JP2003330597A - Input/output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input/output device allowing even a person inexperienced in operation to operate equipment with selective multiple functions, such as faxing and copying, according to the right procedure. <P>SOLUTION: An operational procedure is shown by way of luminescence, blink, pop-up or the like of a key or its vicinity with respect to a function key for selecting a specific function, a data input key, a decision key, and the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input / output device involving input / output operations, such as a fax machine, a copier, a telephone, or a multi-function device combining them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, fax machines and multi-telephones having a copy function have become widespread. For example, when performing telephone number registration or copy operation using these devices, many operation keys are arranged in a mixed manner. Therefore, the operation may be disturbed by an unfamiliar person.

In such a case, the user must proceed one by one while looking at the operation manual, and in the case of an operation that is rarely used, the learning function performed once cannot be utilized and the operation manual is seen again. There was a problem that it had to be.

[0004]

In such a multifunctional input / output device, as a cause of the above-mentioned problems, the operation keys are randomly arranged and the operation screen is guided. It is thought that it is difficult to find out which one of the required operation keys will hit next.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention is an input / output device that allows even an inexperienced person to easily use a desired function according to the procedure, regardless of whether or not a guide regarding keys is provided on a display screen. Is intended to provide.

[0006]

In the input / output device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in an input / output work flow performed by using a selected predetermined function, a predetermined work step in the work flow ends. In order to guide the operator to the operation key required for the next required work step or input step, the change signal such as light emission, blinking, pop-up, etc., near the operation key itself to be guided, or in the vicinity of the operation key. It is characterized by generating.

With this feature, the case of selecting and operating the telephone number registration function as the predetermined function will be described as an example. When moving from one work step to the next work step, specifically, the name input is completed. Set (start)
By pressing a key or the like, one work step is completed. In this input / output device, in order to guide the operator to the subsequent telephone number input, the aforementioned end signal is detected and the operation key that must be operated next is indexed. Instruct the ten-key (number key) to generate a change signal such as light emission, blinking or pop-up. The operator will definitely be able to reach the next operation key by operating the key for which this induction signal (change signal) is issued.Of course, even if the key does not light, blink, or pop up directly, The input / output device according to claim 2 of the present invention, which is capable of emitting light around the key or displaying an arrow, is synchronized with generation of a change signal in the operation key or in the vicinity of the operation key. It is preferable that a guide necessary for the work flow is displayed on the display screen by characters or images.

With this feature, the operator can smoothly perform the operation by using the guide information (characters and images) displayed on the display screen together with the guide signal (change signal) of the operation key. Further, regarding the operation keys to which some change is given, it is possible to display, for example, "please press the blinking key."

An input / output device according to a third aspect of the present invention is
It is preferable that at least a function selection key for selecting a predetermined function, a cross key for data input, and an enter content determination key (start / set key) are arranged in a line in a predetermined direction according to the order.

According to this feature, at least the function selection keys, the data input cross key, and the input content decision key are arranged such that the operation keys flow from top to bottom as in the flow chart. Coupled with the guide function of the operation key by the change signal, the operation by the operator becomes easier.

[0011]

1 and 2 show an operation flow using the input / output device 1 when registering a telephone number. From the left, the operation flow, the screen displayed on the display screen of the device, and the operation are shown. This is a layout operation section of necessary operation keys, and this operation section is shown in detail in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

In order to operate according to the operation flow, a predetermined operation key on the operation unit is pressed to perform the work. Here, as shown in the figure, a black-painted portion, that is, an operation key is previously lit, blinked, or popped up.

Further, these operation keys are arranged in a row in a vertical direction such that a telephone book registration function key 2 as a function selection key, a cross key 3 for data input, and an enter content decision key 4 are arranged in a vertical direction so as to form a flow chart shape. ing.

FIG. 3 is an operation flow for making a copy using the input / output device 1. In this case, the copy function key 5 is used as the function selection key.

This input / output device 1 detects the end of a predetermined work step during the input / output work performed by using the selected predetermined function, and the operation key necessary for the next work step or input step. In order to guide the operator to the
It has a structure to generate change signals such as blinking and pop-up.

