Facsimile apparatus operable in facsimile or telephone mode

Claim 2

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; first control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; and second control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a second predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time, said second control means performing said selection between said telephone conversation mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile mode is not selected by said first control means.

Claim 3

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ringing tone producing means continues to produce the ringing tone even after the telephone line closing means closes the telephone line.

Claim 4

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein ringing tone stopping means is provided for stopping said ringing tone when one of the facsimile mode, the telephone conversation mode and the automatic telephone answering/recording mode is selected.

Claim 5

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; first control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a second predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time, said second control means performing said selection between said telephone conversation mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile mode is not selected by said first control means; and third control means for detecting a voice signal within a third predetermined time during said automatic telephone answering/recording mode being selected by said second control means and for maintaining said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when the voice signal is detected, and for selecting said facsimile mode when the voice signal is not detected.

Claim 6

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; first control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a second predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time, said second control means performing said selection between said telephone conversation mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile mode is not selected by said first control means; and third control means for detecting a voice signal within a third predetermined time during said automatic telephone answering/recording mode being selected by said second control means and for maintaining said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when the voice signal is detected, and for selecting said facsimile mode when the voice signal is not detected.

Claim 7

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said ringing tone producing means continues to produce the ringing tone even after the telephone line closing means closes the telephone line.

Claim 8

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein ringing tone stopping means is provided for stopping said ringing tone when one of the facsimile mode, the telephone conversation mode and the automatic telephone answering/recording mode is selected by said first control means or said second control means.

Claim 9

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; first control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a second predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time, said second control means performing said selection between said telephone conversation mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile mode is not selected by said first control means; and third control means for detecting a voice signal within a third predetermined time when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time and for causing said second control means, when the voice signal is detected, to select said automatic telephone answering/recording mode at a next occurrence of the receipt of the ring signal and for selecting said facsimile mode when the voice signal is not detected.

Claim 10

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; first control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a second predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time, said second control means performing said selection between said telephone conversation mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile mode is not selected by said first control means; and third control means for detecting a voice signal within a third predetermined time when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time and for causing said second control means, when the voice signal is detected, to select said automatic telephone answering/recording mode at a next occurrence of the receipt of the ring signal and for selecting said facsimile mode when the voice signal is not detected.

Claim 11

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said ringing tone producing means continues to produce the ringing tone even after the telephone line closing means closes the telephone line.

Claim 12

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein ringing tone stopping means is provided for stopping said ringing tone when one of the facsimile mode, the telephone conversation mode and the automatic telephone answering/recording mode is selected by said first control means or said second control means.

Claim 13

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said third control means comprises means when the voice signal is detected within said third predetermined time for selecting said automatic telephone answering/recording mode, for recording a received voice signal, and for establishing an absence operation mode wherein, upon said next occurrence of the receipt of the ring signal and when said start signal detecting means does not detect said facsimile communication start signal within the first predetermined time, said second control means selects said automatic telephone answering/recording mode for recording the received voice signal.

Claim 14

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; first control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a second predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time, said second control means performing said selection between said telephone conversation mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile mode is not selected by said first control means; third control means operating when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time and when a voice signal is detected within a third predetermined time during said automatic telephone answering/recording mode to establish an absence mode of operation wherein, upon a next occurrence of the receipt of the ring signal when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means does not detect said facsimile communication start signal, said automatic telephone answering/recording means sends the outgoing voice message to the telephone line and records the incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; and fourth control means for selecting said facsimile mode when the voice signal is not detected within said third predetermined time during said automatic telephone answering/recording mode being selected.

Claim 15

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; first control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a second predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time, said second control means performing said selection between said telephone conversation mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile mode is not selected by said first control means; third control means operating when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time and when a voice signal is detected within a third predetermined time during said automatic telephone answering/recording mode to establish an absence mode of operation wherein, upon a next occurrence of the receipt of the ring signal when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means does not detect said facsimile communication start signal, said automatic telephone answering/recording means sends the outgoing voice message to the telephone line and records the incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; and fourth control means for selecting said facsimile mode when the voice signal is not detected within said third predetermined time during said automatic telephone answering/recording mode being selected.

Claim 16

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said ringing tone producing means continues to produce the ringing tone even after the telephone line closing means closes the telephone line.

Claim 17

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein ringing tone stopping means is provided for stopping said ringing tone when one of the facsimile mode, the telephone conversation mode and the automatic telephone answering/recording mode is selected by said first control means or said second control means.

