JP7409135B2 - Processing condition setting system, processing condition setting method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a processing condition setting system, a processing condition setting method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are image forming apparatuses that can be operated by voice input (hereinafter also referred to as "voice operation"). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a voice input means for inputting voice, a voice recognition means for recognizing the voice input by the voice input means using limited dictionary data and generating recognition data as a result of the recognition, An image forming apparatus or an information processing apparatus connected thereto is disclosed, which includes a command generating means for generating a command for executing the operation content indicated by the recognition data.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-330576

Some image forming apparatuses that can be operated by voice can perform settings related to a job (processing) of the image forming apparatus by voice operation. When setting a job, there are a plurality of items to be set, so when setting each of the plurality of setting items individually, the user must input the setting details each time by voice. For example, settings for a copy job include ``number of copies,'' ``color,'' ``duplex,'' and ``page aggregation.'' If these settings need to be set one by one, the user can give operational instructions by speaking. Need to repeat. Therefore, it has been desired to provide a function that allows setting or changing a plurality of setting items with a single voice input.

However, for example, when a user instructs to change the setting values of multiple setting items with a single voice input, the changed settings based on the instructions are prohibited from being set in combination on the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as , also referred to as ``no grouping'').

For example, assume that the following settings (1) to (5) are set for a scan job.
(1) Color: Automatic (2) Double-sided: Single-sided (3) Resolution: 200dpi
(4) Format: Compact PDF (Portable Document Format)
(5) Document size: automatic And assume that "black" in "color" and "compact PDF" in "file format" are set to prohibit printing.

Furthermore, when the user instructs to change the settings by voice operation, the setting values of the setting items are changed by the following controls (A) to (C).
(A) Change the setting values of setting items in the order of (1) to (5) above.
(B) If a setting prohibition occurs due to a change in the setting value of a setting item, the change is not executed in the setting where the setting value is prohibited, and the next priority order (hereinafter referred to as "priority order") is set. Change the setting value of an item.
(C) When the change of setting values for all setting items is completed, the user is notified of the generated group prohibition information.

Assume that in a state where the settings (1) to (5) above have been made, the user instructs to change the settings by uttering "color black, convert to PDF." In this case, when changes are made in accordance with the preset order of setting changes, first the "color" in (1) is changed from "auto" to "black". At this point, a combination prohibition occurs between "Black" after the "Color" is changed and "Compact PDF" before the "File Format" is changed. In this case, based on the control in (B) above, the change of "color" from "auto" to "black" is not executed.

No combination prohibition will occur between "PDF" in "File Format" and "Black" in "Color", but if the above-mentioned controls (A) to (C) are performed, the user The desired changes will no longer be implemented.

The present invention has been made in view of this situation. An object of the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of prohibited combinations when an instruction to change the setting values of a plurality of setting items is given by a user's utterance.

In order to solve the above problems, a processing condition setting system that reflects one aspect of the present invention includes an instruction receiving section, a setting order control section, and a setting changing section. The instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to change set values of a plurality of setting items by voice operation. The setting order control unit changes the set setting values of multiple setting items in the setting order based on the change instruction, thereby prohibiting combinations between the change instruction setting values included in the change instruction and the set setting values. If this occurs, change the setting order for changing the set setting values to a setting order in which combination prohibition does not occur. The setting change unit changes the set setting values of the plurality of setting items in the changed setting order.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of prohibited combinations when a user utters an instruction to change the setting values (already set values) of a plurality of setting items. Note that problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be made clear by the description of the embodiments below.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a control system of an image forming apparatus and an audio processing server according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of setting items related to a copy job and an example of priority order of setting change set for each setting item according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of setting items related to a scan job and an example of priority order of setting change set for each setting item according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a table showing an example of the conditions that the assembly prohibition determining unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention refers to during the first assembly prohibition determination process, and an example of the process that the setting order control unit performs. 7 is a table showing an example of conditions that the assembly prohibition determining unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention refers to during the second assembly prohibition determination process, and an example of the process that the setting order control unit performs. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a prohibition determination process by a prohibition determination unit and a priority order change process by a setting order control unit, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a voice operation reception screen displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scan setting confirmation screen displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scan setting confirmation screen displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of an image forming apparatus and an audio processing server according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by an image processing system according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by an image processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scan setting confirmation screen displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting change result by a setting order control unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scan setting confirmation screen displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by an image processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by an image processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a combination prohibition setting table according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scan setting confirmation screen displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image of a scan setting confirmation screen displayed on the operation display section of the image forming apparatus when the setting values of setting items that do not cause combination prohibition are changed first according to the third embodiment of the present invention; be. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting change result by a setting order control unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scan setting confirmation screen displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by an image processing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by an image processing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the example of composition of the priority management table concerning the modification of the 3rd embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scan setting confirmation screen displayed on an operation display unit of an image forming apparatus according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting change result by a setting order control unit according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scan setting confirmation screen displayed on an operation display unit of an image forming apparatus according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by an image processing system according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function or configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanation of the components will be omitted.

<First embodiment>
[Image processing system configuration]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The image processing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming device 1 (an example of a processing condition setting system), an audio input/output device 2, and an audio processing server 3. The audio input/output device 2 and the audio processing server 3 and the audio processing server 3 and the image forming device 1 are connected via a network N such as a public switched telephone network or an IP (Internet Protocol) network.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes, for example, an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripherals) having a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and the like. The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a sheet of paper based on image data transmitted from a terminal device (not shown) or the like, and outputs the sheet on which the image is formed as a printed material.

The audio input/output device 2 is composed of, for example, a smart speaker, and includes a microphone and a speaker (not shown). The voice input/output device 2 converts the voice collected by the microphone, for example, an operation instruction uttered by the user, into voice data, and transmits the voice information to the voice processing server 3 . Furthermore, the audio input/output device 2 reproduces the audio information transmitted from the audio processing server 3, and outputs the sound from the speaker.

The audio processing server 3 is provided, for example, on a cloud (not shown), and its functions are provided as a cloud application service. The audio processing server 3 performs audio analysis processing on the audio information transmitted from the audio input/output device 2. Then, the audio processing server 3 transmits to the image forming apparatus 1 an instruction corresponding to the result of the audio analysis process.

In this embodiment, an example is given in which the audio processing server 3 is provided on the cloud, but the present invention is not limited to this. The audio processing server 3 may be provided within the image forming apparatus 1 or may be provided within an on-premises server (not shown) or the like. Further, a relay server or the like is provided between the audio processing server 3 and the image forming apparatus 1 for receiving and storing audio information regarding the job from the audio processing server 3 and passing the job to the image forming apparatus 1. It's okay to be hit.

[Configuration of control system of image forming device and audio processing server]
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 and the audio processing server 3 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the image forming apparatus 1 and the audio processing server 3. As shown in FIG.

[Configuration of control system of image forming apparatus]
First, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a communication I/F (Interface) section 11, a control section 12, an operation display section 13, an image reading section 14, an image processing section 15, and an image forming section. 16, and a processing condition setting section 17.

The communication I/F unit 11 controls various data transmission/reception operations performed with the audio processing server 3 connected via the network N.

The control unit 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 120, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 121, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 122, and a storage unit 123.

The CPU 120 reads various processing programs such as a system program, an image forming processing program, and a processing condition setting program stored in the ROM 122, loads them into the RAM 121, and controls the operations of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the loaded programs. For example, the CPU 120 controls each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 1 to execute various processes associated with instructions input from the audio processing server 3.

The RAM 121 temporarily stores data necessary for the CPU 120 to execute programs, image data (scan image data, print image data, finished preview image data), and the like.

The ROM 122 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor memory, and stores a system program corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 and various programs executable on the system program. The programs stored in the ROM 122 are stored in the form of computer-readable program codes, and the CPU 120 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.

The storage unit 123 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and stores various setting data, image data, etc. related to the image forming apparatus 1.

