JP2008009808A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of automatically switching between supplying and non-supplying of an operation guide according to a user's operation skill level without fine setups by the user. <P>SOLUTION: This information processor having the function to provide the user with the operation guide by display or sound of characters or figures comprises a control means which evaluates the user's operation skill level by timing of operations done by the user immediately after providing the operation guide and switches between supplying and non-supplying of the operation guide at the time of subsequent operations according to the evaluated skill level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a function of providing an operation guide to a user by displaying characters or figures or by voice.

Today, various functions such as computers are becoming more and more multifunctional, and accordingly, complicated operations are increasing, and it is difficult for a user to perform all operations intuitively. In order for users to operate easily, an increasing number of devices have a function of providing an operation guide (including what is called help) that supports user operations by displaying characters or graphics or by voice (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
JP-A-8-65587 (H04N 5/44)

  Many devices having such functions are used not only by young people who can operate the device intuitively and by familiar users, but also by elderly people who are difficult to operate without seeing the operation manual. For this reason, the operation guide (including the help function) may be described quite kindly so that anyone can operate it, or it may be explained in detail over a long time.

  However, for users accustomed to using the device and users who do not need an operation guide in many cases, an explanation that is more than necessary may interfere with the operation or waste the user's time. There are challenges.

  Further, in order to avoid the above-described problem, many devices can be set to provide / not provide an operation guide. However, if it is set to non-providing, there is a problem that all operation guides are not provided, and explanations of operations necessary for the user are not provided. Even if the provision / non-provision of the operation explanation can be set individually, the user needs to make fine settings.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the provision / non-provision of the operation guide is automatically switched according to the user's operation proficiency without making detailed settings. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus that can perform the above processing.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application provides the operation guide in an information processing apparatus having a function of providing the user with an operation guide by displaying characters or figures or by voice. Immediately after the operation, the user's operation proficiency is evaluated according to the operation timing, and control means for switching between providing / non-providing the operation guide at the time of the subsequent operation according to the evaluated proficiency is provided. It is.

  In the invention according to claim 2, when the control means evaluates that the user's operation proficiency is once high, all the operation guides are made non-provided unless a predetermined special operation is performed thereafter. It is a feature.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, when the control means evaluates that the operation familiarity level of the user is high, only the operation guide related to the operation is not provided thereafter. is there.

  In the invention according to claim 4, when the control means evaluates that the operation familiarity level of the user is high, the operation guide related to the operation and the level equal to or lower than the level of the operation or related The similar operation is not provided.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the control means evaluates the user's operation proficiency in consideration of the validity of the operation in addition to the operation timing performed by the user immediately after providing the operation guide. According to the evaluated proficiency level, switching between providing / not providing the operation guide at the time of the subsequent operation is characterized.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the user can be identified by the user identifying means that can identify the user, the control means stores the evaluated user's operation proficiency level in association with information that can be identified by the user in a storage medium. In addition, at the next use, the operation proficiency for each user up to the previous time is inherited, and the provision / non-provision of the operation guide is switched.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the control means identifies the user by referring to the storage medium based on the user's operation proficiency evaluated immediately after providing the operation guide.

  In the invention according to claim 1 of the present application, the evaluation of the user's operation proficiency is determined at the timing of the user's operation performed after the start of the operation guide provision. This is because users with a high level of operation proficiency are able to operate quickly without having to understand all the contents of the operation guide provided immediately after they are ready to operate. The earlier the operation performed by the user, the higher the user's proficiency with respect to this device operation. Since this evaluation can be automatically determined by setting, for example, a threshold value parameter for operation timing, provision / non-provision of the operation guide can be switched according to the user's operation proficiency without troublesome settings. There is an effect.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the user evaluates that the proficiency level is high in one operation, all subsequent operation guides are not automatically provided. As a result, a user who is skilled in many operations does not receive unnecessary operation guides without making settings.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the user evaluates that the proficiency level is high in a certain operation, the operation guide is not automatically provided only for the same operation from the next. As a result, the operation guide is not provided only for an operation with a high level of user operation proficiency that does not require provision of an operation guide.

  In the invention according to claim 4, when it is evaluated that the user has a high level of proficiency in a certain operation, thereafter, the operation guide related to the operation and a level equal to or lower than the level of the operation, or a similar operation related to the operation guide. Disabling the offer automatically. As a result, although the types are slightly different, even in an operation in which the operation method can be easily guessed if even one operation method is known, an operation that does not require the operation guide is not provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the user's operation proficiency level is evaluated in consideration of not only the timing of the operation performed by the user but also the legitimacy of the operation. Thereby, a user's operation proficiency level can be evaluated more accurately.

