Facsimile apparatus with audio response function

Abstract

A facsimile apparatus with an audio response function according to this invention includes an interface for closing a telephone line in response to detection of a ring signal, a response message transmitting device for transmitting a response message after the interface closes the telephone line, a communication start signal detecting device for detecting a facsimile communication start signal inputted from the telephone line, a facsimile communication device for performing facsimile communication, and a change circuit for connecting the telephone line to the facsimile communication device when the communication start signal detecting device detects the facsimile communication start signal in the case where the response message transmitting device transmits the response message. According to this structure, when the ring signal is inputted from the telephone line, the interface closes the telephone line and the response message transmitting device transmits the response message. In addition, when the facsimile communication start signal is inputted from the telephone line, this is detected by the communication start signal detecting device and the change circuit connects the telephone line to the facsimile communication device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.