JP2012118812A - Information processing apparatus, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the man-hour of a creator as a result by automating mechanical work during operation manual creation.SOLUTION: In a general operation manual, there are described a screen name, screen image, screen summary, screen item name, screen item summary, screen item identification number and the like for explaining operation of a screen. These contents to be described in the operation manual are defined to a screen name, item name, item summary, item number and item number object of a screen item definition file. After defining the contents to be described in the screen item definition file, when the operation manual is opened, an operation manual support tool (operation manual generation control program) is automatically executed, and processing is performed for automatically generating the operation manual on the basis of the screen item definition file.

Description

  The present invention relates to work efficiency improvement when creating an operation manual for a work executed by a user using an application installed in an information processing apparatus.

  New software that runs on hardware such as computers is emerging year by year. Furthermore, the operation method is not only to operate according to the display screen displayed on the display device etc., but also to display multiple types of display screens. Depending on the content of the operation, there are a lot of switching and complicated ones, and in order to use the detailed functions regardless of the basic functions of the software, the operator must look at the display screen and judge based on his / her own sense. It is difficult to rely on manuals with detailed descriptions of detailed functions. However, the software to be used does not necessarily have a manual attached to the software, and the manual is not always written in an easy-to-understand language in the language of the operator. Even if a manual exists, it does not cover all operations, and there are many things that are not described in detail functions. Because of this background situation, it is indispensable to create a manual for using the software.

An IT system operation manual developed by a software development company and provided to end users is created manually by the following procedure. Developers need to create operation manuals according to the business procedures that end users actually follow, ranging from a part of each item used in IT systems and developed applications.
As a procedure for creating an operation manual, there are generally the following methods.

1. The screen image displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus is captured by the PrintScreen key (Prt Scr).
2. The size and screen range are processed with a paint application (Windows (registered trademark)) and pasted on the screen layout section.
Item number (serial number) is assigned to each item of the screen captured in 3.1 and placed on the screen image.
4). Describe the outline of each screen and the outline of each item.

  As a prior art document, Patent Document 1 relates to a method for creating a screen operation manual. From the record group that defines the display format of the screen for the purpose of shortening the creation time and enhancing the screen operation manual. It is a creation method using the screen definition used in the user program, and the record having the input item or the output item in the item name field is extracted from the record group constituting the screen definition, and the relevant Set the edit processing screen that displays the characters corresponding to the Japanese item name field of each record, and enter the annotation information corresponding to each display in the margin of each display on the edit processing screen, These annotation information is associated with the data necessary for creating the screen operation manual among the fields of each record. Stored in the Le data file 2, the stored de - Techniques for making screen operation manual based on the data are disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an image capture unit that captures image information displayed on the screen during the operation of a manual creation target application, and image information captured by the image capture unit according to an operation of a manual creator. Character creation means for creating character information related to this image information, manual editing means for creating a manual by editing using the image information captured by the image capture means and the character information created by the character creation means, and manual creation In the operation recording means for recording an operation procedure for operating the manual creation target application by the user, and in the manual created by the manual editing means, from the start part to the change part for which the manual creator has designated to change the contents, the operation Operating procedure recorded by the recording means Therefore, a technique for creating an operation reproducing means and the equipped with operating manual for reproducing contents manual creator operation is disclosed.

JP-A-5-274134 JP 2007-164585 A

  However, the work in the creation procedure described above has to be repeatedly created for each screen, which requires a lot of work. In particular, for the work of assigning item numbers (serial numbers) to each item in the creation procedure 3 and arranging them, much labor is expended in spite of mechanical work. In addition, when a new item is added to an existing screen, the item number (serial number) of all items is renumbered and reflected in the item number of the screen layout, screen overview, and item overview depending on the added part on the screen. Therefore, it may take more man-hours than new creation.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for automating the mechanical work at the time of creating an operation manual, thereby reducing the work man-hours.

