JP2008065630A - Image processing apparatus and guidance display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus and a guidance display method for displaying a guidance screen on an operation screen. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus for displaying guidance indicating an operation procedure is provided with an image preparation means for dynamically determining a display position of a guidance screen concerned with an operation screen operated by a user on the basis of the operation screen and preparing a screen for displaying the guidance screen on the operation screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a guidance display method for displaying a guidance screen on an operation screen.

  A method for the user to know how to use the image processing apparatus is generally referred to a user manual attached when the image processing apparatus is purchased. In the past, this instruction manual was often distributed in a paper booklet. Recently, however, an electronic instruction manual such as PDF (Portable Document Format) can be viewed on a PC (Personal Computer). It has become.

In addition, a computer terminal that remotely displays guidance on various operation methods on an image processing apparatus in accordance with an operation of a user of the image processing apparatus has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-198321 A JP 2002-258682 A

  Due to recent improvements in security awareness, it has become possible to customize the screen displayed on the image processing apparatus so that specific functions are not displayed. Therefore, even if a user's manual such as conventional paper or PDF is referred to, the screen described for explanation is based on an uncustomized screen, and the image processing apparatus used by the user is customized. There was a problem that the same operation as described on the screen could not be performed.

  Further, since the computer terminal of Patent Document 1 does not provide guidance based on a customized screen in each image processing apparatus, it is the same as the description on the customized screen of the image processing apparatus used by the user. There were cases where operations could not be performed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and a guidance display method for displaying a guidance screen on an operation screen.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is an image processing apparatus that displays guidance indicating an operation procedure, and dynamically displays a display position of a guidance screen related to an operation screen operated by a user based on the operation screen. A screen creation means for creating a screen for determining and displaying the guidance screen on the operation screen is provided.

  In such an image processing apparatus, it is possible to dynamically determine the display position of the guidance screen based on the current operation screen so that the user can easily perform the operation, and display the guidance screen on the operation screen.

  According to the present invention, a guidance screen indicating an operation procedure related to a current operation screen operated by a user is created, and the display position of the guidance screen is dynamically changed based on the current operation screen so that the user can easily perform an operation. The guidance screen can be displayed on the operation screen.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus. In FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 100 can execute various functions such as printing, copying, and scanning, and includes a control unit 110, a display unit 111, an operation unit 112, a document reading unit 113, and a storage medium interface. 114, an image processing unit 115, an image storage unit 116, and an image printing unit 117, which are connected to each other via a bus B1.

  The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, and controls the entire image processing apparatus 100. The display unit 111 is configured by a touch panel and displays information to the user, and allows the user to input and set information by operating the touch panel with a touch pen or a fingertip. The operation unit 112 includes a numeric keypad button, a start button, and the like, and allows the user to operate the image processing apparatus 100 by pressing the button.

  The document reading unit 113 reads a document set by a user. The storage medium interface 114 is an interface for mounting a storage medium 114a such as an SD (Secure Digital) memory card. The storage medium 114a stores various data for displaying an operation description (hereinafter referred to as guidance) of the image processing apparatus 100.

  The image processing unit 115 performs various image processes on the image generated by the document reading unit 113 reading the document. The image storage unit 116 stores an image generated by the original reading unit 113 reading the original. The image printing unit 117 forms an image of a document on a sheet and outputs it from the image processing apparatus 100.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, only the function for dynamically determining the display position of the operation screen and the guidance screen indicating the operation procedure is shown, and other functions for functioning as the image processing apparatus 100 are shown. It is omitted.

  In FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a screen display unit 121, an event processing unit 122, a screen creation unit 123, a guidance creation unit 124, and a document processing unit 125. Operates on the operation system.

  In response to the screen display request from the screen creation processing unit 123, the screen display unit 121 controls display on the display unit 111 using screen data included in the screen display request. The event processing unit 122 notifies the contents of the event to the screen creation unit 123 according to an event related to the screen display on the screen display unit 111 and the operation on the screen displayed on the screen display unit 111.

  The screen creation unit 123 acquires guidance screen data for displaying the guidance from the guidance creation unit 124 in response to the notification of the event content from the event processing unit 122, so that the guidance screen and the button do not overlap with each other. Create

  First, a display example of a screen displayed by guidance display control performed by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A display example of a guidance screen displayed in a normal screen transition in FIGS. 3A to 3B will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3B.

