Facsimile machine, method of transmitting a facsimile and method of receiving the same

A facsimile machine comprises:

• a connection for connecting an external storage device;
• an internal memory;
• a detection unit for detecting whether or not the external storage device is connected to said connection;
• a receiving unit for receiving image data by confidential fax;
• a saving unit that saves into said internal memory image data of the received confidential fax if said external storage device is not connected to said connection;
• and a transfer authorizing unit that enables transfer to said external storage device of the received data of the confidential fax stored in said internal memory when said external storage device is connected to said connection.

A facsimile machine comprises:

• a connection for connecting an external storage device;
• a detection unit for detecting whether or not the external storage device is connected to said connection;
• a switching unit that switches confidential fax reception function to enable if said external storage device is connected to said connection and switches the confidential fax reception function to disable if it is not connected;
• a receiving unit for receiving image data of the confidential fax;
• and a saving unit that saves into said external storage device the image data of the received confidential fax.

A method of transmitting a facsimile using a facsimile machine having a confidential fax transmitting function and equipped with a connection for connecting an external storage device, a display unit, and an input portion, the method comprises the steps of:

• detecting whether or not said external storage device is connected to said connection;
• switching said confidential fax transmitting function to enable when said external storage device is connected to said connection, and switching the confidential fax transmitting function to disable when it is not connected;
• displaying names of files of image data that can be transmitted by facsimile, from image data stored in the external storage device connected to said connection on said display unit;
• selecting, based on a user's instruction by said input portion, a file to be transmitted from displayed files;
• and
• transmitting the image data of the selected file by the confidential fax transmitting function.

A method of receiving a facsimile using a facsimile machine having a confidential fax receiving function and equipped with a connection for connecting an external storage device, and an internal memory, the method comprises the steps of:

• detecting whether or not said external storage device is connected to said connection;
• receiving image data of a confidential fax by said confidential fax receiving function;
• saving the received image data of the confidential fax into said internal memory, when said external storage device is not connected to said connection;
• and
• authorizing transfer to said external storage device the received image data of the confidential fax stored in said internal memory, when it is detected that said external storage device is connected to said connection.

A method of receiving a facsimile using a facsimile machine having a confidential fax receiving function and equipped with a connection for connecting an external storage device, and an internal memory, the method comprises the steps of:

• detecting whether or not said external storage device is connected to said connection;
• switching said confidential fax receiving function to enable when said external storage device is connected to said connection, and switching the confidential fax receiving function to disable when it is not connected;
• receiving image data of a confidential fax by said confidential fax receiving function;
• and
• saving into said external storage device connected to said connection the image data of the received confidential fax.