Data communication apparatus

Claim 2

A data communication apparatus comprising: means for generating any of a plurality of selection signals for respectively indicating different stations to be called; first memory means for storing a plurality of calling signal data for the stations to be called; second memory means for storing indications as to whether apparatus at each station to be called is a first type or a second type, said first type including speech communication apparatus; communication means for communicating with the apparatus in a called station, said communication means having a first communication mode for communicating with apparatus of the first type and a second communication mode for communicating with apparatus of the second type; calling means; and control means operative in response to one of said generated selection signals (a) to read the respective calling signal data from the first memory means, (b) to cause the calling means to transmit the calling signal data on a communication line, (c) to read the respective apparatus type from the second memory means, and (d) to select the respective communication mode of the communication means in response to the read-out respective apparatus type.

Claim 3

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means discriminates whether the calling signal data corresponding to said generated selection signal is stored in said first memory means.

Claim 4

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus of the second type is a data communication apparatus.

Claim 5

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said selection signal generating means is an abbreviated dialing key.

Claim 6

A data communication apparatus comprising: means for generating any of a plurality of selection signals for respectively indicating different stations to be called; first memory means for storing a plurality of calling signal data for the stations to be called; second memory means for storing indications as to whether apparatus at each station to be called is a first type or a second type, said first type and said second type being different in communication data type from each other; communication means for communicating with the apparatus in a called station, said communication means having a first communication mode for communicating with apparatus of the first type and a second communication mode for communicating with apparatus of the second type; calling means; and control means operable in response to one of said generated selection signals (a) to read the respective calling signal data from the first memory means, (b) to cause the calling means to transmit the calling signal data on a communication line, (c) to read the respective apparatus type from the second memory means and (d) to select a respective communication mode of the communication means in response to the read-out respective apparatus type.

Claim 7

A data communication apparatus comprising: means for generating any of a plurality of selection signals for respectively indicating different stations to be called; first memory means for storing a plurality of calling signal data for the stations to be called; second memory means for storing indications as to whether apparatus at each station to be called is a first type or a second type, said first type and said second type being different in communication data type from each other; communication means for communicating with the apparatus in a called station, said communication means having a first communication mode for communicating with apparatus of the first type and a second communication mode for communicating with apparatus of the second type; calling means; and control means operable in response to one of said generated selection signals (a) to read the respective calling signal data from the first memory means, (b) to cause the calling means to transmit the calling signal data on a communication line, (c) to read the respective apparatus type from the second memory means and (d) to select a respective communication mode of the communication means in response to the read-out respective apparatus type.

Claim 8

A data communication apparatus comprising: first modem means for modulating and demodulating an image signal and for outputting a specific signal in response to receiving a control signal from a destination station during communication through said first modem means; second modem means for modulating and demodulating the control signal for a communication protocol; and control means for selecting said first modem means or said second modem means and for receiving and/or sending signals through the selected modem means; wherein when said first modem modes receives a control signal from a destination station during communication through said first modem means, said control means detects reception of the control signal on the basis of said specific signal from said first modem means, and selects said second modem means, and wherein said second modem means demodulates the control signal received by said first modem means and said control means identifies the demodulated control signal.

Claim 9

A data communication apparatus comprising: first modem means for modulating and demodulating an image signal and for outputting a specific signal in response to receiving a control signal from a destination station during communication through said first modem means; second modem means for modulating and demodulating the control signal for a communication protocol; and control means for selecting said first modem means or said second modem means and for receiving and/or sending signals through the selected modem means; wherein when said first modem modes receives a control signal from a destination station during communication through said first modem means, said control means detects reception of the control signal on the basis of said specific signal from said first modem means, and selects said second modem means, and wherein said second modem means demodulates the control signal received by said first modem means and said control means identifies the demodulated control signal.

Claim 10

A data communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control means sends a confirmation signal through said second modem means upon completion of receiving an image signal of one page by said first modem means, and thereby does not receive the specific control signal upon the end of reception of the image signal of one page.

Claim 11

A data communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined control signal is a protocol signal indicating that data is to be continued and a communication mode is to be changed.

Claim 12

A data communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined control signal is a protocol signal indicating that data communication is to be ended.

Claim 13

A data communication apparatus comprising: means for effecting procedures for a data communication protocol to set a mode for communication with a called station; means for conducting data communication in the mode set by said procedure effecting means; means for storing information relating to a function of a called station, said information being sent from the called station in effecting procedures for a data communication protocol; means for instructing a change of the mode for communication with a called station; and means for changing the mode for communication with a called station on the basis of the information relating to a function of a called station stored in said storing means when said instruction means instructs a change of the mode during data communication through said data communication means, said mode changing means indicating a change of the mode to the called station through said procedure effecting means, and wherein when said data communication conducting means completes transmission of data on one page, said mode changing means discriminates whether the change of the mode instructed by said instructing means is allowable or not on the basis of the information relating to a function of a called station stored in said storage means, and if said mode changing means discriminates that the change of the mode is allowable, said mode changing means changes the mode for communication with a called station, whereby simplifying procedures for a data communication protocol in changing the mode is effected.

Claim 14

A data communication apparatus comprising: means for effecting procedures for a data communication protocol to set a mode for communication with a called station; means for conducting data communication in the mode set by said procedure effecting means; means for storing information relating to a function of a called station, said information being sent from the called station in effecting procedures for a data communication protocol; means for instructing a change of the mode for communication with a called station; and means for changing the mode for communication with a called station on the basis of the information relating to a function of a called station stored in said storing means when said instruction means instructs a change of the mode during data communication through said data communication means, said mode changing means indicating a change of the mode to the called station through said procedure effecting means, and wherein when said data communication conducting means completes transmission of data on one page, said mode changing means discriminates whether the change of the mode instructed by said instructing means is allowable or not on the basis of the information relating to a function of a called station stored in said storage means, and if said mode changing means discriminates that the change of the mode is allowable, said mode changing means changes the mode for communication with a called station, whereby simplifying procedures for a data communication protocol in changing the mode is effected.

Claim 15

A data communication apparatus comprising: means for effecting procedures for a data communication protocol to set a mode for communication with a called station; means for conducting data communication in the mode set by said procedure effecting means; means for storing information relating to a function of a called station, said information being sent from the called station in effecting procedures for a data communication protocol; means for instructing a change of the mode for communication with a called station; and means for changing the mode for communication with a called station on the basis of the information relating to a function of a called station stored in said storing means when said instruction means instructs a change of the mode during data communication through said data communication means, said mode changing means indicating a change of the mode to the called station through said procedure effecting means, and wherein said data communication means carries out communication of the image data and said mode changing means changes the density of the image data, whereby simplifying procedures for a data communication protocol in changing the mode is effected.

Claim 16

A data communication apparatus comprising: means for effecting procedures for a data communication protocol to set a mode for communication with a called station; means for conducting data communication in the mode set by said procedure effecting means; means for storing information relating to a function of a called station, said information being sent from the called station in effecting procedures for a data communication protocol; means for instructing a change of the mode for communication with a called station; and means for changing the mode for communication with a called station on the basis of the information relating to a function of a called station stored in said storing means when said instruction means instructs a change of the mode during data communication through said data communication means, said mode changing means indicating a change of the mode to the called station through said procedure effecting means, and wherein said data communication means carries out communication of the image data and said mode changing means changes the density of the image data, whereby simplifying procedures for a data communication protocol in changing the mode is effected.