JP5126050B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus having a schedule management function for a plurality of users.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a multifunction device that can record the time when a set operation is executed and automatically executes the operation set in the setting file when the reservation time comes by the schedule management unit.

JP 2005-197833 A

  However, the multifunction device described in Patent Document 1 does not disclose a schedule management function for a plurality of users. Therefore, it is impossible to individually perform the setting operation for each of the plurality of users and to centrally manage the schedules of the plurality of users. In this specification, the technique which can eliminate such inconvenience is provided.

The communication apparatus according to the present invention includes schedule setting means, conflict period detection means, combination table setting means, operation content changing means, and schedule execution means. As an example of the communication device, a telephone, a FAX, a copier, or a complex machine thereof can be cited. The schedule setting means generates a plurality of schedule files and stores them in the memory. In the schedule file, the operation content of the communication device during the reservation period (operation at the time of calling, operation at the time of incoming call, etc.) is set. For example, when a plurality of users use communication devices, the schedule file can be created for each user. The conflict period detection means detects whether there is a period (conflict period) in which different operation contents are set within the same reservation period among a plurality of schedule files. The combination table setting means sets a combination table. In the combination table, a correspondence relationship between a changed combination that is a combination of predetermined operation contents and the changed operation contents corresponding to the changed combination is set and stored. The operation content changing unit extracts a combination of a plurality of types of operation content included in the conflict period of each schedule file in response to the detection operation being performed by the conflict period detection unit. Then, it is searched whether there is a change combination that matches the extracted operation content combination in the combination table. If there is a matching change combination, the operation content in the conflict period in the schedule file is changed to the operation content after change. The schedule execution means executes the operation content set in the schedule file or the changed operation content when the reservation period comes. At this time, the operations are executed in parallel for each of the plurality of schedule files. In addition, the post-change operation content is set to an operation optimized by the operation content including each of a plurality of types of the operation content constituting the corresponding change combination.

  As a result, when specific operation content overlaps within the same reservation period, it is possible to change to another operation content. Therefore, when performing schedule management for a plurality of users in the communication device, it is possible to assign an optimal schedule according to a combination of schedules between users. Thus, the schedule management function of the communication device can be made more convenient for the user by a synergistic effect by combining a plurality of schedules.

  In the communication device, the combination of the operation contents constituting the change combination may be a combination of the power saving operation and the incoming call rejection operation in the communication device. The changed operation content may be an operation of turning off the power of the communication receiving unit of the communication device. Thereby, further power saving of the communication device can be achieved.

  Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external view of the multi-function device 10. The multi-function device 10 has a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a telephone function, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, a display panel 50 is provided on the upper surface front side of the multi-function device 10. The display panel 50 is a touch panel, and can detect the coordinates of the position touched by the user.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the multi-function device 10. The multi-function device 10 includes a control unit 12, a display panel 50, hard keys 52, a printing unit 54, a scanning unit 56, a FAX unit 58, a modem 60, a PSTN interface 62, and the like. The control unit 12 includes a CPU 14, a ROM 16, a RAM 30, an NVRAM 40, and the like.

  The CPU 14 executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 16. The processing executed by the CPU 14 will be described in detail later. The ROM 16 stores a basic function program 18 for controlling basic operations of the multi-function device 10. The basic function program 18 is used to generate display data displayed on the display panel 50, for example.

  The modem 60 is connected to an external line. The multi-function device 10 can communicate with an externally connected personal computer and can access the Internet.

  The RAM 30 includes a basic function work area 32 and a display information storage area 36. The basic function work area 32 is a storage area for storing various data generated in the process of executing the process according to the basic function program 18. The display information storage area 36 is a storage area for storing display information to be displayed on the display panel 50.

The NVRAM 40 has a basic function parameter storage area 42. The basic function parameter storage area 42 is a storage area for storing various parameters (for example, incoming call settings) used when the CPU 14 executes processing according to the basic function program 18. The basic function parameter storage area 42 also stores a schedule table T31.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the schedule table T31. The schedule table T31 has n storage areas with memory numbers M1 to Mn. Each storage area can store a telephone number 201 and k users corresponding to the telephone number 201. Therefore, k schedule files can be created for each k users. Each storage area can store i schedule contents corresponding to the schedule time. Note that the values of n, k, and i may be set appropriately in advance according to the capacity of the basic function parameter storage area 42. Moreover, the registration method of schedule table T31 may be a general data registration method, for example, a method set by the user using the display panel 50. A detailed description of the registration method is omitted here.

