JP2005184096A - Composite apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive composite apparatus having good usability by eliminating an operating screen and reducing the number of hard keys as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: The composite apparatus 1 has a plurality of functions, executes a function corresponding to the operation of an operating unit 5, and is connected to an information terminal provided with a display via a network or a cable. The operating unit 5 is provided with only a plurality of program keys whose key functions are set in programs, a display unit for displaying operation keys for performing other various setting operations and various information is displayed as an operation display screen of the composite apparatus 1 on the display of the information terminal, and the operations of the respective functions of the operation keys are executed as an operation direction operation. Accordingly, the operating unit 5 is made into inexpensive one having better operability by omitting the display unit and hard keys as much as possible, and providing only the program keys capable of being assigned with only the functions frequently used by a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a composite apparatus, and more particularly, to a composite apparatus that eliminates an operation screen, reduces the number of hard keys as much as possible, is easy to use, and is inexpensive.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a composite apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function is a facsimile communication that performs facsimile communication of a facsimile control signal and image data between a reading unit that reads an image of a document and a partner facsimile apparatus. A recording unit that records and outputs received image data and an image of a document read by the reading unit on a recording sheet, and an operation unit that performs various operation instruction operations. Yes.

  However, recently, the functions of complex devices have become sophisticated and increased, and a large operation screen, a lamp, a large number of hard keys, and the like have been provided in order to realize the functions.

  Conventionally, a multi-function device has been proposed in which various user operations are stored in the storage means of the terminal device via an interface and a communication line, and operations are performed by receiving the stored operation details. (See Patent Document 1).

  Therefore, according to this prior art, a memory for storing operation contents and an operation key for program registration can be omitted from the composite apparatus.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-13599

  However, the above prior art aims to reduce the memory for storing operation contents and the operation keys for program registration. However, the composite apparatus has so many operation keys for program registration. Also, in recent years, the memory has become cheaper and is not effective for cost reduction.

  On the other hand, the increase in the size of operation screens and the increase in lamps, hard keys, etc. due to the advancement and increase in functions of multifunction devices in recent years increase the price of the multifunction device itself, the operation panel is miscellaneous, and the design is poor. There is a need for improvement. Also, depending on the user, among the many functions of the composite apparatus, the functions that are actually used are limited, and there are many functions that are rarely used.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a composite apparatus that eliminates the operation screen, reduces the number of hard keys as much as possible, and is easy to use.

  Specifically, the invention described in claim 1 is provided with a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a print function, a copying function, and the like, and when executing a function according to the operation of the operation unit, the display means is provided with a predetermined communication line. Operation keys and various information that are connected to the information terminal provided and the operation unit has only a plurality of program keys whose key functions are set by program, and need to perform various setting operations by operations other than the operation by the program keys. Is displayed on the display unit of the information terminal as an operation display screen of the multifunction device, and the operation unit is displayed by executing the operation of the operation key of the operation display screen as an operation instruction operation. In addition to eliminating expensive parts such as hard keys, it is easy and good with only program keys assigned only to functions frequently used by the user. And one having an operability, and its object is to provide a good composite apparatus inexpensive availability.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a program key including an execution instruction and a program key not including the execution instruction are provided as a plurality of program keys of the operation unit, and a predetermined number of program keys not including the execution instruction are combined to function. When the program key including the execution instruction is operated, and finally, the execution of the function combining all the program keys not including the execution instruction and the program key including the execution instruction is started, Reduced the number of program keys that are hard keys to the limit while realizing more functions, making the operation part easier and better operability, cheaper and more usable composite The object is to provide a device.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the function of the program key is set / released at the information terminal and the function of the set / released program key is constructed and transferred as a program list, the program list By assigning the function set in the program list to each program key based on the program key, the function setting of the program key can be easily and easily set in the program list, and an inexpensive and much more usable composite device is provided. The purpose is that.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when a recording medium in which a function for assigning to a program key is recorded as a program list is inserted into a reading means for reading the recording medium, the program list of the recording medium is read and the program list is read based on the program list. By assigning the functions set in the program list to each program key, it is possible to set the function of the program key more easily and easily, and to provide an inexpensive and more usable composite device It is said.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a print function, a copy function, and the like, wherein the display means is provided with a predetermined communication line in the composite apparatus that executes a function according to an operation of the operation unit. The operation unit is connected to an information terminal, and the operation unit includes only a plurality of program keys whose key functions are program-set, and various operation keys that require various setting operations by operations other than the operation using the program keys and various A display unit for displaying information is displayed on the display unit of the information terminal as an operation display screen of the multifunction device, and an operation instruction operation is performed by operating an operation key on the operation display screen. ing.

