JP2000348022A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor displaying guidance information on an appropriate content corresponding to the familiarization degree of a user and realizing work environment fitted to the individual users. SOLUTION: In an information processor provided with a function for storing guidance information on various operations in a guidance information storage part 18, reading guidance information which is to be displayed to a user from the storage part 18 in accordance with an operation situation or a requested processing content and displaying it on the display screen of a display device 1, the user can compile guidance information which is stored in the storage part 18. Guidance information is automatically displayed in accordance with the operation situation and the requested processing content. When data are not inputted for a prescribed time to the item of an input state, guidance information is automatically displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a word processor, and a portable information terminal, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus having a function of displaying operation instructions on a display screen to support a user. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as personal computers).
Information processing apparatuses such as a "personal computer" and a word processor tend to have a complicated operation method and an increased number of pages of operation manuals as functions mounted thereon become more diversified. For this reason, a user who uses this type of apparatus for the first time has had a hard time learning the basic operation method. In addition, even if a user (user) who is accustomed to basic operations of a personal computer or the like uses an application (application program) that he is not familiar with, an operation instruction book (so-called operation manual) is required every time the operation method is not understood. It is necessary to take the book and open the page on which the corresponding operation description is written, so that the original work such as document creation and data processing must be interrupted each time.
In many devices and applications that are currently in widespread use, a so-called help function (rescue function) is to display guidance information explaining how to operate on a part of the display screen by a simple operation such as pressing a help key. )
Is enhanced so that the user can understand the operation method without having to open the operation manual every time. When an icon (pictogram: icon) on the display screen is pointed by a pointer, the icon is automatically assigned to the icon. It supports the user by displaying guidance information on the application, file type, function, operation, etc., or displaying the content of an error operation.

[0003]

However, as for the above-mentioned guidance information, a maker or the like who is a developer of the information processing apparatus or the application supposes the use situation of the user and prepares in advance what is deemed suitable for the situation. This information is stored in the storage device of the information processing device as default information.Since the user assumed by the manufacturer must inevitably become a general user, even if it is used by absolute beginners, it is very easy to operate. The same content is displayed even when a savvy person uses it. Therefore, the contents of the guidance information are too difficult for a completely beginner, and the contents are too redundant for a user who is familiar with the operation, which is always useful for improving work efficiency. It wasn't. In addition, for those who are familiar with the operation and do not need to refer to the guidance information, the unnecessary guidance information wastes the memory resources forever. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of realizing a work environment suitable for each user by displaying guidance information having appropriate contents according to the user's proficiency level and the like. Is to do.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, guidance information about various operations is stored in a storage device, and the guidance information is stored in accordance with the operation status and requested processing contents. In an information processing apparatus having a function of reading guidance information to be presented to a user from a storage unit and displaying the guidance information on a display screen, the user can edit the guidance information stored in the storage unit. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, guidance information is automatically displayed according to an operation status or requested processing content. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, guidance information is automatically displayed when there is no input for an item in an input state for a predetermined time. The invention described in claim 4 is the same as the claim 3.
The information processing apparatus described above is characterized in that the time until the guidance information is displayed can be set by a user. The invention according to claim 5 is the same as the claim 3.
In the information processing apparatus described above, it is possible to select whether or not to display guidance information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, even when it is selected not to display the guidance information, it is possible to set so that the guidance information is displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed. It is characterized by. Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the same as the claim 1.
6. The information processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the guidance information is automatically deleted from the display screen after a predetermined time has elapsed. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, a user can set how long the elapsed time has passed before the guidance information is deleted from the display screen. I do. The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7 or 8.
In the information processing device described above, even if the setting is such that the guidance information is automatically deleted from the display screen after a certain period of time, the user can select whether or not to delete the guidance information from the display unit. It is characterized by doing so. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, an instruction can be given so as not to display any of the plurality of pieces of guidance information. And

[0006] The invention according to claim 11 is based on claim 1.
In the information processing apparatus described in any one of the above items, a plurality of pieces of guidance information necessary for a series of information input can be displayed on the display screen at a time. In the information processing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the information processing apparatus may further include an automatic layout function for changing a display position or a display form of the guidance information so that the pieces of guidance information are not overlapped and displayed. Features. Further, the invention according to claim 13 is based on claim 1.
2. In the information processing apparatus described in 2, when the overlapping of the pieces of guidance information is not avoided by using the automatic layout function, the display of the guidance information is simplified to reduce its display area. According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, change of the original guidance information (guidance message) is prohibited, and new guidance information (guidance message) is provided. Is characterized in that it has an additional mode in which only the addition is permitted. Claim 15
According to the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, an identifier is provided so that the guidance information (guidance message) edited by the user can be distinguished from the guidance information (guidance message) originally existing. It can be stored in a storage unit.

[0007] The invention according to claim 16 is based on claim 1.
In the information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (15), a plurality of types of guidance information according to the user's proficiency level, such as for beginners and experienced users, are prepared in advance, and the user is allowed to select the guidance information to be displayed. It is characterized by doing so. Further, the invention according to claim 17 is based on claims 1 to
16. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above items, wherein the number of guidance messages to be included in the guidance information can be specified, and the guidance messages relating to work procedures from the present time can be displayed at a time for the specified number of times. I do. The invention according to claim 18 is the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein at least one past input information is stored for each input item, and guidance information of each input item is stored. Is displayed, the past input information of the item is displayed as history information. According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect, there is provided a function capable of using history information as input information for each input item. The invention according to claim 20 is
The information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
It is characterized in that personal history information and group history information are separately stored for each input item, and either one of them can be selectively displayed.

