JP2009171396A - Input apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input apparatus which has less possibility to perform processing in response to erroneous input. <P>SOLUTION: A multifunction peripheral including a FAX function includes an erroneous input prevention function that inputs a FAX number twice to accept FAX transmission of the FAX number. Then, the multifunction peripheral displays the input number on a display unit 32 in the first input but does not display the first input FAX number in the second input. In the second input, on the basis of the input FAX number that is input in the first input, a re-input position is determined at random and inputting is instructed according to the determination. Then, it is determined whether the second input number is suitable or not and only when the first input and the second input are equal, FAX transmission is enabled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device having an input function, such as a facsimile machine, a personal computer (PC), and a multifunction machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to an input device having an erroneous input prevention function for preventing erroneous input in advance by a plurality of input operations.

  Conventionally, in a communication apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a PC, generally, a telephone number or ID number of a partner is input, and data transmission is started by operating a start key. In such a communication device, if an incorrect number is input, the other party is bothered and the communication content is known to a third party.

As a technique for preventing such an artificial mistake, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a facsimile apparatus with an operation error prevention function that draws a destination number twice and collates them to call attention to an input mistake. .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-200058

  However, the conventional facsimile apparatus described above has the following problems. That is, it is not always possible to effectively suppress erroneous input by simply inputting twice. For example, when the user mistakenly remembers the input number or when the same mistake is made, there is little motive for the user to confirm the number, and the possibility of erroneous transmission becomes very high.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional input device described above. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that is unlikely to be processed due to erroneous input.

  An input device made for the purpose of solving this problem is an input device that accepts a symbol by inputting a plurality of symbols at least twice. An input device for inputting a symbol, a symbol input by the input device, and the like. In the display means to be displayed and the first input of the symbol, the symbol input by the input means is displayed on the display means, and in the second input of the symbol, the first input symbol is controlled to be hidden. Based on the control means and the symbol input at the first time, the re-entry location in the symbol is determined, the determination means for instructing the input of the re-input location as the second symbol input, and the input at the first time Judgment means for judging whether or not the symbol and the symbol inputted at the second time coincide with each other.

  The input device according to the present invention has an erroneous input prevention function for inputting an input symbol composed of a plurality of symbols such as a telephone number, a FAX number, a password, and an e-mail address at least twice. In the input device of the present invention, the symbol input by the input unit is displayed on the display unit in the first input, and the symbol input in the first time is not displayed in the second input. At the time of the second input, the re-input part in the symbol input at the first time is determined by the determining means, and the input is instructed according to the determination. When a symbol is input as the second input, the appropriateness of the symbol is determined by the determining means.

  That is, in the input device of the present invention, the second input is performed in a different order from the first according to the determination by the determining means. Further, in the second input, the first input symbol is not displayed. For this reason, even if a user memorizes a symbol to be input, it is difficult to input smoothly. Therefore, the user who performs the input is given a motivation to confirm the input symbol such as inputting while looking at a database such as a memo or a telephone directory. This makes it easy for the user to notice input errors. As a result, execution of processing due to erroneous input is suppressed.

  The determining means of the input device of the present invention determines whether or not the symbols match for each re-input position, and the control means determines the re-input position for the re-input position determined to be the same by the determining means. It is better to change from non-display to display.

  That is, in the input device of the present invention, in the second input, the symbol is displayed only when it matches the symbol input in the first time, that is, if it is incorrect, it is not displayed. Therefore, the user is likely to notice mistakes. In addition, by judging for each re-entry location, it is not necessary to re-enter all symbols even if the input is incorrect. This saves the user trouble.

  Further, it is better that the determining means of the input device of the present invention randomly determines re-input locations and instructs the input of the determined re-input locations. That is, the user cannot predict the input order by randomly determining re-input locations. Therefore, even a user who memorizes numbers is not easy to input. Therefore, the user becomes more cautious about input and is more likely to notice an input error.

  Further, the determining means of the input device of the present invention may determine the re-input location in the reverse order of the symbols input at the first time, and instruct the input of the determined re-input location. That is, by determining the re-entry location in reverse order, even a user who memorizes a number cannot input smoothly. As a result, the user is more cautious about input and tends to notice input errors.

