JP2008310753A - Information processing system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make help information prepared beforehand changeable according to user's convenience. <P>SOLUTION: A digital composite machine 100 acquires a position marker showing position on tree structure of help information prepared beforehand, adds an equipment name and version information to it, and transmits them to a help server 403. The digital composite machine 100 compares a list of the position marker embedded in the equipment with the list of position marker received from the help server 403; and when there is a difference between them, the composite machine 100 updates the added position marker, and displays new help information shown by the added position marker. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, method, and program for providing help information such as an operation method to a person who operates an apparatus.

  Conventionally, when a user operates a device, there is a help function that provides guidance on how to operate the device. Such a help function is widely used in multi-function digital devices that tend to be complicated in operation.

  For example, a multifunction digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP (Multi Function Printer)) has various functions such as copying, printing, and FAX. For this reason, in the MFP, help information that explains the operation method of each function, the meaning of the function, and the like is prepared in advance in the device, and this help information can be displayed as a “guide” on a large-screen liquid crystal touch panel. It can be done.

  Such a “guide” function generally takes a menu structure of a tree structure. The tree structure of the menu structure is to select one of a plurality of menus at a higher level and continue to select a menu at a lower level after branching to reach a desired menu. Refers to the data structure.

To explain a specific example of the “Guide” function of an MFP that uses a tree-structured menu structure, first select the basic function of copy / print / fax to search for help information at the top level of the menu. It is supposed to do. After that, by continuing to make selections in the lower hierarchy and following the tree structure, it is possible to arrive at help information on the functions required by the user among various functions. Thereby, the user can use various functions of the MFP more effectively.
Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to a browser that enables a mobile terminal device to search and browse information taken from the server device side.

JP 2005-316523 A

  However, since the help information prepared in advance in the conventional device is information stored in the device when the device is shipped, there are cases where sufficient help information cannot be provided to the user.

  For example, the MFP may have various optional functions added after purchase, and cannot provide help information to the user unless help information corresponding to the added function is prepared. Assuming such a case, it may be possible to store help information corresponding to all optional functions that can be added in the device in advance. Assigning is not efficient.

  In addition, in a device equipped with an execution environment such as JAVA (registered trademark), an optional function to be added is supplied as an application. Therefore, help information corresponding to the additional optional function is stored in the device in advance. It is impossible.

  Furthermore, in a multi-function digital device such as an MFP, procedures and usage methods recommended by manufacturers at the time of shipment are not always accepted in the market, and individual users often consider and practice more convenient usage. In such a case, the help information incorporated in advance in the device becomes obsolete.

  As described above, there are cases where sufficient help information cannot be provided to the user only with help information prepared in advance. In such a case, the user can check the latest help information by accessing the homepage of the device manufacturer and checking the FAQ (Frequently Asked Question). However, in consideration of usability, it is superior in operability if the latest help information can be obtained in the device.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that help information prepared in advance in a help function of an information processing apparatus such as an MFP is variable according to user's convenience. .

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device including a storage unit that stores help information, and updates help information when a new function is added to the information processing apparatus. In order to obtain the help information related to the new function from the external device, and the display means for displaying the help information obtained by the obtaining means according to an instruction for displaying the help information. And
Also, the information processing method of the present invention is an information processing method by an information processing device capable of communicating with an external device having a storage means for storing help information, and a new function is added to the information processing device An acquisition step of acquiring help information related to the new function from the external device in order to update the help information; a display step of displaying the help information acquired by the acquisition step according to an instruction for displaying the help information; It is characterized by having.
The program of the present invention is a program for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus having a storage means for storing help information, and when a new function is added to the information processing apparatus An acquisition step of acquiring help information related to the new function from the external device in order to update the help information; a display step of displaying the help information acquired by the acquisition step according to an instruction for displaying the help information; Is executed by a computer.

  According to the present invention, help information prepared in advance can be updated even after shipment, and can be made variable according to the user's convenience.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information processing system including a digital multifunction peripheral 100 (information processing apparatus) to which the present invention is applied. Hereinafter, the overall configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The digital multifunction peripheral 100 includes a reader device 200, a printer device 300, a control device 110, and an operation unit 120. The digital multi-function peripheral 100 is communicably connected to a server that is an external device.

