JP2004135003A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor that can confirm the registerer of a registered macro even when the processor is shared, promote use of the macro and realize easy editing of the macro. <P>SOLUTION: A series of operations that a user performs by using an operation part 1 can be registered as a macro. The registerer name, registration time, etc., are also registered. When one macro is modified, the macro is selected and then the registerer of the macro etc., is displayed at a display part 2. Consequently, a user is able to inquire whether a macro is registered by oneself or inquire the contents of a macro of the registerer. Further provided is a function of outputting a registered macro as a character string from an interface part 6 to external equipment and registering a character string received from the external equipment through the interface part 6 as a macro to easily edit or prepare a macro. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of registering a series of operations performed by a user as a macro and executing processing with a small number of operations using the registered macro.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a document editing apparatus has a function of storing a series of operations as a macro and assigning it to a predetermined key as needed. By executing the macro, a series of stored operations can be sequentially and automatically executed. In general, when macro information is stored, it is assumed that the information is only used inside the apparatus, and therefore, it is often stored using an internal code or the like.
[0003]
Also, as described in Patent Literature 1, in a machine tool or the like, it is considered that a series of operations are registered as a macro when an operation is programmed, and the macro is used as a subprogram. .
[0004]
Further, a macro is also used in a communication device or the like. For example, in the example of personal computer communication described in Patent Document 2, a macro is used to automate a communication procedure.
[0005]
As described above, the communication procedure is automated in Patent Literature 2. However, for example, a communication device such as a facsimile device is provided with a function of macro-registering an operation performed by the user on the device. Is coming. In recent years, the functions of these communication devices have become more sophisticated, and operations by users have become more complicated. Therefore, the macro registration function is useful for simplifying complicated operations.
[0006]
A communication device such as such a facsimile device is shared by a plurality of users. Therefore, even if a macro is registered, it may not be known who registered the macro and for what purpose. If you know at least who has registered, you can ask the registered user about the contents of the macro, but at the moment the registrant is not known. Also, for example, when trying to edit a macro, there is no means to confirm whether the macro to be edited was created by the user in the past, and the user had to refer to the contents of the macro. In particular, as described above, when a macro is represented by an internal code, there is a case where even if it is registered by itself, it cannot be distinguished from others without decoding the internal code.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-113815 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-6-103184
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and even when a device is shared, a registered person of a registered macro can be confirmed, and the use of a macro can be promoted. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus that can easily edit the information.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of registering and using a macro, wherein an operation unit operated by a user, a series of operations performed on the operation unit are stored as a macro, and at least a macro registrant name is associated with the operation unit. It has storage means for storing, display means, and processing means for performing processing in accordance with an operation from the operation means, and displays a registrant name on the display means when editing a macro stored in the storage means. It is assumed that. As described above, the registrant name is displayed at the time of editing the macro. If the contents of the macro are unknown, the contents of the macro can be known by asking the displayed registrant. Also, by referring to the registrant name displayed at the time of editing the macro, for example, after confirming that the user is a macro registered in the past, the user can start editing the macro.
[0010]
When editing a macro, the macro stored in the storage means can be converted into a character string, and the character string can be edited. At this time, an interface for communicating with the external device may be provided, and the character string obtained by converting the macro may be transmitted from the interface to the external device so that the external device can perform editing work. it can. Conversely, a character string corresponding to a macro edited by an external device can be received through an interface, and the character string can be converted into a macro and registered in the storage unit together with a registrant name. Since the macro can be edited as a character string in this manner, the editing operation can be easily performed. Even when converting to a character string as described above, the registrant name can be confirmed, so that useless conversion processing can be reduced and the device can be used efficiently.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an operation unit, 2 is a display unit, 3 is a processing unit, 4 is a storage unit, 5 is a macro table, and 6 is an interface unit. The operation unit 1 is an interface for a user to give an operation instruction to the apparatus, and is provided with various keys, switches, a variable dial, and the like. The user can perform settings and instructions for the device by operating the operation unit 1. In addition, a series of operations can be registered as a macro, and execution of the registered macro can be instructed.
