Data communication apparatus

A communication apparatus for use as being connected to a telephone line, comprising:

• a first communication unit of a first kind, said first communication unit being connectable to said telephone line;
• a second communication unit of a second kind which is different from said first kind, said second communication unit being connectable to said telephone line;
• detecting means for detecting a call signal from a calling station at a remote location on said telephone line;
• sending means for sending a predetermined message;
• monitoring means for monitoring an oral response of a caller at said station in response to said predetermined message, said monitoring means including generating means for generating a sound of said caller's oral response;
• and
• control means responsive to a call detection signal from said detecting means for causing said first communication unit to be connected to said telephone line and said sending means to send said predetermined message to said calling station, said control means causing said second communication unit to be connected to said telephone line while causing said first communication unit to be disconnected from said telephone line if an operator carries out a predetermined dialing operation to said second communication unit in response to said sound of said caller's response generated by said generating means after said first communication unit has been connected to said telephone line in response to said call detection signal.