JP2003288246A - File processing method and file processing device capable of using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To grasp a formation method for facilitate edition when a file formed by complicated processing using multiple functions is used by another user. <P>SOLUTION: In this file processing device 10, an object setting part 18 designates an objective file from a file accumulation part 12, and an operation execution part 16 executes operation on the objective file according to a command obtained by an operation receipt part 14 from an operator. This operation procedure is recorded by a recording part 20 to be included in the objective file. A record extraction part 24 reads the operation procedure from the objective file, and a disclosure determination part 26 determines whether the operation procedure is disclosed to a viewer or not according to a disclosure condition stored in a condition maintaining part 28. According to the determination result, a display processing part displays the operation procedure on a monitor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a file processing method and a file processing apparatus that can use this method.
The present invention particularly relates to a technique for enhancing the convenience of file processing via an application program executed on a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today's word processors, graphic editing software, and other application programs (hereinafter appropriately abbreviated as "applications") are
It is possible to create complicated expressions that you do not know how to create by just looking at the appearance. In the conventional application, it was customary that the types of functions to be provided were determined to some extent according to the classification of the software, but recently, various functions tend to be provided across these boundaries. For example, even if a word processor has a drawing function or a web page creating function, it is not uncommon at present. A complicated expression created by using such various functions is usually made by using a plurality of commands, and the combination thereof may include the creator's ideas and know-how.

On the other hand, in the field of business where there are many opportunities to share files, not only one file is in the hands of a plurality of people, but also a plurality of people can work together as a single file in a progressive joint work. May be created. Also,
When work is handed over due to personnel changes, the related files are inevitably taken over. Therefore, it is not uncommon for files to be created from the beginning assuming that they will fall into the hands of others.

[0004]

Since not all the functions installed in the application are used by all users, a complicated expression is added to the file received from another person. If you do, you may not be able to understand how to create it and it may be difficult to edit. In the in-house business document, it is assumed that the file will be handed to a new employee who has little knowledge about the use of the application, and it is convenient if the knowledge including the file creation know-how can be effectively transmitted.

The present inventor has made the present invention based on the above recognition, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving the convenience of a user in using an application. Another object of the present invention is to effectively utilize various functions included in an application. Still another object is to provide a technique for effectively transmitting knowledge and know-how regarding the use of applications to others.

[0006]

One aspect of the present invention relates to a file processing method. This method sets a file to be operated by an application program executed on a computer, acquires an operation instruction for the set file from an operator, and executes a file operation based on the acquired instruction, The result of the executed operation is reflected in the file, and the procedure of the operation in the series of file creation process is included in the file in a form associated with the result of the operation so that it can be disclosed to others who browse the file. . This method is a processing method that enhances the convenience of the operator on the side that creates the file.
That is, the file operator can transmit the knowledge and know-how regarding the complicated processing content applied to the created file to another person without any special explanation.

The "application program" mentioned here corresponds to, for example, software for creating documents such as texts and spreadsheets, and graphic software for creating and editing drawings, photographs, illustrations and the like. The "operation" indicates an action of processing the file using various commands prepared by the program. As the procedure of the operation, for example, the type of command, the order of instructions, the value instructed corresponding to a predetermined attribute attached to the command, the part to be operated in the file, etc. are included in the file and It can be disclosed.

Another aspect of the present invention also relates to a file processing method. This method sets a file to be browsed by an application program executed on a computer, extracts the operation procedure in the process of creating the file, which is included in the set file in advance, from the file, and extracts the extracted operation. Read the disclosure condition that is the criterion for determining whether or not to disclose the procedure to the viewer, and determine whether the extracted operation procedure matches the disclosure condition,
The operation procedure is disclosed to the viewer according to the result of the determination. This method is a processing method that enhances the convenience of the viewer on the side viewing the file. That is, the file viewer can easily understand the knowledge and know-how regarding the complicated processing content applied to the file to be viewed.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a file processing device. This device processes a file operation based on a target setting unit that sets a file to be operated, an operation reception unit that acquires an operation instruction for the target file from an operator, and the acquired instruction. It has an operation execution unit and a recording processing unit that reflects the result of the operation in a file. The recording processing unit includes the procedure of the operation in the process of creating the file in the file in a form associated with the result of the operation so that the procedure can be disclosed to another person who browses the file.

Yet another aspect of the present invention also relates to a file processing device. This device includes a target setting unit that sets a file to be browsed, a record extraction unit that is included in the target file in advance, and that extracts a procedure of an operation in the process of creating the file from the file. A condition holding unit that stores a disclosure condition that is a criterion for determining whether or not to disclose the operation procedure to the viewer, and a disclosure determination unit that determines whether the extracted operation procedure matches the disclosure condition. And a display processing unit that processes the disclosure of the operation procedure according to the determination result.

