JP2003244360A - Image forming device with sound reproducing function and content reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device for realizing printing linked with various contents. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device 2 includes a printer engine 206, a display unit 209, and a sound reproducing unit 208 and displays a list of contents distributed from a distributing device 1 on the display unit 209. Referring to the display unit 209, a user selects a print content, a display content, and a sound content that he desires, associates the selected contents with one another and requests distribution. The content distributing device 1 produces a group of contents in which the print, display, and sound contents are associated with one another and distributes it to the image forming device 2. The image forming device 2 expands the print content in the received content group, and has the printer engine 206 print it. In synchronism with printing of the print content, the display unit 209 displays the display content associated with the print content and the sound reproducing unit 208 reproduces the sound content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of reproducing sound during printing and a content reproducing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to the explosive spread of the Internet and i-mode (R) of NTT Docomo, it is possible to receive various distribution services at home. further,
Wired communication technology such as optical fiber, CATV, xDSL, and fixed wireless access (FWA: Fixed Wireless Acces
s), IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunicat), a next-generation mobile phone system by the International Telecommunications Union.
ion 2000), which is realized using wireless communication technology,
High-speed communication line (broadband) of approximately 500kbps or more
With the popularization of, new services using large-capacity video and audio have also appeared.

By the way, the conventional image forming apparatus mainly prints print data. As a usage pattern at home, image data photographed by a digital still camera (DSC) or a personal computer is used. I was printing the documents I created, New Year's cards, e-mails, etc., as well as the homepage screen. In both cases, the image forming apparatus
It was exclusively printed.

[0004]

It is expected that a wide variety of contents will be distributed in the future due to the broadbandization as described above. It is conceivable that the print content may be distributed in association with not only the content to be printed but also the display content and the sound content.

However, the image forming apparatus for the purpose of simply printing cannot realize printing in cooperation with various contents. In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a content reproducing method that realize printing in cooperation with display content and sound content.

[0006]

The present invention employs the following means in order to achieve the above object. The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a sound reproducing function, and includes a printing unit that prints a print content and a sound reproducing unit that reproduces the sound content in association with the printing of the print content.

In the content distribution method of the present invention, a content group generation step of generating a content group in which print content and sound content are associated with each other, and a transmission step of transmitting the generated content group to the image forming apparatus. Including and A content reproducing method of the present invention includes a content group receiving step of receiving a content group in which a print content and a sound content are associated with each other from a content distribution server, a printing step of printing a print content included in the content group. A sound reproducing step of reproducing a sound content associated with the print content, and the sound reproducing step is executed in conjunction with the printing step.

The present invention is realized as a content distribution device for distributing a content group to the image forming device of the present invention, or as a broadcasting system or a content distribution system including the image forming device and the content distribution device of the present invention. It can also be realized as a content distribution and reproduction method using the characteristic components of those broadcasting system or content distribution system as processing steps, or can be realized as a program that causes a computer to execute those steps. And the program is C
It goes without saying that it can be distributed via a computer-readable recording medium such as a D-ROM or a transmission medium such as a communication path.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) In the present embodiment, a content distribution apparatus generates a content group in which print content, display content and sound content are associated with each other, distributes the content group to an image forming apparatus, and receives the image. A description will be given of a content distribution system in which the forming apparatus reproduces the sound content in association with the printing of the print content and displays the display content. An image forming apparatus that reproduces a content group in such a system will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the outer appearance of the image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 2 includes a speaker 22.
0, a display unit 221, an input operation unit 222, an IC card slot 223, and an IC card 224. Speaker 2
Reference numeral 20 outputs a reproduced sound of sound content such as voice and music. The display unit 221 includes a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and displays the input screen and the display content received from the content distribution device. The input operation unit 222 includes a ten-key pad, a one-push key, and the like, and the user operates these while watching the input screen displayed on the display unit 221, thereby performing input on the input screen received from the content distribution apparatus. . Although the input operation unit 222 includes buttons such as a ten-key pad here, these buttons may be buttons displayed on the display unit 209. The IC card slot 223 is an insertion port for mounting the IC card 224 in the image forming apparatus 2.
The IC card 224 is a memory card such as an SD card, and is a list that holds music originally recorded by the user and that associates print content, display content, and sound content with the content previously received from the content distribution device. Holds a list of.

As shown in the figure, in the image forming apparatus 2, the print content printed on paper and the display content displayed on the display unit 221 do not necessarily have to be the same image.
It may be associated with the content distribution device side or the user in advance. The same applies to the relationship between the sound content output from the speaker 220 and the print content and display content. For example, when the print data representing the image of the Christmas card is print content, the print content is associated with the display content representing the Christmas message of the popular idol and the sound content that is the sound data of the hit song of the idol. In this case, the image forming apparatus 2 displays the Christmas message of the popular idol on the display unit 221 in conjunction with the printing of the Christmas card and the speaker 2
Play the hit song of the idol at 20.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of a content distribution system 100 having the image forming apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1 as a constituent element. Content distribution system 100
Receives the content group transmitted from the content distribution apparatus or the mobile phone in the image forming apparatus 2, the image forming apparatus 2 prints the print content included in the content group, and the display content and the sound content included in the content group. It is a content distribution system that reproduces and in conjunction with printing of print content. Such a content distribution system 100 includes a content distribution device 1, an image forming device 2, and a mobile phone 3.
The content distribution device 1 and the image forming device 2 installed in the home are connected to a wide area communication network (hereinafter, WAN: Wide Area).
Network) 4 and router 5 are connected to each other. When the content distribution device 1 connects to the WAN 4, it is usual to provide a firewall for preventing intrusion from the outside in the organization, but illustration and description thereof are omitted here. Further, the image forming apparatus 2 is connected to the mobile phone 3 via the wireless network 6.
The content distribution apparatus 1 is a content distribution server that distributes content to terminal devices in each home via the Internet or the like, and generates a content group in which display content, print content, and sound content are associated with each other to generate an image. It is transmitted to the forming device 2. The image forming apparatus 2 is
Various content groups in which display content, print content, and sound content are associated with each other are received from an external device such as the content distribution device 1 or the mobile phone 3, and when the print content is printed in response to a print instruction based on the display content, the sound is output. Play the content. The mobile phone 3 associates the sound content acquired through the wireless network 6 and the image with each other to generate a content group, and transmits the content group to the image forming apparatus 2. Further, the image forming apparatus 2 substitutes peripheral devices such as a display unit.

The content distribution device 1 is a general-purpose computer having a database such as a hard disk, and has a communication port 110, an interface processing section 111, a bus 112, a content receiving section 101, a controller 102, a display content storage section 103, A print content storage unit 104, a sound content storage unit 105, a content group generation unit 106, a content transmission unit 107, an input operation unit 108, and a display unit 109 are provided. The content distribution device 1 is not limited to a server on the Internet, but may be BML (Broadcast Markup) via digital broadcasting.
It may be a server for transmitting contents described in Language) or a server for transmitting i-mode contents via a public telephone line network.

The content receiving unit 101 receives the content registered by the content creator (or the content production company) in the content distribution apparatus 1 via the WAN 4 or by operating the input operation unit 108 offline. The controller 102 receives an input indicating a user instruction from the input operation unit 108 and controls the operation of the entire content distribution device 1. The display content storage unit 103 is
This is a storage area for holding the display content received by the content receiving unit 101. Print content storage unit 1
A storage area 04 stores the print content received by the content receiving unit 101. The sound content storage unit 105 is a storage area for holding the sound content received by the content receiving unit 101. The content group generation unit 106 generates a content group in which the display content stored in the display content storage unit 103, the print content stored in the print content storage unit 104, and the sound content stored in the sound content storage unit 105 are associated with each other. The content transmission unit 107 transmits the content group generated by the content group generation unit 106 to the outside of the content distribution device 1 by the communication function with the external device. The input operation unit 108 includes a push button, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and receives an instruction input from a user. The display unit 109 includes an input instruction screen for inputting from the input operation unit 108 when the content creator registers the content in the content distribution apparatus 1, and a WA.
The content of the content received from the content creator via N4 is displayed. The communication port 110 is connected to the WAN 4 via the interface processing unit 111 and has a function of communicating with an external device of the content distribution device 1. The interface processing unit 111 converts the parallel data from the communication port 110 into serial data for transmitting the communication line, and converts the serial data from the communication line into parallel data for input to the communication port 110. The bus 112 is a parallel data transmission path for exchanging data with each unit in the content distribution device 1.

<Image Forming Apparatus> The image forming apparatus 2 includes a wireless interface section 201, a LAN interface section 202, a communication port 203, and a print data spool section 20.
4, controller 205, printer engine 206, content group receiving unit 207, sound reproducing unit 208, display unit 20
9, a storage unit 210, a bus 211, and an input operation unit 212.

The wireless interface unit 201 converts serial data input via the wireless network 6 such as a mobile phone communication network into parallel data suitable for internal processing of the image forming apparatus 2, and outputs parallel data output from the communication port 203. Converts data into serial data for transmission over wireless network 6. The LAN interface unit 202 converts the serial data input via the router 5 and the WAN 4 into parallel data suitable for the internal processing of the image forming apparatus 2, and transmits the parallel data output from the communication port 203 via the WAN 4. To serial data for. The communication port 203 is connected to the WAN 4 and the wireless network 6 via the wireless interface unit 201 and the LAN interface unit 202, and communicates with an external device of the image forming apparatus 2. The print data spool unit 204 spools the print data expanded by the controller 205 on a hard disk or the like and sends it to the printer engine 206. That is, by using the high-speed auxiliary storage as a buffer, the time required for data transfer from the controller 205 to the printer engine 206 is shortened and the controller 205 can continue processing other than printing without delay.

