Voice guidance system and voice guidance method using the same

• US 8,548,809 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2005
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp. (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Itaki, Kanji, Kawamura, Michihiro, Noguchi, Nozomi
• Primary Examiner(s): GUERRA-ERAZO, EDGAR X
• Application Number:
  US11/153,366
• Publication Number:
  US 20060116884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,029 Days
• Field of Search: 400/74, 711/115, 704270-271, 704/246, 704/275, 704/258, 704/260, 704/274, 704/235, 715/705, 715/727, 715/729, 379/88.04
• US Class Current: 704/260
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems

Abstract

A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an information processing apparatus, comprises a detector that detects that a predetermined function of the information processing apparatus is disabled, and a voice guidance unit that outputs a voice message reporting a reason why the predetermined function of the information processing apparatus is disabled, in response to the detection output of the detector.

Claims

1. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

(1) an external terminal configured to be connectable to the image forming apparatus, and that changes a function of the image forming apparatus related to execution of a job as a result of a connection of the external terminal to the image forming apparatus;

(2) a detector that detects a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

(3) a determining unit that determines, prior to executing the predetermined function, upon detection of the connection of the job memory storage device by the detector, whether the predetermined function whose setting information is prestored in the job memory storage device is executable in the image forming apparatus or not;

(4) a voice guidance unit that, if the determining unit determines that the predetermined function is not executable, synthesizes voice guidance information indicating that the predetermined function is not executable and a first reason why the function is not executable, and audibly outputs the synthesized voice guidance information; and

(5) a priority level change unit configured to determine a priority level of the synthesized voice guidance information and to change an output order of the synthesized voice guidance information based on the priority level, wherein

the voice guidance unit audibly outputs a second reason, in priority to the first reason based on the priority level determined by the priority level change unit, that indicates that the external terminal necessary for performing the predetermined function is not connected.

2. The voice guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the detector comprises:

an optional function detector that detects that an optional function is added to or removed from the image forming apparatus;

a user'"'"'s operation detector that detects a user'"'"'s operation performed on the image forming apparatus by a user; and

a determining unit that determines, upon detection of the user'"'"'s operation, whether the user'"'"'s operation is acceptable or not, with reference to a detection result by the optional function detector,

wherein the voice guidance unit synthesizes voice guidance information indicating the disabled function and the reason thereof based on a result of determination of the determining unit, and audibly outputs the synthesized voice guidance information.

3. The voice guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the detector comprises:

a user'"'"'s operation detector that detects a user'"'"'s operation performed on the image forming apparatus by a user; and

a determining unit that determines whether the user'"'"'s operation is acceptable or not, upon detection of the user'"'"'s operation by the user'"'"'s operation detector,

wherein the voice guidance unit synthesizes voice guidance information indicating the disabled function and the reason thereof based on a result of determination of the determining unit, and audibly outputs the synthesized voice guidance information.

4. The voice guidance system according to claim 1, wherein, the voice guidance unit outputs a voice guidance reporting the failure in preference to a voice guidance that is output in response to the detection output of the detector, when a failure of high level of urgency and importance has occurred.

5. The voice guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the voice guidance unit outputs voice guidance reporting a failure of high level of urgency and importance has occurred in a different way than that of other voice guidance that is output in response to the detection output of the detector.

6. A voice guidance method for a voice guidance system that provides a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

(1) detecting, by a detector, a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored; and

(2) determining, by a determining unit, prior to executing a job using the predetermined function in the image forming apparatus, upon detection of the connection of the job memory storage device by the detector, whether the predetermined function whose setting information is prestored in the job memory storage device is executable in the image forming apparatus or not;

(3) synthesizing, if the determining unit determines that the predetermined function is not executable, voice guidance information indicating that the predetermined function is not executable and a first reason why the function is not executable, and audibly outputting the synthesized voice guidance information, by a voice guidance unit;

(4) determining, by a priority level change unit, a priority level of the synthesized voice guidance information and changing an output order of the synthesized voice guidance information based on the priority level, wherein

the voice guidance system comprises an external terminal, configured to be connectable to the image forming apparatus, and that changes a function of the image forming apparatus related to execution of a job as a result of a connection of the external terminal to the image forming apparatus, and

the voice guidance unit audibly outputs a second reason, in priority to the first reason based on the priority level determined by the priority level change unit, that indicates that the external terminal necessary for performing the predetermined function is not connected.