  In FIG. 3A, a copy screen G11 displayed on the image processing apparatus 100 is shown. This copy screen G11 displays an input area for the number of copies, a button for selecting a copy function such as double-sided, consolidation, scaling, color, and density, and a guidance display button G11a for displaying guidance. Has been.

  When the user presses the guidance display button G11a, a guidance list screen G21 is displayed on the copy screen G11 as shown in FIG. On the guidance list screen G21, items of various functions for copying are displayed in a list. The user selects a desired function.

  For example, when the user selects “1.2 Collect and copy”, as shown in FIG. 3C, a guidance screen G22 for collecting and copying is displayed on the copy screen G11. In particular, it is displayed so as not to overlap the aggregation button G11b. The user operates the image processing apparatus 100 according to the instruction on the guidance screen G22. For example, as the next operation performed by the user, the user presses the aggregation button G11b on the copy screen G11 in accordance with the instruction “press the aggregation button”. By displaying the aggregation button G11b in a color different from that of the other buttons, the user can easily recognize the button to be operated.

  When the aggregation button G11b is pressed, an aggregation screen G12 for selecting an aggregation type is displayed on the display unit 111 as shown in FIG. 3D, and a guidance screen G23 for aggregation and copying is displayed. It is displayed so as not to overlap the buttons of the aggregation screen G12. By selecting the color of the button to be selected as a specific color, it is possible to easily select the button according to the process desired by the user.

  In this way, the guidance can be displayed on the screen related to the user's operation, and the guidance can be displayed so as not to hide the button that the user should operate.

  Further, by displaying the button for operating the guidance in a color different from that of the other buttons, the user can visually recognize the button to be operated.

  Furthermore, the user can easily grasp the progress of the operation procedure by displaying the guidance so that the item for which the operation has been completed and the item to be operated can be identified.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a guidance screen for another function. For example, when the user selects “1.3 Copy on both sides” on the guidance screen G21 shown in FIG. 3B, the guidance screen G24 for making a double-sided copy is displayed on the copy screen G11 with the double-side button G11c. Displayed so as not to overlap.

  A display example of the guidance screen when the copy screen G11 is customized and the position of the button is changed will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when the aggregation button G11b is arranged beside the guidance display button G11a by customizing the copy screen G11, the display position of the guidance screen G22 for aggregation and copying is changed, and the guidance screen G22 The aggregation button G11b is displayed so as not to overlap.

  As described above, since the guidance displayed on the display unit 111 does not overlap the button, the user can appropriately select the button according to the guidance instruction while the guidance is displayed.

  In this embodiment, when displaying guidance, first, guidance can be displayed in correspondence with a screen related to a user operation. Secondly, the guidance is displayed so as not to hide the button to be operated. Thirdly, the button indicating the procedure in the guidance is displayed in a color that is easily recognizable to the user by changing the color. Fourthly, the distinction between the procedure that has been operated and the procedure that should be operated next is displayed in an easily recognizable manner. Fifth, by dynamically creating the guidance screen, it is possible to prevent the user's operability from being affected even if the screen is customized.

  A display example of guidance when the screen is customized and the button is not displayed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A shows a copy screen G11-2 that does not display the aggregation button G11b by customization.

  When the user presses the guidance display button G11a from the copy screen G11 shown in FIG. 6 (A), the guidance screen G21-2 does not include an aggregation item on the copy screen G11-2 as shown in FIG. 6 (B). Is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, sixthly, when there is a button that is not displayed by customization of the screen, the guidance regarding the function that is executed by pressing the button is not displayed, and therefore the user can refer only to the guidance regarding the function that can be executed. it can.

  A display example of guidance related to the current screen will be described with reference to FIG. When the guidance display button G12a on the aggregation screen G12 shown in FIG. 7A is pressed, a guidance screen G25 explaining the aggregation type as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed on the guidance display button G12a. For example, the guidance screen G25 displays a description such as “Select whether to select two types of documents to be consolidated on one printing sheet or four on one sheet”.

  In the present embodiment, seventhly, since only the guidance related to the currently displayed screen is displayed, the functions available on the current screen can be matched with the description of the guidance.