  In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, in the multifunction device, the plurality of program keys of the operation unit include a program key including an execution instruction and a program key not including an execution instruction, When a program key that does not include the execution instruction is combined and a function is instructed, and finally the program key that includes the execution instruction is operated, all the program keys that do not include the execution instruction and the program key that includes the execution instruction are linked. Thus, the execution of the combined function may be started.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 3, in the composite device, the function of the program key is set / released in the information terminal, and the function of the set / released program key is set as a program list. When constructed and transferred, a function set in the program list may be assigned to each program key based on the program list.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 4, the composite apparatus includes a reading unit that reads a predetermined recording medium, and the recording medium in which a function for assigning the program key to the reading unit is recorded as a program list. When inserted, the program list of the recording medium may be read, and the function set in the program list may be assigned to each program key based on the program list.

  According to the composite apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a print function, and a copying function are provided, and when executing a function according to the operation of the operation unit, the display means is provided with a predetermined communication line. Operation keys and various information that are connected to the information terminal provided and the operation unit has only a plurality of program keys whose key functions are set by program, and need to perform various setting operations by operations other than the operation by the program keys. Is displayed on the display unit of the information terminal as an operation display screen of the multifunction device, and the operation of the operation key of the operation display screen is executed as an operation instruction operation. It is possible to omit expensive parts such as hard keys, and to provide only program keys assigned only to functions frequently used by users. Can be those having a good operability in a single, it is possible to inexpensively improve the usability.

  According to the composite device of the second aspect of the present invention, the program key including the execution instruction and the program key not including the execution instruction are provided as the plurality of program keys of the operation unit, and the predetermined number of program keys not including the execution instruction When a program key including the execution instruction is operated at the end, the program key not including the execution instruction and the program key including the execution instruction are all combined and executed. Since it starts, it is possible to realize more functions while reducing the number of program keys that are hard keys to the limit, and the operation unit is more simple and has good operability, so that it can be more inexpensive. Usability can be improved.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the function of the program key is set / released at the information terminal, and the function of the set / released program key is constructed and transferred as a program list. Since the function set in the program list is assigned to each program key based on the program list, the function setting of the program key can be easily and easily set in the program list, and the usability is further improved at low cost. Can be made.

  According to the composite device of the invention described in claim 4, when a recording medium in which a function for assigning the program key to the reading means for reading the recording medium is inserted as a program list, the program list of the recording medium is read, Since the function set in the program list is assigned to each program key based on the program list, the function setting of the program key can be performed more easily and easily, and the usability can be further improved at low cost. it can.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the composite apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of the composite apparatus 1 to which the embodiment of the composite apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a composite device 1 includes a reading unit 2, an encoding / decoding unit 3, a system memory 4, an operation unit 5, a recording unit 6, a system control unit 7, an image information memory 8, a communication control unit 9, and a modem 10. DTMF detector 11 and information terminal I / F 12, etc., and the main components are connected to a bus 13.

  The system memory 4 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and includes a basic program as the composite apparatus 1, an operation display control processing program to be described later, and various data necessary for executing these programs. And system data are also used as a work memory for executing these programs.

  The system control unit 7 controls each unit of the composite device 1 based on a program in the system memory 4 to execute basic processing as the composite device 1 and also performs an operation display control process described later.

