Communication apparatus capable of communication with single partner using a plurality of communication channels, and control method thereof

Abstract

In order to allow various user setups associated with a communication using a plurality of communication channels, the number of communication channels used in a communication with a single partner is varied depending on whether or not the automatic answering mode is set. The number of communication channels used in the communication with the single partner can be independently set in correspondence with transmission and reception. The number of communication channels used in the communication with another communication partner can be independently set in correspondence with whether an incoming call or a call origination request is detected.

1 - 4 . (CANCELLED)  
     
     
         5 . A communication apparatus comprising: 
 setting means for setting independently whether or not an outgoing call is granted and whether or not an incoming call is granted;    communication means capable of communicating with a partner via a plurality of communication channels; and    control means for independently controlling the number of communication channels in the outgoing call and the incoming call separately in accordance with the setting by said setting means.    
     
     
         6 . (CANCELLED)  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said communication means can communicate with a plurality of communication partners, and said setting means can set the number of channels used when a communication with another communication partner is to be started while communicating using the communication channels, the number of which is controlled by said control means.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said setting means sets whether or not a communication with another communication partner is granted.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said communication apparatus can connect a plurality of external communication apparatuses, and 
 said setting means can set whether or not a communication via the plurality of communication channels is granted in each of the plurality of external communication apparatuses.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said communication means can communicate using a plurality of communication schemes, and 
 said setting means can set whether or not a communication via the plurality of communication channels is granted in each of the plurality of communication schemes.    
     
     
         11 . A communication apparatus comprising: 
 communication means capable of communicating with a partner via a plurality of communication channels;    detection means for detecting an incoming call or an outgoing call while said communication means communicates via the plurality of communication channels; and    setting means for independently setting the number of communication channels granted for the communication with the partner in a case wherein said detection means detects the incoming call, and a case wherein said detection means detects the outgoing call, respectively.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said setting means sets whether or not the incoming call is accepted when said detection means detects the incoming call, and whether or not the outgoing call is accepted when said detection means detects the outgoing call.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said communication apparatus can connect a plurality of external communication apparatuses, and 
 said setting means can set whether or not a communication via the plurality of communication channels is granted in each of the plurality of external communication apparatuses.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said communication means can communicate using a plurality of communication schemes, and 
 said setting means can also set whether or not a communication via the plurality of communication channels is granted in each of the plurality of communication schemes.    
     
     
         15 - 18 . (CANCELLED)  
     
     
         19 . A method of controlling a communication apparatus comprising: 
 a setting step of setting independently whether or not an outgoing call is granted and whether or not an incoming call is granted;    a communication step of communicating with a partner via the plurality of communication channels; and    a control step of independently controlling the number of communication channels in the outgoing call and the incoming call separately in accordance with the setting in the setting step.    
     
     
         20 - 24 . (CANCELLED)  
     
     
         25 . A method of controlling a communication apparatus comprising: 
 a communication step of communicating with a partner via a plurality of communication channels;    a detection step of detecting an incoming call or an outgoing call while the communication via the plurality of communication channels is made in the communication step; and    a setting step of independently setting the number of communication channels granted for the communication with the partner in a case wherein the incoming call is detected in the detection step, and a case wherein the outgoing call is detected in the detection step respectively.    
     
     
         26 - 31 . (CANCELLED)