JP2008035209A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of easily and efficiently performing operation setting of an additional unit and maintaining the operation setting of the additional unit even when the additional unit is detached. <P>SOLUTION: An additional unit 3 having a network function capable of transmitting and receiving E-mail and the like can be attached/detached to/from a main body unit 2 having a facsimile function and the like. It is determined whether input setting data are related to the function of the main body unit 2 or to the function of the additional unit 3 and stored in a storage part 11 provided to the main body unit 2 or in a storage part 21 provided to the additional unit 3 separately. Also, the operation setting of the main body unit 2 and the additional unit 3 can be performed via a control panel 16 provided to the main body unit 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which an additional unit can be attached and detached.

For example, there is an information processing apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus in which an additional unit having an e-mail transmission / reception function can be attached (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-156955 A

  In such a conventional information processing apparatus, when an additional unit is mounted on the main unit, the operation setting of the additional unit must be performed independently via an operation unit or the like different from the operation setting of the main unit. There is a problem that it takes time and effort. In addition, the contents of the operation settings set for the additional unit may be lost when the additional unit is removed.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can easily and efficiently perform the operation setting of the additional unit and can retain the operation setting of the additional unit even when the additional unit is removed. That is.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention of claim 1, an information processing apparatus capable of detaching an additional unit having an additional unit storage unit, comprising a main unit storage unit and a control unit, When receiving the input of the setting data relating to the operation setting, the control unit determines whether the setting data relates to the function of the information processing apparatus as the main unit or the additional unit, and the setting data is If it is related to the function of the main unit, the setting data is stored in the main unit storage unit, the setting data is related to the function of the additional unit, and the additional unit is mounted. If so, the setting data is stored in the additional unit storage unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit includes the setting data stored in the main unit storage unit when the additional unit is not attached. If the additional unit is mounted, the processing operation is performed based on the setting data stored in the main unit storage unit and the setting data stored in the additional unit storage unit. Do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the information processing device further includes an operation unit that receives an operation input, and the control unit is configured to set operation of the main body unit and the additional unit. The operation input regarding is received via the operation unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the information processing apparatus has at least a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving a facsimile, and the additional unit Has at least a network communication function for sending and receiving e-mails over a network, and the setting data stored in the main unit storage unit includes at least first address data including a facsimile number. The setting data stored in the additional unit storage unit includes at least second address data including an e-mail address.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a transfer destination facsimile number is specified in the data stored in the main unit storage unit according to a source of a received facsimile. First transfer setting data for performing transfer processing is included, and the setting data stored in the additional unit storage unit includes a transfer destination e-mail address in accordance with the sender of the received facsimile. Second transfer setting data for specifying and performing the transfer process is included.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising a main unit and an additional unit detachably attached to the main unit, wherein the additional unit is a setting related to the function of the additional unit. An additional unit storage unit for storing data, and the main unit stores a setting unit for storing setting data related to the function of the main unit, and the setting when receiving the input of the setting data It is determined whether the data is related to the function of the main unit or the additional unit, and when the setting data is related to the function of the main unit, the setting data is stored in the main unit. Stored in the storage unit, the setting data relates to the function of the additional unit, and the additional unit is mounted. Expediently, and a control unit for storing the setting data in the storage unit for the additional unit.

  According to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the control unit of the main unit determines whether the input setting data relates to the function of the main unit or the additional unit, and prepares for the main unit. The main unit storage unit and the additional unit storage unit provided in the additional unit are stored separately. For this reason, it is not necessary for the user to perform the operation setting related to the function of the main unit and the operation setting related to the function of the additional unit independently, and the setting is performed as if the operation setting is performed for one unit. Therefore, the operation setting of the additional unit can be performed easily and efficiently.

  Further, since the setting data related to the function of the additional unit is stored in the additional unit storage unit provided in the additional unit, the operation setting of the additional unit can be held even if the additional unit is removed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the additional unit is not mounted, the control unit performs a processing operation based on the setting data stored in the main unit storage unit, and the additional unit is mounted. In this case, since the processing operation is performed based on the setting data stored in the main unit storage unit and the setting data stored in the additional unit storage unit, the processing operation of the control unit is reliably switched when the additional unit is attached or detached. And the processing operation is not disrupted.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the operation setting of the main unit and the additional unit can be performed via the operation unit provided in the main unit, even when the additional unit is mounted, one place is provided. Operation settings can be easily and efficiently performed by the operation unit.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile complex apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile multifunction apparatus 1 includes a main unit 2 and an additional unit 3 that is detachably attached to the main unit 2 as an option. The main unit 2 is a facsimile device as a main device constituting the MFP, and the additional unit 3 is an optional device as a subordinate device including a network I / F board. The facsimile device 1 includes a LAN and the Internet as options. A communication function for the network 4 is provided.

