Patent Abstract:
A multifunction device including a body, a media slot placed on the body and which receives a media card and a control panel including a media card indicator that illuminates when a media card has been inserted into the media slot, wherein the media card indicator and the media slot are on different planes.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The invention relates to a media access lamp. In particular, the invention relates to a media access lamp for a multifunction device having a media slot. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A multifunction device can perform a plurality of tasks including printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, for example. Typically, a document is placed on a scanner and read by the scanner before either copying or faxing the document. A multifunction device is also capable of receiving data from an external source, for example, a personal computer connected to the multifunction device or from a media card inserted into a media slot incorporated into the multifunction device. In order to implement a particular task, a control panel is used to identify the function capabilities of the multifunction device, what function is currently being performed or capable of being performed, and whether an external source, for example, a media card is available. However, determining whether a media card is available is often difficult for an operator. 
     In order to determine whether a media card is available, i.e., whether a media card has been inserted into the media slot, Japan Laid Open Patent Publication No. 5-260239, for example, discloses a multifunction device with a control panel and media slots. The control panel and the media slots are provided on the same plane on the multifunction device. When a media card has been inserted into the media slot or is being accessed, an indicator lamp is turned on in order to indicate to an operator that the media card has been inserted or is being accessed. Other examples include Japan Laid Open Patent Publication Nos. 5-88429 and 4-47978 which discloses a multifunction device with a media slot provided on a side face with indicator lamps located near the media slot and on the same plane as the media slot. The indicator lamps indicate to an operator whether removal of the media card is allowable. U.S. Design Pat. No. 462,971 disclose a multifunction device with a media slot and an indicator lamp on the front face, below the control panel thereof, and on the same plane. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     However, in the above described multifunction devices, both the media slot and the indicator lamp are both located on the front surface of the multifunction device and on the same plane As such, it is difficult to determine if a media card has been inserted into the media slot based on the position of both the media slot and the indicator lamp on the same plane. Also, an operator can not determine if data is being downloaded from the media card because the indicator lamp is always in the on position when a media card has been inserted into the media slot. 
     Further, it is difficult for an operator to determine if the media card is being used. An operator is not provided, in the above described multifunction devices, with a function key in order to only access the card. Also, at least one function key for either the copy, fax or scan mode is always on, thus increasing the operator&#39;s difficulty in determining if they are downloading data from the media card. 
     The invention thus provides a multifunction device wherein the media slot and the indicator light that indicates that a media card has been inserted into the media slot are on different planes. In particular, the indicator light is on the operating panel so that the operator can easily determine if a media card has been inserted. 
     The invention also provides an indicator light, that indicates that a media card has been inserted into the media slot and that blinks when data is being downloaded from the media card. As such, the user can easily determine if data is being downloaded from the media card. 
     The invention also provides an indicator light, that indicates that a media card has been inserted into the media slot and that functions as a mode selection key. As the media card is inserted into the media slot, the indicator light is turned on. Thereafter, an operator can press the indicator light in order to download data from the media card. 
     The invention also provides a multifunction device wherein when the indicator light, that indicates that a media card has been inserted into the media slot, is pressed, the indicator lights for faxing, copying and scanning are turned off. As such, an operator can easily determine that faxing, copying and scanning are not being performed. 
     The invention thus provides, according to a first exemplary aspect of the invention, a multifunction device including a body, a media slot placed on the body and which receives a media card and a control panel including a media card indicator that illuminates when a media card has been inserted into the media slot, wherein the media card indicator and the media slot are on different planes. 
     The invention also provides, according to a second exemplary aspect of the invention, a multifunction device, including a body, a media slot placed on the body and which receives a media card and a control panel including a media card indicator that illuminates when a media card has been inserted into the media slot, wherein the media card indicator is pressed before an operator downloads and prints data from the media card. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multi-function device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the multi-function device of  FIG. 1  with a scanner lid in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the multi-function device of  FIG. 1  with a main body of a printer in an open position; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a control panel of the multi-function device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the multi-function device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a table illustrating how the statuses of the access lamps are displayed with respect to an operating condition of the multi-function device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart outlining the media card confirmation processing of the multi-function device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the overall processing executed by the multi-function device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart outlining the mode selection processing performed in the overall processing of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart outlining the facsimile processing performed in the mode selection processing of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart outlining the copying processing performed in the mode selection processing of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart outlining the scan processing performed in the mode selection processing of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart outlining the photocapture processing performed in the mode selection processing of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a multi-function device according to another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of another control panel of the multi-function device of  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a multifunction device  100  has a facsimile function, a printing function, a copying function and a scanning function. The multifunction device  100  includes a scanner body  110  placed on top of a printer body  120 , a media slot  130  placed on the lower front surface of the printer body  120  and an operating panel  200  placed on the upper front surface of the printer body  120  and tilted upward at a predetermined angle relative to the front surface. A side, on which the operating panel  200  is provided, is defined as the front of the multifunction device  100  and the opposite side is defined as a rear of the multifunction device  100 . The right and left sides of the multifunction device  100  are defined as right and left, respectively, when viewed from the front of the multifunction device  100 . 
     The scanner body  110  has a rectangular shaped frame and includes a holding tray  112  provided on the upper left side of the scanner body  110 . The holding tray  112  holds original documents, which are to be scanned and transmitted in a facsimile mode or which are to be scanned and reproduced in a copy mode. The original documents placed on the holding tray  112  are conveyed to a scanning unit (not shown) provided in the scanner body  110  and surfaces of the original documents are scanned by the scanning unit when crossing a first reading position  114  ( FIG. 2 ). Then, the scanned documents are ejected onto a discharge tray  116  provided at the right upper side of the scanner body  110 . Alternatively, separate sheets of documents can be placed on the second reading position  118  ( FIG. 2 ) and thereafter scanned by the scanning unit. 
     The printer body  120  has a box shaped frame and includes a supply tray  122 , on which a stack of recording sheets are loaded, provided at the rear of the printer body  120 . The sheets placed on the supply tray  122  are conveyed, one by one, to a color ink-jet type image forming unit  124  ( FIG. 3 ) provided in the printer body  120 . At the image forming unit  124 , predetermined images are printed onto the sheets, and then, the sheets are ejected onto a discharge tray  126 . The printer is not limited to the ink-jet type, but can be other types, for example, a laser printing type using toner or a thermal transfer type using an ink ribbon. 
     The operating panel  200  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  is attached to the upper front surface of the printer body  120  frame and is tilted upward at a predetermined angle relative to the front surface. The operating panel  200  is tilted at the predetermined angle so that a front face of the operating panel  200  faces upward toward the operator. By tilting the operating panel  200  upward, the operator can easily view the operating panel  200 . The operating panel  200  is provided with various buttons and/or keys, such as a start button, numeric (0 to 9) buttons and function keys. By pressing the buttons and keys, various operations are performed. 
     In particular, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the operating panel  200  includes a copy function key  202  that places the multifunction device  100  in a copy mode, a fax function key  204  that places the multifunction device  100  in a facsimile mode, a scan function key  206  that places the multifunction device  100  in a scanning mode and a photocapture function key  208  that places the multifunction device  100  in a photocapture copying (Pcc) mode. Associated with each function key  202 - 208  is an access lamp. The access lamps illuminate in order to indicate to an operator the current mode of the multifunction device  100  to be described later. 
     The function keys  202 - 208  are not limited to using an access lamp, but can be any device that provides illumination in order for an operator to observe the current of the multifunction device  100 . The multifunction device  100  is also not limited to using illumination. Any external notification, including varying audible tones, can be used in order to notify the operator of the current mode of the multifunction device  100 . 
     Furthermore, the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  is not limited to indicating that the multifunction device  100  is in a Pcc mode but can be used as a message indication lamp. For example, a control panel printed circuit board may be shared among a plurality of multifunction devices  100  having the photocapture function key  208 . The control panel printed circuit board can thus accommodate a product line-up by using the photocapture function key  208  as an incoming message indication lamp. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the copy function key  202 , fax function key  204  and the scan function key  206  are shown in order from right to left. However, the multifunction device  100  is not limited to this arrangement. The function keys  202 - 206  can be arranged such that a least used function key is a middle function key. For example, if an operator does not connect the multifunction device  100  to an external source, the facsimile function cannot be utilized because data cannot be transmitted. The fax function thus would be used less than the copy function and the scan function. As such, the fax function key  204  can be arranged between the copy function key  202  and the scan function key  206 . With this arrangement, the copy function key  202  and the scan function key  206  would thus be separated. Operator error would be reduced in erroneously pressing the copy function key  202  or the scan function key  206  because of the separation. 
     As should be appreciated, the multifunction device  100  of  FIG. 1  is a flat bed (FB) model.  FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a multi-function device  400  according to another embodiment of the invention and  FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of the operating panel  500  used in the multifunction device  400 . As should be appreciated, the multifunction device  400  is an auto-document feeder (ADF) model. 
     The multifunction device  400  has a facsimile function, a printing function, a copying function and a scanning function. The multifunction device  400  includes a holding tray  412 , a supply tray  422 , a document discharge port  416 , a sheet discharge port  426 , a media slot  430  and an operating panel  500 . The holding tray  412  holds original documents which are to be scanned an transmitted in a facsimile mode or which are to be scanned and reproduced in a copy mode. The original documents placed on the holding tray  412  are conveyed to a scanning unit (not shown) where images on the original documents are scanned. The scanned documents are ejected onto the document discharge port  416 . The supply tray  422  is disposed at the rear of the multifunction device  400  for mounting a stack of recording sheets thereon. The sheets placed on the supply stray  422  are conveyed, one by one, to an image forming unit (not shown) where images are printed on the sheets. The printed sheets are ejected onto the sheet discharge port  426 . The operating panel  500  includes various buttons and/or keys, such as a start button, numeric (0 to 9) keys, and function keys. The media slot  430  is provided in the front side of the multifunction device  400 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the operating panel  500  includes a liquid crystal display (LCD)  510  that displays various data, a copy function key  502  that places the multifunction device  400  in a copy mode, a fax function key  504  that places the multifunction device  400  in a fax mode, a scan function key  506  that places the multifunction device  400  in a scan mode, and a photocapture function key  508  that places the multifunction device  400  in a photocapture copying (Pcc) mode. 
     An example of the arrangement of the copy function key, fax function key and the scan function key for the models is as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 FB model 
                 Copy Function Key 
                 Fax Function Key 
                 Scan Function Key 
               
               
                 ADF 
                 Fax Function Key 
                 Scan 
                 Copy Function Key 
               
               
                 model 
                   
                 Function Key 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     For low end FB and ADF models, the fax function key and the scan function key can be eliminated, respectively, if a respective fax operation and scan operation is not going to be performed. Manufacturing costs can thus be reduced by selectively disposing of the respective function keys if the respective function is not used. Furthermore, costs of the machine can be reduced because the same function keys can be used in the models having two function keys and three function keys. Also, a space between the two remaining function keys would remain in order to reduce operator error in erroneously pressing the wrong function key. 
     The multifunction device can also be arranged to move a function key. Using the above example, if a fax function is not utilized, the fax function key can be removed from the middle of the function keys. There would again be some separation between the copy function key and the scan function key. Further, costs can be reduced in removing the unused function key. 
     Returning to the multifunction device  100  of  FIGS. 1-3 , the operating panel  200  also includes a liquid crystal display (LCD)  210 . The LCD  210  displays various data to an operator that pertains to a particular mode. For example, during the fax mode, the LCD  210  displays information relevant to performing a fax function, including but not limited to, displaying the date, time and that the multifunction device  100  is in a fax mode. Similarly, while in the copy, scanning and Pcc modes, the LCD  210  displays information relevant to performing that particular mode. 
     When the operator initially presses either the copy function key  200 , the fax function key  204 , a scan function key  206  or the photocapture function key  208 , the LCD  210  displays a respective standby screen. The operator can then adjust the settings for a particular mode to fit a particular operation. For example, while in the copy mode, the operator can select a particular scale, number of copies or quality. After a predetermined period of time after copying is performed or the setting for copying have changed or if a copy operation is cancelled, the LCD  210  returns to the standby screen. However, if an error occurs during copying, a return is not made to the standby screen and an error message remains displayed on the LCD  210 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a control system of the multifunction device  100  includes a CPU  300 , a ROM  302 , an EEPROM  304 , a RAM  206 , an input interface  308 , and an output interface  310 . The output interface  310  is connected to a copy lamp drive circuit  312 , a fax lamp drive circuit  314 , a scan lamp drive circuit  316 , a photocapture lamp drive circuit  318  and an LCD drive circuit  320 . The copy lamp drive circuit  312  turns on the access lamp for the copy function key  202 , the fax lamp drive circuit  314  turns on the access lamp for the fax function key  204 , the scan lamp drive circuit  316  turns on the access lamp for the scan function key  206  and the photocapture lamp drive circuit  318  turns on the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208 . Furthermore, the LCD drive circuit  320  turns on the LCD  210  and provides display data for display on the LCD  210 . 
       FIG. 6  is a table illustrating how the current mode of the multifunction device  100  is displayed using the access lamps associated with each of the function keys  202 - 208 . ◯ indicates that an access lamp is turned off, ● indicates that an access lamp is turned on, and ⊚ indicates that an access lamp is blinking. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the multifunction device  100  has been turned off or the multifunction device  100  is in a power-saving mode (i.e., during power-off), none of the access lamps for the function keys  202 - 208  are turned on. When the multifunction device  100  has been turned on and either the fax function key  204 , the copy function key  202 , or the scan function key  206  has been pressed, the multifunction device  100  is placed in that particular mode and the access lamp for the selected function key that has been pressed is turned on. Furthermore, the respective access lamp for the originally selected function key that has been pressed is not turned off and another access lamp for another selected function key is not turned on until after an operation associated with the original function key has been completed. In other words, the multifunction device  100  does not change modes until after a particular operation has been completed and the multifunction device  100  is placed in the standby mode. A different access lamp indicating a different mode is thus not turned on until after or currently with the changing of modes. 
     For example, when the multifunction device  100  has been turned on and the fax function key  204  has been pressed, the access lamp for the fax function key  204  is turned on. If an operator then presses either the copy function key  202  or the scan function key  206 , the access lamp for the copy function key  202  or the scan function key  206  is not turned on and the access lamp for the fax function key  204  is not turned off until after performing the fax operation. 
     The multifunction device  100  is not limited to waiting until after a particular operation has been completed in order to change modes and to change the illumination of an access lamp. Modes changes can be prevented when functions initiated by an external source using the multifunction device  100  is performed. For example, mode changes are prevented when the multifunction device  100  is operated using an incoming instruction from a telephone line or from a personal computer. The operator can thus determine if the multifunction device  100  is in a particular mode and whether the multifunction device  100  can perform a fax, copy or scan operation based on the illumination of a respective function key. 
     When a media card has not been placed in the media slot  130 , the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  is turned off. The operator can thus determine that the media card has not been place in the media slot  130  and that a photocapture operation can not be performed when the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  has been turned off. 
     When a media card has been placed in the media slot  130 , the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  is initially turned on. If either of the access lamps for either of the fax function key  204 , the copy function key  202  or the scan function key  206  is on, the photocapture function key  208  is also turned on. The access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  is also turned on even if the multifunction device  100  is currently operating in a fax, scan or copy mode, i.e., the multifunction device  100  is not in a standby mode. The operator can thus determine that a media card has been placed in the media slot  130  and that a photocapture operation can be performed. 
     When the photocapture function key  208  has been pressed, all of the other function keys  202 - 206  are turned off. As such, the operator can determine that the multifunction device  100  is only in the Pcc mode, where data can be downloaded from the media card. The operator can thus determine that the multifunction device  100  is not in any of the other modes. However, like the fax, copy and scan modes, the access lamps for the function keys  202 - 206  is not turned off indicating that the multifunction device  100  is not in that particular mode until after the respective operation has been completed. 
     When the operator presses the photocapture function key  208 , the multifunction device  100  is placed in the Pcc mode. When in the Pcc mode, the multifunction device  100  can directly print data downloaded from the media card. When the operator presses the photocaputure function key  208 , the operator can easily determine that the multifunction device  100  is only printing data downloaded from the media card because only the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  is on. The access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  blinks (i.e., the access lamp is repeatedly turned on/off) when data is being downloaded and printed from the media card. As such, the operator can also easily determine that the multifunction device  100  is currently printing data downloaded from the media card during the Pcc mode. 
     If the photocapture function key  208  has not been pressed and the multifunction device  100  is not in the Pcc mode, an external device such as a personal computer can access the media card regardless of the mode of the multifunction device  100 . When an external device is downloading data from the media card and the multifunction device  100  is not in the Pcc mode, the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  blinks. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when the multifunction device  100  is in a fax mode and data is being downloaded from the media card by a personal computer, the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  blinks. As should be appreciated, the multifunction device  100  is not automatically placed in the Pcc mode. As such, the operator can determine that the multifunction device  100  is in a fax mode and not a Pcc mode because the access lamp for the fax function key  204  remains on. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a method of operating the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208 . The method of  FIG. 7  is cyclically performed regardless of whether the multifunction device  100  is in another modes or performing an operation in another mode. 
     The operation begins at step S 10  and proceeds to Step S 15  where a determination is made as to whether a media card has been inserted into the media slot  130 . If a media card has not been inserted into the media slot  130  (S 15 :No), the operation proceeds to step S 20  where the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  is turned off. Otherwise, (S 15 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 25 . 
     In step S 25 , after it has been determined that a media card has been inserted into the media slot, a determination is then made as to whether data is being downloaded from the media card. If data is not being downloaded from a media card (S 25 :No), the operation proceeds to step S 35 . In step S 35 , the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  is turned on. Otherwise, (S 25 :Yes), if data is being downloaded from the media card, the operation proceeds to step S 30 . In step S 30 , the access lamp for the photocapture function key  208  blinks. The operation then returns at step S 40 . 
       FIGS. 8-13  illustrate the overall processing of the multifunction device  100 . In particular,  FIGS. 8-13  illustrate how the multifunction device  100  switches between a fax mode, a copy mode, a scan mode and a Pcc mode. 
     The operation begins at step S 100  of  FIG. 8  when the multifunction device  100  has been turned on or when the multifunction device  100  has been taken out of a power saving mode. The operation proceeds to step S 105  where the multifunction device  100  is placed in an initial mode. In this embodiment, the multifunction device  100  is initially placed in the fax mode and the access lamp for the fax function key  204  is turned on. However, the multifunction device  100  is not limited to this initial mode and can be initially placed in the copy mode or the scan mode or the Pcc mode if a media card has been placed in the media slot  130 . The operation then proceeds to step S 107  where a timer is reset to zero. Initially, when the multifunction device  100  has been turned on or when the multifunction device  100  has been taken out of a power saving mode, the timer should be zero. The operation proceeds to step S 110 . 
     In step S 110 , a determination is made as to whether any of the control keys on the operating panel  210 , excluding the copy function key  202 , the fax function key  204 , the scan copy key  206  and the photocapture function key  208 , has been pressed. In other words, a determination is made as to whether an operator wants to fax a document based on the pressing of the ten-numbered keys, a Search/Speed Dial key and a start button provided on the operating panel  200 . If the operator presses the control keys (S 110 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 115  where a fax operation is performed. After performing a fax operation, the operation returns to step S 107  where the timer is reset to zero. Otherwise, (S 110 :No), the operation proceeds to step S 120  even if the fax function key  204  has been pressed. 
     In step S 120 , a determination is made as to whether a function key  202 - 208  (i.e. a mode key) has been pressed. If a function key  202 - 208  has not been pressed (S 120 :No), the operation returns to step S 110 . Otherwise, (S 120 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 125  in order to select a particular mode. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a subroutine used to select the particular mode of step S 125 . The operation proceeds to step S 200  where a determination is made as to whether the fax function key  204  was pressed in order to place the multifunction device  100  in the fax mode. If the fax function key  204  was pressed (S 200 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 205  where a fax mode operation is performed. Otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S 210 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a subroutine used to perform the fax mode operation of step S 205 . The operation proceeds to step S 300  where a determination is made as to whether the multifunction device  100  was previously in a fax mode. If the multifunction device  100  was previously in the fax mode (S 300 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 315 . Otherwise the operation proceeds to step S 305 . In other words, if the multifunction device  100  was previously in the copy mode, the scan mode or the Pcc mode, it is determined that the multifunction device  100  was not previously in a fax mode and the operation proceeds to step S 305 . 
     In step S 305 , the access lights for the copy function key  202  and the scan function key  206  are turned off, if either one was previously turned on, and the access light for the fax function key  204  is turned on. As should be appreciated, the access light for the photocapture function key  208  is not effected because, as discussed with  FIG. 7 , this access light is controlled based on the availability of a media card and whether data is being downloaded from a media card. Then, in step S 310 , the LCD  210  is changed to display data relevant to the fax mode. The operation then proceeds to step S 315 . 
     In step S 315 , a determination is made as to whether any of the control keys on the operating panel  210 , excluding the copy function key  202 , the fax function key  204 , the scan copy key  206  and the photocapture function key  208 , have been pressed in order to initiate a fax operation. In other words, a determination is made as to whether an operator wants to fax a document. If the operator presses the control keys (S 315 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 320  where a fax operation is performed. Then, in step S 322 , the timer is reset to zero. Otherwise, (S 315 :No), the operation returns at step S 325  to  FIG. 9 , where the operation returns at step S 245  to step S 130  of  FIG. 8 . 
     Returning to step S 210  of  FIG. 9 , a determination is made as to whether the copy function key  202  was pressed in order to place the multifunction device  110  in a copy mode. If the copy function key  202  was pressed (S 210 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 215  where a copy mode operation is performed. Otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S 230 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a subroutine used to perform the copy mode operation of step S 215 . The operation proceeds to step S 400  where a determination is made as to whether the multifunction device  100  was previously in a copy mode. If the multifunction device  100  was previously in the copy mode (S 400 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 415 . Otherwise the operation proceeds to step S 405 . 
     In step S 405 , the access lights for the fax function key  204  and the scan function key  206  are turned off, if either one was previously turned on, and the access light for the copy function key  202  is turned on. As should be appreciated, the access light for the photocapture function key  208  is not effected because, as discussed with  FIG. 7 , this access light is controlled based on the availability of a media card and whether data is being downloaded from a media card. Then, in step S 410 , the LCD  210  is changed to display data relevant to the copy mode. The operation then proceeds to step S 415 . 
     In step S 415 , a determination is made as to whether any of the control keys on the operating panel  210 , excluding the copy function key  202 , the fax function key  204 , the scan copy key  206  and the photocapture function key  208 , have been pressed in order to initiate a copy operation. In other words, a determination is made as to whether an operator wants to copy a document. If the operator presses the control keys (S 415 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 420  where a copy operation is performed. Then, in step S 422 , the timer is reset to zero. Otherwise, (S 415 :No), the operation returns at step S 425  to step S 220  of  FIG. 9 . 
     In step S 220 , a determination is made as to whether a second predetermined time has passed after either initially entering the copy or performing a copy operation. In other words, a determination is made as to whether the timer has reached the second predetermined time. As should be appreciated, when an operator is in the copy mode, a user will adjust the standard copy settings. For example, the user will either adjust the paper size, scale, copy quality, and the time after the copy settings are made. If a copy operation has been performed within a second predetermined period of time (S 220 :No), the operation returns at step S 245 . Otherwise (S 220 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 225 . In step S 225 , the copy settings are reset to the default copy settings. The operation then returns at step S 245 . 
     Returning to step S 230  of  FIG. 9 , a determination is made as to whether the scan function key  206  was pressed in order to place the multifunction device in a scan mode. If the scan function key  202  was pressed (S 230 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 235  where a copy mode operation is performed. Otherwise, the operation proceeds to step S 240 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a subroutine used to perform the scan mode operation of step S 235 . The operation proceeds to step S 500  where a determination is made as to whether the multifunction device  100  was previously in a scan mode. If the multifunction device  100  was previously in the scan mode (S 500 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 515 . Otherwise the operation proceeds to step S 505 . 
     In step S 505 , the access lights for the fax function key  204  and the copy function key  202  are turned off, if either one was previously turned on, and the access light for the scan function key  206  is turned on. As should be appreciated, the access light for the photocapture function key  208  is not effected because, as discussed with  FIG. 7 , this access light is controlled based on the availability of a media card and whether data is being downloaded from a media card. Then, in step S 510 , the LCD  210  is changed to display data relevant to the scan mode. The operation then proceeds to step S 515 . 
     In step S 515 , a determination is made as to whether any of the control keys on the operating panel  210 , excluding the copy function key  202 , the fax function key  204 , the scan copy key  206  and the photocapture function key  208 , have been pressed in order to initiate a scan operation. In other words, a determination is made as to whether an operator wants to scan a document. If the operator presses the control keys (S 515 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 520  where a scan operation is performed. Then, in step S 522 , the timer is reset to zero. Otherwise, (S 515 :No), the operation returns at step S 525  to step S 245  of  FIG. 9 . 
     Returning to step S 240 , after it has been determined that none of the function keys  202 - 206  have been pressed, it is determined that the photocapture function key  208  has been pressed in order to place the multifunction device  100  in the Pcc mode. The operation thus proceeds to S 240  where a Pcc mode operation is performed. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a subroutine used to perform the Pcc mode operation of step S 240 . The operation proceeds to step S 600  where a determination is made as to whether a media card has been inserted into the media slot  130 . If a media card has not been inserted (S 600 :No), the operation proceeds to step S 605  where an error message is displayed on the LCD  210  in order to indicate that a media card has not been inserted and thus a Pcc operation can not be performed. Otherwise (S 600 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 610 . 
     In step S 610 , a determination is made as to whether the multifunction device  100  was previously in a Pcc mode. If the multifunction device  100  was previously in the Pcc mode (S 610 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 625 . Otherwise the operation proceeds to step S 615 . 
     In step S 615 , the access lights for all of the copy function key  202 , the fax function key  204  and the scan function key  206  are turned off, if either one was previously turned on, and the access light for the photocapture function key  206  is turned on. As should be appreciated, the access light for the photocapture function key  208  should be on based on the determination in step S 600 . Then, in step S 620 , the LCD  210  is changed to display data relevant to the Pcc mode. The operation then proceeds to step S 625 . 
     In step S 625 , a determination is made as to whether any of the control keys on the operating panel  210 , excluding the copy function key  202 , the fax function key  204 , the scan copy key  206  and the photocapture function key  208 , have been pressed in order to initiate a Pcc operation. In other words, a determination is made as to whether an operator wants to download data from the media card. If the operator presses the control keys (S 625 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 630  where a Pcc operation is performed. Then, in step S 632 , the timer is reset to zero. Otherwise, (S 625 :No), the operation returns at step S 635  to step S 245  of  FIG. 9 . 
     Returning to step S 130  of  FIG. 8 , a determination is made as to whether a first predetermined time has passed after an operation or after a function key has been pressed. In other words, a determination is made as to whether the time has reached the first predetermined time. As should be appreciated, the first predetermined time is longer than the second predetermined time of step S 220 . If the first predetermined time has passed (S 130 :Yes), the operation returns to step S 105 . Otherwise, (S 130 :No), the operation returns to step S 125 . In other words, if an operation has not been performed or a function key has not been pressed for an extended period of time, the operation returns to the initial fax mode where the access light for the fax function key  204  is turned on and the access light for the copy function key  202  and the scan function key  206  is turned off. 
     As should be appreciated, the second predetermined time is shorter than the first predetermined time. For example in  FIG. 9 , when it is determined that the second predetermined time has passed (S 222 :Yes), the operation proceeds to step S 225  in order to reset the copy settings to the default copy settings. Then, the operation proceeds to step S 245  where the operation returns to step S 130  of  FIG. 8 . The LCD  210  maintains the default copy settings until it has been determined in step S 130  that the first predetermine time has passed. When the first predetermined time has passed (S 130 :Yes), the settings on the LCD  210  are reset from the default copy settings to the fax standby settings in step S 105 . 
     As should be appreciated, the second predetermined time can be set to a time longer than the first predetermined time. An operator can set both the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time based on the operator&#39;s preference. If an operator sets the second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time, the timer for the second predetermined time does not work and only timer for the first predetermined time works. As such, the first predetermined time has priority because the first time for the first predetermined time should be working all the time. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail and with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, arrangements and modifications may be applied therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7