JP2007004513A - Reception device with help screen automatic display function, reception device for business, print kiosk device, help screen automatic display method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that display of help screens is troublesome and operations for deleting the screens are complicated when a user is an expert since in existing techniques, the help screens being automatically displayed, while it may take the expert a certain period of time to think operation contents even when operated by the expert. <P>SOLUTION: This reception device with a help screen automatic display function is provided with: (a) a lapsed time measurement part which measures a lapsed time required from a specific operation of an n-th (n is one or more natural number) screen to a specific operation of an (n+m)-th (m is one or more natural number) screen; (b) a comparison part for comparing the lapsed time with a first threshold; and (c) a control part for controlling display or non-display of the help screen based on the comparison result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a reception device with a help screen automatic display function. This type of reception device includes not only personal use but also business use reception devices and print kiosk devices.
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a help screen automatic display method. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a program for causing a computer to execute a help screen automatic display function.

The graphical user interface (hereinafter referred to as “GUI”) is a user interface that can easily control the operation of the device through selection and designation of items displayed on the screen. For this reason, GUI is adopted in many electronic devices.
By the way, recent electronic devices have been devised to meet various demands. For example, the number of function buttons and operation keys constituting the GUI tends to increase.

As a result, today's electronic devices are equipped with a wide variety of help functions. For example, pointer instructions, help key selection, pop-up display, voice guidance, buttons for searching appropriate help information, and the like are mounted.
On the other hand, help functions tend to become more complex in recent years due to differences in operation methods due to differences in applications, multi-level help information, and the like.

For this reason, it is difficult for beginners who need the help function most, but it is troublesome for users who do not need the help function. That is, the malfunction of the help function has occurred.
The cause of the malfunction of the help function varies depending on electronic devices and functions. In many cases, the reason is that it is not possible to automatically provide appropriate content to an appropriate partner at an appropriate timing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 is intended to automatically display a help screen at an appropriate timing. This patent document 1 discloses a function of automatically displaying a help screen corresponding to an operation state when a certain time has elapsed between detection of the previous operation input and detection of the next operation input.
JP-A-4-160527

However, no matter how skilled the user is, a certain amount of time may elapse because of the thought of the operation content.
In the case of a reception device that adopts the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a help screen is uniformly displayed for such a user. That is, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem of automatically displaying a help screen at an inappropriate timing even for an inappropriate partner (expert).

The inventors pay attention to the above technical problems and propose a reception device with a help screen automatic display function having the following processing functions.
(A) Elapsed time measurement unit (b) that measures the elapsed time required from the specific operation of the n (n is a natural number of 1 or more) screen to the specific operation of the n + m (m is a natural number of 1 or more) screen Comparison unit for comparing time and first threshold value (c) Control unit for controlling display or non-display of help screen based on comparison result

Further, the inventors propose a reception device with a help screen automatic display function having the following processing functions.
(A) Elapsed time measurement unit (b) that measures the elapsed time required from the specific operation of the n (n is a natural number of 1 or more) screen to the specific operation of the n + m (m is a natural number of 1 or more) screen Comparing part (c) y for comparing the time and the first threshold value (y is a natural number of n + m or more) The time until the help screen is automatically displayed on the screen is variably controlled based on the comparison result Control unit

As described above, the inventors set the automatic display function of the help screen in the y-th screen to the time required from the specific operation on the n-th screen to the specific operation on the n + m-th screen required until the display of the y-screen. A method of controlling according to the above is adopted.
That is, a method is adopted in which the proficiency level of the operation for the receiving device is determined by detecting the time required for a specific operation in which a proficiency level is likely to appear, and automatic display of the help screen is controlled according to the determination result. Thereby, the display control of the help screen according to a user's proficiency level is realizable.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of a form example of a receiving apparatus equipped with the technology according to the invention.
In addition, the well-known or well-known technique of the said technical field is applied to the part which is not specifically illustrated or described in this specification.
Moreover, the form example demonstrated below is one form example of invention, Comprising: It is not limited to these.