That is, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus including a manual generation program for operating an application, and a screen sheet generating unit that generates a screen sheet for explaining a screen operated by the application; A storage unit that stores a screen item definition file that defines the operation screen content of the application, and information indicating a screen name of a screen operated by the application among the screen item definition files stored in the storage unit, A determination unit that determines whether or not a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the screen name has been generated by the screen sheet generation unit; and the determination unit includes a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the information indicating the screen name. If it is determined that there is, the information defined in the screen item definition file is used to When the reflecting means for reflecting the contents of the screen sheet and the determining means do not determine that there is a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the information indicating the screen name, the screen sheet generating means And a new generation unit that generates a new screen sheet by using the information defined in the definition file.
In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, at least an item name, an item outline, an item number, and an object name are defined in the screen item definition file to be reflected in the screen sheet. The item name, item outline, item number, and object name defined in the screen item definition file are reflected at least in the contents of the screen sheet.
In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when reflecting the contents on the screen sheet by using the screen item definition file by the reflecting means, one item defined in the screen item definition file on the screen sheet A second determination unit that determines whether the one item is arranged, and when the determination unit determines that the one item is not arranged on the screen sheet, the one item is set to a predetermined position on the screen sheet. And a new item adding means for newly arranging the item.
Also, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is defined in the screen item definition file extracted by the extraction means for extracting the information defined in the screen item definition file to reflect the information in the screen sheet, and the extraction means. And processing means for processing the information into a predetermined format so as to be reflected on the screen sheet.
The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the screen item definition file is stored in the same storage location as the program for generating the manual.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for reducing the work man-hours by automating the mechanical work at the time of creating the operation manual.

It is a figure which shows the module structural example of the operation manual assistance tool 101 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an operation manual layout of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen item definition file in the operation manual assistance tool of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a data layout at the time of storing the screen definition storage area in the operation manual assistance tool of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic process of the operation manual assistance tool of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the file reading process process of the operation manual assistance tool of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation manual automatic reflection process process of the operation manual assistance tool of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the screen operation manual new preparation process process of the operation manual assistance tool of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the screen operation manual change process process of the operation manual assistance tool of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the information processing apparatus which performs the operation manual assistance tool 101 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the hardware configuration of the client terminal (information processing apparatus) 1000 for executing the operation manual support tool 101 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of various terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The CPU 1001 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 1004. Further, the ROM 1003 or the external memory 1011 is necessary for realizing a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS) that is a control program of the CPU 1001 and a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored. A RAM 1002 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 1001.

  The CPU 1001 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 1002 and executing the program.

  An input controller (input C) 1005 controls input from a pointing device such as a keyboard 1009 or a mouse (not shown).

  A video controller (VC) 1006 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 1010. The display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be a display using another method such as liquid crystal. These are used by the administrator as needed. A memory controller (MC) 1007 is a hard disk (HD), floppy disk (registered trademark FD) or PCMCIA card slot for storing boot programs, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 1011 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) connected to the PC via an adapter.

  A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 1008 connects and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 1001 enables display on the CRT 1010 by executing, for example, outline font expansion (rasterization) processing on a display information area in the RAM 1002. Further, the CPU 1001 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 1010.

  A program 1012 for realizing the present invention is recorded in the external memory 1011 and is executed by the CPU 1001 by being loaded into the RAM 1002 as necessary. Furthermore, a definition file 1013 and various information tables 1014 used by the program 1012 according to the present invention are stored in the external memory 1011, and detailed descriptions thereof will be described later.

Next, the operation manual support tool 101 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the operation manual support tool 101 in the present embodiment. The operation manual support tool 101 includes a screen item definition file 103 in which information of each screen item is defined, a screen definition storage area 104 that stores screen definition information read from the screen item definition file 103, and information regarding screen operations. Is a process for automatically expanding definition information defined in the screen item definition file 103 to the operation manual 105, an operation manual template 106 used when a new operation manual 105 is created, and the screen item definition file 103. It is comprised by the control part 102 to control.

