JP3197899B2 - Operation manual creation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an operation manual creating apparatus, and more specifically, edits and creates an operation manual required to execute a function of a device according to an operator's request. The present invention relates to an operation manual creating device that outputs the operation manual.

[Prior art] Operational contents of OA equipment such as information processing equipment and word processors and communication equipment such as facsimile mail equipment become complicated with the advancement of their functions, and to fully utilize the functions of the equipment Detailed knowledge of the device is required. Therefore, a detailed operation manual is conventionally attached to the device, and an operator operates the device while referring to the operation manual.

However, as the functions of the devices become more sophisticated, the operation manuals become more detailed and thicker, making it difficult to make full use of the operation manuals.

Therefore, conventionally, the device itself is provided with a so-called help function, and when the operation of the device cannot be understood, a help key or the like is input, so that the meaning of the key and information according to the operator's request can be displayed on the display. Is displayed. In such a conventional help function, regardless of the operation state of the device, when a help key is turned on, previously created help information is displayed on a display or the like. However, simply displaying such pre-prepared help information on the display cannot provide help information suitable for the operator's proficiency or operation stage.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, as described in JP-A-61-243518, user input history information and output information from an application system are analyzed, help items are narrowed down and displayed as a help item table. Then, when several items that the user wants to know are sequentially selected, the help information most suitable for the item that the user wants to know is searched and displayed by the selection of the user. This help information is created in advance and stored in the storage unit for each help item that will be requested by the user. If there is no help information corresponding to the help item selected by the user, the help item is selected. Expand the range appropriately and determine the help information to be displayed. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
As described in Japanese Patent No. 262120, when the same operator or an operator belonging to the same group performs an operation a certain number of times, or when the operator indicates that certain guidance information is unnecessary, the next operation is performed. It has been proposed to prohibit the display of this guidance information in the process, thereby displaying only appropriate and necessary guidance information in accordance with the skill level of the operator. The guidance information in this case is also prepared in advance in consideration of the proficiency of the operator and the like, and is appropriately selected and displayed from the plurality of pieces of guidance information.

Furthermore, as described in JP-A-63-66623, the user wants from data relating to the user's personal data and operation history, and data relating to the installation environment and operation history of the terminal device. There has been proposed an apparatus that detects an operation method that can reach a conceivable service in the shortest time, provides the operation method to a user via a display unit, and provides help information corresponding to the proficiency of an individual.

The help information in this case is also prepared in advance in consideration of the user's proficiency. The help information is appropriately selected and output from the plurality of pieces of help information.

Conventionally, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-280821, means for storing a series of operation procedure sequences for each operation of an application program, and guide help information for each unit of state and operation are stored. A means for storing as a set of guide help messages, a means for identifying a guide request from a user / application program, Means for creating a series of operation procedure sequences from the state at the time of request to the end of operation, means for searching for messages corresponding to each of the series of operation procedure strings posted from the guide help information, and Means for synthesizing and displaying guide help information, and storing in advance guide request contents (questions) and states and state flows of application programs. From the status flow table, a sequence of operation procedures from the status at the time of the guide request to the target process is created, then the guidance message for each of the sequence of operation procedures is searched, and finally, it is placed in the same order as the procedure. And display and output in accordance with the above. The guide help information in this case is synthesized as a set of guide help messages for each unit of state and operation. However, the guide help message for each unit is not edited freely according to the application program, but is set in advance. Are synthesized according to the sequence of procedures performed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, such traditional help features, in particular,
In the help functions described in JP-A-61-243518, JP-A-62-262120 and JP-A-63-66623, help information corresponding to individual proficiency is output. Even so, the help information is created in advance and stored in a storage unit or the like, and is appropriately selected and output from the plurality of pieces of help information according to the level of proficiency of an individual. Not only can you not respond, but the more you try to meet a wide range of requests, the more storage you need to store help information,
There was a problem that the cost was high.

Further, in the help function described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-280821, a guide relating to a specific operation procedure for performing a target process is searched for and displayed from a point in time when the user has trouble operating. For this reason, guide information is synthesized as a set of guide help messages for each unit of state and operation, but since guide information is not synthesized by freely combining help messages for each unit, this conventional Also in the example, there is a problem that it does not sufficiently respond to a wide range of requests, and if it tries to meet a wide range of requests, a large-capacity storage unit is required and the cost is increased.

Furthermore, the conventional help functions are all positioned as auxiliary functions of the operation manual attached to the device, and it is assumed that the operation manual has been read to some extent. When the user operates the device or loses the operation manual attached to the device, there is a problem that a sufficient help function is not exhibited and the device cannot be used sufficiently.

In particular, with the sophistication and diversification of device functions, the operation methods have become more complicated and the operation manuals attached to the devices have become thicker and more complex. It has become difficult to master the operation method. Here, unlike the conventional help function, there is a demand for an improvement in a man-machine interface that allows the user to use the device sufficiently without reading an operation manual attached to the device.

Therefore, the applicant of the present application firstly, upon receiving an operation manual request together with input of data necessary for creating an operation manual, performs an operation in a processing step to be executed in order to realize the function of the device, for each processing step. An operation manual creation device for creating and outputting an operation manual by freely combining the invention data of contents has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2-16 / 1990).
365).

