JP2013171517A - Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus which quickly displays, when a user re-performs an operation, a help for a guessed user's desired another operation.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus: associates input means for inputting an operation of a user with an operation which the user performs to the input means and another operation which is guessed from the operation; stores a history of operations performed by the user and help information corresponding to the operations; and, on the basis of the history of operations performed by the user, assesses, when an operation for displaying help information is input, whether or not an immediately preceding operation by the user is an operation for returning, to a former state, a result of information processing executed in response to a further preceding operation performed by the user. When the operation by the user immediately preceding the operation for displaying help information is an operation for returning, to a former state, a result of information processing executed in response to a further preceding operation by the user, help information corresponding to another operation which is guessed from the operation immediately preceding the operation for displaying help information is retrieved and displayed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for displaying help information when executing information processing such as layout editing of content such as images, graphics, or text on a screen, a control method thereof, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a technique for displaying help guidance related to an operation on an operation screen of an application for editing an image, graphic, or text layout (see Patent Document 1).

  There is also a technique for monitoring the status of an application and displaying help information having contents corresponding to the status of the application. (See Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-065809 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-21028

  An application has many functions, but many of them have similar functions. Therefore, even if the user performs an operation in order to execute a certain function, another function may be erroneously executed. In this case, the user must redo the operation, but there is a problem that it is difficult to understand what operation should be performed in order to execute a desired function.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to promptly display help information related to an operation of a desired function of the user when the user performs the operation again.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention stores an input unit that inputs a user's operation in association with an operation performed by the user on the input unit and another operation inferred from the operation. First storage means, second storage means for storing a history of operations performed by the user on the input means, third storage means for storing help information corresponding to the operations, When an operation for displaying the help information is input to the input unit, the user operation input to the input unit immediately before is input based on the history stored in the second storage unit Is a determination means for determining whether or not an operation for returning the result of the information processing executed in response to the user's operation input to the input means before that, and the determination As a result, the The user's operation input to the input unit immediately before the operation for displaying the help information is input to the input unit is further input to the input unit before that In order to display the help information on the input means stored in the first storage means if it is determined that the operation is to restore the result of the information processing executed in response to the operation of Search means for searching for help information stored in the third storage means corresponding to another operation inferred from the user's operation input to the input means immediately before the operation is input; And a display means for displaying the searched help information.

  According to the present invention, when a user re-executes an operation, it is possible to promptly display a help for another desired operation of the user by analogy, and the user can execute a desired operation more quickly and easily. .

The figure which shows an example of the information processing system concerning embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server, a help setting personal computer, and an editing personal computer that constitute an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; The figure which shows an example of the external input operation information table of the server shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the help information table of the server shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the operation history information table of the server shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the help related information setting screen concerning 1st Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the external input operation related information setting screen concerning the 1st Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the edit screen concerning 1st Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the data setting procedure in the information processing system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the setting procedure of the external input operation related information contained in the data setting procedure in the information processing system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an editing process procedure in the information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the logic for determining operation immediately before a user included in the edit process sequence in the information processing system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the logic for acquiring the help related information estimated by analogy contained in the data processing procedure in the information processing system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. The figure which shows the module structure of the information processing system concerning the 2nd Example of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the table format of the layout information storage part of the server shown in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the table format of the layout information table of the server shown in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the table format of the help information table of the server shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the help related information setting screen concerning the 2nd Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the layout related information setting screen concerning the 2nd Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the information processing procedure in the data processing system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the setting process of the layout related information contained in the data processing procedure in the information processing system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the information processing system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the calculation logic of the help display position contained in the data processing procedure in the information processing system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although the details will be described later, this system is a system that enables the help display of another operation inferred from the operation history when the editor returns the operation to the original state and desires the help display. In this regard, the personal computer for help setting (hereinafter referred to as help setting PC) may have a dedicated application for help setting. An editing personal computer (hereinafter referred to as an editing PC) may have a layout editing application and content files such as image data, text data, and template data used for layout editing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the help setting PC 101, the editing PC 103, and the server 102 are connected via a network 100 such as the Internet. In this case, the help setting PC 101 and the editing PC 103 can be arranged as respective applications in one apparatus.

  As will be described later, the server 102 is configured by an information processing apparatus (computer) including a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, and the like. The help setting PC 101 and the editing PC 103 are configured by a general information processing apparatus (computer) including browsing means (for example, a Web browser program) (including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and the like). In the present embodiment, the network 100 will be described using the Internet as an example, but other network systems such as a LAN (Local Area Network) may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a computer that implements each of the server 102, the help setting PC 101, and the editing PC 103 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls processing and control of the information processing apparatus. Reference numeral 202 denotes a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM), which functions as a main memory of the CPU 201 and as an execution program area, an execution area of the program, and a data area.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) that stores the operation processing procedure (control program) of the CPU 201. The ROM 203 includes a program ROM that records basic software (OS) that is a system program for controlling the equipment of the information processing apparatus, and a data ROM that records information necessary for operating the system. Further, instead of the ROM 203, an HDD 209 described later can be used.

