IP Library Granted Patent US 7,593,516
Granted Patent B2
US 7,593,516 · App. 11/242,830 · Granted Sep 22, 2009

Electronic apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,593,516
App. No.
11/242,830
Granted
Sep 22, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electronic apparatus includes: a memory for storing voice data of an operation explanation related to a function of the electronic apparatus; a speaker for outputting operation explanatory voice based upon the voice data stored in the memory; a push-button for instructing an execution of the function with respect to the electronic apparatus; and a control unit for turning ON, or flickering the push-button when the operation explanatory voice is being outputted from the speaker.

Claims (24)

1. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

a memory for storing voice data of operation explanations related to functions of the electronic apparatus;

a speaker for outputting an operation explanatory voice based upon the voice data stored in the memory;

a plurality of push-buttons for instructing an execution of the functions with respect to the electronic apparatus; and

a controller for turning ON, or flickering a push-button among the plurality of push-buttons when the operation explanatory voice related to a function of the push-button is being outputted from the speaker, wherein

the plurality of push-buttons include a first set of exposed push-buttons, and a second set of push-buttons having a cover, and wherein

voice operation explanations related to the first set of exposed push-buttons are always activated, and voice operation explanations related to the second set of push-buttons are only activated when the cover of the second-set of push-buttons is opened.

2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the functions include at least a telephone communication function, wherein the first set of exposed push-buttons is related to the telephone communication function, and the second set of push-buttons is related to a function other than the telephone communication function.

3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the function other than the telephone communication function comprises one of a facsimile transmission function and a copy function.

4. A facsimile apparatus, comprising:

a memory for storing voice data as to operation explanations related to functions of the facsimile apparatus;

an operation explanation outputter for reading out the voice data from the memory so as to output an operation explanation by way of a voice;

a plurality of push-buttons for instructing the facsimile apparatus to execute respective functions; and

an operation controller operated in such a manner that when the operation explanation by the voice is being outputted from the facsimile apparatus, the operation controller turns ON, or flickers a push-button among the plurality of push-buttons, which is related to the operation explanation by the voice being outputted by the operation explanation outputter, wherein

the plurality of push-buttons includes a first set of exposed push-buttons, and a second set of push-buttons having a cover, and wherein

voice operation explanations related to the first set of exposed push-buttons are always activated, and voice operation explanations related to the second set of push-buttons are only activated when the cover of the second-set of push-buttons is opened.

5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the facsimile apparatus is further comprised of: a reader for reading an original; a facsimile transmitter for FAX-transmitting the original read by the reader; a printer for printing the original read by the reader; and a facsimile controller for controlling the reader, the facsimile transmitter, and the printer;

the plurality of push-buttons include: at least a facsimile button for instructing the facsimile apparatus to execute a FAX-transmission of the original; a dial button for entering a telephone number of a FAX communication counter party to the facsimile apparatus; and a copy button for instructing the facsimile apparatus to execute a copying operation of the original;

the facsimile controller controls the reader to read the original in response to the input of the facsimile button, controls the facsimile transmitter to FAX-transmit the original read by the reader, controls the reader to read the original in response to the input of the copy button, and controls the printer to print the original read by the reader.

6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the memory stores voice data of a first operation explanation for prompting a user of the facsimile apparatus to instruct an execution of any one of a facsimile transmission function and a copy function, voice data of a second operation explanation related to the facsimile transmission function, and voice data of a third operation explanation related to the copy function.

7. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the operation controller controls the operation explanation outputter to output the first operation explanation, and to turn ON both the facsimile button and the copy button.

8. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein when the facsimile button is operated while the first operation explanation is outputted, the operation controller interrupts outputting of the first operation explanation, and turns ON of both the facsimile button and the copy button, and thereafter, the operation controller controls the operation explanation outputter to output the second operation explanation.

9. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein when the copy button is operated while the first operation explanation is outputted, the operation controller interrupts outputting of the first operation explanation, and turns ON of both the facsimile button and the copy button, and thereafter the operation controller controls the operation explanation outputter to output the third operation explanation.

10. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the functions include at least a telephone communication function and a facsimile transmission function, wherein the first set of exposed push-buttons is related to the telephone communication function, and the second set of push-buttons is related to the facsimile transmission function.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NAME OF ONE OF THE PREVIOUS ASSIGNORS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037471 FRAME 0227. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 5, 2018
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION; PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA; PANASONIC SYSTEM NETWORKS CO., LTD.
To: GRAND MESA, SERIES 57 OF THE ALLIED SECURITY TRUST I
Reel/Frame 047015/0263 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2017
From: GRAND MESA, SERIES 57 OF THE ALLIED SECURITY TRUST I
To: INTERTECHNOLOGY GLOBAL LLC
Reel/Frame 041443/0083 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2016
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION; PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA; PANASONIC SYSTEM NETWORKS CORPORATION
To: GRAND MESA, SERIES 57 OF THE ALLIED SECURITY TRUST I
Reel/Frame 037471/0227 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 14, 2008
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021835/0446 →