JP2010068038A - Information processor, operation manual preparation method, and operation manual preparation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus, an operation manual generating method, and an operation manual generating program, for preparing an electronic manual corresponding to a customized operation screen to properly assist the operation of the customized operation screen. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus has a display and displays the customized operation screen on the display, and includes: a management means of managing identification information on a settable function and description information on the function, standard display components in the operation screen and description information on the standard display components, and customized display components corresponding to the standard display components, in association with each other; and an operation manual preparation means of preparing an operation manual for the operation screen including the customized display components based upon the description information on the function and the description information on the standard display components managed by the management means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to the fields of an information processing apparatus, an operation manual creation method, and an operation manual creation program.

  In a recent image forming apparatus, in particular, a multi-function peripheral (MFP) that realizes a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copy, a scanner, or a fax in a single casing, a touch panel type operation panel is provided. It is possible to display a relatively expressive operation screen. Conventionally, such an operation screen can be customized in accordance with a user's usage form or organization form for the purpose of improving convenience according to the user (for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a touch panel type operation screen or the like is customized to an operation screen that a user requests in a general MFP.

  On the other hand, a user who is not familiar with the operation generally checks the operation procedure on the operation screen while referring to a manual (instruction manual) and performs the operation. In particular, the importance of manuals is expected to increase as operations tend to become more complicated as image forming apparatuses become more sophisticated.

Conventionally, the manual has been accompanied by a paper manual (instruction manual), and the user has been operating with reference to the paper manual (FIG. 2). In recent years, the manuals for paper manuals are becoming electronic. For example, an electronic manual (in PDF, XML, HTML format, etc.) is recorded on an electronic medium (CD-ROM) etc. and attached to the MFP, or stored in the MFP main body and printed out, displayed on a panel, or accessed from a personal computer. Can be referred to electronically (FIG. 3). FIG. 4 shows an example of how the operation explanation (electronic manual) of the standard screen is displayed by clicking the “Help” button on the standard screen displayed on the operation panel. The operation explanation screen as a link destination of this “help” is one page of an electronic manual manually created exclusively for the manual.
JP 2007-249863 A

  However, since the above-mentioned paper manual and electronic manual are assumed to be used as a guide for using a standard operation screen, it is based on a photograph of a standard operation screen or a warning screen. The explanation of the screen is described, but naturally the explanation about the customized operation screen is not described. Therefore, the user who uses the customization screen cannot directly grasp the operation for setting a desired function from the manual based on the standard operation screen, and cannot use the manual ( FIG. 5).

  Therefore, there is a problem that an original manual for a customized operation screen has to be newly created, and when further customization is performed, the manual must be revised again.

  Accordingly, in the present invention, in view of the problems as described above, an information processing device that creates an electronic manual corresponding to a customized operation screen and appropriately assists the operation of the customized operation screen, an operation manual creation method, and The purpose is to provide an operation manual creation program.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that includes a display device and displays a customized operation screen on the display device. The management information that manages the function description information, the standard display component on the operation screen, the description information of the standard display component, and the customized display component corresponding to the standard display component are managed in association with each other. And an operation manual creating means for creating an operation manual for the operation screen including the customized display component based on the description information of the function and the description information of the standard display component.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the information related to the operation screen includes position information of the customized display component on the operation screen, and the operation manual creating means includes the position information. On the basis of this, the description information of the function and the description information of the standard display component are specified, and an operation manual for the operation screen including the customized display component is created.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, display means for causing the display device to display the operation manual created by the operation manual creation means as explanatory information of the operation screen including the customized display component. It is characterized by having.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, printing means for printing the operation manual created by the operation manual creating means on a print medium as the operation information of the operation screen including the customized display component It is characterized by having.

  In order to solve the above problems, an operation manual creation method according to the present invention is an operation manual creation method in an information processing apparatus that includes a display device and displays a customized operation screen on the display device. Management that associates and manages identification information of settable functions and explanation information of the functions, standard display parts and explanation information of the standard display parts on the operation screen, and customized display parts corresponding to the standard display parts And an operation manual creation step of creating an operation manual for the operation screen including the customized display component based on the description information of the function and the description information of the standard display component managed by the management step. It is characterized by.

  In addition, what applied the arbitrary combination of the component of this invention, expression, or a component to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, an electronic manual corresponding to a customized operation screen is created, and an information processing apparatus, an operation manual creation method, and an operation manual creation program that appropriately assist the operation of the customized operation screen are provided. be able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus will be described as a specific example of the information processing apparatus.

(hardware)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, as a specific example of the image forming apparatus, a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 1 that realizes a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copy, a scanner, or a fax in a single housing is shown.

