Communication apparatus, connection control method for communication apparatus and method of determining state of communication plug relative to communication connector in communication apparatus

• US 20100328087A1
• Filed: 06/10/2010
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oki Data Corporation (OKI Electric Industry Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Oki Data Corporation (OKI Electric Industry Company Limited)
• Inventors: Kanno, Minoru, Nakazawa, Kazuo
• Granted Patent: US 8,599,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/661
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data

Abstract

A communication apparatus includes a communication connector, a communication section, a connection section, a state detector, a controller and a warning section. The communication section controls communication performed through the communication connector, to which a communication plug is connected. The connection section connects the communication connector and the communication section. The state detector generates a state detection signal corresponding to a connection state of the communication plug relative to the communication connector. The controller determines which of a normal connection state, an improper connection state and a non-connection state the communication plug is in based on the state detection signal. The controller also controls an ON-OFF operation of the connection section. The warning section notifies a user of results determined by the controller.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising:

a communication connector to which a communication plug is capable of being connected;

a communication section configured to control communication performed through the communication connector;

a connection section configured to connect the communication connector and the communication section;

a state detector in communication with the connection section and configured to generate a state detection signal corresponding to a connection state of the communication plug relative to the communication connector;

a controller in communication with the state detector and configured to determine which of a normal connection state, an improper connection state and a non-connection state the communication plug is in based on the state detection signal, and configured to control an ON-OFF operation of the connection section; and

a warning section in communication with the controller and configured to notify a user of results determined by the controller.

2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller turns off the connection section when the communication apparatus is powered on, and turns on the connection section when the controller determines that the communication plug is in the normal connection state.

3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state detector receives a voltage level signal corresponding to the connection state of the communication plug, and generates the state detection signal based on the voltage level signal.

4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication connector is an Ethernet connector.

5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication connector is a telephone line connector.

6. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the state detector includes a power supply, a diode having an anode terminal connected with the power supply, a first resistor having one end connected with a cathode terminal of the diode, a second resistor having one end connected with a second end of the first resistor, and a third resistor having one end connected with a second end of the second resistor and a second end that is grounded, wherein a predetermined pin of the communication connector and a first connection point between the first resistor and the second resistor are connected with each other, and the controller and a second connection point between the second resistor and the third resistor are connected with each other.

7. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the state detector includes a power supply, a first diode having an anode terminal connected with the power supply, a first resistor having one end connected with a cathode terminal of the first diode, a second resistor having one end connected with a second end of the first resistor, a third resistor having one end connected with a second end of the second resistor and a second end that is grounded, a second diode having an anode terminal connected with the power supply, a fourth resistor having one end connected with a cathode terminal of the second diode, a fifth resistor having one end connected with a second end of the fourth resistor, and a sixth resistor having one end connected with a second end of the fifth resistor and a second end that is grounded, wherein

a first pin of the communication connector and a first connection point between the first resistor and the second resistor are connected with each other, and the controller and a second connection point between the second resistor and the third resistor are connected with each other, and

a second pin of the communication connector and a third connection point between the fourth resistor and the fifth resistor are connected with each other, and the controller and a fourth connection point between the fifth resistor and the sixth resistor are connected with each other.

8. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the state detector includes a power supply that enables the state detector to generate the state detection signal and to thereby enable the controller to determine a type of communication plug that is connected to the communication connector in the improper connection state.

9. The communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the state detector further includes a protection element for preventing a reverse current from flowing into the power supply in the improper connection state.

10. A connection control method performed by a communication apparatus that includes a communication connector to which a communication plug is capable of being connected, a communication section that controls communication performed through the communication connector, and a connection section that connects the communication connector and the communication section, the method comprising:

turning off the connection section when the communication apparatus is powered on;

generating a state detection signal corresponding to a connection state of the communication plug relative to the communication connector;

determining which of a normal connection state, an improper connection state and a non-connection state the communication plug is in based on the state detection signal;

notifying a user of results of the determining; and

turning on the connection section when the results of the determining indicate the normal connection state.

11. The connection control method according to claim 10, further comprising receiving a voltage level signal corresponding to the connection state of the communication plug relative to the communication connector,

wherein the generating of a state detection signal is based on the voltage level signal.

12. The connection control method according to claim 10, further comprising determining a type of communication plug that is connected to the communication connector in the improper connection state based on the state detection signal when it is determined that the communication plug is in the improper connection state.

13. In a communication apparatus that includes a communication connector to which a communication plug is capable of being connected, a communication section that controls communication performed through the communication connector, and a connection section that connects the communication connector and the communication section, a method of determining a state of the communication plug relative to the communication connector, the method comprising:

receiving a voltage level signal from the communication connector when the communication apparatus is powered on and the connection section is turned off; and

generating a state detection signal based on the received voltage level signal, wherein

the state detection signal corresponds to one of a normal connection state, an improper connection state and a non-connection state of the communication plug relative to the communication connector, and

the state detection signal also enables a type of communication plug to be determined when the communication plug is connected to the communication connector in the improper connection state.

14. In a communication apparatus that includes a communication connector to which a communication plug is capable of being connected, a communication section that controls communication performed through the communication connector, and a connection section that connects the communication connector and the communication section, a connection control method, comprising:

turning off the connection section when the communication apparatus is powered on;

receiving a state detection signal generated in response to a connection state of the communication plug relative to the communication connector;

determining which of a normal connection state, an improper connection state and a non-connection state the communication plug is in based on the state detection signal;

notifying a user of results of the determining; and

turning on the connection section when the results of the determining indicate the normal connection state.

15. The connection control method according to claim 14, further comprising determining a type of communication plug that is connected to the communication connector in the improper connection state based on the state detection signal when it is determined that the communication plug is in the improper connection state.

16. The connection control method according to claim 14, wherein the notifying a user of results of the determining comprises enabling a warning to be generated when it is determined that the communication plug is in the improper connection state.