JP2004102365A - Image processing device and operation manual printing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device printing an operation method for operating various functions as the image information. <P>SOLUTION: The operation method (help function) for operating various functions are stored in a ROM 10 in advance. The operation method stored in the ROM 10 is displayed on an operation display part 3, when a user presses the operation display part 3. An operation screen displayed on the operation display part 3 (display means) and contents of the key operation are stored in an image memory 4 (image information saving means) as the image information, and the stored image information is printed to allow the user to acquire the desired operation manual as a printed image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a display unit for displaying operation methods of various functions as image information, and an operation manual printing program in the image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus for printing image information displayed on a display unit And an operation manual printing program in the image processing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in OA equipment such as an information processing apparatus and a word processor, and communication equipment such as a facsimile apparatus, the operation content has become complicated with the advancement of its functions.
Also, for basic facsimile communication only, for example, registration of sender information, registration of fixed time timer, output and confirmation of communication management report, registration and confirmation of speed dial, registration and deletion of one-touch dial, output of list , Timer communication, polling communication, password communication, and remote communication in many cases.
Therefore, in order to make full use of the functions of each device, detailed knowledge of the device is required. For this reason, each device is usually accompanied by a detailed operation manual, and the user operates the device while referring to the attached operation manual.
[0003]
In addition, with the diversification of the functions of the devices, the operation manual has become detailed and thick, and it has become difficult to make full use of the operation manual. Therefore, the equipment itself is provided with a so-called help function, and when the operation of the equipment becomes unclear, the information requested by the user is displayed on a display or the like, thereby effectively utilizing various functions. Was being planned.
[0004]
Further, as a conventional technique similar to the present invention, when a predetermined help input is made from an operation panel, the operation history information up to that point is edited and transferred to an external computer, and the external computer is used for the operation scene. There is a method of creating image data of an appropriate operation manual, transmitting the created image data to a facsimile machine again, and printing the image data (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-163060
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, simply displaying the help function provided in advance on the device or the like on the display unit may not be able to easily obtain help information suitable for the user's proficiency and operation stage. May not be used effectively.
For example, once information is set for communication information, user registration information, and the like, there is almost no need to set it again, but there is a case where the user wants to know the current setting contents (for example, to check whether a certain function can be used). . In this case, there is a method of moving to each menu screen and confirming the contents, but moving to the menu screen displaying the setting contents that the user wants to confirm is very troublesome. There is also a method of printing and checking the list displayed in the list format of the setting contents, but since all the setting items are in the list format, the setting item screen that the user wants to know and the operation display section It is difficult to determine whether the displayed setting item screens correspond to each other.
[0007]
In addition, it is difficult to provide a large operation display unit due to the configuration of the apparatus. For this reason, it often takes a hierarchical structure in which various functions are operated by successively changing the display screen showing options. For this reason, the contents indicated by the options change one after another, and the function of the same input button changes one by one for each screen displayed on the operation display unit. That is, various functions can be held by the combination of the operation display unit and the input buttons, and it is difficult to remember and use the various functions.
[0008]
Further, in Patent Document 1, an external computer creates image data of an operation manual appropriate for an operation scene, and the image data is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus and printed, so that the operation manual is acquired. The process is complicated.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus that prints an operation method for operating various functions as image information, and an operation manual printing program in the image processing apparatus. .
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve this object, the present invention has the following features.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation method storage unit storing an operation method of the apparatus, a display unit displaying the operation method stored in the operation method storage unit as image information, and an image information displayed on the display unit. And image printing means for printing the image information stored in the image information storage means.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the image information storing means has a setting means for storing the image information displayed on the display means in the image information storing means. When the button is pressed, the image information is stored in the image information storage unit.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a transition unit that transitions image information displayed on the display unit, and a transition image storage unit that stores the image information transitioned by the transition unit. And having the following.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the transition image storage unit stores the image information every time the image information displayed on the display unit changes.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the image information stored in the transition image storage unit and the image information stored in the image information storage unit have the same image information format. It is characterized by being stored in.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image information stored in the transition image storage unit or the image information stored in the image information storage unit is: A management number for managing image information is added and stored.
