CA2002842A1 - Programmable external peripheral device using a 4 digit private identification number, p.i.n.#, to secure and protect and eliminate unsolicited and unwanted document reception, commonly known as "junk fax", applicable to a facsimile machine, commonly known as a fax machine - Google Patents
Programmable external peripheral device using a 4 digit private identification number, p.i.n.#, to secure and protect and eliminate unsolicited and unwanted document reception, commonly known as "junk fax", applicable to a facsimile machine, commonly known as a fax machineInfo
- Publication number
- CA2002842A1 CA2002842A1 CA 2002842 CA2002842A CA2002842A1 CA 2002842 A1 CA2002842 A1 CA 2002842A1 CA 2002842 CA2002842 CA 2002842 CA 2002842 A CA2002842 A CA 2002842A CA 2002842 A1 CA2002842 A1 CA 2002842A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fax
- commonly known
- external peripheral
- peripheral device
- applicable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Facsimiles In General (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
With a facsimile (Fax) machine, it is common to receive trans-mittals from an unlimited amount of senders for expediency of hard copy information. In this invention, the external peripheral device is connected to the facsimile machine via modular jack and a system resident 4 digit Private Identification Number, P.I.N.# is programmed into the external peripheral device. The device enables a facsimile machine to privatize and/or secure it to eliminate unwanted or unsolicited document transmittals, commonly referred to as "Junk Fax".
With a facsimile (Fax) machine, it is common to receive trans-mittals from an unlimited amount of senders for expediency of hard copy information. In this invention, the external peripheral device is connected to the facsimile machine via modular jack and a system resident 4 digit Private Identification Number, P.I.N.# is programmed into the external peripheral device. The device enables a facsimile machine to privatize and/or secure it to eliminate unwanted or unsolicited document transmittals, commonly referred to as "Junk Fax".
Description
`" ;~00284Z
SPECIFICATIONS
The invention relates to a programmable external peripheral device to secure and/or protect any facsimile (Fax) machine to eliminate unwanted or unsolicited document transmittals, com-monly reffered to as "Junk Fax" .
"
It is common with a facsimile tranceiver to send pre formatted information point to point quiclky over standard telephone lines. The convenience of 24 hour reception and availability of any facsimile phone number makes every facsimile machine a target for unwanted and/or unsolicited document reception which ties up the the reciver's facsimile machine and uses up the reciver's stationery. One method facsimile machines use to control unwanted documents is for the information to be encrypted or encoded so that it is rendered meaningless and cannot be read directly. ~ ;
This, however, is unsatisfactory because this feature is a proprietary function used between identical fax units. Given the diversity of the fax environment, this feature is far from practical at the present time for ordinary users and is geared to specialty applications only.
Existing commercially availablefaxtechnology and the scarcity of fax machines with features to eliminate "Junk Fax" have ~
created limitations in achieving security and/or scrutiny for ~;
facsimile transmissions. -.:
2002~ Z
The fax machine can be locked with a key. Unless it is unlock-ed, information cannot be transmitted nor can incoming infor-mation be printed. Thus, by installing a keylock, virtually all categories of information are subject to the same degree of security. This security procedure is not practical where the fax has been acquired for general use. There is also a risk that incoming information waiting to be printed can be lost in the case of a power failure to the fax.
Certain fax units enable a document to be transmitted so that it can be received only by a specific person. This feature is commonly referred to as a "private or confidential mailbox". It is a memory location within the fax unit that stores incoming documents. Practically, the number of confidential mailboxes in a fax unit is limited. The sender's fax unit must also be able to transmit to a fax unit with the same mailbox feature, hence same manufacturer, since the protocol for communication is proprietary. Documents can be transmitted to the intended receiver's confidential mailbox and printed out after a correct password is entered. The password is user selectable and can be changed by either supplying the old password or by using a master password held by the manufacturer. On most fax machines passwords are protected from loss due to tem-porary power lapses. However, the master password held by the manufacturer is usually the same for all of its products, thus, it is possible forthis master password to be widely known, thereby compromising security.
