JP2002247179A - Communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus that detects a fault of itself and automatically informs a fault repair center about the fault. SOLUTION: A controller 14 has a function of automatically detecting a fault of the communication apparatus, uses a timer function to periodically interrupt each section of the unit when detecting the fault of the apparatus and to detect the operating state of each section, thereby discriminating whether any fault exists in each section. On the occurrence of a fault, the controller 14 automatically makes a call to a telephone number corresponding to the contents of the fault on the basis of a table stored in a storage deice 13 where fault contents 21 and the telephone numbers 22 of centers for repairing the corresponding faults are described. Thus, the controller 14 automatically detects the fault and makes a call to telephone numbers corresponding to the fault contents so as to allow the center conducting the repair to grasp the fault contents of the communication apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device connected to a communication line, and more particularly, to a communication device for automatically detecting a device failure and automatically reporting the failure to a repair center. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a system for performing management of a device using a communication function. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-224492 discloses a system in which a device having a communication function automatically detects the state of the device and notifies a service center for managing the device via a communication line. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-224492 provides an information transmission system capable of easily performing maintenance of a facsimile, a printer, a copying machine, and the like used by an unspecified number of users and user information management. When the state of the device on the user side changes due to running out of ink or toner, the status change is coded as data.
It generates status information including the user's telephone number and sends it to the service center. The service center manages the user information based on the telephone number information included in the status information.

[0003] A system for managing devices at a center is also disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-216900. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-216900 provides an automatic notification system that can call an automatic notification device at any time without any problem from the center side even if an automatic notification device and a telephone are connected to one telephone line on a terminal side. I do.

Further, when an abnormality occurs in the communication device,
A device that reports the occurrence of an abnormality to a predetermined destination is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-88635. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-88635 discloses a facsimile apparatus which receives an e-mail containing image data and outputs an image, and detects an abnormal state where an image corresponding to the image data sent by the e-mail cannot be output. In such a case, a predetermined mail address or telephone number is automatically notified of the occurrence of the abnormality.

[0005] Also, using the caller information communication service,
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-16367 discloses a method in which a user can contact a center for managing a device without burdening communication costs.
No. 7 discloses this. JP 2000-16367A
No. 7 proposes a method of eliminating the need for a telephone charge at the time of operation confirmation in a security monitoring system using a telephone line, lowering operation costs, and improving security quality. The security terminal device monitors the status of various sensors installed at the security monitoring destination, and periodically transmits the status to the security center device via a telephone line in order to confirm operation when there is no abnormality. When an abnormality such as intrusion occurs, the security information detected by the sensor is transmitted to the security center device, and the display and printing of the abnormality information can be performed. The security terminal device dials using the caller information notification service at the time of the periodic call,
At the time of transmitting the abnormal information, dialing is performed according to a calling telephone number non-notifying procedure. If the caller's telephone number is received, the security monitoring center determines that the operation has been confirmed and does not perform line capture.If the caller's telephone number is not received, the security monitoring center determines that transmission of abnormal information or the like is to be performed and performs line capture. .

[0006] As a prior art utilizing a calling telephone number notification service, an apparatus for discriminating a calling party is disclosed in JP-A-11-26167. JP 1
According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-261671, for a telephone using a caller information notification service, a call partner is confirmed in an uncharged state before the start of a call by using a voice recorded in advance in correspondence with a calling telephone number. Provide a telephone calling device capable of

[0007]

However, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-88635, status changes relating to consumables such as out of ink and out of toner in facsimile machines, printers and copiers can be automatically detected. However, there is no mention of automatically detecting a device failure.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-88635 discloses a method in which when an e-mail is received by a facsimile apparatus, an error such as an inability to receive the e-mail due to insufficient memory capacity occurs. Although it is possible to communicate through an address or a telephone number, it is not described that a device failure is automatically detected and reported.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-216900 does not describe that a failure of a communication device is automatically detected, and furthermore, communication is performed from a center side and data obtained by detecting the state of the device is transmitted. Need to read.
Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.
JP-A-2003-163677 does not describe detection of a failure in a communication device.

