JP2005148857A - Information processor, its control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor and its control method and program for improving usability to the operation of equipment to be operated. <P>SOLUTION: The combination of a plurality of kinds of setting is stored in an information storing part 104 as macro which can be set in a batch by one operation, and when desired setting is established in the plurality of kinds of setting by a setting input part 101, a macro extracting part 103 extracts the macro including the setting and the set value from the information storing part 104. A macro presenting part 107 selectively outputs the macro information related with the extracted macro. Then, when the macro information is selected, a series of processing is executed by using the combination of the plurality of kinds of setting owned by the macro corresponding to the selected macro information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that executes a series of processes according to a plurality of types of settings, a control method therefor, and a program.

  Until now, many techniques have been proposed as a technique for supporting user input. Among them, there is a method of monitoring a user's operation, predicting a subsequent operation, and simplifying the subsequent operation.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for predicting and presenting an item selected next from a past operation history.

In many cases of device operation and form input, a plurality of types of values are set. For example, in the operation of the copying machine, it is necessary to make a plurality of settings such as the number of copies, paper size, magnification, single side / double side designation, and the like. For such a setting, a function of registering a combination of setting values as a macro is useful and has already been implemented in a practical system such as a copier. For example, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique of creating a button by making a function used more than a certain amount from a past history into a macro.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-215278 JP 2001-022493 A

  However, although the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 predicts the next operation, it cannot predict the entire combination of setting values or predict and present an appropriate macro from registered macros. Further, in the case of a macro related one as in Patent Document 2, there is no conventional technique for presenting an appropriate macro from a registered macro during user input.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program capable of improving usability with respect to operation of an operation target device.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An information processing apparatus that executes a series of processes according to a plurality of types of settings,
Setting means for performing the plurality of types of settings;
Holding means for holding a combination of the plurality of types of settings in a storage medium as a macro that can be set at one time by one operation;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, an extraction unit that extracts the setting and a macro including the setting value from the storage medium;
Output means for selectively outputting macro information relating to the macro extracted by the extraction means;
When the macro information output by the output unit is selected, the execution unit executes the series of processes using a combination of a plurality of types of settings that the macro corresponding to the selected macro information has .

Preferably, for each macro held in the storage medium by the holding unit, a macro setting frequency, or a combination of a set value corresponding to the macro and a set value set in the past by the setting unit A frequency recording means for recording the matched frequency in the storage medium;
The output means refers to the storage medium, acquires the frequency of each of the plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means, and based on the acquired frequency, macro information relating to each of the plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means Control the output of.

  Preferably, the output unit does not output macro information regarding a macro whose frequency is equal to or less than a threshold value among macro information regarding each of a plurality of macros extracted by the extraction unit.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises recording means for recording a combination of set values set in the past and the frequency thereof in the storage medium,
The output means refers to the storage medium, acquires the frequency of each of the plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means, and the frequency corresponding to the combination of the setting values set by the setting means, and the acquired frequency The output of macro information relating to each of a plurality of macros extracted by the extracting means is controlled based on the probability calculated from

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises time recording means for recording a combination of set values set in the past and the time on the storage medium,
The output means refers to the storage medium, acquires the time of each of the plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means, and based on the acquired time, macro information relating to each of the plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means Control the output of.

  Preferably, the output means does not output macro information related to a macro whose time is older than a predetermined time among macro information related to each of a plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means.

  Preferably, the output means outputs the macro information on a screen.

  Preferably, the output means outputs the macro information as a voice.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An information processing apparatus that executes a series of processes according to a plurality of types of settings,
Setting means for performing the plurality of types of settings;
Holding means for holding a combination of setting values for the plurality of types of settings set in the past in a storage medium;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, an extraction unit that extracts a combination of the setting and a setting value including the setting value from the storage medium;
An output means for selectively outputting setting information relating to a combination of setting values extracted by the extracting means;
And execution means for executing the series of processes using a combination of setting values corresponding to the selected setting information when the setting information output by the output means is selected.

