Facsimile apparatus and telephone terminal apparatus having voice and image communication functions

In a facsimile apparatus with an external telephone unit connected thereto or in a telephone terminal apparatus having telephone and facsimile communication functions, when a particular code signal is sent through a telephone line during a telephone communication being effected, a facsimile communication is held ineffective. Accordingly, even when a particular situation occurs, which otherwise causes switching from the telephone communication to the facsimile communication, the telephone communication is held effective once the particular code signal is detected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus to be used with an 
external telephone set connected thereto and to a telephone terminal 
apparatus having telephone (voice) and facsimile (image) communication 
functions, wherein selection between telephone and facsimile 
communications is controlled by monitoring particular signals sent through 
a telephone line. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
There have been known facsimile apparatuses to be used with telephone sets 
connected thereto, including, such as, cordless telephone sets or 
automatic answering/recording telephone sets. 
As is known, the automatic answering/recording telephone set (hereinafter 
referred to as "AARTS") is used for recording an incoming message from a 
caller and reproducing the recorded incoming message. The AARTS is 
generally provided with a remote control function which allows a user, for 
example, to hear the recorded incoming message from another telephone, 
such as, a public telephone. 
In general, when using the remote control function, the user first makes a 
call to the AARTS. Thereafter, during the AARTS reproducing and sending a 
recorded outgoing message, the user inputs a specific ID code assigned to 
the AARTS using a pushbutton dial of the calling telephone so as to set 
the AARTS ready for the remote control. The user then inputs a 
predetermined numeric command (for example, [22]: rewind tape; [23]: 
reproduce or play back recorded incoming message) using the dial of the 
calling telephone so as to hear the recorded incoming message or in some 
cases to monitor a condition of a user's room. 
On the other hand, in general, the facsimile apparatus is automatically set 
to an image signal receiving state when detecting a CNG signal or when 
detecting no sound signal for several seconds. The CNG signal is a 
facsimile communication start signal which is transmitted from a caller 
facsimile apparatus when the caller facsimile apparatus is operated under 
an automatic calling mode. 
Conventionally, when the remote control is performed to the AARTS connected 
to the facsimile apparatus, the following problem has been encountered: 
Specifically, when no sound signal is detected for several seconds, which 
is likely to occur during the AARTS rewinding the tape, the facsimile 
apparatus is automatically connected to the telephone line so as to be set 
to the image signal receiving state. As a result, the remote control of 
the AARTS becomes practically ineffective. 
On the other hand, there has been available the so-called direct inward 
dialing (DID), wherein a plurality of phone numbers are assigned to one 
subscriber line corresponding to equipped terminal units, respectively, 
and when a call is made using one of the assigned phone numbers, a 
designation signal indicative of the corresponding terminal unit is sent 
from the telephone exchange. In the direct inward dialing, a particular 
adapter is used, working as switching means, for switching between the 
terminal units according to the received designation signal. Accordingly, 
when one of the terminal units is a telephone set and another thereof is a 
facsimile apparatus, the adapter switches between the telephone set and 
the facsimile apparatus according to the received designation signal, i.e. 
the dialed phone number. 
However, in the direct inward dialing with such an adapter, once the 
telephone line is connected to the facsimile apparatus, the telephone line 
can not be connected to the telephone set unless another call is made. 
Accordingly, the image data and the voice message can not be transmitted 
in series during one call. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved 
facsimile apparatus. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved 
telephone terminal apparatus. 