  The reader device 200 includes a scanner unit 210 and a document feeding unit (DF unit) 250. The scanner unit 210 optically reads a document, and the document feeding unit 250 conveys a document sheet. As a result, the reader device 200 optically reads the document and converts it into image data.

  The printer apparatus 300 includes a paper feed unit 310, a marking unit 320, a paper discharge unit 330, and a finisher unit 500. The paper feed unit 310 includes a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, and provides recording paper for transferring image data generated by the reader device 200. The marking unit 320 transfers and fixes the image data on the provided recording paper. The paper discharge unit 330 outputs the recording paper on which the image data is transferred and fixed to the outside of the apparatus. The finisher unit 500 performs stapling processing and sorting processing on the recording paper according to print settings and the like. As a result, the printer apparatus 300 conveys the recording paper, transfers and fixes the image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper outside the apparatus.

  The control device 110 is electrically connected to the reader device 200 and the printer device 300 and also connected to various servers (external devices) including host computers 401 and 402 and a help server 403 described later on the Internet via the network 400. To do.

  The control device 110 provides a copy function, a scanner function, a printer function, and the like by controlling the reader device 200 and the printer device 300. The control device 110 provides a copy function by controlling the reader device 200 to read image data of a document, and controlling the printer device 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet. In addition, the scanner function is provided by converting image data read from the reader device 200 into code data and transmitting it to the host computer 401 or the host computer 402 via the network 400. Also, the printer function is provided by converting the code data received from the host computer 401 or the host computer 402 via the network 400 into image data and outputting it to the printer apparatus 300.

  The operation unit 120 includes a liquid crystal touch panel and the like, and provides a user I / F (user interface) function for operating the digital multifunction peripheral 100 by connecting to the control device 110.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reader device 200 and the printer device 300. Details of the reader device 200 and the printer device 300 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  The document feeder unit 250 of the reader apparatus 200 feeds documents one by one onto the platen glass 211 from the top, and after the document reading operation by the scanner unit 210 (FIG. 1) is completed, the document on the platen glass 211 is discharged to the discharge tray. To 219.

  When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the scanner unit 210 of the reader device 200 turns on the lamp 212 and starts moving the optical unit 213 including the mirrors 214 to 216 and the lens 217. The original is scanned for exposure. Reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, CCD) 218 by mirrors 214 to 216 and a lens 217. Reflected light from the original is read as an image by the CCD 218, and the CCD 218 outputs the read image as image data. The image data output in this way is subjected to predetermined processing and then transferred to the control device 110 (FIG. 1).

  The marking unit 320 of the printer device 300 drives the laser light emitting unit 322 included in the laser driver 321 to cause the laser light emitting unit 322 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the control device 110. The emitted laser light is applied to the photosensitive drum 323, and a latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the photosensitive drum 323. A developer is attached to the portion of the photosensitive drum 323 where the latent image is formed by the developing device 324.

  The paper feeding unit 310 of the printer apparatus 300 receives recording paper from any one of the cassette 311, the cassette 312, the cassette 313, the cassette 314, and the manual paper feeding stage 315 at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation by the laser emission unit 322. Feed paper. The recording paper fed through the conveyance path 331 is transferred with the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 323 by the transfer unit 325 of the marking unit 320. The recording paper to which the developer is attached is conveyed to the fixing unit 327 by the conveyance belt, and the developer is fixed to the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 327.

  The paper discharge unit 330 of the printer apparatus 300 discharges the recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 327 from the transport path 335 and the transport path 334 to the finisher unit 500 of the printer apparatus 300. Alternatively, when the print surface is reversed and discharged, the recording paper is guided to the transport paths 336 and 338, and the recording paper is transported in the reverse direction, and discharged from the transport paths 337 and 334 to the finisher unit 500. If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the conveyance path 336, sent to the conveyance path 333 by the flapper 329, and then the recording paper is conveyed in the reverse direction, and then again by the flapper 329. The paper is sent to the most paper feeding conveyance path 332.