Preferably, the recording apparatus further includes a frequency recording unit that records in the storage medium the frequency at which the combination of the setting values held by the holding unit is held in the storage medium and the combination of the setting values set by the setting unit.
The output means refers to the storage medium, acquires the frequency of each combination of the plurality of setting values extracted by the extraction means, and based on the acquired frequency, the plurality of setting values extracted by the extraction means Controls the output of setting information for each combination.

  Preferably, the output means does not output setting information related to a combination of setting values whose frequency is equal to or less than a threshold value among setting information related to a combination of a plurality of setting values extracted by the extracting means.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises recording means for recording a combination of set values set in the past and the frequency thereof in the storage medium,
The output means refers to the storage medium, obtains the frequency of each combination of the plurality of setting values extracted by the extracting means, and the frequency corresponding to the combination of the setting values set by the setting means, Based on the probability calculated from the acquired frequency, the output of the setting information regarding each combination of a plurality of setting values extracted by the extracting means is controlled.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises time recording means for recording a combination of set values set in the past and the time on the storage medium,
The output means refers to the storage medium, acquires each time of a combination of a plurality of setting values extracted by the extracting means, and based on the acquired time, a plurality of setting values extracted by the extracting means Controls the output of setting information for each combination.

  Preferably, the output means does not output setting information related to a combination of settings whose time is older than a predetermined time among the setting information related to each combination of a plurality of setting values extracted by the extracting means.

  Preferably, the output means outputs the setting information on a screen.

  Preferably, the output means outputs the setting information by voice.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus that executes a series of processing by a plurality of types of settings,
A setting step for performing the plurality of types of settings;
A holding step of holding the combination of the plurality of types of settings in a storage medium as a macro that can be set at one time by one operation;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, an extraction step of extracting the setting and a macro including the setting value from the storage medium;
An output step for selectively outputting macro information relating to the macro extracted in the extraction step;
When the macro information output in the output step is selected, an execution step of executing the series of processes using a combination of a plurality of types of settings included in the macro corresponding to the selected macro information is provided. .

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus that executes a series of processing by a plurality of types of settings,
A setting step for performing the plurality of types of settings;
A holding step of holding a combination of setting values for the plurality of types of settings set in the past in a storage medium;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, an extraction step of extracting a combination of the setting and a setting value including the setting value from the storage medium;
An output step for selectively outputting setting information relating to the combination of setting values extracted in the extraction step;
When the setting information output in the output step is selected, an execution step of executing the series of processes using a combination of setting values corresponding to the selected setting information is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A program that realizes control of an information processing apparatus that executes a series of processing by a plurality of types of settings,
A program code of a setting process for performing the plurality of types of settings;
A program code of a holding process for holding a combination of the plurality of types of settings in a storage medium as a macro that can be set at one time by one operation;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, a program code of an extraction process for extracting the setting and a macro including the setting value from the storage medium,
A program code of an output process for selectively outputting macro information relating to the macro extracted in the extraction process;
When the macro information output in the output step is selected, the program code of the execution step that executes the series of processes using a combination of a plurality of types of settings that the macro corresponding to the selected macro information has And.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus that executes a series of processing by a plurality of types of settings,
A program code of a setting process for performing the plurality of types of settings;
A program code of a holding step for holding a combination of setting values for the plurality of types of settings set in the past in a storage medium;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, a program code of an extraction process for extracting from the storage medium a combination of the setting and a setting value including the setting value;
A program code of an output process for selectively outputting setting information relating to a combination of setting values extracted in the extraction process,
When the setting information output in the output step is selected, a program code of an execution step for executing the series of processes using a combination of setting values corresponding to the selected setting information is provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the information processing apparatus which can improve the usability with respect to operation of an operation target apparatus, its control method, and a program can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In each embodiment of the present invention, a case where a copy machine is operated as an operation target device will be described as an example. The operation target device is not limited to a copier. For example, various devices such as a multifunction device (a device having a copy function, a printer function, and a copy function), a facsimile machine, a scanner, a digital camera, a personal computer, etc. It can be a device.
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an operation target device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the operation target device 100 of FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a setting input unit that performs various settings (including macro settings of combinations of various settings) for the operation target device. A macro registration unit 102 registers setting information (for example, a macro) input from the setting input unit 101 in the information holding unit 104.

