Facsimile machine with facsimile data receiver and external computer

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• an image reader which reads an original image from an original and produces original-image data representing said original image;
• a first connector connectable to an external computer via a communication cable;
• a second connector connectable to an additional facsimile machine via a communication line;
• a facsimile-data receiver which receives first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine, via said communication line and said second connector;
• an image recorder which records, on a recording sheet, an image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by said facsimile-data receiver;
• a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data including said original-image data to the additional machine via said second connector and said communication line, said facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, to the external computer via said first connector and said communication cable, said first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine via said communication line and said second connector;
• a control device which controls, in a first control mode, said facsimile-data receiver to receive said first facsimile data and controls said image recorder to record said image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver,
• said control device controlling, in a second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, when the facsimile-data transmitter is permitted to transmit said first facsimile data to the computer,
• said control device controlling, in a third control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the computer, controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data, and controlling said image recorder to record said image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver in place of the computer, when the facsimile-data transmitter is not permitted to transmit said first facsimile data to the computer,
• said control device comprising judging means for judging whether said facsimile-data transmitter is permitted to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, based on information indicative of a state of the computer relating to data reception,
• said control device controlling, in said second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer when said judging means makes a positive judgment, and controlling, in said third control mode, said image recorder to record said image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver in place of the computer, when said judging means makes a negative judgment;
• and
• an operation-mode selector which selectively places the facsimile machine in a first operation mode in which said control device does not operate said judging means and operates in said first control mode, and in a second operation mode in which said control device operates said judging means and, when said judging means makes said positive judgment, the control device operates in said second control mode and, when said judging means makes said negative judgment, the control device operates in said third control mode.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• an image reader which reads an original image from an original and produces original-image data representing said original image;
• a first connector connectable to an external computer via a communication cable;
• a second connector connectable to a remote data transmitter and a remote data receiver via a communication line;
• a first data receiver which receives first facsimile data transmitted from the remote data transmitter, via said communication line and said second connector;
• an image recorder which records, on a recording sheet, an image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by said first data receiver;
• a first data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data including said original-image data to the remote data receiver as a second data receiver via said second connector and said communication line;
• and
• a control device which controls, in a first control mode, said first data receiver to receive said first facsimile data transmitted from the remote data transmitter as a second data transmitter, and controls said image recorder to record said image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the first data receiver,
• said control device controlling, in a second control mode, said first data transmitter to transmit, to the external computer via said first connector and said communication cable, a first batch of data out of a plurality of batches of data transmitted from the second data transmitter via said communication line and said second connector, and not to transmit, to the computer, a second batch of data out of said plurality of batches of data,
• said control device comprising first judging means for judging whether each batch of data out of said plurality of batches of data transmitted from the second data transmitter is a first sort of data or a second sort of data, said first sort of data and said second sort of data being different from each other,
• said control device further comprising first control means for controlling, when said first judging means judges that each said batch of data is said first sort of data, said first data transmitter to transmit the first sort of data as said first batch of data, to the external computer, and controlling, when said first judging means judges that each said batch of data is said second sort of data, said first data transmitter not to transmit the second sort of data as said second batch of data, to the external computer.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• an image reader which reads an original image from an original and produces original-image data representing said original image;
• a first connector connectable to an external computer via a communication cable;
• a second connector connectable to an additional facsimile machine via a communication line;
• a facsimile-data receiver which receives first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine, via said communication line and said second connector;
• an image recorder which records, on a recording sheet, an image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by said facsimile-data receiver;
• a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data including said original-image data to the additional machine via said second connector and said communication line, said facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, to the external computer via said first connector and said communication cable, said first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine via said communication line and said second connector;
• a facsimile-data memory;
• a control device which controls, in a first control mode, said facsimile-data receiver to receive said first facsimile data and controls said image recorder to record said image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver,
• said control device controlling, in a second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer,
• said control device controlling, in a third control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, and controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data and store the received first facsimile data in said facsimile-data memory,
• said control device controlling, in a fourth control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the computer, controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data, and controlling said image recorder to record said image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver in place of the computer,
• said control device comprising judging means for judging whether said facsimile-data transmitter is permitted to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, based on information indicative of a state of the computer relating to data reception;
• and
• an operation-mode selector which selectively places the facsimile machine in a first operation mode in which said control device operates in said first control mode, in a second operation mode in which said control device refers to a judgment of said judging means, and in a third operation mode which is different from said first and second operation modes and in which said control device refers to said judgment of said judging means,
• said control device operating in said second control mode when said judging means makes a positive judgment in each of said second and third operation modes,
• said control device operating in said third control mode when said judging means makes a negative judgment in said second operation mode,
• said control device operating in said fourth control mode when said judging means makes said negative judgment in said third operation mode.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• an image reader which reads an original image from an original and produces original-image data representing said original image;
• a first connector connectable to an external computer via a communication cable;
• a second connector connectable to an additional facsimile machine via a communication line;
• a facsimile-data receiver which receives first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine, via said communication line and said second connector;
• an image recorder which records, on a recording sheet, an image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by said facsimile-data receiver;
• a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data including said original-image data to the additional machine via said second connector and said communication line, said facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, to the external computer via said first connector and said communication cable, said first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine via said communication line and said second connector;
• a facsimile-data memory;
• a control device which controls, in a first control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the said external computer,
• said control device controlling, in a second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, and controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data and store the received first facsimile data in said facsimile-data memory,
• said control device controlling, in a third control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data, and controlling said image recorder to record said image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver in place of the computer,
• said control device comprising judging means for judging whether said facsimile-data transmitter is permitted to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, based on information indicative of a state of the computer relating to data reception;
• and
• an operation-mode selector which selectively places the facsimile machine in a first and a second operation mode which are different from each other and in each of which said control device refers to a judgment of said judging means,
• said control device operating in said first control mode when said judging means makes a positive judgment in said each of said first and second operation modes,
• said control device operating in said second control mode when said judging means makes a negative judgment in said first operation mode,
• said control device operating in said third control mode when said judging means makes said negative judgment in said second operation mode.