  The finisher unit 500 of the printer apparatus 300 sends the recording paper discharged from the conveyance path 334 to the buffer unit 501. In the buffer unit 501, the conveyed recording paper is wound around a buffer roller and buffered according to the discharge state or the like. For example, when it takes time for the stapling process to be performed later, the conveyance speed of the recording paper conveyed by using the buffer unit 501 can be kept constant, which is useful for improving the throughput. Is possible. Thereafter, the recording paper buffered by the buffer unit 501 is discharged to the stack tray 507a by the upstream discharge roller pair 502 or the downstream discharge roller pair 503.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation unit 120 shown in FIG. Details of the operation unit 120 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  The LCD touch panel 600 (display unit) displays an operation screen for mode setting, a screen showing a status display, and the like. The numeric keypad 601 includes a plurality of buttons for inputting a numerical value, and in this example, has a button for inputting a number from 0 to 9. The ID key 602 is used when inputting a department number or a password mode when the digital multifunction peripheral 100 is under department management.

  A reset key 603 is used to reset the set mode. The guide key 604 is used when displaying an explanation screen regarding functions or an explanation screen regarding a set mode on the LCD touch panel 600. A user mode key 605 is used when a user mode screen is displayed on the LCD touch panel 600. The interrupt key 606 is used when performing interrupt copy.

  A start key 607 is used when starting a copy operation. A stop key 608 is used when canceling a copy job being executed.

  The soft power switch 609 is used when the backlight of the LCD touch panel 600 is turned off to enter a power saving state. The power saving key 610 is used when switching whether or not the entire apparatus is in a power saving state.

  The function keys 611, 612, or 613 are used when shifting to a copy, box, or extended function, respectively. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the function key 611 (copy) is operated, and a standard screen for copying is displayed on the LCD touch panel 600. When another function key 612 or 613 is operated, a standard screen for each function is displayed on the LCD touch panel 600.

  The adjustment key 614 is used when adjusting the contrast of the LCD touch panel 600. The counter confirmation key 615 is used when a count screen for displaying the total number of copies used so far is displayed on the LCD touch panel 600.

  The execution state LED 616 is lit when a job is being executed or an image is being stored in the image memory. The error LED 617 is turned on when a device such as a jam or a door open is in an error state. The power LED 618 is lit when the main switch of the apparatus is ON.

  Next, an example of a mechanism for displaying help information on the LCD touch panel 600 will be described. Help information is stored in a storage device (not shown) in the control device 110. The help information has a data structure in which a tree structure is defined by position markers, and character string information is associated with each position marker. A help menu item, a help item, and the like are displayed based on the associated character string information. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the position marker of help information and the tree structure using blocks.

  In each block shown in FIG. 4, a value represented as <00> or the like indicates a position marker, and can take an 8-bit value from “00” to “FF”. Further, by connecting these 8-bit values as <00> <01> <00>, it is possible to represent a hierarchical tree structure. In this case, the top menu item (the item displayed first) of the help information is always indicated by the <00> position marker. Note that the position markers that can be used when defining help information are values in the range from <00> to <FE>, and <FF> is reserved for symbolic link processing described later.

  As an example in FIG. 4, a FAX help menu item is associated with what is defined as <00> <02> by the position marker. In this case, this position marker is associated with a character string “FAX” as referred to by the block 40A. The items defined as <00> <00> <02> <00> are associated with help items related to the function “C” of the copy functions. In this case, a character string “Help C” is associated with this position marker as referred to by the block 40B. The character string includes a link for directly moving (jumping) to the operation screen of the corresponding function “C” as necessary.

  The help information is displayed based on such a position marker. That is, the displayed help menu item or help item is displayed with the position on the tree structure specified by the position marker. For example, when the displayed screen (help screen) is a top menu item of help information, the position marker <00> is “current location” on the tree structure.

  On the displayed screen, a help menu item indicated by “current location” and a help menu item that is one level lower than the help menu item are listed and displayed as an option for the user to proceed to the next step. ing. For example, when the top menu item of the position marker <00> is displayed, if the user selects to proceed to the “FAX” menu, the current position of the position marker is switched to <00> <02>. Further, on the screen to be displayed, help menu items that are one level lower than <00> <02> are listed and displayed. In addition, a menu item “return” is simultaneously displayed on the screen displayed at this time, and is used when moving to a screen one level higher. The help information tree structure described with reference to FIG. 4 is employed as the structure of help information incorporated in the digital multifunction peripheral 100, and is also used as the structure of help information on the help server 403, which will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the help information structure 50A configured in the control device 110 and the help information structure 50B configured in the help server 403 existing on the network.

