JP2001292299A - Information processor, image/audio processor, control method for information processor, control method for image/audio processor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate useless work by enabling everybody to easily recognize how to deal with a document ejected by a audio/video processor by adding audio data showing the dealing of the printed result to image data. SOLUTION: When a host computer 20 transmits image data to an audio/ video processor 1, audio data are added to the image data and when the audio/ video processor 1 receives the image data and the audio data added to the image data from the host computer 20, identification information corresponding to the audio data is generated. Then, a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information is generated and audio corresponding to the completely printed identification information is reproduced by an audio reproducing means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of communicating via a predetermined communication medium with an image and sound processing apparatus capable of printing image data and reproducing sound data, an image and sound processing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus. And a control method and a storage medium for the image and sound processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of a conventional printing system,
Spool data transferred from a host computer or the like to an image output device is composed of image information to be printed by the image output device and various print setting information associated therewith, status setting information for print control, and the like.

[0003]

However, in a conventional printing system operating under a network environment, the host computer as a printing source and the image output apparatus as an output destination are often far apart from each other. Often, the user who executed printing forgets to take out the output paper discharged to the image output device, or goes to collect it later without going to take it out immediately. There was a problem that would.

Conventionally, in order to solve these problems, there is a means for printing a user name of a printing source on a separate page, for example. However, this method only reveals the sender of the output document, and seeks the sender to a person other than the sender who saw the document accumulated in the discharge port of the image output device at a distance. The user has to use the document, send it to the sender, or use e-mail, telephone, etc. to notify the user that the document has been printed. There was a problem.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to thirty-sixth inventions according to the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus for an image / audio processing apparatus. When transmitting image data, audio data is added to the image data, and when the image / audio processing device receives the image data and the audio data added to the image data from the information processing device, By generating identification information for the data, generating a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information, and reproducing audio corresponding to the printed identification information by an audio reproducing unit, By adding voice data indicating the handling of the print result to the user, anyone can easily recognize the handling of the document ejected by the image and sound processor. As a result, a person who sees the discharged document does not need to perform useless work, and can increase office efficiency as a whole. An information processing apparatus, an image and sound processing apparatus, a control method of the information processing apparatus, and an image and sound An object of the present invention is to provide a control method of a processing device and a storage medium.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image / audio system capable of printing image data and reproducing audio data via a predetermined communication medium (two-way communication 30 shown in FIG. 2). An information processing device (host computer 2 shown in FIG. 2) capable of communicating with a processing device (the image / audio processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2)
0), when image data (image data 603-1 to 603-n shown in FIG. 5) is transmitted to the image / audio processing apparatus, audio data (FIG.
2 has an additional unit (system control unit 23 shown in FIG. 2) for adding audio data 604 shown in FIG.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generating means (system control unit 2 shown in FIG. 2) for generating image data for printing a separate page different from the image data.
3) wherein the adding unit includes, when transmitting the image data to the image and sound processing device, image data and a sound for printing a separate page generated by the generating unit on the image data. This is to add data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sound input means (FIG. 2) for inputting sound data to be added to the image data.
Microphone (not shown) in the audio processing unit 25 shown in FIG.
A storage unit for storing audio data input from the audio input unit (the storage unit 24 shown in FIG. 2), and a setting for performing print setting of image data to be transmitted to the image and audio processing device to the image and audio processing device Means (the print dialog shown in FIG. 4), and the setting means includes first instruction means (an audio input start button shown in FIG. 4) for instructing input of audio data to be added to the image data by the audio input means. 9
07, an audio input end button 908) and second instruction means (list box 903 shown in FIG. 4) for instructing the audio data stored in the storage means as audio data to be added to the image data. is there.

A fourth invention according to the present invention is directed to an image and sound processing apparatus capable of printing image data and reproducing sound of text data via a predetermined communication medium (two-way communication 930 shown in FIG. 20) (FIG. 20). In the information processing device (host computer 920 shown in FIG. 20) which can communicate with the image and sound processing device 91 shown in FIG. 20, image data (image data 9603-1 to 960 shown in FIG. 23) is transmitted to the image and sound processing device.
When transmitting 3-n), there is provided an adding unit (system control unit 923 shown in FIG. 20) for adding text data (sound text data 9604 shown in FIG. 23) corresponding to the sound data to the image data. Things.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generating unit (system control unit 923 shown in FIG. 20) for generating image data for printing a separate page different from the image data, Adding image data for printing a separate page generated by the generation means to the image data and text data corresponding to the audio data when transmitting the image data to the image and audio processing device Is what you do.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a voice input means (voice processing unit 925 shown in FIG. 20) for inputting voice data.
And a conversion unit (a voice-to-text conversion unit 926 shown in FIG. 20) for converting voice data input by the voice input unit into text data corresponding to the voice data to be added to the image data. )
And setting means (print dialog shown in FIG. 22) for setting print settings of the image data to be transmitted to the image and sound processing apparatus to the image and sound processing apparatus. First instruction means (voice input start button 9907 and voice input end button 9908 shown in FIG. 22) for instructing input, and second instruction means (text conversion shown in FIG. 22) for instructing text data conversion by the conversion means Button 9910).

A seventh invention according to the present invention is a method for printing image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus (host computer 20 shown in FIG. 2) via a predetermined communication medium (two-way communication 30 shown in FIG. 2). In a possible image / audio processing device (image / audio processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2), when image data and audio data added to the image data are received from the information processing device, identification information ( A first generation unit (the image and voice control unit 8 shown in FIG. 2) for generating the identification information 701 shown in FIG. 7 and a second generation unit for generating a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information. (The image and sound control unit 8 and the printer function unit 5 shown in FIG. 2).

An eighth invention according to the present invention prints image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus (host computer 20 shown in FIG. 2) via a predetermined communication medium (two-way communication 30 shown in FIG. 2). In a possible image / audio processing device (image / audio processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2), when image data and audio data added to the image data are received from the information processing device, identification information ( First generating means (image and sound control unit 8 shown in FIG. 2) for generating identification information 701 shown in FIG. 7, and synthesizing means (image and sound control unit shown in FIG. 2) for synthesizing the identification information with the image data 8).

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio reproducing means (an audio processing unit 12 shown in FIG. 2) for reproducing an audio corresponding to the identification information having been printed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an instruction means (reproduction button 1002 shown in FIG. 10) for instructing the audio reproduction means to reproduce audio.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing the audio data and identification information corresponding to the audio data (the storage unit 13 shown in FIG. 2); When receiving the audio data added to the image data, the image data is discarded after printing, and control means for controlling to continue to store the audio data and the identification information in the storage means (the image data shown in FIG. 2). The voice control unit 8) is provided.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a deletion means for deleting the audio data and the identification information stored in the storage means (the image / audio control unit 8 executes the deletion processing in response to an instruction from a delete button 1003 shown in FIG. 10). ) Is provided.

In a thirteenth aspect according to the present invention, the deletion means stores the audio data and the identification information stored in the storage means at a preset time (erasing time information 1 shown in FIG. 14).
602), time (erasing time information 1603 shown in FIG. 14)
Automatically deleted based on the

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the deleting means may be arranged so that the voice data and the identification information stored in the storage means are replaced by a preset maximum stored data number (a maximum voice data number 1701 shown in FIG. 16). ) Is automatically deleted.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the first generating means identifies the unique number based on a reception order of the audio data and identification information allocated to already registered audio data. It is automatically allocated as information.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for printing image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus (host computer 920 shown in FIG. 20) via a predetermined communication medium (two-way communication 930 shown in FIG. 20). In a possible image / sound processing device (image / sound processing device 91 shown in FIG. 20), when receiving image data and text data corresponding to sound data added to the image data from the information processing device, First generation means (image and sound control unit 98 shown in FIG. 20) for generating identification information (identification information 9701 shown in FIG. 25) in text data corresponding to the data
And second generating means (an image / audio control unit 98 and a printer function unit 9 shown in FIG. 20) for generating a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information.
5).

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, an image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus (host computer 920 shown in FIG. 20) via a predetermined communication medium (two-way communication 930 shown in FIG. 20) is printed. In a possible image / sound processing device (image / sound processing device 91 shown in FIG. 20), when receiving image data and text data corresponding to sound data added to the image data from the information processing device, First generation means (image and sound control unit 98 shown in FIG. 20) for generating identification information (identification information 9701 shown in FIG. 25) in text data corresponding to the data
And a synthesizing unit (an image and sound control unit 98 shown in FIG. 20) for synthesizing the identification information with the image data.

An eighteenth invention according to the present invention is a sound reproducing means for converting text data corresponding to the printed identification information into sound data and reproducing the converted sound data (the sound processing means shown in FIG. 20). (A part 912).

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an instruction means (play button 91002 shown in FIG. 28) for instructing the audio reproduction means to reproduce the text data.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing text data corresponding to the voice data and identification information of the text data (the storage unit 91 shown in FIG. 20).
3) when receiving image data and text data corresponding to audio data added to the image data from the information processing apparatus, discarding the image data after printing, and text data corresponding to the audio data; And control means (image and sound control section 98 shown in FIG. 20) for controlling the identification information to be kept stored in the storage means.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a deletion means for deleting text data and identification information corresponding to the voice data stored in the storage means (image and voice control by an instruction from a delete button 91003 shown in FIG. 28). (The deletion process is performed by the unit 98).

A twenty-second invention according to the present invention is characterized in that said deleting means stores text data and identification information corresponding to the voice data stored in said storage means for a preset time (erasing time information 91602 shown in FIG. 32). ) And time (erasing time information 91603 shown in FIG. 32).

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the deletion means stores the text data and the identification information corresponding to the voice data stored in the storage means in a preset maximum number of storage data (see FIG. 34). Maximum number of audio data 9170
It is automatically deleted based on 1).

[0029] In a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the first generating means includes a receiving order of the text data corresponding to the voice data, and an identification allocated to the text data corresponding to the already registered voice data. A unique number is automatically assigned as the identification information based on the information.