  A display example of the operation screen and the guidance screen based on the execution authority of the user will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when the user does not have the authority to execute the aggregation function, a copy screen G11-2 in which buttons for aggregation are not displayed is displayed on the display unit 111 as illustrated in FIG.

  When the user presses the guidance display button G11a on the copy screen G11-2, a guidance screen G21-2 that does not include an aggregation item is displayed on the copy screen G11-2 as shown in FIG. 8B. The

  Eighthly, in this embodiment, guidance for functions for which the user has no execution authority is not displayed.

  A case where the guidance is temporarily hidden will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when the guidance display button G11a is pressed on the copy screen G11, the guidance screen G22-2 having a hide button G22a for hiding (reducing) the guidance display as shown in FIG. 9A is displayed on the copy screen G11. Displayed above.

  When the user presses the hide button G22a of the guidance screen G22-2 displayed on the copy screen G11, the guidance screen G22-2 is reduced as shown in FIG. 9B, and the entire copy screen G11 is easily visible. It is arranged at such a position. The user can display the display size of the guidance G22-2 in the normal size by pressing the guidance screen G22-2.

  In the present embodiment, ninthly, since the displayed guidance can be temporarily hidden, the user can see the entire screen.

  A case where the position of the guidance is manually moved will be described with reference to FIG. When the guidance screen G22 for collective copying shown in FIG. 10A is initially displayed on the copy screen G11, the user specifies the destination by dragging the guidance screen G22 with a touch pen or a fingertip. As shown in FIG. 10B, the guidance screen G22 is displayed at the user's designated location so as not to hide the aggregation button G11b.

  In the present embodiment, tenthly, since the position of the displayed guidance can be changed manually, the operability for the user can be improved.

  Hereinafter, the sequence will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the sequence until the guidance list shown in FIGS. 3 (A) to 3 (B) and FIGS. 6 (A) to 6 (B) is displayed will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, when the user requests display of the copy screen G11, the event processing unit 122 makes a screen creation request to the screen creation unit 123 to create the copy screen G11 (step S201).

  The screen creation unit 123 performs screen information acquisition for specifying the screen ID for identifying the copy screen G11 on the storage medium 114a in order to acquire screen information (step S202). The screen ID is information for identifying the copy screen G11. Then, screen information notification in which the screen definition and the element definition corresponding to the screen ID stored in the storage medium 114a are designated is made to the screen creation unit 123 (step S203).

  The screen creation unit 123 creates a copy screen G11 based on the screen definition and element definition read from the storage medium 114a (step S204), and displays the copy screen G11 to display the copy screen G11. A screen display request for designating screen data is made to the screen display unit 121 (step S205).

  The screen display unit 121 displays a copy screen G11 on the display unit 111 based on the screen data. Thereafter, when the user presses the guidance display button G11a on the copy screen G11, the event processing unit 122 accepts a guidance display request (step S207). Then, the event processing unit 122 notifies the screen creation unit 123 of a guidance display request (step S208).

  The screen creation unit 123 makes a guidance creation request for requesting a guidance list to the guidance creation unit 124 (step S209).

  The guidance creating unit 124 obtains guidance information specifying all guidance in the storage medium 114a (step S210), and receives notification of guidance information indicating guidance definition from the storage medium 114a (step S211).

  Next, the guidance creating unit 124 obtains screen information designating all screens in the storage medium 114a (step S212), and receives notification of screen information indicating the screen definition and the element definition from the storage medium 114a (step S213). .

  Then, the guidance creating unit 124 creates a guidance screen G21 showing a guidance list by excluding guidance on elements defined not to be displayed from the screen definition and the element definition (step S214), and the guidance screen data Is notified to the screen creation unit 123 (step S215).

  Upon receiving the guidance notification, the screen creation unit 123 creates a screen using the guidance screen data (step S216), and issues a screen display request specifying the screen data of the created guidance screen G21 to the screen display unit 121. (Step S217).

  And the screen display part 121 displays the guidance screen G21 which shows a guidance list on the display part 111. FIG.

  Next, a sequence for displaying a specific guidance so as not to hide a button related to a specific function as shown in FIGS. 3C and 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when the user selects “1.2 Collect and copy” from the guidance screen G21 showing the guidance list shown in FIG. 3B, the event processing unit 122 accepts a guidance display request regarding a specific function ( Step S231).

