Facsimile device

Abstract

To provide a facsimile device capable of detecting incorrect connection or non-connection of a fax line cable without separately adding a circuit for voltage detection.SOLUTION: A facsimile device has a fax communication function for sending and receiving fax image data to and from an external facsimile device, and a telephone call function capable of switching to and communicating with an external telephone. The facsimile device includes a first terminal to which a fax line cable is to be connected, a second terminal to which the external telephone is to be connected, a line voltage detection unit connected to the first terminal and for detecting the line voltage of an exchange, a switching unit for switching the connection between the second terminal and the line voltage detection unit, and a control unit for controlling a modem, the line voltage detection unit, and the switching unit. The control unit determines the connection state of the fax line cable based on a first line voltage detected by the line voltage detection unit when only the first terminal is connected to the line voltage detection unit, and a second line voltage detected by the line voltage detection unit when the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to the line voltage detection unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile machine to which an external telephone can be connected. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical configuration of a facsimile device installed in an MFP (Multifunctional Peripheral) such as a multifunction peripheral is one that has two terminals (modular jacks): one for connecting a fax line cable and one for connecting an outside telephone line.

[0003] These two terminals have different functions, so users need to connect the cable correctly, but because the two terminals look identical, there is a risk of inserting them incorrectly.

[0004] In relation to this problem, a technology for communication devices that can prevent events such as failures and breakdowns caused by incorrect connection of modular cables has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This technology has a voltage detection circuit on the connection terminal for an external telephone, detects the voltage applied to the telephone interface, and if the detected voltage is determined to be equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage, notifies the user of the possibility of incorrect connection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-195496 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, adding a separate voltage detection circuit to detect the connection state of the fax line cable requires additional work and costs.

[0007] This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a facsimile machine that can detect incorrect or unconnected fax line cables without adding a separate voltage detection circuit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The facsimile device disclosed herein has a fax communication function for transmitting and receiving fax image data to and from an external facsimile device via an exchange and a modem, and a telephone call function for switching to an external telephone for a call. The facsimile device comprises: a first terminal to which a fax line cable is to be connected; a second terminal to which the external telephone is to be connected; a line voltage detection unit connected to the first terminal for detecting the line voltage of the exchange; a switching unit for switching whether or not the second terminal should be connected to the line voltage detection unit; and a control unit for controlling the modem, the line voltage detection unit, and the switching unit. The control unit controls the switching unit to determine the connection status of the fax line cable based on the first line voltage detected by the line voltage detection unit when only the first terminal is connected to the line voltage detection unit, and the second line voltage detected by the line voltage detection unit when the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to the line voltage detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, by determining the connection state of a fax line cable based on the first line voltage detected by the line voltage detection unit when only the first terminal to which the fax line cable should be connected is connected to the line voltage detection unit, and the second line voltage detected by the line voltage detection unit when the first terminal and the second terminal to which an external telephone should be connected are connected to the line voltage detection unit, a facsimile device can be realized that can detect incorrect or unconnected connections of a fax line cable without adding a separate circuit for voltage detection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile machine according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a case where the fax line cable is incorrectly connected in the facsimile machine of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for detecting incorrect connection or disconnection of a fax line cable of the facsimile machine of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 10 is a table showing the determination of the connection state of the fax line cable when the initial state of the switching unit of the facsimile device of FIG. 1 is OFF. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the facsimile machine of FIG. 1 when the switching unit is turned on when the fax line cable is properly connected. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the facsimile machine of FIG. 1 when the switching unit is turned on in the case where the fax line cable is incorrectly connected. [Figure 7] 10 is a table showing the determination of the connection state of the fax line cable when the initial state of the switching unit of the facsimile device of FIG. 1 is ON. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow from determining the timing of detecting incorrect connection or non-connection of a fax line cable in a facsimile device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure to displaying an error message. [Figure 9]9A to 9C are explanatory diagrams showing examples of the timing for detecting incorrect connection or disconnection of a fax line cable in a facsimile device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9A shows the timing for the startup type, Fig. 9B shows the timing for the polling type, and Fig. 9C shows the timing for the event type. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of an error message displayed on the display unit when the facsimile device of the second embodiment of the present disclosure detects incorrect connection or disconnection of the fax line cable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Further, preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described.