  Here, the macro indicates a function that enables a combination of a plurality of settings of the operation target device 100 to be set at one time by one operation.

  A macro extraction unit 103 searches for a macro registered in the information holding unit 104 using setting information input from the setting input unit 101.

  An information holding unit 104 holds various types of information such as setting information input from the macro registration unit 102, setting frequency input from the setting frequency recording unit 105, and setting time input from the setting time recording unit 106. To do.

  A setting frequency recording unit 105 stores the setting frequency of setting information input from the setting input unit 101 in the information holding unit 104. A setting time recording unit 106 stores the setting time of the setting information input from the setting input unit 101 in the information holding unit 104.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes an extracted content processing unit, which processes the extracted content (for example, a macro and information related thereto) by the macro extracting unit 103 and transmits the processed content to the macro presenting unit 108. A macro presentation unit 108 displays information input from the setting input unit 101 and information received from the extraction content processing unit 107.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the operation target device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the operation target device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, 201 is a CPU, which operates according to a program for realizing a flowchart to be described later. Reference numeral 202 denotes a RAM that provides a storage area, a work area, and a data temporary save area necessary for the operation of the program. Reference numeral 203 denotes a ROM that holds programs and various data for realizing flowcharts to be described later.

  A liquid crystal display device (LCD) 204 displays text, images, and the like. Note that another display device such as a CRT may be used instead of the LCD 204. The LCD 204 also provides a GUI including a macro registration screen for registering macros and an operation screen for performing various settings.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes an input device, which includes, for example, various buttons including a copy start button and a numeric keypad. In addition, a touch panel, a pointing device, or a keyboard may be used.

  A speaker 206 outputs a synthesized sound. Reference numeral 207 denotes a rewritable external storage device. In the first embodiment, a hard disk drive (HDD) is used. The HDD 207 stores various setting values and macros for the operation target device 100, for example. Reference numeral 208 denotes a bus, which connects the above-described components of the operating device 100 to each other.

  Next, a macro registration process for registering a macro as a process executed by the operation target device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the macro registration process executed by the operation target device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, settings relating to operation of the operation target device 100 are input from the setting input unit 101 of the operation target device 100 (step S301). In the case of the first embodiment, since the operation target device 100 is a copier, the setting items for the copier include, for example, the number of copies of the copy target document, the paper size, and the magnification.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the setting has been completed (step S302). If the setting has not been completed (NO in step S302), the setting input is continued until the series of setting operations is completed. On the other hand, when the setting is completed (YES in step S302), the macro presenter 108 activates a macro registration screen (step S303).

  Next, through a macro registration screen, a series of setting operations and a macro button for assigning the setting value as a macro (macro name, in the case of the first embodiment, as the macro name, for example, “M1”, “ M2 ”,... Are adopted (step S304). Then, the macro registration unit 102 registers macro information including information indicating the macro and its macro button in the information holding unit 104 (step S305).

  Here, a configuration example of the macro information registered in the information holding unit 104 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of macro information according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, the information holding unit 104 manages the macro name (macro button name) for each macro in the macro group, the settings performed in the macro, and the setting values as macro information about the macro. FIG. 4 shows a state in which each macro is associated with a series of operations including setting of the number of copies, setting of the paper size, setting of the magnification, and setting values in each setting. For example, the macro with the macro name “M1” is a series of settings including a copy number setting and its setting value “15”, a paper size setting and its setting value “B5”, a magnification setting and its setting value “141”. And the setting values for each setting.

  Next, a macro presentation process for predicting a macro intended by the user based on a user setting operation and presenting a candidate macro from a registered macro group will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the macro presentation processing executed by the operation target device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, settings related to the operation of the operation target device 100 are input from the setting input unit 101 of the operation target device 100 (step S501). Next, the macro extraction unit 103 searches the macro group stored in the information storage unit 104 for a macro including a combination of a setting being input by the user and the setting value (step S502).

  Next, it is determined by the search whether or not there is a macro including a combination of a setting being input by the user and the setting value (step S503). If no macro exists (NO in step S503), the process proceeds to step S507. On the other hand, if a macro exists (YES in step S503), the corresponding macro is extracted from the macro extraction unit 103, processed by the extraction content processing unit 107, and then displayed on the LCD 204 by the macro presentation unit 108. It is displayed on the operation screen (step S504).