[0008] The invention according to claim 21 is based on claim 1.
In the information processing apparatus according to any one of Items 8 to 20, a plurality of past input information is stored for each input item, and when displaying the guidance information of each input item, the frequently used input information is stored in the input information. It is characterized by having a function of displaying as history information. According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, when default information is stored for each input item and guidance information of each input item is displayed, And a function of displaying the default information. According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-second aspects, input information to an input item can be determined in an interactive manner by performing an operation based on guidance information. It is characterized by the following. Also,
The invention according to claim 24 is the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the guidance information includes a description of a keyword in the guidance message,
Further, it is characterized in that the contents of the setting and explanation of the keyword can be edited. According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-fourth aspects, the guidance information can be written in a portable storage medium in a format usable by the same type of information processing apparatus. It is characterized by the following.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an information processing apparatus showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention. This information processing device is a routine work that repeats routine processing,
For example, it performs an aggregation work, a slip processing work, and the like. As shown, the information processing apparatus includes a display device 1, a display control unit 2, a time counting unit 3, a keyword display unit 4, a history information display unit 5, a display determination unit 6, a message simplification unit 7, an automatic layout unit. 8, batch display unit 9, input device 10, main processing unit 11, guidance control unit 12,
It comprises a message editing unit 13, a new guidance registration unit 14, a display mode control unit 15, a history information processing unit 16, a keyword information control unit 17, a guidance information storage unit 18, a portable file 19, and an input control unit 20. . The display device 1 is a display output device including a CRT, an LCD, and the like. The display control unit 2 is a functional block that controls display on the display device 1. Time counting section 3
Is a functional block that can count an arbitrary time.

The keyword display unit 4 is a functional block that reads keyword information from the guidance information storage unit 18 in response to an instruction from the guidance control unit 12 and displays the keyword information on the display device 1 through the display control unit 2. The history information display unit 5 is a functional block that reads history information from the guidance information storage unit 18 in response to an instruction from the guidance control unit 12, and displays the history information on the display device 1 through the display control unit 2. The display determination unit 6 reads guidance information from the guidance information storage unit 18 in response to an instruction from the guidance control unit 12, determines display or deletion of guidance based on the information, and provides guidance information including a guidance message through the display control unit 2. (Guidance information in which one or a plurality of guidance messages are displayed in a balloon frame)
Is a functional block to be displayed. Also, the display determination unit 6
When the time until display or deletion is set in the guidance information, the time is counted using the time counting unit 3, and the display or deletion is performed after the set time. The message simplification unit 7 has a function of simplifying the guidance message according to some simplification rules, and when receiving an instruction from the guidance control unit 12, reads the guidance information from the guidance information storage unit 18 and
It is a functional block that determines a simplification rule based on the information, simplifies the guidance message read from the guidance information storage unit 18, and displays the guidance message on the display device 1 through the display control unit 2.

The automatic layout unit 8 has a function of laying out a plurality of guidances based on the size and position information of the plurality of guidances so that the guidances do not overlap. In response to an instruction from the guidance control unit 12, the guidance information storage unit 18
This is a functional block for reading guidance information, laying out guidance messages based on the guidance size information, and displaying the guidance messages on the display device 1 through the display control unit 2. Batch display section 9
Is a functional block for displaying all guidance messages simultaneously on the display device 1 through the display control unit 2 in response to an instruction from the guidance control unit 12. The input device 10 is an input device for a user to input data necessary for the information processing device and to give various instructions. As the input device 10, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like are used. The main processing unit 11 is a functional block that controls the routine work and the control of the operation of the measuring machine. The guidance control unit 12 is a functional block that displays guidance information and exchanges guidance information according to a user instruction while exchanging information with the main processing unit 11.

The message editing unit 13 is a functional block that edits and adds the guidance specified by the user based on the instruction from the guidance control unit 12, and registers the guidance in the guidance information storage unit 18. Guidance new registration section 14
Is a functional block for creating a new guidance specified by the user based on an instruction from the guidance control unit 12 and registering it in the guidance information storage unit 18. The display mode control unit 15 is a functional block that registers a display mode of guidance specified by the user in the guidance information storage unit 18 based on an instruction from the guidance control unit 12. The history information processing unit 16 is a functional block that registers history information from the main processing unit 11 in the guidance information storage unit 18 based on an instruction from the guidance control unit 12. The keyword information control unit 17 edits the keyword specified by the user based on the instruction from the guidance control unit 12,
This is a functional block for adding and registering in the guidance information storage unit 18. The guidance information storage unit 18 is a storage device for storing guidance information. The exportable file 19 is a file in which guidance information is written in a removable storage medium in a format that can be used by the same type of information processing device. Note that the storage medium here includes a communication medium such as a network. The input control unit 20 is a functional block that provides a control signal according to an input operation from the input device 10 to the main control unit 11 and the guidance control unit 12.

