JP2022178558A - Image forming apparatus and method for creating operating procedure explanation for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To achieve a function to cause an image forming apparatus to create operating procedure explanation of a specific operating procedure that is visually easy-to-understand for a user not familiar with the image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a display device that displays settings and a state related to image formation on an operation screen; an operation device that receives an operation related to the settings, an instruction to start recording, and an instruction to end recording; a guide generation unit that records the history of the operations related to the settings received within a period from the instruction to start recording to the instruction to end recording together with an image of the operation screen as guide data, and generates a guide indicating the procedure of operations by using the recorded guide data; a storage device that stores the guide data; and an output unit that prints the generated guide or outputs the guide as data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of creating operating procedure instructions and a method of creating operating procedure instructions.

An image forming apparatus, especially a multifunction machine capable of executing multiple functions related to image forming, has many functions to be selected or set by the user, and the operations to be performed by the user to obtain the desired output tend to be complicated. . Therefore, a configuration using a dot-matrix display capable of flexibly changing the display contents of the operation screen according to the situation and using a touch panel for accepting user's instructions correspondingly as an operation recognition unit is often used. Nevertheless, it is not easy to display many functions on the display section so that the user can easily understand the operation.

For example, the following techniques are known for creating operation procedure instructions for image forming apparatuses. The present invention relates to screen data indicating a setting procedure for distributing image data of a read document to a specified destination on a network. A setting screen is captured by the screen capture means along the setting procedure. The captured setting screen is stored as screen data in the storage means, output by the output means, and used for reference when making distribution settings for beginners (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-060499 A

Operation manuals are provided in the form of booklets and document data (for example, data in PDF format) to help users understand the many functions. However, since they exhaustively explain various operations, they are not suitable for the purpose of showing an inexperienced user an easy-to-understand operation procedure for performing a specific process.
On the other hand, there are cases in which many people copy or print in the same way for public procedures or the like. In this case, a person who normally does not use an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine visits a convenience store or other public place to use the multifunction machine. However, when trying to operate the installed multi-function device, it is likely that a store clerk will be called because the user does not know how to use it, and will be distracted by the explanation. In addition, after copying, the user tends to forget to take the document and leave.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a function of allowing a user who is unfamiliar with an image forming apparatus to create a visually easy-to-understand explanation of a specific operating procedure in the image forming apparatus. It will be realized.

The present invention provides a display device for displaying settings and states related to image formation on an operation screen, an operation device for receiving an operation related to the settings, an instruction to start recording, and an instruction to end recording, and an operation device for receiving an instruction to start recording and an instruction to end recording. a guide creation unit that records a history of operations related to the settings received during a period until an end instruction is received together with the image of the operation screen as guide data, and creates a guide showing an operation procedure using the recorded guide data; , an image forming apparatus comprising a storage device for storing the guide data, and an output unit for printing or outputting the created guide as data.

From a different point of view, the present invention provides a step in which a control unit of an image forming apparatus displays settings and states related to image formation on an operation screen using a display device; a step of receiving an end instruction; and using a storage device to record, as guide data, a history of operations related to the settings received during a period from the instruction to start recording to the instruction to end recording, together with the image of the operation device. To provide a method for creating an operation procedure explanation comprising steps, a step of creating a guide indicating an operation procedure using recorded guide data, and a step of printing or outputting the created guide as data.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a function that allows a user who is unfamiliar with an image forming apparatus to create a visually easy-to-understand operation procedure explanation for a specific operation procedure in the image forming apparatus.
The method for creating operating procedure instructions according to the present invention also has the same effect.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multi-function peripheral as an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the multi-function machine shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 11 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 11 is a third explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 12 is a fourth explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 12 is a fifth explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 11 is a sixth explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 14 is a seventh explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 12 is an eighth explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 20 is a ninth explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 20 is a tenth explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 20 is an eleventh explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 20 is a twelfth explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 21 is a thirteenth explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 20 is a fourteenth explanatory diagram showing an example of operations performed during guide creation in Embodiment 1; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide created and printed by a guide creation unit in Embodiment 1; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide preview according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the preview of the guide in FIG. 18 is scrolled to the bottom; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a text insertion screen for accepting input of text to be inserted into a guide in Embodiment 1; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a text insertion screen for receiving selection of [favorite] text to be inserted into the guide in Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide menu insertion screen for accepting selection of a guide menu to be inserted into a guide in Embodiment 1; 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for confirming the guide menu selected in FIG. 22 and accepting insertion; FIG. FIG. 24 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide in which text and a guide menu are inserted by the screens of FIGS. 20 to 23; FIG. 24 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide in which text and a guide menu are inserted by the screens of FIGS. 20 to 23; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide creation setting screen displayed in response to the operation of the [setting] key shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a [Favorite] text registration screen in Embodiment 1; 4 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide management screen according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide displayed when a created guide saving function is enabled in Embodiment 1; FIG. 10 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide displayed when the created guide saving function is enabled in Embodiment 1; FIG. 29 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when one of the created guides shown in FIG. 28 is selected; FIG. 29 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when one of the created guides shown in FIG. 28 is selected; FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide creation screen displayed in place of FIG. 16 in Embodiment 2; FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which the [utterance] key is touched on the guide creation screen shown in FIG. 33; FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation for ending recording corresponding to FIG. 15 in the second embodiment; FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide creation screen displayed in response to the recording end operation in FIG. 35; FIG. 37 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide displayed on the information processing device of the transmission destination in response to the operation of the [Send] key in FIG. 36 and the voice reproduced; FIG. 37 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of the guide displayed on the destination information processing device in response to the operation of the [Send] key in FIG. 36 and the reproduced voice;

