Communication apparatus and controlling method of the same

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a communication apparatus having an abbreviated dialing function allowing a user to input destination numbers with fewer key operations and a method of controlling such a communication apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, an abbreviated dialing function to input a destination number with fewer key operations has been generally employed in communication apparatuses such as a facsimile machine, a network facsimile machine, and a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP), reducing the user's operations of inputting a destination, as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006-287790, 2006-23823, and 2006-86975.

On the other hand, generally, most users appreciate that user-friendly functions are succeeded in new popular models so as to continuously use the up-to-date functions in new models. Similarly, a developer (manufacturer) appreciates that such friendly functions can be implemented in new models with less developing efforts, thereby enabling entering into development in a new field easily.

The present invention is made in light of such circumstances and may provide a communication apparatus allowing users to input destination numbers with fewer operations and a method of controlling such a communication apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a communication apparatus includes an abbreviated dialing input unit for inputting a destination number with fewer key input operations; a touch panel input/display unit for inputting a destination number; and a destination input operation menu controlling unit for controlling a menu display mode of a destination input operation menu on the touch panel input/display unit based on destination management information registering plural abbreviated dialing numbers referred to by the abbreviated dialing input unit.

Further preferably, information elements registered in the destination management information include the abbreviated dialing number and the corresponding destination number, destination name, line type, and searched for character, the destination input operation menu on the touch panel input/display unit including a first display area and a second display area, the information elements searched for by using the searched for character as a key being displayed in the first display area in a prescribed format, the elements to be used as keys being arranged in the second display area, and when one of the elements in the second display area is touched, the destination management information registering the touched element as the information element is displayed in the first display area.

Still further preferably, when a new abbreviated dialing number is registered, a character displayed in the first display area of the touch panel input/display unit is set to be the searched for character corresponding to the new abbreviated dialing number.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a communication apparatus including an abbreviated dialing input unit for inputting a destination number with fewer key input operations and a touch panel input/display unit for inputting a destination number. The method includes a destination input operation menu controlling step of controlling a menu display mode of a destination input operation menu on the touch panel input/display unit based on destination management information registering plural abbreviated dialing numbers referred to by the abbreviated dialing input unit.

Further preferably, the method includes a registration step of registering at least the abbreviated dialing number and the corresponding destination number, destination name, line type, and searched for character as the information elements of the destination management information; and

a displaying step of, when one of the elements displayed on the destination input operation menu of the touch panel input/display unit is touched, displaying the destination management information registering the touched element as the information element on the destination input operation menu.

Still further preferably, the method includes a setting step of, when a new abbreviated dialing number is registered, setting a character displayed in the first display area of the touch panel input/display unit to be the searched for character corresponding to the new abbreviated dialing number.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication apparatus provides an environment where a non-frequent user can select a destination easily by using the touch panel, and a user, including a frequent user, can select a destination in a short time by entering an abbreviated dial number at the same time.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a network image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a drawing schematically showing an exemplary configuration of an operations display section of the network image processing apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a drawing schematically showing an exemplary menu configuration of a touch panel device of the network image processing apparatus;

FIG. 4 is drawing schematically showing another exemplary menu configuration of the touch panel device;

FIG. 5 is a drawing schematically showing an exemplary destination management information used in an abbreviated dialing function and a redialing function;

FIGS. 6A through 6D are drawings schematically showing display contents of display section 7 l;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process executed when a draft document is set by a user;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process when one destination is confirmed in a process in FIG. 7 ; and

FIGS. 9 through 11 are flowcharts showing an exemplary process when an abbreviated dialing number is registered.

In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary configuration of a network image forming apparatus (a communication apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the network image forming apparatus (communication apparatus) includes a system controlling section 1 , a system memory 2 , a parameter memory 3 , a clock circuit 4 , a scanning device 5 , a plotter 6 , an operations display section 7 , an encoding/decoding section 8 , a magnetic disk device 9 , a network connection controlling section 10 , an ISDN line connection controlling section 11 , and a public switched telephone network connection controlling section 12 . The system controlling section 1 controls each section of the network image forming apparatus and performs a process of facsimile transmission over a public switched telephone network or an ISDN line. The system memory 2 stores, for example, a controlling program performed by the system controlling section 1 and various data necessary when a program is being executed, and constitutes a work area for the system controlling section 1 . The parameter memory 3 stores information unique to the network image forming apparatus. The clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.