  As the hardware of the multifunction machine 1, there are a controller 201, an operation panel 202, a facsimile control unit (FCU) 203, an imaging unit 204, and a printing unit 205.

  The controller 201 includes a CPU 211, ASIC 212, NB221, SB222, MEM-P231, MEM-C232, HDD (hard disk drive) 233, memory card slot 234, NIC (network interface controller) 241, USB device 242, IEEE 1394 device 243, and Centronics device. 244.

  The CPU 211 is an IC for various information processing. The ASIC 212 is an IC for various image processing. The NB 221 is a north bridge of the controller 201. The SB 222 is a south bridge of the controller 201. The MEM-P 231 is a system memory of the multifunction machine 1. The MEM-C 232 is a local memory of the multifunction machine 1. The HDD 233 is a storage of the multifunction device 1. The memory card slot 234 is a slot for setting the memory card 235. The NIC 241 is a controller for network communication using a MAC address. The USB device 242 is a device for providing a USB standard connection terminal. The IEEE 1394 device 243 is a device for providing a connection terminal of the IEEE 1394 standard. The Centronics device 244 is a device for providing a Centronics specification connection terminal.

  The imaging unit 121 is hardware for reading an image (image data) from a read original. The printing unit 122 is hardware for printing an image (image data) on printing paper.

  The operation panel 202 is hardware (operation unit) for an operator to input to the multifunction device 1 and hardware (display unit) for an operator to obtain an output from the multifunction device 1.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the operation panel according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the operation panel 202 includes a touch panel 311, a numeric keypad 312, a start button 313, a reset button 314, an initial setting button 315, and the like.

  The touch panel 311 is hardware (touch operation unit) for inputting by a touch operation and hardware (screen display unit) for obtaining an output by screen display. The numeric keypad 312 is hardware for inputting numbers by operating keys (buttons). The start button 313 is hardware for performing a start operation by a button operation. The reset button 314 is hardware for performing a reset operation by a button operation. The initial setting button 315 is hardware for displaying an initial setting screen by button operation.

(function)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the multifunction machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 includes a display control unit 11, a function control unit 12, a function execution unit 13, an electronic manual creation unit 14, an operation screen data 15, an electronic manual 16, and the like. The display control unit 11, the function control unit 12, the function execution unit 13, the electronic manual creation unit 14, and the like are software realized by processing executed by the CPU 211 by a program installed in the multifunction device 1.

  The display control unit 11 performs input / output control and the like on the operation panel 202. For example, when the display control unit 11 detects a pressed display component (button or the like) on the operation screen displayed on the touch panel 311, the display control unit 11 determines a function corresponding to the display component based on the function code DB 155, and Is requested to the function control unit 12.

  That is, the display control unit 11 determines the corresponding function by applying the function code assigned to the pressed display component to the function code DB (function code table) 155. In addition, the display control unit 11 displays an operation screen on the touch panel 311 based on the operation screen data 15.

  The function control unit 12 controls execution of each function in the function execution unit 13. For example, an execution command for each function is issued to the function execution unit 13 that executes each function including a printing function and an image (processing) function that are functions of the multifunction device 1 in accordance with an operation from the user.

  The electronic manual creation unit 14 creates an electronic manual corresponding to an operation screen (including a standard operation screen and a customized operation screen) including a display component and a function associated with the display component pressing operation. The electronic manual is an operation explanation document explaining the operation screen to the user. As the electronic file format, a universally usable format, for example, PDF, XML, HTML format or the like is preferable. The multifunction device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can customize the operation screen according to the user's preference. For each operation screen, a display component, a function associated with the display component pressing operation, and the like are provided. It is managed in the operation screen information DB 151. Details will be described later again.

  The operation screen data 15 is data in which display information of the operation screen is stored. For example, display parts such as buttons to be displayed on the operation screen and display modes (shape, position, color, etc.) of each display part are defined. Has been. In the figure, as operation screen data 15, an operation screen information DB 151, a scene DB 152, a background image DB 153, an icon image DB 154, and a function code DB 155 are shown. Details of these DBs will be described later. These DBs are recorded in the HDD 233, for example.

  The electronic manual 16 is an electronic manual (corresponding to a standard operation screen or a customized operation screen) created by the electronic manual creation unit 14. For example, it is recorded in the HDD 233.

(Operation screen information)
Next, the operation screen information DB 151 described above will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of “operation screen information” and an “operation screen” displayed on the touch panel 311 corresponding to the operation screen information. This operation screen is assumed to be an operation screen set as a standard (default) in the multifunction machine 1 for comparison with a customization operation screen described later.

