Patent ID: 7123853
Filing Date: 2006-10-17
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming device, comprising: a sound collection unit that collects sounds generated in a vicinity of the image forming device; a determination unit that determines an identifying characteristic of each of the sounds collected by the sound collection unit that have the identifying characteristic; a storage unit that stores the identifying characteristics of sounds that are designated for storage by a user of the image forming device; and a mode switching unit that will change an operation mode of the image forming device when there is a predetermined degree of similarity or greater between the identifying characteristic of one of the sounds stored in the storage unit and the identifying characteristic of a sound collected by the sound collection unit but not designated for storage in the storage unit; wherein when the determination unit determines that a sound collected by the sound collection unit does not have the identifying characteristic, the mode switching unit will change to an operation mode that increases the volume of a notification sound.