  For example, a line image sensor using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like is used as the reading unit 2, and generally includes an ADF. A plurality of originals are set in the ADF, and the ADF feeds the set originals one by one to the original reading position of the reading unit 2. The reading unit 2 scans a document conveyed from the ADF and reads an image of the document with a predetermined resolution.

  For example, an electrophotographic recording device or the like is used as the recording unit 6. The received image and the image of the original read by the reading unit 2 are recorded and output on a recording sheet, and various necessary reports are recorded on the recording sheet. Record output.

  The encoding / decoding unit 3 is designed to improve the efficiency of storing image information in the image information memory 8 and to shorten and improve the transmission time of the image information. The encoded image information is decoded at the time of reception.

  The image information memory 8 is composed of a readable / writable memory such as a large-capacity hard disk device or RAM, and mainly stores image information for transmission and received image information. The image information in the image information memory 8 is managed by the system control unit 7 and read at a predetermined time, and transmission processing, recording processing on a recording sheet by the recording unit 6 and the like are performed.

  The operation unit 5 is provided only with a minimum necessary key, for example, a program key, and the function of the program key is assigned and set by a computer (information terminal) described later. Further, the operation unit 5 is not provided with a display unit for displaying operation contents and information notified from the composite apparatus 1 to the operator.

  The communication control unit 9 operates under the control of the system control unit 7 to automatically receive a call from a line, perform automatic call processing to the line, and be connected via the line. A facsimile communication procedure is executed by exchanging facsimile control signals with the other facsimile apparatus.

  The modem 10 operates under the control of the system control unit 7, modulates a transmission signal into a form suitable for transmission of a line at the time of transmission, and demodulates a modulation signal transmitted from the line at the time of reception.

  The DTMF detector 11 detects a DTMF (Dual Tone Multifrequency) signal transmitted from the other party via the line, and outputs the detected DTMF signal to the system controller 7 via the communication controller 9.

  The information terminal I / F 12 is connected to a network (for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like) or a predetermined cable, such as a bidirectional Centronics cable. A personal computer (not shown) is connected to the network or cable as the communication line. Etc. are connected. Under the control of the system control unit 7, the information terminal I / F 12 exchanges commands with the information terminal to exchange control commands, data, and programs.

  The information terminal connected via the information terminal I / F 12 is a personal computer or the like, and includes a main body, a display (display means), and input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard. The information terminal functions as an operation display unit of the composite apparatus 1 and is equipped with an operation display program that sets a program assigned to the program key of the operation unit 5 of the composite apparatus 1 and registers it in the system control unit 7. Based on the operation display program, for example, an operation display screen 20 serving as an operation display unit of the composite apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. In FIG. 2, the operation display screen 20 includes a numeric keypad 21, a start key 22 for instructing start of various operations, a stop key 23 for instructing stop of operation, a reset key 24 for instructing release of input contents, and an operation mode. A copy key (COPY) 25 for instructing a copy mode, a printer key 26 for instructing a printer mode as an operation mode, a fax key (FAX) 27 for instructing a facsimile mode as an operation mode, and a program key 28 for instructing a program mode as an operation mode A return key 29 for instructing the return of the operation, an OK key 30 for instructing the confirmation of the operation, a density display unit 31 indicating the copy density, a paper selection key 32 for instructing the paper selection, and a document type key 33 for selecting the document type. And various operation keys such as the function key 34 are displayed. To, are viewing the display unit 35. In the display unit 35, as with the display unit of a normal multifunction device, the operation contents of the operation keys displayed on the operation display screen 20 and various information notified from the multifunction device 1 to the operator, for example, of the multifunction device 1 are displayed. In addition to displaying the operation state information and the like, in particular, the contents and program list of the program assigned to the program key of the operation unit 5 of the composite apparatus 1 are displayed.