However, in this operation manual creation device,
When re-requesting the service requested based on the operation manual, there was no function to request the service with simplified operation or the function to refer to the details of the operation based on the operation manual. You have to repeat the operation, it takes time,
There was room for improvement in terms of the man-machine interface.

[Object of the invention]

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 stores, for each processing step of an apparatus having a function of realizing various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, explanation data of operation contents required in the processing step, and When various system information necessary for realizing the function of the device is input in advance, the function requested by the operator is determined from the input operation data, and the processing steps to be executed to realize the function are determined. The user can freely combine the explanation data of the operation contents for each processing step, incorporate the system information, create and output an operation manual, and add a series of input operation information as operation history information and add number information to the user. Separately stored, provides the operation history information to the operator by inquiring of the number information, By eliminating the need to input a series of operation data corresponding to the input, the required capacity of the storage unit for storing the description data is reduced,
In addition, it provides an operation manual that can sufficiently respond to a wide range of requests from operators, and enables beginners to realize the functions of the target device without an attached operation manual, as well as operation history information. The present invention aims to improve the man-machine interface and to make full use of the functions of the devices by simplifying a series of complicated service request operations. In a device equipped with a communication function, an operation inquiry from a communication terminal is received, and when various system information necessary for realizing the function of the device has been input in advance, the system information is incorporated into a target of the device. In addition to creating an operation manual required to implement the function, the system can execute a series of operation data Number information is added as information and stored for each user, operation history information is transmitted to the communication terminal by inquiry of the number information, and a corresponding series of operation data is input by inputting the number information from the communication terminal. By eliminating the need for the system, the operation manual can be operated according to the contents, and the system information can be input and operated.
Even if the operator forgets or does not know the system information, the operation of the device having the intended communication function can be realized by performing the operation according to the operation manual even if the operator does not know the system information. To improve the man-machine interface by simplifying a series of complicated service request operations, so that the functions of devices with communication functions can be more easily and sufficiently used from communication terminals. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a facsimile mail device, an operation inquiry from a facsimile device itself and a communication terminal is received, and a function of the facsimile device itself intended by an operator and a service of the facsimile mail device are provided. Operation manual for operations required for use While creating and transmitting to the communication terminal, a series of operation data for each user of the communication terminal is added with number information as operation history information and stored, and the operation history information is transmitted to the communication terminal by inquiry of the number information, Further, by inputting the number information from the communication terminal, it becomes unnecessary to input a series of corresponding operation data, so that the service of the facsimile mail device can be utilized simply and sufficiently from the communication terminal. It is intended to be.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an apparatus for creating an operation manual for a device that realizes a plurality of functions by combining a plurality of processing steps executed by performing a predetermined operation, An input means for taking in the operation contents as operation data when an operation is performed on the device; and data necessary for creating an operation manual among the data taken in by the input means are taken out and stored. A data storage unit for storing a series of fetched operation data as operation history information, an instruction information storage unit for storing explanatory data of operation contents required for each of the above processing steps, and each function of the device is realized. In addition to storing various system information input and operated in advance, the data storage means A system information storage unit that adds predetermined number information to the operation history information and stores the information for each user; an operation content at each processing step stored in the instruction information storage unit by analyzing data stored in the data storage unit Edit control means for editing and creating an operation manual necessary for realizing a desired function by combining the description data of the above and incorporating the system information stored in the system information storage means, and an operation manual created by the edit control means. Output means for outputting the operation history information stored in the system information storage means, and generating and outputting an operation manual in response to an operation inquiry, and outputting the operation history information In response to the inquiry about the number information added to the The history information is read out and output, and the input of the number information makes it unnecessary to input a corresponding series of operation data. The invention according to claim 2, wherein a predetermined operation is performed at the communication terminal. And receiving operation data corresponding to the operation content from the communication terminal and creating an operation manual for a device having a communication function of implementing a plurality of functions by combining and executing a plurality of processing steps according to the operation data. A reception control means for receiving operation data from the communication terminal; extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual among the data received by the reception control means; Data storage means for storing a series of received operation data as operation history information; and data for explaining operation contents required for each processing step. Instructor information storage means, and various system information input and operated in advance to realize each function of the device are stored, and predetermined number information is added to the operation history information stored in the data storage means, and the information is stored for each user. Analyzing the data stored in the system information storage means and the data stored in the data storage means, combining the explanation data of the operation contents in each processing step stored in the instruction information storage means, and combining the data stored in the system information storage means Editing control means for editing and creating the operation manual necessary to realize the target function by incorporating the system information, and transmitting the operation manual created by the editing control means to the communication terminal at the request of the communication terminal, and Transmission control means for transmitting the operation history information stored in the information storage means; Provided, and transmits to the communication terminal in response to the inquiry operation from the communication terminal to create an operation manual,
In response to the inquiry of the number information added to the operation history information from the communication terminal, the operation history information of the corresponding user is read from the system information storage unit and transmitted to the communication terminal, and the number information is transmitted from the communication terminal. The transmission of a corresponding series of operation data is unnecessary by performing the above operation. The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is a facsimile mail device. It is a feature.

 Hereinafter, a specific description will be given based on examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile mail device 1 to which an operation manual creation device according to each invention of the present application is applied. The facsimile mail device 1 includes a system control unit 2,
Disk controllers 3, 4, floppy disk device 5, hard disk devices 6, 7, host interface unit 8
And communication processing units FCU1 to FUn.

