JP2010287086A - Operation support program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detailedly support different operations to be executed according to the execution of a plurality of different device control programs. <P>SOLUTION: This operation support program includes a support database or a plurality of support program components for supporting different operations to be executed by executing a plurality of different device control programs, and is connected to a server with predetermined timing to make a computer function as: an update data acquisition means for acquiring update data for updating the support database or the plurality of support program components from the server through a communication line; an update means for updating the support database or the support program components based on the update data; and a GUI configuration means for configuring support GUI for supporting the different operations by using the support database or the plurality of support program components. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a work support program, and more particularly to a work support program for supporting different works performed by executing a plurality of different device control programs.

  When the remaining amount of consumables such as ink cartridges and printing paper reaches a predetermined amount, a work support program that pops up a message in which a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for accessing a website where consumables can be purchased is embedded is displayed. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a work support program is provided for each device control program. Although the URL managed by the work support program installed on the client PC (Personal Computer) is a fixed value, the access route to the website where consumables can be purchased goes through multiple web servers. As long as the URL registered in the server is changed, it is possible to change the website that guides the user even after the work support program is distributed.

  In addition, GUI (Graphical User Interface) corresponding to different tasks is integrated into one window to support various tasks performed using a composite device with printing, scanning and fax functions. Work support programs are known. Such work support programs include, for example, messages embedded with links to websites that provide online manuals, FAQs, program update data, consumables, etc., and links for starting image retouching programs. Displayed messages in one window.

JP 2004-206678 A

  However, the conventional work support program itself only provides users with fixed links and fixed shortcuts, and it does not provide detailed web services with high usability according to the changing business scenes. Have difficulty. Specifically, when a user can passively browse a web page that provides the required service, compared to when the user must actively follow a link to view the web page that provides the required service The usability is higher. In order to provide such a web service to a user, it is necessary to set a link according to the model, frequency of use, region, language, time, work status, and the like. However, to support the work by providing a variety of non-web server-linked services and web server-linked services depending on the model, frequency of use, region, language, time, work status, etc., links are provided for each user. It is necessary to make detailed settings and change the content of the linked web server according to the business scene, and it is also preferable to change the GUI of the client PC. Then, in order to change a GUI in which GUIs unique to a plurality of device control programs are aggregated, it is necessary to centrally manage automatic update of program parts and data unique to each of the plurality of device control programs. However, a function for centrally managing automatic updating of a plurality of programs and data linked with a plurality of device control programs for realizing different functions such as printing, scanning, fax, and digital camera has not yet been realized.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide detailed support according to the situation for different operations performed by executing a plurality of different device control programs.

(1) A work support program for achieving the above object includes a support database or a plurality of support program parts for supporting different work performed by executing a plurality of different device control programs. Update data acquisition means for acquiring update data for updating the support database or the plurality of support program components from the server via a communication line, connected to a server at a predetermined timing, and based on the update data A computer as update means for updating the support database or the support program parts, and GUI configuration means for configuring the support GUI for supporting the different work by using the support database or the plurality of support program parts To work
According to the present invention, it is possible to centrally manage automatic updating of a support database or a plurality of support program components for supporting different operations performed by executing different device control programs. Therefore, according to the present invention, different operations performed by executing different device control programs can be finely supported according to the situation.

(2) The work support program for achieving the above object may cause a computer to function as detection means for detecting an execution environment, and the GUI configuration means may configure the support GUI according to the execution environment.
According to the present invention, it is possible to flexibly configure a GUI (support GUI) for supporting different tasks. The execution environment is an environment in which the work support program is executed, and is a unique software environment and hardware environment in each arbitrary client computer.

(3) In the work support program for achieving the above object, the detection unit may detect statuses or logs of a plurality of devices controlled by the plurality of device control programs as the execution environment.
According to the present invention, the support GUI can be flexibly configured according to the statuses or logs of a plurality of devices.

(4) In the work support program for achieving the above object, the detection means may include a common device API for detecting the execution environment by communicating with the plurality of device control programs.
According to the present invention, it becomes easy to develop a plurality of support program components that respectively cooperate with a plurality of different devices. Therefore, it becomes easy to finely support different operations performed by executing a plurality of different device control programs according to the situation.

(5) In the work support program for achieving the above object, the detection means may detect the current time as the execution environment.
According to the present invention, the support GUI can be configured according to the arrival of a specific time.

(6) In the work support program for achieving the above object, the GUI configuration unit may configure the support GUI in one window.
According to the present invention, various operations performed by executing different device control programs are facilitated.

(7) In the work support program for achieving the above-mentioned object, the GUI configuration means, when selected, displays a message displaying a web page for supporting the different work as the support database or the You may display by using a some support program component.
According to the present invention, it is possible to finely provide a web service with high usability according to a business scene that varies from day to day.

(8) In the work support program for achieving the above object, the update data acquisition means transmits update control information for acquiring the update data to the server according to a type of the plurality of device control programs. , Obtaining a server update record indicating the last update time in the server of the update data corresponding to the update control information from the server, and transmitting the server update record acquired last time to the server as a client update record, and acquiring this time When the time indicated by the server update record is different from the time indicated by the client update record, the update data is acquired from the server and the previously acquired server update record is updated to the server update record acquired this time. Also good.
According to the present invention, the amount of data carried by a communication line can be reduced by automatically updating a support database or a plurality of support program parts under centralized management.

