JPH10224582A - Digital composite machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extremely easily attain the specification of a destination, the registration of a destination name, the selection of various functions, etc., by providing the digital composite machine with a bar code having destination information at the rate of 1 to 1 and a bar code reader. SOLUTION: A bar code provided with a destination mark and a destination sequential number as information is previously prepared and stuck to each sheet of a visiting card holder or the like. A device body A is set up to a destination registration mode and the bar code is read out by the bar code reader 14. The body A acquires the internal management number of the destination expressed by the bar code and a FAX number inputted from ten keys on an operation part 13 by a user 15 saved in a backup memory relatively to the internal management number. When a transmitting destination is selected from the card holder at the time of FAX transmission and the bar code stuck to a sheet of the holder is read out, the body A calls its corresponding FAX number and the destination can be displayed on a screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a digital multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function, and more particularly to a method for inputting a destination and other conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an operation unit of a popular machine.
FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the operation unit of the high-end machine, and FIGS.
FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating a display example of a large-screen LCD of the operation unit illustrated in FIG. 14. In FIG. 13, the operation unit includes an LCD 1 having about 2 to 5 rows and a number of mechanical hard keys. On the other hand, the operation unit shown in FIG. 14 has a large screen LCD 2, and this large screen LCD 2 has a plurality of touch keys.

[0003] There is an increasing number of machines that have a large-screen LCD 2 shown in FIG. 14 in an operation unit, and display destination names registered in advance together with buttons on the LCD 2 so that destination designation can be easily performed. In addition, large-screen LC
The use of the D2 increases the cost and the size of the operation unit, which is contrary to compactness. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the LCD 1 having about 2 to 5 lines and the operation unit having mechanical hard keys are required. It has become mainstream.

In any case, when inputting a destination name, kanji candidates are displayed on the LCD using hard keys or touch keys, and are selected using a screen scroll function or the like. At the time of address designation, in addition to directly inputting from the numeric keypad, it is possible to depress a pre-registered one-touch key (hard key or touch key) or to input an abbreviated number from the numeric keypad.

[0005]

Today, as personal computers have become widespread, FEP has become sophisticated and kanji can be input quite easily. However, with current facsimile machines and digital multifunction devices,
When inputting kanji using single kanji conversion, each character is L
Many of them must be searched and selected from the kanji candidates displayed on the CD. Some of them have built-in dictionaries, making it easier to type, but the contents of the dictionaries are not abundant and do not go like a personal computer.

[0006] When a destination is registered and specified by actual transmission, there are the following problems. The operation unit using the large-screen LCD has the advantage that destinations are displayed as buttons and labels are easily selected and selected. However, because of touch keys, selection is made by touching a nearby button without knowing it. There is a disadvantage that the message is erroneously transmitted to an unrelated destination.

When a destination is designated by a one-touch key composed of hard keys, the number of keys that can be prepared on the operation unit is limited, so that there is a restriction that the destinations that can be registered are necessarily limited.

[0008] In addition, there is a method of designating a destination by abbreviated. However, information on which abbreviated number is registered with which destination must be placed beside the machine and searched when specifying the destination.

The abbreviated search function has a search function, and a search can be performed using the operation unit. However, if many abbreviated forms are registered, the destination displayed by the search does not fit on one screen, and the screen is scrolled several times. You have to choose the desired destination.