(A) Print Kiosk Device Here, a print kiosk device that is one of business use reception devices among reception devices having an automatic display function of a help screen will be described.
The print kiosk device is a self-service printing device that can print a photographic image with high image quality. The print kiosk device is installed in stores, streets, specific event venues, etc., and is used by unspecified users. Therefore, the difference in the proficiency level of users is generally large.

(A) External Configuration Example FIG. 1 shows an external configuration example of the print kiosk apparatus 1. The print kiosk apparatus 1 includes a control device and a printing device in a box-shaped housing 3.
A touch panel screen 5 is disposed on the front upper portion of the housing 3. The touch panel screen 5 has a structure in which a touch panel is arranged on the surface of the display screen.

  An insertion slot (slot) 7 for an external storage medium is disposed in the front center portion of the housing 3. A plurality of types of insertion ports 7 are prepared according to the shape and standard of the portable storage medium. As the portable storage medium, for example, a disk-shaped optically readable storage medium, a card-shaped or rod-shaped semiconductor storage device, a magnetic storage medium, or the like is used.

A photo taking-out port 9 is arranged at the lower front of the housing 3. The printed photo is discharged to the photo take-out port 9. The user can take out the printed photo by inserting his / her hand into the photo taking-out port 9.
A deposit port and a return port (not shown) are also arranged on the front surface of the housing 3.

(B) Internal Configuration FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration example of the print kiosk apparatus 1. The print kiosk apparatus 1 includes an image display unit 11, an operation input unit 13, an external storage medium control unit 15, an external storage medium insertion port 17, a printer control unit 19, a printer connector 21, a printer 23, a system control unit 25, and an auxiliary storage. A device 27, a payment device 29, a sound processing unit 31, and a speaker 33 are included.

The image display unit 11 is a display device that displays an operation screen related to photo printing and maintenance management. For example, a CRT display or a flat panel display is used. As the operation screen, for example, a screen for accepting selection of a print image, the number of output sheets, and an output size is displayed.
The operation input unit 13 is an input device that gives an instruction content corresponding to a user operation to the system control unit 25. In this embodiment, the touch panel is configured. The operation input unit 13 may be configured with buttons, switches, and pointing devices.

  The external storage medium control unit 15 is a control device that controls an external storage medium inserted into the external storage medium insertion slot 17 (insertion slot 7 in FIG. 1). The external storage medium control unit 15 realizes a function of accessing a file system of the external storage medium and reading a necessary data file. The read image file is stored in the auxiliary storage device 27.

  The printer control unit 19 is a control device that controls output of image data to the printer 23 connected to the printer connector 21. Usually, a plurality of printers 23 are mounted for each size. Accordingly, the printer control unit 19 provides a function of outputting image data to a print queue corresponding to the size designated by the user. For example, L size, KG size, 2L size, and panorama size are used as print sizes.

  The system control unit 25 is a control device that controls the entire system according to firmware. For example, a microprocessor is used. The system control unit 25 provides various control operations related to a management function and a printing function (including a reception screen display function and a help screen display function). The functional configuration of the system control unit 25 will be described later.

The auxiliary storage device 27 is a storage device used for storing firmware, image data, advertisement data, and the like. For example, it is composed of a hard disk device which is one of magnetic storage devices.
The settlement apparatus 29 is a processing apparatus and mechanism that realizes a settlement process associated with printing of a photographic image. The audio processing unit 31 is a signal processing device that outputs operation explanations and advertisements as audio. Voices and musical sounds are output through the speaker 33.

(C) Functional Configuration Example of System Control Unit FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration example of the system control unit 25. These functions are realized through firmware. FIG. 3 shows the functional components related to the automatic display of the help screen.
The help screen automatic display function includes an operation detection unit 41, a help screen activation control unit 43, and a help screen activation unit 45 as main components.

  The operation detection unit 41 is a processing unit that detects a user operation on the external storage medium control unit 15 and the operation input unit 13. For example, the operation detection unit 41 detects the occurrence of an external storage medium insertion operation for the slot 7. Further, for example, the operation detection unit 41 detects a function selection operation or a determination operation through the GUI displayed on the screen display unit 11.

