JP2004252510A - Image forming apparatus help system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus help system that supplies notification information, particularly help information providing an image forming apparatus efficiently and accurately. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus help system 1 reads out help data corresponding to a designated kind of information from a cache memory of an information storage part, and displays the help data on an LCD provided with a touch panel when a help request designating the kind of information is made from the display/input device of an MFP 100. When the help data do not exist in the cache memory, the above help system 1 makes a request for the help data to a server 200 connected to a network NW, stores the help data transmitted from the help server 200 in the cache memory, and displays the data on the LCD provided with a touch panel. The MFP 100 deletes the help data stored in the cache memory according to a prescribed rule when the free space of the cache memory becomes below a prescribed capacity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a help system, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus help system that efficiently and accurately provides notification information provided by an image forming apparatus, in particular, help information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3274439
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-016749 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2002-073232 A
2. Description of the Related Art In image forming apparatuses such as a copying apparatus, a printer apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus, the content of operations performed by a user (user) has been greatly complicated with the advancement of advanced functions and integration. Is growing.
[0003]
Under such circumstances, situations in which the user is lost in the operation method are frequently occurring.
[0004]
In a conventional image forming apparatus, a paper manual is attached to the image forming apparatus, and a user operates by referring to the paper manual.
[0005]
However, in recent years, in order to appropriately save paper resources and upgrade functions of the image forming apparatus, etc., a help text described in a text format electronic text is stored in the memory of the image forming apparatus, and the user is required to store the help text. An electronic text help method for displaying and outputting a help text on a display unit of the image forming apparatus when called out has been adopted.
[0006]
However, in the electronic text help method, it is becoming more and more difficult year by year to store a sufficient help text due to an increase in the number of help texts due to the complexity of functions due to a storage capacity of a memory for storing the help text. Further, in order to improve the clarity of the operation, there is a problem that it is not sufficient to simply display the help text composed only of the text text.
[0007]
Therefore, conventionally, when detecting that the image forming apparatus requires a predetermined operation by an operator, moving image data storage means for storing moving image data indicating a series of procedures of the detected predetermined operation. There has been proposed an operation guidance display device of an image forming apparatus for displaying moving image data on a necessary operation as a moving image together with image processing information on a display means (see Patent Document 1).
[0008]
That is, in this conventional technique, the help is expressed by using moving image data by utilizing the advantage of panel display, thereby improving the intelligibility.
[0009]
Conventionally, display data corresponding to an event that occurs in a device is created in a description format suitable for the Internet environment, and is classified according to the type and / or degree of the event, and is stored in a storage unit in the device or the Internet. The storage location of the corresponding display data is determined on the device side based on the type and / or degree of the event that has occurred, and stored in the storage device in the device or the Internet. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus which selectively accesses the above storage means, reads out display data, and displays the display data on the user interface (see Patent Document 2).
[0010]
In other words, in this conventional technique, a help text is placed on a network, accessed and downloaded as needed, and the help text is inadequate due to the limited storage capacity on the image output device. By avoiding the problem and using data caching together, the speed of access has been increased.
[0011]
Furthermore, conventionally, scenario data for guiding a user while operating a program according to a normal operation procedure is stored in a scenario storage unit for each function of the program, and among all functions in which the scenario data is stored by the scenario storage unit. When any of the functions is selected by the scenario selecting means, the operation guiding means causes the program to operate in a regular operation procedure based on the scenario data held by the scenario holding means corresponding to the selected function. There has been proposed an operation guidance system for guiding a user (see Patent Document 3).
[0012]
In other words, this prior art does not allow the user to understand the operation method by looking at the help, but guides the user directly to the operation with a resident help program, thereby making the operation easier to understand.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional technique, there is a problem of a storage capacity of a memory for storing an electronic help text in an electronic text system, and there is a need for improvement in order to efficiently use help.
[0014]
That is, in the prior arts of Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 3, the storage capacity of the memory is larger than that of the electronic text help method, and the problem of the storage capacity of the memory of the image forming apparatus occurs. In the related art of Patent Document 1, since moving image data is used, many compression formats for moving image data have been proposed, but the file size is still large and the storage capacity of the memory of the image forming apparatus is reduced. was there. Further, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that a high-performance display panel excellent in responsiveness and gradation expression that can endure display of moving image data is required, and costs are increased.
[0015]
Further, in the prior art of Patent Document 2, it seems to function effectively in many situations under an environment connected to a LAN, but a caching control method is not disclosed and is insufficient. It can be called technology.
[0016]
Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus connected to a network for recording and outputting an image on paper has an information storage unit for storing notification information provided to a user, and specifies an information type from an operation unit. When the information request is made, the notification information corresponding to the specified information type is read out from the information storage means, displayed on the display means and provided, and when the notification information does not exist in the information storage means, the connection to the network is made. Requesting the notification information to the information server that has been notified, and storing the notification information transmitted from the information server in the information storage means, and displaying the notification information on the display means when the free space of the information storage means is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity. , The stored notification information is erased, so that the notification information is appropriately provided even if the capacity of the information storage unit of the image forming apparatus is small. Both aims at a time by effectively utilizing the downloaded notification information, appropriately provided, to provide an image forming apparatus help system which can provide a low cost and efficiently notification information.
