JP2005219460A - Image forming apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it easy to recognize the voice output from an apparatus and to improve voice recognition rate of the voice input to the apparatus, even if the apparatus generates noise during operation, for example, when images are being formed or during warm-up of an image forming means. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 2001 performs control by associating voice input/output timing with operation state of the image forming apparatus. For example, the CPU increases volume of the voice output from a voice input/output unit 500 in accordance with operation state of the image forming apparatus (scanner 10, printer 20), prohibits voice input, increases the sampling rate of the voice data, or stops operation of the image forming apparatus (scanner 10, printer 20) during voice input/output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an audio input / output unit, a control method for the image forming apparatus, and a program.

As a conventional technology, in recent years, it has been used to input voice in various situations such as character input on a personal computer (PC), address search on a car navigation system, destination phone number on a mobile phone, voice guidance on a facsimile, etc. Output is proposed. Under such circumstances, an apparatus that outputs sound to an image forming apparatus is also being studied.
JP 2003-316564 A

  However, unlike an apparatus such as a PC, a car navigation system, or a mobile phone, an image forming apparatus may generate noise generated by the apparatus itself, such as a mechanical operation for performing a printing operation, as compared with the above apparatus. . Therefore, simply applying the audio technology used in PCs, car navigation systems, and cellular phones to image forming apparatuses, for example, may cause audio output due to noise generated during image formation or image forming apparatus warm-up. Problems such as difficulty in listening or a decrease in the speech recognition rate of the input speech due to noise mixed in the speech input are expected. As described above, even when an image forming apparatus corresponding to sound is proposed, not only the conventional technology but also problems that may occur should be dealt with. Actually, the characteristics, characteristics, and usage environment of the image forming apparatus Proposals based on such considerations are desired.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to increase the output volume of the audio output unit according to the operation status of the image forming apparatus, or to perform the audio input of the audio input unit. By correlating and controlling the timing of audio input / output and the operating status of the image forming apparatus, such as prohibiting, increasing the sampling rate of audio data, or stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus during audio input / output An image forming apparatus that makes it easy to hear voice output and improves the voice recognition rate of voice input even if it is a device that generates noise during operation, such as during warming up of image forming means or during image formation And an image forming apparatus control method and program.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having an image processing unit that forms an image on a recording medium and an audio output unit that outputs digitized audio data as sound, according to an operating state of the image processing unit. Control means for changing and controlling the output volume by the sound output means is provided.

  The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus having an image processing means for forming an image on a recording medium and a sound input means for inputting sound as digitized sound data when the image processing means is in operation. And a control means for prohibiting the voice input by the voice input means.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having image processing means for forming an image on a recording medium and sound input means for inputting sound as digitized sound data in accordance with the operating state of the image processing means. And control means for changing and controlling a sampling rate of the audio data by the audio input means.

  The present invention also includes an image processing unit that forms an image on a recording medium, a voice output unit that outputs digitized voice data as sound, and a voice input unit that inputs sound as digitized voice data. The image forming apparatus further includes a control unit that prohibits and controls the operation of the image forming unit when the sound is output by the sound output unit and the sound is input by the sound input unit.

  According to the present invention, the output volume of the audio output unit is increased according to the operation status of the image processing unit that performs image formation, the audio input of the audio input unit is prohibited, the input sampling rate is increased, the audio input is By stopping the operation of the image processing means during output and controlling the voice input / output timing and the operation status of the image forming apparatus in association with each other, noise is generated during image formation or during warming up of the image processing means. Even with such a device, the sound output can be easily heard, and the speech recognition rate of the input sound can be remarkably improved.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a network system to which the image forming apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 200 denotes an Internet communication network (hereinafter referred to as the Internet). A web server 201 is connected to the Internet 200 and provides a specific service to Internet users. An electronic money server 202 performs a settlement process between a financial institution and a consumer client. Reference numeral 204 denotes a service provider that performs connection processing between a personal user terminal and the Internet 200.

  A firewall 203 connects the LAN 2011 and an external communication network (Internet 200), and performs security management and the like. Reference numeral 210 denotes a device management server that manages devices 211 to 214, 220, etc. connected via the LAN 2011. Reference numeral 211 denotes a file server, which allows a plurality of users connected via the LAN 2011 to share data.

  An image forming apparatus 220 such as a digital copying machine mainly has an image input / output function. In the image forming apparatus 220, reference numeral 140 denotes an operation unit for the user to perform various operations. Reference numeral 10 denotes an image scanner (hereinafter referred to as a scanner) for reading an image in accordance with instructions from the operation unit 140 and personal computers (personal computers) 212 and 213. Reference numeral 20 denotes a printer for printing data from the personal computers 212 and 213 and the file server 211 on paper.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a controller unit which controls input / output of image data to the scanner 10 and the printer 20 based on instructions from the operation unit 140 and the personal computers 212 and 213. For example, the controller 30 performs control such as storing the image data captured by the scanner 10 in a memory inside the controller 30, outputting the image data to the personal computers 212 and 213, or printing with the printer 20.

  A printer 214 can print image data from the personal computers 212 and 213 and the file server 211 on a recording medium. Reference numerals 212 and 213 denote personal computers (personal computers) connected as terminal devices. The personal computers 212 and 213 can browse information provided from the web server 201 via the Internet 200 and can output image data to the image forming apparatus 220 and the printer 214.

  The above configuration is configured such that the LAN 2011 is connected to the Internet 200 via the firewall 203, but a configuration in which a firewall is connected via the service provider 204 may be used.

  2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 220 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 2, a scanner 10 that is an image input device irradiates a document image with a lamp, reads it with a CCD line sensor (not shown), and converts it into an electrical signal to process it as image data.

  Reference numeral 146 denotes a document feeder. When a document sheet is set on the document feeder 146 and the user of the apparatus gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 140, the document feeder 146 feeds the document sheet one by one to read a document image. I do.

  The printer 20 that is an image output device is a part that converts image data into an image on paper. In this embodiment, an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt will be described. Alternatively, an ink jet system that prints an image directly on a sheet by ejecting ink from the ink may be used. Note that the printing operation is started by an instruction from a controller (described later) in the apparatus.

  The printer 20 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has paper cassettes 122, 124, 142, and 144 corresponding thereto. Further, the paper on which the image is formed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 132.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 220 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Details of the configuration and operation will be described below.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 101 denotes an original platen glass, and the originals fed from the automatic original feeder 146 are sequentially placed at predetermined positions. Reference numeral 102 denotes a document illumination lamp composed of, for example, a halogen lamp, which exposes a document placed on the document table glass 101. Reference numerals 103, 104, and 105 denote scanning mirrors, which are accommodated in an optical scanning unit (not shown), and guide reflected light from the document to the CCD unit 106 while reciprocating.

  The CCD unit 106 includes an imaging lens 107 that forms an image of reflected light from an original on the CCD, for example, an image sensor 108 composed of a CCD, a CCD driver 109 that drives the image sensor 108, and the like. An image signal output from the image sensor 108 is converted into, for example, 8-bit digital data and then input to the controller unit 30. Reference numeral 110 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is discharged by a pre-exposure lamp 112 in preparation for image formation. A primary charger 113 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 110.

  Reference numeral 117 denotes an exposure unit, which is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser and exposes the photosensitive drum 110 based on image data processed by the controller unit 30 that performs image formation and overall control of the apparatus, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. . Reference numeral 118 denotes a developing device that contains a black developer (toner). A pre-transfer charger 119 applies a high voltage before transferring the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 110 onto a sheet.

  Reference numerals 120, 122, 124, 142, and 144 denote paper feeding units (120 is a manual paper feeding unit), and the transfer paper is fed into the apparatus by driving of the paper feeding rollers 121, 123, 125, 143, and 145. Then, the operation is temporarily stopped at the position where the registration roller 126 is disposed, and the writing start timing with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is taken and the paper is fed again.