If a failure occurs in the communication device, the user
He hopes to shorten the period of failure so that it can return to normal as soon as possible. The center that repairs the failure also needs to carry out its patrol procedure as efficiently as possible, and in order to fulfill all requests, it is necessary to report the failure early and grasp it early. In addition, when the communication is automatically performed through a communication line, it is desirable that the communication cost is not increased.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device which detects a failure of a device and notifies the failure to a center which automatically repairs the failure.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a communication device for transmitting and receiving information using a communication line, wherein a failure detecting means for detecting a failure of the communication device, and a failure detecting means for detecting a failure of the communication device. And a communication means for automatically notifying a center for repairing a failure when is detected.

According to the present invention, when a failure is detected by the failure detecting means, a notification is automatically sent to a center for repairing the failure. Therefore, the failure of the device can be immediately reported to the repair center. In addition, the repair center can immediately recognize the failure of the communication device, thereby shortening the failure period.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the communication means reports to different destinations according to the type of failure.

According to the present invention, when a communication device fails, a notification can be sent to different destinations according to the type of the device failure. Therefore, the center that repairs the device that is the communication destination can know which part of the communication device is out of order, and can perform the repair efficiently.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the communication means reports to a destination determined for each device model or each model group.

According to the present invention, when a communication device breaks down, it is possible to notify a destination determined for each device model or each model group. Therefore, a center that repairs a device that is a communication destination can know a model or a group of models that are malfunctioning, and can perform repairs efficiently.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the communication means reports the caller telephone number to the center using a caller telephone number notification service, and disconnects the line after a specified time has elapsed.

According to the present invention, the communication means reports the telephone number to the center using a transmission telephone number notification service for reporting the telephone number, and disconnects the line after a specified time has elapsed. Therefore, the line can be disconnected before the communication path is established, and the failure of the device can be reported to the center without the user having to pay the communication cost.

Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising output means for warning a user of the content of the fault detected by the fault detecting means.

According to the present invention, the contents of the failure detected by the failure detecting means can be alerted to the user by using an output means such as a display device or a printing device. You can know which part is out of order.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the destination uses a dial-in number. Further, the invention is characterized in that the destination uses an ISDN subaddress.

According to the present invention, the destination can be a dial-in number. Also, the destination is IS
A subaddress of a DN (Integrated Services Digital Network) can be used. Therefore, at the center that repairs the failure, the failure can be received by a single receiving device, and the content of the failure and the model can be determined by detecting the dial-in number and the sub-address.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that there is provided an operating means for a user to input information on the failure, and the communication means reports the information on the failure inputted by the operating means.

According to the present invention, when a user finds a failure that cannot be automatically detected by the apparatus, information on the failure can be input by the operating means, and a method on the failure can be reported by the communication means. . Therefore, various kinds of failures of the device can be notified to the center.

[0026]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus 1 which is a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is effective for all communication devices that can be connected and transmitted information, such as a telephone line, but the facsimile device 1 will be described here.

The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a network control device 2, a modem 3, a handset 4, a cordless control circuit 5, an antenna 6, an image reading device 7, a printing device 8, an image storage device 9, dial keys 10, operation keys 11, Display device 12,
It includes a control device 14 and a storage device 13.

The facsimile apparatus 1 is connected to a telephone line network 20 as a communication line by a network control unit 2.
The network control device 2 monitors the status of the telephone line network 20 and switches the line to the modem 3, the handset 4, or the cordless control circuit 5. The modem 3 modulates the digital image signal into an analog signal suitable for the telephone network 20 and demodulates the analog signal of the telephone network 20 into a digital signal for printing.

The handset 4 is a handset for talking,
A transmitter is equipped. The facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can be connected to one or a plurality of cordless handsets (not shown), and the cordless control circuit 5 controls communication with a cordless handset (not shown). It is a device, and includes a tuner for searching for a communication path for connection with a slave unit, establishing a connection, talking, and receiving and transmitting radio waves. The antenna 6 transmits and receives radio waves for transmitting and receiving to and from the cordless handset.

The image reading device 7 is a document reading device for transmitting a facsimile image and copying a document with the facsimile device 1. For example, a reduced reading method using a combination of a lens and a CCD line sensor, or a rod lens array is used. It is configured by a scanner using a close contact sensor method using the same. The printing device 8 includes a telephone line network 20.
This is a unit that prints an image received from the printer or an image read by the image reading device 7, and is configured by a printer using, for example, a thermal system, an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, or the like.