A twenty-fifth invention according to the present invention relates to a control method of an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image / sound processing apparatus capable of printing image data and reproducing sound data via a predetermined communication medium. When the image data is transmitted to the audio processing device, an additional step (step S404 in FIG. 6) of adding audio data to the image data is provided.

A twenty-sixth invention according to the present invention relates to a control method of an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image / sound processing apparatus capable of printing image data and playing back text data through a predetermined communication medium. When the image data is transmitted to the image / sound processing device, the image data includes an adding step (step S9406 in FIG. 24) of adding text data corresponding to the sound data to the image data.

A twenty-seventh invention according to the present invention relates to a control method of an image / sound processing apparatus capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. When audio data added to the image data is received, a first generation step (step S504 in FIG. 9) of generating identification information in the audio data, and the image data for printing the identification information And a second generation step (step S505 in FIG. 9) of generating a separate page different from the above.

The twenty-eighth invention according to the present invention is provided with a sound reproducing step (step S1106 in FIG. 11) for reproducing a sound corresponding to the identification information having been printed.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in a control method of an image / sound processing apparatus capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, the method comprises the steps of: When text data corresponding to the audio data added to the image data is received, a first generation step (step S9504 in FIG. 27) of generating identification information in the text data corresponding to the audio data; A second generation step (step S9505 in FIG. 27) of generating a separate page different from the image data for printing identification information.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio reproducing step of converting text data corresponding to the printed identification information into audio data and reproducing the converted audio data (step S91106 in FIG. 29). S91107)
Is provided.

A thirty-first invention according to the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image / audio processing apparatus capable of printing image data and reproducing audio data via a predetermined communication medium. When sending image data to
A program for executing an addition step (step S404 in FIG. 6) of adding audio data to the image data is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

[0037] A thirty-second invention according to the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image / audio processing apparatus capable of printing image data and reproducing voice of text data via a predetermined communication medium. When the image data is transmitted to the apparatus, a computer can read the program for executing an addition step (step S9406 in FIG. 24) of adding text data corresponding to audio data to the image data, on a storage medium. Is stored.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image / audio processing apparatus capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. When the audio data added to the audio data is received, the first generation step of generating identification information in the audio data (step S504 in FIG. 9) is different from the image data for printing the identification information. A program for executing a second generation step (step S505 in FIG. 9) for generating a separate page is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, a program provided with an audio reproducing step (step S1106 in FIG. 11) for reproducing an audio corresponding to the identification information having been printed is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner. It was made.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image / audio processing apparatus capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. A first generation step (step S9504 in FIG. 27) of generating identification information in the text data corresponding to the voice data when the text data corresponding to the voice data added to is received;
A second generation step of generating a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information (FIG. 27)
(Step S9505) is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

A thirty-sixth invention according to the present invention provides a sound reproducing step (step S91106 in FIG. 29) for converting text data corresponding to the printed identification information into sound data and reproducing the converted sound data. S91107)
Is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

[0042]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] [Configuration of Printing Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of an image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numerals 101 and 103 denote host computers, each of which is a network (for example, Ethernet).
net (registered trademark) 105 can be output to the image and sound processing apparatuses 102 and 104 connected to the apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows the host computers 101 and 103 and the video and audio processing devices 102 and 104 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration.

Here, the host computers 101 and 103 shown in FIG. 1 are referred to as a host computer 20, the image / audio processing devices 102 and 104 shown in FIG. The case where the processing device 1 is connected via the two-way communication 30 will be described.

In the image / audio processing apparatus 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a communication line, which is a line for facsimile communication. A transmission control unit 3 performs a transmission procedure and communication control for facsimile transmission and reception. Reference numeral 4 denotes a facsimile function unit which compresses and converts image data read by the image input unit 10 for transmission on a communication line, and
It has a function to decompress and convert facsimile data sent from it.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a data transmission / reception unit which is connected to the host computer 20 and controls communication for receiving print image data and audio data from the host computer. Reference numeral 5 denotes a printer function unit for analyzing drawing data sent from the host computer 20 and developing the drawing data into bitmap data.
It also has a function of generating and outputting a separate page corresponding to the received data in cooperation with the image / audio control unit 8 described later.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a copy function unit having a function of converting the resolution of data read by the image input unit 10 and processing the data. Reference numeral 12 denotes an audio processing unit which has a function of reproducing received audio data and outputting audio to an audio generation device such as a speaker (not shown).

Reference numeral 7 denotes a panel section, on which switches (keys and buttons) for operation, an LED display, an LCD display, a touch panel, and the like are arranged, and each function section (facsimile function section 4, printer function section 5, Copy function section 6)
It is used to select an item, set an environment for each function, and play and delete sound.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an image output unit which has a function of controlling output of image data generated by each function unit on a paper surface. If the print engine is an LBP, a laser driver, a rotary polygon mirror, an electrostatic It is composed of a drum, a developing unit and the like, and in the case of an ink jet system, it is composed of a print head and a carriage motor for driving the print head.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an image / sound control unit which has a function of controlling the image / sound processing apparatus 1 in a comprehensive manner. Each of the function units (facsimile function unit 4, printer function unit 5, copy function unit 6) realizing each function processing, transferring image data generated by each function unit to image output unit 11 via storage unit (storage medium) 13, and using image input unit 10 The read data is transferred to each functional unit via the storage medium 13. Further, based on the execution command from the panel unit 7, the image / audio control unit 8 transfers the audio data in the spooling data received by the data transmission / reception unit 9 to the audio processing unit 12 via the storage medium 13, It also has a function of erasing from the medium 13.

The data transmission / reception unit 9 controls a Centronics, USB, IEEE 1394 or various network protocols, and is connected to a host computer connected via the bidirectional communication 30 (the network 105, USB, Centronics, etc. shown in FIG. 1). Data transmission and reception with the 20 are performed.

The storage unit 13 is composed of a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a flash PROM, and the like, including a RAM and a ROM, and functions as a main memory and a work memory of each functional unit. It is also used as a storage area for programs and control information for implementing the present invention, and as a work area necessary for executing the program of the present invention.

Further, the above-described functional units and control units are generally controlled by a CPU (not shown) (based on a program stored in a ROM or other storage medium).

On the other hand, the two-way communication 3
The host computer 20 communicated with 0 is a general computer system.

In the host computer 20, reference numeral 21 denotes a data transmitting / receiving unit, which is an interface for two-way communication, controls Centronics, USB, IEEE 1394 or various network protocols, and connects to the image via the two-way communication 30. It is used for transmitting image / audio data to the audio processing device 1. A user interface unit 22 has a user data input function including a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse and a display function including a display.

Reference numeral 25 denotes an audio processing unit which includes an audio input device such as a microphone, an audio output device such as a speaker, and a sound board for sampling audio, etc., and has a function of reproducing and recording audio. I have.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a storage unit (storage medium), which is a RAM or R
It comprises an OM, a hard disk capable of storing a boot program, various application programs, font data, user files, and the like, and an external memory such as a floppy disk or a flash PROM, and stores the image and sound control program of the present invention.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a system control unit, which has the above-mentioned functional units (the data transmitting / receiving unit 21, the user interface unit 22,
The entire host computer (a group of various devices connected to a system bus (not shown)) including the storage unit 24 and the audio processing unit 25 is collectively controlled by the CPU (based on a program stored in a ROM or other storage medium). Control.

The image / audio processing apparatus is not limited to a composite image processing apparatus having a facsimile function section, a printer function section, a copy function section and the like as shown in FIG. It may be a device provided. Hereinafter, the example will be described.

FIG. 3 shows the image / audio processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
It is a block block diagram which shows the other example of a structure of 02,104.

In the figure, reference numeral 32 denotes a communication control unit which controls Centronics, USB, IEEE1394 or various network protocols, and is connected via a bidirectional communication 30 (the network 105, USB, Centronics, etc. shown in FIG. 1). Data transmission and reception with the host computer 20 are performed.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a storage unit (storage medium), which is a RAM or R
OM, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a flash PROM, and the like, and not only functions as a main memory and a work memory of the CPU 33, but also stores programs and control information for implementing the present invention. It is also used as a work area necessary for executing the program of the present invention.

The CPU 33 analyzes the print data by the print unit 36 based on the control information and image data from the host computer 20 or the setting information from the operation panel 34, and then controls the printer drive circuit 37 to convert the data into video data. Output the printed data.

Further, under the control of the CPU 33, the audio data from the host computer 20 is stored or erased in the storage medium 35, and the audio is reproduced by the audio processing unit 38, so that the audio is processed by an audio processing device such as a speaker (not shown). Output.

The CPU 33 can also transfer status information of the image and sound processing device 1 to the host computer 20 via the communication control unit 32.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a print dialog displayed on the display of the user interface unit 22 of the host computer 20 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4A shows a case where voice data input in advance is selected. Correspondingly,
(B) corresponds to a case where the user speaks to the microphone and inputs a voice.

In the figure, reference numeral 901 denotes a paper size setting area in which a print paper size can be set. 902
Is a paper orientation setting area in which the orientation of the printing paper can be set. Reference numeral 903 denotes a list box, which allows the user to input sound in advance using a microphone or the like of the sound processing unit 25 and select filed sound data (sounds 1 to 4) from the list box. Reference numeral 904 denotes a browser button.
Alternatively, audio data stored in another storage medium (not shown) can be referred to.

Reference numeral 905 denotes an OK button, which is pressed to make the print dialog settings valid. A cancel button 906 is pressed to invalidate the settings of the print dialog.

Reference numeral 907 denotes a voice input start button, and 908 denotes a voice input end button. When the voice input start button 907 is pressed, the user speaks toward the microphone, and when the voice input end button 908 is pressed, the voice input ends. Audio data can be automatically filed.

Here, two voice input examples ((a),
(B) Although presented, the present invention is not particularly limited to this method, and audio data may be generated by various audio input methods.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a spool data information group used in the image and sound processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 600 denotes the image / audio processing device 1
, And is composed of image data setting information data 601, audio data header 602, image data 603-1, image data 603-2, ..., image data 603-n, audio data 604, and the like.

The image data setting information data 601 stores setting information such as the paper size and paper orientation set in the print dialog shown in FIG.
02 stores marking information indicating whether or not the audio data 604 has been added to the spool data 600.