(8) In the work support program for achieving the above object, the update control information includes a client update code indicating a final update state of the support database or the plurality of support programs. When the acquired server update record and the client update record are different, a server update code indicating a final update state of a server data group corresponding to the plurality of device control programs is acquired from the server, and the client update code and the client update record Based on a server update code, the server requests update data necessary for updating the support database that is not up-to-date or the plurality of support programs that are not up-to-date, and receives the update data organized from the server data group from the server You may get it.
According to the present invention, the amount of data carried by the communication line can be further reduced by automatically updating the support database or the plurality of support program parts under unified management.

  Note that the function of each means described in the claims is realized by hardware resources whose function is specified by a program. The functions of these means are not limited to those realized by hardware resources that are physically independent of each other. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as a work support program recording medium, a work support apparatus, or a work support system including a work support apparatus and a support data distribution server. Of course, the recording medium of the work support program may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium developed in the future.

The screen block diagram concerning embodiment of this invention. The block diagram concerning embodiment of this invention. The sequence chart concerning embodiment of this invention. The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention. The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention. The sequence chart concerning embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1. 2. Overview As shown in FIG. 2, a work support system including a web server 1 and a client PC 2 connected to the Internet 99 is a printing / facsimile process performed using devices 3 and 4 connected to the client PC 2. This is a system for configuring in the client PC 2 a support GUI, which is a GUI for supporting various operations such as reception, scanning, copying, consumable replacement, consumable replenishment, and consumable purchase. FIG. 1 shows an example of a window displayed on the screen in such a support GUI. Various messages 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 displayed in the support window 10 and links embedded in the messages are displayed on the devices 3 and 4 connected to the client PC 2. It can be arbitrarily configured according to the model, serial number, OS used, language used, and region of use, and can be changed according to the status and log of the devices 3 and 4, and can also be changed according to the arrival of a specific date and time. Specifically, for example, data for changing a message, a link, or an event serving as a trigger constituting a GUI according to a business scene in which a company providing devices 3 and 4 to the market changes every moment ( By registering the server data group) in the web server 1, the convenience for the user is improved and the company can improve the profitability.

2. Configuration of Support GUI An example of the support GUI displayed on the display of the client PC 2 by the work support program 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The work support program 200 configures a support GUI for supporting different works performed by executing the plurality of device drivers 251, 252, and 253 in one window (support window). In the support window 10, the following five sub-windows 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 are arranged.

  In the advisor window 20, various messages 21, 22, and 23 for supporting the work performed using the device driver are displayed. The device model, status, log, serial number, device driver type / version, OS used, It is displayed according to the execution environment such as the language used, the region used, and the date and time. The message displayed in the advisor window 20 is configured according to the execution environment when the support window 10 is activated, and changes according to the change in the execution environment even during the period in which the support window 10 is displayed. . The messages 21, 22, 23 include websites that provide consumables used by the devices 3, 4, websites that provide update data for the device drivers 251, 252, 253, devices 3, 4, An HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file for guiding the operation method 4, an application program for displaying the status of the devices 3 and 4, a link to a program part, and the like are embedded. The form of the message displayed on the advisor window 20 may be a text, a symbol (exclamation mark, question mark, etc.), or a graphic. As the meaning of the message displayed on the advisor window 20, for example, the following may be considered.

・ Recommend ink cartridge replacement ・ Recommend toner cartridge replacement ・ Recommend purchase of genuine ink cartridge ・ Recommend purchase of genuine toner cut ridge ・ Recommend replenishment of printing paper ・ Recommend purchase of genuine printing paper ・ Other consumption Recommendations for replacement, replenishment, and purchase.Recommends cleaning of the print head.Recommends other maintenance.Awareness of using non-genuine consumables.Reports a paper jam.Reports other errors. Guidance and confirmation of operation procedures are advised.Remaining capacity of waste ink tank is reported.Model name of newly connected device is guided.Inquiry about processing method of data stored in newly connected device. Guidance on tasks that can be performed using a connected device.Recommend updates of programs related to connected devices. Other warnings and recommendations, guidance, reporting and alerting and inquiry about the devices that are internal and connected

For example, the following can be considered as a task that is triggered by the selection of a message displayed in the advisor window 20.
-Display a web page that sells genuine consumables for the connected device in another window.
A web page for selling genuine consumables corresponding to the connected device is displayed in the advisor window 20.
A message for guiding the operation is displayed on the advisor window 20.
Display a message to advise or report details on the advisor window 20.
• Display a message that gives details or reports in another window.
-Start the program related to the connected device.
A web page providing program update data related to the connected device is displayed in the advisor window 20.
Display a web page that provides program update data related to the connected device in another window.
・ Start downloading program update data related to connected devices.
In other words, the advisor window 20 displays text, symbols, and images for supporting work, and text, symbols, and images in which links to web pages for supporting the work are embedded.

