JPH10336342A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the facsimile equipment that acts like a scanner or a printer for a PC regardless of a simple and inexpensive configuration and whose function is controlled by the PC. SOLUTION: A switch 22 is thrown to the position of a contact F in the normal state. In the case of using the facsimile equipment 1 for a printer, a PC 2 sends a DTMF signal instructing it to the facsimile equipment 1. When a DTMF detection section 12 detects the signal, a switch 21 is open and the switch 22 is thrown to the position of a contact L. Data from the PC 2 are received by a modem 11 and printed by a recording section 18. In the case of using the facsimile equipment 1 as a scanner, the PC 2 sends a DTMF signal instructing it to the facsimile equipment 1. When the DTMF detection section 12 detects the signal, the switch 21 is open and the switch 22 is thrown to the position of the contact L. A read section 19 reads an original and the data are sent from the modem 11 to the PC 2. The PC 2 obtains an image read by the read section 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, it has been attempted to connect a higher-level device such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC) to a facsimile apparatus and use a printer or scanner provided in the facsimile apparatus as an input / output device of the PC. It is considered. For example, JP-A-1-294071 and JP-A-3-210870 describe configurations in which a printer is shared by a facsimile and a PC. Further, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-221907 describes a configuration in which a scanner is shared by a facsimile and a PC. In the configurations described in these documents, data transfer to and from a PC is performed by a PC-specific protocol or interface different from facsimile. Therefore, the facsimile machine needs a new configuration for transferring data to and from a PC.

Further, as described in, for example, JP-A-8-18711, a method has been devised in which a facsimile is also used as a printer by replacing an interface portion of the facsimile with a modem interface or a printer interface. ing. However, in this case as well, there is a problem that a special circuit for replacing the interface and the cost of the interface itself are required, and the time and effort for replacing the interface are required, which is complicated.

As a method that does not require a new configuration for data transfer with a PC, it is also possible to connect a fax modem to the PC and use a facsimile as a printer via a telephone line such as an extension. Have been done. Recently, personal computers with built-in fax modems have become widespread due to hardware price reductions, and have the advantage that they can be used. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 7-115489 discloses a technique for transferring received content to another facsimile via a line and printing the same as a similar technique.
In the method of transferring data via such a line, various adverse effects associated with the use of the line occur. For example, when using an outside line, a call fee is required, and when using an inside line, a facility fee for the inside line is charged, and the line is occupied.

[0005] Connection without using a line has also been considered. For example, JP-A-4-259050 discloses a PC
It describes that a modem and an adapter are provided between the PC and the facsimile, and the information of the PC is transmitted by facsimile via the modem and the adapter, so that the facsimile can be used as a printer of the PC. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-98012, a fax modem is connected to a PC called a system controller, the fax modem and the facsimile are directly connected by a modular cable, and transmission and reception are performed between the fax modem and the facsimile. Describes a configuration using a facsimile as a scanner and a printer. However, in the configurations described in these documents, the line connection terminal of the facsimile is
To connect a modular cable from C,
On the facsimile side, there is a problem that transmission / reception to / from the line becomes impossible. Therefore, when it is desired to operate as a facsimile, it is necessary to change the connection, which is complicated. Further, since communication is performed between the fax modem and the facsimile by a normal facsimile procedure, there is a problem that the facsimile cannot be controlled from the PC. Therefore, when using a facsimile as a scanner, it is necessary to perform a reading operation on the PC side and an operation such as pressing a send button on the facsimile side.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has a simple and low-cost structure that can function as a scanner or a printer of a PC and can control the function by the PC. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus having the function of transmitting and receiving data to and from a line, which is an original facsimile function.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a DTMF detection unit detects a DTMF signal from an external device such as a PC having a fax modem, and the control unit controls the switching unit according to the DTMF signal at that time. At the same time, it controls each unit to perform communication with the external device via the modem and the external device connection means. For example, if the DTMF signal from the external device instructs the reading of the image, the DTMF detecting unit detects this, and the control unit controls the image read by the reading unit to be transmitted to the external device via the modem. I do. If the DTMF signal from the external device indicates an image printing, the DTMF detecting unit detects this, and the control unit receives the data from the external device via the modem and records the data by the recording unit. In this manner, the facsimile apparatus can be controlled by the DTMF signal from an external device such as a PC, and the facsimile device can be used as a scanner or a printer of the external device.

