Patent Publication Number: US-2022222031-A1

Title: Image forming apparatus, information notification system, and information notification method

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/901,446, filed Jun. 15, 2020, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No. 2019-115701 filed in Japan on 21 Jun. 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus provided with an output device which outputs notified information, and the like. 
     Description of the Background Art 
     Conventionally, in a multifunction peripheral (multifunction printer (MFP)) having the function as an image forming apparatus, voice messages to be output from the multifunction peripheral are output from an output device (a speaker) provided on the multifunction peripheral body. For this reason, when the multifunction peripheral and the user are at a distance far from each other, or when the user is not present at the place, the user may not notice completion of the job or an error since the user is unable to receive a voice message output from the multifunction peripheral. 
     As a conventional technology, for example, an information notification system, which is configured such that a position where a person is present is detected, and a voice message is transmitted to a speaker located at a place where the person is present to notify information by way of the voice message, is disclosed (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-178701). 
     According to the technology of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-178701 (Patent Literature 1), it is possible to obtain an advantage of being able to notify a user of useful information at an appropriate timing in the information notification system. 
     In addition, as another example, a conference assistance device, which is provided with means for assisting transfer of voices between conference participants, configured to output a voice message to all members or a specific person corresponding to notification destinations set in advance, is disclosed (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-60208). 
     According to the technology of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-60208 (Patent Literature 2), it is possible to select in advance a notification destination to which a conference termination notification is to be sent according to the contents of the conference, and send the conference termination notification to the notification destination. 
     However, in the technologies described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2, no consideration is made for notification of a voice message based on determining of whether the notification should be made to a specific user or all of the users according to the contents of the voice message. 
     Also, in the technology described in Patent Literature 2, the notification is made by setting a message notification destination in advance. However, a disadvantage arises, when a target person who is to receive the notification is not present at the notification destination, due to the target person being unable to confirm the notification. 
     The present invention has been conceived in view of the problems as mentioned above presented conventionally, and an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, for example, which is capable of reliably notifying a user of information which has been notified. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an output device which outputs information (voice information, character information, etc.) to be notified to a user, a controller which causes the information to be output to the output device, and a communicator which performs communication connection with an external output device and a server. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that control is performed by the controller to output the information from the output device specified by the server according to the contents of the information. 
     Further, an information notification system according to the present invention pertains to an information notification system in which an image forming apparatus, which is provided with an output device that outputs information to be notified to a user, an external output device, and a server are associated with each other, to notify the user of the image forming apparatus of the information (voice information, character information, etc.). The information notification system is characterized in that as the configuration of the server, the server includes an information determiner which determines the contents of the information, a user position detector which detects a position of the user, an output device specifying section which specifies, on the basis of a result of determination by the information determiner and a result of detection by the user position detector, the output device outputting the information, and a controller which performs control so that the information is output from the specified output device. 
     Furthermore, an information notification method according to the present invention pertains to an information notification method in which an image forming apparatus, which is provided with an output device that outputs information to be notified to a user, and an external output device are associated with each other, to notify the user of the image forming apparatus of the information. The information notification method is characterized by including the step of determining the contents of the information, the step of detecting a position of the user, the step of specifying, on the basis of a result of determination of the contents of the information and a result of detection of the user, the output device outputting the information, and the step of performing control so that the information is notified from the specified output device, and that the information is output from the specified output device. 
     According to the image forming apparatus, etc., of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and the like capable of reliably notifying a user of notified information by providing an output device which outputs the information to be notified to the user, and outputting the information from the output device which has been specified according to the contents of the notified information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view for illustrating a configuration of an information notification system according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a view for illustrating the structure of a multifunction peripheral constituting the information notification system; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction peripheral; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server constituting the information notification system; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an audio device constituting the information notification system; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing processing steps to be performed in notifying a user of a message from the multifunction peripheral in the information notification system; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing processing steps to be performed in notifying a user of a message from a multifunction peripheral in an information notification system according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a part of processing steps to be performed in notifying a user of a message from a multifunction peripheral in an information notification system according to a third embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart complementing the processing steps of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a view for illustrating a configuration of an information notification system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is an example of an embodiment for carrying out the present invention;  FIG. 2  is a view for illustrating the structure of a multifunction peripheral constituting the information notification system;  FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction peripheral;  FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server constituting the information notification system; and  FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an audio device constituting the information notification system. 