  A network interface (NETIF) 204 performs control for performing data transfer between information processing apparatuses via the network 100 and diagnoses connection status. Reference numeral 205 denotes a video RAM (VRAM), which is expanded to display an image indicating an operating state of an information processing apparatus, which will be described later, on the screen of the display device 206, and controls the display.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes a display device (hereinafter referred to as DSY) as display means such as a display. Reference numeral 207 denotes a controller (hereinafter referred to as KBC) for controlling an input signal from the external input device 208. Reference numeral 208 denotes an external input device as input means for accepting an operation performed by the user, and for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse is used.

  Reference numeral 209 denotes a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD), which is used for storing application programs and various data. The application program in the present embodiment is a software program (module) that executes various processing means in the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes an external input / output device (hereinafter referred to as IOD), which inputs / outputs a removable disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, etc. Used for etc.

  Reference numeral 213 denotes a recording medium (for example, a flexible disk (hereinafter referred to as RM) or an external hard disk) read by the IOD 210. The recording medium is not limited to a flexible disk, but is a removable data recording device such as an optical recording medium (for example, CD-ROM), a magneto-optical recording medium (for example, MO), and a semiconductor recording medium (for example, a memory card). (Removable media). Note that application programs and data stored in the HDD 209 can be stored in the IOD 210 and used.

  A printer controller 211 (hereinafter referred to as PRTC) controls an output signal to the printing apparatus 212. Reference numeral 212 denotes a printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as PRT), for example, LBP (Laser Beam Printer) or the like. Reference numeral 200 denotes a transmission bus (address bus, data bus, input / output bus, and control bus) for connecting the above-described units.

  The CPU 201 expands an application program or a part of the program read from the ROM 203, the HDD 209, or the IOD 210 in the RAM 202, and executes an operation described below.

  Information necessary for calculation by the CPU 201 is expanded from the ROM 203, HDD 209, IOD 210, or RAM 202 to the RAM 202 and transmitted to the CPU 201. The results calculated by the CPU 201 are written into the RAM 202, HDD 209, IOD 210, etc., if necessary. At the same time, the result of the calculation by the CPU 201 is displayed on the DSY 206 via the VRAM 205 when necessary.

  Transmission among the CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, NETIF 204, VRAM 205, KBC 207, HDD 209, and IOD 210 is performed through the transmission bus 200.

  The network 100 connecting the help setting PC 101 and the editing PC 103 and the server 102 is a general network system. In this embodiment, a LAN (Local Area Network) is used. It may be a network system.

  The editing service provider starts up the help setting PC 101 and connects to the server 102 using browsing means. Then, it requests the setting of help-related information for an operation related to layout editing and another operation estimated by the operation. The request itself is issued by the CPU 201 of the help setting PC 101 by issuing a predetermined request packet to the server 102 according to an instruction such as a button displayed on the UI screen of the browsing means by a predetermined protocol. Shall be done.

  In the system of the present embodiment, for each operation related to layout editing, another operation inferred therefrom and help information thereof are set, and the operation history of the editor's external input device 208 is recorded. Displays help information for analogy editing operations corresponding to the history. That is, according to the help display instruction, the help information is searched based on the history information of the operation contents of the external input device 208, and the search result is displayed. Hereinafter, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described more specifically and in detail.

  The CPU 201 of the server 102 displays a screen for newly setting an operation related to layout editing, a help character string, an external input operation (key operation), an elapsed time, an analogy operation, etc. to the editing service provider (FIG. 6). 7).

  Further, the CPU 201 of the server 102 can also search and correct the external input operation related information and the help related information corresponding to the type of operation. The external input operation related information is searched from the external input operation information table, and the help related information corresponding to the type of operation is searched from the help information table. The CPU 201 of the server 102 accepts the setting of the external input operation related information in response to the operation of the editing service provider. Then, the external input operation related information set by the editing service provider is stored in the external input operation information table. When the help related information setting is accepted, the CPU 201 of the server 102 stores the help related information set by the provider of the editing service in the help information table 400.

  When the editor desires a layout editing operation, the editing PC 103 is operated, and the CPU 201 of the editing PC 103 requests the server 102 to perform a layout editing operation using the browsing means. The request itself is made by the CPU 201 of the editing PC 103 issuing a predetermined request packet to the server 102 in accordance with a predetermined protocol in accordance with an instruction such as a button displayed on the UI screen of the browsing means. And

  The CPU 201 of the server 102 accepts a layout editing operation request from the editing PC 103.