  The main unit 2 does not include the additional unit 3 and has a configuration like a general facsimile machine having a copying function as a single unit, and includes a CPU (control unit) 10 and a memory connected to the CPU 10 via a bus. Unit (main body unit storage unit) 11, scanner 12, printer 13, modem 14, NCU 15, operation panel (operation unit) 16, display unit 17, and I / F 18. The storage unit 11 includes a storage device such as a ROM or a RAM.

  The CPU 10 executes various processes necessary for the operation based on the computer program stored in the ROM of the storage unit 11.

  The rewritable memory provided in the storage unit 11 stores setting data related to operation settings of the main unit 2. The setting data includes first address data including the corresponding partner name and facsimile number, and data related to the operation (conditions and specific operation contents) of the main unit 2 at the time of facsimile reception. ing.

  The modem 14 is composed of a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication. The modem 14 is directly connected to an NCU (Network Control Unit) 15 that is also connected to the bus. The NCU 15 is hardware that performs operations for closing and opening a line with the analog public telephone line network (PSTN) 5, and connects the modem 14 to the public telephone line network 5 as necessary. In addition, you may make it connect to a digital circuit network (ISDN) by providing the interface for ISDN.

  The operation panel 16 includes various keys such as a character key, a numeric keypad, an abbreviated dial key, and a one-touch dial key necessary for operating the multifunctional facsimile apparatus 1.

  The display unit 17 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD), and displays the operating state of the CPU 10 and the like. Instead of this, by providing a touch panel type display device, a part or all of the operation panel 16 described above can be substituted.

  The scanner 12 reads a document using a CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data converted into black and white binary.

  The printer 13 is an electrophotographic printer or the like, and prints out image data read by the scanner 12 and image data received by facsimile.

  The additional unit 3 attached to the facsimile multifunction apparatus 1 configured as described above has an appropriate I connected to the bus of the facsimile multifunction apparatus 1 via the data delivery unit (for example, dual port RAM) 22 included therein. It is connected to / F18.

  The additional unit 3 includes a CPU (additional unit control unit) 20, a storage unit (additional unit storage unit) 21, a data delivery unit 22, and a communication I / F 23 connected to the CPU 20 via a bus. ing. The storage unit 21 includes a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM.

  The CPU 20 executes various processes necessary for the operation based on the computer program stored in the ROM of the storage unit 21.

  The rewritable memory provided in the storage unit 21 stores setting data relating to operation settings of the additional unit 3 and the like. Examples of the setting data include second address data including the corresponding partner name and facsimile number, and data relating to the operation (conditions and specific operation contents) of the additional unit 3 when receiving a facsimile or e-mail. It is included.

  The communication I / F 23 is an interface for connecting the additional unit 3 to the network 4, and includes SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), POP (Post Office Protocol), SMB (Server Message Block), HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), and the like. Has a function to handle. Specific functions of the communication I / F 23 include transmission / reception of electronic mail, transmission / reception of an Internet facsimile that transmits / receives image data attached to the electronic mail, transmission / reception of data via a LAN or the Internet, and the like. .

  As described above, the main unit 2 of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 of the present embodiment has a document reading function, a facsimile communication function, and an image data printing function as a general facsimile multifunction peripheral with a copying function. A communication function for a network 4 such as a LAN or the Internet is added by an additional unit 3 attached to the main unit 2.

  Specifically, data including image data can be exchanged with a client device (not shown) on the LAN, whereby the facsimile multifunction device 1 including the additional unit 3 can be replaced with a network facsimile multifunction device or a network printer device. It can be used as a network peripheral device (MFP) having functions of a network scanner device, an Internet facsimile device, or the like. Note that the cooperation between the processing operation on the main unit 2 side and the processing operation on the additional unit 3 side is performed via the data delivery unit 22.

  In relation to such a configuration, in the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1, the CPU 10 of the main unit 2 operates based on an operation program that can be attached to the additional unit 3 before the additional unit 3 is installed. When the attachment of the additional unit 3 is detected, the processing operation is switched, and both the main unit 2 and the additional unit 3 are integrated and controlled. Accordingly, operation input and operation information necessary for operation of the function of the additional unit 3 are performed by the operation panel 16, the display unit 17, and the like.

  As described above, the setting data related to the function of the main unit 2 is stored in the storage unit 11 in the main unit 2, and the setting data related to the function of the additional unit 3 is stored in the storage unit 21 in the additional unit 3. To be saved.

  When the CPU 10 of the main unit 2 receives the input of the setting data regarding the operation setting via the operation panel 16 or the like, the CPU 10 determines whether the setting data relates to the function of the main unit 2 or the additional unit 3. If the setting data is related to the function of the main unit 2, the setting data is stored in the storage unit 11, and the setting data is related to the function of the additional unit 3, and the additional unit 3. When is attached, the setting data is stored in the storage unit 21.