According to one aspect of the present invention, a facsimile apparatus 
comprises facsimile communication means for performing a facsimile 
communication; means for connecting an external telephone unit; line 
switch means having a first state where a telephone line is connected to 
the external telephone unit and a second state where the telephone line is 
connected to the facsimile communication means; sound detecting means for 
detecting a sound signal sent through the telephone line; first control 
means for switching the line switch means from the first state to the 
second state so as to start the facsimile communication when no sound 
signal is detected over a predetermined time period by the sound detecting 
means; code detecting means for detecting a code based on a signal sent 
through the telephone line; and second control means for holding the first 
control means inoperative when the code detecting means detects a 
predetermined code based on the signal sent through the telephone line. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, a facsimile apparatus 
comprises facsimile communication means for performing a facsimile 
communication; means for connecting an external telephone unit; line 
switch means having a first state where a telephone line is connected to 
the external telephone unit and a second state where the telephone line is 
connected to the facsimile communication means; sound detecting means for 
detecting a sound signal sent through the telephone line; storing means 
for storing a predetermined code; first control means for switching the 
line switch means from the first state to the second state so as to start 
the facsimile communication when no sound signal is detected over a 
predetermined time period by the sound detecting means; code detecting 
means for detecting a code based on a signal sent through the telephone 
line; and second control means for holding the first control means 
inoperative when the code detected by the code detecting means coincides 
with the predetermined code stored by the storing means. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, a facsimile apparatus 
comprises facsimile communication means for performing a facsimile 
communication; means for connecting an external telephone unit; line 
switch means having a first state where a telephone line is connected to 
the external telephone unit and a second state where the telephone line is 
connected to the facsimile communication means; means for detecting a 
facsimile communication start signal sent through the telephone line; 
first control means for switching the line switch means from the first 
state to the second state so as to start the facsimile communication when 
the facsimile communication start signal is detected by the detecting 
means; code detecting means for detecting a code based on a signal sent 
through the telephone line; and second control means for holding the first 
control means inoperative when the code detecting means detects a 
predetermined code based on the signal sent through the telephone line. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, a facsimile apparatus 
comprises facsimile communication means for performing a facsimile 
communication; means for connecting an external telephone unit; line 
switch means having a first state where a telephone line is connected to 
the external telephone unit and a second state where the telephone line is 
connected to the facsimile communication means; storing means for storing 
a predetermined code; means for detecting a facsimile communication start 
signal sent through the telephone line; first control means for switching 
the line switch means from the first state to the second state so as to 
start the facsimile communication when the facsimile communication start 
signal is detected by the detecting means; code detecting means for 
detecting a code based on a signal sent through the telephone line; and 
second control means for holding the first control means inoperative when 
the code detected by the code detecting means coincides with the 
predetermined code stored by the storing means. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, a telephone terminal 
apparatus comprises facsimile communication means for performing a 
facsimile communication; voice communication means for performing a voice 
communication; switch means having a first state where a telephone line is 
connected to the voice communication means and a second state where the 
telephone line is connected to the facsimile communication means; means 
for detecting a facsimile communication start signal sent through the 
telephone line; first control means for controlling the switch means to 
the second state so as to start the facsimile communication when the 
facsimile communication start signal is detected by the detecting means; 
code detecting means for detecting a code based on a signal sent through 
the telephone line; and second control means for holding the first control 
means inoperative when the code detecting means detects a predetermined 
code based on the signal sent through the telephone line. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, a telephone terminal 
apparatus comprises facsimile communication means for performing a 
facsimile communication; voice communication means for performing a voice 
communication; switch means having a first state where a telephone line is 
connected to the voice communication means and a second state where the 
telephone line is connected to the facsimile communication means; sound 
detecting means for detecting a sound signal sent through the telephone 
line; first control means for controlling the switch means to the second 
state so as to start the facsimile communication when no sound signal is 
detected over a predetermined time period by the sound detecting means; 
code detecting means for detecting a code based on a signal sent through 
the telephone line; and second control means for holding the first control 
means inoperative when the code detecting means detects a predetermined 
code based on the signal sent through the telephone line. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, a telephone terminal 
apparatus comprises facsimile communication means for performing a 
facsimile communication; voice communication means for performing a voice 
communication; switch means having a first state where a telephone line is 
connected to the voice communication means and a second state where the 
telephone line is connected to the facsimile communication means; first 
control means, responsive to a predetermined signal sent through the 
telephone line, for controlling the switch means to the second state so as 
to effect the facsimile communication; sound detecting means for detecting 
a sound signal sent through the telephone line; and second control means 
for switching the switch means from the second state to the first state so 
as to effect the voice communication when no sound signal is detected by 
the sound detecting means over a predetermined time period after 
termination of the facsimile communication effected by the first control 
means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described 
hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of a facsimile 
apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present 
invention. 