Further, if the DTMF signal indicates connection to a line, the DTMF detection means detects this, and the control means controls the switching means and the opening / closing means for opening / closing the line connection means, so that the external equipment is controlled. The connection means and the line connection means are connected, and the external device can perform communication using the line. Of course, if there is no request by the DTMF signal from the external device, the facsimile apparatus can perform facsimile communication via the modem and the line connection means.

With the configuration of the present invention, there are few newly added configurations, which can be realized easily and at a low cost, and there is no need to replace an interface for switching functions or mount an adapter. No complicated operation is required when the facsimile apparatus is used as an input / output device of a PC.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure,
1 is a facsimile machine, 2 is a PC, 3 is a telephone line, 11
Is a modem, 12 is a DTMF detector, 13 is a CPU, 14
Is an image storage unit, 15 is a communication control unit, 16 is an image processing unit,
17 is a machine control unit, 18 is a recording unit, 19 is a reading unit, 2
0 is a control panel, 21 and 22 are switches, 23
Is a line connection unit, and 24 is an external device connection unit. In this example, the facsimile apparatus 1 is connected to the telephone line 3 via the line connection unit 23, and performs normal facsimile communication. In addition, an external device connection unit 24 for connecting an external telephone or the like is provided. In this example, the PC 2 is connected to the external device connection unit 24. The PC 2 has a fax modem, and is connected via the fax modem by, for example, a modular cable. Of course, the PC 2 and the fax modem may be separate, or the fax modem may be built in the PC 2. The line connection unit 23 and the external device connection unit 24 can be configured by, for example, a modular jack. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which only one external device connection unit 24 is provided, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more external device connection units 24 may be provided.

The modem 11 includes an NCU and the like, and performs signal processing such as protocol control and modulation / demodulation at the time of calling and receiving. The DTMF detector 12 detects the DT on the telephone line 3
MF signal or DTM input from external device connection unit 24
The F signal is detected.

The CPU 13 controls the entire operation and controls the operation according to the set mode.
The operation mode is set from the control panel 20 or set to the incoming call mode by an incoming call from the telephone line 3. In the present invention, however, in particular, the operation mode is set according to the DTMF signal from the external device connection unit 24 detected by the DTMF detection unit 12. To set an operation mode, and control each section according to the operation mode. Although not shown, the switches 21 and
Also, the switching control of 22 is performed.

The image storage section 14 temporarily stores an image read by the reading section 19 and temporarily stores an image to be printed by the recording section 18. The communication control unit 15 performs control for transmitting the encoded data via the modem 11 or receiving the encoded data via the modem 11. The image processing unit 16 encodes the image read by the reading unit 19 or the image stored in the image storage unit 14 or decodes the received encoded data to restore the image. Further, other image processing may be performed. The machine control unit 17 controls the operation of a mechanical part in the facsimile machine 1. Recording unit 1
8 prints an image on a recording medium. The reading unit 19 reads and inputs an image. The control panel 20
This is a part for displaying a message, apparatus status, and setting status to the user, and for inputting an instruction by the user. For example, the user can input a telephone number, start transmission, or perform various settings.

The switch 21 switches between connecting and disconnecting the telephone line 3. Normally switch 21
Is closed, and the telephone line 3 is connected to the modem 11. The switch 22 switches connection with an external device, and the contact F connects the external device to the DTMF detection unit 1.
2 and a contact L connects an external device to the switch 21 and the modem 11. At the contact O, the external device is disconnected. Usually, it is connected to the contact F.

