Abstract:
A communications apparatus includes a communications mechanism, a registering mechanism, a notifying mechanism, and a controlling mechanism. The communications mechanism performs communications with a sending communications machine and a transfer communications machine. The registering mechanism registers an address and a communications capability of the transfer communications machine. The notifying mechanism notifies of the communications capability of the transfer communications machine registered in the registering mechanism. The controlling mechanism instructs the notifying mechanism to notify the sending communications machine of the communications capability at a beginning of communications and to instruct the communications mechanism to transfer image information received from the sending communications machine to the transfer communications machine using the address stored in the registering mechanism.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    1. Field  
           [0002]    The present application relates to a method and apparatus for facsimile communications, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for data communications capable of using functions of other facsimile terminals such as a color printing capability.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Background Art  
           [0004]    A color facsimile apparatus capable of receiving and reproducing a color image has been developed but can be too expensive for common use.  
           [0005]    When a color image is transmitted, it is normally encoded in a JPEG or JBIG format. These formats are capable of transmitting not only a color image but also a mono-color gray-scale image. For this reason, when a facsimile machine returns a notification signal with respect to a facsimile receiving capability, including a color image receiving capability, the facsimile machine receives in some cases a mono-color gray-scale image. However, decoding of a mono-color gray-scale image in JPEG or JBIG requires installation of specific hardware and/or software which is an additional cost.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    The present application describes a novel communications apparatus. In one example, a novel communications apparatus includes a communications mechanism, a registering mechanism, a notifying mechanism, and a controlling mechanism. The communications mechanism is configured to perform communications with a plurality of communications machines including a sending communications machine and a transfer communications machine. The registering mechanism is configured to register an address and a communications capability of the transfer communications machine. The notifying mechanism is configured to notify of the communications capability of the transfer communications machine registered in the registering mechanism. The controlling mechanism is configured to instruct the notifying mechanism to notify the sending communications machine of the communications capability at a beginning of communications and to instruct the communications mechanism to transfer image information received from the sending communications machine to the transfer communications machine using the address stored in the registering mechanism.  
           [0007]    The present application further describes another novel communications terminal apparatus. In one example, a novel communications terminal apparatus includes a communications mechanism, a registering mechanism, a memory, a notifying mechanism, and a controlling mechanism. The communications mechanism is configured to perform communications with a plurality of communications machines including a sending communications machine and a transfer communications machine. The registering mechanism is configured to register an address and a communications capability of the transfer communications machine. The memory stores a set of image parameters. The notifying mechanism is configured to notify of an enhancement communications capability of the apparatus in accordance with the communications capability of the transfer communications machine. The controlling mechanism is configured to instruct the notifying mechanism to notify the sending communications machine of the enhancement communications capability at a beginning of communications and to instruct the communications mechanism to transfer image information received from the sending communications machine to the transfer communications machine using the address and the set of image parameters stored in memory.  
           [0008]    The image information may include color or mono-color gray-scale data.  
           [0009]    The above-described communications apparatus may further include an enabling mechanism for enabling a color image receiving function when the address and the communications capability of the transfer communications machine are registered in the registering mechanism.  
           [0010]    The controlling mechanism may instruct the communications mechanism to communicate with the transfer communications machine to obtain the communications capability of the transfer communications machine when the communications capability of the transfer communications machine are registered in the registering mechanism.  
           [0011]    The above-described communications apparatus may further include another communications mechanism configured to perform communications with a plurality of communications machines including a sending communications machine and a transfer communications machine. In this case, the apparatus separately uses the communications mechanisms for receiving and transferring. Further, in this case, the controlling mechanism changes communications protocols for a transferring operation and accordingly converts the image parameters stored in the memory.  
           [0012]    The controlling mechanism may start to transfer the image information received from the sending communications machine to the transfer communications machine before a completion of receiving the image information from the sending communications machine.  
           [0013]    The controlling mechanism may obtain a latest communications capability through the communications mechanism when transferring the image information and updates the registration mechanism with the latest communications capability.  
           [0014]    The controlling mechanism may obtain a latest communications capability through the communications mechanism at intervals of a predetermined time period and updates the registration mechanism with the latest communications capability.  
           [0015]    The controlling mechanism may detect at the beginning of the communications that the image information is sent and conducts an call initiation to the transfer communications machine when detecting that the image information is sent.  
           [0016]    The controlling mechanism may detect that the transfer communications machine is busy and then stops receiving the image information from the sending communications machine.  
           [0017]    The controlling mechanism may transfer the image information to another registered transfer communications machine upon a detection of an event indicating that the transfer communications machine is busy.  
           [0018]    The controlling mechanism may perform a retry call to the transfer communications machine upon a detection of an event indicating that the transfer communications machine is busy.  
           [0019]    The controlling mechanism may perform a retry call at intervals of a predetermined time period to the transfer communications machine upon a detection of an event indicating that the transfer communications machine is busy.  
           [0020]    The controlling mechanism may transfer the image information in page units.  
           [0021]    The controlling mechanism may transfer the image information using a type of communications same as that used to receive the image information with the communications mechanism.  
           [0022]    The controlling mechanism may transfer the image information through E-mail to the transfer communications machine.  
           [0023]    The controlling mechanism may detect that the transfer communications machine is incapable of receiving the image information and then stops receiving the image information from the sending communications machine.  
           [0024]    The controlling mechanism may determine whether the latest communications capability is sufficient to receive the image information and stops receiving the image information from the sending communications machine when the latest communications capability is determined as not sufficient to receive the image information.  