In addition to destination registration and destination designation, FA
In the case of the X function, there are many functions, which make the operation unit more complicated. Even if you try to use a function that you don't use often, you often don't know which button to press and go to which screen to activate the desired function, and it is often troublesome to read the manual one by one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and has a bar code reading device, and has a digital function having various functions for realizing destination designation, destination name registration, various function selection, and the like very easily. It is an object to provide a multifunction peripheral.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a digital multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function, wherein a barcode having one-to-one address information and a barcode reading device are provided. The device is provided with a destination input function of inputting a destination by reading a barcode when a desired destination is designated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a transmission setting condition input function for designating original reading condition information and transmission condition information as target information to be associated with a barcode is provided. It is a feature.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, a pre-programmed content such as a destination, a document reading condition, and a transmission condition is registered for one barcode. It is characterized by having a program execution function using a bar code for reading a code and automatically specifying various setting conditions.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the transmission of a file being transmitted or in a transmission standby state is stopped, an instruction to stop the transmission is issued, and the destination to which the transmission is to be stopped is determined from the bar code. By reading it,
It has a transmission stop function of comparing the destination of a file being transmitted or waiting for transmission, and immediately stopping the file if it matches.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when it is desired to confirm a transmission result such as a memory transmission, a transmission result confirmation instruction is issued, a bar code of a destination to be confirmed is read, and the file is read. Is displayed on the operation unit, so that the transmission result can be easily confirmed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a digital multi-function peripheral having a facsimile function, when a destination name and a destination number are input on a personal computer and printed, the destination name, the FAX number and the destination Prepare application software that can print the barcode associated with
By reading the printed barcode using this application software, the destination name and fax
It has a simple destination input function that allows a number to be input.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a digital multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function, a bar code is assigned to various functions in advance, and the bar code is read, so that the function frequently used on a daily basis is read. Or an operation section acting function for shifting to a desired operation screen is provided.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 7, an on-demand manual function is provided in which a bar code is read and an explanation of its function and usage is printed out. It is.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first or the sixth aspect of the present invention, various registered destinations are registered in a one-touch destination button or an abbreviated key on the operation unit and operated in addition to the destination designation from a bar code. And a destination designation function that enables input from a copy unit.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital multifunction peripheral showing an embodiment of the present invention. The device body A is
An ADF (automatic document feeder) 11 is provided at an upper portion, and a multi-stage feeder 12 of a front loading type is provided at a lower portion. Further, an operation unit 13 is provided on the front surface of the upper hand, and a barcode reader 14 is provided near the operation unit 13.

(1) Embodiment corresponding to the first aspect of the present invention FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are diagrams showing a use form of a bar code. A bar code having a destination mark and a sequential number of the destination as information is prepared in advance. In the example shown in FIG. 2A as a specific example, a barcode (barcode seal) 22 containing these pieces of information is pasted on each sheet of the business card folder 21 in advance. A business card to be registered as a destination is put in the business card folder 21.

The apparatus main body A is set to the destination registration mode, and the bar code reader 14 reads the bar code 22. The apparatus main body A acquires the internal management number corresponding to the destination represented by the bar code 22, and saves the internal management number in the backup memory in association with the FAX number input by the user from the ten keys of the operation unit 13.

Thus, when a facsimile transmission is performed, a destination is selected from the business card folder 21 and the bar code 22 affixed thereto is read.
Can call the corresponding FAX number and display the destination on the screen.

In order to designate a plurality of destinations, the barcode reader 14 may sequentially read the barcodes 22 of a plurality of desired destinations.

If the user does not want to use the business card folder 21 to read the barcode 22, prepare a sheet 23 on which the destination name field and the barcode 22 are printed one-to-one as shown in FIG. Is also good. It is convenient if the paper 23 can be printed out by the apparatus main body A.

In the case of the business card folder 21, the name of the destination is immediately known because the business card is usually inserted. However, in the case of FIG. 2B, it is desirable to write the destination name with a pen or the like every time registration is performed. .

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the types of bar code readers. As the barcode reader 14,
As shown in FIG. 3A, the moving scan type bar code reader 14a may be used, or as shown in FIG.
The barcode reader 14b of the batch reading type may be used.

As described above, once the FAX number is registered in association with the bar code 22, the FAX number can be used without registering the destination name, and the FAX number itself is held in the backup memory in the apparatus main unit A. Therefore, it is possible to cope with a long FAX number of tens of digits, and since the FAX number is not directly read, there is no possibility of a reading error. Above all, inputting the destination is completed only by tracing (reading) the barcode 22 of the destination, which is very convenient.

(2) Embodiment corresponding to the second aspect of the present invention FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which information other than the destination information is converted into a bar code. It is also possible to specify “reading conditions” and “transmission conditions” to be specified when transmitting a normal fax by using a barcode. A barcode assigned one-to-one to each condition as shown in FIG. 4 is prepared. This may have a function of printing by the apparatus main body A. In the case where it is desired to enable the “completed stamp” in the “memory transmission” of “normal character” reading and perform transmission, trace the barcode 22 of “normal character”, “memory transmission”, and “completed stamp on” in FIG. Thus, the apparatus main body A can set “reading conditions” and “transmission conditions”.

