JP4345773B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that communicates image data, and more particularly to a facsimile apparatus that includes voice guidance means for outputting various operation procedures by voice.

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copier, a printer, or a multifunction machine having these functions, and has a guidance function (guidance function) for outputting operation procedures by voice in order to improve user convenience. Some are known (Patent Documents 1, 2, etc.). In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, voice guidance is used to confirm settings during copy processing. In addition, the apparatus of Patent Document 2 describes a guidance function for outputting the operation procedure of the one-touch dial registration process by voice.
JP 2004-170653 A JP 2004-255703 A

  If you want to cancel the transmission processing of a reserved facsimile transmission job or a facsimile transmission job that is currently being executed in a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine equipped with a facsimile function (hereinafter collectively referred to as a facsimile machine). It is necessary to cancel the operation. However, since this transmission cancellation process is not a commonly performed process, it is often time-consuming for the unskilled user to perform the cancellation operation. When this canceling operation is troublesome, there is a problem that a reserved facsimile transmission job is started or a facsimile transmission job being executed is completed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of promptly canceling a facsimile transmission job by voice guidance of an operation in the facsimile transmission job cancellation processing. To do.

The facsimile apparatus according to the present invention includes a voice receiving unit that outputs a voice operation procedure in facsimile communication, a unit that receives a facsimile transmission stop instruction, and an operation procedure according to the received stop instruction. Control means for controlling the voice guidance means to output voice, display means for displaying a reserved or executing facsimile transmission job, and means for receiving a selection instruction for the displayed reserved or executing facsimile transmission job And the voice guidance means outputs a voice transmission job selection instruction procedure and further includes means for determining whether there is a facsimile transmission job being executed. When there is a facsimile transmission job, the voice guidance means Characterized in that to perform the guidance simplified than without re send job.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when an instruction to stop facsimile transmission is received from the user, the procedure of the transmission cancellation operation is output as a voice. Therefore, since the procedure of the transmission stop operation is guided by voice, even an unaccustomed user can perform the transmission stop operation accurately and quickly.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, a facsimile transmission job being reserved or being executed is displayed, and the user is allowed to select a transmission job to be canceled from the displayed transmission jobs by voice guidance. Therefore, even an inexperienced user can quickly select a facsimile transmission job to be canceled.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when there is a facsimile transmission job being executed, the minimum necessary voice guidance is simplified compared to the case where there is no facsimile transmission job. Therefore, the transmission job being executed is quickly canceled.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when an instruction to cancel facsimile transmission is received, the procedure of the transmission cancellation operation is output as a voice, so even an unfamiliar user can perform the transmission cancellation operation accurately and quickly. Thus, it is possible to prevent a reserved facsimile transmission job from being started or a facsimile transmission job being executed from being completed.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the user selects a transmission job to be canceled from the displayed transmission jobs in accordance with the voice guidance. Therefore, even an inexperienced user can quickly select a facsimile transmission job to be canceled. It becomes possible to select.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when there is a facsimile transmission job being executed, the facsimile transmission job being executed may be canceled, so that voice guidance is simplified compared to when there is no facsimile transmission job being executed. As a result, the transmission stop operation for the transmission job being executed can be performed accurately and quickly, and the completion of the facsimile transmission job being executed can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction peripheral (facsimile multifunction peripheral) as a facsimile apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voice guidance unit 30 described later. In addition to the original facsimile function and copy function, the multifunction machine has a function of receiving an e-mail from an external terminal device via a network and a printer function of printing out input image data. Device.

  The multifunction machine includes an MPU (Microprocessor Unit) 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, a memory control unit 4, an image memory 5, a print image processing circuit 6, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) print head. 7. Printer mechanism control circuit 8, LAN (Local Area Network) interface 9, operation / display control unit 10, scanner 11, codec 12, modem 13, NCU (Network Control Unit) 14, voice guidance unit 30 and the like Yes.

The MPU 1 is connected to the above-described hardware units of the multifunction peripheral via the bus 31 and controls them, and executes various software functions according to a control program stored in the ROM 2. The ROM 2 stores various software control programs necessary for the operation of the multifunction peripheral. The RAM 3 stores temporary data generated when the software is executed. The RAM 3 stores information on the reserved transmission job (job number, destination,
A transmission reservation table 3a for storing (transmission time).

  The image memory 5 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data obtained by reading a document, image data received from an external device such as another facsimile machine, and the like under the control of the memory control unit 4. The LED print head 7 prints an image corresponding to the image data processed by the print image processing circuit 6 on the paper transferred from the paper feed cassette. The printer mechanism control circuit 8 controls the operation of the printer including the LED print head 7.