The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. In the following description of this specification, the explanation of the operation procedure is also referred to as a guide.
(Embodiment 1)
<<Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>>
First, the image forming apparatus in this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multifunction machine as one aspect of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the multifunction machine shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 10 includes an operation unit 12, a control section 11, a printing unit 13, a scanner unit 15, a communication circuit 24 and an image processing circuit 20. FIG. The operation unit 12 includes an operation detection device 12S and a display device 12D.
Control unit 11 includes operation recognition unit 11R, display control unit 11D, guide creation unit 11G, job control unit 11J, and memory 11M. Although not an essential configuration, the control unit 11 may include a speech synthesis unit 11V.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 12 is provided on the housing of the multi-function machine 10, and as shown in FIG. Configured. The operation detection device 12S in this embodiment is specifically composed of a touch panel and operation keys.
The operation recognition unit 11R recognizes an operation signal detected by the operation detection device 12S and recognizes which element of the screen displayed on the display device 12D has been operated.
In this embodiment, the display device 12D comprises a liquid crystal display device. The display device 12D displays a screen according to the control of the display control section 11D. The job control unit 11J determines the content to be displayed on the display device 12D by the display control unit 11D based on the operation recognized by the operation recognition unit 11R and the state of the MFP 10, and updates the content.

Furthermore, the job control section 11J recognizes the states detected by the sensors (not shown) arranged in the scanner unit 15 and the printing unit 13 . Then, it controls the operations of motors, actuators, devices (not shown) arranged in the scanner unit 15 and the printing unit 13 . It also controls image-related processing of the image processing circuit 20 .
The guide creation unit 11G creates a guide and outputs it as printed or data as will be described later.
The speech synthesizing unit 11V performs speech synthesis to generate a speech signal for reading text data.

The control unit 11 including the operation recognition unit 11R, the display control unit 11D, the job control unit 11J, and the guide creation unit 11G is configured mainly by, for example, a processor as a specific configuration mode. In addition to the processor, it consists of hardware resources such as memory, input/output interface circuit, and timer circuit. Furthermore, a voice synthesis chip may be provided as the voice synthesis unit 11V. By executing the control program stored in the memory 11M by the processor, various jobs related to recognition of operations, control of display, reading of original images, printing of images, etc., in other words, a series of processes related to image formation are realized. be done.

The memory 11M has, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a non-volatile memory as a specific configuration mode. Flash memory and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) are examples of hardware that constitutes the nonvolatile memory. The aforementioned processor reads out the control program stored in the non-volatile memory and expands it in the RAM as appropriate. Then, it executes processing according to the control program developed in the RAM, and controls the multifunction device 10 . In other words, the functions of the control unit 11 are realized through cooperation between software resources and hardware resources.

The control section 11 and the printing unit 13, and the control section 11 and the scanner unit 15 are connected so as to be able to transfer data.
The communication circuit 24 is an interface for communicating data with external devices via a network.
As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-function machine 10 includes a document feeder 16. As shown in FIG. Also, in FIG. 2, a document platen (not shown) hidden behind the document feeder 16 is provided. Further, a finisher 19 is provided for performing finishing processing such as staple sorting.

