JP2011053813A - Information processor, operation guiding method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor or the like that gives visual guidance and operation support to target setting items for a person with a visual field constriction or the like even on an operation screen having a hierarchical structure. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor includes a touch panel type display, and configured to, when the coordinates of a touch panel corresponding to a display component on an operation screen displayed on a display, input an operation associated with the display component. The information processor further includes: a storage means for storing screen information for generating an operation screen and operation procedure information in which an operation sequence for predetermined setting is described; a coordinate determination means for determining the coordinates of the display component to be depressed for the predetermined setting based on the screen information and the operation procedure information; and a drawing means for drawing two or more operation guiding lines crossing on the determined coordinates. The operation guiding lines are drawn on the display component to be depressed on the operation screen, and displayed on a display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  An image forming apparatus in which the functions of each apparatus such as a fax machine, a printer, a copy machine, and a scanner are housed in a single casing has been known. In this image forming apparatus, a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like are provided in one housing, and four types of applications corresponding to a fax, a printer, a copy, and a scanner are provided, and the fax is switched by switching the applications. , Operate as a printer, copy and scanner.

  In recent years, with the increase in the number of functions of image forming apparatuses, liquid crystal panels (touch panels) on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus have also been increased in size, and the display contents have been enhanced. For example, a user-friendly user interface is provided by displaying various display screens using icons or the like based on software control. On the other hand, in the operation screen, the setting items are increasing more and the hierarchy of the operation screen for setting is deepening.

  By the way, as one of visual impairments, there are visual field constriction and visual field defect in which the visual field is narrowed or partially missing. If the field of view is narrow, it is difficult to fit the entire image of the object in focus at once. Therefore, it is difficult for people with such visual impairments to accommodate the entire image in the field of view at once.To recognize buttons, characters and images displayed on the liquid crystal panel screen of the image forming apparatus, You have to move the viewpoint over and over again. Accordingly, as the operation screen becomes more complicated and the screen hierarchy becomes more advanced, there are many problems in providing easy-to-understand guidance for the screen operation to a person with visual impairment such as narrowing of the visual field.

  As a technique related to this, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for displaying a screen of a lower hierarchy in the vicinity of a button being operated as an image forming apparatus considering use of a visually impaired person. Patent Document 2 describes a technique for performing an operation guide by voice for a hierarchical structure, and Patent Document 3 describes a candidate button to be pressed next from the current button using operation procedure information even for a person with narrowed visual field. Describes a technique for guiding the symbol with an arrow.

  However, as in the above prior art, if the contents of the lower layers so far are displayed together in the vicinity, the field of view is limited, that is, the display itself may be out of the field of view depending on the field of view. In this case, since the display itself cannot be grasped, there is a problem that accurate guidance cannot be performed and guidance at a higher hierarchy is impossible. In addition, since the guide corresponding to the hierarchy also instructs the operation only by voice, there is a problem that the user cannot be guided using the vision.

  For this reason, in the screen operation support method, for those with visual impairments such as narrowing of the visual field, visual confirmation of the target setting items including hierarchy transitions is possible without depending on the field of view. A guidance method and a screen operation support method that can perform guidance are desired.

  That is, in the present invention, in view of the problems as described above, an information processing apparatus that performs visual guidance and operation support to a target setting item for a visually constricted person or the like even on an operation screen having a hierarchical structure. An object is to provide an operation guidance method and a program.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a touch panel display, and associates with the display component when the coordinates of the touch panel corresponding to the display component on the operation screen displayed on the display are pressed. An information processing apparatus for inputting a designated operation, a storage means for storing screen information for generating the operation screen and operation procedure information in which an operation procedure for performing a predetermined setting is described, and the storage A coordinate determining means for determining the coordinates of the display component to be pressed when performing a predetermined setting based on the screen information and the operation procedure information stored in the means; and on the coordinate determined by the coordinate determining means And drawing means for drawing two or more operation guide lines that intersect each other in FIG. 8, and the operation guide lines are drawn on a display component to be pressed on the operation screen and displayed on the display screen. Characterized in that it is displayed in the play.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the information processing apparatus, when the display component to be pressed on which the operation guide line is drawn is pressed on the operation screen and the operation screen changes to a different operation screen, While maintaining the display of the operation guide line on the operation screen, the new operation guide line on the different operation screen is drawn on the display component to be pressed on the different operation screen and displayed on the display. And

