JP2010092448A - Method for automatically making operation item appropriate - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation menu in which configuration and the expression content of the operation menu automatically change and which is appropriate for a user in an electronic device with complicated operation setting. <P>SOLUTION: This is a technique for providing an easy-to-use operation menu in the electronic device with complicated operation setting and in which the operation setting is performed through choices on a monitor screen by: guessing a purpose and an element of an operation skill of the user from the content of choices; digitizing items classified into attributes included in the content of the choices to be selected by the user and attributes of a phenomenon of the electronic device; preparing operation menu configuration change data which is guessed to be appropriate for operations of the user, expression change data of the choices and electronic device setting change data; applying an arithmetic expression in which the digitized items and execution of the changed data become appropriate; and changing: arrangement of the choices on layered structure appropriate for the operations of the user; the expression content of the choices; and setting of the electronic device, etc. by execution of such processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a method for automatically optimizing operation items in which an operation menu of an electronic device is automatically changed to an appropriate operation menu in consideration of the characteristics of user operation and the state of the electronic device. This applies to all electric appliances with built-in computers.
This is an example of software development of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-349229.

There are a lot of multifunctional and complex electronic devices in modern times, but there is not enough system at present to simplify the operation of multifunctional electronic devices. It is necessary to learn an instruction manual, and there are many electronic devices that are complicated in setting and cannot fully perform for use by ordinary people.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-153475

  A difficult-to-operate electronic device automatically changes the operation menu to an easy-to-use operation by estimating the characteristics of the person who operates the device and comparing the state of the electronic device.

Means to solve the problem

The definitions of terms in the present invention will be clarified below.
Options, estimation process data, option estimation process data, equipment estimation process data, estimation calculation, calculation reference value, fixed calculation reference value, variation calculation reference value, determination process, condition value, evaluation value, determination reference value, estimation result, expression Processing, function processing, and device status data are definitions specific to the present invention.

The “option” indicates one item on the operation item selected by the user, and includes an audio option. The change of the option is a change in the expression position in the hierarchical structure of the operation item, and also a change in the expression content of the option.
The choice by voice is a method in which an electronic device utters a choice of operation by voice synthesis and the user selects the choice.

'Estimation processing data' is an arithmetic program set so that an estimation result suitable for the user is executed under appropriate conditions, which is executed from selection of options or changes in device state data.
In order to realize the calculation program, an estimation calculation is performed by using a calculation reference value that is a value to be calculated and a condition value, an evaluation value is obtained, and whether or not the estimation result is executed is determined by a determination process, and the estimation result is expressed. Data and function processing data are executed.
The program for recognizing the change in the device state data and starting the estimation process data may be incorporated into a program for managing the entire electronic device or may be incorporated into the program of the present invention.
The estimation process data includes “option estimation process data” that is activated when an option is selected, and “apparatus estimation process data” that is activated based on a change in apparatus state data.

  'Estimation calculation' is the calculation of estimated processing data, and the value classified into the attribute included in the contents of the option selected by the user and the value classified as the phenomenon attribute of the electronic device are As the calculated value, the estimation result prepared to change the operation item and change the setting of the electronic device suitable for the user's purpose, operational skill and habit, and the state of the electronic device is appropriate. An operation that is set to be executed when a condition is met.

  'Calculation reference value' is used to set the numerical value that will be the value to be calculated in order to perform the estimation calculation. The calculation reference value has a fixed calculation reference value and a fluctuation calculation reference value, and the fixed calculation reference value changes. The calculation is based on the same numerical value every time, and the fluctuation calculation reference value is used for the next calculation by substituting the calculation result into the fluctuation calculation reference value. In some cases, the value of the device status data is used as the calculation reference value.

'Judgment processing' determines whether to execute the estimation result by comparing the evaluation value and the judgment reference value. It is judged in the form of equal "=", large "<", and small ">". Is to do.
'Condition value' is the calculation reference value that is set based on the value classified into the attribute included in the contents of the option selected by the user and the value classified as the phenomenon attribute of the electronic device when obtaining the evaluation value On the other hand, it is a value for calculating an appropriate evaluation value by calculating with an appropriate value.
The “evaluation value” is a storage medium into which the calculation result is substituted for comparison with the criterion value.
The “judgment reference value” is a set value that determines whether or not to execute the estimation result by comparing with the evaluation value.

'Estimation result' indicates both expression processing and function processing.
'Expression process' is a process for changing the position of the expression of the choice of the operation item and changing the content of the expression, and executing the medium of the operation item to be expressed to the user, including a voice expression. The position change in the expression process changes the hierarchical structure of options.
“Function processing” refers to processing for changing settings for functions of an electronic device other than expression processing, which is attributed to the present invention, and is data sent to a program that controls the electronic device.

