JPS60112360A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain simple, inexpensively constituted electronic equipment by using a means except for data input of numerical values or characters as a means for inputting data for numerical values or characters which are different from the inherent functions. CONSTITUTION:A registration mode switch 13 is provided to set an input mode of registration data for a telephone number, ID number, characters. Data is inputted by using switches on a control panel when the switch 13 is operated. The equipment controls a controller 21 so that the inputted data is stored in a memory 22. That is, when the switch 13 is turned on, a reception mode switch 7, telephone key 8, resolution key 9, and communiation key 11 are devised not to have their inherent functions but to have functions as a switch for controlling input and registration of numerical values or characters and the input of numerical values or characters is performed by operation of the key 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device having means for performing operations other than inputting data such as numerical values or characters.

[Prior Art] In recent years, with the application of computer technology, devices that perform control by inputting numerical values, characters, etc. using a numeric keypad are becoming popular.

For example, in a facsimile machine, telephone numbers, subscriber names, etc. are registered in memory, etc., and during image communication, these are added to the image data and sent electronically so that the receiving side records it, or for data retention purposes. A well-known configuration is such that ID numbers and the like are registered in memory for both sending and receiving devices, and communication is enabled only when the numbers match.

In conventional facsimile machines, the operation panel 1 is provided with a numeric keypad 24 and a display 25 such as an LCD, as shown in FIG. there were. However, using such an input device requires components such as a keyboard and its encoder, which complicates the configuration and increases costs, which is why such a function has traditionally only been provided in high-end machines. It wasn't. Furthermore, since such an operating device requires a certain amount of mounting space, it also has the disadvantage of hindering the reduction in size and weight of the device.

Further, once the registration operation as described above is performed, it is not often necessary to re-register it, so it is wasteful to provide a special input device just for this registration operation.

However, it is a general requirement that not only facsimile machines but also low-priced machines have the same functions as high-end machines if possible, and it is desirable to provide the above-mentioned communication functions even in low-priced machines.

In this way, especially in low-cost conventional electronic devices, numerical and character data cannot be entered in order to reduce costs, to make them smaller and lighter, or because such operating devices are not required for normal operation. As a result, the control and operation components tend to be omitted, and the performance of the device is considerably limited.

[Objective] The present invention was made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can input numerical values, characters, etc. with a simple and inexpensive structure.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the example shown in the drawings. However, the following embodiments are related to prior art, and relate to facsimile machines that perform communication control.

FIG. 2 shows an operation panel 1 of a facsimile machine employing the present invention. This operation panel 1 is provided with lamps 2 to 6 to indicate normal operating conditions. Of course, these light emitting means can also be constructed using LEDs or the like.

Of these, the lamp 2 is a so-called pilot lamp that is turned on when the power is turned on.

Lamps 2 to 6 are mainly used to inform the operator of the operating status during known facsimile communication, and lamp 3 is turned on in response to the operation of telephone key 8 when making a known telephone reservation. Illuminated for operator call. The lamp 4 is turned on in response to the operation of a resolution key 9 for switching the resolution, and is turned on when a high resolution (fine) mode is selected. The lamp 5 is turned on in response to the operation of a communication mode key 10 that specifies the so-called mini-fax communication mode of the Telephone and Telecommunications Public Corporation.
Lights up when mini fax mode is selected.

Further, the lamp 6 is turned on during facsimile communication, and facsimile communication is started in response to the operation of the communication key 11 as in the conventional case.

Furthermore, on the operation panel 1, there is a known reception mode switch 7 for switching the communication mode between automatic and manual, and a known stop switch 12 for stopping the operation of the device.
is provided.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a control system of a facsimile machine employing the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 21 is a controller composed of a microcomputer or a memory storing its program, a driver, a switch input circuit, etc., and includes the lamps 2 to 6 and the reception mode switch 7.
, telephone key 8, resolution key 9, communication mode key 10, communication key 11 and stop switch 12 are connected. Each lamp is driven and controlled via a driver included in the controller 21, and each switch is processed via a switch input circuit similarly included in the controller 21.