  In order to solve the above problem, the information processing apparatus includes an input unit that inputs a skip instruction for skipping the operation procedure described in the operation procedure information, and the operation guide line is on the operation screen. When a skip instruction is input by the input means while being drawn on the display component to be pressed and displayed on the display, the operation procedure associated with the operation of the display component is skipped and the next operation procedure is performed. The operation guide line is drawn on the display component to be pressed according to the next operation procedure and displayed on the display.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the information processing apparatus, the operation guide line on the operation screen before the transition and the new operation guide line on the different operation screen are drawn with different line colors or different line shapes. It is characterized by that.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the information processing apparatus, the operation guide line is drawn with a directivity with respect to the display component to be pressed.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the information processing apparatus, a description of setting contents associated with the display component to be pressed is added to the operation guide line.

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

  According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, an operation guidance method, and a program for performing visual guidance and operation support to a target setting item for a visually constricted person or the like even on an operation screen having a hierarchical structure. Can be provided.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of an operation panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. An example of screen information is shown. An example of screen information is shown. An example of operation procedure information is shown. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an operation guide line. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an operation guide line. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an operation guide line. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an operation guide line. It is a figure explaining the movement of a visual field according to guidance of operation by an operation guide line. It is a flowchart explaining drawing / display processing of an operation guide line. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an operation guide line. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an operation guide line. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an operation guide line. It is a flowchart explaining drawing / display processing of an operation guide line. An example of the operation screen before and after skip processing is shown. The example of the operation guide line which has directionality is shown. The example of the operation guide line which added the balloon effect is shown.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in each embodiment with reference to the drawings. In describing the present invention, an example in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of an information processing apparatus will be described below. The image forming apparatus is a multi-function peripheral (MFP) in which a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copy, and a scanner are housed in a single casing. In addition to these basic functions, various functions are provided in the user environment with various functions as the digital image technology is advanced and the technology related to MFP is advanced.

[Embodiment 1]
(hardware)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation panel 11, a storage medium I / F 12, a controller 13, a data communication I / F 14, a scanner 15, a plotter 16, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 17. Are connected to each other.

  The operation panel 11 includes an input device 11a and a display device 11b. The input device 11a includes hard keys and the like, and is used to input each operation signal to the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the display device 11b is configured by a display or the like, and displays, for example, various types of information regarding the image forming operation. The data communication I / F 14 includes an interface device 14a, and is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a data transmission path such as a network or a fax machine. The HDD 17 stores various data such as received document data and read image data handled by the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the HDD 17 manages these various data by a predetermined file system or DB (Data Base).

  Various data stored in the HDD 17 includes data input from the recording medium 12b. The recording medium 12b is set in the drive device 12a included in the storage medium I / F 12, and various data are stored in the HDD 17 from the recording medium 12b via the drive device 12a.

  The controller 13 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13b, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13c. The ROM 13a is executed when the image forming apparatus 1 is activated. Program and various data are stored. The RAM 13b temporarily stores various programs and data read from the ROM 13a and the HDD 17. Further, the CPU 13c executes a program temporarily stored in the RAM 13b. For example, when the print data is received via the data communication I / F 14, the controller 13 reads a program (PDL parser) that can read PDL (Page Description Language) read from the ROM 13a onto the RAM 13b by the CPU 13c. Execute and interpret the print data to generate a bitmap image.

  The scanner 15 includes an image reading device 15a, and optically reads a document placed on a reading surface and generates image data. The plotter 16 has a printing device 16a and prints a bitmap image on a recording sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic process method.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the operation panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. As described above, the operation panel 11 includes the input device 11a and the display device 11b. More specifically, the operation panel 11 includes, for example, a display 18 that displays various types of information related to an image forming operation, and a hard key 19 such as a physical button or a dial for a user to give an operation instruction. . In addition, since the display 18 of this embodiment is a touch panel type display by a tactile sensor, it is possible to perform an operation instruction related to an image forming operation by a contact operation on the display.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment realizes a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner by the above hardware configuration.

