JP2010108032A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment for improving the skill levels of a user for various types of functions without imposing a burden on a third person. <P>SOLUTION: Electronic equipment includes: a display part for displaying various pictures; and a control part for, when the skill level of a use target function by a user is lower than a prescribed threshold, making the display part successively display the guidance pictures of each of the various types of functions in the use target function while the use target function operates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that displays a guidance screen on which operation methods of various functions are shown.

At present, various electronic devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, printers, multifunction devices, and home appliances are becoming more and more multifunctional, and with the increase in functionality, the number and functions of operation keys such as hard keys and soft keys are increased. Diversification of operation methods according to the situation is progressing. These electronic devices have become convenient by being multifunctional, but the operability has become complicated by increasing the number of operation keys and diversifying operation methods. This has caused inconvenient users to feel inconvenient. As an invention for solving such a problem, Patent Document 1 below discloses an image processing apparatus that can easily understand how to handle it. The image processing apparatus includes an authentication unit that performs personal authentication for a user of the image processing apparatus, a calculation unit that calculates a proficiency level of handling of the image processing apparatus for each user authenticated by the authentication unit, and a calculation result in the calculation unit And a guide unit for informing a person who has a high level of skill in handling the image processing apparatus. Thus, the user can easily understand the function by obtaining information about a person who is familiar with the operation method and asking the person about the function.
JP 2008-54242 A

  By the way, in the above-described conventional technology, the skill level of handling of each function is calculated for each user who is personally authenticated, and the user is notified of the person with high skill level based on the calculation result. By listening to the operation method of the function, it is possible to easily understand the operation method of the function. However, every time a user with a high level of proficiency asks about the operation method of the function of the image forming apparatus from the user, it is necessary to interrupt the current operation and explain the operation method to the user. The burden is forced. Even if the user wants to know what other functions are available, he / she has to ask a highly skilled person about the functions and spend a lot of time to know other functions. You have to split.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic device that can efficiently improve the proficiency of various functions of a user without imposing a burden on a third party. And

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a first solution means for an electronic device, a display unit that displays various screens and a user's proficiency level of a function to be used is lower than a predetermined threshold value. In addition, a control unit that sequentially displays guidance screens for various functions in the use target function on the display unit while the use target function is operating is employed.

  In the present invention, as the second solving means relating to the electronic device, in the first solving means, the control unit has a proficiency level of the function to be used by the user lower than a predetermined threshold value, and the use When the scheduled use time of the function to be used by a user exceeds a predetermined threshold, while the function to be used is operating, a guidance screen for each function in the function to be used is sequentially displayed on the display unit. Adopt the means to let.

  In the present invention, as the third solving means relating to the electronic device, in the first or second solving means, the control unit is configured to use a frequency of use for each function in the function to be used by the user, Compared with the usage frequency of the user (second user), the second user's usage frequency is high but the user's usage frequency is low. Adopt the means to let.

  In the present invention, as a fourth solving means relating to the electronic device, in any one of the first to third solving means, the control unit is configured to use the use target function during the previous use. A means of displaying on the display unit from the continuation of the guidance screen displayed on the display unit is adopted.

  In the present invention, as a fifth solving means relating to the electronic device, in any one of the first to fourth solving means, when the control unit receives a cueing instruction, an initial guidance screen is displayed on the display unit. Adopt a means to display.

  In the present invention, as a sixth solving means relating to the electronic device, in any one of the above first to fifth solving means, when the control unit receives a skip instruction, the display unit displays a guidance screen in the next order. Adopt a means to display.

  In the present invention, as a seventh solving means relating to the electronic device, in any one of the first to sixth solving means, the control unit identifies each user based on a login code input at the time of login, A means for determining the proficiency level of each user based on the usage history of the function to be used for each user is adopted.

According to the present invention, the electronic device includes a display unit that displays various screens;
Control that causes the display unit to sequentially display guidance screens for various functions in the use target function while the use target function is operating when the user's proficiency of the use target function is lower than a predetermined threshold Part. In this way, when the user who uses the target function is low in proficiency while the target function is operating, the user is presented with a guidance screen for each function of the target target device. It is possible to efficiently improve the proficiency level of the function to be used by the user without imposing a burden on the three parties.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment relates to a multifunction peripheral having both a copy function, a print function, a scan function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function, which is one of image forming apparatuses included in an electronic apparatus of the present invention.
First, the functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral A according to this embodiment.
The multi-function device A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, various sensor groups 4, a paper transport unit 5, an image reading unit 6, an image data storage unit 7, An image forming unit 8, a communication I / F unit 9, an operation display unit 10, and a proficiency level storage unit 11 are provided.