For each of the keys shown above, various known switch mechanisms can be used as selected by those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, a memory 22 is connected to the controller 21 in which numerical data such as telephone numbers and ID numbers, and character data such as subscriber names are registered. This memory 2
2 is connected to a backup battery 23 for retaining the contents of the memory. This allows the contents of the memory 22 to be retained even if the power is turned off.

A registration mode switch 13 is further connected to the controller 21 . This registration mode switch 13 is also controlled via the input circuit included in the controller 21, like the above-mentioned switch. It is assumed that the registration mode switch 13 is located inside the device, on the rear surface, or at a location where the operator cannot normally touch it.

The registration mode switch 13 is a telephone number and an ID number.

This is for setting the input mode for registered data such as characters, and when the registration mode switch 13 is operated, data can be input using each switch on the operation panel 1, and the input data is stored in the memory 22. The controller 21 is controlled so that the data is stored as follows.

That is, when the registration mode switch 13 is turned on,
The reception mode switch 7, telephone key 8, resolution key 9, and communication key 11 do not have the original functions described above, but function as switches for inputting numerical values or characters and controlling registration. Ru. Input of numerical values or characters is performed by operating the telephone keys 8. Furthermore, when the registration mode switch 13 is on and the reception mode switch 7 is set to the "automatic reception" side, the mode is set to numerical manual input mode. The telephone key 8 and the resolution key 9 allow numerical data of the telephone number to be input. Further, when the reception mode switch 7 is set to the "manual reception" side, the mode becomes a character input mode, and character data such as the subscriber's name can be input using the telephone key 8 and the resolution key 9.

Further, if the reception mode switch 7 is set to the "automatic reception" side and the communication key 11 is further pressed, the mode becomes the binary code input mode.

This binary code is assumed to be used as an ID number. The ID number is represented by an 8-bit binary code, and in this mode binary input is possible using the telephone key 8 and the resolution key 9. This ID number is used to ensure that the image of the set document is sent only to the caller who sends the correct ID number during a known polling function.

In the numerical input mode, a decimal number corresponding to the number of presses of the telephone key 8 is input. For example, if you want to input "3", press the telephone key 8 three times and then press the resolution key 9 to input "3".

In the character input mode, characters are associated with two-digit numerical values, and characters are input by inputting these numerical values in the same manner as in the numerical input mode described above.

An example of the correspondence between letters and numbers is shown in the table of FIG. Here, uppercase and lowercase katakana letters, uppercase letters of the alphabet, numbers, symbols, etc. are mapped to two-digit numbers. For example, ``su'' in katakana is ``21''. Here, for ease of operation, a small numerical value different from the JIS code is assigned so that the number of presses of the telephone key 8 is small. Characters that appear to be used particularly frequently are assigned the lowest numerical values possible. The above table may be printed in an operation manual or the like.

Also, in binary code input mode, "1" or "0"
” can only be used, so when you press the telephone key 8, “l
”, and when the resolution key 9 is pressed, the rOJ code is input.

The end of inputting a series of numerical values, characters, or binary code strings is designated by pressing the communication key 11.

When the communication key 11 is pressed, the input data string is stored in a predetermined location in the memory 22 and is also stored in a recording device (such as a thermal printer) usually provided in a facsimile machine.
(not shown) and can be printed out for confirmation.

Next, the operation for inputting and registering the telephone number, subscriber name, and ID number consisting of a binary code shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 will be explained in detail. Figures 5 to 7
In the figure, each number and letter are shown in squares to make it easier to understand the number of digits.

First, the registration mode switch 13 is turned on to enter a mode for input and registration.

When inputting the telephone number "r03 723 2111" shown in FIG. 5, the reception mode switch 7 is then switched to the automatic reception side. This allows you to enter a telephone number consisting of decimal numbers.