2002842 ` :
We have found that these disadvantages may be overcome by interfacing our external peripheral device, to the facsimile machine. Such a device interfaced to a facsimile machine, permits a receiver to input a system resident 4 digit Private Identification Number (P.l.N.#~ into the device which must be compared to the 4 digit P.l.N.# the sender programs into the sending facsimile machine's memory phone list proceeding each phone number, or dialed manually, at which time, if both P.l.N.~'s are identical, the device, will ring through to the reciving facsimile machine and allow reception of the docu- ~`
ments. `
- 20028~2 Uln drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is the connection and installation of one embodiment, Figure 2 is a rear view of this embodiment, Figure 3 is the schematic diagram circuitry.
The device illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a connection A
onto the fax machine via cable and modular jack. In Figure 2, the receiver's system resident 4 digit Private Indentification Number (P.l.N.#) B is programmed into the device. This completes the installation and connection requirements.
In Figure 3, when a fax phone call is received, the device will answer the line and wait for the ring signal. This ring signal is coupled via C1 and R1 to an opto coupler. The transistor in the opto coupler is forward biased and will set the RS Flip Flop.
The high from the RS Flip Flop will supply a low to IC12, which is a 30 second timer. The high from pin 3 of IC12 will clear the shift register IC4 and also pull up relay RY1 which will connect the phone line to transformer T1. When the 4 digit P.l.N.#
` supplied by the sender is received,it is sent to the comparitor :
section D where it is compared to the system resident P.l.N.# ~1 B which was programmed by the receiver. The DTMF signals ;
` are coupled through T1, C6 to IC5 which is a DTMF detector.
~ ~ The outputof IC5 isthe binary coded equivalenttothe received DTMF signal. The Binary code is supplied to IC6 which is connected as a binary comperator. Since IC4 is in its reset I ' position, the Q bar of the first Flip Flop is high, which is applied ~ 5 ~
"' ';
'""';
--- 2002~342 ` :
to IC8, activating the transmission gate which will supply the first digit of the code stored in the device to the data bus and in turn to the other side of the comparator. The exclusive orgates comprising the comparator will be high if the digit is correct and supply this high to the input of the shift register IC4. The valid data signal of IC5, pin 14 is used as clock for IC4. As soon as the first tone disappears, pin 14 will go low, shifting the high from the comparator into the first Flip Flop of the shift register. Since the Q of the portion of IC4 goes high, and Q bar goes low, IC8 is deactivated and IC9 is active. The next tone is converted to binary in IC5 and compared to the switch settings of SW2 and the shift register is advanced one more step by IC5, pin 14. This process is repeated until all 4 digits have been compared, and if identical, all Q's of IC4 will now be high. These high's are supplied to gate IC13 which in turn supplies this high to IC2-d. The output of IC2-d will go low, which activates the ring current generator section E, to wake up the fax machine. As soon as the fax machine picks up, the loop curren7 detector IC3, which will supply a high to IC14 a-b-c, which will activate relay RY2, connecting the line through, activate relay RY3, disconnecting the loop sense current and keep relay RY1 active, after the timer resets. The ring generator is stopped by the high on IC2-c, which puts a low on lC2-d. After the fax message has been received, the fax machine will hang up. The loop detector goes low, deactivating RY1, RY2, and RY3, preparing the device for the next incoming fax phone call."
SPECIFICATIONS
The invention relates to a programmable external peripheral device to secure and/or protect any facsimile (Fax) machine to eliminate unwanted or unsolicited document transmittals, com-monly reffered to as "Junk Fax" .
"
It is common with a facsimile tranceiver to send pre formatted information point to point quiclky over standard telephone lines. The convenience of 24 hour reception and availability of any facsimile phone number makes every facsimile machine a target for unwanted and/or unsolicited document reception which ties up the the reciver's facsimile machine and uses up the reciver's stationery. One method facsimile machines use to control unwanted documents is for the information to be encrypted or encoded so that it is rendered meaningless and cannot be read directly. ~ ;
This, however, is unsatisfactory because this feature is a proprietary function used between identical fax units. Given the diversity of the fax environment, this feature is far from practical at the present time for ordinary users and is geared to specialty applications only.
