JPS6223271A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To find out earlier the fault of a facsimile equipment for quick countermeasure by providing a self-diagnosis means so as to apply self-diagnosis in a good timing and informing generation of the fault to a designated destination when the fault is found out. CONSTITUTION:A central processing unit 2 being the self-diagnosis means controls a scanner and a plotter 5 based on a signal from an external line inputted from an automatic outgoing/incoming type network controller 8 or an instruction from an operation console 11 and controls the correspondence with the external line via the automatic outgoing/incoming type network controller 8. A voice synthesizer 6 has a voice LSI and a ROM or the like and selects and outputs proper voice from the voice data inputted in advance in the ROM. A memory 9 stores temporarily the information sent from the external line via the automatic outgoing/incoming type network controller 8 and the information read by the scanner 4 or stores a telephone number of a destination (e.g., a service station of a manufacture) to be communicated at a fault of a facsimile equipment 1 and the information required for the control of the facsimile equipment 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly, to a facsimile machine with improved measures against abnormalities.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, in facsimile machines, abnormalities in the facsimile machine were discovered by an operator due to an inability to send data, or were inspected by an operator on the receiving side in response to an inquiry from an operator on the sending side as to whether there was an abnormality. As a result, I discovered it. The operator then called the manufacturer's service representative, who repaired the problem.

Therefore, response to abnormalities in the facsimile machine is delayed, which not only deteriorates the facsimile machine but also prevents the facsimile machine from being used effectively.

(Purpose of the Invention) Therefore, the present invention provides a self-diagnosis means in a facsimile machine to perform self-diagnosis at a timely manner, and when an abnormality is detected, the facsimile machine notifies a pre-specified destination of the occurrence of the abnormality. The purpose of this system is to detect problems at an early stage, quickly deal with abnormalities in facsimile machines, and use facsimile machines effectively.

(Structure of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a self-diagnosis means in a facsimile machine equipped with an automatic call/receiver type network control device, so that the facsimile machine self-diagnoses itself in a timely manner, and when an abnormality is discovered, a This is a special feature that notifies the destination of the abnormality occurrence.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained based on examples.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a facsimile machine, and the facsimile machine 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 2, an image processing unit (IPU) 3, a scanner 4, a block 5, a voice synthesizer 6, and a modem 7. , an automatic call/receiver type network control device 8, a memory 9, a clock 10, a console 11, a power source 12, and the like. The operator console 11 is an operation unit through which an operator operates the facsimile machine 1, and the central processing unit 2 receives commands from the operator console 11 and signals from an external line input from the automatic call/receiver type network control device 8. It controls the scanner 4 and plotter 5, and controls communications with external lines via the automatic call/receiver type network control device 8. The scanner 4 records the information sent from the external line on a recording paper, and the plotter 5 reads the document containing the information and converts it into an electrical signal. An image processing unit (TPU) 3 controls a scanner 4 and a plotter 5 according to instructions from the central processing unit 2.

The speech synthesis device 6 includes a synthesis LSI, a ROM, etc., and selects and outputs an appropriate speech from speech data input into the ROM in advance. The automatic call/call type network control device 8 automatically starts without any operator operation, and when a call is sent from an external line, the power supply 12 is automatically turned on and the call can be received. This is called AA-NCU.

The modem 7 is a modulation/demodulation device, and modulates and demodulates signals transmitted from the automatic call/call type network control device 8 or signals sent through the automatic call/call type network control device 8.

The memory 9 temporarily stores information sent from an external line via the automatic call/receiver type network control device 8 and information read by the scanner 4, and also stores information necessary for controlling the facsimile machine 1 and Address to contact in case of abnormality (
For example, the phone number of the manufacturer's service station) is stored.

Next, the effect will be explained.

The facsimile apparatus 1 of this embodiment performs a self-diagnosis when the power supply 12 is turned on or when communication ends abnormally, for example, and if an abnormality is discovered, it automatically makes a call to notify the manufacturer's service station or the like of the occurrence of the abnormality.

This self-diagnosis action will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step P1, a self-diagnosis is performed to determine whether there is an abnormality in the memory 9. This self-diagnosis of the memory 9 is performed by checking the contents of the memory 9 backed up by a battery. That is, the CPU 2 checks for abnormality by checking whether the contents of a predetermined address in the memory 9 are the promised values.

When this memory 9 is abnormal, it is not possible to make a self-transmission and contact the manufacturer's service station.
A message indicating that the memory 9 is abnormal is displayed on the panel of the facsimile machine 1. If there is no abnormality in memory 9, proceed to step P.
2, the power supply 12 is self-diagnosed. This self-diagnosis of the power supply 12 is performed by checking whether the power supply 12 starts up or not, and if it is abnormal, a message that the power supply I2 is abnormal is displayed on the panel of the facsimile machine 1. If there is no abnormality in the power supply 12, the automatic call/receiver type network control device 8 is self-diagnosed in step P3.

This self-diagnosis of the automatic call/call type network control device 8 is to check whether the handshake signal between the automatic call/call type network control device 8 and the CPU 2 is in the initial state, and whether an abnormal signal is set in the automatic call/call type network control device 8. This is done by checking whether the automatic calling/receiving type network control device 8 is abnormal, and if it is abnormal, a message is displayed on the panel of the facsimile machine 1 to the effect that the automatic call/receiver type network control device 8 is abnormal. If there is no abnormality in the automatic call/call type network control device 8, the modem 7 is self-diagnosed in step P4. This modem 7
The self-diagnosis is performed by checking whether the handshake signal between the modem 7 and the CPU 2 is in the initial state and whether there is a modem abnormality signal in the modem 7. If there is an abnormality, it will automatically send a message, e.g. , notify the manufacturer's service station of the abnormality. In this case, the abnormality notification cannot be transmitted as image information because the modem 7 is abnormal, and the voice synthesis device 6 provides an audio notification.