The scanning device 5 reads a draft image with a prescribed resolution. The plotter 6 outputs an image with a prescribed resolution. The operations display section 7 is used to operate the network image forming apparatus and includes various keys and displays.

The encoding/decoding section 8 encodes and compresses a picture signal, and decodes and expands the encoded and compressed picture information to the original picture signal. The magnetic disk device 9 stores, for example, the encoded and compressed picture information, image data, and various data files.

The network connection controlling section 10 provides a connection to a network (including a local area network, an intranet, and the Internet) to send and receive e-mail through the network and communicate with an external terminal using an appropriate protocol.

The ISDN line connection controlling section 11 provides Group3/Group4 facsimile communications and calls over an ISDN line. The public switched telephone network connection controlling section 12 provides Group3 facsimile communications and calls over a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Those system controlling section 1 , system memory 2 , parameter memory 3 , clock circuit 4 , scanning device 5 , plotter 6 , operations display section 7 , encoding/decoding section 8 , magnetic disk device 9 , network connection controlling section 10 , ISDN line connection controlling section 11 , and public switched telephone network connection controlling section 12 are connected to each other via an internal bus 13 . Therefore, data are exchanged between those elements through the internal bus 13 .

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary configuration of the operations display section 7 . The operations display section 7 includes a one touch dial number input function and a touch panel input as well.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the operations display section 7 includes a start key 7 a , a stop key 7 b , ten keys 7 c , an abbreviated dial key 7 d , a pose/redial key 7 e , a clear key 7 f , an on-hook key 7 g , a touch panel device 7 h , a status display section 7 i , function keys 7 j , an initial setting key 7 k , a display section 7 l , soft keys 7 m , and arrow keys 7 n . The start key 7 a is used to input an instruction to start, for example, sending and receiving operations of the network image forming apparatus. The stop key 7 b is used to stop the operations of the network image forming apparatus. Ten keys 7 c are used to input numerical information (values) such as phone numbers.

The abbreviated dial key 7 d is used to start an input mode for inputting an abbreviated dialing number. The pose/redial key 7 e is used to input posing (silent code) and redialing to the same destination. The clear key 7 f is used to delete a single digit from a numeric value input by the ten keys 7 c . The on-hook key 7 g is used to start an on-hook communication mode.

The touch panel device 7 h includes a color (or monochrome) liquid crystal display device and a coordinate detection transparent panel integrated in the liquid crystal display device so that the coordinate detection transparent panel detects a pressing operation (touching operation) at any coordinate position through the display surface of the liquid crystal display device. This touch panel device 7 h is used as to input a destination as the main function (as described below).

The status display section 7 i displays an operation status of the network image forming apparatus, indicating statuses such as a communication mode (“G3, G4, or mail mode”), “toner empty”, “jamming”, “door is open”, “serviceman call” by the corresponding lamps (such as a LED) in this status display section.

The function keys 7 j are used to perform user-defined functions such as registering a program.

The initial setting key 7 k is used to perform initial setting operations of the network image forming apparatus. For example, some operations including registering an abbreviated dialing number can be selected from a menu displayed upon this initial setting key 7 k being pressed.

The display section 7 l includes a menu display device made of, for example, a liquid crystal device, and is used to display the contents of operations. The soft keys 7 m are used to perform an operation item displayed on the corresponding parts of the display section 7 l . The arrow keys 7 n are used to move a selected operation item in the right and left directions.

Further, a buzzer (not shown) used as, for example, an alarm to the user is provided in the display section 7 .

FIG. 3 shows a display example of the touch panel device 7 h.