The controller 205 is, for example, a CPU having a control program, and associates print content, display content, and sound content from various content groups received from an external device such as the content distribution apparatus 1 and stored in the storage unit 210. Control is performed so that the processing operations of the respective units that reproduce the content are linked. Further, the controller 205 converts the print content into print data that can be processed by the printer engine 206, and displays the display content in the display unit 20.
The sound content is expanded into display data that can be processed by 9 and converted into sound data that can be processed by the sound reproducing unit 208, and is output to each unit. The printer engine 206 prints the print data from the print data spool unit 204. There are various printing methods adopted by the printer engine 206, such as a thermal transfer method (sublimation type and thermal melting type), a thermal method, an inkjet method, and an electrophotographic method, but the printing method is not particularly limited. The content group receiving unit 207 receives various content groups transmitted from the external device of the image forming apparatus 2 and stores them in the storage unit 210. The sound reproducing unit 208 is the speaker 220 shown in FIG.
The sound data expanded by is reproduced when the print data is printed. The display unit 209 is the display unit 221 shown in FIG. 1, displays the display data expanded by the controller 205, and displays the image associated with the print data. Further, a list showing the association of various content groups and an input screen for the user to associate with each other are displayed. The display unit 109 may also be various buttons for inputting on the input screen, a print instruction button for print data, and the like. The storage unit 210 is the IC card 224 such as the SD card described in FIG. Bus 21
Reference numeral 1 is a parallel data transmission path for exchanging data between the respective units of the image forming apparatus 2. Input operation unit 212
1 is the input operation unit 222 shown in FIG. 1, and may be a push button or a numeric keypad provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 2, or may be a button displayed on the display unit 209.

<Mobile Phone> The mobile phone 3 is a mobile phone having a display function such as i-mode (R), a PDA or the like, and a CHTML (Compact Hyper Text Markup Lap).
(nguage) and other content described in a language is received from the content distribution device 1 via the Internet and displayed. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 2 receives the i-mode content or the like received by the mobile phone 3 from the mobile phone 3 via the wireless network 6. Such a mobile phone 3 includes a content receiving unit 301 and an input operation unit 3
02, controller 303, display content storage unit 30
4, a print content storage unit 305, a sound content storage unit 306, a content group generation unit 307, a content transmission unit 308, a display unit 309, a communication port 310, a wireless interface unit 311, and a bus 312, and each processing unit is a bus 312. It can be embodied by connecting with each other.

The content receiving section 301 receives i-mode content or the like from the content distribution apparatus 1 and displays it on a display section 309 such as a liquid crystal display. Input operation unit 3
The 02 is equipped with various push buttons such as a numeric keypad, a call button, and a power button, and is used for inputting numbers such as telephone numbers and e-mail characters, and setting the playback mode of sound contents. Accepts key input such as symbols and cursor movement. Controller 30
Reference numeral 3 denotes a CPU having a control program, and controls the operation of each unit of the mobile phone 3 in accordance with an instruction from the user received by the input operation unit 302. The display content storage unit 304 holds the display content received by the content receiving unit 301. The print content storage unit 305 holds the print content received by the content receiving unit 301. Sound content storage unit 306
Holds the sound content received by the content receiving unit 301. The content group generation unit 307 inputs the display content stored in the display content storage unit 304, the print content stored in the print content storage unit 305, and the sound content stored in the sound content storage unit 306 into the input operation unit. In accordance with the instruction from the user accepted in 302, a mutually associated content group is generated. The content transmission unit 308 transmits the content group generated by the content group generation unit 307 to the image forming apparatus 2 by the communication function.

The display unit 309 displays the display content distributed from the content distribution device 1 or the like via the Internet or the like, or displays the Internet home page. Further, a list showing the association of the content groups is displayed. The communication port 310 connects to the wireless network 6 via the wireless interface processing unit 311, and communicates with an external device of the mobile phone 3. The wireless interface processing unit 311 converts serial data input via the wireless network 6 such as a mobile phone communication network into parallel data suitable for internal processing of the mobile phone 3, and wirelessly converts the parallel data output from the communication port 310. Convert to serial data for transmission via network 6.

The operation of the content distribution apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operations of the content distribution device 1 and the image forming device 2 shown in FIG.

The content distribution apparatus 1 receives the display content, the print content and the sound content created by the content creator from outside the content distribution apparatus 1, for example,
The received content is received by a method such as WAN4 (S101), and the received content is displayed, stored in the display content storage unit 10 for each category of print and sound.
3, held in each storage unit of the print content storage unit 104 and the sound content storage unit 105 (S102). here,
How to receive the content created by the content creator,
The reception is not limited to via the network, and may be received offline by a portable storage medium such as an optical disk or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the content creator may register the content in the content distribution apparatus 1 by operating the input operation unit 108 of the content distribution apparatus 1.

Controller 10 of content distribution device 1
2 generates a list of contents stored in each storage unit of the display content storage unit 103, the print content storage unit 104, and the sound content storage unit 105, and transmits this list to the image forming apparatus 2 on the user side via the WAN 4. And distribute (S103). Here, the example in which the controller 102 creates the content list has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the content creator creates the content list in advance and stores the content in the content distribution device 1, the content is created. The list may be stored together. Alternatively, only the content list created in advance by the content creator may be directly delivered to the user by publication in a magazine, a newspaper, Internet distribution, or the like.

The image forming apparatus 2 on the user side refers to the content list received via the network, selects the desired content from the display content, the print content and the sound content, and requests the content distribution apparatus 1 for the necessary content. Yes (S104). Here, the display content, the print content, and the sound content may be associated with each other in advance by the content creator, but the present invention is not limited to this, and when the user selects the desired content from the content list. ,
The display content, the print content, and the sound content that one likes may be associated with each other.

The content distribution apparatus 1 is the image forming apparatus 2
In response to a request from the user, a content group in which display, print and sound contents are associated with each other is created (S10).
5). Here, the content creator associates each content with each other in advance, and unless otherwise specified by the user, the process of associating each content with each other can be omitted, and a content group in which each content is associated is created. Only good.

The content transmitter 107 of the content distribution apparatus 1 receives a request from the image forming apparatus 2 on the user side,
The content group generated by the content group generation unit 106 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2 via the bus 112, the communication port 110, the interface processing unit 111, and the WAN 4 (S106).

The image forming apparatus 2 is the content distribution apparatus 1
The content group transmitted from is received via the LAN interface unit 202, the communication port 203, and the bus 211, and stored in the storage unit 210 (S107).

The controller 205 of the image forming apparatus 2 is
The display content of the received content group is extracted and displayed on the display unit 209 (S108). Here, the display content is composed of an image and a print instruction button,
The user recognizes the content of the print content by looking at the image displayed on the display unit 209, and instructs the printing by pressing the print instruction button (S109).

The controller 205 of the image forming apparatus 2 is
The print content of the received content group is extracted and sent to the print data spool unit 204 for spool processing. The print data spooled by the spool unit 204 is sequentially transmitted to the printer engine 206 and printed (S1).
10).

The controller 205 of the image forming apparatus 2 is
The sound content of the received content group is extracted and transmitted to the sound reproduction unit 208. The sound reproducing unit 208 reproduces the sound content at the same time when the printer engine 206 executes printing (S111).

FIG. 4 is a communication sequence diagram showing the operation in the content group distribution processing from the content distribution apparatus 1 to the image forming apparatus 2 shown in FIG. Figure 4 (a)
FIG. 6 is a communication sequence diagram in the case where a list of contents is received from the content distribution device 1 in advance and the contents are associated on the image forming device 2 side. Figure 4
(B) is a communication sequence diagram when a user associates content with the content distribution apparatus 1 online in advance.

When the user receives the list of contents from the content distribution apparatus 1 in advance and associates the contents on the image forming apparatus 2 side, FIG.
As shown in, the user first requests a content list from the content distribution device 1 (S701). In response to this, the content distribution apparatus 1 transmits the requested content list to the image forming apparatus 2 (S70).
2). Upon receiving the list of contents, the image forming apparatus 2 temporarily stores the list in the storage unit 210 and causes the display unit 209 to display the list. The user may perform the following processing offline. The user selects the print content to be printed and the display content and sound content to be associated with the print content from the received list,
A code table showing these associations and mode settings is generated (S703). The user transmits the code table which is the selection result and the association result of various contents to the content distribution device 1, and requests the content distribution device 1 to distribute the related content group according to the code table (S704). Upon receiving the code table from the image forming apparatus 2, the content distribution apparatus 1 generates a content group in which each display, print, and sound content is associated according to the code table, and transmits the content group to the image forming apparatus 2 (S705).

When the user associates the contents online, as shown in FIG. 4B, the image forming apparatus 2 first accesses the home page of the content distribution apparatus 1 (S711) and transmits from the content distribution apparatus 1. Input is performed according to the interactive input screen that is displayed, and the print content to be printed and the display content and the sound content to be associated with the print content are selected from the interactively displayed list, and the association and the mode setting are performed (S712). ). The content distribution device 1 generates a code table according to the content selection result, the association result, and the mode setting input according to the interactive input screen,
The code table is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2, and the generated code table is stored in the database in the content group generation unit 106 for each user. The image forming apparatus 2 stores the received code table in the storage unit 210. The user again logs in to the home page of the content distribution device 1, specifies the file code of the content group based on the code table stored in the storage unit 210,
A request for distribution of a desired content group is made (S713). The content distribution device 1 that has received the content distribution request
A content group indicated by the requested file code is generated and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2 (S714).

