JP5149084B2 - Information processing apparatus, control program, computer-readable recording medium, and information processing apparatus control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that receives and presents information via a communication network, a control program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a control method for the information processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, an information processing apparatus has been developed that can record information acquired from a network and present the recorded information by performing various key operations. Today, there are a great many types of information processing apparatuses, and the functions of the information processing apparatuses have become higher and more multifunctional with recent technological advances.

  On the other hand, if the function of the information processing apparatus is operated by mistake, there is a risk of unexpected disadvantages. For example, there is an inconvenience that an unintended function is operated or important information is damaged.

  For this reason, various measures have been devised so far to prevent malfunctions of the functions of the information processing apparatus. For example, some information processing apparatuses have a key lock function that disables key operations so that key operations are not performed by mistake.

  The conventional key lock function has been realized by, for example, a configuration in which an information processing apparatus includes a key lock function button, and the key lock function is activated and released by receiving a key operation of the key lock function button. .

  However, various inconveniences may occur in the configuration in which the key lock function is simply activated and released by simply operating the key lock function button. Here, as an example, a case where the information processing apparatus is a telephone having a facsimile function and an answering machine recording function (hereinafter referred to as a FAX answering machine) will be described. The FAX answering machine has a key lock function button for activating and releasing the key lock function, an off-hook key for setting the FAX answering machine to a call state in response to an incoming call, and for releasing the call state. And an on-hook key.

  The inconvenience of the above configuration will be described as follows. That is, when a key incoming call is received by the fax answering machine with the key lock function activated in advance, even if the user attempts to answer the call by pressing the off-hook key, the operation of the off-hook key is invalid. Has the disadvantage of not being able to answer the phone.

  For this reason, various types of proposals have been made to improve the convenience of the key lock function.

  As described above, the case where the information processing apparatus is a fax answering machine will be exemplified again. In the fax answering machine, when an incoming call is received with the key lock function activated in advance, the key lock function is temporarily suspended. Thus, a fax answering machine has been proposed in which the key operation of various operation keys provided in the fax answering machine is made effective.

  Details of the operation of such a fax answering machine will be described below. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a fax answering machine as a conventional information processing apparatus.

  First, the FAX answering machine is in a key lock state in advance by the input of the key lock function button (S501). In this state, the FAX answering machine waits for an incoming call in the key lock state (No in S502).

  Here, if there is an incoming call (Yes in S502), the FAX answering machine temporarily cancels the key lock function even if there is no key lock function button input (S503), and the operation keys provided in the FAX answering machine are provided. Accepts input. Then, the FAX answering machine accepts the input of the off-hook key and enters a call state (S504).

  Thereafter, when the FAX answering machine detects that the call has been terminated by receiving the input of the on-hook key (S505), the call state is released. Thereafter, the FAX answering machine activates the key lock function again even if the key lock function button is not input (S506).

  As described above, conventionally, there has been proposed a technique for realizing an on-call state by accepting an input of an off-hook key by temporarily releasing a key lock function of a fax answering machine when a call is received.

  However, it is conceivable that further inconvenience may occur if the fax answering machine receives a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as FAX) communication when it enters a call state. Here, it is assumed that the FAX answering machine further includes a FAX operation key for operating the FAX function.

  In this case, in the above configuration, the key lock function is activated when the telephone communication is completed and the call state is released, and the FAX operation key becomes invalid. Therefore, the FAX answering machine cannot cope with the FAX communication received after the call state is canceled.

  In order to solve the above inconvenience, for example, the following key lock function has been proposed. That is, in the above example, the key lock function for enabling the key lock function of the fax answering machine by the key lock function button or after a predetermined time has elapsed after the call state in the fax answering machine is released. It is.

  Details of the operation of such a fax answering machine will be described below. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a fax answering machine as a conventional information processing apparatus. Note that the operations from S601 to S605 are the same as those from S501 to S505 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted. After the call is finished, the fax answering machine first initializes the setting of the timer provided in itself (S606), and starts counting the elapsed time. Next, it is detected whether or not the key lock function button included in the own device is pressed (S607).

  Here, if the pressing of the key lock function button is detected (Yes in S607), the FAX answering machine enters the key lock state as it is (S610), and the key operation is not accepted.

  On the other hand, if the key lock function button is not pressed (No in S607), the FAX answering machine accepts a key operation. If there is a key operation within a predetermined time (Yes in S608), the FAX answering machine initializes the timer setting again and restores the elapsed time count (S606). On the other hand, if there is no key operation within the predetermined time (No in S608), the FAX answering machine determines whether or not the elapsed time has reached the time-up time (S609).

  Next, if the elapsed time has not reached the time-up time (No in S609), the FAX answering machine accepts the key lock function button and key operation again (S607). On the other hand, if the elapsed time has reached the time-up time (Yes in S609), the FAX answering machine activates the key lock function and does not accept key operations.

  As described above, in order to improve the convenience of the key lock function, it has been conventionally proposed to provide a timer in a fax answering machine and enable the key lock function with a time lag after a predetermined operation.

  For example, Patent Document 1 also discloses a technique for enabling a key lock function in a wireless communication apparatus when there is no key operation from a user for a certain period of time. And in patent document 2, in addition to the above key lock functions, the technique which presets the operation key used as the object of a key lock function among operation keys is described.

Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose a technique for changing the control content of the key lock function according to the content of the incoming call when the mobile communication terminal receives an incoming call while the key lock function is operating. . More specifically, Patent Documents 3 and 4 propose to unlock a specific operation key provided in a mobile communication terminal according to the type of incoming call. Furthermore, it has been proposed to set a time required until the key lock function is activated again after a specific operation key is unlocked.
JP 2004-112353 A (published on April 8, 2004) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-27383 (published January 29, 1999) JP 2004-328573 A (published November 18, 2004) JP 2007-215221 A (published August 23, 2007)

  However, in the configuration of the above prior art, when the FAX answering machine determines that there is no key operation from the user for a certain period of time, the key lock function of the FAX answering machine is operated uniformly (for example, patent References 1, 2).