  A transfer charger 127 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 110 onto a transfer sheet to be fed. Reference numeral 128 denotes a separation charger that separates the transfer sheet on which the transfer operation has been completed from the photosensitive drum 110. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 110 without being transferred is collected by the cleaner 111.

  Reference numeral 129 denotes a conveyance belt which conveys the transfer sheet on which the transfer process has been completed to the fixing device 130 and is fixed by heat, for example. Reference numeral 131 denotes a flapper that controls the transfer path of the transfer sheet after the fixing process to one of the arrangement directions of the sorter 132 and the intermediate tray 137. Reference numerals 133 to 136 denote feeding rollers which feed the transfer paper once the fixing process is completed to the intermediate tray 137 by being reversed (multiple) or non-reversed (both sides). Reference numeral 138 denotes a re-feed roller that transports the transfer paper placed on the intermediate tray 137 to the position where the registration roller 126 is disposed again.

  The controller unit 30 includes a microcomputer, an image processing unit, and the like, which will be described later, and performs the above-described image forming operation according to an instruction from the operation unit 140.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation unit 140 shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1032 denotes an LCD display unit, which has a touch panel sheet pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and transmits position information to the controller unit 30 when a displayed key is pressed. The system operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit 1032 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  Reference numeral 1028 denotes a numeric keypad which is used when inputting numbers such as the number of copies. Reference numeral 1029 denotes a start key, which is used when starting a document image reading operation. Reference numeral 1030 denotes a stop key, which is used to stop an operation in operation. Reference numeral 1031 denotes a reset key, which is used when initializing settings from the operation unit. A soft switch 1034 is used when the image forming apparatus is set to the sleep state and when the image forming apparatus is returned from the sleep state.

  Reference numeral 1023 denotes a guide key. When the key function is not understood, an explanation of the key is displayed. Reference numeral 1024 denotes a copy mode key which is pressed when copying. Reference numeral 1025 denotes a facsimile (FAX) key which is pressed to make settings related to a fax. A file key 1026 is pressed to output file data. Reference numeral 1027 denotes a printer key, which is used to make settings relating to print output from an external device such as a computer.

  Reference numeral 1033 denotes a voice guide key, which can be set by pressing the key when performing voice guidance, and can be canceled by pressing again to turn the setting off. When the handset 502 is off-hook, it is used as a voice input start / end key. When the key is pressed, voice input is started, and when the key is pressed again, voice input is ended. At this time, an off-hook detection button (not shown) at a place where the handset 502 is placed (a place on a normal telephone) performs an operation equivalent to the voice guide key.

  Reference numeral 501 denotes a speaker, and a voice guide is output through the speaker. Reference numeral 502 denotes a handset that can be used to input voice or listen to a voice guide.

  FIG. 5 is a basic screen displayed on LCD display portion 1032 of operation panel 140 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1001 denotes an extended function key. When this key is pressed, a mode such as double-sided copying, multiple copying, movement, binding margin setting, frame erase setting, etc., is entered. An image mode key 1002 enters a setting mode for performing shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking on a copy image. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a user mode key, which can register a mode memory and set a standard mode screen for each user. Reference numeral 1004 denotes an applied zoom key, which enters a mode for independently scaling the X and Y directions of a document, and a zoom program mode for calculating a scaling factor from the document size and copy size.

  Reference numerals 1005, 1006, and 1007 denote an M1 key, an M2 key, and an M3 key, which are pressed when calling each mode memory. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a call key, which is pressed to call the copy mode that was previously set. An option key 1009 sets an optional function such as a film projector for copying directly from the film.

  Reference numeral 1010 denotes a sorter key for setting modes such as sort output and group output. Reference numeral 1011 denotes a document mixed loading key which is pressed when setting A4 size and A3 size or B5 size and B4 size documents together in the document feeder. Reference numeral 1012 denotes an equal magnification key which is pressed when the copy magnification is set to 100%.

  Reference numerals 1014 and 1015 denote a reduction key and an enlargement key, respectively, which are pressed when performing regular reduction and enlargement. Reference numeral 1016 denotes a zoom key which is pressed when performing non-standard reduction or enlargement in increments of 1%. A sheet selection key 1013 is pressed when selecting a copy sheet. Reference numerals 1018 and 1020 denote density keys, which are darkly copied every time 1018 is pressed and lightly copied every time 1020 is pressed.

  Reference numeral 1017 denotes a density display. When the density key is pressed, the display changes to the left and right. Reference numeral 1019 denotes an AE key which is pressed when a document having a dark background such as a newspaper is copied for automatic density adjustment. Reference numeral 1021 denotes a HiFi key, which is pressed when copying a document having a large halftone density such as a photographic document. Reference numeral 1022 denotes a character emphasis key which is pressed when it is desired to make a character stand out when copying a character document.

  6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner 10 and the printer 20 in the image forming apparatus 220 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the scanner 10, reference numeral 751 denotes a CPU that controls the entire scanner 10, and sequentially reads and executes programs from a read-only memory 753 (ROM) that stores control programs. The CPU address bus and data bus are connected to each load via a circuit 752 including a bus driver and an address decoder. Further, it is connected to the CPU of the controller unit 30 and performs communication.

  Reference numeral 754 denotes a random access memory (RAM) as a main storage device used as input data storage, a working storage area, or the like. Reference numeral 755 denotes an I / O interface, which is connected to each load of devices such as a motor 756 for driving a paper feed system, a transport system, and an optical system, a lamp 757, and a paper detection sensor 758 for detecting a transported paper. Connected. The image data read by the CCD unit 106 is transferred to the controller unit 30.

  Next, in the printer 20, reference numeral 701 denotes a CPU that controls the printer 20, and sequentially reads and executes programs from a read-only memory 703 (ROM) that stores control procedures (control programs). The address bus and data bus of the CPU 701 are connected to each load through a circuit 702 including a bus driver and an address decoder. Reference numeral 704 denotes a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used as a storage area for input data, a working storage area, or the like.

  Reference numeral 705 denotes an I / O interface, and motors 707, clutches 708, solenoids 709 for driving the paper feed system, transport system, and optical system, and paper detection sensors 710 for detecting the transported paper. Connected to each load of the device. The developing device 118 is provided with a toner remaining amount sensor 711 for detecting the amount of toner in the developing device, and an output signal thereof is input to the I / O port 705.

  A high voltage unit 715 outputs a high voltage to the above-described primary charger 113, developing device 118, pre-transfer charger 119, transfer charger 127, and separation charger 128 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 701.

  The image signal output from the CCD unit 106 is subjected to image processing to be described later by the controller unit 30, and a control signal for the laser unit 117 is output according to the image data. Laser light output from the laser unit 117 irradiates and exposes the photosensitive drum 110, and a light emission state is detected by a beam detection sensor 713 which is a light receiving sensor in a non-image area, and an output signal thereof is an I / O port 705. Is input.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller unit 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the controller unit 30 is connected to the scanner 10 that is an image input device and the printer 20 that is an image output device, and on the other hand, is connected to a LAN 2011 or a public line (WAN) 2051, thereby This is a controller for inputting and outputting device information.

  The CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system by loading a program stored in the ROM 2003, the HDD 2004, or other storage medium into the RAM 2002 and executing it. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for operating the CPU 2001, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 2004 stores system software, image data, software counter values, and the like. An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 140 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 140 to the operation unit 140.

  Further, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 140 to the CPU 2001. A network 2010 is connected to the LAN 2011 and inputs / outputs information. The Modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs information.

  The voice input / output unit 500 performs control for outputting voice to the speaker, outputting voice to the handset, and inputting voice.