  In the invention described in claim 6, when there is some user identification means such as a fingerprint authentication device in the device, and when identifying which user to use at the time of use, the proficiency level of the previous operation for each user and the user's operation The proficiency level for each user is stored, and an operation guide corresponding to the user is provided. As a result, an operation guide corresponding to each user can be provided even for a plurality of users.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, user identification can be performed according to the timing of an operation performed by the user. Thus, if the user can be identified by some temporary user identification means only at the beginning, user identification can be realized thereafter without a special user identification mechanism or device. Further, even in an apparatus that does not have a permanent user identification means, a user can be easily specified, and the information can be used for various functions.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a video recorder as an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  The video recorder 1 is connected to an antenna 2 and includes a tuner unit 11 for selecting a received broadcast signal, a remote control signal receiving unit 12 for receiving a signal from a remote controller (not shown), and the selected broadcast signal on a hard disk. The video recording unit 14 for recording in the video storage unit 13, the playback unit 15 for playing back the broadcast signal recorded in the video storage unit 13, and the broadcast signal selected by the tuner unit 11 and the playback unit 15 The display unit 16 displays the broadcast signal on the display 3 such as a TV receiver, the storage unit 17 including a non-volatile or battery-backed semiconductor memory, and the microcomputer 8 that controls the units 11 to 17. The control means of the present invention is realized by the microcomputer 8.

  Here, in order to show a specific example, the information processing apparatus of the present invention will be described as a video recorder having a relatively simple function, but the information processing apparatus of the present invention is limited to such a video recorder. Any device having an operation guide function is applicable.

  A state transition diagram of the video recorder 1 as an example is shown in FIG. The characters in the ellipse indicate the state of the video recorder 1 and indicate that the state changes in the direction of the arrow by a remote control operation from the user. The main functions are recording and playback. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that operations other than state transition cannot be performed in each state.

  First of all, when the power is turned on, the broadcast viewing state in which neither recording nor playback is performed is set. Next, the state transitioned by the user's operation is display of the recording title list, recording, setting, and power OFF.

  If the video recorder 1 is set to display the operation guide, the video display output by the video recorder 1 immediately after the power is turned on is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, an operation guide window W <b> 1 is displayed in front of the broadcast video screen S, and operations that can be performed by the user and descriptions thereof are displayed. In this state, when the “OK” button on the remote controller is pressed, the operation guide window W1 disappears. The window W1 also disappears by performing an operation for transitioning to the next state, such as pressing the “record” button.

  If the user is highly proficient in the operation of the video recorder 1, the operation guide is closed by pressing the “OK” button or the button of the operation to be executed without reading the operation guide. For such a user, there is no need to display an operation guide, which conversely interferes with the operation.

  Therefore, in the video recorder 1 of the present embodiment, when the user operates without reading the operation guide as described above, the display / non-display setting of the operation guide is automatically changed to non-display by the microcomputer 18. The function to do is added. The threshold value for determining that the user has not read the operation guide is determined by, for example, the next operation within 3 seconds, or the threshold value is changed depending on the number of displayed characters. is there.

  Further, in FIG. 3, the operation guide is displayed in characters, but this is almost the same in graphic display and audio guide. In the case of graphic display, the timing for determining that the user has not read the operation guide is the same as the character display, such as the method of determining the saddle value, such as when the next operation is performed within 3 seconds, and the number and complexity of the graphic There is a method of changing the threshold value by. On the other hand, in the case of a voice operation guide, if the following operation is performed until all operation methods are read out, or if a “voice guide stop” button is provided on the remote control, that button is pressed during voice guidance. If it is determined that the user does not need an operation guide.

  As described above, all operation guides are not provided after it is determined that the user's operation proficiency level is high. At this time, the setting value of the “operation guide” that can be set from “setting” in FIG. 2 is automatically “OFF”. When the user turns this setting value “ON”, the operation guide is provided again. In this way, all operation guides are not provided unless special operations are performed in advance. FIG. 4 shows a “setting” display window W2. Since this set value is stored in the storage unit 17 in the apparatus, the setting of the operation guide OFF is effective even after the power is turned off and then turned on again, and the operation guide is not displayed.