  For example, when a call is recorded by the answering machine recording function provided in the FAX answering machine after the incoming call, the key lock function of the FAX answering machine is activated after a certain period of time. Further, while the recorded call contents are being reproduced, the FAX answering machine determines that there is no key operation from the user for a certain period of time, and activates the key lock function.

  Therefore, in order to listen to another call content, the user must operate the key lock function button, release the key lock function, and listen to the call content. After the listening operation, the key lock function button must be operated again to enable the key lock function of the fax answering machine.

  Further, for example, when using the FAX communication provided in the FAX answering machine, if the FAX communication is temporarily stored in the memory provided in the own machine, the FAX answering machine is in the middle of browsing the contents of the FAX communication. It was judged that there was no key operation from the user for a certain time, and the key lock function was enabled.

  For this reason, if the user intends to continue browsing the contents of the FAX communication, the user has to take the same trouble as described above.

  In response to the above problem, in the FAX answering machine, if the elapsed time until reaching the time-up time is set to a large value, the original purpose of the key lock function is lost.

  Alternatively, in the conventional technology, as a next best measure, the key lock function of a specific key is canceled according to the type of incoming call as in the mobile communication terminals described in Patent Documents 3 and 4. It was. In other words, since the key lock function of a specific operation key is uniformly released according to the type of incoming call, it is possible to operate the operation key even if the key lock function does not need to be released. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a control program that can perform control so that only an operation key that requires an operation is properly canceled. Another object is to realize a computer-readable recording medium and a method for controlling an information processing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention stores information acquisition means for acquiring information, an information storage section for storing information acquired by the information acquisition means, and the information storage section. Information presenting means for presenting information in a state that can be recognized by the user, and lock control means for locking and releasing the presenting operation by the information presenting means. When the information acquisition unit acquires information, the presenting operation corresponding to the acquired information is unlocked.

  Further, in order to solve the above problem, the information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention includes an information presentation step for presenting information in a state that can be recognized by a user, and a lock for all the presentation operations in the information presentation step. A lock step to be performed, and a lock release step for unlocking the presentation operation corresponding to the acquired information when the information is acquired in a state where all the presentation operations are locked by the lock step. It is characterized by.

  According to the above configuration, even when the information presenting operation stored in the information storage unit is locked by the lock control unit, the acquired information is displayed when the information acquisition unit acquires the information. Since the lock of the presentation operation for presentation is released, it is not necessary to release the lock of the presentation operation for only the information to be presented by the user of the information processing apparatus.

  Thereby, it is possible to improve the convenience of the information processing apparatus in the locked state of the presentation operation by the information presenting means.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the amount of information stored in the information storage unit is increased from the start of locking of all the presentation operations by the lock control unit when all the presentation operations are locked. An information amount detecting means for detecting whether the information amount detecting means detects that the information amount has increased, and locks the presenting operation corresponding to the increased information. It is preferable to cancel.

  According to the above configuration, even when the presentation operation of the information stored in the information storage unit is locked by the lock control unit, the information of the information stored in the information storage unit by the information amount detection unit When the increase in the amount is detected, the presentation operation corresponding to the increased information is unlocked, so it is necessary to unlock the presentation operation only for the information that the information processing device user should present Disappears.

  Thereby, it is possible to improve the convenience of the information processing apparatus in the locked state of the presentation operation by the information presenting means.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a reference amount storage unit that stores, as a reference amount, an information amount of information stored in the information storage unit at the start of locking all the presentation operations by the lock control unit, It is preferable that the information amount detection means detects an increase in the information amount by comparing the information amount of the information stored in the information storage unit with the reference amount stored in the reference amount storage unit.

  According to the above configuration, the information amount detection unit compares the information amount of the information stored in the information storage unit with the reference amount stored in the reference amount storage unit, whereby the lock control unit It is possible to detect an increase in the amount of information since the lock disclosure of all presentation actions. For this reason, the said information amount detection means has the further effect that the increase in information amount can be detected easily.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes an operation permission table in which operation permission information indicating whether the operation is valid or invalid is recorded for each of the operation signals for operating the presentation operation by the information presenting unit, The lock control means refers to the operation permission table, and when the operation permission information corresponding to the operation signal indicates that the operation is valid, the lock control means enables the operation of presenting the information corresponding to the operation signal, When the corresponding operation permission information indicates invalid, the presentation operation of the information corresponding to the operation signal is set to the locked state, and all the presentation operations are in the locked state, and the information amount is increased by the information amount detection unit. Is detected, the operation permission information recorded in the operation permission table of the operation signal of the presentation action corresponding to the increased information is updated, and the operation permission information is updated. It is preferable that information is in a state indicating a valid operation.

  According to the said structure, there exists the further effect that the lock | rock and cancellation | release of presentation operation | movement can be comprehensively controlled in the said operation permission table.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes at least a facsimile function and an answering machine recording function, and the information acquired by the information acquisition means includes at least facsimile information received by the facsimile function and recorded information recorded by the answering machine recording function. It is preferable to include.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the operation system in a plurality of types of presentation operations handled by the facsimile / answering machine. A facsimile / answering machine equipped with a facsimile function and an answering machine recording function also has the further advantage that the convenience of the key lock function can be improved.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the lock control unit releases all the presentation operations when a telephone call is received in the telephone function provided in the own device when all the presentation operations are locked, and the telephone set If the information acquisition unit has acquired information when the call by the function is completed, it is preferable to lock the presentation operation other than the presentation operation corresponding to the acquired information.

  According to the above configuration, in the facsimile answering machine, a key lock function can be provided to the user according to the state of the information processing apparatus. For this reason, the information processing apparatus has an additional effect of providing a key lock function that meets the needs of the user.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the lock control unit releases all the presentation operations when a telephone call is received in the telephone function provided in the own device when all the presentation operations are locked, and the telephone set If the information acquisition unit has acquired information after a certain period of time has elapsed since the end of the call by the function, it is preferable to lock the presentation operation other than the presentation operation corresponding to the acquired information.

