Title: Paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
Abstract: A paperless image fax-scanning apparatus includes: an image scanning unit utilized to scan documents to be scanned to generate image data; a faxing unit, when connected to a telephone line, utilized to transmit the image data generated from the image scanning unit or to receive image data via the telephone line; a data storage unit, which can be connected to a portable data storage medium, utilized to store the image data received by the faxing unit at the above mentioned portable data storage medium; an input interface, which includes at least one set of operation keyboards, utilized to input various operation signals into the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus; and a control unit utilized to control the operation of the image fax-scanning apparatus.
Patent Number: 7,019,869 Issued on 03/28/2006 to Chen
| Inventors:
|
Chen; Michael (Hsinchu, TW)
|
| Assignee:
|
Avision, Inc. (Hsinchu, TW)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
899819 |
| Filed:
|
July 9, 2001 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Jul 07, 2000[TW] | 89113493 A |
| Current U.S. Class: |
358/402; 358/400; 358/401; 358/404 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
A47B 95/04 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
358/402,400,401,404,407,468,442,474,476
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5396341 | Mar., 1995 | Takahashi et al.
| |
| 6055067 | Apr., 2000 | Matsuda et al.
| |
| 6487611 | Nov., 2002 | Brusky et al.
| |
| 6614551 | Sep., 2003 | Peek.
| |
| 2005/0080932 | Apr., 2005 | Liu.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 1069155 | Feb., 1993 | CN.
| |
| 1154619 | Jul., 1997 | CN.
| |
| 1205824 | Jan., 1999 | CN.
| |
| 0 756 414 | Jul., 1996 | EP.
| |
| 0756414 | Jan., 1997 | EP.
| |
| 353845 | Mar., 1999 | TW.
| |
Primary Examiner: Williams; Kimberly
Assistant Examiner: Worku; Negussie
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rabin & Berdo, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A paperless image fax-scanning apparatus, comprising:
an image scanning unit for scanning a document to generate image data;
a faxing unit connected to a telephone line for transmitting the image data generated
from the image scanning unit or receiving fax image data via the telephone line;
a data storage unit, which is connected to a portable data storage medium, for
storing the fax image data received by the faxing unit in the portable data storage medium;
an input interface, which comprises an operation keyboard for inputting operation
signals into the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus; and
a control unit for controlling the operation of the paperless image fax-scanning
apparatus, wherein the control unit transfers the fax image data received by the
faxing unit to the data storage unit and stores the fax image data in the portable
data storage medium;
wherein the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus excludes printing facilities
that directly produce printout and is operable independently without control of
a personal computer so as to save paper with the operation of the paperless image
fax-scanning apparatus.
2. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a network interface through which the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
is connectable to a Local Area Network (LAN).
3. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the LAN is
a Local Area Network with Ethernet protocol.
4. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a printer interface for connecting the image fax-scanning apparatus to a printer
through which the fax image data received by the faxing unit is printable.
5. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a display panel for displaying operation data inputted by the user and the status
of the image fax-scanning apparatus.
6. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a peripheral equipment interface for connecting with peripheral equipment.
7. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the peripheral
equipment interface is a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI).
8. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the peripheral
equipment interface is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.
9. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control
unit selectively transfers the image data generated from the image scanning unit
to the data storage unit and stores the image data in the portable data storage media.
10. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control
unit is further able to selectively have the faxing unit transmit the image data
stored in the portable data storage media via the telephone line.
11. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control
unit is further able to selectively transform the image data stored in the portable
data storage media to image data and have the faxing unit transmit the transformed
image data via the telephone line.
12. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flatbed
scanning device further comprising:
an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) corresponding to the flatbed scanning device.
13. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data storage
unit is a floppy disc drive.
14. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data storage
unit is a removable hard disc drive.
15. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data storage
unit is a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot.
16. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data storage
unit is a Re-Writable Compact Disc (CD-RW).
17. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control
unit is further able to screen out received fax data to decide whether the fax
data should be preserved or not.
18. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input
interface wirelessly transfers operation signals inputted by a user to other parts
of the image fax-scanning apparatus.
19. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image
scanning unit is a flatbed scanning device.