The touch panel device 7 h includes a display area 7 ha , a utility key 7 hn , a previous (↑) key 7 ho , and a next (↓) key 7 hp . The display area 7 ha includes plural tabs 7 hb through 7 hl on the upper portion of the display area 7 ha . A list of destination information including registered abbreviated dialing numbers is displayed in the middle of the display area 7 ha . However, in the network image forming apparatus, it should be noted that only destination information registering a searched for character corresponding to a character displayed on a selected tab is searched for and displayed in the middle of the display area 7 ha . The explanation of the searched for character is given below.

In an example of FIG. 3 , as an attribute of a character string to be used as a key in the searching process, “a” line through “wa” line in the Japanese “kana” syllabary table are assigned to the tabs 7 hc through 7 hl , respectively. As shown in FIG. 3 , the “a” line, consisting of Japanese kanas (characters) “a”, “i”, “u”, “e”, and “o”, is assigned to the tab 7 hc . In the same manner, for example, the “ma” line, consisting of “ma”, “mi”, “mu”, “me”, and “mo”, is assigned to the tab 7 hi . In a status of FIG. 3 , the tab 7 hc that assigns the “a” line is selected. Therefore, destination information registering any Japanese kanas (characters) of “a”, “i”, “u”, “e”, and “o” as a search-for character is searched for in the searching process. Then the searched for and found destination information with the corresponding abbreviated dialing numbers are displayed in the middle of the display area 7 ha in a manner so that each abbreviated dialing number is arranged in a conspicuous position in a rectangle for displaying the registered contents. Herein, a group of the destinations searched for and found is called “searched for group”.

Further, only a single character can be used as an attribute of a character string to be used as a key in the searching process (detailed search). In this case, when, for example, a tab is selected where a Japanese kana (character) “a” is designated, only designation information registering the character “a” as the searched for character is searched for and found. Then, the searched for and found designation information including the corresponding abbreviated dialing number is displayed.

Further, in a case of FIG. 3 , a term “regular use” is designated for the tab 7 hb . When the “regular use” tab is selected, designation information registering a “null (blank)” as the searched for character is searched for and displayed. Still further, a term “switch” is designated for the tab 7 hm ; when the “switch” tab is operated, a display mode is alternately changed between, for example, Japanese display mode and English display mode.

Still further, the utility key 7 hn , the previous (↑) key 7 ho , and the next (↓) key 7 hp are displayed on the right side of the touch panel device 7 h . The utility key 7 hn is used for various purposes. For example, when the utility key 7 hn is operated during the registration of a new abbreviated dialing number, an operation element “NN” of a new destination is displayed as shown in FIG. 4 . A user can register a new abbreviated dialing number by touching the operation element “NN” (details are described below).

The previous (↑) key 7 ho , and the next (↓) key 7 hp are used to move to “the previous page” and “the next page”, respectively, of the displayed contents in the display area 7 ha.

FIG. 5 shows an example of destination management information used in an abbreviated dial function and a redial function.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the elements of the destination management information include “Type etc.”, “Destination number”, “Destination name”, “Line type”, and “Searched for character”. The element “Type etc.” is used to classify a temporary destination referred to in an abbreviated dialing or redialing status. The element “Destination number” is used to store, for example, a destination number and an electronic mail address. The element “Destination name” is used to store registered destination names. The element “Line type” indicates a type of line used in communicating to the destination, including G3FAX, G4FAX, Mail, and Scan. The element “Searched for character” is to be searched for in the search process to obtain the abbreviated dialing number.

It should be noted no data are registered in the “Destination name” and the “Searched for character” in the data where the “Type etc.” is “Temporary 00” through “Temporary M” (“M+1” number of data).

With the configuration described above, when the network image forming apparatus is in a stand-by status, a stand-by menu as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed on the display section 7 l of the operations display section 7 . In this status, when a user sets a document (draft), a process according to a flowchart as shown in FIG. 7 is performed.

First, as shown in FIG. 7 , the number of destinations is reset to “0” (step S 101 ). Then, the apparatus waits until any key operation is performed through the operations display section 7 (including an operation element of the touch panel device 7 h ) (NO loop in step S 102 ).

When the result of step S 102 becomes YES, it is determined whether the operation is made by a ten key 7 c , the abbreviated dial key 7 d , an operation element of the touch panel device 7 h , or the start key 7 a (in steps S 103 through S 106 , respectively).