7. The voice guidance method according to claim 6, wherein the detecting by the detector comprises:

detecting that an optional function is added to or removed from the image forming apparatus;

detecting a user'"'"'s operation performed on the image forming apparatus by a user; and

determining, upon detection of the user'"'"'s operation, whether the user'"'"'s operation is acceptable or not, with reference to a result of the detection as to whether an optional function is added to or removed from the information processing apparatus,

wherein the outputting of the voice guidance by the voice guidance unit includes;

synthesizing voice guidance information indicating the disabled function and the reason thereof based on a result of determination of the determining unit; and

audibly outputting the synthesized voice guidance information.

8. The voice guidance method according to claim 6, wherein the detecting by the detector comprises:

detecting a user'"'"'s operation performed on the image forming apparatus by a user; and

determining, upon detection of the user'"'"'s operation, whether the user'"'"'s operation is acceptable or not,

wherein the outputting of the voice guidance by the voice guidance unit includes;

synthesizing voice guidance information indicating the disabled function and the reason thereof based on a result of determination of the determining unit; and

audibly outputting the synthesized voice guidance information.

9. The voice guidance method according to claim 6, wherein, the outputting of the voice guidance by the voice guidance unit includes outputting a voice guidance reporting a failure of high level of urgency and importance has occurred, in preference to a voice guidance that is output in response to the detection output of the detector.

10. The voice guidance method according to claim 6, wherein the outputting of the voice guidance by the voice guidance unit includes outputting a voice guidance reporting a failure of high level of urgency and importance has occurred, in a different way of reporting the message from that of other voice guidance that is output in response to the detection output of the detector.

11. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

(1) dedicated apparatus, configured to be connectable to the image forming apparatus, and that changes a function related to a job to be performed in the image forming apparatus as a result of a connection of the dedicated apparatus;

(2) a job memory storage device detection unit that detects a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

(3) a job function extraction unit that, upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit, extracts an optional function added to the image forming apparatus by the connection of the dedicated apparatus to the image forming apparatus;

(4) a setting information reading unit that reads the setting information from the job memory storage device upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit;

(5) a determination unit that determines whether the function, including the optional function extracted by the job function extraction unit, of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the setting information read by the setting information reading unit is available in the image forming apparatus or not, prior to executing the job using the predetermined function by the image forming apparatus, upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit;

(6) a voice guidance unit that, if the determination unit determines that the predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is not available, synthesizes voice guide information indicating the nonavailability of the predetermined function and a first reason why the function is not available, and audibly outputs the synthesized voice guide information; and

(7) a priority level change unit configured to determine a priority level of the synthesized voice guidance information and to change an output order of the synthesized voice guidance information based on the priority level, wherein

the voice guidance unit audibly outputs a second reason, in priority to the first reason based on the priority level determined by the priority level change unit, that the dedicated apparatus necessary for performing the predetermined function is not connected.

12. A voice guidance method of a voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

(1) detecting, by a job memory storage device detection unit, a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is stored;

(2) reading, by a setting information reading unit, the setting information from the job memory storage device upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit;

(3) determining, by a determination unit, whether a function, including an optional function extracted by a job function extraction unit, of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the setting information read by the setting information reading unit is available in the image forming apparatus or not, prior to executing a job using the predetermined function by the image forming apparatus, upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit, the optional function being added to the image forming apparatus as a result of connection of a dedicated apparatus to the image forming apparatus and being extracted by the job function extraction unit upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device;

(4) synthesizing voice guide information indicating the nonavailability of the predetermined function and a first reason why the function is not available, and audibly outputting the synthesized voice guide information, by a voice guidance unit, if the determination unit determines that the predetermined function is not available; and

(5) determining, by a priority level change unit, a priority level of the synthesized voice guide information and changing an output order of the synthesized voice guide information based on the priority level, wherein

the dedicated apparatus is configured to be connectable to the image forming apparatus, and changes the function related to a job to be performed in the image forming apparatus as a result of a connection of the dedicated apparatus, and

the voice guidance unit audibly outputs a second reason, in priority to the first reason based on the priority level determined by the priority level change unit, that the dedicated apparatus necessary for performing the predetermined function is not connected.

13. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

an external terminal that changes a function related to a job to be performed in the image forming apparatus as a result that the external terminal is connected to the image forming apparatus, the external terminal including a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

a determining unit that determines, prior to executing a job using the predetermined function, whether the predetermined function related to the job is executable or not;

a voice guidance unit that, if the determining unit determines that the predetermined function is not executable, synthesizes voice guidance information indicating that the predetermined function is not executable and a first reason why the function is not executable, and audibly outputs the synthesized voice guidance information; and

a priority level change unit configured to determine a priority level of the synthesized voice guidance information and to change an output order of the synthesized voice guidance information based on the priority level, wherein

the voice guidance unit audibly outputs a second reason, in priority to the first reason based on the priority level determined by the priority level change unit, that the external terminal necessary for performing the predetermined function is not connected.

14. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

an external terminal connected to the image forming apparatus, on which a function related to the job is changed including a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

a determining unit that determines, prior to executing the function, whether the function related to the job is executable or not;

a voice guidance unit that audibly outputs a second reason, in priority to a first reason, indicating a disabled function based on a result of determination of the determining unit; and

a priority level change unit configured to determine a priority level of the first reason and second reason outputted by the voice guidance unit and to change an output order of the first reason and the second reason based on the priority level.

15. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

an external terminal connected to the image forming apparatus, on which a function related to the job is changed including a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

a determining unit that determines, prior to executing the function, whether the function related to the job is executable or not; and

a voice guidance unit that audibly outputs a voice guidance information, including a disabled function, based on a result of determination of the determining unit, wherein the voice guidance unit audibly outputs a reason of the disabled function in priority to other information under the condition that the reason of the disabled function is that the external terminal is not connected to the image forming apparatus.

16. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

(1) an external terminal, configured to be connectable to the image forming apparatus, and that changes a function of the image forming apparatus related to execution of a job as a result of a connection of the external terminal to the image forming apparatus;

(2) a detector that detects a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

(3) a determining unit that determines, prior to executing the predetermined function, upon detection of the connection of the job memory storage device by the detector, whether the predetermined function whose setting information is prestored in the job memory storage device is executable in the image forming apparatus or not; and

(4) a voice guidance unit that, if the determining unit determines that the predetermined function is not executable, synthesizes voice guidance information indicating that predetermined function is not executable and a reason why the function is not executable, and if the reason why the function is not executable includes that the external terminal necessary for performing the predetermined function is not connected, synthesizes the voice guidance information and audibly outputs the synthesized voice guidance information indicating that the external terminal necessary for performing the predetermined function is not connected in priority to another reason.

17. A voice guidance method for a voice guidance system that provides a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

(1) detecting, by a detector, a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

(2) determining, by a determining unit, prior to executing a job using the predetermined function in the image forming apparatus, upon detection of the connection of the job memory storage device by the detector, whether the predetermined function stored in the job memory storage device is executable in the image forming apparatus or not; and

(3) synthesizing, if the determining unit determines that the predetermined function is not executable, voice guidance information indicating that the predetermined function is not executable and a reason why the function is not executable, and audibly outputting the synthesized voice guidance information, by a voice guidance unit and, if the reason why the function is not executable includes that the external terminal, which changes a function of the image forming apparatus related to execution of a job as a result of connection to the image forming apparatus, is not connected, synthesizing and audibly outputting the voice guidance information indicating the external terminal is not connected in priority to another reason.

18. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

(1) a dedicated apparatus, configured to be connectable to the image forming apparatus, and that changes a function related to a job to be performed in the image forming apparatus as a result of connection of the dedicated apparatus;

(2) a job memory storage device detection unit that detects a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

(3) a job function extraction unit that, upon detecting connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit, extracts an optional function added to the image forming apparatus by the connection of the dedicated apparatus to the image forming apparatus;

(4) a setting information reading unit that reads the setting information from the job memory storage device upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit;

(5) a determination unit that determines whether the function, including the optional function extracted by the job function extraction unit, of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the setting information read by the setting information reading unit is available in the image forming apparatus or not, prior to executing the job using the predetermined function by the image forming apparatus, upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit; and

(6) a voice guidance unit that, if the determination unit determines that the predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is not available, synthesizes voice guide information indicating the nonavailablity of the predetermined function and a reason why the function is not available and, if the reason why the function is not executable includes that the dedicated apparatus that changes a function of the image forming apparatus related to execution of a job is not connected, synthesizing and audibly outputting the voice guidance information indicating that the dedicated apparatus is not connected in priority to another reason.

