All sections of the site site

How to use a fax

A fax machine is a special machine designed to
for sending and receiving fax notifications.

Types of faxes:

Fax modem that connects to a computer;

Telefax, which operates on a telephone line;

Fax as part of the MFP.

In addition, faxes come in black and white and color, can transmit messages on special thermal paper or on A-4 sheets, and can be printed using laser or inkjet. More about this here:......

How to send a document

To send a document, place it upside down (face down) in the lower tray. Next, you need to pick up the phone and dial the desired number.

After the subscriber picks up the phone, you must introduce yourself and inform them that the document has been sent. Then press the “Start” (or “Start”) button, without hanging up. The document will pass inside and a characteristic sound will be heard in the handset, after which telephone communication will be restored.

You must wait until the subscriber views the received document and reports its receipt and its quality. After this, you can say goodbye to the subscriber and hang up.

How to accept a document

Having heard the call, you need to pick up the handset, after the subscriber informs you that a fax message has been sent, press the “Start” (or “Start”) button. Wait for a sheet of paper with the sent document to appear, check the image quality.

If the quality is good, inform the caller and hang up. On some machines, you can select the “monochrome” or “color” functions by pressing the appropriate button.

Some faxes are configured to automatically receive messages and have an “Auto Answer” button on these machines. The message is received after a certain number of calls (their number is set in the “Options” menu).

If no one answers the call, then the automatic mode for receiving messages is turned on, and the sender, instead of a person answering, will hear a beep, which means that the subscriber’s device is set to auto-answer. In this case, you just need to click “Start” and send the fax.

The message was sent, but the document does not appear - what should I do? In the vast majority of cases, this means that the machine is out of paper.

A sign that paper is running out are red stripes on the received documents. To insert paper into the fax, you need to open the top cover, usually a sequence of steps for replacing paper is written under it.

As a rule, modern faxes are equipped with many additional functions: answering machine mode, group messaging, phone book, speed dialing functions, the ability to forward and block messages. The instructions for the device will help you understand these additional functions.

The facsimile, or fax machine, was invented in 1842, but only gained popularity in the late 1980s. of our century. It allows the user to send illustrations or printed material over a telephone line. Older fax machines only had black and white colors, while more modern versions are capable of gray tones.

Both types of machines first convert visual images into a chain of tonal value information in small segments called screen elements, and then into corresponding electrical waves that can be transmitted over a telephone line. The transfer speed depends on the machine and the density of the material being transferred and can reach 1 page per three seconds (1/3 page per second). By the time they arrive at another fax machine, the electrical waves are demodulated, or converted into a chain of information that instructs the printer to produce an exact copy of the original image. Thanks to their ability to show gray tones using more screen elements, digital machines produce images that are more detailed and distinct than their analogue counterparts.

Converting shades into numbers

The fax machine scans the page in narrow strips no more than a few thousandths of an inch wide. These stripes are then divided into small areas called raster elements. The machine's mechanical eyes - lenses with tiny light sensors, or CCDs (charge-coupled device) - respond to shades of black and white. If a given raster element contains more black, the CCD records the binary number 0, if white - 1. Thus, each strip of the image is converted into a chain of zeros and ones, creating a digital electrical signal.

Squeezing the digital chain

To speed up transmission, the fax machine compresses and encodes digital strings. In the one-dimensional encoding method, the machine combines the zeros and ones in each stripe, while the two-dimensional encoding method involves comparing each stripe to the one next to it and determining which element has changed and which has remained the same.

With the one-dimensional method, the fax machine reads this stripe as five white, seven black and six white screen elements. According to the two-dimensional method, the fax signals that the fifth element of the screen is shifted to black, and the twelfth - to white.

From numbers to waves

A device called a modulator converts digital code into electrical waves of varying frequencies. Black elements of the raster are transmitted by waves of one frequency, white - by another. Waves coming from a fax machine travel along a telephone line in the same way as impulses produced by a person talking on the telephone.

On the other end of the line

Upon reaching another fax machine, the wave signals are again converted into numbers. This data is sent to the printer, where special metal heads produce an electrical charge or heat, depending on the type of machine. If the printer prints on uneven paper, special paper is additionally used that attracts ink molecules.

wave signal in several steps it is converted into a digital chain, and the chain, in turn, is converted into pulses corresponding to raster elements; the raster elements are then covered with ink, creating a intricate mosaic of light and shadow that imitates the original image.

The modern world of information requires the rapid exchange of various information. Facsimile communication occupies a significant place in this flow. With its help, text messages, graphic diagrams, and drawings are transmitted. Facsimile machines are installed in offices, but not everyone knows how to use them, despite the widespread use of such equipment. You can also send/receive faxes via the Internet. Below you will find recommendations on how to send a fax using different methods.

If you have a fax machine in your office, it is easy to receive or send a document. Below we will tell you in detail how to receive a fax, then how to send a fax from your phone.