Image data 603-1 to image data 603
The image data itself to be printed is stored in -n, and the audio data set in the print dialog shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the audio data 604.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation control procedure on the information processing apparatus side of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 shows a first example of an image / audio processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
3 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure of the host computer 20. A host computer executed by a CPU (not shown) in the system control unit 23 of the host computer 20 shown in FIG. 2 based on a program stored in the storage unit 24 shown in FIG. 20
Corresponding to the processing on the side. In addition, S400 to S405 indicate each step.

The image / audio processing system program stored in the storage unit 24 of the host computer 20 receives a print instruction from the user interface unit 22 (S
400), it is determined whether a voice corresponding to the document to be printed has already been input (voice data has been input) (S401).

The input of the voice corresponding to the document to be printed is input in advance from a dialog box displayed on the display of the host computer shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

If it is determined in step S401 that the voice data corresponding to the document to be printed has been input, the voice data set in the print dialog shown in FIG. 4 is obtained from the storage unit 24 (S403), and the print document is obtained. Data 600 including the image data of FIG. 5 (FIG. 5)
In step S404, the acquired audio data is added, and marking information indicating "there is audio data" is added to the audio data header section 602 of the spool data (S404).
Proceed to 405.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S401 that there is no audio data, only the marking information indicating "no audio data" is added to the audio data header section 602 of the spool data (S402), and the flow advances to step S405. .

Finally, in step S405, the spool data generated by the above control is finally transferred to the image / audio processing device 1, and the processing is terminated.

FIG. 7 shows an example of an information group used on the image / audio processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 700 denotes a group of audio data and corresponding identification information.
The identification information 701 and the audio data 702 are registered in the storage unit 13 shown in FIG. 2 in a one-to-one correspondence.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a printing result in the image and sound processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 801 denotes a separate page on which identification information 803 corresponding to the audio data stored in the spool data received by the image / audio processing apparatus is printed. Reference numeral 802 denotes a print document on which image data stored in the spool data received by the image and sound processing apparatus is printed.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation control procedure on the image and sound processing device side will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a second example of an image / audio processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
3 is a flowchart showing the operation control procedure of FIG. 2, which is executed by a CPU (not shown) in the image and sound control unit 8 of the image and sound processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2 based on a program stored in the storage unit 13 shown in FIG. . S500 to S509 indicate each step.

The control program of the image and sound processing apparatus 1 is as follows:
The image / audio control unit 8 receives the spool data transmitted from the host computer 20 via the data transmission / reception unit 21 and the data transmission / reception unit 9 (S50).
0), referring to the audio data header of the received spool data 600, and determining whether or not the audio data 604 exists by referring to the audio data header 602 (S501). It is determined that the audio data 604 exists. If it is determined that the voice data has already been registered, the voice data and the corresponding identification information group shown in FIG. 7 stored in the storage unit 13 are referred to (S502).

If it is determined in step S502 that the voice data has already been registered, the voice data and the corresponding identification information group are searched (S503), and vacant identification information is found to generate identification information (step S503). S504). At this time,
It is assumed that the CPU (not shown) automatically assigns a unique number as identification information based on the reception order of the audio data and the identification information assigned to the already registered audio data.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S502 that no voice data is registered, identification information is generated without performing a search process (S504). At this time, it is assumed that the CPU (not shown) automatically assigns a unique number to the order of receiving the audio data as identification information.

The identification information generated in step S504 is developed into image data as a separate page object (803 in FIG. 8) in step S505, and a pair of the generated identification information and audio data is stored in the storage unit 13. The voice data and the corresponding identification information group 700 are stored (S506).

Thereafter, in step S507, the separate page generated in step S505 is printed (separate page 801 in FIG. 8), and then in step S50.
8, the received image data (603-1 to 603)
-N) is printed (the print document 802 in FIG. 8), the received image data portion printed in step S508 is discarded (S509), and the process ends. In step S509, the separate page image generated in step S505 may be discarded at the same time.

If it is determined in step S501 that the audio data 604 does not exist, the process proceeds to step S50.
8 and the received image data (603-1 to 603-
After printing n), the image data printed in step S508 is immediately discarded (S509), and the process ends.

Next, a description will be given of a procedure for reproducing audio data in the image / audio processing apparatus 1.

FIG. 10 is an example of the panel unit 7 in the image and sound processing apparatus 1 for reproducing sound data.

In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes an LCD unit for displaying the status and the like of the image and sound processing apparatus 1 and for displaying a numeral button 1005, a play button 1002, and a delete button 10 in the figure.
03, various displays are possible by pressing the clear button 1004 or the like.

Although only the minimum parts for explaining the procedure such as the LCD 1001 and the buttons 1002 to 1005 are shown in the figure, the setting of the printing environment, the copy function, and the facsimile function are actually realized. It is needless to say that various operation devices are installed.

Hereinafter, the operation control procedure on the side of the image and sound processing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a third operation control procedure of the image / audio processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied. A CPU (not shown) in the image / audio control unit 8 executes the program based on a program stored in the storage unit 13 shown in the figure. Note that S1100 to S111
4 indicates each step.

The control program of the image and sound processing apparatus 1 is as follows:
The image / audio control unit 8 or the panel unit 7 constantly monitors whether or not the user presses the buttons 1002 to 1005 (S1100). If any button is pressed, the user presses the numeric buttons 1005 sequentially (step S1100). S110
1) It is determined whether the play button 1002 has been pressed (S1103), the delete button 1003 has been pressed (S1107), or the clear button 1004 has been pressed (S1111). Needless to say, the button pressing determination order is not limited to this embodiment, and any button may be used for determination.

More specifically, if it is determined in step S1101 that numeric button 1005 has been pressed, the pressed number is displayed on the LCD (S1102), and step S1 is performed.
The process returns to 100, and again enters the button press wait state.

On the other hand, in step S1101, numeral button 1
005 is determined not to be pressed, and the
03, if it is determined that the play button 1102 has been pressed, it is determined whether or not there is a number already entered with the numeric buttons (S1104). If it is determined that there is an input number, the input number is determined. And the identification information 7 of the audio data and the corresponding identification information group 700 stored in the storage unit 13
It is determined whether or not there is a matching number by comparing with 01 (S1105).

Here, if matching identification information exists, the audio data 702 corresponding to the identification information 701
Is transferred from the storage unit 13 to the audio processing unit 12 and reproduced and output through an output device such as a speaker (S1106), and the process returns to step S1100 to be in a button press wait state.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1104 that there is no input number, or in step S1105 that the input number does not match the registered identification information, an error sound is stored in the storage unit 13 or the voice processing unit 12 in advance. The stored message or the like is reproduced (S1114), and the process returns to step S1100 to wait for button press.

At step S1103, the play button 100
2 is determined not to be pressed, and step S1107 is performed.
If it is determined in step S1104 that the delete button 1103 has been pressed, it is determined whether or not there is a number already input using the numeric buttons as in step S1104 (S110).
8) If it is determined that there is an input number, the input number is compared with the voice data stored in the storage unit 13 and the identification information 701 of the corresponding identification information group 700, and whether a matching number exists. Is determined (S1109).

Here, if matching identification information exists, the identification information 701 and the audio data 702 of the audio data and the corresponding identification information group 700 stored in the storage unit 13 are stored.
Are deleted (S1110), and the process returns to step S1100 to wait for a button press. In the deletion process, a step for confirming whether or not to delete the data may be inserted between step S1109 and step S1110.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1108 that there is no input number, or that the input number does not match the registered identification information in step S1109, an error sound is stored in the storage unit 13 or the voice processing unit 12 in advance. The stored message or the like is reproduced (S1114), and step S1 is performed.
The process returns to 100, and is in a button press wait state.

In step S1107, the delete button 100
3 is determined not to be pressed, and step S1111 is executed.
If it is determined in step S1 that the clear button 1104 has been pressed, it is determined whether or not there is a process being executed (S1).
112) If it is determined that there is a process being executed, the process is stopped (S1113), and step S11 is performed.
The process returns to 00, and a button press wait state is set. For example, if audio data is being reproduced, the reproduction is stopped. If the number input process is being performed, the input number displayed on the LCD 1001 is cleared.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1112 that there is no process being executed, an error sound or a message previously stored in the storage unit 13 or the voice processing unit 12 is reproduced (S1114), and the process proceeds to step S1100. Back to
It will be in the state of waiting for button press.

The control method described above is only an example. For example, a ring-structured menu format is used to realize these processes, and buttons are set and used on a touch panel by default. Is also good.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
Although the case where the separate page is generated on the image / audio processing apparatus 1 side has been described, the configuration may be such that the separate page is generated on the host computer 20 side and transmitted to the image / audio processing apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

The operation control procedure of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a fourth operation control procedure of the image / audio processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied, and the image / audio processing of the host computer 20 shown in FIG. A host computer 20 that a CPU (not shown) in the control unit 8 executes based on a program stored in the storage unit 24 shown in the figure.
Corresponding to the processing on the side. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, S1203 to S120
6 shows each step.

The image / audio processing system program stored in the storage unit 24 of the host computer 20 receives a print instruction from the user interface unit 22 (S
400), it is determined whether a voice corresponding to the document to be printed has already been input (voice data has been input) (S401).

The input of the voice corresponding to the document to be printed is input in advance from a print dialog or the like displayed on the display of the host computer shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

If it is determined in step S401 that audio data corresponding to the document to be printed has been input, the acquired audio data is added to the spool data 600 (FIG. 5) and the audio data header 602 of the spool data is added to the spool data 600 (FIG. 5). Marking information indicating "presence of voice data" is added, and marking information indicating "presence of separation" is added to a separate page header (not shown) (S1203) to generate image data for a separate page (S1204).

Next, the audio data set in the print dialog shown in FIG. 4 is obtained from the storage unit 24 (S120).
5) The acquired audio data is added to the spool data 600 (FIG. 5) including the image data of the print document (S1206), and the process proceeds to step S405.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S401 that there is no audio data, only the marking information indicating "no audio data" is added to the audio data header section 602 of the spool data and a separate page header section (not shown) is added. Is added with marking information indicating "no separation" (S402), and the process proceeds to step S405.

