Image output device, image output method

Abstract

To provide an image output device and an image output method that can prevent output jobs from being executed with settings contrary to the user's wishes. [Solution] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an audio input receiving unit 7 that receives audio input, an adjustment processing unit 25 that adjusts the setting values ​​based on the adjustment instructions when the received audio includes an instruction to execute an output job that outputs image data and an instruction to adjust setting values ​​related to the output job, and a display processing unit 26 that, when the adjustment instructions are ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the setting values, suspends the execution of the output job and displays the output image of the output job based on the setting values ​​before adjustment and the output image of the output job based on the setting values ​​after adjustment on the operation display unit 5.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image output device and an image output method.

Background Art

[0002] In an image output device such as a multifunction device, an output job for outputting image data, such as a print job, is executed. Further, in the image output device, a setting value related to the output job, such as a density value of an output image, is adjusted according to a user operation.

[0003] Also, an image output device capable of receiving voice input is known. For example, when the received voice includes an execution instruction for the output job and an adjustment instruction for the setting value, an image output device that adjusts the setting value based on the adjustment instruction and then executes the output job is known as a related art (see Patent Document 1). In the image output device according to the related art, when the adjustment instruction for the adjustment amount of the setting value is ambiguous, the adjustment amount of the setting value is estimated based on the adjustment instruction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when the adjustment instruction for the adjustment amount of the setting value is ambiguous, it is desirable to request the user to confirm the adjustment result of the setting value based on the adjustment instruction before executing the output job.

[0006] However, the image output device relating to the aforementioned related technology executes the output job without asking the user for confirmation of the adjustment result of the setting value based on the adjustment instruction, even if the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment, if the adjustment instruction is clear regarding which setting value to adjust. As a result, the image output device relating to the aforementioned related technology may execute the output job with settings contrary to the user's wishes.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an image output device and an image output method that can prevent output jobs from being executed with settings contrary to the user's wishes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An image output device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an audio input receiving unit, an adjustment processing unit, and a display processing unit. The audio input receiving unit receives audio input. The adjustment processing unit adjusts the setting values ​​based on the adjustment instructions when the audio received by the audio input receiving unit includes an instruction to execute an output job that outputs image data and an instruction to adjust setting values ​​related to the output job. The display processing unit suspends execution of the output job when the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the setting values, and displays the output image of the output job based on the setting values ​​before adjustment and the output image of the output job based on the setting values ​​after adjustment on a predetermined display unit.

[0009] An image output method according to another aspect of the present invention is performed by an image output device equipped with an audio input receiving unit that receives audio input, and includes an adjustment step and a display step. In the adjustment step, if the audio received by the audio input receiving unit includes an instruction to execute an output job that outputs image data and an instruction to adjust a setting value related to the output job, the setting value is adjusted based on the adjustment instruction. In the display step, if the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the setting value, the execution of the output job is suspended, and the output image of the output job based on the setting value before adjustment and the output image of the output job based on the setting value after adjustment are displayed on a predetermined display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent output jobs from being executed with settings contrary to the user's wishes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a reception screen displayed in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a reception screen displayed in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a reception screen displayed in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first reception process performed in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a second reception process performed in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0013] [Configuration of the image forming apparatus 100] First, with reference to Figure 1, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction device having multiple functions, including a scanning function for reading an image from a document, a printing function for forming an image based on the image data, a fax function, and a copy function. The image forming apparatus 100 is an example of the image output device of the present invention. The image output device of the present invention may be a printer, scanner, fax machine, or copier.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 100 comprises an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 1, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, an operation display unit 5, a storage unit 6, a voice input receiving unit 7, and a control unit 8.

[0016] The ADF1 transports the document whose image is read by the image reading unit 2. The ADF1 comprises a document setting unit, multiple transport rollers, a document holder, and a paper output unit.

[0017] The image reading unit 2 implements the scanning function. The image reading unit 2 comprises a document glass, a light source, multiple mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The image reading unit 2 reads the image of the document transported by the ADF 1 and outputs image data including the read image. The image reading unit 2 also reads the image of the document placed on the document glass and outputs image data including the read image.