[0016]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying an operation method of the apparatus as image information; a storage unit for storing various information; and a printing unit for printing image information. A storage process for storing the displayed image information in the storage device and a printing process for printing the image information stored in the storage device by the storage process by the printing device are executed.
[0017]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying an operation method of the apparatus as image information; a storage unit for storing various information; and a printing unit for printing image information. Storage processing for storing the displayed image information in the storage means, transition information storage processing for storing the transitioned image information in the storage means every time the image information displayed on the display means transitions, storage processing and transition And printing processing for printing the image information stored in the storage means by the information storage processing by the printing means.
[0018]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the operation manual printing program according to the seventh or eighth aspect, a management number for managing the image information is added to the image information stored in the storage means by the storage process or the transition information storage process. It is characterized by being stored.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First, an outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
According to the present invention, the operation screen displayed on the operation display unit 3 (display unit) and the details of the key operation are stored as image information in the image memory 4 (image information storage unit), and the stored image information is printed. Thus, an operation manual desired by the user can be acquired as a print image.
[0020]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.
The facsimile apparatus includes a scanner 1, a plotter 2, an operation display unit 3, an image memory 4, a parameter memory 5, a clock circuit 6, a communication control unit 7, an encoding and decoding unit 8, a CPU 9, , ROM 10, buffer memory 11, character generator 12, modem 13, network controller 14, document sensor 15, paper sensor 16, video memory 17, and battery 18. .
[0021]
The scanner 1 reads a document and obtains image information.
The plotter 2 writes image information on recording paper.
The operation display unit 3 displays the status of the facsimile machine, operation guidance, and performs various operations of the facsimile machine.
The image memory 4 stores image data.
The parameter memory 5 stores various kinds of information by adding predetermined parameters. For example, parameters such as telephone numbers are stored.
The clock circuit 6 measures time when a document is transmitted.
The communication control unit 7 controls the network control device 14 and the modem 13 to perform facsimile communication according to a predetermined transmission control procedure.
The encoding / decoding unit 8 encodes information to be transmitted and decodes a received document.
The CPU 9 controls each unit to control a predetermined operation of the facsimile machine.
The ROM 10 stores data necessary for the operation of the facsimile machine. The help function displayed on the operation display unit is stored in the ROM.
The buffer memory 11 temporarily stores various information.
The character generator 12 stores font data of each character such as English, numbers, kana, symbols, and kanji.
The modem 13 modulates and demodulates the image information and transmits the same, and transmits various procedure signals in the transmission control procedure.
The network control device 14 performs predetermined calling and receiving operations by supplementing a line, transmitting a selection signal as a destination telephone number, detecting an incoming call, and the like.
The document sensor 15 detects whether there is a document. Also, the document JAM and the like are checked.
The paper sensor 16 detects where the paper is located. Further, the paper JAM is checked.
The video memory 17 stores a display screen displayed on the operation display unit 3.
The battery 18 backs up the parameter memory 5 for storing a telephone number, the name of a destination, and the like.
[0022]
Using the facsimile apparatus having the above configuration, the user first presses a predetermined key or the like included in the facsimile apparatus, so that the display screen of the operation display unit changes, and the user sees the contents of the display screen and performs the next operation. And finally arrive at the target display screen, and various functions can be utilized. The display screen displayed on the operation display unit is stored as image information in the video memory.
The image information stored in the video memory as described above is obtained by printing on a recording sheet by a plotter in accordance with a print designation from a user.
[0023]
First, a printing example obtained by the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This print example is a print example in which a display screen displayed on an operation display unit (touch panel) provided in a facsimile apparatus is stored in a video memory as image information, and the stored image information is printed.
FIG. 2 shows a diagram in which the display screen of the initial setting menu 20 and the one-touch destination registration 21 displayed on the operation display unit is loaded into the video memory and printed.
FIG. 3 shows a diagram in which the transition route screen from the basic screen to the one-touch destination registration screen displayed on the operation display unit is captured in the video memory and printed. More specifically, the initial setting key is pressed from the basic screen 30 to move to the initial setting menu 31. Next, the operation display section 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram in which a panel for one-touch destination registration or one key is pressed to move to a one-touch destination registration screen 32.