  The help screen activation control unit 43 is a processing unit that controls activation of the help screen based on the operation detection result. FIG. 4 shows an internal configuration example of the help screen activation control unit 43. In the case of FIG. 4, the help screen activation control unit 43 includes an elapsed time measurement unit 51, a threshold storage unit 53, a comparison unit 55, and an activation control unit 57.

The elapsed time measuring unit 51 is a processing unit that measures an elapsed time from a predetermined specific operation to a specific operation.
In this example, an elapsed time t1 from the reception operation on the “initial screen” to the display of the “list display screen”, an elapsed time t2 from the start of the display of the “list display screen” to the input of the first operation, Measure. That is, the elapsed time t1 until the “list display screen” is displayed and the elapsed time t2 after the “list display screen” is displayed are measured.

The threshold value storage unit 53 is a storage area for storing a threshold value R necessary for determining the length of the elapsed time t. In this embodiment, two types of threshold values R1 and R2 are stored.
One is a threshold value R1 for determining the proficiency level of the user. That is, the threshold value is used for determining the elapsed time t1 until the “list display screen” is displayed. This threshold value R1 corresponds to the first threshold value in the claims.

The other is a threshold value R2 that gives the timing for automatically displaying the help screen. That is, the threshold value is used for determining the elapsed time from the display of the “list display screen” to the first input. This threshold value R2 corresponds to the second threshold value in the claims.
The comparison unit 55 is a processing unit that compares the measured elapsed time ti (i = 1, 2) with the corresponding threshold value Ri (i = 1, 2).

The activation control unit 57 is a processing unit that controls display or non-display of the help screen based on the comparison result. That is, the activation control unit 57 controls the display of the help screen by the help screen activation unit 45 (FIG. 3).
In the case of this embodiment, the activation control unit 57 activates the automatic display function of the help screen when the elapsed time t1 required for displaying the “list display screen” is larger than the threshold value (first threshold value) R1. Control to ON state. In addition, when the elapsed time t1 is smaller than the threshold value (first threshold value) R1, the activation control unit 57 controls the help screen automatic display function to be in an off state.

In addition, when the automatic display function of the help screen is on, the activation control unit 57 determines that the help screen is displayed when the elapsed time t2 after the start of displaying the order screen is greater than the threshold value (second threshold value) R2. To display automatically. In addition, when the elapsed time t2 is equal to or less than the threshold value (second threshold value) R2, the activation control unit 57 controls the help screen display to be in a standby state.
The help screen activation unit 45 is a processing unit that displays a prepared help screen on the image display unit 11. There are cases where the help screen is displayed due to the user's operation and cases where the help screen is automatically displayed based on the help screen activation control unit 43.

(A-2) Display Example of Reception Screen Next, a display example of the reception screen displayed on the print kiosk apparatus will be described. 5 and 6 show transition examples of the display screen. FIG. 5 corresponds to the case where the user touches any part of the touch panel while the initial screen is displayed. FIG. 6 corresponds to the case where the user inserts the external storage medium into the slot without touching the screen while the initial screen is displayed. The only difference between them is whether or not a guide screen prompting the user to insert an external storage medium is displayed. Therefore, the case of FIG. 5 will be described below.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the initial screen. The “initial screen” includes a standby screen that is displayed first after power-on or a standby state that is displayed after the end of the previous use. Note that the title characters in the figure are registered trademarks.
When the user touches any part of the touch panel screen, a “language selection screen” shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. On the “language selection screen”, a plurality of keys 61 indicating the language and a guidance sentence 63 “Please select a language” are displayed.

When the user touches the key 61 indicating any language, a “warning screen” shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. When the user touches the “OK” key 65 of the “warning screen” and indicates an intention to agree to the warning content, the “memory card insertion guide screen” shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the touch panel screen.
On the other hand, in the “warning screen” shown in FIG. 9, when the user touches the “top menu” key 67 at the lower left of the screen and indicates that he / she disagrees with the warning content displayed on the “warning screen”, the touch panel screen Returns to the “initial screen (FIG. 8)”.