           [0025]    The controlling mechanism may add a literal identification of the image information to the E-mail.  
           [0026]    The controlling mechanism may transfer the image information with a predetermined identification code so that the transfer communications machine reproduces an output of the image information into a predetermined recording sheet tray corresponding to the predetermined identification code.  
           [0027]    The controlling mechanism may determine whether an own communications capability can accept the image information and transfers the image information to the transfer communications machine when the own communications capability of the apparatus cannot accept the image information.  
           [0028]    The present application further describes a novel method of transferring image information. In one example, a novel method of transferring image information includes the steps of registering, notifying, receiving, and transferring. The registering step registers an address and a communications capability of a transfer communications machine. The notifying step notifies a sending communications machine of the communications capability of the transfer communications machine at a beginning of communications. The receiving step receives image information from the sending communications machine. The transferring step transfers the image information received from the sending communications machine to the transfer communications machine using the address of the transfer communications machine.  
           [0029]    The present application further describes a method of transferring image information. In one example, a novel method includes the steps of registering, storing, notifying, receiving, and transferring. The registering step registers an address and a communications capability of a transfer communications machine. The storing step stores a set of image parameters. The notifying step notifies of an enhancement communications capability in accordance with the communications capability of the transfer communications machine at a beginning of communications. The receiving step receives image information from a sending communications machine. The transferring step transfers the image information received from the sending communications machine to the transfer communications machine using the address and the set of image parameters stored in the storing step.  
           [0030]    The image information may include color or mono-color gray-scale data.  
           [0031]    The above-described method may further include a step of enabling for enabling a color image receiving function when the registering step registers the address and the communications capability of the transfer communications machine.  
           [0032]    The above-described method may further include a step of communicating for communicating with the transfer communications machine to obtain the communications capability of the transfer communications machine when the registering step registers the communications capability of the transfer communications machine.  
           [0033]    The transferring step may use a communications line and communications protocols different from those used for the receiving step with different image parameters converted from the image parameters stored in the storing step.  
           [0034]    The transferring step may start to transfer the image information before a completion of receiving the image information from the sending communications machine.  
           [0035]    The transferring step may obtain a latest communications capability from the transfer communications machine when transferring the image information and updates the latest communications capability registered in the registering step.  
           [0036]    The transferring step may obtain a latest communications capability from the transfer communications machine at intervals of a predetermined time period and updates the latest communications capability registered in the registering step.  
           [0037]    The above-described method may further include a step of detecting for detecting at the beginning of the communications that the image information is sent. In this case, the transferring step sends a call initiation to the transfer communications machine when the detecting step detects that the image information is sent.  
           [0038]    The above-described method may further include a detecting step for detecting that the transfer communications machine is busy. In this case, the receiving step stops receiving when the detecting step detects that the transfer communications machine is busy.  
           [0039]    The transferring step may transfer the image information to another registered transfer communications machine upon a detection of an event that the transfer communications machine is busy.  
           [0040]    The transferring step may perform a retry call to the transfer communications machine upon a detection of an event that the transfer communications machine is busy.  
           [0041]    The transferring step may perform a retry call at intervals of a predetermined time period to the transfer communications machine upon a detection of an event that the transfer communications machine is busy.  
           [0042]    The transferring step may transfer the image information in page units.  
           [0043]    The transferring step may transfer the image information using a type of communications same as that used by the receiving step.  
           [0044]    The transferring step may transfer the image information through E-mail to the transfer communications machine.  
           [0045]    The above-described method may further include a detecting step for detecting that the transfer communications machine is incapable of receiving the image information. In this case, the receiving step stops receiving when the detecting step detects that the transfer communications machine is incapable of receiving the image information.  
           [0046]    The above-described method may further include a determining step for determining whether the latest communications capability is sufficient to receive the image information. In this case, the receiving step stops receiving when the determining step determines the latest communications capability is not sufficient to receive the image information.  
           [0047]    The above-described method may further include an adding step for adding a literal identification of the image information to the E-mail.  
           [0048]    The transferring step may transfer the image information with a predetermined identification code so that the transfer communications machine reproduces an output of the image information into a predetermined recording sheet tray corresponding to the predetermined identification code.  
           [0049]    The above-described method may further include a determining step for determining whether an own communications capability can accept the image information. In this case, the transferring step transfers the image information to the transfer communications machine when the determining step determines that the own communications capability of the apparatus cannot accept the image information. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0050]    A more complete appreciation of the present application and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a facsimile system according to a preferred embodiment;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus included in the facsimile system of FIG. 1;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 3 is an exemplary table of color image parameters stored in an image parameter memory of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 2;  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an exemplary procedure of registration of a color facsimile machine to which a received color facsimile is transferred from the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 2;  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an exemplary procedure of a facsimile receiving and transmission operation performed by the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 2;  
         [0056]    [0056]FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts of modified procedures of the color facsimile machine registration performed by the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 2;  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another procedure of the facsimile receiving and transmission operation performed by the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 2;  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of another facsimile apparatus according to a preferred embodiment;  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 10 is an exemplary table of color image parameters stored in an image parameter memory of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 9;  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an exemplary procedure of registration of a color facsimile machine to which a received color facsimile is transferred from the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 9;  
         [0061]    [0061]FIGS. 12 and 13A- 13 B are flowcharts for respectively explaining exemplary procedures of a facsimile receiving and transmission operation performed by the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 9;  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a modified procedure of the color facsimile machine registration performed by the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 9;  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 15 is an illustration for explaining a time when the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 9 determines whether the received facsimile includes color or mono-color gray-scale data;  
         [0064]    [0064]FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts for respectively explaining modified procedures of the facsimile receiving and transmission operation performed by the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 9;  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 18 is another table of color image parameters stored in an image parameter memory of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 9;  
         [0066]    FIGS.  19 - 26  are flowcharts for respectively explaining modified procedures of the facsimile receiving and transmission operation performed by the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 9;  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 27 is another table of color image parameters stored in an image parameter memory of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 9; and  
         [0068]    [0068]FIGS. 28 and 29 are flowcharts for respectively explaining modified procedures of the facsimile receiving and transmission operation performed by the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 9.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0069]    In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner.  