A facsimile controller, comprising:

• an image input unit which obtains input image data representing an input image;
• a first connector connectable to an external computer via a communication cable;
• a second connector connectable to an additional facsimile machine via a communication line;
• a facsimile-data receiver which receives first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine, via said communication line and said second connector;
• an image output unit which outputs output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by said facsimile-data receiver;
• a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data including said input image data to the additional machine via said second connector and said communication line, said facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, to the external computer via said first connector and said communication cable, said first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine via said communication line and said second connector;
• a facsimile-data memory;
• a control device which controls, in a first control mode, said facsimile-data receiver to receive said first facsimile data and controls said image output unit to output said output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver,
• said control device controlling, in a second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer,
• said control device controlling, in a third control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, and controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data and store the received first facsimile data in said facsimile-data memory,
• said control device comprising judging means for judging whether said facsimile-data transmitter is permitted to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, based on information indicative of a state of the computer relating to data reception,
• said control device controlling, in said second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer when said judging means makes a positive judgment, and controlling, in said third control mode, said facsimile-data receiver to start receiving said first facsimile data in place of the computer when said judging means makes a negative judgment and to continue the reception of said first facsimile data until the additional facsimile machine ends the transmission of said first facsimile data;
• and
• an operation-mode selector which selectively places the facsimile machine in a first operation mode in which said control device operates in said first control mode, and in a second operation mode in which said control device refers to a judgment of said judging means and, when said judging means makes said positive judgment, the control device operates in said second control mode and, when said judging means makes said negative judgment, the control device operates in said third control mode.

A facsimile controller, comprising:

• an image input unit which obtains input image data representing an input image;
• a first connector connectable to an external computer via a communication cable;
• a second connector connectable to an additional facsimile machine via a communication line;
• a facsimile-data receiver which receives first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine, via said communication line and said second connector;
• an image output unit which outputs output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by said facsimile-data receiver;
• a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data including said input image data to the additional machine via said second connector and said communication line, said facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, to the external computer via said first connector and said communication cable, said first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine via said communication line and said second connector;
• a control device which controls, in a first control mode, said facsimile-data receiver to receive said first facsimile data and controls said image output unit to output said output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver,
• said control device controlling, in a second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer,
• said control device controlling, in a third control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data, and controlling said image output unit to output said output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver in place of the computer,
• said control device comprising judging means for judging whether said facsimile-data transmitter is permitted to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, based on information indicative of a state of the computer relating to data reception,
• said control device controlling, in said second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer when said judging means makes a positive judgment, and controlling, in said third control mode, said image output unit to output said output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver in place of the computer, when said judging means makes a negative judgment;
• and
• an operation-mode selector which selectively places the facsimile machine in a first operation mode in which said control device operates in said first control mode, and in a second operation mode in which said control device refers to a judgment of said judging means and, when said judging means makes said positive judgment, the control device operates in said second control mode and, when said judging means makes said negative judgment, the control device operates in said third control mode.