The operation display section 13 is configured as a touch panel in which a display section made of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electroluminescence), and an operation input section made of a touch sensor or the like are integrally formed. The display section of the operation display section 13 displays, for example, a setting screen for making settings regarding various jobs such as copying, scanning, and printing.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the display part and the operation input part were integrally formed as the operation display part 13, the present invention is not limited to this. The display section and the operation input section including a keyboard, mouse, etc. may be configured separately. Alternatively, in addition to the operation display section 13 configured as a touch panel, it may be configured to include an operation input section consisting of a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

The image reading unit 14 optically reads image data from a document placed on a document table (not shown). The image reading unit 14 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a scan control (both not shown) that controls scanning by the CCD, and the like. The CCD receives light emitted from a light source (not shown) and reflected from a document, and converts the light into an electrical signal. The scan control section controls the operation of the CCD, processes electrical signals output from the CCD, and the like.

The image processing unit 15 performs various image processing such as color adjustment, density adjustment, contrast adjustment, color scheme conversion, image size adjustment, and character width adjustment in the image on image data transmitted from a terminal device (not shown). I do.

The image forming section 16 forms an image on a sheet of paper based on the image data processed by the image processing section 15, and outputs the sheet on which the image is formed as a printed matter. The image forming section 16 includes a charging device (not shown), a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a transfer belt, and a fixing device.

The image forming unit 16 first forms an electrostatic latent image on the circumference of the photosensitive drum by irradiating the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device with light corresponding to an image from the exposure device. . Next, the image forming unit 16 causes the developing device to supply toner to the photoconductor, thereby depositing the toner on the charged electrostatic latent image and developing the toner image. Next, the image forming unit 16 primarily transfers the toner image onto the transfer belt, secondarily transfers the toner image transferred onto the transfer belt onto paper, and further transfers the toner image transferred onto the paper into a fixing device. Fix the image on the paper.

In this embodiment, an example is given in which the image forming section 16 forms an image using an electrophotographic method, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the image processing system and image forming apparatus of the present invention, an image forming section that forms images using other methods such as an inkjet method may be used.

The processing condition setting section 17 performs settings related to various jobs such as copying, scanning, printing, etc., and changes the settings based on instructions received from the audio processing server 3 via the communication I/F section 11. . The processing condition setting section 17 includes an instruction receiving section 171 , a setting changing section 172 , a set prohibition determining section 173 , and a setting order controlling section 174 .

The instruction receiving unit 171 receives an instruction corresponding to the content of the user's utterance, which is received from the voice processing server 3 via the communication I/F unit 11. The setting change unit 172 changes the setting value of the corresponding setting item displayed on the screen of the operation display unit 13 based on the instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 171 in accordance with the display order of the setting items on the screen of the operation display unit 13. Change the settings one by one based on the priority of setting changes set by The priority order set for each setting item will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, which will be described later.

The prohibition determining unit 173 changes the setting value of the setting item based on the instruction based on the voice operation received by the instruction receiving unit 171, thereby changing the setting item and its setting value (change instruction It is determined whether combination prohibition occurs between the currently set setting item and its setting value (an example of the set value). The assembly prohibition determining unit 173 first performs a first assembly prohibition determination process, and if necessary as a result of the first assembly prohibition determination process, performs a second assembly prohibition determination process. The first assembly prohibition determination process and the second assembly prohibition determination process will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, which will be described later.

When the prohibited grouping determination section 173 determines that the prohibited grouping will occur, the setting order control section 174 changes the priority order of changes set in each setting item and implements the change. If it is determined that the occurrence can be prevented, the priority set for the setting item is changed.

[Speech processing server control system configuration]
Next, referring also to FIG. 2, the configuration of the control system of the audio processing server 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the voice processing server 3 includes a control section 31, a communication I/F section 32, and a voice analysis section 33.

The control unit 31 includes a CPU 310, a RAM 311, a ROM 312, and a storage unit 313.

The CPU 310 reads various processing programs such as a system program, an audio processing program, and a processing condition setting program stored in the ROM 312, loads them into the RAM 311, and controls the operation of each part of the audio processing server 3 according to the loaded programs.

For example, when audio information is transmitted from the audio input/output device 2, the CPU 310 sends various instructions regarding an image processing job corresponding to the audio information to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication I/F unit 32. Controls transmission.

The RAM 311 forms a work area that temporarily stores various programs executed by the CPU 310 and data related to these programs.

The ROM 312 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor memory, and stores a system program corresponding to the audio processing server 3, an audio processing program executable on the system program, and the like. These programs are stored in the form of computer-readable program codes, and the CPU 310 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.

The storage unit 313 is configured by an HDD, an SSD, or the like, and stores various setting data related to the audio processing server 3 and instructions related to image processing jobs that are associated with audio analysis results by the audio analysis unit 33.

The communication I/F unit 32 controls various data transmission and reception operations performed with the audio input/output device 2 connected via the network N.

The voice analysis section 33 analyzes the voice information transmitted from the voice input/output device 2, reads instructions corresponding to the voice analysis result, such as setting information and job start instructions, from the storage section 313, and sends the instructions to the control section 31. Output to.

[Priority set for each setting item]
Next, the priority order set for each setting item will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of setting items related to a copy job and an example of the priority order of setting changes set for each setting item, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of setting items related to a scan job and each setting. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of priorities for setting changes set for items.

FIG. 3 shows a copy setting screen Sc1 of the operation display unit 13 on which setting items related to a copy job are displayed. On the copy setting screen Sc1 shown in FIG. 3, setting items such as "number of copies," "color," "duplex," and "page aggregation" are arranged from top to bottom and from left to right. It is assumed that the priority order of setting changes is set in this order. That is, the setting item to which the highest priority is set is "number of copies," and the setting item to which the lowest priority is set is "page aggregation."

In the "Number of Copies" item, the user can set the number of copies of paper they wish to copy. In the "Color" item, the user can select the color of characters and/or images formed on paper from among "Auto," "Color," and "Black." In the "Double-sided" item, the user can specify the side of the paper to be read into the image forming apparatus 1 (single-sided scanning or duplex scanning), and the side on which the image will be formed (single-sided printing or duplex printing). can. In the "page aggregation" item, the user can select a setting of "none" (page aggregation is not performed) or "2 in 1". The user can set and change each setting item either by operating the screen of the operation display unit 13 or by giving instructions to the audio input/output device 2 by speaking.

When the user instructs the setting value of a plurality of setting items to be changed, the setting change unit 172 changes the setting values of the setting items one by one, starting from the setting value of the setting item with the highest priority. change each time.

Note that when the user's utterance instructs to call up (read) the user's predefined favorite settings (hereinafter referred to as "usual settings"), the setting change unit 172 selects "usual settings". ” to change the setting value of the item. The "usual settings" are a combination of a plurality of setting items, and are stored in, for example, the storage unit 123.

FIG. 4 shows a scan setting screen Sc2 of the operation display unit 13 on which setting items related to a scan job are displayed. The scan setting screen Sc2 shown in FIG. Each setting item for "original size" is arranged. It is assumed that the priority order of changes is set in this order. That is, the setting item to which the highest priority is set is "destination," and the setting item to which the lowest priority is set is "document size."

In "Destination 1" and "Destination 2", the user can specify the destination of the read image read by the image reading unit 14. In the "Color" item, the user can select the color of characters and/or images formed on paper from among "Auto," "Color," and "Black." In the "both sides" item, the user can specify the side (single side or both sides) on which the image will be formed.

In the "Resolution" item, the user can select the resolution of the read image from among "200 dpi," "300 dpi," "400 dpi," and "600 dpi." In the "File format" item, the user selects the file format of the scanned image from among "Compact PDF", "PDF", "JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)" and "TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)". be able to. "Compact PDF" is a file format created using Compact PDF conversion technology, which compresses the file size by dividing scanned data into an image area and a character area and performing processing appropriate for each area. be.

When the user instructs the setting value of a plurality of setting items to be changed, the setting change unit 172 changes the setting values of the setting items one by one in descending order of priority.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example was given in which the order of priority for changing the setting items is the same as the display order of the setting items on the screen of the operation display unit 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. The priority order for changing the setting items may be assigned a different order from the display order of the setting items on the screen of the operation display unit 13.