Next, an example of the operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, an example in which the facsimile apparatus 1 performs ordinary facsimile communication using the telephone line 3 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the fax transmission mode. When using the facsimile machine 1 as a transmitting device by setting a document, the user sets the document on the reading unit 19, inputs the telephone number of the other party from the control panel 20 in S31, and presses the transmission start key in S32. . The facsimile machine 1 is set in a fax transmission mode by a user operation. In S33, the switch 22 is switched to the contact O, and the PC 2 is disconnected from the facsimile machine 1. Since the switch 21 is kept closed, the facsimile machine 1 performs communication while being connected to the telephone line 3.

Thereafter, the facsimile apparatus performs a normal transmission operation. That is, the calling operation is performed by the modem 11 in S34 to connect the line, the telephone number set in S31 is sent out in S35, and the other party is connected in S36. Then, in step S37, the original set by the reading unit 19 is read and encoded by the image processing unit 16, and then in step S38, the communication control unit 15 transmits the encoded image data via the modem 11. In S39, it is determined whether or not the data to be transmitted ends, and the operations of S37 to S39 are repeated until the data to be transmitted ends. When there is no more data to be transmitted, the line is disconnected in S40. Finally, in S41, the switch 22
Is returned to the contact F, and the processing in the fax transmission mode ends.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the fax reception mode. The facsimile machine 1 is usually in a standby state until there is an incoming call from the telephone line 3. In step S51, when an incoming call from the telephone line 3 is detected, the facsimile apparatus operates as a receiver after entering the facsimile reception mode. When there is an incoming call from the telephone line 3, the modem 11 detects the incoming call, sets the switch 22 to the contact O in S52, and disconnects the PC 2 from the facsimile machine 1.

After that, the facsimile machine 1 uses the DTMF
A normal facsimile reception process is performed by detecting a DTMF signal by the detection unit 12 or transmitting and receiving a facsimile protocol by the modem 11. That is,
In step S53, a call is received to connect the line, and in step S54, the line is connected. Then, the coded image data sent via the telephone line 3 is received in S55. S5
In step 6, it is determined whether or not the data to be received is completed, and the image receiving process in S55 is performed until the reception is completed. When the data to be received ends, the line is disconnected in S57.
Then, the switch 22 is returned to the contact F in S58. Finally, in S59, the received coded image data is printed by the recording unit 18 while being decoded by the image processing unit 16, and the process in the fax reception mode ends.

Next, an operation when the facsimile machine 1 is controlled from the PC 2 will be described. Here, PC2
It is assumed that there is a PC control mode in which the facsimile apparatus 1 is used as a printer or a scanner, and a PC modem mode in which the PC 2 connects to the telephone line 3 for communication.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data transfer between the PC and the facsimile machine in the PC control mode. The PC 2 sends a DTMF signal indicating transition to the PC control mode to the facsimile machine 1, and transitions the operation mode of the facsimile machine 1 to the PC control mode. Then, the switch 21 is released to disconnect the telephone line 3.

Thereafter, communication is performed between the PC 2 and the facsimile machine 1 in a normal facsimile procedure. First, the facsimile machine 1 sends a capability notification, and responds to the notification and, if necessary, performs training.
Sending and receiving data between C2 and the facsimile machine 1,
Finally, a communication termination process is performed. The facsimile apparatus 1 closes the switch 21 after the communication is completed to restore the connection with the telephone line 3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the PC control mode. A case where the facsimile apparatus operates as a printer will be described.
The user performs a print operation on the PC 2. PC
2 transmits to the facsimile machine 1 a DTMF command instructing a shift to the printer mode by a print operation by the user. The facsimile machine 1 detects this in S61 with the DTMF detector 12, and in S62,
Shift to C control mode. In step S63, the switch 21 is released, and the facsimile machine 1 and the PC 2 are disconnected from the telephone line 3.

