaining the statistics of the data transmission. However, the patent publication does not mention that a copy of the data is sent to a computer connected to the facsimile machine. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for sending a copy of a fax from a Multi- Functional Peripheral (MFP) device to a computer connected through a network for monitoring purposes. The invention intends to reduce the additional telephone charges incurred during this data transmission by using Local Area Network instead of PSTN. The invention thus provides a means for continuous monitoring of the MFP usage through the network. The system comprises a fax-to-network scan handler and a fax-to-network scan configuration module. After receiving fax data, the fax-to-network scan handler sends the fax data to a pre-configured network computer, which is defined by the fax-to-network scan configuration module. The facsimile machine performs a required action only if the fax data is received by the network computer. The invention also describes a method in which the MFP transmits data, only after the data has been successfully sent to the network computer. Accordingly, the present invention explains a method for sending a copy of a fax from a Multi-Functional Peripheral (MFP) device to a computer connected through a network for continuous monitoring of the said MFP usage comprising the steps of: checking the operation mode of the device whether it is in transmission mode(TX operation) or in the receiving mode(RX operation), where the TX operation involves: (i) dialing the destination fax number; (ii) scanning the required document; (iii) sending the scanned data to a pre-configured network PC where a program is running to receive the data; ir (iv) sending the fax to the dialed number if the scanned data is send successfully to the networked PC; and (v) discarding the fax if data is not sent successfully to network PC, wherein the RX operation involves: (a) receiving the fax from the sending machine; (b) storing the fax in the memory of the MFP; (c) sending the stored data to a pre-configured network PC where a program is running to receive the data; (d) printing the fax if data is sent successfully to the PC; and (e) discarding the fax if data is not sent successfully to network PC. Other advantages and features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given as a non- restrictive example only and represented in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates the function of related art. Figure 2 illustrates the function of current invention. Figure 3 illustrates the operation for the TX forward case. Figure 4 illustrates the operation for the RX forward case. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood however that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The following description and drawings are not to be construed as limiting the invention and numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. However in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail. Figure 1 shows the flow chart of the prior art. First the status of operation is checked to confirm whether it is in transmitting mode or in receiving mode. In the TX operation the document is loaded in the scanner first. Then the fax number of destination machine is dialed and after that the scanning of the document starts. After this the scanned data is send to the configured fax number. This is exclusively done through the PSTN line. If the configured number is correct the fax is send to dialed number. If the configured number is incorrect then the Fax is discarded, in the RX mode first the fax is received from another machine. The received fax data is send to a configured fax number which is intended to receive the data. Printing of the fax is done if data is sent successfully to the configured fax and if data could not be sent successfully to the fax then it is discarded. Figure 2 shows the flow chart of the present invention. First the status of operation is checked to confirm whether it is in transmitting mode or in receiving mode. In the TX operation the document is loaded in the scanner first Then the fax number of destination machine is dialed and after that the scanning of the document starts. After this the scanned data is send to a pre-configured network PC where a program is running to receive the data. If data is sent successfully to the PC then the fax is send to dialed number. If data is not sent successfully to network PC then the Fax is discarded. In the RX mode first the fax is received from another machine. Then the fax data is stored into the memory of the MFP. The received fax data is send to a pre-configured network PC where a program is running to receive the data. Printing of the fax is done (Printing may be optional and can be configured) if data is sent successfully to the PC and if data could not be sent successfully to network PC the fax is discarded. The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood however that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The following description and drawings are not to be construed as limiting the invention and numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art on how to make and/or use the invention. However in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail. There are two scenarios for current invention functions as given below: Fax Transmission (Fax TX): First the document is loaded in the scanner. Then the fax number of destination machine is dialed and after that the scanning of the document starts. After this the scanned data is send to a pre-configured network PC where a program is running to receive the data. If data is sent successfully to the PC then the fax is sent to dialed number. If data is not sent successfully to network PC then the Fax is discarded. Fax Reception (Fax RX): First the fax is received from another machine. Then the fox data is stored into the memory of the MFP. The received fax data is send to a pre-configured network PC where a program is running to receive the data. Printing of the fax is done (Printing may be optional and can be configured) if data is sent successfully to the PC and if data could not be sent successfully to network PC the fox is discarded. The structure of this invention can be defined in two ways: 1. Parts of the invention. 2. Usage of the parts. There are following parts of the invention. 1. Fax To Network Scan Handler. 2. Fax To Network Scan Configuration module. Requirement for this invention: 1. MFP device with network interface card to access network. 2. A PC client program at Networked PC to handle Fax forward request from MFP. The Usage of the two parts mentioned above is as follows: Fax to Network Scan Handler: The job for this module is as follows: Receive the event of Fax TX or Fax RX, create a Fax to Network Scan job and to send data to pre configured PC connected through the network. Fax to Network Scan Configuration: The job for this module is as follows: Enabling or disabling the Fax to Network Scan feature and configuring the destination PC, connected to the network, to which fax data to be forwarded. This section will describe the operation of the invention. Whole operation can be divided into the following two parts: 1. Configure Fax to Network Scan related Items. 2. Forward fax data to a pre-configured PC connected through the network by using Fax to Network Scan Handler. 1. Fax to Network Scan Configuration: Following items need to be configured: 1. Enabling and disabling of fax to network scan feature. User can configure: a. TX fax to be forwarded. b. RX fax to be forwarded. c. TX and RX both to be forwarded. 2. Configured the network PC to which fox to be forwarded. 3. Local Print enableVdisable. Received fox would be printed only if local print option is enabled. 2. Fax To Network Scan Handler This section will describe the Fax to Network Scan Handler. Any Fax job will be passed through this module. This will take action as per the configuration set. Job of this module can be divided in two parts. Forwarding TX Fax to Network PC: Once Fax to Network Scan is configured, the following activity will be done for fax to network scan forward in case of TX fox: Figure 3 explains this method. First the number is dialed. Then the required data is scanned and encoded. Then the encoded data is forwarded to network scan program running at networked PC. If scanned data is sent successfully then the Fax is initiated. Program running at PC will send success or failure for the communication. If it is successful then only fox job proceed. If Scanned data sending is not sent successfully to network PC then Fax is discarded. Forwarding RX Fax to Network PC: Once Fax to Network Scan is configured, the following activity will be done for fox to network scan forward in case of RX fox. Figure 4 explains this method. First the fax is received and stored in the memory of the MFP. Then the received fox data is forwarded to NIC which intern forward the data to network scan program running at networked PC. If scanned data is sent to network PC successfully then the fox is printed if print at local machine is enabled. The said program running at PC will send success or failure for the communication. If it is successful then only fax job proceed. If scanned data is not sent successfully to network PC then the Fax is discarded. The current invention will have following benefits over the related art. 1. Fax activity can be monitored. 2. No extra PSTN charges. 3. No mail server required. The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. WE CLAIM 1. A method for sending a copy of a fax from a Multi-Functional Peripheral (MFP) device to a computer connected through a network for continuous monitoring of the said MFP usage comprising the steps of: checking the operation mode of the device whether it is in transmission mode(TX operation) or in the receiving mode(RX operation), where the TX operation involves: (i) dialing the destination fax number; (ii) scanning the required document; (iii) sending the scanned data to a pre-configured network PC where a program is running to receive the data; (iv) sending the fax to the dialed number if the scanned data is send successfully to the networked PC; and (v) discarding the fax if data is not sent successfully to network PC wherein the RX operation involves: (a) receiving the fax from the sending machine; (b) storing the fax in the memory of the MFP; (c) sending the stored data to a pre-configured network PC where a program is running to receive the data; (d) printing the fax if data is sent successfully to the PC; and (e) discarding the fax if data is not sent successfully to network PC. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a networked computer is pre- configured to handle the said operation by a fax-to-network scan configuration module. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein sending the fax data to a pre- configured network computer is done by the fax-to-network scan handier. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said method involves an MFP device with network interface card to access network. 5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said method involves a PC client program at Networked PC to handle Fax forward request from MFP. 6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fax-to-network scan handler performs the function of receiving event for Fax TX operation or Fax RX operation, creating a Fax to Network Scan job and sending data to a pre configured PC connected through the network. 7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a fax-to-network scan configuration module performs the function of enabling or disabling the Fax to Network Scan feature and configuring the destination PC, connected to the network, to which fax data to be forwarded. 8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein configuring Fax to Network Scan related items involve the configuration of TX fax to be forwarded, RX fax to be forwarded, TX and RX both to be forwarded, configuring the network PC to which fax to be forwarded, enabling or disabling local print. 9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein received fax would be printed only if local print option is enabled. 10. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the MFP performs a required action of printing only if the fax data is received by the network computer. 11 .A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said method is performed by using Local Area Network instead of PSTN. 12. A method for sending a copy of a fax from a Multi-Functional Peripheral (MFP) device to a computer connected through a network substantially as herein described particularly with reference to figure 2 to 4.