  The schedule time is a time during which the CPU 14 causes the multi-function device 10 to perform an operation corresponding to the schedule content. In response to the arrival of the schedule time, the CPU 14 executes the schedule contents set in the schedule table T31. The schedule content is the operation of the multi-function device 10. For example, in the calling operation, there are schedule contents such as “with ringtone” and “manner mode”. “There is a ringing tone” is an operation for making a ringing tone such as an electronic tone when receiving a call. “Manner mode” is an operation of performing a vibration operation instead of making a ring tone when receiving a call. In the incoming call operation, there are schedule contents such as “answering machine” and “incoming call rejection”. “Voice mail” is an operation to record the message of the other party. “Reject incoming call” is an operation of rejecting an incoming call. Other operation contents include an operation such as “sleep mode”. The “sleep mode” is an operation for reducing power consumption of the multi-function device 10 by an operation such as turning off the backlight of the display panel 50.

  The schedule management process of the present invention will be described. As an example, schedule management in the case of using the schedule table T31a shown in FIG. The schedule table T31a has six storage areas from memory numbers M1 to M6, and stores telephone numbers 201, respectively. In addition, two users A and B are registered in the schedule table T31a. Then, telephone numbers from memory numbers M1 to M3 are registered as telephone numbers related to user A, and a schedule file for user A is formed. Further, telephone numbers from memory numbers M3 to M6 are registered as telephone numbers related to user B, and a schedule file for user B is formed. In the schedule table T31a, the telephone number “090-333-3333” of the memory number M3 is associated with the users A and B in an overlapping manner. Further, in the example of FIG. 5A, the schedule contents of “answering machine” are registered in correspondence with the user A during the period of “15: 00-21 o'clock” of the schedule time. Hereinafter, the schedule creation process when the user B newly registers schedule contents in the schedule table T31a will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the schedule creation process. The flow of the schedule creation process mainly includes three steps. S1 to S5 are schedule setting control steps. S7 to S15 are schedule adjustment control steps. S17 to S25 are combination control steps.

  The schedule setting control in S1 to S5 will be described. In S <b> 1, the menu selection is performed by the user, and the schedule creation process is started. In the present embodiment, a schedule creation button 101 is displayed on the display panel 50 as shown in the example of FIG. Then, when the schedule creation button 101 is touched by the user, the process proceeds to S3.

  In S <b> 3, the CPU 14 displays a user selection screen on the display panel 50. In this embodiment, a case where there are two users (users A and B) is described. Therefore, as shown in the example of FIG. 7B, the display panel 50 displays an all-user common button 111, a user A button 112, and a user B button 113 for selecting all users. And CPU14 sets the registration content of schedule table T31a regarding the user corresponding to the pressed button. In the present embodiment, a case where the user B is selected is described. Accordingly, the user B is selected in response to the user B button 113 being touched by the user. Then, the process proceeds to S5.

  In S5, a schedule file is set. In setting the schedule file, the schedule time and the schedule contents are set in the schedule table T31a registered by the user.

  An example of schedule setting will be described with reference to FIGS. First, schedule contents are set. As shown in FIG. 8C, a schedule content setting screen is displayed at 50. On the schedule content setting screen, there is a “ring tone” button 121, a “manner mode” button 122, a “reject call” button 123, an “answering phone” button 124, and a “sleep mode” button for selecting various schedule contents. 125 is displayed. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which “call rejection” is selected as the schedule content. In response to the user B touching the “call rejection” button 123, “call rejection” is selected. The CPU 14 saves the schedule content setting (“call rejection”) in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30. Next, a schedule time is set. As shown in FIG. 8D, a schedule time setting screen is displayed at 50. Buttons 131 to 134 for selecting a time are displayed on the schedule time setting screen. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which a schedule time from 12:00 to 24:00 is selected. The CPU 14 stores the set schedule time setting in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30. This completes the input of the instruction to register the schedule contents of “reject call” for the telephone numbers related to the user B from the memory numbers M3 to M6 between 12:00 and 24:00. Then, the process proceeds to S7.

  The schedule adjustment control in S7 to S15 will be described. In S7, the CPU 14 determines whether or not a schedule that conflicts with the schedule to be registered is already registered in the schedule table T31a. This determination is made by reading and comparing the schedule time and schedule contents set in S5 from the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30. Here, the schedules conflict with each other is that schedule contents contradicting each other are set at the same schedule time. For example, the operation of “with ringtone” that makes a sound and the operation of “manner mode” that does not make a sound are mutually contradictory operations. The operation of “answering machine” for receiving a message and the operation of “rejecting an incoming call” for rejecting an incoming call are mutually contradictory operations. Note that these combinations are examples, and it is needless to say that conflicting schedules are not limited to these combinations.

