JP2006146593A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus whose operability can be improved by enabling a user to previously set whether a key operated at a power saving state is validated for a function except for release of the power saving state or not. <P>SOLUTION: When the key is operated at the power saving state, a function for restoring the power saving state to an original normal state is realized, and setting peculiar to the operated key is validated. Information on validity except for the release function of the power saving state at the power saving state (whether function except for release function in power saving state is realized or not) is associated with a part of or whole keys of an operation part 5 and stored in a RAM 7. Keys (numeric keys or the like) realizing the release function of the power saving state and a setting function peculiar to itself when an input operation is performed at the time of the power saving state and keys (start key, stop key or the like) which executes only the release function of the power saving state and do not execute the setting function peculiar to itself when the input operation is performed at the time of the power saving state are present in the keys of the operation part 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that can set / cancel a power saving state (energy saving state).

  For electronic devices such as copiers, facsimile machines, scanner devices, printer devices, or multifunction devices (facsimile multifunction devices) that have both copying, facsimile, scanner, and printer functions. When no key input operation is performed or when the energy saving key on the operation panel is operated, the power saving state (energy saving state) is entered and the backlight of the liquid crystal display panel (LCD panel) is turned off. .

Then, when performing operations such as copy processing and facsimile transmission processing on such an electronic device in the power saving state, the user performs a key operation to cancel the power saving state and return to the normal state, and the liquid crystal After the backlight of the display panel is turned on again to return to the normal state, key operations necessary to perform a desired operation are performed. At this time, in order to improve user convenience, all keys on the operation panel can be used as release keys for releasing the power saving state. That is, in the power saving state, it is possible to return from the power saving state to the normal state regardless of which key on the operation panel is operated by the user (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP-A-8-16284 JP 2001-14070 A

  As described above, when an input operation of a certain key is performed in the power saving state, the electronic device cannot determine the key operation for returning to the normal state or the key operation for executing a specific processing operation. In addition, when any key operation is performed, the normal state is restored.

  However, depending on the user, even though the key is operated to perform a desired processing operation from now, the key operation only returns from the power saving state to the original normal state, and the state change that is not intended by the user There is a problem in that (return to the normal state) occurs and causes confusion.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and allows a user to specify in advance whether or not a key operated in a power saving state is valid for a function other than the cancellation of the power saving state. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can perform the operation as expected by the user without causing confusion as described above, and can improve the operability of the user.

  Another object of the present invention is to divide the user into a first type key for canceling the power saving state and performing a specific operation setting, and a second type key for only canceling the power saving state. It is an object to provide an electronic device that can improve the performance.

  The electronic device according to claim 1 has a plurality of keys each for setting a specific operation, and the electronic device releases the power saving state by inputting any one of the plurality of keys. In association with a part or all of the plurality of keys, the first storage means for storing the validity of each key specific operation setting other than the cancellation of the power saving state, and when there is a key input during the power saving state, Control means for controlling the operation after the power saving state is canceled based on the stored contents of the first storage means.

  In claim 1, when an input operation is performed in the power saving state, in addition to canceling the power saving state, the effectiveness of setting a specific operation itself is registered in association with a plurality of keys. In addition, when a key operation is performed in the power saving state, whether or not a specific operation setting for the key itself is further performed after the power saving state is canceled is controlled based on the registered contents. Therefore, when the validity is registered, when the user operates a key to perform a desired processing operation in the power saving state, the desired processing is performed following the return operation from the power saving state to the normal state. Since the operation is performed, the user is not confused.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device according to the first aspect, further comprising a second storage unit that stores a part of the plurality of associated keys as an exclusive key, and is stored as an exclusive key in a power saving state. When the key is input, the power saving state is canceled and the standby state is set regardless of the stored contents of the first storage means.

  According to claim 2, when a key stored as an exclusive key is input in the power saving state, only the power saving state is canceled and the standby state is set regardless of whether the validity is registered. To do. Therefore, an operation unintended by the user is prevented from being performed.

