Multifunction apparatus and method for display apparatus for multifunction apparatus

The present invention provides a plurality of destination screens having a plurality of pages, in which a plurality of destination selection keys are displayed. The destination screens are displayed in layers, each screen having a tag to select a desired destination screen. When a specific tag is selected, a page of the corresponding destination screen with a registered destination selection key is displayed. When page scroll key are pressed, the registered destinations can be searched as each page of the destination screens is scrolled in the ascending/descending order. When no more pages can be scrolled in one destination screen, another destination screen is displayed, instead of terminating the operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a separate operation to switch to another screen, when no more pages can be scrolled by pressing a page scroll key. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the operator's burden to find a desired destination, thereby improving the convenience of the operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a multifunction apparatus and a method for a display apparatus for the multifunction apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

In recent years, multifunction apparatuses having printer/facsimile functions added to copies are becoming very popular. In addition to the printer/facsimile functions, scanner functions have been added to some multifunction apparatuses. The following descriptions will be made by using multifunctional printers as examples of the multifunction apparatuses.

However, the conventional technologies have the following problem. In order to have as many selections of destinations available on one display, many layers of screens are displayed. Therefore, an operator has to perform a burdensome procedure to scroll many screens in order to find a desired destination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above-described problem. The purpose of the invention is to provide a multifunctional printer and control method for a display apparatus for the printer, that can lighten the burden of the operator to find a desired destination and improve the convenience of the use, even when many screens of pages are used on a display.

In order to solve the above problem, this invention provides a multifunctional printer that displays a destination select key on a screen. This destination select key can program destinations for forwarding an image from the multifunctional printer. The multifunctional printer has a display that includes a plurality of destination screens to display one of a destination selection pages (each page including the destination select key), displays the destination screens in a plurality of layers, and displays previous/next page scroll keys for scrolling a plurality of destination selection pages. The multifunctional printer also has a controller that scrolls pages having the destination select keys, in the ascending order, among a plurality of destination selection pages, when the previous page scroll key is pressed, and that scrolls pages having the destination select key, in the descending order, among the plurality of destination selection pages, when the next page scroll key is pressed, in order to enable the display to display the scrolled destination selection page having the destination select key.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment of the present invention is explained in the following, in reference to the above-described drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a state where multifunctional printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention and a plurality of personal computers (PCs) are mutually connected via a LAN. Accordingly, one multifunctional printer 1 and a plurality of PCs can mutually exchange signals. Multifunctional printer 1 has copier, printer, facsimile, and scanner functions. It is not necessary to have the entire functions, however, the multifunctional printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has at least a scanner function in the following illustration.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of multifunctional printer 1 . Multifunctional printer 1 includes central processing apparatus 2 that is a forwarding/controlling unit and controls the entire multifunctional printer, document scanning controller 3 that scans a document, image formation unit 4 that forms an image on recording paper, and control panel 5 that is a display unit/apparatus and an input/output unit for an operator.

Central control apparatus 2 includes CPU 2 a , ROM 2 b , and RAM 2 c , all of which mutually exchange signals via system bus BUS 1 . ROM 2 b stores an operational program of CPU 2 a , while RAM 2 c stores work area and the like of CPU 2 a.

Document scanning controller 3 includes automatic document feeder 3 a that automatically feeds a document, and document scanner 3 b . In addition, image formation unit 4 has CPU 4 a , ROM 4 b , and RAM 4 c , all of which mutually exchange signals via system bus BUS 2 . Image formation unit 4 also includes paper delivery controller 4 d that delivers paper retrieved from a paper tray, image formation controller 4 e that forms an image, and fusing controller 4 f that controls toner fusing.

