Patent ID: 6031637
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A facsimile machine capable of interfacing with an external computer apparatus, which is external to the facsimile machine and connectable thereto, and interfacing with an another facsimile machine, the facsimile machine comprising:data processing means for transmitting and receiving communications command data to and from the external computer apparatus and executing data processing in an external computer communications mode in accordance with a command entered from the external computer apparatus to effect printing of communications data;facsimile data processing means for sending and receiving facsimile data over a telephone line when said facsimile is in a facsimile mode to effect printing of said facsimile data;mode select means for switching said facsimile machine from said facsimile mode for image data transmission and reception to said external computer communications mode for communications data transmission and reception in accordance with an operator input;operation judgment means for judging whether said data processing means has accomplished a printing job, in which data received from said external computer apparatus is printed on paper, after said mode select means has switched said facsimile machine from said facsimile mode to said external computer communications mode; andmode reset means, responsive to said operation judgment means, for resetting said facsimile machine to said facsimile mode in response to completion of the printing job as confirmed by said operation judgment means.