  The electronic device according to claim 3 has a plurality of keys each for setting a specific operation, and the electronic device releases the power saving state by inputting any one of the plurality of keys. A first type key that cancels the power saving state and performs its own specific operation setting when there is a key input for each of the plurality of keys in the power saving state, or a key in the power saving state When there is an input, there is a receiving means for accepting the designation of the second type key that cancels the power saving state and does not perform the specific operation setting itself, and there is an input of the first type key in the power saving state. And a control means for performing a release of the power saving state and a key specific operation setting, and controlling to release the power saving state when the second type key is input during the power saving state. It is characterized by.

  In the third aspect, the first type key for canceling the power saving state and performing the operation setting specific to itself, or canceling the power saving state but not performing the operation setting specific to itself. For each key, the user designates two types of keys. Therefore, since the setting of the function when canceling the power saving state can be changed for each key, the operability is improved and the convenience of the user is enhanced.

  In the present invention, when a key is operated in the power saving state, in addition to canceling the power saving state, the specific operation setting of the key itself can be performed, so that the user executes a desired processing operation in the power saving state. When the key is operated, the desired processing operation can be performed following the return operation from the power saving state to the normal state, so that the user's operability can be improved without causing confusion to the user. it can.

  In the present invention, when a key that is an exclusive key is input in the power saving state, only the power saving state is canceled and the standby state is set, so that an operation unintended by the user is prevented. be able to.

  In the present invention, whether each key is a first type key for canceling the power saving state and performing its own specific operation setting, or a second type key for canceling the power saving state but not performing its own specific operation setting. Since the user can specify, the convenience of the user can be enhanced.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction machine (facsimile multifunction apparatus) 20 as an electronic apparatus of the present invention. The multi-function device 20 is a function-combined facsimile apparatus having a function of receiving e-mail from a PC via a network and a printer function of printing out the input data in addition to the original facsimile function and copying function. is there.

  The MFP 20 includes a control unit 1, a reading unit 2, a recording unit 3, a display unit 4, an operation unit 5, a ROM 6, a RAM 7, an image memory 8, a modem 9, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 10, a PC interface unit 11, and the like. I have.

  The control unit 1 as a control means is specifically configured by a CPU, and is connected to the above-described hardware units of the multi-function device 20 via the bus 12 to control them, and to the ROM 6. Various software functions are executed in accordance with the stored control program. The reading unit 2 reads an original with an optical system using, for example, a CCD, and outputs the read image data.

  The recording unit 3 is an electrophotographic printer device, and is an image corresponding to image data of a document read by the reading unit 2, image data received by facsimile communication, image data sent from an external PC, and the like. On the paper. The display unit 4 is a display device including a liquid crystal display device, and displays an operation state of the multifunction machine 20 or displays a screen for prompting the user to perform an input operation or a screen for issuing a warning to the user.

  The operation unit 5 includes character keys, numeric keys, abbreviated dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the multifunction machine 20. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the operation panel 30 configuring the operation unit 5. Various keys are arranged on the operation panel 30. The start key 21 for instructing the start of processing, the stop key 22 for interrupting the processing being executed, and the content of the instructed mode are cleared. Clear key 23, numeric key 24 for instructing the number of copies, facsimile number, etc., mode keys 25a, 25b, 25c for switching modes (print, facsimile, copy), energy saving key 26 for setting the power saving state, etc. Is included. In addition, it is also possible to substitute a part or all of the various keys of the operation unit 5 by adopting the display unit 4 as a touch panel system, that is, by incorporating the display unit 4 into the operation panel 30 of FIG. It is.

  The ROM 6 stores various software control programs necessary for the operation of the multifunction machine 20. The RAM 7 stores temporary data generated when the software is executed. The image memory 8 is constituted by a DRAM or the like, and stores image data obtained by reading a document, image data received from another facsimile machine or a PC, and the like.

  The modem 9 is connected to the bus 12 and is composed of a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication. Similarly, the modem 9 is directly connected to the NCU 10 connected to the bus 12. The NCU 10 is hardware that performs operations for closing and opening a line L1 with a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and connects the modem 9 to the PSTN as necessary. The multi-function device 20 is connected to another facsimile machine by the PSTN so that normal facsimile communication can be performed. The PC interface unit 11 is connected to an external PC via a communication line L2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and exchanges data with the PC.