  'Equipment status data' is electronic device status data, such as electronic device operation switch data, sensor information, and settings, and other electronic device status data other than the data to be expressed. is there.

  'Power ON' is the state of the electronic device by an operation to turn on the electronic device, and 'Power OFF' is the state of the electronic device by an operation to turn off the electronic device.

Operational value 'Operational value' defines operational expressions for the operation receiving side that belongs to the element of selection of options and the state of the electronic device and the operation side that belongs to the estimation of the designer. It means the side that receives the operation.

  'Estimation' does not mean that the user's choice of choice or the state of the electronic device is directly indicated, but the content of the choice or the state of the electronic device has an attribute, and it is determined that it is an improvement content with a certain probability from the attribute It is possible for the designer to set a corresponding method for changing the operation items and device status data.

  'Standby power supply' indicates that the minimum necessary processing is performed with a small amount of electricity while the electronic device is turned off.

The present invention represents an option for operation setting by text, still image, moving image, and sound in an electronic device with a built-in microcomputer, and the option is selected depending on the selection of the option located on the hierarchical structure and the state of the electronic device. To change the position and content of
In the option estimation process data, the position of the representation of the choice and the content of the representation, which can be estimated from the choice of the user's choice, suitable for the user's purpose, operational skill and habit, and the state of the electronic device Preparing the data for the change and the setting change of the electronic device, and executing the option estimation processing data from the selection of the user's option,
In the device estimation processing data, the position of the choice expression that can be estimated from changes in the device status data, the user's purpose, operational skill, habituality, and the electronic device status, and the content of the representation Preparing the data for the change and the setting change of the electronic device, and executing the device estimation processing data from the change of the device state data,
The combination of the option estimation process data and the device estimation process data is the estimation process data.
As an effect of execution of the estimation processing data, by selecting a user option or changing the state of the electronic device,
It is automatically changed to operation items appropriate to the user's purpose, operation skill level, habituality, and the state of the electronic device,
This is a method for automatically optimizing operation items, characterized in that the position of the expression of the choice and the content of the expression are reconfigured and the setting of the electronic device is changed.

In the above estimation processing data, an arithmetic expression to be changed to an operation item suitable for the user's purpose, operation skill level, habit, and the state of the electronic device is executed.
The value classified into the attribute included in the content of the option selected by the user and the value classified into the attribute of the phenomenon of the electronic device as an arithmetic value of the arithmetic expression,
Set the calculation formula to change the operation item appropriately to execute the estimation result,
This is a method for automatically optimizing operation items in which the expression process and the function process for the estimation result specified in the degree of the value of the operation result are executed.

In the above estimation processing data, a calculation formula using a fixed calculation reference value, a fluctuation calculation reference value, and device state data for being an arithmetic value is prepared,
This is a method for automatically optimizing operation items in which an estimation calculation is performed using the calculation formula to obtain an evaluation value.

In the above estimation calculation, for the operand value of the value classified into the attribute included in the content of the option selected by the user and the value classified into the phenomenon attribute of the electronic device,
This is an operation item automatic optimization method in which an evaluation value is obtained by performing an operation using a set condition value.

  In the estimation calculation, the operation item automatic optimizing method that compares a judgment reference value that determines whether or not to execute the estimation result with an evaluation value, and executes the estimation result designated as a result of the comparison.

  In the above-described estimation calculation, the operation item automatic optimization method uses the value of the number of times of starting the power supply after being shipped from the factory as the value to be calculated.

  In the above estimation calculation, the operation item automatic optimization method uses a value classified as a power ON or power OFF characteristic as a value to be calculated.

  In the above-described estimation calculation, the operation item automatic optimization method uses a time value as a calculation value.

  In the estimation calculation, the operation item automatic optimization method uses the value of the number of selection options as a value to be calculated.

  In the above estimation calculation, an operation item automatic optimization method in which a value classified as an attribute of the content of an option is used as a calculation value.

  In the estimation calculation, the operation item automatic optimization method uses a value classified as a power-off characteristic at the time of standby power supply of the electronic device as a calculated value.

  In the estimation calculation described above, the operation item automatic optimization method uses the rank value of the expression position of the option as a calculation value.

  In the estimation calculation, the operation item automatic optimizing method is provided in which the rank of the expression position of the option is attached to the rank of the expression position of the option.

  This is an operation item automatic optimization method in which the setting is changed by selecting an option or changing device state data with respect to the setting, which is set based on the estimation result by the estimation calculation.

  An operation item automatic optimization method in which the setting is changed by a second estimation result with respect to the setting set by the first estimation result by the estimation calculation.

  In the execution of the estimation processing data by selecting one option, the operation item automatic optimizing method performs an estimation calculation of another option and an estimation result.

