Multifunction interface card for interfacing a facsimile machine, secure modem, and a personal computer

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.