The CPU 1 includes a control program stored in the ROM 2, various detection signals received from the various sensor groups 4, document image data, print image data and facsimile image data stored in the image data storage unit 7, and a communication I / F unit. 9 is used to control the overall operation of the multifunction peripheral A based on various instructions input from a client computer (not shown) or a public network (not shown) via 9 and operation instructions input from the operation display unit 10. The details of the control process of the CPU 1 will be described below as the operation of the multifunction device A.
The ROM 2 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 1 and other data.

The RAM 3 is a volatile memory used as a working area as a temporary storage destination of data when the CPU 1 executes a control program and performs various operations.
The various sensor groups 4 are various sensors necessary for an image forming operation such as a paper out detection sensor, a paper jam detection sensor, a paper position detection sensor, a temperature sensor, and the like, and various kinds of information detected by each sensor are detected signals. Is output to the CPU 1.

  The paper transport unit 5 includes a transport roller for transporting the print paper stored in the paper tray to the image forming unit 8, a motor for driving the transport roller, and a print paper after the image forming process to a discharge tray (not shown). It is composed of a conveying roller for conveying, a motor for driving the conveying roller, and the like.

The image reading unit 6 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and the like, and causes the CCD sensor to read images of documents sequentially fed by the ADF so that document image data based on the document image is obtained. Output. The image reading unit 6 outputs the document image data to the CPU 1, while the CPU 1 stores the document image data in the image data storage unit 7.
The image data storage unit 7 is, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk. Under the instruction of the CPU 1, document image data, print image data received by the communication I / F unit 9 from a client computer (not shown), and a communication I / F unit 9 stores facsimile image data received from a public network (not shown).

The image forming unit 8 controls the printing paper conveyed from the paper conveying unit 5 with toner based on the original image data, print image data, and facsimile image data stored in the image data storage unit 7 under the control of the CPU 1. An image forming image to be formed is transferred, and fixing processing of the image forming image is performed by a fixing roller.
The communication I / F unit 9 is connected to an external client computer and a public network, and transmits and receives various signals between the client computer and the public network.

 The operation display unit 10 includes a copy function switching key, a print function switching key, a scan function switching key, a facsimile function switching key, a start key, a stop / clear key, a power key, a numeric keypad (numeric input key), a touch panel 10a, and various other types. Operation keys are provided, and instructions for operating the keys are output to the CPU 1 and various screens are displayed on the touch panel 10a under the control of the CPU 1. The copy function switching key, the print function switching key, the scan function switching key, and the facsimile function switching key are keys for switching the MFP A to the operation mode of each function when the user uses each function. .

  The proficiency level storage unit 11 is, for example, a flash memory, and stores a proficiency level registration table in which proficiency levels for each function of the multifunction peripheral A for each user are registered under the control of the CPU. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a proficiency level registration table. In the proficiency level registration table, as shown in FIG. 2, proficiency levels for the copy function, print function, scan function, and facsimile function of the multifunction peripheral A are registered for each login code assigned to each user. The proficiency level indicates the skill level of each function of the user, and the higher the skill level, the higher the proficiency level.

  The proficiency level is incremented by “1” every time each function is used once. That is, the proficiency level is a value obtained based on the usage history of each user for each function. For example, when a user uses the copy function, the proficiency level of the user for the copy function increases by “1”. Note that the usage history of the copy function before a certain period is excluded from the target in obtaining the proficiency level.

Next, the operation of the MFP A according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction peripheral A according to this embodiment.
First, a user who intends to use the multifunction device A inputs a login code assigned to the multifunction device A to the multifunction device A using the numeric keypad of the operation display unit 10.

  The CPU 1 determines whether or not the operation display unit 10 has accepted the input of the login code (step S1). If it is determined “NO” in step S1, that is, the operation display unit 10 has received the input of the login code. If not, the process waits until the input of the login code is received. If it is determined “YES” in step S1, that is, if the operation display unit 10 receives the input of the login code, the input login code is input. Is permitted to log in (step S2).

