JP2006268191A - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device which can immediately register inputted path information as short-cut information in case that the path information is inevitably, directly inputted since short-cut information is not registered. <P>SOLUTION: When a resources is designated by inputting path information but not by incremental searching, a short-cut information registration program registers the inputted path information as short-cut information, and a short-cut information storage area stores the short-cut information, which the short-cut information registration program registers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device that transmits and receives image data and the like, and more specifically, it is possible to specify a destination or a transmission source by selecting shortcut information registered in advance without directly inputting path information. Further, the present invention relates to a communication apparatus capable of selecting each shortcut by an incremental search.

  In a system using a so-called file server or the like, when a file such as image data is transmitted or received between the file server and a communication device such as a personal computer connected to the file server, the destination resource Or, it is necessary to originally specify the resource of the receiving source by the path information. However, inputting path information every time it is necessary is a very cumbersome task. In recent years, resources of a transmission destination or a transmission source are registered as shortcut information, and a shortcut is further selected by incremental search. In addition, it is possible to easily specify the transmission destination or the transmission source.

  By the way, even if an incremental search is performed, if shortcut information is not registered, it is eventually necessary to directly input path information. Conventionally, when path information is directly input in this way, it has been necessary to set shortcut information anew after completion of intended operations such as transmission and reception.

For this reason, for example, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 proposes a communication device that receives and registers icon data including shortcut information and icon image information from an external device and displays the icon data on a display panel. Has been.
JP 2005-64817 A

  However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended to make it easy to use shortcut information using an icon image by receiving icon image data associated with shortcut information from an external device. Since it is necessary to register in advance the shortcut information necessary for the above, the above-mentioned problems cannot be solved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when the path information is unavoidably directly input because the shortcut information is not registered, the input path information can be immediately registered as shortcut information. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple communication device.

  In addition, when registering shortcut information, the present invention deletes unnecessary shortcut information and registers new shortcut information if the shortcut information has already been registered to the extent that new shortcut information cannot be registered. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device that can do this.

  A communication apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a shortcut information storage unit that stores a plurality of shortcut information in which path information designating each of a plurality of resources is associated with a shortcut of each path information, and the shortcut information storage unit includes A search means for incrementally searching a plurality of stored shortcuts, wherein the search means is capable of designating a corresponding resource by selecting a shortcut that has been incrementally searched. Shortcut information registration means for registering input path information as shortcut information when a resource is designated by input of path information without using an incremental search by the means, and the shortcut information storage means includes the shortcut information storage means Wherein the broadcast registering means are provided to store the shortcut information registered.

  In such a communication apparatus according to the first invention, when a resource is designated by input of path information without using an incremental search by the search means, the input path information is registered as shortcut information, and the shortcut information is stored. The means stores the shortcut information registered as the shortcut information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein shortcut information is registered in the shortcut information registration means when a resource is designated by input of path information without using the incremental search by the search means. The apparatus further includes means for receiving an instruction as to whether or not to perform the operation.

  In such a communication apparatus according to the second invention, in the first invention, when a resource is designated by input of path information, an instruction as to whether or not to register the shortcut information in the shortcut information registration means is accepted. It is done.

  The communication device according to a third invention is the communication device according to the first or second invention, wherein the shortcut information storage means stores the shortcut information when the shortcut information registration means registers the shortcut information in the shortcut information storage means. The shortcut information having the oldest stored time among the stored shortcut information is deleted.

  In such a communication apparatus according to the third invention, in the first or second invention, when the shortcut information is stored in the shortcut information storage means, the shortcut information stored in the shortcut information storage means The shortcut information with the oldest stored time is deleted.

  The communication device according to a fourth invention is the communication device according to the first or second invention, wherein the shortcut information storage means stores the shortcut information when the shortcut information registration means registers the shortcut information in the shortcut information storage means. The shortcut information having the oldest selected time among the shortcut information is deleted.

  In such a communication apparatus according to the fourth invention, in the first or second invention, when the shortcut information is stored in the shortcut information storage means, the shortcut information stored in the shortcut information storage means The shortcut information with the oldest selected time is deleted.

  The communication device according to a fifth invention is the communication device according to the first or second invention, wherein the shortcut information storage means stores the shortcut information when the shortcut information registration means registers the shortcut information in the shortcut information storage means. The shortcut information with the smallest selected number of shortcut information is deleted.