The scanner unit 15 reads an image of a document under the control of the job control section 11J and converts it into an image signal. That is, it executes image reading processing in copy, facsimile and scanner jobs.
The image processing circuit 20 creates image data based on the image signal output by the scanner unit 15 . Alternatively, image data for printing is created based on print data received via communication circuit 24 . The created image data is printed by the printing unit 13 or transmitted to an external device via the communication circuit 24 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 10 includes paper trays 17a, 17b and output trays 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d.
The paper tray 17a individually accommodates sheets of various sizes. The paper tray 17b is a manual feed tray, and the portion on which paper is placed is exposed so that the user can easily replace the paper.
A paper feeding mechanism (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) conveys a sheet set in the selected paper tray 17a or 17b to the printing unit 13 under the control of the job control section 11J.

The printing unit 13 prints designated image data on a sheet fed from the paper tray 17a or 17b under the control of the job control section 11J. Jobs related to printing include, for example, a print job as a printer, a copy job as a copier, and a facsimile reception job related to facsimile reception.
The finisher 19 and the sheet ejection mechanism of the main body of the multifunction machine 10 eject the sheet printed by the printing unit 13 to any of the selected ejection trays 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d under the control of the job control section 11J.

≪Creating and Editing Guides≫
In this embodiment, the guide creation unit 11G creates a guide in response to user's operation.
The operation procedure until the guide creation unit 11G creates and outputs a guide will be described below.
3 to 16 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of operation procedures for creating a guide by the guide creating section 11G in this embodiment. In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 16, all operations are accepted on the operation screen displayed on the display device 12D of the operation unit 12. FIG. However, a mode in which separate operation keys (hard keys) are provided in an area outside the operation screen is also conceivable. In that case, the guide creating section 11G may create a guide as an illustration including an operation screen and hard keys.
It is assumed that the user's finger F touches the [create guide] icon 33 displayed on the home screen 31 displayed on the display device 12D shown in FIG. When the operation recognition unit 11R recognizes the operation, the control unit 11 as the guide creation unit 11G switches the home screen 31 to the guide creation screen shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, a [start creation] key 36, a [cancel] key 37, and a [set] key 38 are arranged on the guide creation screen 35. FIG.
When the [start creation] key 36 is touched, the guide creation unit 11G transitions to the guide creation mode and switches the home screen 31 to the display device 12D (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 5, during the guide creation mode, the guide creation unit 11G displays a [record end] key 43 and a [cancel] key 44 in the upper right area of the screen. Then, the guide creation mode is continued until the [record end] key 43 is operated.
When the [Cancel] key 37 is operated during the guide creation mode, the guide creation unit 11G stops creating the guide, terminates the guide creation mode, and switches the screen to the home screen 31 of FIG.
Further, when the [setting] key 38 on the guide creation screen 35 is operated, the guide creation section 11G switches the screen to a guide creation setting screen 87, which will be described later, and accepts various settings related to guide creation.

5 to 15 show examples of operations recognized by the operation recognition unit 11R. When the [Copy] key 41 is touched on the home screen 31 shown in FIG. 5, the job control section 11J performs the same processing as the operation accepted in the normal mode other than the guide creation mode. That is, the screen is switched to the basic copy screen shown in FIG. In parallel with the processing of the job control unit 11J, the guide creation unit 11G executes processing related to guide creation. That is, the displayed operation screen and the history of accepted operations are stored in the memory 11M as guide data.
As shown in FIG. 6, a copy basic screen 45 has function keys 47 arranged on the left side to accept various settings of a copy job. A number of copies setting key 48 is arranged at the upper center to accept setting of the number of copies. A machine illustration 49 is arranged at the lower center to receive the selection of the paper tray and the discharge tray. On the right, there are a [Preview] key 50 for previewing on the screen before making a copy, a [Reset] key 51 for resetting all settings related to the copy job, and for starting monochrome and color copy jobs. A [black and white start] key 52 and a [color start] key 53 are arranged.

On the basic screen 45, when selection of the paper tray 17b is accepted (see FIG. 7), selection of the discharge tray 18b is accepted (see FIG. 8), and operation of the [B/W START] key 52 is accepted (see FIG. 9), the job The control unit 11J starts a monochrome copy job.
After copying is completed, it is assumed that the selection of the paper tray 17a is accepted for the next copy job (see FIG. 10) and the selection of the discharge tray 18b is accepted (see FIG. 11). Next, it is assumed that double-sided copy setting is accepted by the [Double-Sided Copy] key 47D of the function keys 47 (see FIG. 12), and one-point stapling setting is accepted by the [Staple Sort] key 47S (see FIG. 13). When the operation of the [monochrome start] key 52 is accepted (see FIG. 14), the job control section 11J starts the second monochrome copy job following the previous monochrome copy.