         [0070]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numeral designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, particularly to FIG. 1, a facsimile system  1  according to an embodiment of the present application is described. The facsimile system  1  of FIG. 1 includes a color facsimile apparatus  11  for handling color images and black-and-white facsimile apparatuses  12  and  13  for handling black-and-white images. Each of the numbers of the color and black-and-white facsimile apparatuses is not limited to that applied in the facsimile system  1  of FIG. 1. When the facsimile apparatuses  12  and  13  receive a black-and-white image from another facsimile apparatus, they normally output a black-and-white image. In addition, the facsimile apparatuses  12  and  13  are capable of performing a color image handling operation although they are not capable of outputting color images. That is, the facsimile apparatuses  12  and  13  transfer a color image to the color facsimile apparatus  11  included in the facsimile system  1  upon a receipt of a color image from an external apparatus such as a color facsimile apparatus  14 , for example. Thus, the color image received from the external apparatus can be output within the facsimile system  1 .  
         [0071]    Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary structure of the facsimile apparatus  12  of FIG. 1 is explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus  12  includes a scanner  201 , a printer  202 , an encoding/decoding unit  203 , a communications controller  204 , a modem  205 , a network controller  206 , a system controller  207 , an operation panel unit  208 , a data memory  209 , and an image parameter memory  210 . The scanner  201  reads an original. The printer  202  reproduces an image when the facsimile apparatus  12  receives a black-and-white image. The encoding/decoding unit  203  encodes image information to be transmitted to and decodes image information which has been received from another facsimile machine. The communications controller  204  responses to a call, received from another facsimile machine, with information of capabilities for a color facsimile and performs protocol controls. The modem  205  modulates and demodulates communications data. The network controller  206  is connected to a telephone line and is capable of initiating and receiving a call. The system controller  207  performs a facsimile operation in a predetermined manner.  
         [0072]    The operation panel unit  208  allows data input by the user for registration of a color facsimile machine to which facsimile information received from another facsimile machine will be transferred when it is in color. The data memory  209  stores information of the registration input by the user through the operation panel unit  208 . In this example, the color facsimile apparatus  11  is registered in the data memory  209 , for example. The information of the registration includes communications capabilities of the registered color facsimile machine for receiving a call. The operation panel unit  208  allows the user to select valid or invalid of a color receiving function provided to the facsimile apparatus  12 . The image parameter memory  210  stores a set of color image parameters which are selectively used for various types of color images sent from other color facsimile machines. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary table of the color image parameters stored in the image parameter memory  210 .  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 4 shows an exemplary procedure of the registration of a color facsimile machine to which color facsimile information is transferred. As shown in FIG. 4, the system controller  207  determines in Step S 11  if the registration is needed. If the registration is determined as needed in Step S 11 , the procedure of the registration is started. In Step S 12 , a transferable color facsimile machine is input by the user. That is, in this case, the address of the color facsimile apparatus  11  is input by the user. Then, in Step S 13 , capabilities of facsimile receiving pertinent to the color facsimile apparatus  11  are input by the user. In Step S 14 , the color receiving function is set valid by the user through the operation panel unit  208 .  
         [0074]    Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary procedure of the receiving/transfer operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  12  is explained. In Step S 21 , the system controller  207  determines if the registration for the color image transfer operation is made and the color receiving function is set valid. If the registration for the color image transfer operation is determined as being made and the color receiving function is determined as being set valid, in Step S 21 , the process proceeds to Step S 22  in which the system controller  207  notifies a calling facsimile machine of receiving capability information that includes its own receiving capabilities and those of the color facsimile apparatus registered and then starts the communications. In Step S 24 , at the beginning of the communications, the system controller  207  receives color image parameters sent from the calling facsimile machine before starting the receiving operation and stores them in the image parameter memory  210 . After that, the process proceeds to Step S 25 .  
         [0075]    If the registration for the color image transfer operation is determined as not being made and/or the color image receiving function is determined as not being set valid, in Step S 21 , the process proceeds to Step S 23 . In this case, in Step S 23 , the system controller  207  notifies the calling facsimile machine of receiving capability information that includes its own receiving capabilities and then starts the communications. After that, the process proceeds to Step S 25 .  
         [0076]    In Step S 25 , the system controller  207  receives image information. In Step S 26 , the system controller  207  determines if the receiving operation has been completed. If the receiving operation is determined as having been completed, the system controller  207  determines in Step S 27  if the received image information includes color data or mono-color gray-scale data. If the received image information is determined as including color data or mono-color gray-scale data, the process proceeds to Step S 28 . In Step S 28 , the system controller  207  transfers the received image information to the color facsimile apparatus  11  using the color image parameters stored in the image parameter memory  210  in Step S 24 . Then, the process ends. If the received image information is determined as not including color data or mono-color gray-scale data, the process also ends.  