  The CPU 201 of the server 102 transmits the result of the layout editing operation requested by the editor to the editing PC 103 and displays it on the UI screen of the browsing means. At the same time, information such as the operation user, operation date and time, external input operation, layout editing operation, and target content is stored in the operation history information table as operation history information.

  When the editor desires help display, the CPU 201 of the editing PC 103 requests the server 102 to display help using browsing means. The request itself is made by issuing a predetermined request packet to the server 102 in accordance with a predetermined protocol in accordance with an instruction such as a button displayed on the UI screen of the browsing means by the editing PC 103.

  The CPU 201 of the server 102 accepts a help display request from the editor.

  When receiving the request for help display, the CPU 201 of the server 102 retrieves the operation history related information of the editor from the operation history information table. When the operation history immediately before the editor is an operation for returning the editing screen to the previous state, the CPU 201 of the server 102 searches for a help character string of another desired operation inferred from the help information table. Then, the server 102 transmits the searched help character string to the editing PC 103 and displays it on the UI screen of the browsing means.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the format of the external input operation information table 300 (first table which is first storage means).

  3, the external input operation information table 300 stores an external input operation identifier 401 and an external input operation name 302 that uniquely specify an external input operation in association with each other.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the format of the help information table 400 (third table as third storage means).

  The help information table 400 associates an operation identifier 401 for uniquely identifying an operation related to layout editing, an operation name 402, a help character string 403 for performing an operation, and an external input operation identifier 406 for specifying input contents for the operation. Store. Further, an elapsed time 404 for determining whether or not to display the help character string of the analogy operation, an analogy operation identifier 405 that is inferred from the same external input operation, and the like are stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the format of the operation history information table 500 (second table as the second storage means).

  The operation history information table 500 includes an operation history identifier 501 for uniquely identifying operation history information, an operation user identifier 502 for uniquely identifying an editor who performed an operation, an operation date and time 503 for performing an operation, and an external input operation. The external input operation identifier 509 to be identified is stored in association with each other. Furthermore, an operation result identifier 504 that identifies the result of the layout editing operation, a source content identifier 505 that identifies the content that is the source of the layout editing operation, and a target content identifier 506 that identifies the content that is the target of the layout editing operation. Store in association. In addition, an analogy source operation identifier 507 for identifying the layout edit operation that is the source of the analogy when the help display of the analogized layout editing operation is displayed, an analogy operation identifier 508 for identifying the analogized operation, and the like are associated. Store.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a help setting screen displayed on the DSY 206 shown in FIG.

  The CPU 201 of the help setting PC 101 reads and activates the OS and Web browser application software program (browsing means) stored in the HDD 209 to access the server 102. Then, the display data of the help setting screen 600 is received from the server 102 and displayed on the browsing means window.

  When new help related information is set, the service provider operates the external input device 208 to select the operation ID 701 or the operation name 602.

  When newly setting the external input operation related information, the service provider operates the external input device 208 and presses the external input operation setting button 606 to instruct the start. The new setting of the external input operation related information will be described with reference to FIG.

  The service provider sets a help character string 603 and an external input operation ID 604 or external input operation name 605 that uniquely identifies the external input operation for performing the operation for the operation ID 701 or operation name 702 selected above. . In addition, an elapsed time (operation condition) 607 for determining whether or not to display the help character string of the analogy operation and an analogy operation list 610 that is analogized from the same external input operation are also set. Thereafter, when the service provider presses the help setting button 613, the help setting PC 101 transmits help related information to the server 102, and the server 102 helps the help related information set on the help setting screen 600 as one record. Store in the information table 400.

  When a record including the operation ID 601 or operation name 602 selected by the service provider is already stored in the help information table 400, the server 102 searches for the help related information and transmits it to the help setting PC 101. The help setting PC 101 displays the existing help related information in the browsing means window, and the service provider can also correct the searched help related information.

  As a result, the help related information is stored in the help information table of the HDD 209 of the server 102. When the cancel button 714 is pressed by the service provider on the help setting screen 600, the help setting PC 101 discards the help related information set on the help setting screen 600 without transmitting it to the server 102. .

  When adding a new analogy operation to the analogy operation list 610, the service provider selects an operation ID 608 or an operation name 609 and presses an add button 611 to set it. When deleting an already set analogy operation from the analogy operation list 610, an operation ID 608 or an operation name 609 to be deleted is selected, and a delete button 612 is pressed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the external input operation setting screen 700 displayed on the DSY 206 shown in FIG.

  Specifically, it is displayed when the service provider presses the external input operation setting button 606 on the help setting PC 101. Similarly to the help setting screen 600, the external input operation setting screen 700 is also displayed on the window of the browsing means of the help setting PC 101 by the server 102.

  When the service provider newly sets the external input operation related information, after setting the external input operation ID 701 and the external input operation 702, the setting button 704 is pressed. Then, the help setting PC 101 transmits external input operation related information to the server 102. Then, the server 102 stores the external input operation related information as one record in the external input operation information table 300.

