JP2006060679A - Complex machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a complex machine capable of more easily performing a process having desired content than a conventional complex machine. <P>SOLUTION: The complex machine 10 is configured so that information in an IC tag is read by an IC tag reader 24 when a user having the IC tag of predetermined specification approaches thereto, and a process corresponding to the information stored in the IC tag is executed only when a start button 22 is depressed by the user. And the complex machine 10 has a function for rewriting the information in the IC tag. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction machine.

As is well known, among general MFPs that are commercially available in recent years, there are devices that can register information for specifying copy conditions, information on FAX destinations, and the like for each user (for all users). As an information that can be used), there is an apparatus (for example, refer to Patent Document 1) that can register information that defines copy conditions. All types of multifunction peripherals are configured as devices (high-function devices) that have an extremely large number of types and numbers of information that can be registered. For this reason, the contents of operations that the user must perform to use the registered information in any type of MFP are quite complicated.
JP-A-11-331446

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a multifunction peripheral that can perform processing of desired contents more easily than existing multifunction peripherals.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the MFP of the present invention includes processing execution means for executing processing according to given processing condition definition information, and an IC tag having a predetermined specification existing within a communicable range. Reading the processing condition definition information, changing the processing condition definition information stored in the IC tag, an IC tag using means, and the processing condition specification read by the IC tag using means A user interface having a function of receiving a change instruction for information from a user, changing the processing condition definition information to a content corresponding to the received change instruction, and a function of receiving an operation start instruction of the process execution means from the user And when the operation start instruction is received by the user interface means, the processing condition definition at that time Processing content control means for causing the processing execution means to execute processing according to information, and processing capable of storing the processing condition definition information at that time in the IC tag using the IC tag using means Condition regulation information changing means.

  In other words, the multifunction device according to the present invention is configured so that when a user who has an IC tag of a predetermined specification approaches (as a result of the user approaching the IC tag using means of the multifunction device, the IC tag of the predetermined specification possessed by the user is A configuration in which processing corresponding to the processing condition defining information stored in the IC tag is performed as long as the user issues an operation start instruction if the IC tag using means enters the communicable range. Have. The MFP of the present invention also has a function (processing condition definition information changing means) for storing the processing condition definition information of the contents changed by using the user interface means in the IC tag. Therefore, it can be said that the multi-function machine of the present invention is a multi-function machine that can process a desired content more easily than an existing multi-function machine. In addition, if the multifunction peripheral of the present invention is arranged in each place in a plurality of business offices / offices, each user (who owns an IC tag) can easily use each multifunction peripheral ( When using any multifunction machine, it is possible to realize a work environment that does not require setting work for use under usual conditions.

  In realizing the multifunction peripheral of the present invention, the processing execution means is a means capable of executing each of a plurality of types of processing, and the IC tag stores processing condition defining information for each of the plurality of types of processing. The user interface means accepts a change instruction for each of a plurality of types of processing condition definition information read out by the IC tag utilization means from the user, and sets each processing condition definition information to a content corresponding to the received change instruction. And a function for receiving from the user an instruction as to which processing condition definition information should be used and an operation start instruction of the processing execution means. -When the operation start instruction is accepted by the interface means, it is instructed to be used It can be kept as a means for executing the processing of content corresponding to the processing condition specified information at that time to the processing execution means. Further, in this case, the process execution means can be set as a means capable of executing at least a copy process and a process of converting a document into image data and transmitting it.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, an outline (mainly configuration) of the multifunction machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 according to this embodiment is an apparatus in which a copy unit 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, and a FAX unit 14 are combined.

  The printer 13 used in the multifunction machine 10 is a device that can be used as a peripheral device of a computer by itself (even if it is not connected to the copy unit 11). The scanner 12 is also a device that can be used alone as a peripheral device of the computer. The FAX unit 14 is a unit for performing FAX transmission / reception.

  The copy unit 11 is a unit that operates the multifunction device 10 as a device having a copy function, a FAX function, a scan mail function, and a scan file function. The scan mail function is a function for transmitting an e-mail attached with an image data file of a document set on the scanner 12 (hereinafter referred to as a scan mail), and the scan file function is the scanner 12. This is a function for saving an image data file (hereinafter referred to as a scan file) of the original set in the computer in a computer connected to the MFP 10 via a LAN.

  The copy unit 11 is a kind of computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an EEPROM, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the copy unit 11 is provided with various push button switches such as a start button 22 and a numeric keypad and a touch screen 21 on the top surface of the casing. The unit is provided with an IC tag reader 24.

  The objective sensor 23 provided in the copy unit 11 is an infrared sensor for detecting the user standing in front of the copy unit 11. The IC tag reader 24 is a device for performing read / write with respect to a multifunction device IC tag distributed to each user of the multifunction device 10.