  Next, the operation manual support tool 101 will be described. The operation manual support tool 101 refers to a module that automatically generates the operation manual 105 from the screen definition defined in the screen item definition file 103. Further, the operation manual support tool 101 is incorporated in the operation manual 105, and is configured to automatically execute every time the operation manual 105 is opened. As a condition for executing the operation manual support tool 101, the screen item definition file 103, the operation manual 105, and the operation manual template 106 need to be stored in the same directory. If any of the screen item definition file 103, the operation manual 105, or the operation manual template 106 does not exist, an execution error occurs.

  Next, the operation manual 105 will be described. The operation manual 105 is a file that describes a screen operation procedure. The operation manual 105 is automatically generated by the operation manual support tool 101 based on the definition information in the screen item definition file 103. However, the operation manual 105 can be manually maintained. The operation manual 105 is composed of a plurality of sheets. Specifically, a sheet is a unit of a document describing an operation procedure for one screen. Therefore, the operation manual 105 is composed of a document that describes operation procedures related to a plurality of screens.

  Next, the operation manual template 106 will be described. The operation manual template 106 is a template for the operation manual 105. When a new operation manual 105 is created, the operation manual template 106 is copied and created. Therefore, it is assumed that the operation manual 105 and the operation manual template 106 have the same layout. Further, it is assumed that the operation manual template 106 must exist in the same directory as the operation manual 105.

  Next, the screen item definition file 103 will be described. This is data describing definitions related to screen operations described in the operation manual 105. A definition relating to the operation of each screen is written in the screen item definition file 103 by the operator manual creator. It is assumed that the screen item definition file 103 must exist in the same directory as the operation manual 105. The outline of each item defined in the screen item definition file 103 will be described in the explanation of FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation manual layout 201 automatically generated by the operation manual support tool 101 according to the present embodiment. The operation manual layout 201 includes sections of an operation manual header section 202, a screen image description section 203, a screen outline description section 206, and a screen item outline description section 208.

  The operation manual header section 202 is a section in which the system name, screen name, creator, creation date, updater, update date, number of pages, creation of operation manual for each screen, and change information are described. In the system name, the name of the system to be explained in the operation procedure is described. In the screen name, the name of the screen to be explained in the operation procedure is described. In the creator, the creator who newly created the operation manual 105 is described. In the creation date, the date when the operation manual 105 is newly created is described. In the updater, the updater who changed the operation manual 105 is described. In the update date, the date when the operation manual 105 is updated is described. In the number of pages, the number of pages of the operation manual 105 is described.

The screen image description unit 203 attaches a screen image 204 indicating the screen layout, and arranges screen item item numbers 205 that explicitly indicate each item of the screen. Specifically, the screen image 204 attaches a screen image (screen capture) that is an operation explanation target. The screen item item number 205 indicates a square of a frame that stores a number (serial number) for explicitly indicating each item of the operation explanation target screen. A frame storing the number is arranged on the screen item of the screen image (screen capture), and each item is numbered.
In the screen outline description unit 206, a screen outline 207 indicating the overall outline of the screen is described. Specifically, the screen overview 207 describes a function overview that indicates what role the screen of the operation explanation target plays. The screen item summary description section 208 describes a screen item number 205 that explicitly indicates each item on the screen, a screen item name 209 corresponding to the screen item number 205, and a screen item summary 210. Specifically, the screen item name 209 describes the name of an item arranged on the operation explanation target screen. The screen item summary 210 describes the positioning of the items arranged on the screen. In FIG. 2, “N” indicates Japanese, “X” indicates alphanumeric characters, “9” indicates numbers, and “YYYY / MM / DD” indicates date.
In FIG. 2, as described above, by putting the number assigned to the screen item item number 205, the screen item item number 205 that explicitly indicates each item and the screen item name associated with it are displayed in the screen item overview description unit 208. 209, the screen item summary 210 is characterized by a layout.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the screen item definition file 301. The screen item definition file 301 is a document that defines contents related to screen operations to be reflected in the operation manual 105. The screen item definition file 301 is created and maintained by the operation manual creator.

