INPUT OPERATION SUPPORT APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR

• US 20080065391A1
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Omi, Hiromi
• Application Number:
  US11/848,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20080065391A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00405 Output means output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00488 providing an audible output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00933 Timing control or synchronising H04N1/00928, H04N1/00931, H04N1/00954 and H04N1/0096 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An input operation support apparatus which improves user friendliness and comfort by properly controlling a voice guide output along with an operation input from the user is provided. In the input operation support apparatus having a speech output unit which outputs a voice message corresponding to an input operation to an operation unit, a detection unit detects an input operation to the operation unit. When the detection unit detects the second input operation within a predetermined time after the first input operation, a control unit restricts output of a voice message corresponding to the second input operation from the speech output unit.

Claims

1. An input operation support apparatus having a speech output unit configured to output a voice message corresponding to an input operation to an operation unit, the apparatus comprising:

a detection unit configured to detect an input operation to the operation unit; and

a control unit configured to, when said detection unit detects a second input operation within a predetermined time after a first input operation, restrict output of a voice message corresponding to the second input operation from the speech output unit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when said detection unit does not detect a third input operation within a predetermined time after the second input operation, said control unit controls the speech output unit to output a voice message corresponding to the second input operation.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is a time corresponding to an output time length of the voice message.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when said detection unit detects the second input operation within the predetermined time after the first input operation, said control unit delays, by a specific time longer than the predetermined time, a start of output of the voice message corresponding to the second input operation from the speech output unit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when said detection unit detects the second input operation within the predetermined time after the first input operation, said control unit reduces output of a voice message corresponding to the first input operation from the speech output unit.

6. A method of controlling an input operation support apparatus having a speech output unit configured to output a voice message corresponding to an input operation to an operation unit, the method comprising:

a detection step of detecting an input operation to the operation unit; and

a control step of, when a second input operation is detected in the detection step within a predetermined time after a first input operation, restricting output of a voice message corresponding to the second input operation from the speech output unit.

7. A program stored on a computer-readable storage medium, to control an input operation support apparatus having a speech output unit configured to output a voice message corresponding to an input operation to an operation unit, the program comprising:

a code for a detection step of detecting an input operation to the operation unit; and

a code for a control step of, when a second input operation is detected in the detection step within a predetermined time after a first input operation, restricting output of a voice message corresponding to the second input operation from the speech output unit.