  Then, after logging in to the multifunction peripheral A, the user who wants to copy the document switches to the copy function operation mode by pressing the copy function switching key of the operation display unit 10. Further, the user sets various copy conditions by operating the keys of the operation display unit 10, and when setting of the copy conditions is completed, the user sets a document on the ADF of the image reading unit 6 and starts the operation display unit 10. Pressing the key causes the MFP A to start the copy process.

  After step S2, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the operation display unit 10 has received a copy start instruction by pressing the start key (step S3). If it is determined “NO” in step S3, that is, the operation display unit. If the operation display unit 10 has not received a copy start instruction, the operation display unit 10 waits until a copy disclosure instruction is received. If “YES” is determined in step S3, that is, the operation display unit 10 issues a copy start instruction. If accepted, the image reading unit 6 conveys the original set on the ADF, starts reading the original image from the original, and further masters the copy function of the user based on the proficiency level registration table and the login code. It is determined whether or not the user's proficiency level exceeds a predetermined threshold (step S4).

  For example, if the threshold value is set to “20” in step S4, the multi-function device A determines that the user who is logged in is an expert of the target function when the proficiency level exceeds “20”. Is less than “20”, it is determined that the logged-in user is a beginner of the target function.

  If the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S 4, that is, if the user's proficiency level of the copy function exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the normal copy processing is performed by the image reading unit 6 and the image forming unit 8. (Step S5), and if “NO” is determined in step S4, that is, if the user's proficiency level of the copy function is below a predetermined threshold, the number of originals, the number of copies, and various copies In consideration of the conditions, the estimated copy processing execution time is calculated (step S6). The copy processing execution scheduled time is a scheduled time from when the operation display unit 10 receives a copy start instruction until the execution of the copy processing is completed.

After step S6, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the estimated copy processing execution time exceeds a predetermined threshold (step S7). If it is determined “NO” in step S7, that is, the copy processing execution schedule is determined. If the time is below the predetermined threshold value, normal copy processing is executed in step S5, and if “YES” is determined in step S7, that is, the estimated copy processing execution time is a predetermined threshold value. If it exceeds, guidance screen display loop processing in steps S8 to S8 ′ is executed.
For example, if the threshold value is set to “20” seconds in step S7, the multifunction device A executes the guidance screen display loop processing in steps S8 to S8 ′ when the estimated copy processing execution time exceeds “20” seconds. To do.

  The guidance screen display loop processing is processing for sequentially displaying various guidance screens in the copy function on the touch panel 10a. The guidance screen is a screen prepared for each of various functions of the copy function, and displays descriptions of various functions such as density adjustment, double-sided copy, reduced / enlarged copy, and sorting copy in the copy function. Each guidance screen is assigned a screen number n in advance, and a display time Tn corresponding to the amount of content is determined in advance. The screen number n of the guidance screen with the highest importance is “1”.

  In the guidance screen display loop process, the CPU 1 increments the display target screen number i having an initial value “1” by “1” every time the loop process is executed once. Then, in the guidance screen display loop process, the CPU 1 displays the guidance screen whose screen number n is the display target screen number i on the touch panel 10a for the display time Ti (step S9), and ends the guidance screen display. Then, the remaining copy processing time Ta is calculated (step S10).

  For example, when the copy processing scheduled execution time is “30” seconds, the guidance screen with the screen number “1” is displayed on the touch panel 10a for the display time “5” seconds in step S9 in the first loop guidance screen display loop processing. If displayed, in step S10, “25” seconds obtained by subtracting the display time “5” seconds from the copy processing scheduled execution time “30” seconds is the copy processing remaining time Ta. Furthermore, if the guidance screen of screen number “2” is displayed on the touch panel 10a for the display time “7” seconds in step S9 in the second guidance screen display loop processing of the loop, in step S10, the calculation is performed in the previous step S10. The new copy processing remaining time Ta becomes “18” seconds obtained by subtracting the display time “7” seconds from the copy processing remaining time “25” seconds.

  Then, the CPU executes this guidance screen display loop processing until the copy processing remaining time Ta falls below the display time Ti of the guidance screen whose screen number n is the display target screen number i, that is, the remaining copy processing time Ta is the display time. It ends when it falls below Ti.

  As described above, in the multifunction peripheral A according to the present embodiment, when the operation display unit 10 receives a copy start instruction after login, the CPU 1 acquires the proficiency level of the user's copy function based on the proficiency level registration table and the login code. If the user's proficiency level falls below a predetermined threshold value, the user is determined to be a beginner of the copy function, and then the copy processing execution scheduled time exceeds the predetermined threshold value. By executing the guidance screen display loop process, the guidance screens are sequentially displayed on the touch panel 10a.

