Patent ID: RE40845

Claim:
A facsimile machine provided with a remote operation mode enabling a caller from a remote device to access and retrieve data from the facsimile machine, the facsimile machine comprising: a memory for storing the data to be accessed and retrieved by a caller during the remote operation mode; switching means for turning on and off the remote operation mode; facsimile reception determination means for determining which of a facsimile reception possible condition and a facsimile reception impossible condition that the facsimile machine is in; and reception process means for performing, when the facsimile reception determination means determines that the facsimile machine is in a facsimile reception possible condition, reception of an incoming call regardless of whether the switching means has turned the remote operation mode on or off and for performing reception of the incoming call when both the facsimile reception determination means determines that the facsimile machine is in a facsimile reception impossible condition and the switching means has turned the remote operation mode on.