[0018] The image forming unit 3 realizes the printing function. Specifically, the image forming unit 3 forms an image on a sheet supplied by the paper feeding unit 4 by an electrophotographic method. For example, the image forming unit 3 includes a plurality of image forming units, an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer roller, a fixing device, and a paper discharge tray. Note that the image forming unit 3 may form an image on a sheet supplied by the paper feeding unit 4 by another image forming method such as an inkjet method.

[0019] The paper feeding unit 4 supplies a sheet to the image forming unit 3. The paper feeding unit 4 includes a paper feeding cassette and a plurality of conveyance rollers.

[0020] The operation display unit 5 is a user interface of the image forming apparatus 100. The operation display unit 5 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit displays various types of information in accordance with a control instruction from the control unit 8. For example, the display unit is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit inputs various types of information to the control unit 8 in accordance with a user's operation. For example, the operation unit is an operation device including operation keys and a touch panel.

[0021] The storage unit 6 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage unit 6 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. Note that the storage unit 6 may be an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like.

[0022] The voice input reception unit 7 receives voice input. The voice input reception unit 7 includes a microphone and a signal conversion unit. The microphone converts voice input by a user into an analog signal. The signal conversion unit converts the analog signal output from the microphone into a digital signal and inputs the digital signal to the control unit 8. [[ID=十七]]

[0023] The control unit 8 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 8 comprises a CPU 11, a ROM 12, and a RAM 13. The CPU 11 is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory device in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU 11 to perform various operations is pre-stored. The RAM 13 is a volatile or non-volatile memory device used as temporary storage memory (work area) for the various operations performed by the CPU 11. In the control unit 8, the CPU 11 executes various control programs pre-stored in the ROM 12. In this way, the control unit 8 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 100 executes output jobs that output image data. For example, the output job includes a print job that prints the image data of a document. The output job also includes a transmission job that sends the image data of the document to a specified destination. The image data of the document to be printed or transmitted may be acquired using the image reading unit 2 or from the storage unit 6.

[0025] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100, settings related to the output job, such as the density value of the output image, are adjusted according to the user's operation. For example, the settings include, in addition to the density value of the output image, the sharpness value, contrast value, and saturation value of the output image. The settings also include the number of pages to be aggregated in the aggregate output function, which aggregates multiple pages of a document into one page for output. The settings also include the scaling factor of the output image.

[0026] Incidentally, an image output device is known as related technology in which, when the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 includes an instruction to execute the output job and an instruction to adjust the setting value, the device adjusts the setting value based on the adjustment instruction and then executes the output job. In the image output device according to the related technology, if the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount to adjust the setting value, the amount to adjust the setting value is estimated based on the adjustment instruction.

[0027] In cases where the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the setting value, it is desirable to ask the user to confirm the result of the adjustment of the setting value based on the adjustment instruction before executing the output job.

[0028] However, the image output device relating to the aforementioned related technology executes the output job without asking the user for confirmation of the adjustment result of the setting value based on the adjustment instruction, even if the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment, if the adjustment instruction is clear regarding which setting value to adjust. As a result, the image output device relating to the aforementioned related technology may execute the output job with settings contrary to the user's wishes.

[0029] In contrast, the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can suppress the execution of the output job with settings contrary to the user's wishes, as described below.

[0030] [Configuration of Control Unit 8] Next, the configuration of the control unit 8 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 8 includes a recognition processing unit 21, a first determination processing unit 22, a second determination processing unit 23, a third determination processing unit 24, an adjustment processing unit 25, a display processing unit 26, an update processing unit 27, a notification processing unit 28, and an execution processing unit 29.

[0032] Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 100, an operation control program for causing the control unit 8 to function as each of the above-mentioned processing units is stored in the storage unit 6 in advance. The CPU 11 of the control unit 8 functions as each of the processing units shown in Figure 1 by executing the operation control program.

[0033] Furthermore, some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 8 may be composed of electronic circuits. Also, the operation control program may be a program that causes multiple processors to function as the processing units shown in Figure 1.

[0034] The recognition processing unit 21 recognizes the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7.