[Group prohibited determination processing by the grouping prohibited determination unit and priority order change processing by the setting order control unit]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the assembly prohibition determination process by the assembly prohibition determination unit 173 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the priority order changing process by the setting order control unit 174 will be described. FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of the conditions that the assembly prohibition determining unit 173 refers to during the first assembly prohibition determination process and an example of the process that the setting order control unit 174 performs. FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of the conditions that the assembly prohibition determining unit 173 refers to during the second assembly prohibition determination process and an example of the process that the setting order control unit 174 performs. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a grouping prohibited determination process by the grouping prohibited determination unit 173 and a priority order change process by the setting order control unit 174.

FIG. 5A shows an example of conditions determined by the assembly prohibition determining unit 173 in the first assembly prohibition determination process. The first assembly prohibition determination process is a process performed when the instruction receiving unit 171 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives an instruction regarding job settings. The conditions determined in the first assembly prohibition determination include the following first condition and second condition.

The first condition is satisfied when "compact PDF" is included in any of the setting items shown in (a) and (b) below.
(a) “File format” setting item displayed on the screen of the operation display unit 13 (an example of the first setting item)
(b) Setting item of "File format" of "Usual settings" read based on voice operation (an example of the first setting item)

The second condition is satisfied when the setting contents instructed to be changed by voice operation include both the setting items and setting values shown in (c) and (d) below.
(c) "Color" (an example of the second setting item) is "Black"
(d) “File format” is “PDF” or “TIFF”

FIG. 5B shows an example of processing by the setting order control unit 174. As shown in FIG. 5B, the setting order control unit 174 changes the priority order set for the setting item when the prohibition determining unit 173 determines that both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied. Perform the processing to do. Specifically, the priority set in the "file format" setting item is changed to the highest priority. However, if the setting items include a setting item for the destination to which the scan data will be sent (hereinafter also simply referred to as "destination"), the priority order of the "file format" setting item will be Change the priority to the next priority of the "Destination" setting item with the highest value. On the other hand, if both the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied, a second grouping prohibition determination process is performed.

FIG. 6A shows an example of conditions determined by the assembly prohibition determining unit 173 in the second assembly prohibition determination process. The conditions determined in the second assembly prohibition determination include the following third condition and fourth condition.

The third condition is satisfied when either "Compact PDF" or "JPEG" is included in either of the setting items shown in (a) or (b) below.
(a) Setting items displayed on the screen of the operation display unit 13 (b) Setting items of "usual settings" read out based on voice operation

The fourth condition is satisfied when the setting contents instructed to be changed by voice operation include both the setting items and setting values shown in (e) and (f) below.
(e) "Resolution" (an example of the second setting item) is "400dpi" or "600dpi"
(f) “File format” is other than “Compact PDF” or “JPEG”

FIG. 6B shows an example of processing by the setting order control unit 174. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the setting order control unit 174 determines that both the third condition and the fourth condition are satisfied by the assembling prohibition determining unit 173, the setting order control unit 174 performs the assembling prohibition determination process in the same way as in the first assembling prohibition determination process. , performs processing to change the priority set for setting items. Specifically, the priority set in the "file format" setting item is changed to the highest priority. However, if the setting items include a "Destination" setting item, the priority of the "File Format" setting item will be the next priority after the destination setting item, which has the highest priority. change.

On the other hand, if both the third condition and the fourth condition are not satisfied, the prohibition determining unit 173 does not perform the process of changing the priority order set in the setting item.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the procedure of the assembly prohibition determination process by the assembly prohibition determination unit 173 and the priority order change process by the setting order control unit 174 will be described.

First, the assembly prohibition determining unit 173 determines whether the instruction receiving unit 171 has received an instruction to change job settings input by the user through voice operation (step S1). If it is determined in step S1 that the instruction to change the settings of the job has not been received (NO in step S1), the control unit 12 repeats the determination in step S1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the instruction to change the settings of the job has been received (YES in step S1), the assembly prohibition determination unit 173 determines that the setting contents for which the change has been instructed are as shown in FIG. 6A. It is determined whether both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied (step S2).

If it is determined in step S2 that the setting content for which change has been instructed satisfies both the first condition and the second condition (YES in step S2), the setting order control unit 174 changes the setting item to the setting item. A process of changing the set priority order is performed (step S3). Next, the setting change unit 172 changes the contents of each setting item in the order of the set priorities (step S4).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the settings that have been instructed to change do not satisfy both the first condition and the second condition (NO in step S2), the setting order control unit 174 It is determined whether the setting content for which change has been instructed satisfies both the third condition and the fourth condition shown in FIG. 7A (step S5).

If it is determined in step S5 that the setting content for which change has been instructed satisfies both the third condition and the fourth condition (YES in step S5), the setting order control unit 174 Perform processing. That is, the setting order control unit 174 performs a process of changing the priority order set for the setting item.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the setting content for which change has been instructed does not satisfy both the third condition and the fourth condition (NO in step S4), the setting order control unit 174: The priority order set for the setting item is not changed. Thereafter, the setting change unit 172 performs the process of step S4, that is, the process of changing the contents of each setting item according to the set priority order.

[Processing condition setting process by image processing system]
Next, processing condition setting processing by the image processing system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by the image processing system 100, and FIG. 9 shows an example of the voice operation reception screen Sc0 displayed on the operation display section 13 of the image forming apparatus 1. It is a diagram. 10 and 11 are diagrams showing examples of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 displayed on the operation display section 13 of the image forming apparatus 1.

First, a user's utterance instruction "scan" is input to the voice input/output device 2 (step S11). The user's utterance instruction is performed, for example, while the voice operation reception screen Sc0 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the operation display unit 13. On the voice operation reception screen Sc0 shown in FIG. 9, a message ``Please speak to the speaker to start voice utterance. ``Copy'' and ``Scan'''' is displayed.

Returning to FIG. 8, the explanation will be continued. After the processing in step S11, audio data corresponding to the audio "scan" is transmitted from the audio input/output device 2 to the audio processing server 3 (step S12). Next, an instruction to start the scan setting screen Sc2 (see FIG. 4) is transmitted from the audio processing server 3 to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S13). Next, in the image forming apparatus 1, the scan setting screen Sc2 is activated (step S14).

Next, a notification that the scan setting screen Sc2 has been activated is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 to the audio processing server 3 (step S15). Next, the audio processing server 3 notifies the audio input/output device 2 of the processing results (step S16). That is, it is notified that activation of the scan setting screen Sc2 in the image forming apparatus 1 has been completed. Next, the voice input/output device 2 outputs a voice message asking the user whether or not to change the settings, such as "It's a scan. Do you want to change the settings?" (step S17).

At this time, the operation display unit 13 displays, for example, a scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 shown in FIG. 10. At the top of the scan settings confirmation screen Sc3, the title "Scan Settings" is displayed, and below that, the current settings are displayed in bulleted form. Specifically, "Destination: None", "Color: Auto", "Resolution: 400 dpi", and "File Format: Compact PDF" are displayed. At the bottom of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3, a "back" button and a "start" button are arranged.

Returning to FIG. 8, the explanation will be continued. After the processing in step S17, the user inputs a speech instruction "color black, send it to Mr. A in PDF" to the audio input/output device 2 (step S18). Next, voice data corresponding to the voice of the speaking instruction is transmitted as a request from the voice input/output device 2 to the voice processing server 3 (step S19).

Next, the audio processing server 3 performs a syntax analysis process of the audio data and a change instruction setting value generation process (step S20). In step S20, a change instruction setting value of "Destination: Mr. A, Color: Black, File Format: PDF" is generated. Next, the change instruction setting value is transmitted from the audio processing server 3 to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S21).

Next, the assembly prohibition determination unit 173 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not the setting order needs to be rearranged (step S22). In step S22, the assembly prohibition determining unit 173 determines whether the change instruction transmitted from the audio processing server 3 includes a setting item and a setting value that cause assembly prohibition. Specifically, the first assembly prohibition determination process and the second assembly prohibition determination process described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are performed.

In the first assembly prohibition determination process, the assembly prohibition determination unit 173 first determines whether the change instruction setting value satisfies the first condition. Specifically, either the setting item displayed on the screen of the operation display unit 13 (here, the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3) or the setting item of "usual settings" read out by voice operation, It is determined whether "compact PDF" is included. Since the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 shown in FIG. 10 includes "compact PDF", the assembly prohibition determination unit 173 determines that the first condition is satisfied.