  In such a communication apparatus according to the fifth invention, when the shortcut information is stored in the shortcut information storage means in the first or second invention, the shortcut information stored in the shortcut information storage means The shortcut information with the smallest number of times selected is deleted.

  According to the communication apparatus according to the first aspect described above, when resources are specified by input of path information, the input path information is registered as shortcut information. It becomes possible to specify with.

  Further, according to the communication apparatus according to the second invention, in the first invention, even when a resource is designated by inputting path information, it is possible to prevent the shortcut information from being registered in the shortcut information registration means. The area for storing the shortcut information is not wasted, and unnecessary shortcuts are not searched for and displayed by the incremental search.

  Further, according to the communication device according to the third invention, in the above first or second invention, the shortcut information that is no longer needed, specifically, the shortcut information that has the oldest stored time is deleted, and new shortcut information is deleted. Therefore, shortcuts that are not so important or are not frequently used are not searched and displayed in the incremental search.

  According to the communication device of the fourth invention, in the above first or second invention, the shortcut that is no longer needed, specifically, the shortcut information that was last selected last is deleted, and a new one is deleted. Since the shortcut information is registered, shortcuts that are not so important or not frequently used are not searched for and displayed by the incremental search.

  Further, according to the communication device according to the fifth invention, in the first or second invention described above, shortcuts that are no longer necessary, specifically, shortcut information that is selected the least number of times are deleted, and new shortcut information is deleted. Therefore, shortcuts that are not so important or not frequently used are not searched for and displayed by the incremental search.

  Hereinafter, a communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment in a case where the communication apparatus is applied to a digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP: Multi Function Printer). FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a network configuration when a communication apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an MFP. In the figure, 1 shows an MFP as a communication apparatus of the present invention.

  The MFP 1 is connected to a plurality of computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 2 and 2 via a LAN (Local Area Network). The MFP 1 is also connected to an external MFP 3 and a facsimile apparatus 4 via a public switched telephone network PSTN. It should be noted that a number of PCs other than those shown in the figure are connected to the LAN, and a number of MFPs and facsimile machines other than those shown in the figure are connected to the public switched telephone network PSTN. . Accordingly, the MFP 1 can communicate with a plurality of PCs 2 and 2 via the LAN and many other MFPs 3 and facsimile apparatuses 4 via the public switched telephone network PSTN.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration example of the MFP 1 as a communication apparatus according to the present invention. The MFP 1 includes a control unit 10 constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processor Unit). The control unit 10 is connected to the ROM 11, RAM 12, NCU (Network Control Unit) 13, modem 14, reading unit 15, image memory 16, recording unit 17, operation unit 18, display unit 19, and LAN via a bus. Are connected to a LAN interface 20, a storage unit 21, a codec (CODEC) 22 for encoding / decoding image data, and the like.

  The control unit 10 controls each hardware unit as described above, and implements various software functions according to a control program 11 a stored in advance in the ROM 11. The control program 11 a stored in the ROM 11 includes various programs necessary for general operation as the MFP 1, a program for performing data communication with the PC 2 via the LAN interface 20, and an external device via the modem 14. In addition to a facsimile communication program for performing facsimile communication with the MFP 3 and the facsimile apparatus 4, a program necessary for the operation as the communication apparatus of the present invention is also included. The RAM 12 is composed of SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 11 executes the control program 11a.

  The modem 14 is a fax modem capable of facsimile communication, and is directly connected to the NCU 13. The NCU 13 is connected to the public switched telephone network PSTN, connects the modem 14 to the public switched telephone network PSTN as necessary, and communicates with the external MFP 3 and the facsimile apparatus 4 via the public switched telephone network PSTN. Facsimile communication is possible.

  The reading unit 15 includes a scanner using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), acquires image data by reading a document, and stores the acquired image data in the image memory 16. The image memory 16 is constituted by a DRAM, and temporarily stores image data received by facsimile communication via the modem 14 and the NCU 13 and image data read by the reading unit 15.