In S64, the switch 22 is set to the contact L,
The PC 2 is connected to the modem 11 of the facsimile machine 1. Thereafter, the facsimile apparatus 1 operates as a facsimile receiver, and the PC 2 operates as a facsimile transmitter, and transfers data between the modem 11 and the fax modem of the PC 2 according to, for example, the G3 protocol. That is, in step S65, each other is notified of the capability, and the transmission is prepared.
Is the data receiving side, the process proceeds from S66 to S67, and receives the data sent from the PC2. S68
It is determined whether or not the data has ended, and the data receiving operation in S67 is performed until the data to be received ends. After the end of the data to be received, the data received in S69 is printed by the recording unit 18. Similarly to facsimile communication, if the data from the PC 2 is encoded data, the data is printed by the recording unit 18 while being decoded by the image processing unit 16. When the data transfer is completed, the switch 22 is returned to the contact F in S70.

In this state, a new processing instruction can be issued from the PC 2. In S71, it is determined whether or not to continue the process. If the process is to be continued, the process returns to S64. PC
If you do not want to continue processing in control mode,
The PC control mode is canceled, and the switch 21 is closed and returned to the original state in S72.

Next, a case where the facsimile apparatus operates as a scanner will be described. The user performs a scanning operation on the PC 2. The PC 2 instructs the PC 2 to shift to the scanner mode by a scan operation.
An MF command is sent to the facsimile machine 1. The facsimile machine 1 detects this by the DTMF detection unit 12 in S61, and shifts to the PC control mode in S62. In step S63, the switch 21 is released to disconnect the facsimile machine 1 and the PC 2 from the telephone line 3.

In S64, the switch 22 is set to the contact L,
The PC 2 is connected to the modem 11 of the facsimile machine 1. Thereafter, the facsimile apparatus 1 operates as a facsimile transmitter, and the PC 2 operates as a facsimile receiver, and transfers data between the modem 11 and the fax modem of the PC 2 according to, for example, the G3 protocol. In other words, in step S65, each other is notified of the capability and the transmission is prepared. In this case, the facsimile apparatus 1 is in the scanner mode.
Is the data transmitting side, so that the process proceeds from S66 to S73.

In step S73, it is determined whether or not a document is set on the reading unit 19. If a document is set, the reading unit 19 reads the document in step S74.
In step S75, the read image is transmitted to the PC 2 via the modem 11. In step S76, it is determined whether or not the original to be read is completed.
The transmission at 75 is repeated. If no document is set on the reading unit 19, it is determined in S77 whether or not there is an image in the image storage unit 14. If an image is stored, the image stored in S78 is deleted. Send.

If the image has been transmitted in S74 to S76 or S78, the process proceeds to S70, where the switch 22 is returned to the contact F, and it is determined in S71 whether or not to continue the processing. Returning to step S72, the switch 21 is closed in S72 to end the PC control mode.

If no original is set on the reading unit 19,
If no image is stored in the image storage unit 14,
In step S79, the PC 2 is notified that there is no object to be read and an error has occurred.
2 is returned to the contact F, and the switch 21 is closed and returned to the original position in S72, and the PC control mode is ended.

In the above description, the data transfer in the print operation and the scanner operation in the PC control mode is performed by the G3 protocol. Such an I
TUT-T. By performing data transfer according to the 30 protocol, data transfer can be performed using the communication system of the facsimile apparatus without using a special protocol. But not limited to this,
The protocol may be other. An appropriate protocol should be selected according to the image to be transferred and the performance of the PC 2 and the facsimile machine 1. For example, when the recording unit 18 and the reading unit 19 support color, a color image can be printed and scanned by selecting a protocol corresponding to color. Since various data can be transferred using the unique mode even in the case of the G3 protocol, the transfer may be performed in a printer language represented by, for example, PCL.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of data transfer between the PC and the facsimile machine in the PC modem mode. The user can perform a communication operation using a fax modem such as a personal computer communication or a PC fax on the PC 2. The PC 2 sends a DTMF signal indicating transition to the PC modem mode to the facsimile machine 1, and transitions the operation mode of the facsimile machine 1 to the PC modem mode. Then, the switch 22 is switched to the contact F, and P
Connect the C2 fax modem to the telephone line 3. Thereafter, normal communication can be performed between the PC 2 and the telephone line 3. During this time, the facsimile device 1 is also connected to the telephone line 3
Is connected to the facsimile machine 1
Takes no action affecting telephone line 3,
C2 can use the telephone line 3 in a through state. The PC 2 performs communication such as desired data transfer, performs termination processing, and disconnects the line. The facsimile machine 1 monitors the telephone line 3, and when detecting the end of communication by the PC 2 or disconnection of the line, the switch 22
To the contact F to return to the original state.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the PC modem mode. DT in S91
The MP detector 12 monitors the DTMF signal from the PC 2. When the user receives a DTMF command instructing the transition to the PC modem mode, which is transmitted by performing the modem communication operation on the PC 2, the process transits to the PC modem mode in S92. In S93, the switch 22 is switched to the contact L. Since the switch 21 remains closed, the PC
2 and the telephone line 3 are connected. In this state, the telephone line 3 is also connected to the modem 11,
An operation that affects the telephone line 3 is not performed. Since the telephone line 3 is not disconnected from the telephone line 3, the state of the telephone line 3 can be monitored in S94. If the end of the communication by the PC 2 (line disconnection) is detected by the modem 11 in S95, S9
In step 6, the switch 22 is switched to the contact F, and is restored.