  If a record including the external input operation ID or the external input operation name selected by the service provider has already been stored in the external input operation information table 300, the server 102 searches the external input operation related information for help. Send to the setting PC 101. The help setting PC 101 displays the existing input operation related information in the browsing means window, and the service provider can also correct the external input operation related information.

  Thereby, the external input operation related information is stored in the external input operation information table 300 of the HDD 209 of the server 102. When the service provider presses the cancel button 705 on the external input operation setting screen 700, the help setting PC 101 discards the set external input operation related information without transmitting it to the server 102.

  When the external input operation setting screen 700 is called by pressing the external input operation setting button 606 on the help setting screen 600, resetting and display are performed as follows. That is, the external input operation related information newly set in the external input operation ID 604 and the external input operation name 605 is displayed.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of an editing screen 800 displayed on the DSY 206 of the editing PC 103 shown in FIG.

  The server 102 is accessed using the OS and browsing means stored in the HDD 209 of the editing PC 103, and the display data of the editing screen 800 is received from the server 102 and displayed on the window of the browsing means. In FIG. 8, an image 807 is arranged and displayed on the spread page of the electronic book. In addition to images, content such as text and graphics can be arranged and displayed on the page. In FIG. 8, only one image 807 is arranged on the page. However, a plurality of images may be arranged, or not only images but also text and graphics may be arranged on the page. An image list is displayed in an area outside the page, and an image selected from the image list can be inserted into the page. Alternatively, the image selected from the image list and the image arranged on the page can be exchanged. Further, when a plurality of images are arranged on the page, the arranged images can be exchanged. It is also possible to delete images arranged on the page. Therefore, after an image is inserted into a page and arranged, if the editor does not like the layout result, the image can be deleted from the page. The image is arranged at a location according to the layout designated from the layout list, and the layout can be changed according to the designation by the editor.

  When the editor presses the help button 901, the CPU 201 of the server 102 searches the operation history information table 500 for the editor's operation history related information stored in the HDD 209. Then, based on the retrieved operation history related information, if the previous operation content by the editor is an operation (undo operation) that cancels the previous operation and returns it to the original state, it is inferred from the help information table 400. A help character string for another operation is retrieved and transmitted to the editing PC 103.

  Then, the CPU 201 of the editing PC 103 displays a panel 804 including the searched help character string on the editing screen 800 in an overlapping manner. As a display method of the panel 804 including the help character string, for example, there is a method in which the panel 804 is translucently processed and displayed on the editing screen 800.

  Further, while the panel 804 is being displayed, the editor presses a button other than the help button 801, specifically, an end button 805 for instructing the end of layout editing, and an operation cancel button 806 for instructing to cancel the previous operation. I can't. Also, a layout change operation in the layout change area 802 and a drag and drop operation for selecting an image from the image tray 803 cannot be executed. In this case, buttons and areas that cannot be operated are grayed out and displayed in an identifiable manner for the editor.

  Hereinafter, help related information setting processing will be described in order using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and help display processing on the editing screen will be described in order using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing in which the server 102 communicates with the help setting PC 101 and stores help information in the help information table 500. The following processing is executed by the CPU 201 of the server 102 according to the OS and a predetermined control program stored in the HDD 209. Further, the CPU 201 of the help setting PC 101 activates browsing means, connects to the server 102, and transmits and receives various data. Further, the server 102 transmits display data of the help setting screen 600 to the help setting PC 101, and the help setting PC 101 displays the help setting screen 600 in a window of the browsing means. The service provider browses the help setting screen 600, uses the external input device 208 of the help setting PC 101, performs a pressing operation on a button or the like displayed on the help setting screen 600, and inputs an instruction. . The help setting PC 101 transmits data indicating the input contents to the server 102 in response to the operation of the external input device 208 by the service provider.

  First, the server 102 determines whether data indicating that a specific operation has been designated has been received from the help setting PC 101 (S901). Specifically, the service provider inputs the operation ID 601 or the operation name 602 on the help setting screen 600, and determines whether or not the content input from the help setting PC 101 is received.

  As a result, if it is not specified (NO in S901), the process returns to step S901. On the other hand, if it is determined that the help information is specified (YES in S901), it is determined whether the help information associated with the specified operation is in the help information table 400 (S902).

  As a result, when there is no help information (NO in S902), the process proceeds to step S904. On the other hand, if there is help information (YES in S902), the help information associated with the designated operation is read from the help information table 400 and transmitted to the help setting PC 101 (S903). That is, the help setting PC 101 displays the help setting screen 600 in the browsing means window, and displays existing help information in the help character string 603.