  The recording unit 17 is, for example, an electrophotographic printer device, and the image data stored in the image memory 16 is recorded on recording paper of various sizes such as A3 portrait, B4 portrait, A4 portrait, B5 landscape, and A5 landscape, OHP (Over Head Projector) Select the optimal size from the sheet and make a hard copy.

  The operation unit 18 includes a numeric keypad, speed dial keys, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the MFP 1. The display unit 19 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), and displays the operation state of the MFP 1, characters input from the operation unit 18, information to be notified to the user, and the like.

  With the above-described configuration, the MFP 1 temporarily stores image data obtained by reading a document placed by a user on a predetermined document placing table (not shown) by the reading unit 15 in the image memory 16, and then the facsimile image data by the codec 22. A facsimile image transmitted to the other MFP 3 and facsimile apparatus 4 connected to the public telephone line PSTN via the NCU 13 and the modem 14 and transmitted by the external MFP 3 and facsimile apparatus 4 by facsimile communication. Data is received via the public telephone network PSTN, temporarily stored in the image memory 16, and then functioned as a facsimile apparatus for decoding into normal image data such as bitmap, MPEG, TIFF, etc. by the codec 22.

  The MFP 1 also functions as a copying apparatus that copies image data obtained by reading a document by the reading unit 15 onto a recording sheet by the recording unit 17, and is connected to the LAN via the LAN interface 20. It also functions as a network printer that records the image based on the data received from the PCs 2 and 2 by hard copying on the recording paper by the recording unit 17. Further, the MFP 1 also functions as a network scanner that transmits image data obtained by reading a document by the reading unit 15 to the PCs 2 and 2 connected to the LAN via the LAN interface 20.

  By the way, the MFP 1 includes a storage unit 21 including a hard disk or a flash memory as a non-volatile storage device having a large storage capacity. In the storage unit 21, a shortcut information storage area 21a is set as an appropriate area. The storage unit 21 stores a shortcut information registration program 21b in advance, and performs a process of registering shortcut information in the shortcut information storage area 21a as will be described later.

  In the storage unit, the file database 21c is set in an appropriate area. The file database 21c includes image data received from the outside by the MFP 1 by facsimile communication as described above, image data read from the original by the reading unit 15, and image data and text received from the external PCs 2 and 2 via the LAN. Data etc. are registered as files as appropriate. As described above, the MFP 1 also functions as a file server by storing various image data and text data as files in the file DB 21c of the storage unit 21 so that the user can reuse them.

  Therefore, the file registered in the file database 21c of the storage unit 21 of the MFP 1 can be transmitted by designating the PC 2 or the like as a resource in the MFR 1. On the other hand, in the PC 2, the file is transmitted and stored by designating the file database 21 c of the MFP 1 as a resource, the file is transmitted and printed out by designating the recording unit 17 of the MFP 1, etc. Is possible.

  By the way, when the file is transmitted by specifying the resource in the MFP 1 as described above, or when the file is transmitted by specifying the resource in the PC 2, it is necessary to specify the path information of the destination resource. The MFP 1 has a shortcut information storage area 21a, and the shortcut information stored in advance in the shortcut information storage area 21a can be used. Although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the shortcut information storage area 21a and the shortcut information registration program 21b are prepared in the MFP 1, for example, the shortcut information storage area 21a and the shortcut information registration program 21b are prepared in advance in the PC 2, too. By doing so, it goes without saying that the PC 2 can perform the same processing as that of the MFP 1 described below.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a. In this shortcut information storage area 21a, the registration number from “00” to “99” is used as an ID, and the path information, shortcut, registration date / time (year / month / day / hour / minute / second), usage history (year / month / date / time last used) Min. Second), the number of times of use since registration, and the like are stored as a set of shortcut information.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the display state of the display unit 19, and illustrates a dialog box for designating a transmission destination after a file to be transmitted is designated. In this example, the file destination is either designated directly by path information or by a shortcut. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), if "Ei" is entered as a shortcut, the incremental search function generally prepared in the control program stored in the ROM 11 is used to start the character string of the shortcut. “Sales Department”, “Sales Department 1”, “Sales Department 2”, and “Repair Department” whose two characters are “Ei” are retrieved from the shortcut information storage area 21a and displayed. For example, if “Z” is input as the third character of the shortcut after this, the input character string is “EZ”, so that only “Repair Section” is displayed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the MFP 1 uses the above dialog box to transmit a file as an example, and is a program for incremental search included in the control program 11 a stored in the ROM 11. And by the control unit 11 according to the shortcut information registration program 21b stored in the storage unit 21.