  The LAN interface 9 is connected to an external device such as another multifunction peripheral or a personal computer via the LAN, and exchanges data with the external device. The operation / display control unit 10 accepts user input operations on a key operation unit 10c having at least a transmission stop key 10a and a cursor key 10b, and a touch screen 10e of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel 10d, and also operates the multifunction device. A screen indicating the state, a screen prompting the user to input an operation, a screen issuing a warning to the user, and the like are displayed on the LCD panel 10d.

  The scanner 11 reads an original with an optical system using, for example, a CCD, and outputs the read image data. The codec 12 compresses / decompresses image data according to a predetermined compression method. The modem 13 is connected to the bus 31 and is composed of a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication. Similarly, the modem 13 is directly connected to the NCU 14 connected to the bus 31. The NCU 14 is hardware that performs operations for closing and opening a line with a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and connects the modem 13 to the PSTN as necessary.

  The voice guidance unit 30 includes a sub MPU 21, a ROM 22, a SRAM 23, a voice decoder 24, an AFE (Analog Front End) 25, an analog amplifier 26, a speaker 27, and the like. The sub MPU 21 is connected to the MPU 1 via the serial bus 32, and is connected to the above hardware components of the voice guidance unit 30 via the bus 33. The ROM 22 stores a control program for voice guidance and a voice guidance message. The SRAM 23 stores temporary data generated when the software is executed.

  The voice decoder 24 decodes the encoded voice guidance message read from the ROM 22 into voice waveform data. The AFE 25 converts the voice waveform data into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the analog amplifier 26. The analog amplifier 26 amplifies this analog signal and outputs it to the speaker 27.

  When voice guidance is performed, the data of the necessary voice waveform decoded by the voice decoder 24 is sent to the analog amplifier 26 via the AFE 25 and is output from the speaker 27 as voice. The voice guidance guides various processing operations for the multifunction peripheral. In the present invention, the voice guidance has at least a voice guidance function of an operation procedure particularly in a facsimile transmission job cancellation process.

  In the MFP according to the present invention, when the user presses the transmission cancel key 10a and receives an instruction from the user to cancel the transmission for the reserved facsimile transmission job or the facsimile transmission job being executed, The voice guidance for performing the operation procedure in the cancellation process is output. At this time, an operation screen including soft keys of the touch screen 10e is displayed on the LCD panel 10d in accordance with the voice guidance. Then, according to the voice guidance, the user operates the LCD panel 10d to execute a facsimile transmission job cancellation process.

  The operation of the multifunction machine of the present invention will be described below. 3, 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of an operation procedure when the transmission stop key 10a is pressed in the multifunction machine of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display in the multifunction machine of the present invention.

  The MPU 1 determines whether or not facsimile transmission is in progress (execution) (step S1). If the facsimile transmission is not in progress (S1: NO), the MPU 1 determines whether there is a facsimile transmission reservation based on the transmission job information in the transmission reservation table 3a (step S2). If not (S2: NO), the operation ends. If there is a facsimile transmission reservation (S2: YES), the MPU 1 displays a facsimile transmission reservation / transmission history selection screen as shown in FIG. 6A on the LCD panel 10d (step S3).

  The MPU 1 determines whether the soft key “close” or “confirm” of the touch screen 10e is pressed (step S4), and when “close” is pressed or a transmission history is selected and “confirm” is pressed. If it has been done (S4: [Close] or [History Confirm]), the operation ends as it is. When the transmission reservation is selected and the “OK” soft key is pressed (S4: [reservation confirmation]), the MPU 1 displays a facsimile reservation screen as shown in FIG. 6B showing the reserved transmission job. The image is displayed on the LCD panel 10d (step S5).

  Then, the MPU 1 executes the voice guidance function, “When canceling the facsimile, select the destination to be canceled with the cursor keys and press“ Delete ”. If there is no destination to cancel, press“ Close ”.” Is output (step S6), and an input of a destination by the cursor key 10b is received from the user (step S7). The MPU 1 determines whether the soft key “Close” or “Delete” on the touch screen 10e is pressed (Step S8). If “Close” is pressed (S8: [Close]), the operation is performed. Return to S3.

  On the other hand, when the soft key “Delete” is pressed (S8: [Delete]), the MPU 1 displays a facsimile deletion (cancel) determination screen as shown in FIG. 6C on the LCD panel 10d (Step S9). Then, the voice guidance function is executed and a voice message “Stop the facsimile. If yes, press“ Yes ”” is output (step S10). The MPU 1 determines which one of the soft keys “Yes” and “No” on the touch screen 10e is pressed (Step S11). If “No” is pressed (S11: [No]), the operation is performed. Return to S5.

