Facsimile Line Connection Detection With a Shared Voltage Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing facsimile apparatuses face challenges in detecting erroneous or non-connection of facsimile line cables due to similar terminal appearances, leading to increased time, effort, and cost when additional voltage detection circuits are added.
Innovation Solution
A facsimile apparatus with a line voltage detection sensor and a selector switch, controlled by a controller, determines the connection state of the facsimile line cable by detecting line voltages at different terminals, using a hook detection sensor to distinguish between correct and erroneous connections without additional voltage detection circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a circuit for voltage detection is separately added to detect connection state of facsimile line cable, then detection accuracy of connection state is improved, but device complexity and cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage detection sensor originally designed for detecting line voltage at the first terminal is made to serve multiple functions by selectively connecting it to different terminals through the selector switch. The same sensor detects voltage at the first terminal during fax operation and at the second terminal during telephone operation, eliminating the need for separate detection circuits for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection state of the voltage detection sensor is made dynamic through the selector switch, which changes the connection configuration based on operational mode. The sensor is selectively connected to different terminals depending on whether the fax function or telephone function is active, allowing one sensor to adaptively detect voltages at different locations.
2Measurement precision
If a circuit for voltage detection is separately added to detect connection state of facsimile line cable, then detection accuracy of connection state is improved, but time and effort for installation and operation are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage detection sensor originally designed for detecting line voltage at the first terminal is made to serve multiple functions by selectively connecting it to different terminals through the selector switch. The same sensor detects voltage at the first terminal during fax operation and at the second terminal during telephone operation, eliminating the need for separate detection circuits for each function.
3Ease of manufacture
If terminals for facsimile line cable and external telephone are made appearance-similar, then ease of manufacture is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback to the user by detecting voltage at the connected terminal and notifying whether the connection is correct or erroneous. When a cable is connected to a terminal, the controller detects the presence of line voltage and provides appropriate notifications, guiding users to correct any misconnections without requiring visually distinct terminals.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate detection of facsimile line cable connections and non-connections, reducing the need for additional hardware and improving user feedback through error messages.
Implementation Method 1
a line voltage detection sensor which is connected to the first terminal and detects a line voltage of the exchange
Data Source
AI summary
A facsimile apparatus having a fax communication function of transmitting and receiving facsimile image data via an exchange and a modem, and a telephone call function of switching to an external telephone. The facsimile apparatus includes: a first terminal to which a facsimile line cable should be connected; a second terminal to which the external telephone should be connected; a line voltage detection sensor which is connected to the first terminal and detects a line voltage of the exchange; a selector switch which makes a switch as to whether the second terminal should be further connected to the line voltage detection sensor; and a controller. The controller controls the selector switch and determines, based on a first line voltage detected by the line voltage detection sensor, and a second line voltage detected by the line voltage detection sensor, a connection state of the facsimile line cable.