JP2009188591A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multifunction device capable of concerning both an operator of the multifunction device and a person near the device for sound from the loudspeaker of the multifunction device. <P>SOLUTION: The multifunction device which is an image processor 1 comprises a first loudspeaker 55, a second loudspeaker 59 whose directivity is stronger than the first loudspeaker 55, and a loudspeaker selection part (a sub MPU 39, a ROM 41, a RAM 43 and a switch 49) for selecting whether to use the first loudspeaker 55 or to use the second loudspeaker 59 according to the case of using the first loudspeaker 55 and the case of using the second loudspeaker 59 sorted beforehand. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral.

  Some terminal devices for sale of products have a microphone and a directional speaker provided on the terminal device, and a user interacts with the terminal device to sell a product (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this terminal device, directional speakers are provided on the right and left sides of the terminal device, respectively.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-152209 (paragraph 0084, FIG. 5)

  Some image processing apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals include a speaker for notification of occurrence of an abnormality such as an error and voice guidance. The voice guidance is convenient for the operator of the multifunction device, but the voice guidance is felt as noise for those near the multifunction device.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can take into consideration both the operator of the image processing apparatus and the person near the apparatus regarding the sound from the speaker of the image processing apparatus.

  The present invention is an image processing apparatus having at least one function of a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer, and is divided in advance into a first speaker and a second speaker having higher directivity than the first speaker. And a speaker selection unit for selecting whether to use the first speaker or the second speaker according to the case where the first speaker is used and the case where the second speaker is used. .

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention can include an operation panel having the second speaker.

  According to this, since the second speaker having strong directivity is provided on the operation panel, the sound from the second speaker can be easily heard by the operator of the image processing apparatus and the person near the image processing apparatus. It may be difficult or impossible to hear.

  In the present invention, the operation panel can be configured such that an angle can be changed according to a position where an operator of the image processing apparatus operates the image processing apparatus.

  According to this, since the second speaker can be directed toward the operator, the sound from the second speaker can be easily heard by the operator.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the case where the first speaker is used and the case where the second speaker having higher directivity than this speaker is used are divided in advance, and used in accordance with those cases. The speaker to be selected is selected. In this way, by properly using the first speaker and the second speaker having higher directivity than this, the sound from the speaker of the image processing apparatus is close to the operator of the image processing apparatus and the apparatus. Anyone can be considered.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image processing apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having functions of copying, facsimile, scanner, and printer.

  The image processing apparatus 1 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 3, an image reading unit 5, an image recording unit 7, a display unit 9, an operation unit 11, a modem 13, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 15, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 19. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 21, an image memory 23, a hard disk 25, a codec 27, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface 29, and the like are connected to each other via a bus 33. The MPU 3 controls the hardware constituting the image processing apparatus 1 and executes software necessary for the operation of the image processing apparatus 1.

  The image reading unit 5 reads an image (character, figure, photograph, etc.) with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like and outputs it as image data. The image recording unit 7 is an electrophotographic printer or the like, and returns image data output from the image reading unit 5 or image data from another facsimile machine received by facsimile communication to the image, and the image is recorded. Output paper.

  The display unit 9 displays the operation state of the image processing apparatus 1 and various setting contents, and is realized by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like. The operation unit 11 includes keys (such as a numeric keypad, a start key, a reset key, and various function keys) necessary for operating the image processing apparatus 1.

  The modem 13 has a function of a facsimile modem for normal facsimile communication. The modem 13 is directly connected to the NCU 15. The NCU 15 has a function of sending a dial pulse corresponding to a telephone number of a communication partner and a function of detecting an incoming call, in addition to a function of closing and opening the public telephone line 17. The NCU 15 connects the modem 13 to the public telephone line 17 as necessary.

  The ROM 19 is realized by a flash memory or the like, and stores software necessary for the operation of the image processing apparatus 1. The RAM 21 is realized by an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or the like. The RAM 21 is used for temporary storage of data generated during execution of software, storage of application software, and the like.

  The image memory 23 is realized by a DRAM or the like, and temporarily stores image data to be transmitted, received image data, image data output from the image reading unit 5, and the like. The hard disk 25 stores image data and the like to be subjected to facsimile communication. The image processing apparatus 1 includes an image to be communicated in facsimile transmission reservation information and communication history. The image data stored in the hard disk 25 is used to form this image.

  The codec 27 encodes and compresses image data and decodes the image data that has been encoded and compressed. The LAN interface 29 is an interface through which the image processing apparatus 1 is communicably connected to the LAN 31.

