JP2004064250A - Electronic application apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic application apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer compatible with an operation / notice function utilizing voice or a multifunction machine of them that is provided with a means for automatically selecting an operation mode of voice utilization when an operator such as a visually handicapped person approaches the electronic application apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When a mobile unit carried by an operator utilizing voice approaches the electronic application apparatus, an approach detection section 16 detects the approach because the communication with the mobile unit is available. The approach detection section 16 detecting the approach instructs a changeover means 12 to select a voice operation mode utilizing a voice operation control section 14 from a manual operation mode utilizing an ordinary operation control section 13. When the voice operation mode is selected, the voice operation control section 14 operates an application 15 by voice input and deals with the operator in voice via a voice input output I/F 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic application device operated by an operator in accordance with an instruction of the device, for example, an electronic application device such as a copy, a facsimile, a printer, an ATM, a ticket vending machine, or an electronic application device combining some of them. In an electronic application device having a function that can be used by a visually impaired person or other visually impaired persons, in other words, a function that can perform an operation using voice, when it is detected that the operator is approaching, The present invention relates to an electronic application device that automatically switches to an operation mode using voice.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As electronic application devices such as copy, fax, printer, ATM, and ticket vending machines, or electronic application devices combining some of them, become more sophisticated, user interfaces for users to use and operate these functions become more complicated. It is becoming. Taking a copy machine as an example, the setting items of a conventional analog copy machine are about “number of copies”, “magnification setting”, “double-sided copy”, “presence of sort”, and “density setting”. With the latest digital copiers, "vertical and horizontal independent scaling", "simple bookbinding", an aggregation function to combine multiple pages into one, an editing function that can set "binding" and "date stamp", a document storage function With such advanced functions, various settings are required, and the user interface for operation is becoming more complicated. However, since the physical size of the operation panel is limited, buttons and the like corresponding to all functions cannot be provided. For this reason, recently, touch panels have been increasingly used.
[0003]
On the other hand, the use of a touch panel may make use of the touch panel difficult. For example, for a user with visual impairment, the touch panel cannot use the touch panel because the surface of the liquid crystal screen of the touch panel has no irregularities, so the displayed keys cannot be distinguished by the tactile sensation of the hand. In addition, for a user using a wheelchair, if the touch panel is installed on the upper surface of the device and the liquid crystal screen is located at a position higher than the line of sight, the liquid crystal screen cannot be seen, and it is necessary to perform a fumbling operation. The touch panel cannot be groped and operated.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-90818 (copier) discloses a copier having a voice input means for setting the function of the copier by voice recognition. However, this copying apparatus is not intended for a visually impaired person, but is for the user to make settings of various functions using voice, and it is necessary to rely on the sight to confirm the settings.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 10-117263 (Multifunction Device) discloses a multifunction device including a copy, a facsimile, and a printer provided with an audio output unit that enables an operation based on voice guidance. This multifunction device prompts the input of numbers, etc. following the voice guidance, and sets the necessary settings in a series of exchanges. Since there is a problem when it is annoying or when it is desired to hide the transmission destination, a handset or an earphone is used to prevent sound from leaking to only the operator. In addition, by detecting an off-hook state in which the handset is detached or the connection of an earphone to the earphone jack, the operation panel is switched between a manual operation mode and a voice operation mode using voice. However, while groping for the handset, it is not easy to use for a visually impaired person if the handset falls off the hook or searches for the earphone jack insertion hole.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of these circumstances, the present invention provides an electronic application device such as a copy, a fax, a printer, an ATM, a ticket vending machine, or an electronic application device combining some of them, which can respond to operation / notification using voice. It is an object to provide means for automatically switching to a voice operation mode when an approach of an operator such as a disabled person is detected.