     Configuration of Information Notification System 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first embodiment corresponds to an information notification system  1  in which a multifunction peripheral  10  equipped with an audio device  31  as an output device, a server  20 , and audio devices  32  and  33  as external output devices are communicably connected via a communication network NW. 
     The information notification system  1  is characterized in that the information notification system  1  specifies, according to the contents of information notified from the multifunction peripheral  10 , the output device which is to output the information, and notifies the information from the specified output device. 
     Configuration of Multifunction Peripheral 
     First, the configuration of the multifunction peripheral  10  which constitutes the information notification system  1  according to the first embodiment will be described. 
     The multifunction peripheral  10  is an information processing apparatus, which is provided with a plurality of functions such as a copy mode and a fax mode, and functions as an image forming apparatus that reads an image of a document by providing a document reader  112  at an upper part of the apparatus body, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and outputs the image by an electrophotographic method. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the multifunction peripheral  10  is characterized by including a controller  100 , an image inputter  110 , the document reader  112 , an image processing device  120 , an image former  130 , an operating device  140 , a display  150 , a storage  160 , and a communicator  170 , as the main constituent elements, and by further including an audio device (for example, a speaker)  31 . 
     The controller  100  is a functional part for controlling the entire multifunction peripheral  10 . 
     Further, the controller  100  implements various functions by reading and executing various programs, and is, for example, composed of one or more arithmetic devices (such as a central processing unit (CPU)). 
     The image inputter  110  is a functional part for reading image data input to the multifunction peripheral  10 . Further, the image inputter  110  is connected to the document reader  112 , which is a functional part for reading the image of a document, and inputs the image data that is output from the document reader  112 . 
     Also, the image inputter  110  may input the image data from a storage medium such as a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive or a secure digital (SD) card. Moreover, a communicator which connects with the other terminal devices may be provided so that image data may be input from the other terminal devices. 
     The image processing device  120  is a functional part for forming output data based on the image data on a recording medium (for example, recording paper). For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the recording paper is fed from a paper feed tray  122 , and after an image has been formed on the surface of the recording paper in the image processing device  120 , the recording paper is discharged from a paper discharge tray  124 . The image processing device  120  is composed of, for example, a laser printer using the electrophotographic method. 
     The image former  130  is a functional part which performs various types of image processing on the image data. Then, an output image is formed on the basis of the image data subjected to the image processing. 
     The operating device  140  is a functional part for receiving an operation instruction given by a user, and is composed of various key switches, a device which detects an input by contact, and the like. The user inputs the function to be used, and an output condition via the operating device  140 . 
     The display  150  is a functional part for displaying various kinds of information to the user, and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like. 
     Note that the multifunction peripheral  10  may include a touch panel in which an operation panel  141  and the display  150  are formed integrally, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this case, a method for detecting an input on the touch panel may be any general detection method such as a resistive film type, an infrared type, an electromagnetic induction type, or a capacitive type. 
     The storage  160  is a functional part in which various programs including a control program  161  necessary for the operation of the multifunction peripheral  10 , various kinds of data including read data, message information  162 , user information  163 , etc., are stored. The storage  160  is composed of, for example, a solid-state drive (SSD), which is a semiconductor memory, or a hard disk drive (HDD). 
     The communicator  170  performs communication connection with the server  20  and the audio devices  32  and  33  via the network NW, and notifies the audio devices  32  and  33 , which have been specified as the audio devices which are to output a message, of message information. When the audio devices  32  and  33  are not specified as the audio devices for outputting the message, it is notified by the server  20  that the audio devices  32  and  33  are not specified as the audio devices for outputting the message. 
     The audio device  31  outputs operation guidance and each message by voice. 
     Configuration of Server 
     Next, the configuration of the server  20  which constitutes the information notification system  1  according to the first embodiment will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the server  20  is characterized by including a controller  200 , a storage  260 , and a communicator  270 , as the main constituent elements, and by further including a message determiner (information determiner)  201 , a user position detector  202 , and an audio device specifying section (output device specifying section)  203 . 
     The controller  200  is a functional part for controlling the entire server  20 . 
     Further, the controller  200  implements various functions by reading and executing various programs, and is, for example, composed of one or more arithmetic devices (such as a central processing unit (CPU)). 
     The storage  260  is a functional part in which various programs including a control program  261  necessary for the operation of the server  20 , various kinds of data including read data, message information  262 , user information  263 , etc., are stored. The storage  260  is composed of, for example, a solid-state drive (SSD), which is a semiconductor memory, or a hard disk drive (HDD). 