  The operation manual 105 is automatically generated based on the screen item definition file 301 by causing the operation manual support tool 101 to read the screen item definition file 301. Therefore, it is a document that serves as a base for automatically creating an operation manual. Therefore, the screen item definition file 301 must be placed in the same directory as the operation manual 105.

  The screen item definition file 301 includes a screen name 302, an item name 303, an item summary 304, an item number 305, and an item number object name 306.

  In the screen name 302, a screen name described in the operation manual header section 202 is defined. Specifically, a screen name for explaining the operation is defined in the screen name 302.

  The item name 303 defines the contents of the screen item name 209 of the screen item outline description unit 208 described with reference to FIG. Specifically, an item name arranged on the screen for explaining the operation is defined.

  The item summary 304 defines the contents of the screen item summary 210 of the screen item summary description unit 208 described with reference to FIG. Specifically, a wording is defined that describes the positioning of the items arranged on the screen on which the operation is explained.

  The item number 305 defines the number of the screen item item number 205 of the screen image 204 and the screen item outline description unit 208 described with reference to FIG. Numbers “1”, “2”,... Are assigned so that the numbers of items arranged on the screen are unique. However, since the numbering is performed in units of screens, there is no problem even if the item numbers 305 are duplicated on different screens. Specifically, it indicates a number (serial number) described in a frame of a screen item item number 205 arranged on the screen image description unit 203 of the operation manual layout 201.

  The item number object name 306 indicates the name of the frame object of the screen item item number 205 arranged in the screen image 204. When the operation manual 105 is changed, for the screen items that already exist, the operation manual 105 is searched using the object name as a key, and if an item number object corresponding to the object name exists, the number in the item number object By automatically enabling resetting, the number in the item number object does not need to be manually maintained every time the screen layout changes. In FIG. 3, “N” indicates Japanese, “X” indicates alphanumeric characters, and “9” indicates numbers.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a data layout when stored in the screen definition storage area 104. The screen definition information read from the screen item definition file 103 is processed into data in the screen definition data layout 401 format by the control unit 102 and stored in the screen definition storage area 104. The screen definition data layout 401 manages data in a double array. The root array 402 stores a plurality of screen name arrays 403. The screen name array 403 stores a plurality of screen item information records 404.

  Next, the operation of the operation manual support tool 101 in this embodiment will be described in detail using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when the operation manual 105 is automatically generated from the operation manual support tool 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
First, in the information processing apparatus 1000, the control unit 102 of the operation manual support tool 101 detects that the operation manual 105 has been opened, and executes an operation manual generation process (step S501).

  Specifically, the operation manual generation process is to automatically read the screen item information defined in the screen definition file 103 by the operation manual support tool 101, and to create the operation manual 105 based on the read screen item information. It is a process created automatically. In the case of a screen on which an operation manual already exists, this is processing for automatically reflecting the read screen item information on the existing operation manual 105.

  Next, the control unit 102 displays an automatic reflection confirmation dialog on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 1000 as confirmation as to whether or not to execute the operation manual support tool 101 (step S502).

  Next, the control part 102 determines the automatic reflection result (YES, NO) determined by the user (step S503). If automatic reflection to the operation manual 105 is selected (YES), the screen item definition file 103 is read in step S509. If “NO” is not automatically reflected in the operation manual 105 (NO), the operation manual generation process is terminated, and the operation manual 105 is opened in a state where the contents of the operation manual 105 are not automatically reflected.