Existing commercially availablefaxtechnology and the scarcity of fax machines with features to eliminate "Junk Fax" have ~
created limitations in achieving security and/or scrutiny for ~;
facsimile transmissions. -.:
2002~ Z
The fax machine can be locked with a key. Unless it is unlock-ed, information cannot be transmitted nor can incoming infor-mation be printed. Thus, by installing a keylock, virtually all categories of information are subject to the same degree of security. This security procedure is not practical where the fax has been acquired for general use. There is also a risk that incoming information waiting to be printed can be lost in the case of a power failure to the fax.
Certain fax units enable a document to be transmitted so that it can be received only by a specific person. This feature is commonly referred to as a "private or confidential mailbox". It is a memory location within the fax unit that stores incoming documents. Practically, the number of confidential mailboxes in a fax unit is limited. The sender's fax unit must also be able to transmit to a fax unit with the same mailbox feature, hence same manufacturer, since the protocol for communication is proprietary. Documents can be transmitted to the intended receiver's confidential mailbox and printed out after a correct password is entered. The password is user selectable and can be changed by either supplying the old password or by using a master password held by the manufacturer. On most fax machines passwords are protected from loss due to tem-porary power lapses. However, the master password held by the manufacturer is usually the same for all of its products, thus, it is possible forthis master password to be widely known, thereby compromising security.
2002842 ` :
We have found that these disadvantages may be overcome by interfacing our external peripheral device, to the facsimile machine. Such a device interfaced to a facsimile machine, permits a receiver to input a system resident 4 digit Private Identification Number (P.l.N.#~ into the device which must be compared to the 4 digit P.l.N.# the sender programs into the sending facsimile machine's memory phone list proceeding each phone number, or dialed manually, at which time, if both P.l.N.~'s are identical, the device, will ring through to the reciving facsimile machine and allow reception of the docu- ~`
ments. `
- 20028~2 Uln drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is the connection and installation of one embodiment, Figure 2 is a rear view of this embodiment, Figure 3 is the schematic diagram circuitry.
The device illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a connection A
onto the fax machine via cable and modular jack. In Figure 2, the receiver's system resident 4 digit Private Indentification Number (P.l.N.#) B is programmed into the device. This completes the installation and connection requirements.
In Figure 3, when a fax phone call is received, the device will answer the line and wait for the ring signal. This ring signal is coupled via C1 and R1 to an opto coupler. The transistor in the opto coupler is forward biased and will set the RS Flip Flop.
The high from the RS Flip Flop will supply a low to IC12, which is a 30 second timer. The high from pin 3 of IC12 will clear the shift register IC4 and also pull up relay RY1 which will connect the phone line to transformer T1. When the 4 digit P.l.N.#
` supplied by the sender is received,it is sent to the comparitor :
section D where it is compared to the system resident P.l.N.# ~1 B which was programmed by the receiver. The DTMF signals ;
` are coupled through T1, C6 to IC5 which is a DTMF detector.
~ ~ The outputof IC5 isthe binary coded equivalenttothe received DTMF signal. The Binary code is supplied to IC6 which is connected as a binary comperator. Since IC4 is in its reset I ' position, the Q bar of the first Flip Flop is high, which is applied ~ 5 ~
"' ';
'""';
--- 2002~342 ` :
to IC8, activating the transmission gate which will supply the first digit of the code stored in the device to the data bus and in turn to the other side of the comparator. The exclusive orgates comprising the comparator will be high if the digit is correct and supply this high to the input of the shift register IC4. The valid data signal of IC5, pin 14 is used as clock for IC4. As soon as the first tone disappears, pin 14 will go low, shifting the high from the comparator into the first Flip Flop of the shift register. Since the Q of the portion of IC4 goes high, and Q bar goes low, IC8 is deactivated and IC9 is active. The next tone is converted to binary in IC5 and compared to the switch settings of SW2 and the shift register is advanced one more step by IC5, pin 14. This process is repeated until all 4 digits have been compared, and if identical, all Q's of IC4 will now be high. These high's are supplied to gate IC13 which in turn supplies this high to IC2-d. The output of IC2-d will go low, which activates the ring current generator section E, to wake up the fax machine. As soon as the fax machine picks up, the loop curren7 detector IC3, which will supply a high to IC14 a-b-c, which will activate relay RY2, connecting the line through, activate relay RY3, disconnecting the loop sense current and keep relay RY1 active, after the timer resets. The ring generator is stopped by the high on IC2-c, which puts a low on lC2-d. After the fax message has been received, the fax machine will hang up. The loop detector goes low, deactivating RY1, RY2, and RY3, preparing the device for the next incoming fax phone call."