Receiving a fax

If they call you and ask you to accept a fax, you answer: “I accept” or with the conventional slang word “Let’s start,” meaning that you are ready for the procedure.

1. After the tone, press the green “Start” button.
2. Wait until the sent document is fully printed.
3. After accepting the document, click “Stop”.

To receive the document, inform the sender that you are ready and click the “Start” button.

If the transmission was carried out with distortions in text or graphics, inform the transmitter about this so that he can repeat the transmission.

During transfer, you can hang up after the transfer has started. Then the work will not be interrupted. If you want to confirm the transfer or continue the conversation, stay on the line, when the transfer is completed, the audio call will start again, you can report the success of the procedure and continue the conversation.

There is an automatic mode that allows the device to accept documents on its own, without your help. You can configure it in the special menu “Options - Number of calls”, turn it on with the button dedicated for this on the panel. Automatic mode is convenient when transmission is possible at night, on holidays, or when there are no employees in the office.

Sending a fax

If you have never worked with office equipment, we will explain how to send a document by fax.

Prepare a document, usually A4 format is used. Check the print quality so that the recipient does not have problems reading it later. If the ink is smeared or there are smudges, difficulties may arise; it is better to print the sheet again. Before sending, remove paper clips and staples from the sheet. Number the pages to avoid confusion later.

1. Open the lid, usually there is a small button on the side panel for this.
2. Insert the sheet into the special tray with the front side facing down. The tray in most devices is located in the back, covered with a lid. A click will sound, a short signal, which means that the sheet is inserted correctly and the machine has captured it.
3. Call the recipient and inform them about the fax forwarding and the number of pages being sent.
4. When the recipient is ready to accept the document, he replies: “Let’s start.” Then presses the “Start” button. The paper will begin to move through the rollers, which means the transfer has begun. If the sheet stops or an error occurs, information about it will be displayed on the display. The recipient should not hang up until the transfer is complete.
5. Contact the recipient, find out if he received the information, and if the text is blurred. If the quality is poor, resend the document.
6. Close the lid by lowering it until it clicks.

Insert the document face down into the tray and press Start.

If you need to send multiple sheets, insert them one by one. There are devices that support bulk sending, then you can put up to 10 pages in the tray at once.

Specialized sending programs

If you have a built-in modem, you can send a fax from your computer through it. You'll need a specialized program like VentaFax or a feature built into Windows. By setting up the send function, you can send the scanned document to the recipient's fax machine.

Sending via Internet

If there is no telephone connection for any technical reasons, or the paper has run out in the device, you can use the services of the World Wide Web to send from your computer. It may also be that the receiving party requires documents to be sent via fax, but you do not have this device or it is broken. Post offices can help you with shipping, but this requires time and money. When there is Internet, you can act at a time convenient for you. Not all users know how to send a fax from a computer via the Internet. All you need to do is scan the document and find an intermediary site that deals with fax forwarding. Let's name some of them.

MyFax

As an example, let’s take the MyFax service, which allows you to send 2 faxes per day over the Internet for free, up to 10 pages each. No registration required. The advantage of the service is the ability to send information to 41 countries of the world. In addition, a trial period of 30 days is offered, when you can get a personal fax number, send an unlimited number of documents, and receive them. You can send documents in several formats. There is paid content.

To send a fax, fill out the sender and recipient blocks, attach the document and send by clicking the “SEND FAX” button.

A link to confirm the shipment will be sent to the email address you provided. After the information is delivered, you will receive a message about this or a notification about an error in the transfer.

Freepopfax

The service allows you to send 5 faxes up to 14 pages for free via the Internet without registration. Shipping is carried out to 48 countries, unfortunately, it does not work in Russia. A Popfax.com advertisement will appear on the first page of submitted documents. Several document formats are supported. After sending, you will receive a notification by email.

FaxOrama.com

An Internet service that allows you to send faxes to the USA and Canada for free. There is no registration, advertising is not added to sent documents. It is allowed to send 2 documents per day, 5 pages each. There are applications for IOS and Android that allow you to take a photo and then send it from your phone. Supports multiple formats.

There are many services for sending/receiving faxes via the Internet; paid ones usually provide a trial period for free use. Free ones often place advertisements on forwarded pages. If you need to frequently send or receive information, it is recommended to use paid services, but for one-time sending, a free global network resource is suitable.

As you can see, the question of how to send a fax is not difficult. The procedure takes little time. Use of an electronic computer, Internet services, mobile applications allow you to work with faxes in a mode convenient for you.

In this article I will try to answer these and other questions that will interest you when buying a fax. The first question that needs to be answered is, do I need a fax? Modern communication services, such as e-mail, video conferencing, etc., are noticeably more efficient than fax communications, however, no one has yet abandoned the familiar fax, which has long become an integral attribute of the workplace of a secretary or office manager.

