Matsushita Graphic Communication Systems, Inc.

Takeshi Namekawa

Satoshi Fukuda

Masayuki Moteki

Yukari Hashibe

Ikuo Kitajima

Hidenori Hayashi

A communication (comm) apparatus coupled to a telephone (tel) line comprises a base having a tel portion, a fax portion including a fax modem, a first switch for switching the mode between fax and tel, and a first wireless comm portion, and at least a cordless unit having a second wireless comm portion for communicating with the base, and a second fax portion including a recording/reading portion. The cordless unit may further comprise a second tel portion and a second switch for switching the mode between fax and tel wherein the base can change the second switch to the other mode if necessary. A cordless phone may be further provided. In response to a fax call, the base holds the line but the cordless unit does the fax procedure and if there is no response from the cordless unit within a given interval, the line is disconnected wherein each of cordless unit responds with a different delay time to have a priority. During facsimile comm, an erroneous on-hook is neglected. A cordless unit has a guidance portion for outputting a given message and if there is an extension call to other cordless unit in fax mode, the other cordless unit transmits a control signal and the cordless unit outputs the message. The wireless comm portion has multi-channels to provide a comm between cordless units even when a cordless unit receives a fax signal.

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Tokyo, Japan

Takeshi Namekawa