The general example of receiving the content group in which the display content, the print content and the sound content are associated with each other, instructing the print from the display screen to print out and simultaneously reproducing the sound content has been described. The following scenes are possible. For example,
Display content such as birth cards and print content,
It is a scene in which a congratulatory message is transmitted as an associated content group, and the user who receives the birth card plays back the congratulatory message when printing. In addition, the user who receives the idle content group by transmitting the idle image display content, the print content such as the jacket and the music score and lyrics, and the sound content such as the idle music and message as the associated content group, This is a scene where an idol's music or message is played when printing print contents such as a jacket, music score, and lyrics.

The present invention is not limited to the specific scenes described above, and the display content and the print content and the sound content may have any relationship. Furthermore, the display content, the print content, and the sound content may have no relationship in terms of content. According to the present invention, the display content, the print content, and the sound content are associated with each other in advance, and by reproducing the sound associated with the print content at the time of printing, it is possible to provide printing with entertainment. .

Next, in the image forming apparatus 2, when the sound content is switched and reproduced in content units (or file units) of print contents, page units to be printed, and image data units constituting print data for each page. Will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of print contents printed by the image forming apparatus 2 shown in FIG. In FIG. 5A, one print content includes one image 1
This is an example of the case of printing a page. Figure 5 (b)
Is an example of the case where one print content corresponds to printing of a plurality of pages. Further, FIG. 5C is an example of a case where one print content corresponds to printing one page including a plurality of images.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when printing a greeting card such as a Christmas card 401 or a birthday card, one print content is 1
It often corresponds to one card consisting of two images.
In such a case, in the image forming apparatus 2, based on the association by the content distribution apparatus 1 or the user, each time the print content is switched, the reproduction of the display content and the sound content is switched in conjunction with this. For example, the print content of the Christmas card 401 is associated with the display content for displaying the video of the idol singer and the sound content for playing the voice of the Christmas message of the idol singer on a hit song, and the content of the next moving card is displayed. By associating the print content with the display content for displaying the video of the landscape flowing from the car window and the sound content for playing the music associated with the region where the user is moving to, the user of the image forming apparatus 2 can make the user of the Christmas card 401 While watching the video of the idol singer displayed on the display unit 209 during printing, the Christmas message of the idol singer flowing from the sound reproducing unit 208 can be enjoyed together with the hit song. Also, when printing the next moving card, while watching the video of the scenery flowing from the car window on the display unit 209, it is possible to enjoy a song that is related to the region where the moving is made. Further, if the user of the image forming apparatus 2 is allowed to present such a content group to other users of the image forming apparatus 2, the user who receives the content group can also enjoy the same.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, for example,
When the cover 402 of the CD jacket and the lyrics cards 403 to 404 of the songs recorded on the cover are regarded as one print content (code = P008), the print is generally over a plurality of pages. In such a case, the image forming apparatus 2 switches the reproduction of the display content and the sound content each time the print page is switched based on the above-described association. For example, when printing a CD jacket, the first printed page is the front cover 4 of the jacket.
If the number is 02, the message video from the singer is displayed on the display unit 209 and the sound is reproduced by the sound reproducing unit 208 during printing. Also, on the next page of the print,
When the lyrics card 403 of the music recorded on the CD is printed, the dance scene corresponding to the music of the lyrics is displayed on the display unit 209 during the printing, and the music reproduction unit 208 reproduces the music. Let Similarly, for the lyrics card 404 on the subsequent pages, the user can enjoy the video and music by playing back the display content and the sound content in association with each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, for example, when one piece of print content (code = P006) is used as a travel guide brochure 409, several photographs are incorporated in one page print. There is a case. In such a case, in the image forming apparatus 2, the content delivery apparatus 1 side or the user associates the display content and the sound content for each image included in the print content in advance, thereby linking the printing of each image. Then, the reproduction of the display content and the sound content is switched. For example, when printing a travel guide brochure 409 in which landscape pictures of the four seasons and guidance texts are printed, a video of spring landscapes is displayed on the display unit 209 while the spring landscape pictures 406 and the guidance texts are printed. Then, the sound reproducing unit 208 reproduces a spring-like sound such as the sound of the babbling of the stream.
Also, while the summer landscape photograph 407 and its guidance text are being printed, the video of the summer festival is displayed on the display unit 209, and the sound is reproduced by the sound reproduction unit 208. Further, while the winter landscape photograph 408 and the guide text thereof are being printed, a video of the ski resort or the like is displayed on the display unit 209, and the sound reproduction unit 208 reproduces the travel guide or the like by voice.

The display and the linked reproduction of the sound contents according to the printing mode as described above are performed by the image forming apparatus 2.
This is done by setting the mode. For example, when the mode setting is "1", as shown in FIG. 5A, the display and the reproduction of the sound content are switched for each of the entire print contents, and when the mode setting is "2", As in the case of FIG. 5B, the display and the reproduction of the sound content are switched for each page content of the print content (hereinafter, “print page content”). When the mode setting is “3”, the reproduction of the display content and the sound content is switched for each image content of the print content divided for each image as shown in FIG. 5C.
As described above, there is an effect that the user of the image forming apparatus 2 can enjoy the image and the sound linked to the printing mode according to the printing mode.

First, the case of switching the display content and the sound content to be reproduced in units of the entire content will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the content distribution apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 when switching the reproduction of the display content and the sound content for each of the entire print contents. Incidentally, in FIG. 6, the description of the same processing as the processing of FIG. 3 will be appropriately omitted. First, since the processing of steps S201 to S203 of FIG. 6 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S103 of FIG. 3, description thereof will be omitted.

The user refers to the content list received from the content distribution apparatus 1 and selects the entire contents of display, print, and sound to be associated with each other, and requests the content distribution apparatus 1 (S204). Since it is assumed here that the sound content is switched in units of the entire content, the following description will be made assuming that the user has requested two types of content groups including the entire content of display, print, and sound.

The content distribution apparatus 1 is the image forming apparatus 2
In response to a request from the user, the content group in which the display and the entire content of the sound are associated with each other in the unit of the entire content of the printing is set.
A type is generated (S205). The content transmission unit 107 of the content distribution apparatus 1 transmits the generated content group to the image forming apparatus 2 (S206). Image forming apparatus 2
Receives the content group from the content distribution device,
The data is stored in the storage unit 210 (S207). Image forming apparatus 2
Displays the title screen of one of the two types of content groups together with the print button and the like on the display unit 20.
9 is displayed (S208). The user instructs the controller 205 to print from the print button displayed on the display unit 209 (S209).

The controller 205 of the image forming apparatus 2 is
The print contents of the contents group are spooled by the print data spool unit 204 and sequentially printed (S21).
0). At the same time that the image forming apparatus 2 executes printing, the sound reproducing section 208 reproduces the sound content associated with the print content, and displays the display content on the display section 209 (S211). When the printing of the content currently being printed is completed, the playing of the sound being played is stopped. When the reproduction time of the sound content is longer than the time required to print the print content, it is preferable to fade out and stop the reproduction of the sound content at the end of the printing of the print content.

Here, when printing of one of the two contents is completed, the title screen of the other entire content may be displayed and the user may be inquired whether or not to print the other content. (S2
13). When the user gives an instruction to start printing from the displayed print button or the like, the image forming apparatus 2 proceeds to step S20.
The processing from step S212 to step S212 is repeated. When the user gives an instruction to end by using an end button or the like displayed on the title screen, the image forming apparatus 2 ends all processing and enters a standby state.

Considering the relationship between the print speed of the image forming apparatus and the reproduction time of the sound content, the print speed varies depending on the printing mode and the specifications regarding the print speed of the image forming apparatus. If is constant, there is variation in the time from the end of printing to the end of sound reproduction. For example, even if one birth card is printed and a specific printing speed is assumed, and the reproduction time of the sound content is predetermined according to the end of printing, if there is a difference in the printing speed, the end of printing is determined. It is not possible to finish the sound reproduction at about the same time. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2
For example, the time required to print one birth card may be estimated from the print speed of the player, and the sound reproduction unit 208 may adjust the reproduction speed of the sound content according to the estimated print time. According to this, the timing of the end of printing and the end of the sound reproduction can be roughly matched.

Further, instead of adjusting the reproduction speed to match the print end time as described above, the waiting time until switching to the next print data is changed in accordance with the reproduction time of the sound content to completely reproduce the sound. The next printing may be started after the end.

Further, although the case where both the display content and the sound content are linked with the print content has been described above, it is not always necessary to link both, and only the sound content may be linked.

Next, the case of switching the reproduction of the sound content in units of printing pages (units of printing page contents) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operations of the content distribution apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 when the reproduction of the sound content is switched for each print page. Here,
The display content is a still image, and the display is not linked to the printing of the print content. Further, the processing of steps S301 to S303 of FIG. 7 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S103 of FIG. 3, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

The user refers to the content list received from the content distribution apparatus 1 and selects display, print, and sound page contents to be associated with each other, and requests the content distribution apparatus 1 (S304). Since it is assumed here that the sound content is switched in units of print page content, the user selects the sound content for each page content of the print content. Here, for example, when the print content is composed of two pages, the user selects the page content of the sound content to be reproduced in association with each print page content (hereinafter, “sound page content”).

