JP2008236564A - Printer, method and program for controlling the printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the multiplexed printing of audio data by a simple and inexpensive configuration. <P>SOLUTION: A response message inputted from a handset 12 or a voice inputted from a line 11 is digitally encoded by an ADPCM encoding section 13. In a first mode (automatic answering telephone), digitally encoded voice data are recorded in a flash memory 14. In a second mode (multiplexed printing), the digitally encoded voice data are multiplexed on image data to be printed out, and printed out by a print processing section 17. Furthermore, the multiplexed-printed voice data are read by a read processing section 18, decoded by an ADPCM decoding section 21, and reproduced from a speaker 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus control method, and a printing apparatus control program that multiplexes data not related to image representation of image data into the image data and prints out the multiplexed image data. .

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, ink jet printers and multi-function printers that have been widely used have developed a technique for printing information by multiplexing information that is not related to image representation of image data. As an application of this multiplexed printing, it is considered that information such as copyright information, model information, audio data and the like is used in a printed image in an invisible (or difficult to see) state. .

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a configuration that efficiently multiplexes information by using a period of change in quantization threshold in error diffusion processing, and the number per postcard according to this configuration is disclosed. It is possible to multiplex information of about 10 kbps.

  As information to be multiplexed and printed, various possibilities such as voice information and text document information are considered as disclosed in Patent Document 2 below.

  In addition, as a configuration for printing audio data, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-228561 discloses a configuration in which audio is input using a microphone, and the input audio data is compressed and encoded before print data is generated.

  A configuration as shown in FIG. 8 is conceivable in order to multiplex print audio with a printing apparatus. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 is a CPU, 802 is a data bus, 803 is a ROM, 804 is a RAM, and 805 is a PC interface unit. Reference numeral 806 denotes an operation unit, 807 denotes a microphone, 808 denotes a compression encoding unit, 809 denotes an information multiplexing unit, and 810 denotes a print processing unit including a printer engine configured based on a predetermined recording method.

  In the configuration of FIG. 8, the audio input from the microphone 807 is digitally encoded by the compression encoding unit 808, multiplexed with print data by the information multiplexing unit 809, and then printed by the print processing unit 810. .

  Patent Document 4 below discloses a configuration in which a message recorded on an answering machine is digitally converted and printed in a facsimile apparatus having an answering machine function.

  In order to realize the answering machine function as in Patent Document 4, a configuration as shown in FIG. 9 can be considered. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 is a CPU, 902 is a data bus, 903 is a ROM, 904 is a RAM, and 905 is a display unit. Reference numeral 906 is an operation unit, 907 is a communication line, 908 is a communication line interface unit, 909 is a digital encoding unit, and 910 is a print processing unit similar to the above.

In FIG. 9, when there is an incoming call when the apparatus is set to the absence mode, the voice input from the communication line 907 via the communication line interface unit 908 is digitally encoded by the digital encoding unit 909. The digitally encoded digital data is converted into a print pattern according to the data content and printed by the print processing unit 910.
Japanese Patent No. 3599621 JP 2003-110844 A JP 11-120275 A JP-A-10-79824

  However, the conventional voice multiplex printing technology as described above has the following problems.

  In a configuration in which a voice is input using a microphone and multiplexed as in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to mount a digital encoding circuit for the voice multiplexing process, and an increase in the cost of the apparatus cannot be avoided. It was a thing.

  Moreover, when printing an answering machine message as in Patent Document 4, there is a problem that the message cannot be freely input, and it is not assumed that audio data is printed by being multiplexed with an image. Further, in the configuration as in Patent Document 4, since a message can be recorded only through a telephone line, there is a problem that if only the voice is to be recorded, a communication fee is generated and at the same time, the voice multiplexing process is troublesome. In addition, it has been impossible to multiplex audio on a printed material such as a New Year's card that is considered to be effective for use in audio multiplex printing.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to enable multiplexed printing of audio data with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, printing means for multiplexing data not related to image representation of image data into the image data, printing the multiplexed image data, and voice input for inputting voice Means, digital encoding means for digitally encoding the voice input from the voice input means, and voice communication means for inputting / outputting voice data digitally encoded by the digital encoding means as voice communication data, In the first mode, in the first mode, the voice data digitally encoded by the digital encoding means is input / output as voice communication data by the voice communication means, In the mode, the voice data digitally encoded by the digital encoding means is sent to the printing means. Employing the configuration to print output by multiplexing the image data to be printed out Ri.