Within central processing apparatus 2 , document scanner interface (I/F) 2 d , image processor 2 e , codec 2 f , and image formation I/F 2 g are connected to system bus BUS 1 . Document scanner I/F 2 d connects document scanning controller 3 and system bus BUS 1 , and edits the scanned image data. Image processor 2 e is an image processing circuit that enlarges/reduces the size of image data and/or rotates the data at an arbitrary degree. Codec 2 f performs encoding/decoding processes on image data. Image formation I/F 2 g exchanges image data of recording image between central processing apparatus 1 and image formation unit 4 .

These document scanning I/F 2 d , image processor 2 e , codec 2 f , and image formation I/F 2 g are connected to image memory 2 h and image storage memory 2 i via local bus BUS 3 . Image memory 2 h stores image data encoded by codec 2 f . Further, print data capturer I/F 2 j is connected to system bus BUS 1 . This print data capturer I/F 2 j exchanges print data with a PC via the LAN.

Next, a scanning process of multifunctional printer 1 is illustrated as follows. In this scanning process, a document is set in multifunctional printer 1 , and the scanned image is transmitted to a specified destination PC. As illustrated in a flowchart of FIG. 3 , a destination process is performed at first in order to select a transmitting destination of an image at step ST 1 . This destination process is illustrated using a flowchart of FIG. 4 . In this state, touch panel 6 , which is included in the above-described operation panel 5 , displays a destination screen as a first screen illustrated in FIG. 5 .

It is checked whether mode key 11 is pressed at step ST 11 of FIG. 4 . This mode key 11 switches between a destination process mode and a document display process mode. When mode key 11 is pressed at step ST 11 , selecting not to perform the destination process mode, the flow is terminated. When mode key 11 is not pressed at step ST 11 , the control proceeds to step ST 12 .

At step ST 12 , it is checked whether a document is set. A location sensor used for copiers and the like can perform this process. When it is determined that a document is not set at step ST 12 , the control proceeds to step ST 13 , where a message please set a document is displayed, and proceeds to step ST 14 . When it is determined that a document is set at step ST 12 , the control proceeds to step ST 15 , where a message please select a destination is displayed, and proceeds to step ST 14 .

At step ST 14 , it is checked whether a destination is input. The destination input process can be performed, for example, from the destination screen shown in FIG. 5 , by pressing a desired tag 12 , which is in the alphabetical order, and by pressing a desired destination select key 13 , among the screen of a plurality of destination select keys 13 corresponding to the chosen tag 12 . In addition, alphabets displayed on tag 12 in the figure represent the initial letters of the destination, whereas FAVORITE on tag 12 is a prioritized frequently-used destination screen.

The destination screen of FIG. 5 can be switched to display a document direction display screen as the second screen. Accordingly, it is possible to display as many destinations as possible, using almost the entire display of touch panel 6 . In the example shown in FIG. 5 , twelve destinations in a 4 3 format are displayed at once. Since there are many destinations displayed at once, it is easy to select a destination. Especially, since multifunctional printer 1 are used on a network where many PCs are connected, it is possible to effectively select a destination in order to forward a scanned image by a scanner.

Next, a destination input process at step ST 14 is illustrated. This destination input process is performed based on a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6 . First, an initial screen display process is performed for the destination screen at step ST 21 in the figure. A flowchart in FIG. 7 is used to explain the initial screen display process. At step ST 31 in the figure, it is checked whether a destination is registered in the destination select key 13 within the FAVORITE screen of tag 12 , as a prioritized destination screen. When a destination is registered, the control proceeds to step ST 32 . As shown in FIG. 8 , FAVORITE screen of tag 12 is displayed, which completes the initial screen display process of the destination screen. In this figure, five destination select keys 13 are registered as destinations.

When it is determined that no destination is registered at step ST 31 , the control proceeds to step ST 33 to check whether a destination select key with a registered destination can be found in any other pages. When a destination select key with a registered destination is found, the control proceeds to step ST 34 . Then, the control searches the registered destination from the front destination screen ( AB screen of tag 12 ), and displays the destination screen with the destination select key having the first found registered destination (e.g., FIG. 5 ), which competes the display process. When it is determined that no destination select key having the registered destination is found, the control proceeds to step ST 35 . Then, the screen selected by the tag key (tag 12 ) (e.g., the first destination screen) is displayed, which completes the display process.