  The help information structure 50 </ b> A in the control device 110 holds only help information at the time of shipment of the digital multifunction peripheral 100. On the other hand, the help information structure 50B in the help server 403 is configured to include help information added after the device is shipped, revised help information, and help information about optional functions that are not installed when the device is shipped. ing. The help information included in the help information structure 50B on the help server 403 side is reflected in the help information included in the help information structure 50A on the digital multifunction peripheral 100 side when the digital multifunction peripheral 100 communicates with the help server 403.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing help information update processing on the digital multifunction peripheral 100 side.

  First, in step S601, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 acquires the current position of a position marker corresponding to a screen to be displayed (hereinafter referred to as a help screen).

  In step S602, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 associates the device name and version information of the device with the current location of the position marker acquired in step S601, and transmits it to the help server 403.

  In step S <b> 603, the digital multifunction peripheral 100 waits for a response from the help server 403. The content of the response from the help server 403 is a list of position markers one level below the current position of the transmitted position marker. In addition, character string information associated with each position marker is also added to this list.

  In step S <b> 604, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 compares the list of position markers incorporated in the device one level below the current location of the transmitted position marker with the list of position markers received from the help server 403. I do. In this comparison processing, the value of the position marker itself is compared and the associated character strings are compared.

  In step S605, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 determines whether all the comparison results match and whether there is any difference from the comparison result in step S604. If the list of position markers incorporated in the device one level below the current position marker of the transmitted position marker completely matches the list of position markers received from the help server 403, the process proceeds to step S607. . Then, a help screen corresponding to the current position of the position marker is drawn. In the help screen drawing process in step S607 in this case, the help menu item for the current position of the position marker and the help menu item one level below the item are listed on the help screen, and the user proceeds to the next. It is a choice of items to be.

  On the other hand, if a difference is found in step S605, the process proceeds to step S606. Then, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 updates the help information (that is, the current position marker list) in the device by using the help information (that is, the received position marker list) received from the help server 403. If a new position marker has been added, a new position marker and a character string associated therewith are added to the help information in the device and stored. If only the associated character string is changed without changing the value of the position marker itself, only the character string is replaced with the character string received from the help server 403 and stored. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S607, and the help screen is drawn using the updated help information in the device.

  Note that the above processing corresponds to the processing by the acquisition unit and display unit in the present invention. In step S606, when a list of position markers with a difference and a character string associated with them are received, they are saved, but temporarily stored for display, and thereafter You may make it preserve | save as needed. For example, even if new help information is displayed, it is not worth saving if the information is not needed by the user. Therefore, if new help information is displayed and saved only when the user actually refers to the help information and executes the corresponding function, it is convenient to refer to future help information. Can be. In addition, when a new function is added to the digital multifunction peripheral 100 and help information of the function is transmitted from the help server 403, the help information corresponding to the function is referred to and received regardless of whether or not the function is executed. It is better to save the help information. In this case, since it is considered that the added function is always used, it is possible to improve the operability by automatically storing the received help information and displaying the details.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing help information distribution processing on the help server 403 side.

  First, in step S701, the help server 403 waits for the device name, device version information, and the current position of the position marker to be transmitted.

  In step S <b> 702, the help server 403 accesses a help information structure database (see help information structure 50 </ b> B in FIG. 5) that stores help information corresponding to the received device name and version information. This help information structure database is updated daily and contains the latest information that does not match the help information built into the device at the time the device was shipped, as well as new help menu items or help items and A corresponding position marker has been added.

  In step S <b> 703, the help server 403 acquires a position marker list one level below the current position of the received position marker (in other words, the specified current position) and an associated character string.

  In step S704, the help server 403 transmits a character string associated with the position marker list to the digital multi-function peripheral 100 side.

  Through the above processing, the help information incorporated in advance in the digital multifunction peripheral 100 is updated (updated) as needed to the latest help information on the help server 403 every time the user moves the help menu item on the help screen.

  Next, symbolic link processing of the help menu will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 8, when the current position of the position marker is <00> <00> <01> <00>, an explanatory character string related to “Help B” referenced 801 is displayed on the help screen of the device. The In this explanation character string, a link for moving (jumping) to the operation screen of the function B is included, and when the user reads the explanation and agrees, the operation screen of the function B is used by using this link. You can move (jump). Only the position marker at the bottom layer of the menu tree includes a link for such movement (jump) to the operation screen.