  Further, when the additional unit 3 is not attached, the CPU 10 of the main unit 2 receives a facsimile based on setting data (operating conditions, etc.) related to the function of the main unit 2 stored in the storage unit 11. And the like (such as whether or not to perform printout). In addition, when the additional unit 3 is mounted, the CPU 10 of the main unit 2 cooperates with the CPU 20 of the additional unit 3 to set data (operations) related to the function of the main unit 2 stored in the storage unit 11. Conditions) and setting data (operation conditions, etc.) related to the function of the additional unit 3 stored in the storage unit 21 are combined and integrated, and an operation process (printout is performed) at the time of facsimile reception or e-mail reception. Whether to transfer, where to transfer, whether to save in the shared holder, etc.).

  Next, specific examples of setting data stored in the storage unit 11 of the main unit 2 and the storage unit 21 of the additional unit 3 and an operation example using the setting data stored in the storage units 11 and 21 will be described. I do.

  FIG. 2 (a) is a diagram showing an example of operation setting at the time of facsimile reception when the additional unit 3 is not attached, and FIG. 2 (b) is at the time of reception of a facsimile or the like when the additional unit 3 is attached. It is a figure which shows the example of operation | movement setting. Since it is possible to send and receive e-mails by mounting the additional unit 3, it is possible to perform processing such as transferring received facsimiles by e-mail, and accordingly, the operation settings at the time of facsimile reception are also changed accordingly. is there.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), when the additional unit 3 is not attached, the condition data A1 (facsimile number) A1 relating to the transmission source and the transmission thereof are set as the operation settings at the time of facsimile reception. Operation content data B1 at the time of receiving the original facsimile (for example, whether to perform printout, whether to save in the storage unit 11, etc.) are associated with each other and registered in the storage unit 11 as setting data. It has come to be. In the operation setting shown in FIG. 2A, when a facsimile from the facsimile number xxxxxxxxxx is received, the facsimile is printed out by the printer 13.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the additional unit 3 is mounted, the condition data C1 (facsimile number, e-mail address) regarding the sender is set as the operation setting when receiving a facsimile or e-mail. Operation content data D1 when receiving a facsimile or e-mail from the sender (for example, whether to perform printout, whether to save to the storage unit 11, whether to save to a shared holder in the network 4, etc. Are registered in the storage units 11 and 21 in association with each other.

  In the operation setting example shown in FIG. 2B, when a facsimile from the transmission source facsimile number xxxxxxxxxx is received or an electronic mail from the transmission source electronic mail address xxx@xxx.jp is received, the facsimile or The e-mail is printed out by the printer 13, and the facsimile or e-mail is stored in a shared reception BOX or the like set in the shared holder in the network 4. Of the data elements of the condition data C1 and the operation content data D1, data elements C1a and D1a (facsimile number xxxxxxxxxx, printout necessity setting) related to the function of the main unit 2 are shown in FIG. ) As shown in FIG.

  In addition, data elements C1b and D1b related to the function of the additional unit 3 (e-mail address xxx@xxx.jp, setting of necessity of storage in the shared reception BOX) and data element C1a related to the function of the main unit 2 , D1a and data elements C1c, D1c (here, “or”, “and”, etc.) defining the relationship between the data elements C1b, D1b related to the function of the additional unit 3 are as shown in FIG. It is stored in the storage unit 21. 2B is stored in the storage unit 21, and the other part is stored in the storage unit 11.

  The data elements C1a, D1a, C2a, D2a, C3a, D3a,... And the data elements C1b, C1c, D1b, D1c, C2b, C2c, D2b, D2c, C3b, C3c, D3b, D3c,... Are associated with each other and stored in a list.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the phone book data (address data). One phone book data includes destination names E1a, E2a, E3a,..., Facsimile numbers E1b, E2b, E3b,..., And e-mail addresses E1c, E2c, E3c,. Contains. Among the phone book data, the destination names E1a, E2a, E3a,... And the facsimile numbers E1b, E2b, E3b,... Are stored in the storage unit 11 of the main unit 2, and the e-mail addresses E1c, E2c, E3c,... Are stored in the storage unit 21 of the additional unit 3. The data elements (E1a, E2a, E3a,..., E1b, E2b, E3b,...) And the data elements (E1c, E2c, E3c,...) Are associated with each other and stored in a list, and when output to the display unit 17 or the like, they are integrated and output (displayed or the like) as one phone book data. It has become so. 4 is stored in the storage unit 11, and the other part is stored in the storage unit 21.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing operation when the phone book setting screen is displayed. As shown in FIG. 5, when a display request for a phone book setting screen is input via the operation panel 16 or the like, phone book data elements (E1a, E2a, E3a,...) Are stored from the storage unit 11 of the main unit 2. E1b, E2b, E3b,...) Are read (step S1), and it is determined whether or not the additional unit 3 is mounted (step S2).