  The content window 30 is divided into a support section 30a and a market section 30b. The advisory window 20 and the content window 30 are different in that a message for supporting work according to the execution environment and a message embedded with a link to a website for supporting the work are also displayed in the content window 30. It is common. However, while the message displayed in the advisor window 20 changes during the period in which the support window 10 is displayed, the message displayed in the content window 30 is displayed in the execution environment when the support window 10 is activated. It is only configured accordingly and does not change during the period in which the support window 10 is displayed. Of course, this can be appropriately designed as a specification, and the message displayed in the content window 30 may be changed during the display period of the support window 10.

  The support section 30a is a section where a menu for using an online manual, online support, a download site, and the like is displayed. Links to websites, application programs, and program parts are embedded in the messages 31, 32, and 33 constituting the menu of the support section 30a. The market section 30b is a section in which menus for purchasing genuine consumables, genuine optional parts and new models related to the devices 3 and 4 connected to the client PC 2 are displayed. In the message 35 constituting the menu of the market section 30b, a link to a web page that provides genuine consumables, genuine optional parts and new models related to the devices 3 and 4 connected to the client PC 2 is embedded. .

  The web link window 40 displays a corporate banner (web banner) related to the devices 3 and 4 connected to the client PC 2.

  The selection window 50 guides which device driver installed in the client PC 2 is the message displayed in the advisor window 20, the content window 30 and the web link window 40, and the advisor window 20, content window 30 and a web link window 40 are sub-windows for switching between devices or device drivers whose messages are displayed. Therefore, for example, an icon 51 indicating one of the devices connected to the client PC 2 and text indicating a device driver are displayed in the selection window 50, and a widget for switching the device or device driver is arranged. The For a plurality of devices or device drivers connected to the client PC 2, a list of icons and text indicating each device and a device driver are displayed, and the display mode of the icons and text is switched between a selected state and a non-selected state by displaying a cursor. May be.

  The shortcut window 60 is a sub-window for arranging shortcuts for starting various application programs related to devices connected to the client PC 2.

3. Configuration of Work Support System FIG. 2 shows the hardware and software configurations of the work support system for configuring the support GUI shown in FIG. Each of the web server 1 and the client PC 2 is a computer including CPUs 11 and 21, ROMs 12 and 22, RAMs 14 and 24, hard disk devices (HDD) 13 and 23, and an input / output interface (not shown). The web server 1 and the client PC 2 are connected to keyboards 16 and 26, displays 15 and 25, a pointing device (not shown), and the like. The GUIs of the web server 1 and the client PC 2 are displayed on the displays 15 and 25 and are operated by the keyboards 16 and 26 and the pointing device. The administrator of the web server 1 can manage server data for updating a work support program installed in an arbitrary client PC by operating the web server 1 using the keyboard 16 and a pointing device.

  The client PC 2 is installed with various computer programs such as an OS (not shown), a work support program 200, and device drivers 251, 252, and 253 as device control programs. An update data distribution program for updating a work support program installed in an arbitrary client PC is installed in the web server 1.

  These programs are loaded from the HDDs 13 and 23 to the RAMs 14 and 24 and executed by the CPUs 11 and 21. The web server 1 functions as a work support data server by executing the update data distribution program. The client PC 2 functions as a work support device by executing the work support program.

  The work support program 200 is mainly configured by an update unit 201, a core service unit 220, a foundation class 230, an advisor database (DB) 203, a content environment DB 204, and a web link DB 205.

  The advisor DB 203 and the content environment DB 204 are support databases in which data for supporting different operations performed by executing different device drivers are registered (defined, held, and stored) in association with the execution environment. is there. In the advisor DB 203 and the content environment DB 204, messages necessary for configuring a support GUI for each execution environment of the work support program 200 and links embedded in the messages (URL, reference, pointer, address, etc.) correspond to the execution environment. In addition, it is registered (defined, retained, and stored).

The core service unit 220 is a program component group that causes the client PC 2 to function as a GUI configuration unit that configures the support GUI by using the advisor DB 203, the content environment DB 204, the web link DB 205, and the content DLL (Dynamic Link Library). The core service unit 220 includes program parts such as a web link configuration unit 221, a content configuration unit 222, an advisor configuration unit 224, a plurality of content DLLs 223, a UI unit 225, and the like.
The advisor configuration unit 224 acquires an execution environment such as a status log and a current time of a device controlled by a plurality of device drivers via the foundation class 230, and configures a support GUI corresponding to the execution environment in the advisor window 20. Resource data (GUI resource) is generated.
The content configuration unit 222 is a GUI resource for configuring the content window 30, and specifically includes one or more XML files. In the content configuration unit 222 as a GUI resource, a message as a menu item and a content DLL 223 are defined in association with each other for each of the support section 30a and the market section 30b.
The content DLL 223 is a program component that is activated by selection of a message displayed based on the content configuration unit 222, and is a program component that supports different operations performed by executing different device drivers. is there.
The UI unit 225 is a program component that displays the support window 10 on the screen based on the GUI resource generated by the advisor configuration unit 224 and the content configuration unit 222 and activates a task defined in the GUI resource.