     The message determiner  201  determines, on the basis of, for example, job information of the user, the state of the device of the multifunction peripheral  10 , and the operation status, whether a message notified from the multifunction peripheral  10  corresponds to information related to the user, information related to maintenance, trouble, or the like, of the device body, or information requiring urgent attention on the device body. 
     The user position detector  202  detects a location of the user, on the basis of a result of detection obtained by a human detection device which detects a human by a camera (not illustrated), a human sensor, an entry record, illuminance, a sound, etc., and user information (e.g., information on the room where the user is in by entry through authentication). 
     The audio device specifying section  203  specifies the audio device which is to output the message, on the basis of a result of determination by the message determiner  201 , and a result of detection by the user position detector  202 . 
     In the first embodiment, when the message determiner  201  determines that the message corresponds to information concerning a specific user (for example, information regarding processing for the user, such as completion of the job of the user), the audio device specifying section  203  specifies the audio device capable of notifying the specific user of the message. 
     The communicator  270  performs communication connection with the multifunction peripheral  10  and the audio devices  32  and  33  via the network NW, and notifies the audio devices  32  and  33 , which have been specified as the audio devices which are to output the message, of the message information. When the audio devices  32  and  33  are not specified as the audio devices for outputting the message, the communicator  270  notifies the multifunction peripheral  10  that the audio devices  32  and  33  are not specified as the audio devices for outputting the message. 
     Configuration of Audio Device 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , each of the audio devices  32  and  33  is characterized by including a controller  300 , a voice outputter (a speaker)  301 , and a communicator  370 , as the main constituent elements. 
     The controller  300  is a functional part for controlling each of the audio devices  32  and  33  as a whole. 
     Further, the controller  300  is, for example, composed of one or more arithmetic devices (such as a central processing unit (CPU)). 
     The voice outputter  301  outputs a voice message (message information) notified from the multifunction peripheral  10  or the server  20 . 
     For the audio devices  32  and  33 , an interactive audio device, such as the so-called smart speaker, which functions as a microphone and a speaker may be employed as the output device. Also, the audio devices  32  and  33  may be those in direct communication connection with the multifunction peripheral  10 . 
     The communicator  370  performs communication connection with the multifunction peripheral  10  and the server  20  via the network NW, and when the audio devices  32  and  33  are specified as the audio devices which are to output the message, the audio devices  32  and  33  are notified of the message information. 
     Processing Steps for Voice Instruction in Information Notification System 
     Next, in the information notification system  1  according to the first embodiment, processing steps performed in notifying the user of a message by voice from the multifunction peripheral  10  will be described referring to the accompanying drawing. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the processing steps to be performed in notifying the user of a message from a multifunction peripheral in the information notification system according to the first embodiment. 
     In the information notification system  1 , in a case where a voice message (message information) is to be notified from the multifunction peripheral  10  to the user, the steps are performed as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . That is, first, when occurrence of a message which should be output is notified from the multifunction peripheral  10  to the server  20  (step S 101 ), the server  20  determines, by the message determiner  201 , whether the message corresponds to information for a specific user (step S 103 ). 
     In step S 103 , when it is determined that the message corresponds to information for the specific user, the audio device, which is to notify the specific user of the message, is specified (step S 105 ). The specification of the audio device is carried out by the audio device specifying section  203 , on the basis of the result of detection by the user position detector  202 . Then, the processing proceeds to step S 107 . 
     Meanwhile, in step S 103 , when it is determined that the message does not correspond to the information for a specific user, the processing proceeds to step S 113 . Then, by having the message transmitted from the multifunction peripheral  10  to the associated audio devices without specification of the audio devices, a voice message is output from each of the audio devices associated with the multifunction peripheral  10 . 
     In step S 107 , it is determined whether the audio device, which is located at a place where the user to whom the message is to be notified is present, has been specified. 
     In step S 107 , when it is determined that the audio device, which is located at a place where the user to whom the message is to be notified is present, has been specified, the message is notified from the multifunction peripheral  10  to the specified audio device, which is located at the place where the user is, whereby the message is output by voice (step S 109 ). 
     Then, it is determined whether the user has made a response indicating that the message has been confirmed (step S 111 ). 
     In step S 111 , when it is determined that the user has made a response indicating that the message has been confirmed, the processing of notification of a message is ended. 
