Abstract: A communication apparatus that reduces the number of procedural steps that need to be performed by a user in attaching facsimile data to an e-mail and transmitting the e-mail, includes a CPU of a personal computer that starts a transmission program for performing a series of operations, such as causing a facsimile apparatus to scan a document, generating an image file of the scan data, attaching the image file to an email, and transmitting the e-mail. In accordance with the transmission program, a mail address, a scan mode, and a format for generating an image file of the scan data are set. Then, the CPU instructs the facsimile apparatus to start scanning a document. The CPU receives and stores scan data. Upon receiving a scan end command, the CPU converts the scan data into the format designated as described above, and generates an image file of the scan data. After attaching the image file to an e-mail, the CPU transmits the e-mail.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a read table on which a source document is mounted, a document cover openably/closably held on the read table, a detection section detecting state of the document cover, a switching section switching between a continuous read mode where the source document is read when the detection section detects a closed state of the document cover after detecting an opened state and an ordinary read mode where the source document is read according to an instruction by a user regardless of the state of the document cover, a timer section measuring elapsed time since switching to the continuous read mode, and a reset section resetting the elapsed time when the detection section detects the closed state in the continuous read mode, wherein the switching section switches from the continuous read mode to the ordinary read mode when the elapsed time reaches a first predetermined time.

Abstract: An ink jet record apparatus has a record head that ejects ink from a nozzle to form an image on a record medium, a maintenance portion that executes maintenance operation to prevent drying of the nozzle at regular time intervals when image formation is not executed, a first mode setting portion that sets the ink jet record apparatus on a usual power mode in which usual power is consumed or a power saving mode in which power supply to other parts than those required for returning to the usual power mode is reduced, and a second mode setting portion that sets the ink jet record apparatus on a permission mode in which the maintenance operation and predetermined operation other than the maintenance operation are permitted or an inhibition mode in which the predetermined operation is inhibited although the maintenance operation is permitted during the power saving mode.

Abstract: A digital multifunction device is provided with RAM having a virtual drive area. The digital multifunction device enables a personal computer connected to and capable of communicating with the digital multifunction device via a USB interface to recognize this virtual drive area as an external storage device. When the personal computer writes image data to the virtual drive area, the digital multifunction device selectively executes one of an image forming process, fax transmitting process, and mail transmitting process based on the type of folder in which the image data is written. Accordingly, image data in a first folder is printed on recording paper, or image data in a second folder is transmitted to an external facsimile machine.

Abstract: A digital multifunction device is provided with a RAM having a virtual drive area. A persona computer is connected to the digital multifunction device and is capable of communicating therewith via USB interface. The digital multifunction device enables a personal computer to recognize this virtual drive area as an external storage device, and the personal computer can access to the virtual drive area. Upon receipt of facsimile data, the digital multifunction device converts one page worth data to image data of PDF or TIFF format each time the one page worth data is received. After full page worth data have been received and the converted PDT or TIFF image data are put together in a single data file, the data file is written to the virtual drive area.

Abstract: An Internet communication system includes a target register, an Internet command unit, a judgment unit, a target candidate display unit, and a selection unit. The target register is registered with e-mail addresses and URLs as targets of data communication over the Internet. The Internet command unit commands data communication over the Internet. When the Internet command unit commands data communication, then the judgment unit judges whether data is to be transmitted to one of the e-mail addresses registered in the target register, or home page data located at one of the URLs registered in the target register is to be downloaded and received. When the judgment unit judges that data is to be transmitted to one of the e-mail addresses, then the target candidate display unit extracts only e-mail addresses from the target register and displays a list of the extracted e-mail addresses as target candidates.

Abstract: An IP telephone apparatus having a plurality of types of calling functions including a telephone calling function for telecommunicating via a telephone network and a network calling function for telecommunicating via a computer network. The IP telephone apparatus includes a calling function detection unit configured to detect which calling function of the telephone calling function and the network calling function is selected, and a calling function notification unit that notifies a user that at least one of general telephone using the telephone calling function and network telephone using the network calling function is being in operation according to a detection result of the calling function detection unit.

Abstract: An internet terminal is capable of transmitting and receiving voice signals to and from a telephone terminal having a handset. If the internet terminal receives an incoming call when disconnected from the telephone terminal, then the internet terminal stores a voice message from a calling party and issues a notification to the telephone terminal regarding the stored voice message when the telephone terminal is subsequently connected to the internet terminal.

Abstract: An Internet telephone system is provided with an Internet terminal device capable of connecting with the Internet and transmitting and receiving audio signals for a voice communication. The Internet terminal has a communication unit through for transmitting/receiving the audio signals to/from the Internet. The Internet terminal device has a first interface for outputting/inputting the audio signals for the voice communication and a multifunction device having a telephone function and an Internet telephone function. The multifunction device has a sound input/output unit, a second interface that interfaces between the sound input/output unit and the first interface, a third interface that interfaces between the sound input/output unit and a public telephone network, and a switching system that switches the second interface and the third interface depending on whether the telephone function is used or the Internet telephone function is used.