  The multifunction device 20 of the present invention has a normal state and a power saving state (energy saving state). When the key input operation by the operation unit 5 is not performed for a predetermined time in the normal state, or the operation unit 5 is saved in the normal state. When the energy key 26 is operated, the normal state is switched to the power saving state. In this power saving state, the backlight of the liquid crystal display device which is the display unit 4 is turned off. When any key of the operation unit 5 is input in the power saving state, the normal state is restored from the power saving state.

  At the time of this key input operation, the function of returning from the power saving state to the original normal state can be achieved, and the specific operation setting of the operated key can be validated. Validity information other than the power saving state cancel function in this power saving state (whether a function other than the power saving state cancel function is performed) is associated with some or all keys of the operation panel 30. , Stored in the RAM 7 functioning as the first storage means. The presence or absence of effectiveness other than the power saving state cancel function associated with some or all of the keys can be set via the operation unit 5.

  In this case, the exclusive key is stored in the RAM 7 functioning as the second storage means, and when the key registered as the exclusive key is input, the validity information stored in the RAM 7 is used. If only the power saving state cancellation function is performed and the standby state is set (no specific setting function is performed), even if effectiveness other than the power saving state cancellation function is registered. You can disable it for a specific key.

  When the start key 21 is input to return from the power saving state to the normal state, the start key 21 is registered as an exclusive key so that, for example, the copy mode is set and no empty copy is accidentally performed. When the stop key 22 is input to return from the power saving state to the normal state, the stop key 22 is registered as an exclusive key so that, for example, the print mode is set and the print processing is not interrupted. When the clear key 23 is input to return from the power saving state to the normal state, the clear key 23 is registered as an exclusive key so that the mode contents are not cleared by mistake. When the energy saving key 26 is input to return from the power saving state to the normal state, the energy saving key 26 is registered as an exclusive key so that the power saving state is not entered again. Basically, it is desirable that a key whose next operation is directly determined from the standby state by only the key input operation is an exclusive key.

  The operation will be described below. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure associated with a key input operation in the multifunction machine 20 according to the present invention.

  The control unit 1 detects that any key on the operation panel 30 has been operated (step S1). The control unit 1 determines whether or not the current state is a power saving state (step S2). When not in the power saving state (S2: NO), that is, in the normal state, normal operation processing corresponding to the operated key is performed (step S8), and the operation is terminated.

  When the current state is the power saving state (S2: YES), the control unit 1 turns on the backlight of the liquid crystal display device (display unit 4) (step S3), cancels the power saving state, and returns to the original state. The normal state is restored (step S4).

  Next, the control unit 1 determines whether or not effectiveness other than the power saving state canceling function is registered in the RAM 7 (step S5). If the validity is not registered (S5: NO), the standby state is maintained without performing any special processing, and the operation ends.

  When the validity other than the power saving state cancel function is registered (S5: YES), the control unit 1 determines whether or not the operated key is registered in the RAM 7 as an exclusive key (step S6). . If it is registered (S6: YES), the standby state is maintained without performing special processing, and the operation ends.

  On the other hand, when the operated key is not registered as an exclusive key (S6: NO), the control unit 1 ends the operation after accepting the operation setting specific to the operated key (step S7).

  In such an operation procedure, if the validity other than the power saving state cancel function is registered for a specific key, the power saving state is canceled by inputting the key in the power saving state. Thus, it is possible to return to the normal state and set an operation state unique to the key. For example, when the numeric keypad 24 is enabled and registered in the RAM 7, the power saving state can be canceled and the normal state can be restored by inputting “5” of the numeric keypad 24 in the power saving state, and the number of copies can be increased. "5" can be set as well. As a result, an operation as expected by the user who has performed the key input operation for setting “5 copies” can be performed, and the user is not confused.

