Abstract:
According to the present invention, a single incoming/outgoing line, such as a telephone line, is enabled to transmit and receive information through a variety of information routing systems. The present invention employs a facsimile machine having a monitor/switching device that enables or disables a variety of communication devices based upon signal traffic detected by the monitor in combination with a set of predetermined user priority parameters. Predetermined user priority parameters may include factors such as the time of transmission, the user identity, a user priority override designation and/or the type of information being transferred.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the efficient use of telecommunication systems. Specifically, this invention allows multiple communications devices to share a single communication line based upon user specified priority parameters. More particularly, this device relates to a method and system for sharing a single telephone line within a facsimile machine, by monitoring use and switching between communication devices based upon predetermined user parameters. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, the means for establishing electronic communications has increased, more and more people have employed telephone, facsimile, answering machines, e-mail, internet and intranet to communicate or propagate information. Traditionally, in order to facilitate communication using these different formats, the user has been required to purchase different kinds of appropriate devices. That is, the user must install a standard telephone, a facsimile machine, a personal computer and modem separately in order to take advantage of the communication systems. Moreover, in typical application, the user must install a separate communication line, such as a telephone line, in order to support these systems. For small business owners and individual users, who desire multiple telephone lines for one or more of these communications systems, the cost of securing such lines may be prohibitive. Furthermore, the recent increase in the demand for new telephone lines from the central office of the Public Switching Telephone Network (PSTN) has prompted some central offices to stop issuing any new phone lines for an indefinite period of time. Therefore, a need has risen in which the use of a single telephone line may be expanded to support the variety of available communication devices. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention enables a single communication line to transmit and receive information through a variety of information routing systems. Specifically, the present invention employs a facsimile machine having a monitor/switching device that directs information traffic based upon observed signal traffic and user predetermined priority parameters. User predetermined priority parameters may include factors such as time of transmission, user identity, type of information being transferred and/or a user priority override designation. 
     The present invention is described with reference to a facsimile machine however, the present invention may be applied to any device having an incoming/outgoing line. The facsimile machine is operatively connected to one or more personal computers, one or more optional phone devices, and a telephone line. The personal computer may be connected to the facsimile machine by an RS232 cable or, if multiple personal computers exists, through a network and local area network device. The facsimile device further includes a facsimile component for performing typical facsimile transmissions operatively connected to a switching device with a monitor, and a memory device and a data traffic monitor tap, and a caller identification decoder. The memory device stores incoming or outgoing facsimiles when directed by the switch device. The monitor, which is connected to the switching device, directs the switch device to performing two functions simultaneously. First, the switch device momentarily asserts an on hook and off hook signal, for purposes of signaling a call waiting function provided by a central office. Second, the switch establishes the proper connection and is positioned between the incoming/outgoing line, and either the facsimile component; the optional phone device(s); or, personal computer(s). The switch is operatively connected to the incoming/outgoing line and also to the optional phone device(s) through an RJ11 jack. The incoming/outgoing line in turn is connected to the public switch telephone network (PSTN) also through an RJ11 jack. Both the public switch telephone network and RJ11 jack are known in the art of the communications, therefore a detailed description is not necessary for the understanding of the present invention. 
     The monitor observes signal traffic being sent from the optional phone device(s), personal computer(s) and/or the facsimile component, as well as, signal traffic incoming to the facsimile machine through the incoming/outgoing line. The monitor also observes data traffic flowing through the modem via a data traffic monitor tap. The caller identification decoder provides the monitor the identity of the incoming telephone call. 
     Based upon a set of user predetermined priority parameters, in conjunction with the system activity and identity as observed by the monitor, the precedence of the signals is determined and the switch is directed to either enable or disable certain communication devices. For example, if the monitor determines that the communication signal is incoming from a high level priority designation, this takes precedence and the monitor activates the switch to accept the communication, and terminates either the personal computer user, the facsimile transmission or other active device. Examples of communication signals incoming to the facsimile machine at the incoming/outgoing line are voice calls, either for an answering machine or real time; facsimile transmissions; or Point to Point Protocol (PPP), Serial Line Interface Protocol (SLIP) or Microsoft Remote Access Server (RAS). Outgoing communication signals include voice; facsimile to facsimile over the incoming/outgoing line; facsimile to facsimile over the incoming/outgoing line via internet; facsimile memory, stored in memory unit to a facsimile over the incoming/outgoing line; facsimile memory to facsimile via internet; personal computer to internet; personal computer to intranet; and personal computer to any computer having PPP, SLIP or RAS. 
     Another example of user priority preference is, if an outgoing signal is identified to have originated from a high priority user, the communication signal will not be interrupted for any type of signal traffic. If, however, the communication signal is an outgoing facsimile and the monitor detects that a high priority user is trying to send an incoming facsimile, the switch will prompt the outgoing facsimile to be sent to the memory and prompt the incoming facsimile to be received. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of the overall system of the present invention in a personal computer environment. 
     FIG. 2 is a high-level block diagram of the overall system of the present invention in a network environment. 
     FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of the system of the present invention in a personal computer environment. 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of the system of the present invention in a network environment. 
     FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting the possible communication destination of the incoming/outgoing line of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a flow chart describing the method of communicating a facsimile document within the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a second flow chart describing the method of establishing a personal computer interface within the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a final flow chart describing the method of establishing a voice communication within the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, is a high-level block diagram of system  10  in which the present invention may be implemented. System  10  is shown in a personal computer (PC) environment and includes a facsimile machine  5  operatively connected to PC  50  and an optional phone device  60  via incoming/outgoing line  10 . A plurality of personal computers  50  and/or a plurality of optional phone devices may be operatively connected to facsimile machine  5 . Optional phone device  60  may be for example, a telephone or a facsimile machine, answering machine or any machine being operatively connected via a communication line such as a telephone line. Facsimile machine  5  is further connected via incoming/outgoing line  15  to the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN). The Internet  20  connects to facsimile machine  5  through the PSTN  25 . Internet  20  may be further connected to one or more facsimile machines  70  or facsimile to phone converters  80 , which is then connected to facsimile  90  through PSTN  25 . Facsimile  5  may also connect directly to facsimile  90  through the PSTN  26 . Personal computer  50  may connect with PC 55  by way of facsimile, PSTN  25  and Intranet  27  using protocols such as SLIP, PPP, RAS or other computer-to-computer protocols. FIG. 2 illustrates a similar system as described in FIG. 1 in a network environment having one or more personal computers  50  connected via a local area network interface  190  through local area network  40  to facsimile  5 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 3 is illustrated the detailed telephone and data connections in the PC environment between personal computers  50 , optional phone device  60 , and facsimile machine  5 . Facsimile machine  5  further includes a facsimile component  130  for performing typical facsimile transmissions. Facsimile component  130  is operatively connected to memory unit  140  for storing incoming facsimiles or outgoing facsimiles when directed. Facsimile component  130  and monitor/switch  120  are interconnected. Monitor/switch device  120  performs two functions simultaneously. First, monitor/switch  120  momentarily asserts an on hook and off hook, for purposes of signaling a call waiting function provided by a central office; and establishes the proper connection between incoming/outgoing line  10  and either, facsimile machine  130 , optional phone device  60 , or modem  110 . The switching function is controlled by a signal provided by the internal by monitoring signals from data traffic monitor tap  115 , caller id  150 , and then detects telephone signal traffic being sent and received from optional phone device  60 , modem  110  and/or facsimile component  130 , data traffic monitor tap  115 , as well as signal traffic on incoming/outgoing line  10 . Personal computer  50  may be connected to facsimile machine  5  through an RS232 cable. Switch  120  may be connected to optional phone device  60  through an RJ11 jack. Incoming/outgoing line  10  is connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) also through an RJ11 jack. Both the PSTN and RJ11jack are known in the art of communications therefore, a detailed description of the PSTN and an RJ11 is not necessary for the understanding of the present invention. 
     Caller identification  150  is operatively positioned on line  10  and connected to monitor/switch  120 . Called identification  150  enables monitor/switch  120  to identify an incoming signal and thereafter monitor/switch  120  determines what action to take based upon a user predetermined set of parameters. For example, if the monitor determines that the signal is created by a priority user, the monitor activates monitor/switch device  120  to accept the signal and terminate either the personal computer use or the active facsimile transmission or optional phone device. Examples of signal incoming to facsimile machine  5  at incoming/outgoing line  10  are: voice, either for an answering machine or real time; facsimile transmissions; or, Point to Point Protocol (PPP), Serial Line Interface Protocol (SLIP) or Microsoft Remote Access Server (RAS). Outgoing signals may include, among other signals: facsimile  130  to facsimile  90  transmission over incoming/outgoing line  10 ; facsimile  130  to facsimile  70  via modem  110  over incoming/outgoing line  10  via internet  20 ; facsimile memory, stored in memory unit  140  to facsimile  90  via modem over incoming/outgoing line  10 ; facsimile memory to facsimile  70  via internet  20 ; personal computer  50  to internet  20 ; personal computer  50  to personal computer  55  via modem  110  the PSTN and Intranet  27 ; personal computer to any computer having PPP, SLIP or RAS. Another possible outgoing call is a voice call from optional phone device  60 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 4 is a similar facsimile machine  5  as described with reference to FIG. 3, however FIG. 4 is shown in a network environment. In order to utilize a network connection, facsimile  5  includes a local area network (LAN) interface  190  operatively connected to network  40  and monitor/switch  120 , for supporting multiple personal computers. The LAN interface can be any LAN interface or those interface surrogating as a LAN interface such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Inferred Data Access (IRDa) and parallel port connections. Facsimile machine  5 , as modified for network application, also includes proxy-router firewall  195  operatively connected to monitor/switch  120  and modem  110 . Personal computer  50  may be connected to local area network interface  190 , contained within facsimile machine  5  through network hub  40  or directly to local area network interface  190  through cross cable  180 . LAN interfaces are known, therefore a detailed description of the interface is not necessary for an understanding of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 depicts possible outputs that may be connected at incoming/outgoing line  10 . Line  10  is connected to PSTN  300 , which may then be connected to one or more of a variety of devices, such as, standard telephone(s)  34 - 340   n,  facsimile machine(s)  320 - 320   n,  or modem(s)  330 - 330   n.  In turn, the devices specifically, the modems may communicate with a network or any device that interfaces with a modem. 