  According to the above configuration, the digital encoding means is selectively used in the first mode and the second mode, and digital audio data is input / output in voice communication without adding a digital encoding means dedicated to each mode, Further, multiplexed printing can be performed.

  As an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment relating to a printing apparatus capable of multiplexing printing of voice data or a printing apparatus having a voice communication function and an answering machine function will be described below.

  FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show the appearance and main parts of a printing apparatus employing the present invention. The printing apparatus of this embodiment has a voice communication function and an answering machine function.

  FIG. 1A shows the appearance of the printing apparatus. In FIG. 1, 31 is an operation unit, 32 is a display unit, 33 is a paper discharge tray, and 34 is a memory card connection unit. Reference numeral 35 is a document feeder, and 36 is a document table. Although not shown in FIG. 1A, a handset and a speaker for voice communication are also provided.

  FIG. 1B shows the configuration of the operation unit 31 in detail. In the figure, reference numeral 137 is a power key, 138 is a copy key for setting a copy mode, 139 is a scanner key for setting a scanner mode, and 140 is a memory card key for setting a mode using a memory card. It is.

  Reference numeral 141 denotes an error display lamp, 32 denotes a liquid crystal display unit, 143 denotes a menu key used when displaying a menu, 144 denotes a paper setting key for setting a paper size and the like, and 145 denotes a stop key. Reference numerals 146 and 147 denote an auto sheet feeder lamp and a cassette lamp, respectively, and display the selection state of the sheet feeding unit.

  Reference numeral 148 denotes a date designation key which is used when image data to be printed, for example, a user selects a photo on a memory card.

  Reference numeral 149 is an answering key, which is used when the user sets the answering machine mode.

  Reference numeral 150 denotes a recording key, which is used when a user inputs an answering machine answering message.

  Reference numeral 151 is a key for returning to the previous menu or screen, 152 is a set (OK) key used when confirming the operation, and 153 is a cross key for scrolling the displayed menu.

  Reference numeral 154 is a trimming key for designating trimming of a print image, 155 is a monochrome copy start key, and 156 is a color copy start key.

  Reference numeral 160 denotes a reproduction key used for reproducing an answering machine message in an answering machine function described later.

  FIG. 1C shows the configuration of the control circuit of the printing apparatus embodying the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a CPU for controlling each part of the printing apparatus, 2 is a data / address bus, 3 is a ROM, and 4 is a RAM.

  The CPU 1 accesses the ROM 3 and the RAM 4 via the data / address bus 2 and operates the printing apparatus by executing a program stored in the ROM 3. Control procedures to be described later can be stored in the ROM 3, for example.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a display unit, and the display unit 5 (32 in FIG. 1) is configured by, for example, a QVGA size 2.5 inch liquid crystal display, and displays various messages to the user.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes an operation unit, and the operation unit 6 (31 in FIG. 1) includes various keys used when the user operates the apparatus.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory card interface unit to which a memory card containing a photographic image taken with a digital camera or the like can be connected.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes an analog signal switching circuit having a function of switching input / output destinations of analog audio signals transmitted / received to / from the handset 12, the speaker 22, the communication line 11, and the like. The handset 12 is composed of a microphone, a speaker, and the like, and particularly functions as voice input means in the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 9 is a FAX modem, 10 is a communication line interface unit, and 11 is a communication line. By these blocks, facsimile transmission / reception (for example, G3 system) can be performed via the communication line.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a handset, which can make a call via the communication line 11 and record a message of an answering machine.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes an ADPCM encoding unit as digital encoding means, which converts a speech signal into a digital signal and compresses it into a 32 kbps or 16 kbps digitally encoded signal. It is used for compressing messages input from the communication line 11 and compressing voices input from the handset 12.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a flash memory (flash ROM), which stores an answering machine message input from the communication line 11 and a response message for an answering machine input from the handset 12.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes an information multiplexing processing unit that performs a process of multiplexing digitally encoded audio data into print data. The multiplexing format used when the digitally encoded audio data is multiplexed with the print data is arbitrary, and the present invention is not limited to this multiplexing format. In the present embodiment, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, information multiplexing is performed by switching the quantization threshold value of error diffusion processing with audio data.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes an audio data switching unit that switches whether the audio encoded by the ADPCM encoding unit 13 is input to the flash memory 14 or the information multiplexing processing unit 15. The audio data switching unit 16 can be configured by hardware logic, but the CPU 1 may implement the same function by handling the data encoded by the ADPCM encoding unit 13 under firmware control.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a print processing unit as an engine unit of a printing unit that performs multiplexed printing, and has a function of printing an image input from the memory card interface unit 7 or printing an image in which sound is multiplexed. I have it. The print processing unit 17 is configured by a printer engine of a predetermined printing method (an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method or the like is arbitrary).

