Multifunction device

Abstract

The multifunction device includes a first mode device, a second mode device, an operating unit, a detecting unit, and a switching unit. The first mode device provides a reading mode that reads image information with using a first type medium. The second mode device provides a writing mode that writes image information with using a second type medium. The operating unit provides each operating environment corresponding to each mode. The detecting unit detects either the first type medium or the second type medium used. The switching unit automatically switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit based on the type of the medium detected by the detecting unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative aspects in accordance with the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external structure of a multifunction device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multifunction device when a body cover is open;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure inside the main body of the multifunction device;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the body cover and a document reading unit of the multifunction device;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the multifunction device;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a mode switching process;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a default mode process executed in the mode switching process;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a direct print mode process executed in the mode switching process;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a scan-to-memory mode process executed in the mode switching process;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a user-defined mode process executed in the mode switching process;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a relationship between whether a document is set and whether an external memory is connected, and a mode selected by the mode switching process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a default mode process of a second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a default mode process of a third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a direct print mode process of the third embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a scan-to-memory mode process of the third embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a user-defined mode process of the third embodiment.

Claims

1. A multifunction device comprising: a first mode device that provides a reading mode that reads image information with using a first type medium;a second mode device that provides a writing mode that writes image information with using a second type medium;an operating unit that provides each operating environment corresponding to each mode;a detecting unit that detects either the first type medium or the second type medium used; anda switching unit that automatically switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit based on the type of the medium detected by the detecting unit.

2. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to a non-detected-medium mode which is a preset mode when the detecting unit detects that the medium is absent.

3. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a third mode device that provides a print mode that prints an image information on a printing medium.

4. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first type medium is a document and a second type medium is an external storage device, the multifunction device further comprising:a setting unit on which a document is set; anda mounting unit to which an external storage device is mounted,wherein the detecting unit comprises:a document detecting unit detecting whether a document is set on the setting unit; andan external storage device detecting unit detecting whether an external storage device is mounted to the mounting unit.

5. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first mode device and the second mode device include a fourth mode device that executes a process of writing image information read from the document to the external storage device; wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to the fourth mode when the document detecting unit detects a document and when the external storage device detecting unit detects an external storage device.

6. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first type medium is an external storage device, the multifunction device further comprising:a mounting unit to which an external storage device is mounted; anda setting unit on which a document is set,wherein the detecting unit comprises:an external storage device detecting unit detecting whether an external storage device is mounted to the mounting unit; anda document detecting unit detecting whether a document is set on the setting unit.

7. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first mode device includes a fifth mode device that provides a fifth mode which executes a process of printing image information read from the external storage device to a printing medium; wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to the fifth mode, when the document detecting unit detects absence of a document and when the external storage device detecting unit detects an external storage device.

8. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first mode device includes a sixth mode device that provides a sixth mode which executes a process of reading image information from the document, wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to the sixth mode, when the document detecting unit detects a document and when the external storage device detecting unit detects absence of an external storage device.

9. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: a first setting unit setting one of a plurality of modes as the fifth mode.

10. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a seventh mode device that is previously set; wherein, when the document detecting unit detects absence of a document and the external storage device detecting unit detects absence of an external storage device, the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to the seventh mode.

11. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a second setting unit setting one of the plurality of modes as the seventh mode.

12. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first mode device and the second mode device include a fourth mode device that provides a fourth mode that executes a process of writing image information read from the document to the external storage device, wherein the detecting unit includes a storage detecting unit detecting whether image information stored in an external storage device mounted to the mounting unit exists; andwherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to the fourth mode when the storage detecting unit detects absence of image information.

13. A multifunction device comprising: a reading mode device configured to provide a reading mode that reads image information;a writing mode device configured to provide a writing mode that writes image information;a printing mode device configured to provide a printing mode that prints image information;a mounting unit that detachably mounts an external storage device;an external storage device detecting unit detecting whether the external storage device is mounted to the mounting unit; anda controlling unit that executes at least one of the reading mode, the writing mode, and the printing mode based on a detecting result of the external storage device detecting unit.

14. A multifunction device comprising: a reading mode device configured to provide a reading mode that reads image information;a writing mode device configured to provide a writing mode that writes image information;a printing mode device configured to provide a printing mode that prints image information;a placing unit that places a document;a document detecting unit detecting whether the document placed on the placing unit exists; anda controlling unit that executes at least one of the reading mode, the writing mode, and the printing mode based on a detecting result of the document detecting unit.

15. A multifunction device having at least two of a reading mode that reads image information with using a first type medium, a writing mode that writes image information with using a second type medium, and a printing mode that prints image information, the multifunction device comprising: an operating unit that provides each operating environment corresponding to each mode;a detecting unit that detects medium and absence of medium; anda switching unit that automatically switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit based on a detecting result of the detecting unit.

16. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to a detected-medium mode which uses the detected medium when the detecting unit detects the medium.

17. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to a non-detected-medium mode which is a preset mode when the detecting unit detects that the medium is absent.

18. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a plurality of detected-medium modes that use medium, wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to one of the plurality of the detected medium modes and a preset mode that is previously set by a user.

19. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first type medium is a document and a second type medium is an external storage device, the multifunction device further comprising:a setting unit on which a document is set; anda mounting unit to which an external storage device is mounted,wherein the detecting unit comprises:a document detecting unit detecting whether a document is set on the setting unit; andan external storage device detecting unit detecting whether an external storage device is mounted to the mounting unit.

20. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a first mode which executes a process of writing image information read from the document to the external storage device, wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to the first mode, when the document detecting unit detects a document and when the external storage device detecting unit detects an external storage device.

21. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a second mode which executes a process of printing image information read from the external storage device to a printing medium, wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to the second mode, when the document detecting unit detects absence of a document and when the external storage device detecting unit detects an external storage device.

22. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a third mode which executes a process of reading image information from the document, wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to the third mode, when the document detecting unit detects a document and when the external storage device detecting unit detects absence of an external storage device.

23. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 22, further comprising: a first setting unit setting one of a plurality of modes that reads image information from a document as the third mode.

24. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a fourth mode that is previously set, wherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to the fourth mode, when the document detecting unit detects absence of a document and the external storage device detecting unit detects absence of an external storage device.

25. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a second setting unit setting one of the plurality of modes as the fourth mode.

26. The multifunction device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a first mode which executes a process of writing image information read from a document to an external storage device, wherein the detecting unit includes a storage detecting unit detecting whether image information stored in an external storage device mounted to the mounting unit exists, andwherein the switching unit switches the operating environment provided by the operating unit to an operating environment corresponding to the first mode, when the storage detecting unit detects absence of image information.

27. A multifunction device having at least two of a reading mode that reads image information, a writing mode that writes image information, and a printing mode that prints image information, the multifunction device comprising: an external storage device detecting unit detecting whether an external storage device is mounted to a mounting unit; anda controlling unit that executes at least one of the reading mode, the writing mode, and the printing mode based on a detecting result of the external storage device detecting unit.

28. A multifunction device having at least two of a reading mode that reads image information, a writing mode that writes image information, and a printing mode that prints image information, the multifunction device comprising: a document detecting unit detecting whether a document placed on a placing unit exists; anda controlling unit that executes at least one of the reading mode, the writing mode, and the printing mode based on a detecting result of the document detecting unit.