JPH11136417A - Information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information equipment capable of improving audibility even when there is much noise and not causing unpleasantness even when it is quiet, by changing sound volume outputted from a speaker corresponding to peripheral noise. SOLUTION: In this information equipment provided with the speaker, the peripheral sound of the equipment is fetched from a microphone 2, the level of the fetched peripheral sound is measured and a sound volume value is set corresponding to the level of the peripheral sound in a sound volume setting part 3 and the sound volume to be outputted from the speaker 1 is controlled corresponding to the sound volume value in a sound volume control part 4. Also, the sound volume setting part 3 is constituted so as to set the sound volume value corresponding to not only the level of the peripheral sound but also the purpose of outputting sound or voice from the speaker 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a facsimile machine,
The present invention relates to an information device including a speaker for outputting a warning sound, a message, and the like, such as a copying machine and a personal computer, and more particularly to an information device capable of controlling a volume output from a speaker according to the level of ambient noise.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some information devices such as facsimile machines and copiers have a speaker and can output a warning sound, a warning voice, various voice messages, and the like. For example, in a facsimile apparatus disclosed in JP-A-5-199389,
An abnormal state of the facsimile receiving side is transmitted to the transmitting side by a voice signal, and the facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side outputs a warning voice from the speaker based on the voice signal to prevent useless repetition of transmission. Conventionally, in any of the information devices, the above-described volume setting of the speaker is manually performed by a user, and once set, the same volume is maintained until resetting is performed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, when the noise around the information equipment is high, there is a problem that the sound or voice output from the speaker is difficult to hear, and the volume is set too high. And there is a problem that it gives discomfort when the surroundings are quiet. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional technology as described above, and to change the output volume in accordance with the ambient noise so that the noise can be heard well even when the noise is high and the noise is low. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information device that does not cause discomfort, and also provides an information device that outputs a loud sound such as a warning sound.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information apparatus provided with a speaker, comprising: a noise measuring means for measuring a level of a surrounding sound of the apparatus; Volume control means for controlling the volume output from the speaker according to the level of the ambient sound measured by the noise measurement means, so that when the surrounding noise is high, the volume output from the speaker is automatically increased. When the noise is low, the volume is reduced. According to the second aspect of the present invention, based on the configuration of the first aspect, the apparatus further comprises a DTMF signal (push button signal) detecting means, and a volume indication value detected by the DTMF signal detecting means and a surrounding area. Since the volume control means is configured to control the volume output from the speaker in accordance with the level of the sound, the detected DTMF
The volume output from the speaker automatically increases or decreases according to the volume instruction value indicated by the signal. According to the third aspect of the invention, based on the device configuration of the first aspect, the volume is controlled so as to control the volume output from the speaker according to the purpose of outputting sound or voice from the speaker and the level of the ambient sound. By configuring the control means, the volume output from the speaker is automatically increased or decreased according to the purpose of outputting sound or voice from the speaker. According to the fourth aspect of the invention, on the premise of the device configuration of the third aspect, the sound or the sound other than the warning sound or the warning sound is output when the warning sound or the warning sound is output from the speaker. By configuring the sound volume control means to be higher than the sound volume at the time, when the warning sound or the warning sound is output from the speaker, the sound volume automatically becomes higher than the standard level.

