Voice Input Interface Speaker Identification Job Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses, such as digital multi-functional peripherals, lack the ability to identify speakers when receiving voice instructions, leading to issues with job execution and usage authority management, especially when multiple users attempt to instruct different jobs simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a voice input interface and processor that recognize job content and speaker identity, allowing for the setting of execution orders for multiple jobs and concurrent or serial execution based on user priority and availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice operation system is applied to image forming apparatus, then ease of operation is improved, but speaker identification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voice recognition unit as an intermediary component that mediates between the voice input interface and the control unit. This unit specifically handles speaker identification by comparing voiceprints against registered user profiles, thereby resolving the contradiction by adding a specialized intermediate processing layer that enables accurate speaker identification without compromising the ease of voice-based operation.
2Reliability
If usage authority check function is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the usage authority check function with the existing voice recognition and job execution processes. The control unit integrates authority verification into the job execution flow by checking user permissions against the recognized speaker's profile, thereby improving reliability through authority checks while avoiding additional complexity by combining functions rather than adding separate systems.
3Productivity
If multiple jobs are processed concurrently, then productivity is improved, but job execution control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic job execution control where the control unit adaptively manages multiple concurrent jobs based on real-time conditions. The system dynamically adjusts job processing priorities and execution order according to user authority levels and current device state, enabling improved productivity through concurrent processing while maintaining effective control through flexible, condition-based job management.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a voice input interface and a processor. The voice input interface is configured to acquire an input voice input through a microphone. The processor is configured to recognize a content of a job instructed by voice from the input voice acquired by the voice input interface and to identify a speaker from the input voice and, if voices output from a plurality of speakers in the same period are acquired, configured to set an execution order of a plurality of jobs that are recognized from the voices output from the speakers and to execute the jobs in the set execution order.