[0035] Specifically, the recognition processing unit 21 converts the digital signal (voice data) output from the voice input receiving unit 7 into text data using a conventionally known method.

[0036] The first determination processing unit 22 determines, based on the voice recognition result by the recognition processing unit 21, whether or not the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 includes the execution instruction of the output job.

[0037] For example, the first determination processing unit 22 determines that the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 contains the execution instruction if the text data corresponding to the voice contains the first keyword indicating the execution instruction. For example, the first keyword may be "print," "start printing," "execute printing," and "print." The first keyword may be stored in the storage unit 6 or ROM 12 in advance. The first determination processing unit 22 may also determine that the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 contains the execution instruction if the first keyword is included at the end of the text data corresponding to the voice.

[0038] When the first determination processing unit 22 determines that the voice contains the execution instruction, the second determination processing unit 23 determines, based on the voice recognition result by the recognition processing unit 21, whether the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 contains the adjustment instruction for the set value.

[0039] For example, the second determination processing unit 23 determines that the audio received by the audio input receiving unit 7 contains the adjustment instruction if the text data corresponding to the audio contains the adjustment instruction. For example, the second keyword could be "darken the color," "brighten the color," "2 in 1," "combine," or "enlarge." The second keyword only needs to be stored in the storage unit 6 or ROM 12 beforehand.

[0040] In the image forming apparatus 100, the setting value to be adjusted and the adjustment direction are determined based on the second keyword contained in the audio received by the audio input receiving unit 7. Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 100, the second keyword and the setting value to be adjusted and the adjustment direction are pre-associated. For example, in the image forming apparatus 100, if the audio received by the audio input receiving unit 7 contains the second keyword "darken the color", both the saturation value and the contrast value of the output image are adjusted in the negative direction. Also, in the image forming apparatus 100, if the audio received by the audio input receiving unit 7 contains the second keyword "2 in 1" or "aggregate", the number of pages aggregated in the aggregate output function is adjusted in the positive direction. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100, if the audio received by the audio input receiving unit 7 contains the second keyword "enlarge", the scaling ratio of the output image is adjusted in the positive direction.

[0041] When the second determination processing unit 23 determines that the voice contains the adjustment instruction, the third determination processing unit 24 determines, based on the voice recognition result by the recognition processing unit 21, whether or not the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the set value.

[0042] For example, the third determination processing unit 24 determines that the adjustment instruction for the adjustment amount of the setting value is ambiguous if the text data corresponding to the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 does not contain a third keyword that clearly indicates the adjustment amount. For example, the third keyword could be "one," "two," "2 in 1," or "50 percent." The third keyword may be stored in the storage unit 6 or ROM 12 in advance.

[0043] The adjustment processing unit 25 adjusts the setting value based on the adjustment instruction when the audio received by the audio input receiving unit 7 includes the execution instruction for the output job that outputs image data and the adjustment instruction for the setting value related to the output job.

[0044] Specifically, if the third determination processing unit 24 determines that the adjustment instruction is not ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the set value, the adjustment processing unit 25 adjusts the set value according to the adjustment instruction.

[0045] Furthermore, if the third determination processing unit 24 determines that the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the set value, the adjustment processing unit 25 estimates the amount of adjustment of the set value based on the adjustment instruction and adjusts the set value based on the estimation result.

[0046] For example, if the text data corresponding to the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 includes a fourth keyword indicating an ambiguous adjustment amount, the adjustment processing unit 25 estimates the adjustment amount of the set value based on the fourth keyword. For example, the fourth keyword could be "a little," "just a little," or "a lot." The fourth keyword may be stored in the storage unit 6 or ROM 12 beforehand.