  The foundation class 230 is a program component that causes the client PC 2 to function as detection means. The foundation class 230 includes a common device API for detecting an execution environment such as status or logs or date and time of a plurality of devices controlled by a plurality of device control programs by communicating with the OS and a plurality of device drivers. .

  The update unit 201 is a program component that causes the client PC 2 to function as update data acquisition means and update means. The update unit 201 acquires update data for updating the work support program 200 from the web server 1 via a communication line, and updates the advisor DB 203, the content environment DB 204, the web link DB 205, and the content DLL based on the update data. To do.

  An update data distribution program that causes the web server 1 to function as a work support data server includes an advisor update DB 101, a content update DB 102, a web link update DB 103, a transmission data generation unit 110, an advisor update DB 101, and a content update DB 102. And a program part for managing the web link update DB 103. The advisor update DB 101 is a database in which data for updating the advisor DB 203 in an arbitrary client PC is registered (defined, retained, and stored) in association with an execution environment of an arbitrary work support program. The content update DB 102 is a database in which data for updating the content environment DB 204 in an arbitrary client PC is registered (defined, held, and stored) in association with an execution environment of an arbitrary work support program. The web link update DB 103 is a database in which data for updating the web link DB 205 of the client PC 2 is registered (defined, held, and stored) in association with an execution environment of an arbitrary work support program.

4). Operation of work support system 4.1. Outline of Operation The support GUI configured in the client PC 2 is a collection of GUIs for supporting different tasks performed by executing a plurality of device drivers installed in the client PC 2 in one window (work support window 10). It has been done. A device driver whose corresponding support GUI is configured by the work support program 200 is registered (defined, held, and stored) in the work support program 200 when the device driver is installed. Registration of the device driver in the work support program 200 is performed by the foundation class 230. Since the foundation class 230 includes a common device API for communicating with a plurality of device drivers, it is easy to individually code various content DLLs 223 respectively corresponding to various device drivers.

  The configuration of the support GUI changes depending on the execution environment such as the status of each device, the log, and the date and time immediately after the work support window 10 is displayed. Further, the advisor DB 203, the content environment DB 204, the web link DB 205, and the content DLL are automatically updated with the update of the advisor update DB 101, the content update DB 102, and the web link update DB 103 in the web server 1, as will be described later. . Therefore, the work support system configured by the client PC 2 and the web server 1 can finely support different works performed by executing a plurality of different device drivers according to the situation.

4.2. Activation of Support GUI The work support program 200 activates the support GUI according to a user instruction and a change in the execution environment. The execution environment is detected in order to identify various situations where it is useful for the user of the client PC 2 or the administrator of the web server 1 to configure the support GUI in the client PC 2. The execution environment is an environment in which the work support program 200 is executed, and is a unique software environment and hardware environment in each arbitrary client computer. The specific situation in which the support GUI is automatically activated includes the status specific to the specific device identified by the status log of the device connected to the client PC 2, the status of the spooler, and the date / time or elapsed date / time. And situations that are not specific to a particular device, such as the configuration of the device group. In order to activate the support GUI in accordance with a change in the execution environment, the work support program 200 is configured as a resident program that is activated when the OS is activated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the core service 220 inquires about a predetermined execution environment at a predetermined time interval (S30), and acquires the execution environment (S31). The execution environment includes device status (status held by the firmware) that can be acquired via the device driver, device log held by the device driver, and status and log held by the OS. It is. That is, data indicating the execution environment is held by a device connected to the client PC 2, a device driver installed in the client PC 2, and the OS of the client PC 2. For example, the following information is registered (defined, retained, and stored) in the core service 220 as an execution environment for inquiring of the OS and the device driver, and the registered execution environment is inquired.
・ Language registered in the OS ・ Region of use registered in the OS ・ OS type ・ OS version ・ Last update date of the OS ・ Elapsed time from the last start of the OS or the last end to the current start -Cumulative OS startup count-Whether ink cartridge is set-Ink cartridge remaining capacity-Ink cartridge remaining capacity is zero (ink empty)
・ Remaining capacity of ink cartridge is less than specified amount (ink low)
・ Ink cartridge genuine type ・ Non-genuine product type ・ Accumulated number of ink cartridges ・ Other status and log of ink cartridge ・ Cumulative printed pages ・ Cumulative printing count ・ Cumulative paper jam count ・ Ink flow path cumulative cleaning count -Print head cumulative cleaning times-Print head cumulative movement times-Wait time until printing is completed-Number of copies waiting to be printed-Number of print waits-Remaining print paper-Remaining print paper is zero-Refilling print paper ( Paper tray open / closed state, etc.)
・ Last print date ・ Elapsed days from last print date ・ First print date ・ Paper jam ・ Remaining or accumulated capacity of waste ink tank ・ Cumulative scan count ・ Device driver version ・ Device driver name (type)
-Device driver group configuration (name)
-Device model name-Device serial number-Configuration of connected devices (model)
-Client PC device connection port-CPU identification name-RAM capacity or free capacity-Hard disk capacity or free capacity-Status monitor valid / invalid type-Current date, time, day of week-Wireless LAN connection- Wired LAN connection type / processing (busy)
・ Fatal device error ・ Status code ・ Error code ・ Warning code ・ Establishment of various errors