  As an example, the “operation screen” has a “start” button, a “cancel” button, and a “sort” button. When an operation (pressing, etc.) is performed on each button, the associated function is executed. Is done. For example, when the “Start” button is pressed, the associated copy function operation is executed.

  “Operation screen information” is setting information of an operation screen corresponding to this “operation screen”. The “operation screen information” is information necessary for configuring the “operation screen”, and includes, for example, scene setting, background data, icon data, and function (operation) information associated with the icon data. . That is, according to the display scene, background data and icon data are displayed and positioned, arranged, and function settings are added to the icons so that they function when operated on the panel. . As functions, in addition to functional operations such as copying and printing, nothing can be set as mere decorations, scene switching, function setting of the multifunction device 1 and the like can be performed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of “operation screen information” and an “operation screen” displayed on the touch panel 311 corresponding to the operation screen information. It is assumed that this operation screen is an operation screen (customized operation screen) created by being customized by the multifunction device 1 in contrast to the above-described standard operation screen. When customizing the operation screen, the design can be changed by changing the standard background and icon design. It is also possible to add user-specific background and icon designs. Of course, a function (operation) is associated with the changed icon data on the operation screen. When a customized operation screen is created, operation screen information corresponding to the customized operation screen is created.

  As described above, “operation screen information” taking FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 as an example is stored in the operation screen information DB 151. FIG. 11 is data showing an example of operation screen information stored in the operation screen information DB 151. This data corresponds to “operation screen information” in FIG. When one scene code and one background code are assigned to one “operation screen” and the number of icons to be displayed in that scene is registered, the icon code / position information / size of each part is set by the number of icons. The number of functions added to the icon is registered, and the function code is set for the number of functions. The reason why a plurality of functions can be set for one icon is to operate a plurality of functions in series by operating the icon (for example, sorting + operation start).

  Each information included in the operation screen information is associated with the scene DB 152, the background image DB 153, the icon image DB 154, and the function code DB 155.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the scene DB 152. As shown in FIG. The scene code is a code assigned to each display scene on the operation screen, and corresponds to each scene situation described in the manual. Further, a text data (explanation information) area is provided for each scene Code, and a scene description corresponding to the scene is described. This text data is used for creating an electronic manual described later. In the figure, “default” is a value (data) set when the multifunction device 1 is shipped, and “customize” is a value (data) that can be selectively changed by the user according to preference. (The same applies hereinafter). That is, “customization” is a value (data) stored at the time of shipment, but not set.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the data structure of the background image DB 153. Image data corresponding to each background code is stored. The image data includes standard (default) image data and customized image data created by the user, both of which can be used as a background image. Note that there is no text data (description information) area for each background code. This is because an explanation about the background is generally not necessary in the electronic manual. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the icon image DB 154. As shown in FIG. An icon image (display component on the operation screen) corresponding to each icon Code is stored. Icon images include standard (default) prepared icon image data and customized icon image data that can be selectively changed by the user, both of which can be used as icon images (display components). Further, a customized icon image that is semantically identical (used in the same usage) is linked to a standard icon image corresponding to the icon Code. A text data (explanation information) area is provided for each icon Code, and an icon description corresponding to the icon is described. This text data is used to create an electronic manual, which will be described later. An icon image customized by the user is associated (linked) with a standard prepared icon image and stored in the database. The text data (description information) linked to the icon image can be linked to the icon image customized by the user. This will be described later again.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating original icons stored in the background image DB 153. The data structure is as described with reference to FIG. 14, but the icon image stores (registers) icon image data created by the user and can be used as a display component. Further, a text data (explanation information) area is provided for each icon Code, and an icon description corresponding to the icon is described. Since this icon description is an original icon, it is naturally described by the user. Similarly, the text data is used for creating an electronic manual described later.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the function code DB 155. As shown in FIG. The function code is a code registered for each function of the multifunction device 1 and is identification information for uniquely identifying each function. The function code is assigned to the display component (see FIG. 11), and the function identified by the function code is executed by pressing the display component or the like. Specifically, when a display component (button or the like) is detected, a function corresponding to the display component is determined based on the function code DB 155, and the function control unit 12 is requested to execute the function. Further, a text data (explanation information) area is provided for each function code, and a function description corresponding to the function is described. Similarly, the text data is used for creating an electronic manual described later.

  As described above, settable function identification information (function code) and description information of the function, standard display component and description information of the standard display component on the operation screen, and customized display component corresponding to the standard display component And are managed in the DB (management means).