Now, when the “memory card insertion guide screen” shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, a guidance sentence 69 “Please insert a memory card” is displayed together with actual images of a plurality of types of memory cards.
In the “memory card insertion guide screen” in FIG. 10, when the user inserts a predetermined memory card into the slot 7 dedicated to each memory card, the screen shifts to the “menu selection screen” in FIG.

  The “menu selection screen” includes a “print” menu key 71 for accepting prints of the selected image, an “index / print” menu key 73 for accepting index list prints, and a “split print” menu for accepting split prints for ID photographs. A plurality of menu keys corresponding to various print menus such as a key 75 and a “border print” menu key 77 for receiving a composite print with the template are displayed.

Here, it is assumed that the user operates the “print” menu key 71. In this case, the screen shifts to a “list display screen” shown in FIG.
At this time, on the “list display screen”, the live-action images read from the memory card are displayed in the thumbnail format. At the same time, a plurality of operation keys are displayed on the screen. When the user touches any thumbnail image, the selected image is enlarged and displayed in the enlarged image display area 79 at the upper right of the screen. At the same time, a character “1” is displayed in the order quantity field 81. Thereby, it can be seen that the print order has been accepted.

The “list display screen” is also provided with a preview format in which the photographed images read from the memory card can be confirmed one by one. FIG. 13 shows a display example in the preview format. A key 83 for switching the display format to the thumbnail format is displayed on the upper right of the preview format screen.
Regardless of the difference in display format, the “list display screen” displays a help key 85 in the upper right corner of the screen and a print key 87 in the lower right corner of the screen.

The help key 85 is a key for displaying a help screen for explaining functions of various keys displayed on the screen at a timing desired by the user. A display example of the help screen is shown in FIG. FIG. 14 shows a display example when the help key 85 is operated during display in the preview format.
For example, an explanatory text indicating that the “Edit” key is used for displaying the edit menu is displayed.

Also, for example, an explanatory note is displayed indicating that the “+” key is used to increase the number of prints and the “−” key is used to decrease the number of prints.
The print key 87 is a key for confirming the selection of the photographed image and instructing the start of the printing operation. The order is also confirmed by operating the print key 87, and a settlement process associated with printing is also executed.

In addition, the operation keys include an operation key such as a “stop” key for stopping the printing operation, a “magnification setting” key for setting the print magnification, and an “image editing” key for adjusting the brightness, color tone, sharpness, etc. of the image. Etc.
Many of these operation keys are prepared to meet the various needs of users, but the number of operation keys that make up the operation screen increases, so basic operation is sufficient for beginners and unfamiliar users. It also causes confusion.

(A-3) Automatic display operation of help screen Hereinafter, an example of processing operation executed in the print kiosk apparatus in connection with automatic display of the help screen will be described.

(A) Operation example 1
Here, the automatic display function of the help screen is set to the on state or the off state based on the length of the elapsed time t1 required from the first operation on the “initial screen” to the display of the “list display screen”. The processing operation of will be described. A processing operation until the help screen is automatically displayed when the auto help mode is set to the on state will be described.

The operation detection unit 41 detects an operation of touching a part of the touch panel by the user on the “initial screen” or an operation of inserting the memory card into the dedicated slot 7. At this time, the operation detection unit 41 notifies the help screen activation control unit 43 of the occurrence of the operation. Based on this notification, the counting operation of the elapsed time measuring unit 51 is started.
The counting operation by the elapsed time measuring unit 51 is continued even after detecting an operation on the “language selection screen” and the “insertion guide screen (when the operation on the initial screen is a part of the touch panel)”. The

The counting operation by the elapsed time measuring unit 51 stops when a menu selection operation on the “menu selection screen” is detected.
The comparison unit 55 compares the measured elapsed time t1 with the corresponding threshold value R1, and outputs the comparison result to the activation control unit 57.
Here, the activation control unit 57 executes the processing shown in FIG.

The activation control unit 57 determines whether or not the elapsed time t1 is greater than the threshold value R1 from the comparison result (S1).
The elapsed time t1 being larger than the threshold value R1 means that the user's operation input is long. That is, the probability of being a beginner is high. Accordingly, the activation control unit 57 sets the auto help mode of the help screen activation unit 45 to the on state (S2).