Claim 18

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; operation mode setting means for designating at least a presence operation mode or an absence operation mode; first control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a first predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said first predetermined time; second control means for changing the mode designation of said operation mode setting means from said presence operation mode to said absence operation mode for a next occurrence of receipt of the ring signal when a voice signal is detected within a second predetermined time during said automatic telephone answering/recording mode being selected; and third control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a third predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line and for selecting said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means does not detect said facsimile communication start signal within said third predetermined time, said third control means performing said selection between said facsimile mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when the mode designation of the operation mode setting means is set to said absence operation mode.

Claim 19

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; operation mode setting means for designating at least a presence operation mode or an absence operation mode; first control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a first predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said first predetermined time; second control means for changing the mode designation of said operation mode setting means from said presence operation mode to said absence operation mode for a next occurrence of receipt of the ring signal when a voice signal is detected within a second predetermined time during said automatic telephone answering/recording mode being selected; and third control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a third predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line and for selecting said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means does not detect said facsimile communication start signal within said third predetermined time, said third control means performing said selection between said facsimile mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when the mode designation of the operation mode setting means is set to said absence operation mode.

Claim 20

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said ringing tone producing means continues to produce the ringing tone even after the telephone line closing means closes the telephone line.

Claim 21

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein ringing tone stopping means is provided for stopping said ringing tone when one of the telephone conversation mode and the automatic telephone answering/recording mode is selected by said first control means.

Claim 22

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal from a calling party; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; and control means for performing selection among at least a facsimile mode which allows a facsimile communication through the telephone line, a telephone conversation mode which allows a telephone conversation through the telephone line and an automatic telephone answering/recording mode which allows an outgoing voice message to be reproduced for sending through the telephone line and further allows an incoming voice message sent through the telephone line to be recorded, said control means comprising: first means for determining whether a facsimile communication start signal is received within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second means for selecting said facsimile mode when said first means determines that said facsimile communication start signal is received within said first predetermined time; third means for determining, when said first means determines that said facsimile communication start signal is not received within said first predetermined time, whether a called party performs an operation in response to the ringing tone within a second predetermined time; fourth means for selecting said telephone conversation mode when said third means determines that the called party performs said operation within said second predetermined time and for selecting said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said third means determines that the called party does not perform the operation within said second predetermined time; fifth means for determining, when said third means determines that the called party does not perform the operation within said second predetermined time, whether a voice signal from the calling party is received within a third predetermined time; and sixth means for selecting said facsimile mode when said fifth means determines that the voice signal is not received within said third predetermined time.

Claim 23

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal from a calling party; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; and control means for performing selection among at least a facsimile mode which allows a facsimile communication through the telephone line, a telephone conversation mode which allows a telephone conversation through the telephone line and an automatic telephone answering/recording mode which allows an outgoing voice message to be reproduced for sending through the telephone line and further allows an incoming voice message sent through the telephone line to be recorded, said control means comprising: first means for determining whether a facsimile communication start signal is received within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second means for selecting said facsimile mode when said first means determines that said facsimile communication start signal is received within said first predetermined time; third means for determining, when said first means determines that said facsimile communication start signal is not received within said first predetermined time, whether a called party performs an operation in response to the ringing tone within a second predetermined time; fourth means for selecting said telephone conversation mode when said third means determines that the called party performs said operation within said second predetermined time and for selecting said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said third means determines that the called party does not perform the operation within said second predetermined time; fifth means for determining, when said third means determines that the called party does not perform the operation within said second predetermined time, whether a voice signal from the calling party is received within a third predetermined time; and sixth means for selecting said facsimile mode when said fifth means determines that the voice signal is not received within said third predetermined time.

Claim 24

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said fourth means selects said automatic telephone answering/recording mode only when said fifth means determines that the voice signal is received within said third predetermined time.

Claim 25

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said fifth means makes said determination during said automatic telephone answering/recording mode being selected by said fourth means.