  First, the user operates the operation unit 18 to input a shortcut for a destination of a file to be transmitted. In this case, in order to search whether or not a destination shortcut is registered, the characters are input in order from the beginning of the character string of the shortcut. When the first character is input first (YES in step S11), control is performed. The unit 10 searches the shortcut stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a for a shortcut that matches the input character string (initially the first character) (step S12). If there is a shortcut that matches the input character string (YES in step S13), the control unit 10 displays the shortcut on the display unit 19 (step S14).

  At this time, the display unit 19 has some shortcuts as shown in FIG. 4A (however, the display state when the first two characters are input is shown in FIG. 4A). When the user selects one of them (YES in step S15), the control unit 10 reads out the path information corresponding to the selected shortcut from the shortcut information storage area 21a and transmits the file to be transmitted. Is transmitted in advance (step S16), and this process is terminated.

  When the shortcut is not selected in the previous step S15 (NO in step S15), the control unit 10 monitors whether the next character string is input (step S17) or whether the path information is input directly (step S17). Step S18).

  When the next character string is input (YES in step S17), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S12, and adds the newly input character to the end of the already input character string. Is searched from the shortcut information storage area 21a (step S12), and thereafter the same processing as described above is repeated. Accordingly, when the first character of the shortcut is input, a large number of shortcuts are searched and displayed on the display unit 19, but are displayed when the user sequentially inputs the next character. Since there are fewer shortcuts, if there is a shortcut that the user needs, it can be specified.

  If the next character string is not input in step S17 (NO in step S17) and direct path information is input (YES in step S18), the control unit 10 should transmit according to the directly input path information. A file designated in advance as a file is transmitted (step S22). Thereafter, the control unit 10 performs a registration process described later (step S23).

  By the way, when it is determined in step S13 that no shortcut exists (NO in step S13), the control unit 10 displays on the display unit 19 that no shortcut exists (step S21). This processing can be performed, for example, at the time when the first character of the shortcut is input, or even if several shortcuts are initially displayed, as the input of the character string proceeds, the input character There may be a case where a shortcut that matches the column is not stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a. In any case, if there is no shortcut that matches the input character string, the control unit 10 displays that there is no shortcut in step S21, and then moves the process to step S18 described above.

  In this case, it is not normally possible to input a new character string to search for a shortcut. When path information is input (YES in step S18), the processes in steps S22 and S23 described above are executed. To do. FIG. 4B schematically shows a dialog box displayed on the display unit 19 at this point. The state in which the path information has already been directly input and the path information that has been directly input this time will be described in detail later. A message for allowing the user to select whether or not to register a shortcut, and an input field for inputting a shortcut (name) when registering for the shortcut are displayed. Note that a “transmission button” for executing transmission processing is displayed in the lower right part of FIG. 4B.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first example of the registration process described above. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is processed by the control unit 10 in accordance with the shortcut information registration program 21b. In this example, the path information input this time is registered in an empty area (an empty registration number) in the shortcut information storage area 21a in association with a shortcut input separately by the user (step S31).

  At this time, the registration date / time is stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a, the registration date / time is stored as a use history, and “1” is stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a. Therefore, in this case, after that, the newly registered shortcut information can be used by the user by incremental search.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second example of the registration process described above. 7 is processed by the control unit 10 according to the shortcut information registration program 21b. In this example, the control unit 10 displays a message on the display unit 19 that causes the user to select whether or not to register the path information input this time as a shortcut (step S41). If the user operates the operation unit 18 and selects not to register (NO in step S42), the control unit 10 ends this process. Accordingly, in this case, new shortcut information is not registered in the shortcut information storage area 21a.

  On the other hand, when the user selects to register by operating the operation unit 18 (YES in step S42), the control unit 10 checks whether or not there is a free area in the shortcut information storage area 21a (step S43). When there is an empty area in the shortcut information storage area 21a (YES in step S44), the control unit 10 separately operates the path information directly input by the user in the same manner as in step S31 of the flowchart of FIG. The free space in the shortcut information storage area 21a, specifically, a registration number that is not used is registered in association with the shortcut input by operating the unit 18 (step S45).