  When the processing of the estimated content is performed by the estimation, the reconfiguration of the expression of the option and the reconfiguration of the expression content, and the setting change of the electronic device are estimated by the improvement of convenience of a certain probability, Executing the estimation process executes the estimation contents that are clearly more convenient for the user than the software that does not execute the estimation process, and further compensates for the occurrence of inconvenient results. It is a method for automatically optimizing operation items characterized in that it is included in the contents.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

  The definitions of terms in the present invention will be clarified below.

  The screen on which the operation setting items are arranged displays a part of the hierarchical structure of the operation menu. Selection of an option on the screen is execution of option estimation process data. The recognition on the screen, which means a part of this hierarchical structure, is referred to as “OSD” (On Screen Display).

'Activation code' indicates what causes the estimation process data to be executed.
'Estimated code' indicates the processing content for the activation code and is the title of the estimated processing data.

  If an expert uses an operation menu that is highly sophisticated electronic equipment and is suitable for users who are unskilled in operation settings, there are many items that are simple and unnecessary. In addition, when an unskilled user uses an operation menu with advanced settings, it is difficult and cannot be operated. Different operation menus are necessary depending on the user.

  The concept of the OSD operation menu design of the electronic device is that the contents to be set for operation are included in any of the branched branches. However, the present invention is based on the choices selected by the user and the state of the electronic device. This is a method for estimating the situation used by the user and providing the user with an operation menu in an appropriate operating environment.

“Estimation” in the present invention does not directly indicate the choice of the user's option or the state of the electronic device, but the content of the option or the state of the electronic device has an attribute. The designer sets the handling method of the change of the operation item and the device status data that can be judged as the improvement content.
Moreover, although the said content is what is performed on a daily basis if it is a human action, it has not been realized yet by operation of an electronic device. The word processor has similar functions.

The feature of the change of the operation menu of the present invention is that the estimation of convenience improvement with a certain degree of probability is less likely to cause inconvenient results when the estimated contents are processed, and the estimation process is executed. However, there are those that execute the estimated contents, which is clear to the user that the convenience is higher than the software that does not execute it. In addition, contents that support the above-described inconvenient results are included in the estimated contents.
In addition, the appropriateness of the calculation reference value, condition value, evaluation value, and determination reference value described in the present invention is for convenience of explanation, and when setting to an actual electronic device, the convenience and inconvenience are verified. It is to set. The above values are described below assuming that they are appropriate for electronic equipment.

  The present invention is executed based on selection of options on the operation menu and data resulting from a change in the state of the electronic device. A program for estimating the improvement of the operation menu from the user's situation and the state of the electronic device is provided. This is a method of changing the operation menu and the setting of the electronic device by executing the program.

The electronic device has a program that controls the entire electronic device, and it is necessary to include the contents for starting the device estimation processing data in the program. When a program for controlling an electronic device satisfies a condition for activating device estimation processing data from a change in the state of the electronic device, the activation data is sent to the program of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
There are a variety of electronic devices, but since the status and conditions of the electronic device are only determined and data to be activated is sent, a microcomputer is naturally possible.
As another device estimation processing data activation method, a program that controls the entire electronic device updates the device status data, and the program that assists the present invention determines the activation conditions for the device estimation processing data from the device status data. There is a technique to execute.

The present invention is a development example of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-349229.
The above application is a method of changing the operation menu by estimating the user's purpose, operation skill level, and habitual tendency from selection of the user's options. The present invention is an application as software for a specific calculation method by adding an estimation method in consideration of the state of an electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a data group of estimation processing data, and shows a basic configuration.
Currently, the operation menu structure that is often used has a hierarchical structure. The present invention also belongs to a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG.
In order to move to a lower level of this hierarchical structure, a shift is made by selecting an OSD option. The estimation processing data is activated from selection of options or the state of the electronic device, and changes the structure and contents of the operation menu and the settings of the electronic device. In addition, a hierarchy that is shifted by selection of an option may be expressed as an “option hierarchy”.
The present invention goes beyond this hierarchical structure, and there are elements in which connections are related in multiple ways. If the relationship shown by the arrow in FIG. 2 occurs.
FIG. 3 shows the flow of software. The activation code and the estimation code have a hierarchical structure, which means the possibility of two or more processes for the upper level.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the estimation process data program. It is the flow of the program which becomes a basic form in this invention.

