KR20050075229A - Multi function peripheral and a method operation controlling thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A multifunction apparatus and its operation control method are disclosed. The multifunction apparatus according to the present invention includes an input unit provided with a plurality of modules performing independent functions, a display unit, and a mode selection key for selecting a multi-function execution mode for automatically performing a function of a selected module among a plurality of modules for a target document. And displaying a function selection menu through the display unit to select a function corresponding to at least one module to be automatically performed when the multi-function execution mode is selected, and performing a function of the at least one module selected through the input unit corresponding to the function selection menu. And a controller for controlling a module corresponding to a function selected to be automatically performed. According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically perform a plurality of tasks to be performed on the work target document with a single setting, thereby providing a user with operational convenience.

Description

Multifunction peripheral and a method operation controlling Technical Field

The present invention relates to a multifunction apparatus, and more particularly, to a multifunction apparatus and an operation control method thereof that can automatically perform a plurality of functions provided in the multifunction device simultaneously or sequentially.

In general, a Multi Function Peripheral is a device that performs a facsimile, scanner, copy, and e-mail function as well as a printer that prints data transmitted from a host computer. Likewise, it refers to a multifunctional composite device made by combining terminals that existed separately as a single device.

In such a multifunction machine, it is often necessary to perform a plurality of operations (eg, copying, e-mailing and faxing) on a single document. However, the conventional multifunction apparatus does not provide a function capable of automatically or simultaneously processing a plurality of tasks. Therefore, when the user wants to perform a plurality of tasks simultaneously or sequentially on one document, the user has to be involved in performing the task one by one.

In addition, there is a problem that the work processing speed is lowered by repeatedly performing the same work. For example, when a predetermined document is to be transmitted to an external communication device through a fax and an e-mail, the conventional MFP operation method has a problem in that the processing speed of the document decreases because it is necessary to repeatedly scan the document.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunction apparatus and its operation control method capable of automatically and simultaneously or sequentially performing a plurality of functions provided in the multifunction apparatus.

In order to solve the above technical problem, a plurality of modules for performing functions independent of the present invention; A display unit; An input unit provided with a mode selection key for selecting a multi-function execution mode for automatically performing a function of a selected module among a plurality of modules with respect to a work target document; And displaying a function selection menu through the display unit to select a function corresponding to at least one module to be automatically executed when the multi-function execution mode is selected, and at least one selected through the input unit corresponding to the function selection menu. And a control unit controlling a module corresponding to the function selected to automatically perform a function of the module.

Here, the plurality of modules, the printing module for printing the work target document; A scanner module for scanning the work target document; A first communication module performing a fax transmission function for transmitting and receiving fax data; And a second communication module configured to perform an electronic mail transmission function for transmitting and receiving electronic mail.

The controller may further include a dialog box for inputting work condition information on the selected function every time a task target function is selected through the input unit in the function selection menu displayed on the display unit. Process to be displayed.

On the other hand, in order to solve the above technical problem, in the operation control method of a multifunction apparatus having a plurality of modules for performing independent functions according to the present invention, the function of the selected module of the plurality of modules for the target document Selecting a multifunction execution mode to automatically perform; Providing a function selection menu to select a function corresponding to at least one module to be automatically executed in the multi-function execution mode; Selecting a function of at least one module to be automatically performed in response to the function selection menu; And automatically performing a function of the at least one module selected for the work target document in a predetermined order.

Preferably, each time the work target function of the function selection menu is selected, displaying a dialog box for inputting the work condition information for the selected function; wherein the performing step, the input step Perform each of the work target functions selected based on the work condition information.

Hereinafter, a multifunction apparatus and an operation control method thereof according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a multifunction apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the multifunction apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes an operation panel unit 110, a memory unit 120, a PC interface unit 130, a scanner 140, a print engine unit 150, and a modem 160. ), A line interface unit (hereinafter referred to as "LIU") 165, a signal conversion unit 170, a communication unit 175, an external input interface unit 180, and a controller 190.