Any combination of the above components,
It is also effective as an aspect of the present invention that the components and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced among a method, a device, a system, a computer program, a recording medium storing the computer program, a data structure, and the like.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The file processing apparatus of this embodiment is a combination of an application having a function of creating or editing a file and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") on which the application is executed. Will be realized. This application records the procedure of the operation used at the time of creating the file as data in the file, and discloses the recorded procedure of the operation to another person who opened the file. As a result, the operation technique of the application is effectively transmitted to others, and various functions are effectively utilized. In the embodiments described below, one device having both the function of recording the operation procedure and the function of disclosing the operation procedure is exemplified.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the file processing apparatus 10. The operation processing unit 32, the display processing unit 34, the file storage unit 12, and the command history storage unit 22 are included. Each block included in the file processing device 10 can be realized by an element such as a CPU of a computer in terms of hardware, and can be realized by a program having a data editing function and an information display function in terms of software. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates functional blocks realized by the cooperation. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by combining hardware and software.

The file storage unit 12 is an area for storing files created by an application. The operation processing unit 32 has a function of recording the operation content instructed by the operator, and includes the operation receiving unit 14, the operation executing unit 16, the target setting unit 18, and the recording processing unit 20.

The target setting unit 18 specifies a file to be operated by the operator from a plurality of files stored in the file storage unit 12, and sets this as a target file. On a PC, this corresponds to a so-called "open file" process. The target setting unit 18 may generate a new file and set this as the target file.
In the PC, this corresponds to the so-called "new creation" processing. The operation receiving unit 14 acquires an operation instruction for the target file from the operator, and the operation executing unit 16 processes the operation of the target file based on the instruction.

The recording processing unit 20 reflects the result of the operation based on the instruction from the operator as data in the target file. For example, it is reflected in the form of "overwrite saving". The recording processing unit 20 records the procedure of the operation in the process of creating or editing the target file in the form of being included in the target file. The operation procedure described here is data recorded on the assumption that it will be disclosed to others who browse the target file, and it is specified along with the operation command used, the operation execution sequence, and the operation command. Value and the information about the part to be operated. However, since the operator himself may not be able to grasp the operation contents later, it may be premised that the operator himself / herself is also notified when the frequency of use of the operation is reduced.

The recording processing unit 20 records in the command history storage unit 22 the types of operation commands used in the process of creating or editing the target file and the frequency of use thereof. This is stored in the command history storage unit 22 as the record of use of the operation command by the operator recorded through all the target files. The procedure of the operation recorded in the target file is transmitted and disclosed to another person together with the target file. On the other hand, the type and frequency of operation commands are different in that they are stored in the device and disclosed only to the user of the device.

The display processing unit 34 has a function of displaying information on the procedure of the operation recorded in the target file, and includes the target setting section 18, the record extracting section 24, and the disclosure determining section 2.
6, a condition holding unit 28, and a display processing unit 30 are included. The target setting unit 18 is a function also included in the operation processing unit 32, and sets a target file to be browsed by the "open file" process.

The record extraction unit 24 extracts the procedure of the operation in the process of creating the target file from the target file. The condition holding unit 28 stores a disclosure condition regarding an operation procedure. The disclosure condition serves as a criterion for determining whether or not the operation procedure extracted from the target file by the record extracting unit 24 should be disclosed to the viewer. For example, if an operation command that has not been used by the viewer or is used infrequently is included in the operation procedure of the target file, it may be determined that the operation procedure should be disclosed. For example, on the display screen in which the target file is opened, disclosure conditions may be set such that the procedure is disclosed when the mouse pointer approaches the location corresponding to the operation procedure.

The disclosure determination unit 26 determines whether or not the procedure of the operation extracted by the record extraction unit 24 matches the disclosure condition. When the disclosure condition related to the usage frequency of the viewer is set, the disclosure determination unit 26 reads the usage record of the operation command instructed in the past by the viewer from the command history storage unit 22 and discloses it by comparison. Determine whether or not to do it. The display processing unit 30 displays an operation procedure on a display screen such as a monitor according to the determination result.

Several formats are prepared as the display method of the operation procedure, and the format selected by the viewer is adopted. For example, when the pointer approaches the location corresponding to the operation procedure, that location may be highlighted. The highlighted display includes reverse display, underline display, display in highlighted color, blinking display, and the like. For example, a method of displaying in the form of help information that introduces an operation method by an operation command included in the operation procedure may be used. The items included in the help information may be narrowed down to operation commands that the viewer rarely uses. For example, when the operation command is not included in the operation menu in the operation environment of the viewer, a display method of adding the menu or button of the item may be used.