[0012] The facsimile machine according to this disclosure may further include a hook detection unit connected to the second terminal and detecting whether an off-hook state has occurred based on a current flowing through a bidirectional photocoupler, and when detecting the connection state of the fax line cable, if the second terminal is not connected to the line voltage detection unit and the line voltage detection unit does not detect the line voltage of the exchange, and the hook detection unit detects the off-hook state, the control unit controls the switching unit to connect the second terminal to the line voltage detection unit, and if the line voltage detection unit does not detect the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit determines that the fax line cable is not connected, and if the line voltage detection unit detects the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit determines that the fax line cable is incorrectly connected.

[0013] In this way, by determining whether the fax line cable is improperly connected or not connected using a hook detection unit that detects whether the fax line cable is in an off-hook state based on the current flowing through a bidirectional photocoupler, a facsimile device can be realized that can detect whether the fax line cable is improperly connected or not connected without adding a separate circuit for voltage detection.

[0014] In the facsimile device disclosed herein, when detecting the connection status of the fax line cable, if the second terminal is connected to the line voltage detection unit and the line voltage detection unit detects the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit controls the switching unit to disconnect the second terminal from the line voltage detection unit, and if the line voltage detection unit detects the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit may determine that the fax line cable is correctly connected, and on the other hand, if the line voltage detection unit does not detect the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit may determine that the fax line cable is incorrectly connected.

[0015] In this way, when the second terminal is connected to the line voltage detection unit and the line voltage detection unit detects the line voltage of the exchange, the switching unit is controlled to disconnect the second terminal from the line voltage detection unit, and the line voltage detection unit then detects the line voltage of the exchange, thereby realizing a facsimile device that can detect incorrect or unconnected connections of the fax line cable without adding a separate circuit for voltage detection.

[0016] In the facsimile device disclosed herein, the control unit may detect the connection status of the fax line cable when the device is turned on or off, at a predetermined timing, or when a cable is connected to the first terminal or the second terminal.

[0017] In this way, it is possible to realize a facsimile device that can detect incorrect or unconnected fax line cables at a more appropriate timing than before.

[0018] The facsimile device according to this disclosure may further include a display unit that displays various information to the user, and the control unit may cause the display unit to display a predetermined error message when it detects that the fax line cable is incorrectly connected or not connected as a result of detecting the connection status of the fax line cable.

[0019] In this way, a facsimile device can be realized that can display an error message when it detects that the fax line cable is incorrectly connected or not connected.

[0020] This disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0021] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of the facsimile device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure> Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of a facsimile machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile machine 1 of this disclosure. In FIG. 1, known components related to the facsimile communication function are omitted.

[0022] The facsimile device 1 is a device that electronically transmits and receives fax image data containing information such as text, images, and photographs via a communication line. The facsimile machine 1 also has a function for making calls to the other party by connecting an external telephone 20 (or a handset dedicated to FAX communication).

[0023] Each component of the facsimile machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 will now be described.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 1 is connected to an exchange 4 via a line cable 3, and is connected via a modular connector 2 to a SiDAA (Silicon Data Access Arrangement) (line voltage detection unit 5).

[0025] The line voltage detector 5 is connected to a modem 6 via a communication transformer 7 , and the modem 6 is controlled by a controller 8 .

[0026] The control unit 8 transmits and receives fax image data via the modem 6 to and from the other facsimile machine connected through the exchange 4 .

[0027] The control unit 8 controls a document reading unit 9 for reading document images, a control program for the control unit 8, and a storage unit 10 for storing telephone directory information, various settings, and fax image data.

[0028] The display unit 11 displays various settings to the user.

[0029] The operation unit 12 accepts various operations from the user.

[0030] The printing unit 13 prints the received fax communication image in accordance with instructions from the control unit 8.

[0031] The facsimile machine 1 is also connected to an external telephone 20 by a line cable 19, one line of which is connected to the switching unit 16 via a modular connector 18 and a hook detection unit 17, and the other line is connected directly to the switching unit 16.