  Specifically, the setting file reading process in step S509 checks whether the screen definition file 103 is stored in a predetermined directory, and if it is stored in the predetermined directory, is defined in the screen definition file 103. The screen item information is read, processed into the screen definition data layout 401 format, and stored in the screen definition storage area 104. A detailed processing outline will be described in the processing of the flowchart of FIG. The predetermined directory is a directory in which the operation manual 105 is stored. It is assumed that the operation manual 105 and the screen definition file 103 must be stored in the same directory.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a setting file reading process executed by the operation manual support tool 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The control unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 1000 determines whether the screen definition file 103 is stored in the same directory as the operation manual 105 (step S601). If the screen definition file 103 exists in the same directory, the process proceeds to the file open process (step S602). When the screen definition file 103 does not exist in the same directory, a message notifying the error is displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 1000 as a read error process (step S606).

  Next, the control unit 102 opens the screen definition file 103 stored in a predetermined directory (step S602).

  Next, the control unit 102 determines whether the screen definition file 103 has been opened normally (step S603). When the screen definition file 103 is normally opened, the process proceeds to a screen item definition reading process (steps S604 and S605) defined in the screen definition file 103. If the screen definition file 103 fails to be opened, a message notifying the error is displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 1000 as read error processing (step S606).

  Next, after reading one line of the contents of the screen definition file 103, the control unit 102 determines whether or not it is the last line (END of FILE) of the screen definition file 103 (step S604). If it is not the last line (END of FILE) of the screen definition file 103, the screen name 302, the item name 303, the item summary 304, the item number 305, and the item number object name 306 are read from the screen definition file 103. A screen item information record 404 having a matching screen name array 403 is generated, and the read value is stored in each item field. If there is no screen name array 403 that matches the screen name 302, the screen name array 403 is generated based on the read screen name 302 value.

  The control unit 102 repeats steps S604 and S605 until the last line (END of FILE) of the screen definition file 103 is reached, and creates a screen definition route array 402 according to the screen definition data layout 401. If the control unit 102 determines that the last line (END of FILE) of the screen definition file 103 has been reached, it stores the screen definition route array 402 in the screen definition storage area 104 and proceeds to the next step S504.

  Next, the control unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 1000 determines whether or not the setting file reading process has been completed normally (step S504). If the setting file reading process has been completed normally, the process proceeds to the operation manual automatic reflection process. Specifically, the operation manual automatic reflection process in step S510 is based on the screen item information record 404 stored in the route array 402 configured in the screen definition data layout 401 format stored in the screen definition storage area 104. This is a process for updating the contents of the operation manual 105.

  A detailed processing outline is described in the flowcharts of FIGS. If the setting file reading process has not been completed normally, an error dialog for notifying a setting file reading error is displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 1000 (step S508). After the error dialog is displayed, the operation manual 105 is opened in a state where the contents of the operation manual 105 are not automatically reflected.

  FIGS. 7 to 9 are flowcharts showing the operation manual automatic reflection process executed by the operation manual support tool 101 in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, an operation manual 105 is newly created based on the screen name value of the screen name array 403 stored in the root array 402 configured in the screen definition data layout 401 format, or an existing operation manual 105 is displayed. On the other hand, it is a flowchart mainly describing processing for determining whether to change the contents.

  The control unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 1000 reads the route array 402 configured in the screen definition data layout 401 format stored in the screen definition storage area 104. One line of the screen name array 403 stored in the root array 402 is read to determine whether the root array 402 is the last line (ENDofDATA) (step S701).

  Next, when the root array 402 is not the last line (END of DATA), the control unit 102 reads the screen name value stored in the screen name array 403 and stores it in the screen definition storage area 104 (step S702). .