As a result, the complicated processing contents performed by the multi-functionalized application program can be disclosed to the viewer in a format in which the user can visually and easily understand the complicated processing contents. An optimal editing environment can be obtained for the viewer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a usage record table showing operation commands and their usage frequencies. This usage record table is data stored in the command history storage unit 22. The usage record table 40 includes a command field 42 and a usage frequency field 44.

The command column 42 contains the types of operation commands provided by the application. For example, it includes operation commands such as "ruled line mode start", "table creation", and "document configuration", which are displayed in the form of menus and buttons on the display screen. In the use frequency column 42, the presence or absence of use or the frequency of use is recorded for each operation command. For example, data indicating "no use" is recorded for the "ruled line mode start" command, and "many (115 times)" for the "spell check" command.
Is recorded.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an operation procedure table that includes operation commands recorded in the order of operation and the designated values associated with the operation commands. This table is data indicating the operation procedure included in the target file. Operation procedure table 46
Includes a command column 47 and a designated value column 48.

In the command column 52, operation commands designated by the operator are recorded in the order of operation. For example,
The fact that the "line type change" and "line type selection" commands have been given after the "ruled line mode start" command has been recorded is recorded. In the designated value column 54, the value designated by the operator is recorded along with the operation command. For example, a designated value of "pattern 4" is recorded as a pattern of the designated line type at a location corresponding to the "line type selection" command.

FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a method of disclosing the operation procedure on the display screen. In particular, this figure illustrates a screen configuration for displaying a word processor document. The display window 50 includes a document display field 54, an operation history field 56, a help field 58, and a phrase field 60.

In the document display field 54, the document which is the content of the target file is displayed. This target file includes a table 64 that shows the sales report for each district by month. A ruled line is drawn around the title character 62 of the “sales report” which is the title of the document. When the mouse pointer 52 approaches the position of the title character 62, the operation procedure related to the operation for drawing a ruled line around the title character 62 is read from the target file, and the usage record of the operation command included in this is referred to. As a result, an operation procedure including an operation command that is used less frequently is displayed in the operation history column 56.

In the operation history column 56, commands such as "start ruled line mode", "change line type", and "select pattern 4" are displayed in the order of operation as operation procedures. When the viewer moves the mouse pointer 52 to the position of the table 64, the display content of the operation history column 56 is switched to the operation procedure for creating the table.

In the help column 58, items of help information are displayed. When a viewer selects an item, help information corresponding to the item is displayed. Here, since the displayed items are narrowed down to help information related to operation commands that are rarely used, it is convenient for the viewer.

In the phrase column 60, typical phrases commonly used are listed in a stylized form. In the document shown in the figure, one sentence "First of all to report" corresponds to the representative phrase, and is displayed in the phrase column 60 together with a phrase similar thereto. With this, it is possible to easily understand that the phrase is created by the phrase selection, and it is also helpful when the user wants to change the phrase to a similar phrase.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen in the case of disclosing a part of the operating procedure by highlighting or displaying buttons. When the mouse pointer 52 approaches the position of the title character 62, the title character 62 is switched to reverse display. Further, when the button corresponding to the operation command included in the operation procedure of the target file is set not to be displayed in the button column 66, the setting may be switched to display the button. The drawing shows a ruled line button 70 and a table creation button 72 added to the button column 66. When the target file is closed, the display of the ruled line button 70 and the table creation button 72 may be switched off at the same time.

In the operation procedure of the target file, if there is an operation command that cannot be instructed or executed without switching to a specific mode, the mode may be automatically switched. In the figure, the mode is changed to the ruled line mode, and a menu 74 in which "ruled line" is written is added to the menu field 68. The menu 74 includes operation commands such as “ruled line”, “line type change”, and “ruled line deletion”.
These are available when switching to ruled line mode. In order to switch to the ruled line mode, it is usually necessary to instruct the operation command of "start ruled line mode", but by automatically executing it, it is possible to disclose the operation command included in this mode to the viewer. .
As another similar example, in the drawing mode "Line", "Circle",
The operation commands such as “designate a figure” are included, and the correction modes include operation commands such as “reflect correction”, “cancel correction”, and “attach sticky notes”. The mode is automatically switched even when these operation commands are included in the operation procedure.
When this target file is closed, it is returned to the original mode at the same time.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is an exemplification, that various modifications can be made to the combinations of the respective constituent elements and the respective processing processes, and that such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. . Hereinafter, some modified examples will be given.

In the display example of FIG. 5, the method of temporarily adding the button or menu corresponding to the operation command included in the operation procedure has been described. In a modification, the button or menu may remain after the target file is closed instead of temporary addition. Also, it may be in a form of confirming this with a dialog to the viewer before being added.