  When acquiring these execution environments, the core service unit 220 acquires the execution environments via the foundation class 230. That is, using the API of the foundation class 230, the core service unit 220 requests data indicating an execution environment accessible by the device drivers 251, 252, and 253 and the OS (S30). The foundation class 230 requested for data from the core service unit 220 requests data indicating the execution environment from the device drivers 251, 252, 253 and the OS (S20). The foundation class 230 acquires data indicating the execution environment by communicating with the device drivers 251, 252, 253 and the OS, and delivers the data to the core service unit 220 (S21). Then, the core service unit 220 acquires data indicating the execution environment via the API of the foundation class 230 (S31).

  Since the foundation class 230 includes a common API for detecting an execution environment by communicating with a plurality of device drivers, the core service unit 220 is individually developed according to the difference in the configuration of firmware and device drivers. There is no need. Therefore, even if a new device is developed or the core service unit 220 is updated each time a device program is updated, the cost for that is significantly reduced compared to the conventional case. Specifically, since the development environment of the plurality of content DLLs 223, the advisor configuration unit 224, and the web link configuration unit 221 constituting the core service unit 220 can be shared in accordance with the API of the foundation class 230, Their development is technically easy and their development costs are reduced.

  Note that whether the data indicating the execution environment can be acquired from the OS, the device driver, or the firmware depends on the design of the OS, the device driver, and the firmware. Even if the data is acquired and managed by the OS from the device driver, the foundation class 230 may detect the device driver, or the data may be acquired and managed by the device driver from the firmware. The foundation class 230 may be detected from the firmware.

Next, the core service unit 220 determines whether a predetermined specific situation has occurred based on the execution environment detected from the OS and the device driver (S32). The specific situation is determined in advance within a range that can be specified based on the execution environment that can be acquired from the OS and the device driver. For example, the following situation is registered (defined, held, and stored) in the core service unit 220 as the specific situation.
-Ink cartridge is low-Ink cartridge is low-Ink cartridge is being replaced-Printing paper is zero-Printing paper is being replenished (paper tray open / close, etc.)
・ Paper jam ・ The specified number of days has passed since the last print date ・ The print completion wait time is a specified time or more ・ The number of copies waiting to be printed is a specified number or more ・ The number of print waiting sheets is a specified number or more ・ Various errors have occurred ・ Device driver version Is before the specified version ・ Free memory space is less than the specified amount ・ Hard disk space is less than the specified amount ・ New device connection occurs ・ Installation or completion of new device driver ・ Total number of paper jams is the specified number of times -The number of times the OS has been started is within a predetermined range-The elapsed time from the last startup of the OS or the previous end to the current startup is within the predetermined range-The connection port with the client PC device has been changed-The OS has been updated- New device driver installed ・ Update / delete of device driver ・ RAM capacity or free space within specified range Capacity or free space on the hard disk a predetermined range, a predetermined date, time, day of the week arrives, the unknown device is newly connected

  When it is determined in S32 that a predetermined specific situation has occurred, the core service unit 220 activates the support GUI (S33). If it is not determined in S32 that a predetermined specific situation has occurred, the process is repeated from S10.

  When starting the support GUI, the work support program 200 configures the support GUI according to the execution environment. That is, the core service unit 220 configures a support GUI corresponding to the execution environment based on the execution environment acquired in S31 (S33). Specifically, the advisor configuration unit 224 configures the advisor window 20 according to the execution environment, and the content configuration unit 222 configures the content window 30 according to the execution environment. Details are as follows.

As shown in FIG. 4, the advisor configuration unit 224 extracts messages corresponding to the execution environment from the advisor DB 203 using the execution environment as a key (S341), rearranges the extracted messages according to the priority order (S342), and extracts them. The upper messages among the messages are arranged in the advisor window 20 (S343). In order to configure the advisor window 20 in this way, the following data is defined for each message in the advisor DB 203.
-Message content-Corresponding execution environment-Priority (priority)
・ Expiration date of message ・ Link embedded in message

  The content of the message is the data that defines the text, graphic, or symbol displayed as the message, and may be the identifier or reference of the text, graphic, or symbol, or the text itself displayed as the message. Good. The execution environment corresponding to the message is defined by a value of one or more variables indicating the execution environment or a conditional expression using the value. Therefore, when the variable indicating the detected execution environment and the variable indicating the execution environment corresponding to one message in the advisor DB 203 completely match or match, the one message is extracted. For example, S1 as today's date, S2 as the device model name, S3 as the OS type, S4 as the language used in the OS, and S5 as the remaining capacity of the ink cartridge are acquired as variables indicating the execution environment. In this case, the expiration date is after S1, the device model name is S2, the OS type is S3, the language used in the OS is S4, and the remaining capacity of the ink cartridge is S5 or less. Messages can be extracted.

