JP3405747B2 - Function selection method and device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a function selecting method and apparatus for selecting functions of a multi-function device having a plurality of data input / output functions and conversion functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a multi-function device having a plurality of data input / output functions and conversion functions, for example, a digital multi-function peripheral having a facsimile function and a printer function in a copying machine has been developed. Specifically, by changing the combination of these input / output devices by adding a facsimile communication device, a file input device, an online input device, etc. in addition to the scanner device and printing device of the copier Various functions can be executed.

In a multi-function device equipped with such various functions, the number of functions that can be executed increases due to the combination of input / output devices, and all the functions cannot be displayed on the main menu (one screen). It is divided into several groups to create a hierarchical menu.
For example, as the input source, original scan data, HD
If you have an image file of (hard disk) and an image file of HD and FAX (facsimile device) as the output destination, the menu is as shown in FIG. 9, and by selecting the menu hierarchy sequentially from the main menu, This is a configuration for selecting a desired function.

[0004]

However, according to the function selecting method of the conventional multifunction device, since the desired function is selected by sequentially selecting the menu hierarchy from the main menu, the number of available functions is reduced. If the menu hierarchy becomes deeper due to increase or subdivision, there are problems that operations become complicated and quick function selection cannot be performed, and that convenience is poor.

For example, in the menu hierarchy shown in FIG. 9, in order to fax an image file, printing must be selected from the main menu.
If you select X, you cannot fax the image file.

On the other hand, in order to enable the FAX transmission of the image file even if the FAX is selected, it is possible to provide a sender selection under the FAX condition setting menu.
Similarly, if you are not familiar with it, it is difficult to know which to select at the selection stage of the main menu, which makes the operator uneasy. In addition, there remains a problem that the function selection is complicated and inconvenient.

Further, the menu hierarchy becomes deep, and the menu having the same function is formed at a plurality of places in the menu hierarchy, which hinders quick function selection operation and system development.・ The inconvenience of making changes becomes difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to enable quick function selection with a simple operation.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention that an operator can easily understand and operate.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a function selecting method for selecting a function of a multi-function device having a plurality of data input / output functions and a converting function, in which an input is made to a display means. A plurality of input instruction areas represented and a plurality of output instruction areas representing outputs are displayed, the coordinate instruction means indicates one or more input instruction areas and one or more output instruction areas, and based on the combination, Select the function, and at the same time, the input instruction area and the output instruction area
If a plurality of combinations of
It provides a function selection method for selecting a plurality of functions based on the combination.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a function selection device for selecting a function of a multi-function device having a plurality of data input / output functions and conversion functions, in which a plurality of input instructions representing an input are input. Display means for displaying an area and a plurality of output instruction areas representing outputs, coordinate instruction means for instructing the plurality of input instruction areas and the plurality of output instruction areas displayed on the display means, and the coordinate instruction means. A function selection control means for selecting a function based on a combination of the instructed input instruction area and output instruction area is provided , and the coordinate instruction means simultaneously outputs the input instruction area and the output instruction area.
It is possible to specify multiple combinations of force instruction areas.
And the function selection control means is configured to combine the plurality of combinations.
A function selection device for selecting a plurality of functions based on the combination .

[0012] In the configuration described above, function selection control means, input instruction area or output instruction area each time is one instruction controls the display unit, combining all possible output instruction area or the input It is desirable to notify the operator of the designated area.

In addition to the above-mentioned structure, the host computer is provided with an interface means, the display means and the coordinate designating means of the host computer are used as the display means and the coordinate designating means, and the function selection control means is the interface means. It is desirable to input a combination of the input instruction area and the output instruction area designated by the coordinate designating section of the computer via the.

[0014]

In the function selecting method and apparatus of the present invention,
An input method (or input device) and an output method (or output device) to be used by using the coordinate indicating means from among a plurality of input indicating areas indicating inputs and a plurality of output indicating areas indicating outputs displayed on the display means. Specify and. The function selection control means determines which function has been selected based on the combination of the designated input instruction area and output designated area.

[0015]

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, the function selecting method and the apparatus thereof according to the present invention will be described as follows.
[Embodiment 4] will be described in detail with reference to the drawings in order.

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a function selecting device 100 according to the first embodiment.
The configuration in which 0 is mounted on the multi-function device 200 is shown. The function selection device 100 includes a coordinate designating unit 101 for designating an input source and an output destination to be used, a display unit 102 for displaying a plurality of input sources and output destinations, and an input source designated by the coordinate designating unit 101. A function selection control unit 103 that selects a function based on a combination of output sources.