Even if the button or menu corresponding to the operation command included in the operation procedure is already included in the standard button or menu in the usage environment of the viewer, the viewer may not be able to immediately discover it. To be This tendency is particularly strong for operation commands that are rarely used.
Therefore, in the modified example, a method of highlighting the corresponding button or menu to make it conspicuous may be adopted.

In the embodiment, the configuration in which the operation procedure is presented in the dedicated display field has been described. In a modified example, the configuration may be displayed near the location corresponding to the operation procedure.

[0038]

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user in using a multifunctional application.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a file processing device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a usage record table showing operation commands and their usage frequencies.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an operation procedure table including operation commands recorded in the order of operations and designated values accompanying the operation commands.

FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a method of disclosing operation procedures on a display screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen when a part of the operation procedure is disclosed by highlighting or displaying a button.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 file processing device, 14 operation receiving unit, 16
Operation execution unit, 18 target setting unit, 20 recording processing unit, 22 command history accumulation unit, 24 record extraction unit, 26 disclosure determination unit, 28 condition holding unit, 30
Display processing unit.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A file to be operated by an application program executed on a computer is set, an operation instruction for the set file is acquired from an operator, and the operation of the file is executed based on the acquired instruction. , The result of the executed operation is reflected in the file, and the procedure of the operation in the series of file creation process,
In order to be able to disclose it to others who view the file,
A file processing method, characterized in that the file is included in a form associated with a result of the operation. 2. A file to be browsed by an application program executed on a computer is set, and an operation procedure included in the set file in advance in the process of creating the file is extracted from the file, and is extracted. The disclosure condition that is the criterion for determining whether or not the disclosed operation procedure should be disclosed to the viewer is determined, it is determined whether the extracted operation procedure matches the disclosure condition, and the above-mentioned determination is made according to the result of the determination. A file processing method, wherein the operation procedure is disclosed to the viewer. 3. A target setting unit for setting a file as an operation target, an operation receiving unit for acquiring an operation instruction for the target file from an operator, and an operation receiving unit for the file based on the acquired instruction. An operation execution unit that processes an operation, and a recording processing unit that reflects the result of the operation in the file, and the recording processing unit browses the file for the procedure of the operation in the process of creating the file. A file processing apparatus, wherein the file is included in the file in a form associated with the result of the operation so that the file can be disclosed to others. 4. The recording processing unit includes, in the file, information regarding a used operation command, an operation execution order, and an operation target portion as the operation procedure. The file processing device according to item 3. 5. A target setting unit that sets a file to be browsed, and a record extracting unit that is included in the target file in advance and that extracts from the file a procedure of an operation in the process of creating the file. , A condition holding unit that stores a disclosure condition that serves as a criterion for determining whether or not to disclose the extracted operation procedure to a viewer, and whether the extracted operation procedure matches the disclosure condition. A file processing apparatus comprising: a disclosure determination unit for determining; and a display processing unit for processing disclosure of the procedure of the operation according to the result of the determination. 6. The command history accumulating section for storing a usage record relating to an operation command instructed in the past by the viewer, wherein the disclosure determining section refers to the usage record and refers to the extracted operation. The file processing device according to claim 5, wherein when the operation command included in the procedure is not frequently used by the viewer, it is determined that the procedure should be disclosed. 7. The display processing unit, on a display screen,
7. The file processing device according to claim 5, wherein a portion corresponding to the procedure of the operation determined to be disclosed by the disclosure determination unit is highlighted. 8. The display processing unit, on a display screen,
8. The file processing device according to claim 5, wherein the procedure is disclosed when the pointer approaches a location corresponding to the procedure of the operation determined to be disclosed by the disclosure determining unit. . 9. The display processing unit is configured to display in a format of help information that introduces an operation method only to operation commands that are rarely used by the viewer among operation procedures included in the file. 9. The file processing device according to claim 6, wherein the file processing device is a file processing device. 10. The display processing unit, when the operation menu in the operation environment of the viewer does not include an item of an operation command included in the procedure of the operation to be disclosed,
The file processing device according to claim 5, wherein the item is added. 11. A function of setting a file as an operation target, a function of acquiring an operation instruction for the target file from an operator, and processing an operation of the file based on the acquired instruction. The function and the function of reflecting the result of the operation in the file are displayed on the computer, and the function of reflecting the procedure of the operation in the process of creating the file is disclosed to another person who browses the file. A computer program characterized by including a function of causing the file to include the operation result in association with the operation result. 12. A function of setting a file to be browsed, a function of preliminarily included in the file of interest to extract an operation procedure in a process of creating the file from the file, A function of storing a disclosure condition that serves as a criterion for determining whether to disclose the operation procedure to the viewer, a function of determining whether the extracted operation procedure matches the disclosure condition, and A computer program that causes a computer to exhibit the function of processing the disclosure of the procedure of the operation according to the determination result.