In step S <b> 904, the server 102 determines whether data indicating that a specific external input operation is designated is received from the help setting PC 101.
If the external input operation is not designated (NO in S904), it is determined in step S905 whether or not the external input operation setting button 606 has been pressed to instruct setting of the external input operation information. As a result, when the setting of the external input operation related information is not instructed (NO in S905), the process returns to step S904. On the other hand, when the setting of the external input operation related information is instructed (YES in S905), the external input operation related information setting process shown in FIG. 10 described later is performed in step S906.

  On the other hand, when an external input operation is designated (YES in S904), in step S907, the server 102 determines whether or not a specific analogy operation corresponding to the operation identified by the operation ID 601 or the operation name 702 is designated. . Specifically, whether the service provider inputs the operation ID 608 or operation name 609 of the analogy operation on the help setting screen 600, the add button 611 is pressed, and whether or not the content input from the help setting PC 101 is received. to decide. As a result, if it is not specified (NO in S907), the process returns to step S907.

  On the other hand, if specified (YES in S907), in step S908, the server 102 determines whether data indicating that the help setting button 613 has been pressed has been received from the help setting PC 101.

  When the help setting button 613 is pressed (Yes in S908), the help information input on the help setting screen 600 is received from the help setting PC 101, stored as a record in the help information table 400 (S909), and the processing Exit. Specifically, the operation ID 601, operation name 602, help character string 603, external input operation ID 604, elapsed time 607, and analogy operation ID 608 are stored in the help information table 400 in association with each other.

  On the other hand, when the help setting button 613 is not pressed (No in S908), for example, when the cancel button 614 is pressed, the help information input on the help setting screen 600 is not received from the help setting PC 101, and the processing is performed. Exit.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the server 102 executes the external input operation related information setting process.

  This process is started in the following case. One is a case where the help setting PC 101 displays the help setting screen 600 on the browsing means, the external input operation setting button 606 is pressed, and the server 102 receives that effect. The other case is when the help setting PC 101 requests the server 102 to set the external input operation related information.

  First, the server 102 reads the set external input operation information from the external input operation information table 300 stored in the HDD 209 and transmits it to the help setting PC 101 (S1001). That is, the help setting PC 101 displays the external input operation setting screen 700 in accordance with the display data received from the server 102 and displays a set of external input operation related information list 703 that has been set.

  In step S <b> 1002, the server 102 determines whether data indicating that a specific external input operation is designated is received from the help setting PC 101. Specifically, the service provider inputs the external input operation ID 701 or the external input operation 702 on the external input operation setting screen 700, and determines whether or not the content input from the help setting PC 101 is received. As a result, if it is not specified (NO in S1002), the process returns to step S1002. On the other hand, if specified (YES in S1002), the server 102 determines whether or not the setting button 804 has been pressed in step S1003 to instruct setting of external input operation related information.

  When the setting button 704 is pressed (Yes in S1003), the server 102 receives the external input operation information from the help setting PC 101, stores it in the external input operation information table 300 (S1004), and ends this processing. Specifically, the external input operation ID 701 and the external input operation 702 are stored as records in the external input operation information table 300.

  On the other hand, if the setting button 704 is not pressed (No in S1003), for example, if the cancel button 705 is pressed, the server 102 ends this processing without receiving external input operation information from the help setting PC 101.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a series of processing from when the server 102 receives a help display instruction on the screen displayed on the browsing means of the editing PC 103 until the help character string is displayed. That is, the server 102 receives the help display instruction, searches the operation history information table 500 for the operation history related information of the editor, and the operation history immediately before the editor cancels the previous operation and restores the original operation history. It is determined whether the operation returns to the state. And it is a flowchart of a process until it searches for the help character string of another operation estimated by the help information table 400, and displays it.

  First, the CPU 201 of the server 102 determines whether or not a help display has been instructed by the browsing means of the editing PC 103 (S1101).

  As a result, if not instructed (NO in S1101), other instructed work is performed (S1102), and the process returns to step S1101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has been instructed (YES in S1101), the operation history related information of the editor is retrieved from the operation history information table 500 using the operation user identifier 502 that can uniquely identify the editor as a key. . Thereby, the operation history related information of the editor is acquired (S1103). The operation user identifier 502 is transmitted in advance in login authentication or the like when the editing PC 103 connects to the server 102.

  As a result, it is determined in step S1104 based on the obtained operation history related information of the editor whether or not the previous operation history is an analogized help display. Whether the help display is analogized or not is determined based on whether or not the operation result identifier 504 of the previous operation history is a help display and whether the analogy source operation identifier 507 and the analogy operation identifier 508 are set. be able to.

  If it is determined in step S1104 that the previous operation is not an analogy help display (NO), the previous operation content is determined in step S1105, and it is determined in step S1106 whether the UNDO operation flag is TRUE. As a result, if it is determined that the UNDO operation flag is TRUE (YES), or if it is determined in step S1104 that the previous operation is an analogy display of help (YES), then in step S1107 Get help related information by analogy. The determination of the operation immediately before step S1105 will be described using a flowchart shown in FIG. 12 described later, and the help-related information acquisition process estimated in step S1107 will be described using a flowchart shown in FIG. 13 described later.