  Reference numeral 18 denotes a reading processing unit that functions as an image reading unit, and includes a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) for reading a paper document, a document conveying system, and the like.

  Reference numeral 19 denotes an information extraction unit which performs a process of extracting multiplexed data such as sound from the read original.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes an audio data switching unit that controls whether the audio data stored in the flash memory 14 or the audio data extracted by the information extraction unit 19 is subjected to ADPCM decoding processing.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes an ADPCM decoding unit, which decodes ADPCM-encoded data and converts it into an analog signal.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a speaker that outputs an audio signal and a tone signal.

  The printing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the voice communication unit that realizes the voice communication function as described above. In the first mode, the voice data related to voice communication is digitized and input / output, and in the second mode, the voice data is input / output. Data is digitized and multiplexed.

  In the present embodiment, as an operation in the first mode, an answering machine answer message recording operation and an answering machine message recording operation are particularly exemplified.

  FIG. 1D shows a state of the voice multiplexed printing operation, the answering machine response message recording operation, and the answering machine message recording operation in the above configuration. The broken lines in (1) to (3) in the figure indicate voices when performing the voice multiplex printing operation (1), the answering machine response message recording operation (2), and the answering machine message recording operation (3). The flow of data is shown.

  FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C show a control procedure at the time of voice multiplexed printing in the printing apparatus. The illustrated procedure is described as a control program of the CPU 1 and can be stored in advance in the ROM 3 or the like (the same applies to each flowchart described later).

  In the following, the operation in the case of printing audio data with information multiplexed will be described with reference to FIG. Here, an example of an operation in which audio data is multiplexed with photo data and printed is illustrated. The photograph data is assumed to be stored in, for example, a memory card loaded in the memory card interface unit 7.

  Such a printing process can be used, for example, to create a New Year's card with audio data.

  When the user presses the menu key 143, the printing apparatus displays “Copy”, “Photo Print”, “Audio Multiple Print”, and “Scanner” as usable functions. When the user selects “voice multiplex printing” using the cross key 153 and presses the set key 152, the voice multiplex printing function is activated (step S401 in FIG. 4).

  Since it is necessary to use the ADPCM encoding unit 13 during the voice multiplex printing process, other functions that use the ADPCM encoding unit 13, particularly the answering machine function, are prohibited in order to prevent the occurrence of resource contention. (Step S404).

  By performing such a prohibition setting, when the user tries to activate the operation to record the answering message for answering machine while the voice multiplex printing function is activated, a warning sound is sounded so that the recording operation cannot be performed. . Also, control is performed so that the answering machine function is not activated when an incoming call is received from the communication line in the state where the answering mode is set.

  Further, the connection settings of the audio data switching units 16 and 20 are switched so that the ADPCM encoding unit 13 and the ADPCM decoding unit 21 are connected to the information multiplexing unit 15 and the information extraction unit 19, respectively (step S405).

  Subsequently, the printing apparatus accesses the memory card interface unit 7 and confirms the presence or absence of the memory card (step S406). If the data cannot be read from the memory card, the message “There is no image on the memory card” is displayed, and the sound multiplex printing function is terminated (step S407).

  If the image data can be read from the memory card, the thumbnail image is read from the memory card and displayed on the screen, and the user is prompted to select a photo to be audio-multiplexed printed. When the user selects a photo to be printed (step S408), a message “Recording starts when the set key is pressed” is displayed to notify the user that recording is ready (step S409).