(function)
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a storage unit 301, a coordinate determination unit 302, a drawing unit 303, and an input / display unit 304. Details will be described later, and will be briefly described here.

  The storage unit 301 stores screen information for generating an operation screen and operation procedure information in which an operation procedure for making a predetermined setting is described. The screen information is information for configuring and generating an operation screen displayed on the display 18. For example, it is information for configuring and generating the operation screen, such as an operation screen template, display components (for example, buttons) arranged on the operation screen, layout information (coordinate information, etc.) thereof. The operation procedure information is information describing an operation procedure for performing a predetermined setting. For example, a certain button is operated (pressed) on a certain operation screen, and a certain button is operated (pressed, etc.) on the next certain operation screen. The operation procedure for performing a predetermined setting such as “)” is described. Specific examples of the screen information and the operation procedure information will be described later again. For the sake of explanation, the operation procedure information is stored in the storage unit 301a, and the screen information is stored in the storage unit 301b. Needless to say, these pieces of information may be stored in the same storage unit physically or logically. .

  The coordinate determination unit 302 has a function of determining the coordinates (coordinate information) of a display component to be pressed when performing a predetermined setting based on the screen information and operation procedure information stored in the storage unit 301. Details of this point will be described later.

  The drawing unit 303 has a function of drawing two or more operation guide lines intersected on the coordinates determined by the coordinate determining unit 302. Specifically, for example, two lines are drawn in a cross shape on a certain button on the operation screen. The user specifies a button to be operated (pressed or the like) so as to be guided to the line, and operates the button. Details of this point will be described later.

  The input / display unit 304 is a functional unit that provides an input unit and a display unit, and is realized by, for example, the touch panel display 18. That is, it has functions such as displaying an operation screen (further, an operation screen including an operation guide line) and receiving an input from the touch panel.

  These functions are actually realized by the computer (image forming apparatus 1) by a program executed by the CPU 13c.

(Screen information)
Here, the screen information will be specifically described. The screen information according to the embodiment is information for configuring and generating an operation screen that is stored in the storage unit 301b and displayed on the display 18 as described above. For example, it is information for configuring and generating the operation screen, such as an operation screen template, display components (for example, buttons) arranged on the operation screen, layout information (coordinate information, etc.) thereof. The screen information is used as information for specifying an operation screen on which an operation guide line should be drawn and setting items (coordinates of display components) according to the operation procedure.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of screen information. FIG. 4A shows an example of screen information, which has information for configuring and generating an operation screen. FIG. 4B shows an example of the operation screen actually generated from this screen information. That is, the screen information includes information necessary for generating the operation screen, for example, setting items, display components (buttons, etc.) to be displayed in correspondence with each other, arrangement information (position information) where the display components are to be arranged, and display components. The actual operation screen shown in FIG. 4B is generated on the basis of the information such as the transition destination screen when the button is pressed. In the screen information, the display component is specified by the display component ID, and the display component image corresponding to the ID is called.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the screen information. Similarly to the above, FIG. 5A shows an example of the screen information, and has information for configuring and generating the operation screen. FIG. 5B shows an example of an operation screen actually generated from this screen information. Here, the relationship between the operation screen of FIG. 4B and the operation screen of FIG. 5B is that when the “original direction” button of FIG. 4B is pressed, FIG. It is supposed to transition to. That is, the operation screen of FIG. 5B is a lower-layer operation screen derived from the operation screen of FIG. 4B, and the operation screen of FIG. 5B is displayed when the “original direction” button is pressed. Since it is derived, it naturally becomes an operation screen for performing detailed setting of “original direction”. Accordingly, the screen information in FIG. 4A is associated with information so that when the “original direction” button is pressed, the screen transitions to the operation screen in FIG. 5B (transition destination screen ID: 002). .

  Note that the screen information shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is merely an example, and if the operation screen can be configured, the screen information may hold necessary information by various other methods.