  Then, the event processing unit 122 notifies the screen creation unit 123 of a guidance display request for designating a guidance ID for specifying the guidance (step S232). In this case, the guidance ID specifies guidance for performing an aggregate copy.

  The screen creation unit 123 specifies the guidance ID and requests the guidance creation unit 124 to create a specific guidance (step S233).

  The guidance creating unit 124 obtains guidance information from the storage medium 114a (step S234), and receives guidance information indicating guidance definition and procedure definition from the storage medium 114a (step S235).

  Then, the guidance creation unit 124 creates specific guidance (step S236), and performs guidance notification for designating the guidance screen data and an element ID for identifying an element related to the specific function to the screen creation unit 123 (step S236). S237). For example, the element is a button G11b for performing an aggregate copy.

  Upon receiving the guidance notification, the screen creation unit 123 performs element information acquisition for designating the element ID of the guidance notification on the storage medium 114a (step S238), and includes a manual image corresponding to the element ID from the storage medium 114a. A notification of element information is received (step S239).

  The manual image is a predetermined image for displaying a button related to a function selected by the user (for example, a button G11b for performing an aggregate copy) different from other elements (buttons other than the button G11b, etc.). It is. Different displays include different shapes and colors.

  Then, the screen creation unit 123 calculates each arrangement position so that the manual image of the element identified by the element ID does not overlap with the guidance screen data, and displays the element using the manual image acquired from the storage medium 114a. A guidance screen G22 is created on the copy screen G11 to be executed (step S240).

  The screen creation unit 123 makes a screen display request for designating screen data for displaying the guidance screen G22 on the copy screen G11 to the screen display unit 121 (step S241).

  Then, the screen display unit 121 displays on the display unit 111 a guidance screen G22 indicating guidance for aggregated copying as specific guidance.

  Next, a sequence for displaying guidance when a user operation is performed according to specific guidance as shown in FIG. 3D will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when the user presses the button G11b for performing an aggregate copy in accordance with the guidance screen G22 for the aggregate copy shown in FIG. 3C, the event processing unit 122 accepts a request due to the button G11b being pressed ( Step S251).

  Then, the event processing unit 122 notifies the screen creation unit 123 of a guidance screen transition request indicating the input information and the button ID for identifying the button G11b in order to transition from the guidance screen G22 to the guidance screen G23. (Step S252).

  The screen creation unit 123 executes the button action (step S253), and requests the input information notified from the event processing unit 122 to the document processing unit 125 (step S254). Further, the screen creation unit 123 makes a guidance change request for designating a guidance ID and a button ID to the guidance creation unit 124 in order to change the guidance screen (step S255).

  The guidance creation unit 124 changes the guidance according to the user's operation (step S256). The guidance creation unit 124 determines the next guidance based on the guidance ID and the button ID. Then, the guidance creation unit 124 sends a guidance notification indicating the guidance screen data and the element ID of the next guidance screen G23 to the screen creation unit 123 (step S257).

  The screen creation unit 123 performs screen information acquisition for designating the screen ID and the element ID for specifying the aggregate screen G12 that is transitioned by pressing the button G11b for performing the aggregate copy from the copy screen G11 to the storage medium 114a (step S258) ) Receives a screen information notification designating the screen definition and element definition of the aggregate screen G12 from the storage medium 114a (step S259).

  Then, the screen creation unit 123 creates the aggregate screen G12 based on the screen definition and the element definition, and creates the guidance screen G23 based on the guidance screen data so as not to overlap the buttons of the aggregate screen G21 (step S260). . The screen creation unit 123 makes a screen display request including screen data to the screen display unit 121 in order to display the screen on which the guidance screen G23 is displayed on the aggregate screen G12 (step S261).

  The screen display unit 121 displays a screen on which the guidance screen G23 is displayed on the aggregate screen G12 on the display unit 111 based on the screen data.

  Next, a sequence in the case of displaying only operation guidance that can be performed on the current screen as shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when the user presses the guidance display button G12a on the aggregation screen G12 shown in FIG. 7A, the event processing unit 122 accepts a guidance display request (step S271). Then, the event processing unit 122 notifies the screen creation unit 123 of a guidance display request (step S272).

  The screen creation unit 123 makes a guidance creation request designating the screen ID and the element ID to the guidance creation unit 124 in order to request creation of guidance only for the procedure related to the displayed screen and buttons (step S273). ).