  In addition, the information terminal includes a recording medium driver (reading unit) for a recording medium, for example, a memory card such as an SD card or smart media, and writes data to the recording medium inserted into the recording medium driver and the recording medium. It has a function to read data from.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the composite apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the operation unit 5 is provided with only a predetermined number of program keys, and various operation keys and the display unit 35 necessary for operating the composite apparatus 1 are operated on the display of the information terminal. The program content displayed on the display screen 20 and assigned to the program key of the operation unit 5 is set by the information terminal.

  That is, the composite apparatus 1 includes an information terminal I / F 12, and an information terminal such as a personal computer is connected via a network or a cable connected to the information terminal I / F 12 and the information terminal I / F 12. In the multifunction device 1, the operation unit 5 is provided with only a predetermined number, for example, five program keys, and is not provided with other operation keys (hard keys) or a display unit.

  The information terminal realizes the function of the composite apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 2 on its display, and various operation keys 21 as keys necessary for assigning a program to the program key of the operation unit 5 of the composite apparatus 1. The operation display screen 20 including .about.34 and the display unit 35 is displayed.

  In the information terminal, by operating the operation keys 21 to 34 on the operation display screen 20 with a mouse, a keyboard, or the like, the operation of the multifunction apparatus 1 can be instructed and the program key of the operation unit 5 can be accessed. Program settings can be made.

  As a program to be assigned to the program keys, assuming that five program keys are provided in the operation unit 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, number 1 (No. 1) to number 5 (No. 5) A normal copy function and its execution function, a 2-in-1 aggregation function, a staple function, a sort function, and an A4 paper size selection function are assigned to the five program keys. That is, number 1 (No. 1) is a program key including an execution instruction, and number 2 (No. 2) to number 5 (No. 5) are program keys including no execution instruction.

  When the information terminal assigns the program as described above to the program key using the operation display screen 20, the information terminal constructs the program as a program list according to the format shown in FIG. In addition, the program list is transmitted to the composite apparatus 1 via a network or a cable.

  The multifunction device 1 acquires the program list transmitted from the information terminal via the information terminal I / F 12, and the system control unit 7 registers it in the system memory 4, and as a function of the program key of the operation unit 5, Assign based on the program list.

  When the function of the program key is assigned, when the program key is operated thereafter, the multifunction apparatus 1 determines the operation content according to the function of the operated program key, and executes the determined operation content.

  For example, assuming that a function is assigned to each program key as shown in FIG. After the program key No. 2 is pressed, When the 1 program key is pressed, it is recognized as the execution of the 2in1 consolidated copy, and the 2in1 consolidated copy is executed. No. Program key No. 4 3 program key and No. 3 When one program key is sequentially pressed, it is recognized as execution of a copy with a staple process added to the sort, and a process of performing a sort copy and adding a staple is executed.

  When the information terminal creates the program list, the information terminal writes the program list to a recording medium such as a memory card inserted in the recording medium driver of the information terminal, and stores the allocated program list.

  Further, the information terminal, when a recording medium such as a memory card in which the program list is written is inserted into the recording medium driver and a reading instruction is operated, reads the program list from the recording medium and displays it on the display. Further, when the setting to the composite apparatus 1 is instructed, the program list is transmitted to the composite apparatus 1 via a network or a cable.

  As described above, the composite apparatus 1 acquires the program list transmitted from the information terminal via the information terminal I / F 12, and the system control unit 7 registers the program list in the system memory 4. As a function of the program key, it is assigned based on the program list.

  Furthermore, the composite apparatus 1 includes a driver for a recording medium such as a memory card. When a recording medium having a program list recorded therein is inserted into the driver, the multifunction apparatus 1 reads the program list from the recording medium and based on the program list Then, the function of each program key of the operation unit 5 is assigned.

  As described above, the multifunction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a print function, and a copy function, and a network that is a predetermined communication line when executing a function according to the operation of the operation unit 5. Alternatively, it is necessary to connect to an information terminal provided with a display with a cable, and the operation unit 5 includes only a plurality of program keys whose key functions are program-set, and performs various setting operations by operations other than the operations using the program keys. A display unit for displaying a certain operation key and various types of information is displayed on the display of the information terminal as the operation display screen 20 of the composite apparatus 1, and the operation keys 21 to 34 of the operation display screen 20 while viewing the operation display screen 20. The operation is executed as an operation instruction operation.