In response to a request from the image forming apparatus 2 on the user side, the content distribution apparatus 1 associates sound page content for each page content of print content and generates a content group in which the display content is added. Yes (S305). The content transmission unit 107 of the content distribution apparatus 1 transmits the requested content group to the image forming apparatus 2 (S306). The image forming apparatus 2 receives the content group transmitted from the content distribution apparatus 1 and stores it in the storage unit 210 (S307). The image forming apparatus 2 displays the display content on the display unit 209 (S
308). The user instructs the image forming apparatus 2 to print the print content from the print button or the like displayed on the display unit 209 (S309). The controller 205 of the image forming apparatus 2 spools the print content of the content group by the print data spooling unit 204 and sequentially prints it (S310).

The image forming apparatus 2 executes printing on a page-by-page basis of the print content, and at the same time, reproduces the sound content associated with the print content by the sound reproducing unit 208 (S311) to print the currently printed page. When finished, stop playing the sound you are playing. If the playback time of the sound content is longer than the time required to print each page, it is preferable to fade out and stop the playback of the sound content at the end of printing each page (S31).
2). The controller 205 determines whether or not printing of all pages is completed by comparing with the number of pages of the print content (S313). When printing of all pages of the print content is not completed, the image forming apparatus 2 performs step S31.
The processing from step 1 to step S312 is repeated. When the printing of all pages of the print content is completed, the image forming apparatus 2 ends the printing process of all pages and enters the standby state.

Next, the case of switching the reproduction of the sound content for each image in each print page will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operations of the content distribution apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 when the reproduction of the sound content is switched for each image content of the print content. Step S4 of FIG.
The processing from 01 to step S403 is the same as step S1 in FIG.
Since it is the same as the processing from 01 to step S103, the description thereof will be omitted.

The user refers to the content list received from the content distribution apparatus 1 and selects the image contents of display, print, and sound to be associated with each other, and requests the content distribution apparatus 1 (S404). Here, since it is assumed that the sound content is switched and reproduced in units of image contents that form the page of the print content, the user can change the sound content corresponding to the image content for each image content of each page of the print content. Select. For example, when the print content of one page is configured to include three images, this entire content is composed of three image contents. The user selects the sound content to be reproduced for each image content included in the print content.

The content distribution apparatus 1 is the image forming apparatus 2
In response to the distribution request from S, the sound content is associated with each image content of the print content and the display content is added to the sound content to generate a content group (S405).
The content transmission unit 107 of the content distribution apparatus 1 transmits the requested content group to the image forming apparatus 2 (S
406). The image forming apparatus 2 receives the content group transmitted from the content distribution apparatus 1 and stores the content group in the storage unit 210 (S407). The image forming apparatus 2 displays the display content on the display unit 209 (S408). The user gives an instruction to print from a print button or the like displayed on the display unit 209 (S409).

The controller 205 of the image forming apparatus 2 is
The print contents of the contents group are spooled by the print data spool unit 204, and sequentially printed by the printer engine 206 (S410). The image forming apparatus 2 is
At the same time as printing is performed, the sound reproduction unit 20 reproduces the sound content associated with the print content in image content units.
8 is reproduced (S411), and when the printing of the currently printed image is completed, the reproduction of the sound being reproduced is stopped. When the reproduction time of the sound content is longer than the time required to print the image, it is preferable to fade out and stop the reproduction of the sound content at the end of printing the image (S41).
2).

The controller 205 of the image forming apparatus 2 is
The total number of image contents included in the print contents is compared to determine whether printing of all image contents is completed (S
413). If the printing of all image contents has not been completed, the image forming apparatus 2 repeats the processing from step S411 to step S412. When the printing of all the image contents is finished, the image forming apparatus 2 finishes all the printing processes and enters the standby state.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the image forming apparatus 2 requests the content distribution apparatus 1 for a content list.
It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen 800 displayed first. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of the input screen 800 when the input operation unit 108 is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 2. FIG. 9B shows an input screen 81 when the input operation unit 108 is a button displayed on the display unit 209.
It is a figure which shows an example of 0. In the case of FIG. 9A, the main body of the image forming apparatus 2 is provided with the display unit 109 and the input operation unit 108. By pressing the button, an input screen 800 requesting a list of contents is displayed on the display unit 209. The distribution request button functions, for example, by pressing and holding the “0” button on the numeric keypad of the input operation unit 108 for 2 seconds or more. The user has a guide text 8 on the input screen 800 displayed on the display unit 209.
By operating the input operation unit 108 in accordance with 01, it is possible to request the content distribution device 1 for a list of contents to be distributed.

On the input screen 800, the types of contents distributed by the contents distribution apparatus 1 are listed, and one of them is listed.
A type input frame 802 that allows the user to select one and a guidance sentence 801 that prompts the user to select one genre from among those listed in the type input frame 802 are displayed. The user inputs a number on the input screen 800 using the ten-key pad of the input operation unit 212 or moves the cursor in the type input frame 802 to the position indicating the desired genre using the cursor movement keys, and presses the Enter key. One genre is selected by deciding whether to select the genre at the cursor position.

In the case of FIG. 9B, the selection input on the input screen 810 is performed by the button displayed on the display unit 209. However, the distribution request button 811 is provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 2. The input screen 810 is displayed on the display unit 209 by pressing the distribution request button 811. In the input operation unit 212, necessary keys are displayed on the display unit 209 according to the contents of the input screen 810. Therefore, the operability of the keys is different from the case where the input operation unit 212 is provided in the main body, but other than that, it is the same as the case where the input operation unit 212 is provided in the main body. The guide text 801 and the type input frame 802, which are the display contents of the input screen 810, are
It is similar to the input screen 800. The selection input method for them is also the same as in the case of the input screen 800.

Such input screen 800 and input screen 8
10 may be held in the storage unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 2 in advance, or may be downloaded from the content distribution apparatus 1 when the distribution request button is pressed. However, when the input screen 800 and the input screen 810 are stored in the storage unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 2 in advance, the options displayed in the type input frame 802 are updated when the content distribution apparatus 1 is connected.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of input screens 900 and 910 for selecting contents, associating them, and setting modes based on the distributed contents list. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of the input screen 900 for performing the mode setting according to the selected print content. FIG. 10B shows an input screen 910 for selecting and associating the content according to the mode setting.
It is a figure which shows an example. The content list is distributed from the content distribution apparatus 1 to the image forming apparatus 2 in response to the list request created based on the input on the input screens 800 and 810 of FIG. The controller 205 of the image forming apparatus 2 displays a list of distributed contents in the input screen 900 and accepts the user's mode setting input according to the selected print contents. Next, the input screen 910 is displayed, and the input of the selection of the display content and the sound content linked with the selected print content and the association of the selected content is accepted from the displayed list.

For example, when a content list is distributed from the content distribution apparatus 1 in response to a list request from the image forming apparatus 2, the image forming apparatus 2 first displays a guide text and the like, but the display content is the same as the input screen 900. The same input screen is displayed, and the user is requested to select the print content in the list on the input screen. On this input screen, content options may be displayed only for the item “print”. From the input screen, for example, "Dian Rose CD i
n N. Y. When the print content “” is selected and the selection is determined, the input screen 900 is displayed.

On the input screen 900, the content selection frame 9
Already selected in the "Print" item in 03,
The determined content name "Dian Rose CD in NY" is underlined. As displayed in the "Print" item of the input screen 900, "Dian Rose CD i
n N. Y. Below the content name, "Dian Ros
e CD in N. Y. The page content name for each print page of "" is listed, and the selected print content "Dian
Rose CD in N. Y. It can be seen that “” includes a plurality of print page contents. Further, by displaying the print content in this way when receiving the selection input of the print content, the user can also select the content for each print page. In other words, if you want to print only the page content “(P.3) Lyrics Card 2” of the third page of the entire content shown in the print content “Dian Rose CD in NY”, you can print the page content “ (P.3) Only the lyrics card 2 ”can be selected.

In this way, when one of the print contents is selected and determined, the controller 205 changes the cursor showing the selected contents to the underlined display, and the guide position is displayed as "Select mode." Please display (1 and 2 can be selected) "and a mode selection frame 902. On the input screen 900, a cursor is displayed in the mode selection frame 902. When the user selects only the page content “(P.3) Lyrics card 2” as the print content as described above,
Since the mode setting is determined to be “2”, the input screen 900
Is not displayed and the next input screen 910 is displayed.

When the user selects and decides a desired mode in the mode selection frame 902 of the input screen 900, as shown in FIG.
An input screen 910 of 0 (b) is displayed. Input screen 91
In the mode selection frame 911 of 0, the cursor displayed at the position “2” in the mode selection frame 902 is changed to an underline and displayed. In addition, in the “Print” item of the content selection frame 913, “Dian Ros
e CD in N. Y. The page contents for each print page included in the content "" are sequentially displayed one by one. Here, the print page content of the first page is displayed as "(P.1) jacket cover". Further, in the content selection frame 913, the cursor is displayed in the item “sound”. At this time, the cursor can be moved to the item "display" by using the direction keys and the like. Further, on the input screen 910, a guidance sentence 912 "Please select the linked content" is displayed at the guidance sentence display position, and the page displayed by the user in the "sound" item according to the guidance sentence 912. When the content and the page content displayed in the "Display" item are selected and determined, the sound content and the display content selected here are linked with the print content displayed in the "Print" item. To be associated with. In the same manner, the print contents corresponding to the following print pages are associated with the sound contents and the display contents.