         [0077]    By the structure as described above, the facsimile apparatus  12  can receive color facsimile information and transfer it to a registered color facsimile machine. This allows the facsimile system  1  to receive color facsimile information, sent from an external facsimile machine, by any one of the facsimile machines even when the facsimile system  1  has only a single color facsimile apparatus  11 .  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 6 shows another exemplary procedure of the registration of a color facsimile machine to which color facsimile information is transferred. The procedure of FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 4, except for determination in Step S 34 . That is, in Step S 31 , the system controller  207  determines if the registration is needed. If the registration is determined as needed in Step S 31 , the procedure of the registration is started. The address and the facsimile receiving capabilities of the color facsimile apparatus  11  are input, in Steps S 32  and S 33 , respectively. Then, in Step S 34 , the system controller  207  determines if the address and the facsimile receiving capabilities of the color facsimile apparatus  11  are input. If the address and the facsimile receiving capabilities of the color facsimile apparatus  11  are determined as input, the system controller  207  sets the color receiving function valid, in Step S 35 .  
         [0079]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  12  automatically performs the operation for setting the color receiving function valid upon determining a completion of the input of the address and the facsimile receiving capabilities of the color facsimile apparatus  11 . This eliminates an erroneous event in that the facsimile apparatus  12  cannot receive color facsimile information although the color facsimile apparatus is registered since if for any reason the color receiving function has not been set to valid.  
         [0080]    If the facsimile apparatus  12  can transfer image information to use not only a color capability but also other capabilities of another facsimile machine, which is not provided to the facsimile apparatus  12 , the system controller  207  checks the contents of the input receiving capabilities and sets the color receiving function valid upon determining that the input receiving capabilities include the color capabilities.  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 7 shows another exemplary procedure of the registration of a color facsimile machine to which color facsimile information is transferred. The procedure of FIG. 7 is similar to that of FIG. 4, except for a call initiation to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  in Step S 46 . That is, in Step S 41 , the system controller  207  determines if the registration is needed. If the registration is determined as needed in Step S 41 , the procedure of the registration is started. The address and the facsimile receiving capabilities of the color facsimile apparatus  11  are input, in Steps S 42  and S 43 , respectively. Then, in Step S 44 , the system controller  207  determines if the address and the facsimile receiving capabilities of the color facsimile apparatus  11  are input. If the address and the facsimile receiving capabilities of the color facsimile apparatus  11  are determined as input, the system controller  207  sets the color receiving function valid in Step S 45 . After that, in Step S 46 , the system controller  207  initiates a call to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  so as to receive and store the detailed receiving capabilities of the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 .  
         [0082]    With the above procedure, the facsimile apparatus  12  can automatically register the detailed receiving capabilities of the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  including a color or a mono-color gray-scale image receiving capability. This avoids a need for expert knowledge normally required when a color or a mono-color gray-scale image receiving capability is registered.  
         [0083]    Referring to FIG. 8, another exemplary procedure of the receiving/transfer operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  12  is explained. In this case, it is supposed that a plurality of color facsimile machines including the color facsimile apparatus  11  are registered. The procedure of FIG. 8 is similar to that of FIG. 5, except for determination of a facsimile machine to which to transfer color facsimile image information. That is, in Step S 51 , the system controller  207  determines if the registration for the color image transfer operation is made and the color receiving function is set valid. If the registration for the color image transfer operation is determined as being made and the color receiving function is determined as being set valid, in Step S 51 , the process proceeds to Step S 52  in which the system controller  207  notifies a calling facsimile machine of receiving capability information that includes its own receiving capabilities and those of the color facsimile apparatus registered and then starts the communications. In Step S 54 , at the beginning of the communications, the system controller  207  receives color image parameters sent from the calling facsimile machine before starting the receiving operation and stores them in the image parameter memory  210 . After that, in Step S 55 , a suitable color facsimile machine is selected from among the plurality of the color facsimile machines and is determined. In this case, it is supposed that the color facsimile apparatus  11  is selected and determined as a machine where to transfer the color facsimile image information. Then, the process proceeds to Step S 56 .  
         [0084]    If the registration for the color image transfer operation is determined as not being made and/or the color receiving function is determined as not being set valid, in Step S 51 , the process proceeds to Step S 53 . In this case, in Step S 53 , the system controller  207  notifies the calling facsimile machine of receiving capability information that includes its own receiving capabilities and then starts the communications. After that, the process proceeds to Step S 56 .  
         [0085]    In Step S 56 , the system controller  207  receives image information. In Step S 57 , the system controller  207  determines if the receiving operation has been completed. If the receiving operation is determined as having been completed, the system controller  207  determines in Step S 58  if the received image information includes color data or mono-color gray-scale data. If the received image information is determined as including color data or mono-color gray-scale data, the process proceeds to Step S 59 . In Step S 59 , the system controller  207  transfers the received image information to the selected color facsimile apparatus  11  using the color image parameters stored in the image parameter memory  210  in Step S 54 . Then, the process ends. If the received image information is determined as not including color data or mono-color gray-scale data, the process also ends.  
         [0086]    During the above procedure, the system controller  207  conducts the facsimile receiving operation according to a Group  3  facsimile procedure and, if the color facsimile apparatus  11  is a Group  4  machine, the system controller  207  conducts conversion of transmission protocols so as to perform transmission according to the Group  4  procedure.  