  However, if there is no empty area in the shortcut information storage area 21a (NO in step S44), the control unit 10 performs a process of deleting the shortcut information registered in the shortcut information storage area 21a (step S46). After the shortcut information deletion process, the control unit 10 registers the shortcut information by the process of step S45 described above.

  Note that there are several methods for deleting the shortcut information in step S46 performed when there is no empty area for storing the shortcut information in the shortcut information storage area 21a. This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the first example of the shortcut information deletion process in step S46, and the control unit 10 processes according to the shortcut information registration program 21b stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a.

  The control unit 10 searches the shortcut information stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a for the one with the smallest number of past uses (step S51), and deletes the shortcut information from the shortcut information storage area 21a ( Step S52). As a result, an empty area capable of storing at least one shortcut information is generated in the shortcut information storage area 21a, so that it is possible to newly register shortcut information in the above-described step S45.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the second example of the shortcut information deletion processing in step S46, which is processed by the control unit 10 in accordance with the shortcut information registration program 21b stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a.

  The control unit 10 searches the shortcut information stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a for the oldest registration time (registration date) (step S61), and deletes the shortcut information from the shortcut information storage area 21a. (Step S62). As a result, an empty area capable of storing at least one shortcut information is generated in the shortcut information storage area 21a, so that it is possible to newly register shortcut information in the above-described step S45.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a third example of the procedure for deleting the shortcut information in step S46, which is processed by the control unit 10 in accordance with the shortcut information registration program 21b stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a.

  The control unit 10 searches the shortcut information stored in the shortcut information storage area 21a for the oldest last use time (recorded in the use history) (step S71), and retrieves the shortcut information. Delete from the shortcut information storage area 21a (step S72). As a result, an empty area capable of storing at least one shortcut information is generated in the shortcut information storage area 21a, so that it is possible to newly register shortcut information in the above-described step S45.

  In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 1 is described as the communication apparatus of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. The communication apparatus of the present invention can be applied not only to the above-described MFP but also to a general personal computer, for example, and for example, an e-mail address (path information) and registered name when an e-mail is transmitted in a mobile phone It also corresponds to the relationship with (shortcut). In the above-described embodiment, the processing at the time of transferring a file has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other processing.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a network configuration example when the communication apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an MFP. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an MFP as a communication apparatus according to the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the memory content of a shortcut information storage area. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the display state of a display part, and has illustrated the dialog box for designating the transmission destination, after the file to transmit is designated. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a file is transmitted using a dialog box as shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st example of a registration process. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd example of a registration process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the 1st example of the deletion process of a shortcut. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the 2nd example of the deletion process of a shortcut. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the 3rd example of the deletion process of a shortcut.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (communication device)
2 PC (computer)
10 Control Unit 21a Shortcut Information Storage Area 21b Shortcut Information Registration Program

Claims (5)

Shortcut information storage means storing a plurality of shortcut information in which path information designating each of a plurality of resources is associated with a shortcut of each path information, and a plurality of shortcuts stored in the shortcut information storage means is incrementally searched A communication device configured to be able to designate a corresponding resource by selecting a shortcut that has been incrementally searched by the search device,
Shortcut information registering means for registering input path information as shortcut information when a resource is specified by input of path information without performing an incremental search by the search means, and the shortcut information storage means includes the shortcut information A communication apparatus characterized in that the shortcut information registered by the registration means is stored.   The apparatus further comprises means for receiving an instruction as to whether or not to register the shortcut information in the shortcut information registration means when a resource is designated by input of path information regardless of the incremental search by the search means. The communication apparatus according to claim 1.   When the shortcut information registration unit registers the shortcut information in the shortcut information storage unit, the shortcut information stored in the shortcut information storage unit is deleted from the oldest stored shortcut information. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is provided.   When the shortcut information registration unit registers the shortcut information in the shortcut information storage unit, the shortcut information stored in the shortcut information storage unit that has been selected last is deleted. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is configured as described above.   When the shortcut information registration unit registers the shortcut information in the shortcut information storage unit, the shortcut information stored in the shortcut information storage unit that has the least number of selected times is deleted. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is provided.

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