[0012]
The display unit 2 is used for presenting various information to the user from the device. Along with the information displayed on the display unit 2, the user can easily input from the operation unit 1. When a macro is changed or edited, the name of the registrant who registered the macro can be displayed.
[0013]
The processing unit 3 controls each unit in the device and provides various functions provided by the device. In particular, it provides a function of registering a series of operations as a macro, a function of executing a registered macro, a function of changing a registered macro, and the like. Further, this example also provides a function of converting a registered macro into a character string (script) and outputting the same externally from the interface unit 6 and a function of registering a macro externally input as a character string. The registrant name is registered at the time of new registration of the macro and registration by external input, and when the macro is changed, the registrant is displayed on the display unit 2 so that the registrant can be confirmed. . The registered macro is associated with a predetermined key (or some key operations) of the operation unit 1 and the like, and when the operation of the key is performed, a series of operations registered with the corresponding macro is performed. Perform similar functions sequentially.
[0014]
The storage unit 4 stores various information that needs to be stored in the device. Particularly, here, the registered macros are managed by the macro table 5. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the macro table. In this example, each macro is associated with a macro name, a registrant, a registration date and time, and a registration content. Here, it is assumed that each macro number is associated with a key of the operation unit 1, but it may be associated with any key. Further, the registered contents may be separately stored and configured to be related by a pointer or the like. In the present invention, as in this example, the registrant is stored for each macro, so that it is possible to confirm who has registered the macro even when the device is shared. Note that the macro table shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and may be configured so that various other information can be registered.
[0015]
The interface unit 6 is for exchanging information with an external device. The specific configuration is arbitrary, and various known interfaces can be applied. Through this interface unit 6, a registered macro can be scripted and transferred to an external device, or a scripted macro can be received and registered through this interface unit 6.
[0016]
Next, an example of an operation related to a macro in the above-described embodiment of the information processing apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a macro registration process. When the user performs a predetermined macro registration operation from the operation unit 1, the operation shown in FIG. 3 is started. Here, one or a plurality of macro keys are provided in the operation unit 1, and a series of operations is registered as a macro in each macro key. The same applies to the following operation examples.
[0017]
In S11, it is determined whether or not the macro key for registering the macro has been operated, and the operation waits for the operation of the macro key. When a macro key is operated, it is determined in S12 whether a series of operations has already been registered for the macro key. If a series of operations has not been registered and a new operation is to be registered, the state is such that the series of operations is registered as it is.
[0018]
The registration of the macro stores a sequence of key operations performed by the user until the macro end key is operated from the operation unit 1. That is, in S13, it is determined whether or not an operation is performed on the operation unit 1, and the process waits until the operation is performed. When the operation is performed, it is determined in S14 whether the operation is an operation of the macro end key. If it is not an operation of the macro end key, in S15, the performed operation is additionally registered in the macro, and the process returns to S13. Each time an operation is performed in this way, the operation is additionally registered in the macro. When the macro end key is operated, in S16, a macro name, a registrant's name, etc. are input to the series of operations up to that time, and information such as the current date and time is added. The macro key is registered in the macro table 5 in association with the macro key. When the registration is completed, a message such as “registration completed” is displayed on the display unit 12 in S17. Alternatively, a list of registered macros may be recorded and output from a recording unit (not shown). Thus, the macro registration operation ends. Thereafter, the operation corresponding to the registered operation can be automatically executed by operating the corresponding macro key.
[0019]
If a series of operations has already been registered in the macro key operated in S11, the registered registrant name and registration date and time are displayed on the display unit 2 in S18 and updated to the user. Confirmation of. The user refers to the displayed registrant name. For example, if the user has registered in the past, the contents of the macro are known, and if the macro has been registered by another person, the displayed registrant is displayed. You can know the contents of the macro by asking. After confirming the registrant name of the macro, the user can determine whether or not the macro can be changed.
[0020]
Upon receiving an instruction from the operation unit 1 by the user, in S19, it is determined whether or not the instruction instructs to change a registered macro. If an instruction to change the macro has been given, the flow advances to S13 to receive a series of operations as described above to update the macro. The registered contents up to now are discarded.
