Universal access photocopier

• US 6,243,682 B1
• Filed: 11/09/1998
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Braun, John F., OʼHare, Michael, Eghtesadi, Khosrow, Kaye, Michael M., Pierce, Jeffrey D., Gifford, Nathaniel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): {haeck over (S)}mits, Tãlivaldis I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wieland, Susan
• Application Number:
  US09/188,273
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 704/270-275
• US Class Current: 704/270
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5016 User-machine interface; Display panels; Control console
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00122 using speech synthesis or voice recognition

Abstract

This invention is a system that enables handicapped and disabled individuals to control and use office photocopiers. The foregoing is accomplished by coupling a interface to a diagnostic communication port on the photocopier. The diagnostic port may be used to simulate the pressing of keys on the photocopier control panel. A software program running on a personal computer is coupled to the interface so that the interface may duplicate the actions of the photocopier control panel. A voice, keyboard and touch screen interface is added to the software program to permit several keys to be issued with a single phrase or touch. The user may use voice or the keyboard or the touch screen or any combination of the above to operate the photocopier. The addition of wireless audio may also be utilized to allow hands-free operation of the photocopier. An audio voice feedback provides information about what command was exactly executed. The system audibly reports the status of the photocopier.

Claims

1. A bi-directional system for commanding and controlling a photocopier, said system comprising:

a computer that controls the operation of the photocopier;

means for entering user voice commands into said computer so that said computer will recognize the voice commands and cause said photocopier to print copies according to certain selected parameters; and

means coupled to said computer for reporting to the user the status of the photocopier;

wherein the reporting means comprises;

diagnostic means contained within the photocopier indicating the status of the photocopier to the computer;

a sound card that produces a digitized audio signal associated with the status of the photocopier; and

a speaker coupled to the output of the sound card, wherein the speaker produces an audible signal to the user repeating the user'"'"'s voice command.

2. The system claimed in claim 1, further including:

means coupled to said computer for confirming said voice commands by producing a digitized audio signal output that repeats the entered voice command.

3. The system claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for confirming comprises:

a sound card that produces a digitized audio signal; and

a speaker coupled to the output of the sound card, wherein the speaker produces a audible signal.

4. The system claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for entering voice commands comprises:

a microphone for converting audio command signals into electrical signals; and

means coupled to said microphone for converting said audio command signals into keystroke commands, wherein the converting means is coupled to the computer.

5. The system claimed in claim 4, wherein said converting means is a speech recognition board.

6. The system claimed in claim 1, further including:

a keyboard coupled to said computer for entering key commands into said computer so that said computer will cause said photocopier to print copies according to certain selected parameters.

7. The system claimed in claim 1, further including:

a touch screen coupled to said computer for entering touch commands into said computer so that said computer will cause said photocopier to print copies according to certain selected parameters.