Patent ID: 8184784
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: H04M,H04N

Abstract:
1. A data communication device, comprising: a switching mechanism to connect and disconnect a facsimile device to and from a communication line used in common by the data communication device and the facsimile device; a detector to detect an off-hook state of the facsimile device; a storage to store one or more delay times to be inserted between detection of the off-hook state of the facsimile device and connection of the facsimile device to the communication line; a measuring unit to measure a reference time and a dialing detection time and store the reference time and the dialing detection time in the storage, the reference time being an interval between the detection of the off-hook state of the facsimile device and transmission of a first digit dialed by the facsimile device, and the dialing detection time being an interval between the connection of the facsimile device to the communication line, established after lapse of a delay time since the detection of the off-hook state of the facsimile device, and the transmission of a first digit dialed by the facsimile device; a comparator to compare the reference time and the dialing detection time; and a controller to enable a facsimile priority function when the reference time and the dialing detection time are substantially equal to each other, and to disable the facsimile priority function when the reference time and the dialing detection time are different from each other, the facsimile priority function being an arrangement in which the data communication device ends communication when the detector detects the off-hook state of the facsimile so that the facsimile uses the communication line.