Therefore, in order to display a destination screen, registered destination select key is searched and displayed in the order of the priority destination screen and a plurality of destination screens. When there is no destination registered in a destination select key in any destination screen, the first destination screen from a plurality of screens is displayed. Accordingly, it is possible to immediately determine that no destination is registered, from an empty display at the first destination screen. Further, it is not necessary to scroll every page when there is no registered destination input, thereby largely reducing the operator's workload and making the process more convenient for the operator.

Moreover, upon scrolling screen displays, screens without registered destinations are skipped, instead of displaying every previous/next screen page. Since only screens with registered destinations are displayed, it is possible to reduce the burden of scrolling through every screen until a screen with a registered destination is found. Accordingly, it is possible to largely reduce the workload of the operator to find a desired destination, even when many layers of destination screens are displayed, thereby further improving the convenience in the operation.

At the next step ST 22 , it is checked whether there is any key input (a key being pressed at touch panel 5 ). When there is no key input, step ST 22 is repeated. When there is a key input, the control proceeds to step ST 23 where it is determined whether a tag key (tag 12 ) is pressed. It is noted that a key being pressed in this invention can actually just be touched in the operation.

When it is determined that a tag key is pressed at step ST 23 , the control proceeds to step ST 24 to perform a tag key process. This tag key process is explained using FIG. 9 . First, at step ST 41 , it is checked whether a tag key (tag 12 ) within the currently displayed destination screen is pressed. When the key is not pressed, the control proceeds to step ST 42 where the destination screen corresponding to the pressed tag key (at step ST 23 ) is selected. At the next step ST 43 , the first page of the destination screen is displayed, which completes the tag key process. For example, when IJK of tag 12 is pressed, the display will be shown as in FIG. 10 . When all destination select keys 13 are registered in the first page, the second page is added to create more space for the registration.

Since the above-described tag key process is provided, it is possible to display the first page among a plurality of pages within the destination screen, instead of just displaying the destination screen corresponding to the selected tag 12 , at a screen displayed in the very front.

When the tag key process is completed at step ST 24 , the control returns to step ST 22 . When it is determined that a tag key is not pressed at step ST 23 , the control proceeds to step ST 25 , where it is checked whether previous page scroll key 21 is pressed. When it is determined that previous page scroll key 21 is pressed, the control proceeds to step ST 26 to perform a previous page scroll key process.

The previous page scroll key process is explained using FIG. 11 . At step ST 51 , it is checked whether all destination screens and pages have destination select keys 13 with registered destinations. When no destination is registered, the control proceeds to step ST 52 to display the first page of the first destination screen (destination screen AB of tag 12 ), which completes the key process.

When a destination select key 13 with a registered destination is found at step ST 51 , the control proceeds to step ST 53 , where it is checked whether the first page is displayed. When the first page is not displayed, the control proceeds to step ST 54 in order to display the previous page. For example, when the third page is displayed in destination screen AB of tag 12 , as illustrated in FIG. 12 ( a ), the previous page (the second page of destination screen AB of tag 12 ) is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 12 ( b ).

At the next step ST 55 , it is checked whether the previous page has a destination select key 13 with a registered destination. When a destination select key 13 with a registered destination is not found, the control returns to step ST 53 . When it is found, the control proceeds to step ST 56 . At step ST 56 , the current page (in the above example, FIG. 12 ( b )), where a destination select key 13 with a registered destination is found at step ST 55 , is displayed, which completes the page scroll key process.

When it is determined that the first page is displayed at step ST 53 , the control proceeds to step ST 57 , where it is checked whether the first destination screen is displayed. When the fist destination screen is not displayed, the control proceeds to step ST 58 . At step ST 58 , since the first page of a middle destination screen is scrolled back, the previous destination screen is displayed. For example, when destination screen IJK of tag 12 is displayed, destination screen FGH of tag 12 will be displayed.