In FIG. 1, symbols 1a and 1b denote terminals for connection to a telephone 
line 2, and numeral 3 denotes a tone signal detecting section for 
detecting DTMF (dial tone multi-frequency) signals and other tone signals 
including a CNG signal. The DTMF signal is a push-button dial signal as is 
known in the art. The tone signal detecting section 3 includes a plurality 
of band-pass filters and detecting circuits for the respective band-pass 
filters. In the tone signal detecting section 3, the signal within a 
voice-frequency band transmitted via the telephone line 2 is filtered by 
the band-pass filters so as to be discriminated per frequency component. 
The tone signal detecting section 3 then produces a predetermined signal 
pattern per frequency component as a detection signal to be input to a 
controller 18. Accordingly, the controller 18 discriminates a particular 
code transmitted via the telephone line 2. 
Numeral 4 denotes a ring signal detecting section for detecting a ring 
signal sent through the telephone line 2 from the telephone exchange. The 
ring signal detecting section 4 outputs a ring signal detection signal to 
the controller 18 when the ring signal is detected. Symbols 5a and 5b 
denote terminals for connection to a telephone line 6 of an external 
telephone set, and numeral 8 denotes a line interface section having a 
circuit for providing a loop current in the telephone line 2 when the ring 
signal is detected by the controller 18 via the ring signal detecting 
section 4. The interface section 8 further includes a modem section 9 for 
performing modulation of an outgoing image signal to be sent through the 
telephone line 2 and demodulation of an incoming image signal received 
through the telephone line 2. 
Numeral 7 denotes a line switch having a pair of movable contact strips. 
When the contact strips are connected to terminals A, A as shown in FIG. 
1, the external telephone set is directly connected to the telephone line 
2. On the other hand, when the contact strips are connected to terminals 
B, B, the telephone line 2 is connected to the interface section 8. 
Numeral 16 denotes a sound detecting section for detecting a sound signal 
within a predetermined frequency band sent through the telephone line 2. 
The predetermined frequency band is set so as to allow the sound detecting 
section 16 to be sensitive to a voice-indicative signal. Based on an 
output signal from the sound detecting section 16, the controller 18 
determines presence or absence of a sound signal from the caller or the 
external telephone set connected at the terminals 5a and 5b. 
Numeral 10 denotes a dialing section for sending a dial signal into the 
telephone line 2 via the interface section 8, numeral 11 denotes a 
facsimile (image) signal transmitting section for sending the outgoing 
image signal into the telephone line 2 via the interface section 8 
including the modem section 9, numeral 12 denotes a facsimile (image) 
signal receiving section for receiving the incoming image signal sent 
through the telephone line 2 and the interface section 8 including the 
modem section 9, numeral 13 denotes an image reading section or an image 
scanner, and numeral 14 denotes a printing section or a printer. The 
printer 14 comprises a recording paper feeding mechanism and a thermal 
print head. The thermal print head applies a heat on a portion of the 
recording paper so as to print image data corresponding to the incoming 
image signal. Numeral 15 denotes an input section having numeric and 
function keys. 
The controller 18 includes a CPU 19 and a ROM 20 for storing control 
programs. Numeral 17 denotes a RAM. 
In the facsimile apparatus of this preferred embodiment, it is required to 
preset a particular code for prohibiting a receiving operation of the 
facsimile apparatus, which will be described later. This particular code 
is prestored in the RAM 17. 
Now, the operation of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described 
hereinbelow. 