  As shown schematically in FIG. 3, the IC tag for the MFP that is distributed to each user of the MFP 10 includes a manufacturer code, a model code, display screen designation information, copy condition information, job memory information, The display FAX destination information, FAX condition information, FAX destination list information, display scan destination information, scan condition information, and scan destination list information are stored.

  The meaning (use) of each piece of information stored in the multifunction device IC tag will be described later in association with the operation of the copy unit 11, but the manufacturer code stored in the multifunction device IC tag. The model code is information that represents the manufacturer and model of the multifunction device 10 and is not rewritten by the multifunction device 10, respectively. On the other hand, each information other than the manufacturer code and the model code is information that may be rewritten by the multifunction device 10. In the present embodiment, the copy condition information, FAX condition information, and scan condition information stored in the IC tag for the multi function device substantially correspond to the processing condition defining information in the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  When the multifunction device 10 is turned on, the copy unit 11 performs a process for checking the status of each unit, and then manages the copy unit 11 for a general user (held in its own unit). Touch screen control processing based on condition information, job memory information, FAX condition information, FAX destination list information, scan condition information, scan destination list information, etc. is started.

  The touch screen control process executed by the copy unit 11 uses / refers to the above-described various types of information in accordance with a user instruction (operation contents for the various push button switches provided on the touch screen 21 or the copy unit 11). This is a process in which the process of displaying the screen on the touch screen 21, the process of changing the above-described various information to the contents designated by the user, and the like are performed in parallel.

  Note that the copy condition information is information that defines the contents (types of buttons to be highlighted) of the copy function basic screen 31 shown in FIG. 4A that may be displayed on the touch screen 21 by the touch screen control process. In addition, when the start button 22 is pressed, the copy unit 11 starts processing corresponding to the content. The copy condition information is information whose contents are changed by the touch screen control process that detects that the copy function basic screen 31 is operated. The job memory information is a collection of several pieces of information that can be used as copy condition information by performing a predetermined procedure on the touch screen 21 (used when the touch screen control process displays a job memory selection screen, etc. Information).

  The FAX condition information is information for defining the contents of the FAX function basic screen 32 shown in FIG. 4B, and is information whose contents are changed by operating the FAX function basic screen 32. . The FAX destination list information includes information (FAX number, grouped FAX number, etc.) for defining the contents of the FAX transmission destination selection screen displayed by pressing the abbreviated selection button / group selection button on the FAX function basic screen 32. Information). The scan condition information is information that determines the contents of the scan function basic screen 33 shown in FIG. 4C and information whose contents are changed by the operation of the scan function basic screen 33. The scan destination list information is a scan destination displayed by pressing a scan destination button (a portion indicated as “Mail: -unselected-”, “Server: -unselected-”) on the scan function basic screen 33. Information that defines the contents of the selection screen (information including e-mail address, folder name, etc.).

  It should be noted that the copy button 41, the FAX button 42, and the mail transmission / file generation button 43 (not highlighted) provided on each basic screen are copied by the touch screen control process that detects the pressing thereof. A function basic screen 31, a FAX function basic screen 32, and a scan function basic screen 33 are buttons that are displayed on the touch screen 21.

  In addition, the copy unit 11 that has started the touch screen control process also starts a process of monitoring the occurrence of an event in which the object sensor 23 continues to detect the presence of the user for a predetermined time or longer.

  When the occurrence of the event is detected, the copy unit 11 executes the user confirmation process whose procedure is shown in FIG.

  That is, when the occurrence of the above event is detected, the copy unit 11 controls the IC tag reader 24 to determine whether or not the IC tag for the multifunction device (see FIG. 3) exists within the communicable range of the IC tag reader 24. Is determined (step S101). Then, when the IC tag for the multi function device does not exist within the communicable range of the IC tag reader 24 (step S101; NO), the copy unit 11 ends this user confirmation processing without performing any particular processing. To do.

  On the other hand, if the IC tag for the multifunction device exists within the communicable range of the IC tag reader 24 (step S101; YES), the copy unit 11 controls the IC tag reader 24 to control from the IC tag for the multifunction device. A process of reading the manufacturer code and the model code (step S102) is performed. Then, the copy unit 11 determines whether or not the read manufacturer code and model code are for the own model (step S103), and if both codes are not for the own model (step S103; For NO), an IC tag nonconformity notification process (step S104) is executed.

  At the time of this IC tag non-conformity notification process, the copy unit 11 displays a screen having the contents shown in FIG. 6 on the touch screen 21 so that the user can have the IC tag for the multifunction device owned by the user. Notify that it is not a thing. Then, when the “OK” button on this screen is pressed, the copy unit 11 ends the IC tag non-conformity notification process (step S104) and the user confirmation process (FIG. 5).