  In addition, the input device of the present invention is preferably provided with notifying means for notifying a warning when the judging means determines that there is a mismatch. That is, it is possible to give a motive for recognizing an input error by prompting the user by notifying a warning such as a warning sound or a warning display, prompting re-input, and confirming the input symbol.

  According to the present invention, an input device is realized that is unlikely to be processed due to erroneous input.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a facsimile function.

[Overall configuration of MFP]
As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral 100 (an example of an input device) according to the present embodiment includes an image forming unit that prints an image on a sheet and a main body unit 2 that includes a data transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives image data. And a scanner unit 3 for reading an image. The multifunction peripheral 100 has various functions such as a scanner function, a copy function, and a printer function in addition to the facsimile function. The image forming method of the main body 2 may be an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method. Further, even if a color image can be formed, it may be dedicated to a monochrome image.

  The scanner unit 3 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder: automatic document feeder) 30 that automatically feeds a document, a platen glass (not shown) on which a document is placed, and an image scanner (not shown) that reads a document. Have As a document reading method, a flat bed (document fixed scanning) method and an ADF (document moving scanning) method are possible.

  An operation unit 31 (an example of an input unit) and a display unit 32 (an example of a display unit and a notification unit) are provided on the front surface of the scanner unit 3. The operation unit 31 is for inputting data by a user operation. Specifically, the operation unit 31 includes key switches such as a numeric keypad, a mode switching key, and a multifunction key. The display unit 32 displays input data from the operation unit 31 and a warning message when an abnormality is detected. Specifically, the display unit 32 is configured by a liquid crystal panel. The operation unit 31 may be a touch panel displayed on the display unit 32.

  For example, when the user uses the FAX function, the multi-function device 100 operates as follows. First, an original is set on the ADF 30 by the user, and a FAX number is input by the operation unit 31. When the input of the FAX number is completed, the FAX start button of the operation unit 31 is pressed. Thereafter, the scanner unit 3 reads the document and creates image data for FAX transmission. The data transmission / reception unit of the main unit 2 acquires information of the facsimile apparatus of the other party via the facsimile interface, and transmits image data to the facsimile apparatus if transmission is possible.

[Electric configuration of MFP]
Next, the electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-function device 100 transmits / receives data to / from a CPU 81 (an example of a control unit, a determination unit, and a determination unit), a ROM 82, a RAM 83, an EEPROM 84, an operation unit 31, a display unit 32. A data transmission / reception unit 22 that performs image formation, an image formation unit 25 that performs image formation, an image scanner 35 that reads a document, and a speaker 36 (an example of a warning unit) that provides warning sound are provided.

  The ROM 82 stores various control programs for controlling the multifunction peripheral 100, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 83 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read or as a storage area for temporarily storing image data.

  The CPU 81 controls the operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 while storing the processing result in the RAM 83 according to the program read from the ROM 82. For example, the CPU 81 executes an erroneous input prevention process for prompting re-input of the FAX number for the FAX number input by the operation unit 31 as input means.

  The data transmission / reception unit 22 includes a network interface or a facsimile interface, and is connected to an external information processing apparatus via a network or a communication line to enable bidirectional data communication.

[Operation procedure for FAX transmission]
Next, an operation procedure at the time of FAX transmission by the MFP 100, particularly an erroneous input prevention process at the time of FAX number input, will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. It is assumed that a plurality of documents are placed on the ADF 30 in advance.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the FAX number of the transmission destination is input by the user (S101). Note that the input in the process of S101 is the first input. In the first input, as shown in FIG. 5, the cursor 33 is displayed on the display unit 32 at the input digit number, and the input of the number is prompted. When a number is input, the number is displayed (S102), and the cursor 33 moves to the input position of the next input digit number.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number is confirmed (S103). That is, it is determined whether or not the user has finished inputting the desired FAX number and has pressed the enter button or FAX transmission button. If the FAX number has not been confirmed (S103: NO), the process returns to S101 and the numerical value input is repeated.