In a wait or stand-by state, the contact strips of the line switch 7 are 
normally connected to the terminals A, A as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, 
the external telephone set is connected to the telephone line 2, while the 
interface section 8 is disconnected from the telephone line 2. On the 
other hand, when a condition is matched for operating the facsimile 
apparatus, the line switch 7 switches from the terminals A, A to the 
terminals B, B according to a switching command from the controller 18. 
In the state of FIG. 1, when the ring signal is sent through the telephone 
line 2, the ring signal is sent to the external telephone set via the line 
switch 7, and simultaneously to the ring signal detecting section 4 of the 
facsimile apparatus. In response to a detection signal from the ring 
signal detecting section 4, the controller 18 starts monitoring the tone 
signal detecting section 3 for detecting the DTMF signal and the CNG 
signal and further starts monitoring the sound detecting section 16 for 
detecting the sound signal. A code corresponding to the foregoing 
particular code prestored in the RAM 17 for prohibiting the receiving 
operation of the facsimile apparatus is transmitted through the telephone 
line 2 in the form of the DTMF signal. 
The facsimile apparatus of this preferred embodiment is provided with an 
automatic receiving operation starting function which is activated when a 
condition of no sound signal continues over a predetermined time period. 
Specifically, the controller 18 continues monitoring the output signal 
from the sound detecting section 16 after the ring signal is detected, so 
as to activate the automatic receiving operation starting function when 
the condition of no sound signal continues over the foregoing 
predetermined time period. 
Accordingly, when the CNG signal is detected via the tone signal detecting 
section 3 or when the condition of no sound signal over the predetermined 
time period is detected via the sound detecting section 16, the controller 
18 produces the switching command so as to switch the line switch 7 from 
the terminals A, A to the terminals B, B. As a result, the interface 
section 8 is connected to the telephone line 2 so that the facsimile 
signal receiving section 12 starts receiving the incoming image signal 
from a caller facsimile apparatus. 
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the facsimile apparatus of 
FIG. 1 with the external telephone set connected thereto. As appreciated, 
the facsimile apparatus and the external telephone set cooperatively form 
a telephone terminal apparatus having telephone (voice) and facsimile 
(image) communication functions. In FIG. 2, an automatic 
answering/recording telephone set (hereinafter referred to as "AARTS") is 
illustrated as the external telephone set. 
Before describing the operation of the facsimile apparatus connected to the 
AARTS, the operation of the AARTS will be described hereinbelow with 
reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control routine for 
controlling the operation of the AARTS. 
A step 10 monitors the ring signal sent through the telephone line 2, and a 
step 11 determines whether the number N of the received ring signals 
reaches a preset value, for example, "4" in this preferred embodiment. The 
steps 10 and 11 are repeated until answer at the step 11 becomes positive. 
When answer at the step 11 is positive, i.e. the number of the received 
ring signals reaches "4", the routine proceeds to a step 12 where the 
telephone line 2 is closed in the AARTS. Subsequently, a step 13 stats 
reproducing a recorded outgoing message for the caller and sending it into 
the telephone line 2. While the recorded outgoing message is reproduced 
and sent to the caller, a step 14 starts monitoring a DTMF signal sent 
through the telephone line 2. The AARTS is assigned in advance with its 
own ID (identification) code, and this ID code is transmitted through the 
telephone line 2 in the form of the DTMF signal. The monitoring of the 
DTMF signal continues until the transmission of the recorded outgoing 
message ends at a step 16 while the DTMF signal corresponding to the 
assigned ID code is not detected at a step 15. When the DTMF signal 
corresponding to the ID code is detected at the step 15, the routine 
proceeds to a step 17 where the AARTS is set ready for the remote control, 
that is, the AARTS is set to a condition for the remote control through 
the telephone line 2. On the other hand, when the step 15 detects no DTMF 
signal corresponding to the ID code, a message of the caller is recorded 
in the AARTS at a step 18. 
The preset value "4" at the step 11 is smaller than a preset value "6" 
shown at a later-described step 22 in FIG. 4 so that the telephone line 2 
is first closed in the AARTS when the caller wishes the telephone 
communication, i.e. the voice communication. 