FIG. 2 is a display example of a guidance information setting screen showing the embodiment of the present invention. The user can set whether or not to display the guidance by checking the check box of “Yes” or “No” on the guidance information setting screen. Also,
By inputting arbitrary numerical information in the text box, the time until the guidance is displayed, the time until the guidance is deleted, and the number of the displayed guidances can be set. Registration, deletion, and cancellation of the setting contents are performed by selectively clicking the respective buttons (“register”, “delete”, and “cancel”). FIG. 3 is a display example of a guidance message editing screen showing the embodiment of the present invention. An arbitrary message can be entered in the text box of the guidance message editing screen.
The user can edit a guidance message suitable for him / her on this screen and register by clicking a registration button (hereinafter, also referred to as pressing). Also,
By checking the check box of “Yes” or “No”, it is possible to set whether to display the guidance. Therefore, by checking "No", it is possible to prevent the display of any guidance message that need not be displayed. FIG. 4 is a display example of a keyword registration screen showing the embodiment of the present invention. With this keyword registration screen, a keyword and its description can be registered.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a guidance message display. In the figure, A is a conventional guidance message display example, B is a display example including input history information, C is a keyword display example, and D is a display example to which a simplified rule and an automatic layout are applied. . FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a guidance format according to the embodiment of the present invention. An area 1 in FIG. 6 is an area of the entire header, and stores information on the entire area. Individual information is stored in each of the areas 2 to 9. The guidance header in region 2 contains the actual guidance message in region 3 and Off.
The information is linked by information of “set” and “Length”.
The guidance headers in the area 2 exist as many as the guidance messages in the area 3. The history headers of the areas 4 and 6 are classified into individuals and groups, and the history information of the areas 5 and 7 are linked by information of Offset and Length, respectively. The history headers in areas 4 and 6 are:
There are as many history messages as areas 5 and 7. In the keyword header of the area 8, the keyword information of the area 9 is linked by information of Offset and Length. The keyword headers in the area 8 exist as many as the keyword information in the area 9. FIG. 7 is an example of the entire header file format illustrating the embodiment of the present invention. An area 1 in FIG. 7 stores respective guidance names for processes such as routine tasks. The guidance name indicates the type of guidance. The area 2 stores a registration name when a user registers a newly created guidance message. Area 3 stores the total number of guidance messages. The area 4 stores information on the time until the guidance message is displayed. The area 5 stores information on the time until the guidance message is deleted when there is no input by the user. The area 6 stores the number of guidance messages to be displayed at one time.

FIG. 8 is an example of a guidance header file format illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. Information for determining whether or not to display the guidance message is stored in an area 1 in FIG. The area 2 stores information on a mode for editing the guidance message. There are two types of modes: add and change. Information in area 3 is simplified rule information, which is rule information for omitting a message. The information in areas 4 and 5 is display size information,
The x and y directions represent the size information of the guidance message display. The information in area 6 is the guidance message O
The ffset information and the information in the area 7 are Length information of the guidance message. Offset of areas 6 and 7
The information and the Length information are each linked to the guidance header. The information in the area 8 is information on the number of personal histories, the information in the area 9 is Offset information on the personal histories, and the information in the area 10 is Length information on the personal histories. The information in areas 8, 9 and 10 is each linked to a personal history header. When there is no information in the area 8, that is, when the information is 0, the offset of the areas 9 and 10 is set.
Information and Length information can be invalidated. The information in the area 11 is the number of group histories, the information in the area 12 is Offset of the group history, and the information in the area 13 is Length of the group history. Region 11, 1
Information 2 and 13 are respectively linked to the history header. When there is no information in the area 11, that is, when the information is 0, the Offset information of the areas 12 and 13, Leng
th information can be invalidated. The information in area 14 is the number of keywords, and the information in area 15 is O
ffset, the information of the area 16 is the keyword Length
h. The information in the areas 14, 15, 16 is linked to the keyword header. When there is no number in the area 14, that is, when the number is 0, the Offset information and the Length information of the areas 15 and 16 can be invalidated.
FIG. 9 is a history header file format example illustrating the embodiment of the present invention. Area 1 in FIG. 9 stores the number of times of use frequency. The information of the areas 2 and 3 is Offset and Length for the history information, and the location and length of the history information can be known. FIG. 10 is an example of a keyword header file format illustrating the embodiment of the present invention. Area 1 in FIG. 10 stores keyword character string information in which a guidance message is registered. The information in the areas 2 and 3 is Offset and Le to the keyword information.
With ngth, the location and length of the keyword information can be known.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described for each claim. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 1] With the guidance message being displayed as shown in FIG. 5, the user instructs the input device 10 to edit the guidance message.
Then, a guidance message editing request is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. The guidance control unit 12 informs the message editing unit 13 of the request. The message editing unit 13 displays a guidance message editing screen (FIG. 3) and allows the user to edit the guidance message. When the registration button on the screen is pressed after the guidance message is edited, the message editing unit 13 writes the contents in the guidance format (FIG. 6).
Register according to the example. [Second Embodiment] When an arbitrary input field is designated, the main processing section 11 passes the information to the guidance control section 12. The guidance control unit 12 calls the display determination unit 6, reads out the guidance message from the guidance information storage unit 18 in accordance with the guidance format (FIG. 6), and causes the display device 1 to display the guidance message. Thus, the guidance message can be automatically displayed. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 3] When an arbitrary input field is designated, the main processing section 11 passes the information to the guidance control section 12. The guidance control unit 12 calls the display determination unit 6. The display determination unit 6 reads the setting information of the display time (area 4) of the entire header file format (FIG. 7) from the guidance information storage unit 18, and
The time counting unit 3 starts time counting. When the set time has elapsed, the time counting unit 3 notifies the display determining unit 6. Upon receiving the notification, the display determination unit 6 transmits the guidance message through the display control unit 2 to the display device 1.
To be displayed. In this way, a guidance message can be automatically displayed after a certain period of time.

[Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 4] On an arbitrary processing screen (for example, the screen in FIG. 5) on which the guidance information is displayed, an instruction to change the guidance information is given from the input device 10. Then, a guidance information change request is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. The guidance control unit 12 transmits the request to the display mode control unit 15. The display mode control unit 15 displays the guidance information setting screen (FIG. 2), and allows the user to change the guidance information. When the registration button is pressed after setting the time until display, the display mode control unit 15 registers the contents in the display time (area 4) of the entire header format (FIG. 7). This allows the user to set the time until display. Since the user can set the time until the guidance information is displayed, the time setting can be changed according to the user's skill level, input speed, and the like, and a work environment suitable for each user can be realized. In other words, since the skill level, input speed, and the like differ depending on the user, if the time until the guidance information is displayed is constant, the guidance information is displayed, which may hinder the work. Since the user can change the setting of the time until the display, such a problem can be prevented. For example, a skilled person can improve the efficiency by shortening the time until the guidance information is displayed, and a beginner can perform the input operation without slowing down by increasing the time until the guidance information is displayed. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 5] On an arbitrary processing screen (for example, the screen of FIG. 5) on which guidance information is displayed,
A change of the guidance information is instructed from the input device 10. Then, a guidance information change request is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. The guidance control unit 12 transmits the request to the display mode control unit 15.
The display mode control unit 15 displays the guidance information setting screen (FIG. 2), and allows the user to change the guidance information. When the display / non-display of the guidance message is set and the registration button is pressed, the display mode control unit 15 converts the content into the entire header format (FIG. 7).
At the display time (area 4). When the display of the guidance message is not set, 0 is set in the display time (area 4) of the entire header format (FIG. 7). As a result, it is possible for the user to set whether or not to display the guidance message.