[0017]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the help information necessary for operating the image forming apparatus is handled as the notification information, so that the help information can be appropriately provided even if the capacity of the information storage unit of the image forming apparatus is small, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus help system which can effectively provide downloaded help information, provide the help information appropriately, and provide the help information inexpensively and efficiently.
[0018]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, by deleting the notification information from the information storage means in the order of the oldest storage date of the notification information in the information storage means, the notification information is efficiently managed, and the storage capacity is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus help system that can effectively and inexpensively provide notification information by effectively utilizing the information storage means.
[0019]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the erasure of the notification information from the information storage unit is performed in the order of the least frequently used type among the plurality of types of notification information stored in the information storage unit. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus help system capable of efficiently managing notification information, making more effective use of a small-capacity information storage unit, and providing notification information at low cost and more efficiently. And
[0020]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the deletion of the notification information from the information storage unit is performed based on the data size of the notification information, so that the cache control of the online notification information can be performed more efficiently, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus help system that can more effectively use information storage means and can provide notification information at a lower cost and more efficiently.
[0021]
The notification information may include a program executable by the image forming apparatus, for example, by executing a simulation of an actual operation of the image forming apparatus using the program, thereby making the notification information more understandable. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus help system capable of providing information and efficiently providing more useful notification information.
[0022]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by using a JAVA applet as a program, it is possible to obtain notification information online in a short time without squeezing the storage capacity of the information storage means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus help system that can easily provide easy-to-understand notification information and can efficiently provide more usable notification information.
[0023]
The invention according to claim 8 uses a mobile agent as a program, so that the notification information can be obtained online in a short time without squeezing the storage capacity of the information storage means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus help system that can easily provide easy-to-understand notification information and can efficiently provide more usable notification information.
[0024]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the notification information is formed by a plurality of types of notification information in response to the same type of request, and the image forming apparatus responds to the request for the notification information by the operation unit. When the format of the notification information for the request is selected and specified by the selection unit, the notification information in the selected and specified format is read from the information storage unit and the notification information in the format is provided, or the notification information in the format is provided to the information server. Request for the notification information in the specified format, the notification information transmitted from the information server is stored in the information storage means, and the notification information in the format is provided, whereby the notification in the format corresponding to the user's request is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus help system that can provide information and more efficiently provide notification information that is more usable.
[0025]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the notification information includes a program executable by the image forming apparatus as one of a plurality of types of formats. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus help system that can provide notification information and can efficiently provide more useful notification information.
[0026]
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the notification information is provided as one of a plurality of types of formats and includes switching of the language in which the notification information is displayed, thereby providing notification information in a language required by various users. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus help system capable of efficiently providing notification information with even better availability.
[0027]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The image forming apparatus help system according to the first aspect of the present invention is connected to a network, records and outputs an image on a sheet, and displays at least operation means for performing various operations and requesting display of predetermined notification information and predetermined information. An image forming apparatus provided with a display unit for performing the above operation, and notification information connected to the network and provided to the image forming apparatus, stored in an information storage unit, and responding to the request from the image forming apparatus in response to the request. An information server that reads the notification information of the type from the information storage unit and transmits the notification information to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes an information storage unit having a predetermined capacity for storing the received notification information, When an information request specifying an information type is made by the operation means, the notification information corresponding to the specified information type is read from the information storage means and When the notification information is displayed on the display means and the notification information does not exist in the information storage means, a request for the notification information is made to the information server, and the notification information transmitted from the information server is stored in the information storage means. An image forming apparatus help system for displaying on the display means, wherein when the free space of the information storage means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity, the image forming apparatus erases the notification information to be stored, thereby achieving the above object. Have achieved.
[0028]
According to the above configuration, the image forming apparatus connected to the network for recording and outputting an image on paper has information storage means for storing notification information provided to the user, and an information request specifying an information type is made from the operation means. Then, the notification information corresponding to the specified information type is read from the information storage means and displayed on the display means and provided, and when the notification information does not exist in the information storage means, the information connected to the network is provided. A request for notification information is made to the server, and the notification information transmitted from the information server is stored in the information storage means, and when displayed on the display means, when the free space of the information storage means becomes less than or equal to a predetermined capacity, Since the stored notification information is deleted, the notification information can be appropriately provided even if the capacity of the information storage unit of the image forming apparatus is small. Once by effectively utilizing the downloaded notification information, appropriately can be provided, it is possible to provide an inexpensive and efficiently notification information.
[0029]
In this case, for example, in the image forming apparatus help system, the notification information may be help information necessary for operating the image forming apparatus.