  According to the above configuration, in the facsimile answering machine, a key lock function can be provided to the user according to the state of the information processing apparatus. In addition, since the timing at which the key lock function is partially enabled can be adjusted, various key lock functions can be provided to the user. That is, there is an additional effect that a key lock function can be provided that meets the user's needs.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when all the presentation operations are in a locked state and the information acquisition unit acquires information, the lock control unit unlocks the presentation operation corresponding to the acquired information, and locks the information. It is preferable that the unlocked presentation operation is locked when a predetermined time has elapsed since the release.

  Now, when all the presentation operations are locked and the information acquisition unit acquires information, the lock control unit unlocks the presentation operation corresponding to the acquired information. However, if the presenting operation with the lock released is left as it is for a long time with the lock released, there is a risk of causing an unexpected erroneous operation.

  According to the above configuration, when the predetermined time elapses, the unlocked presentation operation is locked again, and thus there is an additional effect of preventing an unexpected erroneous operation.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes an input unit including a key for inputting an operation signal corresponding to each of the presentation operations, and an illumination unit for lighting each key included in the input unit, The lock control means preferably controls the illumination means so as to light a key corresponding to a presentation operation that is not locked.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to clearly indicate which key is “valid”, and there is an additional effect that the convenience for the user is enhanced.

  Each unit in the information processing apparatus can be executed by a computer using a control program. Furthermore, the control program can be executed on any computer by storing the control program in a computer-readable recording medium.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention uses the information acquisition unit that acquires information, the information storage unit that stores the information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and the information stored in the information storage unit. Information presenting means presented in a state that can be recognized by the person, and lock control means for locking and releasing the presentation operation by the information presenting means. When the acquisition unit acquires information, the presenting operation corresponding to the acquired information is unlocked.

  In addition, as described above, the control method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an information presentation step for presenting information in a state that can be recognized by the user, and a lock step for locking all the presentation operations in the information presentation step. And an unlocking step of releasing the lock of the presentation operation corresponding to the acquired information when the information is acquired in a state where all the presentation operations are locked by the lock step.

  Thereby, it is possible to improve the convenience of the information processing apparatus in the locked state of the presentation operation by the information presenting means.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[Description of information processing device]
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of an information processing apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a communication unit 10, a main control unit 12, a storage unit 14, an input unit 16, and an information presentation unit (information presentation unit) 18.

  The communication unit 10 implements a network connection function. In the present embodiment, connection between the information processing apparatus 1 and the communication network 2 is realized. The communication network 2 may be a telephone line network or an Internet network. The communication unit 10 communicates with a supply source of presentation information to be presented to the information presentation unit 18 or communicates with other information processing apparatuses via the communication network 2 according to a command from the main control unit 12. Or do.

  The main control unit 12 controls the operations of the above-described units included in the information processing apparatus 1 in an integrated manner. The function of the main control unit 12 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in a storage element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory. The main control unit 12 is not limited to this, and may be configured by, for example, a PC (personal computer) -based computer. And operation control of various composition may be performed by making a computer run a control program. This program may be in the form of reading and using what is recorded on a removable medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be in the form of reading and using what is installed on a hard disk or the like. Further, when the main control unit 12 is connected to a communication network such as the Internet, a mode in which the program is downloaded via the communication network, installed on a hard disk, and the like can be considered. The detailed configuration of the main control unit 12 will be described later.

  The storage unit 14 stores various data and programs. Examples of the storage unit 14 include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that is a read-only semiconductor memory that stores fixed data such as programs and communication control data required when the main control unit 12 operates, and data related to communication. There are a RAM as a so-called working memory that temporarily stores data used for calculation, a calculation result, and the like, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory (for example, a flash memory) that stores various setting data. A part of the storage unit 14 may be realized by an external storage medium such as a so-called memory card. Details of the storage unit 14 will be described later.

  The input unit 16 detects that an input device such as an operation key provided on the surface of the information processing apparatus 1 has been operated by the user, generates an operation signal, and transmits the operation signal to the main control unit 12. Examples of the input device include a touch panel in addition to the operation keys.

  The information presentation unit 18 receives the presentation information from the main control unit 12 and presents it to the user based on the received presentation information. The presentation information is information that can be presented visually, audibly, or audiovisually to the user in the information processing apparatus 1. A specific example of the presentation information will be described later.

  The information presentation unit 18 includes a user interface corresponding to the presentation information. For example, the information presentation unit 18 may include a display unit that displays image data, a speaker unit that converts sound data into sound waves and outputs the sound data to the outside, and the like.

[Details of storage unit]
Next, details of the storage unit 14 will be described. The storage unit 14 includes an operation permission table 22, a reference information amount recording unit (reference amount storage unit) 24, and an information recording unit 26 as areas for storing data.

  The operation permission table 22 is an area for recording key lock information used by the information processing apparatus 1 to determine whether or not the operation signal from the input unit 16 is valid. The key lock information is recorded in the operation permission table 22 in association with, for example, the type of operation signal generated by the input unit 16 and information indicating whether or not to enable the operation signal.

  The information recording unit 26 is an area for storing the presentation information and the information amount of the presentation information. As an example of the presentation information, there are recorded information by an answering machine recording function and a call recording function provided in the information processing apparatus, FAX information by a FAX communication function, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various data such as text data, moving image data, image data, audio data, and other binary data may be recorded.

  Further, as the information amount of the presentation information, for example, an index such as the number of pieces of presentation information and the capacity can be adopted.

  The reference information amount recording unit 24 is an area for recording a setting of a predetermined reference amount used by the information detection unit 38 to be described later to detect that the information amount of the presentation information recorded in the information recording unit 26 has increased. It is. The predetermined reference amount may be a common reference amount for the entire presentation information, or may be set for each type of the presentation information.

  Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the timing which sets the said reference amount, For example, you may carry out at the timing which detected that the predetermined | prescribed operation key was pressed in the input part 16. As the set value used as the reference amount, the information amount of the presentation information at the time when the predetermined operation key is pressed can be used.

  For example, if the reference amount is set as described above, after the reference amount is set, the reference amount is compared with the information amount of the presentation information, so that the predetermined operation key is pressed from the time point. An increase in the amount of information of the presentation information can be detected.