On the other hand, the fact that the elapsed time t1 is equal to or less than the threshold value R1 means that the time for the user's operation input is short. That is, the probability of being an expert is high. Accordingly, the activation control unit 57 sets the auto help mode of the help screen activation unit 45 to the off state (S3).
If a menu that does not require help display, such as the “Index / Print” key, is selected on the “Menu Selection Screen”, the selection of that menu is confirmed by selecting the “Print” key. Set the mode to the off state.

First, the operation when the auto help mode is set to the on state will be described.
At this time, the activation control unit 57 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG.
Note that after detecting the menu selection operation on the “menu selection screen”, the elapsed time measuring unit 51 starts measuring the elapsed time t2.

The comparison unit 55 sequentially compares the elapsed time t2 and the threshold value R2. The comparison result is given to the activation control unit 57.
The activation control unit 57 determines whether or not the elapsed time t2 is greater than the threshold value R2 (S11).
While it is determined that the elapsed time t2 is smaller than the threshold value R2, the activation control unit 57 maintains a state where the help screen is not automatically displayed (that is, a standby state) (S13).

Eventually, when it is determined that the elapsed time t2 is greater than the threshold value R2, the activation control unit 57 controls to automatically display the help screen (S12).
The elapsed time t2 until the first operation input is larger than the threshold value R2, because it is highly likely that the user is confused about which key to operate.
If the first operation is detected within a time shorter than the threshold value R2, the help screen is not automatically displayed.

However, the interval between key operations can be measured until the “print key” is operated, and a help screen can be automatically displayed when the elapsed time exceeds a certain time.
On the other hand, when the auto help mode is set to the off state, since the probability that the user is an expert is high, the activation control unit 57 does not automatically display the help screen. That is, a comparison process between the elapsed time t2 and the threshold value R2 is not required.
However, when the user operates the “help” key, the help screen is displayed regardless of the state of the auto help mode.

  FIG. 17 shows a conceptual procedure configuration of the first operation example. FIG. 17 shows a case where there is an operation of touching the touch panel surface in the “initial screen”. Therefore, when the memory card is inserted in the “initial screen”, the “insertion guide screen” is not displayed. Since the “insertion guide screen” is not displayed, the threshold R1 is smaller than the threshold R1 when the “insertion guide screen” is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 17, in the case of this operation example 1, it is determined whether the user is a beginner or an expert by the length of the elapsed time t1 from the touch operation on the first screen to the selection operation on the fourth screen. Controls the visibility of the help screen for the eyes.
For this reason, when the user is an expert, it is possible to prevent the help screen from being displayed even if it takes time until the first operation due to the thought of the operation content.
Of course, if the user is a beginner, the help screen can be displayed when a certain time has elapsed from the display of the “list display screen” to the first operation.

(B) Operation example 2
Here, a modified example of the operation example 1 will be described. In the operation example 1, the user's proficiency level is determined by comparing the total elapsed time t1 required for three operations (switching of four screens) with the threshold value R1.
In this operation example 2, a method is adopted in which the elapsed time t1 required for switching between individual screens is measured, and when any one exceeds the threshold value R1, the user is determined to be a beginner.

That is, a method of estimating the user's proficiency by measuring the elapsed time t1 from the previous input operation for displaying each screen to the input operation for shifting to the next screen is adopted.
FIG. 18 shows a conceptual procedure configuration of Operation Example 2. The threshold value R1 may be set for each screen, or a common value may be set.

FIG. 19 shows a processing procedure of the activation control unit 57. This processing procedure is executed every time a new user operation is started.
First, the activation control unit 57 sets the elapsed time and threshold parameter i to 1 (S21). Then, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time t11 required for each operation corresponding to the parameter i exceeds the corresponding threshold value R11 (S22).

When the elapsed time t11 is greater than the threshold value R11, the activation control unit 57 sets the auto help mode of the help screen activation unit 45 to the on state (S23).
On the other hand, when the elapsed time t11 is equal to or less than the threshold value R11, the activation control unit 57 sets the auto help mode of the help screen activation unit 45 to an off state (S24).
This determination operation is executed for each screen.