[0030]
According to the above configuration, since the help information necessary for operating the image forming apparatus is handled as the notification information, the help information can be appropriately provided even if the capacity of the information storage unit of the image forming apparatus is small, and the help information can be provided once. The downloaded help information can be used effectively and provided appropriately, and the help information can be provided inexpensively and efficiently.
[0031]
Further, for example, as described in claim 3, the image forming apparatus executes the deletion of the notification information from the information storage unit in the order of older storage date of the notification information in the information storage unit. It may be.
[0032]
According to the above configuration, the deletion of the notification information from the information storage unit is performed in the order of the oldest storage date of the notification information in the information storage unit. The means can be effectively used, and the notification information can be provided inexpensively and efficiently.
[0033]
Furthermore, for example, as set forth in claim 4, the image forming apparatus is configured to delete the notification information from the information storage unit, and to perform the erasure of the plurality of types of notification information stored in the information storage unit. The steps may be performed in the order of the type that is used less frequently.
[0034]
According to the configuration, the erasure of the notification information from the information storage unit is performed in the order of the least frequently used type among the plurality of types of notification information stored in the information storage unit, so that the efficiency is further improved. By managing the notification information, the information storage means having a small capacity can be more effectively used, and the notification information can be provided at lower cost and more efficiently.
[0035]
Further, for example, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus deletes the notification information from the information storage unit based on a data size of the notification information to the information storage unit. It may be.
[0036]
According to the above configuration, the erasure of the notification information from the information storage unit is performed based on the data size of the notification information. Can be used more effectively, and the notification information can be provided inexpensively and more efficiently.
[0037]
Further, for example, in the image forming apparatus help system, the notification information may include a program executable by the image forming apparatus.
[0038]
According to the above configuration, the notification information includes a program that can be executed by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, for example, a simulation of an actual operation of the image forming apparatus is executed by the program, and notification information that is more easily understood is generated. The notification information can be provided, and the more useful notification information can be efficiently provided.
[0039]
Further, for example, as described in claim 7, the program may be a JAVA applet.
[0040]
According to the above configuration, since the JAVA applet is used as the program, it is possible to obtain the notification information online in a short time without squeezing the storage capacity of the information storage means. It is possible to easily provide easy-to-use notification information, and it is possible to efficiently provide more useful notification information.
[0041]
Further, for example, as described in claim 8, the program may be a mobile agent.
[0042]
According to the above configuration, since the mobile agent is used as the program, it is possible to obtain the notification information online in a short time without squeezing the storage capacity of the information storage means. It is possible to easily provide easy-to-use notification information, and it is possible to efficiently provide more useful notification information.
[0043]
Further, for example, as described in claim 9, in the image forming apparatus help system, the notification information includes a plurality of types of notification information in response to the same type of request, and the image forming apparatus Selecting means for selecting and specifying the format of the notification information in response to the request for the notification information by the operating means, and reading the notification information in the format selected and specified by the selecting means from the information storage means. Providing the notification information in the format in question, or making a request for the notification information in the format specified and specified to the information server, and storing the notification information transmitted from the information server in the information storage means. The notification information of the format may be provided.
[0044]
According to the above configuration, the notification information is formed of notification information of a plurality of types for the same type of request, and the image forming apparatus responds to the request for the notification information by the operation unit in response to the information request. When the format of the notification information is selected and specified by the selection means, the notification information of the selected and specified format is read from the information storage means and provided with the notification information of the format, or the format specified by the selection to the information server is provided. Request information, the notification information transmitted from the information server is stored in the information storage unit, and the notification information in the format is provided, so the notification information in the format according to the user's request is provided. It is possible to more efficiently provide notification information that is more usable.
[0045]
Further, for example, in the image forming apparatus help system, the notification information includes a program executable in the image forming apparatus as one of the plurality of types. You may.
[0046]
According to the above configuration, the notification information includes a program that can be executed by the image forming apparatus as one of a plurality of types. Therefore, in response to a user's request, a notification in a format according to the user's request is provided. Information can be provided, and notification information with even better availability can be efficiently provided.
[0047]
Further, for example, as described in claim 11, in the image forming apparatus help system, the notification information includes, as one of a plurality of types of the notification information, switching of a language in which the notification information is displayed. It may be something.
[0048]
According to the above configuration, the notification information is set to one of a plurality of types and includes switching of the language in which the notification information is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to provide notification information in a language required by various users. This makes it possible to efficiently provide notification information with even better availability.
[0049]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, various technically preferred limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. The embodiments are not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified.
[0050]
FIGS. 1 to 6 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus help system of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram to which the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus help system of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus help system. This embodiment corresponds to claims 1 to 5.
[0051]
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus help system 1 includes an MFP (multifunction apparatus) 100 as an image forming apparatus and a help server (information server) 200 connected via a network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network). And the help server 200 are connected via a gateway.