     Now Turning to FIG. 6, which is a flow chart depicting the method of the present invention from the perspective that the user is prompting facsimile component  130  to transmit a document. It should be noted that the order of the methods set forth in FIG.  6  and FIG. 7 may vary, depending upon user and system preferences. The method of FIG. 6 begins at step  500  where the user prompts facsimile component  130  to send a document transmission. The method continues to step  510  where monitor/switch  120  queries as to whether or not there is a voice call in progress. If the answer to the query is “yes,” then the method proceeds to step  520  where the document transmission is stored in memory  140  for later transmission. If the response to the query at step  510  is “no,” the method proceeds to step  530  where the monitor queries as to whether or not there is a facsimile transmission in progress. If the response to the query is “yes,” then the method proceeds to step  540  where monitor/switch  120  queries if there has been a request for a priority transmission. A priority transmission may be determined, by factors such as: who is sending the facsimile; when is the facsimile being sent; what is being sent or, merely a designation by the user that the facsimile is a priority. If, at step  540 , a priority transmission is not requested, then the method proceeds to step  550  where the facsimile transmission is saved to memory  130  for transmission at a later time. If, however, a priority transmission is requested, then the method continues at step  560  and queries as to whether or not a facsimile is being received. If the response to step  560  is “no,” then it is determined that a facsimile is already being sent and the remainder of the facsimile being sent is saved to memory  140  for transmission at a later time, while monitor/switch  120  enables the outgoing facsimile to be transmitted. At this time, a page may be sent to notify recipient of interruption. If, however, the answer to the query at step  560  is “yes,” then the method proceeds to step  580  where the facsimile being received is disconnected and monitor/switch  120  enables the outgoing facsimile to be sent. 
     If, however, at step  530  monitor/switch  120  determines that a facsimile is not being transmitted, then the method continues to step  590  where monitor/switch  120  queries as to whether or not the personal computer is attempting to communicate priority traffic. Priority personal computer traffic is determined by monitor/switch  120  and data traffic monitor tap  115  based upon factors such as; the identity of the user; the function being performing, time of use; and/or, frequency of operation, such as whether the traffic has been idle for a specified period of time. If the personal computer traffic is not a priority, then the method continues at step  610  where monitor/switch  120  disable the PC and enables the facsimile transmission. 
     Now turning to FIG. 7 is a flow chart describing the method beginning at step  700  of the present invention from the perspective that the user is prompting a connection between personal computer  50  and either the internet  20  or intranet  27 . 
     The method continues to step  710  where monitor/switch  120  queries as to whether or not there is a voice connection in progress. If there is a voice connection in progress, then the method progressed to step  720  where the personal computer user is prompted that the Internet/Intranet is not available. If a voice connection is not in progress, the method continues to step  730  where monitor/switch  120  determines whether or not a facsimile transmission is occurring. If the answer to the query at step  730  is “yes,” then the method proceeds to step  740  where monitor/switch  120  determines whether or not the facsimile transmission is a priority transmission. If the facsimile transmission is a priority transmission, the method proceeds to step  760 , where the personal computer user is prompted that the internet/intranet is not available for use. If, however, at step  740 , monitor/switch  120  determines that the facsimile transmission is not a priority transmission, then the method proceeds to step  750 , where the remainder of the facsimile transmission is sent to memory  140  and monitor/switch  120  enables a connection between personal computer  50  and internet  20  or intranet  27 . As with FIG. 6, a page can be sent to the distant facsimile receiving the transmission, indicating the transmission is interrupted prior to switching the connection. 
     If, however, at step  730 , monitor/switch  120  determined that an outgoing facsimile transmission is not in progress, then the method continued to step  770  where monitor/switch  120  further queries as to whether or not a priority facsimile is being received. If monitor/switch  120  determines that the facsimile being received is a priority transmission, then the method continues to step  780  where the personal computer user is prompted that the personnel computer can not be connected to internet  20  or intranet  27 . If, however, the facsimile being received is not a priority transmission, then the method progresses to step  790  and waits for a predetermined period of time for the facsimile transmission to terminate (to allow the reception to possibly complete). Then monitor/switch  120  enables personal computer  50  to establish a connection to Internet  20  or Intranet  27 . The predetermined period of time may be any time period designated by the user. 
     Now turning to FIG. 8 the method is described wherein if a voice call is being sent at step  800  anytime prior to attempting to transmit a facsimile or connecting the personal computer to either the internet  20  or intranet  27 . The method then progresses to step  810  where the voice call continues uninterrupted. The method ends at step  820 . 
     The above specification describes a new and improved system and method for automatically transferring information in a data processing system. It is realized that the above description may indicate to those skilled in the art additional ways in which the principles of this invention may be used without departing from the spirit. It is, therefore, intended that this invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.