(Operation procedure information)
Next, the operation procedure information will be specifically described. The operation procedure information according to the embodiment is information that is stored in the storage unit 301a as described above and describes an operation procedure for making a predetermined setting. The operation procedure information is not limited to one operation procedure, but describes a plurality of operation procedures that can be operated by the user, and the storage unit 301a can be said to be an operation procedure database. For example, when a predetermined operation procedure is performed, a predetermined setting is performed such that a button that is a certain operation screen is first operated (pressed, etc.), and a button that is the next certain operation screen is operated (such as pressed). The operation procedure to do is described. This operation procedure information is used as information for specifying the operation procedure to be guided when the operation is guided by the operation guide line.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of operation procedure information. For example, the operation procedure information indicated by the operation procedure ID: 001 describes (specifies) an operation procedure for setting document reading details at the time of copying. By operating the setting item specified by the setting item ID according to the procedure number, the operation procedure is described (defined) so that the intended operation is finally completed. The operation procedure information is not limited to one operation procedure, and a plurality of operation procedures that can be operated by the user are described as operation procedure IDs: 002, 003. An administrator or the like registers in advance an operation procedure as operation procedure information for a predetermined operation that the user wants to provide operation support to the user.

(Example of operation guide line display)
Next, a display example of the operation guide line according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, based on the operation procedure information (FIG. 6) indicated by the operation procedure ID: 001, an operation guide line (also referred to as an operation auxiliary line) is used to guide an operation for setting document reading details at the time of copying. Is displayed.

  In the operation screen according to the embodiment, in order to guide the operation to the “original direction” button, a cross operation guide line is drawn and displayed on the “original direction” button as shown in FIG. Then, the user operates (presses) the “original direction” button in accordance with the guidance of the operation guide line.

  When the “Original Direction” button is pressed, a transition is made to an operation screen for performing detailed setting of “Original Direction”. Since the transitioned operation screen is derived from pressing of the “original direction” button, it is a lower-level operation screen. Then, in order to guide the operation to the “vertical (R)” button, as shown in FIG. 8, a cross operation guide line is drawn and displayed on the “vertical (R)” button.

  When the “vertical (R)” button is pressed, an operation to the “OK” button for confirming the setting of “vertical (R)” is guided, so that the “OK” button is displayed on the “OK” button as shown in FIG. A cross operation guide line is drawn and displayed.

  When the “OK” button is pressed, the setting for setting the document orientation to the vertical direction is determined, and the operation screen is changed to the upper hierarchy again. Further, in order to guide the subsequent operation to the “black and white” button, a cross operation guide line is drawn and displayed on the “black and white” button as shown in FIG. Then, the user operates (presses) the “black and white” button according to the guidance of the operation guide line. Thereafter, the copy operation is performed under the set conditions by operating the copy execution key or the like.

  As described above, on the operation screen according to the embodiment, based on the operation procedure information (FIG. 6), the operation guide line is displayed so as to guide the target operation, and the user proceeds with the operation according to the guide. The predetermined setting can be made with the.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the visual field according to the operation guidance by the operation guidance line. As described above, the visual impairment includes a narrowed visual field or a partial visual field stenosis and a visual field defect. If a person with visual impairment such as narrowing of the visual field refers to the display 18 and the visual field that has entered the first visual field is the visual field 1101 of FIG. 11, the operation guide line is within the visual field 1101 at this point. However, the operation buttons and the like to be operated are not within the visual field 1101, that is, are not recognized. Therefore, when the field of view is shifted from the field of view 1101 to the field of view 1102 along the operation guide line so as to follow the guide of the operation guide line, the two operation guide lines cross in a cross and recognize the operation button located on the intersection. can do. Thus, for a person whose field of view is narrowed or partially missing, when only a part of the operation screen displayed on the display 18 can be accommodated in the field of view, even one operation guide line is included in the first field of view. If so, the operation button to be operated can be recognized by moving the visual field along the operation guide line. Of course, when the field of view that has entered the first field of view is the field of view 1102 of FIG. 11, an operation button located on the intersection of the two operation guide lines can be recognized at that time.

(Operation guide line drawing / display processing)
As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs operation guidance and guidance for performing a predetermined setting by drawing and displaying an operation guide line on the operation screen on the display 18. Next, drawing / display processing of the operation guide line will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation guide line drawing / display processing. As a premise for starting the flowchart, the setting contents desired to be guided to the operation are selectively designated.