  When the FAX number is confirmed (S103: YES), the FAX number is stored in the EEPROM 84 as the input FAX number (S104). That is, the inputted FAX number is once held. Then, the FAX number displayed on the display unit 32 is deleted (S105).

  Next, an input location when performing the second input described later, that is, a re-input location is determined (S106). Specifically, it is determined which digit of the FAX number input at the first time is used as the input location.

  Here, the details of the processing of S106 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the number N of digits of the input FAX number stored in the EEPROM 84 is acquired (S161).

  Next, one natural number from 1 to N is selected at random (S162). That is, the digit number in the input FAX number is randomly extracted. Then, it is determined whether or not the selected numerical value has already been displayed on the display unit 32 (S163). If it has already been displayed (S163: YES), the digit number has already been entered, so the process returns to S161 and the digit number is selected again. On the other hand, if it is not already displayed (S163: NO), the selected digit number is determined as the digit number to be re-inputted (S164), and this process is terminated.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, the cursor is moved to the input location (re-input location) corresponding to the determined digit number, and a message prompting re-input of the FAX number is displayed (S107).

  The process proceeds to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the input in the process of S108 is the second input. Next, it is determined whether or not the input number matches the corresponding digit number of the FAX number input for the first time (S109). If the numbers do not match (S109: NO), a warning sound is emitted (S110), and the process returns to S108 to prompt the user to reenter the number. As a warning notification means, in addition to a warning sound, for example, display of an error message or lighting of an error lamp can be applied. The warning allows the user to recognize the input mismatch and is prompted to re-enter and be motivated to reconfirm the fax number.

  On the other hand, if the numbers match (S109: YES), the input number is displayed at the corresponding location (S111). That is, the re-input part is switched from non-display to display. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a digit number that is not displayed, that is, whether or not there is an undetermined number (S112). If there is a number that has not been determined (S112: YES), the process returns to S106, and the cursor is positioned by specifying the number that has not been determined as a re-input location.

  That is, in the second input, as shown in FIG. 7, a digit number is randomly designated, and the cursor 33 is set to the designated digit number. Then, the user inputs the input FAX number in the designated digit number order. When the correct number is entered, that number is displayed and the next digit number is entered. Since the user does not display the number until the correct number is input, the user is aware of an error in the first input or the second input.

  In addition, in the second input, the re-input part is randomly determined, and the user cannot predict the input part. Therefore, even a user who memorizes numbers is not easy to input. Therefore, the user is given a motivation for reconfirming the FAX number, becomes more cautious about input, and easily notices input mistakes. If it is noticed that there is an error in the first input, the entire input process is canceled and the first input is started again.

  When the input of all the digit numbers is completed in the second input (S112: NO), the input FAX number is accepted, the conveyance of the original by the ADF 30 is started, and the original conveyed by the ADF 30 is read by the image scanner 35. The image data (FAX data) is obtained by reading (S113). Then, FAX transmission of the acquired FAX data is performed (S114). After the process of S114, this process ends.

[First application example: reverse order input]
Next, an application example of the erroneous input prevention process will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the first application example, the second input is performed with the digit numbers in the reverse order of the first input. This is different from the previous embodiment in which the second input is in random digit number order. It is assumed that a plurality of documents are placed on the ADF 30 in advance.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, a desired FAX number is input by the user as the first input (S201). In this first input, the input numbers are sequentially displayed on the display section 32 as in the previous embodiment (S202).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number is confirmed (S203). If the FAX number has not been determined (S203: NO), the process returns to S201 and the input of the number is repeated. If the FAX number is confirmed (S203: YES), the FAX number (input FAX number) is stored in the EEPROM 84 (S204). Then, the FAX number displayed on the display unit 32 is deleted, and a message prompting the user to re-enter the FAX number is displayed (S205).

  Next, the number of digits of the input FAX number is acquired (S206). Then, the obtained number of digits is substituted into a variable N (S207), and the Nth digit is designated as a re-input location (S208). Thereafter, the cursor is moved to the designated re-input location and a standby state is set (S209).

  Shifting to the flowchart of FIG. 9, as the second input, the number of the re-input part is input by the user (S210). Next, it is determined whether or not the input number matches the corresponding digit number of the FAX number input for the first time (S211). If the numbers do not match (S211: NO), a warning sound is emitted (S212), and the process returns to S210 to prompt the user to re-enter the number.