  When the user presses the set key 152 (step S410), the sound input from the handset 12 is input to the ADPCM encoding unit 13 via the analog signal switching circuit 8. The ADPCM encoding unit 13 samples the input audio signal at a frequency of 8 kHz and digitally encodes it to generate 64 kbps data. Further, the generated data is compressed to generate 16 kbps ADPCM digital encoded data (step S411).

  When the voice multiplex printing function is activated, the voice data input to the voice data switching unit 16 is output to the information multiplexing processing unit 15 and stored in the memory in the information multiplexing processing unit 15 (step S412). ). The memory to be stored can use a partial area of the RAM 4 that the CPU 1 uses when executing the program.

  During the series of processes, the state of the set key 152 is monitored. When the set key 152 is pressed (step S413), the voice encoding process is terminated, and the prohibition of activation of the answering machine function performed in step S404 is canceled (step S416).

  Subsequently, the audio multiplexing process is started. Specifically, the photograph data selected by the user in step S408 is read from the memory card (step S417). When converting the read image data into print data, the audio data stored in the memory in the information multiplexing processing unit 15 is read, and the quantization threshold value of the error diffusion process is switched according to the value of the audio data. By repeating this process, print data in which audio data is multiplexed can be generated (step S418).

  When the printing data is generated, the printing data in which the audio data is multiplexed is sent to the ink jet head, and printing is executed (step S419).

  When monitoring the set key 152 in step S413, if the recordable time of 20 seconds elapses before the set key 152 is pressed (step S414), "the recordable time has been exceeded" Display (step S415) and return to step S409. As a recordable time, it is needless to say that a time other than 20 seconds can be set according to conditions such as memory capacity, and is dynamically controlled according to conditions such as the remaining amount of memory at that time. May be.

  In the process of FIG. 4A described above, audio data is taken in, multiplexed, and printed through the path (1) of FIG. 1D.

  On the other hand, if the voice multiplex printing function is not activated in step S401, it is confirmed whether the answering machine response message (OGM) recording function is activated (step S402).

  When the answering message recording of the answering machine is designated, the processing after step S421 in FIG. 4B is executed.

  When the recording button on the operation unit 6 is pressed and the answering message recording function of the answering machine is activated, the activation of the voice multiplex printing function is prohibited (step S421). While the activation of the voice multiplex printing function is prohibited, if the user tries to activate the voice multiplex printing function while recording the answering message of the answering machine, a warning sound is emitted and the user is notified that voice multiplex printing cannot be performed. To do.

  Further, the connection settings of the audio data switching units 16 and 20 are switched so that the ADPCM encoding unit 13 and the ADPCM decoding unit 21 are respectively connected to the flash memory 14 (step S422).

  Subsequently, “When the set key is pressed, recording starts” is displayed on the display unit 5 (step S423).

  When the set key 152 is pressed (step S424), the encoding process of the voice input from the handset 12 is started (step S425). The voice input from the handset 12 is input to the ADPCM encoding unit 13 via the analog signal switching circuit 8. The ADPCM encoding unit 13 samples the input audio signal at a frequency of 8 KHz and digitally encodes it to generate 64 kbps data. Further, the generated data is compressed to generate ADkbps data encoded at 16 kbps.

  When the response message recording function is activated, the voice data input to the voice data switching unit 16 is stored in the flash memory 14 (step S426).

  When the set key 152 is pressed (step S427), the prohibition of voice multiplex printing is canceled (step S428), and the recording of the response message is completed. Similarly to step S414, the recordable time is checked during recording (step S429). If the recordable time is exceeded, an error display similar to step S415 is performed (step S430).

  In the process of FIG. 4B, the audio data is taken in the path (2) of FIG. 1D and stored in the flash memory 14.

  If the response message recording function is not activated in step S402 of FIG. 4A, it is monitored whether it is necessary to receive an incoming call from the line and record an answering machine message (step S403). If it is not necessary to activate the answering machine recording function, the process returns to step S401 to monitor the activation of the voice multiplex printing mode.

  In step S403, whether or not the answering machine recording function needs to be activated is determined by detecting an event that the handset 12 is not off-hook even after receiving an incoming call from the line and ringing a predetermined number of rings. Judgment by When the voice mail message recording function is activated, the process of FIG. 4C is executed.