In step S405, the spool data 600 is transferred to the image / audio processing apparatus 1, and the process ends.

Hereinafter, an operation control procedure on the image and sound processing apparatus side will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a fifth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied. A CPU (not shown) in the image / audio control unit 8 executes the program based on a program stored in the storage unit 13 shown in the figure. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same step numbers. Also, S130
Steps 5 to 1307 indicate each step.

Steps S500 to S504, Step S
The description of steps 506 to S509 is the same as that of FIG. 9 and thus will be omitted, and only the steps of steps S1305 to S1307 will be described.

In step S1305, reference is made to a separate page header section (not shown) in received spool data 600, and it is determined whether or not there is marking information indicating "separate page exists", and it is determined that a separate page exists. In this case, the object indicating the identification information generated in step S504 is combined with the received separate page to complete the separate page image data (S1306).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1305 that there is no separate page, a separate page is newly generated (S1307), and identification information is similarly synthesized to generate separate page image data.

[Third Embodiment] In this embodiment, the already registered audio data and the data of the correspondence identification information group 700 are deleted according to the time and time registered in the storage unit 13 in the image and audio processing apparatus 1. To be configured.

FIG. 14 shows an example of an information group used by the image and sound processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 1601 denotes time information indicating the time at which the voice data 702 and the corresponding identification information 701 were registered. Reference numeral 1602 denotes erasure time information,
02 and the time from when the corresponding identification information 701 is registered to when it is deleted, and 1603 is deletion time information, which corresponds to the time when the audio data 702 and the corresponding identification information 701 are deleted.

Erase time information 1602, erase time information 16
Numeral 03 is information previously stored in the storage unit 13 by being input from the panel unit 7 of the image / audio processing apparatus 1 or the user interface unit 22 of the host computer 20 and transmitted to the image / audio processing apparatus 1. Processing device 1
Deletes identification information, audio data, and time information registered in the storage unit 13 from the storage unit 13 based on a timer (not shown), erasure time information 1602, and erasure time information 1603.

As described above, the audio data and corresponding identification information group 700 includes identification information 701, audio data 702, time information 1601, erase time information 1602, erase time information 1
603, identification information 701 and audio data 70
2, the storage unit 1 shown in FIG.
3 registered.

Hereinafter, an operation control procedure on the image and sound processing apparatus side will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a sixth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied. A CPU (not shown) in the system control unit 23 executes based on a program stored in the storage unit 13 shown in the figure. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same step numbers. Also, S14
07 indicates a step.

Steps S500 to S506, step S
The description of 507 to S509 is the same as that of FIG. 9 and thus will be omitted, and only step S1407 will be described.

The image and sound processing apparatus 1 executes step S140.
7, the time at which the spool data 600 was received from the host computer 20 is acquired by a timer (not shown), and the acquired time is stored in the storage unit 13 together with the identification information and the audio data stored in step S506 (FIG. 1).
4 1601).

[Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment,
A case has been described in which the audio data and the data of the corresponding identification information group 700 that have already been registered are deleted according to a preset deletion time or registration time.
The maximum number of audio data is set in advance in the storage unit 13 of
When the maximum number of audio data is exceeded, the registered audio data and the data of the corresponding identification information group 700 may be deleted. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 16 shows an example of an information group used by the image and sound processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The same components as in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 1701 denotes the maximum number of audio data, which indicates the maximum number of audio data that can be registered.
Is input from the user interface unit 22 and transmitted to the image / audio processing apparatus 1 to be stored and set in the storage unit 13. Reference numeral 1702 denotes the number of registered audio data, which indicates the number of already registered audio data.

As described above, the audio data and corresponding identification information group 700 includes the identification information 701, the audio data 702, the time information 1601, the erasing time information 1602, and the erasing time information 1
603, the maximum number of audio data 1701, and the number of registered audio data 1702. Identification information 701, audio data 702, and time information 1601 are registered as a pair in the storage unit 13 shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the operation control procedure on the side of the image and sound processing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a seventh operation control procedure of the image / audio processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied, and the operation of the image / audio processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. A CPU (not shown) in the image / audio control unit 8 executes the program based on a program stored in the storage unit 13 shown in the figure. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same step numbers. Also, S15
02 to 1504, S1514 show each step.

Steps S500, S501, S502-
The description of S506, steps S1407, and S507 to S509 is the same as that of FIG.
Only 02 to 1504 and S1514 will be described.

In step S1502, based on the number of audio data already registered in the storage unit 13 of the image / audio processing apparatus 1 (the number of registered audio data 1702 in the data format illustrated in FIG. 16), the received audio data Calculate the number of audio data including. Next, in step S1503, the number of audio data calculated in step S1502 and the maximum number of audio data 1701 (the panel unit 7 of the image / audio
(Which is stored and set by being input from the user interface unit 22 and transmitted to the image / audio processing apparatus 1), it is determined that the calculated number of audio data exceeds the maximum number of audio data 1701 In the case, the time information 1 corresponding to each identification information 701 and the audio data 702
601 is deleted, and one set of the oldest identification information 701, audio data 702, and time information 1601 is deleted (S150).
4).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1503 that the number of audio data calculated in step S1502 does not exceed the maximum number of audio data 1701, the process proceeds directly to step S502.

In the last step S1514, the number of currently registered audio data 1702 in the storage unit 13 is updated, and the process ends.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the separate page corresponding to the audio data is generated and printed has been described. However, the separate page corresponding to the audio data is not generated and printed. The configuration may be such that the identification information corresponding to the voice is synthesized and output with the image data of the print document. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a print result in the image / audio processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1801 denotes a print document, which is a page printed after combining the identification information 1802 and the received image data.

Although FIG. 18 shows that only the first page of a plurality of documents appears to be a composite document, the composite document is not limited to the first page, and may be composed on all pages, for example. Absent.

Hereinafter, an operation control procedure on the side of the image and sound processing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an eighth operation control procedure of the image / audio processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied, and the operation of the image / audio processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. A CPU (not shown) in the image / audio control unit 8 executes the program based on a program stored in the storage unit 13 shown in the figure. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same step numbers. Also, S190
5 to 1909 indicate each step.

Steps S500 to S504 are described in FIG.
Steps S1905 to S190
Only 9 will be described.

In step S1905, the identification information generated in step S504 is developed as a drawing object on the image data. In step S1906, the pair of the generated identification information 701 and audio data 702 is stored in the storage unit 13 as audio data. Data and corresponding identification information group 700
Is stored as

Next, in step S1907, the drawing object of the identification information generated in step S1905 and the image data of the received document are combined (FIG. 1).
Print document 18 obtained by combining the identification information 1802 of
01).

Next, in step S1908, the combined image data combined in step S1907 is printed (printed document 1801 in which identification information 1802 in FIG. 18 is combined and printed), and in step S1909, the combined image data The part is discarded, and the process ends.

It should be noted that the audio data 60
If it is determined that the image data No. 4 does not exist, the process directly proceeds to step S1908 without generating the identification information in the drawing data and without synthesizing the received image data, and prints the received image data as it is. Discard the data and end the process.

[Sixth Embodiment] The configuration of the image / sound processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and for example, each functional unit (facsimile functional unit 4, printer functional unit 4) in FIG. 5, the copy function unit 6) and the audio processing unit 12 may be detachable.

Also, the three function units shown in FIG. 2 (facsimile function unit 4, printer function unit 5, copy function unit 6)
(For example, only a printer function and a copy function, or only a facsimile function and a printer function), does not impair the effects of the present invention.

As described above, it is possible to immediately know the document discharged to the image output device installed far away from the data transfer destination host computer and the sound information corresponding to the document. .

For this reason, the user who has output the print data transfers the treatment after the document is discharged to the image output apparatus in advance, so that the person who has viewed the discharged document can perform the document without any unnecessary work. Can be delivered to a predetermined destination, and as a result, office efficiency can be improved.

Seventh Embodiment In the first to sixth embodiments, the case has been described in which audio data is added to spool data and transferred from the host computer to the image and audio processing apparatus. However, audio is converted to text data. May be added to the spool data and transferred from the host computer to the image / audio processing device. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

Here, the host computers 101 and 103 shown in FIG. 1 are referred to as a host computer 920, the image / audio processing devices 102 and 104 shown in FIG. The case where the processing device 91 is connected via the two-way communication 930 will be described.

In the image / audio processing apparatus 91, a communication line 92 is a line for facsimile communication. 93
A transmission control unit performs a transmission procedure for facsimile transmission and reception and communication control. A facsimile function unit 94 compresses and converts image data read by the image input unit 910 for communication line transmission.
It has a function of expanding and converting facsimile data sent from the communication line 92.

Reference numeral 99 denotes a data transmission / reception unit which is connected to the host computer 920 and controls communication for receiving print image data and voice text data from the host computer. Reference numeral 95 denotes a printer function unit which analyzes drawing data sent from the host computer 920 and develops the drawing data into bitmap data, as well as a separate page corresponding to the received data. It also has a function of generating and outputting in cooperation with the unit 98.

Reference numeral 96 denotes a copy function unit, which is an image input unit 910.
It has the function of converting the resolution of the data read by the computer or processing it. An audio processing unit 912 has a function of reproducing the audio data converted by the audio-text conversion unit 914 from the received audio text data and outputting the audio to an audio generation device such as a speaker (not shown).

The voice-to-text conversion unit 914 is a functional unit capable of converting text to voice and voice to text, and may be realized by a program stored in the storage unit 913.

Reference numeral 97 denotes a panel unit on which switches (keys and buttons) for operation, an LED display, an LCD display, a touch panel, and the like are arranged. Each of the function units (the facsimile function unit 94, the printer function unit 95, It is used for selecting the copy function section 96), setting the environment for each function, and playing back or deleting sound.

Reference numeral 911 denotes an image output unit which has a function of controlling output of image data generated by each functional unit on a paper surface. If the print engine is an LBP, a laser driver, a rotary polygon mirror, an electrostatic It is composed of a drum, a developing unit and the like, and in the case of an ink jet system, it is composed of a print head and a carriage motor for driving the print head.