  In the DB according to the present embodiment, the description information is stored in each DB. However, the description information may be stored in a different DB (for example, the description information DB) and associated with each DB.

(Operation)
Next, an operation in which the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment creates an electronic manual will be described. The multifunction device 1 (the electronic manual creation unit 14) performs the customized operation from the position information of the customized display component, the description information associated with the customized display component, the function description information, and the like on the customized operation screen. An electronic manual corresponding to the screen can be created. Further, if the created electronic manual is printed on a print medium by the printing function of the multifunction machine 1, it can be provided as a paper manual document. This will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of creating an electronic manual. In this flowchart, an electronic manual corresponding to the customization operation screen is created using the customization operation screen of FIG. 10 as an example. Note that unless otherwise noted, the electronic manual creation unit 14 is the main subject of the processing operation.

  In step S1701, operation screen information is acquired. This is because it is information that is necessary for drawing the operation screen and describing the explanation information related to the operation when creating the electronic manual. This operation screen information is acquired from the operation screen information DB 151. Specifically, operation screen information (FIG. 11) corresponding to the customization operation screen (FIG. 10) is acquired.

  In step S1702, the description information is acquired from the scene Code included in the operation screen information. The description information of this scene is acquired from the scene DB 152. Specifically, since the scene code is “001”, the explanation information (text data) “copy start screen” is acquired from the scene DB 152 (FIG. 12).

  In step S1703, a background image (data) is acquired from the background code included in the operation screen information. This background image is acquired from the background image DB 153. Specifically, since the background code is “001_2”, the corresponding background image is acquired from the background image DB 153 (FIG. 13).

  In step S1704, an icon image (data) is acquired from the icon Code (each) included in the operation screen information. This icon image is acquired from the icon image DB 154. The icon image also includes an original icon. Specifically, since the icon code is “001_2”, “010_2”, “011_2”, “020_2”, “a001” (number of icons: 5), the corresponding icon image is acquired from the icon image DB 154 (FIG. 14). 15).

  In step S1705, the position information and size of the icon image on the operation screen are acquired from the icon Code (for each) included in the operation screen information. The position information and size are acquired from the operation screen information DB 151 (can be assumed to have already been acquired in step S1701). Specifically, the position information is acquired as coordinate information (xy) = (5.1), (2.2), (6.4), (7.3), (1.1), respectively, and the sizes are 10, 20, 5, 5 and 5 are acquired (FIG. 11). The size may be a relative value with respect to the operation screen in consideration of the size difference of the touch panel 311 for each housing.

  In step S1706, explanation information is acquired from the icon Code (for each) included in the operation screen information. The icon image description information is acquired from the icon image DB 154. Specifically, since the icon code is “001_2”, “010_2”, “011_2”, “020_2”, “a001” (number of icons: 5), the explanation information (text data) from the icon image DB 154 respectively. "This is a part that explains the current situation.", "It is an icon that starts the operation.", "It is an icon that stops the operation.", "It is an icon that confirms the sort settings."

  In step S1707, the explanation information of the function code corresponding to the icon Code (each) included in the operation screen information is acquired. This function description information is acquired from the function code DB 155. Specifically, since the function code is “000”, “010”, “011”, “020”, “000” (number of icons: 5), each of them is explanatory information (text data) from the function code DB 155. "None (decoration)", "Lit and start operation", "Invert and switch to scene 2", "Invert and sort function is set", "None (decoration)" are acquired The As described above, information related to the creation of the electronic manual has been acquired. Note that the order acquired in steps S1702-1707 may be changed.

  In step S1708, an electronic manual is created. FIG. 18 is an example of the created electronic manual. The page structure of the manual is arbitrary, but for example, the operation screen is composed of two pages, the customized operation screen (reduced version) is drawn on the left page, and the customized display component and the function explanation information on the right page are displayed. Is described. In general, electronic manuals are "explaining what the displayed scene is like", "explaining what the displayed icon means", "touching the icon (operating ) Explanation of what functions are attached and what is set "is made, so that the explanation information should be described as such. The file format of the electronic manual is preferably a general-purpose format such as PDF, XML, or HTML format.

  Returning to FIG. 17, step S1709, the same processing is repeated for all operation screen information DBs 151 in order to create electronic manuals for all operation screens including the customization operation screen.

  Through the above processing operation, an electronic manual can be created for the operation screen including the customization operation screen, and the created electronic manual 16 is stored in the multifunction device 1.