  In recording an answering machine message, first, activation of the voice multiplex printing function is prohibited (step S431).

  Further, the connection settings of the audio data switching units 16 and 20 are switched so that the ADPCM encoding unit 13 and the ADPCM decoding unit 21 are connected to the flash memory 14 (step S432).

  The response message stored in the flash memory 14 is read out, decoded by the ADPCM decoding unit 21 and converted into an analog signal, and the response message is sent to the communication line 11 via the analog signal switching circuit 8 and the line interface unit 10. It is sent out (step S433).

  When transmission of the response message is completed and recording is possible (step S434), recording of voice received from the communication line is started thereafter.

  Specifically, the voice received from the communication line 11 is input to the ADPCM encoding unit 13 via the analog signal switching circuit 8, and the ADPCM encoded data of 16 kbps is generated as in the case of recording the response message (step). In step S435, the generated data is stored in the flash memory 14 (step S436).

  When the other party sending the message disconnects the communication line 11 and receives a reorder tone from the communication line 11 (step S437) or the recordable time has elapsed (step S438), the recording operation is terminated (step S438). S439). Subsequently, the prohibition of voice multiplex printing is canceled (step S440), the connection with the communication line 11 is disconnected (step S441), and the answering machine message recording operation is terminated.

  In the process of FIG. 4C, voice data is taken from the communication line 11 through the route (3) of FIG. 1D and stored in the flash memory 14 as an absence recording message.

  As described above, a common voice processing means can be shared for capturing voice data for multiplexed printing, answering machine response messages, and answering machine messages, and the apparatus can be configured at low hardware costs. Also, it is possible to capture audio data with a simple operation using the handset 12 and to multiplex and print the photo data.

  Next, an operation for reproducing a voice message from a printed matter in which voice is multiplexed and printed as described above and an operation for reproducing a recorded answering machine message will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the menu key 143 is pressed while the scanner key 139 is pressed on the operation unit 6 and the scanner mode is set, “Scan to Speaker”, “Scan to PC”, and “Scan to Memory” are displayed on the display unit. Is done.

  Here, when the user selects “Scan to Speaker” using the cross key 153 and the set key 152 is pressed, a voice reading function for extracting the voice multiplexed on the printed matter and outputting it to the speaker is activated ( Step S501).

  When the voice reading function is activated, activation of the answering machine function is prohibited in order to prevent contention of the ADPCM decoding unit 21 (step S502).

  Further, the connection settings of the audio data switching units 16 and 20 are switched so that the ADPCM encoding unit 13 and the ADPCM decoding unit 21 are connected to the information multiplexing processing unit 15 and the information extraction unit 19, respectively (step S503).

  Subsequently, the reading processor 18 is operated to start a reading operation (step S504). Based on the power distribution state after orthogonal transformation of the read image data, it is determined whether the data multiplexed for each image block is 1 or 0, and the multiplexed data is extracted ( Step S505).

  The extracted data is input to the ADPCM decoding unit 21 via the audio data switching unit 20 and converted into an analog signal (step S506). The audio data converted into the analog signal is output to the speaker 22 via the analog signal switching circuit 8 (step S507).

  When the output of the multiplexed voice is finished, the prohibition of activation of the answering machine function is canceled (step S508), and the playback operation of the multiplexed voice is finished.

  On the other hand, if the voice readout function is not activated in step S501, the activation of the answering machine message reproduction function is monitored. When the reproduction key 160 of the operation unit 6 is pressed to activate the voice mail message reproduction function (step S509), activation of the voice reading function is prohibited (step S510) in order to prevent contention of the ADPCM decoding unit 21.

  Further, the connection settings of the audio data switching units 16 and 20 are switched so that the ADPCM encoding unit 13 and the ADPCM decoding unit 21 are respectively connected to the flash memory 14 (step S511). Then, the answering machine message stored in the flash memory 14 is read (step S512).

  The read voice is input to the ADPCM decoding unit 21 via the voice data switching unit 20 and converted into an analog signal (step S513). The audio data converted into the analog signal is output to the speaker 22 via the analog signal switching circuit 8 (step S514).

  When playback of the recorded answering machine message is finished, the prohibition of activation of the voice reading function is canceled (step S515), and the playing operation of the answering machine message is finished.