  The guidance creating unit 124 obtains guidance information from the storage medium 114a (step S274), and receives guidance information including procedure definitions from the storage medium 114a (step S275).

  Then, the guidance creation unit 124 creates only guidance related to the current aggregate screen G12 based on the procedure definition (step S276). The guidance creation unit 124 performs guidance notification for designating the guidance screen data and the element ID of the guidance screen G25 to the screen creation unit 123 (step S277).

  Upon receiving the guidance notification, the screen creation unit 123 performs element information acquisition for designating the element ID of the guidance notification on the storage medium 114a (step S278), and includes a manual image corresponding to the element ID from the storage medium 114a. A notification of element information is received (step S279).

  Then, the screen creation unit 123 calculates each arrangement position so that the manual image of the element identified by the element ID does not overlap with the guidance screen data, and displays the element using the manual image acquired from the storage medium 114a. A guidance screen to be created is created (step S280). The screen creation unit 123 makes a screen display request specifying the screen data of the created guidance screen G25 to the screen display unit 121 (step S281).

  The screen display unit 121 displays the guidance screen G25 on the aggregate screen G12.

  Next, a sequence for displaying guidance only for functions for which the user has execution authority as shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when the user requests the copy screen G11-2 shown in FIG. 8A, the event processing unit 122 makes a screen creation request to the screen creation unit 123 to create the copy screen G11-2 (step S1). S301).

  The screen creation unit 123 performs screen information acquisition for specifying the screen ID for identifying the copy screen G11-2 on the storage medium 114a in order to acquire screen information (step S302). The screen ID is information for identifying the copy screen G11-2. Then, a screen information notification for designating the screen definition and the element definition corresponding to the screen ID stored in the storage medium 114a is made to the screen creation unit 123 (step S303).

  The screen creation unit 123 checks the function that cannot be executed by the user, and removes the button (element definition) corresponding to the function, and based on the screen definition and the element definition read from the storage medium 114a, the screen creation unit 123 Creation is performed (step S304), and in order to display the copy screen G11, a screen display request for designating screen data of the created copy screen G11-2 is made to the screen display unit 121 (step S305).

  The screen display unit 121 displays the copy screen G11-2 on the display unit 111 based on the screen data. Thereafter, when the user presses the guidance display button G11a on the copy screen G11-2, the event processing unit 122 receives a request for guidance display (step S307). Then, the event processing unit 122 notifies the screen creation unit 123 of a guidance display request (step S308).

  The screen creation unit 123 makes a guidance creation request for requesting a guidance list to the guidance creation unit 124 (step S309).

  The guidance creating unit 124 obtains guidance information specifying all guidance in the storage medium 114a (step S310), and receives guidance information indicating guidance definition from the storage medium 114a (step S311).

  Next, the guidance creating unit 124 performs screen information acquisition designating the entire screen in the storage medium 114a (step S312), and receives notification of screen information indicating the screen definition and the element definition from the storage medium 114a (step S313). .

  Then, the guidance creating unit 124 examines the function that the user cannot execute from the screen definition and the element definition, and excludes the guidance related to the element that is defined not to be displayed, and displays the guidance screen G21-2 that displays the guidance list. It creates (step S314), and performs guidance notification for designating the guidance screen data to the screen creation unit 123 (step S315).

  Upon receiving the guidance notification, the screen creation unit 123 creates a screen using the guidance screen data (step S316), and sends a screen display request specifying the screen data of the created guidance screen G21-2 to the screen display unit 121. (Step S317).

  And the screen display part 121 displays the guidance screen G21-2 which shows a guidance list on the display part 111. FIG.

  Next, a sequence for temporarily hiding guidance as shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when the user presses the hide button G22a of the guidance screen G22-2 for collective copying shown in FIG. 9A, the event processing unit 122 receives a request for minimizing the guidance screen G22-2 (step S331). ).

  Then, the event processing unit 122 issues a guidance redisplay request for designating the guidance minimization and the guidance ID for identifying the guidance screen G22-2 for redisplaying on the minimized guidance screen G22-2. (Step S333).

  The screen creation unit 123 creates guidance screen data in which the guidance screen G22-2 identified by the guidance ID is minimized (step S334), and performs guidance notification for designating the guidance screen data to the screen creation unit 123 ( Step S235).