Documents:

177-CHE-2005 AMENDED CLAIMS 30-01-2014..pdf

177-CHE-2005 AMENDED CLAIMS 10-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 10-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 10-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 08-01-2014.pdf

177-CHE-2005 FORM-1 08-01-2014.pdf

177-CHE-2005 FORM-13 10-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 FORM-2 08-01-2014.pdf

177-CHE-2005 FORM-5 10-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 10-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 POWER OF ATTORNEY 10-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 POWER OF ATTORNEY 30-01-2014.pdf

177-CHE-2005 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 30-01-2014.pdf

177-CHE-2005 FORM-13 19-06-2006.pdf

177-CHE-2005 FORM-13 12-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 POWER OF ATTORNEY 08-01-2014.pdf

177-CHE-2005 ABSTRACT.pdf

177-CHE-2005 CLAIMS.pdf

177-CHE-2005 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 19-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS.pdf

177-CHE-2005 DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

177-CHE-2005 DRAWINGS.pdf

177-CHE-2005 FORM 1.pdf

177-CHE-2005 FORM 13.pdf

177-CHE-2005 FORM 18.pdf

177-CHE-2005 FORM-1 19-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 POWER OF ATTORNEY 19-12-2013.pdf

177-CHE-2005 POWER OF ATTORNEY.pdf