The incoming call to the facsimile machine 1 is sent to the PC
When receiving on the two sides, it is necessary to prevent the facsimile machine 1 from performing normal incoming call processing. For this reason, a DTMF command instructing the transition from the PC 2 to the PC modem mode is sent to the facsimile machine 1 so that the switch 22 is switched to the contact L and the modem 11 is set so as not to respond. With this setting, the incoming call to the facsimile apparatus 1 is notified to the PC 2, and the PC 2 performs the incoming call processing and receives the data. FIG.
According to the processing procedure shown in (1), the switch 22 is returned to the contact F in S96 after the communication is completed, and the PC modem mode is released. However, since the waiting for the incoming call is often performed continuously, if the waiting for the incoming call by the PC 2 is instructed by the DTMF signal, the switch 22 is not switched even after the communication by the incoming call is finished, so that the PC modem mode is not released. You may. In this case, since the switch 22 remains connected to the contact L, an instruction by the DTMF signal from the PC 2 cannot be detected. Similarly, when the PC 2 is in a state of waiting for an incoming call, an instruction by the DTMF signal cannot be detected. To cancel the incoming call mode by the PC 2 in such a state, for example, the control panel 20
The user may specify from such as.

It is also conceivable that the incoming call cannot be received, for example, the power of the PC 2 is turned off while the PC 2 is instructing the PC modem mode. Since the facsimile apparatus 1 monitors the telephone line 3, if the PC 2 does not respond to the incoming call in the PC modem mode, this is detected by the modem 11, and the facsimile apparatus 1 performs the normal operation at the time of the incoming facsimile. Can do it. In this case, the received image may be printed out as it is from the recording unit 18 or may be temporarily stored in the image storage unit 14.
And restart the operation of PC2 or DT from PC2.
It is also possible to configure so that the data is transferred to the PC 2 in accordance with an instruction by the MF signal.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process when the PC 2 uses the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows an example of processing on the PC 2 side when the PC control mode and the PC modem mode in the facsimile apparatus 1 are used. When printing is to be performed from the PC 2 using the recording unit 18 of the facsimile machine 1, a DTMF signal indicating the PC control mode is sent to the facsimile machine 1 in S102, and the same as in the normal facsimile transmission, S103 After the notification of the capability in S104
Sends the data to be printed to the facsimile machine 1. As shown in FIG. 5, in the facsimile machine 1, printing is performed by the recording unit 18 based on the transmitted data.
Thus, print output can be performed using the recording unit 18 of the facsimile machine 1.

When reading an image using the reading unit 19 of the facsimile machine 1 and inputting the image to the PC 2, the process proceeds to step S106.
Sends a DTMF signal instructing the PC control mode to the facsimile apparatus 1, and performs the capability notification in S107 as in the case of normal facsimile transmission. As shown in FIG. 5, the facsimile machine 1
Then, when a document is set in the reading unit 19 or when an image is present in the image storage unit 14, the image is sent to the PC2, and the PC2 receives this in S108. Thus, scanner input can be performed using the reading unit 19 of the facsimile machine 1.