  When the soft key “Yes” is pressed (S11: [Yes]), the MPU 1 displays a facsimile deletion (cancellation) completion screen as shown in FIG. 6D on the LCD panel 10d (Step S12), and the voice. The guidance function is executed, and “facsimile has been cancelled” is output as a voice (step S13). Then, the MPU 1 deletes the transmission job determined to be canceled in this way from the transmission reservation table 3a (step S14), and the operation ends.

  When facsimile transmission is in progress, that is, when there is a facsimile transmission job being executed (S1: YES), the MPU 1 shows a transmission job reserved including the transmission job currently being executed, as shown in FIG. Such a facsimile reservation screen is displayed on the LCD panel 10d (step S15). Then, the MPU 1 executes the voice guidance function, “When canceling the facsimile, select the destination to be canceled with the cursor keys and press“ Delete ”. If there is no destination to cancel, press“ Close ”.” Is output (step S16), and an input of a destination by the cursor key 10b is received from the user (step S17).

The MPU 1 determines whether the soft key “close” or “delete” on the touch screen 10e is pressed (step S18). If “close” is pressed (S18: [close]), the MPU 1 operates as it is. Ends. When the soft key “Delete” is pressed (S18: [Delete]), the MPU 1 determines whether or not the transmission job selected to be canceled is a transmission job being executed (transmitting) (Step S19). .

  If the transmission job is being executed (transmitting) (S19: YES), the MPU 1 stops the transmission process (step S20) and displays a facsimile deletion (cancellation) completion screen as shown in FIG. The message is displayed on the LCD panel 10d (step S21), "Facsimile has been canceled" is output as a voice (step S22), and the operation ends.

  When the transmission job selected to be canceled is not a transmission job being executed (transmitting) but a reserved transmission job (S19: NO), the MPU 1 deletes the facsimile as shown in FIG. ) A completion screen is displayed on the LCD panel 10d (step S23), "Facsimile has been canceled" is output as a voice (step S24), the transmission job is deleted from the transmission reservation table 3a (step S25), and the operation Ends.

  As described above, in the MFP of the present invention, the operation for canceling the facsimile transmission job is guided by voice, so that even an inexperienced user can perform the transmission cancellation operation accurately and quickly. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a reserved facsimile transmission job from being started or a facsimile transmission job being executed from being completed against a user's intention. In addition, since the reserved or executing facsimile transmission job is displayed and the user is allowed to select a transmission job to be canceled from the displayed transmission jobs by voice guidance, even an inexperienced user can You can quickly select the fax transmission job you want to cancel. Further, when an instruction to cancel a facsimile transmission job being executed is received from the user, the minimum necessary guidance is simplified as compared with the case of a reserved facsimile transmission job. It is possible to prevent the job from being canceled more quickly and completing the facsimile transmission job being executed against the user's intention.

  If there is no transmission job being executed and only a transmission job for which reservation is being made (redial or timed transmission), the facsimile is canceled when the transmission cancellation key 10a is pressed and the transmission job is canceled. If the execution of all transmission jobs is prohibited, the transmission can be stopped more reliably.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral (facsimile apparatus) according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a voice guidance part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when a transmission stop key is pressed in the multifunction peripheral (facsimile apparatus) of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when a transmission stop key is pressed in the multifunction peripheral (facsimile apparatus) of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when a transmission stop key is pressed in the multifunction peripheral (facsimile apparatus) of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display in the multifunctional device (facsimile apparatus) of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 MPU
2 ROM
3 RAM
3a Transmission reservation table 10 Operation / display control unit 10a Transmission stop key 10b Cursor key 10c Key operation unit 10d LCD panel 10e Touch screen 13 Modem 14 NCU
21 Sub MPU
22 ROM
23 SRAM
24 voice decoder 25 AFE
26 Analog amplifier 27 Speaker 30 Voice guidance section

Claims (1)

In a facsimile apparatus provided with voice guidance means for outputting a voice operation procedure in facsimile communication,
Means for receiving an instruction to cancel facsimile transmission; control means for controlling the voice guidance means to output an operation procedure in accordance with the received stop instruction; and display means for displaying a facsimile transmission job being reserved or being executed And a means for accepting a selection instruction for the displayed reservation or the facsimile transmission job being executed, and the voice guidance means is adapted to output a procedure for operating the facsimile transmission job selection instruction. Means for determining whether or not there is an ongoing facsimile transmission job, and when there is an ongoing facsimile transmission job, the voice guidance means is simplified compared to when there is no ongoing facsimile transmission job. A facsimile apparatus characterized in that the guidance is provided .

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