Importance

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Abstract

A facsimile terminal device includes an interface circuit for interfacing with a telephone line and a first switching circuit for selectively connecting the telephone line to the interface circuit and a telephone set. Signal detecting circuitry is provided, coupled to the interface circuit, for detecting and identifying a received signal on the telephone line. Incoming message recording circuitry is provided for recording a voice message received on the telephone line, and image signal receiving circuitry is provided for receiving and processing an image signal received on the telephone line. A second switching circuit is provided for selectively connecting the interface circuit to the incoming message recording circuitry and the image signal receiving circuitry. A control microprocessor is provided for causing the first and second switching circuits to connect the telephone line to the image signal receiving circuitry when the received signal is identified by the signal detecting circuitry as an image signal. Furthermore, upon receipt of the image signal, the control microprocessor causes the first switching means to connect the telephone line to the telephone set and activates a ringing device when the received signal is identified by the signal detecting circuit as a PRI-Q signal, the PRI-Q signal being received after the image signal and denoting a request to establish a voice connection. The control microprocessor then causes the first and second switching circuits to connect the telephone line to the incoming message recording circuitry when the telephone set remains on-hook for a predetermined period of time upon activation of the ringing device.

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First Claim