The image storage device 9 is a unit for storing an image read by the image reading device 7 and a received image. By providing this unit, many complicated functions such as transfer of the received image, Broadcasting, proxy reception when print paper is exhausted, and memory transmission can be performed.

The dial key 10 and the operation key 11 are
This is a unit for the user to input information and instructions to the facsimile machine 1. The display device 12 is a unit in which the facsimile device 1 displays information and provides guidance to a user, and is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display device. Various parameters of the facsimile machine 1 can be set using the dial keys 10, the operation keys 11, and the display device 12.

The control device 14 is, for example, a CPU (Centra
l) and controls the facsimile machine 1 in combination with a control program stored in the storage device 13. The control device 14 also has a function of automatically detecting a failure of the device. In addition, the control device 14 has a timer function, and when detecting a failure of the device, the timer function periodically interrupts each unit of the device, detects an operation state of each unit, and determines whether or not there is a failure. Judge. Further, the control device 14 determines the operation of the entire device based on input information from the dial keys 10 and the operation keys 11, information indicating a state from each part of the device, and information such as a signal from the telephone line network 20. Then, a command is given to the entire apparatus, and a display instruction is issued to the display device 12. Further, the control device 14 is responsible for compression for shortening the transmission time of image information and expansion for returning the compressed image signal to the original pixel string information.

The storage device 13 stores a table as shown in FIG. 2 in addition to the control program. FIG. 2 is a table showing the details of the failure 21 stored in the storage device 13 and the telephone number 22 of the destination to be contacted through the telephone network 20 when the failure occurs. The telephone numbers 22 are all telephone numbers of a center that performs repair.

Next, the operation when a failure occurs in the facsimile machine 1 will be described. The contents of the failure that has occurred in the facsimile machine 1 include those that can be automatically detected by the control device 14 of the facsimile machine 1 and those that can be discovered only by the user, for example, when a black line appears on an image. Although the type of failure that can be automatically detected by the facsimile apparatus 1 varies depending on the configuration (model) of the apparatus, a failure in a communication line, a failure in a communication protocol, an erroneous operation of a control unit, a failure in communication with a slave, and the like can be detected. In case of using a thermal printer, abnormal temperature of thermal head thermistor (print head temperature defect)
And a failure such as an abnormality in the total current of the thermal head (an abnormality in the print head current) can be detected. Also,
Paper feeding failure can be detected by a signal from a paper sensor or the like provided in the passage of the printing paper or the read original.

A fault which can be automatically detected by the facsimile machine 1 is periodically interrupted by the control device 14 by a timer function to detect the operation state of each part of the facsimile machine 1. If a failure is detected here, the control device 14 determines the content of the failure and, based on the table of the failure content and the corresponding telephone number shown in FIG. 2, automatically calls the telephone number corresponding to the failure content. I do. For example, if the control device 14 detects a communication failure with the slave unit, the telephone number 123-456-789 corresponding to the content of the failure is assumed.
Make a call to 7.

When a failure occurs in the facsimile machine 1, the failure is automatically reported to the center and the contents of the failure are output by using output means such as the printing device 8 and the display device 12 so as to assist maintenance. The user can be warned.

When a failure that can be found only by the user occurs, in the present embodiment, as shown in the table of the failure contents and the corresponding telephone number in FIG. Have a phone number,
The user operates the dial key 10 or the operation keys 11 to make a call to this telephone number. However, changing the destination according to the failure content pointed out by the user can be easily achieved by adding the destination to the table shown in FIG. Further, it is also possible to input into the facsimile device 1 the details of a failure that can be found only by the user.
The method of inputting the contents pointed out by the user is not particularly limited, but can be achieved by a known technique of interactively inputting using the dial keys 10, the operation keys 11, and the display device 12.

As described above, it is possible to make a call to the telephone number of the individual destination according to the content of each failure automatically detected by the facsimile machine 1. Further, it is also possible to transmit the content of the failure pointed out by the user. Therefore, at the center for repairing the failure, the facsimile machine 1
Since it is possible to know which part of the device has failed and perform repair efficiently, the failure period can be shortened.

