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Facsimile machine with facsimile data receiver and external computer

  • US 6,323,962 B1
  • Filed: 01/08/1997
  • Issued: 11/27/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A facsimile machine, comprising:

  • an image reader which reads an original image from an original and produces original-image data representing said original image;

    a first connector connectable to an external computer via a communication cable;

    a second connector connectable to an additional facsimile machine via a communication line;

    a facsimile-data receiver which receives first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine, via said communication line and said second connector;

    an image recorder which records, on a recording sheet, an image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by said facsimile-data receiver;

    a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data including said original-image data to the additional machine via said second connector and said communication line, said facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, to the external computer via said first connector and said communication cable, said first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine via said communication line and said second connector;

    a facsimile-data memory;

    a control device which controls, in a first control mode, said facsimile-data receiver to receive said first facsimile data and controls said image recorder to record said image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver, said control device controlling, in a second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, said control device controlling, in a third control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, and controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data and store the received first facsimile data in said facsimile-data memory, said control device comprising judging means for judging whether said facsimile-data transmitter is permitted to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, based on information indicative of a state of the computer relating to data reception, said control device controlling, in said second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer when said judging means makes a positive judgment, and controlling, in said third control mode, said facsimile-data receiver to start receiving said first facsimile data in place of the computer when said judging means makes a negative judgment and to continue the reception of said first facsimile data until the additional facsimile machine ends the transmission of said first facsimile data; and

    an operation-mode selector which selectively places the facsimile machine in a first operation mode in which said control device operates in said first control mode, and in a second operation mode in which said control device refers to a judgment of said judging means and, when said judging means makes said positive judgment, the control device operates in said second control mode and, when said judging means makes said negative judgment, the control device operates in said third control mode.

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