  Here, the user can select any of the macros displayed on the LCD 204 that suits his intention, or can ignore the displayed macro and continue to input the settings. it can.

  Next, the macro presentation unit 108 determines whether or not the user has selected a macro (step S505). If no macro is selected (NO in step S505), the process proceeds to step S507. On the other hand, when a macro is selected (YES in step S505), the macro is applied (step S506).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the “copy start” button has been pressed (step S507). If not pressed (NO in step S507), the process returns to step S501. On the other hand, if pressed (YES in step S507), the copy is executed (step S508).

  In step S508, when a macro is applied in step S506, copying is executed using the settings managed by the macro and the setting values. When the macro is not applied, copying is executed using the setting by the user and the setting value.

  Here, a presentation example of the macro presented in step S504 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a macro presentation example according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the operation screen of the operation target device 100 in FIG. 6A, when nothing is input (initial state), first, when “15” copies are set as the number of copies, the macro extraction unit 103 reads information Referring to holding unit 104 (FIG. 4), a search is made for a macro including “number of copies” as a setting and a set value of “15”.

  In this case, macros having macro names “M1”, “M3”, and “M4” are searched. Then, the extracted content processing unit 107 extracts the macro name (“M1”, “M3”, “M4”) from the searched macro, and the macro name (macro button) extracted on the operation screen by the macro presentation unit 108. ) Is presented (FIG. 6B).

  Further, in this state, when “A3” is set as the paper size, the macro extraction unit 103 refers to the information holding unit 104 (FIG. 4) and sets “ Search for a macro that includes “paper” and whose set value includes “A3”.

  In this case, the macros “M3” and “M4” are searched. Then, the extracted content processing unit 107 extracts the macro names (“M3” and “M4”) from the searched macro, and presents the extracted macro name on the operation screen by the macro presenting unit 108 (FIG. 6 ( c)).

  As described above, based on the input of the setting by the user, a macro including the same setting content as that setting can be presented as a macro candidate, and the macro candidate can be presented narrowed for each input. Then, when a macro intended by the user is presented during the input, the user selects the macro and completes the setting intended by the user without performing the subsequent setting operation. be able to.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, while the user is inputting a plurality of settings and the set values, the registered macro including the set values is appropriately searched, and the searched macro is searched for by the user. Is presented as a candidate for a macro (a plurality of settings and their setting values). Thereby, when the macro which the user intends exists in the presented macro, the user can complete the setting operation thereafter by selecting it. That is, since the user can omit the subsequent setting operation, the burden of the setting operation related to the user can be reduced.
[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, the presentation order in the case of presenting a plurality of macros as macro candidates is not defined. However, in each macro to be presented, the setting frequency of the macro by a past user or a combination of setting values corresponding to the macro It is also possible to measure the frequency at which combinations of setting values input by the user in the past match, and preferentially present macros with high frequency.

  In such a case, a configuration example of macro information managed by the information holding unit 104 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, in the macro information, the past setting frequency of each macro is managed in addition to the macro information of FIG. In such a case, when the process of FIG. 5 is executed, the transition of the macro presented on the operation screen based on the setting input by the user is shown in FIG.

  That is, in FIG. 8, when “15” copies are set as the number of copies from the initial state of FIG. 8A, the macro extracting unit 103 refers to the information holding unit 104 (FIG. 7) as the setting. A macro including “number of copies” and a set value of “15” is searched.

  In this case, macros having macro names “M1”, “M3”, and “M4” are searched. Then, the extracted content processing unit 107 extracts the past setting frequency of each macro in the searched macro group, and rearranges the macros in descending order of the setting frequency. As a result, the macro presenting unit 108 can present on the operation screen the macros rearranged in the order of high setting frequency on the operation screen. In the case of the example of FIG. 7, the setting frequency of the macro “M1” is “5”, the setting frequency of the macro “M3” is “1”, and the setting frequency of the macro “M4” is “9”. ), The macros are presented on the operation screen in the order of macros “M4”, “M1”, and “M3”.