[Details of the main control section]
Next, details of the main control unit 12 will be described. The main control unit 12 includes an information acquisition unit (information acquisition unit) 32, a key lock control unit (lock control unit) 34, an information presentation control unit 36, an information detection unit (information amount detection unit) 38, and an operation permission. Part (lock control means) 40.

  The information acquisition unit 32 records presentation information acquired from another information processing apparatus or the like via the communication unit 10 in the information recording unit 26. Here, the information acquisition unit 32 also records the information amount of the presentation information in the information recording unit 26 at the same time.

  The key lock control unit 34 controls to block the operation signal from the input unit 16 from being transferred to the information presentation control unit 36 under a predetermined condition.

  Specifically, the key lock control unit 34 performs the following control. First, the key lock control unit 34 refers to the key lock information recorded in the operation permission table 22 based on the operation signal transmitted from the input unit 16 and determines whether or not the operation signal is valid. As a result of the determination, if the operation signal is valid, the key lock control unit 34 transfers the operation signal to the information presentation control unit 36, while if the operation signal is not valid, the information presentation control unit The operation signal is not transferred to 36.

  In the present embodiment, the key lock control unit 34 also has a function of updating the key lock information based on an instruction from the operation permission unit 40 described later.

  The information presentation control unit 36 reads the presentation information recorded in the information recording unit 26 based on the operation signal of the input unit 16 transmitted via the key lock control unit 34, and presents the presentation information to the information presentation unit 18. Presents the contents indicated by.

  The information detection unit 38 detects an increase in presentation information recorded by the information processing apparatus 1. More specifically, the information detection unit 38 compares the information amount of the presentation information recorded in the information recording unit 26 with the reference amount recorded in the reference information amount recording unit 24, thereby obtaining the information amount. Calculate the increment. And the increase in presentation information is detected based on the said calculation result.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of types of presentation information recorded in the information recording unit 26, the information detection unit 38 may calculate an increment of the information amount for each type. The reference amount may be configured to be set by the information detection unit 38.

  The operation permission unit 40 controls the operation signal corresponding to the presentation information whose amount of information is increased so that the key lock control unit 34 treats the operation signal as an effective operation signal. Specifically, when the information detection unit 38 detects an increase in the information amount of the presentation information, the operation permission unit 40 accesses the operation permission table 22 so that the operation signal corresponding to the presentation information becomes valid, and the key lock Update information. The operation signal corresponding to the presentation information is an operation signal necessary for the information presentation control unit 36 to present the presentation information in the information presentation unit 18.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment treats the operation signal corresponding to the presentation information whose amount of information is increased as an effective operation signal even when the key lock function is activated. Only the operation keys that need to be operated can accurately release the key lock function, and the convenience of the information processing apparatus can be improved even when the presentation operation in the information presentation unit 18 is in the locked state. .

[Detailed description of the information processing apparatus]
An example in which the information processing apparatus having the above configuration functions as a fax answering machine will be described below.

  FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram showing an example of a main part configuration of the fax answering machine 101. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of each main part of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in more detail. The components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, among the configurations of the information processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the fax answering machine 101 has a more detailed configuration with respect to the storage unit 14, the input unit 16, and the information presentation unit 18. ing. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the FAX answering machine 101 further includes a light emitting unit 42, a timer unit 44, and a key lock function button 64, as shown in FIG.

[About the storage unit]
First, the storage unit 14 will be described. The information recording unit 26 of the storage unit 14 records FAX information and recording information as presentation information. Further, the information recording unit 26 records the number of faxes 80 and the number 82 of recordings. The number of faxes 80 and the number of recordings 82 are recorded by the information acquisition unit 32.

  Note that the FAX information and the recording information are each converted into an appropriate data format by the information presentation control unit 36 when presented to the information presentation unit 18. The FAX information is converted into print data or image data by the information presentation control unit 36 when presented to the information presentation unit 18. On the other hand, when presented to the information presentation unit 18, the recording information is converted into voice data by the information presentation control unit 36.

  The reference information amount recording unit 24 of the storage unit 14 records, as predetermined reference amounts, a reference FAX number 84 corresponding to the FAX number 80 and a reference recording number 86 corresponding to the recording number 82. In the present embodiment, the number of pieces of presentation information is adopted as the predetermined reference amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the capacity of the presentation information may be used as the reference amount.

[About the input section]
Next, the input unit 16 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the input unit 16 includes a function key unit 60 and a numeric keypad unit 62.

  The function key unit 60 has operation keys related to the function of the FAX answering machine 101 as a FAX answering machine. That is, the function key unit 60 further includes an answering key 70, a recording key 72, a reproduction key 74, a FAX browsing key 76, and a printing key 78. These operation keys are related to the answering machine recording function, call recording function, recording / playback function, FAX information browsing function, and FAX information printing function, respectively. The numeric keypad 62 includes numeric keys “0” to “9”. Each of the operation keys generates a unique operation signal when detecting the pressing of the operation key.

[About the presentation section]
Next, the information presentation unit 18 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the information presentation unit 18 includes a peripheral device control unit 50, a speaker unit 52, a display unit 54, and a printing unit 56.

  The peripheral device control unit 50 controls the handset 3 attached to the FAX answering machine 101 using wireless communication or the like. For wireless communication, infrared communication, short-range wireless communication, or the like can be used. Further, the peripheral device control unit 50 can transfer various information in the FAX answering machine 101 to the handset 3.

  The speaker unit 52 receives sound data from the main control unit 12, generates sound waves based on the received sound data, and outputs the sound waves to the outside. In the present embodiment, when presenting the recording information recorded in the information recording unit 26, the speaker unit 52 presents the contents of the recording information based on the control of the information presentation control unit 36.

  The display unit 54 receives image data from the main control unit 12 and displays an image on the display screen based on the received image data. The display unit 54 includes a display element such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), and an EL (Electroluminescence) display, and a driver circuit that drives the display element based on received image data. .

  In the present embodiment, the display unit 54 presents FAX information recorded in the information recording unit 26. The display unit 54 performs screen display of the contents of the FAX information based on the control of the information presentation control unit 36.