Claim 26

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal from a calling party; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; operation mode setting means for designating at least a presence operation mode where a called party is available or an absence operation mode where the called party is non-available; and control means for performing selection, during said presence operation mode being designated, among at least a facsimile mode which allows a facsimile communication through the telephone line, a telephone conversation mode which allows a telephone conversation through the telephone line and an automatic telephone answering/recording mode which allows an outgoing voice message to be reproduced for sending through the telephone line and further allows an incoming voice message sent through the telephone line to be recorded, said control means comprising: first means for determining whether a facsimile communication start signal is received within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second means for selecting said facsimile mode when said first means determines that said facsimile communication start signal is received within said first predetermined time; third means for determining, when said first means determines that said facsimile communication start signal is not received within said first predetermined time, whether a called party performs an operation in response to the ringing tone within a second predetermined time; fourth means for selecting said telephone conversation mode when said third means determines that the called party performs said operation within said second predetermined time and for selecting said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said third means determines that the called does not party perform the operation within said second predetermined time; fifth means for determining, when said third means determines that the called does not party perform the operation within said second predetermined time, whether a voice signal from the calling party is received within a third predetermined time; sixth means for selecting said facsimile mode when said fifth means determines that the voice signal is not received within said third predetermined time; and seventh means for changing the mode designation of said operation mode setting means from said presence operation mode to said absence operation mode for a next occurrence of the receipt of the ring signal when said fifth means determines that the voice signal is received within said third predetermined time.

Claim 27

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal from a calling party; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; operation mode setting means for designating at least a presence operation mode where a called party is available or an absence operation mode where the called party is non-available; and control means for performing selection, during said presence operation mode being designated, among at least a facsimile mode which allows a facsimile communication through the telephone line, a telephone conversation mode which allows a telephone conversation through the telephone line and an automatic telephone answering/recording mode which allows an outgoing voice message to be reproduced for sending through the telephone line and further allows an incoming voice message sent through the telephone line to be recorded, said control means comprising: first means for determining whether a facsimile communication start signal is received within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second means for selecting said facsimile mode when said first means determines that said facsimile communication start signal is received within said first predetermined time; third means for determining, when said first means determines that said facsimile communication start signal is not received within said first predetermined time, whether a called party performs an operation in response to the ringing tone within a second predetermined time; fourth means for selecting said telephone conversation mode when said third means determines that the called party performs said operation within said second predetermined time and for selecting said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said third means determines that the called does not party perform the operation within said second predetermined time; fifth means for determining, when said third means determines that the called does not party perform the operation within said second predetermined time, whether a voice signal from the calling party is received within a third predetermined time; sixth means for selecting said facsimile mode when said fifth means determines that the voice signal is not received within said third predetermined time; and seventh means for changing the mode designation of said operation mode setting means from said presence operation mode to said absence operation mode for a next occurrence of the receipt of the ring signal when said fifth means determines that the voice signal is received within said third predetermined time.

Claim 28

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein said fourth means selects said automatic telephone answering/recording mode only when said fifth means determines that the voice signal is received within said third predetermined time.

Claim 29

The facsimile apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein said fifth means makes said determination during said automatic telephone answering/recording mode being selected by said fourth means.

Claim 30

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; first control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a second predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time, said second control means performing said selection between said telephone conversation mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile mode is not selected by said first control means; and third control means for detecting a voice signal within a third predetermined time when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time and for selecting said facsimile mode when the voice signal is not detected, said third control means operating when the voice signal is detected within the third predetermined time for selecting said automatic telephone answering/recording mode and for establishing an absence operation mode wherein, upon a next occurrence of receipt of the ring signal and when said start signal detecting means does not detect said facsimile communication start signal within the first predetermined time, said automatic telephone answering/recording means sends the outgoing voice message to the telephone line and records the incoming voice signal received through the telephone line.

Claim 31

A facsimile apparatus comprising: telephone line closing means for closing a telephone line in response to receipt of a ring signal; ringing tone producing means for producing a ringing tone in response to the receipt of the ring signal; facsimile communication means; facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; automatic telephone answering/recording means for sending an outgoing voice message to the telephone line and for recording an incoming voice signal received through the telephone line; first control means for selecting a facsimile mode to operate said facsimile communication means when said facsimile communication start signal detecting means detects said facsimile communication start signal within a first predetermined time after said telephone line closing means closes the telephone line; second control means for selecting a telephone conversation mode when an operation in response to said ringing tone is performed within a second predetermined time after the receipt of said ring signal and for selecting an automatic telephone answering/recording mode to operate said automatic telephone answering/recording means when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time, said second control means performing said selection between said telephone conversation mode and said automatic telephone answering/recording mode when said facsimile mode is not selected by said first control means; and third control means for detecting a voice signal within a third predetermined time when the operation is not performed in response to said ringing tone within said second predetermined time and for selecting said facsimile mode when the voice signal is not detected, said third control means operating when the voice signal is detected within the third predetermined time for selecting said automatic telephone answering/recording mode and for establishing an absence operation mode wherein, upon a next occurrence of receipt of the ring signal and when said start signal detecting means does not detect said facsimile communication start signal within the first predetermined time, said automatic telephone answering/recording means sends the outgoing voice message to the telephone line and records the incoming voice signal received through the telephone line.