JPH07236016A - Panel switch control method for facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a method in which combination of a panel switch function and a function revising the setting is facilitated optionally and new provision of a switch is easily implemented. CONSTITUTION:A panel switch function allocation data area 11, a function control data area 10, and a function control data work area 12 are provided on a memory mounted on the facsimile equipment and the combination of a switch function and a revision object function and the extension of switches are easily realized by revising function allocation data in the function allocation data area 11. Thus, an optional switch and an optional setting revision object function are combined and the extension of switches are easily realized without revision of the software.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of assigning a panel switch for switching control of various function settings in a facsimile apparatus, switching control, and a logical structure of software for realizing the control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus, the functions of a plurality of panel switches have been collectively changed as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-36254 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-35569.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned prior art, when the function of the switch is switched, the target is all switches that can be switched, and the function assigned to the switch is also determined in advance. Therefore, any switch and any function can be selected. If you can't combine them and there are multiple functions that you want to make resident in different switching unit groups, you must switch the functions of the switch group each time you want to use these switches. The software had to be modified.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to assign an arbitrary function to an arbitrary switch, and also to install a new switch without modifying software.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, by providing data for allocating which panel switch of a facsimile apparatus changes the setting content of which function, any switch can have any function. Is to be assigned.

Further, by rewriting the switch allocation data by a certain panel switch operation or a control signal by communication using a telephone line, the software can be modified even after the product is completed. Instead, an arbitrary panel switch can be easily assigned to change the setting of the function of an arbitrary facsimile machine.

Furthermore, by providing a switch allocation data area for a fictitious panel switch when creating a program, the data can be rewritten even if a switch is added later so that the switch can be added without modifying the program. It was made possible.

[0008]

[Function] Prepare data for controlling which panel switch of the facsimile device is assigned to which function setting change, and when the software is created in advance, the above data is transmitted by a certain panel switch operation or a control signal by communication using a telephone line. Create a program that can change. As a result, even after the product is completed, any panel switch can be easily assigned to any facsimile function setting change by the above operation, and it is not necessary to change the software even if the specification of the panel switch is changed.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows the flow of data and its control when the present invention is applied to software of a facsimile machine.
It is a control block diagram which shows an Example.

First, a unique function number is given to each function of the facsimile machine. RA referenced by the microcomputer that operates the facsimile
An area (function control data area 10) for setting the setting contents (function control data) for each function of the facsimile is secured in the M area, and the function number provided above is set in the area assigned to each function. I'll do it. The function control data is the setting data itself of the function of the facsimile machine, and the facsimile machine operates according to this. Separately from this, the function control data work area 12 is provided with the same capacity as the function control data area for work when changing the function control data, and the function number is set similarly to the function control data area. Further, an area (switch allocation data area 11) for setting which facsimile function setting contents each panel switch is allocated to is secured.
As the data handled in this area, the function number to be changed is set.

A mechanism for switching the facsimile function by the panel switch will be described with reference to FIG. When a switch is pressed, the switch is fetched (20) and which switch is pressed is analyzed (21). The function number stored in the switch allocation data area 11 allocated to the corresponding switch is referred to from the analysis result (22). The work area 12 of the corresponding function control data is determined from this function number, and the data content in this area is changed (25). The data in the changed work area is copied to the function control data area 10 (2
6). When various functions work when the facsimile machine operates, the functions are controlled according to the setting contents of the function control data.

By assigning a function number that does not exist in the switch assignment data area provided in anticipation of new installation in the future, for example, 0 as a data value, the switch corresponding to this area will not perform any function for the time being. Every time, set the function number that exists when the switch is newly installed. For functions to which the panel switch is not assigned, the facsimile machine can be operated by other means such as operation by multiple panel switches, change operation by the hierarchical structure of the menu format, and control signals by communication using a telephone line. Change the function control settings.

Next, a method of changing the combination of the panel switch of the facsimile apparatus and the function setting contents to be changed will be described. The function number in the switch assignment data area 11 assigned to the switch to be changed is changed to a desired function number by a specific operation by the panel switch or a control signal by communication using a telephone line or the like. As a result, when the panel switch for which the switch allocation data has been changed is pressed from the next time, the function control data in the corresponding function control data work area is changed based on the changed function number. As an example of changing the function allocation of the switch using the above-mentioned telephone line, when the service of a certain facsimile communication service is started, the allocation of the switch function dedicated to the service is changed by a control signal through the telephone line. A method can be considered.

Although the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the facsimile apparatus has been described above, the present invention can be applied to other electric appliances and the like.

[0016]

According to the present invention, the combination of the panel switch and the function control change item of the facsimile apparatus can be arbitrarily and easily changed.

If there is a switch that will not be used for the time being, or if future switch expansion is considered, prepare more switch allocation data areas than the number of panel switches that are actually prepared so that the switch allocation data that will not be used for the time being will be used. For example, if a nonexistent function number such as 0 is set as data, it is possible to easily install a switch simply by changing the data to the function number of a desired function.

Further, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to modify the software when changing the specifications of the switch as described above, the function program of the panel switch in the software is standardized, the switch new installation method is simplified, and the switch is installed. This also has the effect of saving labor in changing programs when changing specifications.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure when changing setting contents of a function used in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Function control data area, 11 ... Switch assigned data area, 12 ... Function control data work area.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a facsimile apparatus, a combination of various functions of a facsimile and a panel switch for changing the setting contents of the function can be easily changed by rewriting the contents of the memory by operating the panel switch or the like. A method of controlling a panel switch of a characteristic facsimile device. 2. A panel switch control method for a facsimile apparatus, wherein in the facsimile apparatus, an arbitrary panel switch can be assigned an arbitrary function of a facsimile whose setting content is to be changed. 3. A facsimile apparatus, wherein the function of the switch is stopped by not assigning the switch to any function by setting the content of the memory for determining the function assignment to the panel switch to a certain value. 3. A panel switch control method for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A method of changing data in a memory, characterized in that, in a facsimile apparatus, a panel switch is operated in a specific procedure and a control signal is used by communication through a telephone line or the like. 5. A method of changing function control settings by means of a panel switch of a facsimile machine, characterized in that a logical structure of software for changing the setting contents of an on-board function is generalized by operating a panel switch in the facsimile machine. 6. A method of using a memory characterized by being controlled by software for operating a microcomputer mounted on a facsimile machine.