First, let's define what is Fax?

Fax or telefax is a means of communication that is capable of transmitting typewritten texts and images over the telephone network. Once communication with the recipient is established, the image is scanned, a special electronic device transmits a signal to the recipient, and the recipient's fax printer prints the image.

A modern fax is always more than just a fax. It combines many different functions that are useful office worker. Therefore, faxes can be divided into two types: monofunctional and multifunctional. The capabilities of monofunctional faxes are limited to a basic set that allows you to receive and send fax messages, make simple copies of individual sheets, and, of course, perform basic actions with the telephone module, in particular, manage the phone book, various mailing lists, and so on. But a multifunctional fax combines the functions of a printer, copier, scanner, fax, telephone and even a modem.

Faxes are available in monochrome and color. There are also faxes on thermal paper, thermal film, laser, and inkjet.

The operating principle of faxes operating on thermal paper The image is burned using a thermal ruler on special heat-sensitive paper. The advantage of this type of fax is its low price and fairly high reliability. The disadvantages include low quality the resulting image and high cost. This is the most common type of fax.
Faxes to thermal film accept documents and perform copier functions on plain A4 paper. Thermal transfer fax machines print on special rolls of thermal film. The printing process itself involves rewinding a roll from one reel to another.

However, the best quality and speed of work differ laser faxes, which also allow you to use regular printer paper. In addition, they have a wide range of additional functions. If you are interested in high quality documents, only a laser fax can satisfy you and greatly facilitate office work. Undoubtedly, the future lies in laser quality.

Inkjet faxes are similar in function to regular faxes. inkjet printers. The main disadvantage is low reliability and rather expensive color printing.

Which fax machine to choose depends on your goals and budget. I will only note that Panasonic faxes are now the most popular.

Fax is not the only way to transmit images. There is a relatively inexpensive computer accessory - a fax modem. It connects the computer to a regular telephone line and costs $100-200.

However, with the advent of inexpensive MFPs (multifunctional devices that combine the functions of a printer, scanner and copier), people use scanned and emailed documents in business communications. This does not require telephone lines, which are often busy, documents are not distorted and, upon receipt, look indistinguishable from the original.

If you liked the tip and think it was the best of the tips submitted in the January Tip Contest, please vote for it in the contest voting form on the left. Perhaps your voice will be decisive and the author useful advice will receive a valuable prize!

Latest articles in the “Computers & Internet” section:

Which computer mouse to choose
Computer monitoring and prevention
Disposable mail
What is an IP address and why is it needed?

Fax machines have a wide range of functionality and a wide price range. Modern fax capabilities are always more than just a fax. The range of functionality of a fax device depends only on the desire of the consumer.

Fax Features (Features)

1. Speakerphone. The presence of this function will allow you to negotiate without picking up the fax handset.
2. Memory for telephone numbers: the function of assigning subscriber numbers to buttons and/or the presence of an electronic built-in notebook, which is much more convenient because it allows you to write down any note in addition to the subscriber number.
3. Auto-Cut: The function of automatically cutting the paper at the end of reception.
4. Halftone function: ability to distinguish shades of gray. The more shades of gray color your fax device can distinguish (if your subscriber's fax also has this function), the higher quality image you will receive or transmit. This becomes especially noticeable when the quality of the original is low.
5. Delayed Send: This fax machine has the ability to save an image and send it to the recipient from the memory of your device. This is an indispensable function if your subscriber is temporarily disconnected or busy. For example, if you are calling to a distant provincial town, where the connection appears only at half past midnight, this is a salvation.
6. Delayed Reception: The fax remembers the image that was sent to you, for example, if your machine runs out of paper. This function frees you from the daily check of roll thickness.
7. Auto Redial: The fax machine detects a busy signal and sets the function to redial the number. Modern multifunctional faxes recognize such a signal even after dialing eight during a pause, which is convenient for long-distance calls.
8. Image Memory Capacity: The total number of sheets that can be transferred by delayed transmission.
9. Zoom function: ability to increase/decrease image size.
10. Availability of display: informative liquid crystal indicator (similar to the display in calculators). Provides information about time, call modes and duration, saved numbers from the address book and much more.
11. Function of sending/receiving color faxes. Color fax transmission works in such a way that a fax machine that cannot transmit color will print the document in black and white. The ability to send color faxes will not in any way affect the versatility of the fax device.
12. Fax with answering machine. They come in two types: electronic and cassette, which are distinguished by a special storage device. The advantages of electronic ones are constant parameters due to the absence of a magnetic tape and a head, the functionality of which decreases over time, and fairly high reliability due to the absence of mechanics. Disadvantages - small capacity, most often no more than 10 minutes.

Fax destination

The purpose of a fax is quite simple. The main essence of this device is a telephone, but it is possible to receive graphic documents over a telephone line. The fax machine will automatically print the received data for you.