Abstract: The risk of mishearing by users in an environment where important information is transmitted is reduced. A voice segment detection unit detects a voice segment from an environmental sound. A user relevance determination unit determines whether voice in the voice segment is related to a user. For example, the user relevance determination unit extracts keywords related to actions from the voice in the voice segment, and determines whether the voice in the voice segment is related to the user on the basis of the relevance of the extracted keyword to the user's actions. A presentation control unit controls presentation of the voice related to the user. For example, the presentation control unit controls the presentation of the voice related to the user when the user is in a mishearing mode.

Abstract: An authentication apparatus includes a time-information storage unit configured to store a reference time used for authentication; a biometric-information storage unit configured to store biometric information used for authentication; a biometric-information obtaining unit configured to obtain biometric information of a person; a matching-score calculating unit configured to calculate a matching score representing a degree of similarity between the biometric information stored in the biometric-information storage unit and the obtained biometric information; a current-time obtaining unit configured to obtain a current time; a threshold setting unit configured to set a threshold used for authentication, on the basis of the obtained current time and the reference time stored in the time-information storage unit; and an authentication-result determining unit configured to determine success or failure of authentication regarding the obtained biometric information, on the basis of the calculated matching score and

Abstract: A light source estimating apparatus for estimating a type of a light source used when an input image was picked up, the apparatus including: distribution retaining means which retains a distribution, in a predetermined space, of pixel data picked up under a first or second light source; coordinate determining means which determines coordinates of the pixel data of the input image in the predetermined space; and distribution judging means which judges distribution of the pixel data picked up under the first or second light source to which the coordinates belong.

Abstract: A storing unit stores therein a plurality of different display language data that is switchable according to a use environment of a user. A selecting unit selects a display language data from the storing unit in response to display language specification information supplied from a main unit at a time of starting the electronic device. A displaying unit displays an operation screen with selected display language data. When there is no display language specification information from the main unit, the selecting unit selects a predetermined display language data according to a difference between stored display language data and display language data set in a factory setting.

Abstract: A light source estimating device includes: a distribution holding section holding a spectral energy distribution of a specific light source as a specular reflection component; a set generating section generating a set determined by the specular reflection component and pixel data of the input image in a predetermined space, with respect to each pixel data of the input image; a detecting section detecting, with respect to each pixel data of the input image, another pixel data neighboring the pixel data and included in the set; and a determining section determining whether or not the specific light source corresponds to the light source used during capture, by setting a likelihood that the specific light source corresponds to the light source used during capture high if the other pixel data exists, and setting a likelihood that the specific light source corresponds to the light source used during capture low if the other pixel data does not exist.

Abstract: An authentication apparatus includes a time-information storage unit configured to store a reference time used for authentication; a biometric-information storage unit configured to store biometric information used for authentication; a biometric-information obtaining unit configured to obtain biometric information of a person; a matching-score calculating unit configured to calculate a matching score representing a degree of similarity between the biometric information stored in the biometric-information storage unit and the obtained biometric information; a current-time obtaining unit configured to obtain a current time; a threshold setting unit configured to set a threshold used for authentication, on the basis of the obtained current time and the reference time stored in the time-information storage unit; and an authentication-result determining unit configured to determine success or failure of authentication regarding the obtained biometric information, on the basis of the calculated matching score and

Abstract: A light source estimating device includes: a distribution holding section holding a spectral energy distribution of a specific light source as a specular reflection component; a set generating section generating a set determined by the specular reflection component and pixel data of the input image in a predetermined space, with respect to each pixel data of the input image; a detecting section detecting, with respect to each pixel data of the input image, another pixel data neighboring the pixel data and included in the set; and a determining section determining whether or not the specific light source corresponds to the light source used during capture, by setting a likelihood that the specific light source corresponds to the light source used during capture high if the other pixel data exists, and setting a likelihood that the specific light source corresponds to the light source used during capture low if the other pixel data does not exist.

Abstract: A light source estimating apparatus for estimating a type of a light source used when an input image was picked up, the apparatus including: distribution retaining means which retains a distribution, in a predetermined space, of pixel data picked up under a first or second light source; coordinate determining means which determines coordinates of the pixel data of the input image in the predetermined space; and distribution judging means which judges distribution of the pixel data picked up under the first or second light source to which the coordinates belong.

Abstract: A storing unit stores therein a plurality of different display language data that is switchable according to a use environment of a user. A selecting unit selects a display language data from the storing unit in response to display language specification information supplied from a main unit at a time of starting the electronic device. A displaying unit displays an operation screen with selected display language data. When there is no display language specification information from the main unit, the selecting unit selects a predetermined display language data according to a difference between stored display language data and display language data set in a factory setting.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, picture display control means causes display means to selectively display a simple picture which allows a limited number of basic functions to be selected, or a standard picture which allows all the functions, inclusive of the functions available with the simple picture, to be selected. The simple picture and standard picture are switched over by software. The operation of the apparatus may be permitted only when a user code matching any one of user codes registered beforehand is input; either the simple picture or the standard picture may be set for each user code and displayed as the initial picture. The apparatus allows the operator to set up functions matching the contents of image formation and operator's skill without resorting to an openable cover for concealing a part of function setting keys.