  As described above, a voice message can be reproduced from a printed matter on which voice is multiplexed and printed, and a recorded answering machine message can be reproduced. This reproduction process can be used for applications such as reproducing a voice message from a New Year's card with voice data created as described above.

  As described above, it is possible to achieve both the answering machine recording function and the voice multiplexing printing function, the answering machine playback function and the multiplexed voice playback function without adding a voice digital encoding / decoding circuit. A common voice processing means can be shared for capturing voice data for multiplexed printing, answering machine response messages, and answering machine messages, and the apparatus can be configured at a low hardware cost.

  In the above description, it is assumed that data transfer between the ADPCM encoding unit 13 and the flash memory 14 or the information multiplexing processing unit 15 is performed without the intervention of the CPU 1. However, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even when the CPU 1 reads out the ADPCM-encoded data and transfers it to the flash memory 14 or the information multiplexing processing unit 15 via the data bus under the control of the CPU 1. . In the path for reproducing audio, the same effect can be obtained by transferring data via the data bus under the control of the CPU 1.

  In the first embodiment, as the voice communication data input / output operation in the first mode of the printing apparatus, the answering machine answer message recording operation and the answering machine message recording operation are particularly exemplified. In the first embodiment, the digital encoding means used for input / output of voice communication data is used for multiplexed printing. In other words, the first embodiment can also be considered as a configuration that can implement multiplexed printing of audio by using digital encoding means originally provided for an answering machine.

  However, the input / output of the voice communication data performed by the voice communication means is not limited with respect to the answering machine operation as described above, and the configuration using the digital encoding means used for the input / output of other voice communication data Is also possible.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the printing apparatus 231 has a base function of a digital cordless telephone and can perform digital wireless communication with the digital cordless telephone 232, The digital encoding circuit to be used can be used for multiplexing audio data.

  In FIG. 2A, reference numeral 233 denotes a 2.4 GHz digital wireless communication line, and 234 denotes a public communication line. The digital cordless telephone 232 can be connected to the printing apparatus 231 having a base unit function via the 2.4 GHz digital wireless communication line 233 and can make a call via the public communication line 234.

  FIG. 2B shows the configuration of the control circuit of the digital cordless telephone 232 described above.

  In the figure, reference numeral 261 is a CPU, 262 is a data bus, 263 is a ROM, 264 is a RAM, 265 is a display unit, 266 is a radio high frequency unit, 267 is a digital radio signal processing unit, 268 is an ADPCM encoding unit, and 269 is An ADPCM decoding unit, 270 is a microphone, and 271 is a speaker.

  FIG. 2C shows a control circuit of the printing apparatus 231 having a digital cordless telephone function in cooperation with the digital cordless telephone 232. In the figure, the digital wireless signal processing unit 54 and the wireless high frequency unit 55 are different from the printing apparatus of the first embodiment. The digital radio signal processing unit 54 and the radio high frequency unit 55 are for communicating with the digital cordless telephone 232. The other configuration of FIG. 2C is the same as that of the printing apparatus of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals as those of FIGS. 1C and 1D are used.

  FIG. 2D shows a case where the voice input from the handset is multiplexed and printed in the same manner as in FIG. 1D, and the voice received from the communication line 11 is transmitted to the digital cordless telephone 232. The flow of audio data in case (2) is shown.

  Hereinafter, communication control in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 6, the steps corresponding to the 400th step in FIG. 4A are denoted by the reference numerals of the 600th step, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In FIG. 6, the operations in steps S601 to S619 are the same as those in the first embodiment and steps S401 to S419 in FIG. 4A except that the answering machine function prohibition setting and cancellation are not performed. That is, through steps S601 to S619, multiplexed printing of voice input from the handset 12 (or the communication line 11) can be performed.

  On the other hand, if the voice multiplex printing mode is not activated in step S601, the activation of the digital cordless call is monitored (step S620).

  In step S620, when a call request from the digital cordless telephone 232 is received or an incoming call from the communication line is detected, the digital cordless call function is activated.