The system control unit 2 controls each unit of the facsimile mail device 1 in accordance with a program stored in the internal memory or the floppy disk device 5 or the hard disk devices 6 and 7, and in particular, the floppy disk device 5 and the hard disk devices 6 and 7 for image data. The communication unit FCU1 to FCUn are controlled, and the sequence as the facsimile mail device 1 is executed. The facsimile mail device 1 has various function services such as a proxy communication function, a broadcast function, a confidential communication function, a time designation transmission function, a bulletin board service function, a post office box function, and a string communication function. The execution and control of these functions are controlled by controlling the communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn. Facsimile mail device 1
In order to use these functions, it is necessary to perform a certain operation on the facsimile mail apparatus 1 from a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile apparatus) connected to the facsimile mail apparatus 1 to make a service request. Then, as described later, an operation manual indicating the operation content of the service request can be requested from the facsimile mail device 1 from the communication terminal.

The disk control unit 3 and the disk control unit 4 control the drive of the floppy disk device 5 and the hard disk devices 6 and 7, and the floppy disk device 5 and the hard disk devices 6 and 7 store basic programs and various data as a facsimile mail device. In particular, it stores messages transmitted from a communication terminal, messages transmitted from a host device (described later), and the like.

A host device, for example, a computer device or the like is connected to the host interface unit 8, and the host interface unit 8 executes communication control with the host device. What is connected to the host interface unit 8 is not limited to a host device such as a computer device, but may be another facsimile mail device or the like. The host interface unit 8 includes a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) for directly connecting the host device and the facsimile mail device 1 and a communication control unit for connecting the host device and the facsimile mail device 1 via a line. Etc. are used.

The communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn are provided by the number of the accommodated lines, and each of the communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn is
As shown in the figure for U1, FCUn, the network control unit 11, the modem
12, communication control unit 13, manual generation buffer 14, encoding / decoding unit 15, channel control unit 16, control program storage unit 17, OMR processing unit 18, data storage unit 19, storage memory 2
0, instruction information storage unit 21, system information storage unit 2
2, an editing control unit 23, a bus control unit 24, and the like.

Lines L1 to Ln are connected to the network control unit 11, and lines L1 to Ln
For example, a telephone line is connected. Network control unit 11
Is so-called AA-NCU, and performs automatic call origination / incoming call processing.

The modem 12 modulates a transmission signal and demodulates a reception signal.

The communication control unit 13 exchanges a facsimile control signal with a partner communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine) connected via the lines L1 to Ln, and executes a facsimile communication procedure.

In the manual generation buffer 14, operation manuals of each invention of the present application described later are developed.

The encoding / decoding unit 15 encodes a message according to a predetermined encoding method, and decodes the encoded message.

The control program storage unit 17 stores a basic program as the communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn, an operation manual generation / output processing program of each invention of the present application, and the like, and the channel control unit 16 according to the program of the control program storage unit 17. The communication processing unit FC is controlled by controlling the communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn.
The sequence as U1 to FCUn is executed, and the operation manual generation / output processing of each invention of the present application is executed.

The OMR processing unit 18 detects whether the received message is a message of the OMR sheet, and, when the received message is a message of the OMR sheet, a mark applied to the OMR sheet from the received message of the OMR sheet. The mark position is detected, and the detection result is stored in the storage memory 20.

The data storage unit (data storage means) 19 stores only data necessary for creating an operation manual among data (telegrams, dial tones, etc.) sent from the partner communication terminal via the rotations L1 to Ln. The data required to create the operation manual includes, for example, an operation manual request command, the type of operation manual to be requested (that is, the type of service function requested by the partner operator to the facsimile mail device 1), and the type of the partner operator (for example, ID of the partner terminal, ID of the operator, etc.), and data indicating the proficiency of the partner operator. The data storage unit 19 stores a series of operation data received from the communication terminal for requesting various services as operation history information.

As described above, the storage memory 20 temporarily stores the detection result of the message of the OMR sheet detected by the OMR processing unit 18 and the message other than the OMR sheet when transferring the message to the floppy disk device 5 or the hard disk devices 6 and 7. The message is temporarily stored when the message in the floppy disk device 5 or the hard disk devices 6, 7 is transmitted via the communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn.

The instruction information storage unit (instruction information storage means) 21 stores the description data of the operation content at the communication terminal required for each of a plurality of processing steps for realizing the service (function) provided by the facsimile mail device 1. Remember. That is, when a service is requested from the facsimile mail apparatus 1, as shown in FIG.
A certain operation is required for each of P0 to P11, and the instruction information storage unit 21 stores in advance explanatory data for explaining the operation contents of the communication terminal required for each of the processing steps P0 to P11. Therefore, only the description data for each of the processing steps P0 to P11 necessary for realizing each function of the facsimile mail device 1 need to be stored in the instruction information storage unit 21. There is no need to store many types of help information corresponding to individual proficiency.

The system information storage unit (system information storage means) 22 stores predetermined system information required for realizing the function of the facsimile mail device 1. The system information includes, for example, a user ID. There are ID.No. and destination telephone number (Tel.No.). Further, the system information storage unit 22 stores the operation history information stored in the data storage unit 19 by adding number information for each user.