When “A3” is set as the paper size in this state, the macros are presented on the operation screen in the order of macros “M4” and “M3” as shown in FIG. Is done.
[Embodiment 3]
In the second embodiment, all applicable macros are presented regardless of how low the set frequency is. However, a macro in which the set frequency is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold may not be presented. For example, in the macro information shown in FIG. 7, if a macro with a setting frequency of less than 3 is not presented, the extracted content processing unit 107 sets the set of the searched macros “M1”, “M3”, and “M4”. Macros having a frequency of three times or more (“M1”, “M4”) are extracted, and the macros are rearranged in descending order of setting frequency. As a result, the macro presenting unit 108 can rearrange only the macros whose setting frequency is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold on the operation screen.

In the case of the example in FIG. 7, the display state of the operation screen in FIG. 8B is the display state of the operation screen in FIG. 9B. That is, in this case, the macro “M3” having the setting frequency “1” is not displayed on the operation screen.
[Embodiment 4]
In the second and third embodiments, the display control of the macro to be presented is performed using the absolute value of the set frequency, but the macro display control may be performed using the probability calculated from the past history. .

For example, when the setting values V1, V2, and V3 are set for the operations of the settings S1, S2, and S3, respectively, the conditional probability P that the intention of the setting operation by the user is the macro M _i is calculated. The equation to do is shown in FIG.

Here, C (M = M _i ) is calculated from the “frequency” column of the macro information in FIG. That is, C (M = M _i ) indicates the macro setting frequency.

  On the other hand, C (S1 = V1, S2 = V2, S3 = V3) stores all combinations of user's past setting values together with the frequency in the information holding unit 104 as shown in FIG. It can be calculated by calculating the total frequency of combinations of the set values V1, V2, and V3 for S1, S2, and S3, respectively. That is, this C (S1 = V1, S2 = V2, S3 = V3) indicates the setting frequency of the set value combination.

  And in Embodiment 4, the macro whose probability P is more than a predetermined threshold is shown.

[Embodiment 5]
In the first embodiment, the presentation order in the case of presenting a plurality of macros as macro candidates is not defined, but for each macro to be presented, the setting time of the macro by the past user or the setting corresponding to the macro The time when the combination of the values and the combination of the setting values input by the user in the past are stored in the information holding unit 104 by the setting time recording unit 106, and the macro whose time is closest to the current time is preferentially presented. It is good also as composition to do. In this case, the information holding unit 104 manages the set time of each macro in addition to the macro information of FIG.

[Embodiment 6]
In the fifth embodiment, all the corresponding macros are presented regardless of how old the set time is, but a configuration in which macros whose set time is older than the predetermined time may not be presented.

[Embodiment 7]
In the first embodiment, the presentation order in the case of presenting a plurality of macros as macro candidates is not determined. However, the setting order corresponding to the macro or the order input by the user in the past with respect to the setting values of each macro to be presented The setting order when the combination of values matches the combination of setting values input by the user in the past is stored in the information holding unit 104 by the setting frequency recording unit 105, and the setting order of the setting values to be input matches May be preferentially presented. In this case, the information holding unit 104 manages the setting order of setting values of each macro in addition to the macro information of FIG.

[Embodiment 8]
In the first embodiment, the macro is presented as a GUI button realized on the operation screen including the macro name, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, it is good also as a structure which shows a macro by the list display which consists of a macro name, a setting, and its setting value.

[Embodiment 9]
In the first embodiment, the macro is presented as a GUI button realized on the operation screen including the macro name. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the macro name of the macro to be presented may be read out by voice synthesis and presented.

[Embodiment 10]
In the first embodiment, “M1” and “M2” are registered and presented as the macro name of the macro as shown in FIG. 4, but the user identifies such as “sales material” and “meeting material”. It is good also as a structure which registers and presents by the macro name which is easy to do.

[Embodiment 11]
In the above embodiment, the setting information (settings and setting values thereof) has already been registered as a macro. However, the setting information may be generated based on the operation history information in which the user's past operation history is recorded.