When it is determined that the first destination screen is displayed at step ST 57 , the control proceeds to step ST 60 . Since the first destination screen ( AB of tag 12 ) is displayed, the last screen as a previous screen (destination screen XYZ of tag 12 in the figure) is chosen. Accordingly, destination screens are scrolled as a loop in the ascending order. At the next step ST 59 following steps ST 58 and ST 60 , the first page of the destination screen (previous destination screen) is displayed. Then, the control proceeds to step ST 55 . The following page process is the same as the description illustrated at steps ST 55 and ST 56 .

When the previous page scroll key process of step ST 26 is completed, the control returns to step ST 22 . When it is determined that previous page scroll key 21 is not pressed at step ST 25 , the control proceeds to step ST 27 . At step ST 27 , it is checked whether next page scroll key 22 is pressed. When it is determined that next page scroll key 22 is pressed, the control proceeds to step ST 28 , where the next page scroll key process is performed.

FIG. 13 is used to illustrate the next page scroll key process. It is noted that this next page scroll key process has the same process as in the previous page scroll key process. Therefore, basically, previous page can be replaced by next page , and previous screen , by next screen to illustrate a flowchart for the next page scroll key process. Since steps displayed with the same first digits in FIG. 13 perform the same process as in FIG. 11 (e.g., step ST 51 corresponds to step ST 61 ), detail illustrations are omitted except the parts that are not similar.

At step ST 63 , it is checked whether the last page is displayed. When the last page is not displayed, the control proceeds to step ST 64 to perform the process of steps ST 64 -ST 66 , which completes the next page scroll key process.

When it is determined that the last page is being displayed at step ST 63 , the control proceeds to step ST 67 to check whether the last destination screen is being displayed. When the last destination screen is not being displayed, the control proceeds to step ST 68 , where the next destination screen is displayed. Then, the control proceeds to step ST 69 . For example, when destination screen FGH of tag 12 is displayed, it is replaced by destination screen IJK of tag 12 .

When it is determined that the last destination screen is being displayed at step ST 67 , the control proceeds to step ST 70 . Since last destination screen ( XYZ of tag 12 ) is being displayed, the first screen will be chosen as the next screen (destination screen AB of tag 12 in the figure). Accordingly, destination screens are scrolled as a loop in the descending order. At the next step ST 69 following steps ST 68 and ST 70 , the first page of the destination screen (next destination screen) is displayed. Then, the control proceeds to step ST 65 to execute the process for steps ST 65 and ST 66 .

In these page scroll key processes, when the previous page is scrolled from the first page of each destination screen, screens with registered destinations are scrolled in the ascending order, to display the searched pages. When the next page is scrolled from the last page of each destination screen, on the other hand, screens with registered destinations are scrolled in the descending order, to display the searched pages. Since another screen is displayed even if no page can be scrolled in one screen, instead of stopping the process, it is not necessary to perform a separate operation from the page scroll key in order to switch to another screen. Accordingly, even when many layers of screens are displayed, it is possible to reduce the operator's burden to find a desired destination, thereby improving the convenience of the operation.

Moreover, when switching display screens, screens without registered destinations are skipped, instead of displaying each screen before/after the current screen, so that only destination screens having registered destinations are displayed. Therefore, it is possible to omit the burden of scrolling every screen until the screen with the registered destination is found. Accordingly, even when many layers of screens are displayed, it is possible to largely reduce the operator's burden to find a desired destination, thereby improving the convenience of the operation.

In addition, another destination screen is displayed even if no page can be scrolled in one screen, instead of stopping the process. For example, even when it is not possible to scroll pages from page scroll keys 21 and 22 , it is not necessary to leave page scroll keys 21 and 22 , and to perform a separate operation, in order to switch to another screen. Accordingly, even when many layers of screens are displayed, it is possible to reduce the operator's burden to find a desired destination, thereby improving the convenience of the operation.