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus which is a kind of information equipment according to the present invention will be exemplified. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a speaker 1 for outputting a warning sound, a warning voice, a voice message, and the like, a microphone 2 for inputting ambient sounds of the facsimile apparatus, and the like, A volume setting unit 3 that measures the level of ambient sound such as noise and sets the volume output from the speaker 1 according to the level, a volume control unit 4 that outputs sound or voice to the speaker 1 at the set volume, PCM
Voice message storage unit 5 for storing voice messages digitized by a system or the like, voice playback unit 6 for converting a digital voice message read from voice message storage unit 5 into an analog voice signal, CPU and ROM A control unit 11 for managing and controlling the entire apparatus according to a built-in program, a keyboard for a user to give an instruction to the facsimile apparatus, and an operation display including a display means for the facsimile apparatus to give a message or the like to the user. Unit 12, a RAM 13 for temporarily storing image information and the like, a scanner 14 for reading an image on a document, and a received image information decoded by an encoding / decoding unit (DCR) 18 via the RAM 13. Plotter 15 establishes a call with a remote facsimile machine via the public telephone network. Network control unit for (NCU) 1
6, a communication control unit 17 for performing facsimile transmission and reception in accordance with the G3 transmission control procedure, a modem 19 composed of a low-speed modem and a high-speed modem, an image memory 20 for storing image information, storing and holding control information, and controlling power-off. For this purpose, a parameter memory 21 backed up by a battery is provided. Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described according to the operation flow shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the sound output means including the control unit 11 and the like periodically executes the operation flow. When the operation flow starts, the control unit 11 transmits a sound (sound) to the speaker 1. It is determined whether an output has occurred (S1). For example,
If an abnormality occurs, a warning sound or the like is output, and a guidance sound is output during operation. For example, when such a situation occurs, the control unit 11 sets a sound output flag in a predetermined area of the RAM 13. Thus, the sound output means refers to the sound output flag to determine whether a sound output is generated. As a result, if the sound output has not been generated (No in S1), the process immediately exits this operation flow, and if the sound output has been generated (Yes in S1), the microphone 2
The ambient sound input from is measured by the volume setting unit 3 (S2). For example, the volume setting unit 3 includes an integrating circuit having a time constant of about 2 to 3 seconds, and the output value is used as the ambient sound level at that time. Subsequently, the volume setting unit 3
Is the measured ambient sound level is a predetermined value Vr
It is determined whether it is greater than (S3). If it is greater, it is determined that the state is abnormal (Yes in S3), and the volume value is set to V1 (S4). If it is not larger than the predetermined value Vr (No in S3), the volume is set to V2 (S5). Note that V1> V2. That is, if the surrounding sound is louder, the output volume is increased.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit in which steps S2 to S5 are realized by hardware. The ambient sound input signal Vi given from the microphone 2 is full-wave rectified by the full-wave rectifier circuit 22, further smoothed by the integration circuit 23, and the smoothed ambient sound level is compared with the predetermined value Vr by the comparison circuit 24. You. If the ambient sound level is higher than Vr, the transistor Tr1 is turned on and V1 is output as the volume value output value Vout. If the ambient sound level is not higher than Vr, the transistor Tr2 is turned on and the volume value output value Vout is output. Is output as V2. In addition,
FIGS. 2 and 3 show a case where the sound volume value is output in two stages, but may be output in three or more stages. Subsequently, the speaker 1 is turned on by the sound volume controller 4 (S6), and sound output to the speaker 1 controlled by the set sound volume value is started (S7). In the case of outputting a voice message, the control unit 11 reads out the digital voice message to be output from the voice message storage unit 5 and supplies it to the voice reproduction unit 6 to generate an analog voice signal, and amplifies the analog voice signal. The rate is amplified according to the volume value and output to the speaker 1. When the sound output is completed (Yes in S8),
The control unit 11 turns off the speaker 1 (S9) and exits this operation flow. As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the ambient sound (noise) is loud, the output volume is automatically increased, so that the user can easily hear the sound. Since the sound volume is also reduced, it is possible to listen to a voice message or the like.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment includes a DTMF detection unit 7 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, and detects not only the ambient sound but also the DTMF detection unit 7. The volume is set in accordance with the contents of the instruction from the outside.
Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described according to the operation flow shown in FIG. This operation flow shows a case where facsimile reception is impossible due to some factor. First, the network controller 16 detects an incoming call from the other party's facsimile machine (S11). Then, the control unit 11
Since the reception is disabled, a voice message is transmitted to the other party requesting that the user push the push button of the attached telephone to give an instruction (S12). The voice message is read from the voice message storage unit 5, converted into an analog signal in the voice reproduction unit 6, and transmitted via the network control unit 16. Subsequently, the control unit 11 turns on a timer in the control unit 11 and monitors the transmission of a DTMF signal (push button signal) from the other party's facsimile machine (S14 → S16 → S14). It is expected that the user on the other end listens to the voice message and presses the push button according to the predetermined contents. In addition, the contents determined above, for example, when the transmitting side wants to promptly notify the receiving side that the receiving side is in the reception disabled state, the transmitting side presses a push button number indicating a warning sound, and further indicates the maximum volume. It's like pressing a push button number.