As described above, since the user can select whether or not to display the guidance message, the user who is skilled in the operation can improve the work efficiency by not displaying the guidance message. In other words, when the skill level of the operation increases, the display of the guidance message may hinder the efficiency of the input operation, but such a problem can be solved by not displaying the guidance message. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 6] When an arbitrary input field is designated, the main processing section 11 passes the information to the guidance control section 12. The guidance control unit 12 calls the display determination unit 6. The display determination unit 6 reads the setting information of the display time (area 4) in the entire header file format (FIG. 7) from the guidance information storage unit 18.
If the display time is 0 (setting not to display the guidance message), the time value prepared in advance is passed to the time counting section 3 to start the time counting. When a predetermined time elapses, the time counting unit 3 notifies the display determining unit 6. The display determination unit 6 causes the display device 1 to display a guidance message through the display control unit 2. Thus, even when the user has set the mode in which the guidance message is not displayed, the guidance message can be displayed after a certain period of time has elapsed.

Even if the user who has selected the setting for not displaying the guidance information because he is skilled in the input rarely knows what to input, in this case, according to the present embodiment, according to this embodiment, Since the guidance information is automatically displayed if the user waits, the operation efficiency can be improved by eliminating the trouble of displaying the guidance information by performing key operations or the like. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 7] In the state where the guidance message is displayed as shown in FIG. 5, if the user has not performed the next operation for a certain period of time, the display determination unit 6 sets the entire header format (see FIG. 5). The setting information of the erasing time (area 5) of 7) is read and passed to the time counting unit 3 to count the time. When the set erasing time elapses, the time counting unit 3 notifies the display determining unit 6.
Upon receiving the notification from the time counting unit 3, the display determining unit 6 deletes the guidance message through the display control unit 2. In this way, the guidance message can be automatically deleted from the display screen after a certain time has elapsed. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 8] A change of the guidance information is instructed from the input device 10 on an arbitrary processing screen having the guidance information (for example, the screen of FIG. 5). Then, a guidance information change request is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. When receiving the guidance information change request, the guidance control unit 12 notifies the display mode control unit 15 of the request. The display mode control unit 15 displays the guidance information setting screen (FIG. 2), and allows the user to change the guidance information. When the time until the deletion is set and the register button is pressed, the display mode control unit 15 converts the content into the entire header format (FIG. 7).
In the erase time (area 5). This allows the user to set the time until erasure.

[Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 9] An arbitrary processing screen having guidance information (for example, the screen of FIG. 5)
Above, the input device 10 instructs to change the guidance information. Then, a guidance information change request is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. When receiving the guidance information change request, the guidance control unit 12 notifies the display mode control unit 15 of the request. The display mode control unit 15 displays the guidance information setting screen (FIG. 2), and allows the user to change the guidance information.
When the time until erasure is set to 0 and the registration button is pressed, the display mode control unit 15 registers the contents in the erasure time (area 5) of the entire header format (FIG. 7).
When the set value of the deletion time (area 5) is 0, the display determination unit 6 does not delete the guidance message until the user performs the next operation. In this way, it is possible to set the mode as to whether or not to delete the guidance message according to the request of the user. As described above, even when the guidance information is set to be automatically deleted from the display screen after a certain period of time, the user can select whether to delete the guidance information from the display screen. Therefore, by changing the time setting according to the user's skill level, input speed, and the like, a work environment suitable for each user can be realized. For example, for a beginner, by not erasing the guidance message, it is possible to prevent an error at the time of inputting information from occurring. In addition, a skilled worker can improve the work efficiency by deleting the guidance message. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 10] In the state where the guidance message as shown in FIG.
Instruction of editing guidance information is issued from 0. Then, a guidance information editing request is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. Upon receiving the guidance information editing request, the guidance control unit 12 sends the message editing unit 13
Tell the navel request. The message editing unit 13 displays a guidance message editing screen (FIG. 3), and allows the user to edit the guidance message. When the registration button is pressed after setting that the guidance message is not displayed, the message editing unit 13 registers the content in the display (area 1) of the guidance header format (FIG. 8). As a result, it is possible to make a setting so that an arbitrary guidance message is not displayed according to a user's request.

[Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 11] On an arbitrary processing screen having guidance information (for example, the screen of FIG. 5), the input device 10 instructs a batch display of guidance messages. Then, a request for batch display of guidance messages is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. When receiving the guidance message batch display request, the guidance control unit 12 transmits the request to the batch display unit 9. The batch display unit 9 reads out all the guidance information from the guidance information storage unit 18 and displays all the guidance messages on the display screen of the display device 1 through the display control unit 2. By displaying a plurality of guidance messages necessary for inputting a series of information at a time, for example, an outline of an operation can be understood at a glance before inputting a series of information, so that an error at the time of inputting information is less likely to occur. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 12] On an arbitrary processing screen having guidance information (for example, the screen in FIG. 5), the input device 10 instructs a batch display of guidance messages. Then, a request for batch display of guidance messages is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. When receiving the guidance message batch display request, the guidance control unit 12 transmits the request to the batch display unit 9. The collective display unit 9 reads the display (x size) and the display (y size) information from the areas 4 and 5 of the guidance header file format (FIG. 8), and determines whether or not the guidance information displays overlap each other. If the display overlaps, the layout of the guidance information is requested to the automatic layout unit 8. The automatic layout unit 8 lays out the guidance information so as to avoid overlapping, and causes the display control unit 2 to display all guidance messages on the display screen of the display device 1. When a plurality of pieces of guidance information are displayed and the guidance information displays overlap each other, the user needs to change the display position of the guidance information one by one in order to see the guidance message.
According to this embodiment, such a problem can be prevented.