  The arrangement of one or more extracted messages is determined by the priority order defined for the extracted messages. Specifically, the number of messages to be displayed in the advisor window 20 is determined in advance, and the messages are displayed in descending order of priority. A predetermined number of messages to be displayed are arranged from the top to the bottom in the advisor window 20 according to the priority order defined for them. Specifically, for example, the advisor configuration unit 224 controls the UI unit 225 based on the record corresponding to the message to be displayed, and the UI unit 225 generates and generates a command group that configures the advisor window 20 The OS displays an advisor window 20 based on the command group. In the command group as the GUI resource generated by the advisor composition unit 224 and the UI unit 225, the text / graphic / symbol displayed as a message and the task when the message is selected are defined based on the advisor DB 203. The As a task when a message is selected, for example, a document in which a URL is defined as a hyperlink of the selected message is displayed, or a program in which a reference or pointer is associated with the selected message is started. To be included. That is, a command group for displaying a message in which a link is embedded is generated. Note that the advisor configuration unit 224 or the UI unit 225 may generate an HTML document as a GUI resource. The process of configuring the advisor window 20 in this manner by the advisor configuration unit 224 is defined by the code of the advisor configuration unit 224.

  When displaying a message corresponding to the execution environment in the advisor window 20, the advisor configuration unit 224 may select or arrange a message to be displayed in the advisor window 20 by adding an element other than the execution environment as a display condition. For example, as described above, the priority order is defined for each message, and when the number of messages corresponding to the execution environment exceeds a predetermined number, the message to be displayed on the advisor window 20 is selected or arranged according to the priority order. You may do it. In addition, for example, a valid period starting from when the message is first displayed may be defined for each message, and a message that has passed the valid period may be excluded from the display target. In this case, when the message is displayed for the first time, the time may be recorded in association with the message. Further, for example, the upper limit display count may be defined for each message, and a message exceeding the upper limit display count may be excluded from the display target. In this case, for example, the upper limit display count is used as a counter, and each time a message is displayed, the upper limit display count of the message is reduced by 1, and a message with the upper limit display count less than 1 is excluded from the display target. Further, for example, a display / non-display type may be defined for each message, and a message whose message display type is “non-display” may be excluded from display targets. Providing such a display type makes it easy to switch between display and non-display when the work support program 200 is updated.

4.3. Reconfiguration of the support GUI After the support GUI is activated, the advisor configuration unit 224 acquires the execution environment via the foundation class 230 every predetermined time (S35, S24, S25, S36), and according to the change of the execution environment That is, when another specific situation is newly generated, the advisor window 20 is reconfigured according to the newly generated specific situation (S38, S39). The execution environment acquired by the advisor configuration unit 224 via the foundation class 230 may be the same as or different from the execution environment acquired when the support GUI is activated. The specific situation in which the advisor window 20 is reconfigured may be the same as or different from the specific situation in which the support GUI is activated.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the message displayed in the content window 30 is selected by clicking or the like, the UI unit 225 refers to the content DLL 223 corresponding to the selected message with reference to the content configuration unit 222 and the content environment DB 204. Are identified (S345), the identified content DLL 223 is rearranged according to the priority order defined in the content environment DB (S346), and the upper content DLL 223 is activated with reference to the content configuration unit 206 (S347). The activated content DLL 223 supports a work performed by executing a specific device control program by realizing processing based on the code of the content DLL 223. Since the content DLL 223 itself is a program component, the activated content DLL 223 can be realized in any process in cooperation with other program components such as the content configuration unit 222, the foundation class 230, and the advisor configuration unit 224. . For example, the content DLL 30 may be reconfigured by the content DLL 223 in accordance with a change in the execution environment in the same manner as the advisor configuration unit 224, or the advisor configuration unit 224 may be controlled by communicating with the advisor configuration unit 224. Alternatively, a website selling consumables may be displayed in a separate window by a browser. In order to configure the content window 30 in this way, for example, the following information is registered (defined, held, and stored) in association with each other in the record and content configuration unit 206 of the content environment DB 204.

・ Content DLL name ・ Content DLL version ・ Target OS
・ Target area ・ Target model name ・ Priority (priority)
・ Section name (support section / market section)
-File name in which the corresponding content DLL is compressed-Execution file name of the content DLL-URL of the web server that distributes the corresponding update data
-Folder name installed on the client PC

  The web link window 40, the selection window 50, and the shortcut window 60 can also be configured according to a predetermined priority order, execution environment, or configuration of other subwindows. For example, when the banner displayed on the web link window 40 is selected, the execution environment in which the web link configuration unit 221 acquires from the OS and the device driver via the foundation class 230 URL parameters to be delivered to the web server with which the client PC communicates. It may be generated dynamically according to the above. As described above, by dynamically generating the URL parameter according to the execution environment obtained from the OS and the device driver, the web link configuration unit 221 coded to configure the web link window 40 is simplified, and an arbitrary It is possible to provide a fine-tuned web server-linked service according to the status of the client PC. In the selection window 50, an icon 51 and text indicating a device corresponding to a message displayed at the top in the advisor window 20 are displayed. Conversely, only the message corresponding to the device selected in the selection window 50 is displayed in the advisor window 20, or the priority of the message corresponding to the device selected in the selection window 50 is set with respect to the message corresponding to the other device. May be relatively increased.