  The printing unit 56 receives print data from the main control unit 12 and prints out the contents of the print data on a print sheet based on the received print data. Similar to the display unit 54, the printing unit 56 presents FAX information recorded in the information recording unit 26. The printing unit 56 prints out the contents of the FAX information based on the control of the information presentation control unit 36.

[Other details]
The light emitting unit 42 is for lighting a specific operation key of the input unit with a light source such as an LED.

  The timer unit 44 measures time information. A known technique can be employed as a method for the timer section 44 to measure the time information.

  The key lock function button 64 is a button for instructing the key lock control unit 34 to operate and release the key lock function. As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the input unit 16 includes a key lock function button 64 as an individual button, but is not limited thereto, and may be replaced with another operation key. For example, the key lock function may be activated and canceled by pressing and holding a specific button on the numeric keypad 62.

[Recording of presentation information]
Next, recording of presentation information in the fax answering machine 101 will be described below. When communication such as telephone communication or FAX communication occurs with the FAX answering machine 101, the information acquisition unit 32 acquires the recording information and FAX information via the communication unit 10 and records them in the information recording unit 26. . Here, the information acquisition unit 32 records the number 82 of recordings corresponding to the recording information and the number of FAXs 80 corresponding to the FAX information in the information recording unit 26 at the same time.

  Note that the information acquisition unit 32 may directly transmit the presentation information acquired via the communication unit 10 to the information presentation control unit 36. For example, regarding the FAX information, settings related to the operation of the information acquisition unit 32 at the time of FAX reception are stored in advance in the storage unit 14, and the information acquisition unit 32 transmits the acquired FAX information to the information presentation control unit based on the settings. You may make it send to 36 directly.

[Presentation information]
Next, the operation of presenting presentation information in the fax answering machine 101 will be described below. When presenting various presentation information recorded in the information recording unit 26, the user may operate various operation keys provided in the input unit 16.

  First, a case where the key lock function of the fax answering machine 101 is released will be described.

  The fax answering machine 101 receives a user operation at the input unit 16. Here, when the FAX answering machine 101 detects that the reproduction key 74 of the function key unit 60 has been pressed, it reproduces the recorded information recorded in the information recording unit 26 on the speaker unit 52 of the information presentation unit 18. .

  Further, when the FAX answering machine 101 detects that the FAX browsing key 76 of the function key unit 60 is pressed, the FAX answering machine 101 presents the FAX information recorded in the information recording unit 26 on the display unit 54 of the information presenting unit 18. .

  Further, when the FAX answering machine 101 detects that the print key 78 of the function key unit 60 is pressed, the FAX information recorded in the information recording unit 26 is printed by the printing unit 56 of the information presenting unit 18.

  Next, the case where the key lock function is operating in the FAX answering machine 101 will be described below. When the key lock control function is enabled, that is, in the key lock state, even if the operation signal is generated by pressing the operation key of the function key unit 60, the operation signal is It is blocked in the key lock control unit 34 under a predetermined condition.

  The conditions for blocking the operation signal will be described below. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating some of the data items of the operation permission table 22. As shown in the figure, the operation permission table 22 includes “information type”, “target key”, and “valid / invalid” as data items. That is, the operation permission table 22 stores key lock information including the above data items.

  Here, the “target key” stores information about an operation key that generates an operation signal to be controlled by the key lock function. For example, information indicating each operation key of the function key unit 60 such as “playback key” is stored. In “valid / invalid”, “valid” indicating that the operation signal of the operation key corresponding to the “target key” is valid or “invalid” indicating not valid is stored. .

  In the “information type”, information related to presentation information that can be presented to the information presentation unit 18 by the control target key is stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the “playback key” can perform an operation of presenting “recording information” to the speaker unit 52 among the presentation information recorded in the information recording unit 26. “Replay key” is stored in the operation permission table 22 in association with each other. In the first record of the operation permission table 22, “recording information” and “playback key” are stored in association with each other, and “valid / invalid” is “valid”. It can be seen that the operation signal is valid.

  Further, as described above, there are two types of presentation methods for FAX information: presentation on the display unit 54 and presentation on the printing unit 56. Referring again to FIG. 3, “FAX browsing key” and “print key” are associated with “FAX information”. Further, both “FAX browsing key” and “print key” are “invalid”.

  The key lock control unit 34 reads out the key lock information recorded in the operation permission table 22 as described above, and determines whether various operation signals from the input unit 16 are valid. The key lock control unit 34 transfers the operation signal for the “valid” operation signal to the information presentation control unit 36, while blocking the operation signal for the “invalid” operation signal.

  With reference to FIG. 3 again, the operation when the playback key is pressed will be exemplified. First, when the key lock control unit 34 receives an operation signal of the reproduction key due to the pressing of the reproduction key, the key lock control unit 34 refers to the operation permission table 22 for “reproduction key”. The key lock control unit 34 determines that the “reproduction key” is “valid”. Based on this determination, the key lock control unit 34 transfers an operation signal for the reproduction key to the information presentation control unit 36.

  Subsequently, the information presentation control unit 36 reads out the recording information from the information recording unit 26 based on the operation signal of the reproduction key transferred from the key lock control unit 34, and controls the speaker unit 52 to present the recording information. To do.

  Next, the feature point of the key lock function provided in the FAX answering machine 101 will be described in more detail. The FAX answering machine 101 is provided with a collective key lock function that places each operation key of the input unit 16 in a key lock state by pressing a key lock function button 64.

  Further, the FAX answering machine 101 has a partial key lock release function for individually releasing the key lock function for a specific operation key when each operation key of the input unit 16 is in the key lock state. Hereinafter, these functions will be described in detail.

[Batch key lock function]
As described above, in the FAX answering machine 101, the key lock function can be activated or released by operating the key lock function button 64. That is, in the fax answering machine 101, the operation keys of the input unit 16 can be “valid” or “invalid” at once.