Reference numeral 98 denotes an image / sound control unit which has a function of controlling the image / sound processing unit 91 as a whole, and based on information set on the panel unit 97, various function units (facsimile function unit 94, printer function unit). 95, copy function unit 96) to realize the respective function processing, transfer the image data generated by each function unit to the image output unit 911 via the storage unit (storage medium) 913, and use the image input unit 910 to The read data is transferred to each functional unit via the storage medium 913. Further, based on the execution instruction from the panel unit 97, the image / audio control unit 98 transfers the audio text data in the spooling data received by the data transmission / reception unit 99 to the audio / text conversion unit 914 via the storage medium 913. Also, it has a function of deleting from the storage medium 913 and a function of transferring the converted audio data to the audio processing unit 912.

The data transmission / reception unit 99 controls the Centronics, USB, IEEE 1394 or various network protocols and controls the host computer connected via the bidirectional communication 930 (the network 105, USB, Centronics, etc. shown in FIG. 1). Data transmission / reception with the 920 is performed.

The storage unit 913 is composed of a hard disk, a floppy disk, a flash PROM, etc., including a RAM and a ROM, and functions as a main memory and a work memory of each functional unit. And a storage area for control information and a work area necessary for executing the program of the present invention.

Further, the above-described functional units and control units are generally controlled by a CPU (not shown) (based on a program stored in a ROM or other storage medium).

On the other hand, the host computer 920 which is communicated with the image / audio processing device 91 by the two-way communication 930 is a general computer system.

In the host computer 920, 92
Reference numeral 1 denotes a data transmitting / receiving unit, which is an interface for two-way communication, such as Centronics, USB, or IEEE139.
4 or various network protocols, and is used for transmission of image / audio text data to the image / audio processing apparatus 91 connected via the two-way communication 930. A user interface unit 922 has a user data input function including a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse and a display function including a display.

Reference numeral 925 denotes an audio processing unit which includes an audio input device such as a microphone, an audio output device such as a speaker, and a sound board for sampling audio, etc., and has a function of reproducing and recording audio. I have.

The audio / text converter 926 converts audio data input by the audio processor 925, audio data stored in the storage unit 924, and audio data received via the two-way communication 930 into text data. Conversely, text data input from a keyboard or the like or two-way communication 9
It has a function of converting text data received via the storage unit 30 or text data stored in the storage unit 924 into voice data.

Reference numeral 924 denotes a storage unit (storage medium) including a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk capable of storing a boot program, various application programs, font data, user files, and the like; a floppy disk;
It is composed of an external memory such as a flash PROM, and stores the image / sound control program of the present invention.

Reference numeral 923 denotes a system control unit, which is a function unit (data transmission / reception unit 921, user interface unit 92).
2, the storage unit 924, the audio processing unit 925, the audio-to-text conversion unit 926) and the entire host computer (a group of various devices connected to a system bus (not shown)).
U controls overall (based on programs stored in ROM or other storage media).

Note that the image / audio processing apparatus shown in FIG.
Facsimile function part, printer function part,
The present invention is not limited to the composite image processing apparatus having the copy function section, but may be, for example, an apparatus having only the printer function section. Hereinafter, the example will be described.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the image and sound processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 932 denotes a communication control unit which controls Centronics, USB, IEEE 1394 or various network protocols, and is connected via two-way communication 930 (network 105, USB, Centronics, etc. shown in FIG. 1). Data transmission / reception with the host computer 920 is performed.

Reference numeral 935 denotes a storage unit (storage medium) which includes a hard disk, a floppy disk, a flash PROM, etc., in addition to a RAM and a ROM.
Function as a main memory and a work memory, as well as a storage area for a program for implementing the present invention and control information, and a work area necessary for executing the program of the present invention. .

The CPU 933 analyzes the print data by the print unit 936 according to the control information and image data from the host computer 920 or the setting information from the operation panel 934, and
37 to output print data converted into video data.

Further, under the control of the CPU 933, the voice text data from the host computer 920 is stored or erased in the storage medium 935, the voice-to-text converter 939 performs conversion from text to voice,
The audio processing unit 938 has a function of reproducing the converted audio data to output audio using an audio processing device such as a speaker (not shown).

The CPU 933 includes a communication control unit 932
, The status information of the image / audio processing device 91 can be transferred to the host computer 920.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a print dialog displayed on the display of the user interface unit 922 of the host computer 920 shown in FIG.
(A) corresponds to a case where pre-input voice text data is selected or text is input using a keyboard or the like, and (b) corresponds to a case where a user speaks toward a microphone and inputs a voice.

In the figure, reference numeral 9901 denotes a paper size setting area in which a print paper size can be set. 99
A paper orientation setting area 02 can set the orientation of the printing paper. Reference numeral 9903 denotes a list box in which voice is input in advance by a microphone or the like of the voice processing unit 925, and voice text data (voice texts 1 to 4) converted into a text file by the voice / text conversion unit 926 is selected from the list box. Can be. Reference numeral 9904 denotes a browser button, which allows the user to refer to voice text data stored in the storage unit 913 or another storage medium (not shown). Reference numeral 9909 denotes an edit box for voice input, which inputs text via a keyboard or the like of the user interface unit 922, and further converts the text file.

[0189] Reference numeral 9905 denotes an OK button, which is pressed to make the print dialog settings valid. A cancel button 9906 is pressed to invalidate the settings of the print dialog.

Reference numeral 9907 denotes a voice input start button;
Is a voice input end button, 9910 is a text conversion button, and when the voice input start button 9907 is pressed, the user utters a voice toward the microphone, and the voice input end button 9
When the user presses the button 908 to end the voice input and automatically converts the voice data into a file, the text conversion button 9
By pressing 910, the voice data can be converted into a text file. Reference numeral 9911 denotes a voice conversion button. When this button is pressed, the voice / text conversion unit 926 is pressed.
Can convert text data into audio data.

Here, two voice input examples ((a),
(B) Although presented, the present invention is not particularly limited to this method, and speech text data may be generated by various speech input methods.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a spool data information group used in the image / audio processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 9600 denotes spool data used in the image / audio processing apparatus 91, which includes image data setting information data 9601 and a voice text data header 9600.
602, image data 9603-1, image data 9603
..,..., Image data 9603-n, voice text data 9604, and the like.

The image data setting information data 9601 includes:
The setting information such as the paper size and the paper direction set in the print dialog shown in FIG. 22 is stored, and the voice text data header 9602 indicates whether the voice text data 9604 is added to the spool data 9600. The marking information is stored.

Image data 9603-1 to image data 96
03-n stores the image data itself to be printed, and the voice text data 9604 stores the voice text data set in the print dialog shown in FIG.

The operation control procedure of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a ninth operation control procedure of the image / audio processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
Of the host computer 920 shown in FIG.
23 corresponds to processing on the host computer 920 side executed based on a program stored in the storage unit 924 shown in the figure. In addition, S9400-
S9407 shows each step.

Storage Unit 924 of Host Computer 920
The image and sound processing system program stored in
When a print instruction is received from the user interface unit 922 (S9400), it is determined whether a voice corresponding to the document to be printed has already been input (voice data has been input) (S9401).

The voice corresponding to the document to be printed is input in advance from a print dialog or the like displayed on the display of the host computer shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B.

If it is determined in step S9401 that voice data corresponding to the document to be printed has been input, it is determined whether the voice data has already been converted to voice text data (S9403), and the voice data has not been converted. If it is determined that the voice / text conversion unit 926 has been selected,
Is converted to voice text data via (S9404),
The process proceeds to step S9405.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the voice data has already been converted to voice text data, the flow directly proceeds to step S9405.

Next, in step S9405, the voice text data is obtained from the storage unit 924, the obtained voice text data is added to the spool data 9600 (FIG. 23) including the image data of the print document, and the spool data 9600 Marking information indicating "there is voice text data" is added to the voice text data header section 9602 (S9406), and step S9407 is performed.
Proceed to.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9401 that there is no voice input, the voice text data header section 9602 of the spool data indicates "no voice text data".
Only marking information indicating "" is added (S9402),
Proceed to step S9407.

Finally, in step S9407, the spool data 9600 generated by the above control is finally transferred to the image / audio processing device 91, and the processing is terminated.

FIG. 25 shows an example of an information group used on the image / audio processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 9700 denotes a group of speech text data and corresponding identification information, which is constituted by identification information 9701 and speech text data 9702, and identification information 9701.
FIG. 20 shows a one-to-one correspondence between
Are registered in the storage unit 913 shown in FIG.

FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram showing a print result of the image / audio processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In (a), reference numeral 9801 denotes a separate page, which is identification information 9 corresponding to the voice text data stored in the spool data received by the video / audio processing apparatus.
Reference numeral 803 is printed. Reference numeral 9802 denotes a print document on which image data stored in the spool data received by the audiovisual processing apparatus is printed.

In (b), 9804 is a speech text, which is printed on a separate page 9801.

Hereinafter, the operation control procedure on the image and sound processing apparatus side will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a tenth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
0, the image and sound control unit 98 of the image and sound processing device 91 shown in FIG.
The CPU (not shown) executes the program based on a program stored in the storage unit 913 shown in FIG. Note that S9500
To S9509 indicate each step.

The control program of the image and sound processing apparatus 91 receives the spool data transmitted from the host computer 920 via the data transmitting and receiving unit 921 and the data transmitting and receiving unit 99 in the image and sound control unit 98 (S9500). By referring to the audio text data header of the received spool data 9600, it is determined whether or not the audio text data 9604 exists.
602 (S9501). If it is determined that the voice text data 9604 exists, the voice text data and the corresponding identification information group shown in FIG. Then, it is determined whether the voice text data has already been registered (S950).
2).

If it is determined in step S9502 that the voice text data has already been registered, the voice text data and the corresponding identification information group are searched (S9503).
Unused identification information is found, and identification information is generated (S9504). At this time, it is assumed that the CPU (not shown) automatically assigns a unique number as identification information based on the reception order of the voice text data and the identification information allocated to the already registered voice text data.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9502 that speech text data is not registered, identification information is generated without performing search processing (S9504).
At this time, it is assumed that the CPU (not shown) automatically assigns a unique number in the reception order of the voice text data as identification information.