  Thereby, a user who is skilled in many operations does not receive unnecessary operation guides without setting.

  On the other hand, it is also possible not to provide only the operation determined to have a high level of user operation proficiency thereafter. For example, it is assumed that the user presses the “record” button for recording within a short time within the criterion for determining that the operation skill level is high after the power is turned on and the screen of FIG. 3 is displayed. In this case, it can be said that the user who has operated is highly proficient in the operation at least for recording. Therefore, since the “recording” item of the operation guide is unnecessary information for this user, an item determined to have a high level of operation proficiency as shown in FIG. 5 is not displayed, or an operation proficiency as shown in FIG. Simplify items judged to be high.

  The proficiency level for each operation is stored in the storage unit 17 in the apparatus as a proficiency level storage table as shown in FIG. 7, and items that have high levels of proficiency are inherited even after the power is turned off / on. “1” in the proficiency determination in the table shown in FIG. 7 is an operation that is determined to have a high proficiency level, and “0” indicates an operation that is not determined to have a high proficiency level. Further, when it is determined that the proficiency level of all operations displayed on the screen is high, the operation guide window W1 itself is not displayed.

  FIG. 8A is a flowchart for evaluating the proficiency level of the operation guide using characters and figures, and is executed when the operation guide is displayed by the microcomputer 18 corresponding to the control means of the present invention.

  When the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8A is executed, first, the time count by a timer or the like built in the microcomputer 18 is reset (step S101), and an operation guide is displayed (step S102).

  Then, it waits for a user operation while updating the time count (step S103 → No in step S104 → loop in step S103), and if there is a user operation, whether the time count is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. Is checked (Yes in step S104 → step S105).

  If the time count is not less than or equal to the threshold value, the process is terminated. If the time count is less than or equal to the threshold value, the proficiency storage table as shown in FIG. 7 is updated according to the user's operation content, and the process ends (Yes in step S105). → Step S106).

  Further, when the determination of the operation proficiency level is distinguished for each operation as described above, the voice guide has a determination timing different from the display of the guide by characters or figures. For example, it is assumed that the voice guide is read from above as written in the operation guide window W1 of FIG. If the user presses the “Setting” button while reading the recording operation guide, the user can perform the setting operation without the help of the operation guide, and this user needs the “Setting” operation guide. It can be judged that there is no. In this case, even when the threshold value of the number of seconds for which it is determined that the proficiency level is high when the user presses the “set” button, the user determines that the proficiency level of this operation is high.

  FIG. 8B is a flowchart for evaluating the proficiency level of the operation guide by voice, and is executed at the start of the voice operation guide by the microcomputer 18 corresponding to the control means of the present invention.

  When the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8B is executed, first, a voice operation guide is started (step S201). Then, after waiting for the user's operation (No loop in step S202), if there is a user's operation, it is checked whether or not the voice operation guide has ended (Yes in step S202 → step S203).

  If the voice operation guide has been completed, the process is terminated as it is. If the voice operation guide has not been completed, the proficiency storage table as shown in FIG. No in S203 → Step S204).

  On the other hand, if the user's operation proficiency level is evaluated as high for an operation, the operation guide related to the operation and a level below the level equivalent to the operation or related similar operations can be made non-provided. It is. This is because a user with a high level of proficiency in a certain operation can operate at a level equal to or lower than the level of the operation or a related similar operation without an operation guide.

  As a result, an operation that is simpler than an operation with a high level of proficiency by the user can be performed without an operation guide, so that an unnecessary operation guide need not be displayed. For example, deleting a recorded title is relatively difficult, and if it is possible for a person who can perform this operation to easily select a recorded title, if it is determined that the user has a high level of skill in deleting a recorded title, In addition to the operation guide for deletion, an operation guide for selecting a recording title is not provided. This function can be realized by setting a related operation table as shown in FIG.

  Also, for example, when switching from the display state of the setting screen to the broadcast viewing screen (see FIG. 2), the user presses the “return” button on the remote control. On the other hand, when switching from the display state of the recorded title list to the broadcast viewing screen, the user also presses the “return” button. At this time, if it is determined that the proficiency level of the operation of one of the return buttons is high, not only the “return” operation in that case but also the operation guide for the other “return” operation is switched to non-provided. This function can be realized by setting a related operation table as shown in FIG.