  Referring to FIG. 4 again, as an example, the electronic manual is provided with a “help” button or the like on the standard or customized operation screen displayed on the touch panel 311 and clicked to display the electronic manual on the standard or customized operation screen. It can be used by displaying a manual. Further, if the created electronic manual is printed on a print medium by the printing function of the multifunction machine 1, it can be used as a paper manual (instruction manual).

  In addition, on the standard or customized operation screen displayed on the touch panel 311, when the user focuses on the display component with a cursor or the like, the explanation information of the corresponding part can be displayed on the touch panel 311 from the corresponding electronic manual. . Without referring to the electronic manual, the explanation information may be created and displayed by the above-described operation processing.

  In this way, the customized operation screen is associated with the description information related to the customized display parts and functions and reflected on the customized electronic manual, so that an electronic manual corresponding to the customized operation screen can be easily created. In addition, it is possible to reduce the trouble of creating an original manual for a customized operation screen and the trouble of revising the manual.

  As described above, according to the MFP 1 according to the present invention, an electronic manual corresponding to a customized operation screen is created, and an electronic manual corresponding to a customized operation screen that appropriately assists the operation of the customized operation screen. Can be provided to provide an information processing apparatus, an operation manual creation method, and an operation manual creation program that appropriately assist the operation of the customized operation screen.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

In a general MFP, it is a figure which shows an example which customized the touchscreen type | mold operation screen etc. to the operation screen which a user requires. It is an example of the figure explaining that the paper manual is attached as a manual. It is a figure which shows a mode that an electronic manual is referred electronically. It is an example of the figure where the operation description of a standard screen is displayed. It is a figure which shows that a conventional manual cannot be used in a customization screen. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the operation panel in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of "operation screen information" and the "operation screen" displayed on the touch panel 311 corresponding to the operation screen information. It is a figure which shows an example of "operation screen information" and the "operation screen" displayed on the touch panel 311 corresponding to the operation screen information. It is data showing an example of operation screen information stored in the operation screen information DB 151. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of scene DB152. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of background image DB153. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of icon image DB154. It is a figure which shows the original icon stored in background image DB153. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of function code DB155. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of electronic manual preparation. It is an example of the created electronic manual.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction machine 11 Display control part 12 Function control part 13 Function execution part 14 Electronic manual preparation part 15 Operation screen data 16 Electronic manual 151 Operation screen information DB
152 Scene DB
153 Background image DB
154 Icon image DB
155 Function code DB
201 Controller 202 Operation Panel 203 Facsimile Control Unit 204 Imaging Unit 205 Printing Unit 211 CPU
212 ASIC
221 NB
222 SB
231 MEM-P
232 MEM-C
233 HDD
234 Memory card slot 235 Memory card 241 NIC
242 USB device 243 IEEE 1394 device 244 Centronics device 311 Touch panel 312 Numeric keypad 313 Start button 314 Reset button 315 Initial setting button

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus having a display device and displaying a customized operation screen on the display device,
Management means for associating and managing settable function identification information and function description information, standard display components on the operation screen and description information of the standard display components, and customized display components corresponding to the standard display components When,
An operation manual creating means for creating an operation manual for the operation screen including the customized display component based on the description information of the function and the description information of the standard display component managed by the management means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information related to the operation screen includes position information of the customized display component on the operation screen,
The operation manual creation means identifies the function description information and the standard display component description information based on the position information, and creates the operation screen operation manual including the customized display component,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Display means for displaying the operation manual created by the operation manual creation means on a display device as explanatory information of the operation screen including the customized display component;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Printing means for printing the operation manual created by the operation manual creation means on a print medium as operation information on the operation screen including the customized display component;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An operation manual creation method in an information processing apparatus having a display device and displaying a customized operation screen on the display device,
Computer
Management process for associating and managing settable function identification information and description information of the function, standard display component and description information of the standard display component on the operation screen, and customized display component corresponding to the standard display component When,
An operation manual creation step for creating an operation manual for the operation screen including the customized display component based on the description information of the function managed by the management step and the description information of the standard display component;
An operation manual creation method characterized by comprising: The information related to the operation screen includes position information of the customized display component on the operation screen,
In the operation manual creation step, based on the position information, the description information of the function and the description information of the standard display component are specified, and an operation manual of the operation screen including the customized display component is created.
The operation manual creation method according to claim 5. As a description information of the operation screen including the customized display component, a display step of displaying the operation manual created by the operation manual creation step on a display device;
The operation manual creation method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by comprising: As the operation information of the operation screen including the customized display component, a printing step of printing the operation manual created by the operation manual creation step on a print medium,
The operation manual creation method according to claim 5, further comprising:   An operation manual creation program for causing a computer to execute the operation manual creation method according to claim 5.

Images