Vocal Indicating Device of Copying Machine

The present invention relates to a vocal indicating device for a copying machine, which informs an operator of the conditions of the copying machine by the use of voice.

Hitherto, when the fixing temperature decreases, a copying machine is placed in the wait-condition and a copy is not made. For this reason, it has been suggested that the wait-condition be vocally transmitted to the operator. But this information is meaningless and also the cause of noise when given for each waiting mode regardless of duration.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above disadvantage. In accordance with the invention, only in the case where the wait-condition continues for more than a predetermined time, the condition is relayed by the vocal indication "please wait for just a minute". When the wait-condition is released, the next indication "copy OK" is also vocally indicated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for illustrating the operating sequence of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a controlling system for controlling each part of a copying machine (not shown) and a circuit diagram of a voice output circuit 17 are illustrated. The controlling system includes a sequence controlling circuit 6, a group of operational switches and display units (20) provided on an operational panel for inputting several types of data into the sequence controlling ciruit 6 and for displaying the operational switches being actuated, an image forming unit 19 having a driver 7 for a photo-sensitive member, a high voltage power source 8, a developing device 9, and an optical driving device 10, and an image controlling circuit 12 for controlling a paper feeding device upon detection of the operating conditions of the elements of the image forming unit 19 by means of a detector 11 provided in association with the elements of the image forming unit 19. The image forming unit 19 and the image controlling circuit 12 are controlled by the sequence controlling circuit 6. Sensors 13 are provided in the several parts of the copying machine for detecting the machine's operating condition and supply data of the operating condition of each part of the copying machine with the sequence controlling circuit 6. Reference numeral 18 designates a power source for enabling the controlling system and the voice output circuit 17.

The voice output circuit 17 includes a voice controller 14, a voice composing element 15 and a voice recording element 16. The voice output circuit 17 is known as a PARCOR type voice composer LSI manufactured, for example, by Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, in which a speech synthesizer 58817AP is used for the voice composing element and phase ROMs #1 and #16 of the type M58818-XXXP are used for the voice recording element 16. The following vocal indicating method is used to inform the operator of the condition of the machine by means of speaker 5.

Firstly, a power switch (not shown) is turned ON. If the copying machine is in the wait-condition, a timer (not shown) in the sequence control circuit 6 is set for 5-10 seconds (see FIG. 2). After this 5-10 second period passes, if the wait-condition has ended, noindication is given. If the wait-condition persists, the voice composing element 15 provides a signal from the voice recording element 16 such as "Please wait just a minute" for the speaker 5. Thereafter when the wait-condition is released, a "Copy OK" indication is given through the speaker 5.

Also, when the wait-condition is released before the above set time has expired, no indication is given. But when a copy start switch (not shown) is turn ON before the end of the set time, operation condition advances from the "Copy start switch ON?" step to give the vocal indication "Please wait just a minute". When the wait-condition is ended, the "Copy OK" indication is vocally indicated. A similar operation is performed upon the actuation of the copy switch after a "Wait" vocal indication has already been broadcast.

As is apparent from the above, only when the wait-condition continues for more that the set time, is a "Wait" instruction indicated by voice, and when the wait-condition is released, the next indication is then given by voice, which prevents unnecessary use of the vocal instruction and properly indicates the condition of the copier.