  In the present embodiment, the above feature points are realized by the following configuration. That is, when it is detected that the key lock function button 64 is pressed, an operation signal for the key lock function button 64 is transmitted to the key lock control unit 34. When receiving the operation signal of the key lock function button 64, the key lock control unit 34 updates the key lock information recorded in the operation permission table 22 shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration for making the operation keys of the input unit 16 “valid” or “invalid” in a lump may be provided separately.

  For example, when releasing the key lock function, the key lock control unit 34 sets the above “valid / invalid” for the “target key” in which “valid / invalid” is “invalid” in the operation permission table 22. Update all the settings to “valid”.

  The fax answering machine 101 can also enable the key lock function when no operation is detected in the input unit 16 for a predetermined time.

  This can be realized by, for example, the following method. That is, the timer unit 44 finally measures the elapsed time from the time when the input unit 16 detects the operation. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the last operation was detected, that is, when the elapsed time has reached the time-up time, the timer unit 44 displays no-operation information indicating that the predetermined time has elapsed. Is transmitted to the key lock control unit 34. The key lock control unit 34 that has received the no-operation information sets “invalid” for all “target keys” in the operation permission table 22.

  The above is the operation of each main part of the fax answering machine 101 when the operation signals of the operation keys other than the key lock function button 64 are collectively invalidated in the input unit 16.

(Partial key lock release function)
Next, an operation of permitting key operations of some operation keys in the function key unit 60 when the key lock function is activated will be described. In the fax answering machine 101 according to the present embodiment, when the information acquisition unit 32 records the presentation information in the information recording unit 26 and the information presentation unit 18 is motivated to present the presentation information, the presentation is performed. The key operation of the operation key for presenting information is permitted.

  The information detection unit 38 compares the information amount of the presentation information recorded in the information recording unit 26 with the reference amount recorded in the reference information amount recording unit 24 to detect an increase in presentation information.

  When the information detection unit 38 detects an increase in the presentation information, the operation permission unit 40 displays the key lock information recorded in the operation permission table 22 so that the operation key corresponding to the information type of the presentation information becomes “valid”. Update.

  More specifically, the information detection unit 38 compares the number of recordings 82 recorded in the information recording unit 26 with the reference recording number 86 recorded in the reference information amount recording unit 24 to increase the recording information. To detect. Further, the information detection unit 38 compares the number of FAX cases 80 recorded in the information recording unit 26 with the reference number of FAX cases 84 recorded in the reference information amount recording unit 24 to detect an increase in FAX information.

  Here, a method for setting the reference recording number 86 and the reference FAX number 84 recorded in the reference information recording unit 24 will be described. First, in the present embodiment, the reference recording number 86 and the reference FAX number 84 are set by the information detection unit 38. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and there may be a dedicated configuration for setting the reference recording number 86 and the reference FAX number 84.

  The above setting process may be performed at the following timing, for example. That is, when the information detection unit 38 detects that the key lock control unit 34 invalidates the operation signals of the operation keys other than the key lock function button 64 at once, the information detection unit 38 determines that the reference recording number 86 and What is necessary is just to initialize the reference | standard FAX number 84. In the present embodiment, the initialization setting is performed by the information detection unit 38 when the key lock function button 64 is pressed or when no operation is detected in the input unit 16 for a predetermined time. Done.

  In the initialization setting, for example, the information detection unit 38 increases the reference recording number 86 by 5 more than the recording number 82 at that time, and the reference FAX number 84 by 1 more than the FAX number 80 at that time. The number can be set.

  For example, the information detection unit 38 detects that the number 82 of recordings has reached 86 or more. The same applies to 80 fax cases.

  In other words, when the setting is made as described above, the information detection unit 38 detects from the initialization setting that the number of recorded information has increased by five and the number of FAX information has increased by one.

  Note that the timing at which the information detection unit 38 compares the information amount of the presentation information with the predetermined reference amount is not particularly limited. For example, when the information acquisition unit 32 records the presentation information in the information recording unit 26, the information detection unit 38 can perform the comparison.

  Also, various methods can be adopted as a method of comparing the information amount of the presentation information with a predetermined reference amount. For example, an increase in the number of recording information recorded since the initialization setting is started, and when the number of recordings reaches a predetermined number, the information detection unit 38 detects an increase in the amount of presentation information. May be.

  When detecting an increase in the presentation information, the information detection unit 38 transmits the information type of the presentation information in which the increase is detected to the operation permission unit 40. For example, when an increase is detected in the FAX information, the information detection unit 38 transmits “FAX information” as the information type to the operation permission unit 40.

  Next, the operation of the operation permission unit 40 when the information detection unit 38 detects an increase in presentation information will be described. The operation permission unit 40 reads the operation permission table 22 based on the information type transmitted from the information detection unit 38 and updates the key lock information so that the corresponding “target key” becomes “valid”. For example, when the information type of “FAX information” is received from the information detection unit 38, the operation permission unit 40 sets “valid” for the “FAX browsing key” and the “print key” corresponding to the “FAX information”. Control to set.

  As described above, in the fax answering machine 101 according to the present embodiment, some operation keys provided in the input unit 16 can be “valid” when the key lock function is operating. In other words, the fax answering machine 101 can be set to the partial key lock state.

[Process flow]
Next, the operation of the fax answering machine 101 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the fax answering machine 101. 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating the defined processing in the “initialization process” step and the “permission key setting” step shown in FIG.

  First, all the operation keys in the input unit 16 included in the FAX answering machine 101 are invalid except for the key lock function button 64. That is, it is a key lock state (S101). Next, an initialization process is performed for the information amount of the presentation information (S102).

  Here, the initialization process will be described with reference to FIG. In the initialization process, a reference amount is set for each information type of the presentation information. First, the fax answering machine 101 records the number of recordings 82 when the key lock state is set as the reference recording number 86 (S201), and the number of faxes 80 when the key lock state is set is set as the reference FAX. The number 84 is recorded (S202).

  In the present embodiment, the reference recording number 86 and the reference FAX number 84 are recorded. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if the FAX answering machine 101 can record the amount of information related to other types of presentation information, It can be included in the initialization process.