In the following explanation, the title of the estimation processing data is enclosed in '', the data name is enclosed in '', displayed in parentheses, the contents of the data are shown in brackets, the choice name is enclosed in [], Substitute sentences, numerical values, and mathematical expressions are enclosed in "". “→” means substitution (data writing), and is the same as “=” as a calculation result.
In the case of device status data in a valid or invalid format, “1” (valid) is set if the contents in “” are correct, and “0” (invalid) is set if incorrect.
In the following calculation, the calculation result of evaluation value “0” or less is “0”. That is, if “evaluation value ≦ 0”, there is an expression “0 → evaluation value”.
In the following calculation, the evaluation value before the calculation is “0”.

'Estimation of initial operation after shipment' will be explained. The electronic device of the present invention is a digital camera.
FIG. 6 shows a screen that appears when the user first turns on the electronic device after the product is shipped. Originally, it is the content that appears in the instruction manual, and it is the content that the experienced operator knows naturally. Assuming that you go on a business trip or a trip as soon as you buy an electronic device with advanced handling operations, you need to bring an instruction manual. If an OSD starting from such an instruction is built in, it is not necessary to go out with an instruction manual.
When the power is turned on a prescribed number of times, or when the operation history is set to select the setting for shooting, the screen of FIG. 7 appears. With this OSD, it is possible to shoot immediately. If the power is turned on the specified number of times, it is assumed that no instruction is required, and if there is a setting history for shooting, the OSD instruction is read or the instruction is omitted based on the assumption that there is a shooting technique. To do.
It is assumed that if the user needs an instruction for the operation after the power is turned on after the specified number of times, the instruction for the operation can be used in the operation menu of another level.

The operation menu environment is implemented by software as follows.
When the electronic device is powered on, the estimation processing data of the estimation code P001 “number of times used after shipment” is executed from the activation code of “Power ON” in FIG.
The initial value of the fluctuation calculation reference value is “10”, and the condition value “1” is subtracted from the fluctuation calculation reference value and substituted into the evaluation value when the power is turned on once.
When the power is turned on for the first time after shipment, the condition value “1” is subtracted from the fluctuation calculation reference value “10”, so that “fluctuation calculation reference value = evaluation value = 9”.
If the device status data E001 “Setting for shooting” is valid, “variation calculation reference value−8 = evaluation value” is executed.
If “evaluation value> 2”, the expression process D001 (instruction for beginners) is executed, and the OSD of FIG. 6 is displayed.
If the number of times of use after shipment is 9th or later, or if E001 “Set for shooting” is valid, “evaluation value ≦ 1”, and expression processing D002 (operation menu screen for shooting) and function processing F001 “shooting” Execute mode. The displayed OSD is shown in FIG.

The above estimation calculation sets an appropriate calculation formula for each situation, and there are various calculation formulas that can do the same thing. The difference in the convenience of the operation menu depends on the contents of the calculation formula. Is what comes out.
The above-mentioned E001 “setting for shooting” indicates a history of setting for shooting such as resolution and shooting environment. Assume that the user can move from the option C002 [menu] to a settable hierarchy. Also, it is assumed that the device status data E001 is correctly updated from a program that manages the entire electronic device.
The processing item “movement of D001” of the expression process D002 “shooting” in FIG. 14 is a layer that is shifted by selecting C006 “help”, and adds an option of the expression process D001 “handling explanation”. It is assumed that this processing is also performed correctly.

“Estimation of power-off period” will be described. The electronic device of the present invention is a digital camera.
As shown in FIG. 8, when shooting in the automatic shooting mode at a ski resort, the brightness of snow is automatically set, and when a person is shot, the face appears dark.
Therefore, it is assumed that the shooting environment mode of [Snow shooting environment] is set to match the brightness of the human face. It is assumed that the power is turned off once by this setting and the power is turned on at two intervals.
First, assume that the power is turned on again after 40 minutes.
In this case, it can be said that it is reasonable to judge that the shooting is performed in the same environment. For this purpose, the OSD of FIG. 8 is displayed with the same shooting settings as at the end of the previous time.
Next, assume that the power is turned on again after 9 hours.
In this case, it can be said that it is reasonable to judge that the shooting environment has changed. For this purpose, the shooting environment mode [Snow shooting environment] is canceled and the standard shooting environment mode is restored. The OSD of FIG. 9 is displayed, which allows photographing and allows further selection of photographing setting change.

The operation menu environment is implemented by software as follows.
When the power is turned on, the estimation process data of the estimation code P002 “Power OFF period” is executed from the activation code “Power ON” in FIG.
When E003 “Short-term shooting setting history” is valid, “current time−E002” is calculated. E002 is the device status data of “the last power-off time”.
If the power-off period is 40 minutes, since the evaluation value of P002 is less than 8 hours, the same expression process D003 as that used last time is executed, and the OSD of FIG. 8 is displayed. .
If the power-off period is 9 hours, the expression value D004 and the function process F002 are executed because the evaluation value of P002 is 8 hours or more.
In the expression process D004, the OSD of FIG. 9 is displayed, and in the function process F002, [Snow shooting environment] is canceled and the setting returns to the setting of the standard shooting environment mode.