Further, the item "sound" in the content selection frame 913 has a display "user content". When the user selects and determines “user content” from the “sound” item corresponding to the second print page, for example, the file names of the sound contents stored in the storage unit 210 are displayed in a list. By this, the user selects the desired content from the “user content” displayed in the list, and the input screen 910 is displayed.
You can choose to associate "user content" with. The sound content stored in the storage unit 210 is a sound content originally acquired by the user, and is, for example, a song separately downloaded from a site such as the Internet, or a voice recorded by the user himself. Or These "user content" files are given file names to the user in accordance with the standard defined in advance with the content distribution apparatus 1, and the content distribution apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 have the file names in the code table. The name can be recognized as the file name of "user content". Although the case where the “user content” is reproduced as the sound content is described here, the “sound” item in the content selection frame 913 may be provided with the “no sound” item.

Further, here, when the user selects and determines “2” in the mode selection frame 902, each content selection frame 913 corresponding to the print content of each print page.
Is displayed and the user selects the sound content and the display content in the content selection frame 913 so that the sound content and the display content can be associated with each page content for printing, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the user selects “2” in the mode selection frame 902 and decides, printing is performed by selecting one display and one sound content corresponding to the entire content of the print content that has already been selected. The page content of print and the page content of sound created corresponding to one page of print may be respectively associated with the page content of print divided for each page.

The print content display content and sound content selected and associated by the user according to the input screens 900 and 910 as shown in FIG. 10 are represented in the code table. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the code table 501 showing the association between the print content and the display / sound content and the mode setting. This figure shows
The case where this code table 501 is created with the mode setting being "2" is shown. Here, as an example of the print content, the print content shown in FIG. 5B (code of entire content = P008) will be described. The code table 501 is transmitted together with the request command when the image forming apparatus 2 requests the content distribution apparatus 1 for a content group, and is stored in the storage unit 210 as a request history of the image forming apparatus 2. The image forming apparatus 2 refers to this code table 501 when reproducing the requested content group.

The code table 501 is a file 50.
2, print content 503, display content 504, sound content 505, and mode 506. The item of the file 502 indicates the file code of the content group requested to be delivered to the content delivery apparatus 1. The print, display and sound contents indicated by a code in each item of the print content 503, the display content 504 and the sound content 505 respectively constitute a content group indicated by a file code in the item of the file 502. In addition, the display and sound contents described in the same line are reproduced in synchronization with the printing of the print contents in that line. The item of the mode 506 indicates in what printing unit the reproduction of the display content and the sound content can be switched.

The content group indicated by the file code “1” in the item of the file 502 is composed of page contents of print, display and sound contents associated with each line of the code table 501. In the top row of the code table 501, the code “P00801” is displayed in the item of the print content 503, and the display content 504.
"V00101" and sound content 50 in the item
The code “M00401” is described in item 5.
This is linked to the print page content indicated by the code "P00801", and the page content of the display content indicated by the code "V00101" (hereinafter, "display page content") and the code "M00401".
It indicates that the page content with the sound indicated by is reproduced. The print content indicated by the code “P00801” is, for example, the first page of printing in FIG.
This is the content for printing the cover 402 of the CD jacket shown in (b). The display content indicated by the code “V00101” is, for example, a message video from a singer with a CD jacket. Code "M0040
The sound content indicated by "1" is, for example, content that reproduces the voice of the message video of the singer. In the case of associating each content in this way, when the controller 205 gives an instruction to print the cover 402 of the CD jacket, the message video of the CD jacket singer is started to be reproduced on the display unit 209, and at the same time, the sound reproducing unit 208 is reproduced. The reproduction of the sound is started.

In the second and subsequent lines of the code table 501, page contents of print contents, display contents and sound contents which are reproduced in conjunction with each other are shown similarly to the top line. In the second line, the print page content indicated by the code "P00802", the display page content indicated by the code "V00102", and the sound content indicated by the code "S006" are described. . In the example of FIG. 5B, the print content indicated by the code “P00802” is C
It is the lyrics card 403 of the music of D, and the code "V001
The display content of "02" is a dance scene video of the music corresponding to the lyrics card 403 printed according to the print content of the code "P00802". The starting code is, for example, not the content in which this sound content is distributed by the content distribution device 1,
It is shown that the user has originally recorded in the storage unit 210.

In the item of mode 506, the mode number "2" is described. This is the file code "1"
In the content group of, the mode setting is "2",
This indicates that display and sound content reproduction can be switched for each page content of printing. Therefore, in each line of the code table 501, the code of the print page content is described in the item of the print content 503.

When the item of this mode 506 is "1", for example, the file code "1" is described in the item of the file 502 in the code table 501, and the print content 503, the display content 504 and the sound of the first line are displayed. For example, the code “P0” is assigned to each item of the content 505.
The entire content of the print content represented by "08", the entire content of the display content represented by the code "V001", and the entire content of the sound content represented by the code "M004" are described. As shown in FIG. 5B, the entire print content indicated by the code “P008” includes each page content described in the item of the print content 503 in FIG. 11, and is displayed by the code “V001”. Assuming that the content and the entire sound content indicated by the code “M004” include similar predetermined page contents, the entire content of display and sound is the entire print indicated by the code “P008”. The reproduction is started at the same time as the printing of the content is started, and is sequentially reproduced without switching until the printing of the print content “P008” is completed.

When the item of the mode 506 is "3", the image forming apparatus 2 sets the travel guide brochure 409 shown in FIG. 5C as one whole content indicated by the code "P006". In printing, the reproduction of the display content and the sound content is switched in association with the printing of each image in the travel guide brochure 409. For example, the entire print content indicated by the code “P006” is the image content of the code “P00601” that prints the spring landscape photograph 406 and its guidance text, and the code “P00602” that prints the summer landscape photograph 407 and its guidance text.
Image content and the winter landscape photograph 408 and the image content of the code “P00603” for printing the guide text. In each line of the items of the print content 503 of the code table 501, the code “P00601”,
Each image content of the print content indicated by “P00602” and “P00603” is described, and in each row of the code table 501, the corresponding items of the display content 504 and the sound content 505 are linked to the printing of each image. The code of the display and sound content to be played back is described. As described above, the code table 5
In 01, except for the case where each content is “user content”, in the distribution request of the content group, printing,
The display and sound contents are described by the code of the entire content when the mode setting is “1”, the code of the page content when the mode setting is “2”, and the code of the page content when the mode setting is “3”. Described by the code of the image content.

In the above description, the display content is described as a video file, but it need not be a moving image and may be a still image. Although the mode setting is transmitted in the distribution request from the image forming apparatus 2 to the content distribution apparatus 1 here, the present invention is not limited to this content, and content distribution is performed according to the code of each content requested to be distributed. When the content of the mode setting is clear on the device 1 side, it is not necessary to transmit. further,
In the first embodiment, the content distribution apparatus 1 generates a content group from the print, display, and sound contents that are associated with each other in advance by the code table and requested to be distributed, and distributes the print, display, and sound contents to the image forming apparatus 2 at the same time. However, it is not always necessary to deliver in a format such as a content group. For example, first, only the sound content may be distributed to the image forming apparatus 2, stored in the storage unit 210, and the print and display content may be distributed again when a distribution request is made. In this case, the image forming apparatus 2 refers to the code table 501 held in the storage unit 210 and links the printing of the received print content, as in the case of reproducing the “user content”. The sound content associated with is read from the storage unit 210 and reproduced.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the content group 1201 distributed from the content distribution apparatus 1 and the code table 502 held on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Figure 1
2 (a) is the code table 502 shown in FIG. 12 (b).
4 is a diagram showing a data structure of a content group distributed from the content distribution device 1 based on FIG. Figure 12 (b)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a code table 502 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 to the content distribution apparatus 1 as a content distribution request. Although illustration of the mode setting is omitted in the code table 502, it is assumed that the content group 1201 shown in FIG. 12A is generated with the mode setting “2”. Further, in the code table 502, the item of file code is omitted in the drawing.

When the mode setting is "2", the content group 1
A content group 201 includes page contents linked to each print page, and a header indicating the content of the content group. Specifically, content group 1
Data 12 corresponding to the first page of the 201 print pages
Reference numeral 20 includes a header 1214 and a content group 1215 linked to the first page of printing. The content group 1215 linked to the first page is the print content 120.
5, display content 1206 and sound content 1207
The header 1214 includes the print content 12
Code 1202 “P8” for identifying the file of 05, Code 12 for identifying the file of the display content 1206
03 "V1" and a code 1204 "M4" for specifying the file of the sound content 1207 are described. The data 1221 corresponding to the second page of the print page of the content group 1201 includes a header 1216 and a content group 1217 linked with the second page of printing.
On the other hand, the content group 1217 linked to the second page is
It consists of print content 1211 and display content 1212, and sound content 1213 is blank. In the header 1216 corresponding to this, a code 1208 “P9” for identifying the file of the print content 1211 and a code 1209 for identifying the file of the display content 1212.
“V2” is described, and the item of the code 1210 that identifies the file of the sound content 1213 is blank.

The code “P8” is assigned to each item of the print content 1230, the display content 1231 and the sound content 1232 in the first line of the code table 502.
"V1" and "M4" are described. Code "P
The print content of “8” is page content representing the print content of the first page, and the display content of code “V1” and the sound content of code “M4” are linked to the print content of code “P8”. This is the page content to be played. In the second line of the code table 502, the print content 1230 and the display content 1231 are displayed.
The codes “P9”, “V2”, and “S6” are described in each item of the sound content 1232 and the sound content 1232. The display content of the code “V2” and the sound content of the code “S6” are reproduced in synchronization with the print content of the code “P9”.