  Next, the control unit 102 reads the value of the screen name stored in the screen definition storage area 104 and determines whether a sheet having the same name as the screen name value exists in the operation manual 105 (step S703). Specifically, a sheet is a unit of a document describing an operation procedure for one screen. The operation manual 105 has a configuration in which a plurality of documents describing operation procedures related to the screen exist. If a sheet with the same name does not exist in the operation manual 105, it is considered that the operation manual 105 relating to the determined screen name has not been created, and the process proceeds to a new screen operation manual creation process (step S704). If a sheet with the same name exists in the operation manual 105, it is considered that the operation manual 105 related to the determined screen name has already been created, and the process proceeds to the screen operation manual change process (step S705).

  Specifically, the screen operation manual new creation process in step S704 is a copy of the operation manual layout 201 from the operation manual template 106, and the screen item information record in which the operation manual 105 related to the determined screen is stored in the screen name array 403. It is a process created originally. A detailed processing outline is described in the flowchart of FIG. Further, the screen operation manual change process in step S705 is a process for updating the contents of the operation manual based on the screen item information record stored in the screen name array 403 for the existing operation manual 105. is there

  The control unit 102 repeats step S702 and step S702 until the root array 402 reaches the last line (END of DATA), and executes screen operation manual new creation processing and screen operation manual update processing. When the control unit 102 determines that the route array 402 is the last row (END of DATA), the operation manual automatic reflection process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the next step S505.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a new screen operation manual creation process executed by the operation manual support tool 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The control unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 1000 reads the operation manual template 106 stored in the same directory as the operation manual 105 (step S801).

  Next, the control unit 102 copies the operation manual layout 201 from the operation manual template 106 and creates a new sheet in the operation manual 105 based on the screen name value stored in the screen name array 403 (step S802). .

  Next, the control unit 102 reads the screen name array 403 configured in the screen definition data layout 401 format stored in the screen definition storage area 104. One line of the screen item information record 404 stored in the screen name array 403 is read to determine whether the screen name array 403 is the last line (END of DATA) (step S803).

  Next, when the control unit 102 determines that the screen name array 403 is not the last line (END of DATA), the value of the item name field 405, the value of the item summary field 406 stored in the screen item information record 404, The value of the item number field 407 and the value of the item object name field 408 are read and stored in the screen definition storage area 104 (step S804).

  Next, the control unit 102 newly creates an item number object based on the value stored in the item object name field 408 read from the screen definition storage area 104, and the screen image description of the operation manual layout 201 of the operation manual 105. It arrange | positions to the part 203 (step 805). Specifically, the item number object indicates a red frame of the screen item number 205 arranged on the screen image description unit 203 of the operation manual layout 201.

  Next, the control unit 102 sets the value stored in the item number field 407 to the newly generated item number object (step S806).

  Next, the control unit 102 displays the screen of the operation manual layout 201 of the operation manual 105 based on the value stored in the item name field 405 and the value stored in the item summary field 406 read from the screen definition storage area 104. The contents are written in the screen item name 209 of the item summary description portion 208 (step S807).

  The control unit 102 repeats Step S804, Step S805, Step S806, and Step S807 until the screen name array 403 reaches the last line (END of DATA).

  When the control unit 102 determines that the screen name array 403 is the last line (END of DATA), the screen operation manual new creation process is terminated, the screen name array 403 stored in the route array 402 is read by one line, and the route The process returns to step S701 to determine whether the array 402 is the last line (END of DATA).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a screen operation manual change creation process executed by the operation manual support tool 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The control unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 1000 reads a sheet having the same name as the screen name value stored in the screen name array 403 (step 901).

  Next, the control unit 102 clears the contents described in the screen item summary description unit 208 of the read sheet (step 902).

  Next, the control unit 102 reads the screen name array 403 configured in the screen definition data layout 401 format stored in the screen definition storage area 104. One line of the screen item information record 404 stored in the screen name array 403 is read to determine whether the screen name array 403 is the last line (END of DATA) (step S903).

  Next, when the screen name array 403 is not the last line (END of DATA), the control unit 102 determines the value of the item name field 405, the value of the item summary field 406, and the item stored in the screen item information record 404. The value of the number field 407 and the value of the item object name field 408 are read and stored in the screen definition storage area 104 (step S904).