  On the other hand, if the user does not select the execution of the function B as a result of reading the explanatory text, the user can move up one level using the menu “return” in the help screen. In the symbolic link process, first, the value <FF> is temporarily added to the position marker value <00> <00> <01> <00> which is the lowest layer. That is, the position marker value is <00> <00> <01> <00> <FF>. The <FF> functions as a mark indicating that “the user browsed the help text but did not execute it”.

  Next, the user finds an item “Menu G” related to the function G on the menu tree, and reads the description of “Help G” referred to 901 in FIG. 9. When the user desires to execute the function G, the function G operation screen is moved using a movement (jump) link in the character string “Help G”. For the first time, the user can execute the desired function G. However, until the function G is found, the user has also read the description of “Help B” 801 in the figure in the help menu. In this case, it is considered that the user has found the function G based on the description of “Help B”. That is, the function G is considered to be a function highly relevant to the function B.

  Therefore, in this example, when the user moves (jumps) with “Help G”, a symbolic link to “Help G” is set for “Help B”.

  First, a position marker in the help menu is searched for a position marker ending with <FF>. When a corresponding position marker is found, a character string indicating a link to “Help G” is inserted into the character string associated with the position marker. Then, <FF> at the end of the position marker is removed.

  With the above processing, as shown in FIG. 9, the description of “Help B” includes a link indicating movement (jump) to function B and a link to “Help G” which is an explanation of function G. It becomes a state. As a result, it is possible to add appropriate help information suitable for the user's usage to an appropriate position in the help information tree structure.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, a finisher, and an external storage device) or an apparatus constituted by one device.

  In order to realize the present invention, a storage medium in which a program code (computer program) of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments may be used. In this case, the object of the present invention is achieved by supplying the storage medium to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and a storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Also, when an OS (basic system or operating system) running on a computer performs a part or all of actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, the program code is used in the embodiment of the present invention. Needless to say, it is included in

  Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. In this case, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the written program code instruction. Is realized.

1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system including a digital multi-function peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a reader device and a printer device included in a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation part which the digital multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment of this invention has. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship between the position marker of the help information hold | maintained in the digital multi-functional peripheral which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a tree structure. It is a figure which shows typically the help information structure which the control apparatus of the digital multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment of this invention has, and the help information structure which the help server installed on the network has. 6 is a flowchart showing help information update processing in the digital multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the help information delivery in the help server on a network. It is a figure explaining the symbolic process of the help information in the digital multi-functional peripheral concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure explaining the symbolic process of the help information in the digital multi-functional peripheral concerning an embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital compound machine 110 Control apparatus 120 Operation part 200 Reader apparatus 210 Scanner unit 211 Platen glass 212 Lamp 213 Optical unit 214, 215, 216 Mirror

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device having a storage means for storing help information,
When a new function is added to the information processing apparatus, an acquisition unit that acquires help information related to the new function from the external apparatus in order to update help information;
An information processing apparatus comprising: display means for displaying help information obtained by the obtaining means in accordance with an instruction for displaying help information. The display means reflects the latest help information acquired by the acquisition means and displays the help information on the display unit,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the latest help information when a function related to the latest help information displayed by the display unit is executed.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the help information is configured in a tree structure in which one or a plurality of pieces of information are subordinate to one information layer.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display unit displays one piece of information in the help information and one or a plurality of pieces of information one level below the information on a display unit. .   When the display means displays one piece of the help information on the display unit, the obtaining means obtains the latest information for one or a plurality of information one level below the information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.   6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for including a symbolic link to information different from the information in one piece of the help information. An information processing method by an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus having a storage means for storing help information,
When a new function is added to the information processing apparatus, an acquisition step of acquiring help information related to the new function from the external apparatus in order to update help information;
And a display step for displaying the help information acquired by the acquisition step according to an instruction for displaying the help information. A program for controlling an information processing device capable of communicating with an external device having a storage means for storing help information,
When a new function is added to the information processing apparatus, an acquisition step of acquiring help information related to the new function from the external apparatus in order to update help information;
A program for causing a computer to execute a display step of displaying help information acquired by the acquiring step according to an instruction for displaying help information.

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