JP2000151864A - Copy and facsimile combined equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an operation be easy and simple by invalidating operations in the operation key group of a function mode which is not selected when one of a copying selecting key or a facsimile selecting key is selected and operated. SOLUTION: A copying key group for executing a copying function and a facsimile key group B for a facsimile function are divided into groups and arranged in left and right and the latter is arranged in left and the former is in right. Then a hinge part 9 is disposed in the boundary part of the key groups, a cover panel C is disposed in left and right so as to be opening/closing possible, the facsimile key group is covered when the cover panel C is set in left, a sensor means 8 automatically sets the copying function by detecting the state, the copying key group B is covered when the panel C is set in right and the sensor detects the state and automatically sets the facsimile function by changing-over.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a digital multifunction peripheral having both a copy printing function and a facsimile transmission / reception function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, digital multifunction peripherals having both a copy printing function and a facsimile transmission / reception function have been widely used. In this type of digital multifunction peripheral, the user selects either the copy function or the facsimile function, and when the copy function is selected, the user can use the device as a copy device and when the facsimile function is selected. Can be used as a facsimile apparatus. The facsimile function can receive image data by facsimile even if the copy function is selected, if there is a call from the other party.

FIG. 3 shows an appearance of a display operation panel of such a digital multifunction peripheral. The display operation unit 100 includes a copy selection key 101, a facsimile selection key 10
2. Various function keys 103, numeric keypad 10
4, a display screen 109 including a cursor key 105, a reset key 106, a stop key 107, a start key 108, an LCD, and the like.

A user operates a copy selection key 101 when using the apparatus as a copy apparatus, and operates a facsimile selection key 102 when using the apparatus as a facsimile apparatus. When the copy selection key 101 is operated, the display screen 109 displays
For example, a message such as "Can be copied" is displayed and can be used as a copy, and facsimile selection key 1
02, the display screen 109 displays, for example, “F
AX waiting "message is displayed, and the function key 103, the numeric keypad 104, the cursor key 10
5. By operating the reset key 106, the stop key 107, and the start key 108, facsimile transmission becomes possible.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional digital multifunction peripheral, the copy selection key 101,
One of the facsimile selection keys 102 must be operated to select a copy function and a facsimile function.
When the copy selection key 101 is operated or the facsimile selection key 102 is selected, an error occurs if the other unselected function key is operated, and the reset key, stop key, and start key have the same character notation. The operation was confusing and complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. When one of the copy selection key and the facsimile selection key is selected and operated, the operation keys that are not selected in the function mode that are not selected perform the operations. The first purpose is to invalidate. A second object of the present invention is to
When the operation keys are divided into a copy key group and a facsimile key group, and one of the function modes is selected and one of the key groups is used, the other key group is hidden from the operation panel. The purpose is to facilitate the operation.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copy / facsimile multifunction apparatus, which includes a copy key group and a facsimile machine. The key group is divided into two groups, that is, a group of keys, and when a function mode of either copy or facsimile is selected and executed, the operation of the key group of the function mode not selected is invalidated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a copy / facsimile multifunction device having a copy function and a facsimile function, a part of the operation keys is divided into a copy key group and a facsimile key group. The cover panel is pivotally attached to the boundary of the group so as to be openable and closable, and sensor means for detecting the open / closed state of the cover panel is provided at the boundary between the groups. When the cover panel is concealed, the state of the cover panel is detected by the sensor means, and the mode is automatically switched to the copy or facsimile function mode.

Furthermore, in the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral according to the third aspect, in the second aspect, when the cover panel is put on the upper surface of the copy key group or the facsimile key group, one of the key groups is placed. The operation keys of the units are provided with an operation unit for sharing functions with different functions.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction device according to the present invention. 1 and 2 are views each showing an example of the appearance of the operation panel of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows the case where the copy function is selected, and FIG. 2 shows the case where the facsimile function is selected.