[0032] Incidentally, before sending a FAX, the user may pick up the receiver of the external telephone 20 (go off-hook) and talk to the representative of the destination to tell them the FAX number of the destination.

[0033] In such a case, the switching unit 16 is controlled by the control unit 8 to switch the connection destination of the external telephone 20 to the exchange 4 or the external telephone ringing unit 14 .

[0034] In the example of FIG. 1, the switching unit 16 is turned off, and the connection destination of the external telephone 20 is connected to the exchange 4.

[0035] The line voltage V1 applied from the exchange 4 is 48V, but its polarity is not fixed because it depends on the environment such as the type of exchange 4 / type of cable.

[0036] Therefore, the hook detection unit 17 is provided with a bidirectional photocoupler that can handle voltage polarity reversals, and when the external telephone 20 is taken off-hook, the line is connected and current flows through the photocoupler, causing a change in the current detection signal, making it possible to detect whether the external telephone 20 is off-hook.

[0037] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the facsimile machine 1 of FIG. 1 when the fax line cable is connected incorrectly.

[0038] In this disclosure, it is assumed that a fax line cable (line cable 3) is mistakenly connected to a terminal (modular connector 18) for connecting an external telephone 20, as shown in FIG.

[0039] The first reason is that in order to use the functions related to the telephone line in the facsimile machine 1, it is necessary to connect a fax line cable. The second reason is that some users do not use the external telephone 20 . Furthermore, the third reason is that there is no way or function to connect only the external telephone 20. For these reasons, the purpose of this disclosure is to detect incorrect or unconnected fax line cables.

[0040] <How to detect incorrect or unconnected fax line cable of facsimile device 1> Next, a method for detecting incorrect connection or disconnection of the fax line cable of the facsimile device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for detecting whether the fax line cable of the facsimile device 1 of FIG. 1 is connected incorrectly or not.

[0041] In step S1 of FIG. 3, the control unit 8 of the facsimile machine 1 checks the initial state of the switching unit 16 (step S1).

[0042] If the switching unit 16 is OFF in step S2 (if the determination in step S2 is Yes), it is determined in step S3 whether the line voltage detection unit 5 has detected the line voltage V1 (step S3).

[0043] If the line voltage detection unit 5 does not detect the line voltage V1 (if the determination in step S3 is No), in step S4, the control unit 8 determines that the line is not connected (step S4).

[0044] The above judgment makes it possible to detect that the line is not connected if the cable is not securely connected, if the cable has come loose for some reason, or if the cable has been broken.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a table showing the determination of the connection state of the fax line cable when the initial state of the switching unit 16 of the facsimile machine 1 of FIG. 1 is OFF.

[0046] If the exchange 4 is not connected, the line voltage V1 is not detected. This corresponds to the case where the exchange 4 is not connected to either the modular connector 2 or the modular connector 18 in the table of FIG. 4, that is, the connection combination is C, F, G.

[0047] Here, when the exchange 4 is connected to either the modular connector 2 or the modular connector 18, the line voltage V1 is detected. This is the case when the connection combinations are A, B, D, and E in the table of FIG.

[0048] On the other hand, if the line voltage detection unit 5 detects the line voltage V1 in step S3 of FIG. 3 (if the determination in step S3 is Yes), then in step S5, the control unit 8 turns on the switching unit 16 (step S5).

[0049] In the following step S6, the control unit 8 determines whether the line voltage detection unit 5 has detected the line voltage V1 (step S6).

[0050] If the line voltage detection unit 5 detects the line voltage V1 (if the determination in step S6 is Yes), then in step S8, the control unit 8 determines that the line is properly connected (step S8).

[0051] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the facsimile machine 1 of FIG. 1 when the state of the switching unit 16 is turned ON when the fax line cable is properly connected.

[0052] At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the line voltage detector 5 detects the line voltage V1. This is the case where the connection combination is A and B in the table of FIG.

[0053] On the other hand, if the line voltage detection unit 5 does not detect the line voltage V1 in step S6 of FIG. 3 (if the determination in step S6 is No), then in step S7, the control unit 8 determines that the line is erroneously connected (step S7).

[0054] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the facsimile device 1 of FIG. 1 when the state of the switching unit 16 is turned ON in the case where the fax line cable is incorrectly connected.