     Meanwhile, in step S 111 , when it is determined that the user has made no response indicating that the message has been confirmed, the processing proceeds to step S 113 . Then, a voice message is output from each of the audio devices associated with the multifunction peripheral  10 . 
     Also, in step S 107 , when it is determined that the audio device, which is located at the place where the user to whom the message is to be notified is present, cannot be specified, the processing proceeds to step S 113 . Then, a voice message is output from each of the audio devices associated with the multifunction peripheral  10 . 
     In this way, the processing of notification of a message is ended. 
     By virtue of the above configuration, according to the first embodiment, the information notification system  1  has been structured such that the multifunction peripheral  10  including the audio device  31  is associated with the external audio devices  32  and  33 , the message determiner  201 , the user position detector  202 , and the audio device specifying section  203  are provided, and the audio device, which is to output a message, is specified according to the contents of the message notified from the multifunction peripheral  10 , so that the message is output from the specified audio device. Accordingly, the message notified from the multifunction peripheral  10  can be reliably transmitted to the user. 
     Note that in the first embodiment, the server  20  is provided with the message determiner  201 , the user position detector  202 , and the audio device specifying section  203 , so that the server  20  specifies the audio device from which the message is to be notified. However, for example, the message determiner  201 , the user position detector  202 , and the audio device specifying section  203  may be provided in the multifunction peripheral  10 , so that the multifunction peripheral  10  may specify the audio device from which the message is to be notified. 
     Also, in the first embodiment, the audio devices  31 ,  32 , and  33  are employed as the output devices, but the output device may be simply a speaker which outputs a sound. Further, instead of the audio device, a display device (the display) may be employed so that the display device (display) functions as an output device that visually gives an output by displaying a message. 
     Furthermore, by displaying an image including a message on the display device, the message may be made to be easily recognized visually. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment will be described. 
     The second embodiment is characterized in that when a specific user is to be notified of a message in an information notification system  1 , an audio device capable of notifying the message near the specific user is specified. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing the processing steps performed in notifying the user of a message from a multifunction peripheral in the information notification system according to the second embodiment. 
     Note that since the information notification system  1  according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the configuration of the information notification system  1  of the first embodiment, description of the configuration will be omitted. 
     Processing Steps for Voice Instruction in Information Notification System 
     In the information notification system  1  according to the second embodiment, the processing steps performed in notifying the user of a message by voice from a multifunction peripheral  10  will be hereinafter described referring to the accompanying drawing. 
     Here, processing different in the information notification system  1  according to the second embodiment, more specifically, the parts different as compared to the processing steps for voice instruction in the information notification system  1  according to the first embodiment, will be described. 
     In the information notification system  1  according to the second embodiment, the processing is carried out, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . That is, in the processing steps for voice instruction in the information notification system  1 , when it is determined, in step S 107 , that the audio device, which is located at a place where the user to whom the message is to be notified is present, cannot be specified, and when it is determined, in step S 111 , that the user has made no response, the processing proceeds to step S 201 , and the audio device located near the user is specified. 
     The location of the user is detected by a user position detector  202 , on the basis of a result of detection obtained by a human detection device which detects a human by a camera, a human sensor, an entry record, illuminance, a sound, etc., and user information (e.g., information on the room where the user is in by entry through authentication). On the basis of a result of detection by the user position detector  202 , an audio device specifying section  203  specifies the audio device located near the user. 
     Further, it is determined whether the audio device near the user to whom the message is to be notified has been specified (step S 203 ). 
     In step S 203 , when it is determined that the audio device near the user to whom the message is to be notified has been specified, the message is notified from the multifunction peripheral  10  to the specified audio device, which is located at a place near the user, and the message is thereby output by voice (step S 205 ). 
     Then, it is determined whether the user has made a response indicating that the message has been confirmed (step S 207 ). In step S 207 , when it is determined that the user has made a response indicating that the message has been confirmed, the processing of notification of a message is ended. 
     Meanwhile, in step S 207 , when it is determined that the user has made no response indicating that the message has been confirmed, the processing proceeds to step S 113 . Then, by having the message transmitted from the multifunction peripheral  10  to the associated audio devices without specification of the audio devices, a voice message is output from each of the audio devices associated with the multifunction peripheral  10 . 
     Also, when it is determined, in step S 203 , that the audio device near the user to whom the message is to be notified is not specified, the processing proceeds to step S 113 . 
     In this way, the processing of notification of a message is ended. 
