An operation mode control section sets an operation mode flag so as to prohibit any speech replay operation using the loudspeaker when the printer is driven for a printing operation and permits the speech replay operation only after completing the printing operation. When a speech replay/input operation using the loudspeaker is specified by the replay operation section, the operation of the speech output control section is prohibited as the operation mode flag is set to prohibit any speech replay operation using the loudspeaker so that the loudspeaker is held to a standby state until a speech replay operation using the loudspeaker is permitted by the operation mode flag or the operation of the printer is terminated.
Methods, image-forming systems, and image-forming assistance apparatuses are described. According to one aspect, a method of informing a user with respect to operations of an image-forming device includes detecting a user attempting to effect an operation of an image-forming device configured to form hard images upon media and generating audible signals representing a human voice to communicate audible information to the user regarding the image-forming device and responsive to the detecting.