19. A voice guidance method of a voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

(1) detecting, by a job memory storage device detection unit, a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is stored;

(2) reading, by a setting information reading unit, the setting information from the job memory storage device upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit;

(3) determining, by a determination unit, whether a function, including an optional function extracted by a job function extraction unit, of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the setting information read by the setting information reading unit is available in the image forming apparatus or not, prior to executing a job using the predetermined function by the image forming apparatus, upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage by the job memory storage device detection unit, the optional function being added to the image forming apparatus as a result of connection of a dedicated apparatus to the image forming apparatus and being extracted by the job function extraction unit upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device; and

(4) synthesizing, if the determination unit determines that the predetermined function is not available, voice guide information indicating the nonavailablity of the predetermined function and a reason why the function is not available and, if the reason why the function is not executable includes that the dedicated apparatus that changes a function of the image forming apparatus related to execution of a job is not connected, synthesizing and audibly outputting the voice guidance information indicating that the dedicated apparatus is not connected in priority to another reason.

20. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

an external terminal that changes a function related to a job to be performed in the image forming apparatus as a result that the external device is connected to the image forming apparatus, the external terminal including a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

a determining unit that determines, prior to executing a job using the predetermined function, whether the predetermined function related to the job is executable or not; and

a voice guidance unit that, if the determining unit determines that the predetermined function is not executable, synthesizes voice guidance information indicating that the predetermined function is not executable and a reason why the function is not executable, and, if the reason why the predetermined function is not executable includes that the external terminal is not connected, synthesizes and audibly outputs the voice guidance information indicating that the external terminal is not connected in priority to another reason.

21. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

an external terminal connected to the image forming apparatus, on which a function related to the job is changed including a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

a determining unit that determines, prior to executing the function, whether the function related to the job is executable or not;

a voice data acquiring unit that, if the determining unit determines that the predetermined function is not executable, acquires voice data which guides the function which is determined not to be executable and voice data which guides a reason why the function is not executable respectively from a voice data storing unit;

a priority level changing unit that, if the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit which guides the reason includes voice data which indicates that the external terminal is not connected, determines an order of outputting of the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit based on a predetermined priority level so that the voice data which indicates that the external terminal is not connected is first output audibly in priority to other voice data;

a voice data synthesizing unit that generates voice guidance data by sorting the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit according to the output order determined by the priority level changing unit and by synthesizing the voice data; and

a voice guidance unit that audibly outputs based on the voice guidance data generated by the voice data synthesizing unit.

22. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

an external terminal, configured to be connectable to the image forming apparatus, and that changes a function of the image forming apparatus related to execution of a job as a result of a connection of the external terminal to the image forming apparatus;

a detector that detects a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

a determining unit that determines, prior to executing the predetermined function, upon detection of the connection of the job memory storage device by the detector, whether the predetermined function whose setting information is prestored in the job memory storage device is executable in the image forming apparatus or not, and

a voice data acquiring unit that, if the determining unit determines that the predetermined function is not executable, acquires voice data which guides the function which is determined not to be executable and voice data which guides a reason why the function is not executable respectively from a voice data storing unit;

a priority level changing unit that, if the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit which guides the reason includes voice data which indicates that the external terminal is not connected, determines an order of outputting of the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit based on a predetermined priority level so that the voice data which indicates that the external terminal is not connected is first output audibly in priority to other voice data;

a voice data synthesizing unit that generates voice guidance data by sorting the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit according to the output order determined by the priority level changing unit and by synthesizing the voice data; and

a voice guidance unit that audibly outputs based on the voice guidance data generated by the voice data synthesizing unit.

23. A voice guidance method for a voice guidance system that provides a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

detecting, by a detector, a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

and

determining, by a determining unit, prior to executing a job using the predetermined function in the image forming apparatus, upon detection of the connection of the job memory storage device by the detector, whether the predetermined function stored in the job memory storage device is executable in the image forming apparatus or not;

acquiring, by a voice data acquiring unit, if it is determined by the determining unit that the predetermined function is not executable, voice data which guides the function which is determined not to be executable and voice data which guides a reason why the function is not executable respectively from a voice data storing unit;

determining, by a priority level changing unit, if the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit which guides the reason includes voice data which indicates that the external terminal is not connected, an order of outputting of the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit based on a predetermined priority level so that the voice data which indicates that the external terminal is not connected is first output audibly in priority to other voice data;

generating, by a voice data synthesizing unit, voice guidance data by sorting the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit according to the output order determined by the priority level changing unit and by synthesizing the voice data; and

audibly outputting, by a voice guidance unit, based on the voice guidance data generated by the voice data synthesizing unit.

24. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

a dedicated apparatus, configured to be connectable to the image forming apparatus, and that changes a function related to a job to be performed in the image forming apparatus as a result of connection of the dedicated apparatus;

a job memory storage device detection unit that detects a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

an optional function extraction unit that, upon detecting connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit, extracts an optional function added to the image forming apparatus by the connection of the dedicated apparatus to the image forming apparatus;

a setting information reading unit that reads the setting information from the job memory storage device upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit;

a determination unit that determines whether the function, including the optional function extracted by the job function extraction unit, of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the setting information read by the setting information reading unit is available in the image forming apparatus or not, prior to executing the job using the predetermined function by the image forming apparatus, upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit;

a voice data acquiring unit that, if the determining unit determines that the function of the image forming apparatus is not executable, acquires voice data which guides the function of the image forming apparatus which is determined not to be executable and voice data which guides a reason why the function is not executable respectively from a voice data storing unit;

a priority level changing unit that, if the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit which guides the reason includes the voice data which indicates that the job memory storage device is not connected, determines an order of outputting of the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit based on a predetermined priority level so that the voice data which indicates that the job memory storage device is not connected is first output audibly in priority to other voice data;

a voice data synthesizing unit which generates voice guidance data by sorting the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit according to the output order determined by the priority level changing unit and by synthesizing the voice data; and

a voice guidance unit which audibly outputs based on the voice guidance data generated by the voice data synthesizing unit.

25. A voice guidance method of a voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

detecting, by a job memory storage device detection unit, a connection of a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is stored;

extracting, by an optional function extraction unit, upon detecting connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit, an optional function added to the image forming apparatus by the connection of a dedicated apparatus to the image forming apparatus;

reading, by a setting information reading unit, the setting information from the job memory storage device upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit;

determining, by a determination unit, whether a function, including an optional function extracted by a job function extraction unit, of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the setting information read by the setting information reading unit is available in the image forming apparatus or not, prior to executing a job using the predetermined function by the image forming apparatus, upon detecting the connection of the job memory storage device by the job memory storage device detection unit;

acquiring, by a voice data acquiring unit, if it is determined by the determining unit that the function of the image forming apparatus is not executable, voice data which guides the function of the image forming apparatus which is determined not to be executable and voice data which guides a reason why the function is not executable respectively from a voice data storing unit;

determining, by a priority level changing unit, if the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit which guides the reason includes voice data which indicates that the job memory storage device is not connected, an order of outputting of the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit based on a predetermined priority level so that the voice data which indicates that the job memory storage device is not connected is first output audibly in priority to other voice data;

generating, by a voice data synthesizing unit, voice guidance data by sorting the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit according to the output order determined by the priority level changing unit and by synthesizing the voice data; and

audibly outputting, by a voice guidance unit, based on the voice guidance data generated by the voice data synthesizing unit.

26. A voice guidance system for providing a guidance by voice concerning operations of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

an external terminal that changes a function related to a job to be performed in the image forming apparatus as a result that the external device is connected to the image forming apparatus, the external terminal including a job memory storage device in which setting information of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus is prestored;

a determining unit that determines, prior to executing a job using the predetermined function, whether the predetermined function related to the job is executable or not; and

a voice data acquiring unit that, if the determining unit determines that the predetermined function is not executable, acquires voice data which guides the function which is determined not to be executable and voice data which guides a reason why the function is not executable respectively from a voice data storing unit;

a priority level changing unit that, if the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit which guides the reason includes voice data which indicates that the external terminal including the job memory storage device is not connected, determines an order of outputting of the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit based on a predetermined priority level so that the voice data which indicates that the external terminal including the job memory storage device is not connected is first output audibly in priority to other voice data;

a voice data synthesizing unit which generates voice guidance data by sorting the voice data acquired by the voice data acquiring unit according to the output order determined by the priority level changing unit and by synthesizing the voice data; and

a voice guidance unit which audibly outputs based on the voice guidance data generated by the voice data synthesizing unit.