In these figures, P denotes an operation panel of the digital multifunction peripheral, 1 denotes various function keys (abbreviated dial, communication certificate, on-hook, broadcast, completed stamp, etc.) when the facsimile function is used, 2 denotes a numeric keypad, 3
Is a cursor key, 4 is a reset key, 5 is a stop key, 6 is a start key shared by both copy and facsimile functions as described later, 7 is a display screen composed of an LCD, etc., and 8 is a later described The sensor means for detecting a change in the open / closed state of the cover panel C is shown. An optical sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like is used as these sensor means 8, and automatically detects whether the cover panel C is tilted in the right or left direction, and automatically performs a copy function and a facsimile function. Set to switch.

A copy key group A for executing the copy function and a facsimile key group B for executing the facsimile function include a display screen 7 as shown in FIGS.
On the right of, it is arranged in groups divided into left and right,
The facsimile key group A is arranged on the left side, and the copy key group B is arranged on the right side. Then, at the center of these two grouped key groups A and B, that is, at the boundary,
Hinges 9 and 9 are provided so that the cover panel C can be opened and closed right and left. When the cover panel C is turned to the left, as shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile key group A is covered and hidden. The sensor means 8 detects this state, automatically sets the copy function, and if it is tilted rightward, as shown in FIG.
The copy key group B is covered and concealed, and the sensor means 8 detects this state and automatically switches to the facsimile function.

Therefore, according to such a structure, when the copy function is selected, if the cover panel C is tilted to the left, the facsimile key group A is covered and the copy key group B is hidden. When the facsimile function is selected, the copy key group B appears when the cover panel C is tilted to the right, and the mode is automatically switched to the respective function modes. The operation can be performed without being conscious of the key group other than the function mode that has been set (claim 1).

In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the cover panel C has a pressing operation unit 2A corresponding to the numeric keypad 2 provided on the copy key group A, a reset key 4, a stop key 5,
Pressing operation unit 4A, 5A, 6A corresponding to start key 6
Is provided. Therefore, when the cover panel C is tilted to the right to cover the facsimile key group B, the ten keys 2 and the start key 6 can be operated from above the cover panel C. 4 and pressing operation units 4A and 5A corresponding to the stop key 5
, A clear key and a communication stop key required for the facsimile function are displayed so that they can be used as the clear key and the communication stop key. Therefore, with such a structure, by sharing some operation keys in both function modes, the number of operation keys arranged on the operation panel section is reduced, and the appearance of the operation panel is reduced, The function display of the shared switch can be displayed alternatively according to the selection mode.

The pressing operation unit 2A provided on the cover panel C,
4A, 5A, and 6A are formed of an elastic body such as rubber or formed with a contour groove corresponding to the shape of an operation key to be covered, and are pressed from the upper surface of the cover panel C to operate the lower surface. Any configuration can be used as long as the key can be operated, but in any case, a configuration in which a feeling at the time of pressing is obtained is desirable. According to such a structure using the cover panel C, the key group used in the other function mode that is not selected is hidden on the operation panel P, so that a function type display lamp is provided.
Compared to a configuration in which the display is selectively turned on in accordance with the selected function mode, there are advantages in that the number of components is reduced, the appearance is not complicated, and the operation panel can be downsized.

In the above embodiment, the cover panel C
Shows a structure that is opened and closed left and right according to the key groups A and B divided into left and right. However, when the key groups A and B are arranged and divided vertically, a structure that is opened and closed vertically is adopted. It goes without saying that you can do it. Furthermore, in the above description, the operation keys provided on the operation panel P are divided into two groups, a copy key group A and a facsimile key group B, and the cover panel C is attached to the boundary so as to be openable and closable. When one of the key groups A or B is covered with the cover panel C, an opening / closing state of the cover panel C is detected by the sensor unit 8 to automatically select and set the function mode of copy and facsimile. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example.

That is, in a copy / facsimile multifunction device having a copy function and a facsimile function, a part of the operation keys are arranged separately in a copy key group and a facsimile key group. When is selected by a separately provided mode selection switch, the operation of the operation keys of the key group not selected may be invalidated (claim 1).

In such a case, in order to clearly indicate to the operator which function mode is selected and valid, a function display lamp is provided, or when a key group of a function mode not selected is operated. It is desirable to output an invalid sound (beep sound). Next, the basic operation and usage of the device of the present invention will be described.