The setting of [Snow shooting environment] in the above options is assumed to reach the setting item from the main menu, which is called by a switch on the casing.
The device status data E003 “Short-term shooting setting history” is not limited to [Snow shooting environment], but it is unlikely that this setting will be used for a long time when the shooting environment is a night view or telephoto shooting. When E is used, as shown in FIG. 15, E003 “Short-term shooting setting history” is validated. Also, when the shooting environment is backlit or fireworks, the period of use is short.
In the above estimation method, the period of standby power is used as an estimation factor. However, in actual design, it is sufficient to cancel the [Snow shooting environment] in the sunset time zone. However, here, the power OFF period is described as an estimation factor.
Assume that the device status data E002 and E003 in FIG. 15 has been correctly updated from a program that manages the entire electronic device.
It is assumed that the cancellation of the setting of the shooting environment mode in the function process F002 of FIG. 16 is processed normally.

“Estimated priority display based on number of options used” will be described. The electronic device of the present invention is a mobile phone.
The operation menu of FIG. 10 is displayed in order from the top, giving priority to the number of choices when selection of choices is repeated.
Also, options that are used less frequently are arranged at a lower level. If you select an option from this lower level, you can move back to the upper level.
As a result, by repeating the operation of the electronic device, the options are arranged and frequently used items are displayed, and the operation menu is simplified.
In addition to the above contents, when the user selects the [Sending folder] option, the user's purpose is to view the transmission history, so it can be assumed that he / she is looking for a previously sent mail. Since it is possible to infer that the user is looking for mail in [draft], [draft] is preferentially displayed in accordance with [transmission folder].

The operation menu environment is implemented by software as follows.
The mail screen S004 in FIG. 10 displays options determined by the previous calculation result. It is assumed that the previous processing is being processed this time.
In FIG. 18, the variation calculation reference values for the choices of both the hierarchy of the mail screen S004 and the hierarchy shifted by the selection of C020 [Others] are displayed. In the numerical display column of the fluctuation calculation reference value, the value is displayed in the format of “current time → next time”. The OSD displays “current time → next time”, but in the calculation, “value before calculation → value after calculation”.
In this case, when the option of C017 [Transmission folder] is selected in the hierarchy shifted by the selection of C020 [Others] in FIG. 18, the estimation process data of the estimation code P003 “Arrange items [Transmission folder]” in FIG. 17 is executed. Is done.
The condition value “6” is assigned to the fluctuation calculation reference value “1” of C017 [transmission folder].
The condition value “5” is assigned to the fluctuation calculation reference value “1” of C016 [Rakusho].
The condition value “1” is subtracted from the variation calculation reference value of the other options of the mail screen S004.
In the next display process of the mail screen S004, the variation calculation reference value of the options C013 to C019 is read and substituted into the evaluation value, and the display position of the option is determined and processed. Execute sequentially for each option.
Options with an evaluation value “2” or higher are displayed on the screen of S004. From FIG. 18, C014, C016, and C017 are evaluation values “2” or more, and options with large evaluation values are displayed in order from the top.
Options that have an evaluation value “2” or more before the calculation and “evaluation value = 1” after the calculation are arranged in the hierarchy that is moved by the selection of C020 [Others], so that they are displayed on the next mail screen S004. Not.
Since the fluctuation calculation reference value before calculation of C018 [confirm new mail] is “2”, the condition value “1” is subtracted, the evaluation value after calculation is “1”, and the next mail screen S004 is displayed. Do not show.
The next mail screen S004 is shown in FIG.

In this time of FIG. 18, when C017 [Transmission folder] is selected in the hierarchy moved by the selection of C020 [Others], there is C016 [Draft] that is given priority accordingly, and only this case is carried forward. As a result, the condition value becomes “6”, but the condition value when there is no option to be given priority according to other than these and the option is selected is “5”.
In this case, it is assumed that the process on the mail screen S004 that uses the option as the calculation target is correctly processed. In order to target only the options on S004 as an operation target, for example, it is possible to exclude an option equivalent to the selected option and set the fluctuation calculation reference value to “2” or more as a calculation condition. .
Also, the three options C011, C012, and C020 that are always displayed on the mail screen S004 are excluded from the above calculation.
Also, it is assumed that the next mail screen priority display processing and expression processing of FIG. 17 are correctly processed.