In step S9505, the identification information generated in step S9504 is expanded into image data as a separate page object (9803 in FIG. 26), and a pair of the generated identification information and voice text data is stored in the storage unit 913. Is stored as voice text data and corresponding identification information group 9700 (S950).
6).

Then, in step S9507, the separate page generated in step S9505 is printed (separate page 9801 in FIG. 26), and then in step S9508, the received image data (9603)
-1 to 9603-n) (print document 9802 in FIG. 26), further discards the received image data portion printed in step S9508 (S9509), and ends the process.

In step S9509, the separate page image generated in step S9505 may be discarded at the same time. The separate page generated in step S9509 is, as shown in FIG. 26B, an image to which the received voice text 9804 is added or the received voice data is converted into the voice-to-text converter 91 shown in FIG.
The image may be an image to which an audio text 9804 generated by conversion in step 4 is added. If it is determined in step S9501 that the voice text data 9604 does not exist, the process directly proceeds to step S9508, where the received image data (9
603-1 to 9603-n), and then printing in step S95
08 is immediately discarded (S950).
9), end the processing.

Next, a description will be given of a procedure for reproducing speech text data in the image and speech processing apparatus 91.

FIG. 28 is an example of the panel section 97 in the image / audio processing apparatus 91 for reproducing audio / text data.

In the figure, reference numeral 91001 denotes an LCD, which displays the status and the like on the image and sound processing device 91 side, numeral buttons 91005, display buttons 91006, a play button 91002, a delete button 91003, and a clear button 9100 in the figure.
Various displays can be performed by pressing the button 1004 or the like.

Although only the minimum parts for explaining procedures such as the LCD 91001 and the buttons 91002 to 91006 are described in the figure, the setting of the printing environment, the copy function, and the facsimile function are actually realized. It is needless to say that various operation devices are installed.

The operation control procedure on the image and sound processing apparatus side will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an eleventh operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
0, the image and sound control unit 98 of the image and sound processing device 91 shown in FIG.
The CPU (not shown) executes the program based on a program stored in the storage unit 913 shown in FIG. Note that S9110
0 to S91120 indicate each step.

[0224] The control program of the image and sound processing apparatus 1 is as follows.
The image / audio control unit 8 or the panel unit 97 constantly monitors whether or not the user has pressed the buttons 9100 to 91006 (S91100). If any button is pressed, the numeric buttons 91005 are sequentially pressed. (S91101), pressing the play button 91002 (S91103), pressing the delete button 91003 (S91109), pressing the display button 91006 (S91103).
91113) or press the clear button 91004 (S9
11117), and proceeds to the step in accordance with the depression of each button. Needless to say, the button pressing determination order is not limited to this embodiment, and any button may be used for determination.

More specifically, if it is determined in step S91101 that the numeric button 91005 has been pressed, the pressed number is displayed on the LCD (S91102), and the flow returns to step S91100 to wait for a button press again.

On the other hand, in step S91101, it is determined that numeric button 91005 has not been pressed, and
If it is determined in step 91103 that the play button 91102 has been pressed, it is determined whether or not there is a number already input with the numeric buttons (S91104). If it is determined that there is an input number, the input number is determined. And storage unit 913
Is compared with the identification information 9701 of the corresponding identification information group 9700 to determine whether there is a matching number (S91105).

Here, if matching identification information exists, the voice text data 9702 corresponding to the identification information 9701 is transferred from the storage unit 913 to the voice-to-text conversion unit 914, and the voice-to-text conversion unit 914 transmits the voice-to-text data. The voice data is converted into data (S91106), and the converted voice data is transferred to the voice processing unit 912, reproduced and output through an output device such as a speaker (S91107), and the voice text data before the conversion is displayed on the LCD 91001 (S91).
108), and returns to step S91100 to wait for button press.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S91104 that there is no input number, or in step S91105 that the input number does not match the registered identification information, an error sound is stored in advance in the storage unit 913 or the voice processing unit 912. The stored message or the like is reproduced and displayed on the LCD 91001 (S91120), and the process returns to step S91100.
It will be in the state of waiting for button press.

In step S91103, the play button 91
002 is determined not to be pressed, and step S91 is performed.
If it is determined in step 109 that the delete button 91103 has been pressed, it is determined whether or not there is a number already entered with the numeric buttons (S91110), as in step S91104, and it is determined that there is an input number. In this case, the input number is compared with the voice text data stored in the storage unit 913 and the identification information 9701 of the corresponding identification information group 9700 to determine whether a matching number exists (S91111).

Here, if there is matching identification information, a pair of the identification information 9701 and the audio text data 9702 of the speech text data and the corresponding identification information group 9700 stored in the storage unit 913 is deleted (S9111).
2) The process returns to step S91100, and waits for button press. At the time of deletion processing, step S91
A step for confirming whether or not to actually delete the image may be inserted between step 111 and step S91112.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S91110 that there is no input number or that the input number does not match the registered identification information in step S91111, an error sound is stored in advance in the storage unit 913 or the voice processing unit 912. The stored message or the like is reproduced and displayed on the LCD 91001 (S91120), and the process returns to step S91100.
It will be in the state of waiting for button press.

At step S91109, the delete button 91
003 is determined not to be pressed, and step S91
If it is determined in 113 that the display button 91106 has been pressed, it is determined whether or not there is a number already input with the numeric buttons (S91114), as in step S91104, and it is determined that there is an input number. In this case, the input number is compared with the voice text data stored in the storage unit 913 and the identification information 9701 of the corresponding identification information group 9700 to determine whether a matching number exists (S91115).

If matching identification information exists, a pair of the identification information 9701 and the audio text data 9702 of the voice text data and the corresponding identification information group 9700 stored in the storage unit 913 is displayed on the LCD 91001 ( (S91116), the process returns to step S91100, and waits for button press.

At step S91113, display button 91
006 is determined not to be pressed, and step S91
If it is determined in step 117 that the clear button 91104 has been pressed, it is determined whether there is any process being executed (S91118). If it is determined that there is a process being executed, the process is stopped. Then, the flow returns to step S91100 to enter a button press wait state.
For example, if the voice text data is being reproduced, the reproduction is stopped. If the number input process is in progress, the LCD 910 is displayed.
Clear the input number displayed in 01. Also, the voice text data being displayed can be cleared.

The control method described above is only an example. For example, a ring-structured menu format can be used to realize these processes, or a button can be used on a touch panel by default.

[Eighth Embodiment] In the seventh embodiment,
Although the case where the separate page is generated on the side of the image and sound processing device 91 has been described, the configuration may be such that the separate page is generated on the side of the host computer 920 and transmitted to the image and sound processing device 91. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

The operation control procedure of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a twelfth operation control procedure of the image / audio processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied, and which is executed by the host computer 920 shown in FIG. A CPU (not shown) in the system control unit 923 stores the data in the storage unit 924 shown in the figure.
Corresponds to the processing on the host computer 920 side executed based on the program stored in. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, S
Reference numerals 91205 to S91208 denote steps.

Steps S9400-S9404, S94
The description of 07 is the same as that of FIG. 24, and thus will be omitted, and only the steps of steps S91205 to S91208 will be described.

In step S91205, the acquired speech text data is added to the spool data 9600 (FIG. 23), and marking information indicating “the presence of speech text data” is added to the speech text data header section 9602 of the spool data 9600. Marking information indicating “separate is present” is added to a separate page header section (not shown) to generate image data for a separate page (S91206).

Next, similarly to the first embodiment, the voice text data set in the print dialog shown in FIG. 22 is obtained from the storage unit 924 (S91207), and the spool data 9600 including the image data of the print document (FIG. 2
3) to the acquired voice text data (S91).
208), and proceeds to step S9407.

[0242] In step S9407, the spool data 9600 is transferred to the image and sound processing device 91, and the process ends.

The operation control procedure of the image / sound processing device will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a thirteenth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
0, the image and sound control unit 98 of the image and sound processing device 91.
The CPU (not shown) executes the program based on a program stored in the storage unit 913 shown in FIG. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 27 are denoted by the same step numbers. Also, steps S91305 to S91307 indicate each step.

Steps S9500 to S9504 and steps S9506 to S9509 are the same as those in FIG. 27, and thus will not be described, and only the steps of steps S91305 to S91307 will be described.

In step S91305, reference is made to a separate page header portion (not shown) in received spool data 9600, and it is determined whether or not there is marking information indicating "separate page exists", and it is determined that a separate page exists. In this case, the object indicating the identification information generated in step S9504 is combined with the received separate page to complete the separate page image data (S91306).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S91305 that there is no separate page, a separate page is newly generated (S91307), and identification information is similarly synthesized to generate separate page image data.

[Ninth Embodiment] In the ninth embodiment, already registered voice text data and data of the corresponding identification information group 9700 are deleted according to the time and time registered in the storage unit 913 in the image and voice processing apparatus 91. The configuration is as follows.

FIG. 32 shows an example of an information group used on the image and sound processing apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
The same components as those in 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 91601 denotes time information, which is speech text data 9702 and corresponding identification information 970.
1 indicates the registered time. Reference numeral 91602 denotes erasing time information, which corresponds to the time from when the voice text data 9702 and the corresponding identification information 9701 are registered to when it is deleted, and 91603, which is erasing time information which indicates the voice text data 9702 and the corresponding identification information 9701. Corresponds to the time to erase.

Erasing time information 91602, erasing time information 9
Reference numeral 1603 denotes a panel unit 97 of the image / audio processing apparatus 91 in advance.
And information stored in the storage unit 913 by being input from the user interface unit 922 of the host computer 920 and transmitted to the image and sound processing device 91. The image and sound processing device 91 includes a timer (not shown) and erase time information. 91602 and erasing time information 91603.
13 is deleted from the storage unit 913.