Next, a facsimile machine 18 which is a communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The facsimile apparatus 18 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the facsimile apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment, and only the configuration of the storage device 13 is different. In the storage device 13 of the facsimile machine 18 of the present embodiment, a control program for controlling the machine and a telephone number given to the model of the machine for notifying when a malfunction of the machine is detected are stored. ing.

FIG. 3 shows a facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
8 is a table showing an example of a telephone number 32 which is a destination stored for each of eight models. The telephone number 32 is a telephone number of a center that performs all repairs. For example, if the model name 31 of the facsimile machine 18 is UX350CL, the storage device of the facsimile machine 18 has a telephone number 32 corresponding to this model name, 123-456-88.
92 is stored, and when a failure occurs, the telephone number is notified.

It is not always necessary to give a different number to the telephone number 31 for each model, and the telephone number 32 may be determined depending on the model group. In other words, referring to FIG. 3, for example, different phone numbers are stored in the model name 31 of the UX-T10 and the model name 31 of the UX-T35, respectively. If a failure occurs, the notification may be sent to the same destination. As a result, the center that repairs the failure can grasp which model is out of order.

Further, although not shown, the model name and
By using a table in which the table of the failure contents and the corresponding telephone number shown in FIG. 1 and the telephone number table determined by the model shown in FIG. May be specified. Further, the telephone number of the dial-in service and the ISDN sub-address can be used for distinguishing the telephone number of the center for reporting when the failure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 occurs. As a result, the repair center can receive the information with a single center machine (receiver) and detect the dial-in number and sub-address to determine the content of the failure or the type of the failure.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a method of transmitting a signal for notifying a caller telephone number, which is caller information, in a caller telephone number notification service in Japan. A call start signal (call start 41) is sent from the local exchange located at the end of the communication line such as the telephone network 20 to the communication device. After reversing the polarities of the two lines L1 and L2, a signal similar to a 16-Hz ringing signal having a different duration from the ringing signal is issued and transmitted through a communication line such as the telephone network 20. The communication device determines, based on the format of the call signal, that this signal is a signal for starting an incoming call to the information receiving terminal displaying the telephone number of the caller (incoming call start 41). Usually here, the communication device is designed not to ring. The communication device detects this signal, loops the lines L1 and L2, and sends it out as a primary response signal to the telephone network 20 (primary response 42).

The local exchange on the side of the telephone network 20 detects this primary response signal (primary response signal detection 43) and sends source information 44 such as the telephone number of the source to the communication device. This signal is in accordance with ITU-T Recommendation V. 1 based on 23
A start-stop synchronization method is adopted as a frequency modulation method of 200 bps. When the reception of the transmission source information is completed, the communication device disconnects the line loop and notifies the telephone network 20 that the reception has been completed (reception completion 45). Upon detecting this reception completion signal (reception completion signal detection 46), the local exchange issues a normal paging signal (paging signal 47), and the communication device generates a ringing tone and displays the received transmission source information. . When the communication device makes a secondary response by looping the lines L1 and L2 again (secondary response 48), the communication device enters a normal communication procedure such as a telephone conversation and image transmission (a telephone conversation procedure 49).

FIG. 4 (b) is a diagram showing a method of transmitting source information data in the United States. The same parts as those in Japan in FIG. 4A are denoted by the same reference numerals. After the incoming call activation signal is transmitted (incoming activation 41), a normal paging signal is transmitted (paging signal 47), but the first paging signal 47A is issued.
Source information 44 is inserted between the second call signal 47B and the second call signal 47B. This information is also described in ITU-T Recommendation V. This is a 1200 bps signal based on H.23.

The facsimile apparatuses 1 and 18 described above
When notifying the failure of the device to the repair center, a call is made using this caller information notification service. In other words, when a call is made to a center that repairs a failure when a failure occurs, the telephone number of the facsimile machine 1 is notified to the center. Therefore, in the case of Japan, when the telephone number of the caller at which the facsimile machine 1 is installed is normally set to non-notification, the calling telephone number notification procedure is performed so that the telephone number is notified when a call is made to the center. If it is set to be performed and the normal notification state is set, the call may be made as it is. Further, in the facsimile machines 1 and 18, a call is made to a center for repairing the failure, and the line is disconnected after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the control program stored in the storage device 13.