  A scanner / printer communication I / F 2009 is an I / F for communicating with the CPUs of the scanner 10 and the printer 20. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

  An ImageBus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts a data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 2060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 10 and the printer 20 that are image input / output devices and the controller unit 30 to perform synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. A printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. The image rotation processing unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression processing unit 2040 performs compression / decompression processing of JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

  Hereinafter, each block in the controller unit 30 shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, an image bus I / F controller 2081 is connected to the image bus 2008, and controls the bus access sequence and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080. A filter unit 2082 performs a convolution operation with a spatial filter. An editing unit 2083 recognizes, for example, a closed region surrounded by a marker pen from input image data, and performs image processing such as shading, shading, and negative / positive reversal on the image data in the closed region. .

  Reference numeral 2084 denotes a scaling unit that performs an interpolation operation in the main scanning direction of the raster image to enlarge or reduce it when changing the resolution of the read image. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). A table conversion unit 2085 performs table conversion in order to convert image data that is read luminance data into density data. Reference numeral 2086 denotes a binarizing unit that binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing. The processed image data is transferred to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2081 again.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, an image bus I / F controller 2091 is connected to the image bus 2008 and controls the bus access sequence and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080. A resolution conversion unit 2092 performs resolution conversion for converting image data from the network 2011 or the public line 2051 into the resolution of the printer 20. The smoothing unit 2093 performs processing to smooth out jaggies (roughness of an image appearing in a black-and-white boundary portion such as an oblique line) of image data after resolution conversion.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image compression processing unit 2040 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, reference numeral 2041 denotes an image bus I / F controller which is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus access sequence, timing control for exchanging data with the input buffer 2042 and the output buffer 2045, and Control such as mode setting for the image compression unit 2043 is performed. The processing procedure of the image compression processing unit 2040 is shown below.

  Settings for image compression control are performed from the CPU 2001 to the image bus I / F controller 2041 via the image bus 2008. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 performs settings necessary for image compression (for example, MMR compression and JBIG expansion) for the image compression unit 2043.

  After performing the necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 2041. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2041 starts transferring image data from each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042, and the image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 2043.

  At this time, the input buffer determines whether image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, reads the image data from the image bus 2008, and reads the image compression unit 2043. When it is impossible to write an image on the screen, control is performed so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshaking). The image compression unit 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044.

  This is because several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing to be performed, and several lines of image data are prepared in order to compress the first one line. This is because the image cannot be compressed unless it is empty. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045.

  The output buffer 2045 performs handshaking with the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043 and transfers the image data to the image bus I / F controller 2041.

  The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred compressed (or expanded) image data to each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from this image compression unit (when an error occurs during compression and expansion). It is.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image rotation processing unit 2030 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, an image bus I / F controller 2031 is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus sequence, control to set a mode or the like in the image rotation unit 2032, and transfer image data to the image rotation unit 2032. Timing control is performed. The processing procedure of the image rotation processing unit 2030 is shown below.

  Settings for image rotation control are performed from the CPU 2001 to the image bus I / F controller 2031 via the image bus 2008. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2031 makes settings necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction / angle, etc.) to the image rotation unit 2032. After making the necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 2031. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2031 starts transferring image data from each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008.

  Here, the size is 32 bits and the image size to be rotated is 32 × 32 (bits), and image data is transferred in units of 32 bits when transferring image data on the image bus 2008 ( The image to be handled is assumed to be binary).

As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform the above unit data transfer 32 times, and it is necessary to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses. (See Figure 12)
The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written in the RAM 2033 so that it is rotated at a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, if the rotation is 90 degrees counterclockwise, the first transferred 32-bit image data is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. By reading in the X direction at the time of reading, the image is rotated.

  After the 32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (writing to the RAM 2033) is completed, the image rotation unit 2032 reads the image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-described reading method, and transfers the image to the image bus I / F controller 2031.

  The image bus I / F controller 2031 that has received the rotated image data transfers the data to each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008 by continuous addressing.

  Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the necessary number of pages is completed).

  12 and 13 are schematic diagrams for explaining the image rotation processing procedure by the image rotation unit 2032 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the device I / F unit 2020 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 14, an image bus I / F controller 2021 is connected to the image bus 2008, and controls the bus access sequence and generates control and timing of each device in the device I / F unit 2020. In addition, control signals to the scanner 10 and the printer 20 are generated. The scan buffer 2022 temporarily stores the image data sent from the scanner 10 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the image bus 2008.

  Reference numeral 2023 denotes a serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion unit that arranges or sequentially decomposes image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 and converts the image data into a data width that can be transferred to the image bus 2008.

  A parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion unit 2024 decomposes the image data transferred from the image bus 2008 or arranges the image data in order, and converts the image data into a data width that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. A print buffer 2025 temporarily stores image data sent from the image bus 2008 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the printer 20.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure at the time of image scanning will be described.

  The image data sent from the scanner 10 is stored in the scan buffer 2022 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 10. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when image data is 32 bits or more in the buffer, the image data is sent from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion unit 2023 by 32 bits in a first-in first-out manner. The image data is converted into bit image data and transferred to the image bus 2008 through the image bus I / F controller 2021. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the image data in the buffer is first-in-first-out, sent from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion unit 2023, converted into serial image data, and the image data through the image bus I / F controller 2021. Transfer to the bus 2008.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure at the time of image printing will be described.

  When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller 2021, sent to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion unit 2024, and input data of the printer 20. The image data is decomposed into bit-number image data and stored in the print buffer 2025. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE 1394, serial image data sent from the image bus 2008 is received by the image bus I / F controller 2021 and sent to the parallel serial / serial / parallel conversion unit 2024 for input data of the printer 20. The image data is converted into image data of the number of bits and stored in the print buffer 2025. Then, in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the printer 20, the image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 20 in a first-in first-out manner.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of the voice input / output unit 500 shown in FIG. 7, and includes the characteristic configuration of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the voice input / output unit 500 includes a circuit as voice output means for outputting voice data input from the CPU 2001 via the system bus 2007 from the speaker 501 or the handset 502, and voice input from the handset 502. The audio data is input to the CPU 2001 of the controller unit 30 via the system bus 2007.

  The speaker 501 outputs the analog signal input from the amplifier 529 as a sound. The handset 502 outputs the audio signal of the analog signal input from the amplifier 528, the analog signal input to the amplifier 537, and the on-hook / off-hook detection signal of the handset 502 to the register control unit 513.

  The register control unit 513 includes various registers as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a register included in the register control unit 513 illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16, reference numeral 513-1 denotes a control register, volume_reg which is a volume control register for controlling the output volume, and sample_reg which is an audio data-sampling frequency control register for controlling the sampling frequency of audio data. , Interpolate_reg for controlling the data interpolation method by the interpolation unit 523 and the data thinning method by the thinning unit 533, and amp1_reg, amp2_reg, and amp3_reg for controlling ON_OFF of the amplifiers 528, 529, and 537.

  Reference numeral 513-2 denotes a status register, which is a handset_reg indicating the on-hook / off-hook state of the handset 502, an out_start_reg indicating the start / end of the voice output process, an in_start_reg indicating the start / end of the voice input process, and an empty state of the FIFO 521 FIFO0empty_reg, FIFO1empty_reg, FIFO2empty_reg and FIFO3empty_reg indicating the empty state of the FIFO 531 are provided.

  Reference numeral 513-3 denotes a counter register, which includes count0_reg and count1_reg indicating addresses of write positions and read positions of the FIFO 521, and count2_reg and count3_reg indicating addresses of write positions and read positions of the FIFO 531.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  A PCI I / F control unit (bus I / F control unit) 511 inputs a control signal to the timing control unit 512 in order to generate read / write timings to the FIFOs 521 and 531, and between the system bus 2007 and the FIFOs 521 and 531. Exchange voice data. Also, the PCI I / F control unit 511 performs reading / writing to various registers of the register control unit 513 and interrupts the CPU 2001 based on the interrupt signal input by the interrupt generation unit 516.