The multifunction apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes a plurality of modules that perform independent functions, and the plurality of modules include a scanner 140 applied as a scanner module that provides a scanning function for scanning a target document, and a target document. A print engine 150 applied as a printing module providing a printing function to print, a modem 160 applied as a first communication module providing a fax transmission function for transmitting and receiving fax data, and an e-mail transmission function for transmitting and receiving e-mail. It includes a communication unit 175 applied to the second communication module to provide.

The operation panel unit 110 is provided with a key input unit 112 and a display unit 114.

The key input unit 112 includes a plurality of function keys for setting and selecting a function supported by the multifunction apparatus 100, and applies a key input signal according to the key operation to the controller 190. In the key input unit 112 according to the present invention, a mode selection key for selecting a multi-function execution mode for automatically performing a plurality of functions set for a work target document among a plurality of functions provided in the multifunction apparatus 100 (not shown). Is provided.

The display unit 114 is an apparatus for displaying the operation state of the multifunction apparatus 100 under the control of the controller 190, and is generally implemented as an LCD. The display unit 114 according to the present invention includes a function selection menu for selecting at least one function to be automatically performed among a plurality of functions provided by the multifunction apparatus 100 when selecting a multifunction execution mode by operating a mode selection key; When a predetermined function is selected, a dialog box or the like for inputting work condition information for the selected function is displayed.

The memory unit 120 is composed of a ROM 122 and a RAM 124.

The ROM 122 is a nonvolatile memory device, and includes various control programs required to implement various functions supported by the multifunction apparatus 100, firmware for converting data scanned by the scanner 140 into digital data, and data transmission. Save the protocol. In addition, the ROM 122 according to the present invention stores a plurality of receiving side fax numbers and e-mail addresses.

The RAM 124 is a volatile memory device, and stores various data generated during the operation of the multifunction apparatus 100. The RAM 124 temporarily stores scan data scanned by the scanner 140 and fax data received from an external communication device through the modem 160.

The PC interface unit 130 is connected to a host computer (not shown) which is an external device and supports a communication interface with the host computer. The PC interface unit 130 receives print data transmitted from the host computer, or transmits scan data scanned by the scanner 140 and fax data received from an external communication device through the modem 160 to the host computer. .

The external input interface unit 180 may be connected to the external input device 185 to receive a signal output from the external input device 185 and provide it to the controller 190. Here, the external input device 185 may include a keyboard, and the external input device has an interface method corresponding to an interface method supported by the external input interface unit 180. Examples of the interface method include a USB communication method, a wired communication method, an IrDA method, a Bluetooth method, and a wireless LAN.

The scanner 140 reads image data by scanning a scanning target document under the control of the controller 190. The scanner 140 is operated when the multifunction apparatus 100 is set to a scanning mode, a transmission mode, or a copy mode to perform an e-mail function, a facsimile function, a scanning function, or a copy function. The image data read by the scanner 140 is converted into digital data and then temporarily stored in the RAM 124 or printed by the print engine 150. In addition, it is transmitted to the external communication device through the modem 160 or the communication unit 175.

The print engine 150 prints the print target data under the control of the controller 190. Here, the print target data prints image data read by the scanner 140, fax data received from an external communication device through the modem 160, and mail data received through the communication unit 175.

The modem 160 modulates and outputs the fax data to be transmitted to the external facsimile (not shown) under the control of the controller 190 as an analog signal, and digitally converts the fax data of the analog form transmitted from the external facsimile through the LIU 165. The demodulated data is transmitted to the control unit 190.

The LIU 165 forms a communication path between the communication network (eg, PSTN) and the modem 160 under the control of the controller 190 to support data communication between the modem 160 and the communication network.

The signal converter 170 converts the digitally converted document into an e-mail based on an e-mail transmission standard.

The communication unit 175 transmits the e-mail converted by the signal conversion unit 170 to an external mail server (not shown), and receives the e-mail transmitted from the external mail server. The e-mail received through the communication unit 175 is stored in the RAM 124 or is printed by the print engine 150. The communication unit 175 transmits and receives an e-mail using either a local area network (LAN) connection method or a public switched telephone network (PSTN) connection method.