  At this time, it is confirmed whether or not the voice multiplex printing mode is activated (step S621). If the voice multiplex printing mode is activated, the voice multiplex printing mode is forcibly terminated (step S622). That is, since it is necessary to use the ADPCM encoding unit 13 and the ADPCM decoding unit 21 when performing a digital cordless call, the voice multiplex printing mode using them is terminated.

  Further, the connection settings of the audio data switching units 16 and 20 are switched so that the ADPCM encoding unit 13 and the ADPCM decoding unit 21 are connected to the digital radio signal processing unit 54 (step S623).

  When the ADPCM encoding unit 13 and the ADPCM decoding unit 21 can be used, a call is started (step S624). In the digital cordless telephone 232, the voice input from the microphone 270 is ADPCM encoded, assembled into a frame by the digital radio signal processing unit 267, and then modulated into a 2.4 GHz radio signal via the radio high frequency unit 266. Are sent out.

  In the printing apparatus 231, the radio frequency unit 55 demodulates the radio wave received from the digital cordless telephone 232, and the digital radio signal processing unit 54 decomposes the frame. Audio data is extracted by performing frame decomposition, and input to the ADPCM decoding unit 21 via the audio data switching unit 20 to be decoded. The decoded voice is input to the communication line interface unit 10 by the analog signal switching circuit 8 and sent to the communication line 11.

  Conversely, the audio signal received from the communication line 11 is input to the ADPCM encoding unit 13 and encoded, and then assembled into a frame by the digital radio signal processing unit 54 via the audio data switching unit 16. , And transmitted from the wireless high-frequency unit 55. In the digital cordless telephone 232, the signal received by the radio high frequency unit 266 is extracted from the frame by the digital radio signal processing unit 267, decoded by the ADPCM decoding unit 269, and reproduced by the speaker 271.

  The end of the call is determined by disconnecting the line from the other party or detecting an operation such as a disconnect button (not shown) on the digital cordless telephone 232 (step S625).

  As described above, it is possible to realize a digital cordless telephone function and voice multiplexed printing without adding a circuit leading to an increase in cost. A common voice processing means can be shared for voice input / output and voice multiplex printing required for the digital cordless telephone function, and the apparatus can be configured at a low hardware cost.

  It should be noted that the reproduction of the voice data multiplexed and printed can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment by using the reading processing unit 18 and the information extracting unit 19.

  In Example 2, multiplexed printing of audio input from the handset 12 (or the communication line 11) was performed using a digital encoding circuit built in the printing apparatus. However, it is also possible to multiplex and print the voice input from the digital cordless telephone 232.

  The system configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b), and 2 (c).

  FIG. 3 shows the flow of audio data in the third embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the case where the voice received from the digital cordless telephone 232 is multiplexed with the print data in the same manner as in FIG. 1D and FIG. 2D, and the voice received from the digital cordless telephone 232. Shows the flow of audio data when (2) is sent to the communication line. Further, FIG. 3 also shows the flow of audio data when the audio data extracted from the printed matter is sent to the digital cordless telephone 232 (3).

  FIG. 7 shows communication control in the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, steps corresponding to steps 600 in FIG. 6 are denoted by reference numerals in the 700s, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 7, the same control as that of the second embodiment (FIG. 6) is performed except that the process of connecting the wireless line is performed in step S <b> 711. A major difference from the processing of FIG. 6 is that digital encoding processing when information multiplexing is performed is performed in the digital cordless telephone 232.

  That is, the printing apparatus 231 that has received the voice transmitted from the digital cordless telephone 232 extracts the voice data that has been subjected to frame decomposition by the digital wireless signal processing unit 267 and is ADPCM encoded. The extracted audio data is input to the information multiplexing processing unit 15 via the audio data switching unit 16 and multiplexed and printed.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when reading a printed matter in which sound is multiplexed, it is possible to output sound data to the digital cordless telephone 232 instead of reproducing the sound with the speaker 22 of the printing apparatus 231. That is, the ADPCM-encoded audio data extracted from the printed matter by the reading processing unit 18 and the information extracting unit 19 is input to the digital radio signal processing unit 54 via the audio data switching unit 20 and is directly assembled into a frame. Transmitted as radio waves.

  In the digital cordless telephone 232, the received voice data is ADPCM decoded and reproduced in the same manner as described above. In this way, the audio data multiplexed on the printed matter can be reproduced by the digital cordless telephone 232.