20. A paperless image fax-scanning apparatus for use with a portable data storage
medium; the apparatus comprising:
a housing, the housing further including, either within the housing or at a surface
of the housing:
an image scanning unit for scanning a document to generate image data;
a faxing unit operatively coupled to a telephone line connection at the surface
of the housing, for transmitting the image data generated from the image scanning
unit or receiving fax image data via a telephone line;
a data storage unit, further comprising, at the surface of the housing, a device
accepting a portable data storage medium for storing the fax image data received
by the faxing unit in the portable data storage medium;
an input interface at the surface of the housing, which comprises an operation
keyboard for inputting operation signals into the apparatus; and
a control unit for controlling operation of the apparatus, wherein the control
unit transfers the fax image data received by the faxing unit to the data storage
unit and stores the fax image data in the portable data storage medium;
wherein the apparatus excludes any printer and is independently operable by the
control unit without connection to any personal computer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application incorporates by reference Taiwanese application Serial No.
89113493, Filed Jul. 7, 2000.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a paperless image fax-scanning apparatus,
and more particularly to a paperless image fax-scanning apparatus without using
any computer systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
The fax machine is a necessary apparatus of communication equipment in modern
offices. Its simple and easy way of operation allows the user to complete the sending
of images without learning complicated computer operations. In circumstances when
a high standard of image quality is not required, such as when sending plain printed
matters, manuscripts, securities, and notes or documents, the fax machine is a
commonly used communication tool to send images. However, due to the limitations
in technology and design, ordinary fax machines have the following disadvantages
in terms of printing quality, efficiency of use, and cost.
In the aspect of printing quality and the aspect of cost: Ordinary fax machines
adopt either thermal or non-thermal style printing methods. The thermal style printing
method generates a poorer quality of printing; furthermore, the print fades out
easily, and is difficult to be preserved for an extended period of time. Due to
its low printing costs, most ordinary fax machines adopt the thermal style printing
method instead of the non-thermal style printing method. The non-thermal style
printing method, such as inkjet printing, generates a better printing quality as
compared to the thermal style does. However, the inkjet printing method has a slower
printing speed as well as a higher cost of consumable materials such as inkjet
cartridges. As for other non-thermal style printing methods, the laser printing
method for instance, is not popular, and is normally adopted only in high-priced
fax machines because of its relatively higher costs.
In the aspect of user's efficiency of use: After receiving fax data, ordinary
fax machines normally print it out. When receiving or printing, the telephone line
of the fax machine cannot be used to send or receive another fax at the same time.
Moreover, more time will be needed if the fax data is of large amount or if errors
occur during the process of sending or receiving of fax data since the process
needs to be repeated. In addition, when sending a fax, we need to redial again
if the line of the receiving fax machine is engaged. Although ordinary fax machines
have the automatic redial function, it is very likely that someone else may have
an urgent need to send a fax at that time. In these circumstances, the two users
need to negotiate with each other to achieve an agreement. Furthermore, more mutual
negotiation and patience are needed if several users need to use the fax machine
at the same time. In circumstances where several users use the same fax machine,
manpower and time will be wasted, and the efficiency of work will decrease.
Although some high-priced fax machines have functions to solve the above-mentioned
problems, e.g. time-setting sending and memory receiving functions, these functions
are independent functions and are restricted inside a fax machine and cannot integrate
with other computer peripherals to achieve an automatic, high efficiency and high
quality working environment. When most of the computer processed documents need
to be faxed, two solutions are currently available:
(a). Connect the fax machine with a computer and then fax documents through
complicated operation procedures. This way does not need to have the documents
printed out first, but is problematic for users who are not familiar with computer operations.
(b). Have the documents printed out first and then have them faxed in the conventional
method. However, this method causes wastage of paper.
The scanner is a common peripheral in modem offices. Taking an ordinary flatbed
scanner for instance, it needs to be controlled by a personal computer. The user
needs to operate computer software to control the scanner and store the scanned
results in the storage unit of a personal computer such as a hard disc for further
processing. In spite of the fact that scanners with portable data storage media
permitting scanned data to be stored at the data storage media of scanners have
been developed, such scanners still cannot integrate with other computer peripheral
resources and bring the high quality scan-output feature into full play, nor can
such scanners combine this high quality scan-output feature with the functions
of fax machines and the Internet. Therefore, such scanners have lower added value.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a paperless image fax-scanning
apparatus to solve the drawbacks of ordinary fax machines and to fully utilize
the features of ordinary image scanners. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
combines the functions of a fax machine and the functions of an image scanner into
one. By utilizing an image scanner as the input device of a fax machine and utilizing
the data storage unit to store the fax data received and then output the fax data
to another storage media to replace printing output, a paperless and high quality
output can be achieved. The apparatus can be operated independently without the
control of a personal computer. The easy operation features of the apparatus not
only increase operation efficiency, but also permit those users not familiar with
computer operations to easily complete the sending and receiving of faxes with
a high level of efficiency and quality. Apart from that, the output of the image
data that comes from the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus can be shared if
the built-in network interface device of the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
is connected to a Local Area Network (LAN). In this way, the data can be processed
by the network server, extending the functionality of the data, resulting in a
highly automated and efficient working environment.