When the [recording end] key is touched after the end of copying (see FIG. 15), the guide creating section 11G which has been performing the process of recording the guide data relating to the above-described operation history and storing it in the memory 11M as guide data. , to exit guide creation mode. Then, the screen is switched to the guide creation screen 35 . A [confirm contents] key 55 and a [print] key 56 are arranged on the guide creation screen 35 at this stage.
Here, when the [Print] key 56 is touched (see FIG. 16), in response to this operation, the control section 11 as the guide creation section 11G and the job control section 11J prints the created guide on the printing unit 13. Let

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the guide 58 created by the operations shown in FIGS. 5 to 15 is printed. As shown in FIG. 17, the guide 58 is printed with three operation screens. The first operation screen is the home screen 31 displayed in FIG. The second operation screen is the basic screen 45 displayed in FIGS. 6 to 9 relating to the first copy job. The third operation screen is the basic screen 45 related to the second copy job displayed in FIGS. 10-14.
"Start", "End" and arrows are added to clearly indicate the operation procedure.

Further, on the three operation screens, guide icons 60 indicating the positions of the keys operated on each operation screen and the order of operations are superimposed. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the guide icon 60 is a triangular icon, and a number indicating the order of operations on the operation screen is added to each icon. That is, it indicates that the operation keys, etc. at the positions indicated by the guide icon 60 should be operated in the numerical order indicated by the guide icon 60 on each operation screen.
The guide creation unit 11G stores the operation screen displayed on the display device 12D and the positions and orders of the operation keys touched on the operation screen as guide data in the memory 11M, and creates the operation screen based on the stored guide data. A guide 58 is created by superimposing a guide icon 60 on the screen shot of .
When the printing of the guide 58 is completed, the guide creating section 11G switches the screen to the home screen 31 shown in FIG. However, in order to allow the user to check the printed guide 58 and edit it, a guide creation screen similar to that shown in FIG. 16 may be displayed after printing is finished. This is a screen on which an [End] key is arranged in place of the [Print] key 56 of FIG. When the [end] key is touched, the guide creation unit 11G switches the screen to the home screen 31 shown in FIG. When the [confirm contents] key is pressed, the screen is switched to the preview screen of the guide in the same manner as described below, and editing is accepted.

When the [confirm contents] key 55 is touched on the guide creation screen 35 shown in FIG. 16, the guide creation unit 11G responds to the operation by switching the screen to the guide preview screen 63 (see FIG. 18). The guide creation unit 11G causes the preview screen 63 to display a preview of the guide 58 in a scrollable manner. A scroll bar 69 is arranged at the right end of the guide 58 . FIG. 19 shows the preview screen scrolled to the lower end of the guide 58 .
Note that the following assumes that the preview screen is displayed on the display device 12</b>D of the MFP 10 . However, there is also a mode in which the guide creation unit 11G displays the preview screen on an information processing device such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC possessed by the user via the communication circuit 24 . For example, the multi-function device 10 may provide a website of the created guide, the information processing device may access the website, and the guide may be previewed on the browser screen. Editing of the guide 58 may be accepted on the browser screen of the information processing device.
When the [End] key 67 arranged at the upper right corner of the preview screen 63 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is touched, the guide creation unit 11G terminates the preview screen 63 and changes the screen to the guide creation screen shown in FIG. Switch to 35.
In this embodiment, the preview screen 63 not only displays a preview of the guide 58 but also accepts editing of the created guide 58 . Changes in the position and size of the operation screen arranged on the guide 58 are accepted. Additions, deletions, and changes in the position, angle, or size of marks such as arrows may be accepted. A position change may be received in response to a drag operation, a size change may be received in response to a zoom operation, and an angle change may be received in response to a pinch operation. Such gesture-based editing of an object can be performed using a well-known technology for information processing devices such as smartphones. In addition, it may have the ability to insert ready-made guide menus or insert text entered or selected by the user. In the example shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, an [insert menu] key 65 and an [insert text] key 66 are arranged in the blank on the left side of the guide 58. FIG. Those operation keys are arranged at the upper end and lower end of each screen of the guide 58, respectively.

For example, when the user touches any [insert text] key 66 (see FIG. 19), the guide creation unit 11G displays the text insertion screen 71 shown in FIG. 20 in response. A text input box 72, a [select from [favorites]] key 73 and an [insert] key 74 are arranged on the text insertion screen 71 shown in FIG. The text input box 72 is an area for receiving and displaying text input by the user using a soft keyboard (not shown) popped up on the display device 12D or an external keyboard. The [Insert] key 74 accepts processing for inserting the text input in the text input box 72 into the guide. The position where the text is inserted is based on the position of the touched [insert text] key 66, as shown in FIG. 19, for example.