'Estimation of special shooting settings' will be described. The electronic device of the present invention is a digital camera.
FIG. 11 shows a screen S005 displayed when the [Manual Focus] option is selected.
Some beginners will not be able to see the image if the shutter speed or aperture is set incorrectly.
However, it can be assumed that the user who uses [Manual Focus] is an advanced photographer. Therefore, by selecting the [Manual Focus] option, the special shooting options [Manual Shutter Speed] and [Manual Aperture] that can be used by advanced photographers can be selected by selecting C021 [Manual Shooting]. It is displayed on the operation menu of the moving hierarchy.
By making it possible to set the shutter speed and aperture, it becomes a highly functional camera for advanced photographers.

The operation menu environment is implemented by software as follows.
By selecting [Manual Focus], the estimation process data of the estimation code P004 “special shooting setting estimation” in FIG. 19 is activated.
The fixed calculation reference value “50” is substituted into E004 “Shutter n / 50”, and the options for [Manual Shutter Speed] and [Manual Aperture] in Special Shooting Settings are the layers that are moved by selecting C021 [Shooting Help]. Is placed. Further, the focus becomes movable by the function process F003 “manual focus activation”.
When the shutter is pressed, the estimated code P005 “number of shutters” is executed from the activation code of “shutter ON” in FIG. 20, and the data is updated.
E004 “Shutter n / 50” is a condition value “1” that is subtracted every time a picture is taken. If manual focus is not used 50 times or more, it is estimated that the need for special photography is low, and the special photography operation menu is not displayed. It is to be displayed.
That is, when E004 ≦ 1, the special shooting [Manual Shutter Speed] and [Manual Aperture] options on the operation menu are deleted, and the special shooting cannot be used.

The above-mentioned [Manual Focus] options are higher in the hierarchical structure of the screen S005, and the screen moves to the screen S005 when the option is selected.
Assume that the arrangement of the options of [Manual shutter speed] and [Manual aperture] in the hierarchy that is shifted by the selection of C021 [Shooting help] in FIG. 11 is correctly processed. Also, this hierarchy can be used from other than S005.
In FIG. 11, the manual focus setting display A001 is set in such a manner that the cursor A002 on the screen is moved by a switch attached to the casing of the electronic device to change the distance. Further, it is assumed that the function processing F003 “manual focus activation” can be correctly used from the program managing the entire electronic device.
Although the device status data E004 “shutter n / 50” in FIG. 20 can be designed even if it is a fluctuation calculation reference value, it is assumed here as device status data.

'Estimation of function return' will be explained. The electronic device of the present invention is a digital camera.
Select [Manual Focus] in the previous section, and then take a picture with the [Shutter Speed Manual] setting in the hierarchy that is moved by selecting C021 [Shooting Help], and then the shooting conditions change due to the movement of the shooting location To do.
Here, if the brightness setting necessary for shooting is not set, it can be estimated that the user may have forgotten the old setting.
This is conveyed by a message M001 on the screen of FIG. Further, C022 [Automatically] that can return to the automatic shooting mode is displayed, and C023 [Shooting help] that can support special shooting is displayed.

The operation menu environment is implemented by software as follows.
When the brightness value of the photographed image is abnormal, the estimation process data of the estimation code P009 “Evaluation of shutter speed and aperture setting” is executed from the activation code of “Shooting screen brightness abnormality” in FIG.
The device status data E005 “light and dark is biased” is a numerical value of the level “0 to 5”, the light and dark normal value is “0”, and the light and dark abnormality is proportional to the numerical value and the maximum value is “5”. The value of E005 is substituted for the evaluation value.
If E006 “Shutter speed is manual” is valid, the condition value “5” is added to the evaluation value.
If “evaluation value ≧ 8”, it can be estimated that the information of the message M001 should be transmitted, and therefore the expression process D007 of FIG. 12 is executed.
This displays C022 [automatic] that can return to the automatic shooting mode, and C023 [shooting help] that includes items that can handle special shooting.

  It is assumed that the values of E005 and E006 in the device status data are correctly updated from the program.

“Estimation of equipment abnormality” will be explained. The electronic device of the present invention is a television.
When the user watches the television broadcast after moving the television, the OSD displays a notification indicating that the antenna cable is defective as shown in FIG.
Ten seconds later, a description of how to find a fault with video and audio begins. This is because the antenna cable is disconnected and the TV broadcast cannot be seen, so the recovery method will be explained with video and audio.
This is because if there is a history of disconnecting the AC cord during standby power before the radio signal (RF signal) disappears, it can be estimated that there is a high possibility of cable connection failure.