[0052]
In the MFP 100, as shown in FIG. 2, a bus 101 is connected to an information processing unit 102, an information storage unit 103, a document reading unit 104, a communication control unit 105, an I / O controller 106, an engine controller 107, and the like. It has multiple functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function (FAX function), and a scanner function.
[0053]
The display / input device unit 108 and the NIC (Network Interface Card) 109 are connected to the I / O controller 106, and an external device 300 is connected to the I / O controller 106. The engine controller 107 is connected to the feed / discharge unit 110 and the print unit. The engine 111 and the like are connected.
[0054]
The information storage unit 103 is a ROM that stores a system OS (Operating System), various control programs necessary for copy, facsimile, printer and scanner processes, a PDL (print data) processing system of the printer, system initial setting values, and the like. (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) for a work memory, a hard disk (HDD), a flash memory, and the like, and a memory with a battery backup or a hard disk as a cache memory. Help data (notification information) used in the present embodiment is stored in a file format in this cache memory (information storage means). When the cache memory becomes full (when the free space becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity), the cache memory (notification information) becomes a predetermined data. Erasing is performed based on an erasing rule, for example, chronologically old date, least frequently used, small data size, large data size, etc.
[0055]
Further, the hard disk of the information storage unit 103 stores various programs such as the basic program as the MFP 100 and the help program according to the present embodiment, and various data necessary for executing the programs.
[0056]
The information processing unit 102 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, controls each unit of the MFP 100 based on a program of the information storage unit 103, executes a basic process as the MFP 100, and executes a help process described later. However, in particular, the cache control in the help processing is implemented as an independent process that operates on the system OS.
[0057]
The document reading unit 104 includes a scanner mechanism, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and the like, and reads, at a predetermined resolution, images of documents conveyed one by one from the ADF to a reading position of the scanner mechanism.
[0058]
The communication control unit 105 includes a modular jack, an NCU, and the like, is connected to a telephone line, and performs program call control and the like by performing automatic call processing, incoming call processing, modulation / demodulation processing, and the like via the telephone line.
[0059]
The display / input device unit 108 includes a help key 121, a copy key 122, a printer key 123, a FAX key 124, a ten key 125, a clear key 126, a reset key 127, and a start key 128, as shown in FIG. And an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 129 with a touch panel. The LCD 129 with a touch panel displays keys other than the above-described keys and keys necessary for operating the MFP 100. Various information to be notified to the user, in particular, help information described later is displayed. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the copy mode is selected by the copy key 122 and the automatic paper selection, the character photograph mode, and the automatic density mode are selected by the key buttons of the LCD 129 with a touch panel.
[0060]
Again, in FIG. 2, the network 109 is connected to the NIC 109, and the NIC 109 communicates with devices on the network NW, particularly, the help server 200.
[0061]
The I / O controller 106 exchanges information with the display / input device unit 108, the NIC 109, and the external device 300.
[0062]
The print engine 111 operates under the control of the engine controller 107 to record and output an image on a sheet based on image data by a predetermined printing method, for example, an ink ejection method, an electrophotographic method, or the like.
[0063]
The paper supply / discharge unit 110 operates under the control of the engine controller 107, conveys sheets one by one to the print position of the print engine 111, and discharges the paper printed by the print engine 111 as a print.
[0064]
The help server 200 uses, for example, a computer, and includes a display 201, an input unit 202 such as a keyboard and a pointing device, a FAX modem 203, a data reading device 204 such as an FDD, an arithmetic processing device 205, and the like.
[0065]
The arithmetic processing unit 205 includes a CPU 211, a DISK 212, a NIC 213, a RAM 214, a ROM 215, an I / O controller 216, and the like, and each unit is connected by a bus 217.
[0066]
The NIC 213 is connected to a network NW, and communicates with devices on the network NW, particularly, the MFP 100.
[0067]
The I / O controller 216 is connected to an external device and exchanges information with the external device.
[0068]
The DISK 212 is a large-capacity storage device, for example, a fixed disk, and stores an OS, a help data program, a web server program, and the like. The OS does not need to be a specific type of OS. As the web server program, a general-purpose program such as Apache is used.
[0069]
The DISK (information storage means) 212 stores help data (notification information) for character data (Japanese text data), for example, in html format, and for image data, for example, in jpg format. Stored in.
[0070]
The help server 200 reads a communication-related processing program such as a web server program when the OS is started, processes the program in the background, and transmits help information required by the MFP 100 according to a request from the MFP 100.
[0071]
The image forming apparatus help system 1 includes, as a configuration of the MFP 100 and the help server 200, a single help server 200 and a plurality of models as long as the capacity of the DISK 212 permits and the amount of traffic to the help server 200 permits. The configuration may be such that the MFP 100 is supported, or conversely, in order to provide help data of one type of MFP 100, a plurality of help servers 200 may be connected and provided on the network NW.