When the [Select from [favorites]] key 73 shown in FIG. 20 is touched, the guide creating unit 11G displays the registered [favorites] text 76 and accepts any selection (see FIG. 21). The contents of the registered [favorite] text 76 are stored in the memory 11M. In the screen example shown in FIG. 21, a list of [Favorite] texts 76 is displayed. When the check box at the left end of any [Favorite] text is touched, the guide creation unit 11G displays a check mark in the check box assuming that the [Favorite] text is selected.
When the "Insert" key 74 is touched, it inserts the selected "Favorites" text into the guide 58. FIG. This is the same as the [insert] key 74 shown in FIG.

When the [edit] key 75 is touched, the guide creation unit 11G accepts editing of the selected [favorite] text by the user. Text editing is done using a soft keyboard (not shown) or an external keyboard.
On the other hand, when the [insert menu] key 65 is touched in FIG. 18 or 19, the guide creating unit 11G responds by switching the screen to the guide menu inserting screen 79 (see FIG. 22). The guide menu insertion screen 79 has a guide menu selection key 81 for selecting one of several prepared guide menus. When one of the guide menu selection keys 81 is touched, the guide creation section 11G switches the screen to display the contents of the selected guide menu 83 (see FIG. 23).

Some of the guide menus 83 prepared in advance relate to operation procedures that are not included in the targets stored as guide data by the guide creation unit 11G. In this embodiment, the guide data is an operation screen to be displayed on the display device 12D and a history of operations detected by the operation detection device 12S on the displayed operation screen. It relates to the operation of setting and the operation of collecting the set document. It also relates to the operation of setting paper in the paper trays 17a and 17b and the operation of inputting characters using an external keyboard. Further, it includes operations related to pop-up display of a soft keyboard on the operation screen. In addition to the guide menu shown in FIG. 22, operations not included in guide data may be prepared as guide menus.

The selected guide menu 83 is displayed on the guide menu insertion screen 79 shown in FIG. 23, and the [insert] key 74 and the [return] key 82 are arranged. When the [Insert] key 74 is touched, the guide creation unit 11G inserts the selected guide menu into the guide 58. FIG. The insertion position is based on the position of the [insert menu] key 65 touched on the preview screen 63 shown in FIGS.
When the [Return] key 82 shown in FIG. 23 is touched, the guide creation unit 11G returns the screen to the guide menu insertion screen 79 shown in FIG.

24 and 25 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of the guide 58 in which the text and guide menu are inserted. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, in the guide 58, the inserted text 85 and the inserted guide menu 83 are arranged on the left side of the home screen 31 and the basic screen 45 together with arrows indicating the operation flow. there is
FIG. 26 shows an example of a guide creation setting screen 87 displayed by the guide creation unit 11G by switching screens when the [setting] key 38 on the guide creation screen 35 shown in FIG. 4 is touched. The guide creation setting screen 87 accepts valid/invalid settings for the guide creation function. It also accepts the setting of enable/disable for the [favorite] text registration function. Furthermore, it accepts the setting of enable/disable for the saving function of the created guide. When the [Register] key 91 is touched, the valid/invalid setting of each item described above is confirmed.

When the [favorite] text registration function is set to "valid", the link 89 to the "[favorite] text registration page" arranged at the bottom of the guide creation setting screen 87 shown in FIG. 26 becomes valid. When the link 89 is touched, the guide creating section 11G switches the screen to the [favorite] text registration screen 93 shown in FIG. [Favorite] text registration screen 93 has already registered [Favorite] text 76 arranged in the same manner as in FIG. 94 are arranged. When the [Favorite] text 76 is scrolled down and the text to be registered is entered in the blank and the [Register] key 94 is touched, the guide creation unit 11G adds the newly entered text to the [Favorite] text. . Although the [Edit] key 75 as shown in FIG. 21 is not arranged in FIG. 27, when one of the registered texts is selected, the text is modified and the [Registration] key 94 is touched, the guide The creation unit 11G updates the registered [favorite] text to the corrected content. That is, the screen shown in FIG. 27 accepts editing of the registered [favorite] text.