Next, the assembly prohibition determining unit 173 determines whether the change instruction setting value satisfies the second condition. Specifically, it is determined whether the change instruction (utterance instruction) by voice operation includes both "color: black" and "file format: PDF or TIFF." In the example shown in FIG. 8, the speech instruction includes both "color: black" and "file format: PDF." Therefore, since both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, it is determined in step S22 that it is necessary to rearrange the setting order.

Next, the setting order control unit 174 changes the priorities set for the setting items (step S23). Specifically, the setting order control unit 174 assigns the priority set to the "file format" setting item to the highest priority (in the example shown in FIG. 8, the highest priority set to "destination"). priority) to the next priority).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the priority order of setting changes set in the setting items is higher for "color" than for "file format." Therefore, if you change the setting items according to the set priority order without changing the priority order, first, "Color" will be changed from "Auto" that was set on the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 shown in FIG. , is changed to "black" based on the spoken instruction. Once this change is implemented, there will be a ban between "Black" in "Color" and "Compact PDF" in "File Format" displayed on the scan settings confirmation screen Sc3 (see Figure 10). It will happen.

However, in this embodiment, in step S23, the priority set in the "File Format" setting item is the highest priority (specifically, the priority next to the priority set in "Destination"). ) will be changed. Then, the setting change unit 172 changes each setting value of the setting item one by one in descending order of priority (step S24).

The setting change unit 172 first changes the contents of the setting items from "File Format" in response to the fact that the priority set for the "File Format" setting item has been changed to a higher priority in step S23. It will be done. That is, "Compact PDF" in the "File Format" displayed on the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 is changed to "PDF". By making this change, prohibitions on combinations between setting items will no longer occur. Specifically, no combination prohibition occurs between the changed "file format" of "PDF" and the pre-changed "color" of "auto". Therefore, the setting change unit 172 can change the setting items according to the change instruction.

Next, the changed setting contents are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 to the audio processing server 3 as "Destination: Mr. A, Color: Black, File Format: PDF" (Step S25).

Next, audio data as a response to the request transmitted in step S19 is transmitted from the audio processing server 3 to the audio input/output device 2 (step S26). In step S26, the audio processing server 3 transmits audio data to the audio input/output device 2, such as "Destination A, color black, format PDF, right? Do you want to start sending?". Next, the audio input/output device 2 emits audio corresponding to the audio data transmitted from the audio processing server 3 in step S26 (step S27).

FIG. 11 shows an example of each setting item after being changed by the setting changing unit 172. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 after the change is implemented. At the top of the scan settings confirmation screen Sc3 shown in FIG. 11, the title "Scan Settings" is displayed, and below that, the changed settings are displayed in bulleted form. Specifically, "Destination: Mr. A," "Color: Black," "Resolution: 400 dpi," and "File Format: PDF" are displayed. A "back" button and a "start" button are also arranged at the bottom of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3.

In the embodiment described above, the setting change item and its setting value instructed by the user by speech (change instruction setting value) are combined with the currently set setting item and its setting value (already set setting value). Even when a prohibition occurs, the setting order control section 174 changes the priority order of setting changes, and then the setting change section 172 implements the change. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent a combination prohibition error from occurring when a user utters an instruction to change the setting contents of a plurality of settings. Further, according to the present embodiment, the user can instruct a setting change by voice operation without fearing the occurrence of an error in which settings cannot be changed due to grouping prohibition, or without thinking of a combination that will not cause grouping prohibition.

<Modification of the first embodiment>
[Configuration of control system of image forming device and audio processing server]
Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1A and the audio processing server 3A of the image processing system 100A (an example of a processing condition setting system) according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. I will explain about it. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of an image forming apparatus 1A and an audio processing server 3A according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the image processing system 100 according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, so the description thereof will be omitted here.

The image processing system 100A according to the modification of the first embodiment differs from the image processing system 100 according to the first embodiment in that the configuration of the processing condition setting section is different between the audio processing server 3 and the image forming apparatus 1A. This is the point where it is dispersed. Specifically, in this modification, among the processing condition setting section 34, an instruction receiving section 341, a group prohibition determining section 342, and a setting order control section 343 are provided in the audio processing server 3A, and the setting changing section 18 is provided in the image forming It is provided within the device 1A.

The configuration of the audio processing server 3A other than the processing condition setting section 34 is the same as the audio processing server 3 shown in FIG. Further, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1A other than the setting changing unit 18 is the same as the configuration other than the processing condition setting unit 17 in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, their description will be omitted here.

[Processing condition setting process by image processing system]
Next, with reference to FIG. 13, processing condition setting processing by the image processing system 100A will be described. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by the image processing system 100A.

First, a user's utterance instruction "scan" is input to the audio input/output device 2 (step S31). Next, voice data corresponding to the voice "scan" is transmitted from the voice input/output device 2 to the voice processing server 3A (step S32). Next, an instruction to start the scan setting screen Sc2 (see FIG. 4) is transmitted from the audio processing server 3A to the image forming apparatus 1A (step S33). Next, in the image forming apparatus 1A, the scan setting screen Sc2 is activated (step S34).

Next, the image forming apparatus 1A sends the settings displayed on the screen currently displayed on the operation display unit 13 (see FIG. 12) and the settings of the "usual settings" to the audio processing server 3A. (Step S35). Next, in the audio processing server 3A, the current screen settings and the "usual settings" settings transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1A in step S35 are stored in the storage unit 313 (step S36).

Next, the audio processing server 3A notifies the audio input/output device 2 of the processing result (step S37). Next, the audio input/output device 2 outputs a voice message asking the user whether or not to change the settings, such as "It's a scan. Do you want to change the settings?" (step S38).

Next, the user inputs an utterance instruction to the voice input/output device 2, ``color black, send it to Mr. A in PDF'' (step S39). Next, voice data corresponding to the voice of the speaking instruction is transmitted as a request from the voice input/output device 2 to the voice processing server 3A (step S40).

Next, the audio processing server 3A performs a syntax analysis process of the audio data and a change instruction setting value generation process (step S41). Next, the grouping prohibition determining unit 342 (see FIG. 12) of the audio processing server 3A determines whether or not the setting order needs to be rearranged (step S42). Next, if the setting order control unit 343 of the audio processing server 3A determines that the setting order needs to be rearranged, it changes the priorities set for the setting items (step S43).

Next, the change instruction setting value is transmitted from the audio processing server 3A to the image forming apparatus 1A (step S44). At this time, information on the setting change priority given to each setting is also transmitted together with the change instruction setting value. Next, the setting change unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 1A changes the contents of the setting items in the order of the set priorities (step S45). Next, the changed setting contents are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1A to the audio processing server 3A as "Destination: Mr. A, Color: Black, File Format: PDF" (Step S46).

Next, audio data as a response to the request transmitted in step S40 is transmitted from the audio processing server 3A to the audio input/output device 2 (step S47). In step S47, the audio processing server 3A transmits audio data to the audio input/output device 2, such as "Destination A, color black, format PDF, right? Do you want to start sending?". Next, the audio input/output device 2 emits audio corresponding to the audio data transmitted from the audio processing server 3A in step S47 (step S48).

The above-described modification of the first embodiment can also provide the same effects as the first embodiment.

<Second embodiment>
[Overview of processing condition setting processing by the image processing system]
Next, with reference to FIG. 14, processing condition setting processing by the image processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by the image processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The image processing system that performs the processing shown in FIG. 14 has the same configuration as the image processing system 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. It shall have a configuration.

The processing from step S51 to step S61 in the processing condition setting process shown in FIG. 14 is the same as the processing from step S11 to step S21 in the processing condition setting process shown in FIG. 8, so a description of each of these steps will be omitted. do.

After the processing in step S61, that is, after the change instruction setting values are transmitted from the audio processing server 3 to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a setting order rearrangement determination process (step S62). Next, the image forming apparatus 1 changes the setting order based on the setting order rearrangement determination process (step S63). Since the processing from step S64 to step S66 is the same as the processing from step S46 to step S48 in the processing condition setting processing shown in FIG. 13, a description of each of these steps will be omitted.