Abstract: A communication control device connected between an image forming apparatus and a communication line in an image forming apparatus supervising system which connects the image forming apparatus and a host machine by the communication line. Assume that particular data of an image forming apparatus and updated day by day should be read periodically. Then, even when the power supply to the image forming apparatus is shut off, a host machine can access the apparatus to read the data which should be read periodically, and receive it. In addition, the data can be preserved until the next time for reading.

Abstract: A communication control device connected between an image forming apparatus and a communication line in an image forming apparatus supervising system which connects the image forming apparatus and a host machine by the communication line. Assume that particular data of an image forming apparatus which is updated day by day should be read periodically. Then, even when the power supply to the image forming apparatus is shut off, a host machine can access the apparatus to read the data which should be read periodically, and receive it. In addition, the data can be preserved until the next time for reading. The data is stored in a first memory until the data is ready for transfer to the host machine, at which time the data is transferred to a second memory and then to the host machine.

Abstract: A control system for collectively supervising a plurality of copiers or similar image forming apparatuses connected to a control device by communication lines with or without the intermediary of communication control units. To down-load data relating to image formation, the control device determines whether or not a copier of interest is in an inoperative state and, if it is in an inoperative state, automatically sends the data to the copier via a telephone line, an exchange, and a communication control unit. This data is written to storing means built in the copier. To up-load data relating to image formation, the control device causes each copier to automatically send the data stored in the storing means and stores the data in memory means. Up-loading is effected at an optimal time other than the time when the copier is performing an automatic adjustment, is in use, or is quite likely to be used.

Abstract: A control system for collectively supervising a plurality of copiers or similar image forming apparatuses connected to a control device by communication lines with or without the intermediary of communication control units. To down-load data relating to image formation, the control device determines whether or not a copier of interest is an inoperative state and, if it is in an inoperative state, automatically sends the data to the copier via a telephone line, an exchange, and a communication control unit. This data is written to storing means built in the copier. To up-load data relating to image formation, the control device causes each copier to automatically send the data stored in the storing means thereof and stores the data in memory means thereof. Up-loading is effected at an optimal time other than the time when the copier is performing an automatic adjustment, in use, or quite likely to be used.

Abstract: A communication control device connected between an image forming apparatus and a communication line in an image forming apparatus supervising system which connects the image forming apparatus and a host machine by the communication line. Assume that particular data of an image forming apparatus and which is updated day by day should be read periodically. Then, even when the power supply to the image forming apparatus is shut off, a host machine can access the apparatus to read the data which should be read periodically, and receive it. In addition, the data can be preserved until the next time for reading. The data is stored in a first memory until the data is ready for transfer to the host machine, at which time the data is transferred to a second memory and then to the host machine.

Abstract: A control system for collectively supervising a plurality of copiers or similar image forming apparatuses connected to a control device by communication lines with or without the intermediary of communication control units. To down-load data relating to image formation, the control device determines whether or not a copier of interest is an inoperative state and, if it is in an inoperative state, automatically sends the data to the copier via a telephone line, an exchange, and a communication control unit. This data is written to a storage device built in the copier. To up-load data relating to image formation, the control device causes each copier to automatically send the data stored in the storing device thereof and stores the data in a memory thereof. Up-loading is effected at an optimal time other than the time when the copier is performing an automatic adjustment, in use, or quite likely to be used.

Abstract: A control system for collectively supervising a plurality of copiers or similar image forming apparatuses connected to a control device by communication lines with or without the intermediary of communication control units. To down-load data relating to image formation, the control device determines whether or not a copier of interest is an inoperative state and, if it is in an inoperative state, automatically sends the data to the copier via a telephone line, an exchange, and a communication control unit. This data is written to a storage device built in the copier. To up-load data relating to image formation, the control device causes each copier to automatically send the data stored in the storing device thereof and stores the data in a memory thereof. Up-loading is effected at an optimal time other than the time when the copier is performing an automatic adjustment, in use, or quite likely to be used.

Abstract: A control system for collectively supervising a plurality of copiers or similar image forming apparatuses connected to a control device by communication lines with or without the intermediary of communication control units. To down-load data relating to image formation, the control device determines whether or not a copier of interest is an inoperative state and, if it is in an inoperative state, automatically sends the the copier via a telephone line, an exchange, and a communication control unit. This data is written to a storing device built in the copier. To up-load data relating to image formation, the control device causes each copier automatically send the data stored in the storing device thereof and stores the data in a memory thereof. Up-loading is effected at an optimal time other than the time when the copier is performing an automatic adjustment, in use, or quite likely to be used.

Abstract: An image forming unit management system includes: an image forming unit; a communication control unit for connecting the image forming unit to a management unit via a communication line to transmit a message from the image forming unit to the management unit and to transmit a response message from the management unit to the image forming unit; a storage part for storing a plurality of message codes respectively indicating a plurality of message types; an operation part for inputting a message type and a request for transmitting a message of the message type to the management unit; a first control part for setting one of the plurality of message codes that corresponds to the input message type and for transmitting a message including the message code to the communication control unit if the request is inputted from the operation part; and a second control part for transmitting the message, received from the first control part, to the management unit, and for transmitting a response message to the image forming