Codes beginning with "S" in the code table 502 of FIG. 12B, for example, code "S1"-
For the sound content requested to be distributed by designating “S7”, the content distribution apparatus 1 identifies that the file of the sound content is stored in the storage unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 2, and FIG. 2 in the content group of
The item of the code 1210 that specifies the file of the sound content 1213 of the header 1216 of the page and the item of the sound content 1213 are left blank and distributed. Image content distribution device 1 that has received such a content group
On the side, when the content group is reproduced, the controller 20
5 reads the header of each data and checks whether or not the item for specifying the sound content file is blank. If the column is blank, the code table 502 stored in the storage unit 210 is searched for a combination of the print content code, eg, “P9”, and the display content code, eg, “V2”, which are linked to this. As a result of the search, the print content “P9” and the display content “V” are displayed.
When the sound content of the code “S6” is hit in the combination with “2”, the display content “V2” is displayed in conjunction with the printing of the print content “P9” and the sound content “S6” is stored in the storage unit 210. To read and play. By doing so, the image forming apparatus 2 can reproduce the sound content originally recorded by the user in synchronization with the print content.

Although the code of the sound content originally recorded by the user is a code starting with "S" here, this code may be defined in any way. In addition to sound content, a code table is created not only for sound content but also for sound content, and by requesting distribution, users can play back their own recorded digital camera photos and digital videos in an interlocking manner. Good.

Although the data structure of the content group when the mode setting is “2” has been described with reference to FIG. 12A, when the mode setting is “1”, it is linked to the entire content of each print content. Content group and a header indicating the content of the content group. When the mode setting is “3”, the content group is linked with the image content of the print content and the header indicating the content of the content group. For example,
In the content group that prints the travel guide brochure 409 in FIG. 5C, the first image data is the image content “P00601” that prints the spring landscape photograph 406 and its guidance text, and the display and playback that are played back in conjunction with it. It consists of a content group consisting of sound image contents, and a header describing a code indicating each file constituting the content group. The data of the second image is the image content “P” that prints the summer landscape photograph 407 and its guidance text.
“00602” and the image content of the display and sound that is reproduced in conjunction therewith, and a header indicating the content. The data of the third image is the image content “P” that prints the winter landscape photograph 408 and its guidance text.
[00603] "and a content group consisting of image contents of display and sound reproduced in conjunction therewith, and a header corresponding thereto. As described above, the content group distributed from the content distribution apparatus 1 is composed of the entire content, page content, and image content created according to the mode setting in advance for each set mode. On the side, it is possible to reproduce the display content and the sound content linked with the print content without being aware of the mode setting.

Further, in the first embodiment, the content group distributed from the content distribution apparatus 1 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 2 and then reproduced, but the content distribution apparatus 1 is connected at a fixed timing. Alternatively, the delivered content group may be played back in real time online. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the user associates the print content, the display content, and the sound content has been described.
In the present invention, it does not matter who performs the association, and the user side may simply receive the delivery of the associated content group in advance on the content delivery device 1 side. Further, in the above-described first embodiment, a case has been described in which each print content is associated with each other according to the mode setting. Content may be arbitrarily associated.

In the above-described first embodiment, the case where content is transmitted and received between the content distribution apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 connected by WAN has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a case where contents are transmitted and received between terminal devices in the same building via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, or may be between terminals at a long distance such as using the Internet, or an optical disc or a semiconductor. It may be a case where contents are handed over offline by a portable medium such as a memory. When contents are transferred via a portable medium such as an optical disk or a semiconductor memory, for example, the received contents are once transferred to an IC via a personal computer or the like.
It is stored in the storage unit 210 such as a card.

In the above description, the case where the display content and the sound content are reproduced in synchronization with the printing of the print content has been described. Furthermore, in order to notify the end of the printing of the print content, the sound associated with the print content in advance is further described. The content may be stored in the storage unit 210 or the like, and the sound content for the reproduction end notification may be reproduced every time one printing instructed by the user is completed. Further, when the content group including the specific print content is received, the sound content that the user has previously associated with may be played back to notify the reception of the content group including the print content. In these cases, a plurality of reproduction end sound contents or a plurality of reception notification sound contents may be selected in advance according to the user's preference.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 2 which reproduces the sound content previously stored in the storage unit 210 each time one printing is completed. The user registers the sound content that can be reproduced by the sound reproduction unit 208 of the image forming apparatus 2. It is assumed that the storage unit 210 stores a plurality of sound contents in advance. First, the user selects and specifies, from the sound contents stored in the storage unit 210, the sound contents to be reproduced at the time of printing execution (start) and the sound contents to notify the end of printing (S501). The image forming apparatus 2 is
The storage unit 210 holds at which timing of printing the designated sound content. Image forming apparatus 2
Receives the print content from the content distribution apparatus 1 and stores it in the storage unit 210 (S502). The print data spool unit 204 receives the received print content and spools the print data, and sequentially sends the print data to the printer engine 206 for printing (S503). At the same time as executing (starting) printing, the controller 205 causes the sound reproducing unit 208 to reproduce the sound content designated to be reproduced at the time of executing (starting) printing (S504). The controller 205 appropriately performs the repeated reproduction of the sound content linked with the print content, the switching of the sound content, and the end processing of the sound content during execution of printing (S505). When the printing of the print content is completed, the reproduction of the sound content that was being reproduced during the execution of the print is stopped, the specified sound content in the storage unit 210 that notifies the end of the printing is reproduced, and the process is terminated (S506). , It will be in a waiting state. In addition,
Here, when the reproduction time of the sound content is longer than the time required to print the image, it is preferable to fade out and stop the reproduction of the sound content at the end of the printing of the image. If the playback time of the sound content is shorter than the time required to print the image, the playback time of the sound content may be adjusted by repeating the playback of one sound content or playing multiple sound content during printing. You can

(Embodiment 2) In the present embodiment, the sound content and the image held in the mobile phone 3 are associated with each other in the mobile phone 3, a content group is generated and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2. Then, a description will be given of a content distribution system in which the image forming apparatus 2 having received the image reproduces the sound associated with the image when the received image is printed or displayed. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operations of the image forming apparatus 2 and the mobile phone 3 when the image forming apparatus 2 that has received the content group generated by the mobile phone 3 reproduces the sound content in synchronization with the printing of the image. Is.

First, since the user communicates with the image forming apparatus 2 using the wireless network function of the mobile phone 3,
The input operation unit 302 makes a connection request to the image forming apparatus 2 which is a communication destination by the wireless network (S601).
The image forming apparatus 2 receives the connection request from the mobile phone 3 and performs the connection processing by the wireless network (S60).
2). The content group generation unit 307 of the mobile phone 3 generates a content group in which the image and the sound content held inside are associated with each other based on an instruction from the user, and the content transmission unit 308 forms the image of the content group. It is transmitted to the device 2 (S603). The image forming apparatus 2 receives the image and the sound content transmitted from the mobile phone 3 (S604) and stores them in the storage unit 210 (S605).
The user displays the image stored in the storage unit 210 on the display unit 209 as necessary, and confirms the content (S606).
When printing this, the controller 205 uses the storage unit 2
The image stored in the print data spool unit 20
No. 4, sent to spooler, and sequentially processed by printer engine 60
6 is sent to print (607). Controller 205
At the same time that the printer engine 206 executes printing, the sound content is sent to the sound reproduction unit 208 and reproduced (S608). When the printer engine 206 finishes printing, the controller 205 causes the sound reproduction unit 208 to perform reproduction end processing of the sound content (S609). Here, when the reproduction time of the sound content is longer than the time required to print the image, it is preferable to fade out and stop the reproduction of the sound content when the printing of the image ends. If the sound content playback time is shorter than the time required to print the image, the sound content playback time may be adjusted by repeating the playback of one sound content or playing multiple sound contents during printing. May be.