[Third Embodiment] An input device 10 instructs a batch display of guidance messages on an arbitrary processing screen (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 5) having guidance information. Then, a request for batch display of guidance messages is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. When receiving the guidance message batch display request, the guidance control unit 12 transmits the request to the batch display unit 9. The collective display unit 9 starts displaying from the areas 4 and 5 of the guidance header file format (FIG. 8) (x
The information of the size) and the information of the display (y size) are read, and it is determined whether or not the guidance information displays overlap each other. If the display overlaps, the layout of the guidance information is requested to the automatic layout unit 8. When the automatic layout unit 8 determines that overlapping of the guidance information displays cannot be avoided when all the guidance messages are displayed,
It requests the message simplification unit 7 to simplify the guidance message. The message simplification unit 7 reads the simplification rule from the area 3 of the guidance header file format (FIG. 8), performs message simplification according to the simplification rule specified therein, and automatically outputs the simplified message. Hand over to layout section 8. The automatic layout unit 8
The guidance information is laid out again so as not to overlap each other, and all the guidance messages are displayed on the display screen of the display device 1 through the display control unit 2. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 14] The input device 1 is displayed while the guidance message as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.
Instruction of editing guidance information is issued from 0. Then, a guidance information editing request is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. Upon receiving the guidance information editing request, the guidance control unit 12 sends the message editing unit 13
Tell the navel request. The message editing unit 13 displays a guidance message editing screen (FIG. 3), and allows the user to edit the guidance message. At this time, if the content of the guidance message is important and it is not preferable for the user to edit the message, the maker that prepares the guidance information sets in advance the editing mode (area 2) of the guidance header file format (FIG. 8). Set additional statuses. On the guidance message editing screen (FIG. 3), the user is notified that the guidance message cannot be edited by displaying the guidance message that cannot be edited in gray. With this display, the user can
It is possible to know that the original guidance message cannot be changed, and that a new message is set in an additional mode in which additional registration is possible. When a guidance message is added on this edit screen and the registration button is pressed,
The message editing unit 13 registers the contents according to the guidance format (FIG. 6). In this way, by setting the additional mode in which the change of the guidance message that the user does not want to change is set, it is possible to prevent the useful guidance message from being lost.

[Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 15] FIG.
While the guidance message is displayed, the input device 10 instructs to edit the guidance information. Then, a guidance information editing request is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. When receiving the guidance information editing request, the guidance control unit 12 notifies the message editing unit 13 of the request. The message editing unit 13 displays a guidance message editing screen (FIG. 3), and allows the user to edit the guidance message. After editing the guidance message, when the registration button on the guidance message editing screen (Fig. 3) is pressed,
A screen for confirming the new registration is displayed. When a new registration is made, a new registration request is notified to the guidance new registration unit 14. The guidance new registration unit 14 displays a screen for inputting a new registration name, and creates a new guidance file in which the registration name input on this screen is registered in the registration name (area 2) of the entire header file format (FIG. 7). I do.
The new guidance file is saved with a different identifier from the existing guidance message file provided by the manufacturer. Each user creates a customized guidance message and registers it with a registered name, so that existing guidance messages provided by the manufacturer can be distinguished from new guidance messages created by the user, and each can be made effective. Available. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 16] With the guidance message as shown in FIG.
Instruction of editing guidance information is issued from 0. Then, a guidance information editing request is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. Upon receiving the guidance information editing request, the guidance control unit 12 searches for a guidance file having a common guidance name (area 1) and a different registered name (area 2) in the overall header file format (FIG. 7). A list of registered names is displayed on the display device 1 through the display control unit 2. The user can use a desired guidance file by selecting an arbitrary guidance file from a list displayed on the display screen of the display device 1. Therefore, by registering a plurality of guidance messages for beginners and experts, and allowing the user to select one, a practical guidance function that is easy for each user to use can be realized.

[Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 17] A change of the guidance information is instructed from the input device 10 on an arbitrary processing screen having the guidance information (for example, the screen of FIG. 5). Then, a guidance information change request is given from the input control unit 20 to the guidance control unit 12. When receiving the guidance information change request, the guidance control unit 12 transmits the request to the display mode control unit 15. The display mode control unit 15 displays the guidance information setting screen (FIG. 2), and allows the user to change the guidance information. The user inputs an arbitrary number in the text box of “display guidance number” on the guidance information setting screen (FIG. 2) and presses a “registration button” to display the guidance message at a time when the guidance information is displayed. Number can be set. The display mode control unit 13 registers the contents in the guidance number (area 6) to be displayed at a time in the entire header format (FIG. 7). This makes it possible to simultaneously display the next procedure or a plurality of related guidance messages. Since the user can know the operation after the present time in advance, time efficiency and work efficiency can be improved, and an input error can be prevented. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 18] In this embodiment, at least one past input information is stored for each input item, and when displaying the guidance information of each input item, the past information of the item is stored. Is provided as a function of displaying the input information of the user as history information. For example, when “0:30” is input in the “core time break” input item on the processing screen of FIG.
The input information “0:30” is passed from the main processing unit 11 to the history information processing unit 16 via the guidance control unit 12. The history information processing unit 16 overwrites the history information (area 5) of the guidance format (FIG. 6) in the guidance information storage unit 18 with the given input information “0:30”. Also, the Offset (area 2) for the history information in the history header file format (FIG. 9) and the Length (area 3) for the history information are provided in the Offset and Length of the history information in the guidance format (FIG. 6).
The information of th is written and registered.