[0007]
The present invention also provides a new problem by switching to the voice operation mode during the manual operation mode, that is, when the operator A wishes to use the voice operation mode while using the hand operation mode. However, the sudden switching to the voice operation mode when approaching the electronic application device to which the present invention is applied is a very inconvenient operation for the operator A because the operation is interrupted. The aim is to provide a means to avoid problems.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is an electronic application device such as a copy, a facsimile, a printer, or an electronic application device that combines them, which can respond to operation / notification using voice, wherein the electronic application device is an operator using voice. An approach detecting means for detecting that a portable device carried by the electronic device has approached the electronic application device; and a voice operation using voice from a manual operation mode using an operation panel when the approach detecting means detects the approach of the portable device. It has an operation mode switching means for switching to a mode.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the approach of the portable device is detected by Bluetooth, and when a connection with the portable device is established, the mode is switched from the manual operation mode to the voice operation mode. I do.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the approach of the portable device is detected by IrDA (Infrared Data Association), and when a connection with the portable device is established, the mode is changed from the manual operation mode to the voice operation mode. Switching is characterized.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the approach of the portable device is detected by RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), the mode is switched from the manual operation mode to the voice operation mode.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the electronic applied device includes a switching suppression unit that does not switch to the voice operation mode while being operated in the manual operation mode. Features.
[0013]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, when not switching to the voice operation mode, there is provided notifying means for notifying an operator who carries the portable device that the mode has not been switched to the voice operation mode. Features.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an application example of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an electronic application device such as a copy, a facsimile, a printer, or an electronic application device obtained by combining them. It has a voice operation mode capable of responding to instructions, and automatically switches from the manual operation mode using the operation panel to the voice operation mode when detecting that the portable device 20 has approached. The portable device 20 uses Bluetooth or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) using radio waves, IrDA (Infrared Data Association) using infrared rays, or the like to contact the electronic application device 10 in a non-contact manner. Use something that can be detected.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, when the operation mode of the electronic application device 10 is the manual operation mode, the electronic application device 10 An operation instruction input by the operator from the operation panel is sent to the normal operation control unit 13 via the operation panel I / F 11 serving as an interface with the operation panel and the switching unit 12 to copy, fax, print, etc. Of the application 15 is performed.
[0016]
The approach detection unit 16 in the electronic application device 10 monitors whether communication with the mobile device 20 is possible to detect the approach of the mobile device 20. When the operator carrying the mobile device 20 approaches the electronic application device 10, the approach detection unit 16 determines that the connection with the mobile device 20 has been established, that is, the mobile device 20 has approached the mobile device 20. Is detected. The approach detection unit 16 that has detected the approach instructs the switching unit 12 to switch from the manual operation mode to the voice operation mode. In the voice operation mode, the voice operation control unit 14 that recognizes voice and generates voice guidance operates the application 15. The voice guidance from the voice operation control unit 14 is sent to the voice input / output unit via the voice input / output I / F 17. The voice input / output means is constituted by a microphone, an earphone, a speaker, and the like, and is provided in the electronic application device 10 or the portable device 20. The operator carrying the portable device 20 hears the voice guidance through the earphone or speaker of the voice input / output unit, and receives an instruction from the operator through the voice input / output I / F 17 from the microphone of the voice input / output unit. Is sent to the voice operation control unit 14. The voice operation control unit 14 recognizes voice and operates the application 15.
[0017]
Further, when the operator carrying the portable device 20 finishes the work and leaves the electronic application device 10, the approach detection unit 16 detects that the connection with the portable device 20 has been lost, and causes the switching unit 12 to output the operation mode. To return to the manual operation mode using the normal operation control unit 13.
[0018]
The detection of the approach between the approach detection unit 16 and the mobile device 20 may be performed using Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a type of wireless communication using radio waves, which has recently been applied to various devices, has low power consumption and low cost, and communication can be performed up to a distance of about 10 m. When the mobile device 20 approaches a distance of about 10 m and a connection is established with the mobile device 20, the approach detection unit 16 detects the approach and switches to the voice operation mode.
[0019]
Instead of Bluetooth, IrDA, which is a kind of wireless communication using infrared rays, may be used. In this case, it is necessary to provide an infrared port on the electronic application device 10 and the portable device 20 and to make the infrared ports of the communication partners face each other, but communication is possible up to a distance of about 1 m. Detection of approach using IrDA is the same as that of Bluetooth except that communication is performed by infrared rays.
[0020]
Alternatively, RFID using radio waves may be used. RFID includes a method such as an electromagnetic coupling method and an electromagnetic induction method, and the distance at which approach can be detected is from several mm to about 5 m depending on the difference between these methods. Examples of portable devices that use RFID include a device that uses a non-contact tag, a non-contact label, a non-contact card, and the like (hereinafter, referred to as a “non-contact tag”). In the case of using the RFID, the approach detection unit 16 is electromagnetically (that is, non-contact) coupled to the mobile device 20, detects the approach of the mobile device 20, and instructs switching to the voice operation mode.