  The image processing apparatus 1 further includes an audio unit 37 connected to the MPU 3 via the serial bus 35. The voice unit 37 executes voice guidance related to the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 and notification of occurrence of an abnormality (error, paper jam, out of toner, etc.) in the image processing apparatus 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the audio unit 37. The audio unit 37 has a configuration in which a sub MPU 39, a ROM 41, a RAM 43, an audio decoder 45, an AFE (Analog Front End) 47, a switch 49, and the like are connected to each other via a bus 51. Further, the audio unit 37 includes an analog amplifier 53 and a first speaker 55 connected thereto, an analog amplifier 57 and a second speaker 59 connected thereto.

  The sub MPU 3 is connected to the MPU 3 via the serial bus 35 and controls the hardware constituting the audio unit 37.

  The ROM 41 stores the control program for notifying the occurrence of abnormality and the voice guidance, and the message for notifying the occurrence of abnormality and the voice guidance. The RAM 43 is realized by SRAM or the like and stores temporary data generated when the control program is executed.

  The voice decoder 45 decodes the encoded message read from the ROM 41 into voice waveform data. The AFE 47 converts voice waveform data into an analog signal. The switch 49 switches between sending an analog signal to the analog amplifier 53 or sending it to the analog amplifier 57. As the switch 49, for example, a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) can be used.

  The analog signal sent to the analog amplifier 53 through the switch 49 is amplified there and output from the first speaker 55. On the other hand, the analog signal sent to the analog amplifier 57 is amplified there and output from the second speaker 59. The case where the first speaker 55 is used and the case where the second speaker 59 is used are divided in advance.

  The first speaker 55 is used to notify when an abnormality occurs in the image processing apparatus 1. The occurrence of an abnormality is notified by an error message (for example, “paper jam has occurred”) and / or an error sound. It is necessary to be able to notify the occurrence of an abnormality to a person near the image processing apparatus 1. Therefore, the first speaker 55 is a non-directional speaker or a speaker having a lower directivity than the second speaker 59 and is attached to a side surface (not shown) of the cabinet of the image processing apparatus 1.

  On the other hand, the second speaker 59 is used for voice guidance. When an operator performs a task that is a target of voice guidance, the image processing apparatus 1 uses the second speaker 59 to give voice guidance regarding how to perform the task. Examples of the work that is the target of the voice guidance include various settings of the image processing apparatus 1 (fax image quality, duplex copying, etc.), various registrations (one-touch key registration, F-code registration, etc.), and countermeasures against various errors (paper) Measures against clogging).

  The second speaker 59 is a speaker having higher directivity than the first speaker 55, and is provided on an operation panel described later. This makes it possible for the operator of the image processing apparatus 1 to hear the voice guidance well, and makes it difficult or inaudible to those near the image processing apparatus 1.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses the first speaker 55 that is divided in advance (when anomaly is notified) and the second speaker 59 (audio). According to the guidance), whether to use the first speaker 55 or the second speaker 59 is selected. The speaker selection unit that executes this selection includes a sub MPU 39, a ROM 41, a RAM 43, and a switch 49.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation panel 61 provided in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The operation panel 61 functions as the display unit 9 and the operation unit 11 in FIG. The operation panel 61 includes a touch panel 63, various hard keys (mode selection key 65, numeric key 67, start key 69, clear key 71, interrupt key 73, reset key 75, etc.) and a second speaker 59. Each key is used for the same purpose as a key of their name provided in a normal multifunction machine. For example, the image processing apparatus 1 can be switched to the facsimile mode by pressing the “facsimile” mode selection key 65.

  The second speaker 59 with high directivity is provided on the operation panel 61. Accordingly, the voice guidance output from the second speaker 59 can be easily heard by the operator of the image processing apparatus 1 and can be made difficult or inaudible to those who are near the image processing apparatus 1. it can.

  The position of the second speaker 59 on the operation panel 61 is preferably around the touch panel 63. This is because the operator usually operates with the face facing the touch panel 63, and if the second speaker 59 is provided around the touch panel 63, the voice guidance from the second speaker 59 can be heard even at a low volume. Because it can. In the present embodiment, in consideration of the key layout of the operation panel 61, the second speaker 59 is provided on the operation panel 61 above the position of the touch panel 63 in the periphery of the touch panel 63.

  The main effects of this embodiment will be described. According to the image processing apparatus 1, there are a case where the first speaker 55 is used (when the occurrence of an abnormality is notified) and a case where the second speaker 59 with higher directivity is used (when voice guidance is performed). The speakers are divided in advance, and the speaker to be used is selected according to those cases. Therefore, when performing voice guidance, it can be heard well by the operator, and can be made difficult or inaudible to those near the image processing apparatus 1. On the other hand, when notifying the occurrence of an abnormality, it can be heard well by a person near the image processing apparatus 1.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by properly using the first speaker 55 and the second speaker 59 having higher directivity than this, the sound from the speaker of the image processing apparatus 1 can be used for the sound of the image processing apparatus 1. Both the operator and those near the device can be considered.