When the information processing apparatus is started next time, if the “core time break” input item is in the input enabled mode, the guidance control unit 12 receives an instruction from the main processing unit 11.
Transmits a display request to the history information display unit 5. The history information display unit 5 extracts the information of the history header (area 4) of the guidance format (FIG. 6) from the guidance information storage unit 18, and sets the offset (area 2) and the offset to the history information of the history header file format (FIG. 9). L of history information
The history information (area 5) of the guidance format (FIG. 6) is read based on the information of the length (area 3), sent to the display control unit 2 as output data “0:30”, and displayed on the display screen of the display device 1. A guidance message as shown in FIG. 5B is displayed. Thus, for each input item,
It has a function of storing the information input in the past (last), and by displaying the information as history information in the guidance message of the item, the user can guess what input should be performed. , Time and work efficiency. Further, in the case of processing such as routine work, the history information itself may be input, so that time efficiency and work efficiency are improved, and input errors can be prevented.

[Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 19] By providing a selection button function in the history information display section 5,
By the same operation as in the embodiment according to claim 18, history information including a plurality of past pieces of input information is displayed. Then, when the user selects and operates an arbitrary input information button, the input information guidance control unit 12 recognizes it and passes the corresponding input information to the main processing unit 11. That is, when the user selects one of a plurality of pieces of past input information displayed as history information, the selected input information (history information) is directly input to the input item in the input state at that time. be able to. As described above, the input to the input items can be completed only by selecting the past input information displayed as the history information. In particular, in the case of processing such as routine work, the history information itself may be input. Thus, time and work efficiency can be improved, and input errors can be prevented. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 20] In this embodiment, personal history information and group history information are registered separately for each input item, and either one can be selectively displayed. To When the personal information is used by the history information processing unit 16, the history information (individual) and the area 4 of the guidance format (FIG. 6) in the area 5 are registered.
When the group history information is used as the history header (individual), the information is registered in the history information (group) of the area 7 and the history header (group) of the area 6 by the same write operation as in claim 18.

When the registered history information is used, when the information processing apparatus is set, the main control unit 11 uses the personal information as the history information according to the input from the input device 10 or the group information. It is determined whether or not to use one, and a setting instruction is given to the guidance control unit 12 accordingly. The guidance control unit 12 stores the information of the history header (individual) in the area 4 of the guidance format (FIG. 6) in the case of setting the personal history information, and the information of the history header (group) in the area 6 in the case of setting the group history information. Based on the information, area 5 or area 7 of the guidance format (Fig. 6)
The history information is displayed in the guidance message in the same manner as in the case of claims 18 and 19 based on the history information. Then, when the user selects and operates an arbitrary input information button, the input information guidance control unit 12 recognizes it and passes the corresponding input information to the main processing unit 11. That is, when the user selects one of a plurality of past input information registered as individual or group history information, the selected input information (history information) is in an input state at that time. Can be entered as is. [Embodiment corresponding to claim 21] In this embodiment, the history information control unit 16 is provided with a function of counting up the number of times of use of input information, and the one with a high use frequency is given priority.
Display as guidance information in the guidance message of each input item so that it can be selected. In claims 18 and 19, each time the input information displayed as the history information is selected / input, the value of the number of times (area 1) of the history header file format (FIG. 9) is incremented. In the case of new input information, the same registration processing as in the case of claim 18 is performed.

A display as shown in FIG. 5B is made, and input information used in the past is displayed as history information arranged in descending order of the number of times (area 1) of the history header file format (FIG. 9). Then, when the user selects and operates an arbitrary input information button, the input information guidance control unit 12 recognizes it and passes the corresponding input information to the main processing unit 11. That is, when the user selects one of a plurality of pieces of past input information registered as history information, the selected input information (history information) is directly input to the input item in the input state at that time. be able to. In this way, among the input information used in the past, the input information that is used most frequently is displayed in order of priority, and the user can select and input any of the input information, so that a simpler operation and appropriate Since input information can be input, time efficiency and work efficiency can be improved, and input errors can be prevented. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 22] In this embodiment, by registering default information as history information in advance in areas 4 to 7 of the guidance format (FIG. 6), a guidance message can be provided even when a new entry is made. The history information of the input information is displayed on the screen, and by selecting it, it can be used as it is as the input information.

In the case of initial use, since there is no past history,
For beginners, it is difficult to understand what input information to enter.However, even when a new entry is made, the guidance message displays the history information of the input information, and it is possible to input by simply selecting it. This makes it easy for even a beginner to guess what kind of input should be made, so that time efficiency and work efficiency can be improved. [Embodiment corresponding to claim 23] In this embodiment, input information to an input item can be determined in an interactive manner by operating based on guidance information.
That is, by combining the operations of claims 17 to 21, a series of input operations can be sequentially performed according to the guidance message, and the next input item or operation procedure can be displayed. Since the message guidance itself allows the user to proceed with selection and input operations in an interactive manner, even a novice can perform appropriate input work without hesitation, thereby improving time and work efficiency. ,
In addition, input errors can be prevented. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 24] In this embodiment, when the keyword area (for example, "button") is dragged on the guidance message as shown in FIG. 5A, as shown in FIG. The document registered as the description of the keyword is displayed on a pop-up screen or the like.