[0072]
Further, the help server 200 associates a help item (help type) with a relatively large number of accesses as a help item with a high probability that the user is confused by utilizing the fact that the web server program automatically writes the access log. The number of accesses to each help item may be stored as data that can be used for designing a user interface of MFP 100.
[0073]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment, when the user is confused when operating the MFP 100, the user presses the help key 121 of the display / input device unit 108, and the cache of the information storage unit 103 is opened. On the basis of the help data downloaded from the memory or the help server 200, help information of various operations can be displayed on the LCD 129 with a touch panel.
[0074]
Now, a case where the user gets lost in the operation of the sorting function will be described below. In this case, the user presses the help key 121 of the display / input device 108 shown in FIG. 3 and touches the sort button of the LCD 129 with a touch panel.
[0075]
When the help key 121 is pressed and the sort button is touched, the MFP 100 searches the help data of the sort function of the cache memory of the information storage unit 103, and if the help data of the sort function is present in the cache memory, the MFP 100 The help data is read out and, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the help information is displayed and output on the LCD 129 with a touch panel of the display / input device 108.
[0076]
Further, when the help data of the sort function does not exist in the cache memory when searching the cache memory, MFP 100 reads out a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) corresponding to the help data of the sort function from information storage unit 103, and reads the URL. The help server 200 accesses the help server 200 and sends a request for help data of the sort function, as indicated by the broken line Req in FIG.
[0077]
When there is a request for help data of the sort function from MFP 100, help server 200 reads the help data of the sort function requested from DISK 212 and transmits the help data to MFP 100 as shown by a dashed line Help in FIG. 6. . The help server 200 transmits the help data using, for example, http as a communication protocol, and transmits the help data, for example, in the html format for text data and in the jpg format for image data. .
[0078]
When the help data is transmitted from the help server 200, the MFP 100 receives the help data, and displays and outputs the help information on the LCD 129 with the touch panel of the display / input device 108, as shown in FIG. The received help data is stored in the cache memory. In the display of the help data, when the help data from the help server 200 is transmitted in the html format or the jpg format as described above, the MFP 100 uses the built-in browser to display the help data on the LCD 129 with a touch panel. As help information.
[0079]
FIG. 5 shows a state in which the help information is displayed in Japanese text and an image file (one object).
[0080]
When the cache memory of the information storage unit 103 becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined capacity, for example, full, the MFP 100 deletes the already stored help data according to a predetermined erasing rule, for example, from the oldest storage date to the cache memory. Erasing is performed based on an erasing rule such as the order of least frequently used, the order of small data size, and the order of large data size.
[0081]
As described above, in the image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment, the MFP 100 connected to the network NW and recording and outputting the image on paper has the cache memory of the information storage unit 103 that stores the notification information provided to the user. Then, when an information request specifying the information type is made from the display / input device unit 108, the notification information corresponding to the specified information type is read out from the cache memory of the information storage unit 103, and the display / input device unit 108 When the notification information is not displayed in the cache memory of the information storage unit 103, the request is sent to the help server 200 connected to the network NW, and the notification information is transmitted from the help server 200. When the notified notification information is stored in the cache memory of the information storage unit 103, In, when displayed on the touch panel LED 129, when the free capacity of the cache memory of the information storage unit 103 becomes less than a predetermined capacity, and erasing the notification information the storage.
[0082]
Therefore, the notification information can be provided appropriately even if the capacity of the cache memory of the information storage unit 103 of the MFP 100 is small, and the notification information downloaded once can be used effectively to provide the notification information appropriately. Notification information can be provided quickly and efficiently.
[0083]
Further, image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment handles help information (help data) necessary for operation of MFP 100 as notification information.
[0084]
Therefore, the help information can be provided appropriately even if the capacity of the cache memory of the information storage unit 103 of the MFP 100 is small, and the help information downloaded once can be used effectively to provide the help information appropriately. Help information can be provided quickly and efficiently.
[0085]
Further, the image forming apparatus help system 1 according to the present embodiment deletes the notification information from the cache memory of the information storage unit 103 in the order of older storage date of the notification information in the cache memory.
[0086]
Therefore, the notification information can be efficiently managed, the cache memory having a small capacity can be effectively used, and the notification information can be provided inexpensively and efficiently.
[0087]
Further, the image forming apparatus help system 1 according to the present embodiment deletes the notification information from the cache memory of the information storage unit 103 by changing the type of the less frequently used notification information from the plurality of types of notification information stored in the cache memory. Are implemented in the following order.
[0088]
Therefore, the notification information can be managed more efficiently, the cache memory with a small capacity can be more effectively utilized, and the notification information can be provided at a lower cost and more efficiently.
[0089]
Further, the help system 1 according to the present embodiment deletes the notification information from the cache memory of the information storage unit 103 based on the data size of the notification information. Therefore, the cache control of the online notification information can be performed more efficiently, the cache memory with a smaller capacity can be more effectively used, and the notification information can be provided at lower cost and more efficiently.