On the other hand, the multifunction device 200
Is a scanner unit 201 for reading a document, a file management unit 202 including a hard disk for filing image data, a printing unit 203 including an image forming engine, and a facsimile transmission unit (hereinafter referred to as FAX) for performing facsimile transmission. A transmission unit) 204 and a control unit 205 that controls each of the above units.

FIG. 2 shows the coordinate designating unit 101 and the display unit 10.
As shown in the figure, the coordinate designating unit 101 comprises a transmissive touch panel, the display unit 102 comprises an LCD screen (liquid crystal display screen), and the coordinate display unit 101 is arranged on the surface of the display unit 102. .

FIG. 3 shows the menu screen of the first embodiment.
As an input source, an original scan for inputting image data of an original using the scanner unit 201 and a file management unit 20
There are two files for inputting image data filed in the second hard disk. Further, as output destinations, there are three types of printing: printing to be output on paper by the printing unit 203, files to be filed in the hard disk of the file management unit 202, and FAX for performing facsimile transmission via the FAX transmission unit 204. This menu screen is
By touching the coordinate designating unit 101 displayed on the display unit 102 and arranged on the surface of the display unit 102,
The corresponding area can be specified.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. First, the function selection control unit 103 passes the menu area display data as shown in FIG. 3 to the display unit 102. The operator inputs the coordinates of the input source and the output destination to be used from the input source and the output destination displayed on the menu screen. This coordinate input is captured as selected coordinate area data by the coordinate designating unit 101 by touching an input source and an output destination on the menu screen.

When the operator touches the menu screen, the coordinate designating section 101 outputs the selected coordinate area data designated by the operator to the function selection control section 103. The function selection control unit 103 compares the coordinates of the displayed area with the selected coordinate area data to determine which input source and output destination has been selected, and the function according to the combination is sent to the control unit 205 as a selection result. Output. The control unit 205, based on the selection result, scans the scan unit 201 and the file management unit 20.
2. It controls the printing unit 203 and the FAX transmission unit 204 to execute the selected function.

FIG. 4 shows the correspondence between the function selection according to the first embodiment and the conventional hierarchical menu. All the functions selectable in the conventional hierarchical menu can be easily selected by selecting one input source and one output destination from the menu shown in FIG.

Even in the conventional hierarchical menu, the existing functions such as copy, FAX, and print can be easily selected. This is because the input / output combination can be selected directly. However, it is not possible to intuitively understand the menu items to be selected, because it is not possible to properly classify functions that were not available in the past, such as sending the contents of files by FAX. As is apparent from FIG. 4, in the method of the present invention, the function can be easily selected by instructing the input source and the output destination, so that it is possible to easily select the function which has not been available in the past. In other words,
Even if a new function is added, the operator can use the function without any confusion.

Regarding the function of printing the contents of the file and sending it to the FAX at the same time, it is possible to easily select the file by designating the file as the input source and designating both the print and the FAX as the output destination. You can That is, according to the function selecting method of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily specify a plurality of functions at the same time.

Although the transparent touch panel is used as the coordinate designating unit 101 in the first embodiment, a mouse or cursor keys may be used. Further, the display unit 102 is also an LCD
However, a CRT or the like may be used.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a menu screen of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in the same configuration as the first embodiment, it is possible that the coordinate designating unit 101 can simultaneously designate a plurality of combinations of an input source and an output destination, and the function selection control unit 103 is based on the plurality of combinations. Select multiple functions at the same time.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, first, when a document scan is instructed from the input source and a FAX is instructed from the output destination, the function of the document FAX is selected, and at the same time, the "document FAX" is displayed. It Next, when the file is specified from the input source and the print is specified from the output destination, the file print function is selected and "file print" is displayed at the same time. Finally, when the start is instructed, the two functions of the document FAX and the file print are selected at the same time.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, since a plurality of functions can be easily selected, the operation is simplified when multitasking is possible or when a plurality of functions can be sequentially executed. In other words, the convenience of function selection can be improved.

[Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, in the same configuration as the first embodiment, the function selection control unit 103 can combine all of the combinations through the display unit 102 each time one input source is instructed. Is output to the operator.