As appreciated, after the AARTS is set ready for the remote control, the 
caller can remote-control the operation of the AARTS using the known 
commands for the AARTS in the form of the DTMF signals, such as, 
reproducing the recorded incoming message and changing the recorded 
outgoing message. 
After the execution of the step 17 or 18, that is, when the caller 
terminates the communication, the AARTS returns to a wait or stand-by 
state for awaiting a next occurrence of the ring signal. 
Now, the operation of the facsimile apparatus according to this preferred 
embodiment will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 
is a flowchart of a control routine to be executed by the controller 18 
for controlling the operation of the facsimile apparatus. This control 
routine is one of control routines prestored in the ROM 20 and selected 
when an absence operation mode is manually selected for connection to the 
AARTS. 
When the ring signal is detected, a step 20 starts monitoring the CNG 
signal and the sound signal as described before. Simultaneously, a step 21 
starts monitoring the DTMF signal as is also described before. 
Subsequently, the routine proceeds to a step 22 which determines whether 
the number N of the received ring signals reaches a preset value, for 
example, "6" in this preferred embodiment. As appreciated, since the AARTS 
responds to the fourth ring signal, the number of the received ring 
signals does not normally reach "6" at the step 22. Accordingly, the step 
22 produces a positive answer only when the AARTS does not respond to the 
ring signal due to, for example, failure. 
When the number of the received ring signals reaches "6" at the step 22, 
when the CNG signal is detected at a step 23, or when the condition of no 
sound signal over the predetermine time period (hereinafter referred to as 
"NS condition") is detected at a step 24, the routine proceeds to a step 
26 where the telephone line 2 is closed in the facsimile apparatus. 
Specifically, the controller 18 switches the line switch 7 from the 
terminals A, A to the terminals B, B and further controls the interface 
section 8 to form a loop of the telephone line 2. Subsequently, at a step 
27, the receiving operation of the incoming image signal is effected via 
the interface section 8 and the facsimile signal receiving section 12. 
On the other hand, when all of the steps 22, 23 and 24 produce negative 
answers, the routine proceeds to a step 25 which determines whether the 
DTMF signal corresponding to the foregoing particular code prestored in 
the RAM 17 for prohibiting the receiving operation of the facsimile 
apparatus is detected. 
Accordingly, when the DTMF signal corresponding to the prestored particular 
code is detected at the step 25, the receiving operation of the facsimile 
apparatus is prohibited at a step 28. Specifically, the line switch 7 is 
held to the terminals A, A once the DTMF signal corresponding to the 
prestored particular code is detected at the step 25, that is, before 
either one of the steps 22, 23 and 24 produces the positive answer. 
Accordingly, even if the NS condition is established after the step 25 
produces the positive answer, the line switch 7 is held to the terminals 
A, A so that the receiving operation of the facsimile is reliably 
prohibited. 
After the execution of the step 27 or 28, that is, when the caller 
terminates the communication, the facsimile apparatus returns to the wait 
state for awaiting a next occurrence of the ring signal. As described 
before, in the wait state of the facsimile apparatus, the line switch 7 is 
held to the terminals A, A. 
As appreciated from the foregoing description, in the first preferred 
embodiment, the telephone line 2 is first closed in the AARTS so as to 
send the outgoing message to the caller and to record the caller's message 
as soon as possible when the caller wishes the telephone communication, 
i.e. the voice communication. On the other hand, when the caller wishes 
the facsimile communication, that is, the image signal transmission, the 
receiving operation of the incoming image signal is effected when the CNG 
signal is detected in case of the caller's facsimile apparatus being 
operated under an automatic calling mode and when the NS condition is 
detected in case of the caller's facsimile apparatus being operated under 
a manual calling mode. 