When there is a request for an operation manual, the editing control unit (editing control unit) 23 analyzes the data stored in the data storage unit 19 and determines the type of the operation manual requested by the partner operator (that is, The function of the facsimile mail device 1 to be performed) and the proficiency of the operator are determined, and the explanation data of the operation for each of the processing steps P0 to P11 necessary to realize the desired function of the facsimile mail device 1 is stored in the instruction information storage unit 21. , And edit / create it in the manual generation buffer 14 as an operation manual. Further, at this time, if system information necessary to realize the function is stored in the system information storage unit 22,
An operation manual is created by incorporating these system information.

The facsimile mail device 1 includes a communication processing unit FCU1
The rotations L1 to Ln are stored every ~ FCUn, and this line L1 to Ln
Facsimile communication is performed with the communication terminal of the other party that is connected via the. The facsimile mail device 1 has a rotation L1 to
When a service request is received from a partner communication terminal connected via Ln, the requested service content is analyzed and the service is provided. This service request can be made by an OMR sheet, or by a tone signal or the like.

When the partner communication terminal issues a service request using the OMR sheet, the facsimile mail device 1 reads the mark position of the OMR sheet by the OMR processing unit 18 and develops the read result in the storage memory 20. The channel control unit 16 analyzes the contents of the storage memory 20 to determine the contents of the service request, and executes the requested service. For example, when the service request is a time-specified transmission service, the facsimile mail device 1 temporarily stores the received coded telegram in the storage memory 20, decodes the coded telegram in the coding / decoding unit 15, and again performs a predetermined process. After re-encoding with the encoding equation, or as it is, it is stored in the floppy disk 5 or the hard disk devices 6, 7 via the bus control unit 24. Thereafter, when the designated transmission time comes, the message is read out from the floppy disk 5 or the hard disk devices 6, 7, and the communication processing unit FCU1 which is not used is read out.
To FCUn via the bus control unit 24. The communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn temporarily store the transferred telegrams in the storage memory 20 and re-encode them in the encoding / decoding unit 15 using a predetermined encoding method, or directly transmit to the designated destination. Send.

The network control unit 11, the modem 12, the communication control unit 13, and the OMR processing unit 18 constitute reception control means for receiving operation data from a communication terminal, and although not shown, the keyboard of the facsimile mail device 1 and its control unit Constitutes input means for taking in the operation contents as operation data when an operation is performed on the facsimile mail apparatus 1 as a device.

 Next, the operation will be described.

As described above, the facsimile mail device 1 provides the requested service when there is a service request from the communication terminal, but if the operator of the communication terminal does not know the operation method, the facsimile mail device 1 performs the operation from the communication terminal. A manual request is accepted, an operation manual corresponding to a service (function of the facsimile mail device 1) requested by the operator is created and transmitted to the communication terminal, and operation history information corresponding to a service request from the communication terminal is prepared. When the service request is received, the corresponding operation history information is transmitted to the communication terminal, and when the number information added to the operation history information is received from the communication terminal, the corresponding service is executed.

That is, when requesting an operation manual from the facsimile mail device 1, the operator of the communication terminal first calls the facsimile mail device 1 and requests the operation manual. The request for the operation manual can be made using a tone signal by performing a key operation according to voice guidance from the facsimile mail device 1, or a request for the operation manual can be made using an OMR sheet. You can do it. For example, when an operation manual request is made using an OMR sheet, an OMR sheet (third
Request operation manual using 30). The OMR sheet 30 for requesting an operation manual is, for example, a third
As shown in the figure, similarly to a normal OMR sheet, a start mark 30a, an initial inclination allowable limit determination mark 30b, a guide mark 30c, a mode switching mark 30d, a cross-shaped numeral 30e, a free area division designation mark 30f, and an end mark 30g. And marks specially provided for requesting an operation manual, that is, an inquiry mark 30h, a voice guidance required / unnecessary mark 30i, a mail type (service type) mark 30j, a time designation presence / absence and a designated time mark 30k.
Etc.

When the operator of the communication terminal makes an operation manual request using the OMR sheet 30, it is only necessary to call the facsimile mail device 1 and read and transmit the OMR sheet 30 to the communication terminal (for example, the facsimile device).

Next, processing in the facsimile mail apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The facsimile mail device 1, as shown in FIG.
When there is an incoming call (step S1), a user ID is received (step S2), and it is checked whether the received user ID is registered (step S3). This user ID is
The facsimile mail device 1 is used, and is stored in the system information storage unit 22. If the received user ID is not registered, perform error processing (step S4) and check whether to re-enter (step S4).
S5). When re-input is performed, the process returns to step S2 to receive the user ID. When not re-input, error processing and disconnection of the line are performed, and the flow ends (steps S6 and S7). .

If the received user ID is registered in step S3, it is checked whether or not the ordering is based on the PB tone (step S8), and if the user ID is registered, the PB ordering is received (step S9). When the reception of the PB ordering is completed, it is checked whether the ordering is normal (step S10). When the ordering is normally performed, a process of storing the received ordering data (operation data) as operation history information is executed ( Step S11).

Here, the storage processing of the operation history information will be described with reference to FIG.