Also, in FIG. 26, when the saving function of the created guide management page is set to "valid", the link 90 to the "created guide management page" becomes valid. When the link 90 is touched, the guide creation section 11G switches the screen to the guide management screen 110 shown in FIG.
The guide management screen 110 displays a list of saved created guides 111 out of the guides created by the guide creation unit 11G. When any created guide is selected and the [Delete] key 112 is touched, the guide creating section 11G deletes the selected guide.

26 is set to "enabled", the guide creation unit 11G terminates guide creation when the [end recording] key 43 is touched (see FIG. 26). 15), the screens shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 are displayed in place of the screen shown in FIG.
The guide management screen 110 shown in FIG. 29 accepts settings for the file name and file attributes of the guide to be saved. When the [Register] key 94 is touched, the set file name and file attribute are determined. Furthermore, the contents of the guide 58 to be saved are displayed. When the screen is scrolled to the bottom, a [Print] key 56, a [Send] key 114, a [Save] key 115 and an [Edit] key 116 are arranged under the guide 58. FIG.

When the [Print] key 56 is touched, the control section 11 as the guide creation section 11G and the job control section 11J causes the printing unit 13 to print the guide 58 . When the [Send] key 114 is touched, the guide creation unit 11G sends the data of the guide 58 to the external device specified by the user via the communication circuit 24. FIG. Note that the guide creation unit 11G accepts designation of a transmission destination on an operation screen (not shown).
When the [Save] key 115 is touched, the guide creation unit 11G stores the data of the guide 58 in the memory 11M. When the [edit] key 116 is touched, the guide creation unit 11G accepts editing of the guide 58. FIG. This is the same process as when the [confirm contents] key 55 is touched on the guide creation screen 35 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 28, when one of the saved created guides 111 is selected, the guide creation unit 11G switches the screen to the screens shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 related to the selected guide 58. FIG. For example, when the file attribute setting of the selected guide 58 is changed (see FIG. 31) and the [Register] key is touched, the guide creation unit 11G confirms the file attribute setting change.
FIG. 32 shows the created guide 111 after the file attribute has been changed to "protected" by the operations shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 32, a created guide whose file attribute is set to "protected" is displayed with a protected icon 117 to that effect.
An example of the guide 58 to be created and the procedure of operations relating to the creation and editing of a guide have been described above.

(Embodiment 2)
The guide 58 created in Embodiment 1 is printed or image data. In this embodiment, a manner of generating guide 58 data to which voice data is added will be described.
FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a guide creation screen displayed in place of FIG. 4 of Embodiment 1 in this embodiment. It differs from FIG. 16 in that a [Speech] key 118 is arranged. FIG. 33 shows a state in which the speech mode is off. That is, it is the same as the first embodiment. When the [Speech] key 118 is touched on the operation screen shown in FIG. 33, the guide creating section 11G turns on the voice guide mode in response to this and creates a guide with added voice data. In addition, in order to notify the user that the voice guide mode is on, the guide creation unit 11G changes the icon of the [utterance] key 118 (see FIG. 34).

In this state, when the [start creation] key 36 is touched, the guide creating section 11G starts creating a guide as in the first embodiment. The multi-function device 10 in this embodiment includes the voice synthesis unit 11V shown in FIG. 1, and the voice synthesis unit 11V performs voice synthesis to read out the text data related to the guide to generate voice signals. Furthermore, the audio signal may be generated by reading out the text data of the guide menu added to the guide. Alternatively, the guide menu may be associated with voice data synthesized in advance and stored in the memory 11M, and the voice data may be added to the guide.
In this embodiment, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed, the guide data is stored in the memory 11M, and the recording end operation is performed in the same manner as in FIG. 15 (see FIG. 35).

The guide creation unit 11G switches the screen to the guide creation screen 35 shown in FIG. 36 in response to the recording end operation. FIG. 36 differs from FIG. 16 of Embodiment 1 in that a [Send] key 119 is arranged. In the case of the guide 58 to which voice data is added, as will be described later, it is assumed that the guide is transmitted to an information processing device such as a smartphone owned by the user, and the user often browses the guide while listening to the voice. is. However, in this embodiment, after the guide 58 corresponding to FIGS. 24 and 25 is created by editing in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the guide is transmitted to the information processing device 121 of the user. .