Further, as described before, in the conventional structure, when the NS 
condition occurs during, for example, the remote control of the AARTS to 
rewind the tape, the receiving operation of the facsimile apparatus is 
automatically started so that the remote control of the AARTS becomes 
inoperative. On the other hand, in the foregoing first preferred 
embodiment, once the DTMF signal corresponding to the prestored particular 
code is detected, the receiving operation of the facsimile apparatus is 
held ineffective even if the NS condition occurs thereafter. Accordingly, 
the remote control of the AARTS is ensured as opposed to the conventional 
structure. 
In the foregoing first preferred embodiment, the AARTS is connected to the 
facsimile apparatus as the external telephone set so as to form the 
telephone terminal apparatus. However, the present invention may also 
apply to the facsimile apparatus in which the telephone set, such as, the 
AARTS is incorporated in advance so as to form a telephone terminal 
apparatus, or to the facsimile apparatus into which the telephone set, 
such as, the AARTS provided as an option is incorporated by the user so as 
to form a telephone terminal apparatus. 
In the foregoing first preferred embodiment, the ID code of the AARTS and 
the prestored particular code for the facsimile apparatus are two 
different codes. It may be arranged, however, that the ID code of the 
AARTS and the particular code for the facsimile apparatus are identical 
with each other. In this case, the user can set the AARTS ready for the 
remote control and further prohibit the receiving operation of the 
facsimile apparatus by inputting only one code. 
Now, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be 
described hereinbelow. 
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of a telephone 
terminal apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment. 
In FIG. 5, numeral 21 denotes a terminal for connection to a telephone 
line, numeral 22 denotes ring signal detecting means for detecting a ring 
signal sent through the telephone line from the telephone exchange, and 
numeral 23 denotes a line switch for opening and closing the telephone 
line. 
Numeral 24 denotes tone signal detecting means for detecting tone signals 
such as DTMF signals. The tone signal detecting means 24 is connected to a 
secondary side of the line switch 23 and outputs a detection signal in the 
same manner as the tone signal detecting section 3 in the first preferred 
embodiment. In this preferred embodiment, the DTMF signals include 
terminal designation signals sent from the telephone exchange for the 
direct inward dialing (DID). Numeral 27 denotes facsimile communication 
means which is activated in a facsimile communication mode, and numeral 32 
denotes voice communication means which is activated in a telephone 
communication mode. The voice communication means 32 includes automatic 
answering/recording means 29, telephone conversation means 30 and ring 
tone producing means 31 for sending a ring tone to the telephone 
conversation means 30. The automatic answering/recording means 29 
includes, such as, audio tape recorders, a magnetic disk unit or an audio 
recording integrated circuit (IC) for recording the incoming message from 
the caller, the outgoing message to be sent to the caller and the 
conversation between the caller and receiver. The telephone conversation 
means 30 includes a handset and a voice communication circuit including an 
amplifier. 
Numeral 25 denotes a mode selection switch which switches between the 
facsimile communication means 27 and the voice communication means 32, 
that is, between the facsimile communication mode and the voice 
communication mode, depending on the DTMF signal monitored by the tone 
signal detecting means 24. Specifically, in this preferred embodiment, two 
particular codes are preset, one for the facsimile communication means 27 
and the other for the voice communication means 32. When the terminal 
designation signal in the form of the DTMF signal matches one of the 
preset particular codes, the mode selection switch 25 is connected to the 
corresponding one of the facsimile communication means 27 and the voice 
communication means 32. Further, the mode selection switch 25 is switched 
to the voice communication means 32 when sound detecting means 26 detects 
a sound signal within a predetermined frequency band sent through the 
telephone line, which will be described later. The frequency band is 
determined so as to allow the sound detecting means 26 to be sensitive to 
a voice-indicative signal as described in the first preferred embodiment. 
The sound detecting means 26 is connected to a terminal on a secondary side 
of the mode selection switch 25 and on a side of the facsimile 
communication mode and produces a sound detection signal when the sound 
signal is received through the telephone line. The facsimile communication 
means 27 is connected to the same terminal. 