The series of ordering data received in steps S9 and S10 is temporarily stored as operation history information in the data storage unit 19 and transferred to the system information storage unit 22, and is transferred from the data storage unit 19 in the system information storage unit 22. The operation history information is stored in the corresponding area for each user as shown in FIG. 6, and the operation history information is stored with a current history number (number information) added thereto (step T1). The current history number indicates an area in which the oldest operation content is stored. Next, the current history number is incremented, and it is checked whether or not the incremented current history number is larger than the maximum operation content storage number N (steps T2 and T3). When the current history number is not larger than N, the present process is terminated, and when it is larger, the current history number is reset to 1 and the present process is terminated (step T4).

Next, when the storage processing of the operation history information ends,
Again, the process returns to step S11 and the subsequent steps to start receiving a message (step S12). When all the messages have been received (step 13), it is checked whether the message has been received normally (step S14). If the message has been received normally, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected. To end the receiving process (step S15). If the message is not normally received in step S14, error processing is performed, and then the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected (steps S16 and S16).
15). If the ordering with the PB tone is not performed normally in step S10, error processing (for example, feedback to the communication terminal indicating that the ordering was not performed normally) is performed (step S1).
7) Check if it is input again (step S1)
8). If re-input is performed, the process returns to step S9 to receive the ordering using the PB tone. If re-input is not performed, error processing (for example, feedback to the communication terminal to disconnect the line, etc.) ), The lines L1 to Ln are disconnected (steps S16 and S15).
Steps S9 to S18 are a flow of the normal service request receiving process of the facsimile mail device 1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the order is not based on the PB tone, a message is received (step S19).
It is checked whether the received message is the message of the OMR sheet, whether it is an inquiry for the operation calendar, or whether it is an OMR sheet for inquiry, that is, an operation manual request (steps S20 to S22). If it is not an inquiry request (operation manual request), an ordering process using an OMR sheet is performed (step S23). That is, the received O
The OMR processing section 18 reads the mark position of the OMR sheet from the message of the MR sheet and develops the mark position on the storage memory 20. The contents of the OMR sheet developed on the storage memory 20 are read by the channel control section 1.
Analyze in step 6 to determine the contents of ordering. Check if the ordering was successful (step
S24) If the ordering has not been performed normally, error processing is performed, and then the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected (steps S25 and S15). If the ordering has been performed normally, the message is received. If all the messages are received normally, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected, and the present flow ends (steps S12 to S16).

In step S22, when an inquiry request (operation manual request) is made, it is checked whether or not the inquiry processing (operation manual request) using the OMR sheet has been normally performed (steps S26 and S27). After performing the error processing, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected (steps S6 and S7).

If the inquiry request is normally made, the lines L1 to Ln are temporarily disconnected (step S28). Analysis of the inquiry (analysis of the request contents of the operation manual) is performed (step S29). Next, it is checked whether the content of the inquiry request is normal (step S30). If the content of the inquiry request is not normal, error processing, for example, notification that the content of the inquiry request to the communication terminal is not normal is performed, and the flow ends (step S31). If the inquiry content is normal, an operation manual editing process and an operation manual output process are performed, and the flow ends (steps S32 and S33). In this operation manual output process, the created operation manual may be directly transmitted to the communication terminal that has issued the operation manual request, or may be placed in a post-office box of the facsimile mail device 1 and the communication terminal requests output. It may be sent at times.

On the other hand, if it is an operation history inquiry request in step S21, an operation history inquiry process is executed (step S34).

Here, the inquiry processing of the operation history information will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the corresponding area of the inquired user is stored in the system information storage unit 22 by the operation history information storage processing.
, The editing of the operation history information is started from the latest area immediately before the area indicated by the current history number (step U1). The editing is performed in order from the latest operation content. As shown in FIG. 8, the editing content is performed by obtaining the service type from the operation history number, the operation content, and the service code of the operation content. I do. Next, the operation history information edited in step U1 is transmitted to the communication terminal that has made the inquiry, and the process ends (step U2).

After the inquiry processing of the operation history information is completed, the flow returns to the processing of step S27 and subsequent steps again.

Next, the query analysis processing in step S27 will be described.

The communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn convert the received OMR sheet 30 for the operation manual request into the OMR sheet 3 by the OMR processing unit 18.
The mark position of 0 is read and expanded in the storage memory 20,
The contents of the OMR sheet developed in the storage memory 20 are analyzed by the channel control unit 16 to determine the contents of the operation manual request.

That is, the channel controller 16 analyzes the contents developed in the storage memory 20, and first determines whether voice guidance is necessary or not, as shown in FIG. 9 (step R1). OM
If it is determined that there is a mark at the key position of the voice guidance mark 30i on the R sheet, the system parameter d0
Is set to a0 (step R2), and if it is determined that there is a mark at the position of the voice guidance mark 30i on the OMR sheet, the system parameter d0 is set to a1 (step R3). Here, the system parameter is the second
When shifting from each processing step P0 to P11 shown in the figure to the next processing step P0 to P11, the next processing step P0 to P11
Are stored in a buffer for storing system parameters formed in the instruction information storage unit 21, as shown in FIG. Note that the system parameter d0 is required for voice guidance.
No parameters, system parameters d1, d2, d3,
Selection of a PO box or bulletin board, necessity / non-necessity of time designation and selection of whether to enter the destination by destination ID No. or telephone number (Tel. No), etc. Stores parameters.