The controller 190 controls the overall operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the control program stored in the ROM 122. The control unit 190 performs a printing mode for printing the multifunction apparatus 100, a scanning mode for performing a scanning function, and a fax transmission mode for performing a fax transmission function according to an operation signal of a mode selection key provided in the key input unit 112. It operates in one of a copy mode for performing a copy function and an e-mail transmission mode for performing an e-mail transmission function. In addition, the controller 190 operates the multifunction apparatus 100 according to the present invention in a multi-function execution mode to automatically perform a plurality of functions set for one document.

When the multi-function execution mode is selected through the mode selection key provided in the key input unit 112, the controller 190 selects one function to automatically select at least one function to be automatically performed among the plurality of functions provided by the multifunction apparatus 100. The menu is provided through the display unit 114. Accordingly, the function selection menu 200a as shown in FIG. 2A is displayed on the display unit 114. The function selection menu 200a provides a check box for selecting a scan function, a copy function, a fax function, and an e-mail function provided by the multifunction apparatus 100. The function selection menu 200a is generated based on a preset work order. When all of the plurality of functions are selected, the work is performed on the target document in the order of Scan-> Copy-> Fax-> E-mail. .

In addition, the controller 190 processes the display unit 114 to display a dialog box for inputting the work condition information for the selected function each time a work target function is selected among the functions displayed in the function selection menu 200a. do. For example, when the copy function is set in the function selection menu 200a, the controller 190 displays the first dialog box 200b on the display unit 114 to input the number of copies, as shown in FIG. 2B. Process as much as possible. In addition, when a fax function is selected in the function selection menu 200a, the control unit 190 displays the second dialog box 200c for inputting the transmission / reception fax transmission information as shown in FIG. 2C. ) To be displayed. At this time, if the transmission and reception fax information is the registered information, the user can select the transmission and reception fax information through the find button without directly inputting. When the find button is selected, the display unit 114 displays a list (not shown) for previously stored fax numbers.

In the same way, if the e-mail transmission function is selected in the function selection menu (200a), the control unit 190 is a third dialog box (200d) to enter the e-mail transmission information as shown in Figure 2d The processing to be displayed on the display section 114 is performed. The e-mail transmission information, for example, an e-mail title, a recipient e-mail address, and the like may be input through the external input device 185 connected through the external input interface unit 180. Or, if the recipient's e-mail address is already registered, it is a matter of course that the user can select from the pre-stored e-mail list through the search button.

As such, when setting of at least one function to be automatically performed through the function selection menu 200a and work condition information for each function is completed, the control unit 190 based on the selected function and the work condition information set for each function. Control the operation of the scanner 140, the print engine 150, the modem 160, the signal converter 170 and the communication unit 175 to sequentially perform the selected function.

Hereinafter, the operation control method of the multifunction apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

1 to 3, first, when the multifunction execution mode is selected by the operation of the mode selection key provided in the key input unit 112 (S310), the controller 190 at least one to be automatically performed in the multifunction execution mode. The function selection menu 200a for selecting a function of the display unit 114 is displayed on the display unit 114 (S320). Accordingly, the function selection menu 200a as shown in FIG. 2A is displayed on the display unit 114.

The user may select at least one function to be automatically performed among a plurality of functions displayed in the function selection menu 200a by manipulating the key input unit 112. Whenever a work target function to be performed on the work target document is selected by the user, the controller 190 processes a dialog box for requesting input of work condition information on the selected function to be displayed on the display unit 114 (S330). , S340). For example, when a copy function is selected in the function selection menu 200a shown in FIG. 2A, the display unit 114 displays a first dialog box 200b requesting input of a copy number, as shown in FIG. 2B. When the function selection menu 200a is selected, the display unit 114 displays a second dialog box 200c for requesting input of the fax transmission information, as shown in FIG. 2C.