  First, the coordinate determination unit 302 acquires operation procedure information from the storage unit 301a in order to guide the operation (S1201).

  Further, screen information is acquired from the storage unit 301b (S1202). In most cases, as an operation procedure, for example, the operation is started from the top operation screen as shown in FIG. 7, and in such a case, screen information corresponding to the top operation screen is acquired. However, at this time, the operation screen generated on the display 18 is not yet displayed. This is because the operation screen including the operation guide line is displayed after the operation guide line is drawn.

  The coordinate determination unit 302 acquires (identifies) the coordinate information of the display component to be operated based on the screen information and the operation procedure information, and determines this as the coordinate of the display component to be pressed when performing a predetermined setting. (S1203). For example, referring to FIGS. 4A and 6 again, the screen information is obtained in order to obtain the coordinates of the setting item “original direction” of the setting item ID “001-003” defined by the procedure number 1 which is the first procedure. To obtain the corresponding arrangement coordinates (10.20) as coordinate information. This coordinate information indicates the position coordinates where the display component (display component ID “A001”) associated with the setting item “original direction” is arranged.

  In the present embodiment, the coordinates for specifying the arrangement position of the display component on the operation screen are not necessarily the center of the display component. For example, in the case of a square display component, the coordinates of one vertex of four vertices ( In this embodiment, the arrangement position of the display component is specified by the upper left vertex coordinates). Therefore, in such a case, the coordinate determination unit 302 may correct the coordinates to be the center coordinates of the display component according to the size of the display component so that an operation guide line described later passes through the center of the display component. .

  Here, an operation screen is generated based on the previously acquired screen information (S1204). In the case of the first operation, for example, a top operation screen as shown in FIG. 7 is generated.

  Then, the drawing unit 303 draws two or more operation guide lines intersected on the display component of the operation screen, that is, on the determined coordinates (S1205). Intersections are formed on the display component by drawing at least two operation guide lines. Therefore, three or more operation guide lines may be drawn. This is because as the number increases, the possibility of being accommodated in the above-described visual field increases, which contributes to improvement in operability. However, if the number is increased more than necessary, the operation screen becomes complicated and the visibility may be lowered.

  When the operation guide line is drawn in the operation screen, the input / display unit 304 displays an operation screen including the operation guide line on the touch panel display 18 (S1206). That is, an operation screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 18. When a display component to be operated, for example, the “original direction” button is operated (S1207), the flowchart is once ended, and the process proceeds again from S1201, and an operation screen for the next operation procedure is displayed. In addition, the operation guide line may be drawn / displayed. Since operation procedure information has already been acquired in S1201, S1201 can be omitted and the process can proceed from S1202.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment draws and displays an operation guide line on the operation screen on the display 18, and performs operation guidance and guidance for performing a predetermined setting.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment described above, the display example of the operation guide line has been described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the display of the operation guide line displayed before and after the hierarchical operation is left so that the transition of the operation screens having different hierarchical levels can be recognized. This will be described below.

  Refer to FIG. 7 again. Similar to the example of the first embodiment, based on the operation procedure information (FIG. 6) indicated by the operation procedure ID: 001, an operation guide line is used to guide an operation for setting document reading details at the time of copying. Is displayed.

  In order to guide the operation on the “original direction” button, a cross operation guide line is drawn and displayed on the “original direction” button as shown in FIG. Then, the user operates (presses) the “original direction” button in accordance with the guidance of the operation guide line.

  When the “original direction” button is pressed, a transition is made to an operation screen for performing detailed setting of “original direction” (FIG. 13). Since the transitioned operation screen is derived from pressing of the “original direction” button, it is a lower-level operation screen. Then, in order to guide the operation to the “vertical (R)” button, as shown in FIG. 13, a cross operation guide line is drawn and displayed on the “vertical (R)” button. Further, the operation guide line for the set item (here, the “original direction” button) that has been set is left and displayed.