  Then, the screen creation unit 123 calculates the respective arrangement positions so that the elements of the copy screen G11 and the guidance screen data do not overlap, and creates the minimized guidance screen G22 on the copy screen G11 (step S336). .

  The screen creation unit 123 makes a screen display request for designating screen data on which the minimized guidance screen G22-2 is displayed on the copy screen G11 to the screen display unit 121 (step S337).

  The screen display unit 121 displays the minimized guidance screen G22-2 on the copy screen G11 on the display unit 111.

  Next, a sequence for changing the guidance to the movement position designated by the user as shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when the user manually designates a movement position (for example, by dragging) the guidance screen G22 of the copy screen G11 shown in FIG. 10A, the event processing unit 122 requests the movement of the guidance screen G22. Is received (step S351).

  Then, the event processing unit 122 sends a request notification for specifying the guidance movement, the guidance ID for identifying the guidance screen G22, and the coordinates after the movement in order to move the guidance screen G22 to the movement position designated by the user. It performs with respect to the screen creation part 123 (step S352).

  The screen creation unit 123 creates screen data so that the guidance screen is displayed at the movement position manually designated by the user (step S353), and makes a screen display request including the screen data to the screen display unit 121 (step S354). ).

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the screen display unit 121 displays the guidance screen G22 on the display unit 111 at the movement position designated by the user based on the screen data.

  A data structure for performing the processing as described above will be described below. First, the relevance of the screen definition, the element definition of the elements constituting the screen, the guidance definition, and the procedure definition of the procedure included in the guidance will be described with reference to the data structure diagram of FIG. In FIG. 18, the screen definition is defined by a screen definition instance 63, the element definition is defined by an element definition instance 62, the guidance definition is defined by a guidance instance 60, and the procedure definition is defined by a procedure definition instance 61.

  In FIG. 18, an ID for identifying the guidance and a title of the guidance are defined in the guidance instance 60, and one or more procedures included in the guidance are defined in the procedure definition instance 61.

  In the procedure definition instance 61, an ID for identifying the procedure and a description of the procedure are defined. A plurality of procedures are associated with a single screen, and a single procedure is associated with a plurality of elements.

  In the screen definition instance 63, an ID for identifying a screen is defined. Each screen is associated with a plurality of elements, and is associated with 0 (zero) or one screen as a screen transiting from the element.

  In the element definition instance 62, an ID for identifying an element, an image for displaying the element, a guidance image, and a size are defined, and a function for operating when an element is selected, etc. Action () is defined as

  An example of a standard module configuration for performing screen display generated for the image processing apparatus 100 based on the related diagram shown in FIG. 18 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 19, modules generated from the instances 60 to 63 are indicated by squares.

  In FIG. 19, for example, when a copy screen module 63a of the copy screen G11 is generated from the screen definition instance 63, an aggregation button module 62a, a double-sided button module 62b, and a scaling button module 62c are generated from the element definition instance 62. And associated.

  Subsequently, a module 61a for setting a manuscript related to various operations performed by the user on the copy screen G11 from the procedure definition instance 61, a module 61b for pressing the aggregation button, a module 61c for pressing the duplex button, and a module for pressing the scaling button 61d is generated.

  The module 61a for setting a document is directly associated with the copy screen module 63a. The module 61b for pressing the aggregation button, the module 61c for pressing the double-side button, and the module 61d for pressing the scaling button are respectively an aggregation button module 62a. The double-sided button module 62b and the scaling button module 62c are associated with each other.

  Further, a module 60a for copying from the guidance instance 60, a module 60b for copying on both sides, and a module 60c for copying by scaling are generated. The module 60a for collecting and copying is associated with a module 61a for setting a document and a module 61b for pressing an aggregation button. The module 60b for copying on both sides is associated with a module 61a for setting a document and a module 61b for pressing a duplex button. The module 60c for scaling and copying is associated with a module 61a for setting a document and a module 61c for pressing a duplex button.

  Next, when the aggregate screen module 63b of the aggregate screen G12 is generated from the screen definition instance 63, the 2 in 1 button module 62d and the 4 in 1 button module 62d are generated from the element definition instance 62 and associated with each other.