Numeral 28 denotes a presence/absence mode setting switch which switches 
between the telephone conversation means 30 and the automatic 
answering/recording means 29. The mode setting switch 28 is connected to a 
terminal on a secondary side of the mode selection switch 25 and on a side 
of the voice communication mode and is manually operated. 
Now, the operation of the telephone terminal apparatus having the foregoing 
structure will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As appreciated, 
practically, the operation of the telephone terminal apparatus is 
controlled by a controller corresponding to the controller 18 in the first 
preferred embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control routine to be 
executed by the controller for controlling the operation of the telephone 
terminal apparatus. 
A step 30 determines whether the number N of the received ring signals 
reaches a preset value, for example, "3" in this preferred embodiment. 
When answer at the step 30 is positive, a step 31 turns on the line switch 
23 to close the telephone line. Subsequently, a step 32 determines based 
on the output from the tone signal detecting means 24 whether the DTMF 
signal is detected. When answer at the step 32 is positive, the routine 
proceeds to a step 33. On the other hand, when answer at the step 32 is 
negative, the routine proceeds to a step 37. 
At the step 33, it is determined whether the received DTMF signal 
corresponds to a preset code T1 representing the facsimile communication 
means 27 or a preset code T2 representing the voice communication means 
32. When the received DTMF signal corresponds to the preset code T1, the 
routine proceeds to a step 34 where the facsimile communication mode is 
activated so that the facsimile communication is effected at a step 35. 
When the facsimile communication is terminated, a step 36 determines based 
on the output from the sound detecting means 26 whether the sound signal 
is detected within a predetermined time period. When no sound signal is 
detected within the predetermined time period, the routine is terminated 
so that the telephone terminal apparatus returns to a wait or stand-by 
state for awaiting a next occurrence of the ring signal. 
On the other hand, when the sound signal is detected within the 
predetermined time period or when answer at the step 33 is the preset code 
T2, the routine proceeds to the step 37 which determines whether the mode 
setting switch 28 is connected to the automatic answering/recording means 
29 or the telephone conversation means 30. When the automatic 
answering/recording means 29 is connected, the routine proceeds to a step 
38 which activates the automatic answering/recording means 29 so as to 
reproduce the recorded outgoing message and to send it to the caller. 
Subsequently, at a step 39, the incoming message from the caller is 
recorded. When the recording of the incoming message is finished, the 
routine is terminated so that the telephone terminal apparatus returns to 
the wait state. 
On the other hand, when the mode setting switch 28 is connected to the 
telephone conversation means 30 at the step 37, the routine proceeds to a 
step 40 where the ring tone producing means 31 sends the ring tone to the 
telephone conversation means 30 until the handset is off-hooked at a step 
41. When the handset is off-hooked at the step 41, the routine proceeds to 
a step 42 where the telephone conversation is allowed between the calling 
and called parties. When the telephone conversation is finished, the 
routine is terminated so that the telephone terminal apparatus returns to 
the wait state. 
As appreciated from the foregoing description, in the second preferred 
embodiment, by utilizing the terminal designation signal sent from the 
telephone exchange for the direct inward dialing, the selection between 
the facsimile communication mode and the voice communication mode is 
reliably performed according to the caller's selection before, for 
example, starting the remote control of the automatic answering/recording 
means 29. Accordingly, the unexpected switching to the facsimile 
communication mode is securely prevented during, such as, the remote 
control of the automatic answering/recording means 29 to reproduce the 
recorded incoming message in the voice communication mode. Further, since 
the selection between the facsimile communication mode and the voice 
communication mode is accomplished when the corresponding DTMF signal is 
received, the selected communication mode is immediately effected. 
Moreover, even after the facsimile communication mode is selected, the 
voice communication mode can be effected without once disconnecting the 
telephone line. Accordingly, the image data and the corresponding 
explanatory voice message can be transmitted in series during one call 
when the caller wishes to do it. 
It is to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the 
preferred embodiments and modifications described above, and that various 
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit 
and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.