In the setting order rearrangement determination process of step S62, the setting order control unit 174 (see FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1 selects the assumed setting order of the plurality of setting items included in the change instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 171. A combination pattern of all setting orders (hereinafter referred to as a "setting order pattern") is generated.

For example, assume that the instruction receiving unit 171 receives the following three setting change instructions.
1. Color: Black 2. Resolution: 600dpi
3. File format: PDF

In this case, the setting order control unit 174 generates the following six setting order patterns as all possible setting order patterns for the setting items 1 to 3 above. In the following setting order pattern, setting items are indicated by the numbers 1 to 3 above.
Pattern 1: 1 (color), 2 (resolution), 3 (file format)
Pattern 2: 1, 3, 2
Pattern 3: 2, 1, 3
Pattern 4: 2, 3, 1
Pattern 5: 3, 1, 2
Pattern 6: 3, 2, 1
The setting order pattern can be generated using, for example, a general-purpose library.

Next, in a setting order rearrangement determination process, the setting order control unit 174 determines whether changing the setting value to the change instruction setting value is valid or invalid based on the setting order of each setting order pattern. Specifically, according to the setting order specified in each of the above patterns 1 to 6, the setting value of the setting item is changed to the setting value instructed to change by voice operation, and the number of setting items for which the setting change becomes effective. (hereinafter referred to as the "number of valid setting changes"). A setting item whose settings can be changed is a setting item whose setting can be changed without causing a prohibition.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 displayed on the operation display section 13 of the image forming apparatus 1. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the current settings on the scan settings confirmation screen Sc3 include "Destination: Mr. A", "Color: Auto", "Resolution: 300 dpi", and "File Format: Compact PDF". Displayed.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a setting change result by the setting order control unit 174. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the setting change result includes the following items: "pattern", "setting order", "setting result", and "number of effective setting changes". The "pattern" item stores serial numbers assigned to each setting order pattern. “Setting order” stores the setting order. “Setting result” stores the setting result (setting change result) of each setting item when the setting value of each setting item is changed in the setting order described in “setting order”. The "number of valid setting changes" stores the number of setting items for which setting changes were valid in the setting results.

For example, in "Pattern 1", the setting order control unit 174 changes the setting value of each setting item to the setting value instructed to change by voice operation according to the setting order "1, 2, 3". Try. That is, the color "1" on the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 shown in FIG. 15 is changed from the current setting value "Auto" to the change instruction setting value "Black". In this case, since the combination of the changed color "black" and the file format "compact PDF" is prohibited, the setting change becomes invalid. In other words, the setting result for the color "1" is "x".

Next, the setting order control unit 174 attempts to change the resolution of "2" from the current setting value of "300 dpi" to the change instruction setting value of "600 dpi." In this case, the combination of the changed resolution of "600 dpi" and the file format of the current settings of "Compact PDF" is prohibited, so the setting change becomes invalid. In other words, the setting result for the resolution "2" is also "x".

Finally, the setting order control unit 174 attempts to change the file format of "3" from the current setting value of "compact PDF" to the change instruction setting value of "PDF". In this case, in the combination of the setting value before the change and the setting value after the change, combination prohibition does not occur, so the setting change is valid. In other words, the setting result for the file format "3" is "○". In the setting result of "Pattern 1", the number of setting items for which the setting change was effective is one, so the "number of effective setting changes" in "Pattern 1" is "1".

The setting order control unit 174 executes the above-described process for all patterns 1 to 6.

Then, the setting order control unit 174 first determines whether there is a setting order pattern in which the number of valid setting changes is the same as the number of setting items, that is, a setting order pattern in which all setting value changes are valid. do. If it is determined that there is a setting order pattern in which changes to all setting values are valid, the setting order control unit 174 sets instructions to change the setting values of a plurality of setting items in the setting order specified in the setting order pattern. Change the order of changes to values.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, since the setting order pattern in which all setting value changes are valid is "pattern 3," the setting order control unit 174 controls the setting order pattern "3, 3," which is the setting order shown in "pattern 5." 2, 1", change the order in which the setting values of the setting items are changed. Then, the setting change unit 172 changes the setting values of the setting items in the order of "3" "file format", "2" "resolution", and "1" color. As a result, first, the file format is changed from "Compact PDF" to "PDF", then the resolution is changed from "300dpi" to "600dpi", and finally, "color" is changed from "auto" to "black". will be changed to

Here, the result of changing the setting value changed by the setting changing unit 172 based on the setting changing result shown in FIG. 16 will be explained. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 displayed on the operation display section 13 of the image forming apparatus 1. By performing the processing condition setting process according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. "Resolution" is set to "600 dpi" and "File Format" is set to "PDF".

[Procedure for setting processing conditions by image processing system]
Next, with reference to FIG. 18, a procedure of processing condition setting processing by the image processing system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by the image processing system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

First, the control unit 12 (see FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the instruction receiving unit 171 has received an instruction to change job settings input by the user through voice operation (step S71). If it is determined in step S71 that the instruction to change the settings of the job has not been received (NO in step S71), the control unit 12 repeats the determination in step S71.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S71 that the instruction to change the job settings has been received (YES in step S71), the setting order control unit 174 generates a setting order pattern for the setting items included in the change instruction. (Step S72). Next, the setting order control unit 174 sets all the generated setting order patterns into a single line array (step S73). Next, the setting order control unit 174 extracts one setting order pattern set in the array, changes the setting values of the setting items according to the setting order shown in the setting order pattern, and determines whether the setting change is effective. It is confirmed whether it is invalidated (step S74).

Next, the setting order control unit 174 calculates the number of setting items whose setting changes are determined to be valid in step S74, that is, the number of valid setting changes (step S75). Next, the setting order control unit 174 determines whether there is a setting order pattern in which changes are effective for all setting items (step S76). That is, the setting order control unit 174 determines whether there is a setting order pattern in which the number of setting items and the number of valid setting changes are the same.

If it is determined in step S76 that there is a setting order pattern in which changes are valid for all setting items (YES in step S76), the setting change unit 172 changes the settings in the setting order shown in the setting order pattern. , changes the setting values of the setting items (step S77). After the process in step S77, the control unit 12 ends the process condition setting process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S76 that there is no setting order pattern in which changes are valid for all setting items (NO in step S76), the setting order control unit 174 controls all setting order patterns set in the array. It is determined whether the setting order rearrangement determination process in the setting order pattern has been completed (step S78).

If it is determined in step S78 that the setting order rearrangement determination process for all setting order patterns has not been completed (NO in step S78), the setting order control unit 174 updates the results of the processing condition setting process. It is saved and the setting order pattern of the next array is extracted (step S79). After the process in step S79, the control unit 12 returns the process to step S74. That is, extract one setting order pattern set in the array, change the setting values of setting items according to the setting order shown in the setting order pattern, and check whether the setting change is valid or invalid. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S78 that the setting order rearrangement determination process for all setting order patterns has been completed (YES in step S78), the setting order control unit 174 determines that the setting order rearrangement determination process for all setting order patterns is completed. The setting values of the setting items are changed in the setting order shown in the setting order pattern (step S80). After the process of step S80, the control unit 12 ends the process condition setting process.

In the second embodiment described above, the setting order control unit 174 generates all possible setting order patterns as the setting order of the plurality of setting items included in the change instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 171. The setting order control unit 174 also enables or disables (prohibits grouping) the change of the setting value to the setting value instructed to change by voice (change instruction setting value) based on the setting order of each setting order pattern. Based on the result of the determination, the order in which the set values of the plurality of setting items are changed to the change instruction setting values is changed. The setting change unit 172 then changes the setting values in the setting order changed by the setting order control unit 174. In other words, according to the present embodiment, since the validity/invalidity of changing the setting value is automatically determined in the image forming apparatus 1, the processing condition setting process according to the present embodiment is performed on the processing condition setting of the image forming apparatus, etc. The designer who implements the system does not need to know in advance whether or not an assembly prohibition will occur and examine the processing flow each time.

