JP2002176519A - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide facsimile machine with a voice guidance function which is of low-cost and highly convenient to a user. SOLUTION: This equipment is equipped with a scanner 1, a memory 5 for voice guidance which stores voice data used for the voice data used for the voice guidance, a voice output part 12 which converts the voice data into a voice and output it, an operation display part 6 which has dedicated keys for the voice guidance, and a system control part 9 which controls the whole; and the system control part 9 performs control for reading a card 21 where data and images for the voice guidance are entered by a scanner 1, extracting voice data for the voice guidance from the read image data, and reproducing a voice by using a voice output part 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a voice guidance function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus is a device that is very easy to use as compared with other information transmission devices such as a PC, because a normally used transmission / reception function can be used with a simple interface.

However, recently, not only facsimile transmission / reception but also integration with other functions such as a printer,
Some have added various functions such as those having an e-mail function, and the operation has become complicated with the addition of these functions. For this reason, the condition setting menu screen and the like have a deep hierarchy and are difficult to use because of poor visibility.

The operation method can be improved to some extent by increasing the size of a display device such as a liquid crystal panel to increase the number of characters and pictures that can be displayed on the screen, and displaying the operation method there. An increase in cost due to an increase in the size of the apparatus is inevitable. Further, as for the normally used transmission / reception function, it is only necessary to be able to display the dialed number of the other party, so it is uneconomical to incur costs for functions that are used less frequently, such as setting various conditions.

Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H3-141763, it is conceivable to improve usability by providing guidance using voice without depending only on character information. That is, when the voice guidance is adopted, the usability is improved as compared with the case where the operation method of the corresponding function is checked using a manual.

[0006] A normal facsimile has, as standard, a message reproduction function for realizing a message reproduction function at the time of switching between telephone and facsimile and an answering machine function. There is also a merit that the cost does not increase because no additional device is required.

[0007]

However, since the voice data for guidance must be stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM or a hard disk, a memory proportional to the amount of guidance is required. The data capacity can be reduced to some extent by compressing and accumulating the audio data, but increasing the compression ratio deteriorates the sound quality, and thus makes a trade-off between the memory capacity and the sound quality.

Further, instead of compressing voice data as it is, guidance by voice synthesis using a voice synthesizer can be considered. In this case, the data amount is greatly reduced as compared with the method of compressing and storing the audio data, but there is a problem that a dedicated circuit is required and the sound is difficult to hear because the sound is mechanically reproduced.

In the same facsimile machine,
Since the method of use varies depending on the user and the required voice guidance is also different, it is very difficult to find the optimal conditions for applying the voice guidance to which function. Also, this function is unnecessary for a user who does not need the guidance function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus having a voice guidance function which is low in cost and has high convenience for the user.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scanner, a voice guidance memory for storing voice data used for voice guidance, and conversion of voice data into voice. Voice output means, and operation display means having a dedicated key for voice guidance, and system control means for controlling the whole, wherein the system control means has data for voice guidance described as an image. The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus in which a card is read by a scanner, voice data for voice guidance is extracted from the read image data, and control is performed to reproduce voice using voice output means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, under the control of the system control means, data for voice guidance is downloaded from a preset server using a communication function, and the downloaded voice data is output as voice. 2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said facsimile apparatus reproduces the voice using a means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the voice data stored in the voice guidance memory is converted into image data under the control of the system control means, and the data is printed out on a recording paper by a plotter. Item 1. The facsimile device according to item 1 or 2.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a card in which voice data used in the voice guidance function is stored as image data is read by the scanner only when necessary and voice output is performed. The voice guidance function can be realized without adding the. Therefore, the voice guidance function can be realized without increasing the cost. In addition, since voice guidance data is stored on the card as image data, it is possible to easily add guidance data even if the required number of voice guidances increases due to additional functions by reading the card with a scanner. It becomes possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the voice guidance data can be downloaded from the server by using the communication function, the voice guidance function can be realized without a card. Also, the latest information can be obtained from the server even when the function or the like is expanded or the operation method or function is changed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the data downloaded from the server can be stored on the recording paper, the recording paper can be used when the voice guidance is used again. In this case, there is no need to access the server. In addition, since the image data is image data, it can be easily copied, and can be copied and used by other same models.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This facsimile apparatus has a voice guidance function. In FIG. 1, a scanner 1 optically reads a document image at the time of facsimile transmission or copying, but this apparatus is also used to read an image obtained by converting audio data into image data.

