Abstract: While the answering machine is recording a message from a remote caller, if it is determined that an automatic reproduction request code has been inputted over the telephone, the time and day designated by the remote caller on which the message is to be reproduced is inputted as reproduction time data. Afterward, the message spoken by the remote caller is recorded as sound data. Also the time and day designated for reproduction is stored as automatic reproduction time data. When, by passage of time, the time registered by the clock circuit matches the time and day designated for reproduction, an alarm is sounded by the speaker 14. Then the message is reproduced.

Abstract: A communication apparatus including (A) a data obtaining device which obtains a plurality of sets of own-call-number data each set of which identifies a corresponding one of a plurality of different own call numbers allotted to the communication apparatus according to a common numbering rule, each of the different own call numbers identifying the communication apparatus from other communication apparatuses to which other call numbers different from the own call numbers are allotted according to the common numbering rule; and (B) one or both of (b1) an information receiver which can receive information from the other communication apparatuses and (b2) an information transmitter which can transmit information to the other communication apparatuses, the information receiver and/or the information transmitter being operable in a plurality of different manners corresponding to the different own call numbers, respectively, such that the information receiver and/or transmitter operate in one of the different manners

Abstract: A multi-function concurrent processing device that is capable of performing a plurality of functions by using time sharing methods to concurrently process at least two control programs. The multi-function concurrent processing device includes a computer having a ROM storing a plurality of control programs corresponding to a plurality of functions; a display unit having a display commonly used for the plurality of functions; and a plurality of display data buffers provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of control programs stored in the ROM, each of the plurality of display data buffers exclusively storing display data for displaying, on the display, display information generated in association with execution of a corresponding one of the plurality of control programs stored in the ROM.

Abstract: A multi-function concurrent processing device is capable of performing a plurality of functions by using time sharing methods to concurrently process at least two of a plurality of control programs, which correspond to the plurality of functions, the plurality of functions being assigned with a priority order.

Abstract: A facsimile machine according to the present invention includes a memory forming a plurality of mailboxes; reception unit for receiving DTMF signals inputted over a telephone circuit from a remote device during an answering machine mode of the facsimile machine; access permission unit for allowing, when the reception unit receives input of a mailbox indication signal and a password signal corresponding to one of the plurality of mailboxes, access to the mailbox; data existence determination unit for determining whether data is stored in the mailbox when the reception unit receives input of the password signal; and telephone circuit opening unit for forcibly interrupting the telephone circuit when the data existence determination unit determines that no data is stored in the mailbox.

Abstract: A method of inputting one or more sets of operation control data needed to control one or more operations of a facsimile machine, including the steps of connecting an external data processing device to the facsimile machine, and operating the data processing device to input the operation control data and send the operation control data to the facsimile machine. A facsimile system including a facsimile machine including a data memory which stores one or more sets of operation control data needed to control one or more operations of the facsimile machine, and an external data processing device which is connectable to the facsimile machine and which is operable to input the operation control data and send the operation control data to the facsimile machine.

Abstract: A facsimile machine including a memory forming a mailbox storing predetermined data; a speaker used to monitor a telephone circuit during an answering machine mode of the facsimile machine; reception unit for receiving DTMF signals inputted from a remote device during the answering machine mode; access permission unit allowing access to the predetermined data of the mailbox when the reception unit receives input of a request-for-access signal and input of a password signal corresponding to the mailbox; and monitor interrupt unit for interrupting monitoring of the telephone circuit when the reception unit receives the request for access signal.

Abstract: While the answering machine is recording a message from a remote caller, if it is determined that an automatic reproduction request code has been inputted over the telephone, the time and day designated by the remote caller on which the message is to be reproduced is inputted as reproduction time data. Afterward, the message spoken by the remote caller is recorded as sound data. Also the time and day designated for reproduction is stored as automatic reproduction time data. When, by passage of time, the time registered by the clock circuit matches the time and day designated for reproduction, an alarm is sounded by the speaker 14. Then the message is reproduced.

Abstract: 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 and including a memory for storing the data to be accessed and retrieved by a caller during the remote operation mode; a switch for turning on and off the remote operation mode; facsimile reception determination unit for determining which of a facsimile reception possible condition and a facsimile reception impossible condition that the facsimile machine is in; and reception process unit for performing, when the facsimile reception determination unit determines that the facsimile machine is in a facsimile reception possible condition, reception of an incoming call regardless of whether the switch has turned the remote operation mode on or off and for performing reception of the incoming call when both the facsimile reception determination unit determines that the facsimile machine is in a facsimile reception impossible condition and the switch has turned the r

Abstract: This invention discloses a paper supplying device for supplying paper sheets to an image forming portion of an image forming apparatus, which include a cassette attachable to the body of the image forming apparatus for storing the paper sheets therein, an accommodating portion provided at the body of the image forming apparatus for accommodating the cassette thereinto, paper supplying member disposed at an upper portion in said accommodating portion for supplying the paper sheets in the cassette in a direction opposed to a cassette insertion direction toward the image forming portion, and guiding member provided in the accommodating portion for guiding the cassette in a first position through a second position toward a third position, the cassette being completely inserted into the accommodating portion in said first position and an uppermost surface of the paper sheets in the cassette being pressed into contact with the paper supplying member in the third position.