Facsimile machine with erroneous mode setting prevention function

• US 5,592,307 A
• Filed: 07/21/1995
• Issued: 01/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Murai, Suzuyo
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, KIM Y
• Application Number:
  US08/505,395
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 358/442, 358/468, 358/400, 358/437
• US Class Current: 358/468
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32566 at the transmitter or at the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0034 Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface

Abstract

A facsimile machine is provided with an I/O port for connecting to an interface box of a computer and a function key for setting various modes of the facsimile machine. When the function key is depressed, the CPU executes a program, that is stored in a ROM, for displaying heading representing the various modes. However, the CPU prevents display of modes associated with the computer if it is determined that the interface box is not connected to the I/O port of the facsimile machine.

Claims

1. A facsimile machine comprising:

a computer connection portion connectable to a computer;

setting means for setting modes of the facsimile machine;

display for displaying modes set via the setting means;

reception capability judgement means for judging whether the computer can receive facsimile data; and

display disable means for preventing the display from displaying modes relating to the computer connectable to the computer connection portion when the reception capability judgement means judges that the computer can not receive facsimile data.

2. A facsimile machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reception capability judgement means judges whether the computer is connected to the computer connection portion.

3. A facsimile machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reception capability judgement means judges whether an interface for connecting the computer to the facsimile machine is connected to the computer connection portion.

4. A facsimile machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reception capability judgement means judges whether power of the computer is off.

5. A facsimile machine comprising:

a recording portion;

a computer connection portion connectable to a computer;

a circuit connection portion connected to a telephone circuit;

setting means for setting one of a recording portion output mode, which is for outputting to the recording portion facsimile data received over the telephone circuit from a second facsimile machine, and a computer output mode, which is for outputting to the computer facsimile data received over the telephone circuit from a second facsimile machine;

a display for displaying an output mode menu with listings for the recording portion output mode and the computer output mode;

reception capability judgement means for judging whether the computer can receive facsimile data; and

display disable means for preventing the display from displaying the output mode menu when the reception capability judgement means judges that the computer can not receive facsimile data.

6. A facsimile machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the reception capability judgement means judges whether the computer is connected to the computer connection portion.

7. A facsimile machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the reception capability judgement means judges whether an interface for connecting the computer to the facsimile machine is connected to the computer connection portion.

8. A facsimile machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the reception capability judgement means judges whether power of the computer is off.