The plotter 2 outputs image information on recording paper, and a laser printer or an ink jet printer is generally used. In the present apparatus, it is also used for outputting an image obtained by converting audio data into image data.

The encoding / decoding unit 3 compresses data of image information to be transmitted by a predetermined encoding method, and decodes received image information to restore the original image information. The image memory 4 is a memory device that stores image data at the time of transmission and reception as needed. The voice guidance memory 5 is a memory device that stores voice data used for voice guidance.

The operation display unit 6 is a device that allows the operator to perform various registration and setting operations, and displays the operation state of the device. The modem 7 is a device that transmits and receives image information and a procedure signal for transmission control. The network control device 8 is a device to which a telephone line is connected and performs predetermined line control when making and receiving calls.

The system control unit 9 is a microcomputer that controls each of the above units. The ROM 10 is a nonvolatile memory device that stores programs for the system control unit 9 to execute various controls. The RAM 11 is a work area memory device used when the system control unit 9 executes various controls.

The voice output unit 12 is a device having a function of converting voice data into voice and outputting the voice. The system bus 13 is a signal line through which the respective blocks exchange various control signals and data with each other. These units constitute a facsimile machine.

In this configuration example, the audio output unit 12 is an independent unit. However, if the modem 7 has a function of reproducing audio data, the modem 7 may be substituted. Further, an image memory 4 and a voice guidance memory 5
May be used by dividing the same memory.

Here, the data storage form of the voice guidance memory 5 will be described. The voice guidance memory 5
It consists of an index file that describes the correspondence between the content of the voice guidance and the memory address, and voice data. The audio data is D / A converted from the audio, and encoded using a predetermined encoding method. ADPCM, CE
A general-purpose encoding method such as LP or MPEG may be used, or an original encoding method may be used. Then, the encoded data is written into the voice guidance memory 5, and at the same time, the index file that describes the correspondence between the content of the voice guidance and the memory address is updated.

Next, a method for restoring audio data from the information stored in the audio guidance memory 5 will be described. First, the voice output unit 12 reads data corresponding to a message to be output from the voice guidance memory 5.
Then, the data encoded by the decoder inside the audio output unit 12 is restored to audio waveform data. Finally, the D / A converter inside the audio output unit 12 converts the audio waveform data into an analog signal.

Next, a method for plotting audio data will be described. The information stored in the voice guidance memory 5 is converted into white and black dot rows and output by the plotter 2. The resolution (dot size) at that time depends on the scanner 1
Shall be adapted to the resolution. When reading the plotted data, there is a possibility that the data may be erroneously recognized by noise such as dirt, so that the data is output as data having redundancy. The data to be plotted may be output as two-dimensional barcode information.

Next, the contents of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the first control example. Only the operation when using the voice guidance function will be described based on this flow. This flow starts (A1),
When the user wants to know how to use the function to be performed now, he presses a specific key (hereinafter referred to as a guidance key) on the operation display unit 6 (A2).

The guidance key may be provided with a dedicated key or may be used in combination with another key. When the guidance key is pressed, first, it is searched whether the guidance of the desired function exists in the voice guidance memory 5 (A3). If there is a target guidance (Y in A4), the corresponding data in the voice guidance memory 5 is reproduced by the voice output unit 12 (A9).

If there is no target guidance in the voice guidance memory 5 (N in A4), a message is displayed on the operation display unit 6 so as to input a card. Alternatively, a notification is made by voice and the input of the card is prompted (A5). The user sets the corresponding card on the scanner 1 (A6) and presses the guidance key (A7).

FIG. 3 shows an example of the card. Card 21
Is composed of a title indicating a function, a description in words, and audio data converted to image data. Here, the audio data uses image data of a two-dimensional barcode, but other methods may be used. Also, it is not necessary to provide one function of audio data for one card, and a plurality of functions may be integrated on one card.

First, the card 21 is read by the scanner 1 and information of the audio data part in the card 21 is extracted. The read data is temporarily stored in the voice guidance memory 5 (A8). Next, the extracted information is restored to audio data and reproduced by the audio output unit 12 (A9). Then, the process ends (A10).