  At this time, the user first operates the “original direction” button according to the operation guide line of FIG. Then, a lower-level operation screen for setting the document direction is opened, and it is considered that the visual field at this point is in the visual field 1301. Then, a new operation guide line is drawn and displayed in order to guide the operation to the “vertical (R)” button on the new operation screen. When the field of view is moved in the direction, a new operation guide line is inevitably encountered, and the new operation guide line is accommodated in the field of view 1302, and the field of view is further moved to the field of view 1303 to perform the next operation. . As a result, the “vertical (R)” button to be operated next can be reached.

  When the “vertical (R)” button is operated, an operation guide line is displayed on the “OK” button in the same manner (FIG. 14). When the “OK” button is operated, the setting for setting the document orientation to the vertical direction is determined, and the operation screen is changed to the upper hierarchy again (FIG. 15).

  In the operation screen of FIG. 15, an operation guide line 1501 to the subsequent “monochrome” button and a previous operation auxiliary line 1502 are displayed. In addition, the operation guide line 1503 is also left for the “original direction” button as a setting item higher than the previously set item (here, “OK” button) (also referred to as redisplay). This makes it easy to recognize the upper and lower hierarchical spaces of the operation screen. For example, when returning to the previous operation screen (FIG. 14), if the “original direction” button as the higher setting item of the previously set item is operated so as to be guided to the operation guide line 1503, the lower order will be displayed. It is possible to transition to the operation screen that was the operation screen. That is, the operation guide line 1503 is displayed when there is a transition in the hierarchy of the operation screen, and when returning to the previous setting item, the previous setting item is not displayed because the hierarchy is different on the current operation screen. However, by displaying the operation guide line 1503, if a display component guided by the operation guide line 1503 is operated, it is possible to easily transition to an operation screen having a previous setting item located in a different hierarchy.

  In the present embodiment, since a plurality of operation guide lines are displayed, each line may be displayed in different colors so as to be identified by color (for example, red, blue, green, etc.). Further, each line may be displayed in a form that can be identified by a line shape, for example, a broken line, a solid line, a thick line, or the like. This is to prevent the user from being confused by a plurality of operation guide lines and to improve visibility.

[Embodiment 3]
(Operation guide line drawing / display processing)
In the first embodiment described above, the drawing / display processing of the operation guide line has been described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, when the user thinks that the transition of operation screens with different lower layers or the setting of operation screens with different lower layers is unnecessary, it is possible to skip operations involving the transition of operation screens with different lower layers. It is a thing. This will be described below. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining drawing / display processing of an operation guide line according to the present embodiment. S1201 to 1207 are the same as those in FIG. 16, and steps S1211 to 1213 are added.

  First, the coordinate determination unit 302 acquires operation procedure information (S1201). Next, screen information is acquired (S1202). The coordinate determination unit 302 acquires (identifies) coordinate information of the display component to be operated based on the screen information and the operation procedure information, and determines the coordinate of the display component to be pressed when performing a predetermined setting ( In step S1203, the drawing unit 303 draws an operation guide line on the display component of the operation screen (S1205). When the operation guide line is drawn in the operation screen, the input / display unit 304 displays an operation screen including the operation guide line on the touch panel display 18 (S1206). S1201 to 1206 so far are as described in the first embodiment (FIG. 12).

  When the operation screen including the operation guide line is displayed, it is determined whether the transition destination of the display component guided by the operation guide line is a lower operation screen having a different hierarchy (S1211). When it is determined that the operation screen is a lower operation screen in a different hierarchy (Y), it is possible to input a skip operation. At the same time, the user may be notified of a display indicating that skipping is possible. The input of the skip operation is received from a predetermined hard key 19 on the operation panel 11 or the like. When the skip operation is performed (S1212), the operation procedure of the lower operation screen having a different hierarchy is skipped and the process proceeds to the next operation procedure.

  Specifically, for example, on the operation screen as shown in FIG. 7, an operation guide line is displayed so as to guide the operation of the “original direction” button. When the “original direction” button is operated, a transition is made to the lower layer operation screen (FIG. 8) derived from the operation screen of FIG. 7, followed by operation of the “vertical (R)” button and “OK” button. Therefore, the operation procedure on the lower layer operation screen is skipped in accordance with the user's skip operation. In other words, if the user has guided the operation of the “original direction” button, but does not need to make detailed settings for the “original direction” button (the original direction may be a specified value), the above skip is performed. It is possible to perform an operation and to skip the operation procedure related to the detailed setting of the “original direction” button.

