Abstract: An image capturing apparatus of this invention includes an audio acquisition unit which acquires audio data, an speech processing unit which analyzes the acquired audio data and detects predetermined audio data, an image capturing unit which captures image data by activating a shutter when the speech processing unit detects the predetermined audio data, and a storage unit which stores the audio data acquired by the audio acquisition unit before the shutter is activated in association with image data captured upon activating the shutter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for speech information processing includes detecting a first operation of a speech processing start instruction element, controlling a display so that speech recognition information is displayed in response to the detection of the first operation, detecting a second operation of the speech processing start instruction element, acquiring speech information in response to detection of the second operation, and performing speech recognition processing on the speech information.

Abstract: There are provided an information processing method and apparatus, which can composite an image at a link destination into document data upon printing document data that describes address information as a link to an image file, can obviate the need for additional access by the user, and can improve user's convenience. This information processing apparatus prints document data that describes address information of an image on a server which can be accessed via the Internet. An operation unit (107) issues a print instruction of an image, and makes its setups. Address information is detected from document data, and that image is accessed via the Internet. It is checked if the accessed image can be embedded in the document data. If the accessed image can be embedded, that image is downloaded. The downloaded image is embedded at a predetermined position in the document upon printing the document data.

Abstract: An article storage apparatus which enables categories to be subsequently assigned to storage sections or categories given to storage sections to be changed according to the progress of the user's storing operation or the user's desire. A plurality of storage shelves are provided to store articles. A RFID reader reads out a category assigned to an article to be stored in each of the storage shelves. A controller sets a category to be assigned to each storage shelf according to the category assigned to the article stored in the storage shelf.

Abstract: An information processing technique for voice outputting an electronic mail, received by an information processing apparatus capable of voice output, at a sender's intended timing. For this purpose, the information processing apparatus has an electronic mail reception unit (101) to receive an electronic mail, an electronic mail selection unit (102) to select an electronic mail including a code describing voice output timing, from electronic mails received by the electronic mail reception unit (101), and a voice synthesis unit (104) to voice-synthesize the electronic mail selected by the electronic mail selection unit (102) and voice-outputs the result of voice synthesis based on the code.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus of this invention includes an audio acquisition unit which acquires audio data, an speech processing unit which analyzes the acquired audio data and detects predetermined audio data, an image capturing unit which captures image data by activating a shutter when the speech processing unit detects the predetermined audio data, and a storage unit which stores the audio data acquired by the audio acquisition unit before the shutter is activated in association with image data captured upon activating the shutter.

Abstract: In a system implementing image retrieval by performing speech recognition on voice information added to an image, the speech recognition is triggered by an event, such as an image upload event, that is not an explicit speech-recognition order event. The system obtains voice information added to an image, detects an event, and performs speech recognition on the obtained voice information in response to a specific event, even if the detected event is not an explicit speech-recognition order event.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to save labor time required for correction and adjustments when an error has occurred during either the recognition of input data or the process of the recognition result of an information processing apparatus which recognizes input data and outputs the recognition result. The information processing method described in this embodiment includes a recording step of recording input data (step S708), a recognition step of recognizing the input data (step S707), a determination step of determining whether or not the input data can be recognized in the recognition step (step S709), and an output step of outputting, when it is determined in the determination step that the input data can be recognized, data generated based on a recognition result in the recognition step (step S713), and outputting, when it is determined in the determination step that the input data cannot be recognized, output data generated based on the input data which is recorded in the recording step (step S710).

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire image data, an output unit configured to select a question from a plurality of questions stored on a storage element and output the selected question, a response acquisition unit configured to acquire response contents responding to the question, and a storage unit configured to relate the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit to the response acquired by the response acquisition unit, and store the related data and contents.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus or method for presenting multimedia data, a storage unit holds an object in an image, such as an image, characters, or symbols, and sound data associated with the object. Metadata of the object is referred to, and an output parameter of the sound data associated with the object is determined based on the metadata. Then, a sound output unit outputs the sound data at a sound volume or the like based on the output parameter.