  If the conflicting schedule contents are not registered (S7: NO), the process proceeds to S15, and the CPU 14 registers the schedule in the schedule table T31a. Then, the process proceeds to S17. On the other hand, if conflicting schedule contents are registered (S7: YES), the process proceeds to S9.

  In S9, the CPU 14 extracts a telephone number for which a conflicting schedule is set. And about the telephone number in which the conflicting schedule is not set, schedule registration is performed in S13. Then, the process proceeds to S17. On the other hand, schedule adjustment is performed in S11 for telephone numbers for which conflicting schedules are set.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), during the schedule time “15 o'clock to 21 o'clock” of the telephone number “090-333-3333” of the memory number M3, the user A performs “answering machine”. Is already registered. Then, the schedule content of “reject incoming call” is going to be registered by the user B during the same schedule time “15: 00-21”. Further, as described above, “answering machine” and “reject incoming call” are conflicting schedule contents. Therefore, the CPU 14 extracts the telephone number of the memory number M3 as the telephone number for which the conflicting schedule is set, and proceeds to S11.

  In the schedule adjustment of S11, the CPU 14 gives priority to schedule contents with high priority and registers them in the schedule table T31. The CPU 14 determines the priority with reference to the priority table stored in the basic function parameter storage area 42 of the NVRAM 40. The priority table is a table for setting priorities among conflicting schedule contents. FIG. 10 shows an example of the priority table. The priority table T1 shown in FIG. 10A defines the priority order between “answering machine” and “rejecting incoming call”. “Voice mail” with a lower priority value is set to have a higher priority than “Reject incoming call”. Also, the priority table T2 shown in FIG. 10B defines the priority order between “Manner mode” and “With ringtone”. “Manner mode” with a lower priority value is set to have a higher priority than “with ringtone”.

  In the present embodiment, conflicting “answering machine” and “reject incoming call” are about to be set at the same schedule time of the telephone number of the memory number M3. Therefore, in S11, the CPU 14 refers to the priority table T1 shown in FIG. 10A and gives priority to “answering machine” having a high priority. As a result, as shown in area A11 of FIG. 5B, “answering machine” is given priority for the telephone number of memory number M3, and the registered content is maintained as “answering machine”. Further, as shown in the area A12, “rejected call” is registered for the telephone numbers of the memory numbers M4 to M6.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9E, the CPU 14 displays on the display panel 50 a warning that “answering machine” has been given priority for the telephone number of the memory number M3. Therefore, the user can know that “reject call” is not set for the telephone number “090-333-3333”.

  Next, the combination control performed in S17 to S25 will be described. As an example, combination control in the case of using the schedule table T31b shown in FIG.

  In the schedule table T31b shown in FIG. 6A, in common with the users A and B, the schedule content of the “sleep mode” is registered in the period of “0:00 to 12:00” of the schedule time. First, a method for setting the schedule table T31b shown in FIG. 6A will be described. In S1 of the flow of FIG. 3, the schedule creation process is started in response to the touch of the schedule creation button 101 (FIG. 7A). In S3, the users A and B are selected in common in response to the user touching the all-user common button 111 (FIG. 7B). In S5, the “sleep mode” button 125 (FIG. 8C) is touched by the user, and “sleep mode” is selected as the schedule content. Further, when the user touches buttons 131 to 134 (FIG. 8D), a schedule time from 0:00 to 12:00 is selected. Thereby, the setting of the schedule table T31b shown in FIG. 6A is completed.

  Next, a case where the user further sets a schedule for the schedule table T31b shown in FIG. In S25 of the flow of FIG. 3, the CPU 14 determines whether or not there is an additional registration of the schedule. As shown in FIG. 11A, an end button 141 and an additional registration button 142 are displayed on the display panel 50. When the end button 141 is touched by the user (S25: NO), the CPU 14 determines that the schedule creation process is ended, and ends the flow. On the other hand, when the additional registration button 142 is touched by the user (S25: YES), the CPU 14 determines that additional registration is performed, returns to S5, and continues the schedule setting.

  In S5, the schedule contents and schedule time are additionally registered. In the example of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11B, “Reject incoming call” is selected as the schedule content in response to the user touching the “Reject incoming call” button 123. Also, as shown in FIG. 12C, the schedule time from 0:00 to 6:00 is selected. When S5 ends, the flow proceeds to S17.