Further, the image forming apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 2 has a display section 209 for displaying the display content and a sound reproducing section 208 for reproducing the sound content in its main body.
As shown in FIG. 5, the display unit 309 and the sound reproducing unit 321 included in the mobile phone 3 may be substituted. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing appearances of the image forming apparatus 2 and the mobile phone 3 when the display unit 209 and the sound reproducing unit 208 of the image forming apparatus 2 are replaced by the display unit 309 and the sound reproducing unit 321 of the mobile phone 3. Is.
The image forming apparatus 2 includes an input operation unit 222 and an IC card 22.
4 and an antenna 225. The mobile phone 3 includes an input operation unit 302, a display unit 309, an antenna 320, and a speaker 321. The mobile phone 3 communicates with the image forming apparatus 2 from the antenna 320 via a wireless network,
The generated content group is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2. The image forming apparatus 2 extracts an image from the received content group and prints it. At that time, if the image forming apparatus 2 is set to display the image on the mobile phone 3 in order to confirm the content of the image, the image forming apparatus 2 2 transmits a display instruction together with the display content to the mobile phone 3 to display the image (when the display content is held in the mobile phone 3, the display content is not transmitted here, only the display command is transmitted. ). When the mobile phone 3 reproduces the sound content when the image forming apparatus 2 executes printing, the image forming apparatus 2 transmits a sound reproduction command together with the sound content to the mobile phone 3 to reproduce the sound. If the sound content is held, do not send the sound content, only send the sound playback command). With such a configuration, even if the image forming apparatus 2 does not have the display unit and the sound reproducing unit, the image having the function of reproducing the sound in synchronization during the printing of the image forming apparatus is performed. There is an effect that a forming apparatus can be provided.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sound content held by the mobile phone may be a ringing melody registered in advance by the user of the mobile phone for a specific sender. Hereinafter, this example will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone 1601 in a content distribution system 1600 that reproduces an incoming melody of a mobile phone as sound content in synchronization with printing of print content. The content delivery system 1600 shown in the figure is different from the content delivery system 100 shown in FIG. 2 in that the mobile phone 1601 includes a group registration unit 1602 and a content group generation unit 1603, and other than that. In terms of points, the configuration is similar. Therefore, the illustration of the content distribution device 1, the image forming device 2, the WAN 4, the router 5, and the wireless network 6 is omitted here, and the same components as those of the content distribution system 100 shown in FIG. Are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2, and description thereof will be omitted. Group registration section 16
02 is provided in a conventional mobile phone and creates information for reproducing the same incoming melody in response to an incoming call from a caller registered in the same group. Specifically, the group registration unit 1602 has the input operation unit 30.
According to the user's input from 2, the designated callers are classified into groups, and a group table in which a ringing melody is associated with each classified group is created. The content group generation unit 1603 has a group registration unit 1602.
A content group is generated by associating the sound content (incoming melody) with the print content (image) received from the outside according to the group table created by. The content transmission unit 308 transmits the generated content group to the image forming apparatus 2.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of group registration by the group registration unit 1602 shown in FIG. FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an example of the group table 700 created by the group registration unit 1602. FIG. 17B shows a sender ID 702 and a sender address 70.
4 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table 710 showing the correspondence with No. 4; FIG.
As shown in FIG. 17A, each item of group ID 701, caller ID 702, and ring tone ID 703 is described in the group table 700. Group ID 70
1 describes a group ID for identifying each group. The caller ID 702 describes a caller ID for identifying a caller belonging to each group. Further, the ringtone ID 703 includes the sound content storage unit 306.
A content ID for specifying one of the sound contents stored in the item as a ringing melody is described. For example, as shown in the figure, in the group table 700, the caller ID 702 is associated with the group ID 701 “A”.
“0002”, “0003” and “0011” and a ring tone ID 703 “007” are described. As a result, the sender ID 702 “00 belonging to the group“ A ”is
When there is an incoming call from any of the three persons specified by “02”, “0003” and “0011”, among the sound contents stored in the sound content storage unit 306,
The sound content specified by the ringtone ID 703 “007” is reproduced as a ringtone melody.

Further, in the group table 700, for example, the sender ID corresponding to the group ID 701 "B"
702 “0001” and ringtone ID 703 “035” are described. As a result, the sender ID 702 “0
When there is an incoming call from the caller identified by "001", the sound content identified by the ringtone ID 703 "035" is reproduced as a ringtone melody. Group ID
Similarly for the group identified by 701 "C",
When an incoming call is received from a caller registered in the group, for example, a caller identified by the caller ID 702 “0123”, the sound content identified by the ringtone ID 703 “021” is played as a ringtone melody. To be done.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17B, the correspondence table 7
10 shows the correspondence between the sender ID 702 and the sender address 704. The correspondence table 710 includes, for example, a sender address 704 “fullbank@rideon.or.jp”.
The caller ID 702 “0001” for the caller of the caller and the caller ID 702 “0002” for the caller of the caller address 704 “highpeak@pine.ne.jp” and the caller address 704 “highside @ road. It is shown that the sender ID “0003” is assigned to each sender of “gr.jp”. As a result, when the print content arrives at the mobile phone, the content group generation unit 1603 first refers to the correspondence table 710 and identifies the caller ID 702 from the caller address 704. Next, the group table 700 is searched by using the specified caller ID 702 as a key, and the ring tone ID 703 for the caller is searched.
To get. As a result, the content group generation unit 1603
Can generate a content group in which the received print content is associated with the sound content (ring melody) specified by the ring tone ID 703 corresponding to the caller.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 2 and the mobile phone 1601 when the ringing melody (sound content) registered in the group is reproduced in association with the printing of the image (print content). First,
The user of the mobile phone 1601 operates the input operation unit 302 to perform group registration of which incoming call melody is played for which caller. At this time, in the mobile phone 1601, the group registration unit 1602 responds to the caller address received from the input operation unit 302 by
The caller ID is issued, and the grouping of the callers and the input of the selection of the incoming melody for the group are accepted. The group registration unit 1602 creates the correspondence table 710 and the group table 700 shown in FIG. 17 based on the input data here and holds them internally (S1801).

Next, when the mobile phone 1601 receives a new image (print content), it refers to the correspondence table 710 to specify the sender ID from the sender's address (S).
1802), the group table 700 is searched by using the specified caller ID as a key. When the specified caller ID is hit as a result of the search, the ringing melody (sound content) specified by the hit ringing tone ID is
A content group associated with the received image (print content) is generated (S1803). When there is no hit, a predetermined incoming melody to be played back to an unspecified caller is associated with the image (print content) to generate a content group. Mobile phone 1601
Transmits the content group thus generated to the image forming apparatus 2. The image forming apparatus 2 is a mobile phone 1601.
The content group is received from and stored in the storage unit 210 (S1804).

The image forming apparatus 2 accepts an input for instructing the print execution of the print content, expands the instructed print content in the print data spool section 204, and executes the print (S1805). The image forming apparatus 2 reproduces the incoming melody (sound content) associated with the instructed print content in parallel with the printing of the print content (S1806). At this time, the sound reproducing unit 208
The incoming melody may be repeatedly played or the incoming melody may be faded out depending on the printing time of the print content. When the printing of the print content is completed, the sound reproducing unit 208 reproduces a predetermined sound content for notifying the user of the end of printing (S1807).

According to this, the image forming apparatus can reproduce the incoming melody corresponding to the sender or creator of the content while printing or displaying the content. Has the effect of being able to recognize the sender and creator of the content from the played ringtone.

[0101]

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the printing means prints the print content. The sound reproducing means reproduces the sound content in synchronization with the printing of the print content.

Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
Since the sound content can be played back in conjunction with the printing of the print content, the user can enjoy the music by playing the sound content during the printing process of the image forming apparatus, or explain the sound of the print content by playing the sound content. You can listen. As a result, the user can spend the waiting time for printing without getting bored, and the user can know the currently printed contents without going to the image forming apparatus.

In the content distribution method of the present invention, the content distribution server generates the content group in which the print content and the sound content are associated with each other in the content group generation step. In the transmitting step, the generated content group is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. Further, in the content reproducing method of the present invention, the image forming apparatus receives the content group in which the print content and the sound content are associated with each other from the content distribution server in the content group receiving step. In the printing step, the print content included in the content group is printed. In the sound reproduction step, the sound content associated with the print content is reproduced. The sound reproduction step is executed in conjunction with the printing step.

Therefore, according to the content distribution method and reproduction method of the present invention, the content distribution side associates the sound content with the print content to generate a content group and distributes it to the image forming apparatus side, and the image forming apparatus side. The content group is received, the print content is printed, and the sound content is reproduced in synchronization with the printing. in this way,
Since the content distribution side generates and distributes a content group in which the sound content is associated in advance, the image forming apparatus can easily realize the reproduction of the sound content linked with the printing of the print content. Similarly, the display of the display content can be linked with the printing of the print content, and the reproduction of various content can be linked with the printing of the print content.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system including the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as a component.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing operations of the content distribution apparatus and the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a communication sequence diagram showing an operation in a content group distribution process from the content distribution device shown in FIG. 2 to an image forming apparatus. In FIG. 4A, a content list is received in advance from the content distribution device,
FIG. 9 is a communication sequence diagram in the case of associating contents on the image forming apparatus side. FIG. 4B is a communication sequence diagram in the case where the user associates the content with the content distribution apparatus online in advance.

5 is a diagram showing an example of print contents printed by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5A shows 1
This is an example of a case where one print content corresponds to printing one page including one image. FIG. 5B is an example when one print content corresponds to printing of a plurality of pages. FIG. 5C is an example when one print content corresponds to printing one page including a plurality of images.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the content distribution apparatus and the image forming apparatus when switching the reproduction of the display content and the sound content for each of the entire print contents.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operations of the content distribution apparatus and the image forming apparatus when the reproduction of sound content is switched for each print page.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the content distribution apparatus and the image forming apparatus when the reproduction of the sound content is switched for each image content of the print content.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen that is first displayed when the image forming apparatus requests a content list from the content distribution apparatus. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen when the main body of the image forming apparatus is provided with the input operation unit. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of an input screen when the input operation unit is a button displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for performing content selection, association, and mode setting based on a distributed content list. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of the input screen 900 for performing the mode setting according to the selected print content. Figure 10 (b)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen 910 for selecting and associating contents according to mode setting.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a code table showing association between print content, display and sound content, and mode setting.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a correspondence between a content group distributed from the content distribution device and a code table held on the image forming device side. FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a data structure of a content group distributed from the content distribution device based on the code table shown in FIG. 12B. FIG. 12B is a diagram showing an example of a code table transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the content distribution apparatus as a content distribution request.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus that reproduces the sound content previously stored in the storage unit every time one printing is completed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus and the mobile phone when the content group generated by the mobile phone is received and the sound content is reproduced in synchronization with the printing of the image.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing appearances of the image forming apparatus and the mobile phone when the display section and the sound reproducing section of the image forming apparatus are replaced by the display section and the sound reproducing section of the mobile phone.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone in a content distribution system that reproduces an incoming melody of the mobile phone as sound content in synchronization with printing of print content.