[0090]
FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus help system according to the present invention. This embodiment corresponds to claims 6 to 8.
[0091]
Note that this embodiment is applied to an image forming apparatus help system similar to the image forming apparatus help system 1 of the first embodiment, and in the description of the present embodiment, the first embodiment will be described. The description will be made using the reference numerals used in the embodiments as they are.
[0092]
The image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment not only displays help information based on character information and image information (image objects), but also provides operation guidance using a program.
[0093]
Therefore, in the image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment, not only the help data based on the character data and the image data but also a program for performing operation guidance is stored in the cache memory of the MFP 100 and the DISK 212 of the help server 200. Have been.
[0094]
As this program, for example, a JAVA applet or a mobile agent that can be executed by the MFP 100 can be used. The JAVA applet is a program that can be used to represent a moving object in a browser. Since it is a mere program, it has a feature that its size is very small compared to a moving image data file, but the activity target is a browser. Only inside. A mobile agent is a type of remote programming technique, and is simply called an agent program or a software agent. The mobile agent has more flexibility as a program than the JAVA applet, and can directly cooperate with a program outside the browser, that is, a program inside the system of the MFP 100.
[0095]
Then, as described above, when reading the help data of the requested help from the cache memory, the MFP 100 reads a program such as a JAVA applet or a mobile agent corresponding to the requested help together, or When the help data of the requested help is downloaded from the server 200, a program such as a JAVA applet or a mobile agent corresponding to the requested help is downloaded together, and the read help data or the help information of the downloaded help data is downloaded. Is displayed on the LCD 129 with a touch panel. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, MFP 100 displays a touch button “Display guidance”, and the user performs a touch operation on this touch button when requesting guidance. This guidance is to present the actual operation method to the user by displaying a moving object or flashing a lamp of a button or the like.
[0096]
When the touch button for requesting the guidance display is touched, MFP 100 executes the program read out together with the help data or the program downloaded from help server 200 together with the help data, for example, as shown in FIG. Guidance on the actual operation method is provided by displaying moving objects and blinking indicators of buttons.
[0097]
For example, in the case of FIG. 8, a display example of the sort guidance is shown, in which character help information of items 1 to 4 is displayed, and a blinking arrow (in FIG. .) Moves from item 1 in the order of constant intervals, and finally blinks at the position of item 4. In FIG. 8, item 4 shows a state in which the start button 128 is also blinked to guide the button (key) to be actually operated.
[0098]
The start button 128 is blinked by a program, for example, a mobile agent. In other words, the program causes the start button 128 to blink by directly operating a button control API (Application Program Interface) existing inside the MFP 100. Also in the above items 1 to 3, the corresponding buttons (keys), lamps, movable parts, etc. may be operated to visually guide the operation.
[0099]
The program for performing the operation guidance is not limited to the program read out from the cache memory together with the help data as described above, and is not limited to the program downloaded from the help server 200. You may download from.
[0100]
As described above, image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment includes a program that can execute notification information (help data) on MFP 100.
[0101]
Therefore, for example, a simulation of the actual operation of MFP 100 can be executed by a program to provide more easily understandable notification information (help data), and efficiently provide more usable notification information. be able to.
[0102]
Further, the image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment uses a JAVA applet as a program.
[0103]
Therefore, the notification information can be easily provided without compromising the storage capacity of the cache memory of the information storage unit 103, and the notification information can be obtained online in a short time. Thus, it is possible to efficiently provide notification information with even better availability.
[0104]
Further, image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment uses a mobile agent as a program.
[0105]
Therefore, the notification information can be easily provided without compromising the storage capacity of the cache memory of the information storage unit 103, and the notification information can be obtained online in a short time. Thus, it is possible to efficiently provide notification information with even better availability.
[0106]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus help system of the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to claims 9 to 11.
[0107]
Note that this embodiment is applied to an image forming apparatus help system similar to the image forming apparatus help system 1 of the first embodiment, and in the description of the present embodiment, the first embodiment will be described. The description will be made using the reference numerals used in the embodiments as they are.
[0108]
The image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment not only displays help information using character information and image information (image objects), but also provides operation guidance using a program, but the user selects a help type in advance. Is what you do.
[0109]
That is, when the help key 121 is pressed as described above, the MFP 100 displays a help designation screen (selection means) on the LCD 129 with a touch panel of the display / input device 108, as shown in FIG. ) Is displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, the help designation screen is, for example, a screen for selectively designating display by text and display by multimedia. This text display is for displaying the help information using the text and the image file (object) shown in the first embodiment. The multimedia display is used for the display in the second embodiment. The help information accompanied by the operation guidance by the program is displayed.
[0110]
When any one of the text display button and the multimedia display button on touch panel-equipped LCD 129 is touched and selected, MFP 100 displays help data corresponding to the selected help type (multimedia in the case of multimedia). , And programs) are read from the cache memory or downloaded from the help server 200 and displayed as help information on the LCD 129 with a touch panel. In the case of multimedia, operation guidance is performed.