[0055] At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the line voltage detector 5 does not detect the line voltage V1. This corresponds to the case where the connection combination is D and E in the table of FIG.

[0056] By processing steps S3 to S8 described above, as shown in the table of FIG. 4, it is not possible to distinguish between connection combinations A, B, D, and D by detecting line voltage V1 alone, but by switching switching unit 16 from OFF to ON and detecting line voltage V1, it is possible to distinguish between connection combinations A and B and D and E.

[0057] That is, by combining the detection of the line voltage V1 with the switching of the switching unit 16 as described above, it becomes possible to appropriately distinguish whether the fax line cable is properly connected or not.

[0058] Next, in step S2 of FIG. 3, if the switching unit 16 is ON (if the determination in step S2 is No), in step S9, it is determined whether or not the line voltage detection unit 5 has detected the line voltage V1 (step S9).

[0059] If the line voltage detection unit 5 detects the line voltage V1 (if the determination in step S9 is Yes), then in step S8, the control unit 8 determines that the line is properly connected (step S8).

[0060] FIG. 7 is a table showing the determination of the connection state of the fax line cable when the initial state of the switching unit 16 of the facsimile machine 1 of FIG. 1 is ON.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, when the fax line cable is properly connected and the initial state of the switching unit 16 is ON, the line voltage detection unit 5 detects the line voltage V1. That is, this corresponds to the case where the connection combination is A and B in the table of FIG.

[0062] On the other hand, if the line voltage detection unit 5 does not detect the line voltage V1 in step S9 (if the determination in step S9 is No), in step S10, the control unit 8 determines whether or not an off-hook state has been detected (step S10).

[0063] As shown in Figure 5, when the line is connected correctly, when the switching unit 16 is ON, the external telephone 20 is connected to the external telephone ringing unit 14, and the output voltage V3 (+24V) of the external telephone ringing unit 14 is applied as the terminal voltage V2 of the external telephone 20.

[0064] Here, when the user picks up the receiver of the external telephone 20 and goes off-hook, the hook detection unit 17 changes the current detection signal and notifies the control unit 8 of this.

[0065] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, if the line is incorrectly connected, the exchange 4 is connected to the external telephone ringing unit 14 when the switching unit 16 is ON. At this time, since the output voltage V1 (+48V) of the exchange 4 is greater than the output voltage V3 (+24V) of the external telephone ringing unit 14, current flows from the exchange 4 to the external telephone ringing unit 14, and current also flows in the photocoupler of the hook detection unit 17, causing the current detection signal to change, so in this case too it is detected as an off-hook state.

[0066] In step S10 of FIG. 3, if an off-hook state is not detected (if the determination in step S10 is No), the control unit 8 returns the process to the determination in step S9. In this case, a predetermined message may be displayed on the display unit 11 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0067] On the other hand, if an off-hook state is detected (if the determination in step S10 is Yes), in step S11, the control unit 8 turns off the switching unit 16 (step S11).

[0068] In the following step S12, the control unit 8 determines whether the line voltage detection unit 5 has detected the line voltage V1 (step S12).

[0069] If the line voltage detection unit 5 does not detect the line voltage V1 (if the determination in step S12 is No), in step S13, the control unit 8 determines that the line is not connected (step S13).

[0070] When the exchange 4 is not connected, the line voltage V1 is not detected even if the switching unit 16 is turned off. This corresponds to the case where the exchange 4 is not connected to either the modular connector 2 or the modular connector 18 in the table of FIG.

[0071] On the other hand, if the line voltage detection unit 5 detects the line voltage V1 (if the determination in step S12 is Yes), then in step S14, the control unit 8 determines that the line is improperly connected (step S14).

[0072] In the case of a line misconnection, the line voltage detector 5 detects the line voltage V1 of the exchange 4 as shown in FIG. This corresponds to the case where the connection combination is D and E in the table of FIG.

[0073] As shown in the table of FIG. 7, by processing steps S9 to S14 described above, it is not possible to distinguish between connection combinations C to G by detecting line voltage V1 alone, but by adding detection of the off-hook state to this, it is possible to distinguish between connection combinations C and G and D to F, and further by turning switching unit 16 from ON to OFF and detecting line voltage V1, it is possible to distinguish between connection combinations D and E and F.