         [0087]    In an environment where the receiving operation and the transmission operation differ in communications methods, the facsimile apparatus  12  can transfer the facsimile image information.  
         [0088]    By the structure as described above, the facsimile apparatus  12  converts the color image parameters according to a type of a machine to which color facsimile image information is transferred and transfers the information using the converted color image parameters when using different telephone lines for receiving and transmission.  
         [0089]    Referring now to FIG. 9, another exemplary structure of the black/white facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. A facsimile apparatus  22  is shown in FIG. 9, which is capable of outputting black/white images. The facsimile apparatus  22  of FIG. 9 is similar to the facsimile apparatus  12  of FIG. 2, except for addition of an image memory  211 , another modem  212 , and another network controller  213 . The image memory  211  stores facsimile image information. The modem  212  and the network controller  213  cooperate with each other to perform a transfer operation for transferring color facsimile image information at the same time that the modem  205  and the network controller  206  perform the facsimile receiving operation. A table of color image parameters relating to color is stored in the image parameter memory  210 , as shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0090]    An exemplary procedure of the registration, performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 , with respect to a transfer machine which is the color facsimile apparatus  11 , for example, is shown in FIG. 11. The procedure of FIG. 11 is similar to that of FIG. 4. Therefore, for convenience sake, the steps of the procedure shown in FIG. 11 that perform similar operations are labeled with the same reference figures as those of FIG. 4. That is, when the user starts the registration of the transfer machine (Step S 11 ), the user inputs an address of the transfer machine (Step S 12 ) and the capabilities of the receiving operation (Step S 13 ). After that, the user sets the color receiving function valid (Step S 14 ).  
         [0091]    [0091]FIG. 12 shows an exemplary procedure of the receiving/transfer operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22  of FIG. 9. In Step S 121 , the system controller  207  of the facsimile apparatus  22  determines if the registration for the color image transfer operation is made and the color image receiving function is set valid. If the registration for the color image transfer operation is determined as being made and the color receiving function is determined as being set valid, in Step S 121 , the process proceeds to Step S 122  in which the system controller  207  notifies a calling facsimile machine of receiving capability information that includes its own receiving capabilities and those of the color facsimile apparatus  11  registered and then starts the communications. In Step S 124 , at the beginning of the communications, the system controller  207  receives color image parameters sent from the calling facsimile machine before starting the receiving operation and stores them in the image parameter memory  210 . After that, the process proceeds to Step S 125 .  
         [0092]    If the registration for the color image transfer operation is determined as not being made and/or the color receiving function is determined as not being set valid, in Step S 121 , the process proceeds to Step S 123 . In this case, in Step S 123 , the system controller  207  notifies the calling facsimile machine of receiving capability information that includes its own receiving capabilities and then starts the communications. After that, the process proceeds to Step S 125 .  
         [0093]    In Step S 125 , the system controller  207  receives image information. In Step S 126 , the system controller  207  determines if the received image information includes color data or mono-color gray-scale data. If the received image information is determined as including color data or mono-color gray-scale data, the process proceeds to Step S 127  in which the system controller  207  transfers the received image information to the color facsimile apparatus  11  using the color image parameters stored in the image parameter memory  210  in Step S 124 . If the received image information is determined as not including color data or mono-color gray-scale data, in Step S 126 , the process proceeds to Step S 128 . In this case, since the received facsimile image information is in black and white, the system controller  207  afterwards conducts the printing of the facsimile image with the printer  202 .  
         [0094]    In Step S 128 , the system controller  207  determines if the receiving operation performed in Step S 125  has been completed. If the receiving operation is determined as completed, the process ends. But, if the receiving operation is determined as not completed, the process returns to Step S 125 .  
         [0095]    By the structure as described above, the facsimile apparatus  22  can receive color facsimile information and immediately start to transfer it to a registered color facsimile machine upon a determination that the received facsimile image information includes color data or mono-color gray-scale data. This allows the facsimile system  1  to save the space of the image memory  211  since color information normally includes a great amount of data.  
         [0096]    [0096]FIG. 13 shows another exemplary procedure of the receiving/transfer operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22  of FIG. 9. According to the procedure of FIG.  13 , the facsimile apparatus  22  updates the color data receiving capabilities of the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  each time an event of paper out or color toner out occurs on the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 .  
         [0097]    Since Steps S 131 -S 139  of FIG. 13 correspond to Steps S 51 -S 59  of FIG. 8, the description of Steps S 131 -S 139  is omitted. The process proceeds to Step S 140  after the system controller  207  transfers the received image information to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 , selected in Step S 135 , using the color image parameters stored in the image parameter memory  210  in Step S 134 . In Step S 140 , the system controller determines if the receiving capabilities received from the color facsimile apparatus  11  are greater than those stored in the image parameter memory  210 . If the receiving capabilities are determined as greater than those stored in the image parameter memory  210 , the system controller  207  conducts the transfer of the received color facsimile image information to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 , in Step S 142 . Then, in Step S 143 , the system controller  207  updates the receiving capabilities stored in the image parameter memory  210  with the newly received capabilities.  