Therefore, the facsimile apparatuses 1 and 1
8 can report the failure contents and the telephone number of the caller to the repair center, and the normal charge generated by using the communication line is after the secondary response 48 and the uncharged time has elapsed. Since the fee is charged, the repair center can use the uncharged time to grasp the details of the failure of the facsimile machine 1, the model of the facsimile machine 18, and the like. Further, the owner of the facsimile machine 1 or the facsimile machine 18 can be specified by the telephone number notified by the calling telephone number notification service. Further, the facsimile apparatuses 1 and 18 can make a secondary response and automatically transmit more detailed information to the center during the uncharged time.

As described above, the user of the facsimile apparatuses 1 and 18 can immediately report the failure of the facsimile to the repair center, thereby shortening the repair period of the failure. Further, the facsimile machines 1 and 1
In the user of No. 8 and the center that repairs the failure, no communication cost is incurred, and the burden of the communication cost is not wrinkled to the center side as in the case of toll free. In addition, the center can efficiently perform a patrol procedure for repairing the received failure. In addition, since the calling telephone number notification service is used, communication costs relating to device failure can be minimized.

[0050]

According to the present invention, when a failure is detected by the failure detecting means, a notification is automatically sent to a center for repairing the failure. Therefore, the failure of the device can be immediately reported to the repair center. In addition, the repair center can immediately recognize the failure of the communication device, thereby shortening the failure period.

Further, according to the present invention, when a communication device fails, it is possible to send a report to different destinations according to the type of the device failure. Therefore, the center that repairs the device that is the communication destination can know which part of the communication device is out of order, and can perform the repair efficiently.

Further, according to the present invention, when a communication device fails, it is possible to notify a destination determined for each device model or each device group. Therefore,
At a center that repairs a device that is a communication destination, a failed model or a group of models can be grasped, and repair can be performed efficiently.

Further, according to the present invention, the communication means reports the telephone number to the center by using the transmission telephone number notification service for reporting the telephone number, and disconnects the line after a specified time has elapsed. Therefore, the line can be disconnected before the communication path is established, and the failure of the device can be reported to the center without the user having to pay the communication cost.

Further, according to the present invention, the user can be warned of the content of the fault detected by the fault detecting means using an output means such as a display device or a printing device. You can know which part is out of order.

According to the present invention, a dial-in number can be used as a destination. The destination is ISDN
Can be used. Therefore, at the center that repairs the failure, the failure can be received by a single receiving device, and the content of the failure and the model can be determined by detecting the dial-in number and the sub-address.

Further, according to the present invention, when a user finds a failure that cannot be automatically detected by the apparatus, information on the failure is input by the operation means, and a method on the failure is reported by the communication means. it can. Therefore, various kinds of failures of the device can be notified to the center.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus 1 as a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a facsimile apparatus 18 as a communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table showing a failure content stored in a storage device 13 of the facsimile machine 1 of FIG. 1 and a telephone number corresponding thereto.

FIG. 3 is a table showing destination telephone numbers for each model.

FIG. 4 (a) is a diagram showing a signal transmission method in a calling telephone number notification service in Japan, and FIG. 4 (b)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method of transmitting source information data in the United States.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,18 Facsimile machine 2 Network controller 3 Modem 13 Storage device 14 Controller 20 Telephone network 44 Source information

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A communication device for transmitting and receiving information using a communication line, comprising: a failure detection unit that detects a failure of the communication device; and a failure detection unit that detects a failure when the failure detection unit detects a failure. A communication device comprising: communication means for automatically notifying a repair center. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit notifies the destination to different destinations according to a type of the failure. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit notifies the destination determined for each device model or each device group. 4. The communication means according to claim 1, wherein said communication means reports the caller's telephone number to said center using a caller telephone number notification service, and disconnects the line after a specified time has elapsed. 3. The communication device according to any one of 3. 5. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that warns a user of the content of the fault detected by the fault detection unit. 6. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the destination uses a dial-in number. 7. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the destination uses a subaddress of an ISDN. 8. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit for a user to input information on the failure, wherein the communication unit reports the information on the failure input by the operation unit.