Registration of a keyword or the like can be performed by the guidance control unit 12 issuing a registration instruction to the keyword information control unit 17. The keyword information control unit 17 displays a keyword registration screen (FIG. 4), and allows a user to register and delete a keyword and edit, register, and delete a description of the keyword. On this screen, the user can register the character string (keyword) displayed in the guidance message and edit the description of the keyword. At that time, the keyword information control unit 17 writes a character string of the keyword in the keyword (area 1) of the keyword header file format (FIG. 10), and the description is written in the keyword information (area 9) of the guidance format (FIG. 6). Is written, and information is written in Offset (area 2) for the keyword information in the keyword header file format (FIG. 10) and in Length (area 3) of the keyword description, respectively. The display of the keyword information is performed by the guidance control unit 12.
Is received by receiving a keyword display request from the input control unit 20 and transmitting the request to the keyword display unit 4. At this time, the keyword display unit 4 reads the keyword header (area 8) in the guidance format (FIG. 6) from the guidance information storage unit 18, and reads the keyword (area 1) in the keyword header file format (FIG. 10).
Are sequentially searched, and if a corresponding keyword is found, the corresponding keyword information (area 9) in the guidance format (FIG. 6) is based on the information of Offset (area 2) to the keyword information and the length (area 3) of the keyword description. And sends it to the display device 1 through the display control unit 2 to display a pop-up screen or the like as shown in FIG. 5C.

For a complete beginner, when there are advanced words such as technical terms in the guidance message, the instruction content of the guidance message may not be understood and the guidance display may not have the intended purpose. According to the embodiment, when an unknown keyword appears, the user can immediately refer to the description on the spot, so that the instruction content of the guidance message can be surely understood. Further, since a new keyword can be registered or its description can be additionally registered at any time, a more appropriate guidance function for the user can be constructed. [Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 25] In this embodiment, the guidance information storage unit 18 stores necessary files in a portable storage medium such as a floppy disk or MO disk, or transfers the files via a network. And be able to do it. With this configuration, the guidance function is provided in the same manner as the original information processing apparatus by porting the file stored in the storage medium or the file transferred via the network to the guidance information storage unit 18 of another information processing apparatus. Therefore, the other information processing apparatus can work efficiently using the same guidance function as that of the original information processing apparatus.

[0032]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, guidance information on various operations is stored in a storage device,
In an information processing apparatus having a function of reading guidance information to be presented to a user from a storage unit and displaying the guidance information on a display screen in accordance with an operation situation and requested processing content, guidance information stored in the storage unit Can be edited by the user, and by editing the guidance information according to the user's proficiency, a work environment suitable for each user can be realized. Further, memory resources can be used effectively by deleting unnecessary guidance information or a part thereof. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the guidance information is automatically displayed in accordance with the operation status or the requested processing content, so that the user does not have to perform the instruction to display the guidance information one by one, thereby reducing the work time. Efficiency can be improved. In the invention according to claim 3,
Guidance information is automatically displayed when there is no input for an item in the input state for a certain period of time.This eliminates the need to display the guidance information by performing key operations, etc., each time, reducing the burden on the user in the work. It can reduce and improve the work efficiency. Further, in the invention according to claim 4, since the time until the guidance information is displayed can be set by the user, the time setting is changed according to the difference in the user's skill level, input speed, and the like. A work environment suitable for each user can be realized. According to the invention described in claim 5, the user can select whether or not to display the guidance information. Therefore, a user who is skilled in the operation improves the work efficiency by not displaying the guidance information. it can.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, even when it is selected not to display the guidance information, it is possible to display the guidance information after a certain period of time, so that when the setting state is set such that the guidance information is not displayed. However, if it becomes necessary to display the guidance information, the guidance information is automatically displayed if the user waits for a certain period of time. Work load can be reduced and work efficiency can be improved. Further, in the invention according to claim 7, the guidance information is automatically deleted from the display screen after a certain period of time, so that the trouble of deleting the display of the guidance information by performing a key operation or the like each time is eliminated. The work load on the user can be reduced, and the work efficiency can be improved. Further, in the invention according to claim 8, the time until the guidance information is automatically deleted from the display screen can be set by the user, so that the time can be set according to the user's skill level, input speed, and the like. By changing the setting, a work environment suitable for each user can be realized. Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, even when the guidance information is set to be automatically deleted from the display screen after a certain period of time, whether or not the guidance information is deleted from the display screen is used. The user can make a selection, so that the work environment suitable for each user can be realized by changing the time setting according to the difference in the user's skill level, input speed, and the like. Further, in the invention according to claim 10, since it is possible to instruct not to display any guidance information of a plurality of pieces of guidance information (guidance messages), it is instructed not to display any unnecessary guidance information that is unnecessary. By doing
Time efficiency and work efficiency can be improved, and memory resources can be used effectively.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of guidance information (guidance messages) required for inputting a series of information can be displayed on the display screen at a time. Since the outline of the information can be understood at a glance, errors at the time of inputting information are less likely to occur. According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of guidance information are displayed because an automatic layout function for changing the display position or the display form of the guidance information is provided so as to avoid overlapping of the pieces of guidance information. In some cases, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the guidance information is displayed overlapping each other. In the invention according to claim 13,
If overlapping of guidance information was not avoided even by using the automatic layout function, the display of guidance information was simplified to reduce its display area.
Guidance information can be prevented from being displayed overlapping each other, and the flow of operation can be grasped with simplified guidance information.Therefore, there is no need to change the display position of guidance information one by one, and the user's work load is reduced. It can reduce and improve the work efficiency. Further, the invention according to claim 14 has an additional mode in which the change of the original guidance information (guidance message) is prohibited and only the addition of new guidance information (guidance message) is permitted, so that important or useful guidance is provided. Information (guidance message) can be prevented from being lost. In the invention according to claim 15, the guidance information (guidance message) edited by the user can be stored in the storage unit with an identifier so that the guidance information (guidance message) can be distinguished from the original guidance information (guidance message). By creating guidance information (guidance message) suitable for each user and registering it with a registered name, the existing guidance information (guidance message) provided by the manufacturer and the new guidance created by the user Information can be distinguished and each can be used effectively.