         [0098]    If the receiving capability is determined as not greater than those stored in the image parameter memory  210 , the system controller  207  further determines if the receiving capability of the color facsimile apparatus  11  is sufficient for receiving the color image data. If the receiving capability of the color facsimile apparatus  11  is determined as sufficient, the process proceeds to Step S 142  so that the system controller  207  performs the transfer operation. If the receiving capability of the color facsimile apparatus  11  is determined as not sufficient, the process proceeds to Step S 145  in which the system controller  207  goes into a waiting mode with initiating a call to the color facsimile apparatus  11  at intervals of a predetermined time period so as to wait until the system controller  207  receives from the color facsimile apparatus  11  the color capabilities to be determined as at least sufficient for the color data transfer.  
         [0099]    By the above-described structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can update the color image receiving capabilities of the registered color facsimile apparatus in a timely manner. This improves the performance for handling the color facsimile image of the facsimile apparatus  22 .  
         [0100]    [0100]FIG. 14 shows another exemplary procedure of the registration of a transfer machine performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . According to the procedure of FIG. 14, the facsimile apparatus  22  initiates a call to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  at intervals of a predetermined time period to detect an event of paper out or color toner out that occurs on the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  so as to update the color data receiving capabilities of the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 .  
         [0101]    Since Steps S 151 -S 156  of FIG. 14 correspond to Steps S 41 -S 46  of FIG. 7, the description of Steps S 151 -S 156  of FIG. 14 are omitted. The system controller  207  performs the automatic call initiation relative to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  to obtain the receiving capabilities and to store the data into the image parameter memory  210 . In Step S 157 , the system controller  207  repeat this operation performed in Step S 156  at intervals of a predetermined time period.  
         [0102]    By this structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can update the receiving capabilities of the registered color facsimile apparatus at intervals of a predetermined time period through the transfer machine registration operation.  
         [0103]    [0103]FIG. 15 shows a time A at which the facsimile apparatus  22  detects that the received facsimile image information includes color or mono-color gray-scale data. Whether the received facsimile image information includes color or mono-color gray-scale data can be determined by analyzing the contents of a DCS (digital command signal) signal which is sent from the sending facsimile side at the beginning of the communications. That is, the DCS signal is the first occasion to determine whether the received facsimile image information includes the color or mono-color gray-scale data.  
         [0104]    [0104]FIG. 16 shows an exemplary procedure of a DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . Upon starting the communications with a sending facsimile machine, the system controller  207  of the facsimile apparatus  22  determines in Step S 161  if the facsimile information sent from the sending facsimile machine includes color or mono-color gray-scale data by performing the DCS analysis. If the facsimile information is determined as including color or mono-color gray-scale data, the system controller  207  immediately initiate a call to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 , in Step S 162 . Then, the system controller  207  conducts the facsimile receiving operation and the color image transfer operation in parallel, in Step S 163 . The system controller  207  then determines if the facsimile receiving operation and the color image transfer operation are completed. If the facsimile receiving operation and the color image transfer operation are completed, the process ends.  
         [0105]    In Step S 161 , if the facsimile information is determined as not including color or mono-color gray-scale data, the system controller  207  starts the facsimile receiving operation, in Step S 165 . In this case, the received facsimile image is soon reproduced by the printer  202 . Then, in Step S 166 , the system controller  207  checks if the facsimile receiving operation is completed. If the facsimile receiving operation is completed and the check result of Step S 166  is YES, the process ends.  
         [0106]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can detect whether the receiving facsimile information includes color or mono-color gray-scale data by performing the DCS analysis so as to conduct parallel operations of the receiving and transmission with respect to the color facsimile data.  
         [0107]    [0107]FIG. 17 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . The procedure of FIG. 17 is similar to that of FIG. 16, except for Steps S 173  and S 174 . The facsimile apparatus  22  determines in Step S 173  if the transfer machine, which is the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 , is busy after starting the communications with the transfer machine in Step S 172 . If the transfer machine is determined as busy, the system controller  207  stops the facsimile receiving operation, in Step S 174 . This is because if the receiving operation is continued the image memory  211  will overflow with the color data. Then, the process ends.  
         [0108]    If the transfer machine is determined as not busy, the system controller  207  conducts the receiving and transferring operations in parallel, in Step S 175 . Then, in Step S 176 , the system controller  207  determines if the receiving and transferring operations are completed. If the receiving and transferring operations are determined as completed, the process ends.  
         [0109]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can terminate the operation of receiving the color data when the transfer machine is busy so as to avoid occurrence of memory overflow.  
         [0110]    [0110]FIG. 18 shows another table of color image parameters relating to color stored in the image parameter memory  210  of the facsimile apparatus  22 .  
         [0111]    [0111]FIG. 19 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . In this case, two color facsimile apparatuses are registered in the facsimile apparatus  22 , as shown in the table of color image parameters of FIG. 18. The procedure of FIG. 19 is similar to that of FIG. 16, except for Step S 182 , S 184 , S 185 , and S 186 .  
         [0112]    In the procedure of FIG. 19, if the system controller  207  of the facsimile apparatus  22  determines in Step S 181  that the receiving facsimile information includes color or mono-color gray-scale data, the system controller  207  initiates in Step S 182  a call to the first registered color facsimile apparatus using the telephone number registered in the table of FIG. 18 and starts the transfer of the receiving color data. Then, the system controller  207  determines in Step S 183  if the first registered color facsimile apparatus is busy. If the first registered color facsimile apparatus is determined as busy, the system controller  207  initiates in Step S 184  a call to the second registered color facsimile apparatus using the telephone number registered in the table of FIG. 18 and starts the transfer of the receiving color data to the second registered color facsimile apparatus. In Step S 185 , the system controller  207  further determines if the second registered color facsimile apparatus is busy. If the second registered color facsimile apparatus is determined as busy, the system controller  207  stops in Step S 186  the facsimile receiving operation. This is because if the receiving operation is continued the image memory  211  will overflow with the color data. After that, the process ends.  
