GB2305059A

GB2305059A - Menu selecting method for a facsimile system

Info

Publication number: GB2305059A
Application number: GB9617860A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ik-Hyun Kim
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 1995-08-28
Filing date: 1996-08-27
Publication date: 1997-03-26
Also published as: KR970014104A; GB9617860D0

Abstract

A main menu is displayed upon operation of a menu key. Subsequently, a sub-menu is displayed upon operation of a key corresponding to a desired function from the menu. A function from the sub-menu is selected by operation of a key for a desired function followed by a confirmation key. The menu key may be a function key and the selection key may be one of a number of numeric keys, each of which is assigned to a corresponding function, or one of a number of up/down keys.

Description

MENU SELECTING METHOD FOR A FACSIMILE SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for making selections from a series of menus of various facsimile functions through simple key manipulations.

Background to the Invention Generally, a facsimile system is used either to receive messages from a transmitting party's facsimile system and to print them, or to transmit document images to a receiving party's facsimile system. Various functions of such a facsimile system can be set to control specific operations and to initiate a desired operation, one of several menus corresponding to the desired operation is selected through key operations.

FIG.1 is a block diagram of a typical facsimile system including a central processing unit CPU 10, a memory 14, an operating panel OPE 12, a scanner 16, a MODEM 18, a network control unit 20, and a printer 22. The CPU 10 controls the overall operation of the facsimile system according to a predetermined program and the memory 14, which stores programs for menu-selection, temporarily stores data under the control of the CPU 10.

The OPE 12 has a plurality of keys such as a menu-selection key and applies key data provided by key inputs to the CPU 10, which in turn displays the operational state of the facsimile system. The scanner 16 scans image data from a document, converts the scanned image data into binary digital information and then applies the digitized binary information to the CPU 10. The MODEM 18 modulates and demodulates input/output signals from/to the CPU 10 and the NCU 20 forms a speech loop between a telephone line and the modem 18 under the control of the CPU 10. The printer 22 prints information output from the CPU 10.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a conventional menuselecting method. The conventional menu selecting method will now be described with reference to FIGs. 1 and 2.

When an operator presses a specific function key of a key input unit of the OPE 12, the CPU 10 receives the function key input in step 31, and displays main menu information on a display unit of the OPE 12, as shown in the following Table 1.

Table 1 0: Terminal ID Recording 1: Data & Time Setting 2: Option Recording 3: Report Output The operator checks the menu information displayed on the display unit, and inputs a main checking key of the desired corresponding function in step 32. The main checking key may serve to input a desired number or may select a menu for the corresponding function (e.g. an up/down key input).

When a confirmation key is input in step 33 by the operator after the corresponding menu is selected, the CPU 10 displays sub-menu information on the display unit of the OPE 12, as shown in the following Table 2. The confirmation key may be a "YES" key, or an "ENTER" key.

Table 2 1: Tx/Rx Journal 2: Option List 3: Tel No. List 4: Confirm Report The operator checks the menu information displayed on the display unit, and inputs a sub checking key of the desired corresponding function in step 34. Herein, the sub checking key may serve to input the desired number or may select a menu for the corresponding function (e.g. an up/down key input). When the confirmation key is input in step 35 by the operator after the corresponding menu is selected, the desired function is selected, and the facsimile system enters a standby state in step 36.

As described, the conventional menu selecting method suffers from the disadvantage that confirmation key strokes are required every time menus for the corresponding functions are selected by the up/down key inputs or by number key inputs after the menu is displayed on the display unit. This makes the key manipulation complex.

It is an object of the present invention to address this problem and provide a simpler method for making selections from a series of menus in a facsimile system.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a key selecting method for a facsimile system comprising: displaying a main menu upon operation of a menu key; displaying a sub-menu upon operation of a main checking key corresponding to a desired function from the menu; and awaiting the operation of a sub-checking key of a desired function from the displayed sub-menu.

The present invention also extends to a facsimile system comprising: a key pad including a menu key, a plurality of main checking keys and a plurality of sub-checking keys; and control means adapted as follows: to display a main menu upon operation of a menu key; to display a sub-menu upon operation of a main checking key corresponding to a desired function from the menu; and to await the operation of a sub-checking key of a desired function from the displayed sub-menu.

Preferably, the operation of a confirmation key is awaited once the sub-checking key is operated.

The menu key may be a function key. The main checking key may be one of a number of numeric keys, each of which is assigned to a corresponding function. On the other hand, the main checking key may be one of a number of up/down keys.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile system in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a conventional menu selecting method; and FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a menu selecting method in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention The operation of the present invention will now be described, referring to FIGS. 1 and 3.

Once an operator presses a function key of a key input unit of an operating panel (OPE) 12 to select a specific function, a central processing unit CPU 10 receives the function key input in step 41 and displays main menu information on the display unit of the OPE 12, as shown in the following Table 3.

Table 3 0: Terminal ID Recording 1: Data & Time Setting 2: Option Recording 3: Report Output The operator checks the menu information displayed on the display, and inputs a main checking key for the desired function. Herein, the main checking key may be a numeric key serving to input the desired number or may be an up/down key serving to select the menu for the corresponding function. The CPU 10 displays sub menu information on the display unit of the OPE 12, as shown in the following Table 4.

Table 4 1: Tx/Rx Journal 2: Option List 3: Tel. No. List 4: Confirmation Report The operator checks the menu information displayed on the display unit, and inputs a sub checking key of the desired function. Herein, the sub checking key may be a numeric key serving to input a desired number or may be an up/down key serving to select the menu for the corresponding function. When the confirmation key is input in step 44 by the operator after the corresponding sub menu is selected, the desired function can be selected, and the facsimile system enters a standby state in step 45. Herein, the confirmation key may be a "YES" key or an "ENTER" key.

As mentioned above, the present invention enables selections from a series of menus of various facsimile functions using simple key inputs. Besides, the present invention provides a simplification of the key manipulation necessary for menu selection so as to utilise the facsimile functions more effectively.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A key selecting method for a facsimile system comprising: displaying a main menu upon operation of a menu key; displaying a sub-menu upon operation of a main checking key corresponding to a desired function from the menu; and awaiting the operation of a sub-checking key of a desired function from the displayed sub-menu.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising awaiting the operation of a confirmation key once the subchecking key is operated.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the menu key is a function key.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1-3 in which the main checking key is one of a number of numeric keys, each of which is assigned to a corresponding function.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1-3 in which the main checking key is one of a number of up/down keys.

6. A key selecting method for a facsimile system substantially as described herein with reference to FIGs.

1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A facsimile system comprising: a key pad including a menu key, a plurality of main checking keys and a plurality of sub-checking keys; and control means adapted as follows: to display a main menu upon operation of a menu key; to display a sub-menu upon operation of a main checking key corresponding to a desired function from the menu; and to await the operation of a sub-checking key of a desired function from the displayed sub-menu.

8. A system according to claim 7 in which the control means is further adapted to await the operation of a confirmation key once the sub-checking key is operated.

9. A system according to claim 7 or claim 8 in which the menu key is a function key.

10. A system according to any one of claims 7-9 in which the main checking key is one of a number of numeric keys, each of which is assigned to a corresponding function.

11. A system according to any one of claims 7-9 in which the main checking key is one of a number of up/down keys.

12. A facsimile system substantially as described herein with reference to FIGs. 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.