  The timing control unit 512 reads / writes data from / to the FIFOs 521 and 531 according to the control signal of the PCI I / F control unit 511 and the values of the control register 513-1 (FIG. 16) and the status register 513-2 (FIG. 16) of the register control unit 513. The timing control is performed. Further, the timing control unit 512 has addresses indicating the write position and read position of the FIFOs 521 and 531 as the counter register 513-3 (FIG. 16) of the register control unit 513, and also performs count-up control thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the register control unit 513 includes a PCI I / F control unit 511, a timing control unit 512, an electronic volume control unit 514, an amplifier ON_OFF control unit 515, an interrupt generation unit 516, A / D, D / A control unit 517, data conversion units 522, 524, 532, 534, an interpolation unit 523, a control register 513-1 used in the thinning-out unit 533, a status register 513-2, and a counter register 513-3 are provided. It also controls the registers.

  As an example of control of these registers by the register control unit 513, the ON_OFF of the handset_reg in the status register 513-2 is switched by the on-hook / off-hook detection signal input from the handset 502, and the write position and read position of the FIFOs 521 and 531 are indicated. When the counter register 513-3 reaches the FIFO size, the ON_OFF of the FIFO0empty_reg to the FIFO3empty_reg of the status register 513-2 is switched, and the out_start_reg and in_start_reg of the status register 513-2 indicating the start / end of the processing of the voice input / output unit 500 are turned ON / OFF Or switching.

  Reference numeral 514 denotes an electronic volume control unit which controls the volume of the electronic volume 527 in accordance with volume_reg of the control register 513-1 of the register control unit 513. The control register 513-1 of the register control unit 513 is controlled by the CPU 2001 via the PCI I / F control unit 511.

  An amplifier ON_OFF control unit 515 performs ON_OFF control of the amplifiers 528, 529, and 537 according to amp1_reg, amp2_reg, and amp3_reg of the control register 513-1 of the register control unit 513. Amp1_reg, amp2_reg, and amp3_reg of the control register 513-1 of the register control unit 513 are controlled by the CPU 2001 via the PCI I / F control unit 511.

  In addition, the electronic volume control unit 514 may perform ON_OFF control of the volume of the electronic volume 527 by using a handset_reg of the status register 513-2 indicating on-hook / off-hook of the handset 502.

  The interrupt generation unit 516 generates an interrupt signal when the status of the status register 513-2 of the register control unit 513 changes, and outputs the interrupt signal to the CPU 2001 via the PCI I / F control unit 511. Here, as an example of generating an interrupt signal, when on-hook / off-hook detection of the handset 502 is detected (that is, when the handset_reg of the status register 513-2 has changed), reading and writing of the FIFOs 521 and 531 are completed ( That is, when FIFO0empty_reg to FIFO3empty_reg of status register 513-2 change, when processing of voice input / output unit 500 ends (that is, when out_start_reg, in_start_reg of status register 513-2 changes to OFF), etc. It is done.

  Reference numeral 517 denotes an A / D / D / A control unit, which changes sampling frequencies of the D / A conversion unit 525 and the A / D conversion unit 535 according to sample_reg of the control register 513-1 of the register control unit 513, ON_OFF control, and conversion start. Take control. The sample_reg of the control register 513-1 of the register control unit 513 is controlled by the CPU 2001 via the PCI I / F control unit 511. In addition, the A / D and D / A control unit 517 may perform ON_OFF control on the sampling frequencies of the D / A conversion unit 525 and the A / D conversion unit 535 according to the handset_reg of the status register 513-2 indicating on-hook and off-hook. .

  FIFO (First In First Out) 521 and 531 are buffer memories for audio data. Here, the FIFO may have a double buffer configuration.

  The data conversion units 522, 524, 532, and 534 are connected to the data width used in the data processing, such as the interpolation unit 523 or the thinning-out unit 533, and the FIFOs 521, 531, the D / A conversion unit 525, and the A / D conversion unit 535. It is a data conversion unit for adjusting the data width. This conversion unit becomes unnecessary when all the data is processed with the same data width.

  The interpolation unit 523 performs data interpolation when the sampling frequency of the audio data converted by the data conversion unit 522 is smaller than the sampling frequency of the D / A conversion unit 525 and the data amount is small. Further, the interpolation unit 523 changes the interpolation method according to the interpolate_reg of the control register 513-1 of the register control unit 513. The interpolate_reg of the control register 513-1 of the register control unit 513 is controlled by the CPU 2001 via the PCI I / F control unit 511.

  The D / A conversion unit 525 converts the digital signal into an analog signal according to the sampling frequency set by the A / D and D / A control unit 517. Reference numerals 526 and 536 denote LPFs (Low Pass Filters), which are filters that cut high-frequency components. Here, the cut-off frequency of the LPF 526 is a frequency that is ½ or less of the sampling frequency of the D / A conversion unit 525, and the cut-off frequency of the LPF 536 is a frequency that is ½ or less of the sampling frequency of the A / D conversion unit 535. is there.

  The electronic volume 527 adjusts the volume, and the volume is controlled by the electronic volume controller 514. The amplifiers 528, 529, and 537 perform signal amplification, and ON_OFF is controlled by the amplifier ON_OFF control unit 515.

  The thinning unit 533 thins data when the sampling frequency of the audio data in the data conversion unit 532 is smaller than the sampling frequency in the A / D conversion unit 535 and the amount of data is small. Further, the thinning-out unit 533 changes the thinning-out method according to the interpolate_reg of the control register 513-1 of the register control unit 513.

  The A / D converter 535 converts an analog signal into a digital signal according to the sampling frequency set by the A / D and D / A control unit 517.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure at the time of voice output and a processing procedure at the time of voice input will be described.

  First, the processing procedure at the time of voice output will be described by taking, as an example, “when voice guidance key 1033 is pressed,“ voice guidance starts ””.

  First, the digitized voice data “Start voice guidance” is stored in the HDD 2004. When the CPU 2001 detects that the voice guide key 1033 is pressed, the voice data is expanded from the HDD 2004 to the RAM 2002. .

  Thereafter, the CPU 2001 issues a transfer request to the PCI I / F control unit 511 and the register control unit 513, and the PCI I / F control unit 511 transfers the audio data on the RAM 2002 to the FIFO 521. Thereafter, when a certain amount is accumulated in the FIFO 521, the FIFO 521 passes the audio data to the data conversion unit 522. Here, the data conversion unit 522 is a block that converts the data width of the FIFO 521 and the data width to be internally processed, and the conversion method is controlled by the register value in the register control unit 513.

  The interpolation unit 523 performs data interpolation using a data width that can be used for internal processing by the data conversion unit 522. This data interpolation is performed to match the sampling rate of audio data and the sampling rate of D / A conversion, and the interpolation method is controlled by a register value (interpolate_reg) in the register control unit 513.

  Next, the interpolating unit 523 passes the audio data to the data converting unit 524, and converts the data width so that the data converting unit 524 can perform D / A conversion. Again, the conversion method is controlled by the register value as described above.

  Next, the D / A converter 525 converts the digital signal input from the data converter 524 into an analog signal and passes the signal to the LPF 526. At this time, noise due to the sampling rate is mixed. Therefore, in order to remove noise caused by the sampling rate, the LPF 526 is designed so that a frequency that is ½ of the sampling rate is equal to or lower than the cutoff frequency.

  The filtered analog signal is input to the electronic volume 527, and the volume is controlled by a register value (value of volume_reg of the control register 513-1) through the electronic volume control unit 514 as will be described later.

  The volume-controlled analog signal is output from the speaker 501 via the amplifiers 528 and 529 as “Start voice guidance”. Here, when the handset 502 is in an off-hook state (when handsets_reg of the status register 513-2 is ON), the amplifier 529 is turned off by the amplifier ON_OFF control unit 515, and a sound can be heard only from the handset 502.

  Next, a processing procedure at the time of voice input will be described.