  In S <b> 17, the CPU 14 determines combination control. A determination flow for combination control will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. In S <b> 51 of the flowchart of FIG. 13, the CPU 14 determines whether or not a combination of schedule operations set at the same schedule time corresponds to a “change combination”. The “change combination” is a predetermined combination of schedule contents. At the schedule time when the “change combination” occurs, another new schedule content “post-change schedule content” is generated and registered. Examples of the “change combination” include a combination of “sleep mode” and “reject incoming call”. “Sleep mode” is a mode for power saving, and “Reject incoming call” is an operation that does not require waiting for an incoming call from outside, and there is no problem even if the operation of the multi-function device 10 is stopped together. It is. Further, “modem power supply OFF” can be cited as an example of “schedule content after change”. By turning off the power of the modem 60, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption of the multi-function device 10. Needless to say, the “change combination” is not limited to this example.

  The CPU 14 determines whether or not the “change combination” has occurred by referring to the combination table stored in the basic function parameter storage area 42 of the NVRAM 40. FIG. 14 shows an example of the combination table. In the combination table T11 shown in FIG. 14, “change combination” (“sleep mode” and “reject incoming call”) and “schedule content after change” (modem power OFF) are stored in association with each other.

  If it is determined in S51 that the change combination is applicable (S51: YES), the process proceeds to S53, and the CPU 14 stores in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30 that the modem 60 is turned off. On the other hand, if it is determined in S51 that it does not correspond to the “change combination” (S51: NO), the process proceeds to S55.

  In S55, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the “sleep mode” is set. When it is determined that the “sleep mode” is set (S55: YES), the process proceeds to S57, and the CPU 14 stores in the basic function work area 32 that the sleep process is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the “sleep mode” is not set (S55: NO), the process proceeds to S59.

  In S59, the CPU 14 determines whether or not “reject incoming call” is set. If it is determined that “Reject incoming call” is set (S59: YES), the process proceeds to S61, and the CPU 14 stores in the basic function work area 32 that the incoming call rejection process is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that “reject call” is not set (S59: NO), the process proceeds to S63, and the CPU 14 stores in the basic function work area 32 that normal processing is performed.

  In the example of the present embodiment, as shown in the schedule table T31b of FIG. 6A, in the period of the schedule time “0 to 12:00” of the telephone numbers of the memory numbers M1 to M6, The case where “sleep mode” is registered is described. Then, a case is described in which, from the state of FIG. 6 (A), “incoming call rejection” is newly registered during the schedule time “0:00 to 6:00” of the telephone numbers of the memory numbers M1 to M6. . “Voice mail” and “reject incoming call” are combinations corresponding to “change combination”. Therefore, the CPU 14 determines that it corresponds to the “change combination” (S51: YES), and stores in the basic function work area 32 that the power of the modem 60 is turned off in S53.

  Returning to FIG. In S <b> 19, the CPU 14 reads out the determination result in S <b> 17 from the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30 to determine whether or not a “change combination” has occurred. If no “change combination” has occurred (S19: NO), the process proceeds to S25. On the other hand, if a “change combination” has occurred (S19: YES), the process proceeds to S21. Since the present embodiment describes the case where the “change combination” has occurred, the process proceeds to S21.

  In S <b> 21, the CPU 14 displays the combination control content on the shared schedule table on the display panel 50. In the present embodiment, as shown in the area A21 in FIG. 12D, there is a control content for turning off the power of the modem 60 during the period from 0:00 to 6:00 in which the “change combination” is set. Is displayed. Therefore, the user can know that the power of the modem 60 is turned off.

  In S23, the CPU 14 registers a combination control schedule. In the present embodiment, the CPU 14 turns off the power of the modem 60 during the period “0-6 o'clock” of the schedule time corresponding to “change combination”, and “6 o'clock-- of the schedule time not corresponding to“ change combination ”. In the “12 o'clock” period, the schedule is changed to perform the sleep process. As a result, as shown in the area A31 of FIG. 6B, the schedule time for registering the schedule content of the “sleep mode” for the telephone numbers from the memory numbers M1 to M6 is “6: 00-12: 00. Is changed. Further, as shown in the area A32, “modem power OFF” is newly set for the telephone numbers from the memory numbers M1 to M6 at the schedule time “0:00 to 6:00”. Thereby, combination control is complete | finished and it progresses to S25. Since the operation in S25 is as described above, the description is omitted.

  The operation of the multi-function device 10 at the time of an incoming call will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When there is an incoming call from outside in S31, the CPU 14 recognizes the incoming call number which is the telephone number of the communication destination. In S33, the CPU 14 determines whether the incoming call number is registered in any memory number in the schedule table T31. If the incoming number is registered (S33: YES), the process proceeds to S35, and the CPU 14 reads the schedule time and the schedule contents stored in the storage area of the memory number corresponding to the incoming number. Then, the process proceeds to S39. On the other hand, if the incoming call number is not registered (S33: NO), the process proceeds to S37, and the CPU 14 reads the common schedule setting contents. Then, the process proceeds to S39. Here, the common schedule setting content is a schedule content performed when the incoming call number is not registered in the schedule table T31, and is a content set in advance by a user or the like.