Abstract: Provided are an image forming apparatus and an image forming method in which a decline in the recognition rate of voice recognition ascribable to operating sound during printing can be prevented by starting voice recognition after the printing operation has been suspended. The image forming apparatus is provided with a voice recognition unit (103) for recognizing entered voice, and a image printing unit (107) for printing prescribed print information. Whether the image printing unit (107) is currently printing is discriminated by an image-printing-state holding unit (106). Further, a request to start operation of a voice recognition unit (103) is accepted. If the request to start operation of the voice recognition unit (103) is accepted during printing of print information by the image printing unit (107), then printing of the print information by the image printing unit (107) is suspended.

Abstract: In order to implement proper sensitivity setting with respect to a connected speech input device, this invention includes a connector for detachable connection of a speech input device, a detection unit which detects that the speech input device has connected to the connector, and a setting unit which sets a set value for adjusting a parameter of a speech signal input from the speech input device through the connector in accordance with detection of connection of the speech input device by the detection unit.

Abstract: A command for incrementing a numeric value is inputted by pressing a “2” key. A command for decrementing the numeric value is inputted by depressing an “8” key. At least one of a process for incrementing the numeric value by the amount of increment according to the length of time during which the “2” key is held down and a process for decrementing the numeric value by the amount of decrement according to the length of time during which the “8” key is held down is performed to determine a value to be input.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for speech information processing includes detecting a first operation of a speech processing start instruction element, controlling a display so that speech recognition information is displayed in response to the detection of the first operation, detecting a second operation of the speech processing start instruction element, acquiring speech information in response to detection of the second operation, and performing speech recognition processing on the speech information.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to save labor time required for correction and adjustments when an error has occurred during either the recognition of input data or the process of the recognition result of an information processing apparatus which recognizes input data and outputs the recognition result. The information processing method described in this embodiment includes a recording step of recording input data (step S708), a recognition step of recognizing the input data (step S707), a determination step of determining whether or not the input data can be recognized in the recognition step (step S709), and an output step of outputting, when it is determined in the determination step that the input data can be recognized, data generated based on a recognition result in the recognition step (step S713), and outputting, when it is determined in the determination step that the input data cannot be recognized, output data generated based on the input data which is recorded in the recording step (step S710).

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a holding unit configured to hold a setting of the information processing apparatus; a resetting unit configured to reset the setting; a detecting unit configured to detect whether the resetting unit has been operated for a predetermined period of time; and a setting unit configured to set a speech mode when the resetting unit has been operated for the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: In a character provision service system for providing users with characters such as interface agents and virtual characters in virtual spaces on computers or in TV games, charges for use of a provided character is computed according to a motion made by the character. This system enables each user to easily purchase with security a character capable of moving according user's need, and also enables character data providers to collect charges according to motions made by provided characters and to provide various characters without anxiety about unauthorized use of the characters.

Abstract: In a system implementing image retrieval by performing speech recognition on voice information added to an image, the speech recognition is triggered by an event, such as an image upload event, that is not an explicit speech-recognition order event. The system obtains voice information added to an image, detects an event, and performs speech recognition on the obtained voice information in response to a specific event, even if the detected event is not an explicit speech-recognition order event.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that: a demanded printing-job is accepted at a printing-job accepting unit, and a printing executing unit executes printing according to the accepted printing-job so as to produce an output sheet onto a discharge tray; an output-sheet detecting unit detects the presence of a printed output-sheet on the discharge tray; if the removal of discharged sheets from the discharge tray is detected, a printed-sheet mixture determining unit determines the possibility that sheets printed corresponding to a plurality of demands are mixed among the removed output-sheets; and if it is determined the possibility that sheets printed corresponding to a plurality of the demands are mixed among the output-sheets, warning information is produced by a warning voice producing unit.

Abstract: In a character provision service system for providing users with characters such as interface agents and virtual characters in virtual spaces on computers or in TV games, charges for use of a provided character is computed according to a motion made by the character. This system enables each user to easily purchase with security a character capable of moving according user's need, and also enables character data providers to collect charges according to motions made by provided characters and to provide various characters without anxiety about unauthorized use of the characters.