After setting the necessity / unnecessity of voice guidance and the setting of the system parameter, the channel control unit 16 determines whether or not the service is a post office box service (step R4). When the service is not the post-office box service, the system parameter d1 is set to b2 and the post-office box NO. It is checked whether there is a (serial number assigned to the message that the user puts in the PO box) (steps R5 and R6). PO Box NO. When there is
The post office box NO. Is stored in the system information storage unit 22 and the process proceeds to the next step (step R7), and the post office box NO. If there is not, go to the next step.

In step R4, if it is not a post office box service, it is checked whether it is a bulletin board service (step R8). If it is a bulletin board service, the system parameter d1 is set to b1 and the bulletin board NO. It is checked whether or not there is a (serial number assigned to a message to be posted on the bulletin board by the user) (steps R9 and R10). Bulletin board NO. When there is
The bulletin board NO. Is stored in the system information storage unit 22 and the process proceeds to the next step (step R11), and the bulletin board NO. If there is no, go to the next step.

If the message is not a bulletin board service in step R4, it is checked whether the message is a normal message (step R12). If the message is not a normal message, error processing is performed and the flow ends (step R13). If the message is a normal message, the system parameter d1 is set to d2, and the process proceeds to the next process (step R14).

As described above, when the setting of the system parameters for the post office box, bulletin board, or ordinary message is completed, it is checked whether or not the time is specified (step R15). If the time is not specified, the system parameter d2 is set to d3. (Step R16). This system parameter d3 is set again in a later process. When the time is designated, the system parameter d2 is set to b3 (step R17), and it is checked whether the designated time is normal (step R18). If the specified time is not normal, error processing is performed and this flow ends (step R19). If the specified time is normal, the specified time is stored in the system information storage unit 22 and the destination is specified by Tel.No. It is checked whether it is (steps R20, R21). When the destination is designated by Tel.No, the system parameter d3 is set to b4 (step R22), and the process proceeds to the next processing. When the destination is not specified by Tel.No,
Check whether the destination is specified by ID.No (Step R
twenty five). If the destination is neither Tel.No nor ID.No, it can be determined by an error.

Next, the operation manual creating process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the editing control unit 23 sets (resets) the counters n, m, and l to "0" (step Q1), and stores the code of the processing step Pn in the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q2). That is, first, the code of the processing step P0 is stored in the manual generation buffer 14. Next, edit control
23 is a processing step from the instruction information storage unit 21.
Read the system parameters of Pn (system parameters d0 to d4 set in FIGS. 9 and 10) (step Q
3) Check whether the system parameter is "0" (step Q4). If the system parameter is “0”,
In the processing step Pn, the address of the explanation data corresponding to the system parameter “0” and the code of the next processing step Pn are read and stored in the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q5). On the other hand, when the system parameter is not “0”, the system parameter
Is read (step Q6), and the address of the explanation data corresponding to the processing step Pn and the system parameter dm and the code of the next processing step Pn are stored in the instruction information storage unit.
Read from 21 and address to manual generation buffer 14
Insert as Al (Step Q7). That is, the processing step Pn and the system parameters are, as shown in FIG.
When the processing step Pn and the system parameter are determined, the next processing step Pn is determined, and the corresponding explanation data in the processing step Pn is determined. Therefore, by freely combining the processing step Pn and the system parameters, the next processing step Pn
Can be freely set, and the explanation data necessary for the operation in this processing step Pn can be freely combined.

As described above, first, when the processing step P0, the next processing step Pn corresponding to the system parameter a0, and the address setting of the explanation data of the system parameter dm are completed, m + 1 is set as the parameter m (step Q8), and the final processing step Check whether it is Pn (step Q9).
If it is not the final processing step Pn, the process returns to step Q3, and similarly, the next processing step Pn and the address of the explanatory data are stored in the manual generation buffer 14 based on the system parameters for each processing step Pn (step Q3). ~ Step Q8). The above processing is the final processing step Pn
Repeated execution until the manual generation buffer 14
As shown in FIG. 13, the code of the processing step Pn necessary for execution of the service requested by the operator and the address of the explanation data in the processing step Pn are developed in the order of the address Al. Therefore, by freely setting the system parameters, processing steps Pn corresponding to each of a plurality of functions of the facsimile mail device are set, and the explanation data of each processing step Pn corresponding to the target function can be freely set. Can be combined.

Next, the service code stored in the system information storage unit 22 is read out (step Q11), the corresponding header portion is taken out, and as shown in FIG. Expand (step Q12). Here, the counter 1 is set to "0" (step Q13), the explanation data stored in the address Al is read out, and developed in the operation manual character data area 40b of the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q14). Further, the explanatory graphic (which is stored in advance in the instruction information storage unit 21 in association with the explanatory data of the processing step Pn or independently irrespective of the explanatory data) and is stored in the system information storage unit 22. The system information (Tel. No., ID. No., etc.) is read and expanded in the image area 40c of the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q15). When the development of the data of the corresponding address into the manually generated buffer 14 is completed, it is checked whether the data is the final data (step Q16). If the data is not the final data, the counter l is incremented by 1 (l = l + 1) and the process proceeds to step Q14. Return. Similarly, the explanatory data, explanatory graphics, and system information for each address Al put in the manual generation buffer 14 are expanded in the manual generation buffer 14, and when the processing is completed for all the addresses Al, the operation manual editing / generation processing ends. I do.