According to the object of the invention, a paperless image fax-scanning
apparatus is provided. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus includes: an
image scanning unit to scan documents, a faxing unit connected to a telephone line,
a data storage unit, an input interface including at least one set of operation
keyboards, and a control unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent
from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiments.
The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
in FIG. 1 according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a functional diagram of the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
in FIG. 1 according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a functional diagram of the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
in FIG. 2 according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIG. 1, a block diagram of the paperless image fax-scanning
apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The paperless
image fax-scanning apparatus
100 includes an image scanning unit
110,
a faxing unit
120, at least one data storage unit
130, and a control
unit
140. The image scanning unit
110, such as a flatbed scanner
or a sheet-fed scanner, is utilized to scan documents to generate a digital image
data of the documents. The faxing unit
120, such as an ordinary sending/receiving
interface of a fax machine, is utilized to fax the above-obtained data and to receive
incoming fax data when connected to a Public Switching Telephone Network (PSTN).
The data storage unit
130, such as a removable hard disc interface or a
floppy disc drive, e.g. a 1.44 MB disc drive, a Zip drive or an LS 120 disc drive,
can be used in three ways:
(1). Write large amounts of data of the scanned documents into the data storage
unit rapidly and wait to be faxed via the faxing unit
120 afterwards. In
this way, users do not need to waste time queuing up.
(2). Write large amounts of incoming data into the data storage unit rapidly
and wait for the designated recipients to make a copy of the data to their own
computers. In this way, not only is wastage of paper reduced, but also increases
the speed and capacity of fax receiving.
(3). Users can place the data of documents to be faxed in an appropriate data
storage medium from their computers. After that, the users can bring their data
storage media with them and place it in the data storage unit
130 of the
paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
100. Stored data can then be read
out from the data storage unit and then faxed via the faxing unit
120.
As for the control unit
140, it is utilized to control the operations
of
the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus as well as control the processing of
various data stored in the data storage media. For example, the control unit performs
image processing for these data to generate image files with image formats, Joint
Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) for instance, and stores these image files at
ZIP discs with a Zip drive. Another example is utilizing the control unit to transform
image files with image format like JPEG, which are stored at data storage media,
to faxable image data to be faxed by the faxing unit via a telephone network.
The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
100 in the above-mentioned
FIG. 1 further includes a memory device
150 utilized to store the processed
data. For instance, the memory device
150 can be utilized to store data
if the storage space of data storage media is insufficient. The memory device
150
can also be utilized to temporarily store data as well as to transfer the data
to data storage media if the volume of data reaches a certain amount. In this way,
the access time will be reduced. In addition, using a peripheral equipment interface
(not shown in the figure), the image fax-scanning apparatus
100 can be further
connected to other external peripheral equipment such as an external data storage
device like Re-Writable Compact Disc (CD-RW) or Digital Versatile Disc—Random
Access Memory (DVD-RAM). This function is disclosed in FIG. 4, Embodiment Two hereunder.
As mentioned above, the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus as illustrated
in FIG. 1 completes the scanning and faxing functions without requiring personal
computers. To achieve another object of the invention, the paperless image fax-scanning
apparatus is integrated with a network. Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of
another paperless image fax-scanning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention is depicted. As shown in FIG. 2, the paperless image fax-scanning
apparatus
200 includes an image scanning unit
210, a faxing unit
220, at least one data storage unit
230, a control unit
240,
and a network interface
250. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
200 differs from the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
100 described
in FIG. 1 in that the former has a network interface
250, such as an Ethernet
network card for instance. By means of the control unit
240, various data,
including that received via the network interface
250, can be processed.
Apart from receiving data, the network interface
250 can output data processed
by the control unit
240. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
200
can be connected to networks to share its processed data. For example, utilizing
the network interface
250 to connect the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
200 to a Local Area Network (LAN), its functionalities can be harnessed
by all users of the network.