When it is determined that the ten key 7 c is operated by the user (YES in step S 103 ), the user operates ten keys 7 c to input a destination number (step S 107 ). Next, it is determined whether the destination number input using the ten keys in step S 107 (Ten key destination process) is valid (step S 108 ). When the result of step S 108 is YES, the number of destinations is incremented by one (1) and the process goes back to step S 102 and waits for another key entry by a user. On the other hand, when the result of step S 102 is NO, an appropriate message such as “you input a wrong destination number” is displayed on the display section 7 l (step S 110 ), and the process goes back to step S 102 .

When it is determined that the abbreviated dial key 7 d is operated by the user (YES in step S 104 ), the user operates ten keys 7 c to input a three-digit abbreviated dialing number (step S 111 ). When the input operation of the abbreviated dialing number is completed, the process goes to step S 108 . Then, it is determined whether the destination is valid and the process goes to the following step. In the determination step S 108 , for example, a process may be used for determining whether appropriate information is registered with respect to the input abbreviated dialing number by referring to the destination management information. When it is determined that the destination is valid, a display including the destination name registered in the destination management information as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed on the display section 7 l . On the other hand, when it is determined that the destination is not valid, an error message such as “not valid destination” is displayed on the display section 7 l.

When it is determined that the operation element of the touch panel device 7 h is operated (YES in step S 105 ) by the user, it is determined whether the registered destination designated by the operation is valid (step S 112 ). When the result of step S 112 is NO, an error message such as “not valid destination” is displayed on the display section 7 l (step S 113 ), and the process goes back to step S 102 . On the other hand, when the result of step S 112 is YES, the process goes to step S 109 , and then goes to the following step. Further, when a valid destination is input, a display including the destination name registered in the destination management information as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed on the display section 7 l.

When it is determined that the start key 7 a is operated by the user (YES in step S 106 ), it is determined whether the number of destinations designated by the previous operation is more than “0” (step S 114 ). When the result of the step 114 is YES, a draft document reading operation of the scanning device 5 is started (step S 115 ), and the process goes to the following step to perform the data transmission.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of destinations is “0”, the process goes back to step S 102 to prompt a user to input a destination.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process when one destination is confirmed in the process shown in FIG. 7

When one destination is confirmed, it is determined whether the destination is confirmed by using the operation element of the touch panel device 7 h (step S 201 ). When the result of step S 201 is YES, the corresponding display element of the operation element is reversed (step S 202 ).

On the other hand, when the result of step S 201 is NO, it is determined whether the destination is input by using the abbreviated dial key 7 d (step S 203 ). When the result of step S 203 is YES, a display element of the operation element corresponding to the input abbreviated dialing number is reversed (step S 204 ). When the result of step S 203 is NO, this process ends.

In step S 204 , when the contents currently displayed in the display area 7 ha do not correspond to the searched for group of the confirmed destination, the display contents may be arranged to be changed to the contents corresponding to the searched for group of the confirmed destination.

Next, a process of registering an abbreviated dialing number is described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 11 . A registration process of an abbreviated dialing number can be selected from a menu displayed upon the initial setting key 7 k being operated (not shown).

First, a guidance message as shown in FIG. 6C is displayed (step S 301 ). Then, a user's operation is monitored and it is determined whether the user operates a soft key 7 m corresponding to any one of “Registration status”, “Move/Copy”, and “Previous menu”, a ten key 7 c , or the operation element “NN” (see FIG. 4 ) of the new abbreviated dialing number by operating the utility key 7 hn of the touch panel device 7 h (steps S 302 through S 306 , respectively).

When the soft key 7 m corresponding to the “Registration status” is operated and the result of step S 302 is YES, for example, a list of abbreviated dialing numbers registered in the destination management information is displayed (step S 307 ).

Further, when the soft key 7 m corresponding to the “Move/Copy” is operated and the result of step S 303 is YES, a process of moving and copying the registered abbreviated dialing number is performed (step S 308 ).