  On the other hand, if the numbers match (S211: YES), the input number is displayed at the corresponding location (S213). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the variable N is 1, that is, whether or not the re-input location is the location that was input first in the first input (S214). If the variable N is not 1 (S214: NO), N-1 is set as the value of the variable N (S215). Then, returning to the processing of S208, the N-th digit is designated as the re-input position and the cursor is set.

  That is, in the second input, as shown in FIG. 10, the digit numbers are specified in the reverse order to the first input, and the cursor 33 is set at the specified position. Then, the user inputs the input FAX numbers in reverse order. When the correct number is entered, that number is displayed and the previous digit number is entered. Since the user does not display the number until the correct number is input, the user is aware of an error in the first input or the second input.

  In addition, in the second input, the re-entry location is determined in reverse order, so that even a user who memorizes a number cannot input smoothly. Therefore, the user is provided with a motivation to reconfirm the FAX number, becomes more cautious about input, and easily notices input mistakes. If it is noticed that there is an error in the first input, the entire input process can be canceled and the first input can be started again.

  If the variable N is 1 (S214: YES), it can be determined that the input of all the digit numbers has been completed by the second input, the input FAX number is accepted, the conveyance of the original by the ADF 30 is started, and the original is The image data is read by the image scanner 35 and the image data (FAX data) is acquired (S216). Then, FAX transmission of the acquired FAX data is performed (S217). After the process of S217, this process ends.

[Second application example: 1 digit display]
Next, an application example of display of erroneous input prevention processing will be described. In the second application example, at the time of the second input, only the input digit number is displayed and the other digit numbers are not displayed. This is different from the previous embodiment in which the digit number already input is displayed, the cursor is moved to the current input digit number, and the re-input location is visually indicated.

  In the second application example, as shown in FIG. 11, at the first input, the input number is displayed as in the previous embodiment. After confirming the input number, before the start of the second input, the first input number is hidden and only the digit number to be re-input is displayed. The method of determining the digit number for re-inputting may be random (example) or reverse order (first example). Further, even if the order is other than those, it may be different from the first input order.

  When the correct number is input, the next selected digit number is input. At this time, the already entered digit number is not displayed. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to guess the input number, and input becomes more careful. Therefore, it is easy to notice input mistakes.

[Third application example: Password input]
Next, an application example of the erroneous input prevention process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the third application example, an erroneous input prevention process when performing password input operation on a PC will be described. It should be noted that there is no difference in the first input procedure between the password input and the FAX number input. That is, the procedure is the same as the processing from S101 to S107 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 (the processing from S201 to S209 shown in FIG. 8 can also be handled), and the description is omitted.

  In the password input, the variable M is initialized after designating the re-input part of the second input (S301). Then, as a second input, a symbol of a re-input part is input by the user (S302). Symbols entered include special characters and numbers, meaning all symbols used in passwords.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the input symbol matches the symbol of the corresponding portion of the password input for the first time (S303). If the symbols do not match (S303: NO), M + 1 is set as the value of the variable M (S304). Then, it is determined whether or not the variable M is smaller than 3 (S305). If the variable M is smaller than 3 (S305: YES), a warning sound is emitted (S306), and the process returns to S302 to prompt the user to re-enter the symbol. On the other hand, if the variable M is 3 or more (S305: NO), the input password information is reset (S307), and a warning message to the effect that the password has been input is displayed on the display unit 32 ( S308). After the process of S308, this process ends.

  That is, in the input of the password, re-input is urged until the second input mistake per one input, but the input is reset in the third input mistake. Thereby, the password input of the suspicious person is suppressed, and the security of the system is ensured.

  If the symbols match (S303: YES), it is determined whether there is a symbol that has not been input (S309). If there is a symbol that has not been input (S309: YES), a symbol that has not been determined is designated as a re-input location, the cursor is moved, and variable M is initialized. When the input of all the digit numbers is completed in the second input (S309: NO), the input password is accepted and the password is confirmed (S310). After the process of S310, this process ends.