  At this time, the operation procedure information in FIG. 6 is referred to in S1213, the procedure numbers 2 and 3 are skipped, and the procedure proceeds from procedure numbers 1 to 4. The procedure numbers 2 and 3 can grasp the transition of the operation screen from the screen ID, for example. Therefore, the operation screen transition from the screen ID “001” of the procedure number 1 to the screen ID “002” of the procedure numbers 2 and 3 The operation procedure is skipped, and the operation procedure is advanced to the procedure number 4 which is the screen ID “001”. FIG. 17 shows an example of the operation screen before and after skip processing. According to the operation procedure information in FIG. 6, the operation screen transitions in the order of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10, and the operation screen corresponding to FIGS. 8 and 9 is skipped by the skip processing.

  In this way, it is possible to perform skip processing of lower-level operation screens with different hierarchies, that is, skip processing of detailed settings derived from higher-level setting items. The operation procedure can be improved according to the judgment of the person.

[Modification]
FIG. 18 shows an example of an operation guide line having directionality. The drawing unit 303 draws an operation guide line having directionality with respect to a display component whose operation is to be trained. The directionality is indicated by, for example, an arrow as shown in the figure. In this way, when the operation is guided, the user can recognize the display component to be operated more easily by moving the field of view depending on the direction of the operation guide line. It becomes.

  FIG. 19 shows an example of an operation guide line to which a balloon effect is added. The drawing unit 303 adds a description related to the operation procedure when drawing the operation guide line. For example, as shown in the figure, it is possible to improve the operability of the user by adding a balloon and notifying the explanation of the setting operation and the hierarchy information. Note that “1/2” has a two-level operation screen in the “original direction” setting operation, the current level is the first level, and the second level when “original direction” is operated. It has shown that it changes to.

[Summary]
Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described as a summary.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a touch panel display, and an operation associated with the display component when a touch panel coordinate corresponding to the display component on the operation screen displayed on the display is pressed. An information processing apparatus for inputting the information, a storage means for storing screen information for generating the operation screen, and operation procedure information in which an operation procedure for performing a predetermined setting is described, and storage in the storage means Coordinate determination means for determining the coordinates of the display component to be pressed when performing a predetermined setting based on the screen information and the operation procedure information, and intersecting on the coordinates determined by the coordinate determination means Drawing means for drawing two or more operation guide lines, and the operation guide lines are drawn on a display component to be pressed on the operation screen and displayed on the display. It is shown.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, based on the screen information and the operation procedure information, the coordinates of the display component to which the operation is to be guided are specified, and two or more operation guides crossed on the coordinates. Lines are drawn and displayed on the display, so it is difficult for users, especially those with visual impairments such as visual field constriction and visual field loss, to place the whole image in the visual field at once. By moving the visual field along the operation guide line, it is possible to easily identify and recognize a display component to be operated and to operate the display component without looking around the visual field.

  In the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, when the display component to be pressed on which the operation guide line is drawn is pressed on the operation screen and the operation screen changes to a different operation screen, the operation screen before the transition is displayed. While maintaining the display of the operation guide line at, a new operation guide line on the different operation screen is drawn on the display component to be pressed on the different operation screen and displayed on the display.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, since the operation guide lines for the setting items set in advance are left and displayed, the user can operate the remaining operation guide lines in the field of view. By moving the visual field along the right or upward direction, a new operation guide line can be easily accommodated in the visual field. If the operation guide line is left and displayed, it becomes easy to recognize past operations and to recognize the hierarchy of the operation screen.

Input means for inputting a skip instruction for skipping the operation procedure described in the operation procedure information;
In the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, when the operation guide line is drawn on the display component to be pressed on the operation screen and displayed on the display, a skip instruction is input by the input unit. Then, the operation procedure associated with the operation of the display component is skipped, and the operation guide line according to the next operation procedure is drawn on the display component to be pressed according to the next operation procedure and displayed on the display. .