  Further, when the manufacturer code and model code read from the IC tag for the multifunction machine are for the own model (step S103; YES), the copy unit 11 touches the status presentation screen shown in FIG. After being displayed on the screen 21, a process of reading various unread information (display screen designation information, copy condition information, etc .; see FIG. 3) from the IC tag for the multifunction device is started (step S105). When the “cancel” button on the status display screen is pressed (not shown) before the reading of information from the IC tag for the multifunction device is completed, the copy unit 11 touches the status display screen. After erasing from the screen 21, the process of step S105 and the user confirmation process are terminated. Further, the copy unit 11 deletes the status presentation screen from the touch screen 21 when the reading of information from the IC tag for the multifunction peripheral is completed without pressing the “cancel” button on the status presentation screen. After that, the process of step S105 is terminated. Then, the copy unit 11 executes an operation environment change process (step S106).

  This operation environment change process is performed according to the condition information (copy / fax / scan condition information) read from the IC tag for the multi-function device when the buttons 41 to 43 (see FIG. 4) are pressed. Each basic screen (the copy function basic screen 31, the FAX function basic screen 32, or the scan function basic screen 33) is displayed on the touch screen 21, and is not for a general user, but from an IC tag for a multifunction device. This is a process for functioning as a process that uses the read job memory information, FAX destination list information, and scan destination list information. In addition, the operation environment changing process is a process for displaying on the touch screen 21 the basic screen of the type indicated by the display screen designation information read from the IC tag for the multifunction device in the touch screen control process. Further, the operation environment changing process is a touch screen control process, a FAX function basic screen 32 in which information corresponding to the displayed FAX destination information is indicated as a FAX transmission destination, and information corresponding to the display scan destination information is transmitted as a scan mail. This is a process that functions as a process for displaying the scan function basic screen 33 shown as the destination and / or the storage destination of the scan file.

  Then, the copy unit 11 that has performed the operation environment change process having such contents ends the user confirmation process.

  In short, the copy unit 11 and the multifunction device IC tag according to the present embodiment are stored in the multifunction device IC tag when the user holding the multifunction device IC tag stands in front of the copy unit 11. The basic screen of the type specified by the display screen designation information and the content corresponding to the copy condition information stored in the IC tag for the MFP is displayed on the touch screen 21. Has been. In addition, the copy unit 11 and the IC tag for the multifunction device have the basic screens (FAX function basic screen 32 and scan function basic screen 33) that require setting of the destination as illustrated in FIG. Now, it is also configured to display a scan destination) having been set.

  Further, when an operation that requires changing the information in the multifunction device IC tag is performed while the copy unit 11 is performing an operation based on the information stored in the multifunction device IC tag, 9 is also configured to execute the in-tag information changing process shown in FIG.

  It should be noted that the processing that requires changing the information in the IC tag for the multifunction device is performed with respect to display screen designation information, copy condition information, display FAX destination information, FAX condition information, display scan destination information, and scan condition information. Is different from the information stored in the multifunction IC tag (for example, the basic screen of the type specified by the display screen designation information stored in the multifunction IC tag). When the start button 22 is pressed in a state in which a different basic screen is displayed, a state in which a destination different from the destination indicated by the display FAX destination information stored in the IC tag for the multifunction device is specified) That is. In addition, regarding job memory information, FAX destination list information, and scan destination list information, it is when an instruction to complete an operation to change each information is given.

  That is, when an operation that requires changing the information in the IC tag for the multifunction device is performed, the copy unit 11 executes an information change necessity inquiry process (step S201).

  During the information change necessity inquiry process, the copy unit 11 displays a confirmation screen having the configuration shown in FIG. 10 on the touch screen 21. Next, the copy unit 11 enters a state of waiting for the “Register” button or the “Do not register” button on this confirmation screen to be pressed. Then, when any button is pressed, the copy unit 11 deletes the confirmation screen from the touch screen 21 and ends the information change necessity inquiry process.

  Thereafter, when the information change necessity inquiry process is ended by pressing the “not register” button (step S202; not registered), the copy unit 11 ends the in-tag information change process. On the other hand, when the information change necessity inquiry process has been completed by pressing the “Register” button (step S202; registration), the copy unit 11 controls the IC tag reader 24 to control the inside of the IC tag for the multifunction device. The process of actually changing the information that needs to be changed (step S203) is performed.