The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
200 as illustrated in FIG.
2 further provides a memory device
260 for the control unit
240 to
utilize. The memory device
260 can be utilized to store data when the storage
space of the original data storage media is insufficient, or if the network connection
is suspended.
In the above-mentioned description, the invention presents a paperless image
fax-scanning
apparatus that completes the processing of faxing and scanning and outputs data
to data storage media without requiring the control of a personal computer. Besides,
the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus can be further connected to a network
via the connection with other peripheral equipment. The details of these functions
are illustrated in the following three embodiments; the ways of implementation
and operation of these functions are disclosed as well.
Embodiment One:
Referring to FIG. 3, a functional diagram of the paperless image fax-scanning
apparatus of FIG. 1. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
300, which
integrates the functions of a flatbed scanner and a fax machine, includes a scanning
unit and a faxing unit. Its faxing unit connects with a PSTN via a telephone line
to send and receive faxes. Its scanning unit includes a scanning flatbed
311
and an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
315. The paperless image fax-scanning
apparatus
300 uses a floppy disc drive
320 as its input/output device
while a display panel
340 and an operation keyboard
340 are used
as users' interfaces. Apart from a conventional keyboard, a wireless keyboard can
be used as an embodiment of the operation keyboard
340; while a Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD) panel for instance can be used as an embodiment of the display panel
330. In addition, the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
300
utilizes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface
371 and a printer interface
372 to connect with other peripheral equipments. A control unit controls
all the units and devices comprising the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
such that various faxing and scanning functions can be integrated to process the data.
As is shown in FIG. 3, the various components discussed in the paragraph above
are disposed on the surface of a housing, with the exception of the control unit.
When a user wants to fax documents, he or she can put the documents on the ADF
315 and then press the operation keyboard
340 and the documents will
be automatically fed into the ADF
315 and scanned. The user can also choose
to put the documents on the scanning flatbed
311 page by page and have the
documents scanned page by page accordingly. After the documents have been scanned,
message will be shown in the display panel
330 to inform the user of the
results of scanning, and the data of scanned documents will be faxed. At the same
time, the user can either perform image processing on the data or store the data
at a floppy disc. If the floppy disc is not in the floppy disc drive
320,
or if the floppy disc runs out of its storage space, the data will be stored at
the memory device of the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus.
Apart from that, the user can reset the system. The user can choose either
to fax the data of scanned images stored in the removable storage media via a telephone
line, e.g. the data of scanned images stored at floppy discs as described in this
embodiment; or transform the image data stored in the data storage media first
and then fax the transformed data of scanned images via a telephone line later.
As described above, the control unit within the system controls all these functions
and operations.
The user can selectively set the system to store the incoming faxes into a floppy
disc directly or some other memory device for further processing.
As for ordinary document scanning functions, the scanning unit of the paperless
image fax-scanning apparatus
300 independently completes the scanning and
transfers the data to data storage media, thus saving computer operation procedures.
In terms of operation convenience, using the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
is as convenient as using a photocopier. The only difference is that the data is
copied to a disc in the form of digital image files rather than outputted onto
paper. 60 KB to 80 KB memory space is needed for an ordinary fax of A4 size, therefore
a 1.44 MB disc can store up to about 20 pages of fax data. As for high capacity
floppy discs with capacity over 100 MB, e.g. discs utilized by floppy disc drives
like Zip or LS120, at least 1,460 pages of fax can be stored. By means of the control
unit of the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
300, all the fax data
can be transformed to general image formats, e.g. JPEG, which are used in ordinary
personal computers or the Internet for further processing by other users. In this
way, the consumption of paper will be greatly reduced and the reuse of data and
consumable materials increased. As a result, work efficiency will be increased
and costs reduced.
Embodiment Two:
FIG. 4 is a functional diagram, other than FIG. 3, of the paperless image fax-scanning
apparatus of FIG. 1. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
400, which
integrates the functions of a sheet-fed scanner and a fax machine, includes a scanning
unit and a faxing unit. Its scanning unit includes a paper tray
411 to guide
the feeding of documents. A floppy disc drive
420 and a Personal Computer
Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot
421 are included as
the input/output device; while a display panel
430 and an operation keyboard
440 are used as users' interfaces. Apart from that, a USB interface
471
and a printer interface
472 are utilized to connect with other peripheral
equipment such as a USB device
481 and a printer
482.