  First, when the voice guide key 1033 is pressed while the handset 502 is in an off-hook state, the CPU 2001 detecting this outputs a transfer request to the PCI I / F control unit 511 and a voice data conversion request to the register control unit 513. Then, the amplifier 537 is turned on by the amplifier ON_OFF control unit 515, the analog signal input from the microphone is amplified by the amplifier 537, and the LPF 536 having a cutoff frequency corresponding to half the sampling rate of the A / D conversion unit 535. Is input to the A / D conversion unit 535.

  Thereafter, in order to match the data width of the A / D conversion unit 535 and the data width used for internal processing, the data conversion unit 534 is entered and the thinning unit 533 is entered. The decimation unit 533 is a block for converting the A / D conversion sampling rate into the audio data sampling rate, and the decimation method is controlled by the register value (interpolate_reg). The thinned data is converted into the data width of the FIFO 531 by the data conversion unit 532, and the PCI I / F control unit 511 transfers the data to the RAM 2002. Thereafter, the CPU 2001 performs voice recognition processing based on the voice data.

  Each control method of the image forming apparatus including the voice input / output unit described above will be described below.

  First, the configuration of variables and constants stored in the RAM 2002 shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the configuration of variables and constants stored in the RAM 2002 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the RAM 2002 stores a plurality of variables and a plurality of constants. The constants may be stored in a nonvolatile memory area in the RAM 2002, or may be stored in the HDD 2004 or the like and loaded into the RAM 2002 when the power is turned on.

  Next, a method for controlling the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the above description and FIGS.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 18, a description will be given of a rough state transition of the image forming apparatus and a change accompanying a state transition of a variable volume related to the control method of the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 18 is a state transition diagram showing the state transition of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and ST100 to ST107 indicate the respective states (states). The processing operation of the CPU 2001 shown in this state transition diagram corresponds to the first control process of the present invention. Also, “A + = B” used in the figure means that A plus B is substituted into A, and “A− = B” means that A minus B is subtracted from A. It means to assign.

  In FIG. 18, ST100 is a start-state, which means an initial state. When a power supply SW (not shown) is turned on, this state is controlled by the CPU 2001, and the CPU 2001 is stored in the RAM 2002 as shown in FIG. Control is performed so that a constant VOLUME, which is a default value, is substituted into the variable volume.

  The start-state ST100 is automatically shifted to the warm-up-state ST101 (the CPU 2001 is controlled so as to shift to the warm-up-state ST101 after a predetermined time elapses). At this time, the CPU 2001 sets the variable volume to a constant VOL_A. Is added. Here, the constants VOLUME and VOL_A are preset constants that can be arbitrarily changed by the user, and are stored in the RAM 2002 as shown in FIG.

  In the warm-up state ST101, the CPU 2001 performs maintenance control until the fixing device 130 becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature, and when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature, controls to shift to the standby-state ST102. At this time, the CPU 2001 controls to subtract the constant VOL_A from the variable volume.

  If the CPU 2001 determines that the start key 1029 has been pressed during warm-up, the CPU 2001 controls the state of the apparatus to shift to scan & warm-up-state ST107, and adds a constant VOL_B to the variable volume at this time. To control. Here, the constant VOL_B is a preset constant that can be arbitrarily changed by the user, and is stored in the RAM 2002 as shown in FIG.

  The standby state ST102 means a standby state, and image formation is possible at any time in this state. If the CPU 2001 determines that the soft switch 1034 has been pressed in the standby state ST102, the CPU 2001 controls the transition of the apparatus state to the sleep state ST103. If the CPU 2001 determines that the start key 1029 has been pressed in the standby-state ST102, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus to shift to the scan-state ST104. At this time, the CPU 2001 adds the constant VOL_B to the variable volume. Control to do.

  If the CPU 2001 determines that an image output request has been received from the personal computers 212, 213, etc. connected to the LAN 2011 in the standby state ST102, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus state to shift to the print state ST106. Control is performed so as to add a constant VOL_C to the variable volume.

  Here, the constant VOL_C is a preset constant that can be arbitrarily changed by the user, and is stored in the RAM 2002 as shown in FIG.

  The sleep-state ST103 means a low power state. In this state, a JOB cannot be processed, and a sleep return is necessary. When the CPU 2001 determines that the soft switch 1034 has been pressed in the sleep-state ST103 or has received a JOB from the LAN 2011, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus to shift to the warm-up-state ST101. Control is performed so that a constant VOL_A is added to volume.

  ST104 is a scan-state, meaning that only the scanner is operating. If the CPU 2001 determines that a print job request has occurred in this scan-state ST104, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus to shift to the scan-and-print-state ST105. At this time, the constant VOL_C is added to the variable volume. To control.

  Further, when the CPU 2001 determines that the scan job is completed in the scan-state ST104, the CPU 2001 controls to shift the state of the apparatus to the standby-state ST102 at that time, and subtracts the constant VOL_B from the variable volume at this time. Control to do.

  ST105 is a scan & print-state, which means a state in which both the scanner and the printer are operating. When the CPU 2001 determines that the scan job is completed in this scan & print-state ST105, at that time, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus to shift to the print-state ST106, and at this time, the constant VOL_B is set from the variable volume. Control to subtract.

  If the CPU 2001 determines in the scan & print-state ST105 that the print job has been completed, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus state to shift to the scan-state ST104 at that time, and at this time, a constant is determined from the variable volume. Control to subtract VOL_C.

  ST106 is a print-state, meaning that only the printer is operating. When the CPU 2001 determines that a scan job request has occurred in this print-state ST106, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus state to shift to the scan-and-print-state ST105, and adds a constant VOL_B to the variable volume at this time. To control.

  Further, when the CPU 2001 determines that the print job is completed in the print-state ST106, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus state to shift to the standby-state ST102 at that time, and subtracts the constant VOL_C from the variable volume at this time. Control to do.

  ST107 is a scan & warm-up state, which means a state where the scanner and the fixing device 130 are operating. When the CPU 2001 determines that the scan job has been completed in this scan & warm-up-state ST107, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus state so as to shift to the warm-up-state ST101. At this time, a constant is determined from the variable volume. Control to subtract VOL_B.

  Note that the processing of the CPU 2001 described above is realized by loading a program stored in the ROM 2003 or other storage medium (recording medium) corresponding to the processing described above by the CPU 2001 into the RAM 2002 and executing it.

  It should be noted that a user, an administrator, or the like sets the constants VOL_A, VOL_B, and VOL_C to “0” in advance from the operation unit 140, the personal computers 212, 213, etc. It is also possible to set so that the output volume is not changed according to the statuses ST100 to ST107). That is, the user can freely set the output volume to be changed according to the operating state of the image forming apparatus by changing the settings of the constants VOL_A, VOL_B, and VOL_C (particularly, the constants VOL_A, VOL_B, and VOL_C are set to “0”). Can be set so that the output volume does not change.)

  The change of the variable volume accompanying the state transition has been described above. Next, how the audio output is controlled using the variable volume will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the second control processing procedure of the present invention, and S101 to S104 show the steps. Note that the CPU 2001 loads a program corresponding to steps S101, S102, and S104 stored in the ROM 2003 or other storage medium (recording medium) into the RAM 2002 and executes the program.

  First, the CPU 2001 substitutes the constant VOLUME in the RAM 2002 as a default value for the variable volume in the RAM 2002 (S101). Next, the CPU 2001 sets the variable volume as it is in the register volume_reg in the register control unit 513 of the voice input / output unit 500 (S102).

  Thereafter, the electronic volume control unit 514 of the audio input / output unit 500 changes the volume of the electronic volume 527 according to the value of the volume control register volume_reg in the register control unit 513 (S103).

  Thereafter, the CPU 2001 determines whether or not the variable volume has changed due to the state transition (S104), waits until there is a change, and only when it is determined that there has been a change, the CPU 2001 performs step S102 to change the volume of the electronic volume. Return to processing.