[0021]
In FIG. 2, the switching unit 12 does not switch to the voice operation mode while the use in the manual operation mode is continued. Therefore, during this time, even if the approach detection unit 16 detects the approach of the portable device 20 and instructs the switching unit 12 to switch to the voice operation mode, the switching unit 12 does not switch to the voice operation mode. The switching unit 12 determines whether or not the use in the manual operation mode is continued by checking whether or not the next operation has been performed before a certain time has elapsed from the last operation in the manual operation mode. . That is, if there is no next operation within a certain period of time, it is determined that the use of the manual operation mode has been completed.
[0022]
Furthermore, when the switching unit 12 receives an instruction to switch to the voice operation mode from the approach detection unit 16 while the use in the manual operation mode is continued, the voice operation control unit 14 does not switch to the voice operation mode. Is instructed to notify the operator. The voice operation control unit 14 instructed to notify notifies the operator via the voice input / output I / F 17.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in an electronic application device such as a copy, a facsimile, a printer, an ATM, a ticket vending machine or the like which can cope with an operation / notification using a voice, or an electronic application device combining some of them, It is possible to automatically switch from the manual operation mode using the operation panel to the voice operation mode used by a visually impaired person or the like simply by the approach of the portable device carried by the operator.
[0024]
According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to automatically switch between the manual operation mode and the voice operation mode by using a low-cost, low-power-consumption Bluetooth-compatible portable device.
[0025]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since IrDA uses infrared rays, it is possible to automatically switch between the manual operation mode and the voice operation mode by using a portable device at a lower price than Bluetooth. .
[0026]
According to the invention of claim 4, by selecting the RFID system, the approach detection distance can be selected in a range from 5 m to several mm. In addition, since a non-contact tag or the like can be created by applying a printing technique, the cost is very low. Furthermore, since electric power induced by radio waves is used, there is no need to mount batteries etc. on non-contact tags, etc., and manual operation is possible at lower cost and using portable equipment that does not require battery replacement. The mode and the voice operation mode can be automatically switched.
[0027]
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, even when the operator in the voice operation mode approaches, the operation in the manual operation mode in use is not interrupted.
[0028]
According to the invention of claim 6, when the operator in the voice operation mode approaches the electronic application apparatus, if the operator is already in the manual operation mode, the operator in the manual operation mode is currently using the apparatus. This can be grasped by voice, and the operation mode can be switched without confusion even in an environment where operators in the manual operation mode and the voice operation mode are mixed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a usage example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit for explaining one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electronic application device, 11 ... Operation panel I / F, 12 ... Switching means, 13 ... Normal operation control part, 14 ... Voice operation control part, 15 ... Application, 16 ... Proximity detection part, 17 ... Speech input / output I / F, 20: Portable device.

Claims (6)

In an electronic application device such as a copy, a fax, a printer or the like that can respond to operation / notification using a voice or an electronic application device that combines them, the electronic application device is a portable device carried by an operator using a voice. Approach detection means for detecting that the electronic apparatus has approached, and operation mode switching means for switching from a manual operation mode using an operation panel to a voice operation mode using voice when the approach detection means detects the approach of the portable device. An electronic application device comprising: 2. The electronic application apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the approach of the portable device is detected by Bluetooth, and when a connection with the portable device is established, the mode is switched from a manual operation mode to a voice operation mode. 2. The electronic application apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an approach of the portable device is detected by IrDA (Infrared Data Association), and when a connection with the portable device is established, a hand operation mode is switched to a voice operation mode. . 2. The electronic application apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the approach of the portable device is detected by RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), the mode is switched from a manual operation mode to a voice operation mode. The electronic application device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic application device includes a switching suppression unit that does not switch to the voice operation mode while being operated in the manual operation mode. 6. The electronic application device according to claim 5, further comprising: a notifying unit configured to notify an operator who carries the portable device not to switch to the voice operation mode when not switching to the voice operation mode. Electronic application equipment.

Images