[0047] For example, in the image forming apparatus 100, for each of the setting values, the fourth keyword and a numerical value indicating the adjustment amount of the setting value are pre-associated. For example, in the image forming apparatus 100, if the setting value is the saturation value and contrast value of the output image, and the audio received by the audio input receiving unit 7 includes the fourth keyword "a little", the adjustment amount of the setting value is estimated to be "two". Also, in the image forming apparatus 100, if the setting value is the saturation value and contrast value of the output image, and the audio received by the audio input receiving unit 7 includes the fourth keyword "just a little", the adjustment amount of the setting value is estimated to be "one". Also, in the image forming apparatus 100, if the setting value is the saturation value and contrast value of the output image, and the audio received by the audio input receiving unit 7 includes the fourth keyword "a lot", the adjustment amount of the setting value is estimated to be "four".

[0048] Furthermore, if the text data corresponding to the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 does not contain the fourth keyword, the adjustment amount of the setting value is estimated to be the reference amount corresponding to the adjustment target from among the reference amounts predetermined for each setting value.

[0049] For example, the reference quantity corresponding to the saturation value and contrast value of the output image is "3". Also, the reference quantity corresponding to the number of pages aggregated in the aggregated output function is "2 (2 in 1)". Furthermore, the reference quantity corresponding to the scaling ratio of the output image is "30 percent".

[0050] If the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the setting value, the display processing unit 26 suspends the execution of the output job and displays the output image of the output job based on the setting value before adjustment and the output image of the output job based on the setting value after adjustment on the operation display unit 5 (an example of a predetermined display unit of the present invention).

[0051] Specifically, the display processing unit 26 displays a reception screen X10 (see Figure 2) used for inputting instructions to readjust the adjusted setting values, which includes the output image of the output job based on the setting value before adjustment and the output image of the output job based on the setting value after adjustment.

[0052] Figure 2 shows an example of the reception screen X10 that is displayed on the operation display unit 5 when the voice command "Print with slightly darker colors" is input to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0053] Furthermore, the audio shown in Figure 2 includes the execution instruction for the print job, as well as the adjustment instructions for the saturation and contrast values ​​of the output image in the negative direction. However, the adjustment instructions included in the audio shown in Figure 2 are ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment to the set values.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in the audio in Figure 2, if the audio including the execution instruction for the print job does not include a specification of the print target, the document placed on the document setting section of the ADF1 or the document glass of the image reading section 2 may be printed, or any predetermined image data from the document image data stored in the storage section 6 may be printed.

[0055] The reception screen X10 shown in Figure 2 includes a pre-adjustment image X11, a post-adjustment image X12, and two setting value adjustment units X13.

[0056] The pre-adjustment image X11 is the output image before the saturation and contrast values ​​are adjusted based on the adjustment instructions. In other words, the pre-adjustment image X11 is the output image when the saturation and contrast values ​​are at their initial values. The saturation value can be adjusted in nine steps from "-4" to "+4" (see Figure 2). The initial value for saturation is "0". The contrast value can also be adjusted in nine steps from "-4" to "+4" (see Figure 2). The initial value for contrast is "0".

[0057] The adjusted image X12 is the output image after the saturation and contrast values ​​have been adjusted based on the adjustment instructions. In Figure 2, the hatching indicates that the colors of the adjusted image X12 are darker than those of the unadjusted image X11.

[0058] A setting value adjustment unit X13 is provided for each of the setting values ​​to be adjusted. Each setting value adjustment unit X13 accepts manual adjustment operations for the setting value. Each setting value adjustment unit X13 includes a slide bar X14. The user can manually adjust the setting value by moving the slide bar X14.

[0059] On the reception screen X10, in addition to manual input of the readjustment instructions, voice input of the readjustment instructions is also accepted. Furthermore, on the reception screen X10, the input of the execution instructions is accepted. When the input of the execution instructions is accepted on the reception screen X10, the reservation of the execution of the output job is released. The input of the execution instructions on the reception screen X10 may be performed by voice or by operation of an operation key (not shown).

[0060] Note that the reception screen X10 does not necessarily have to include the setting value adjustment unit X13.

[0061] When the readjustment instruction is received on the reception screen X10 (see Figure 2), the update processing unit 27 updates the reception screen X10 based on the readjustment result of the setting value based on the readjustment instruction.

[0062] Specifically, the update processing unit 27 displays the output image of the setting value after readjustment based on the readjustment instruction on the reception screen X10, instead of the output image of the setting value before readjustment based on the readjustment instruction.