In addition, in the second embodiment described above, the setting order control unit 174 controls the effective setting change, which is the number of setting items that can change the setting value to the change instruction setting value based on the setting order, in each setting order pattern. It is determined whether there is a setting order pattern in which the number of valid setting changes is the same as the number of setting items. If the setting order pattern exists, the setting order control unit 174 changes the order in which the setting values of the plurality of setting items are changed to the change instruction setting values to the setting order included in the setting order pattern. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a setting order pattern in which the number of valid setting changes is the same as the number of setting items, that is, changing the setting value of all setting items to the change instruction setting value is effective. When there is a setting order pattern, setting values of a plurality of setting items can be quickly changed. In other words, the setting values of multiple setting items can be changed without making the user wait.

Further, in the second embodiment described above, if there is no setting order pattern in which the number of effective setting changes is the same as the number of setting items, the setting order control unit 174 controls the setting order pattern to change the effective setting changes among the setting order patterns. The order of changing the setting values of the plurality of setting items to the change instruction setting values is changed to the setting order pattern setting order with the largest number. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if there is no setting order pattern in which the number of valid setting changes is the same as the number of setting items, changes to the setting values of multiple setting items can be quickly executed. Ru. In other words, the setting values of multiple setting items can be changed without making the user wait.

Note that in the second embodiment described above, an example was given in which the processing condition setting system according to the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 1 including the processing condition setting section 17, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the processing condition setting system according to the present invention, as in the image processing system 100A (see FIG. 12) according to the modification of the first embodiment, the processing condition setting section has a configuration that includes an audio processing server and an image forming apparatus. It may also be applied to distributed systems.

<Modification of the second embodiment>
[Overview of processing condition setting processing by the image processing system]
With reference to FIG. 19, processing condition setting processing by an image processing system according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by an image processing system according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

The image processing system that performs the processing shown in FIG. 19 has the same configuration as the image processing system 100A according to the modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 12. That is, among the processing condition setting sections, an instruction receiving section 341, a set prohibition determining section 342, and a setting order control section 343 are provided in the audio processing server 3A, and a setting changing section 18 is provided in the image forming apparatus 1A.

The processing from step S91 to step S101 in the processing condition setting processing shown in FIG. 19 is the same as the processing from step S31 to step S41 in the processing condition setting processing of the image processing system 100A shown in FIG. Explanation of the steps will be omitted.

After the processing in step S101, that is, after the audio processing server 3A performs the audio data syntax analysis process and the change instruction setting value generation process, the audio processing server 3A performs a setting order rearrangement determination process ( Step S102). Next, the audio processing server 3A changes the setting order based on the setting order rearrangement determination process (step S103). Next, the audio processing server 3A transmits the setting order changed in step S103 and the change instruction setting value to the image forming apparatus 1A (step S104). Next, the image forming apparatus 1A changes the setting value to the change instruction setting value according to the setting order transmitted from the audio processing server 3A (step S105).

Since the processing from step S106 to step S108 is the same as the processing from step S46 to step S48 in the processing condition setting processing shown in FIG. 13, a description of each of these steps will be omitted.

The image processing system 100A according to the modification of the second embodiment can also provide the same effects as the image processing system 100 according to the first embodiment.

<Third embodiment>
Next, processing condition setting processing performed by the image processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the image processing system includes a setting item and its setting value (set setting value) that is instructed to be changed by voice, and a setting value of the currently set setting item (set setting value). Compare. Then, if there is a setting item that does not cause combination prohibition among the setting items that are instructed to be changed by the voice, the image processing system first changes the setting value of the setting item.

Note that the image processing system according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the image processing system 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Note that the image processing system according to the third embodiment may have the same configuration as the image processing system 100A according to the modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

The image processing system 100 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not a setting prohibition occurs between the setting item and its setting value that are instructed to be changed by voice, and the setting value of the currently set setting item. , the determination is made based on a combination prohibition setting table etc. stored in advance in a storage unit or the like.

First, the configuration of the combination prohibition setting table will be described with reference to FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the combination prohibition setting table T1. The combination prohibition setting table T1 has the following items: "assembly prohibition occurrence condition," "combination prohibition setting," and "assembly prohibition release condition."

“Assembling prohibition occurrence conditions” stores setting items and their setting values that may cause assembling prohibition. "Settings whose combination is prohibited" includes setting items and their setting values that are prohibited from being combined with the setting items and setting values specified in "Prohibited combination occurrence conditions". Setting items and their setting values that cause combination prohibition when combined with specified setting items and setting values are stored. The "association prohibition release condition" stores setting items and their setting values that can be changed to cancel the association prohibition.

In the top record of the combination prohibition setting table T1, "file format: compact PDF" is stored in "combination prohibition occurrence condition", and "color: black" and " "Resolution: 600dpi" is stored. Furthermore, “file format: PDF” is stored in “assembly prohibition release condition”.

In other words, in the top record of the combination prohibition setting table T1, the setting value of "File format" is "Compact PDF" and "Color: Black" or "Resolution: 600 dpi" are combinations that cause combination prohibition. It has been shown that Then, "Compact PDF", which is the setting value of "File Format" stored in "Group prohibition occurrence condition", is changed to "PDF" stored in "Group ban release condition", thereby preventing the occurrence of group prohibition. It has been shown that this can be prevented, that is, the prohibition on assembly can be lifted. Note that a plurality of setting items and their setting values can be stored in the "settings whose combination is prohibited".

Here, processing condition setting processing using the combination prohibition setting table T1 by the image processing system 100 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to a specific example. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 displayed on the operation display unit 13 (see FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1.

The scan settings confirmation screen Sc3 shown in FIG. 21 displays the current settings as "Destination: Mr. A", "Color: Auto", "Resolution: 300 dpi", and "File Format: Compact PDF". There is. It is assumed that the following three change instructions are received by the instruction receiving unit 171.
1. Color: Black 2. Addressee: Mr. B 3. File format: PDF

The setting order control unit 174 determines whether or not there is a setting item that does not cause combination prohibition among the setting items that are instructed to be changed by voice, with reference to the combination prohibition setting table T1 (see FIG. 20). Among the setting items included in the instruction by voice operation, "destination" is not included in the "combination prohibition occurrence condition" of the combination prohibition table T1. Therefore, the setting order control unit 174 determines that the "destination" setting item is a setting item that does not cause grouping prohibition, and changes the setting order of the setting values of the "destination" setting item to the settings of other setting items. Change the value before the setting order.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an image of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 displayed on the operation display section 13 of the image forming apparatus 1 when the setting values of setting items that do not cause combination prohibition are changed first. In reality, the settings on the scan settings confirmation screen Sc3 are not changed at this point, and the settings on the scan settings confirmation screen Sc3 are changed when all settings have been changed.

As shown in the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 of FIG. 22, the setting item "Destination" that is determined not to cause grouping prohibition has changed from "Mr. A" shown in FIG. It has been changed to "Mr. B."

Next, similar to the process in the second embodiment, the setting order control unit 174 selects all possible setting order patterns as the setting order of the plurality of setting items included in the change instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 171. generate. Then, for each setting order pattern, the number of effective setting changes, which is the number of setting items that can change the setting value to the change instruction setting value, is calculated based on the setting order, and based on the number of effective setting changes, the current Instructions for changing setting values Set the order of changes to setting values.

Among the change instructions received by the instruction receiving unit 171, the change value of “destination” of “2” has already been changed, so the setting order control unit 174 changes the “color” of “1” and “3” of “destination”. ” Generates a setting order pattern for “file format”. Since there are two setting items, there are two setting order patterns: "3, 1" (pattern 1) and "1, 3" (pattern 2).

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting change result by the setting order control unit 174. In "Pattern 1", the setting result is "○" for both setting items "3" and "1", and the "number of valid setting changes" is "2".

In other words, even if you change the current setting value of "File format" in "3", "Compact PDF", to "PDF", which is the change instruction setting value, the setting items and their settings that are instructed to be changed by voice. No combination prohibition occurs between the value and the currently set setting value of the setting item. Therefore, the setting result is "○".