When the determination process ends, the activation control unit 57 determines whether or not the auto help mode is set to the on state (S25). This determination is provided because the following screen does not need to be determined if the auto-help mode is already set to the on state.
Therefore, if the auto help mode is set to the on state, the activation control unit 57 ends the process without performing the subsequent determination process.
On the other hand, when the auto help mode is in the off state, the activation control unit 57 determines whether or not the current parameter i is the maximum value of the variable range (S26).

Here, when it is determined that the parameter i is the maximum value, it means that display of the “list display screen” is started.
Therefore, the activation control unit 57 ends the process while the auto help mode is in the off state. On the other hand, when determining that the parameter i is still smaller than the maximum value, the activation control unit 57 updates the parameter i by one and repeats a series of processes (S27). That is, the elapsed time t12 required for the operation input for the next screen is compared with the threshold value R12.
In this example, the maximum value of the parameter i is 3.

In the case of this operation example 2, since the input operation interval for each screen until the “list display screen” is displayed is used as a determination criterion, it is possible to determine the proficiency level according to the display content of each screen. Become.
In the case of the above-described example, the auto help mode is set to the on state when the elapsed time required for the input operation is larger than the threshold value even for one screen. The degree may be determined.

Further, for example, a method may be adopted in which the skill level is determined to be high when the number of elapsed times for each screen exceeds a threshold value exceeds a certain number.
Also, for example, a unique point may be set for each screen, and it may be determined that the skill level is high when the total number of screen points whose elapsed time exceeds the threshold exceeds the threshold.
If these determination methods are used, the determination accuracy can be increased.

(C) Operation example 3
Here, another modification will be described. In the operation example 1, the user's proficiency level is determined by comparing the total elapsed time t1 required for three operations (switching of four screens) with the threshold value R1. In the operation example 2, the case has been described in which the user's proficiency level is determined by comparing the elapsed time t1i required for each operation with the corresponding threshold value R1i.
In this operation example 3, the user's proficiency level is determined by comparing the total of elapsed time required for any two operations out of the three operations required for displaying the “list display screen” with a threshold value. Adopt a method.

FIG. 20 shows a conceptual procedure configuration of Operation Example 3. FIG. 20 shows a case where the threshold value R1 is compared with the sum of the elapsed time t11 required for the operation of the “language selection screen” and the elapsed time t12 required for the operation of the “menu selection screen”. Since it is the same as Embodiment 1 except that the elapsed time measured individually is added, detailed description is omitted.
In the case of this operation example 3, the determination operation can be selectively executed for a specific operation in which the proficiency level is likely to appear. For this reason, when an operation in which a difference in proficiency is likely to appear and an operation in which it is not so are mixed, an improvement in determination accuracy can be expected.

(D) Operation example 4
Here, a modified example of the operation example 1 will be described. In the operation example 1, the case where the ON state or the OFF state of the auto help mode is controlled by comparing the total elapsed time t1 required for three operations (switching of four screens) with the threshold value R1 has been described.
In this operation example 4, a case will be described in which increase / decrease control of the threshold value R2 for automatic display of the help screen is performed based on the comparison result between the elapsed time t1 and the threshold value R1. That is, the operation example 4 is an effective control method when the auto help mode is always set to the on state.

FIG. 21 shows a conceptual processing structure of the operation example 4.
FIG. 22 shows a processing procedure of a part for controlling the threshold value R2 for automatic display on the help screen. The operation after setting the threshold value R2 is the same as the operation described with reference to FIG.
Also in the case of this operation example 4, the elapsed time measurement unit 51 measures the elapsed time t1 required from the “initial screen” to the “menu selection screen”.

The activation control unit 57 determines the magnitude relationship between the elapsed time t1 and the threshold value R1 (S31).
The elapsed time t1 being larger than the threshold value R1 means that the user's operation input is long. That is, the probability of being a beginner is high. Accordingly, the activation control unit 57 sets the threshold value R2 that defines the automatic display timing of the help screen on the “list display screen” to be short (S32).