[0111]
As described above, image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment forms notification information in a plurality of types of notification information in response to the same type of request. When the format of the notification information corresponding to the information request is selected and specified in response to the request for the notification information, the notification information of the selected and specified format is read out from the cache memory of the information storage unit 108 and the notification information of the format is read. The notification information provided from the help server 200 is provided in the cache memory of the information storage unit 108 by providing the request information to the help server 200 or requesting the help server 200 for the notification information in the selected and designated format. Provides notification information.
[0112]
Therefore, it is possible to provide notification information in a format according to the user's request, and it is possible to more efficiently provide notification information with even higher usability.
[0113]
Further, image forming apparatus help system 1 of the present embodiment includes a program that can be executed by MFP 100 in one of a plurality of types of notification information.
[0114]
Therefore, in response to the user's request, it is possible to provide the notification information in a format corresponding to the user's request, and it is possible to efficiently provide the notification information with even better usability. In other words, when the network bandwidth is low or the network traffic is heavy, the user selects the text display, and in the opposite case, the user selects the multimedia display, so that the user can obtain the optimal help according to the environment. You can choose yourself.
[0115]
In the above description, characters, images, and programs are taken as examples of the type of help data that is the notification information. However, the type of help data may include a language. That is, regarding the display language, not only Japanese but also help in another language (for example, English, German, etc.) may be prepared as help data, and the user may be able to select a language in which the help data is displayed. In this case, font data of the help data of the corresponding language and a screen for switching the language setting are prepared, and when the user switches the language setting, help data corresponding to the required language is requested from the cache memory or the help server 200. Thus, it can be easily realized.
[0116]
By doing so, it is possible to provide notification information (help data) in a language required by various users, and it is possible to efficiently provide notification information with even better availability.
[0117]
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the help is provided and displayed as visual information to provide the help. However, the method of providing the help is not limited to the display output. For example, when the multimedia is selected. Alternatively, audio output may be used, or audio and display output may be used together.
[0118]
In this case, a speaker, an amplifier, an audio D / A converter, and the like are provided in the MFP 100 in advance, and compressed audio data is prepared as a part of the help data.
[0119]
As described above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. Needless to say.
[0120]
【The invention's effect】
According to the image forming apparatus help system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus connected to the network and recording and outputting the image on paper has information storage means for storing notification information provided to the user, and the operating means When an information request specifying an information type is made from the server, the notification information corresponding to the specified information type is read from the information storage means, displayed on the display means, and provided, and the notification information is present in the information storage means. If not, a request for notification information is made to an information server connected to the network, and the notification information transmitted from the information server is stored in the information storage means, and when displayed on the display means, the information storage means When the free space becomes equal to or less than the predetermined capacity, the stored notification information is deleted. It is possible to provide the notification information, a time by effectively utilizing the downloaded notification information, appropriately can be provided, it is possible to provide an inexpensive and efficiently notification information.
[0121]
According to the image forming apparatus help system according to the second aspect of the present invention, help information necessary for operating the image forming apparatus is handled as the notification information. Therefore, even if the capacity of the information storage unit of the image forming apparatus is small, the help is appropriately provided. The information can be provided, and the help information downloaded once can be effectively utilized and appropriately provided, and the help information can be provided inexpensively and efficiently.
[0122]
According to the image forming apparatus help system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the notification information is deleted from the information storage means in the order of the oldest storage date of the notification information in the information storage means. , The information storage means having a small capacity can be effectively used, and the notification information can be provided inexpensively and efficiently.
[0123]
According to the image forming apparatus help system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the deletion of the notification information from the information storage unit is performed by changing the type of the less frequently used notification information from the plurality of types of notification information stored in the information storage unit. Since the notification information is sequentially executed, the notification information can be managed more efficiently, the information storage means having a smaller capacity can be more effectively used, and the notification information can be provided at lower cost and more efficiently.
[0124]
According to the image forming apparatus help system of the present invention, the erasure of the notification information from the information storage means is performed based on the data size of the notification information, so that more efficient cache control of the online notification information is performed. Is performed, the information storage means having a small capacity can be more effectively utilized, and the notification information can be provided at lower cost and more efficiently.
[0125]
According to the image forming apparatus help system of the present invention, since the notification information includes a program executable by the image forming apparatus, for example, a simulation of an actual operation of the image forming apparatus is executed by the program. As a result, the notification information that is more easily understood can be provided, and the notification information that is more usable can be efficiently provided.
[0126]
According to the image forming apparatus help system of the present invention, since the JAVA applet is used as the program, the acquisition of the notification information online can be shortened without squeezing the storage capacity of the information storage means. In a timely manner, more intuitive notification information can be easily provided, and more useful notification information can be efficiently provided.