4.4. Update of Work Support Program The support GUI configured by executing the work support program 200 is dynamically configured according to the execution environment as described above, but uses an automatic update process of the work support program described later. In addition, it is possible to centrally manage an automatic update of a support database or a plurality of support program components for supporting different operations performed by executing a plurality of different device drivers. Therefore, it is practically possible to flexibly configure the support GUI according to the change of the business scene that occurs after the release of the work support program 200.

  The change of the support GUI after the release of the work support program 200 can be performed by updating individual program parts, databases, and data files constituting the work support program. By designing as follows, it is possible to reduce the burden of program development associated with the update, and the amount of processing and data communication associated with the update, so that frequent updates are facilitated and the convenience of updates is enhanced.

  The work support program 200 registers (defines, retains, and stores) messages and tasks in the advisor DB 203 in association with the execution environment so that the configuration of the advisor window 20 can be optimized for each arbitrary execution environment without updating the program parts. )is doing. Specifically, the configuration of the advisor window 20 can be changed according to the change of the business scene only by updating the advisor DB 203.

  The foundation class 230 includes a common device API for communicating with a plurality of device drivers. For this reason, even when a program part is updated to optimize the configuration of the content window 30 for each arbitrary execution environment, regardless of the model of the device connected to the client PC and the version of the device driver, Program parts can be developed in a common development environment. Specifically, when the content DLL 223 is developed for each device model, device driver name, and device driver version, various content DLLs 223 can be developed at a low cost in a common development environment.

  In addition, in order to centrally manage the update of an arbitrary work support program installed in an arbitrary client PC in various environments by the web server 1, the execution environment and the version of the work support program differ for each client PC. It is desirable to distribute the corresponding update data from the web server 1 to each client PC. This is because the amount of communication data can be reduced and the data size of the work support program 200 stored in each client PC can be reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to update the work support program 200 according to the procedure of the periodic update process shown in FIG.

  In the periodic update process, the update unit 201 first determines whether a predetermined time (update interval time: for example, 24 hours) has elapsed since the previous update (S40). This determination process may be performed while the work support program 200 is being executed by the update unit 201 which is a part of the work support program 200, or may be performed by a resident program regardless of the execution state of the work support program 200. .

When the predetermined update interval time has elapsed, the update unit 201 transmits the update environment information and the client update record to the web server 1 as update control information (S41). The client update record is a server update record last received from the web server 1 before the update interval time, as will be described later, and is information indicating the last update time of the work support program 200 in the client PC. That is, the client PC 2 stores the server update record last received from the web server 1 as a client update record until the server update record is transmitted to the web server 1. The update environment information transmitted to the web server 1 is information necessary for acquiring update data corresponding to the execution environment of the work support program 200 from the web server 1 and corresponds to the execution environment of the work support program 200. Information. The update environment information includes, for example, the following contents.
・ OS type ・ OS version ・ Language registered in OS ・ Region of use registered in OS ・ Device model name ・ Device driver identification name ・ Device driver version

  When the web server 1 receives the update environment information and the client update record from the client PC, the server update indicating the last update time of an arbitrary record corresponding to the execution environment of the work support program 200 in the client PC specified from the update environment information. A record is generated, and the time indicated by the server update record is compared with the time indicated by the client update record received from the client PC, and it is determined whether or not they match (S50). Each time the web server 1 updates a record for updating the work support program 200 of an arbitrary client PC, the web server 1 updates a unique identifier such as an update date and a version for each record. Therefore, any record corresponding to the work support program 200 unique to the client PC 2 is updated in the web server 1 in the period from when the previous server update record is transmitted to the client PC 2 until the current client update record is received. If the server update record indicates, the time indicated by the server update record does not match the time indicated by the client update record. Note that since the server update record itself indicates the time and the client update record is the past server update record, whether or not the times indicated by both coincide is determined by whether the server update record and the client update record match. It becomes the judgment.

  If the server update record and the client update record do not match, the web server 1 transmits a server update code indicating the final update state of the server data group corresponding to the work support program 200 specific to the client PC 2 to the client PC 2 together with the server update record. (S51). The server data group is a data group corresponding to the work support program 200 unique to the client PC 2 among all data registered in the advisor update DB 101, the content update DB 102, the web link update DB 103, and the like. The last update state of the server data group is specified by the individual data constituting the server data group, the update date, version, etc. of the program.

  In the client PC 2 that has received the server update code, the update unit 201 compares the server update code with the client update code, and identifies program parts and databases that need to be updated (S42). The client update code is composed of unique identifiers such as update date and version managed by the update unit 201 for each of the data and program parts constituting the work support program 200. Such a client update code may be generated every time a server update code is received, but is preferably managed while being updated every time data or program parts are updated in the client PC 2. This is because the processing amount associated with the generation of the client update code can be reduced.