  Next, the control unit 102 checks whether or not an item object having the same name as the value stored in the item object name field 408 read from the screen definition storage area 104 exists in the read sheet (step 905). ). When it is determined that there is no item object with the same name, a new item number object is created based on the value of the item object name field 408 read from the screen definition storage area 104, and the screen image of the operation manual layout 201 of the operation manual 105 It arrange | positions to the description part 203 (step 906). If it is determined that an item object with the same name exists, step 906 is skipped and the process proceeds to step 907.

  Next, the control unit 102 sets the value of the item number field 407 to the newly generated item number object, and overwrites the existing item number object (step S907).

  Next, the control unit 102 displays the screen of the operation manual layout 201 of the operation manual 105 based on the value stored in the item name field 405 and the value stored in the item summary field 406 read from the screen definition storage area 104. The contents are written in the screen item name 209 of the item summary description portion 208 (step S908).

  The control unit 102 repeats Step S904, Step S905, Step S906, Step S907, and Step S908 until the screen name array 403 becomes the last line (END of DATA).

  When the control unit 102 determines that the screen name array 403 is the last line (END of DATA), the screen operation manual update process is terminated, the screen name array 403 stored in the root array 402 is read by one line, and the root array It returns to step S701 which judges whether 402 is the last line (END of DATA).

  Next, the control unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 1000 determines whether or not the operation manual automatic reflection process has been normally completed (step S505). If the operation manual automatic reflection process has been completed normally, the operation manual 105 is stored (step S506). If the operation manual automatic reflection process has not ended normally, an error dialog notifying the setting file reading error is displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 1000 (step S508). After the error dialog is displayed, the operation manual 105 is opened in a state where the contents of the operation manual 105 are not automatically reflected.

  Finally, the control unit 102 displays a dialog on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 1000 with a message indicating that the process of automatically generating the operation manual 105 from the operation manual support tool 101 has been completed normally (step S507). After the normal end dialog is displayed, the operation manual 105 is opened in a state where the operation manual 105 is defined in the screen definition file 103 and has the contents.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for reducing the work man-hours by automating the mechanical work at the time of creating the operation manual.
Specifically, locations that are generated by mechanical repetitive operations, such as continuous numbering, which are complicated during the operation manual generation processing, can be reflected from the screen item definition file all at once, and the user can It seems that the convenience of will improve.
That is, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus including a manual generation program for operating an application, and a screen sheet generating unit that generates a screen sheet for explaining a screen operated by the application; A storage means (103 in FIG. 1) for storing a screen item definition file for defining the operation screen contents of the application, and a screen name of a screen operated by the application among the screen item definition files stored in the storage means A determination unit (step S703 in FIG. 7) for determining whether or not a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the screen name is generated by the screen sheet generation unit using the information, and the determination unit When it is determined that there is a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the information indicating the name, the screen item definition file The reflection means (steps S801 to S807 in FIG. 8) for reflecting the contents of the screen sheet by using the information defined in the file, and the screen name corresponding to the information indicating the screen name by the determination means When it is not determined that there is a screen sheet, the screen sheet generation unit generates new screen sheet by using information defined in the screen item definition file (step S901 in FIG. 9). To step S908).

  As described above, the program in the present invention is a program that can be executed by a computer as an imaging apparatus in accordance with the processes in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, and the storage medium of the present invention uses the processing method in FIGS. 5 to 9. A program executable by the imaging apparatus is stored. The program according to the present invention may be a separate independent program for each processing method of each apparatus shown in FIGS.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading. In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the imaging apparatus, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer is actually executed based on the instructions of the program. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing a part or all of the process and the process is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