  If it is determined in step S1106 that the UNDO operation flag is not TRUE (NO), general help-related information is acquired in step S1108.

  In step S1109, the help-related information estimated in step S1107 or the help character string 403 of the general help-related information obtained in step S1108 is displayed.

  After displaying the help character string 403 in step S1109, the process returns to step S1101.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the process executed in step S1105 of FIG.

  First, the CPU 201 of the server 102 sets FALSE to the UNDO operation flag (S1201). Then, based on the editor's operation history related information acquired in step S1103, in step S1202, the operation result identifier 504 of the immediately preceding operation history is substituted into the variable O1, and the immediately preceding operation date and time 503 is substituted into the variable T1. Next, in step S1203, the operation result identifier 504 of the operation history before the previous operation history is substituted for the variable O2, and the operation date and time 603 of the previous operation history is substituted for the variable T2, and the elapsed time (variable T) is set in step S1204. ) Is substituted with the result of subtracting the variable T1 from the variable T2.

  Next, it is determined whether the variable O1 is an UNDO operation (UNDO instruction), that is, an operation for canceling the immediately preceding operation (S1205). If it is determined that the variable O1 is an UNDO operation (YES), TRUE is set in the UNDO operation flag in step S1213, and the immediately previous operation determination process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1205 that the variable O1 is not an UNDO operation (NO), it is determined whether the variable O1 is an image replacement operation (S1206). If it is determined that the variable O1 is not an image replacement operation (NO in S1206), step S1209 is executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the variable O1 is an image replacement operation (YES in S1206), whether or not the variable O1 and the variable O2 have the same operation result identifier 504, that is, the image replacement operation continuously. It is determined whether or not the operation has been performed (S1207). If it is determined that the variable O1 and the variable O2 do not have the same operation result, that is, the image replacement process is not continuously performed (NO), the UNDO operation flag is set to FALSE. The determination process for the previous operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1207 that the variable O1 and the variable O2 are the same operation result identifier 504 (YES), the source content identifier 505 and the target content identifier 506 are reversed between the variable O1 and the variable O2. It is determined whether or not (S1208). That is, when the image replacement operation is continuously performed, it is determined whether or not the images replaced with each other are restored. When it is determined that the source content identifier 505 and the target content identifier 506 are not reversed in the variables O1 and O2, that is, it is determined that the replaced image has not been restored (NO in S1208), the UNDO operation flag has a value of FALSE. In the state where is set, the determination process of the previous operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the source content identifier 505 and the target content identifier 506 are reversed in the variables O1 and O2, that is, it is determined that the replaced image is restored (YES in S1208), UNDO is performed in step S1213. The operation flag is set to TRUE and the immediately preceding operation determination process is terminated.

  In step S1209, it is determined whether the variable O1 is an image insertion operation or an image deletion operation. If it is determined that the variable O1 is an image insertion operation or an image deletion operation (YES in S1209), step S1212 is executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the variable O1 is not an image insertion operation or an image deletion operation (NO in S1209), it is determined whether the variable O1 is a transition operation (transition instruction) on the editing screen (editing processing screen). (S1210). If it is determined that the variable O1 is not a transition operation on the editing screen (NO in S1210), the determination process for the immediately preceding operation is terminated with FALSE set in the UNDO operation flag.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the variable O1 is an editing screen transition operation (YES in S1210), whether or not the screen transitions of the variable O1 and the variable O2 are in opposite directions, that is, the screen transition is returned to the original state. It is determined whether it is present (S1211). When it is determined that the screen transitions of the variable O1 and the variable O2 are not reversed, that is, the screen transition is not restored (NO in S1211), the UNDO operation flag is set to FALSE immediately before. The determination process for the operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the screen transitions of the variable O1 and the variable O2 are reversed, that is, the screen transition is restored (YES in S1211), TRUE is set in the UNDO operation flag in step S1213. To finish the previous operation determination process.

  In step S1212, it is determined whether or not the variable O1 is an operation for canceling the variable O2. For example, if the variable O2 is an image insertion operation, whether the variable O1 is an image deletion operation, or if the variable O2 is an image deletion operation, the variable O1 is an image insertion operation. Judging by whether or not. If it is determined that the variable O1 is not an operation for canceling the variable O2 (NO in S1212), the determination process for the immediately preceding operation is terminated in a state where FALSE is set in the UNDO operation flag.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the variable O1 is an operation to cancel the variable O2 (YES in S1212), TRUE is set in the UNDO operation flag in step S1213, and the determination process of the immediately preceding operation is terminated.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the process for obtaining the estimated help-related information executed in step S1107 of FIG.