  Therefore, the operation unit 5 can be configured by omitting costly parts such as a display unit and a hard key, and is provided with only a program key to which only a function frequently used by a user is provided, and easy and good operation. Therefore, the utility can be improved at a low cost.

  Further, the multifunction apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with a program key that includes an execution instruction and a program key that does not include an execution instruction as a plurality of program keys of the operation unit 5, and a predetermined number of program keys that do not include the execution instruction. When the program key including the execution instruction is operated at the end, the execution of the function combining all the program keys not including the execution instruction and the program key including the execution instruction is started. To do.

  Therefore, more functions can be realized while reducing the number of program keys that are hard keys to the limit, and the operation unit 5 can be used more inexpensively as it has a simpler and better operability. Can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, when the function of the program key is set / released at the information terminal, and the function of the set / released program key is constructed and transferred as a program list, Based on the program list, the function set in the program list is assigned to each program key.

  Therefore, the function setting of the program key can be easily and easily set in the program list, and the usability can be further improved at a low cost.

  In addition, when a recording medium in which a function for assigning a program key to a recording medium driver is recorded as a program list is inserted into the recording medium driver that reads the recording medium, the multifunction apparatus 1 of the present embodiment reads the program list of the recording medium, Based on the program list, the function set in the program list is assigned to each program key.

  Therefore, the function setting of the program key can be performed more easily and easily, and the usability can be further improved at a low cost.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention can be applied to a composite apparatus that uses many functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, and a printer function inexpensively and efficiently.

1 is a block configuration diagram of a composite apparatus to which one embodiment of the composite apparatus of the present invention is applied. The figure which shows an example of the operation display screen displayed on the display of the information terminal connected to the compound apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions assigned to program keys provided in an operation unit of the multifunction apparatus of FIG. 1. The figure which shows an example of the program list of the function allocated to the program key of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Composite apparatus 2 Reading part 3 Encoding / decoding part 4 System memory 5 Operation part 6 Recording part 7 System control part 8 Image information memory 9 Communication control part 10 Modem 11 DTMF detection part 12 Information terminal I / F
13 Bus 20 Operation display screen 21 Numeric keypad 22 Start key 23 Stop key 24 Reset key 25 Copy key 26 Printer key 27 Fax key 28 Program key 29 Return key 30 OK key 31 Density display section 32 Paper selection key 33 Document type key 34 Function key 35 Display section

Claims (4)

  In a composite apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a printing function, a copying function, and the like, and executing a function according to an operation of the operation unit, the operation unit is connected to an information terminal provided with a display means via a predetermined communication line However, the information terminal is provided with only a plurality of program keys whose key functions are program-set, and an operation key for performing various setting operations by an operation other than the operation by the program key and a display unit for displaying various information. A composite apparatus which is displayed on a display unit as an operation display screen of the composite apparatus, and an operation instruction is operated by operating an operation key on the operation display screen.   In the composite apparatus, the plurality of program keys of the operation unit have a program key including an execution instruction and a program key not including the execution instruction, and a predetermined number of program keys not including the execution instruction are combined to provide a function instruction. Finally, when the program key including the execution instruction is operated, the execution of the function in which the program key not including the execution instruction and the program key including the execution instruction are combined in combination is started. The composite device according to claim 1.   When the function of the program key is set / released at the information terminal and the function of the set / released program key is constructed and transferred as a program list in the information terminal, the composite device is transferred to the program list. 3. The composite apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a function set in the program list is assigned to each program key based on the program list. The composite apparatus includes a reading unit that reads a predetermined recording medium. When the recording medium in which a function assigned to the program key is recorded as a program list is inserted into the reading unit, the program list of the recording medium is read. 4. The composite apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a function set in the program list is assigned to each program key based on the program list.

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