Claims (3)
1. A external peripheral device which accepts an incoming code, compares it to the device system resident code which then provides the desired output, applicable to a facsimile.
2. A device as defined in claim 1, in which the user may connect to a telephone for eliminating unwanted telephone calls.
3. A device as defined in claim 1 or in claim 2, in which the user may interface to any equipment utilizing a standard phone line to eliminate unwanted telephone calls and/or transmitions.
(b) In the case of a process -1. A process for programming a system resident 4 digit Private Identification Number,P.I.N.# for an external peripheral device applicable to a facsimile machine for the purpose of eliminating unwanted and/or unsolicited document transmit-tals, commonly reffered to as "Junk Fax".
2. A process as defined in claim 1, in which a system resident Private Identification Number, P.I.N.# on a external peripheral device applicable to a facsimile machine for the purpose of eliminating unwanted and/or unsolicited document transmittals, commonly reffered to as "Junk Fax" is compared to an incoming telephone number proceeded with a Private Identification Number P.I.N.# for the purpose of eliminating unwanted and/or unsolicited document transmittals, common-ly referred to as "Junk Fax", applicable to a facsimile machine.
(b) In the case of a process -1. A process for programming a system resident 4 digit Private Identification Number,P.I.N.# for an external peripheral device applicable to a facsimile machine for the purpose of eliminating unwanted and/or unsolicited document transmit-tals, commonly reffered to as "Junk Fax".
2. A process as defined in claim 1, in which a system resident Private Identification Number, P.I.N.# on a external peripheral device applicable to a facsimile machine for the purpose of eliminating unwanted and/or unsolicited document transmittals, commonly reffered to as "Junk Fax" is compared to an incoming telephone number proceeded with a Private Identification Number P.I.N.# for the purpose of eliminating unwanted and/or unsolicited document transmittals, common-ly referred to as "Junk Fax", applicable to a facsimile machine.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2002842 CA2002842A1 (en) | 1989-11-14 | 1989-11-14 | Programmable external peripheral device using a 4 digit private identification number, p.i.n.#, to secure and protect and eliminate unsolicited and unwanted document reception, commonly known as "junk fax", applicable to a facsimile machine, commonly known as a fax machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2002842 CA2002842A1 (en) | 1989-11-14 | 1989-11-14 | Programmable external peripheral device using a 4 digit private identification number, p.i.n.#, to secure and protect and eliminate unsolicited and unwanted document reception, commonly known as "junk fax", applicable to a facsimile machine, commonly known as a fax machine |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2002842A1 true CA2002842A1 (en) | 1991-05-14 |
Family
ID=4143546
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2002842 Abandoned CA2002842A1 (en) | 1989-11-14 | 1989-11-14 | Programmable external peripheral device using a 4 digit private identification number, p.i.n.#, to secure and protect and eliminate unsolicited and unwanted document reception, commonly known as "junk fax", applicable to a facsimile machine, commonly known as a fax machine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2002842A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2336505A (en) * | 1998-04-14 | 1999-10-20 | Status Hi Tech Limited | Call screening using access code |
-
1989
- 1989-11-14 CA CA 2002842 patent/CA2002842A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2336505A (en) * | 1998-04-14 | 1999-10-20 | Status Hi Tech Limited | Call screening using access code |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |