JP2008167015A - Multifunction device and multifunction device control method - Google Patents

Abstract

A multifunction device and a multifunction device control method capable of setting a normal mode or a silent mode according to a call partner or a transmission source that has transmitted print data.
On the left side of the screen, a title “PC print”, a reduced image (thumbnail image) of an image to be printed, and a name and time corresponding to each reduced image are displayed. Can I switch to silent mode by knowing the person who sent the print data and the time required for printing when there is an incoming call during printing or when print data is sent during the call? It can be determined by referring to the display of the PC print.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction device, and more particularly to a multifunction device and a multifunction device control method capable of suppressing noise by giving priority to quietness when printing is performed during a call.

  Conventionally, in a multi-function peripheral equipped with a call function and a print function, when a call is received during printing, the silent mode that suppresses the noise generated by printing by suppressing the print speed or the noise is suppressed. There has been proposed an apparatus capable of setting the normal mode in which printing is performed without any problem.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-103095 (Patent Document 1) includes a detection unit that detects an incoming call from an external line in a multifunction peripheral, and automatically prints when the detection unit detects an incoming call during printing. An apparatus that suppresses noise and increases quietness is disclosed.
JP 2006-103095 A

  However, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is set to silent mode even when printing that requires urgency, conversation with a party that does not require much silence, or when silence is not required by using a slave unit. There is a problem that printing speed is suppressed and printing is slowed down.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a multifunction device and a multifunction device control method capable of setting a normal mode or a silent mode according to a communication partner or a transmission source that has transmitted print data. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve this object, the multifunction device according to claim 1 includes a calling unit that performs a call and a printing unit that performs printing on a recording medium, and suppresses noise associated with the printing unit. Switched between a silent mode and a normal mode that does not suppress the noise, acquired by a caller information acquisition unit that acquires caller information about a caller who makes a call by the caller, and acquired by the caller information acquisition unit Automatic mode setting means for instructing the switching means to select either the silent mode or the normal mode according to the caller information.

  The multifunction device according to claim 2 includes a calling unit that performs a call and a printing unit that performs printing on a recording medium, and includes a silent mode that suppresses noise related to the printing unit and does not suppress the noise. Switching means for switching between the normal mode, an operator for arbitrarily instructing the switching means whether the mode is the silent mode or the normal mode, and caller information acquisition for acquiring caller information regarding a caller who makes a call by the call means Means and display means for displaying the caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multifunction peripheral according to the first aspect, further comprising display means for displaying the caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the caller information includes a caller's telephone number.

  A multifunction device according to claim 5 is the multifunction device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein related information storage means for storing related information respectively corresponding to a plurality of caller information, and said caller information acquisition means Extraction means for extracting the related information stored in the related information storage means based on the caller information acquired by the above-mentioned information, and the display means displays the related information extracted by the extraction means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction device according to the fifth aspect, the related information includes at least a name or an image relating to a caller.

  The multifunction device according to claim 7 is the multifunction device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the display means includes call source information acquired by the call source information acquisition means and related information extracted by the extraction means. Is displayed.

  A multifunction machine according to claim 8 is the multifunction machine according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising print information acquisition means for acquiring print information relating to printing performed by the printing means, wherein the display means includes Print information acquired by the print information acquisition means is displayed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction peripheral according to the eighth aspect, the print information acquisition unit acquires a print image of a first page of print data printed by the printing unit as the print information.

  The multifunction device according to claim 10 is the multifunction device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the print information acquisition unit transmits source information of a transmission source that has transmitted print data to be printed by the printing unit as the print information. To get.

  A multifunction device according to claim 11 is the multifunction device according to claim 10, wherein transmission source related information storage means for storing transmission source related information relating to the transmission source corresponding to each of a plurality of transmission sources, and the print information acquisition Source related information extracting means for extracting from the source related information storage means the source related information corresponding to the information of the source acquired by the means, and the display means is extracted by the source related information extracting means Displayed source-related information.

  A multifunction machine according to claim 12 is the multifunction machine according to claim 11, wherein the transmission source related information includes a name.

  The multifunction device according to claim 13 is the multifunction device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the display unit transmits the print information acquired by the print information acquisition unit and the transmission source related information extraction unit. The original related information is displayed.

  The multifunction device according to claim 14 is the multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the print information is a silent mode for prohibiting printing in a silent mode corresponding to print data to be printed. When the print information acquisition unit acquires the silent mode prohibition information and the print information acquisition unit acquires the silent mode prohibition information, when the print data acquired corresponding to the silent mode prohibition information is performed, the switching unit selects the normal mode. select.

  The multifunction device according to claim 15 is the multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the calling means includes a child device capable of transferring a call from the parent device, and the child device performs a call. The switching means selects the normal mode.

  A multifunction device according to a sixteenth aspect is the multifunction device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the switching means selects the normal mode when the call by the calling means is completed.

  The multifunction device control method according to claim 17 is a multifunction device comprising a calling means for making a call and a printing means for printing on a recording medium, and a silent mode for suppressing noise related to the printing means; A switching step for switching between the normal mode without suppressing the noise, a caller information acquisition step for acquiring caller information regarding a caller who makes a call by the call means, and a caller acquired by the caller information acquisition step An automatic mode setting step that instructs the switching step to select one of the silent mode and the normal mode according to the information.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the switching unit switches between a silent mode for suppressing noise related to the printing unit and a normal mode for suppressing noise, and the caller information acquisition unit performs a call with the call unit. The caller information regarding the caller is acquired, and the automatic mode setting means selects the silent mode or the normal mode according to the caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition means. Silent mode can be set when the other party. As a result, there is an effect that the silent mode and the normal mode can be automatically switched according to the caller. Note that the silent mode is a printing mode in which the printing speed is suppressed, and the normal mode is a printing mode without reducing the printing speed. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the switching unit switches between the silent mode that suppresses noise related to printing by the printing unit and the normal mode that does not suppress noise, and the operator arbitrarily switches the switching unit. The caller information acquisition unit acquires the caller information about the caller, and the display unit displays the caller information, so that the user acquires the information about the caller by viewing the display unit. In the case where the other party is a party who prioritizes quietness, the silent mode can be manually selected. If you can confirm on the display means before starting the call, you can set to silent mode before starting the call, and even if it is displayed after starting the call, When information such as a title is displayed, it is possible to determine whether or not to change to silent mode. The operator can manually switch between silent mode and normal mode.

  According to the multifunction device of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the multifunction device of claim 1, the multifunction device includes display means for displaying the caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition means. There is an effect that the caller displayed on the display means can be recognized before starting.

  According to the multifunction device according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the caller information includes the telephone number of the caller. There is an effect that the origin can be recognized.

  According to the multi function device of claim 5, in addition to the effect produced by the multi function device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, related information storage means for storing related information respectively corresponding to a plurality of caller information, An extraction unit that extracts the related information stored in the related information storage unit based on the caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition unit, and the display unit displays the related information extracted by the extraction unit. By storing the caller's related information in the related information storage means, the information is displayed on the display means during a call, and the caller's information can be obtained more accurately.

  According to the multifunction device according to claim 6, in addition to the effect of the multifunction device according to claim 5, the related information includes at least a name or an image relating to a caller. Even if the original information is not known, if the caller's name or a photograph of the face is displayed, the caller can be recognized.

  According to the multifunction device according to claim 7, in addition to the effect produced by the multifunction device according to claim 5 or 6, the display means is extracted by the call source information acquired by the call source information acquisition means and the extraction means. Since the related information is displayed, there is an effect that the user can obtain the information of the communication source more accurately as compared with the case of displaying only the caller information.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the multi-function device according to any one of the second to seventh aspects, the printing apparatus includes a printing information acquisition unit that acquires printing information related to printing performed by the printing unit, Since the means displays the print information acquired by the print information acquisition means, there is an effect that the user can visually recognize the print information and recognize what kind of printing is being performed. This is particularly effective when a person who is set to perform printing is different from a person who makes a call and the person making the call does not know what kind of printing is being performed.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect produced by the second aspect of the present invention, the print information acquisition means uses the print image of the first page of the print data printed by the print means as the print information. Thus, there is an effect that the user can visually recognize the first page of the print data to be printed displayed by the display means and know what kind of printing is being performed.

  According to the multifunction device of claim 10, in addition to the effect of the multifunction device according to claim 8 or 9, the print information acquisition means transmits the print data to be printed by the printing means as print information. Since the transmission source information is acquired, there is an effect that the person who makes the call can know the person who performs the printing.

  According to the MFP of claim 11, in addition to the effect produced by the MFP of claim 10, transmission source related information storage means for storing transmission source related information regarding the transmission source corresponding to each of a plurality of transmission sources. And transmission source related information extraction means for extracting from the transmission source related information storage means the transmission source related information corresponding to the transmission source information acquired by the print information acquisition means, and the display means extracts the transmission source related information. Since the transmission source related information extracted by the means is displayed, the transmission source can be recognized by the transmission source related information even when it is difficult to determine the transmission source only by the transmission source information.

  According to the multifunction device of the twelfth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the multifunction device of the eleventh aspect, since the transmission source related information includes the name, there is an effect that the transmission source can be recognized better. .

  According to the multifunction device according to claim 13, in addition to the effect of the multifunction device according to claim 11 or 12, the display means extracts the print information acquired by the print information acquisition means and the transmission source related information extraction means. Since the caller-related information is displayed, the caller can recognize what kind of printing is performed in comparison with the case where only one of the information is displayed. There is an effect.

  According to the multifunction device according to claim 14, in addition to the effect produced by the multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the print means includes the silent mode prohibition information, so that the printing unit performs printing. When the print information acquisition unit acquires the silent mode prohibition information, the switching unit selects the normal mode. For this reason, when urgent printing is performed, switching to the silent mode can be prevented.

  According to the multifunction device according to claim 15, in addition to the effect produced by the multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the call means includes a child device capable of transferring a call from the parent device, When a call is made, the switching unit selects the normal mode, so that when the call is made by the slave unit and there is no need to print in the silent mode, printing can be executed in the normal mode. is there.

  According to the multifunction device of the sixteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the multifunction device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, the switching unit selects the normal mode when the call by the calling unit is terminated. There is an effect that printing can be performed in the silent mode during the call and printing can be performed in the normal mode after the call is ended.

  According to the multi-function device control method according to claim 17, the switching step switches between a silent mode for suppressing noise related to the printing means and a normal mode for suppressing noise, and the caller information acquisition step is performed by the calling means. The caller information about the caller who performs the call is acquired, and the automatic mode setting step selects either the silent mode or the normal mode according to the caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition step. Since the switching step is instructed, the silent mode can be set when the other party is a party who prioritizes quietness. As a result, there is an effect that the silent mode and the normal mode can be automatically switched according to the caller.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes a printer unit 2 provided at the lower part, a scanner part 3 provided at the upper part, an operation panel 4 provided on the front side of the scanner part 3, and not shown. And a handset corresponding to a calling means for making a call, and having a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function, and a handset capable of transferring a call on the handset.

  The multifunction device 1 is connected to a computer and records an image or document on a recording sheet (recording medium) based on print data or document data transmitted from the computer, or is connected to an external device such as a digital camera. The image data output from the digital camera can be recorded on a recording sheet, or various storage media such as a memory card can be loaded, and the image data stored in the storage medium can be recorded on the recording sheet. is there.

  The scanner unit 3 includes a document cover 8 provided with an automatic document feeder (ADF) 7 for a document reading table 6 that functions as an FBS (Flatbed Scanner). It is attached so that it can be opened and closed with its hinge as a fulcrum.

  The upper surface of the document reading table 6 is greatly opened, and a platen glass is fitted into the opening. Inside the document reading table 6, the moving space of the image reading unit, the image reading unit, and a member that supports the image reading unit 6 In addition, a space for arranging a driving mechanism and the like is secured.

  The ADF 7 transports the document from the document tray 9 to the document discharge tray 10 through the document transport path. The printer unit 2 records an image on a recording sheet by selectively ejecting ink droplets based on image data read by the scanner unit 3 or image data input from the outside. A recording apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus). As described above, the printer unit 2 is disposed below the scanner unit 3. An opening 5 is formed on the front side of the multifunction device 1, in other words, on the front side of the printer unit 2. A paper feed tray 14 and a paper discharge tray 15 are provided in the opening 5 so as to be completely contained. The paper feed tray 14 and the paper discharge tray 15 are arranged in two upper and lower stages, the paper discharge tray 15 is provided in the upper stage, and the paper feed tray 14 is provided in the lower part.

  On the front side of the multifunction machine 1, a horizontally long operation panel 4 is provided as shown in FIG. The operation panel 4 is for operating the printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 and includes various operation keys 40 and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 41. This LCD 41 has two screens with an aspect ratio of 3: 4 arranged horizontally and an aspect ratio of 3: 8.

  The user can input a desired command using the operation panel 4. When a predetermined command is input to the multifunction device 1, the operation of the multifunction device 1 is controlled by the control unit 20 (see FIG. 2) based on the input information. The operation key 40 provided on the operation panel 4 includes a print mode setting key 40a in addition to the cross key and the numeric keypad.

  When the printer unit 2 performs printing, a normal mode in which printing is performed at a normal speed and a silent mode in which the noise associated with printing is suppressed by suppressing the printing speed and the overall quietness is high are selected. The mode can be manually set by operating the print mode setting key 40a.

  A connection panel 70 is provided above the opening 5 of the printer unit 2, and a USB terminal 71 is disposed on the left end side of the connection panel 70. The USB terminal 71 is a connector terminal that connects the external device and the multifunction device 1 so as to communicate with each other by USB connection to the external device. A slot portion 72 is disposed on the right end side of the connection panel 70. The slot portion 72 is provided with a plurality of card slots into which card type memories can be loaded. When a card-type memory is loaded in the card slot and image data is read from the loaded card-side memory, the read image data and information related to the image data are displayed on the LCD 41.

  Next, an outline of the electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU) 22, a read only memory (ROM) 23, a random access memory (RAM) 24, and a flash memory 25 is configured. Are connected to an operation key 40, a display screen (LCD) 41, a LAN interface (I / F) 30, a scanner unit 3, a printer unit 2, a modem 33, a line control unit 34, a slave unit communication control unit 36, and the like. . A transmitter / receiver 35 is connected to the line control unit 34 by being extended from the main body by a connection cord. The user holds the transmitter / receiver 35 in his / her hand, puts the provided speaker on his ear, and faces the microphone. You can talk to the other party by speaking. The handset communication control unit 36 communicates with the cordless handset 50 wirelessly, and uses the cordless handset 50 and is different from the place where the multifunction device 1 is installed in place of the handset 35. You can make a call.

  The ROM 23 stores various control programs for controlling the FAX function, copy function, scanner function, etc., and constants and tables used in the control program. The control program is stored in the control program memory 23a, and the processing of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is included in this control program.

  The RAM 24 is a randomly accessible memory, and includes a temporary area 24a for temporarily storing variables and parameters when the CPU 22 executes various functions.

  The flash memory 25 is a nonvolatile memory that can store and rewrite various settings, and includes a telephone directory memory 25a and a network management memory 25b. The telephone directory memory 25a stores telephone numbers, names that are related information of the caller, and images of the other party's face or portrait, corresponding to the abbreviated numbers of a plurality of other parties that perform telephone or facsimile communication. ing. Also, for each caller, if a call is made by telephone, if printing is being performed, whether or not to set to silent mode is stored. If the other party is an important customer, remember that “Set to Silent Mode” is set, and when you make a call with the caller, silent mode will be set and noise generated by printing will occur. It is possible to prevent the other party from hearing or disturbing the call.

  The network management memory 25b stores names, department names, and the like, which are transmission source related information of users of the PC 60, corresponding to the IP addresses of the plurality of PCs 60 connected via the LAN 200.

  When print data is received from the PC 60, the IP address of the transmission source is detected, and transmission source related information corresponding to the IP address can be displayed on the LCD 41.

  The scanner unit 3 reads an image from a document set at a predetermined reading position (not shown) based on an instruction from the CPU 22 and generates image data of the image. When the multifunction device 1 is set to the facsimile function, the image data read by the scanner unit 3 is transferred to the telephone number via the modem 33, the line control unit 34, and the telephone line network 100. It is transmitted to the counterpart device specified by

  When the multifunction device 1 is set to the copy function, the image data generated by the scanner unit 3 is printed on recording paper by the printer unit 2.

  The printer unit 2 is composed of an ink jet printer for printing on the recording paper set in the paper feed tray 14 based on an instruction from the CPU 22, and is a recording paper transport motor (non-printing paper) for transporting the recording paper. And a print head (not shown) that ejects ink onto the recording paper, and a carriage motor (not shown) that moves a carriage (not shown) on which the print head is mounted. Print data to be printed is transmitted from the PC 60 via the LAN 200 or input from a card type memory loaded in the slot 72, and printing is performed according to the input order.

  If the multi-function device 1 is set to print facsimile data received from the counterpart device via the telephone line network 100, the line control unit 34, and the modem 33, it is generated based on the received facsimile data. The image data is printed on recording paper by the printer unit 2.

  The modem 33 modulates the image data generated by the scanner unit 3 based on an instruction from the CPU 22 to generate an image signal that can be transmitted to the telephone line network 100 via the line control unit 34 or a telephone line. An image signal input from 100 via the line control unit 34 is demodulated into image data.

  The line control unit 34 inputs various signals from the telephone line network 100 and outputs signals to the telephone line network 100 and inputs / outputs to / from the telephone line network 100 based on instructions from the CPU 22. Set the signal transmission destination and transmission path. As this “transmission path”, when an operation for transmitting an image (transmitting facsimile data) is performed by the operation key 40, or an image signal is received from the telephone network 100 (facsimile data is received). At this time, a route toward the modem 33 is set.

  The LAN I / F 30 is an interface that communicates with a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 60 connected to the LAN 200 via the LAN 200 and receives print data printed by the printer unit 2 from the PC 60 or a scanner. The image data read by the unit 3 can be transmitted to the PC 60. A plurality of PCs 60 and the like are connected to the LAN 200, and print data is sent. Therefore, the person who makes a call using the handset 35 is different from the person who sent the print data to the printer unit 2 (the person who instructed printing).

  Therefore, the print data to be transmitted to the printer unit 2 in the PC 60 is printed so that the person who makes a call using the handset 35 does not change to the silent mode despite the urgent printing. When printing data, silent mode prohibition information for prohibiting setting to silent mode can be attached.

  Further, the multifunction device 1 determines the PC 60 that has transmitted the received print data, and displays the name of the user of the PC 60. As a result, the person who makes a call using the handset 35 recognizes the person who sent the print data. For example, when a person of an important post sends it, it is inadvertently changed to the silent mode. Can be prevented.

  Next, an image displayed on the LCD 41 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows an image displayed on the LCD 41. This figure is an image displayed when a telephone call is made by printing or telephone.

  On the left side of the screen, the title “PC print”, the reduced image (thumbnail image) 41a of the first page of the image to be printed, and the name and time 41b corresponding to each reduced image are displayed. The name indicates the owner of the PC 60 transmitted via the LAN 200. When print data is received, the IP address of the PC 60 is detected, and the network management memory 25b is referred to, so that the sender related information corresponding to the IP address Is extracted.

  In this example, “sasaki” is displayed in the left image, and “kihara” is displayed in the right image. The left image is displayed so as to be surrounded by a thick frame, indicating that printing is currently being performed. In addition, the time required for printing is displayed. For the left image, it indicates that printing will be completed in one minute later, and for the right image, it indicates that the time required for printing is 5 minutes. Has been. Instead of the printing time, the number of printed sheets or the number of printed sheets may be displayed together with the printing time.

  This multifunction device 1 refers to the telephone directory memory 25a based on the telephone number of the other party when a call is received during printing or when print data is received during a call. If the phone book memory 25a stores information instructing to set the print mode to the silent mode corresponding to the telephone number, the print mode is set to the silent mode.

  Even if there is an incoming call from a telephone number that is not stored in the telephone directory memory 25a, or even if no instruction is stored in the telephone directory memory 25a to set the silent mode, the person who makes the call can arbitrarily print. The silent mode can be set by operating the mode setting key 40a.

  If printing is being performed, the name of the person who sent the print data and the time required for printing are displayed. Can the user switch to silent mode by recognizing this information? It can be determined by referring to the display of the PC print.

  On the right side of the screen, “OFF”, “ON”, “non-switchable” 41c are displayed next to the titles “telephone” and “silent mode”. When the currently set print mode is the normal mode, “OFF” is displayed as a mesh, and when the currently set print mode is the silent mode, “ON” is displayed as a mesh. When silent mode prohibition information is attached corresponding to the print data, “silent mode printing” is prohibited, and “cannot be switched” is displayed in a mesh.

  When the name of the other party is stored as related information in the phone book memory 25a, the name is extracted by referring to the phone book memory 25a, and the name and the telephone number 41e are displayed.

  Similarly, when a face photograph or a portrait 41d corresponding to the telephone number is stored in the telephone directory memory 25a, the face photograph or the portrait 41d corresponding to the telephone number is extracted and displayed. Therefore, the user can recognize the other party by visually checking the LCD 41 before picking up the telephone handset, and can set the silent mode before starting the call. If silent mode prohibition information for prohibiting printing in the silent mode is attached corresponding to the print data, an instruction to switch to the silent mode is stored in the telephone directory memory 25a, or the print mode setting is performed. It is assumed that the silent mode is not set even when the key 40a is operated.

  When a call is made using the cordless handset 50, the silent mode is not set. When printing is performed in the silent mode, the handset 35 of the base unit is switched to the cordless handset 50. Or, when the telephone call is terminated even when the handset 35 of the main body is used instead of the cordless handset 50, the mode is switched from the silent mode to the normal mode so that printing is performed quickly.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a reception control process executed when a telephone call or print data received by the CPU 22 is received will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the reception control process. This reception control process is activated when the multifunction device 1 is turned on, and is repeatedly executed until the power is turned off. In the description of the reception control process, the case of receiving and printing a phone call will be described. The description of other facsimile functions, scanner functions, etc. will be omitted.

  First, it is determined whether or not there is an incoming call (S1). When there is an incoming call (S1: Yes), the telephone number of the caller is received, and a name, a portrait or a face photograph stored as related information in the telephone book memory 25a corresponding to the telephone number is received. An image is extracted, and the extracted name and image are displayed together with a telephone number on the right side of the display screen (S2). If related information is not stored in correspondence with the telephone number in the telephone directory memory 25a, only the telephone number is displayed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not printing is being performed by the printer unit 2 (S3). If printing is being performed (S3: Yes), the printing mode is set to the normal mode or the silent mode. A mode setting process for performing such setting is performed (S4). This mode setting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the determination process of S1, if there is no incoming call (S1: No), it is determined whether print data to be printed is received (S5), and if no print data is received (S5: No). Returning to the process of S1, when print data is received (S5: Yes), a reduced image of the print image of the first page is formed from the print data and displayed on the LCD 41, and the transmission source IP address is detected. Referring to the network management memory 25b, the name which is the transmission source related information of the transmission source is extracted and displayed on the LCD 41. Further, based on the print data, the time required for printing in the normal mode is calculated and displayed on the LCD 41 (S6).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a telephone call is in progress (S7). If the user is on the phone (S7: Yes), the process proceeds to S5 for performing a mode setting process for setting the printing mode to the normal mode or the silent mode. (S7: No), the printer unit 2 is instructed to start printing with the print mode as the normal mode (S8). When the process of S4 is finished or when the process of S8 is finished, the process returns to the process of S1.

  Next, the mode setting process which is the process of S4 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the mode setting process. First, it is determined whether or not silent mode prohibition information for prohibiting printing in the silent mode is attached to the print data to be printed (S11). When printing is important and urgent, it is possible to attach silent mode prohibition information so as to prohibit printing in silent mode in any case.

  When the silent mode prohibition information is attached (S11: Yes), the silent mode is not set. If printing has not started, the printer unit 2 is instructed to start printing in the normal mode (S12). If printing in the silent mode is not prohibited (S11: No), it is next determined whether or not a call is being made on the cordless handset 50 (S13). If the cordless handset 50 is used (S13: Yes), the printer unit 2 is set to start printing in the normal mode if the silent mode is not set and printing is not started by the processing of S12. To instruct. When the process of S12 is finished, the mode setting process is finished.

  When the cordless handset 50 is not used (S13: No), it is determined whether or not to automatically switch to the silent mode based on the telephone number of the other party (S14). This determination is made by searching whether or not the telephone number of the other party is registered in the telephone directory memory 25a, and is registered in the telephone directory memory 25a and is printed in the silent mode corresponding to the telephone number. This is done by determining whether or not an instruction is stored.

  If it is stored in the phonebook memory 25a so as to switch to the silent mode according to the telephone number (S14: Yes), the printer unit 2 is instructed to switch to the silent mode (S15). When the printer unit 2 has not started printing, the printer unit 2 instructs to start printing in the silent mode.

  If it is not stored in the phonebook memory 25a so as to switch to the silent mode according to the telephone number (S14: No), the print mode setting key 40a provided on the operation panel is manually operated to print in the silent mode. It is determined whether or not it is instructed to perform (S16).

  If it is instructed to print manually in the silent mode (S16: Yes), the process proceeds to S15 in which the printer unit 2 is instructed to switch to the silent mode.

  When the process of S15 is completed, it is determined whether or not an instruction to switch from the silent mode to the normal mode is given by manually operating the print mode setting key 40a provided on the operation panel (S17). When it is instructed to switch to the normal mode manually (S17: Yes), the printer unit 2 is instructed to perform printing in the normal mode (S21).

  When it is not instructed to switch to the normal mode manually (S17: No), it is determined whether or not the call is switched from the handset 35 to the cordless handset 50 (S19), and the call is switched to the cordless handset 50. If it is determined (S19: Yes), the printer unit 2 is instructed to switch to the normal mode for printing (S21), and the mode setting process is terminated.

  If the cordless handset 50 cannot be switched (S19: No), it is determined whether or not the call using the handset 35 has ended (S20). If the call has ended (S20: Yes), The printer unit 2 instructs to perform printing in the normal mode (S21), and the mode setting process ends. If the call has not ended (S20: No), it is determined whether printing by the printer unit 2 has ended (S22). If the printing has not ended (S22: No), the processing of S17 is performed. Returning, when the printing is finished (S22: Yes), this mode setting process is finished.

  On the other hand, in the determination process of S16, when it is not instructed to manually switch to the silent mode (S16: No), when the printer unit 2 has not started printing, printing is started in the normal mode. An instruction is given, and then it is determined whether printing has been completed (S23).

  When the printing is finished (S23: Yes), the mode setting process is finished. When the printing is not finished (S23: No), it is determined whether or not the call using the handset 35 is finished. If it is determined (S24) and the call is terminated (S24: Yes), the mode setting process is terminated. If the call is not terminated (S24: No), the process returns to S16.

  As described above, according to the above embodiment, whether or not to switch to the silent mode according to the telephone number when there is an incoming call during printing or when print data is received during a telephone call. If the call is from an important customer, etc., that is, if the other party is a party that prioritizes quietness, the call is set to silent mode and printing is not required, with no need to prioritize silence. In the case of the other party, printing is performed in the normal mode, and the printing speed can be prioritized.

  Also, when calling a party whose phone number is not stored in the phone book, the LCD 41 displays the sender information about the sender that sent the print data. If the print data can be switched to the silent mode, it can be switched to the silent mode.

  Further, when performing urgent printing, silent mode prohibition information for prohibiting printing in the silent mode is attached to the print data, and printing in the silent mode can be prevented from being delayed. In addition, when printing is performed in the silent mode, when the call ends or when the call is switched to the cordless handset 50, the mode can be switched from the silent mode to the normal mode, thereby preventing a delay in printing. can do.

  Note that the switching means described in the claims corresponds to the processes of S15, S12, S18, and S21 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and the caller information acquisition means and the extracting means correspond to the processes of S2 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Correspondingly, the automatic mode setting means corresponds to the processes of S14 and S15 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and the print information acquisition means and the transmission source related information extracting means correspond to the process of S6 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be easily guessed.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the cordless handset 50 is a cordless cordless handset 50 that communicates wirelessly with the base phone. However, the cordless handset can be received by a cordless cordless handset or another telephone that can be transferred. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the print data is received from the personal computer 60. However, the print data may be received by a facsimile via a telephone line and stored in a buffer.

  In the above embodiment, when the cordless handset 50 is used, the use of the cordless handset is stopped and the telephone is switched to the base unit (telephone provided in the multifunction device) to make a call. Although not described, it is preferable to perform the mode setting process shown in FIG. 5 in this case as well.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when silent mode prohibition information for prohibiting setting to silent mode is attached to print data, it is assumed that silent mode cannot be set regardless of who the other party is calling. However, in the case of a specific call partner, the silent mode may be set even if printing in the silent mode is prohibited.

  In the above embodiment, when print data is received, the name is displayed on the LCD 41. However, a department name or job title to which the user belongs may be displayed together with a nickname, a face photograph, or the like. In addition, when the print data is received, the sender's IP address is detected, and the sender-related information corresponding to the IP address is read from the network management memory 25b and displayed on the LCD 41. When transmitting print data, the sender-related information of the sender may be written in the header of the print data, etc., and the multi-function device 1 may read and display the sender-related information. Further, when printing data is input from the card type memory loaded in the slot portion 72, the user's transmission source related information is stored in the card type memory, and the multifunction device 1 reads and displays the related information. May be.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows the display screen displayed on LCD when performing a telephone call and printing. It is a flowchart which shows a reception control process. It is a flowchart which shows a mode setting process.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 2 Printer section (printing means)
25 Flash memory 25a Phonebook memory (related information storage means)
25b Network management memory (transmission source related information storage means)
34 Line control unit (part of communication means)
35 Handset (part of the means of communication)
40 Operation key 40a Print mode setting key (operator)
41 LCD (display means)
50 Cordless handset 60 Personal computer

Claims (17)

A multi-function machine comprising a calling means for making a call and a printing means for printing on a recording medium,
A switching unit that switches between a silent mode that suppresses noise related to the printing unit and a normal mode that does not suppress the noise;
Caller information acquisition means for acquiring caller information related to a caller who makes a call by the call means;
Automatic mode setting means for instructing the switching means to select either the silent mode or the normal mode according to the caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition means. A multi-function machine characterized by this. A multi-function machine comprising a calling means for making a call and a printing means for printing on a recording medium,
A switching unit that switches between a silent mode that suppresses noise related to the printing unit and a normal mode that does not suppress the noise;
An operator for arbitrarily instructing the switching means whether the silent mode or the normal mode;
Caller information acquisition means for acquiring caller information related to a caller who makes a call by the call means;
A multifunction device comprising: display means for displaying caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition means.   2. The multifunction device according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition means.   The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the caller information includes a telephone number of a caller. Related information storage means for storing related information respectively corresponding to a plurality of caller information;
Extraction means for extracting the related information stored in the related information storage means based on the caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition means,
5. The multifunction device according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays related information extracted by the extraction unit.   The multifunction device according to claim 5, wherein the related information includes at least a name or an image relating to a caller.   The multifunction device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the display means displays caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition means and related information extracted by the extraction means. . Print information acquisition means for acquiring print information related to printing performed by the printing means,
The multifunction device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the display means displays the print information acquired by the print information acquisition means.   9. The multifunction device according to claim 8, wherein the print information acquisition unit acquires a print image of a first page of print data printed by the printing unit as the print information.   10. The multifunction device according to claim 8, wherein the print information acquisition unit acquires transmission source information of a transmission source that has transmitted print data printed by the printing unit as the print information. . Transmission source related information storage means for storing transmission source related information related to the transmission source corresponding to each of a plurality of transmission sources;
A transmission source related information extracting unit that extracts transmission source related information corresponding to the transmission source information acquired by the print information acquisition unit from the transmission source related information storage unit;
11. The multifunction device according to claim 10, wherein the display means displays the transmission source related information extracted by the transmission source related information extraction means.   12. The multi-function peripheral according to claim 11, wherein the transmission source related information includes a name.   13. The display unit displays the print information acquired by the print information acquisition unit and the transmission source related information extracted by the transmission source related information extraction unit. The multifunction device described. The print information includes silent mode prohibition information for prohibiting printing in silent mode corresponding to print data to be printed,
When the print information acquisition unit acquires the silent mode prohibition information, the switching unit selects the normal mode when printing the print data acquired corresponding to the silent mode prohibition information. The multi-function device according to claim 1, wherein: The call means includes a slave that can transfer a call from the master,
15. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein when a call is made by the slave unit, the switching unit selects a normal mode.   The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein when the call by the call means is terminated, the switching means selects a normal mode. A multifunction device control method in a multifunction device comprising a calling means for making a call and a printing means for printing on a recording medium,
A switching step for switching between a silent mode for suppressing noise related to the printing means and a normal mode for suppressing noise.
Caller information acquisition step of acquiring caller information about a caller who makes a call by the call means;
An automatic mode setting step that instructs the switching step to select either the silent mode or the normal mode according to the caller information acquired by the caller information acquisition step. And a multifunction machine control method.

Images