[0021]
If the macro is not changed, the process ends. In this case, since the registered contents of the macro are held as they are, they can be used as a function for confirming the name of the registrant of the macro and the registration date and time.
[0022]
Here, when the macro is changed, all the contents are replaced. For example, by adding functions such as stepping, inserting a step, and deleting a step, it is also possible to configure the already registered contents to be editable. . If the operation of the macro key can be included in the operation to be registered, a new macro partially utilizing another macro can be easily created.
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a macro writing process. As described above, in this example, the registered macro has a function of being scripted and output from the interface unit 6 to the outside. When the user performs a predetermined macro writing operation from the operation unit 1, the operation shown in FIG. 4 is started.
[0024]
In S21, it is determined whether or not a macro key in which a macro to be externally output is registered has been operated, and the operation of the macro key is awaited. When the macro key is operated, in S22, a series of operations associated with the macro key and information such as a registrant and a registration date and time are read from the macro table 5. Then, in S23, information such as the macro name, registrant name, and registration date and time of the macro is displayed on the display unit 2. The user may determine whether or not the macro should be written based on the displayed macro name, registrant name, registration date and time, and the like. If the user has registered in the past, the contents are known, and if the information has been registered by another person, the registrant's name is displayed.
[0025]
The user instructs whether or not to write the macro from the operation unit 1. In S24, the instruction is determined, and if an instruction not to write is received, the writing process is terminated. When an instruction to start writing is received, in a process after S25, a series of registered operations are sequentially converted into character strings for each code. Here, it is assumed that the macro is configured by normal key operations and conditional clauses (including control such as repetition).
[0026]
First, in S25, it is determined whether or not the code is a key operation code. If the code is a key operation code, in S26, it is converted into a character string corresponding to the key operation. The character string at this time may be different depending on the key operation so far, or the conversion to the character string may be suspended until the subsequent key operation. When the conversion of the key operation for one step into a character string is completed, it is determined in S29 whether a series of operations registered as a macro has been completed, and if not completed, the process returns to S25.
[0027]
If it is determined in S25 that the code is not a key operation code, it is determined in S27 whether the code is a conditional clause code. If it is a conditional clause code, in S28, it is converted into a character string representing the conditional clause and a character string representing the condition. If it is a code such as a control indicating repetition, it is converted into a corresponding character string. When the conversion into the character string is completed, it is determined in S29 whether or not a series of operations registered as a macro has been completed, and if not completed, the process returns to S25. If it is not a key operation or a conditional clause, the process proceeds directly to S29.
[0028]
In this way, each code registered as a macro is sequentially converted into a character string in S26 or S28. When all the codes have been converted into character strings, the process proceeds from S29 to S30, and the character strings converted so far are transferred to the external device through the interface 6. Thus, the process of writing the character string corresponding to the registered macro ends.
[0029]
Here, an example has been described in which a macro registered in one macro key is externally output. However, by executing S25 to S29 described above for a plurality of macros, a character string corresponding to the plurality of macros is externally output. It is also possible. In this case, it is desirable that a character string corresponding to each macro can be identified.
[0030]
The macro output as a character string to the external device in this manner can be edited on the external device using, for example, an editor. Then, the edited character string can be returned to the device again and registered as a macro. Also, a character string newly created in the external device can be input to the device and registered as a macro. Hereinafter, an example of the process at this time will be described.
[0031]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a macro reading process. As described above, in this example, an example of a function of registering a macro input as a character string from an external device through the interface unit 6 is shown. The operation shown in FIG. 5 is started when the user performs a predetermined macro reading operation from the operation unit 1.
[0032]
In S41, a character string sent from an external device is received. In S42, the received character strings are sequentially analyzed. Here, it is assumed that the macro is configured by normal key operations and conditional clauses (including control such as repetition).
[0033]
First, in S43, it is determined whether or not the character string indicates a key operation. If the character string indicates a key operation, in S44, the character string is converted into a code indicating a key operation and added to a macro. I do. The code to be converted at this time may differ depending on the result of the conversion up to that point, or may be suspended until the analysis of the subsequent character string proceeds. When the processing for the group of character strings has been completed, it is determined in S47 whether or not the received character string has been completed. If the processing has not been completed, the flow returns to S42.