  Hereinafter, setting information presentation processing for presenting setting information based on the past operation history will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing setting information generation processing executed by the operation target device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

  In particular, FIG. 13 illustrates a process of presenting a setting item predicted from a combination of setting items obtained from past operation history history information.

  When the processing of FIG. 13 is executed, a setting value combination table including combinations of setting values set by the user in the past as shown in FIG. It is managed by.

  First, settings related to operation of the operation target device 100 are input from the setting input unit 101 of the operation target device 100 (step S1201). Next, with reference to the setting value combination table of FIG. 14, a set value group including a combination of setting values in the middle of user input is searched (step S1202).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a set value group that matches the set value combination during the user's input (step S1203). If the set value group does not exist (NO in step S1203), the process proceeds to step S1207. On the other hand, if a set value group exists (YES in step S1203), the set value group is displayed on the operation screen as a set value combination candidate (step S1204).

  The user can select any of the displayed set value combination candidates that suits his / her input intention, and can ignore the displayed set value combination candidates and continue setting input. You can also.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the user has selected one of the displayed set value combination candidates (step S1205). If not selected (NO in step S1205), the process advances to step S1207. On the other hand, if selected (YES in step S1205), the set value combination is applied (step S1206).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the “copy start” button has been pressed (step S1207). If not pressed (NO in step S1207), the process returns to step S1201. On the other hand, if it is pressed (YES in step S1207), copy is executed (step S1208).

  In step S1208, if an existing combination of setting values is applied in step S1206, copying is executed using the combination of setting values. When the combination of setting values is not applied, copying is executed using the setting by the user and the setting value.

  Here, a presentation example of a combination of setting values presented in step S1204 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a presentation example of a combination of setting values according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

  In the operation screen of the operation target device 100 in FIG. 15A, when nothing is input (initial state), first, when “15” copies are set as the number of copies, the macro extraction unit 103 receives information Referring to holding unit 104 (FIG. 14), a combination of setting values including “number of copies” as the setting and the setting value including “15” is searched.

  In this case, “15, B5, 141,...”, “15, A3, 141,...”, “15, A4, 86,. Then, the extracted content processing unit 107 extracts the combination of the found setting values, and presents the extracted combination of the setting values on the operation screen by the macro presenting unit 108 (FIG. 15B).

  Further, in this state, when “A3” is set as the paper size, the macro extraction unit 103 refers to the information holding unit 104 (FIG. 14), and among the set value combination groups currently presented, A combination of setting values including “paper” as the setting and the setting value including “A3” is searched.

  In this case, a combination of set values “15, A3, 141,...” Is searched. Then, the extracted content processing unit 107 extracts the combination of the searched setting values, and presents the extracted combination of the setting values on the operation screen by the macro presenting unit 108 (FIG. 15C).

  Thus, based on the setting input by the user, a combination of setting values including the same setting contents as the setting can be presented as candidates, and the candidates can be presented narrowed down for each input. Then, when a combination of setting values intended by the user is presented in the middle of input, the user selects the combination of setting values, and does not perform the subsequent setting operation. The intended setting can be completed.

  As described above, according to the eleventh embodiment, a combination of registered setting values including the setting values is appropriately searched and searched while the user is inputting a plurality of settings and the setting values. A set value combination is presented as a set value combination candidate intended by the user. Thereby, when the combination of the setting value which the user intends exists in the combination of the presented setting value, the user can complete the setting operation thereafter by selecting it. That is, since the user can omit the subsequent setting operation, the burden of the setting operation related to the user can be reduced.

[Embodiment 12]
In the eleventh embodiment, the presentation order in the case of presenting a plurality of combinations of setting values as the setting value combination candidates is not defined, but the combinations of the setting values in the setting value combination table and the settings input by the user in the past A configuration may be adopted in which the frequency with which the combination of values matches is measured and a combination of setting values with high frequency is preferentially presented.

[Embodiment 13]
In the twelfth embodiment, all combinations of the corresponding set values are presented no matter how low the frequency is. However, a combination of set values whose frequencies are equal to or less than a predetermined threshold may not be presented.