[0063] Figure 3 shows an example of the reception screen X10 displayed on the operation display unit 5 when the voice command "Make it a little darker" is input to the image forming apparatus 100 while the reception screen X10 shown in Figure 2 is displayed.

[0064] Furthermore, the audio shown in Figure 3 includes the instruction to readjust the saturation and contrast values ​​of the output image in the negative direction. Also, the amount of adjustment for the set values ​​is ambiguous in the audio shown in Figure 3.

[0065] The reception screen X10 shown in Figure 3 includes a re-adjusted image X15 instead of the adjusted image X12 (see Figure 2).

[0066] The readjusted image X15 is the output image after the saturation and contrast values ​​have been readjusted based on the readjustment instructions. In Figure 3, the density of the hatching indicates that the colors of the readjusted image X15 are darker than those of the adjusted image X12.

[0067] The notification processing unit 28 notifies the user when it receives the input of the readjustment instruction on the reception screen X10 (see Figure 3) and the readjusted setting value based on the readjustment instruction is outside the adjustable range of the setting value.

[0068] Specifically, the notification processing unit 28 displays a message on the reception screen X10 indicating that the readjusted setting value based on the readjustment instruction is outside the adjustable range of the setting value. The notification processing unit 28 may also output a voice message indicating that the readjusted setting value based on the readjustment instruction is outside the adjustable range of the setting value.

[0069] Figure 4 shows an example of the reception screen X10 displayed on the operation display unit 5 when the voice command "Make it a little darker" is input to the image forming apparatus 100 while the reception screen X10 shown in Figure 3 is displayed.

[0070] Furthermore, if the readjusted setting value based on the readjustment instruction is outside the adjustable range of the setting value, and the setting value before readjustment is not the limit of the adjustable range, the update processing unit 27 should update the reception screen X10 based on the setting value adjusted up to the limit.

[0071] The execution processing unit 29 executes the output job in accordance with the execution instruction when the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 includes the execution instruction.

[0072] Here, if the audio received by the audio input receiving unit 7 does not include the adjustment instructions, the execution processing unit 29 executes the output job with each of the setting values ​​set to their initial values.

[0073] Furthermore, if the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 includes the adjustment instruction and the adjustment instruction is clear, the execution processing unit 29 will execute the output job after the setting value has been adjusted by the adjustment processing unit 25.

[0074] Furthermore, if the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 includes the adjustment instruction, and the adjustment instruction is ambiguous, the execution processing unit 29 will execute the output job after the setting value has been adjusted by the adjustment processing unit 25 and the execution instruction has been entered on the receiving screen X10.

[0075] [First reception processing] The image output method of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figure 5, along with an example of the procedure for the first reception processing performed by the control unit 8 in the image forming apparatus 100. Here, steps S11, S12, etc. represent the processing procedure (step) numbers performed by the control unit 8.

[0076] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 8 determines whether or not an audio input has been received by the audio input receiving unit 7.

[0077] Here, if the control unit 8 determines that audio input has been received (Yes side of S11), it proceeds to step S12. If audio input has not been received (No side of S11), the control unit 8 waits for audio input to be received in step S11.

[0078] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 8 recognizes the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7. The processing in step S12 is performed by the recognition processing unit 21 of the control unit 8.

[0079] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 8 determines, based on the voice recognition result from the processing in step S12, whether the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 includes the execution instruction of the output job. The processing in step S13 is performed by the first determination processing unit 22 of the control unit 8.

[0080] Here, if the control unit 8 determines that the audio contains the execution instruction for the output job (Yes side of S13), it proceeds to step S14. If the audio does not contain the execution instruction for the output job (No side of S13), the control unit 8 proceeds to step S11. The control unit 8 may also notify that the audio input is invalid if the audio contains the execution instruction for an output job that cannot be executed.

[0081] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 8 determines, based on the voice recognition result from the processing in step S12, whether the voice received by the voice input receiving unit 7 includes the adjustment instruction for the set value. The processing in step S14 is performed by the second determination processing unit 23 of the control unit 8.