(3) Embodiment corresponding to the third aspect of the present invention FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a program registration number and a corresponding bar code. In the program transmission, "destination", "reading condition", and "transmission condition" are programmed in advance in a program key, and a function is realized by selecting this program. As an actual realizing method, as shown in FIG. 5, a bar code 22 corresponding to program registration is allocated, and a destination, reading conditions,
If the transmission condition is designated by the barcode 22 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and the barcode 22 of “registration end” is read at the end, it is OK. Thereafter, the registered program No. By reading the barcode 22 corresponding to the above, the program can be executed.

(4) Embodiment Corresponding to the Inventive Aspect of the Invention Claim 4 is a function required when transmission is erroneously transmitted to a different destination. For on-hook transmission and direct transmission,
You can stop it by pressing the stop key because you know that it is transmitting now, but if it comes to memory transmission, if you do not do any confirmation means that you really want to stop transmitting, you will interrupt the fax transmission of others There is a danger that they may be lost. Also, in a facsimile apparatus having a plurality of communication lines, it is necessary to confirm which line is used and to issue a stop instruction.

In a conventional machine, a button for "communication information" is provided on the operation unit, and when the button is pressed, "change / cancel of transmission file" is displayed, and further, a list of standby / listening information is displayed. Some of the sent files require you to select the file you want to cancel and cancel it.
Operability is improved. However, it is a troublesome process for a user who still transmits by mistake and wants to cancel as soon as possible. If the operation is troublesome, the transmission of a small amount of data is completed, and there is a case where the transmission cannot be stopped.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a bar code of "transmission stop", and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a transmission stop process by reading the bar code of FIG. In the case described above, the “transmission stop” barcode 22 as shown in FIG. 6 is prepared, and the transmission stop processing as shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

After reading the bar code 22 for which transmission is stopped (Y in S1), the apparatus reads the bar code of the destination to which transmission is to be stopped in the bar code group of destination designation shown in FIG. 2 (Y in S2). The main unit A automatically searches (S
3) If the transmission to the corresponding destination (Y in S4) is in progress (Y in S5), stop immediately (S6), and whether to delete the file itself so as not to go back to calling again Then, an alert message is displayed on the LCD of the operation unit 13 (S7), and the user is made to make a selection (S8,
S9).

If there is a transmission standby file and the call has not yet been made (Y in S10), a similar search is made and an inquiry is made as to whether or not the file should be deleted by an alert. If not waiting (N in S10), an alert to that effect is displayed (S1).
1). If no match is found in step S4, the end of the search is determined (S12).

Means for notifying "stop transmission" to the apparatus main body A is to assign a dedicated barcode and read it, and to prepare a key corresponding to "stop transmission" in the operation unit 13, There is no problem if you notify by pressing.

(5) Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 5 FIG. 8 is a view showing a bar code of “transmission result”, and FIG. 9 is a view showing FIG.
9 is a flowchart of a transmission result confirmation process by reading a bar code. If the user wants to know the transmission result, the “transmission result” barcode 22 shown in FIG. 8 is prepared, and the processing shown in FIG. 9 is executed. Note that a button corresponding to “transmission result” may be provided in the operation unit 13 instead of the barcode 22.

In FIG. 9, when there is a transmission result display request by the barcode 22 (Y in S21), the destination for which the transmission result is desired is read from the destination barcode group shown in FIG. S23, S24). The device main body A refers to the communication history that has completed transmission of the destination,
Pull out the latest transmission result and display it.

That is, if transmission is in progress (Y in S25), a message to that effect is displayed (S26). If it is on standby (Y in S27), a message to that effect is displayed (S28). If the result is OK (Y in S29), that effect is displayed (S30). The result is O
If it is not K (N in S29), a message to that effect is displayed (S3
1).

If there is no destination whose transmission result is to be known (N in S24), the search is terminated (Y in S32), and an alert indicating that there is no corresponding destination is displayed (S33). If there are multiple corresponding communication results, the transmission time and the number of transmitted
The results can be sequentially displayed using the scroll keys.