  In the above-described embodiment, the validity other than the power saving state canceling function is set in association with a part or all of the keys of the operation panel 30, but the keys of the operation panel 30 are set in the power saving state. A key that performs the power-saving state release function and its own specific setting function when an input operation is performed (type 1 key), and performs only the power-saving state release function when an input operation is performed during the power-saving state. It is also possible to specify separately for keys that are not used for the setting function (second type key). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the numeric keypad 24 and the mode keys 25a, 25b, and 25c are designated as the first type key, and the start key 21, the stop key 22, the clear key 23, and the energy saving key 26 are designated as the second type key. Has been. The reason why the start key 21, stop key 22, clear key 23, and energy saving key 26 are designated as the second type key is the same as the reason described above when registering them as the exclusive key. That is, it is desirable to designate a key for which the next operation is directly determined from the standby state by only the key input operation as the second type key.

  The user can arbitrarily set which key is designated as the first type key or the second type key via the operation unit 5 functioning as an accepting unit. In this case, it is possible to sequentially designate the first type key or the second type key one by one for all the keys. In contrast to this, all the keys are initially set to the first type key (or the second type key) in advance, and only the key to be changed to the second type key (or the first type key) is operated. It is also possible to specify via. The latter example has higher operability than the former example. In addition, a change from the first type key to the second type key or a reverse change can be performed via the operation unit 5 for an arbitrary key once designated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation procedure associated with the key input operation in the multifunction machine 20 of the present invention.

  The control unit 1 detects that any key on the operation panel 30 has been operated (step S11). The control unit 1 determines whether or not the current state is a power saving state (step S12). When not in the power saving state (S12: NO), that is, in the normal state, the normal operation process corresponding to the operated key is performed (step S17), and the operation ends.

  When the current state is the power saving state (S12: YES), the control unit 1 turns on the backlight of the liquid crystal display device (display unit 4) (step S13), cancels the power saving state, and returns to the original state. The normal state is restored (step S14).

  Next, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the operated key is designated as the first type key (step S15). If it is not designated as the first type key (S15: NO), that is, if it is designated as the second type key, the standby state is maintained without performing special processing, and the operation ends.

  If the operated key is designated as the first type key (S15: YES), the control unit 1 receives the operation setting specific to the operated key (step S16), and the operation ends.

  Even in such an operation procedure, for example, when the numeric keypad 24 is designated as the first type key, the power saving state is canceled by inputting “5” of the numeric keypad 24 in the power saving state. Thus, it is possible to return to the normal state and to set “5” as the number of copies. As a result, an operation as expected by the user who has performed the key input operation for setting “5 copies” can be performed, and the user is not confused.

  Although the multifunction device 20 has been described as an example of the electronic device, it is needless to say that the present invention can be similarly applied to a copying machine, a facsimile device, a scanner device, and a printer device capable of switching between a normal state and a power saving state. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of an operation panel. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure associated with a key input operation in the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of an operation procedure associated with a key input operation in the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Control unit (control means)
4 Display section 5 Operation section (reception means)
6 ROM
7 RAM (first storage means, second storage means)
20 MFPs (electronic devices)
21 Start key 22 Stop key 23 Clear key 24 Numeric keypad 25a, 25b, 25c Mode key 26 Energy saving key 30 Operation panel

Claims (3)

  Each of the plurality of keys has an plurality of keys for setting a specific operation, and the electronic device releases the power saving state by inputting any one of the plurality of keys. In association with the first storage means for storing the validity of each key specific operation setting other than the cancellation of the power saving state, and when there is a key input during the power saving state, the stored contents of the first storage means And an electronic device comprising: control means for controlling an operation after the power saving state is released.   Second storage means for storing a part of the plurality of associated keys as an exclusive key is provided, and when there is an input of a key stored as an exclusive key in the power saving state, the first storage 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is configured to cancel the power saving state and enter a standby state regardless of the stored contents of the means. Each of the plurality of keys has a plurality of keys for setting a specific operation, and the power saving state is canceled by inputting any one of the plurality of keys. The first type key that cancels the power saving state and performs its own specific operation setting when there is a key input in the power saving state, or power saving when there is a key input in the power saving state Accepting means for accepting the designation of the second type key that is set to release the state and does not perform the specific operation setting; and when the first type key is input in the power saving state, An electronic apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to perform key specific operation setting and to control to cancel the power saving state when the second type key is input in the power saving state.

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