  On the other hand, the fact that the elapsed time t1 is equal to or less than the threshold value R1 means that the time for the user's operation input is short. That is, the probability of being an expert is high. Accordingly, the activation control unit 57 sets a long threshold value R2 that defines the automatic display timing of the help screen on the “list display screen” (S33).

By adopting this control method, in the case of an expert, the automatic display timing of the help screen can be delayed including the case where the initial input operation becomes long due to the thought of the operation content. By extending this time, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as when the auto help mode is set to the off state.
On the other hand, since the auto help mode is in an on state, even a user can expect an effect of assisting an input operation at an appropriate timing and an effect of prompting an input operation.

(A-4) Effect Auto-help mode according to proficiency by installing the above functions in a print kiosk device that is installed in public places such as offices and streets and is expected to be used by a wide variety of users. Can be realized.
For the skilled person, for example, the automatic display of the help screen can be set to be disabled, or the automatic display timing of the help screen can be delayed as compared with the beginner. As a result, it is possible to realize a print kiosk device that is easy to use for the user regardless of the level of proficiency.

(B) Other Embodiments (a) In the embodiment described above, the case has been described where the proficiency level is always determined using the same threshold value R (R1, R2) regardless of the usage history of the user.
However, the threshold value R (R1, R2) may be variably controlled in consideration of past usage history.
For example, the elapsed times t1 and t2 measured each time the user uses are stored in the threshold value storage unit 53, and a value obtained by multiplying the average value by a certain coefficient is a threshold value R (R1, R2). It may be set to.

By determining the threshold value R in this manner, a threshold value unique to the print kiosk apparatus can be set.
By adopting this method, it is possible to automatically reflect the difference in the proficiency level of the user according to the country, region and place where the print kiosk apparatus is installed in the threshold value R. That is, it can be optimized according to the proficiency level of the user.
Further, the threshold value R may be set individually by the owner manager through the menu screen. In this case, the same effect can be expected.

(B) In the above-described embodiment, the print kiosk apparatus has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to both a personal reception apparatus having an automatic display function of a help screen and a business reception apparatus.
For example, the present invention can be applied to a business data terminal, a POS terminal, a cash dispenser, a vending machine, and an image and audio editing device.
Also, for example, the present invention can be applied to an installer or application software in which a predetermined input screen is displayed in order at startup.

(C) In the above-described embodiment, a fixed reception device installed at a storefront or the like has been described. However, the automatic display function of the help screen described in the embodiment can be mounted on a portable reception device.
(D) The help screen automatic display program described in the above embodiment may be stored in a storage medium and distributed. Note that the storage medium includes a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, a semiconductor storage medium, and the like.
(E) Various modifications can be considered for the above-described embodiments within the scope of the gist of the invention. Various modifications and application examples created based on the description of the present specification are also conceivable.

It is a figure which shows the example of an external appearance structure of a print kiosk apparatus. It is a figure which shows the internal structural example of a print kiosk apparatus. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of a system control part. It is a figure which shows the internal structural example of a help screen starting control part. It is a figure which shows the example of a transition of a display screen when a user touches any one part of a touch panel during the display of an initial screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a transition of a display screen when a user inserts an external storage medium in a slot, without touching a screen during the display of an initial screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an initial screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a language selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a warning screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a memory card insertion guide screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a menu selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a list display screen of a thumbnail format. It is a figure which shows the example of a list display screen of a preview format. It is a figure which shows the example of a help screen displayed during the display of a preview format. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting procedure in auto-help mode. It is a figure which shows the example of an automatic display procedure of a help screen. It is a figure which shows the notional procedure structure of the operation example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the notional procedure structure of the operation example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an automatic display procedure which implement | achieves the function of the operation example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the notional procedure structure of the operation example 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the notional procedure structure of the operation example 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a process sequence in the case of carrying out variable control of the threshold value for automatic display of a help screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print kiosk apparatus 5 Touch panel screen 25 System control part 41 Operation detection part 43 Help screen starting control part 45 Help screen starting part 51 Elapsed time measuring part 53 Threshold value memory | storage part 55 Comparison part 57 Starting control part