[Embodiment 14]
In the twelfth and thirteenth embodiments, the display control of the combination of the set values to be presented is performed using the absolute value of the frequency, but the display control of the combination of the set values is performed using the probability calculated from the past history. May be performed. The probability calculation here is basically the same as the probability calculation method shown in FIG.

[Embodiment 15]
In the eleventh embodiment, the presentation order in the case of presenting a plurality of setting value combinations as setting value combination candidates is not defined, but the combination of each setting value in the setting value combination table and the setting value input by the user The time at which the combination is matched may be stored in the information holding unit 104 by the set time recording unit 106, and the combination of the set values closest to the current time may be preferentially presented.

[Embodiment 16]
In the fifteenth embodiment, all combinations of corresponding setting values are presented no matter how old the time is, but a configuration in which combinations of setting values whose time is older than a predetermined time may not be presented.

[Embodiment 17]
In the eleventh embodiment, the set value combination candidates are displayed on the operation screen, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which a combination of setting values to be presented is read and presented by speech synthesis may be employed.

[Embodiment 18]
In the first embodiment, the case where various programs for realizing the first embodiment are stored in the ROM 203 of the operating device 100 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an external storage device (CD that can be connected to the operating device 100 is used. ROM / R / RW drive, DVD-ROM / RAM / R / RW drive, ZIP drive, MO drive, memory card (for example, SD card, MM (multimedia) card, smart media, compact flash (registered trademark)) (Slot). Or you may make it comprise the hardware for exclusive use which implement | achieves various programs.

  Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the operation target apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the operation target apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the macro registration process which the operation target apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the macro information which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the macro presentation process which the operation target apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows the example of presentation of the macro which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the macro information which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of presentation of the macro which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of presentation of the macro which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the calculation formula for calculating the probability which selects the macro of the process target which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the macro information which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of presentation of the pre-macro which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the setting information generation process which the operation target apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 11 of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting value combination table which concerns on Embodiment 11 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of presentation of the candidate of the setting value combination which concerns on Embodiment 11 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Operation object apparatus 101 Setting input part 102 Macro registration part 103 Macro extraction part 104 Information holding part 105 Setting frequency recording part 106 Setting time recording part 107 Extraction content processing part 108 Macro presentation part

Claims (20)

