Input apparatus, input control method, and computer-readable recording media for input control program

• US 20080074293A1
• Filed: 09/24/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions, Inc. (Kyocera Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kyocera MITA Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Fujii, Keiko, Yoshimura, Sachiko, Tsuhara, Issei
• Application Number:
  US11/903,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20080074293A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/23
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/502 relating to the structure of the control menu, e.g. pop-up menus, help screens
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/96 Touch switches specially adapted for electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96046 Key-pad combined with display, back-lit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00405 Output means output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00488 providing an audible output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An input apparatus and an input control method are provided that enable the confirmation of an operation state using speech each time an operation key is depressed and enable the execution of distributed functions using a straightforward operation. A plurality of functions is allocated to a numeric keypad, and audio is outputted for the operation state by way of the numeric keypad from an audio output section every time an operation function changes. A function just previous to operation of the numeric keypad can, therefore, be decided by using a setting key, and control may be carried out by a control unit.

Claims

1. An input apparatus comprising:

an operation section having a plurality of operation keys, with a plurality of functions allocated to each operation key;

a setting key that decides upon a function operated just previously by each operation key; and

a control circuit that decides the operation section and the setting key.

2. The input apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an audio output section that outputs speech of an operation state for each operation key each time an operation function changes.

3. The input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit switches an allocated function every time the same operation key is depressed.

4. The input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit switches an allocated function every time the same operation key is depressed continuously for a predetermined duration.

5. The input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a second operation key that is different to the setting key is depressed, the control circuit invalidates an operation of an operation key operated immediately previous to operation of the second operation key.

6. An input control method comprising steps of:

extracting a function allocated to an operated operation key of a plurality of operation keys allocated with a plurality of functions, respectively; and

executing the function extracted just previous in the extracting step as a result of operation of a setting key.

7. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program that executes steps of:

extracting a function allocated to an operated operation key of a plurality of operation keys allocated with a plurality of functions, respectively; and

executing the function extracted immediately previously in the extracting step as a result of operation of a setting key on a computer.