  When the initialization process ends, the FAX answering machine 101 waits for an incoming call (No in S103). Then, when there is an incoming call about the presentation information that can be recorded by the FAX answering machine 101 (Yes in S103), the permission key setting process is performed (S104).

  Here, the permission key setting process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the permission key setting process, it is detected whether there is a change in the information amount for each information type of the presentation information. That is, it is determined whether the number of recordings 82 has changed since the initialization process (S301). If the number of recordings 82 has changed since the initialization process (Yes in S301), the “target key” is validated for the recording information and the process proceeds to the next process (S302). The method for validating the “target key” is as described above. On the other hand, if the number of recordings 82 has not changed since the initialization process (No in S301), the process proceeds to the next process.

  Then, it is determined whether the number of faxes 80 has changed since the initialization process (S303). If the number of faxes 80 has changed since the initialization process (Yes in S303), the “target key” is validated for the fax information, and then the process returns to the original process (S304). On the other hand, if the number of FAX cases 80 has not changed since the initialization process (No in S303), the process returns to the original process.

  In the present embodiment, changes in the number of recordings 82 and the number of faxes 80 are detected. However, when the fax answering machine 101 records presentation information of another information type, in the permission key setting process, the other information Based on the change in the number of types of presentation information, a process of setting the “target key” to “valid” may be performed.

  Then, after performing the permission key setting process, if the “valid” operation key is not set, the FAX answering machine 101 remains in the key lock state in a lump (No in S105). Thereafter, the process ends. Here, when the “valid” operation key is set (Yes in S105), the fax answering machine 101 operates as follows.

  First, in order to measure the elapsed time, the timer section 44 initializes time information and starts measuring elapsed time (S106). Then, the input unit 16 receives a key operation. If there is a key operation (Yes in S107), it is determined in the FAX answering machine 101 whether or not the key is a “valid” operation key. If the input operation key is “valid” (Yes in S108), the elapsed time measurement is reinitialized (return to S106). This is to prevent the key lock state from reaching the time-up time while waiting for the key operation.

  On the other hand, if no key operation is detected in S107 (No in S107), or if the input operation key is not “valid” in S108 (No in S108), the elapsed time is up. Check if the time has been reached. If the elapsed time has not reached the time-up time (No in S109), the key operation is continuously waited (return to S107).

  On the other hand, if the elapsed time has reached the time-up time (Yes in S109), the FAX answering machine 101 collectively activates the key lock function and enters the key lock state (S110). Thereafter, the process ends.

  As described above, when the fax answering machine 101 detects an increase in presentation information while the key lock function is operating, the key lock function is partially canceled based on the information type of the increased presentation information. To do.

  For this reason, only the key which requires the operation for presenting the presenting information can accurately release the key lock function.

  On the other hand, for the operation keys that do not require an operation for presenting the presentation information, the key lock function can be surely enabled. It is possible to prevent the function from malfunctioning.

  As a result, the convenience of the key lock function in the FAX answering machine 101 can be improved.

[Modified example of FAX answering machine]
Hereinafter, a modification of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a modification regarding the processing flow of the fax answering machine 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the fax answering machine 101.

  In addition, about the step which performs the process similar to the step demonstrated with reference to FIG. 4, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted. That is, since S101 to S105 are as already described, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to FIG. 7, the fax answering machine 101 temporarily releases the key lock state in S401. That is, unlike the example shown in FIG. 4, if at least one “valid” operation key is set in S104, the key lock function is temporarily collectively applied to other “invalid” operation keys. To cancel.

  Next, in order to measure the elapsed time from the time when the key lock function is temporarily released collectively, the timer unit 44 initializes the time information and starts measuring the elapsed time (S402).

  Then, the input unit 16 accepts input of operation keys. Here, if there is an operation key input (Yes in S403), it is determined in the fax answering machine 101 whether or not the key is a “valid” operation key. If the input operation key is “valid” (Yes in 404), the elapsed time measurement is reinitialized (return to S402).

  This is one of the differences from the example shown with reference to FIG. In this modification, as long as the “valid” operation key is input, the elapsed time is initialized, and the state where the key lock function is temporarily released in the FAX answering machine 101 is maintained.

  On the other hand, if no key operation is detected in S403 (No in S403) or if the input operation key is not “valid” in S404 (No in S404), the elapsed time is up. Check if the time has been reached.

  If the elapsed time has not reached the time-up time (No in S405), the key operation is continuously waited (return to S403).

  On the other hand, when the elapsed time has reached the time-up time (Yes in S405), the operation keys other than the “valid” operation keys are again set to the key lock state in S404. Then, the process in the partial key lock state shown in FIG. 4, that is, the processes of S106 to S109 are performed (S406). Then, the FAX answering machine 101 activates the key lock function at once and enters the key lock state (S407). Thereafter, the process ends.

  According to the above configuration, the fax answering machine 101 can adjust the timing at which the partial key lock state is entered, so that various key lock functions can be controlled. For this reason, the FAX answering machine 101 can realize a key lock function that meets the needs of the user.

  Next, an effective utilization method of the light emitting unit 42 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing an overview of the fax answering machine 101. FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure corresponding to the structure demonstrated in FIG. For example, the key lock function button 64 described in FIG. 2 is arranged in the lower left part of the device overview in FIG. Since the same applies to the other parts, the description of each part is omitted.

  Here, as a modification of the present embodiment, when the fax answering machine 101 enters the partial key lock state, only the “valid” operation key is lit by the light emitting unit 42, and any operation key is “valid” It can be configured to clearly indicate whether or not. For example, referring to FIG. 9, the reproduction key 74 is lit by the light emitting unit 42 in FIG. 9. This shows a state in which recorded information is recorded and the reproduction key 74 is “valid” in the fax answering machine 101. That is, if the user presses the reproduction key 74 in this state, the fax answering machine 101 presents the recording information in the information presenting unit 18.

  According to the above configuration, since the fax answering machine 101 clearly indicates which operation key is “valid”, the convenience of the user is enhanced.

[Modification of information processing apparatus]
Below, the modification which applies the information processing apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention to apparatuses other than a FAX answering machine is demonstrated.