As described above, the voice text data and corresponding identification information group 9700 is composed of the identification information 9701, the voice text data 9702, the time information 91601, the erasing time information 91602, and the erasing time information 91603, and includes the identification information 9701 and the voice text. Data 9702 and time information 91601 are registered as a pair in the storage unit 913 shown in FIG.

The operation control procedure on the image and sound processing apparatus side will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a fourteenth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
0, the image and sound control unit 98 of the image and sound processing device 91 shown in FIG.
The CPU (not shown) executes the program based on a program stored in the storage unit 913 shown in FIG. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 27 are denoted by the same step numbers. Step S91407 indicates a step.

Steps S9500 to S9506 and steps S9507 to S9509 are the same as those in FIG. 27, and will not be described, and only step S91407 will be described.

[0256] The image and sound processing apparatus 91 proceeds to step S91.
At 407, the time at which the spool data 9600 was received from the host computer 920 is acquired by a timer (not shown), and the acquired time is identified by the identification information 9701 and the voice text data 970 stored at step S9506.
2 in the storage unit 913 (9160 in FIG. 32).
1).

[Tenth Embodiment] In the ninth embodiment, the already registered voice text data and corresponding identification information group 97 are determined by a preset deletion time or registration time.
Although the case of deleting the data of 00 has been described, the maximum number of voice text data is set in advance in the storage unit 913 of the image and voice processing device 91, and when the number of voice text data exceeds the maximum, the already registered voice text is The data and the data of the corresponding identification information group 9700 may be deleted. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 34 shows an example of an information group used on the side of the audiovisual processing apparatus according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 32 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 91701 denotes the maximum number of audio text data, which indicates the maximum value of the number of audio text data which can be registered, and the panel unit 97 of the image / audio processing apparatus 91 or the user interface unit 9 of the host computer 920 in advance.
The data is input from the device 22 and transmitted to the image / audio processing device 91, and is stored in the storage unit 913. 91702
Is the number of registered voice text data, which indicates the number of voice text data already registered.

As described above, the voice text data and the corresponding identification information group 9700 include the identification information 9701, the voice text data 9702, the time information 91601, the erasing time information 91602, the erasing time information 91603, the maximum number of voice text data 91701, The number of speech text data items is 91702, and identification information 9701, speech text data 9702, and time information 91601 are paired as shown in FIG.
0 is registered in the storage unit 913 shown in FIG.

The operation control procedure on the image and sound processing apparatus side will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a fifteenth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
0, the image and sound control unit 98 of the image and sound processing device 91 shown in FIG.
The CPU (not shown) executes the program based on a program stored in the storage unit 913 shown in FIG. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 33 are denoted by the same step numbers. Also, steps S91502 to 91504 and S91514 indicate each step.

Steps S9500, S9501, S95
02 to S9506, steps S91407, S9507
The description of S9509 is the same as that of FIG.
Only steps S91502 to 91504, S91514 will be described.

In step S91502, the number of voice text data already registered in the storage unit 913 of the image / voice processing device 91 (the number of registered voice text data 9170 in the data format shown in FIG. 34).
Based on 2), the number of voice text data including the received voice text data is calculated. Next, step S91
In step 503, the number of speech text data calculated in step S91502 and the maximum number of speech text data 9170
1 (preliminarily stored and set by being input from the panel unit 97 of the image and sound processing device 91 and the user interface unit 922 of the host computer 920 and transmitted to the image and sound processing device 91), and calculating the calculated sound. The number of text data is the maximum number of speech text data 91701
If it is determined that the number exceeds the
1 and time information 9 corresponding to voice text data 9702
1601 is searched, and one set of the oldest identification information 9701, voice text data 9702, and time information 91601 is deleted (S91504).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S91503 that the number of voice text data calculated in step S91502 does not exceed the maximum voice text data number 91701, the flow directly proceeds to step S9502.

In the last step S91514,
Number of currently registered speech text data 9 in storage unit 913
1702 is updated, and the process ends.

[Eleventh Embodiment] In the seventh to tenth embodiments, a case has been described in which a separate page corresponding to voice text data is generated and printed. However, a separate page corresponding to voice text data is not generated and printed. Thus, the configuration may be such that the identification information corresponding to the voice is synthesized and output with the image data of the print document.
Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram showing a print result of the image and sound processing apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

In (a), reference numeral 91801 denotes a print document, which is a page printed after combining the identification information 91802 and the received image data.

[0270] In (b), 91803 is a speech text, which is combined with the received image data and printed on the print document 91801.

In FIG. 36, only the first page of a plurality of documents appears to be a composite document. However, the document to be composed is not limited to the first page. Good.

The operation control procedure of the image and sound processing apparatus will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a sixteenth operation control procedure of the image / audio processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
0, the image and sound control unit 98 of the image and sound processing device 91 shown in FIG.
The CPU (not shown) executes the program based on a program stored in the storage unit 913 shown in FIG. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 27 are denoted by the same step numbers. Also, S91905 to S91909 indicate each step.

The description of steps S9500 to S9504 is the same as that of FIG.
Only the description below will be made.

In step S91905, the identification information generated in step S9504 is developed as a drawing object in the image data. It is stored as voice text data and corresponding identification information group 9700.

Next, in step S91907, the drawing object of the identification information generated in step S91905 and the image data of the received document are combined (printed document 91801 obtained by combining the identification information 91802 in FIG. 36A).

Next, in step S91908, the combined image data combined in step S91907 is printed (printed document 91801 printed by combining identification information 91802 in FIG. 36 (a)), and thereafter, in step S91908.
In 91909, the printed composite image data portion is discarded, and the process ends.

The image to be synthesized in step S91907 is, as shown in FIG. 36B, an image to which the received voice text (91803) is added, or the received voice data is converted into the voice-to-text converter 914 in FIG. , And may be an image to which the generated audio text (91803) is added.

If it is determined in step S9501 that the voice text data 9604 does not exist, the identification information is not generated in the drawing data and is not synthesized.
In step S91908, the received image data is printed as it is, and in step S91909, the printed image data is discarded, and the process ends.

[Twelfth Embodiment] The configuration of the image / sound processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. For example, in FIG. 20, each function unit (facsimile function unit 94, printer function unit 95, the copy function unit 96), the audio processing unit 912, and the audio / text conversion unit 914 may be detachable.

Also, a configuration without all of the three function units (facsimile function unit 4, printer function unit 5, copy function unit 6) shown in FIG. 20 (for example, only printer function and copy function, only facsimile function and printer function) Does not impair the effects of the present invention.

As described above, it is possible to immediately know the document discharged to the image output device installed far from the data transfer destination host computer and the voice and voice text information corresponding to the document. Become like

For this reason, the user who has output the print data transfers the treatment after the document is discharged to the image output apparatus in advance, so that a person who has viewed the discharged document can perform the document without wasteful work. Can be delivered to a predetermined destination, and as a result, office efficiency can be improved.

Also, in the present invention, by converting voice into text data and adding it to spool data, it is possible to reduce the volume of voice data information, so that network traffic can be reduced. .

According to the present invention, the information processing apparatus such as a host computer alone or the image and sound processing apparatus alone can be connected to the host computer system and the image and sound processing apparatus under a network environment. The present invention may be applied to a printing system capable of printing and outputting a desired document by transferring image information generated by a host computer or the like to an image output device.

The printing method of the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention may be an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, a thermal transfer method, a sublimation method, or another printing method.

The configuration of a data processing program readable by an audio / video processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the video / audio processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory maps shown in FIGS. .

FIGS. 38 and 39 are diagrams for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by an audio / video processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the video / audio processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied. It is.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, if the programs and data to be installed are compressed,
A program for decompressing may also be stored.

In the present embodiment, FIGS.
FIGS. 12, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31, 31, 33, 35, 3
The function shown in FIG. 7 may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon disk and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program codes. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by reading a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by using a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0299]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the inventions of (1) to (3), when the image data is transmitted to the image / audio processing apparatus, the adding means adds the audio data to the image data, so that the audio data indicating the handling of the print result is added to the image data. By adding the document, anyone can easily recognize the handling of the document discharged by the image and sound processing device.

According to the fourth to sixth aspects of the present invention, when transmitting image data to the image and sound processing apparatus, the adding means adds text data corresponding to the sound data to the image data. By adding text data corresponding to the voice data indicating the handling of the print result to the data, anyone can easily recognize the handling of the document discharged by the image / sound processing device without imposing a load on communication traffic. Can be.

According to the seventh to fifteenth aspects, when image data and audio data added to the image data are received from the information processing apparatus, the first generating means generates identification information for the audio data. Then, the second generation unit generates a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information, and the audio reproduction unit reproduces a sound corresponding to the printed identification information. Anyone can easily recognize the handling of the printed document by the voice data indicating the handling of the printing result.

[0302] According to the sixteenth to twenty-fourth aspects, when image data and text data corresponding to audio data added to the image data are received from the information processing apparatus,
First generating means for generating identification information for the text data corresponding to the audio data, second generating means for generating a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information, Converts the text data corresponding to the printed identification information into audio data, and reproduces the converted audio data. Therefore, communication traffic is performed by text data corresponding to audio data indicating handling of a print result in image data. Anyone can easily recognize the handling of a document discharged by the image and sound processing device without imposing a load on the document.

According to the twenty-fifth and thirty-first inventions, when image data is transmitted to the image / audio processing apparatus, the handling of the print result is indicated by adding the audio data to the image data. By adding the audio data, anyone can easily recognize the handling of the document discharged by the image and audio processing device.

According to the twenty-sixth and thirty-second inventions, when image data is transmitted to the image / audio processing apparatus, text data corresponding to the audio data is added to the image data to print the image data. By adding text data corresponding to the audio data indicating the handling of the result, anyone can easily recognize the handling of the document ejected by the image / audio processing device without imposing a load on communication traffic.

According to the twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, thirty-third and thirty-fourth inventions, when image data and audio data added to the image data are received from the information processing apparatus, identification information for the audio data is generated. Since a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information is generated and a sound corresponding to the printed identification information is reproduced, the image data is printed by the sound data indicating the handling of the print result. Everyone can easily recognize the handling of the document.