[0082] Here, if the control unit 8 determines that the audio contains the adjustment instruction for the set value (Yes side of S14), it proceeds to step S15. If the audio does not contain the adjustment instruction for the set value (No side of S14), the control unit 8 proceeds to step S17. The control unit 8 may also notify that the audio input is invalid if the audio contains the adjustment instruction for a set value that cannot be set.

[0083] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 8 determines, based on the voice recognition result from the processing in step S12, whether the adjustment instruction for the adjustment amount of the set value is ambiguous. The processing in step S15 is performed by the third determination processing unit 24 of the control unit 8.

[0084] If the control unit 8 determines that the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the set value (Yes side of S15), it proceeds to step S18. If the adjustment instruction is not ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the set value (No side of S15), the control unit 8 proceeds to step S16.

[0085] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 8 adjusts the set value according to the adjustment instruction. The process in step S16 is an example of the adjustment steps of the present invention and is performed by the adjustment processing unit 25 of the control unit 8.

[0086] <Step S17> In step S17, the control unit 8 executes the output job in accordance with the execution instruction. The processing in step S17 is performed by the execution processing unit 29 of the control unit 8.

[0087] <Step S18> In step S18, the control unit 8 executes the second reception process described below.

[0088] [Second reception processing] Next, with reference to Figure 6, an example of the procedure for the second reception process, which is performed in step S18 of the first reception process, will be described.

[0089] <Step S21> First, in step S21, the control unit 8 estimates the amount of adjustment for the set value based on the adjustment instruction, and adjusts the set value based on the estimation result. The process in step S21 is an example of the adjustment steps of the present invention and is performed by the adjustment processing unit 25 of the control unit 8.

[0090] <Step S22> In step S22, the control unit 8 displays the reception screen X10 (see Figure 2) on the operation display unit 5. The processing in step S22 is an example of the display step of the present invention and is performed by the display processing unit 26 of the control unit 8.

[0091] This allows the user to check the output image based on the setting value before adjustment and the output image based on the setting value after adjustment, and determine whether or not the setting value needs to be readjusted.

[0092] <Step S23> In step S23, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the input of the execution instruction has been received on the reception screen X10.

[0093] If the control unit 8 determines that the input of the execution instruction has been received (Yes side of S23), it terminates the second reception process. If the input of the execution instruction has not been received (No side of S23), the control unit 8 proceeds to step S24.

[0094] <Step S24> In step S24, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the readjustment instruction input has been received on the reception screen X10.

[0095] If the control unit 8 determines that the readjustment instruction has been received (Yes in S24), it proceeds to step S25. If the readjustment instruction has not been received (No in S24), the control unit 8 proceeds to step S23.

[0096] <Step S25> In step S25, the control unit 8 determines whether the set value after readjustment based on the readjustment instruction is within the adjustable range of the set value.

[0097] If the control unit 8 determines that the readjusted setting value is within the adjustable range of the setting value (Yes in S25), it proceeds to step S26. If the readjusted setting value is not within the adjustable range of the setting value (No in S25), the control unit 8 proceeds to step S28.

[0098] <Step S26> In step S26, the control unit 8 readjusts the set value based on the readjustment instruction.

[0099] <Step S27> In step S27, the control unit 8 updates the reception screen X10 based on the readjustment result of the setting value based on the readjustment instruction. The processing in step S27 is performed by the update processing unit 27 of the control unit 8.

[0100] This allows the user to compare the output image based on the setting value before adjustment with the output image based on the setting value after readjustment, and determine whether further readjustment of the setting value is necessary.

[0101] <Step S28> In step S28, the control unit 8 performs a notification process to notify that the set value after readjustment based on the readjustment instruction is outside the adjustable range of the set value. The process in step S28 is performed by the notification processing unit 28 of the control unit 8.

[0102] This makes it easy for the user to recognize that they are unable to perform some or all of the readjustment of the settings based on the readjustment instruction.