  First, the operation history related information immediately before the editor acquired in step S1103 is acquired (S1301). From the obtained operation history related information immediately before, it is determined in step S1302 whether or not the immediately preceding operation history is an estimated help display. Whether or not the help display is analogized is determined under the same conditions as in step S1104. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not the operation result identifier 504 of the immediately preceding operation history is a help display, and whether or not values are set in the analogy source operation identifier 507 and the analogy operation identifier 508. If it is determined that the immediately preceding operation was an analogy help display (YES in S1302), step S1404 is executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the last operation was not an analogy help display (NO in S1302), the process proceeds to step S1303. In this case, the help information table 400 is searched for a record including the same operation identifier 401 as the operation result identifier 504 of the previous operation history. Then, it is determined by comparison whether or not the elapsed time (variable T) between operations detected in step S1204 is shorter than the predetermined elapsed time 404 set in the retrieved record of the help information table 400 (S1303). .

  If it is determined that the elapsed time (variable T) acquired in step S1204 is longer than the elapsed time 404 set in the help-related information (No in S1303), the process proceeds to step S1308. That is, if it is determined that the operation is a desired operation after deciding whether to perform the operation, general help related information is acquired from the help information table 400 in step S1308, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the elapsed time (variable T) acquired in step S1204 is shorter than the elapsed time 404 set in the help-related information (Yes in S1303), the process proceeds to step S1304. That is, when it is determined that the operation result has not been canceled and the operation has been canceled and returned to the original state, step S1304 is executed.

  In step S1304, if it is determined in step S1302 that the immediately preceding operation is an analogy help display, a record including the same operation identifier 401 as the analogy source operation identifier 507 of the immediately preceding operation history related information is stored in the help information table 500. Search for. Then, it is determined whether there is an analogy operation identifier 405 in the retrieved record of the help information table 400. Alternatively, in step S1303, it is determined that the elapsed time T acquired in step S1204 is shorter than the elapsed time 404 set in the record of the help information table 400 corresponding to the operation result identifier 504 of the previous operation history related information. In the case, it is determined whether or not there is an analogy operation identifier 405 in the record. That is, when it is determined that the operation is returned to the original state because the intended operation result is not obtained, it is determined whether there is an analogy operation identifier 405 set in the help related information acquired in step S1303. .

  If it is determined that there is an analogy operation identifier 405 (YES in S1304), in step S1306, the analog information related to help is searched from the help information table 400, and the process of acquiring the analog information related to analogy is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no analogy operation identifier 405 (NO in S1304), the following processing is performed. That is, in step S1404, the operation identifier 401 of the help information table 400 is acquired using the external input operation identifier 406 set in the acquired help related information as a key. Then, it is determined whether or not there is an operation for which the help character string has not been displayed yet in the operation history related information of the editor acquired in step S1203 (S1305).

  If it is determined that there is no operation for which the help character string is not yet displayed in the operation history related information of the editor (NO in S1305), general help related information is searched from the help information table 400 in step S1308. Thereafter, the process for acquiring the estimated help related information is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an operation for which the help character string has not yet been displayed in the operation history related information of the editor (YES in S1305), the corresponding help related information not displayed is displayed in the help information table in step S1307. Search from 400. Thereafter, the process for acquiring the estimated help related information is terminated.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, when the editor instructs the help display, an appropriate help display can be performed based on the operation history of the user. That is, when the user's previous instruction operation is an operation to return the editing screen to the previous state, it is possible to display help from help related information of another operation that is set for the operation. Become.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, the help information is searched based on the history of the user's layout editing operation. In this embodiment, a layout editing system for displaying the help information in an appropriate position with an appropriate content is provided. To do. In this embodiment, in order to set an appropriate display position, display control information including the number of images displayed in the layout, an area in the layout (information processing area), control information on the position, and the like is set. The setting information is searched according to the type, and the display position is determined by calculation.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a module configuration according to this embodiment in the information processing system shown in FIG. Further, since the configuration of the information processing system and the configuration of the server and the client computer constituting the system are as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, description thereof is omitted here.

  In the figure, the editing service provider who wants to set help related information uses the browsing means of the help setting PC 101 and the help related information according to the number of images and figures displayed on the help setting module 1432 of the server 102. Request setting of. The request itself is made by issuing a predetermined request packet to the server 102 according to a predetermined protocol in accordance with an instruction by a button or the like displayed on the UI screen by the browsing means.

  A screen control unit 1433 of the help setting module 1432 of the server 102 newly sets a layout name, an area name in the layout, the number of display images, help display position fixing information, a help character string, and the like for the editing service provider. Is displayed.

  Alternatively, the help related information setting processing unit 1434 of the help setting module 1432 can select and correct the information retrieved from the layout information table 1503 of the layout related information storage device 1402. It is also possible to select and correct help related information corresponding to the layout and the number of display images from the help information table 1443 of the help related information storage device 1442 and correct it.