[0034]
If the analyzed character string does not indicate a key operation, the flow advances to S45 to determine whether or not the analyzed character string is a character string indicating a conditional clause. If it is a character string indicating a conditional clause, in S46, it is converted into a code indicating the conditional clause and added to the macro. At this time, a character string representing a condition is also converted into a code. Of course, a character string for performing control such as repetition is also converted to a corresponding code. When the processing for the group of character strings has been completed, it is determined in S47 whether or not the received character string has been completed. If the processing has not been completed, the flow returns to S42. If it is not a character string indicating a key operation or a conditional clause such as a comment statement, the process directly proceeds to S47.
[0035]
In this way, the character strings received from the external device are sequentially converted into codes in S44 or S46. When the process has been completed for all the received character strings, the process proceeds from S47 to S48, and the input of which macro key is to be registered with the operation unit 1 and the necessary items such as the macro name and the registrant name are accepted. At this time, if registration is attempted to be performed in association with a macro key in which a macro has already been registered, the registrant's name and registration date and time may be displayed on the display unit 2 to urge the user to confirm. Also in this case, by displaying the registrant name, the registered contents can be easily confirmed even when the device is shared.
[0036]
Then, in S49, the macro consisting of the code converted in the processing up to S47 is registered in the macro table together with the macro name, registrant name, current date and time (registration date and time) input in S48. When the registration is completed, a message such as “registration changed” is displayed on the display unit 12 in S50. Alternatively, a list of registered macros may be recorded and output from a recording unit (not shown). In this way, a macro can be registered by inputting a character string from an external device.
[0037]
By utilizing the above-described macro writing and reading processes, the macro can be edited using a familiar editor or word processor on an external device. For example, it is possible to generate a macro by an operation from the operation unit 1 to some extent, and to edit a control part such as a conditional clause and repetition on an external device to complete the macro. It can be done easily. Also, a macro can be newly created on an external device, and the productivity of the macro can be improved.
[0038]
Here, an example has been shown in which a character string is input from an external device for each macro. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the above-described processing may be automatically repeated to register a plurality of macros collectively. Further, for example, by including a description about a macro name, a registrant name, and the like in a character string input from an external device, the input in S48 can be omitted.
[0039]
Further, a function may be provided that utilizes the above-described macro reading process and can immediately execute the macro read from the external device. By using this function and instructing temporary macro registration and execution, it is also possible to control the device from an external device.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a series of operations can be registered as a macro, and the registrant name and the like can be registered together with the macro, so that the registrant name can be confirmed. And In this way, even when a device is shared, it is possible to perform work while confirming who has registered, for example, to confirm whether or not the device has been registered by yourself and to prevent accidental deletion of another person's macro. Can be In addition, if the contents are unknown, it is possible to ask the registrant.
[0041]
Also, a function of outputting a registered macro as a character string to an external device and registering a character string received from the external device as a macro is provided, so that editing and creation of a macro in the external device can be easily performed. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a macro table.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a macro registration process.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a macro writing process.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a macro reading process.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... operation part, 2 ... display part, 3 ... processing part, 4 ... storage part, 5 ... macro table, 6 ... interface part.

Claims (4)

An operation unit operated by a user, a storage unit that stores a series of operations on the operation unit as a macro and stores at least a registrant name of the macro in association with a macro, a display unit, and an operation from the operation unit. An information processing apparatus, comprising: processing means for performing a corresponding process, wherein the registrant name is displayed on the display means when editing the macro stored in the storage means. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at the time of editing the macro, the macro stored in the storage unit is converted into a character string, and the character string can be edited. Furthermore, an interface for communicating with an external device is provided. As the macro editing process, the macro stored in the storage unit is converted into a character string, and the character string can be transmitted from the interface to the external device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Furthermore, it has an interface for communicating with an external device, and as a process for editing the macro, receives a character string corresponding to the macro from the external device through the interface, converts the character string into a macro, and registers the macro with the registrant name. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus can be registered in the storage unit.

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