Apparatus and method for transmitting text data directly to a facsimile machine

An apparatus for monitoring at least one separately-controlled equipment process variable and reporting the status of the variable directly to a facsimile machine over a telephone line, the apparatus being connected directly to such equipment by electrical leads, the apparatus being free of magnetic discs and program input boards used to convert text data in a first code to binary text data in a second code, the apparatus including:

• a conversion module within the apparatus and having firmware embedded in at least one semiconductor chip therein for converting text data in a first code to binary text data in a second code upon the occurrence of at least one of a predetermined plurality of events including (a) receipt at the conversion module of a signal indicating the end of the text data and (b) the absence of text data transmission over a time in excess of a predetermined time;
• a memory module connected to the conversion module for facilitating communication of text data in a first code between the conversion module and such memory module;
• an analog module connected to the conversion module for interfacing a modem with the telephone line;
• the apparatus thereby being arranged to generate text data in a first code, convert such text data to binary data in a second code using only the firmware and transmit such converted binary data in the form of a report directly to the facsimile machine over the telephone line.