Title of Invention	A METHOD TO SCAN AND SEND DOCUMENTS/IMAGES AS SMS/MMS FROM SCANNER TO A MOBILE DEVICE
Abstract	This invention proposes the use of scanner to create a source message to be sent to the mobile devices.The invention proposes different methods to deliver the scanned document to the final desitination using any one the following methods using a GSM module interfaceed to scanner,using a SMS/MMC on the network/internet,by communicating to a blue tooth mobile or using a BT mobile.

Full Text

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention in general applies to scanners and mobile communication technologies. This invention further relates to scanning of documents and forwarding them to mobile communication devices. More particularly, this invention relates to a method to scan and send the documents/images as SMS/MMS to a mobile communication device. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART In the existing technologies: A scanner is used in day to day activities to scan the documents and to obtain hard copies of the document or to store the scanned document as an image in computers. The FAX technology is used to send the documents to other users with capabilities to receive the FAX. Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is a feature in mobile communication with the option to send messages comprising a combination of text, sounds, images and video to MMS capable handsets. This feature allows users to send images as MMS to the other mobile users. Nowadays MMS handsets have become the de facto standard and most new mobile phones come with inbuilt MMS feature. Using the MMS technology, users can share text, pictures and movies with other users of mobile networks. The Short Message Service (SMS) is a feature in mobile communication for sending and receiving text messages to and from mobile devices. The text can comprise of words or numbers or an alphanumeric combination. This allows two mobile users to communicate with each other using the SMS technology. Mobile devices logged on to one network are capable of sending MMS as well as SMS to mobile devices logged on to other mobile networks using the network service providers' features. There also exists another feature whereby a PC can be used to compose SMS/MMS messages and send it to mobile phones of any mobile network. In this case the PC composes SMS/MMS messages and sends it to the recipient address using WAP push or HTTP push function to the MMSC/SMSC which in turn informs the intended recipient and sends the message to the user. Generally, a scanner is used to scan a document in order to generate hard copies of the original or to create an image which is stored by the host on the host file system. In the case of sending an SMS/MMS message, the user first creates the message on the mobile device and then selects the send option on which the user is prompted to enter the recipient number. When the number is entered the user clicks OK and the message is sent to the recipient. LIMITATIONS While the above referenced procedures accomplish their respective tasks, they require certain steps to be followed in case a scanner can be used to create and send the SMS/MMS messages to the mobile devices. As understood from the prior art the available related art features allow use of mobile and PC to create and send the SMS/MMS messages to the users of mobile network. The major draw back of this method is that the scanner cannot compose and send the message. Therefore in light of the foregoing deficiencies in the prior art, the applicant's invention is herein presented. Based upon the foregoing, it is necessary to provide a method which allows the scanner to compose and send the SMS/MMS message to the mobile device. Accordingly the applicant hereby proposes to circumvent the above discussed problem by incorporating a system and method to make the scanner compatible with the mobile technology. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The primary object of this invention is to invent a method to scan and send the documents/images as SMS/MMS from the scanner to a mobile device which is unique. It is another object of this invention to devise a method which will allow enhancing a scanners' capability by adding interface to mobile network. It is another object of the invention to invent a method of using the above ability of a scanner to communicate with mobile network to send scanned document as a SMS/MMS message to the user of mobile network. It is another object of the invention to invent a method to define manner in of identification of the text and image documents. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention proposes the use of scanner to create a source message to be sent to the mobile devices. The invention proposes different methods to deliver the scanned document to the final destination using any one the following methods a. Using a GSM module interfaced to scanner b. Using a SMS/MMC on the network/internet c. Using a BT mobile Accordingly, the present invention comprises a method to scan and send documents/images as SMS/MMS from scanner to a mobile device in a mobile network wherein the scanner scans the said document/images and indicates the data type and type of document scanned characterized in that a user is made to select the option of sending the document/image to a mobile device by entering the recipient details and converting the scanned document/image to a format enabling the transmission of the document/image as a message where the formatted message is send through an available interface and intimating the status of the message transmission to the user. Other advantages and features of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention given as non-restrictive example only and represented in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows the scanning of document and different uses of the document. Figure 2 shows sending a MMS/SMS using the mobile phones. Figure 3 shows the various interfaces available for scanner to communicate with mobile networks. Figures 4a and 4b shows the flowchart depicting how a message is send to the recipient by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the innovation. Numerous specific details are described to provide a through understanding of the present invention. However in certain instances well-known or conventional details are not described in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail. Before describing the various aspects and details of the present invention it will be useful to describe the context in which the invention is used. Consequently, a preliminary discussion that refers to Figures 1 and Figure 2 is hereby provided. Figure 1 illustrates the scanning of document and different uses of the document. Further Figure 2 illustrates sending an MMS/SMS using the mobile phones. The scanner would be used to scan the documents/image to be sent to the mobile user. Depending on the type of document i.e. whether the document is a text document or an image the scanner will create a long SMS containing the scanned text or an MMS message with the scanned data. In case of a text document the scanner will use Optical Character Recognition to get the text contents from the document. Then a SMS message containing the captured text as message data will be created using the standard SMS message format. There are two ways of sending and receiving SMS messages; by text mode and by PDU (protocol description unit) mode. In case of an image document the scanner will scan the document as in one of the format used in MMS messages like JPEG, GIF and some other formats supported under MMS messages. It will then form an MMS message using the specifications for MMS messages. This SMS/ MMS can be sent to the recipient using any one of the following methods. 1. Using a GSM module; 2. Using an MMSC or an SMSC; 3. Using a Bluetooth enabled mobile. All the components used in this invention like scanner, SMSC, MMSC, Bluetooth phone, GSM are in existence and only need to be interface to one other. To send the document/image to the mobile network the user needs to: 1. scan the document 2. select the option of sending the document to a mobile user 3. Indicate the type of document type (image/text) 4. Enter the recipient details and send The scanner depending on the available interface to the mobile service provider will send the text message/ MMS message to the destination address. The particular aspect of the invention now described herein with reference to drawings. Figure 1 shows the scanning of document and manner of storage and use of the image of the document that is scanned. Here, the document image can be printed as hard copy or a soft copy of the document can be stored in the computer which can be further used to compose an SMS/MMS. Figure 2 illustrates a method of sending an SMS/MMS using a mobile phone. Here the user composes a SMS/MMS which is going to be send. Then the user activates the send option in his mobile. Subsequently the recipient information is typed in by the user and the send process is completed by clicking the required button in the mobile. The recipient subsequently receives the message. Figure 3 illustrates the various interfaces available for scanner to communicate with mobile networks. This can be done through GSM, SMSC/MMSC or BT. Figures 4a and 4b illustrate the flow of operations in sending a scanned document to the recipient. This constitutes of the following steps: 1. First, the user scans a document and clicks the send to mobile option which is built in the scanner. 2. Then the user enters recipient details and document type. 3. The system then checks the scanned data type and creates message in required format. 4. Finally system checks the available interface with mobile Network. 5. The available interface of GSM or MMSC/SMSC or BT is checked and the message is sent using the corresponding interface. 6. The status of the message send is also indicated to the user. The scanner would be used to scan the documents/image to be sent to the mobile user. Depending on the type of document i.e. whether the document is a text document or an image the scanner will create a long SMS containing the scanned text or an MMS message with the scanned data. Using the scanned data and the type of message to be sent the scanner would create a message payload according to the appropriate messaging standard viz. SMS or MMS. This SMS/ MMS can be sent to the recipient using any one of the following methods: Using a GSM module In this embodiment of the present invention, the scanner is interfaced to a GSM module which contains a SMS/MMS service enabled SIM card. When a document is ready to be sent to a mobile phone, the user will be prompted for the destination address. After the destination address is fed to the scanner, the scanner will create an SMS/MMS message for the scanned document as required by the GSM module and send it using the GSM module. The MFP will be interfaced to a GSM module. This module will consist of GSM engine and the minimum necessary h/w for the unit to be operated like a mobile phone. This GSM module will be connected to the MFP using the connectivity interface provided by the module like serial, USB etc. Making use of this interface the MFP can send AT commands to the GSM module to use the module. The GSM AT command contains commands which will allow the MFP to send messages to the mobile user. Using an MMSC or an SMSC In this embodiment of the present invention, the scanner is connected to a Local Area Network or to the Internet to which the MMSC or SMSC is also connected. When a document is to be sent to a mobile phone, the user will be