  Next, in the client PC 2, the update unit 201 transmits data for updating the latest program parts and data that need to be updated, that is, not synchronized with the server data group, as update data. A request is made to the web server 1 (S44). At this time, information (program or data identifier, etc.) specifying program parts and data that need to be updated in the client PC 2 is transmitted from the client PC 2 to the web server 1.

  The web server 1 for which update data has been requested is based on the advisor update DB 101, the content update DB 102, the web link update DB 103, and the like, in order to update program parts and data that need to be updated in the client PC 2. Are organized as update data, and the organized update data is transmitted to the client PC 2 (S52).

  The web server 1 that sent the update data then sends a completion notification to the client PC 2 (S53). The update data may be difference data for adding or deleting differences before and after the update, or may be all data for rewriting all programs or data that need to be updated.

  When the server update record indicates that the client update record matches, the web server 1 transmits a completion notification to the client PC 2 without transmitting the server update record, the server update code, and the update data to the client PC 2 (S53). .

  In the client PC 2 that has received the completion notification, the update unit 201 determines whether or not an update is necessary (S44). That is, the client PC 2 determines that updating is necessary when receiving update data and a completion notification, and does not require updating when receiving a completion notification without receiving server update records and update data. Is determined.

  As a result, in the client PC 2 that has received the update data and the completion notification, the advisor DB 203, content environment DB 204, web link DB 205, and content DLL 223 are updated based on the update data received by the update unit 201 (S45). That is, the records of the advisor DB 203, the content environment DB 204, and the web link DB 205 are changed or deleted, the record is added to the advisor DB 203, the content environment DB 204, and the web link DB 205, or the content DLL installed in the client PC is changed or changed. The content DLL is deleted or additionally installed on the client PC.

  On the other hand, in the client PC 2 that has received the completion notification without receiving the server update record and the update data, the client PC 2 can request the update data from the web server 1 or update the advisor DB 203, the content environment DB 204, the web link DB 205, and the content DLL 223. The periodic update process is terminated without doing so. In this case, since the data transmitted and received between the web server 1 and the client PC 2 in the periodic update process is substantially only the update environment information, the client update record, and the completion notification, the amount of data carried by the network is substantially The minimum amount.

5). Other Embodiments The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the module configuration of the work support program is merely a configuration illustrated for convenience of explanation.

1: Web server, 2: Client PC, 3, 4: Device, 10: Support window, 11, 21: CPU, 12, 22: ROM, 13, 23: HDD, 15, 25: Display, 16, 26: Keyboard , 20: Advisor window, 21, 22, 23, 24: Message, 30: Content window, 30a: Support section, 30b: Market section, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36: Message, 40: Web link window 50: Selection window 51: Icon 60: Shortcut window 110: Transmission data generation unit 200: Work support program 201: Update unit 206: Content configuration unit 220: Core service unit 221: Web link configuration Part 222: content composition part 2 4: Advisor configuration unit, 225: UI unit, 230: Foundation class, 251, 252, 253: Device driver, 101: Advisor update DB, 102: Content environment update DB, 103: Web link update DB, 203: Advisor DB, 204: Content Environment DB, 205: Web Link DB, 223: Content DLL

Claims (9)

Including a support database or a plurality of support program components for supporting different operations performed by executing a plurality of different device control programs;
Update data acquisition means for connecting to a server at a predetermined timing and for acquiring update data for updating the support database or the plurality of support program components from the server via a communication line;
Updating means for updating the support database or the support program component based on the update data;
GUI configuration means for configuring a support GUI for supporting the different operations by using the support database or the plurality of support program parts;
Work support program that makes the computer function as a computer. Let the computer function as a detection means to detect the execution environment,
The GUI configuration unit configures the support GUI according to the execution environment.
The work support program according to claim 1. The detection means detects, as the execution environment, statuses or logs of a plurality of devices controlled by the plurality of device control programs.
The work support program according to claim 2. The detection means includes a device API that is shared for detecting the execution environment by communicating with the plurality of device control programs.
The work support program according to claim 3. The detection means detects the current time as the execution environment;
The work support program according to claim 2. The GUI configuration means configures the support GUI in one window.
The work support program according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The GUI configuration means displays a message displaying a web page for supporting the different work when selected by using the support database or the plurality of support program components.
The work support program according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The update data acquisition means transmits update control information for acquiring the update data according to the types of the plurality of device control programs to the server, and the update data corresponding to the update control information in the server A server update record indicating the last update time is acquired from the server, the server update record acquired last time is transmitted to the server as a client update record, and the server update record acquired this time and the client update record indicate If the time is different, the update data is acquired from the server and the previously acquired server update record is updated to the server update record acquired this time.
The work support program according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The update control information includes a client update code indicating a final update state of the support database or the plurality of support programs,
The update data acquisition unit acquires, from the server, a server update code indicating a final update state of a server data group corresponding to the plurality of device control programs when the server update record acquired this time is different from the client update record. And requesting the server for the update data necessary for updating the support database that is not up-to-date or the plurality of support programs that are not up-to-date based on the client update code and the server update code, and being organized from the server data group Obtaining the updated data from the server,
The work support program according to claim 8.

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