Still further, when the soft key 7 m corresponding to the “Previous menu” is operated and the result of step S 304 is YES, a menu of the next upper layer is displayed on the display section 7 l (step S 309 ).

When the ten key 7 c is operated and the result of step S 305 is YES, a destination number input guidance message as shown in FIG. 6D is displayed on the display section 7 l (step S 311 ). Then a user's operation is monitored and it is determined whether the user operates a soft key 7 m corresponding to any one of “Destination name”, “Various settings”, “Cancel”, and “Set” (steps S 312 through S 315 , respectively).

When the soft key 7 m corresponding to the “Destination name” is operated and the result of step S 312 is YES, a process of inputting a destination name is performed (step S 316 ).

When the soft key 7 m corresponding to the “Various settings” is operated and the result of step S 313 is YES, an operation of setting the searched for character is performed. In this operation, first, it is determined that the destination name is already registered (step S 317 ). When the result of step S 317 is YES, the first character of the reading of the first character of the registered destination name is obtained and the obtained character is set as the searched for character (step S 318 ). On the other hand, when the result of step S 317 is NO, a null (blank) is set to be the searched for character (step S 319 ). By doing this, after an initial value of the searched for character is set, a user is prompted to input the searched for character (step S 320 ).

Further, when the soft key 7 m corresponding to the “Set” is operated and the result of step S 314 is YES, the input contents are confirmed and stored (step S 321 ). Then this operations ends and the menu displayed is changed to the next upper layer menu (step S 309 ).

Still further, when the soft key 7 m corresponding to the “Cancel” is operated and the result of step S 315 is YES, the input contents are discarded (step S 322 ). Then this operation ends and the menu displayed is changed to the next upper layer menu (step S 309 ).

Still further, when the operation element “NN” of the “new destination” displayed by operating the utility key 7 hn on the touch panel device 7 h is operated and the result of step 306 is YES, first, it is determined whether a mode of automatically assigning an abbreviated dialing number is set (step S 326 ). When the result of step S 326 is YES, an abbreviated dialing without a registered destination number is selected by referring to the destination management information, and the selected abbreviated dialing number is registered (step S 327 ). On the other hand, when the result is step S 326 is NO, the user is prompted to input a three-digit abbreviated dialing number using the ten keys 7 c , and the input number is registered as the abbreviated dialing number (step S 328 ).

Next, a character registered in the tab that is currently operated is obtained and the obtained character is set as the searched for character (step S 329 ).

Then, the destination number input guidance message as shown in FIG. 6D is displayed on the display section 7 l (step S 330 ) Then a user's operation is monitored and it is determined whether the user operates a soft key 7 m corresponding to any one of “Destination name”, “Cancel”, and “Set” (steps S 331 through S 333 , respectively).

When the soft key 7 m corresponding to the “Destination name” is operated and the result of step S 331 is YES, a process of inputting a destination name is performed (step S 334 ).

Further, when the soft key 7 m corresponding to the “Set” is operated and the result of step S 332 is YES, the input contents are confirmed and stored (step S 335 ). Then this operations ends and the menu displayed is changed to the next upper layer menu (step S 309 ).

Still further, when the soft key 7 m corresponding to the “Cancel” is operated and the result of step S 333 is YES, the input contents are discarded (step S 336 ). Then this operation ends and the menu displayed is changed to the next upper layer menu (step S 309 ).

As described above, in this embodiment of the present invention, a user can designate a destination in a similar manner whether the user directly operates an abbreviated dialing number or the user operates by referring the display contents on the touch panel device 7 h , thereby allowing a user to select a most suitable operation depending on the user's proficiency level.

Further, the destination management information referred to when an abbreviated dialing number is used is directly used in the destination input process by the touch panel device 7 h . Therefore, a management process of the destination management information becomes easier and required data capacity can be accordingly reduced.

Still further, the destination designated through the direct operation of the abbreviated dialing number and the destination designated through the touch panel 7 h operations can be shown as equivalent operations. Therefore a user feels more comfortable than ever when, for example, the user needs to transmit to both a destination whose registered number is known to the user and a destination whose registered number is unknown to the user at the same time.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-126479, filed on May 11, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.