The voice guidance memory 5 has a capacity capable of storing a fixed number of guidances, and when new data is added, the data is deleted in order from the oldest one.

Next, the contents of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the second control example. Only the operation when using the voice guidance function will be described based on this flow. This flow starts (B1),
When the user wants to know how to use the function to be performed now, he presses the guidance key on the operation display unit 6 (B2).
When the guidance key is pressed, first, it is searched whether the guidance of the desired function exists in the voice guidance memory 5 (B3). If there is a target guidance (Y in B4), the corresponding data in the voice guidance memory 5 is reproduced by the voice output unit 12 (B9).

If there is no target guidance in the voice guidance memory 5 (N in B4), a message is displayed on the operation display unit 6 so as to input the card 21. Alternatively, the user is notified by voice and prompted to input the card 21 (B5). If there is a card 21 (Y in B6), the user
Is set on the scanner 1 (B7), and the guidance key is pressed (B8).

First, the card 21 is read by the scanner 1 and information of the audio data section in the card 21 is extracted. The read data is temporarily stored in the voice guidance memory 5 (B9). Next, the extracted information is restored to audio data and reproduced by the audio output unit 12 (B10).

If there is no card 21 (N in B6), the guidance key is pressed without setting the card 21 (B12). Next, it connects to a server prepared in advance using the communication function (B13). When the connection is completed, the model information and the function to be downloaded are transmitted to the server, and the corresponding voice guidance data is downloaded using the communication function (B14). The downloaded data is temporarily stored in the voice guidance memory 5 (B15). Next, the extracted information is restored to audio data and reproduced by the audio output unit 12 (B1).
0). Then, the process ends (B11).

The data stored in the server may be not only voice data for voice guidance but also information including a function name and an operation method as shown in FIG. Also,
In this configuration example, the download is performed using the communication function of performing normal facsimile communication. However, if the machine is connected to a LAN, the download may be performed using the LAN.

Next, the contents of the present invention will be described. The facsimile apparatus of the present invention has a function of outputting the voice data stored in the voice guidance memory 5 by the plotter 2. At the stage when the download of the guidance information from the server in the flow of FIG.
It is assumed that the output is always performed in 15).

The user may browse the voice data stored in the voice guidance memory 5 by using the operation display unit 6 and select and output necessary data. When the download from the server is completed, or when the user performs an output operation, the audio data stored in the audio guidance memory 5 is converted into the format shown in FIG.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a card in which voice data used in the voice guidance function is stored as image data is read by the scanner only when necessary, and voice output is performed. The voice guidance function can be realized without adding a storage memory. Therefore, the voice guidance function can be realized without increasing the cost. Also, since the voice guidance data is stored on the card as image data,
By reading the card with a scanner, guidance data can be easily added even if the required number of voice guidances increases due to addition of functions or the like.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the voice guidance data can be downloaded from the server using the communication function, the voice guidance function can be realized without a card. . Also, the latest information can be obtained from the server even when the function or the like is expanded or the operation method or function is changed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the data downloaded from the server can be stored on the recording paper, the recording paper can be used when the voice guidance is used again. In this case, there is no need to access the server. In addition, since the image data is image data, it can be easily copied, and can be copied and used by other same models.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a first control example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a card in which voice guidance data is described as an image.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a second control example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Scanner 2 Plotter 3 Encoding / decoding part 4 Image memory 5 Voice guidance memory 6 Operation display part 7 Modem 8 Network control device 9 System control part 10 ROM 11 RAM 12 Audio output part 13 System bus 21 Card

Claims (3)

[Claims] An operation display having a scanner, a voice guidance memory for storing voice data used for voice guidance, voice output means for converting voice data into voice, and outputting the voice data, and a dedicated key for voice guidance. Means,
System control means for controlling the entire system, wherein the system control means reads a card on which data for voice guidance is described as an image with a scanner, extracts voice data for voice guidance from the read image data, and outputs voice data. A facsimile apparatus, which performs control for reproducing a voice by using a facsimile. 2. Under the control of the system control means, data for voice guidance is downloaded from a preset server using a communication function, and the downloaded voice data is reproduced as voice using voice output means. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. The facsimile according to claim 1, wherein the voice data stored in the voice guidance memory is converted into image data under the control of the system control means, and the data is printed out on a recording paper by a plotter. apparatus.