To input the first "0", press the telephone key 8 ten times and then press the resolution key 9. This results in "0"
is input and carry is performed. Press the phone key 8 three times to enter the next "3", then the resolution key 9.
Press to carry. The next space is phone key 8
Perform carry b by pressing only the resolution key 9 without pressing . Thereafter, input is continued in the same manner, and when all input is completed, by pressing the communication key 11, the input data is stored in the memory 22 and output to the recording device, so that the operator can confirm whether there are any mistakes.

When inputting the character string representing the subscriber name shown in FIG. 6, the reception mode switch 7 is switched to the ``manual reception j'' side. This enables character data input.

The operator inputs each character in the same manner as described above while looking at the table shown in FIG. The first "key" is "17" in the table, so by pressing the phone key 8 once, the resolution key 9 once, the phone key 8 seven times, and the resolution key 9 once, 17", that is, "ki" is input. You can enter characters using the same operations below. A space is entered by pressing the resolution key 9 once (or twice) without pressing the telephone key 8. When all input has been completed, the communication key 11 is pressed to store it in the memory 22 and record it using the recording device for confirmation.

When inputting the 8-bit binary code ID number shown in FIG. 7, the reception mode switch 7 is set to the "automatic reception" side.

Next, the telephone key 8 is pressed to input the first "1", and then the resolution key 9 is pressed to input "0". Here, one binary code is input for each press of the telephone key 8 or resolution key 9. When the 8-bit input is completed, the communication key 11 is pressed in the same manner as described above to cause storage and recording to be performed in the memory 2 as well.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the telephone number, subscriber name, and ID number shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 are input and recorded on the recording paper 30 as described above. The symbol mark of the telephone number shown here may be stored at a predetermined location in the memory 22 so that it is automatically output when recording the telephone number. Following this symbol mark, the entered telephone number, subscriber name, and ID number consisting of a binary code are recorded.

The data stored in the memory 22 is retained by the battery 23 even when the power is turned off.

In this way, input and registration of telephone numbers consisting of numerical data, subscriber names consisting of character data, or ID numbers consisting of binary codes can be performed without the need for special devices such as numeric keys or display devices. I can do it. The present invention is particularly useful for inputting information that does not require any further operation once registered, such as registration information in a facsimile machine. If you turn off the registration mode switch 13,
After that, each key can be used as a switch with its original function. Further, since the present invention can be implemented with only one switching means and a slight change in software, there is an advantage that the number of parts can be reduced and the device can be made smaller and lighter.

Although the above embodiment does not take into account input correction at all,
Various modifications can be considered, such as canceling the previous or all data input when an unused button or key, such as the stop switch 12, is pressed.

Although the embodiment for a facsimile machine has been exemplified above, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to any other type of equipment.

[Effects] As is clear from the above explanation, the present invention provides an electronic device having means for performing operations other than data input such as numerical values or characters, in which the operating means is used to input numerical values other than the original function. Because it has a configuration that includes a means to set the operation mode used as a means of inputting data such as numbers or characters, even electronic devices that cannot be equipped with a means of inputting data such as numbers or characters, such as low-cost machines, can input numerical or character data. Since it can be controlled using
It also has the excellent effect of making the device smaller and lighter and helping to reduce its cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure and operation of a conventional electronic device, Fig. 2 is a top view of the operation panel of a facsimile machine adopting the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a diagram of the control system of a facsimile machine adopting the present invention. A block diagram, FIG. 4 is a table showing numerical values corresponding to character data according to the present invention, and FIGS. Explanatory diagrams each showing an example,
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing data recorded by a facsimile machine employing the present invention. ■...Operation panel 2-6...Lamp 7...Reception mode switch 8...Telephone key 9...Resolution key 10...Communication mode key 11...Communication key 12...Stop Switch 13...Registration mode switch 21...Controller 22...Memory/'1 cause Figure 2 1098611 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 j@6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 0

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an electronic device having a means for performing operations other than inputting data such as numerical values or characters, the provision of means for setting an operation mode in which the operating means is used as a means for inputting data such as numerical values or characters, which is different from its original function. Featured electronic equipment.