  In S39, the CPU 14 performs processes such as “answering machine” and “manner mode” according to the read schedule time and schedule contents.

  The effects of the invention according to this embodiment will be described below. In the multi-function device 10 according to the present embodiment, when setting schedule contents independently in a schedule file set for each of a plurality of users, if different schedule contents are set within the same schedule time, the schedule time The content of the schedule is unified into one type of schedule content. Therefore, setting different schedule contents within the same schedule time is prevented. Accordingly, for example, even when a single multi-function device 10 is used by a plurality of users, it is possible to prevent schedule files set by a plurality of users from being set inconsistent with each other. Therefore, the multi-function device 10 can be provided with a schedule management function for a plurality of users.

  In the multi-function device 10 according to the present embodiment, when the combination of schedule operations set within the same schedule time corresponds to the “change combination”, the corresponding schedule content is newly generated. It becomes possible to change to “schedule content after change”. Thereby, when performing schedule management for a plurality of users in the multi-function device 10, it is possible to assign an optimal schedule according to a combination of schedules between users. Therefore, the schedule management function of the multi-function device 10 can be made more convenient for the user by a synergistic effect by combining a plurality of schedules.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

  In the present embodiment, the schedule adjustment in S11 is automatically performed by the CPU 14 using the priority table, but is not limited to this form, and the schedule adjustment may be performed by the user. For example, when conflicting “answering machine” and “reject incoming call” are set at the same schedule time of the telephone number of the memory number M3, as shown in the example of FIG. An overwrite rejection button 152 may be displayed. If the overwrite execution button 151 is touched by the user, the CPU 14 registers “reject call” for the telephone number of the memory number M3, whereas if the user touches the overwrite rejection button 152, the CPU 14 May maintain “answering machine” for the telephone number of the memory number M3. As a result, when schedule contents conflicting with the same schedule time are to be registered, it becomes possible to perform schedule adjustment reflecting the user's intention. In addition, since the schedule contents can be prevented from being changed without the user's knowledge, the convenience of the user can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the case where there are two users A and B has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and it goes without saying that schedule management is possible even when there are three or more users.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

  The schedule time is an example of the reservation period, the schedule content is an example of the operation content, “modem power OFF” is an example of the operation content after the change, the telephone number is an example of the communication destination identification information, the modem is an example of the communication receiving unit, the manner The mode is an example of a vibration operation.

1 is an external view of a multi-function device 10. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-function device 10. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of a schedule preparation process. It is a figure which shows an example (the 1) of a schedule table. It is a figure which shows an example (the 2) of a schedule table. It is a figure which shows an example (the 3) of a schedule table. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display panel (the 1). It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display panel (the 2). It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display panel (the 3). It is a figure which shows an example of a priority table. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display panel (the 4). It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display panel (the 5). It is a figure which shows the determination flowchart of combination control. It is a figure which shows an example of a combination table. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation flowchart of the multi-function device 10 when an incoming call is received. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display panel (the 6).

10 Multi-function device 14 CPU
30 RAM
50 Display panel 60 Modem T1, T2 Priority table T11 Combination table T31, T31a, T31b Schedule table

Claims (2)

A communication device,
Schedule setting means for generating a plurality of schedule files for setting operation contents of the communication device in a reservation period and storing them in a memory;
Conflict period detection means for detecting whether or not there is a conflict period in which different operation contents are set within the same reservation period between the plurality of schedule files;
A combination table setting means for setting a combination table that stores a change combination that is a predetermined combination of operation contents and an operation content after change corresponding to the change combination;
In response to the detection operation being performed by the conflict period detection means, a plurality of types of combinations of the operation contents included in the conflict period of each of the schedule files are extracted, and match the extracted combinations of the operation contents. An operation of searching whether or not the changed combination exists in the combination table, and changing the operation content in the conflict period in the schedule file to the operation content after change when there is a matching change combination. Content change means,
Schedule execution means for performing, in parallel with each of the plurality of schedule files, the operation for executing the operation content set in the schedule file or the changed operation content in response to the arrival of the reservation period. ,
The operation content after the change, communication characterized by operation der Rukoto optimized by the operation contents including each of the operation contents of the plurality of types constituting the modified combination corresponding device. The combination of the operation contents constituting the change combination is a combination of a power saving operation and an incoming call rejection operation in the communication device,
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changed operation content is an operation of turning off a power of a communication receiving unit of the communication apparatus.

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