Claims (12)

an elapsed time measurement unit that measures an elapsed time required from a specific operation of the n (n is a natural number of 1 or more) screen to a specific operation of the n + m (m is a natural number of 1 or more) screen;
A comparison unit that compares the elapsed time with a first threshold;
And a control unit that controls display or non-display of the help screen based on the comparison result. In the reception apparatus with a help screen automatic display function according to claim 1,
The control unit controls the automatic display function of the help screen to be on when the elapsed time is greater than the first threshold, and automatically displays the help screen when the elapsed time is equal to or less than the first threshold. A reception device with an automatic display function of the help screen, characterized in that is controlled to an off state. The reception device with a help screen automatic display function according to claim 2 is:
When the automatic display function of the help screen is in an on state, a second elapsed time measuring unit that measures an elapsed time from the display on the y screen (y is a natural number of n + m or more) to a specific operation;
A second comparison unit that compares the elapsed time measured by the second elapsed time measurement unit with a second threshold value;
A second control unit that automatically displays a help screen on an operation screen when the elapsed time measured by the second elapsed time measurement unit is greater than a second threshold value. Reception device with automatic help screen display function. The reception device with a help screen automatic display function according to claim 1 is:
A reception device with a help screen automatic display function, comprising: a third control unit that variably controls the first threshold value based on history information of the elapsed time measured at a plurality of past receptions . The reception device with a help screen automatic display function according to claim 3 is:
A reception device with a help screen automatic display function, comprising: a third control unit that variably controls the second threshold value based on history information of the elapsed time measured at a plurality of past receptions. . The reception device with a help screen automatic display function according to claim 1 is:
The elapsed time measurement unit outputs a total of elapsed times measured for a plurality of measurement sections to the comparison unit. A reception device with a help screen automatic display function. an elapsed time measurement unit that measures an elapsed time required from a specific operation of the n (n is a natural number of 1 or more) screen to a specific operation of the n + m (m is a natural number of 1 or more) screen;
A comparison unit that compares the elapsed time with a first threshold;
With a help screen automatic display function characterized by having a control unit that variably controls the time until the help screen is automatically displayed on the y (y is a natural number of n + m or more) screen based on the comparison result Reception device. In the reception device with a help screen automatic display function according to claim 7,
The control unit controls the time until the help screen is automatically displayed when the elapsed time is greater than the first threshold value, and controls the help screen when the elapsed time is equal to or less than the first threshold value. A reception device with an automatic help screen display function, characterized by controlling the time until the message is automatically displayed. A business acceptance device that accepts operation input in an interactive manner with a user,
an elapsed time measurement unit that measures an elapsed time required from a specific operation of the n (n is a natural number of 1 or more) screen to a specific operation of the n + m (m is a natural number of 1 or more) screen;
A comparison unit that compares the elapsed time with a first threshold;
And a control unit that controls display or non-display of the help screen based on the comparison result. A print kiosk device that reads an image file from a portable storage medium inserted by a user into an insertion port of an external storage medium, and prints an image selected according to a user operation instruction on image receiving paper,
an elapsed time measurement unit that measures an elapsed time required from a specific operation of the n (n is a natural number of 1 or more) screen to a specific operation of the n + m (m is a natural number of 1 or more) screen;
A comparison unit that compares the elapsed time with a first threshold;
And a control unit that controls display or non-display of the help screen based on the comparison result. a process of measuring the elapsed time required from the specific operation of the n (n is a natural number of 1 or more) screen to the specific operation of the n + m (m is a natural number of 1 or more) screen;
A process of comparing the elapsed time with a first threshold;
And a process for controlling the display or non-display of the help screen based on the comparison result. a process of measuring the elapsed time required from the specific operation of the n (n is a natural number of 1 or more) screen to the specific operation of the n + m (m is a natural number of 1 or more) screen;
A process of comparing the elapsed time with a first threshold;
A program for causing a computer to execute processing for controlling display or non-display of a help screen based on a comparison result.

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