FIGS. 37 and 38 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the guide 58 displayed on the information processing device 121 of the destination user and played back. The multi-function device 10 may provide a website for the created guide, the information processing device may access the website, and the guide 58 may be previewed on the browser screen. Editing of the guide 58 may be accepted on the browser screen of the information processing device. As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, when the user displays the created guide 58 on the information processing device 121, a [start] key 123 is displayed at the top of the screen. When the user touches the [Start] key, the audio data added to the guide is played. In FIGS. 37 and 38, speech balloons indicate the audio data to be reproduced. The audio content is similar to that shown as text in FIGS.
After a predetermined period of time (for example, 3 seconds) has passed after the playback of the audio data associated with each screen is completed, the screen may be switched to the next screen, or the screen may be switched to the next screen, or the same screen may be played again. A dialog (not shown) may be popped up asking the user whether to stop playing the guide.

It has been described in the first embodiment that the information processing device 121 may accept the preview and editing of the guide 58 as shown in FIGS. The editing operation may also be guided by voice.
For example, when a screen corresponding to the preview screen 63 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is displayed, the message "To insert a fixed menu, touch the [Insert menu] key. To insert text, touch [ [Insert Text] key is touched." may be read aloud.
Also, the voice data is generated by reading the text aloud by the voice synthesizer 11V, and the content of the read-out text may be registered and edited as [favorite] text shown in FIGS. Furthermore, text added to the guide menu 83 may be read out. In that case, for example, when the guide menu 83 displayed on the preview screen is double-clicked, the guide creation unit 11G switches the screen to a dialog (not shown) for accepting correction of the text added to the guide menu 83, and reads it out. You may make it accept the correction of a text.

Furthermore, when the multi-function device 10 has a voice reproduction function and the voice guide mode is on, when the [start creation] key 36 shown in FIG. 34 is touched to enter the guide creation mode, the guide creation unit 11G In the creation of the guide as well, the operation may be guided by voice. However, this voice operation guidance is not recorded as guidance data. For example, in the guide creation mode, if no new operation is performed within a specified period of time, the user will be notified that "Guide is being created. Please perform the following operation or press the [Cancel] key to cancel guide creation." prompts the user to perform the next operation, or guides the user to cancel the operation.

(Embodiment 3)
Embodiment 2 has described a mode in which a guide to which audio data is added is displayed on the information processing device 121 possessed by the user and the audio is reproduced.
However, there is also a mode in which the printed guide and the audio data are linked. For example, audio data is generated in association with the printed guide 58, and the audio data is stored in an audio server or the like accessible from the information processing device 121 owned by the user. The multi-function device 10 may provide the function of the voice server, or the voice server may be external to the multi-function device.
The guide creation unit 11G prints the guide 58 to which the access information to the voice data is added. For example, a guide 58 is printed with a two-dimensional bar code indicating the URL where the voice data is stored.
When the user causes the information processing device 121 to read the two-dimensional barcode attached to the guide 58, the information processing device 121 can access the audio data, and the information processing device 121 reproduces the audio data.

As mentioned above,
(i) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a display device for displaying settings and states relating to image formation on an operation screen; an operation device for receiving an operation relating to the settings, an instruction to start recording and an instruction to end recording; The history of the operation related to the setting received during the period from the instruction to start recording to the instruction to end recording is recorded as guide data together with the image of the operation screen, and the recorded guide data is used to guide the operation procedure. a storage device for storing the guide data; and an output unit for printing or outputting the created guide as data.

In the present invention, the guide creation unit receives settings related to image formation, records, as guide data, a history of operations received by the image forming apparatus that performs image formation based on the settings, and creates a guide using the recorded guide data. It is generated and printed by an image forming apparatus, or output as data relating to an image.
Also, the operation device may accept user's operations on the operation screen, but is not limited to this, and may accept operations related to settings in an area outside the operation screen. Specific examples thereof include a touch panel and hard keys.
Furthermore, the guide creation unit records the history of operations, and its specific aspect is, for example, that the function is performed by a processor composed of circuits and software that provides a processing program executed by the processor. It is realized.

Furthermore, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
(ii) The guide creation unit may create a guide that visually indicates positions and sequences of operations received by the operation device.
In this way, a guide can be created that visually indicates the position and sequence of operations.

(iii) The guide creation unit may create a guide by superimposing a mark visually indicating the position and order of the accepted operation on the image representing the operation screen.
In this way, a guide can be created that conforms to the layout and position of the operation device and operation screen that the user actually operates.

(iv) Before outputting the created guide, the guide creation unit may display a preview on the display device or a communicable external device to accept editing.
In this way, the created guide can be edited by an external device, so that the image forming apparatus is not occupied for editing the guide. In addition, for example, it is possible to edit a created guide using a large screen of a PC or the like.

(v) The guide creation unit accepts editing operations such as modifying the layout and size of operation screens and marks included in the guide, or adding text or images prepared in advance, at the preview display stage. may
In this way, the operation screen and marks can be edited to make them easier to see, and texts and images can be added to make the guide easier to understand.