  In addition, each process realized by the above-described software can be realized as firmware or hardware configuration, and each process can be realized as each means. The technical scope of the present invention is realized by such firmware or hardware configuration. Is also included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Operation manual support tool 102 Control part 103 Screen definition file 104 Screen definition storage area 105 Operation manual 106 Operation manual template 201 Operation manual layout 202 Operation manual header part 203 Screen image description part 204 Screen image 205 Screen item number 206 Screen outline description Section 207 Screen overview 208 Screen item overview description section 209 Screen item name 210 Screen item overview 301 Screen item definition file 302 Screen name 303 Item name 304 Item overview 305 Item number 306 Item number object name 401 Screen definition data layout 402 Route array 403 Screen Name array 404 Screen item information record 405 Field for storing item name 406 Field for storing item summary 407 Field for storing item number Field that contains the 408 items object name

Claims (7)

An information processing apparatus including a manual generation program for operating an application,
Screen sheet generating means for generating a screen sheet for explaining a screen operated by the application;
Storage means for storing a screen item definition file that defines the operation screen content of the application;
Using the information indicating the screen name of the screen operated by the application in the screen item definition file stored in the storage unit, a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the screen name is generated by the screen sheet generation unit. Determination means for determining whether or not,
When the determination means determines that there is a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the information indicating the screen name, the information defined in the screen item definition file is used to reflect the information in the contents of the screen sheet. Reflection means,
When the determination unit does not determine that there is a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the information indicating the screen name, the screen sheet generation unit uses information defined in the screen item definition file. An information processing apparatus comprising: new generation means for generating a new screen sheet. In the screen item definition file, at least an item name, an item summary, an item number, and an object name are defined to be reflected in the screen sheet.
The reflection means reflects the contents of the screen sheet by using at least the item name, item outline, item number, and object name defined in the screen item definition file. Information processing device. When reflecting the contents on the screen sheet by using the screen item definition file by the reflecting means, a second for determining whether one item defined in the screen item definition file is arranged on the screen sheet Determining means,
New item adding means for newly arranging the one item at a predetermined position on the screen sheet when the determining unit determines that the one item is not arranged on the screen sheet. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Extracting means for extracting the information defined in the screen item definition file to reflect the information on the screen sheet;
The processing means for processing the information defined in the screen item definition file extracted by the extracting means into a predetermined format so as to be reflected on the screen sheet, further comprising: The information processing apparatus according to item 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen item definition file is stored in the same storage location as the program that generates the manual. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising a manual generation program for operating an application, storing a screen item definition file that defines operation screen contents of the application,
A screen sheet generating step in which the screen sheet generating means of the information processing apparatus generates a screen sheet for explaining a screen operated by the application;
A screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the screen name is obtained by using the information indicating the screen name of the screen operated by the application in the stored screen item definition file from the stored screen item definition file. A determination step of determining whether or not it is generated by the generation means;
When the reflection unit of the information processing apparatus determines that there is a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the information indicating the screen name in the determination step, the information defined in the screen item definition file is used. Reflecting step to reflect the contents of the screen sheet with,
When the determination unit does not determine that there is a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the information indicating the screen name, the new generation unit of the information processing apparatus includes the screen item definition step. And a new generation step of generating a new screen sheet by using the information defined in the file. A program that includes a manual generation program for operating an application, and that runs an information processing apparatus that stores a screen item definition file that defines the operation screen content of the application,
The information processing apparatus;
Screen sheet generating means for generating a screen sheet for explaining a screen operated by the application;
Whether or not a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the screen name is generated by the screen sheet generation unit using information indicating a screen name of a screen operated by the application in the stored screen item definition file Determining means for determining
When the determination means determines that there is a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the information indicating the screen name, the information defined in the screen item definition file is used to reflect the information in the contents of the screen sheet. Reflection means,
When the determination unit does not determine that there is a screen sheet having a screen name corresponding to the information indicating the screen name, the screen sheet generation unit uses information defined in the screen item definition file. A computer-readable program that is caused to function as new generation means for generating a new screen sheet.

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