When communication is performed using the fax modem provided in the PC 2, in S110 the PC
A DTMF signal instructing the modem mode may be sent to the facsimile machine 1, and normal communication using a fax modem may be performed thereafter. For example, in step S111, a connection is established with the partner device, and in step S112, data is transmitted and received.
The line may be disconnected in step 3.

After processing using these functions,
To continue the process, the process returns from S114 to S101, and one of the processes may be selectively performed. In addition,
If the communication is not a print process using the facsimile machine 1, a scanner process, or a communication using a facsimile modem, the process may be terminated without using the facsimile machine 1.

In the above description, the facsimile machine 1
Performed the transition to the PC control mode or the PC modem mode by the DTMF signal from the PC 2, but the control panel 20 may be configured to be able to switch to these modes, for example.

[0040]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the operation mode of the facsimile apparatus can be switched by the DTMF signal from the external device, so that the facsimile apparatus can be operated without complicated operations. It can be used as a printer or a scanner, and can communicate from an external device through a telephone line.
Further, the function of transmitting and receiving the original line of the facsimile apparatus can be used as it is. In the configuration of the present invention that realizes such a function, the number of newly added configurations is small, and there is no need to replace an interface for switching a function or to attach an adapter. And a facsimile machine that can be used as a printer or a scanner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation in a fax transmission mode.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation in a fax reception mode.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of data transfer between a PC and a facsimile machine in the PC control mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation in a PC control mode.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of data transfer between a PC and a facsimile apparatus in the PC modem mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation in a PC modem mode.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process when the PC 2 uses the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus, 2 ... PC, 3 ... Phone line, 11
... Modem, 12 ... DTMF detector, 13 ... CPU, 14
... an image storage unit, 15 ... a communication control unit, 16 ... an image processing unit,
17: machine control unit, 18: recording unit, 19: reading unit, 2
0: control panel, 21, 22, ... switch, 23
... line connection unit, 24 ... external device connection unit.

Claims (7)

[Claims] A reading unit for reading an image; a recording unit for printing image data; an image processing unit for encoding the read image to generate transmission data; and decoding received data to generate the image data. A communication control means for performing facsimile communication via the modem and performing transmission data transmission processing and reception data reception processing;
External device connection means and DTMF for detecting DTMF signal
Detecting means, switching means for switching the connection between the external equipment connection means and the modem or the DTMF detection means, and control means, wherein the control means is configured so that the DTMF detection means receives a signal from the external equipment connection means. A facsimile apparatus, wherein the facsimile apparatus controls the switching means in accordance with the detected DTMF signal to control each unit so as to perform communication with an external device via the modem and the external device connection means. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: line connection means to which an external line is connected; and opening / closing means for opening and closing said line connection means, said opening / closing means being connected to said modem and said switching means; 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus controls each unit so as to perform the facsimile communication via the modem by controlling the opening / closing means. 3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the DTMF detection unit detects a DTMF detected from a signal from the external device connection unit.
3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the switching unit and the opening / closing unit are controlled in accordance with an F signal to enable communication between an external device and the external line via the external device connection unit. Facsimile machine. 4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the DTMF detection unit detects a DTMF detected from a signal from the external device connection unit.
2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data transmitted from the external device is received via the modem in accordance with the F signal, and each unit is controlled so that the data is printed by the recording unit. 5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the DTMF detection unit detects a DTMF detected from a signal from the external device connection unit.
2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each unit is controlled so that an image read by the reading unit is transmitted to the external device via the modem in accordance with the F signal. 6. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein communication between said modem and said external equipment via said external equipment connection means is performed by a communication system conforming to a G3 facsimile protocol. . 7. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein communication between the modem and the external device via the external device connection means is performed using a protocol that enables transfer of a color image. Facsimile machine.