prompted for the destination address by the scanner. After the destination address is fed to the scanner, the scanner creates an SMS/MMS message and sends it to the SMSC/MMSC on the network (LAN/Internet), which will then send the message to the desired recipient-Using a Blue tooth enabled mobile In this embodiment of the present invention, the scanner creates an MMS / SMS message based on the user request for the scanned document to be sent as MMS / SMS, Also, the scanner obtains the destination address i.e. the address of the recipient from the user. Then the scanner sends the composed MMS / SMS along with the recipient address to the Bluetooth mobile to which the scanner is connected using the imaging profile. The said mobile, in turn, forwards this message to the final recipient. All the components used in this invention such as scanner, SMSC, MMSC Bluetooth phone, GSM are in existence and only need to be interfaced to one other. To send the document/image to the mobile network, the user needs to: 1. scan the document 2. select the option of sending the document to a mobile user 3. Indicate the type of document type (image/text) 4. Enter the recipient details and give the send command The scanner depending on the available interface to the mobile service provider will send the text message/ MMS message to the destination address. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, these embodiments are merely illustrative, and not restrictive of the invention. For example, a receiver device can also include other elements such as copier, printer, disk drives etc. Memory also contains additional information such as applications programs, network, communication programs, operating system software data etc. Although the scanning and sending of the document is done by the interface between the scanner and the GSM module, Local Area Network, Internet or the Bluetooth mobile as have been described, it should be apparent that other methods and types of scanning and forwarding can be provided. In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuhng aspects of embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the invention may be implemented by using a programmed general purpose digital computer, by using application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, optical, chemical, biological, quantum or nano-engineered systems, components and mechanisms may be used. In general, the functions of the present invention can be achieved by any means as is known in the art. Distributed or networked systems, components and circuits can be used. Communication, or transfer, of data may be wired, wireless, or by any other means. It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to implement a program or code that can be stored in a machine-readable medium to permit a computer to perform any of the methods described above. Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless othen/vise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein is generally intended to mean "and/or" unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, "a", "an", and "the" includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates othen/vise. The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spint and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 8 Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS SMS: Short Messaging service MMS: Multimedia messaging service SMSC: Short Messaging service Center MMSC: Multimedia Messaging Service Center WE CLAIM 1. A method to scan and send documents/images as SMS/MMS from scanner to a mobile device in a mobile network wherein the scanner scans the said document/images and indicates the data type and type of document scanned characterized in that a user is made to select the option of sending the document/image to a mobile device by entering the recipient details and converting the scanned document/image to a format enabling the transmission of the document/image as a message where the formatted message is send through an available interface and intimating the status of the message transmission to the user. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the type of document scanned is an image or text. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said formatted message is an SMS or MMS. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the available interface for sending the formatted message is GSM. 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the available interface for sending the formatted message is MMSC/SMSC. 6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the available interface for sending a formatted message is BT. 7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said method enhances a scanners' capability by adding interface to mobile network. 8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanner is interfaced to a GSM module which contains an SMS/MMS service enabled SIM card. 9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanner creates a MMS message and sends it to a Bluetooth mobile using an imaging profile which in turn forwards the said message to the final recipient. 10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the scanner gets a destination address, the said scanner creates an SMS/MMS message and sends it to an associated SMSC/MMSC on the network or aLAN/lnternet which then sends the message to the desired recipient. 11. A method to scan and send documents/images as SMS/MMS to a mobile device such as herein substantially described particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

972-che-2004-abstract.pdf

972-che-2004-claims.pdf

972-che-2004-correspondnece-others.pdf

972-che-2004-correspondnece-po.pdf

972-che-2004-description(complete).pdf

972-che-2004-drawings.pdf

972-che-2004-form 1.pdf

972-che-2004-form 13.pdf

972-che-2004-form 26.pdf