Apparatus for interfacing a conventional facsimile machine with a PC
enabling the use of the facsimile machine as a scanner or printer. A
first switch assembly selectively couples the PC modem and facsimile
machine either to independent telephone lines in a normal mode or to one
another in a scan/print mode. A manually operated switch assembly is
depressed for a brief interval sufficient to activate a ringing circuit
which converts DC power from a small battery source to a 20 Hz sine wave
of 90 volt amplitude and applies the sine wave signal to the PC to cause
the PC or facsimile to enter into a scan or print mode, respectively. The
manually operable switch is then released to apply a constant current to
the facsimile machine to simulate an off-hook condition. A facsimile
machine start button is then operated to start the facsimile machine
which scans documents provided therein and transmits the scanned data in
a conventional facsimile transmission format or activate the PC to
transmit a fax in conventional facsimile transmission format to utilize
the facsimile machine as a printer. The PC may be equipped with a
suitable software program for converting non-graphic, i.e. such as
word-type information into a binary format suitable for use in word
processing applications and may store the data in a memory for subsequent
use. An automatic circuit may be provided to initiate a scanning or
printing mode responsive to receipt of a unique number received from
either the facsimile machine or the PC, thus eliminating the need for
switches.