The operation manual expanded in the manual generation buffer 14 is output from the facsimile mail device 1 to the communication terminal that has requested the operation manual, and the communication terminal receives the operation manual 50 as shown in FIG. Can be. The operator of the communication terminal that has received the operation manual can receive the service of the intended facsimile mail device 1 by viewing the transmitted operation manual and performing the operation as described in the operation manual. .

This output process may be transmitted directly when the generation of the operation manual is completed, or may be transmitted in a post-office box of the facsimile mail device 1 and transmitted when the communication terminal requests transmission of the operation manual of the post-office box. Alternatively, the output method is not limited.

In this embodiment, when the operation history number and “#” indicated in the operation history information transmitted from the facsimile mail device 1 are transmitted from the communication terminal as shown in the processing step X1 in FIG. In the facsimile mail device 1, the service is executed by recognizing a series of operation contents corresponding to the received operation history number. That is, when reordering the service contents once ordered from the communication terminal to the facsimile mail apparatus 1, it is only necessary to input the operation history number without omitting the input of a series of ordering data, thereby simplifying the input operation. Can be. In addition, when the simplified ordering data is input, since the operation history information is transmitted in advance from the facsimile mail device 1 to the communication terminal, it is possible to prevent a wrong request for the service content beforehand. .

In the above embodiment, the case where an operation manual is requested from the communication terminal is described. However, the operator of the facsimile mail device itself as a device operates the facsimile mail device itself or operates the facsimile mail device from a keyboard or the like. The same can be applied to a case where an operation manual and an operation history are requested for a service request operation.

Therefore, the facsimile mail device 1 as a device
Can edit, create, and output an operation manual of an operation required to realize a function of a device required by an operator by freely combining explanatory data for each processing step required to realize the function. As a result, it is possible to generate and provide an operation manual that can sufficiently respond to a wide range of requests from the operator without using a large-capacity storage unit. In addition, it is possible to provide an operation manual for a series of operations from the initial operation to the completion of the operation necessary for realizing the function of the device, and even for beginners and for the target device even if there is no operation manual attached to the device. The functions can be reliably realized. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be improved, and the functions of the device can be fully utilized.

Further, in a facsimile mail device as a device having a communication function, a request for an operation manual is received from a communication terminal, and an operation manual necessary for realizing a function intended by the operator of the request destination is edited and created to perform the communication. The function of the facsimile mail device which can be transmitted to the terminal and has a communication function can be easily and sufficiently utilized from the communication terminal.

Further, in a facsimile mail device as a device having a communication function, an operation inquiry from an OMR sheet is received from a communication terminal, and an operation manual necessary for realizing a function intended by an operator of the request destination is edited and created. In this case, an inquiry about an operation from the communication terminal to the facsimile mail device as a device having a communication function can be performed more easily. As a result, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the function of the device having the communication function can be more easily and sufficiently utilized from the communication terminal.

Further, in the above embodiment, when creating the operation manual, the operation manual is edited and incorporated by incorporating the system information stored in the system information storage unit 22 in advance.
Since the contents are created, the operator can request the desired service from the facsimile mail device by directly operating the contents described in the operation manual. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the device can be used more easily and sufficiently.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a series of operation data input at the time of a service request for each user of the communication terminal is added and stored as an operation history number as operation history information, and is responded to the operation history request from the user. In addition to transmitting the corresponding operation history information and inputting a series of ordering data by inputting the operation history number for the same ordering, the facsimile mail device at the time of ordering to the operator of the communication terminal is used. The man-machine interface function can be further improved.

〔effect〕

According to the invention of claim 1, for each processing step of an apparatus having a function of realizing various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, explanation data of operation contents required in the processing step is stored, When various system information necessary for realizing the function of the device is input in advance, the function requested by the operator is determined from the input operation data, and the processing steps to be executed to realize the function are determined. The user can freely combine the explanation data of the operation contents for each processing step, incorporate the system information, create and output an operation manual, and add a series of input operation information as operation history information and add number information to the user. Separately, the operation history information is provided to the operator by inquiring of the number information, and the input of the number information is performed. Since it is not necessary to input a series of operation data corresponding to the force, the required capacity of the storage unit for storing the description data is deleted,
In addition, it provides an operation manual that can sufficiently respond to a wide range of requests from operators, and even beginners can realize the functions of the target device without the attached operation manual. A series of complicated service request operations can be simplified. As a result, the man-machine interface of the device can be improved, and the function of the device can be fully utilized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in a device having a communication function, when an operation inquiry from a communication terminal is received and various system information necessary for realizing the function of the device has been input in advance, these devices are used. In addition to creating the operation manual necessary for realizing the intended function of the device by incorporating the system information, adding the number information as a series of received operation data as operation history information, storing it for each user, and inquiring the number information Since the operation history information is transmitted to the communication terminal by the user, and the input of the corresponding series of operation data by inputting the number information from the communication terminal is unnecessary,
By operating the operation manual as per its contents, the system information can also be input and operated. Even if the operator forgets or does not know the system information, the operation can be performed according to the operation manual. The function of a device having a communication function can be realized, and a series of complicated service request operations in the communication terminal can be simplified by the operation history information.
As a result, the man-machine interface of the device having the communication function can be further improved, and the function of the device having the communication function can be more easily and sufficiently used from the communication terminal.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile mail device, an operation inquiry from the facsimile device itself and the communication terminal is received, the function of the facsimile device itself intended by the operator is realized, and the service of the facsimile mail device is used. In addition to creating an operation manual for the necessary operations and transmitting it to the communication terminal, a series of operation data for each user of the communication terminal is added with number information as operation history information and stored, and the operation is performed by inquiring the number information. By transmitting the history information to the communication terminal and by inputting the number information from the communication terminal, it becomes unnecessary to input a series of corresponding operation data, so that the service of the facsimile mail device can be easily and sufficiently provided from the communication terminal. It can be used for