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to perform skip processing of lower-level operation screens having different hierarchies, that is, skip processing of detailed settings derived from higher-level setting items. This can be omitted for the operation procedure to be considered, and the operation procedure can be improved according to the judgment of the user as appropriate.

  In the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, the operation guide line on the operation screen before the transition and the new operation guide line on the different operation screen are drawn with different line colors or different line shapes.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, when a plurality of operation guide lines are displayed on the display at the same time, each line is displayed by being color-coded so that each line can be identified, For example, since each line is displayed so as to be identified by a broken line, a solid line, a thick line, or the like, it is possible to prevent the user from confusing a plurality of operation guide lines.

  Further, in the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, the operation guide line is drawn with directivity with respect to the display component to be pressed.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the operation guide line has a direction with respect to the display component to be pressed. By moving the field of view depending on the directionality of the guide wire, it becomes possible to recognize the display component to be operated more easily.

  In the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, a description of the setting contents associated with the display component to be pressed is added to the operation guide line.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, since the balloon is added and the description of the setting operation and the hierarchy information are notified, the contents of the operation can be recognized, and the operability of the user is improved. It becomes possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even for an operation screen having a hierarchical structure, an information processing apparatus, an operation guidance method, Can provide a program.

  The present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. For example, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus as an example of an information processing apparatus, and can be widely applied to other systems and apparatuses.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Operation panel 11a Input device 11b Display apparatus 12 Storage media I / F
12a Drive device 12b Recording medium 13 Controller 13a ROM
13b RAM
13c CPU
14 Data communication I / F
14a Interface device 15 Scanner 15a Image reading device 16 Plotter 16a Printing device 17 HDD
301 Storage Unit 302 Coordinate Determination Unit 303 Drawing Unit 304 Input / Display Unit

JP2007-062218 JP 2004-139524 A JP 2006-155164 A

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus that includes a touch panel display and inputs an operation associated with the display component when the coordinates of the touch panel corresponding to the display component on the operation screen displayed on the display are pressed,
Storage means for storing screen information for generating the operation screen and operation procedure information in which an operation procedure for performing a predetermined setting is described;
Coordinate determining means for determining the coordinates of the display component to be pressed when performing a predetermined setting based on the screen information and the operation procedure information stored in the storage means;
Drawing means for drawing two or more operation guide lines crossed on the coordinates determined by the coordinate determination means;
The operation guide line is drawn on a display component to be pressed on the operation screen and displayed on a display;
An information processing apparatus characterized by the above. When the display part to be pressed on which the operation guide line is drawn on the operation screen is pressed, and the operation screen changes to a different operation screen,
While maintaining the display of the operation guide line on the operation screen before the transition, a new operation guide line on the different operation screen is drawn and displayed on the display component to be pressed on the different operation screen. thing,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Input means for inputting a skip instruction for skipping the operation procedure described in the operation procedure information;
When the operation guide line is drawn on the display component to be pressed on the operation screen and displayed on the display, if a skip instruction is input by the input means, the operation guide line is associated with the operation of the display component. The operation procedure is skipped and the operation guide line according to the next operation procedure is drawn on the display component to be pressed according to the next operation procedure and displayed on the display.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The operation guide line on the operation screen before the transition and the new operation guide line on the different operation screen are drawn with different line colors or different line shapes,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. The operation guide line is drawn with directionality to the display component to be pressed;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein A description of the setting content associated with the display component to be pressed is added to the operation guide line,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: An operation guiding method in an information processing apparatus that includes a touch panel display and inputs an operation associated with the display component when the coordinates of the touch panel corresponding to the display component on the operation screen displayed on the display are pressed,
A storage procedure for storing screen information for generating the operation screen and operation procedure information in which an operation procedure for performing a predetermined setting is described;
A coordinate determination procedure for determining the coordinates of the display component to be pressed when performing a predetermined setting based on the screen information and the operation procedure information stored in the storage procedure;
A drawing procedure for drawing two or more operation guide lines crossed on the coordinates determined by the coordinate determination procedure;
A display procedure in which the operation guide line is drawn on a display component to be pressed on the operation screen and displayed on a display;
An operation guiding method characterized by comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the operation guiding method according to claim 7.

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