[0074] That is, by combining the detection of the line voltage V1 with the detection of the off-hook state and the switching of the switching unit 16 as described above, it becomes possible to appropriately distinguish whether the fax line cable is misconnected or not connected.

[0075] In this way, the connection state of the fax line cable is determined based on the (first) line voltage detected by the line voltage detection unit 5 when only the modular connector 2 to which the fax line cable should be connected is connected to the line voltage detection unit 5, and the (second) line voltage detected by the line voltage detection unit 5 when the modular connector 2 and the modular connector 18 to which the external telephone should be connected are connected to the line voltage detection unit 5, thereby realizing a facsimile device 1 that can detect incorrect connection or non-connection of the fax line cable without adding a separate circuit for voltage detection.

[0076] (Embodiment 2) <Flow from Determining the Timing of Detecting Misconnection / Disconnection of the Fax Line Cable in the Facsimile Device 1 of the Second Embodiment of the Present Disclosure to Displaying an Error Message> Next, a flow from determining the timing of detecting incorrect connection or disconnection of the fax line cable in the facsimile device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure to displaying an error message will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0077] The schematic configuration of the facsimile machine 1 according to the second embodiment of this disclosure is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 (first embodiment), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow from determining the timing of detecting incorrect connection or non-connection of the fax line cable in the facsimile device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure to displaying an error message.

[0079] In step S21 of FIG. 8, the control unit 8 of the facsimile machine 1 determines whether or not it is time to detect the line connection state (step S21).

[0080] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the timing of detecting an incorrect connection or non-connection of the fax line cable in the facsimile device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] Generally, the timing when a user makes a mistake in inserting the fax line cable is considered to be when the facsimile machine 1 is first installed or when it is moved (when the layout is changed).

[0082] Therefore, three types of timing are possible: (A) startup type, (B) polling type, and (C) event type, as shown in Figure 9. The various types of timing are explained below.

[0083] (A) In the startup type, as shown in FIG. 9(A), the connection state of the fax line cable is detected when the facsimile machine 1 is turned on and when the facsimile machine 1 transitions from the energy saving mode to the power off mode.

[0084] The advantage of the startup type is that it can detect incorrect or unconnected fax line cables immediately after the facsimile device 1 is started up, and the operating sound of the switching unit 16 can be blended into the startup sound of the facsimile device 1.

[0085] On the other hand, the disadvantage of the startup type is that even if an incorrect connection or disconnection of the fax line cable occurs after the facsimile device 1 is started up, it cannot be detected immediately.

[0086] (B) In the polling type, as shown in FIG. 9(B), after the power of the facsimile device 1 is turned on, the connection state of the fax line cable is detected at predetermined intervals.

[0087] The advantage of the polling type is that after the facsimile device 1 is started up, it can periodically detect whether the fax line cable is connected incorrectly or not.

[0088] On the other hand, the disadvantage of the polling type is that if the interval until the next detection is long, it cannot immediately detect if the fax line cable is incorrectly connected or not connected. Another disadvantage is that the switching unit 16 periodically generates operating noise, and the components of the switching unit 16 are prone to wear.

[0089] (C) In the event type, as shown in FIG. 9(C), the connection state of the fax line cable is detected when the fax line cable is connected.

[0090] The advantage of the event-based system is that it can detect incorrect or unconnected fax line cables immediately after they are connected.

[0091] On the other hand, the disadvantage of the event type is that when the power of the facsimile device 1 is turned off, it cannot detect if the fax line cable is incorrectly connected or not connected. Another disadvantage is that the operation of the modem 6 must be verified because the function of the modem 6 is used to know when the fax line cable is connected.

[0092] The user may be allowed to set in advance which of the three types of timing (A) startup type, (B) polling type, and (C) event type should be used.

[0093] Next, in step S21 of FIG. 8, if it is not time to detect the line connection state (if the determination in step S21 is No), the control unit 8 returns the process to the determination in step S21.