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, there is no image forming apparatus that controls the timing of audio input / output and the operation status of the image forming apparatus in association with each other. However, as described above, the computerized audio data is output as sound. In the image forming apparatus 220 including the voice input / output unit 500, the CPU 2001 changes the value of the variable volume in the RAM 2002 based on the operating state of the image forming apparatus 220 (the printer 20 and the scanner 10 as the image processing unit). Since the value of the variable “volume” is controlled to be set to the value of the volume control register “volume_reg” of the register control unit 513, and the electronic volume control unit 514 changes the output volume based on the value of the volume control register “volume_reg” of the register control unit 513. Increased the output volume according to the operating status of the image forming device By controlling the audio output timing and the operation status of the image forming apparatus in association with each other, noise is generated during operation such as during document reading, image formation, and warm-up of the printer 10. Even if the device is such a device, the voice output can be easily heard.

  Note that by changing the settings of the constants VOL_A, VOL_B, and VOL_C in the RAM 2002, the change volume of the audio output can be adjusted to a desired change volume. In particular, by selectively setting the constants VOL_A, VOL_B, and VOL_C in the RAM 2002 to values other than “0” or “0”, the timing of audio output and the operation status of the image forming apparatus can be set. It is possible to select whether or not to change the output volume in association.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the CPU 2001 changes and controls the output volume according to the operating state of the image forming apparatus has been described. However, when the image forming apparatus is operating, the audio input / output is prohibited. Also good. The embodiment will be described below.

  Next, a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the above description and FIGS.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 20, a description will be given of a change accompanying a state transition of a variable action related to the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the description of each state and state transition is omitted because it is the same as the state transition shown in FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a state transition diagram showing the state transition of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. ST100 to ST107 show the respective states (states), and the same state numbers are given to the same states as FIG. . Note that the processing operation of the CPU 2001 shown in this state transition diagram corresponds to the third control processing of the present invention. Further, “A = B” used in the figure means that B is substituted for A.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when the device state transitions from the start-state ST100 to the warm-up-state ST101, or when the device state transitions from the sleep state ST103 to the start-state ST101, the CPU 2001 waits for the standby-state ST102. Control is performed so that the variable action_flag is turned on when the state of the apparatus changes from the standby state ST102 to the print state ST106 when the state changes from the scan state ST104 to the scan state ST104.

  Further, the CPU 2001 changes the state of the apparatus from the warm-up state ST101 to the standby state ST102, changes the state of the apparatus from the scan state ST104 to the standby state ST102, and changes from the print state ST106 to the standby state. When the state of the apparatus transits to ST102, control is performed so that the variable action_flag is turned off.

  Note that the processing of the CPU 2001 described above is realized by loading a program stored in the ROM 2003 or other storage medium (recording medium) corresponding to the processing described above by the CPU 2001 into the RAM 2002 and executing it.

  By the control of the CPU 2001 described above, the operation state of the image forming apparatus can be classified into operating and non-operating. Using this, the system including the voice input / output state will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the operation state and voice input / output state of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. ST100, ST201 to ST203 show the respective states (states). The same state number is assigned to the same state. Note that the processing operation of the CPU 2001 shown in this state transition diagram corresponds to the fourth control processing of the present invention. Further, “A == B” used in the figure means that A and B are equal.

  As shown in FIG. 20, ST201 is an operation-state, which indicates a state in which the image forming apparatus is in operation and voice input / output is not in progress. Further, if expressed using the above-described states ST101 to ST107, the state is any one of warm-up-state ST101, scan-state ST104, scan-and-print-state ST105, print-state ST106, scan-and-warm-up state ST107. When there is a voice input / output, the CPU 2001 regards the operation state of the apparatus as the operation-state ST201.

  When the variable action_flag in the RAM 2002 is turned OFF in the operation-state ST201 state, the CPU 2001 controls the operation state of the apparatus so as to make a transition to a state regarded as the non-operation-state ST202. The non-operating-state ST202 indicates a state where the image forming apparatus is non-operating and is not performing voice input / output. Also, using the above-described states ST101 to ST107, if the state is the standby-state ST102 or the sleep-state ST103 and the voice input / output is not being performed, the CPU 2001 indicates that the operation state of the device is the non-operation-state ST202. It is considered.

  In this non-operating-state ST202 state, when the variable voice_flag indicating whether or not the voice input / output stored in the RAM 2002 is ON, the CPU 2001 controls the voice input / output unit 500 to permit the voice input / output. Then, the state of the apparatus is shifted to the voice input / output-state ST203.

  On the other hand, even when the variable voice_flag indicating whether or not the voice input / output stored in the RAM 2002 is in the operation-state ST201 state is turned ON, the CPU 2001 does not permit the voice input / output (keep it prohibited). To control.

  The CPU 2001 sets the variable voice_flag in the RAM 2002 to ON when an off-hook detection button (not shown) provided at a place where the handset 502 is placed (a place on a normal telephone) is in an off-hook state, and OFF in an on-hook state. Control to

  The CPU 2001 also sets the variable voice_flag to ON when the off-hook detection button is on-hook and the voice guide key 1033 is pressed, and turns OFF when the voice guide key 1033 is pressed again while the variable voice_flag is ON. To control.

  If the CPU 2001 determines in the voice input / output-state ST203 that the variable action_flag has changed to ON, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus to shift to the state in which the operation state of the apparatus is regarded as the operation-state ST202. Note that even if the voice input / output is in operation, if the CPU 2001 determines that the variable action_flag has been turned ON, the CPU 2001 performs the voice input / output interruption process and sets the voice input / output unit 500 to prohibit the voice input / output. And control to shift the operation state of the apparatus to the operation-state ST201.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the variable voice_flag is OFF in the voice input / output-state ST203 state, the CPU 2001 controls the voice input / output unit 500 to prohibit voice input / output and shifts to the non-operation-state ST202. To control.

  Note that the processing of the CPU 2001 described above is realized by loading a program stored in the ROM 2003 or other storage medium (recording medium) corresponding to the processing described above by the CPU 2001 into the RAM 2002 and executing it.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 220 including the audio input / output unit 500 that inputs / outputs sound as digitized audio data, the CPU 2001 regards the state in which audio input / output is operating as one state. Therefore, the voice input / output is prohibited during the operation of the image forming apparatus (printer 20, scanner 10). Therefore, the timing of the voice input / output and the operation status of the image forming apparatus (printer 20, scanner 10 as image processing means) Even if the device generates noise during operation, such as during document reading, image formation, or warm-up of the printer 10, the voice output can be easily heard and the input voice is recognized. The rate can be improved.

  It should be noted that a flag for setting whether to separate the state in which voice input / output is operating as one state is stored in the RAM 2002, and the state in which voice input / output is operating based on the flag. Are not separated as one state, that is, when the variable voice_flag stored in the RAM 2002 is turned ON regardless of whether the CPU 2001 is in the operation-state ST201 state or the non-operation-state ST202 state, The voice input / output unit 500 may be controlled to perform input / output. In this configuration, the CPU 2001 shifts to the state in which the operation state of the apparatus is regarded as the operation-state ST202 without interrupting the voice input / output even when the variable action_flag is turned ON during the voice input / output. Control. Therefore, the user sets whether or not the voice input / output is prohibited during the operation of the apparatus by setting a flag indicating whether or not the voice input / output operation described above is separated as one state. You can choose.

