Patent ID: 6055301
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for automatically calling an appointed telephone number at an appointed time during an established cycle in a facsimile apparatus, comprising the steps of:entering, according to inputs by a user from an operational panel of the facsimile apparatus, said established cycle representing a cycle set on one of a daily basis, a weekly basis and a monthly basis, said appointed time within said established cycle, and said appointed telephone number of a service station;recording said established cycle, said appointed time and said appointed telephone number of the service station successively in a memory of the facsimile apparatus, said recording said established cycle in said memory of the facsimile apparatus comprising the steps of:when a first numeric key for setting said established cycle on a monthly basis is input from said operational panel, recording data reflecting said established cycle corresponding to said first numeric key and a date according to said established cycle in said memory of the facsimile apparatus;when a second numeric key for setting said established cycle on a weekly basis is input from said operational panel, recording data reflecting said established cycle corresponding to said second numeric key and a day of the week according to said established cycle in said memory of the facsimile apparatus; andalternatively when a third numeric key for setting said established cycle on a daily basis is input from said operational panel, recording data reflecting said established cycle corresponding to said third numeric key in said memory of the facsimile apparatus;providing a visual display of a current time and said appointed time;automatically dialing by the facsimile apparatus said appointed telephone number of the service station at said appointed time during each established cycle for periodically directly establishing by the facsimile apparatus a communication loop with the service station to directly receive by the facsimile apparatus service information from the service station; andreceiving by the facsimile apparatus service information from the service station and printing the service information received via a printer, when communication is established with a receiver corresponding to said appointed telephone number of the service station.