The operation menu environment is implemented by software as follows.
As shown in FIG. 22, the presumed device state data, E008 “previous RF signal is normal”, E009 “AC code missing during standby” are used for the estimation calculation of FIG. The input abnormality is estimated.
With the activation code “No RF signal” in FIG. 23, the estimation process data of the estimation code P010 “antenna input abnormality estimation” is executed.
If the device status data E008 “previous RF signal is normal” is valid, the fixed calculation reference value “1” is substituted into the evaluation value,
If E009 “AC code omission at standby” is valid, the condition value “1” is added to the evaluation value.
If “evaluation value = 2”, the expression processing D008 is executed, and the screen state before the program of this item is started in FIG. 13 can be returned to option C024 [Return], and the operation menu for video setting can be moved to option C025. [Menu] is displayed.
Ten seconds later, the expression process D009 will explain a recovery method using moving images and sounds.

In addition, as an example of a detection method when the AC cord is disconnected during standby power supply, when a circuit operating with the standby power supply is reset (the power supply of the standby power supply circuit is turned off), this reset is used as a detection signal. It can be determined that the code may have come off.
It is assumed that the device status data E008 “previous RF signal is normal” and E009 “AC code omission in standby” in FIG. 22 are correctly processed from the program managing the entire electronic device.
Also, it is assumed that the description of the recovery method using the moving image and the sound in D009 operates correctly.

The example of the value of the presumed calculation which estimates the condition of a user and an electronic device described in this invention, and provides suitable operation environment is comprised with the simple numerical value for a principle description.
Utilizing the present invention, it is possible to set operation conditions with higher convenience through detailed setting of calculation conditions, diversification and sophistication of operation values and mathematical formulas, and design that fully considers convenience and inconvenience. Is. Moreover, it can respond to many types of electronic devices.

The invention's effect

  An operation menu that is easy to use for the user is configured by changing the operation menu according to the state of the user or the electronic device. An operation menu that is easy to use for both beginners and experienced operators can operate electronic devices that are highly difficult to operate.

  Software data configuration diagram   Hierarchical structure of the operation menu   Data flow diagram   Data relationship diagram   Basic form of flowchart   Operation screen diagram of estimated first operation after shipment   Estimated 2 operation screen after shipping   Operation screen diagram for Estimating Power OFF Period 1   Operation screen diagram of power off period estimation 2   Operation screen diagram of estimated priority display of the number of options used   Operation screen diagram for estimating special shooting settings   Operation screen for estimating function return   Operation screen for equipment error estimation   Program table for estimation of first operation after shipment   Program table for device status data update 1   Program table for estimating time when power is off   Program table of estimated priority display based on the number of options used   Usage frequency table and items displayed by selecting C020   Program table for estimating special shooting settings   Program table for updating shutter frequency   Function return estimation program table   Device status data update 2 program table   Equipment abnormality estimation program table

Explanation of symbols

S001 Operation menu screen number for initial operation after shipment S002 Screen number for shooting S003 Screen number for shooting S004 Mail operation menu screen number S005 Screen number for shooting S006 Screen number for shooting S007 Operation menu for abnormal antenna input Screen number C001 [Next] option number C002 [Menu] option number C003 [Shoot in auto mode] option number C004 [Select by shooting scene] option number C005 [Set] option number C006 [Help] Option number C007 [Same as previous] option number C008 [Change shooting scene] option number C009 [Other menu] option number C010 [Help] option number C011 [New] option number C012 [Address book] ] Option number C013 [Receive Folder 1] option number C014 [Receiving folder 2] option number C015 [Receiving folder 3] option number C016 [Draft] option number C017 [Sending folder] option number C018 [New mail check] option number C019 [Setting] option number C020 [Other] option number C021 [Shooting help] option number C022 [Automatic] option number C023 [Shooting help] option number C024 [Return] option number C025 [Menu] Option number P001 Estimated code number P002 of “Number of times used after shipment” Estimated code number P003 of “Power off period” Estimated code number P004 of “Organization of items [Transmission folder]” Estimated code number P005 of “Estimation of special shooting settings” Estimated code number P00 of “Shutter count” Estimated code number P009 for “Email screen priority display” Estimated code number P010 for “Evaluation of shutter speed and aperture setting” Estimated code number D001 for “Antenna input error estimation” Display processing number D002 for instruction explanation Display processing number for shooting D003 Display processing number of snow shooting environment D004 Display processing number of standard shooting environment mode D006 Display processing number of manual focus D007 Display processing number of imaging inappropriateness D008 Display processing number of device abnormality notification D009 Display processing of antenna cable recovery method Number F001 Shooting mode setting function processing number F002 Shooting environment mode setting release function processing number F003 Manual focus activation function processing number E001 Device setting data number E002 “set for shooting” “Last power-off time” Equipment State data number E003 Device state data number E004 “Short-term shooting setting history” Device state data number E005 “Shutter n / 50” Device state data number E006 “Shutter speed is manual” Device status data number E008 “Last RF signal is normal” device status data number E009 “AC code missing during standby” device status data number A001 Manual focus setting display A002 Manual focus setting amount cursor M001 Message number

