Patent ID: 6124942
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A facsimile machine that receives and prints pages of data one at a time, the pages of data being transmitted from a distant facsimile machine in a call between the facsimile machine and the distant facsimile machine, comprising:a buffer memory for storing pages of data awaiting printing; anda control unit for determining how much free space is available in said buffer memory, determining how many unprinted pages of data are stored in said buffer memory, deciding whether a new page of data can be received by considering both the free space currently available in said buffer memory and further free space that will become available as the unprinted pages of data currently stored in said buffer memory are printed during data reception, and delaying reception of said new page of data if said new page of data cannot be received, by sending a signal to said distant facsimile machine, according to a standard facsimile protocol causing said distant facsimile machine to temporarily stop transmitting said data, without terminating said call.