[0127]
According to the image forming apparatus help system of the present invention, since the mobile agent is used as the program, the acquisition of the notification information online can be shortened without squeezing the storage capacity of the information storage means. In a timely manner, more intuitive notification information can be easily provided, and more useful notification information can be efficiently provided.
[0128]
According to the image forming apparatus help system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the notification information is formed by a plurality of types of notification information in response to the same type of request, and the image forming apparatus is notified by the operation means. When the format of the notification information corresponding to the information request is selected and specified by the selection unit in response to the information request, the notification information in the selected and specified format is read from the information storage unit and the notification information in the format is provided, or Requesting the information server for the notification information of the selected and designated format, storing the notification information transmitted from the information server in the information storage means, and providing the notification information of the format, It is possible to provide notification information in a format according to a request, and it is possible to more efficiently provide notification information with better availability.
[0129]
According to the image forming apparatus help system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the notification information includes a program that can be executed by the image forming apparatus in one of a plurality of types of formats. Thus, it is possible to provide notification information in a format according to a user's request, and it is possible to efficiently provide notification information with even better availability.
[0130]
According to the image forming apparatus help system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the notification information is included in one of a plurality of types and includes switching of the language in which the notification information is displayed, various kinds of user needs The notification information in the language described below can be provided, and the notification information with even better usability can be efficiently provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus help system to which a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus help system according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a display example of an LCD with a touch panel of the display / input device in a normal operation of the MFP of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the help server shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a display example of help information of a sort function displayed on the LCD with a touch panel of the MFP of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a process of requesting help data from the MFP of FIG. 1 to the help server and transmitting the help data from the help server.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a display example of help information of a sort function on an LCD with a touch panel of an MFP in an image forming apparatus help system to which an image forming apparatus help system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.
8 is a plan view showing a display example of the guidance of the display / input device unit when the display of the guidance of FIG. 7 is selected.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an example of a help type selection screen for an LCD with a touch panel of an MFP in an image forming apparatus help system to which an image forming apparatus help system according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Help system for image forming equipment
NW network
100 MFP
101 bus
102 Information processing unit
103 Information storage unit
104 Document reading unit
105 Communication control unit
106 I / O controller
107 Engine controller
108 Display / input device section
109 NIC
121 Help key
122 Copy key
123 Printer key
124 FAX key
125 numeric keypad
126 Clear key
127 Reset key
128 Start key
129 LCD with touch panel
200 Help Server
201 Display
202 Input section
203 fax modem
204 data reader
205 arithmetic processing unit
211 CPU
212 DISK
213 NIC
214 RAM
215 ROM
216 I / O controller
217 bus
300 External device

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus which is connected to a network, records and outputs an image on a sheet, and includes at least an operation unit for performing various operations and requesting display of predetermined notification information and a display unit for displaying predetermined information; The notification information to be provided to the image forming apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus is stored in an information storage unit, and in response to the request from the image forming apparatus, the notification information of a type corresponding to the request is read from the information storage unit to read the image. An information server for transmitting to the forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus has an information storage unit having a predetermined capacity for storing the received notification information, and an information request in which an information type is specified by the operation unit is performed. And the notification information corresponding to the specified information type is read from the information storage means and displayed on the display means, and the notification information is stored in the information storage means. When not present, the image forming apparatus help system requests the information server for notification information, stores the notification information transmitted from the information server in the information storage unit, and displays the notification information on the display unit. The image forming apparatus help system, wherein when the free space of the information storage unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity, the image forming apparatus deletes the stored notification information. 2. The image forming apparatus help system according to claim 1, wherein the notification information is help information necessary for operating the image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification information is deleted from the information storage unit in a descending order of a storage date of the notification information in the information storage unit. 4. Image forming device help system. The image forming apparatus performs the erasure of the notification information from the information storage unit in the order of least frequently used among the plurality of types of notification information stored in the information storage unit. The help system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the help system is used. 3. The image forming apparatus help system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus deletes the notification information from the information storage unit based on a data size of the notification information. The image forming apparatus help system according to claim 1, wherein the notification information includes a program executable by the image forming apparatus. 7. The help system according to claim 6, wherein the program is a JAVA applet. The help system according to claim 6, wherein the program is a mobile agent. In the image forming apparatus help system, the notification information includes a plurality of types of notification information in response to a request of the same type, and the image forming apparatus responds to the request of the notification information in the operation unit. Selecting means for selecting and specifying the format of the notification information for the information request, reading the notification information in the format selected and specified by the selection means from the information storage means, and providing the notification information in the format, or Requesting the information server for the notification information in the selected and designated format, storing the notification information transmitted from the information server in the information storage means, and providing the notification information in the format. The help system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the help system is used. The image forming apparatus help system according to claim 9, wherein the notification information includes a program executable by the image forming apparatus as one of the plurality of types. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the notification information includes, as one of a plurality of types of the notification information, switching of a language in which the notification information is displayed. Help system.

Images