     By virtue of the above configuration, according to the second embodiment, the information notification system  1  has been structured such that when a specific user is to be notified of a message, the audio device specifying section  203  specifies the audio device which is capable of notifying the message near the user. Accordingly, even if there is no audio device which is capable of directly notifying the specific user of the message, by having the message output near the user, it is possible to make the user recognize that the message has been notified. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Next, a third embodiment will be described. 
     The third embodiment relates to a case where, in notifying a user of a message from a multifunction peripheral  10  in an information notification system  1 , it is determined that the message does not correspond to information for a specific user, but corresponds to information concerning all of the users. The third embodiment is characterized in that the audio devices excluding the audio device for which information notification is restricted are specified, among the audio devices associated with the multifunction peripheral  10 . Further, the third embodiment is characterized in that when it is determined that the message corresponds to urgent information, all of the audio devices associated with the multifunction peripheral  10  are specified. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a part of processing steps to be performed in notifying a user of a message from a multifunction peripheral in an information notification system according to the third embodiment, and  FIG. 9  is a flowchart complementing the processing steps of  FIG. 8 . 
     Note that since the information notification system  1  according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the configuration of the information notification system  1  of the first embodiment, description of the configuration will be omitted. 
     In the information notification system  1  according to the third embodiment, the information concerning all of the users includes, for example, information regarding maintenance in general of the multifunction peripheral, such as supply of toner and paper. 
     Also, the audio device for which information notification is restricted includes, for example, an audio device located in an environment where it is desirable to restrict voice output, such as the audio device located in a conference room where a meeting is taking place, and the audio device at a place where no user is present. 
     In addition, the information of urgency concerning all of the users includes, for example, information regarding a trouble of the multifunction peripheral itself, and information of social urgency. 
     Processing Steps for Voice Instruction in Information Notification System 
     In the information notification system  1  according to the third embodiment, the processing steps performed in notifying the user of a message by voice from a multifunction peripheral  10  will be hereinafter described referring to the accompanying drawing. 
     Here, processing different in the information notification system  1  according to the third embodiment, more specifically, the parts different as compared to the processing steps for voice instruction in the information notification system  1  according to the first embodiment, will be described. 
     In the information notification system  1  according to the third embodiment, the processing is carried out, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . That is, in the processing steps for voice instruction in the information notification system  1 , when it is determined, in step S 103 , that the message does not correspond to information for a specific user, the processing proceeds to step S 301 , and it is determined whether the message corresponds to urgent information. 
     In step S 301 , when it is determined that the message corresponds to urgent information, the processing proceeds to step S 303 . Then, all of the audio devices that are associated with the multifunction peripheral  10  are specified by an audio device specifying section  203 , and the message is notified from the multifunction peripheral  10  to the specified audio devices, so that a voice message is output from all of the audio devices that are associated with the multifunction peripheral  10 . 
     Meanwhile, in step S 301 , when it is determined that the message does not correspond to urgent information, the processing proceeds to step S 305 . Then, the message is notified to the audio devices excluding those for which information notification is restricted, which are specified by the audio device specifying section  203 , among the audio devices that are associated with the multifunction peripheral  10 , and a voice message is thereby output from the audio devices for which information notification is not restricted. 
     In this way, the processing of notification of a message is ended. 
     By virtue of the above configuration, according to the third embodiment, the information notification system  1  has been structured such that in a case of notifying the user of a message from the multifunction peripheral  10 , when it is determined that the message does not correspond to information for a specific user, but corresponds to information concerning all of the users, specification is made for the audio devices excluding the audio device for which information notification is restricted, among the audio devices associated with the multifunction peripheral  10 , to notify the message. Accordingly, it becomes possible to notify of a message regarding the multifunction peripheral  10  to users who will not be bothered by the message notification. 
     Further, when it is determined that the message corresponds to urgent information, all of the audio devices associated with the multifunction peripheral  10  are specified to notify the message. Consequently, it is possible to notify all of the users of the urgent message. 
     In view of the foregoing, the present invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope defined by the claims It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that various changes or modifications are conceivable within the scope of the appended claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means with changes made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention also included in the technical scope of the present invention. 
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       1  Information notification system 
       10  Multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) 
       20  Server 
       31 ,  32 ,  33  Audio device (output device) 
       100 ,  200 ,  300  Controller 
       162 ,  262  Message information 
       163 ,  263  User information 
       170 ,  270 ,  370  Communicator 
       201  Message determiner (information determiner) 
       202  User position detector 
       203  Audio device specifying section (output device specifying section)