If there is no abnormality in the modem 7, the image processing unit 3 is self-diagnosed in step P. This self-diagnosis is performed on Image Processing Unit 3 and CP.
This is done by checking whether the handshake signal with U2 is in the initial state and whether there is an abnormal signal in the image processing unit 3. If there is an abnormality, an automatic call is made and a voice message is sent to the manufacturer's service station, etc. Notify of abnormality through notification. If there is no abnormality in image processing unit 3,
In step P6, the scanner 4 is self-diagnosed. This self-diagnosis is performed by checking the handshake signal between the scanner 4 and the CPU 2, and in the event of an abnormality, an automatic call is made to notify the manufacturer's service station or the like of the abnormality. In this case, the abnormality notification is the words stored in the memory 9 in advance, for example, the scanner of rFAX registration ○○○ is abnormal. Please check it immediately.

” etc. is sent as image information to a facsimile machine such as a service station. This is a so-called facsimile notification. If there is no abnormality in Scanner 4, press Step P7.
Then, self-diagnose Plotter 5. This self-diagnosis is performed by checking handshake signals between the plotter 5 and the CPU 2, and in the event of an abnormality, an automatic call is made to notify the manufacturer's service station or the like of the abnormality by facsimile. If there is no abnormality in the plotter 5, in step P8, the clock 10 is self-diagnosed by the CPU 2,
In the event of an abnormality, an automatic call is made to notify the manufacturer's service station, etc. of the abnormality by facsimile notification. When there is no abnormality in the clock 10, the operation of the facsimile machine I is started. In this way, the CPU 2 constitutes a self-diagnosis means for self-diagnosing abnormalities in the facsimile machine 1.

The effect of the voice notification described above will be explained based on the control signals shown in FIG.
When the mode is selected and the dial is turned to go off-hook, a 16 Hz bell tone is emitted from the facsimile machine 1 on the sending side, and the power to the facsimile machine 1 on the receiving side is automatically turned on. When the power is turned on, the above self-diagnosis is performed, and if there is an abnormality in the modem 7 or image processing unit 3, the telephone line is cut off and the dial of the manufacturer's service station, etc. stored in advance in the memory 9 is automatically dialed. send. 16Hz from facsimile machine 1 on the receiving side
When the polarity is reversed in response to the bell sound of
This is ○○'s fax. There is an abnormality in ΔΔΔ. Please have it inspected as soon as possible. ” etc.

Further, the effect of the facsimile notification described above can be expressed as a control signal as shown in FIG.

That is, 16Hz from the sending facsimile machine l
In response to the bell sound, the facsimile machine 1 on the receiving side
, 12, the above self-diagnosis is performed, and at this time the scanner 4, plotter 5 or clock 10
If there is an abnormality, the telephone line is cut off and a call is automatically made to the dial of the facsimile machine I, such as a service station, stored in advance in the memory 9. In response to this 16Hz bell tone, the facsimile machine 1 of the service station is powered on and transmits a called station identification signal (CED) and a non-ring ($ function identification signal (NSF)). A non-ring single function setting signal (NSS) and a training check signal 8 (TCF) are output from the facsimile machine 1 that has generated the abnormal sound.When a reception readiness confirmation signal (CFR) is sent from the facsimile machine 1 of the service station, , transmits the above abnormality content as image information (MESSAGE), and then outputs a communication end signal (EOP).Then, the facsimile machine 1 of the service station outputs a reception completion signal (MCF), and the facsimile machine 1 that made the abnormal sound outputs a line disconnection command signal (DCN) and ends the transmission.

The self-diagnosis procedure of the facsimile machine of the present invention is not limited to the procedure of the above embodiment, and the diagnostic items are not limited to those listed in the above embodiment. For example, a sensor may be used to check the presence or absence of paper in the feeding system of a document or recording paper, self-diagnose a paper jam, and display a message indicating a paper jam on the panel. Further, the timing of self-diagnosis is not limited to the case of the above embodiment, and the self-diagnosis may be performed periodically at predetermined time intervals.

(Effects) According to the present invention, the facsimile machine is provided with a self-diagnosis means to perform self-diagnosis in a timely manner, and when an abnormality is discovered, the facsimile machine notifies a pre-designated destination of the occurrence of the abnormality, thereby detecting the abnormality of the facsimile machine. It is possible to detect an abnormality at an early stage, quickly deal with an abnormality in a facsimile machine, and use the facsimile machine effectively.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the facsimile apparatus, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of its self-diagnosis operation,
Figure 3 is a time chart of the control signal for the voice notification.
FIG. 4 is a time chart of control signals for facsimile notification. 1...Facsimile machine, 2...Central processing unit (self-diagnosis means), 6...
...Speech synthesis device, 8...Automatic call/reception type network control device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A facsimile machine equipped with an automatic call/receiver type network control device, characterized in that it is equipped with a self-diagnosis means, self-diagnoses the facsimile machine in a timely manner, and when an abnormality is discovered, notifies a pre-designated destination of the occurrence of the abnormality. .