Even if you change the current setting value of ``Color'' in ``1'' to ``Black'', which is the change instruction setting value, the setting item and its current setting value that you were instructed to change by voice will not change. Assembling prohibition does not occur with the setting values of the setting items that have been set. Therefore, the setting result is also "○".

On the other hand, in "Pattern 2", if you change "Color" of setting item "1" from "Auto", which is the current setting value, to "Black", which is the setting value instructed to change by voice operation, A prohibition occurs between the later "color: black" and the current setting "file format: compact PDF." Therefore, the setting result is "x".

Even if you change the "File format" of setting item "3" from the current setting value of "Compact PDF" to the setting value of "PDF" that is instructed to change by voice operation, the change is not instructed by voice operation. No combination prohibition occurs between the set value of the set item that was set and the set value of the current set item. Therefore, the setting result is "○". Therefore, the number of valid setting changes in "Pattern 2" is "1".

In this case, the setting order control unit 174 sets the setting value change order to “3,1” defined by “pattern 1” which has a larger number of valid setting changes, and the setting change unit 172 first Change the setting values of the setting items in the following order: ``File Format'' under ``1'', and then ``Color'' under ``1''.

Here, the result of changing the setting value changed by the setting changing unit 172 based on the setting changing result shown in FIG. 23 will be explained. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 displayed on the operation display section 13 of the image forming apparatus 1. By performing the processing condition setting process according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, in the scan settings, "Destination" is changed to "Mr. B" (no setting change), "Color" is changed to "Black", and " "Resolution" is set to "300 dpi" and "File Format" is set to "PDF".

[Procedure for setting processing conditions by image processing system]
Next, with reference to FIG. 25, a procedure for setting processing conditions by the image processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. 25 and 26 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by the image processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

First, the control unit 12 (see FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the instruction receiving unit 171 has received an instruction to change job settings input by the user through voice operation (step S111). If it is determined in step S111 that the instruction to change the settings of the job has not been received (NO in step S111), the control unit 12 repeats the determination in step S111.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S111 that the instruction to change the settings of the job has been received (YES in step S111), the setting order control unit 174 generates a group prohibition in the instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 171. It is determined whether there are any setting items that should not be set (step S112). If it is determined in step S112 that there is a setting item that does not cause grouping prohibition (YES in step S112), the setting change unit 172 first changes the setting value of the setting item that does not cause grouping prohibited (step S112). S113).

Next, the setting order control unit 174 generates a setting order pattern of setting items in which setting is prohibited (step S114). Even when it is determined in step S112 that there is no setting item that does not cause assembly prohibition (NO determination in step S112), the process of step S114 is performed.

Next, the setting order control unit 174 sets all the generated setting order patterns into a single line array (step S115). Next, the setting order control unit 174 determines whether the setting items and setting values specified in the "combination prohibition release condition" of the combination prohibition setting table T1 are included in the setting order pattern set in the array. (Step S116).

In the example of the setting change result shown in Figure 23, of the setting item "1" "Color: Black" and the setting item "3" "File format: PDF", "3" is "File format: PDF". is included in the "combination prohibition release condition" of the combination prohibition setting table T1. Therefore, the determination in step S116 is YES.

If it is determined in step S116 that the setting items and setting values specified in the "assembly prohibition release condition" are included (in the case of YES determination in step S116), the setting order control unit 174 The arrangement is rearranged in descending order of the setting order of the setting items specified in (step S117). In the example of the setting change result shown in FIG. ) Place the setting order pattern of "Pattern 1" at the beginning of the array. Next, a setting order pattern of "pattern 2" is arranged.

After the processing in step S117, or if the determination in step S116 is NO, the setting order control unit 174 extracts one setting order pattern set in the array, and sets the setting items in accordance with the setting order shown in the setting order pattern. The value is changed, and it is confirmed for each setting item whether the change in setting is valid or invalid (step S118). Next, the setting order control unit 174 calculates the number of setting items whose setting changes are determined to be valid in step S118, that is, the number of valid setting changes (step S119).

After the processing in step S119, the processing in steps S121 to S125 in FIG. 26, which are connected by connector A, is the same as the processing in steps S76 to S80 in FIG. 18, so a description thereof will be omitted. After the process of step S125, that is, after the setting order control unit 174 saves the result of the processing condition setting process and extracts the setting order pattern of the next array, the process of step S118 in FIG. 25 is performed.

According to the third embodiment described above, if the setting change instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 171 includes a setting item that does not cause grouping prohibition, the setting change unit 172 changes the setting. Changes to item settings are executed first. Therefore, the number of setting order patterns used to check whether changes in the setting values of setting items are valid or invalid, which is performed in order to calculate the number of valid setting changes, is also reduced accordingly. Therefore, according to this modification, it becomes possible to more quickly change the setting values of the plurality of setting items that are instructed to be changed by voice operation.

[Modification of third embodiment]
Next, processing condition settings by the image processing system 100 according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this modification, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments or modifications thereof, there is no setting order pattern in which setting value changes are valid for all setting items, and there is no setting order pattern in which setting value changes are effective for all setting items, but when there are multiple setting order patterns that have the largest number of valid setting changes The setting order control unit 174 determines the setting order based on the priority score set in advance for each setting item.

It is assumed that setting items and priorities are associated in advance in a priority management table. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the priority management table T2. As shown in FIG. 27, the priority management table T2 has items of "setting item" and "priority". Setting items are stored in the "setting item" item, and priority scores set for the setting items at the time of setting change are stored in the "priority" item.

In the example shown in FIG. 27, the setting item "color" is associated with a priority of "3," "resolution" is associated with a priority of "2," and "file format" is associated with a priority of "1." It is assumed that the user can set an appropriate value for the priority depending on the purpose of printing, such as emphasizing quality or running cost.

Here, processing condition setting processing using priority by the image processing system 100 according to a modification of the third embodiment will be described using a specific example. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 displayed on the operation display section 13 (see FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1.

The scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 shown in FIG. 28 shows the current settings as "Destination: None", "Color: setting value v1", "Resolution: setting value v2", and "File format: setting value v3". is displayed. It is assumed that the following three change instructions are received by the instruction receiving unit 171.
1. Color: Setting value vA
2. Resolution: Setting value vB
3. File format: Setting value vC

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting change result by the setting order control unit 174. In the example shown in FIG. 29, the setting change result includes the following items: "pattern", "setting order", "setting result", "number of effective setting changes", and "total priority". The meanings of the items "pattern", "setting order", "setting result", and "valid setting change number" are the same as the setting change results shown in FIG. 16, so the explanation will be omitted. The "total value of priorities" stores the total value of priorities associated with setting items for which the setting result is "○".

For example, in "Pattern 1", in the setting order pattern where the setting order is "1 (color), 2 (resolution), 3 (file format)", the setting item whose setting result is "○" is "3". This is the "file format". In the priority setting table T2 shown in FIG. 27, the "file format" of "3" is associated with the priority of "1", so the total value of the priorities in the setting order pattern of pattern 1 is " 1".

Further, in "Pattern 2", in the setting order pattern with the setting order of "1, 3, 2", the setting items for which the setting result is "○" are "3" and "2". In the priority setting table T2 shown in FIG. 27, the "file format" of "3" is associated with the priority of "1", and the "resolution" of "2" is associated with the priority of "2". are associated. Therefore, the total value of priorities in the setting order pattern of pattern 2 is "1" + "2" = "3".

If there are multiple setting order patterns with the largest number of valid setting changes, the setting order control unit 174 sets the setting order of the current setting values to the setting order of the setting order pattern with the highest total priority score. . In the example shown in FIG. 29, the total priority value in the setting order pattern of "pattern 6" is "5", which is the highest. Therefore, the setting order control unit 174 sets "3, 1, 2", which is the setting order of "pattern 6", as the setting order when changing the current setting value. Then, the setting change unit 172 changes the current setting values to the change instruction setting values instructed to change by the voice operation in the order of "3 (file format), 1 (color), 2 (resolution)".