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 15 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an operation manual creating apparatus according to each invention of the present application. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile mail apparatus to which the operation manual creating apparatus is applied, and FIG. Transition diagram of processing steps of the facsimile mail device, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an OMR sheet for requesting the operation manual, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing basic processing of the facsimile mail device, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a storage process of information, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration stored in the system information storage unit of FIG. 1 by the storage process of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a transmission process of the operation history information. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of operation history information transmitted by the transmission process of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation manual request analysis process. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the system parameter storage buffer, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation manual editing / creating process, and FIG. 12 is a processing step or system parameter stored in the instruction information storage unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing address settings of processing steps and explanation data stored in the manual generation buffer, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing each data of an operation manual developed in the manual generation buffer. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the output operation manual. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile mail device, 2 ... System control unit, 3 ... Disk control unit, 4 ... Disk control unit, 5 ... Floppy disk device, 6 ... Hard disk device, 7 ... Hard disk device, 8 ... Host interface unit, 11 Network control unit, 12 Modem, 13 Communication control unit, 14 Manual generation buffer, 15 Encoding / decoding unit, 16 Channel control unit, 17 Control program storage unit, 18 OMR processing unit, 19 data storage unit, 20 storage memory, 21 instruction data storage unit, 22 system information storage unit, 23 editing control unit 24 Bus control unit, 30 OMR sheet for requesting operation manual, 30h Inquiry mark, 30i ... Voice guidance required / unnecessary mark, 30j Mail type (service type) mark, 30k Timed presence and specified time mark, 40a ...... header section, 40b ...... character data area, 40c ...... image data area.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-195524 (JP, A) JP-A-62-179016 (JP, A) JP-A-2-181865 (JP, A) JP-A-3-220615 (JP) , A) IPSJ “Information Processing Handbook” Ohmsha (May 30, 1989) p. 784-791 (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 15/00 G06F 3/02 H04N 1/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An apparatus for creating an operation manual for a device that realizes a plurality of functions by combining a plurality of processing steps executed by performing a predetermined operation. Input means for taking in operation contents as operation data; and data necessary for creating an operation manual among the data taken in by the input means are taken out and stored, and a series of operation data taken in by the input means is stored in operation history information. Data storage means for storing as information; instruction information storage means for storing description data of operation contents required for each of the above processing steps; and various system information input and operated in advance to realize each function of the device. And the predetermined number information is added to the operation history information stored by the data storage means. System information storage means for storing the data stored in the data storage means and combining the explanation data of the operation contents in each processing step stored in the instruction information storage means with the system information storage means Editing control means for editing and creating an operation manual necessary for realizing a target function by incorporating the system information stored in the system information; outputting the operation manual created by the edit control means in a predetermined expression form; Output means for outputting the operation history information stored in the storage means, and an operation manual is created and output in response to the inquiry about the operation, and in response to the inquiry about the number information added to the operation history information, And reads out and outputs the corresponding user operation history information from the system information storage means, Operation Manual creation device characterized by the need for input of a series of operation data corresponding the input of number information. 2. When a predetermined operation is performed on a communication terminal, operation data corresponding to the operation content is received from the communication terminal, and a plurality of processing steps are executed in combination according to the operation data to execute a plurality of processing steps. An operation manual creating apparatus for a device having a communication function for realizing a function, comprising: a reception control means for receiving operation data from the communication terminal; and an operation manual for creating an operation manual among the data received by the reception control means. Data storage means for extracting and storing necessary data and storing a series of operation data received by the receiving means as operation history information; and an instrument for storing data for explaining operation contents required for each of the processing steps. Lacto information storage means and, in addition to storing various system information input and operated in advance to realize each function of the device, A system information storage unit for adding predetermined number information to the operation history information stored in the data storage unit and storing the operation history information for each user; and analyzing data stored in the data storage unit and storing each of the operation information stored in the instruction information storage unit. Editing control means for editing and creating an operation manual necessary for realizing the intended function by combining the explanation data of the operation content in the processing step and incorporating the system information stored in the system information storage means; Transmission control means for transmitting the created operation manual to the communication terminal in response to a request from the communication terminal, and transmitting operation history information stored in the system information storage means. In response to creating an operation manual and transmitting it to the communication terminal,
In response to the inquiry of the number information added to the operation history information from the communication terminal, the operation history information of the corresponding user is read from the system information storage unit and transmitted to the communication terminal, and the number information is transmitted from the communication terminal. An operation manual creating apparatus, which eliminates the need to transmit a series of corresponding operation data by performing the operation. 3. The operation manual creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a facsimile mail apparatus.