FIG. 6 shows the menu screen of the third embodiment,
The display shows a state in which a file is selected from the input source of the menu screen. The output file is shaded,
It can be easily understood that the output destinations that can be combined are print and FAX. In the third embodiment, "file printing", "
It also makes it easier to select because the combined functions such as “File FAX” are displayed.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 7 shows the structure of a fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment is provided with an RS232C I / F (interface) 701 that is an interface means with a host computer, uses the coordinate instruction unit 702 and the display unit 703 of the host computer as the coordinate instruction unit and the display unit, and uses a function selection control unit. 103 is RS232CI / F
An example in which a combination of an input source and an output destination designated by a coordinate designating unit 702 of a computer is input via 701 is shown.

Here, the function selection device is the function selection control unit 103 and R installed on the multi-function device side.
The S232C I / F 701, the coordinate designating section 702 and the display section 703 on the host computer side,
The coordinate designating unit 702 is a mouse, and the display unit 703 is a CRT. The reference numerals common to those of the first embodiment indicate the same configurations, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 shows a menu screen displayed on the display unit 703. As an input source, an original scan for inputting image data of an original using the scanner unit 201, a file for inputting image data filed in the hard disk of the file management unit 202, and data created by the host computer are input. Host PC 3
There is one. As output destinations, the print output to the paper by the printing unit 203, the file to be filed on the hard disk of the file management unit 202, and the FAX transmission unit 20.
There are four types, a FAX for performing facsimile transmission via 4 and a host PC for sending data to the host computer. By designating this menu screen with the coordinate designating unit 702 (mouse), the corresponding area can be designated.

With this configuration, the function of the multifunction device can be selected by remote operation from the host computer side. Further, print data from the host computer side can be sent to the multifunction device, and image data scanned by the multifunction device side can be sent to the host computer side.

In the fourth embodiment, by using the display section and the coordinate designating section of the host computer, it is not necessary for the operator to move back and forth between the host computer and the multifunction device. Another advantage is that the familiar host computer interface can be used. Furthermore, since the display unit and the coordinate designating unit of the multifunction device can be omitted, it is possible to provide an inexpensive multifunction device.

[0036]

As described above, the function selecting method and the apparatus thereof according to the present invention display a plurality of input indicating areas indicating inputs and a plurality of output indicating areas indicating outputs on the display means, and the coordinate indicating means. Since one or more input instruction areas and one or more output instruction areas are instructed and the function is selected based on the combination, it is possible to quickly perform the function selection with a simple operation. Also, the operator can easily understand and operate.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a function selection device according to a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing configurations of a coordinate designating section and a display section.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a menu screen according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing correspondence between function selection according to the first embodiment and a conventional hierarchical menu.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a menu screen according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a menu screen according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a menu screen according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional menu hierarchy.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 function selector 101 coordinate instruction section 102 display 103 Function selection control unit 200 multifunction device 701 RS232C I / F (interface) 702 Coordinate instruction unit 703 display unit

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Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A function selecting method for selecting a function of a multi-function device having a plurality of data input / output functions and a converting function, wherein a plurality of input indicating areas indicating inputs and a plurality of output indicating areas indicating outputs are provided on a display means. Is displayed, one or more input instruction areas and one or more output instruction areas are indicated by the coordinate instruction means, a function is selected based on the combination, and at the same time, the input instruction area and the output instruction area are selected. Combination
If more than one instruction is given,
Based on this, a function selection method characterized by selecting multiple functions . 2. A function selection device for selecting a function of a multi-function device having a plurality of data input / output functions and conversion functions, wherein a plurality of input instruction areas representing inputs and a plurality of output instruction areas representing outputs are provided. Display means for displaying, coordinate designating means for designating a plurality of input designating areas and a plurality of output designating areas displayed on the display means, and input designating area and output designating area designated by the coordinate designating means based on a combination of, and a function selection control means for selecting a function, the coordinate pointing means, outputs an instruction territory and the input instruction regions simultaneously
It is possible to specify multiple combinations of areas, and
The function selection control means can combine the plurality of combinations.
A function selection device characterized by selecting a plurality of functions based on the above . 3. The function selection control means, the input instruction
Each time one area or output instruction area is indicated, the table
All output instructions that can be combined by controlling the display means
The operator is notified of the area or the input instruction area.
The described function selection device. 4. An interface with a host computer
As the display means and the coordinate pointing means,
Using the display and coordinate designator of the host computer,
The function selection control means includes the interface means.
Input finger instructed by the coordinate instruction unit of the computer via
The function selection device according to claim 2, wherein a combination of the display area and the output instruction area is input .