  For example, a modification in which the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is operated as a video recorder can be considered. The modified example of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, the communication unit 10 receives a television broadcast signal from a communication network. Then, the information acquisition unit 32 acquires program data via the communication unit 10 and records it in the information recording unit 26. The input unit 16 only needs to include operation keys for reproducing presentation information as program data. The information presentation unit 18 only needs to have a user interface such as a television screen for receiving a video signal from the main control unit 12.

  According to the above configuration, when the information processing apparatus 1 records program data, the key lock function can be partially released. For example, it is assumed that the present invention is applied to a case where program data related to a specific keyword is automatically recorded.

  Thereafter, the information presentation unit 18 may reproduce the video signal based on the operation signal generated by the input unit 16.

  In addition to the above-described modifications, application to various devices such as a mail receiving device, an audio data recording device, and an automatic photography device can be considered.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the information processing apparatus 1, particularly the information acquisition unit 32, the key lock control unit 34, the information presentation control unit 36, the information detection unit 38, and the operation permission unit 40 may be configured by hardware logic. Alternatively, it may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program. And a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the information processing apparatus 1 which is software for realizing the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer This can also be achieved by supplying the information processing apparatus 1 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

The information processing apparatus 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used .

  According to the present invention, since only the operation keys that need to be operated can be controlled to accurately cancel the key lock function, an apparatus that has a key lock function and records a plurality of types of presentation information, For example, it can be used widely and suitably in information processing apparatuses such as portable communication terminals.

1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of an information processing apparatus. FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main part configuration of a fax answering machine. It is a figure which shows a part of data item of an operation permission table. It is the flowchart explaining an example of operation | movement of a FAX answering machine. It is the flowchart explaining the defined process in the step of "initialization process". It is the flowchart explaining the defined process in the step of "permission key setting". It is the flowchart explaining an example of operation | movement of a FAX answering machine. It is a figure which shows the external view of a FAX answering machine. It is a figure which shows the external view of a FAX answering machine. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the FAX answering machine as the conventional information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the FAX answering machine as the conventional information processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 2 Communication network 10 Communication part 12 Main control part 14 Storage part 16 Input part 18 Information presentation part (information presentation means)
22 Operation permission table 24 Reference information amount recording unit (reference amount storage unit)
26 Information recording unit (information storage unit)
32 Information acquisition unit (information acquisition means)
34 Key lock controller (lock control means)
36 Information presentation control unit (information presentation means)
38 Information detection unit (information amount detection means)
40 Operation permission part (lock control means)

Claims (10)

Information acquisition means for acquiring information;
An information storage unit for storing the information acquired by the information acquisition means;
Information presenting means for presenting information stored in the information storage unit in a state in which the user can recognize;
A lock control means for locking and releasing an operation key for generating an operation signal corresponding to the presentation operation by the information presentation means,
The lock control means includes
When operation keys that generate operation signals corresponding to all presentation actions are in a locked state and the information acquisition unit acquires information, only the operation keys necessary for the presentation action corresponding to the acquired information are unlocked. A characteristic information processing apparatus. Operation keys for generating an operation signal corresponding to all the presented operating in the locked state, starting from the time of locking start of operation keys for generating an operation signal corresponding to all the presentation operation by the lock control means, the information storage unit Further comprising an information amount detection means for detecting whether or not the amount of information stored in the information has increased,
The lock control means includes
2. The operation key for generating an operation signal corresponding to a presentation operation corresponding to the increased information is unlocked when the information amount detecting unit detects that the information amount has increased. The information processing apparatus described in 1. A reference amount storage unit for storing, as a reference amount, the amount of information stored in the information storage unit at the start of locking operation keys that generate operation signals corresponding to all presentation actions by the lock control unit;
The information amount detecting means is
3. The information processing according to claim 2, wherein an increase in the information amount is detected by comparing an information amount of the information stored in the information storage unit with a reference amount stored in the reference amount storage unit. apparatus. An operation permission table in which operation permission information indicating whether the operation is valid or invalid is further recorded for each of the operation signals for operating the presentation operation by the information presenting means,
The lock control means includes
With reference to the operation permission table, when the operation permission information corresponding to the operation signal indicates that the operation is valid, the operation key that generates the operation signal corresponding to the operation of presenting the information corresponding to the operation signal is unlocked When the operation permission information corresponding to the operation signal indicates invalidity, the operation key that generates the operation signal corresponding to the operation of presenting the information corresponding to the operation signal is set to the locked state.
When the operation key that generates the operation signal corresponding to all the presentation actions is in the locked state and the information amount detection unit detects that the information amount has increased, the operation signal of the presentation action corresponding to the increased information is displayed. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation permission information recorded in the operation permission table is updated so that the operation permission information indicates a valid operation. It has at least a facsimile function and an answering machine recording function,
The information according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information acquired by the information acquisition means includes at least facsimile information received by a facsimile function and recording information recorded by an answering machine recording function. Processing equipment. The lock control means includes
In operation keys locked state to generate an operation signal corresponding to all the presentation operation, the lock of the operation key the information acquisition means when obtaining information, to generate an operation signal corresponding to the presentation operation corresponding to the obtained information 6. The operation key for generating an operation signal corresponding to the unlocked presentation operation is locked when a predetermined time has elapsed after the lock is released, and the operation key is locked. The information processing apparatus according to item. Input means including a key for inputting an operation signal corresponding to each of the presenting operations;
Illumination means for lighting each key provided in the input means,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lock control unit controls the illumination unit to light a key corresponding to a presentation operation that is not locked. apparatus.   A control program for operating the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control program causes a computer to function as each of the means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 8 is recorded. An information presentation step for presenting information in a state recognizable by the user;
A lock step for locking an operation key for generating an operation signal corresponding to all the presentation operations in the information presentation step;
When the above information is acquired in a state where the operation keys that generate operation signals corresponding to all the presentation operations are locked by the lock step, only the operation keys necessary for the presentation operation corresponding to the acquired information are locked. A method for controlling the information processing apparatus, comprising: a lock releasing step for releasing the information.

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