Abstract

A free standing data transfer device is arranged to couple a facsimile machine to a telephone line. The data transfer device includes a processor coupled to each of a modem, a computer controlled switch mechanism and a data storage device. A telephone input terminal is adapted to couple the telephone line to each of the modem and a telephone output terminal, that is, in turn, adapted for coupling to the facsimile machine. The computer controlled switch mechanism intercouples the input and output terminals for control of the connection to the facsimile machine by the processor via the processor coupling to the switch mechanism. In this manner, the device of the present invention provides a direct, in-line coupling for the facsimile machine vis-a-vis the telephone line. Provisions is provided for input of data transmission control information is coupled to the processor so that the processor operates the computer controlled switch mechanism and the data storage device so as to cause the transmission of electronically represented data transmitted over the telephone line from the input telephone terminal only directly to the facsimile machine coupled to the output telephone terminal via the computer controlled switch mechanism, only to the data storage device via the modem and the processor or to both the facsimile machine and the data storage device, as a function of the data transmission control information.