If there is no destination corresponding to the transmission result history, it may be that the destination has been entered incorrectly or that transmission is still waiting. By searching this, an appropriate result is displayed on the LCD of the operation unit 13.

(6) Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 6 FIG. 10 shows the format of application software (a).
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a print output result (b). In the present embodiment, a function for extremely efficiently performing the destination registration which is very troublesome in the conventional apparatus main body A is provided. To input the address, there was no other choice but to input a phonetic reading by alphabetical input, convert kanji characters one by one, and select from the candidates displayed on the LCD.

In this embodiment, first, a destination and a facsimile number are input on a personal computer and printed out.
Prepare application software that can output in the format shown in. The barcode 22 corresponding to the destination name is obtained by converting a JIS or shift JIS code into a barcode and outputting it. The FAX number is output by converting a number sequence into a barcode. Since these need only be recognizable only in the main body A, the barcode 22 can be created in a unique format.

Once the destination information to be registered on the personal computer is
By inputting / printing / outputting using the dedicated application software and reading the output barcode 22, the destination corresponding to one touch or shortening can be easily set as “destination name” and “FA”.
The "X number" can be registered in the apparatus main body A.
Since the user can input the destination using the FEP of a personal computer that is familiar, the input is very easy and the correction is also easy.

(7) Embodiment corresponding to the seventh aspect of the present invention FIG. 11 is a diagram showing bar codes corresponding to various functions. Since there are quite a lot of FAX functions, when it is desired to select these transmission conditions, such as time-specified transmission, document attachment transmission, and relay request transmission, it is necessary to look up the manual to find out where the desired function is. Even if a simple communication management report is to be issued, it is necessary to perform a few key operations.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The bar code 22 corresponding to various functions is printed out in advance, or the bar code 22 is printed in accordance with the table of contents of the user manual, and the bar code 22 is read and notified to the apparatus main body A to set a desired transmission mode. Screen at a stretch, and communication management reports etc.
It is possible to make it possible to print simply by reading.

(8) Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 8 FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a function description obtained by reading a bar code for "dial-in". In the present embodiment, a barcode 22 for printout of online help is printed in advance in a simple manual, and, for example, a user wants to use a “dial-in” function, and how to use the function. Is read, a bar code for "dial-in" is read as shown in FIG. In this way, it is possible to print out the description related to dial-in, thereby providing a manual corresponding to the user's intended use.

Although the current user manual is simplified but has too many functions, the number of pages of the manual is inevitably increased, and in many cases, the user is distracted from reading the manual. In the present embodiment, the number of pages of a book-bound manual is reduced by making the manual on-demand, and a description of a function that is hardly used by general users is printed on demand. Change the manual to make it easier to understand.

(9) Embodiment corresponding to the ninth aspect of the invention In this embodiment, the various destination registrations described in the first and sixth aspects of the invention are automatically or intentionally performed by the apparatus. It provides a function for assigning a one-touch key or a shortcut on the operation unit 13 of the main body A. The purpose is to allow the destination to be input using the barcode 22 or, once registered, to enable direct designation from the operation unit 13 without using the barcode 22. This function can also provide insurance, for example, if the barcode 22 is lost or the barcode reader 14 is broken.

As a realizing method, when the apparatus main body A is set in the destination registration mode and the bar code 22 is read and designated, the destination may be assigned from an internally vacant one-touch key, or the touch key may be used. It is also possible to register by specifying the key explicitly in the order of registration. Even when registering to abbreviated instead of one-touch key, it is automatically assigned, and a report is output later,
You can check the number of the abbreviation registered, or you can specify the abbreviation number and where explicitly.