(vi) The pre-prepared image may relate to an operation targeting a device other than the operation device.
In this way, user operations that are not included in the guide data can be added by editing when the guide is generated.

(vii) The guide creation unit may store the created guide in the storage device so that it can be edited and output.
In this way, not only the guide data but also the created guide can be stored in the storage device and re-output, or edited and reused.

(viii) The guide creation unit may create a guide to which voice data relating to operation procedures is added.
In this way, it is possible to create a guide using not only visual but also audio.

(ix) In one aspect of the present invention, a control unit of an image forming apparatus displays settings and states related to image formation on an operation screen using a display device; a step of receiving an instruction to end recording, using a storage device to record a history of operations related to the setting received during a period from the instruction to start recording to the instruction to end recording as guide data together with an image of the operation device. creating a guide showing the operating procedure using the recorded guide data; and printing or outputting the created guide as data.

Aspects of the present invention also include combinations of any of the aspects described above.
Various modifications of the present invention are possible in addition to the above-described embodiments. Those modifications should not be construed as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications within the scope of the claims, the meaning of equivalents, and the scope.

10: MFP 11: Control Unit 11D: Display Control Unit 11G: Guide Creation Unit 11J: Job Control Unit 11M: Memory 11R: Operation Recognition Unit 11V: Voice Synthesis Unit 12: Operation Unit 12D : display device 12S: operation detection device 13: printing unit 15: scanner unit 16: document feeder 17a, 17b: paper tray 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d: discharge tray 19: finisher 20: Image processing circuit 24: Communication circuit 31: Home screen 33: [Create guide] icon 35: Guide creation screen 36: [Start creation] key 37, 44: [Cancel] key 38: [Setting] key 41: [copy] key 43: [end recording] key 45: basic screen 47: function key 47D: [duplex copy] key 47S: [staple sort] key 48: number of copies setting key 49 : machine illustration, 50: [preview] key, 51: [reset] key, 52: [black and white start] key, 53: [color start] key, 55: [confirm contents] key, 56: [print] key, 58 : guide, 60: guide icon, 63: preview screen, 65: [insert menu] key, 66: [insert text] key, 67: [end] key, 69: scroll bar, 71: text insertion screen, 72: text Input box 73: [Select from [Favorite]] key 74: [Insert] key 75, 116: [Edit] key 76: [Favorite] text 79: Guide menu insertion screen 81: Guide menu selection key 82: [Back] key 83: Guide menu 85: Text 87: Guide creation setting screen 89, 90: Link 91, 94: [Registration] key 93: [Favorite] text registration screen 110: Guide Management screen 111: Created guide 115: [Save] key 117: Protection icon 118: [Speech] key 114, 119: [Send] key 121: Information processing device 123: [Start] key F : fingers

Claims (9)

a display device for displaying settings and states related to image formation on an operation screen;
an operation device that receives an operation related to the setting, an instruction to start recording, and an instruction to end recording;
A history of operations related to the setting received during the period from the instruction to start recording to the instruction to end recording is recorded as guide data together with the image of the operation screen, and the recorded guide data is used to indicate the operation procedure. a guide creation unit that creates a guide;
a storage device that stores the guide data;
an output unit for printing or outputting the created guide as data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide creation unit creates a guide visually indicating positions and sequences of operations received by the operation device. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide creation unit creates a guide in which marks visually indicating positions and sequences of accepted operations are superimposed on an image representing the operation screen. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide creating unit displays a preview of the created guide on the display device or a communicable external device and accepts editing before outputting the created guide. 5. The guide creation unit, at the stage of the preview display, accepts an editing operation of modifying the arrangement and size of the operation screen and marks included in the guide, or adding text or images prepared in advance. The image forming apparatus according to . 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the images prepared in advance relate to an operation targeting a device other than the operation device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide creation unit stores the created guide in the storage device so as to be editable and outputtable. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide creation unit creates a guide to which voice data relating to an operation procedure is added. The control unit of the image forming apparatus
a step of displaying settings and states relating to image formation on an operation screen using a display device;
a step of receiving an operation related to the setting, an instruction to start recording, and an instruction to end recording;
using a storage device to record, as guide data, a history of operations related to the setting received during the period from the instruction to start recording to the instruction to end recording, together with the image of the operation device;
a step of creating a guide showing an operation procedure using the recorded guide data;
a step of printing or outputting the created guide as data;
A method for creating operating instructions comprising:

Images