FIG. 4 is a diagram in which a display screen from the basic screen to immediately after the start of reception, which is displayed on the operation display unit, is loaded into the video memory and printed. More specifically, FIG. 11 is a diagram in which the screen moves from the basic screen 40 to the screen 41 during reception, and moves to the screen 42 where reception has started.
[0024]
Next, a processing operation for obtaining the above-described printing paper will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a processing operation in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a processing operation in the second embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a processing operation in the third embodiment.
Note that this processing operation is performed by the CPU based on a program stored in the ROM.
(First Embodiment)
First, the CPU determines whether the screen capture key has been pressed (step S1). If it is determined that the screen capture key has been pressed (step S1 / YES), the image information of the video memory (the image information displayed on the operation display unit) is stored in the image memory (step S2).
A management number is added to the image information stored in the image memory, similarly to the document data (step S3). The management number includes the file number. Are used, and are uniquely associated with the stored image information. If it is determined that the screen capture key has not been pressed (step S1 / NO), the process ends.
[0025]
Thus, by pressing the screen capture key, the display screen displayed on the operation display unit can be stored in the image memory as image information. As a result, the setting method of the necessary setting items can be printed on the screen information base. When printing the image information stored in the image memory, a management number to be printed is selected and the selected image information is printed as in the case of printing a normal stored document.
[0026]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
First, the CPU determines whether the screen capture start key has been pressed (step S10). If it is determined that the screen capture start key has been pressed (step S10 / YES), the image information in the video memory is stored in the image memory (step S11).
When the storage of the image information is completed, the CPU determines whether or not the image capture end key has been pressed (step S12). When determining that the screen capture end key has not been pressed (step S12 / YES), the CPU determines whether or not the operation key has been pressed (step S13). Note that a screen transition occurs by pressing this operation key. A key for changing the LED of the reading line density is not included in the operation keys because a screen transition does not occur even when pressed. Further, since the numeric keypad and the like are enabled / disabled depending on the screen, if it is invalid, it is not determined that the key is pressed.
If it is determined that the operation key has been pressed (step S13 / YES), the operation key pressing information is converted into image information and stored in the image memory (step S14). When converting to image information, it is preferable to match the image information format of the video memory. As a result, the subsequent copying to the image memory can be performed under the same control as that for copying the image information.
[0027]
Since the screen is changed by pressing the operation key, the process returns to step S11 and the same processing is performed again.
If it is determined that the screen capture end key has been pressed (step S12 / YES), a management number similar to the document data is added to the image information stored in the image memory (step S15). If it is determined that the screen capture start key has not been pressed (step S10 / NO), the process ends.
[0028]
As described above, it is possible to determine whether the screen capture start key is pressed and whether the operation key is pressed, and store the display screen displayed on the operation display unit as image information in the image memory. When printing image information stored in the image memory, the same processing operation as that for printing a normal stored document is performed, a management number to be printed is selected, and the selected image information is printed.
As a result, the display screen of the operation display unit and the content of the key operation can be captured as image information in the apparatus and printed.
[0029]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
First, the CPU determines whether or not the screen capture start key has been pressed (step S20). If it is determined that the screen capture start key has been pressed (step S20 / YES), the image information in the video memory is stored in the image memory (step S21).
Next, the CPU determines whether or not the image capture end key has been pressed (step S22). If it is determined that the screen capture end key has not been pressed (step S22 / NO), it is determined whether the image information of the video memory has been updated (step S23). Since the image information of the video memory has already been stored in the image memory, it is easy to determine whether the image information has changed. Thereafter, the update interval to be determined may be determined in advance according to the performance of the facsimile apparatus (CPU speed, etc.). For example, when a CPU capable of high-speed processing is used, the determination can be made at short intervals. If the CPU is slow, the compromise is determined at as long an interval as possible.