  Subsequently, a module 61e for selecting a type from the procedure definition instance 61 is generated and associated with the 2 in 1 button module 62d and the 4 in 1 button module 62d.

  The module 61e for selecting the type is associated with the module 60a that is already generated from the guidance instance 60 and that is to be copied collectively.

  A case where the standard module configuration as described above is customized will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 20, a description will be given of an example of customization in which the aggregate copy cannot be used.

  In FIG. 20, when the aggregation button module 62a associated with the copy screen module 63a is set to invalid or deleted, the module 61b that pushes the aggregation button associated with the aggregation button module 62a according to the association, 60a to be consolidated and copied, 61e, the 2in1 button module 62d, the 4in1 button module 62e, and the aggregation screen 63b are invalidated or deleted.

  Next, a data structure for determining whether a function is valid or invalid according to the user's execution authority will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 21, the instances 60 to 62 are the same as the data structure shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 21, in addition to the data structure shown in FIG. 18, a function instance 64 and a user instance 65 are added.

  Since the validity or invalidity of the element defined in the element definition instance 62 is determined according to the user execution authority, one function is associated with a plurality of elements.

  The function instance 64 defines an ID for identifying the function and a name of the function. A plurality of users having execution authority for a plurality of functions are associated.

  The user instance 65 defines an ID for identifying the user and a user name.

  As described above, an element is associated with a function that the user has authority to execute. Therefore, when an element is not associated with a function, the element becomes invalid, and other modules associated with the element are also invalidated as shown in FIG.

  Next, a definition example using XML (eXtended Markup Language) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an XML description example of the screen definition. The screen definition XML 163 shown in FIG. 22 describes the definition of each screen from the <screen definition> description 163a indicating the start of definition to the </ screen definition> description 163b indicating the end of definition.

  One screen is defined by a description 163c of <screen> to </ screen>. The description 163c defining the screen includes a description 163d specifying the screen ID, a description 163e specifying the correspondence guidance, and a description 163f specifying the element arrangement. In the description 163f specifying the element arrangement, the element ID and the coordinates are specified by the descriptions 163g and 163h. When there are a plurality of elements, the same description method is repeated. Since the definition of the other screen is the same description, the description thereof is omitted.

  23 and 24 are diagrams showing an example XML description of element definition. The element definition XML 162 shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 describes the definition of each element from the description 162a of <element definition> indicating the start of the definition to the description 162b of </ element definition> indicating the end of the definition.

  One button is defined as an element in the description 162c of <element> to </ element>. In the description 162c defining the button, the description 162d specifying the button ID, the description 162e specifying the button image, the description 162f specifying the manual image, the description 162g specifying the button size, the transition destination A description 162j for designating a screen, a description 162k for designating an operation when a button is selected, a description 162l for specifying corresponding guidance, and a description 162m for designating display or non-display of a button. In the description 162g that specifies the size of the button, the width and height are specified by the description 162h and the description 162i. When there are a plurality of buttons as elements, the same description method is repeated. Since the description of the other buttons is the same, the description thereof will be omitted.

  One text is defined as an element in the description 162n of <element> to </ element>. The description 162n that defines the text includes a description 162o that specifies the text ID, a description 162p that specifies the text content, a description 162q that specifies the character font of the text, and a description 162r that specifies whether to display or hide the text. Composed. When there are a plurality of texts as elements, the same description method is repeated. Since other text definitions have the same description, the description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an XML description example of the guidance definition. The guidance definition XML 160 shown in FIG. 25 describes the definition of each guidance from the description 160a of <guidance definition> indicating the start of definition to the description 160b of </ guidance definition> indicating the end of definition.

  One guidance is defined by description 160c of <guidance> to </ guidance>. The description 160c that defines the guidance includes a description 160d that specifies the guidance ID, a description 160e that specifies the title, a description 160f that specifies the classification, and a description 160g that specifies the corresponding procedure ID. When there are a plurality of guidances, the same description method is repeated. The definition of the other guidance is the same as that of the other guidance, and the explanation is omitted.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an XML description example of the procedure definition. The procedure definition XML 161 shown in FIG. 26 describes the definition of each procedure from <procedure definition> description 160a indicating the start of definition to </ procedure definition> description 160b indicating the end of definition.