  In the present embodiment, the angle of the operation panel 61 may be changed according to the position where the operator of the image processing apparatus 1 operates the image processing apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a side view of the operation panel 61 capable of changing the angle.

  The position of the operation panel 61 is normally at the horizontal position 81. However, it is difficult for an operator in a wheelchair to see the operation panel 61 (particularly, the touch panel 63) when the position of the operation panel 61 is the horizontal position 81. Therefore, the angle of the operation panel 61 is changed so that the operation panel 61 can be positioned at an oblique position 83 so that the operation panel 61 faces the front with respect to the operator riding on the wheelchair. As a result, the second speaker 59 can be directed toward the operator in the wheelchair, so that the operator can easily hear the sound from the second speaker 59.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the first speaker 55 is used to notify the occurrence of an abnormality has been described. However, the first speaker 55 and the second speaker 59 may be selectively used for the notification of the occurrence of an abnormality. For example, there are the following four aspects.

(Aspect 1)
A sensor (for example, an infrared sensor) that can detect the operator of the image processing apparatus 1 is provided in the image processing apparatus 1. If this sensor is in a non-detected state, it is assumed that there is no operator, and the first speaker 55 is used for notifying the occurrence of abnormality, and the person near the image processing apparatus 1 is notified of the occurrence of abnormality. On the other hand, if the sensor is in the detection state, it is assumed that there is an operator, and the occurrence of abnormality is notified to the operator using the second speaker 59.

(Aspect 2)
If the key on the operation panel 61 is not being operated, or if a predetermined time has passed without the key being operated, it is considered that there is no operator, and the first speaker 55 is used to notify that an abnormality has occurred. On the other hand, if the key of the operation panel 61 is being operated or if a predetermined time has not elapsed since the key was operated, it is assumed that there is an operator and the second speaker 59 is used.

(Aspect 3)
First, the occurrence of abnormality is notified using the second speaker 59. If the cause of the abnormality cannot be resolved after a predetermined number of notifications, the first speaker 55 is used to notify the person near the image processing apparatus 1 of the occurrence of the abnormality.

(Aspect 4)
If an abnormality occurs at the time of printer or facsimile reception, it is assumed that there is no operator of the image processing apparatus 1, and the first speaker 55 notifies the abnormality occurrence. On the other hand, if an abnormality occurs during copying, scanning, or facsimile transmission, it is assumed that there is an operator and the second speaker 59 is used to notify the occurrence of the abnormality.

  In the present embodiment, when making a phone call with the image processing apparatus 1, the second speaker 59 is used as a monitor speaker. Thereby, it is possible to make it difficult or impossible to hear the sound from the monitor speaker for the person near the image processing apparatus 1.

  In the present embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is described as an example of the image processing apparatus 1. The image processing apparatus applicable to the present invention may be, for example, a facsimile machine, a copy machine, a scanner machine, or a printer machine.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an audio unit 37 provided in the image processing apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation panel 61 provided in the image processing apparatus 1. FIG. It is the figure which looked at the operation panel 61 which can change an angle from the side.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 3 ... MPU, 5 ... Image reading part, 7 ... Image recording part, 9 ... Display part, 11 ... Operation part, 13 ... Modem, 15 ... NCU, 17 ... public telephone line, 19 ... ROM, 21 ... RAM, 23 ... image memory, 25 ... hard disk, 27 ... codec, 29 ... LAN Interface 31 ... LAN 33 ... Bus 35 ... Serial bus 37 ... Audio part 39 ... Sub MPU 41 ... ROM 43 ... RAM 45 ... Audio decoder, 47 ... AFE, 49 ... switch, 51 ... bus, 53 ... analog amplifier, 55 ... first speaker, 57 ... analog amplifier, 59 ... first 2 speakers, 61 ... operation panel, 63 ... touch 65 ... Mode selection key, 67 ... Numeric keypad, 69 ... Start key, 71 ... Clear key, 73 ... Interrupt key, 75 ... Reset key, 81 ... Horizontal position , 83 ... Diagonal position

Claims (3)

An image processing apparatus having at least one function of a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer,
A first speaker;
A second speaker having higher directivity than the first speaker;
A speaker for selecting whether to use the first speaker or the second speaker according to the case where the first speaker and the second speaker which are divided in advance are used. An image processing apparatus comprising: a selection unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus includes an operation panel having the second speaker. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an angle of the operation panel can be changed according to a position where an operator of the image processing apparatus operates the image processing apparatus.

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