  In the embodiment described above, the proficiency level is determined only at the timing when the user performs an operation. However, not only the proficiency level is determined at the timing when the user performs an operation, but the validity of the operation is determined. Can also be included in the criterion of proficiency. That is, even if the “return” button is quickly pressed after the broadcast viewing state is entered, it is an invalid operation and the user's operation proficiency level is not high. However, it is determined that the proficiency level is high if only the previous timing is used as a criterion. Therefore, if the legitimacy of the operation is included in the proficiency determination criterion, such a mistake determination can be prevented. Furthermore, not only when an invalid operation is performed, but also when the user can assume that he / she has performed an erroneous operation, the proficiency level can be determined. For example, if the recording is stopped by pressing the “stop” button immediately after the “recording” button is pressed, it can be estimated that the first recording button is an operation error. By adding the evaluation of the operation legitimacy, the user's operation proficiency can be more accurately evaluated.

  On the other hand, when there are a plurality of users to use, an operation guide can be provided according to the proficiency level of each user. For example, it is assumed that a fingerprint recognition device is attached to a remote controller (not shown) of the video recorder 1 described so far, so that the user currently using it can be identified by a fingerprint pattern registered in advance.

  Then, the operation proficiency level of each user is determined as described above, and the proficiency level of each user is stored in the storage unit 17 as a user-specific proficiency level storage table as shown in FIG. Even if someone else is using by the time of use of a certain user, by switching the display / non-display of the operation guide based on the judgment value of this table, the operation guide that matches the proficiency level of each user It becomes possible to display.

  Furthermore, in the above description, only the fingerprint recognition device is used as the user identification means, but it is also possible to identify the user from the timing when the user operates. For example, measure how long a certain characteristic operation is performed from a certain standard, and refer to the user-specific proficiency storage table stored in the storage unit 17 to determine which of the users used so far Identify what the user is currently using. Alternatively, it is also effective to identify the user from a plurality of operation timings.

  Thus, if the user can be identified by some temporary user identification means only at the beginning, user identification can be realized thereafter without a special user identification mechanism or device. Further, even in an apparatus that does not have a permanent user identification means, a user can be easily specified, and the information can be used for various functions.

The block diagram which shows the structural example of a video recorder as one Embodiment of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. The state transition diagram of the video recorder. The figure which shows the example of an operation guide in the video display which a video recorder outputs. The figure which shows the example of a display of "setting" similarly. The figure which shows the example of an operation guide which does not provide only the operation judged that the user's operation proficiency is high. Similarly, the figure which shows the other operation guide example. The figure which shows an example of a proficiency storage table. The flowchart of proficiency evaluation of the operation guide by a character, a figure, or a voice. The figure which shows the example of the related operation table | surface set about the operation guide regarding the operation, the level below the level equivalent to the operation, or the related similar operation when it is evaluated that the operation familiarity of the user is high. The figure which shows an example of the proficiency storage table classified by user.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Video recorder 2 Antenna 3 Display 11 Tuner part 12 Remote control signal receiving part 13 Video | video memory | storage part 14 Recording part 15 Playback | regeneration part 16 Display part 17 Memory | storage part 18 Microcomputer S Broadcast video screen W1, W2 Window

Claims (7)

In an information processing apparatus having a function of providing an operation guide to a user by displaying characters or figures or by voice,
Immediately after providing the operation guide, a control unit that evaluates the user's operation proficiency according to the operation timing performed by the user and switches between providing / non-providing the operation guide during subsequent operations according to the evaluated proficiency level An information processing apparatus characterized by that.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein if the user's operation proficiency level is evaluated as being high once, all the operation guides are not provided unless a predetermined special operation is performed thereafter. Information processing device.   2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the control unit evaluates that the operation familiarity of the user is high with respect to an operation, only the operation guide related to the operation is not provided thereafter.   If the control means evaluates that the operation proficiency level of the user is high for an operation, the control means does not provide an operation guide related to the operation and a level equal to or lower than the level of the operation or a related similar operation thereafter. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The control means evaluates the user's operation proficiency in consideration of the legitimacy of the operation in addition to the timing of the operation performed by the user immediately after providing the operation guide. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein providing / non-providing of an operation guide during operation is switched.   When the user can be identified by the user identifying means capable of identifying the user, the control means stores the evaluated user's operation proficiency level in association with the information that can be identified by the user in a storage medium, and until the previous use at the next use The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operation guide for each user is inherited and the provision / non-provision of the operation guide is switched. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit identifies the user with reference to the storage medium based on a user's operation proficiency evaluated immediately after providing the operation guide.

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