  As described above in detail, the MFP 100 according to the embodiment has a function of preventing erroneous input by accepting FAX transmission of the FAX number by inputting the FAX number twice. Then, the multifunction device 100 displays the input number on the display unit 32 in the first input, and hides the first FAX number in the second input. At the time of the second input, the re-input part is determined randomly or in reverse order based on the input FAX number input at the first time, and the input is instructed according to the determination. Then, whether or not the number input at the second time is appropriate is determined, and only when the first input and the second input are equal, FAX transmission is possible.

  That is, in the multi-function device 100, the second input is performed in a different order from the first. Further, in the second input, the first input number is not displayed. For this reason, even if the FAX number to be input by the user is memorized, it is difficult to input smoothly. Therefore, the user who performs the input is given a motivation for confirming the FAX number such as inputting while looking at a database such as a memo or a telephone directory. This makes it easy for the user to notice input errors. As a result, FAX transmission due to erroneous input is suppressed. Therefore, an input device is realized that is unlikely to be processed due to erroneous input.

  In addition, the multifunction device 100 is displayed only when the number input for the first time matches the number input for the second time at the time of the second input, that is, not displayed if it is incorrect. Therefore, the user is likely to notice mistakes. In addition, at the time of the second input, the suitability of the input number is determined for each re-input part. Therefore, even if the input is wrong, it is not necessary to re-enter all the symbols, saving the user's trouble.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the present invention can be applied to any device having an input function, such as a facsimile machine or a mobile phone, as well as a multifunction device or a PC.

  In this embodiment, the input symbol is applied to a FAX number or a password, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be applied to a telephone number, an ID number, and an e-mail address.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the second input, whether or not the input number is appropriate is determined for each re-input part and displayed one digit at a time, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the second input, the number of all digits may be re-input in a state where the first input number is not displayed, and then the suitability may be determined collectively.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart (random input at the time of re-input: the 1) which shows the erroneous input prevention procedure at the time of FAX number input. It is a flowchart which shows the erroneous input prevention procedure at the time of FAX number input (random input at the time of re-input: the 2). It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part in the 1st input. It is a flowchart which shows the determination procedure of the re-input location. It is a figure which shows the example of a display (random designation | designated) of the display part in the 2nd input. It is a flowchart which shows the erroneous input prevention procedure at the time of FAX number input (reverse order input at the time of re-input: the 1). It is a flowchart which shows the erroneous input prevention procedure at the time of FAX number input (reverse order input at the time of re-input: the 2). It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display part in the 2nd input (reverse order designation | designated). It is a figure which shows the example of a display (1 digit display) of the display part in the 2nd input. It is a flowchart which shows the erroneous input prevention procedure at the time of password input.

Explanation of symbols

22 Data transmission / reception unit 25 Image forming unit 30 ADF
31 Operation Unit 32 Display Unit 33 Cursor 100 Multifunction Device

Claims (6)

In an input device that accepts a plurality of symbols by inputting them at least twice,
An input means for inputting the symbol;
Display means for displaying a symbol input by the input means;
In the first input of the symbol, the symbol input by the input unit is displayed on the display unit, and in the second input of the symbol, the control unit controls the non-display of the symbol input in the first time;
A determination means for determining a re-entry location in the symbol based on the symbol input in the first time, and instructing the input of the re-input location as the second time symbol input;
An input device comprising: determination means for determining whether or not the symbol input at the first time matches the symbol input at the second time. The input device according to claim 1,
The determining means determines whether or not the symbols match for each re-input part;
The input unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the re-input portion from non-display to display for the re-input portion determined to be coincident by the determining unit. In the input device according to claim 1 or 2,
The input device characterized in that the determining means randomly determines the re-input part and instructs the input of the determined re-input part. In the input device according to claim 1 or 2,
The input device is characterized in that the determining means determines the re-input location in the reverse order of the symbols input at the first time, and instructs the input of the determined re-input location. In the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An input device comprising an informing means for informing a warning when the judgment means judges that there is a mismatch. In the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The input device is characterized in that the symbol constitutes one of a telephone number, a FAX number, a password, and an e-mail address.

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