If the cover panel C is tilted to the left, the sensor means 8 automatically sets the copy function. Then, for example, a message such as “Copying is possible 100%” is displayed on the display screen 7 to notify that the copy function is selected. After that, the user operates the numeric keypad 2 to set the number of copies, and then operates the start key 6 to execute copy printing. By operating the reset key 4 while setting the number of copies by operating the numeric keypad 2,
The set number of copies is cleared. If the stop key 5 is operated during the execution of the copy printing, the copy printing being executed is interrupted.

Here, even if the copy function is selected,
If there is a call from the other party, the call is received in response to the call, and the subsequently transmitted image data is received by facsimile. On the other hand, if the cover panel C is tilted to the right, the sensor means 8 automatically sets the facsimile function. Then, for example, a message such as “FAX standby” is displayed on the display screen 7 to notify that the facsimile function has been selected.

At this time, the numeric keypad 2, reset key 4, stop key 5, start key 6
, But instead, a pressing portion 2A displaying numbers and symbols corresponding to the numeric keypad, a pressing portion 4A displaying clear,
5A indicating that communication is stopped, 6 indicating that FAX start is displayed
Since A is exposed, a ten key, a clear key, a communication stop key, and a FAX start key appear. At this time, a facsimile key group A also appears on the operation panel P, and various settings for facsimile transmission / reception can be made.

Therefore, the user operates the pressing portion 2A of the cover panel C to set the facsimile number of the other party, and can operate the pressing portion 6A to perform facsimile transmission, while operating the pressing portion 2A. If the pressing unit 4A is operated while the facsimile number of the destination is set, the set facsimile number of the destination is cleared, and if the pressing unit 5A is operated during the facsimile transmission, the operation is executed. Facsimile transmission can be interrupted.

[0023]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the apparatus of the present invention, a part of the operation keys is divided into a copy key group and a facsimile key group. When any of the copy, facsimile function modes is selected, the operation of the keys in the non-selected function mode is invalidated, so the operation is easy for the operator to understand, and an error occurs when the operation is performed. There is no need to worry about the response.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, only one of the copy key group and the facsimile key group arranged separately on the operation panel is hidden by opening and closing the cover panel. In this case, the mode is automatically switched to the selected function mode. This eliminates the troublesome operation of switching between the copy and facsimile functions as in the past, and hides the operation keys that are not required for the selected mode on the operation panel, making it easier for the operator to understand the operation. And a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral that can be easily operated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the second aspect, the cover panel is configured to share some operation keys of one key group with different functions. Is provided, a part of the key group divided for copying and facsimile can be shared by both. For this reason, the number of operation keys arranged on the operation panel can be reduced, the number of parts can be reduced, and a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral having a simple appearance and easy operation can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a display operation unit of a digital multifunction peripheral. (When the copy print function is selected)

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a display operation unit of the digital multifunction peripheral. (When facsimile function is selected)

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a display operation unit of a conventional digital multifunction peripheral.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P: Operation panel A: Copy key group B: Facsimile key group C: Cover panel 1: Facsimile function key 2: Numeric keypad 3: Cursor key 4.・ Reset key 5 ・ ・ ・ Stop key 6 ・ ・ ・ Start key 7 ・ ・ ・ Display part 8 ・ ・ ・ Sensor means 9 ・ ・ ・ Hinge part 2A, 4A, 5A, 6A ・ ・ ・ Operation part of cover panel

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a copy / facsimile multifunction apparatus having a copy function and a facsimile function, a part of the operation keys is divided into a copy key group and a facsimile key group.
A copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral which is divided into two groups and, when one of the function modes of copy or facsimile is selected and executed, the operation of the key group of the function mode not selected is invalidated. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a part of the operation keys is divided into two groups of a copy key group and a facsimile key group.
At the boundary between the groups, a cover panel is pivotally attached so as to be openable and closable, and a sensor means for detecting the open / closed state of the cover panel is provided. One of the keys is selectively covered by the cover panel. A copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral configured to automatically switch and set to a copy or facsimile function mode by the sensor means. 3. The cover panel according to claim 2, wherein when the cover panel is placed on the upper surface of a copy key group or a facsimile key group, some operation keys of the key group are shared with different functions. Copy / facsimile multifunction device having a structure provided with an operation unit for performing the operation.