According to the twenty-ninth, thirty-fifth, and thirty-sixth inventions, when image data and text data corresponding to audio data added to the image data are received from the information processing apparatus, the text data corresponding to the audio data is received. Generating identification information for the text data to be generated, generating a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information, converting the text data corresponding to the printed identification information into audio data, Since the reproduced audio data is reproduced, nobody can handle the document ejected by the image and audio processing device without imposing a load on communication traffic by text data corresponding to the audio data indicating the handling of the print result on the image data. Can be easily recognized.

Therefore, by adding voice data indicating the handling of the print result to the image data, anyone can easily recognize the handling of the document ejected by the image / sound processing device, and as a result, the ejected document can be recognized. There is an effect that a person who has seen the work does not need to perform useless work and can improve office efficiency as a whole.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image and sound processing system to which an information processing device and an image and sound processing device of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a host computer and an image / sound processing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the image and sound processing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a print dialog displayed on a display of a user interface unit of the host computer illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a spool data information group used in the image and sound processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information group used on the image / audio processing apparatus side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a printing result in the image and sound processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a panel unit in an image and sound processing device for reproducing sound data.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a third operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a fifth operation control procedure of the image / audio processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information group used on the image / audio processing apparatus side according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a sixth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information group used on the image / audio processing apparatus side according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a seventh operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied;

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a printing result in the image and sound processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an eighth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image and sound processing system to which an information processing apparatus and an image and sound processing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example of the image and sound processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a print dialog displayed on a display of a user interface unit of the host computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a spool data information group used in the image and sound processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a ninth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied;

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information group used on the image / audio processing apparatus side according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a print result of the image and sound processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a tenth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied;

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a panel unit in the image and sound processing device for reproducing the sound text data.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an eleventh operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a twelfth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a thirteenth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image and sound processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied;

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information group used on the image / audio processing apparatus side according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a fourteenth operation control procedure of the video and audio processing system to which the information processing device and the video and audio processing device of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information group used on the image / audio processing apparatus side according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a fifteenth operation control procedure of the video and audio processing system to which the information processing device and the video and audio processing device of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram showing a print result of the image and sound processing device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a sixteenth operation control procedure of the image and sound processing system to which the information processing device and the image and sound processing device of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an audio / video processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the image / audio processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an audio / video processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the audio / video processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image / sound processing device 12 sound processing unit 20 host computer 25 sound processing unit 30 two-way communication 91 image / sound processing device 912 sound processing unit 914 sound / text conversion unit 920 host computer 925 sound processing unit 926 sound / text conversion unit 930 Both Communication 101,103 Host computer 102,104 Video / audio processing device 105 Network

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) H04N 1/00 107 G10L 3/00 Q 9A001 F term (reference) 2C087 AA03 AB05 BA03 BA06 BA14 BC07 BD07 BD49 5B021 AA01 BB00 QQ07 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA13 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB26 AB38 AB42 AC21 AC23 AC24 AC41 AE11 AE16 AF00 AF06 BA00 5C076 AA03 AA14 AA16 BA02 BA03 BA06 5D045 AB01 AB30 9A001 JJ35 KK42

Claims (36)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image and sound processing device capable of printing image data and reproducing sound data via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the image data is transmitted to the image and sound processing device. In this case, the information processing apparatus further comprises an adding unit for adding audio data to the image data. 2. An image processing apparatus comprising: a generating unit configured to generate image data for printing a separate page different from the image data; wherein the adding unit includes: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data for printing a separate page generated by the generation unit and the audio data are added to the data. 3. An audio input unit for inputting audio data to be added to the image data, a storage unit for storing audio data input from the audio input unit, and printing of image data to be transmitted to the image / audio processing device. Setting means for making settings to the image and sound processing apparatus, wherein the setting means includes: first instruction means for instructing input of audio data to be added to the image data by the audio input means; and the storage means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second instruction unit configured to instruct stored audio data as audio data to be added to the image data. 4. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image / sound processing apparatus capable of printing image data and playing back sound of text data via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the image data is transmitted to the image / sound processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus comprising: an adding unit that adds text data corresponding to audio data to the image data when transmitting the image data. 5. An image processing apparatus comprising: generating means for generating image data for printing a separate page different from the image data; wherein the adding means includes a step of transmitting the image data to the image and sound processing apparatus when the image data is transmitted to the image and sound processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein image data for printing a separate page generated by the generation unit and text data corresponding to the audio data are added to the data. 6. An audio input unit for inputting audio data, a conversion unit for converting audio data input by the audio input unit into text data corresponding to the audio data to be added to the image data, and Setting means for setting print settings of image data to be transmitted to a processing device to the image / sound processing device; wherein the setting means includes: first instruction means for instructing voice input by a voice input means; and the conversion means The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a second instruction unit that instructs text data conversion based on the information. 7. An image and sound processing apparatus capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the image data and the sound data added to the image data from the information processing apparatus are provided. When receiving the audio data, a first generation unit that generates identification information for the audio data, and a second generation unit that generates a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information. An image and sound processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 8. An image / sound processing device capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the image data and the sound data added to the image data from the information processing device are provided. A first generating unit that generates identification information for the audio data; a combining unit that combines the identification information with the image data;
An image and sound processing apparatus comprising: 9. The image / audio processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an audio reproducing unit for reproducing an audio corresponding to the identification information having been printed. 10. The image and sound processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an instruction unit for instructing the audio reproduction unit to reproduce the audio. 11. A storage means for storing the audio data and identification information corresponding to the audio data, and wherein the image data and the audio data added to the image data are received from the information processing apparatus. 11. The image / audio processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: control means for discarding data after printing, and controlling the audio data and the identification information to be kept stored in the storage means. Processing equipment. 12. The image and sound processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a deletion unit for deleting the audio data and the identification information stored in said storage unit. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the deleting unit stores the audio data and the identification information stored in the storage unit for a preset time,
13. The automatic deletion based on time.
The image and sound processing device according to the above. 14. The image according to claim 12, wherein the deletion unit automatically deletes the audio data and the identification information stored in the storage unit based on a preset maximum number of stored data. Voice processing device. 15. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first generation unit automatically assigns a unique number as the identification information based on a reception order of the audio data and identification information assigned to already registered audio data. Claim 7-
15. The image and sound processing device according to any one of 14. 16. An image and sound processing device capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the image data and the sound data added to the image data from the information processing device are provided. A first generating unit that generates identification information for the text data corresponding to the audio data, and generates a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information. And a second generation unit. 17. An image / sound processing device capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the image data and the sound data added to the image data from the information processing device are provided. A first generation unit that generates identification information for the text data corresponding to the audio data when text data corresponding to the audio data is received; a synthesis unit that synthesizes the identification information with the image data;
An image and sound processing apparatus comprising: 18. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising audio reproducing means for converting the text data corresponding to the printed identification information into audio data, and reproducing the converted audio data. Image and sound processing device. 19. An image / audio processing apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising an instruction unit for instructing said audio reproduction unit to reproduce the text data by audio. 20. A storage unit for storing text data corresponding to the voice data and identification information of the text data, and text corresponding to image data and voice data added to the image data from the information processing apparatus. And control means for controlling to discard the image data after printing when receiving the data, and to continue storing text data and identification information corresponding to the audio data in the storage means. The image and sound processing device according to claim 16. 21. The image / audio processing apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a deletion unit for deleting text data and identification information corresponding to the audio data stored in said storage unit. 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the deletion unit automatically deletes text data and identification information corresponding to the audio data stored in the storage unit based on a preset time and time. Image and sound processing device. 23. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the deletion unit automatically deletes text data and identification information corresponding to the voice data stored in the storage unit based on a preset maximum number of storage data. 23. The image and sound processing device according to 22. 24. The first generating means generates a unique number based on a reception order of text data corresponding to the voice data and identification information allocated to text data corresponding to already registered voice data. 17. An automatic assignment as the identification information.
23. The image and sound processing device according to any one of 23. 25. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image / sound processing device capable of printing image data and reproducing sound data via a predetermined communication medium, comprising the steps of: Transmitting an audio data to the image data, the method further comprising the step of adding audio data to the image data. 26. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image / sound processing device capable of printing image data and playing back sound of text data via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising the step of adding text data corresponding to audio data to image data when transmitting data. 27. A control method of an image / sound processing device capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, the image data being added from the information processing device to the image data. A first generation step of generating identification information for the audio data, a second generation step of generating a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information, A method for controlling a video and audio processing device, comprising: 28. The control method according to claim 27, further comprising an audio reproducing step of reproducing an audio corresponding to the printed identification information. 29. A control method for an image / sound processing device capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, the image data being added from the information processing device to the image data. A first generation step of generating identification information for the text data corresponding to the voice data when receiving text data corresponding to the voice data, and a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information. And a second generation step of generating the image data. 30. An image / audio processing apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising an audio reproduction step of converting text data corresponding to the identification information having been printed into audio data and reproducing the converted audio data. A method for controlling a processing device. 31. Image data is transmitted to an image / audio processing device capable of communicating with an image / audio processing device capable of printing image data and reproducing audio data via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing an adding step of adding audio data to the image data. 32. Image data is transmitted to an image / audio processing device capable of communicating with an image / audio processing device capable of printing image data and reproducing voice of text data via a predetermined communication medium. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an adding step of adding text data corresponding to audio data to the image data. 33. An image / sound processing device capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the image data and the sound data added to the image data from the information processing device are provided. When receiving the audio data, a first generation step of generating identification information for the audio data, and a second generation step of generating a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information are executed. Storage medium storing a computer readable program. 34. The storage medium according to claim 33, further comprising an audio reproducing step of reproducing an audio corresponding to the identification information having been printed. 35. An image / sound processing device capable of printing image data transmitted from an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the image data and the sound data added to the image data from the information processing device are provided. A first generation step of generating identification information for the text data corresponding to the audio data, and generating a separate page different from the image data for printing the identification information. A storage medium in which a program for executing the second generation step and the program is stored so as to be readable by a computer. 36. A storage medium according to claim 35, further comprising an audio reproducing step of converting text data corresponding to the printed identification information into audio data and reproducing the converted audio data. .