Here, the result of changing the setting value changed by the setting changing unit 172 based on the setting changing result shown in FIG. 29 will be explained. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of the scan setting confirmation screen Sc3 displayed on the operation display section 13 of the image forming apparatus 1. By performing the processing condition setting process according to the modified example of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. "Setting value v1" to "Setting value vA", "Resolution" from "Setting value v2" to "Setting value vB", and "File format" from "Setting value v3" to "Setting value vC". Ru.

[Procedure for setting processing conditions by image processing system]
Next, with reference to FIG. 31, a procedure of processing condition setting processing by an image processing system according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for setting processing conditions by an image processing system according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.

The process shown in FIG. 31 is performed when the determination in step S78 in FIG. 18 or step S123 in FIG. 26 is YES. If step S78 in FIG. 18 or step S123 in FIG. This is the case when the replacement determination process is completed.

In this case, the setting order control unit 174 extracts all setting order patterns with the largest number of valid setting changes (step S131). Next, the setting order control unit 174 determines whether the number of setting order patterns with the largest number of valid setting changes is two or more (step S132). If it is determined in step S132 that the number of setting order patterns with the largest number of valid setting changes is two or more (YES in step S132), the setting order control unit 174 controls the setting order pattern extracted in step S131. The setting values are changed in the setting order defined in the setting order pattern with the highest total priority score among the two or more setting order patterns (step S133).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S132 that the number of setting order patterns with the largest number of valid setting changes is not two or more, that is, it is one (if NO in step S132), the setting order control unit 174 changes the setting values in the setting order defined in the setting order pattern extracted in step S131 (step S134). After the process in step S133 or step S134, the control unit 12 ends the process condition setting process.

According to the modification of the third embodiment described above, even if there are two or more setting order patterns with the largest number of valid setting changes, the total priority assigned in advance to each setting item is The configuration order is set based on the score of the values. Therefore, according to this modification, it is possible to more quickly change the setting values of a plurality of setting items that are instructed to be changed by voice operation.

<Various variations>
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can take various other applications and modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

In each of the embodiments described above, an example was given in which a notification to the user such as "It's a scan. Do you want to change the settings?" is emitted from the audio input/output device 2, but the present invention is limited to this. Not done. The message to the user may be displayed in text on the screen of the operation display unit 13.

Further, in each of the embodiments described above, an example is given in which a smart speaker is used as the audio input/output device 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. As the audio input/output device 2, a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone terminal or a smartphone may be used.

Further, in each of the embodiments and modifications described above, examples have been given in which the processing condition setting system is applied to an image forming apparatus or an image processing system including an image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The processing condition setting system of the present invention may be applied to devices such as printer controllers and PCs (Personal Computers) that do not perform image formation, or systems including these devices.

1, 1A... Image forming device, 2... Audio input/output device, 3, 3A... Audio processing server, 10... Control section, 13... Operation display section, 14... Image reading section, 15... Image processing section, 16... Image forming Section, 17... Processing condition setting section, 18... Setting changing section, 31... Control section, 34... Processing condition setting section, 100... Image processing system, 100A... Image processing system, 171... Instruction receiving section, 172... Setting changing section , 173... Assembling prohibited determination section, 174... Setting order control section, 313... Storage section, 341... Instruction receiving section, 342... Assembling prohibited determining section, 343... Setting order control section

Claims (13)

an instruction receiving unit that accepts instructions to change the set values of the plurality of setting items by voice operation;
By changing the set setting values of the plurality of setting items in the setting order based on the change instruction, a combination is prohibited between the change instruction setting value included in the change instruction and the set setting value. a setting order control unit that changes the setting order in which the set setting values are changed to a setting order in which the combination prohibition does not occur;
A processing condition setting system, comprising: a setting change unit that changes set values of a plurality of setting items in the changed setting order. further comprising a combination prohibition determination unit that determines whether or not the combination prohibition occurs due to the change of the set setting value to the change instruction setting value,
The plurality of setting items include a first setting item and a second setting item set with a higher priority than the setting change priority set in the first setting item. ,
The combination prohibition determining unit determines whether or not the combination is prohibited due to a combination of the change instruction setting value in the first setting item and the change instruction setting value in the second setting item. The processing condition setting system according to claim 1. The setting order control unit is configured to control the setting order control unit when the combination prohibition does not occur in a combination of the change instruction setting value of the first setting item and the change instruction setting value of the second setting item. The processing condition setting system according to claim 2, wherein the priority order of changes set in the setting item is changed to a higher priority order than the priority order of changes set in the second setting item. The setting order control unit generates all possible setting order patterns as setting order patterns of the plurality of setting items included in the change instruction, and generates all possible setting order patterns based on the setting order that each of the setting order patterns has. , determine whether the change of the set setting value to the change instruction setting value is valid or invalid, and based on the result of the judgment, change the set setting value of the plurality of setting items to the change instruction setting value. The processing condition setting system according to claim 1, wherein a change order is changed. A case where changing the set setting value to the change instruction setting value is valid means a case where the change is possible without causing the combination prohibition, and changing the set setting value to the change instruction setting value is valid. The processing condition setting system according to claim 4, wherein the case where the change is invalid is the case where the change is impossible due to the occurrence of the combination prohibition. The setting order control unit calculates the number of valid setting changes, which is the number of setting items for which changing the set setting value to the change instruction setting value is valid, in each of the setting order patterns, and calculates the number of valid setting changes. is the same as the number of the plurality of setting items, the setting order of the setting order pattern includes an order in which the setting values of the plurality of setting items are changed to the change instruction setting value. The processing condition setting system according to claim 5. If the setting order pattern in which the number of valid setting changes is the same as the number of the plurality of setting items does not exist, the setting order control unit selects a setting order in which the number of valid setting changes is the largest among the setting order patterns. 7. The processing condition setting system according to claim 6, wherein the order of changing the setting values of the plurality of setting items to the change instruction setting values is changed to the setting order of a pattern. further comprising a storage unit storing a priority management table that associates the setting items with priorities for changing the setting values of the setting items,
When the setting order pattern in which the number of effective setting changes is the same as the number of the plurality of setting items does not exist, the setting order control unit selects a pattern in which the number of effective setting changes is the highest among the setting order patterns. If a plurality of setting order patterns exist, the change instruction settings of the set setting values are set in the setting order defined in the setting order pattern with the highest total value of the priorities listed in the priority management table. The processing condition setting system according to claim 7, wherein the setting order of changes to values is changed. further comprising a storage unit storing a combination prohibition setting table containing information on combinations of the setting items and setting values that cause the combination prohibition,
If the setting order control unit determines that there is a combination of the change instruction setting value and the set setting value that is not listed in the combination prohibition table, the setting order control unit changes the combination to the set setting value. The processing condition setting system according to claim 4, wherein the processing condition setting system is excluded from a determination as to whether a change to the change instruction set value is valid or invalid. The combination prohibition setting list includes setting items that can cancel the combination prohibition by changing the setting values, and combination prohibition cancellation conditions indicated by the setting values,
If the setting order control unit determines that the change instruction received by the instruction receiving unit includes the setting item and setting value described in the group prohibition release condition, the setting order control unit changes the setting item and setting value. 10. The processing condition setting system according to claim 9, wherein the determination order of validity or invalidity of changing the set setting value to the change instruction setting value is made first for the setting order pattern including the setting order pattern. It further includes an image reading unit that optically reads image data from the original placed on the original platen,
The processing condition setting system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the setting items are setting items related to processing of the image reading unit. Procedures for accepting change instructions by voice operation for the set values of multiple setting items;
By changing the set setting values of the plurality of setting items in the setting order based on the change instruction, a combination is prohibited between the change instruction setting value included in the change instruction and the set setting value. a step of changing the setting order in which the set setting values are changed to a setting order in which the combination prohibition does not occur;
A process condition setting method, comprising: changing the set values of a plurality of setting items in the changed setting order. Procedures for accepting change instructions by voice operation for the set values of multiple setting items;
By changing the set setting values of the plurality of setting items in the setting order based on the change instruction, a combination is prohibited between the change instruction setting value included in the change instruction and the set setting value. a step of changing the setting order in which the set setting values are changed to a setting order in which the combination prohibition does not occur;
A program that causes a computer to execute a procedure for changing already set setting values of a plurality of setting items in the changed setting order.

Images