         [0113]    If the first registered color facsimile apparatus is determined as not busy in Step S 183  or if the second registered color facsimile apparatus is determined as not busy in Step S 185 , the system controller  207  conducts the receiving and transferring operations in parallel, in Step S 187 . Then, in Step S 188 , the system controller  207  determines if the receiving and transferring operations are completed. If the receiving and transferring operations are determined as completed, the process ends.  
         [0114]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can switch the color data transfer operation from one color machine to another color machine when the first machine is detected as busy.  
         [0115]    [0115]FIG. 20 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . In this case, the facsimile apparatus  22  performs a predetermined number of retry calls to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  for the color data transfer when the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  is detected as busy. For this purpose, the procedure of FIG. 20 is made by adding processes of Steps S 193 , s 194 , and S 195  to the procedure of FIG. 16.  
         [0116]    The facsimile apparatus  22  determines in Step S 193  if the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  is busy after starting in Step S 192  the communications with the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 . If the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  is determined as busy, the system controller  207  further determines in Step S 194  if the number of the retry calls made by that time does not reach the predetermined number. If the number of the retry calls made by that time is determined as reaching the predetermined number, the process proceeds to Step S 195  in which the system controller  207  stops the facsimile receiving operation, and the process ends. If the number of the retry calls made by that time is determined as not reaching the predetermined number, the process returns to Step S 195  to repeat the processes with an interval of a predetermined time period until the system controller  207  determines in Step S 194  that the number of the retry calls made by that time is determined as reaching the predetermined number.  
         [0117]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can perform a predetermined number of retry calls with an interval of a predetermined time period to a registered color facsimile apparatus for the color data transfer when the registered color facsimile apparatus is detected as busy.  
         [0118]    [0118]FIG. 21 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . In this case, the facsimile apparatus  22  performs a predetermined number of retry calls with an interval of a relatively shorter time period to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  for the color data transfer when the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  is detected as busy. For this purpose, the procedure of FIG. 21 is made by adding a process of Step S 205  to the procedure of FIG. 20. That is, if the number of the retry calls made by that time is determined as not reaching the predetermined number, the process goes to Step S 205  in which the time period for the interval to the next retry call is shortened and then returns to Step S 202  so as to repeat the processes with an interval of a relatively shorter time period until the system controller  207  determines in Step S 204  that the number of the retry calls made by that time is determined as reaching the predetermined number.  
         [0119]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can perform a predetermined number of retry calls with an interval of a relatively shorter time period to a registered color facsimile apparatus for the color data transfer when the registered color facsimile apparatus is detected as busy. Thereby, the likelihood of succeeding the call initiation increases.  
         [0120]    [0120]FIG. 22 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . In this case, the facsimile apparatus  22  performs the color data transfer in page units to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  for. For this purpose, the procedure of FIG. 22 is made by replacing the process of Step S 164  in the procedure of FIG. 16 with processes of Steps S 214 -S 216 . That is, after the process of Step S 213  where the receiving from the sending facsimile machine and the transmission to the transfer machine with respect to the color facsimile data are executed in parallel, the system controller  207  determines in Step S 214  if the transfer operation in page units is completed. If the transfer operation in page units is determined as completed, the system controller  207  completes the transfer operation in page units, in Step S 215 . Then, in Step S 216 , the system controller  207  determines if the received facsimile information includes the following page. If the received facsimile information is determined as not including the following page, the process ends. But, if the received facsimile information is determined as including the following page, the process returns to Step S 211  so that the system controller  207  can further determine if the following page includes color or mono-color gray-scale data and repeat the same processes.  
         [0121]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can perform the color data transfer in page units to a registered color facsimile apparatus. Thereby, the facsimile apparatus  22  decreases a time for the color data transfer.  
         [0122]    [0122]FIG. 23 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . In this case, the facsimile apparatus  22  performs the color data transfer to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  through the same type of the communications as is used in the receiving operation. For this purpose, the procedure of FIG. 23 is made by replacing the process of Step S 162  in the procedure of FIG. 16 with a process of Step S 222 . That is, after the determination in Step S 221  that the receiving facsimile information includes color or mono-color gray-scale data, the system controller  207  performs in Step S 222  the transfer operation to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  through the same type of the communications as is used in the receiving operation. After that, the process flows in the same manner as in the procedure of FIG. 16.  
         [0123]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can perform the color data transfer to a registered color facsimile apparatus without changing the communications method. Thereby, the facsimile apparatus  22  can eliminate extra image processing operations required when the communications method is changed.  
         [0124]    [0124]FIG. 24 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . In this case, the facsimile apparatus  22  performs the color data transfer to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  through E-mail. For this purpose, the procedure of FIG. 24 is made by replacing the process of Step S 162  in the procedure of FIG. 16 with a process of Step S 232 . That is, after the determination in Step S 231  that the receiving facsimile information includes color or mono-color gray-scale data, the system controller  207  performs in Step S 232  the transfer operation to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  through E-mail. After that, the process flows in the same manner as in the procedure of FIG. 16.  
         [0125]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can perform the color data transfer to a registered color facsimile apparatus regardless of what receiving capabilities the facsimile apparatus  22  has.  