[0052]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a destination can be registered for each barcode on a one-to-one basis, and thereafter, the destination can be designated simply by reading the barcode, and the efficiency is extremely high. Get better. Also, compared to the conventional method of assigning to a one-touch key, it is possible to use without inputting a destination name, so that registration can be performed very easily.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since original reading conditions and transmission conditions can be assigned to individual bar codes, these bar codes can be read simply by reading a predetermined bar code without troublesome key operations. , The transmission operation is simplified.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the destination, the reading condition, and the transmission condition can be programmed for each bar code, and the program registration can be performed by the effects of the first and second aspects. As shown, since the designation can be made by reading the barcode, the registration and execution of the program can be performed very efficiently.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to stop the memory transmission simply by reading the "transmission stop" and the destination to be stopped with a bar code, so that the stop processing can be performed extremely simply and efficiently. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, transmission result confirmation can be performed simply by reading the destination to be confirmed as "transmission result" with a bar code, and thus can be easily performed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, single-kanji conversion is used to eliminate the inconvenience of having to convert kanji for each character, and the destination and FAX number can be converted using the FEP of a personal computer that is familiar. When input and output printing is performed by a printer, the destination name and FAX number can be registered simply by reading the printed barcode.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a function can be automatically executed by reading a bar code corresponding to a desired function without having to remember a complicated operation unit as in the conventional machine, and the function can be repeatedly executed. The hierarchical structure screen that will become
A desired screen can be displayed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a bar code is assigned to each function and the like, and printed on a manual or the like. Printing becomes possible, and the number of pages of a thick manual can be reduced, and the written contents can be made more understandable.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the destination registration described in the first or sixth aspect of the present invention can be automatically or intentionally assigned to a one-touch key or an abbreviated key of the operation section of the apparatus main body. Once registered, designation from the operation unit becomes possible as before, and even if the barcode reader becomes unwell, it is possible to avoid a situation where there is no other way than to input a destination from the ten keys.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital multifunction peripheral showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a use form of a barcode.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing types of barcode readers.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which information other than destination information is converted into a bar code.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a program registration number and a barcode corresponding thereto.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a bar code of “transmission stop”.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a transmission stop process by reading a bar code in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a bar code of “transmission result”.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a transmission result confirmation process by reading a bar code in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a format of application software and a print output result thereof.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing bar codes corresponding to various functions.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a function description obtained by reading a bar code for “dial-in”.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an operation unit of a conventional digital multifunction peripheral (spread machine).

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an operation unit of a conventional digital multifunction peripheral (high-end machine).

FIG. 15 is a display diagram showing a display example of a large-screen LCD of an operation unit of the conventional digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A device body 11 ADF (automatic document feeder) 12 paper feeder 13 operation unit 14 barcode reader 21 business card folder 22 barcode 23 paper

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A digital multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function, comprising: a barcode having destination information on a one-to-one basis; and a barcode reading device, which reads the barcode when a desired destination is designated. A digital multi-functional peripheral having a destination input function for inputting a destination. 2. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission setting condition input function for designating document reading condition information and transmission condition information as target information to be associated with the barcode. 3. A bar code according to claim 1, wherein: a destination, a document reading condition,
A digital multi-function peripheral having a function of executing a program using a bar code for registering pre-programmed contents such as transmission conditions and thereafter reading the bar code and automatically specifying various setting conditions. 4. In the method according to claim 1, when the transmission of a file being transmitted or in a transmission standby state is stopped, an instruction to stop the transmission is issued, and the destination to which the transmission is to be stopped is read from the barcode, thereby transmitting or transmitting the file. A digital multi-function peripheral having a transmission stop function for comparing with a destination of a waiting file and immediately stopping if a match is found. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when a transmission result such as a memory transmission is to be confirmed, an instruction to confirm the transmission result is issued, a barcode of a destination to be confirmed is read, and a status of the file is displayed on an operation unit. so,
A digital multi-functional peripheral having a transmission result confirmation function for easily confirming a transmission result. 6. In a digital multi-function peripheral having a facsimile function, when a destination name and a destination number are input on a personal computer and printed, a destination name, a FAX number and a bar code associated with the destination name and the FAX number are automatically displayed. A digital device having a simple destination input function that prepares printable application software and reads a barcode printed using the application software to automatically input a destination name and a fax number. Multifunction machine. 7. In a digital multi-function peripheral having a facsimile function, bar codes are assigned to various functions in advance,
A digital multi-function peripheral having a function of acting as an operation unit for executing a function frequently used every day by reading the barcode, or shifting to a desired operation screen. 8. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 7, further comprising an on-demand manual function for reading out a description of the function and usage by reading the bar code. 9. The destination according to claim 1, wherein the registered various destinations are registered in a one-touch destination button or an abbreviated key on the operation unit, and the destination can be input from the operation unit in addition to the destination designation from the barcode. A digital multifunction device having a designation function.