Abstract: A call system for performing a voice call by an Internet call function using a known telephone terminal. In a multifunction machine serving as the telephone terminal, the output destination and the input source of audio signals input/output from/to a transmitter/receiver may be switched to an audio I/F. In the switched state, audio based on audio signals input/output from/to an outside source through the audio I/F is output/input from the transmitter/receiver. Therefore, when the multifunction machine is connected to a PC having the Internet call function such that audio signals can be input/output through an audio cable, an indirect audio call by the Internet call function with the transmitter/receiver is available. When an incoming call from a telephone line network is received, reception of the incoming call is notified so that a user can confirm the reception of the incoming call during the voice call by the Internet call function.

Abstract: An IP telephone apparatus for executing a telephone call through a computer network. The IP telephone apparatus includes: a main unit; a telephone line connection unit connected to a telephone network; an external telephone connection unit connectable to an external telephone; a dialing start command detection unit configured to detect an IP telephone dialing start command; an audio signal input/output unit that inputs/outputs an audio signal; a handset validation unit configured to selectively validate one of a handset of the main unit and a handset of the external telephone; an audio signal path switching unit that switches a connection target of the validated handset from the telephone line connection unit to the audio signal input/output unit when the IP telephone dialing start command is detected so that the audio signal input/output unit can be transmitted to the network terminal through the computer network.

Abstract: In a communication system, a call center is connectable via a communication line to a facsimile apparatus having a printing function. The facsimile apparatus reads ribbon-ID data of an ink ribbon mounted therein, and sends the read ribbon-ID data to the center device. The call center receives the ribbon-ID data from the facsimile apparatus, judges whether or not the ribbon-ID data is valid, and returns a result of the judgment to the facsimile apparatus.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus capable of automatically preventing image data transmitted from a specific sender is provided. When a polling time comes which is set to access a mail server in order to fetch an e-mail, a CPU of the facsimile apparatus accesses the mail server. After detecting the connection to the mail server, the CPU receives an e-mail from the mail server. The CPU then analyzes the character codes contained at the position of the sender name in the e-mail. If it is determined that a predetermined character code is contained, the CPU performs the reverse format conversion of the image data attached to the e-mail, expands the image data, and outputs an instruction to print the image data.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a receptacle for containing a print material, a receiver for receiving an image through a communication line, a printing section for printing the received image on a recording sheet with the print material while also printing a print material supply mark at an edge portion of the recording sheet, and a detector for detecting the print material supply mark. The communication apparatus further includes a controller for selecting, in response to a user's operation, a mark-on state in which the printing section is allowed to print the print material supply mark and a mark-off state in which the printing section is prohibited from printing the print material supply mark.

Abstract: A facsimile machine has a base unit and a plurality of handsets. The base unit receives e-mail data from a remote center, and the handsets receive e-mail data via the base unit. When one of the base unit and the handsets requests the remote center to transmit e-mail data, a CPU of the base unit allows only the one that makes the request to receive and store therein the e-mail data.

Abstract: The disclosed communication apparatus reduces the number of procedural steps that need to be performed by a user in attaching facsimile data to an e-mail and transmitting the e-mail. A CPU of a personal computer starts a transmission program for performing a series of operations, such as causing a facsimile apparatus to scan a document, generating an image file of the scan data, attaching the image file to an email, and transmitting the e-mail. In accordance with the transmission program, a mail address, a scan mode, and a format for generating an image file of the scan data are set. Then, the CPU instructs the facsimile apparatus to start scanning a document. The CPU receives and stores scan data. Upon receiving a scan end command, the CPU converts the scan data into the format designated as described above, and generates an image file of the scan data. After attaching the image file to an e-mail, the CPU transmits the e-mail.

Abstract: When a mark flag is ON and external light is detected at reception of facsimile data, a printing portion performs printing of the facsimile data without a mark sensor attempting to detect an indication mark. At this time, if a backup flag is ON, the facsimile data is stored as backup data in a memory. On the other hand, if the backup flag is OFF, the facsimile data is not stored as backup data in the memory.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method having an indicator sensor and a light sensor. When the indicator sensor detects an unacceptable indicator image, the printing apparatus and method store the image to be printed. The printing apparatus and method further includes a cleaning apparatus and method that executes at predetermined intervals, or when the unacceptable indicator image is detected.

Abstract: To provide a transmission device capable of preventing user from performing erroneous operations when erasure or printing of backup data. When the transmission device receives facsimile data from a remote transmission device, a memory stores the facsimile data as backup data and also stores reception data relating to the facsimile data. The reception data includes data of reception time, reception date, name and telephone number of a transmission source of the facsimile data. Printing of the reception data is performed automatically at a predetermined timing and whenever the user wises so as to provide a transmission maintenance information. The user can gain an understanding of backup data stored in the memory by examining the report, and can determined whether or not printing and/or erasure of the backup data should be performed.

Abstract: To provide a transmission device capable of preventing erroneous operations when light intrudes into the transmission device during printing of facsimile data. When external light is detected within the transmission device during printing of facsimile data, a print unit stops printing of the facsimile data, and also the facsimile data is stored as backup data in a memory. Then, after storing of the facsimile data as the backup data in the memory is completed, the print unit automatically performs printing of the backup data.