  When the additional unit 3 is not attached, a call is made based only on the telephone book data elements (E1a, E2a, E3a,..., E1b, E2b, E3b,...) Stored in the storage unit 11. A book setting screen is formed and displayed on the display unit 17 or the like (step S5).

  On the other hand, when the additional unit 3 is attached, the telephone directory data elements (E1c, E2c, E3c,...) Stored in the storage unit 21 of the additional unit 3 are read (step S3). Data elements (E1a, E2a, E3a,..., E1b, E2b, E3b,...) Read from the storage unit 11 and data elements (E1c, E2c, E3c,. ... Are combined into one phonebook data (step S4). Then, a phone book setting screen is formed based on the synthesized phone book data, and is displayed on the display unit 17 or the like (step S5).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the CPU 10 of the main unit 2 determines whether the input setting data relates to the function of the main unit 2 or the additional unit 3, and The storage unit 11 provided and the storage unit 21 provided in the additional unit 3 are stored separately. For this reason, it is not necessary for the user to perform the operation setting related to the function of the main unit 2 and the operation setting related to the function of the additional unit 3 independently, and the setting is made as if the operation setting is performed for one unit. The operation setting of the additional unit 3 can be easily and efficiently performed. In particular, since the operation setting of the main unit 2 and the additional unit 3 can be performed via the operation panel 16 provided in the main unit 2, even when the additional unit 3 is mounted, the operation unit 16 is provided at one place. Operation settings can be performed easily and efficiently.

  Further, since the setting data related to the function of the additional unit 3 is stored in the storage unit 21 of the additional unit 3, the operation setting of the additional unit 3 can be held even if the additional unit 3 is removed.

  In addition, the CPU 10 of the main unit 2 performs a processing operation based on the setting data stored in the storage unit 11 when the additional unit 3 is not attached, and stores it in the storage unit 11 when the additional unit 3 is attached. Since the processing operation is performed based on the stored setting data and the setting data stored in the storage unit 21 of the additional unit 3, the processing operation of the CPU 10 can be switched reliably with the attachment / detachment of the additional unit 3. There will be no confusion.

1 is a block diagram of a facsimile composite apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of operation setting at the time of facsimile reception when the additional unit is not attached, and FIG. 2B is an operation at the time of reception of a facsimile or the like when the additional unit is attached. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of setting data stored in the storage unit provided in the main unit, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of setting data stored in the storage unit provided in the additional unit. is there. It is a figure which shows the structural example of telephone directory data. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation at the time of a telephone directory setting screen display.

Explanation of symbols

1 Fax machine 2 Main unit 3 Additional unit 10 CPU
11 Storage Unit 16 Operation Panel 20 CPU
21 Memory unit

Claims (6)

An information processing apparatus in which an additional unit having an additional unit storage unit can be attached and detached,
A storage unit for the main unit and a control unit;
When the control unit receives input of setting data related to the operation setting, the control unit determines which function of the information processing apparatus as the main unit and the additional unit relates to the setting data, and the setting data Is related to the function of the main unit, the setting data is stored in the main unit storage unit, and the setting data is related to the function of the additional unit. In the case of being mounted, the setting data is stored in the additional unit storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The control unit performs a processing operation based on the setting data stored in the main unit storage unit when the additional unit is not mounted, and for the main unit when the additional unit is mounted. An information processing apparatus that performs a processing operation based on the setting data stored in a storage unit and the setting data stored in the additional unit storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
It further includes an operation unit that accepts operation input,
The control unit receives an operation input related to operation settings of the main unit and the additional unit via the operation unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The information processing apparatus has at least a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving a facsimile,
The additional unit has at least a network communication function for sending and receiving e-mails over a network,
The setting data stored in the main unit storage unit includes at least first address data including a facsimile number,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the setting data stored in the additional unit storage unit includes at least second address data including an e-mail address. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The data stored in the main unit storage unit includes first transfer setting data for performing transfer processing by specifying a transfer destination facsimile number according to a transmission source of a received facsimile,
The setting data stored in the additional unit storage unit includes second transfer setting data for performing transfer processing by specifying a transfer destination e-mail address according to the transmission source of the received facsimile. An information processing apparatus characterized by that. An information processing apparatus comprising a main unit and an additional unit detachably attached to the main unit,
The additional unit includes an additional unit storage unit that stores setting data related to the function of the additional unit.
The main unit is
A main unit storage unit for storing setting data related to the function of the main unit;
When the input of the setting data is received, it is determined whether the setting data relates to the function of the main unit or the additional unit, and the setting data relates to the function of the main unit. In such a case, the setting data is stored in the main unit storage unit, and when the setting data relates to the function of the additional unit and the additional unit is mounted, the setting data is added to the additional unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that stores the unit storage unit.

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