Client-Side Virtual Fax Machine Reducing Server Processing Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online fax services rely on server-side configurations, which are not intuitive for users and require significant processing power and storage, limiting their efficiency and accessibility in facilitating communication between traditional fax machines and computers over different network types.
Innovation Solution
A virtual fax machine system that operates on a client-side scripting configuration, using multimedia graphics programming languages like Adobe Flash to simulate traditional fax machine interactions, allowing users to encode and transmit electronic documents directly from their computers to traditional fax machines over public switched telephone networks, reducing the need for server processing power and enhancing user experience with visual and audible simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If server-side configuration is used for online fax services, then fax transmission between computers and traditional fax machines is enabled, but processing power and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements client-side scripting that enables the user's computer to perform fax transmission functions independently without requiring server-side processing. The virtual fax machine software installed on the client computer handles document encoding, fax protocol generation, and transmission coordination locally, allowing the system to serve itself rather than relying on external server resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fax transmission functionality from the server environment and relocates it to the client computer through downloadable software. By taking out the core fax processing capabilities from the server-side configuration and embedding them in client-side application code, the system eliminates the need for significant server processing power and storage while maintaining fax transmission adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If server-side configuration is used for online fax services, then fax transmission functionality is provided, but system complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The client-side virtual fax machine software enables the user's computer to independently handle all fax transmission operations including document encoding, fax protocol generation, and transmission coordination. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating complex server-side infrastructure while maintaining full fax transmission functionality through locally executed software.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of traditional fax machine functionality that runs on the client computer. By copying the essential fax transmission capabilities into a software application that executes locally, the system provides complete fax functionality without requiring complex server infrastructure, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If traditional fax machine interface is simulated using multimedia graphics programming languages, then user experience is enhanced with visual and audible simulations, but client computer processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical mechanical interface of traditional fax machines with a software-based virtual interface that uses multimedia graphics programming languages. This substitution creates visual and audible simulations of fax machine operations (dialing tones, connection sounds, status displays) that enhance user experience by familiarizing users with traditional fax interfaces while leveraging the computational capabilities of modern client computers.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for a virtual fax machine are provided. In one embodiment, a system for a virtual fax machine is provided including a computer configured to display a virtual fax machine based on a script, a server configured to receive at least one electronic document associated with a fax to be sent using the virtual fax machine, and a traditional facsimile machine configured to receive the fax to be sent. In another embodiment, an apparatus for a virtual fax machine is provided including a computer configured to locate and execute a script associated with a virtual fax machine, display the virtual fax machine, associate at least one electronic document with a fax to be sent, encode the at least one electronic document to a form suitable for communication over a network, and transmit the encoded electronic document over the network as the fax to be sent.