[0094] On the other hand, if it is time to detect the line connection state (if the determination in step S21 is Yes), in step S22, the control unit 8 detects the line connection state (step S22). The method for detecting the line connection state is the same as in the first embodiment (FIG. 3), and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0095] Next, in step S23, the control unit 8 determines whether or not an incorrect connection or no connection of the fax line cable has been detected (step S23).

[0096] If an incorrect connection or disconnection of the fax line cable is not detected (if the determination in step S23 is No), the control unit 8 ends the process.

[0097] On the other hand, if an incorrect connection or disconnection of the fax line cable is detected (if the judgment in step S23 is Yes), in step S24, the control unit 8 causes the display unit 11 to display an error message indicating that the fax line cable is incorrectly connected or not connected (step S24). Thereafter, the control unit 8 ends the process.

[0098] FIG. 10 shows an example of an error message displayed on the display unit 11 when the facsimile machine 1 of the second embodiment of the present disclosure detects an incorrect connection or no connection of the fax line cable.

[0099] In the example of Figure 10, an error message pops up on the display 11 saying, "A line connection abnormality has been detected. The fax line cable is connected to the external telephone connection terminal (TEL). Please change it to the line terminal (LINE)." If the user presses the "OK" button at the bottom right of the error message, the error message will disappear.

[0100] In this way, it is possible to realize a facsimile device 1 that can detect incorrect or unconnected fax line cables at more appropriate timing than before and can display an error message when incorrect or unconnected fax line cables are detected.

[0101] Preferred aspects of the present disclosure include any combination of the above-described aspects. In addition to the above-described embodiments, various modifications of this disclosure are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not belonging to the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure should include all modifications within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1: Facsimile machine, 2, 18: Modular connector, 3, 19: Line cable, 4: Exchange, 5: Line voltage detection unit, 6: Modem, 7: Communication transformer, 8: Control unit, 9: Document reading unit, 10: Memory unit, 11: Display unit, 12: Operation unit, 13: Printing unit, 14: External telephone ringing unit, 16: Switching unit, 17: Hook detection unit, 20: External telephone, V1: Line voltage, V2: Terminal voltage, V3: Output voltage

Claims

1. A facsimile device having a fax communication function for transmitting and receiving fax image data to and from an external facsimile device via an exchange and a modem, and a telephone call function for switching to an external telephone for a call, a first terminal to which a fax line cable is to be connected; a second terminal to which the external telephone is to be connected; a line voltage detection unit connected to the first terminal and configured to detect a line voltage of the exchange; a switching unit that switches whether the second terminal should be connected to the line voltage detection unit; a control unit that controls the modem, the line voltage detection unit, and the switching unit; The control unit controls the switching unit to determine the connection state of the fax line cable based on a first line voltage detected by the line voltage detection unit when only the first terminal is connected to the line voltage detection unit, and a second line voltage detected by the line voltage detection unit when the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to the line voltage detection unit.

2. a hook detection unit connected to the second terminal and configured to detect whether an off-hook state has occurred based on a current flowing through a bidirectional photocoupler; 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when detecting the connection state of the fax line cable, if the hook detection unit detects the off-hook state when the second terminal is not connected to the line voltage detection unit and the line voltage detection unit does not detect the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit controls the switching unit to connect the second terminal to the line voltage detection unit, and if the line voltage detection unit does not detect the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit determines that the fax line cable is not connected, and if the line voltage detection unit detects the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit determines that the fax line cable is incorrectly connected.

3. 3. The facsimile device according to claim 1, wherein, when detecting the connection state of the fax line cable, if the second terminal is connected to the line voltage detection unit and the line voltage detection unit detects the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit controls the switching unit to disconnect the second terminal from the line voltage detection unit, and if the line voltage detection unit detects the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit determines that the fax line cable is correctly connected, and if the line voltage detection unit does not detect the line voltage of the exchange, the control unit determines that the fax line cable is incorrectly connected.

4. 3. The facsimile device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects the connection status of the fax line cable when the power of the device is turned on or off, at a predetermined timing, or when a cable is connected to the first terminal or the second terminal.

5. Further provided with a display unit that displays various information to the user, 3. The facsimile device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when detecting an incorrect connection or no connection of the fax line cable as a result of detecting the connection status of the fax line cable, causes the display unit to display a predetermined error message.

Images