  According to the present embodiment, simultaneous operation of the answering machine function and the voice multiplexed printing function, which could not be realized in the first embodiment, becomes possible. That is, when the voice multiplexed printing function is operated, the ADPCM encoding / decoding unit of the printing apparatus main body is not used. Instead, since the resource of the digital cordless telephone, that is, the ADPCM encoding / decoding unit is used, there is an effect that no resource conflict occurs with the answering machine function.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the external appearance of the printing apparatus which implemented this invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the printing apparatus in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the printing apparatus in 1st Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the flow of the data in 1st Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the system configuration | structure in the 2nd Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the digital cordless telephone in the 2nd Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the printing apparatus in 2nd Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the flow of the data in the 2nd Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the flow of the data in the 3rd Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the control procedure in 1st Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the control procedure in 1st Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the control procedure in 1st Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the control procedure which reproduces | regenerates a voice message in 1st Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the control procedure in 2nd Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the control procedure in the 3rd Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure required for the conventional audio | voice data multiplexing printing. It is explanatory drawing which showed the different structure required for the conventional audio | voice data multiplexing printing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 7 Memory card interface part 8 Analog signal switching circuit 11 Communication line 12 Handset 13 ADPCM encoding part 14 Flash memory 15 Information multiplexing process part 16 Voice data switching part 17 Print processing part 231 Printer 232 Digital cordless telephones 261, 801, 901 CPU
263, 803, 903 ROM
H.264, 804, 904 RAM

Claims (11)

Printing means for multiplexing data not related to the image representation of the image data into the image data and printing out the multiplexed image data;
Voice input means for inputting voice;
Digital encoding means for digitally encoding the voice input from the voice input means;
Voice communication means for inputting / outputting voice data digitally encoded by the digital encoding means as voice communication data;
In the first mode, the audio data digitally encoded by the digital encoding unit is input / output as audio communication data by the audio communication unit in the first mode, and the digital encoding is performed in the second mode. A printing apparatus comprising: control means for multiplexing and outputting audio data digitally encoded by the means to image data to be printed out by the printing means.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is controlled exclusively so that one of the first mode and the second mode is executed.   3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the first mode or the second mode is being executed and the other second mode or the first mode is activated, the activated mode is selected. A printing apparatus characterized by notifying a user that the process cannot be executed.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first mode is an answering machine mode, and the voice communication unit receives voice data of the other party received from a communication line or response voice data input from the voice input unit. A printing apparatus, wherein the digital encoding unit performs digital encoding and records on a recording medium.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first mode is digital telephone communication for relaying communication between an external digital telephone and a communication line, and the voice communication means receives voice data received from the digital telephone. A printing apparatus, wherein the digital encoding unit digitally encodes and transmits to the communication line.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reading unit that reads image data of a printed matter on which audio data is multiplexed, an extraction unit that extracts audio data multiplexed from the image data, and the extracted audio data A printing apparatus comprising: means for digitally decoding; and means for outputting the digitally decoded sound from a speaker.   6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein reading means for reading the image data of the printed matter on which the sound data is multiplexed, extraction means for extracting the sound data multiplexed from the image data, and the extracted sound data A printing apparatus, comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit to a digital wireless telephone, wherein the audio data is output from a speaker by the digital wireless telephone. Data that is not related to the image representation of the image data is multiplexed with the image data, the printing means for printing out the multiplexed image data, the voice input means for inputting voice, and the voice input from the voice input means In a control method for a printing apparatus, comprising: digital encoding means for digital encoding; and audio communication means for inputting / outputting audio data digitally encoded by the digital encoding means as audio communication data.
In the first mode, the voice data digitally encoded by the digital encoding means is input / output as voice communication data by the voice communication means, and in the second mode, the voice data is digitally encoded by the digital encoding means. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, wherein audio data is multiplexed with image data to be printed out by the printing means and printed out.   9. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the printing apparatus is controlled exclusively so that one of the first mode and the second mode is executed.   10. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the first mode or the second mode is being executed, if another second mode or the first mode is activated, the activation is performed. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising: notifying a user that a specified mode cannot be executed.   11. A printing apparatus control program for controlling hardware constituting a printing apparatus in order to implement the printing apparatus control method according to claim 8.

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