  That is, in this step S203, the copy unit 11 changes the display screen designation information in the MFP IC tag to information indicating the type of the basic screen displayed on the touch screen 21 at that time, Display of basic screens (copy function basic screen 31, FAX function basic screen 32, scan function basic screen 33) on which condition information (copy condition information, FAX condition information, scan condition information) in the IC tag for MFP is being displayed Processing to change the information according to the content, processing to change the display FAX destination information in the IC tag for the MFP to information indicating the other party who actually transmitted the FAX, display scan destination information in the IC tag for the MFP Is changed to information indicating the partner who sent the scan mail and / or the folder storing the scan file.

  The copy unit 11 that has performed such processing in step S203 ends the in-tag information change processing. If the in-tag information change process is executed because the start button 22 is pressed, the copy unit 11 starts a process for generating a copy, a process for transmitting a FAX, and the like. If the in-tag information changing process is executed because the job memory information or the like has been changed, a process for displaying one of the basic screens on the touch screen 21 is performed.

  As is apparent from the above description, the multifunction device 10 according to the present embodiment has various information stored on the touch screen 21 in the IC tag for the multifunction device possessed by the user who intends to use it. It is a device that displays a screen with content corresponding to the. In addition, if the user who owns the IC tag for the multifunction device stands in front of the copy unit 11 in order to use it, the same work as the work performed previously using the multifunction device 10 is performed. Can be started by pressing the start button 22. Therefore, it can be said that the multifunction machine 10 is a device that allows the user to easily perform various operations as compared with the existing multifunction machine.

  Furthermore, the IC tag for the multifunction device can be used in common for a plurality of multifunction devices 10. For this reason, if the multi-function device 10 is arranged in each of a plurality of business offices / offices, each user (who owns a multi-function device IC tag) can easily use each multi-function device 10. It is possible to realize a work environment (a work environment that does not require setting work for use under normal conditions when using any multifunction machine 10).

<Deformation>
The multifunction machine 10 described above can be variously modified. For example, the multifunction device 10 is modified so that display screen designation information, copy condition information, and the like in the multifunction device IC tag are changed after the copy is completed, not when the start button 22 is pressed. I can do it. Also, a function for changing only the information in the IC tag for the multifunction device (a function that can actually change the copy condition information without copying, etc.) is added to the multifunction device 10 in advance. Also good.

  Also, the multifunction device 10 is a device that cannot be used by a user who does not have a multifunction device IC tag, a device that has a different type of information stored in the multifunction device IC tag, and a device that is different from the above. Of course, it may be transformed into a multifunction device that displays the screen of the configuration, a multifunction device that has a different number / type of implemented functions, and the like.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of information stored in a multifunction device IC tag distributed to each user of the multifunction device according to the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the basic screen displayed on the touch screen of the multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment. 5 is a flowchart of user confirmation processing executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the screen which may be displayed on a touch screen at the time of a user confirmation process. Explanatory drawing of the condition presentation screen which may be displayed on a touch screen at the time of a user confirmation process. The figure which showed an example of the basic screen displayed on a touch screen after a user confirmation process. 6 is a flowchart of in-tag information change processing executed in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the confirmation screen displayed on a touch screen at the time of the information change process in a tag.

Explanation of symbols

10 MFP, 11 Copy unit, 12 Scanner, 13 Printer,
14 FAX unit, 21 touch screen, 22 start button,
23 Object sensor, 24 IC tag reader 31 Copy function basic screen, 32 FAX function basic screen, 33 Scan function basic screen,
41 Copy button, 42 FAX button, 43 Mail transmission / file generation button

Claims (3)

Processing execution means for executing processing according to the given processing condition definition information;
An IC tag using means capable of reading the processing condition defining information from an IC tag having a predetermined specification existing within a communicable range, and changing the processing condition defining information stored in the IC tag;
A function for accepting a change instruction for the processing condition definition information read by the IC tag utilization means from a user, and changing the processing condition definition information to a content corresponding to the accepted change instruction; User interface means having a function of accepting an operation start instruction from a user;
When the operation start instruction is received by the user interface unit, a processing content control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute processing according to the processing condition definition information at that time point;
And a processing condition defining information changing means capable of storing the processing condition defining information at that time in the IC tag using the IC tag using means. The process execution means is means capable of executing each of a plurality of types of processes,
The IC tag stores processing condition defining information for each of the plurality of types of processing,
The user interface means accepts a change instruction for each of a plurality of types of processing condition definition information read out by the IC tag using means from the user, and sets each processing condition definition information to a content corresponding to the received change instruction. Is a means having a function to change the process, an instruction about which processing condition definition information should be used, and a function to receive an operation start instruction of the process execution means from the user,
The processing content control means is instructed to be used when the operation start instruction is received by the user interface means, and the processing content corresponding to the processing condition defining information at that time is the processing The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multifunction device is executed by an execution unit. The multifunction device according to claim 2, wherein the processing execution unit is a unit capable of executing at least a copy process and a process of transmitting a document as image data.