  One procedure is defined in the description 161c from <procedure> to </ procedure>. In the description 161c that defines the procedure, a description 161d that specifies the procedure ID, a description 161e that specifies an explanatory text that describes the procedure, a description 161f that specifies a screen ID for displaying the procedure, and a corresponding element ID are specified. It consists of a description 161g. When there are a plurality of procedures, the same description method is repeated. Since the definition of the other procedure is the same description, the description thereof is omitted.

  An example of a tool screen for creating a data structure as described above will be described with reference to FIG. A tool screen 200 shown in FIG. 27 includes an area 210 for displaying a screen for which guidance is displayed and an area 220 for setting guidance definition information. For example, when the guidance is defined on the copy screen G 11, the user sets the definition information in the area 220 after designating the button G 11 b for performing an aggregate copy of the area 210.

  The area 220 includes an area 220a for setting a corresponding procedure ID and an area 220b for setting a guidance text.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the function structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen displayed by the guidance display control performed with the image processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the guidance screen of another function. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a guidance screen when a screen is customized and the position of a button changes. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of guidance when a screen is customized and a button is not displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the guidance relevant to the present screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the operation screen based on a user's execution authority, and a guidance screen. It is a figure which shows the example which hides guidance temporarily. It is a figure which shows the example which moves the position of guidance manually. It is a figure which shows the sequence until it displays a guidance list. It is a figure which shows the sequence for displaying the specific guidance so that the button concerning a specific function may not be hidden. It is a figure which shows the sequence for displaying guidance when a user's operation is performed according to specific guidance. It is a figure which shows the sequence in the case of displaying only the guidance of operation which can be performed on the present screen. It is a figure which shows the sequence for displaying the guidance only of the function which a user has an execution authority. It is a figure which shows the sequence for temporarily hiding guidance. It is a figure which shows the sequence for changing guidance to the movement position which the user designated. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure. It is a figure which shows the example of the standard module structure for performing a screen display. It is a figure which shows the example of a module structure at the time of customizing a standard module structure. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure which determines the valid or invalid of a function according to a user's execution authority. It is a figure which shows the example of XML description of a screen definition. It is a figure which shows the example XML description of an element definition. It is a figure which shows the example XML description of an element definition. It is a figure which shows the example XML description of a guidance definition. It is a figure which shows the example XML description of a procedure definition. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of a guidance preparation tool.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image processing apparatus 110 Control part 111 Display part 112 Operation part 113 Document reading part 114 Storage medium interface 114a Storage medium 115 Image processing part 116 Image storage part 117 Image printing part 121 Screen display part 122 Event processing part 123 Screen creation part 124 Guidance Creation unit 124
125 Document processing section

Claims (12)

An image processing apparatus for displaying a guidance indicating an operation procedure,
A screen creation unit for dynamically determining a display position of the guidance screen related to the operation screen operated by the user based on the operation screen and creating a screen for displaying the guidance screen on the operation screen; A featured image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen creation unit creates the screen so that the guidance screen does not hide elements of the operation screen that a user should operate according to the guidance.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen creation unit creates an element that is a target of an operation procedure in the guidance so that the display is different from other elements.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a guidance screen creation unit that creates the guidance screen so that an operation procedure to be performed next can be understood from the guidance.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the guidance screen creation unit dynamically creates the guidance screen based on elements of the operation screen.   6. The image according to claim 4, wherein the guidance screen creation unit creates the guidance screen except for guidance regarding a function executed by selecting an element that is specified to be hidden by customization. Processing equipment.   The image according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the guidance screen creation means creates a guidance screen showing guidance related to functions that can be performed on the operation screen currently displayed on the display means. Processing equipment.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the guidance screen creation unit creates the guidance screen so as not to display a guidance for a function for which the user does not have execution authority.   9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guidance screen displayed on the display unit is temporarily reduced.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display position of the guidance screen displayed on the display unit can be manually changed. A guidance display method for displaying a guidance indicating an operation procedure,
It has a screen creation procedure for dynamically determining the display position of the guidance screen related to the operation screen operated by the user based on the operation screen and creating a screen for displaying the guidance screen on the operation screen. Characteristic guidance display method.   12. The guidance display method according to claim 11, further comprising a guidance screen creation procedure for creating the guidance screen so that an operation procedure to be performed next can be understood from the guidance.

Images