  In this embodiment, the configuration in which voice input / output (voice input and voice output) is prohibited when the image forming apparatus is in operation has been described. However, only voice input is prohibited when the image forming apparatus is in operation. It may be configured to control, or may be configured to prohibit only audio output.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus is in operation, when the configuration is such that only audio input is prohibited, the output volume is changed according to the operating state of the image forming apparatus as in the first embodiment described above. You may comprise.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the configuration has been described in which audio input / output (audio input and audio output) is prohibited when the image forming apparatus is operating. However, when the image forming apparatus is operating, the sampling rate of audio data is set. It may be configured to control so as to increase The embodiment will be described below.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 22, a description will be given of a change accompanying a state transition of a variable sample related to the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 22 is a state transition diagram showing the state transition of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The same state numbers are assigned to the same states as those in FIG. The description of each state and state transition is omitted because it is the same as the state transition described above. Note that the processing operation of the CPU 2001 shown in this state transition diagram corresponds to the fifth control processing of the present invention. “A * = B” used in the figure means that A multiplied by B is substituted for A, and “A / = B” means that A divided by B is A Means to assign to.

  As shown in FIG. 22, a constant SAMPLE is substituted for the variable sample in the initial state (start-state ST100) under the control of the CPU 2001. When the CPU 2001 determines that the state of the apparatus has transitioned from the start-state ST100 to the warm-up-state ST101, the CPU 2001 determines that the state of the apparatus has transitioned from the sleep state ST103 to the warm-up-state ST101. Control is performed so that sample is multiplied by SAM_A.

  Also, the CPU 2001 controls to divide the variable sample by SAM_A only when it is determined that the state of the apparatus has transitioned from the warm-up state ST101 to the standby state ST102.

  Further, when the CPU 2001 determines that the apparatus state has transitioned from the standby state ST102 to the scan-state ST104, the CPU 2001 determines that the apparatus state has transitioned from the print-state ST106 to the scan-and-print-state ST105. In this case, control is performed so that the variable sample is multiplied by SAM_B only when the state of the apparatus transitions from the warm-up state ST101 to the scan & warm-up state ST107.

  When the CPU 2001 determines that the state of the apparatus has changed from the scan-state ST104 to the standby-state ST102, the CPU 2001 determines that the state of the apparatus has changed from the scan & print-state ST105 to the print-state ST106. & Warm-up-Control is performed so that the variable sample is divided by SAM_B only when it is determined that the state of the apparatus has changed from the state ST107 to the warm-up-state ST101.

  Further, when the CPU 2001 determines that the state of the apparatus has transitioned from the standby-state ST102 to the print-state ST106, the CPU 2001 only determines that the state of the apparatus has transitioned from the scan-state ST104 to the scan-and-print-state ST105. , The variable sample is controlled to be multiplied by SAM_C.

  In addition, when the CPU 2001 determines that the state of the apparatus has transitioned from the print-state ST106 to the standby-state ST102, only when the CPU 2001 determines that the state of the apparatus has transitioned from the scan & print-state ST105 to the scan-state ST104. The variable sample is controlled to be divided by SAM_C.

  The constants SAM_A, SAM_B, and SAM_C are all set to “1” in advance so that the sampling rate of the audio data is not changed depending on the operation state of the image forming apparatus (statuses ST100 to ST107). It is also possible to do. That is, the user can freely set the sampling rate of the audio data to be changed according to the operating state of the image forming apparatus by changing the settings of the constants SAM_A, SAM_B, and SAM_C (particularly, the constants SAM_A, SAM_B, and SAM_C). Can be set so that the sampling rate of the audio data does not change.)

  Note that the processing of the CPU 2001 described above is realized by loading a program stored in the ROM 2003 or other storage medium (recording medium) corresponding to the processing described above by the CPU 2001 into the RAM 2002 and executing it.

  The change in the variable sample accompanying the state transition has been described above. Next, how the change of the sampling rate of audio data is controlled using this variable sample will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sixth control processing procedure according to the present invention, and S201 to S204 indicate each step. Note that the CPU 2001 loads a program corresponding to steps S201, S202, and S204 stored in the ROM 2003 or other storage medium (recording medium) into the RAM 2002 and executes the program.

  First, the CPU 2001 substitutes a constant SAMPLE in the RAM 2002 as a default value for a variable “sample” in the RAM 2002 (S201). Next, the CPU 2001 sets this variable sample as it is in the register in the register control unit 513 of the voice input / output unit 500 (S202).

  Thereafter, the A / D conversion unit 535 of the audio input / output unit 500 changes the sampling frequency of the audio data according to the value of the audio data-sampling frequency control register sample_reg in the register control unit 513, and the thinning-out unit 533 The thinning amount is changed according to the value of the sampling frequency control register sample_reg (S203).

  Thereafter, the CPU 2001 determines whether or not the variable sample has changed due to the state transition (S204), waits until there is a change, and only when it is determined that there has been a change, the CPU 2001 changes the sampling frequency of the audio data in step S202. Return to the process.

  As described above, in the audio unit 500 that inputs the digitized audio data as sound, the CPU 2001 stores the information in the RAM 2002 based on the operating state of the image forming apparatus 220 (the printer 20 and the scanner 10 as image processing means). The change of the value of the variable sample and the value of the variable sample are controlled to be set to the value of the audio data-sampling frequency control register sample_reg of the register control unit 513, and the thinning-out unit 533 controls the audio data-sampling frequency in the register control unit 513. Since the thinning-out amount is changed in accordance with the value of the control register sample_reg, the audio input / output timing and the operation status of the image forming apparatus, such as increasing or decreasing the sampling rate of the audio data according to the operation status of the image forming apparatus, Associate and control And by, during document reading, during the image formation, be a device noise occurs during operation, as warm-up secondary printer 10, it is possible to improve the speech recognition rate of the speech input.

  Note that by changing the settings of the constants SAM_A, SAM_B, and SAM_C in the RAM 2002, the change amount of the sampling rate of the audio data can be adjusted to a desired change amount. In particular, by selectively setting the constants SAM_A, SAM_B, and SAM_C in the RAM 2002 to values other than “1” or “1”, the timing of audio input and the operation status of the image forming apparatus are set. It is possible to select whether to change the sampling rate of the audio data in association.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the configuration has been described in which voice input / output prohibition control is performed when the image forming apparatus is in operation. However, the operation of the image forming apparatus may be prohibited control during voice input / output. . The embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 24 is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the operation state and the voice input / output state of the image forming apparatus showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention. ST100, ST201 to ST203 show the respective states (states). The same state number is assigned to the same state. The processing operation of the CPU 2001 shown in this state transition diagram corresponds to the seventh control process of the present invention. Further, “A == B” used in the figure means that A and B are equal.

  First, the detailed description of the change associated with the state transition of the variable action_flag, the individual states, and the state transition is the same as that shown in FIG. Since the operation state of the image forming apparatus can be classified into operating and non-operating based on the variable action_flag, the system including the voice input / output state will be described with reference to FIG.

  If the CPU 2001 determines in the operation-state ST201 that the variable action_flag has transitioned to OFF, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus state to transition to the non-operation-state ST202.

  If the CPU 2001 determines in the operation-state ST201 that the variable voice_flag indicating whether voice input / output is in progress or not, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus to shift to the voice input / output-state ST203. . At this time, even if the image forming apparatus is in operation, the CPU 2001 performs control so that the operation in progress is interrupted and the process proceeds to the audio input / output-state ST203.

  Further, when the CPU 2001 determines in the non-operation-state ST202 that the variable action_flag has shifted to ON, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus state to shift to the operation-state ST201.

  If the CPU 2001 determines in the non-operation-state ST202 that the variable voice_flag has changed to ON, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus to change to the voice input / output-state ST203.

  As in the case of the second embodiment, the CPU 2001 sets the variable voice_flag in the RAM 2002 to an off-hook state when an off-hook detection button (not shown) provided at a place where the handset 502 is placed (a place on a normal telephone) is off-hook. It is controlled so that it is turned on when it is, and turned off in the on-hook state.

  The CPU 2001 also sets the variable voice_flag to ON when the off-hook detection button is on-hook and the voice guide key 1033 is pressed, and turns OFF when the voice guide key 1033 is pressed again while the variable voice_flag is ON. To control.

  Furthermore, when the CPU 2001 determines in the voice input / output-state ST203 that the variable action_flag is OFF and the variable voice_flag is OFF, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus state to shift to the non-operation-state ST202.