Claims (17)

Represents options for operation setting with text, still image, video, and sound on electronic devices with a built-in microcomputer, selection of the options located on the hierarchical structure, and positions where the options are expressed depending on the state of the electronic device And change the content of the expression,
In the option estimation process data, the position of the representation of the choice and the content of the representation, which can be estimated from the choice of the user's choice, suitable for the user's purpose, operational skill and habit, and the state of the electronic device Data for change and electronic device setting change is prepared, and the option estimation process data is executed from the selection of the user's option,
In the device estimation processing data, the position of the representation of the choice, which can be estimated from the change in the device status data, suitable for the user's purpose, operational skill and habit, and the state of the electronic device, and the content of the representation Preparing the data for the change and the setting change of the electronic device, and executing the device estimation processing data from the change of the device state data,
The combination of the option estimation process data and the device estimation process data is the estimation process data.
As an effect of execution of the estimation processing data, by selecting a user option or changing the state of the electronic device,
It is automatically changed to operation items appropriate to the user's purpose, operation skill level, habituality, and the state of the electronic device,
A method for automatically optimizing an operation item, characterized in that the position of the expression of the choice and the content of the expression are reconfigured and the setting of the electronic device is changed. In the above estimation processing data, an arithmetic expression to be changed to an operation item suitable for the user's purpose, operation skill level, habit, and the state of the electronic device is executed.
The value classified into the attribute included in the content of the option selected by the user and the value classified into the attribute of the phenomenon of the electronic device as an arithmetic value of the arithmetic expression,
Set the calculation formula to change the operation item appropriately to execute the estimation result,
The operation item automatic optimizing method according to claim 1, wherein an expression process and a function process of the estimation result specified for the value of the operation result are executed. In the above estimation processing data, a calculation formula using a fixed calculation reference value, a fluctuation calculation reference value, and device state data for being an arithmetic value is prepared,
The method for automatically optimizing an operation item according to claim 1, wherein an estimation value is obtained by performing an estimation calculation using the calculation formula. In the above estimation calculation, for the operand value of the value classified into the attribute included in the content of the option selected by the user and the value classified into the phenomenon attribute of the electronic device,
The operation item automatic optimizing method according to claim 1, wherein an evaluation value is obtained by performing an operation using a set condition value.   The operation item according to claim 1, wherein, in the estimation calculation, a judgment reference value that determines whether or not to execute the estimation result is compared with an evaluation value, and the estimation result specified in the comparison result is executed. Automatic optimization method.   The operation item automatic optimizing method according to claim 1, wherein, in the estimation calculation, a value of the number of activations of the power supply after being shipped from a factory is used as a calculation value.   The operation item automatic optimization method according to claim 1, wherein in the estimation calculation, a value classified as a power-on or power-off characteristic is used as a value to be calculated.   The operation item automatic optimization method according to claim 1, wherein, in the estimation calculation, a time value is set as a calculation value.   The operation item automatic optimizing method according to claim 1, wherein, in the estimation calculation, a value of the number of selections of options is set as a calculated value.   The operation item automatic optimization method according to claim 1, wherein, in the estimation calculation, a value classified as an attribute of the content of an option is used as a calculation value.   The operation item automatic optimization method according to claim 1, wherein, in the estimation calculation, a value classified as a power-off characteristic at the time of standby power supply of the electronic device is used as a calculation value.   The operation item automatic optimizing method according to claim 1, wherein, in the estimation calculation, the value of the rank of the expression position of the option is set as a calculation value.   The operation item automatic optimizing method according to claim 1, wherein, in the estimation calculation, a rank of an expression position of an accompanying option is provided for a rank of an expression position of the option.   The method for automatically optimizing an operation item according to claim 1, wherein the setting is changed by selecting an option or changing a device state data with respect to the setting, which is set by an estimation result obtained by the estimation calculation according to claim 1. .   The operation according to claim 1, wherein the setting is changed by the second estimation result of claims 1 to 13 with respect to the setting set by the first estimation result by the estimation calculation of claims 1 to 13. Item automatic optimization method.   The operation item automatic optimization method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the execution of the estimation processing data by selection of one option according to claims 1 to 13, an estimation calculation of another option and an estimation result are executed.   The position of the representation of the option and the reconstruction of the content of the representation and the change of the setting of the electronic device according to the estimation according to claims 1 to 13 are performed by estimating the convenience of a certain degree of probability and processing the estimated content. In such a case, it is necessary to execute the contents of the estimation, which is clearly more convenient for the user to execute the estimation process than the software that does not execute the estimation process, and to compensate for the occurrence of an inconvenient result. The operation item automatic optimizing method according to claim 1, wherein the operation item is included in the contents of the processing.

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