Whenever the work condition information for the selected function is input, the controller 190 temporarily stores the work condition information set corresponding to the selected function and the selected function in the RAM 124. When the setting of the work target function to be automatically performed in the multifunction execution mode is completed in this manner (S350), the controller 190 sequentially selects the selected functions based on the at least one selected function and the work condition information set for each selected function. It is performed as (S360).

For example, when the scan function, the copy function, the fax function, and the e-mail function are all selected as the function to be performed in the multi-function execution mode, the controller 190 sequentially performs each of the selected functions. First, the controller 190 controls the scanner 140 to perform a scanning operation on a work target document inserted into the scanner 140. The image data scanned by the scanner 140 is temporarily stored in the RAM 124. Next, the controller 190 controls the print engine 150 to print the image data stored in the RAM 124 by the number of copies (for example, 10) set by the user. When the print job is completed by the print engine 150, the controller 190 controls the modem 160 and the LIU 165 to modulate and output image data to be transmitted to an external facsimile as an analog signal. When the fax transmission function is completed, the control unit 190 controls the signal conversion unit 170 to change the image data stored in the RAM 124 to e-mail. The control unit 190 controls the communication unit 175 to transmit the e-mail converted by the signal conversion unit 170 to an external mail server corresponding to the preset receiving e-mail address.

In the above description, a plurality of functions selected corresponding to the multi-function execution mode are sequentially performed in a predetermined order, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Of course, the two operations may be simultaneously performed. . For example, it is a matter of course that the fax transmission and the e-mail transmission function can be performed at the same time.

As described above, according to the multifunction apparatus and its operation control method according to the present invention, when a plurality of tasks are to be performed on one work target document, a plurality of tasks selected by the user are automatically performed with one setting. Because you can do it, you do not have to be involved in every task. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with operational convenience. In addition, since the same operation does not need to be repeated, the work efficiency of the multifunction device can be improved.

Although the present invention has been described in detail through the representative embodiments, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. Will understand. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims below and equivalents thereof.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a multifunction apparatus according to the present invention;

2a to 2d are views showing an example of a dialog box displayed in the multi-function execution mode according to the present invention, and

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation control method of the multifunction apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: multifunction device 110: operation panel

120: memory unit 130: PC interface unit

140: scanner 150: print engine

160: modem 165: LIU

170: signal conversion unit 175: communication unit

180: external input interface unit 185: keyboard

190: control unit

Claims (5)

A plurality of modules for performing independent functions; A display unit; An input unit provided with a mode selection key for selecting a multi-function execution mode for automatically performing a function of a selected module among a plurality of modules with respect to a work target document; And When the multi-function execution mode is selected, a function selection menu is displayed through the display unit to select a function corresponding to at least one module to be automatically executed, and at least one module selected through the input unit corresponding to the function selection menu. And a control unit for controlling a module corresponding to the function selected to automatically perform a function of the multifunction device. The method of claim 1, The plurality of modules, A printing module for printing the work target document; A scanner module for scanning the work target document; A first communication module performing a fax transmission function for transmitting and receiving fax data; And And a second communication module configured to perform an electronic mail transmission function for transmitting and receiving electronic mail. The method of claim 1, The controller may be configured to display a dialog box for inputting work condition information for the selected function every time one of the work target functions is selected through the input unit in the function selection menu displayed on the display unit. Multifunction machine characterized in that the processing. In the operation control method of a multifunction device having a plurality of modules for performing independent functions, Selecting a multifunctional execution mode for automatically performing a function of a selected module among the plurality of modules with respect to a work target document; Providing a function selection menu to select a function corresponding to at least one module to be automatically executed in the multi-function execution mode; Selecting a function of at least one module to be automatically performed in response to the function selection menu; And And automatically performing a function according to a predetermined order of the at least one module selected for the work target document. The method of claim 4, wherein Displaying a dialog box for inputting work condition information for the selected function each time a work target function is selected from the function selection menu; The performing step, the operation control method of the multifunction machine, characterized in that for performing the respective operation target function selected based on the input work condition information.