A facsimile controller, comprising:

• an image input unit which obtains input-image data representing an input image;
• a first connector connectable to an external computer via a communication cable;
• a second connector connectable to a remote data transmitter and a remote data receiver via a communication line;
• a first data receiver which receives first facsimile data transmitted from the remote data transmitter, via said communication line and said second connector;
• an image output unit which outputs output image data representing an output image corresponding to said first facsimile data received by said first data receiver;
• a first data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data including said input image data to the remote data receiver as a second data receiver via said second connector and said communication line;
• and
• a control device which controls, in a first control mode, said first data receiver to receive said first facsimile data transmitted from the remote data transmitter as a second data transmitter, and controls said image output unit to output said output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the first data receiver,
• said control device controlling, in a second control mode, said first data transmitter to transmit, to the external computer via said first connector and said communication cable, a first batch of data out of a plurality of batches of data transmitted from the second data transmitter via said communication line and said second connector, and not to transmit, to the computer, a second batch of data out of said plurality of batches of data,
• said control device comprising first judging means for judging whether each batch of data out of said plurality of batches of data transmitted from the second data transmitter is a first sort of data or a second sort of data, said first sort of data and said second sort of data being different from each other,
• said control device further comprising first control means for controlling, when said first judging means judges that said each batch of data is said first sort of data, said first data transmitter to transmit the first sort of data as said first batch of data, to the external computer, and controlling, when said first judging means judges that said each batch of data is said second sort of data, said first data transmitter not to transmit the second sort of data as said second batch of data, to the external computer.

A facsimile controller, comprising:

• an image input unit which obtains input-image data representing an input image;
• a first connector connectable to an external computer via a communication cable;
• a second connector connectable to an additional facsimile machine via a communication line;
• a facsimile-data receiver which receives first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine, via said communication line and said second connector;
• an image output unit which outputs output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by said facsimile-data receiver;
• a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data including said input-image data to the additional machine via said second connector and said communication line, said facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, to the external computer via said first connector and said communication cable, said first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine via said communication line and said second connector;
• a facsimile-data memory;
• a control device which controls, in a first control mode, said facsimile-data receiver to receive said first facsimile data and controls said image output unit to output said output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver,
• said control device controlling, in a second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer,
• said control device controlling, in a third control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, and controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data and store the received first facsimile data in said facsimile-data memory,
• said control device controlling, in a fourth control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the computer, controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data, and controlling said image output unit to output said output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver in place of the computer,
• said control device comprising judging means for judging whether said facsimile-data transmitter is permitted to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, based on information indicative of a state of the computer relating to data reception;
• and
• an operation-mode selector which selectively places the facsimile machine in a first operation mode in which said control device operates in said first control mode, in a second operation mode in which said control device refers to a judgment of said judging means, and in a third operation mode which is different from said first and second operation modes and in which said control device refers to said judgment of said judging means,
• said control device operating in said second control mode when said judging means makes a positive judgment in each of said second and third operation modes,
• said control device operating in said third control mode when said judging means makes a negative judgment in said second operation mode,
• said control device operating in said fourth control mode when said judging means makes said negative judgment in said third operation mode.

A facsimile controller, comprising:

• an image input unit which obtains input-image data representing an input image;
• a first connector connectable to an external computer via a communication cable;
• a second connector connectable to an additional facsimile machine via a communication line;
• a facsimile-data receiver which receives first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine, via said communication line and said second connector;
• an image output unit which outputs output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by said facsimile-data receiver;
• a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data including said input image data to the additional machine via said second connector and said communication line, said facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, to the external computer via said first connector and said communication cable, said first facsimile data transmitted from the additional facsimile machine via said communication line and said second connector;
• a facsimile-data memory;
• a control device which controls, in a first control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer,
• said control device controlling, in a second control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, and controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data and store the received first facsimile data in said facsimile-data memory,
• said control device controlling, in a third control mode, said facsimile-data transmitter not to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, controlling said facsimile-data receiver to receive, in place of the computer, said first facsimile data, and controlling said image output unit to output said output image data corresponding to said first facsimile data received by the facsimile-data receiver in place of the computer,
• said control device comprising judging means for judging whether said facsimile-data transmitter is permitted to transmit said first facsimile data to the external computer, based on information indicative of a state of the computer relating to data reception;
• and
• an operation-mode selector which selectively places the facsimile machine in a first and a second operation mode which are different from each other and in each of which said control device refers to a judgment of said judging means,
• said control device operating in said first control mode when said judging means makes a positive judgment in said each of said first and second operation modes,
• said control device operating in said second control mode when said judging means makes a negative judgment in said first operation mode,
• said control device operating in said third control mode when said judging means makes said negative judgment in said second operation mode.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a first facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a private communication line to an external personal computer for receiving, from the personal computer, designating data designating a telephone set;
• a calling device which calls said telephone set designated by said designating data so as to connect said facsimile machine to the telephone set via a public communication line;
• a judging means for judging a condition of a facsimile transmission;
• and
• informing means for informing said external personal computer of said judged condition, wherein said judging means and said informing means are housed in said facsimile machine.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a private communication line to an external personal computer for receiving, from the personal computer, designating data designating a telephone set;
• a calling device which calls said telephone set designated by said designating data, so as to connect said facsimile machine to the telephone set via a public communication line;
• judging means for judging whether said calling device successfully called the telephone set;
• and
• informing means for informing the external personal computer of a judgment made by said judging means that said calling device failed to call the telephone set.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a first facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a first communication line to an external computer for receiving, from the computer, designating data designating a telephone set;
• a calling device which calls said telephone set designated by said designating data, so as to connect said facsimile machine to the telephone set via a second communication line;
• judging means for judging whether said calling device successfully called the telephone set;
• and
• informing means for informing the external computer of a judgment made by said judging means that said calling device failed to call the telephone set.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a private communication line to an external personal computer;
• a calling device which calls a telephone set so as to connect said facsimile machine to the telephone set via a public communication line;
• judging means for judging whether said calling device successfully called the telephone set;
• and
• informing means for informing the external personal computer of a judgment made by said judging means that said calling device failed to call the telephone set.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a first facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a calling device which calls a telephone set so as to connect said facsimile machine to the telephone set via a communication line;
• judging means for judging whether said calling device successfully called the telephone set;
• and
• informing means for informing the external computer of a judgment made by said judging means that said calling device failed to call the telephone set.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a first facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a private communication line to an external personal computer for receiving, from the personal computer, designating data designating a second facsimile machine;
• a communication device that communicates with said second facsimile machine designated by said designating data so as to connect said facsimile machine to the second facsimile machine via a public communication line;
• a judging means for judging a condition of a facsimile transmission;
• and
• informing means for informing said external personal computer of said judged condition, wherein said judging means and said informing means are housed in said facsimile machine.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a private communication line to an external personal computer for receiving, from the personal computer, designating data designating a second facsimile machine;
• a communication device that communicates with said second facsimile machine designated by said designating data, so as to connect said facsimile machine to the second facsimile machine via a public communication line;
• judging means for judging whether said calling device successfully called the second facsimile machine;
• and
• informing means for informing the external personal computer of a judgment made by said judging means that said communication device failed to communicate with the second facsimile machine.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a first facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a first communication line to an external computer for receiving, from the computer, designating data designating a second facsimile machine;
• a communication device that communicates with said second facsimile machine designated by said designating data, so as to connect said facsimile machine to the second facsimile machine via a second communication line;
• judging means for judging whether said communication device successfully communicates with the second facsimile machine;
• and
• informing means for informing the external computer of a judgment made by said judging means that said communication device failed to communicate with the second facsimile machine.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a first facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a first communication line to an external personal computer for receiving, from the personal computer, designating data designating a telephone set;
• a calling device which calls said telephone set designated by said designating data so as to connect said facsimile machine to the telephone set via a second communication line;
• a judging means for judging a condition of a facsimile transmission;
• and