17 is a diagram showing an example of group registration by the group registration unit shown in FIG. FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an example of a group table created by the group registration unit. FIG. 17B is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table showing the correspondence between the sender ID and the sender address.

FIG. 18 is linked to printing an image (print content),
7 is a flowchart showing the operations of the image forming apparatus and the mobile phone when playing an incoming melody (sound content) registered in a group.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Content distribution device 2 Image forming device 3 mobile phones 4 WAN 101 Content receiver 102 controller (content distribution device side) 103 display content storage unit 104 print content storage unit 105 sound content storage 106 content group generation unit 107 content transmitter 108 Input operation section 204 Print data spool section 205 controller (image forming apparatus side) 206 printer engine 207 Content group receiver 208 sound reproduction section 209 Display 210 storage 212 Input operation unit 301 Content receiver 302 Input operation unit 303 controller (mobile phone side) 304 display content storage unit 305 Print content storage unit 306 Sound content storage unit 307 Content group generation unit 308 Content transmitter

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AQ04 AQ05 AQ06 CQ32                       HK03 HN08 HN15                 5B021 AA01 BB00 QQ07                 5C062 AA05 AA13 AA29 AA35 AB22                       AB26 AB38 AB42 AC04 AC05                       AC22 AC43 AE01 AE11 AF14                       BC01

Claims (34)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a sound reproducing function, comprising: a printing unit that prints print content; and a sound reproducing unit that reproduces the sound content in association with the printing of the print content. Image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus further comprises receiving means for receiving print content and sound content associated with the print content in advance, and holding means for holding the print content and the sound content. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproducing unit reproduces the sound content associated with the print content when the print content held in the holding unit is printed. 3. The image forming apparatus further comprises: when the receiving unit receives print content from the outside,
A holding unit that specifies the sound content associated with the received print content in the holding unit, and the sound reproducing unit interlocks with the printing of the print content;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the specified sound content is read from the holding unit and reproduced. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound reproducing unit switches the sound to be reproduced in association with a predetermined print unit that constitutes the print content. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sound reproducing unit switches sounds to be reproduced in units of the received print content. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sound reproducing unit switches sounds to be reproduced in units of files constituting print contents. 7. The sound reproduction means is one of print contents.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reproduced sound is switched in units of print data for one page. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sound reproducing unit switches sounds to be reproduced in units of image data in print content. 9. The sound reproducing means, when changing a sound to be reproduced, fades out a sound that has been reproduced until then and switches to a new sound.
The image forming apparatus described. 10. The printing means, when the reproduction time of the sound content is longer than the printing time of the print content, in accordance with the reproduction time length of the sound content, from the end of printing the print data to the start of printing of the data to be printed next. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time is adjusted. 11. The sound reproduction means, when the print time of the print content is longer than the reproduction time of the sound content, reproduces the sound content by adjusting the reproduction speed of the sound content according to the print speed of the print means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 12. The image forming apparatus further includes a sound content holding unit that holds sound content, and an operation related to printing by the printing unit and the sound content holding unit based on a user's input operation. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an associating unit that associates with the sound content, wherein the sound reproducing unit reproduces the sound content associated with the operation in association with the printing operation of the printing unit. Forming equipment. 13. The image forming apparatus further comprises receiving means for receiving print content, and the associating means associates a receiving operation by the receiving means with a sound content held in the sound content holding means. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sound reproducing unit reads out and reproduces the sound content associated with the reception from the sound content holding unit when the receiving unit receives the print content from the outside. apparatus. 14. An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a mobile terminal having a sound reproducing function, wherein the image forming apparatus prints print content and a sound content and a sound content to the mobile terminal. The portable terminal transmits a reproduction instruction of the sound content, the mobile terminal receives the sound content and a reproduction instruction of the sound content from the image forming apparatus, and the reproduction instruction of the received sound content. An image forming system, comprising: a sound reproduction unit that reproduces the sound content according to the above-described method; 15. The image forming apparatus further comprises content receiving means for receiving print content and sound content associated with the print content in advance, and holding means for holding the print content and the sound content. 15. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the sound content associated with the print content and the reproduction instruction thereof in association with the printing of the print content held by the holding unit. . 16. The transmission unit uses, as the predetermined print unit, one of a file forming print content, print data for one page of print content, and image data arranged in the print content. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the associated sound content and a reproduction instruction thereof are transmitted in association with printing of a print unit. 17. When the reproduction time of the sound content is longer than the print time of the print content, the printing unit adjusts the reproduction time length of the sound content from the end of printing the print data to the start of printing the next data to be printed. 15. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the time is adjusted. 18. The transmission means, when the print time of the print content is longer than the reproduction time of the sound content, adjusts the reproduction speed of the sound content according to the associated sound content and the print speed of the printing means. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein a reproduction instruction is transmitted. 19. The image forming apparatus further includes: sound content holding means for holding sound content; operation related to printing by the printing means and the sound content holding means based on an input operation by a user. An associating unit that associates the sound content with each other, wherein the transmitting unit is interlocked with the printing operation of the printing unit,
The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the sound content associated with the operation and a reproduction instruction thereof are transmitted. 20. An image forming apparatus having a sound reproducing function,
An image forming system including a mobile terminal, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a content group receiving unit that receives a content group in which print content and sound content are associated in advance, and a printing unit that prints the print content. A portable terminal that reproduces the sound content in synchronization with the printing of the print content; the portable terminal includes a content group generation means that generates the content group; and the generated content group, the image forming apparatus. An image forming system, which comprises: 21. The content group generation means further comprises a holding means for holding a sound content and a receiving means for receiving a print content, and the content group generation means holds the received print content. 21. The image forming system according to claim 20, wherein the sound content being reproduced is associated with each other. 22. The image forming system according to claim 21, wherein the sound content is a ringing melody played when the print content arrives at the mobile terminal. 23. The content group generation means further comprises holding means for holding print content and sound content, and the content group generation means is held in the holding means based on a user's input operation. 21. The image forming system according to claim 20, wherein the print content and the sound content that are present are associated with each other. 24. A content reproducing method for receiving and reproducing a content from a content distribution server, the content group receiving step of receiving from the content distribution server a content group in which print content and sound content are associated with each other. Including a printing step of printing the print content included in the content group and a sound reproducing step of reproducing a sound content associated with the print content, and executing the sound reproducing step in conjunction with the printing step. A content reproduction method characterized by the above. 25. A content reproducing method for receiving and reproducing content from a content distribution server, the content group receiving, from the content distribution server, a content group in which print content, display content, and sound content are associated with each other. A reception step, a display step of displaying the display content included in the content group, a printing step of printing the print content included in the content group, and a display step of the print step start instruction on the display screen displayed in the display step. An instruction input receiving step for receiving an input and a sound reproducing step for reproducing a sound content included in the content group are included, the printing step is started according to the input of the printing step start instruction, and is linked to the started printing step. The sound again A content reproduction method characterized by executing a raw step. 26. A content reproduction method for receiving and reproducing content from a content distribution server, wherein a content group in which sound content is associated with each predetermined print unit constituting print content is received from the content distribution server. A content group receiving step; a printing step of printing a print content included in the content group; and a sound reproducing step of reproducing a sound content included in the content group, wherein the sound reproducing step configures the print content. A content reproducing method characterized by reproducing the sound content associated with each predetermined print unit. 27. In the sound reproduction step, any one of a file forming print content, print data for one page of print content, and image data arranged in the print content is set as the predetermined print unit. 27. The content reproducing method according to claim 26, wherein the associated sound contents are switched and reproduced. 28. A content reproduction method for receiving and reproducing content from a content distribution server, wherein a content group in which sound content is associated with each print data of one page of print content is received from the content distribution server. A content group receiving step, a printing step of printing a print content included in the content group, and a sound reproducing step of reproducing a sound content included in the content group, wherein the sound reproducing step includes processing of the printing step. A method for reproducing content, comprising adjusting a reproduction speed of the sound content associated with each print data for one page according to the speed. 29. A content reproduction method for receiving content from a content distribution server and reproducing the content, wherein a content group in which a plurality of sound contents are associated with each other by a predetermined print unit forming the print content from the content distribution server is provided. A content group receiving step of receiving, a printing step of printing a print content included in the content group, and a sound reproducing step of reproducing a sound content included in the content group, wherein the sound reproducing step includes the printing step The content reproduction method, wherein the reproduction speed of a plurality of sound contents associated with each of the predetermined print units forming the print content is adjusted and reproduced according to the processing speed. 30. A content distribution method for distributing content to an image forming apparatus having a receiving means, the content group generating step of generating a content group in which print content and sound content are associated with each other, and And a transmitting step of transmitting the content group to the image forming apparatus. 31. A content distribution method for distributing content to an image forming apparatus having a receiving means, the content group generating step of generating a content group in which print content, display content, and sound content are associated with each other. And a transmitting step of transmitting the generated content group to the image forming apparatus side. 32. A content distribution method for distributing content to an image forming apparatus having a receiving means, wherein a content group generation step of generating a content group in which sound content is associated with each predetermined print unit forming print content. And a transmission step of transmitting the generated content group to the image forming apparatus side. 33. A program used in an image forming apparatus having a sound reproducing function, comprising: a computer, a printing unit for printing the print content; and a sound reproducing unit for reproducing the sound content in association with the printing of the print content. A program that functions as all the means included in the image forming apparatus including the. 34. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program used in an image forming apparatus having a sound reproducing function is recorded, the computer including a printing unit for printing a print content, and the printing operation of the print content. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program that functions as all the units included in the image forming apparatus that includes a sound reproducing unit that reproduces the sound content.