If it is determined that the image information in the video memory has been updated (step S23 / YES), the process returns to step S21 to store the image information in the video memory in the image memory. If it is determined that the screen capture end key has been pressed (step S22 / YES), a management number similar to the document data is added to the image information stored in the image memory (step S24). If it is determined that the screen capture start key has not been pressed (step S20 / NO), the process ends.
[0030]
In this manner, the display screen displayed on the operation display unit can be stored in the image memory by determining whether the screen capture start key has been pressed and whether the image information in the video memory has been updated. When printing image information stored in the image memory, the same processing operation as that for printing a normal stored document is performed, a management number to be printed is selected, and the selected image information is printed.
Thus, even if the display screen of the operation display unit transitions, the display screen can be automatically loaded into the apparatus as image information and printed.
[0031]
The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, a start key for reading an image is provided, and it is described that the operation is performed using the start key. However, the embodiment may be performed using another key included in the facsimile apparatus. is there. For example, it is possible to start reading an image by simultaneously pressing two keys out of ten keys.
[0032]
In addition, although a management number is added to the image information stored in the image memory and stored, it is also possible to select a management number and update or delete the image information of the selected management number. It is possible.
[0033]
Further, in the present embodiment, the description has been made using a facsimile apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. A display means for displaying an operation method (help function) of the apparatus, and a display screen displayed on the display means Is not particularly limited as long as it has storage means for storing the image information as image information and printing means for printing the image information stored in the storage means. Preferably, the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, or the like having complicated operation functions.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the display screen displayed on the display means can be directly captured as image information and printed. Using the printing paper, a simple manual desired by the user can be easily created.
[0035]
In addition, even when a trouble occurs in the apparatus, the operation history is printed and the printing paper is transmitted to a support center or the like, so that the trouble analysis and the like can be easily performed.
[0036]
Also, by applying a program for printing an operation manual, display means for displaying an operation method (help function) of the apparatus, storage means for storing a display screen displayed on the display means as image information, and storage means If it has a printing means for printing the stored image information, it can be realized by using ordinary functions such as document reading, storage in the image memory, and printing from the image memory.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first printing example according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a second printing example according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a third printing example according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Scanner 2 Plotter 3 Operation display part 4 Image memory 5 Parameter memory 6 Clock circuit 7 Communication control part 8 Coding compounding part 9 CPU
10 ROM
11 Buffer Memory 12 Character Generator 13 Modem 14 Network Controller 15 Document Sensor 16 Paper Sensor 17 Video Memory 18 Battery

Claims (9)

Operation method storage means in which an operation method of the device is stored;
Display means for displaying the operation method stored in the operation method storage means as image information,
Image information storage means for storing image information displayed on the display means,
Printing means for printing the image information stored in the image information storage means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image information storage means,
The image information displayed on the display means, setting means for storing the image information storage means,
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information is stored in the image information storing unit by pressing the setting unit. Transition means for transitioning image information displayed on the display means,
Transition image storage means for storing image information transitioned by the transition means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transition image storage unit stores the image information every time the image information displayed on the display unit changes. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image information stored in the transition image storage unit and the image information stored in the image information storage unit are stored in the same image information format. apparatus. 6. The image information stored in the transition image storage unit or the image information stored in the image information storage unit, and a management number for managing the image information is added and stored. The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A display unit for displaying the operation method of the apparatus as image information; a storage unit for storing various information; and a printing unit for printing the image information.
Storing processing for storing the image information displayed on the display means in the storage means;
A printing process of printing image information stored in the storage unit by the storage unit by a printing unit;
An operation manual printing program characterized by executing the following. A display unit for displaying the operation method of the apparatus as image information; a storage unit for storing various information; and a printing unit for printing the image information.
Storing processing for storing the image information displayed on the display means in the storage means;
A transition information storage process for storing the transitioned image information in the storage unit each time the image information displayed on the display unit transitions;
A printing process of printing the image information stored in the storage unit by the storage unit by the storage process and the transition information storage process,
An operation manual printing program characterized by executing the following. 9. The operation manual printing according to claim 7, wherein the image information stored in the storage unit by the storing process or the transition information storing process is added with a management number for managing the image information and stored. program.

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