• informing means for informing said external personal computer of said judged condition, wherein said judging means and said informing means are housed in said facsimile machine.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a first facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a first communication line to an external personal computer for receiving, from the personal computer, designating data designating a second facsimile machine;
• a communication device that communicates with said second facsimile machine designated by said designating data so as to connect said facsimile machine to the second facsimile machine via a second communication line;
• a judging means for judging a condition of a facsimile transmission;
• and
• informing means for informing said external personal computer of said judged condition, wherein said judging means and said informing means are housed in said facsimile machine.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• a connector connectable to an external computer;
• a calling device which calls, based on a command received from the external computer, one of a plurality of facsimile machines other than the facsimile machine, so as to connect the facsimile machine to said one facsimile machine;
• and
• inhibiting means for inhibiting said calling device from calling any of said plurality of facsimile machines other than the facsimile machine while said facsimile machine is connected to a telephone set.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• a first facsimile-data receiver comprising a connector connectable via a first communication line to an external computer for receiving, from the computer, computer data comprising first facsimile data;
• a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data via a second communication line to a second facsimile-data receiver;
• a calling device which calls, based on a command received from the computer, one of a plurality of facsimile machines other than the facsimile machine, so as to connect the facsimile machine to said one facsimile machine via a corresponding one of respective communication lines;
• and
• inhibiting means for inhibiting said calling device from calling any of said plurality of facsimile machines other than the facsimile machine while said facsimile machine is connected to a telephone set via a third communication line.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• a connector connectable to an external computer;
• a communication device that communicates, based on a command received from the external computer, one of a plurality of facsimile machines other than the facsimile machine, so as to connect the facsimile machine to said one facsimile machine;
• and
• inhibiting means for inhibiting said communication device from communicating with any of said plurality of facsimile machines other than the facsimile machine while said facsimile machine is connected to a second facsimile machine.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• a first facsimile-data receiver comprising a connector connectable via a first communication line to an external computer for receiving, from the computer, computer data comprising first facsimile data;
• a facsimile-data transmitter which transmits second facsimile data via a second communication line to a second facsimile-data receiver;
• a communication device that communicates with one of a plurality of facsimile machines other than the facsimile machine based on a command received from the computer so as to connect the facsimile machine to said one facsimile machine via a corresponding one of respective communication lines;
• and
• inhibiting means for inhibiting said communication device from communicating with any of said plurality of facsimile machines other than the facsimile machine while said facsimile machine is connected to a second facsimile machine via a third communication line.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a first facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a first communication line to an external computer for receiving, from the computer, designating data designating a second facsimile machine;
• a communication device that communicates with said second facsimile machine designated by said designating data, so as to connect said facsimile machine to the second facsimile machine via a second communication line;
• said first facsimile-data receiver which receives computer data comprising first facsimile data from the external computer via said first communication line;
• and
• said first facsimile-data transmitter which transmits, in response to a command received from the external computer, said first facsimile data to one of a plurality of facsimile-data receivers other than said first facsimile-data receiver via a corresponding one of respective communication lines.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• a facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a private communication line to an external personal computer for receiving, from the personal computer, designating data designating a telephone set;
• and
• a calling device which calls said telephone set designated by said designating data, so as to connect said facsimile machine to the telephone set via a public communication line;
• said first facsimile-data receiver receiving computer data comprising first facsimile data from the external personal computer via said private communication line;
• said first facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, in response to a command received from the external personal computer, said first facsimile data to one of a plurality of facsimile-data receivers other than said first facsimile-data receiver via a corresponding one of respective communication lines.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a first facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a first communication line to an external computer for receiving, from the computer, designating data designating a telephone set;
• a calling device which calls said telephone set designated by said designating data, so as to connect said facsimile machine to the telephone set via a second communication line;
• said first facsimile-data receiver which receives computer data comprising first facsimile data from the external computer via said first communication line;
• and
• said first facsimile-data transmitter which transmits, in response to a command received from the external computer, said first facsimile data to one of a plurality of facsimile-data receivers other than said first facsimile-data receiver via a corresponding one of respective communication lines.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• a facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a private communication line to an external personal computer;
• said first facsimile-data receiver receiving computer data comprising first facsimile data from the external personal computer via said private communication line;
• and
• said first facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, in response to a command received from the external personal computer, said first facsimile data to one of a plurality of facsimile-data receivers other than said first facsimile-data receiver via a corresponding one of respective communication lines.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• at least one of a first facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a first communication line to an external computer;
• said first facsimile-data receiver which receives computer data comprising first facsimile data from the external computer via said first communication line;
• and
• said first facsimile-data transmitter which transmits, in response to a command received from the external computer, said first facsimile data to one of a plurality of facsimile-data receivers other than said first facsimile-data receiver via a corresponding one of respective communication lines.

A facsimile machine, comprising:

• a facsimile-data transmitter and a first facsimile-data receiver;
• a data receiver including a connector connectable via a private communication line to an external personal computer for receiving, from the personal computer, designating data designating a second facsimile machine;
• and
• a communication device that communicates with said second facsimile machine designated by said designating data, so as to connect said facsimile machine to the second facsimile machine via a public communication line;
• said first facsimile-data receiver receiving computer data comprising first facsimile data from the external personal computer via said private communication line;
• said first facsimile-data transmitter transmitting, in response to a command received from the external personal computer, said first facsimile data to one of a plurality of facsimile-data receivers other than said first facsimile-data receiver via a corresponding one of respective communication lines.