As is shown in FIG. 4, the various components discussed in the paragraph above
are disposed on the surface of a housing, with the exception of the USB device
481 and the printer
482.
Embodiment Two differs from Embodiment One in the following aspects. First,
since Embodiment Two uses a sheet-fed scanner, which is smaller than the flatbed
scanner used in Embodiment One, the structure of the paperless fax image scanner
apparatus
400 is simplified and the cost of manufacture is reduced. Second,
Embodiment Two uses the PCMCIA slot
421 to access PCMCIA cards, a flash
memory card for instance.
One example of this embodiment's applications is when a news reporter needs to
fax images taken with a digital camera to his or her news agency. The reporter
first utilizes the built-in read/write functions of PCMCIA card of the camera to
write the image data of the images into a flash memory card. Next, he or she inserts
the flash memory card into the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
400
and then fax the image data to the news agency. Another example of application
is to store the fax data and the scanning data in a flash memory card first, then
have this flash memory card inserted into a notebook personal computer for further
utilization or processing.
In addition, the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
400 further connects
with the USB device
481 and the printer
482 permitting the user either
to print the fax data or the scanned data through a printer, or store the data
using the USB device
481. Of course, the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
400 can be designed to comprise interfaces other than USB, a Small Computer
System Interface (SCSI) for instance. Thus, the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
400 can be connected to the CD-RW via the SCSI interface to store important
faxes or scanned data in a compact disc. Compared with an individual fax machine
or scanner, the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
400 has a much higher
added value in terms of the expansion of function and the convenience of use it
provides. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
400 according to the
invention integrates and utilizes the existing resources more efficiently.
The ADF
315 and the fold feeder
411 are taken as examples to enable
the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus of the invention. However, the invention
is not limited thereto. By the same token, even though the PCMCIA slot
421
is utilized and described in Embodiment Two, it can be used in Embodiment One as well.
Embodiment Three:
FIG. 5, a functional diagram of the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus in
FIG. 2, is shown. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
500 outputs
data to a network
590, a LAN with Ethernet protocol for instance, by means
of a network interface
560 and controls the link between the network interface
560 and the LAN
590 through the control unit of the paperless image
fax-scanning apparatus
500. Moreover, without using the controls of personal
computers, the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
500 as described in
Embodiment One and Embodiment Two independently completes the functions of scanning
and faxing, achieves a paperless output of faxes, scans and stores data in data
storage media. The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
500 can be further
linked to other peripheral equipment
581 by means of the peripheral equipment
interface
571.
As is shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus
500 comprises a housing, on the surface
of which are the network interface
560 and the peripheral equipment interface
571.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
500
can be connected to the LAN
590 through the network interface
560,
a LAN Ethernet protocol for instance. While the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
500 is connected to the LAN
590, it becomes one of the network nodes
of the LAN
590. Thus, that data can be shared with other network nodes,
such as the first workstation
592 and the second workstation
593,
by ways of using a network server
591 to store and share the data.
In another aspect, the control unit of the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus
500 includes sorting and screening functions to screen out some incoming
faxes of unknown sources such as advertisements or private faxes to reduce the
burden of network transmission. Since the demands for printing through network
printers are reduced, the consumption of consumable materials such as paper will
be decreased.
Through integration with an internal network, the paperless image fax-scanning
apparatus
500 permits workstations of other networks to share the output
of fax machines and image scanners. Using a network server to process the data
of faxes and scanned images, various functions can be further extended to provide
an automated and efficient working.
In the above-mentioned embodiments according to the invention, the paperless
image
fax-scanning apparatus integrates the functions of a scanner and a fax machine
and utilizes data storage media to replace the necessary printing output device
of a conventional fax machine. The consumption of paper in offices will be greatly
reduced and the reuse of data and consumable materials increased. As a result,
work efficiency will be increased and costs reduced. Compared with an individual
fax machine or scanner, the paperless image fax-scanning apparatus has a much higher
added value in terms of expansion of functions and convenience of use it provides.
The paperless image fax-scanning apparatus integrates and utilizes existing resources
more efficiently. Through integration with an internal network, a network server
is utilized to process the data of faxes and scanned images; various functions
can be further extended to provide an automated and efficient working environment.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various
modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended
claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass
all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures.
*