[0103] Thus, in the image forming apparatus 100, if the adjustment instruction regarding the adjustment amount of the set value is ambiguous, the execution of the output job is always suspended, and the output image of the output job based on the set value before adjustment and the output image of the output job based on the set value after adjustment are displayed on the operation display unit 5. As a result, compared with the configuration of the image output device relating to the related technology, it is possible to suppress the execution of the output job with settings contrary to the user's intentions.

[0104] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0105] <Note 1> An image output device comprising: an audio input receiving unit that receives audio input; an adjustment processing unit that adjusts the setting values ​​based on the adjustment instructions when the audio received by the audio input receiving unit includes an instruction to execute an output job that outputs image data and an instruction to adjust setting values ​​related to the output job; and a display processing unit that, when the adjustment instructions are ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the setting values, suspends the execution of the output job and displays the output image of the output job based on the setting values ​​before adjustment and the output image of the output job based on the setting values ​​after adjustment on a predetermined display unit.

[0106] <Note 2> The image output device according to Appendix 1, wherein the display processing unit includes an output image of the output job based on the setting value before adjustment and an output image of the output job based on the setting value after adjustment, and displays a reception screen used for inputting instructions to readjust the setting value after adjustment, and the image output device includes an update processing unit that updates the reception screen based on the readjustment result of the setting value based on the readjustment instruction when the input of the readjustment instruction is received on the reception screen.

[0107] <Note 3> The image output device according to Appendix 2, further comprising a notification processing unit that notifies the user if the input of the readjustment instruction is received on the reception screen and the readjusted setting value based on the readjustment instruction is outside the adjustable range of the setting value.

[0108] <Note 4> An image output method performed by an image output device equipped with an audio input receiving unit for receiving audio input, the method comprising: an adjustment step in which, when the audio received by the audio input receiving unit includes an instruction to execute an output job that outputs image data and an instruction to adjust a setting value related to the output job, the setting value is adjusted based on the adjustment instruction; and a display step in which, when the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the setting value, the execution of the output job is suspended and the output image of the output job based on the setting value before adjustment and the output image of the output job based on the setting value after adjustment are displayed on a predetermined display unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0109] 1 ADF 2 Image reading unit 3 Image forming unit 4 Paper feed section 5 Operation display section 6 Memory section 7. Voice Input Reception Unit 8 Control Unit 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 21 Recognition Processing Unit 22 First Determination Processing Unit 23 Second Determination Processing Unit 24 Third Determination Processing Unit 25 Adjustment Processing Unit 26 Display Processing Unit 27 Update Processing Unit 28 Notification Processing Unit 29 Execution Processing Unit 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims

1. A voice input receiving unit that accepts voice input, When the voice received by the voice input receiving unit includes an execution instruction for an output job that outputs image data and an instruction to adjust setting values ​​related to the output job, an adjustment processing unit adjusts the setting values ​​based on the adjustment instruction. If the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the setting value, the execution of the output job is suspended, and the output image of the output job based on the setting value before adjustment and the output image of the output job based on the setting value after adjustment are displayed on a predetermined display unit. An image output device equipped with the following features.

2. The display processing unit includes an output image of the output job based on the setting value before adjustment and an output image of the output job based on the setting value after adjustment, and displays a reception screen used for inputting instructions to readjust the setting value after adjustment. The aforementioned image output device is The reception screen includes an update processing unit that updates the reception screen based on the readjustment result of the setting value based on the readjustment instruction when the readjustment instruction is received. The image output device according to claim 1.

3. The system includes a notification processing unit that notifies the user if the input of the readjustment instruction is received on the reception screen and the readjusted setting value based on the readjustment instruction is outside the adjustable range of the setting value. The image output device according to claim 2.

4. An image output method performed by an image output device equipped with an audio input receiving unit that accepts audio input, If the voice received by the voice input receiving unit includes an execution instruction for an output job that outputs image data and an instruction to adjust setting values ​​related to the output job, the adjustment step includes adjusting the setting values ​​based on the adjustment instruction. If the adjustment instruction is ambiguous regarding the amount of adjustment of the setting value, the execution of the output job is suspended, and the output image of the output job based on the setting value before adjustment and the output image of the output job based on the setting value after adjustment are displayed on a predetermined display unit. Image output method including

Images