         [0126]    [0126]FIG. 25 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . In this case, the facsimile apparatus  22  stops the receiving operation upon detecting that the transfer machine is unable to receive the transfer color data. Accordingly, the facsimile apparatus  22  afterwards sends an error signal back to the sending facsimile machine so that the sending facsimile machine can make sure that the facsimile reaches the facsimile apparatus  22 . For this purpose, the procedure of FIG. 25 is made by adding processes of Steps S 243  and S 244  to the procedure of FIG. 16. That is, after starting in Step S 242  the transfer operation to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 , the system controller  207  determines in Step S 243  whether the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  is unable to receive the color transfer data sent from the facsimile apparatus  22 . If the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  is determined as in the condition unable to receive the color transfer data, the process goes to Step S 244 . In Step S 244 , the system controller  207  stops the receiving operation. The process then ends. Other than that, the process flows in the same manner as in the procedure of FIG. 16.  
         [0127]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can stop the receiving operation upon detecting that the transfer machine is in a condition unable to receive the transfer color data. Accordingly, the facsimile apparatus  22  is afterwards capable of sending an error signal back to the sending facsimile machine so that the sending facsimile machine can make sure that the facsimile reaches the facsimile apparatus  22 . Thereby, the facsimile apparatus  22  increases reliability of the communications.  
         [0128]    [0128]FIG. 26 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . In this case, the facsimile apparatus  22  stops the receiving operation upon detecting hat the transfer machine reduces its receiving capability because of occurrence of paper out, toner out, etc. For this purpose, the procedure of FIG. 26 is made by adding processes of Steps S 253  and S 254  to the procedure of FIG. 16. That is, after starting in Step S 252  the transfer operation to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 , the system controller  207  determines in Step S 253  whether the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  has reduced its receiving capability to a level insufficient to continue to receive the color transfer data. If the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  is determined as having reduced receiving capability, the process goes to Step S 254 . In Step S 254 , the system controller  207  stops the receiving operation. The process then ends. Other than that, the process flows in the same manner as in the procedure of FIG. 16.  
         [0129]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can stop the receiving operation upon detecting that the transfer machine has reduced its receiving capability because of occurrence of paper out, toner out, etc. Thereby, the facsimile apparatus  22  increases reliability of the communications.  
         [0130]    [0130]FIG. 27 shows another table of color image parameters relating to color stored in the image parameter memory  210  of the facsimile apparatus  22 .  
         [0131]    [0131]FIG. 28 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . In this case, the facsimile apparatus  22  adds a specific literal indication in a subject column representing a subject of E-mail when transferring E-mail including the color transfer data to the registered color facsimile machine. Such specific literal indication may include a word, a phrase, a symbol, etc., such as “color facsimile transferred from the facsimile apparatus  22 ,” for example. For this purpose, the procedure of FIG. 28 is made by adding a process of Step S 262  to the procedure of FIG. 24. That is, after determining in Step S 261  that the receiving facsimile information includes color or mono-color gray-scale data, the system controller  207  performs the process of the literal indication adding to the subject column or line, in Step S 262 . After that, in Step S 263 , the system controller  207  starts transferring the received color facsimile information through E-mail to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 . The process then ends. Other than that, the process flows in the same manner as in the procedure of FIG. 24.  
         [0132]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can add a specific literal indication to the E-mail so that the operator of the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  can easily understand that the received E-mail is a transferred color facsimile from the facsimile apparatus  22 .  
         [0133]    [0133]FIG. 29 shows another exemplary procedure of the DCS-analysis-based facsimile receiving operation performed by the facsimile apparatus  22 . In this case, the facsimile apparatus  22  adds a SUB code to the communications for the color facsimile data transfer to identify that the facsimile is a color facsimile transferred from the facsimile apparatus  22  so that the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  can sort the transferred color facsimile information according to the received SUB code, for example, by outputting the transferred color facsimile information into a specific output tray. The SUB code is defined by the recommendations of ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication) such that the SUB code includes a numerical number, a space, an asterisk symbol, and a sharp symbol in the total of  20  digits or less. For this purpose, the procedure of FIG. 29 is made by adding a process of Step S 279  to the procedure of FIG. 8. That is, after determining in Step S 278  that the receiving facsimile information includes color or mono-color gray-scale data, the system controller  207  adds in Step S 279  an arbitrary determined SUB code to the communications with the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 . After that, in Step S 280 , the system controller  207  starts transferring the received color facsimile information to the registered color facsimile apparatus  11 . The process then ends. Other than that, the process flows in the same manner as in the procedure of FIG. 8.  
         [0134]    With the above structure, the facsimile apparatus  22  can add an arbitrary determined SUB code to the communications with the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  so that the registered color facsimile apparatus  11  can sort the transferred color facsimile information from the facsimile apparatus  22 .  
         [0135]    The above examples mainly relate to the capability of color facsimile, however, the techniques of the present application can also be applied to other capabilities such as facsimile requiring a large sized recording sheet (e.g., an A3-sized sheet), for example.  
         [0136]    This invention may be conveniently implemented using a conventional general purpose digital computer programmed according to the teaching of the present specification, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art. The present invention may also be implemented by the preparation of application specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0137]    Numerous additional modifications and variations of the present application are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present application may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.  
         [0138]    This application claims priority to Japanese patent application p This. JPAP2000-178911 filed on Jun. 14, 2000 and JPAP2001-85353 filed on Mar. 23, 2001 in the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.