  As described above, in the MFP A, when the user who uses the copy function is an initial person, the guidance screen showing the operation method of various functions in the copy function to the user during the idle time until the copy process is completed. By showing the above, it is possible to efficiently improve the proficiency level of each function in the copy function of the user without imposing a burden on a third party.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the following modifications can be considered.
(1) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a multi-function peripheral which is one of image forming apparatuses. However, the present invention can be applied to all electronic devices such as personal computers and portable terminals. For example, a guidance screen showing the operation method of the personal computer may be displayed on the display while the personal computer is executing a calculation process without key input by the user.

(2) In the above embodiment, the guidance screens are displayed in the order of the predetermined screen number n, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 1 compares the use frequency of other users of each function in the copy function with the use frequency of the logged-in user, and is used by a function having a low value calculated based on the comparison result, that is, another user. However, it may be displayed on the touch panel 10a in order from the guidance screen of the function that is used less frequently by the logged-in user. By doing in this way, it is possible to learn a method of operating a function that is generally frequently used that the user wants to know.

(3) In the above embodiment, the guidance screens are sequentially displayed from the beginning of the predetermined screen number n, that is, the screen number “1”, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 1 stores the screen number n of the guidance screen displayed on the touch panel 10a when the previous copy process is executed, and may be displayed on the touch panel 10a from the subsequent guidance screen when the next copy process is executed. Good. Further, when the operation display unit 10 accepts a cueing instruction, the CPU 1 displays the first guidance screen, that is, the touch screen 10a from the guidance screen with the screen number “1”, and when a skip instruction is accepted, the next guidance screen is displayed. You may make it display on the touch panel 10a.

(4) In the above embodiment, each user is identified based on a login code input at the time of login, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the login is executed by biometric authentication such as fingerprint, the CPU 1 identifies each user based on the biometric information read during the biometric authentication process, and executes the process of the flowchart of FIG. May be. When login is executed based on the card information of the authentication card, the CPU 1 may identify each user based on the card information.

(5) In the above embodiment, in the guidance screen display loop processing, when the remaining copy processing time Ta is less than the display time Ti of the next guidance screen to be displayed, the next guidance screen to be displayed is not displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the remaining copy processing time Ta falls below the display time Ti of the guidance screen to be displayed next, the remaining copy processing time Ta is a time exceeding the predetermined ratio with respect to the display time Ti. In addition, the guidance screen may be displayed on the touch panel 10a only for the remaining copy processing time Ta. For example, when the remaining copy processing time Ta is less than the display time Ti but exceeds 80% of the display time Ti, the next guidance screen is displayed on the touch panel 10a during the remaining copy processing time Ta. Like that.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the proficiency level registration table of the multi-function device A according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  A ... MFP, 1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... various sensor groups, 5 ... paper transport unit, 6 ... image reading unit, 7 ... image data storage unit, 8 ... image forming unit, 9 ... Communication I / F unit, 10 ... operation display unit, 10a ... touch panel, 11 ... proficiency level storage unit

Claims (7)

A display for displaying various screens;
When the proficiency level of the target function by the user is lower than a predetermined threshold, while the target function is operating, the guidance screen for each function in the target function is displayed on the display unit in order. The control unit,
An electronic device comprising the electronic device.   The control unit uses the use function when the proficiency level of the function to be used by the user is lower than a predetermined threshold value and the scheduled use time of the function to be used by the user exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein while the target function is operating, a guidance screen for each function in the use target function is sequentially displayed on the display unit.   The control unit compares the use frequency of each function in the use target function by the user with the use frequency of another user (second user), and the use frequency of the second user. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is displayed on the display unit in order from a guidance screen of a function that is high but is less frequently used by the user.   The said control part is displayed on the said display part from the continuation of the guidance screen displayed on the said display part at the time of use of the said usage target function last time at the time of use of the said usage target function. The electronic device as described in.   5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays an initial guidance screen on the display unit when receiving a cueing instruction.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a guidance screen of a next order on the display unit when a skip instruction is received. The control unit identifies each user based on a login code input at the time of login, and determines a proficiency level of each user based on a usage history of the target function for each user. The electronic device in any one of 1-6.

Images