Furthermore, it is possible to omit the process of pressing previous page scroll key 2 many times, when the first page needs to be displayed after displaying a page later than the second page. Accordingly, even when many layers of screens are displayed, it is possible to reduce the operator's burden to find a desired destination, thereby improving the convenience of the operation.

When the next page scroll key process of step ST 27 is completed, the control returns to step ST 22 . When it is determined that previous page scroll key 22 is not pressed at step ST 27 , the control proceeds to step ST 29 . At step ST 29 , it is checked whether an initialization key (not shown in the figure) is pressed. When it is determined that the initialization key is pressed, the control proceeds to step ST 21 to perform the initialization screen display process. When it is determined that the initialization key is not pressed, the control proceeds to step ST 30 , where another key process is performed. Then, the control returns to step ST 22 .

One example of another key process is a destination registration key process, which is illustrated using the flowchart of FIG. 14 . First, by pressing a destination registration key (not shown), a registration screen for registering in the destination select key (similar to the screen of FIG. 5 ) is displayed. At step ST 71 , a destination name is registered. This can be performed by a key input, through numeric keys having assigned alphabets in the operation panel 5 .

In the next step ST 72 , registration for a key name to be displayed on destination select key 13 is performed. This key name can be an abbreviated name, while the above destination name can be a formal name. At step ST 73 , the destination address is registered. In the example used in FIG. 14 , a PC address connected to the LAN is registered.

At step ST 74 , it is checked whether the destination should be registered in the prioritized FAVORITE screen. This can be checked from a key entry, the key being provided in the registration screen as a destination registration key for the FAVORITE screen. When the registration in the FAVORITE screen is chosen, the control proceeds to step ST 75 . When not selected, the destination registration key process is completed. At step ST 75 , the registration item is automatically registered into the FAVORITE screen. Even when a destination is registered in the FAVORITE screen, it is also registered in the alphabetized destination screen.

When no destination is input at step ST 14 (not destination is selected), the control returns to step ST 11 and the steps between ST 11 and 14 are repeated. When it is determined that a destination is input, the control proceeds to step ST 16 to display the selected destination. The destination can be displayed on information display area 14 .

At the next step ST 17 , it is checked whether a predetermined time period has passed. When a predetermined time period has passed, the destination process mode is completed. This predetermined time period is provided so that the user can view and check the selected destination.

When the destination process is completed, the control proceeds to step ST 2 of FIG. 3 , in order to perform a document display process mode. The document display process is illustrated as follows, using a flowchart of FIG. 15 . First, at step ST 81 of FIG. 15 , it is checked whether a document is set. When it is determined that a document is set, the control proceeds to step ST 82 to check whether the document is in a portrait direction. When the document is in the portrait direction, the control proceeds to step ST 83 . At step ST 83 , touch panel 6 displays a document direction display screen as the second screen illustrated in FIG. 16 ( a ). At a predetermined location of the document direction display screen, document image 15 a indicating a portrait direction is displayed, while displaying forwarding image 17 a indicating a portrait direction in parallel on the same screen, which completes the document direction display process.

When it is determined the document is not in a portrait direction at step ST 82 , the control proceeds to step ST 84 , since it indicates that the document is in a landscape direction. At step ST 84 , at a predetermined location in touch panel 6 illustrated in FIG. 16 ( b ), document image 15 b and forwarding image 17 b indicating a landscape direction are displayed, which completes the document direction display process. Also, when it is determined that a document is not set at step ST 81 , the control proceeds to step ST 85 , to display missing document image 15 c indicating the missing document in gray color as illustrated in FIG. 17 , which completes the document display process.

Accordingly, since the display is performed by matching the display with the document direction prior to a transmission, it is possible to prevent a situation where a user discovers that the document has a wrong direction only after seeing the transmission result. In particular, when the direction of a forwarding image is wrong, it is possible to instantly find out how to correct the set document, thereby easily preventing a scanning error using the multifunctional printer as a scanner.

When the document displaying process is completed, control proceeds to step ST 3 of FIG. 3 . At step ST 3 , it is checked whether a start key (SK of FIGS. 16 ( a ) and ( b )), for example, located at a separate location from touch panel 6 of the operation panel 5 , is pressed. When it is determined that the start key SK has not been pressed, the control proceeds to step ST 4 . When it is determined that the start key SK has been pressed, the control proceeds to step ST 5 .

At step ST 4 , it is checked whether mode key 11 is pressed. Since the screen at step ST 4 is illustrated in FIG. 16 , the controls returns to step ST 1 to go back to the destination process mode, when it is determined that mode key 11 is pressed. When it is determined that mode key 11 is not pressed, the control returns to step ST 2 to repeat steps ST 2 and 3 .

At step ST 5 , a process for forwarding and forwarding status display is performed. When the start key SK is pressed at step ST 3 , a scanning process is started, and its procedure status is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 18 . FIG. 18 ( a ) illustrates a state where about one third of the document in FIG. 16 ( a ) is scanned. FIG. 18 ( b ) illustrates a state where about two thirds of the document is scanned, while FIG. 18 ( c ) illustrates a state where the entire document is scanned.

The example in FIG. 9 illustrates a state where scanner head image 16 moves over document image 15 a according to the scanner procedure status. The scanned part corresponding to document image 15 a is shown faded. Also, a status of forwarding to a PC is illustrated on a screen of the PC image next to the document image, using forwarding document image 17 a in a portrait direction, by reflecting the forwarded amount with increased darkened parts in the forwarding image 17 a . When the document is in the landscape direction, the forwarding image is also displayed in the landscape direction.

Accordingly, since the scanning and forwarding status can be viewed as animation, it is possible to easily determine how the image with confirmed document direction is being forwarded, thereby reassuring the operator. Especially this invention is effective when multifunctional printer 1 and a PC are distantly located from each other.

At step ST 6 , it is checked whether the forwarding process is completed. When the forwarding process is not complete, the control returns to step ST 5 and continues forwarding and displaying the forwarding status. When it is determined that the forwarding process is complete at step ST 6 , the control returns to step ST 1 . Since the screen is switched from the forwarding screen of FIG. 18 ( c ) (document direction display screen) to the destination screen of FIG. 5 , upon completing the forwarding process, the operator is notified about the completion of the forwarding process by the change in the screen itself, and the operator can securely recognize whether the scanned image is still being forwarded or the forwarding process is complete. Since the screen changes upon completing the forwarding process, the operator can securely be notified about when the forwarding process is completed. Also, since it is not necessary to manually switch the screen back to the destination screen upon completing the forwarding process, the operator can immediately proceed to select the next destination.

In addition, touch panel 6 screen includes setup content display 18 , as illustrated in FIG. 16 ( a ), that displays setup contents mode as the third screen, at an upper right corner in the figure. This setup content display 18 constantly displays each setup item set by mode setter 19 , which is provided below setup content display 18 in the figure. Setup items can include information such as resolution, character/photograph, and density, and mode setter 19 has switches displayed for setting up the individual setup items.

Accordingly, since setup content display 18 displays necessary information (mode setup items) at every screen, it is possible to eliminate the bother of switching the screen whenever the information needs to be confirmed. Also, even when the destination screen of FIG. 5 is opened for selecting a destination, the mode setup status can be confirmed by setup content display 18 . Therefore, it is not necessary to switch the screen to the document direction display screen of FIG. 16 . When the image can be forwarded to the destination with the displayed mode setup, the destination can be selected at the destination screen, thereby eliminating the bother of confirming the mode, by switching the screen into the document direction display screen.

This application is based on the Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-060790 filed on Mar. 6, 2002, entire content of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.