If the DTMF signal is detected by the DTMF detection unit 7 before the time is over (No in S16) (Yes in S14), the volume setting unit 3 sets the tone type according to the detected DTMF signal. A selection is made and the volume is set (S15). When the sound type is a warning sound, for example, a high and intermittent sound is selected. The volume is set in consideration of the surrounding sound. Hereinafter, the flow of outputting the warning sound from the speaker ON shown in the first embodiment (steps S6 to S9 in FIG. 2) is executed, and the line is disconnected (S17). The warning sound may be output after the line is disconnected. On the other hand, if the time is over before the DTMF signal is detected (No in S14) (Yes in S16), the line is disconnected at that point (S14).
17). In the above, an audio signal may be received from the other party's telephone instead of the sound type, and the audio signal may be output to the speaker 1 via the network control device 16 and the volume control unit 4. The volume value in such a case is also set according to the instruction by the DTMF signal as described above.
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the warning sound or the warning sound is output from the speaker at the volume according to the instruction from the remote telephone or the like. Can be notified of an abnormality on the receiving side. next,
In the third embodiment of the present invention, even if the user does not give an instruction for the volume as described above, it is determined whether or not a warning sound is issued. If not, set the volume low. Note that the warning sound (including the warning sound) is not limited to the warning sound based on the DTMF signal as described above.

FIG. 6 shows an example of setting a volume value according to the ambient sound and the warning sound. In FIG. 6, for example, V1>V2>
V3> V4. FIG. 7 shows a circuit for realizing the sound volume value shown in FIG. 6, in which the signal a indicating a warning sound is at a high level (indicating that the signal is a warning sound at this time) and the ambient sound volume is high. The transistor Tr11 is turned on, the volume value V1 is output, the signal a indicating the alarm sound is at the Low level, and if the ambient volume is loud, the transistor Tr12 is turned on and the volume value V2 is output, When the signal a indicating the warning sound is at the high level and the ambient sound is low, the transistor Tr21 is turned on, the volume value V3 is output, and the signal a indicating the warning sound is at the low level. If the ambient sound volume is low, the transistor Tr22 is turned on, and the volume value V4 is output. As described above, according to the third embodiment, even if the user does not specify the volume value, the volume that is automatically output in the case of a warning sound is increased, so that the user can easily become abnormal. You can notice. In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus has been described as an example.
Of course, the present invention can be applied to other information devices such as a copying machine and a personal computer.

[0011]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be exhibited. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the volume output from the speaker is automatically increased when the ambient noise is high, and the volume is reduced when the noise is low. It is easy to hear, and when the noise is low, the speaker output sound can be heard at a comfortable volume.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the volume output from the speaker is automatically increased according to the volume indication value indicated by the detected DTMF signal. For example, the volume output from the loudspeaker can be increased by an instruction from a remote location, so that a warning from the remote location can be quickly noticed. According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the volume output from the speaker automatically increases or decreases according to the purpose of outputting sound or voice from the speaker. , Sound and voice are output at an appropriate volume according to the situation without any effort. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the warning sound or the warning sound is output from the speaker, the volume is automatically increased, so that the warning sound or the like is not missed, and the voice guidance is comfortable. You can listen at the volume.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flow chart of the facsimile apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a main part of the facsimile apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation flow chart of the facsimile apparatus showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a facsimile apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a main part of a facsimile apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 speaker, 2 microphones, 3 volume setting section (noise measuring means), 4 volume control section, 5 voice message storage section,
6 audio reproduction unit, 7 DTMF detection unit, 11 control unit, 13 RAM, 16 network control device, 22 full-wave rectification circuit, 23 integration circuit, 24 comparison circuit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] In an information device provided with a speaker, a noise measuring means for measuring a level of an ambient sound of the device, and a volume output from the speaker in accordance with the level of the ambient sound measured by the noise measuring means. An information device comprising: a volume control unit. 2. The information device according to claim 1, wherein
And a volume control unit configured to control a volume output from a speaker according to a volume indication value detected by the DTMF signal detection unit and a level of an ambient sound. Information equipment. 3. The information device according to claim 1, wherein the volume control means is configured to control the volume output from the speaker according to the purpose of outputting sound or voice from the speaker and the level of ambient sound. Information equipment characterized by the following. 4. The information device according to claim 3, wherein a volume at which a warning sound or a warning sound is output from the speaker is set higher than a volume at which a sound or a voice other than the warning sound or the warning sound is output. An information device comprising the volume control means.