  If the CPU 2001 determines that the variable action_flag is ON and the variable voice_flag is OFF in the voice input / output-state ST203, the CPU 2001 controls the apparatus state to shift to the non-operation-state ST201.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 2001 prohibits the operation of the apparatus even when it is determined that the variable action_flag is ON when the variable voice_flag is ON in the voice input / output-state ST203. Control.

  Note that the processing of the CPU 2001 described above is realized by loading a program stored in the ROM 2003 or other storage medium (recording medium) corresponding to the processing described above by the CPU 2001 into the RAM 2002 and executing it.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 220 including the audio input / output unit 500 that inputs / outputs sound as digitized audio data, the CPU 2001 regards the state in which audio input / output is operating as one state, Since the operation of the image forming apparatus (the printer 20 and the scanner 10 as image processing means) is prohibited during voice input / output, the voice input / output timing and the operation status of the image forming apparatus are controlled in association with each other to read a document. Even in a device that generates noise during operation, such as during the image formation, during the warm-up of the printer 10, etc., it is possible to make the voice output easy to hear and improve the recognition rate of the input voice.

  It should be noted that a flag for setting whether to separate the state in which voice input / output is operating as one state is stored in the RAM 2002, and the state in which voice input / output is operating based on the flag. Are not separated as one state, that is, the CPU 2001 operates the image forming apparatus when determining that the variable action_flag has transitioned to ON even when the voice input / output-state ST203 state and the variable voice_flg are ON. Further, it may be configured to control the transition to the operation-state ST201. In this configuration, when the variable action_flag transitions to ON during voice input / output, the CPU 2001 performs control so as to shift to a state in which the operation state of the apparatus is regarded as the operation-state ST201 without interrupting the voice input / output. To do. Therefore, the user selects whether to prohibit the operation of the apparatus during voice input / output by setting a flag indicating whether or not the voice input / output operation described above is separated as one state. can do.

  In this embodiment, the configuration for prohibiting the operation of the image forming apparatus in the case of voice input / output (voice input and voice output) has been described. However, the operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited only when voice input is being performed. It may be configured to control, or may be configured to prohibit the operation of the image forming apparatus only when voice input is being performed.

Further, in the case of a configuration in which the operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited only in the case of voice input, the output volume is changed depending on the operating state of the image forming apparatus during the voice output as in the first embodiment. Further, as in the first and third embodiments, the CPU 2001 changes and controls the output volume and the sampling rate of the audio data according to the operating state of the image forming apparatus (the printer 20 and the scanner 10). Mode, the second mode in which the CPU 2001 prohibits voice input / output when the image forming apparatus is operating as in the first and third embodiments, and the CPU 2001 when the voice input / output is in progress. And a third mode for prohibiting the operation of the computer, and any one of the modes may be set from the operation unit 140 or the personal computers 212 and 213. This setting is stored in the RAM 2002 or HDD 2004.

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, there is no image forming apparatus that controls the timing of sound input / output and the operation status of the image forming apparatus in association with each other. However, as described above, in each embodiment of the present invention, an image is not displayed. The output volume is increased according to the operation status of the forming apparatus (the printer 20 as the image processing means, the scanner 10), the audio input is prohibited, the input sampling rate is increased, and the image forming apparatus (printer) is input during audio input / output. 20. By controlling the voice input / output timing and the operation status of the image forming apparatus in association with each other such as stopping the operation of the scanner 10), the document 10 is being read, the image is being formed, the printer 10 is being warmed up, and so on. Even if a device generates noise during operation, it is easy to hear the sound output from the device, and the voice recognition rate of the sound input to the device is increased. It is possible to above.

  In addition to the operating state of the image forming apparatus 220 itself, the sound output from the image forming apparatus is difficult to hear due to noise around the image forming apparatus installed, or the recognition rate of the sound input to the image forming apparatus is low. Sometimes it gets lower. In such a case, noise detection means for detecting the noise level around the image forming apparatus is provided, and the output volume is increased or the voice input is performed based on the noise level around the image forming apparatus detected by the noise detection means. It is also possible to perform control such as prohibiting the operation, increasing the input sampling rate, or stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus during audio input / output.

  Thereby, even when the image forming apparatus is installed in a noisy place, it is easy to hear the sound output from the image forming apparatus, and the speech recognition rate of the sound input to the image forming apparatus is improved. be able to.

  In addition, the structure which combined each said embodiment is also contained in this invention.

  As described above, each embodiment has been described. However, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium (recording medium) that stores various data processing programs readable by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

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

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

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

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

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a network system to which an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. It is a figure which shows the basic screen displayed on the LCD display part of the operation panel shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a scanner and a printer in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller unit shown in FIG. 1, FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner image processing unit illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer image processing unit illustrated in FIG. 7. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image compression process part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image rotation process part shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the image rotation process sequence by the image rotation part shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the image rotation process sequence by the image rotation part shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a mechanism of a device I / F unit illustrated in FIG. 7. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio | voice input / output unit shown in FIG. 7 in detail. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the register | resistor with which the register control part shown in FIG. 15 is provided. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a part of a configuration of variables and constants stored in a RAM illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram illustrating state transition of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd control processing procedure of this invention. FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram illustrating state transition of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram showing transition of an operation state and a voice input / output state of the image forming apparatus showing the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram illustrating state transition of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 6th control processing procedure of this invention. FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram illustrating transition of an operation state and a voice input / output state of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium (recording medium) which stores the various data processing program which can be read with the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Scanner 20 Printer 30 Controller Unit 220 Image Forming Apparatus 2001 CPU
2002 RAM
500 Voice Input / Output Unit 513 Register Control Unit

Claims (14)

In an image forming apparatus having image processing means for forming an image on a recording medium, and sound output means for outputting digitized sound data as sound,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to change and control an output volume of the audio output unit according to an operating state of the image processing unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to invalidate output volume change control of the audio output by the control unit. In an image forming apparatus having image processing means for forming an image on a recording medium and sound input means for inputting sound as digitized sound data,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that prohibits voice input by the voice input unit when the image processing unit is in operation.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a setting unit configured to invalidate the voice input prohibition control by the control unit. In an image forming apparatus having image processing means for forming an image on a recording medium and sound input means for inputting sound as digitized sound data,
An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for changing and controlling a sampling rate of the audio data by the audio input means in accordance with an operating state of the image processing means.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising setting means for invalidating sampling rate change control of the audio data by the control means. In an image forming apparatus having image processing means for forming an image on a recording medium, sound output means for outputting digitized sound data as sound, and sound input means for inputting sound as digitized sound data,
An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for prohibiting operation of the image processing means when the sound output means is outputting a sound and the sound input means is inputting a sound.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a setting unit configured to invalidate the operation prohibition control of the image processing unit by the control unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit performs an image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium and an image reading process for reading the image formation from a document. In a control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: image processing means for forming an image on a recording medium; and sound output means for outputting digitized sound data as sound.
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a changing step of changing an output sound volume by the sound output means in accordance with an operating state of the image processing means. In a control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image processing unit that forms an image on a recording medium; and an audio input unit that inputs sound as digitized audio data.
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a prohibiting step for prohibiting voice input by the voice input means when the image processing means is in operation. In a control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image processing unit that forms an image on a recording medium; and an audio input unit that inputs sound as digitized audio data.
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a changing step of changing a sampling rate of the audio data by the audio input unit according to an operating state of the image processing unit. Control of an image forming apparatus having image processing means for forming an image on a recording medium, sound output means for outputting digitized sound data as sound, and sound input means for inputting sound as digitized sound data In the method
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a prohibiting step for prohibiting the operation of the image forming means when the voice output means is outputting a voice and the voice input means is inputting a voice.   A program for executing the image forming apparatus control method according to claim 10.

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