In the invention of claim 16, a plurality of types of guidance information (guidance messages) are prepared according to the user's proficiency level, and the user is allowed to select the guidance information (guidance message) to be displayed. Thus, a practical guidance function that is easy for each user to use can be realized. Further, in the invention according to claim 17, the number of guidance messages to be displayed as guidance information can be specified, and guidance messages relating to work procedures from the current time can be displayed at a time for the specified number of times. By notifying the subsequent operation in advance, time efficiency and work efficiency can be improved, and input errors can be prevented. In the invention according to claim 18, at least one past input information is stored for each input item, and when displaying the guidance information of each input item, the past input information of the item is used as history information. Since the display function is provided, the user can easily guess what kind of input should be made based on past input information, and can improve time efficiency and work efficiency. In the invention according to claim 19, by providing a function of using history information as input information for each input item, the user can select one of a plurality of past input information registered as history information. By making a selection, the selected input information can be directly input to the input item that is in the input state at that time, so that time efficiency and work efficiency can be improved, and input errors can be prevented. In the invention according to claim 20, personal history information and group history information are separately stored for each input item, and either one of them can be selectively displayed. When the user selects one of a plurality of pieces of past input information registered as history information, the selected input information can be directly input to the input item in the input state at that time. Efficiency and work efficiency can be improved, and input errors can be prevented.

In the invention according to the twenty-first aspect, a plurality of past input information is stored for each input item, and when displaying the guidance information of each input item, the frequently used input information is stored in the history. Since a function of displaying information is provided, time efficiency and work efficiency can be further improved, and input errors can be more effectively prevented. In the invention according to claim 22, default information is stored for each input item, and when displaying guidance information of each input item,
By providing the function of displaying the default information, the history information of the input information is displayed in the guidance information even when a new input is performed, so it is easy for even a novice to guess what input should be performed, and Efficiency and work efficiency can be improved, and input errors can be prevented. In the invention according to claim 23, since input information can be determined in an interactive manner by operating based on the guidance information, even beginners can easily perform input operations by operating based on the guidance information. Can be done. In the invention according to claim 24, the guidance information includes a description of the keyword in the guidance message, and the keyword setting and the content of the description can be edited. Since the user can refer to the explanation on the spot, the instruction content of the guidance message can be surely understood. Further, since a new keyword can be registered or its description can be additionally registered at any time, a more appropriate guidance function for the user can be constructed. In the invention according to claim 25, since the guidance information can be written in a portable storage medium in a format usable by the same type of information processing apparatus, the created guidance information is separately stored via the storage medium. By using the same guidance function as that of the original information processing apparatus, the work can be efficiently performed in the other information processing apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an information processing apparatus showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of a guidance information setting screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a guidance message editing screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a keyword registration screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a guidance message display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a guidance format according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an entire header file format according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a guidance header file format according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a history header file format according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a keyword header file format according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: display device 2: display control unit 3: time count unit 4: keyword display unit 5: history information display unit 6: display determination unit 7: message simplification unit 8: automatic layout unit 9: batch display unit 10: input device 11: main processing unit 12: guidance control unit 13: message editing unit 14: guidance new registration unit 15: display mode control unit 16: history information processing unit 17: keyword information control unit 18: guidance information storage unit (storage unit) 19 ： Portable file 20 ： Input control unit

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. Guidance information on various operations is stored in a storage device, and guidance information to be presented to a user is read out from a storage unit and displayed on a display screen in accordance with an operation status or requested processing content. An information processing apparatus having a function, wherein a user can edit guidance information stored in the storage unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein guidance information is automatically displayed in accordance with an operation status or requested processing content. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein guidance information is automatically displayed when there is no input for an item in an input state for a predetermined time. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a user can set a time until the guidance information is displayed. 5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the user can select whether or not to display the guidance information.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, even when it is selected not to display the guidance information, it is possible to set so as to display the guidance information after a predetermined time has elapsed. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guidance information is automatically deleted from the display screen after a predetermined time has elapsed. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the user can set the predetermined time. 9. Even if the guidance information is set to be automatically deleted from the display screen after a predetermined time has elapsed, the user can select whether or not to delete the guidance information from the display screen. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction can be given so as not to display arbitrary guidance information among a plurality of pieces of guidance information. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pieces of guidance information necessary for inputting a series of information can be displayed on a display screen at a time. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an automatic layout function for changing a display position or a display form of the guidance information so as to avoid displaying the guidance information overlapping each other. 13. The information according to claim 12, wherein the display of the guidance information is simplified and its display area is reduced when the overlapping of the guidance information is not avoided by using the automatic layout function. Processing equipment. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an additional mode for prohibiting a change of guidance information which is originally present and permitting only addition of new guidance information. 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the guidance information edited by the user can be stored in a storage unit with an identifier so that the guidance information can be distinguished from the original guidance information. Information processing device. 16. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of guidance information are prepared according to the user's proficiency level, and the guidance information to be displayed is selected by the user. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the number of guidance messages to be displayed as guidance information can be designated, and the guidance messages relating to the work procedure from the present time can be displayed at a time for the designated number of times.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above items 16. 18. A function of storing at least one past input information for each input item and displaying past input information of the item as history information when displaying guidance information of each input item. Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.
18. The information processing device according to any one of 17. 19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a function of using the history information as input information for each input item. 20. The personal computer according to claim 18, wherein the personal history information and the group history information are separately stored for each input item, and either one of them can be selectively displayed. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 21. A function of storing a plurality of past input information for each input item and displaying frequently used input information as the history information when displaying guidance information of each input item. 21. A method according to claim 18, wherein
An information processing device according to any one of the above. 22. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function of storing default information for each input item and displaying said default information when displaying guidance information of each input item. An information processing device according to any one of the above. 23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input information can be determined in an interactive manner by operating based on the guidance information. 24. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guidance information includes a description of the keyword in the guidance message, and the setting and description of the keyword can be edited. 25. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guidance information can be written in a portable storage medium in a format usable by the same type of information processing apparatus.