An information processing apparatus that executes a series of processes according to a plurality of types of settings,
Setting means for performing the plurality of types of settings;
Holding means for holding a combination of the plurality of types of settings in a storage medium as a macro that can be set at one time by one operation;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, an extraction unit that extracts the setting and a macro including the setting value from the storage medium;
Output means for selectively outputting macro information relating to the macro extracted by the extraction means;
When the macro information output by the output unit is selected, the execution unit executes the series of processes using a combination of a plurality of types of settings that the macro corresponding to the selected macro information has An information processing apparatus characterized by that. For each macro held in the storage medium by the holding unit, a macro setting frequency, or a frequency at which a combination of setting values corresponding to the macro and a combination of setting values set in the past by the setting unit coincide with each other. A frequency recording means for recording on the storage medium;
The output means refers to the storage medium, acquires the frequency of each of the plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means, and based on the acquired frequency, macro information relating to each of the plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output of the information processing apparatus is controlled. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output unit does not output macro information regarding a macro whose frequency is equal to or less than a threshold value among macro information regarding each of a plurality of macros extracted by the extraction unit. It further comprises recording means for recording a combination of set values set in the past and the frequency thereof in the storage medium,
The output means refers to the storage medium, acquires the frequency of each of the plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means, and the frequency corresponding to the combination of the setting values set by the setting means, and the acquired frequency 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein output of macro information relating to each of a plurality of macros extracted by the extraction unit is controlled based on a probability calculated from: A time recording means for recording a combination of setting values set in the past and the time on the storage medium;
The output means refers to the storage medium, acquires the time of each of the plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means, and based on the acquired time, macro information relating to each of the plurality of macros extracted by the extraction means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output of the information processing apparatus is controlled. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the output unit does not output macro information about a macro whose time is older than a predetermined time among macro information about each of a plurality of macros extracted by the extraction unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the macro information on a screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the macro information as a voice. An information processing apparatus that executes a series of processes according to a plurality of types of settings,
Setting means for performing the plurality of types of settings;
Holding means for holding a combination of setting values for the plurality of types of settings set in the past in a storage medium;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, an extraction unit that extracts a combination of the setting and a setting value including the setting value from the storage medium;
Output means for selectively outputting setting information relating to a combination of setting values extracted by the extracting means;
When the setting information output by the output means is selected, an execution means for executing the series of processes using a combination of setting values corresponding to the selected setting information is provided. Information processing device. A frequency recording means for recording, on the storage medium, a frequency at which the combination of the set values held by the holding means in the storage medium and the combination of the set values set by the setting means match;
The output means refers to the storage medium, acquires the frequency of each combination of the plurality of setting values extracted by the extraction means, and based on the acquired frequency, the plurality of setting values extracted by the extraction means The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the output of setting information relating to each combination is controlled. The said output means does not output the setting information regarding the combination of the setting value whose said frequency is below a threshold value among the setting information regarding each combination of the several setting value which the said extraction means extracted. Information processing device. It further comprises recording means for recording a combination of set values set in the past and the frequency thereof in the storage medium,
The output means refers to the storage medium, obtains the frequency of each combination of the plurality of setting values extracted by the extracting means, and the frequency corresponding to the combination of the setting values set by the setting means, The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein output of setting information related to each combination of a plurality of setting values extracted by the extraction unit is controlled based on a probability calculated from the acquired frequency. A time recording means for recording a combination of setting values set in the past and the time on the storage medium;
The output means refers to the storage medium, acquires each time of a combination of a plurality of setting values extracted by the extracting means, and based on the acquired time, a plurality of setting values extracted by the extracting means The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein output of setting information related to each combination is controlled. The output means does not output setting information related to a combination of settings whose time is older than a predetermined time among setting information related to a combination of a plurality of setting values extracted by the extracting means. Information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the output unit outputs the setting information on a screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the output unit outputs the setting information by voice. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus that executes a series of processing by a plurality of types of settings,
A setting step for performing the plurality of types of settings;
A holding step of holding the combination of the plurality of types of settings in a storage medium as a macro that can be set at one time by one operation;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, an extraction step of extracting the setting and a macro including the setting value from the storage medium;
An output step for selectively outputting macro information relating to the macro extracted in the extraction step;
When the macro information output in the output step is selected, an execution step of executing the series of processes using a combination of a plurality of types of settings included in the macro corresponding to the selected macro information is provided. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus that executes a series of processing by a plurality of types of settings,
A setting step for performing the plurality of types of settings;
A holding step of holding a combination of setting values for the plurality of types of settings set in the past in a storage medium;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, an extraction step of extracting a combination of the setting and a setting value including the setting value from the storage medium;
An output step for selectively outputting setting information relating to the combination of setting values extracted in the extraction step;
When the setting information output in the output step is selected, an execution step of executing the series of processes using a combination of setting values corresponding to the selected setting information is provided. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus. A program that realizes control of an information processing apparatus that executes a series of processing by a plurality of types of settings,
A program code of a setting process for performing the plurality of types of settings;
A program code of a holding step for holding a combination of the plurality of types of settings in a storage medium as a macro that can be set at one time by one operation;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, a program code of an extraction process for extracting the setting and a macro including the setting value from the storage medium,
A program code of an output process for selectively outputting macro information relating to the macro extracted in the extraction process;
When the macro information output in the output step is selected, the program code of the execution step that executes the series of processes using a combination of a plurality of types of settings that the macro corresponding to the selected macro information has A program comprising: and. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus that executes a series of processing by a plurality of types of settings,
A program code of a setting process for performing the plurality of types of settings;
A program code of a holding step for holding a combination of setting values for the plurality of types of settings set in the past in a storage medium;
In the plurality of types of settings, when a desired setting is made, a program code of an extraction process for extracting the setting and a combination of setting values including the setting value from the storage medium;
A program code of an output process for selectively outputting setting information related to a combination of setting values extracted in the extraction process,
When the setting information output in the output step is selected, a program code of an execution step for executing the series of processes using a combination of setting values corresponding to the selected setting information is provided. A featured program.

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