That is, the case of selecting and operating the telephone number registration function as the predetermined function will be described as an example.
When the enter key is pressed and the enter key 4 is pressed, one work step is completed. This input / output device detects the above-mentioned end signal in order to guide the operator to the next telephone number input, and then indexes the operation key that must be operated next. In this case, the numeric keypad (number key ) 8 is instructed to generate a change signal that emits light. Therefore, the ten-key pad 8 emits light as shown in FIG. 1, and the operator is given a key that is emitting an induction signal (change signal).
That is, by operating the ten-key pad 8, the next operation key can be definitely reached. The light change signal may be blinking.

Of course, even if the key does not directly emit light or blink, a light emitting lamp 6 as shown in FIG. 5 is provided around the key so that light is emitted or an arrow appears. It is also possible to do so.

Further, in synchronization with the generation of the change signal in the operation keys or in the vicinity of the operation keys, it is preferable that a guide necessary for the work flow is displayed on the display screen 9 by characters or images.

That is, the operator can smoothly perform the operation by using the guide information (characters and images) displayed on the display screen 9 together with the guide signal (change signal) of the operation key. Further, regarding the operation keys to which some change is given, it is possible to display, for example, "please press the blinking key."

Further, as described above, at least the function selection keys 2, the data input cross key 3, and the input content decision key 4, the operation keys are arranged so as to flow from top to bottom as in the flow chart. Because it has been
Coupled with the guide function of the operation key by the change signal, the operation by the operator becomes easier.

FIG. 6 shows a structure in which the operation key pops up as a change signal of the operation key. As shown in FIG. 7, assuming that the height of the operation key in the normal state is (A), When a change signal is given, the state is changed so as to project upward as in (B).

[0022]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the case of selecting and operating the telephone number registration function as the predetermined function will be described as an example. When a certain work step moves to the next work step, When the name input is completed and the set (start) key or the like is pressed, one work step is completed. In this input / output device, in order to guide the operator to the next telephone number input, the above-mentioned end signal is detected, and the operation key that must be operated next is indexed. Instruct the (number key) to generate a change signal such as light emission, blinking, or pop-up. The operator uses this guidance signal (change signal)
By operating the key that is issued, the next operation key can be definitely reached.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operator can smoothly perform the operation by using the guide information (characters and images) displayed on the display screen together with the guide signal (change signal) of the operation key. it can. Further, regarding the operation keys to which some change is given, it is possible to display, for example, "please press the blinking key."

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at least the operation keys are arranged so as to flow from the top to the bottom as shown in the flowchart, from the function selection key to the data input cross key and the input content decision key. Therefore, in combination with the guide function of the operation key by the change signal, the operation by the operator becomes easier.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operation flow, a screen, and an operation unit in a phonebook registration example.

FIG. 2 is a continuation of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation flow, a screen, and an operation unit during copying.

FIG. 4 is a first example of an operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a second example of the operation unit.

FIG. 6 is a third example of the operation unit.

7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 6, where (A) is a normal operation key and (B) is a pop-up operation key.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 I / O device 2 Phonebook registration function key (function selection key) 3 Four-way controller 4 Enter key 5 Copy function key (function selection key) 6 light-emitting lamp 7 Stop key 8 Numeric keypad (number key) 9 Display screen

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 BB10 CQ03 CQ22                       CQ28                 5B020 GG15                 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB20 AB23 AC05                       AF16

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In an input / output work flow performed using a selected predetermined function, the end of a certain work step in the work flow is detected, and an operation key required for the next work step or input step. An input / output device characterized in that a change signal such as light emission, blinking, and pop-up is generated in the operation key itself to be guided or in the vicinity of the operation key in order to guide the worker to the. 2. The guide required for the work flow is displayed by characters or images on the display screen in synchronization with the generation of a change signal in the operation keys or in the vicinity of the operation keys. Access device. 3. At least a function selection key for selecting a predetermined function, a cross key for data input, and a determination key (start / set key) for input contents are arranged in a line in a predetermined direction according to the order. The input / output device according to claim 1.