You forgot to mention the make and model of the multifunction and the
answering machine.
Actually, you may need to use something other than a cell phone. My cell
phone will originate and receive data and fax calls. Naturally, a laptop
gets involved, since the cellphone cannot process or save the fax without
outside help.
Actually, what normally happens is that a multifunction fax receives a call.
The fax tones are used to decide if a high or low speed connection it to be
used, and what fax mode is compateble. If there is no fax tone, or
negotiation fails, the fax machine may disconnect, or may remain silently
connected (may be user settable, and somewhat dependent on phone line
behavior). Some phone systems disconnect when the caller disconnects, others
disconnect when the receiving party disconnects.There are two ways to
connect a fax and an autoanswer machine to a phone line, serial or parallel.
Your problem is that a fax tone and negotiation will occur when the required
number of rings occur and the fax machine answers. If the call is not a fax
call, somehow the answering machine needs to pick up the call. Since the fax
machine initially answers, additional rings will not occur unless the
answering machine is connected such that the fax machine can simulate
additional rings to cause the answering machine to operate.
This whole thing is sort of a chicken and egg situation.
To add insult to injury, specialized phone line switching units as sold that
can decide if an incoming call should go to a phone (Answering machine) or
to the fax machine.
Since I have no idea what make or model your equipment is I have only a
general idea how it works. The manuals for the answering machine and the
multifunction should give you the needed information, or the Mfrs web sites
if the manuals are not available..