  The help related information setting processing unit 1434 of the help setting module 1432 accepts the setting of help related information. Then, the help related information set by the service provider in the screen control unit 1433 of the help setting module 1432 is stored in the help information table 1443 (help saving means) of the help related information storage device 1442.

  A layout editor who desires help display on the editing PC 103 requests the layout editing module 1435 of the server 102 to display help using browsing means capable of browsing the Internet. The request itself is made by issuing a predetermined request packet to the server 102 in accordance with a predetermined protocol in accordance with an instruction such as a button displayed on the UI screen by the browsing means.

  The screen control unit 1536 of the layout editing module 1535 of the server 102 receives a help display request from the layout editor.

  The help display processing unit 1437 of the layout editing module 1435 acquires the layout adopted by the layout editor and the number of displayed images and figures. The help related information search processing unit 1438 searches the layout information table 1403 of the layout related information storage device 1402 for layout related information adopted by the layout editor. Also, help related information corresponding to the number of images and graphics displayed by the layout editor is searched from the help information table 1443 of the help related information storage device 1442, and a help display position calculation processing unit is searched from the searched help related information. 1401 calculates a position for help display.

  The screen control unit 1436 of the layout editing module 1435 performs a translucent process on the layout editing screen and overlays the searched help character string on the position calculated by the help display position calculation processing unit 1401.

  15 and 16 are diagrams showing an example of the format of the layout related information storage device 1402 of the server 102 shown in FIG. The examples shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are examples of the format of the layout information table 1403 of the layout related information storage device 1402.

  In FIG. 15, a layout related information table 1500 includes a layout identifier 1501 for specifying a layout, a layout name 1502 and the like.

  16 includes a layout identifier 1501 for specifying a layout, a layout area identifier 1601 for specifying a layout area, a layout area name 1602, a lower left (X, Y) coordinate 1603, an upper right (X , Y) have coordinates 1604 and the like.

  16 may be a part of the format of the help information table 1443 of the help related information storage device 1442 of the server 102 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the help related information storage device 1442 of the server 102 shown in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 17 is an example of the format of the help information table 1443 of the help related information storage device 1442.

  The help related information table 1700 in FIG. 17 includes a help identifier 1701 for identifying help, a layout identifier 1501 for specifying a layout, an in-layout area identifier 1601 for specifying an in-layout area, and a display image number 1702. Furthermore, it has a help display position fixing flag 1703 for determining whether or not to fix the help display position, a help display position 1704 for fixing the help display position, a help character string 1705, and the like.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the help related information setting screen displayed on the DSY 206 shown in FIG. 2, and the help setting PC 101 is executed by the screen control unit 1433 of the help setting module 1432 of the server 102 shown in FIG. Displayed on the DSY 206.

  Specifically, it is displayed when the editing service provider requests the help setting of the help related information to the server 102 using the browsing means capable of browsing the Internet on the help setting PC 101.

  In FIG. 18, the help related information setting screen 1800 displays a help related information setting list 1807 in which help related information is set by the screen control unit 1433 of the help setting module 1432 under the control of the CPU 201.

  When the editing service provider newly sets help-related information, the layout name 1801 and layout area name 1802 for setting help-related information are selected.

  When newly setting layout related information, a “layout related information setting” button 1803 is pressed. The layout related information setting will be described later with reference to FIG.

  For the area in the layout selected above, the number of display images 1804, a help display position fixing check button 1805 for determining whether to fix the help display position, a help display position 1806 for fixing the help display position, A help character string 1808 to be displayed on the screen is set. Thereafter, a “help setting” button 1809 is pressed to pass the help related information set on the screen to the help related information setting processing unit 1434 of the help setting module 1432.

  Further, the help related information setting processing unit 1434 of the help setting module 1432 can select and correct the help related information retrieved from the help information table 1443 of the help related information storage device 1442. When a “help setting” button 1809 is pressed, the help related information set on the screen is transferred to the help related information setting processing unit 1434 of the help setting module 1432.

  As a result, the help related information is registered in the help information table 1443 of the help related information storage device 1442. When a “cancel” button 1810 is pressed on the help related information setting screen 1800 shown in FIG. 18, the help related information set on the screen is discarded.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a layout related information setting screen displayed on the DSY 206 shown in FIG. This screen is displayed on the DSY 206 of the help setting PC 101 by the screen control unit 1433 of the help setting module 1432 of the server 102 shown in FIG.

  Specifically, it is displayed when the service provider is setting help-related information using browsing means that can browse the Internet on the help setting PC 101. That is, when the “layout related information setting” button 1803 on the help setting screen 1800 displayed by the server 102 is pressed, the screen control unit 1433 of the help setting module 1432 is called up and displayed.

  This message is also displayed when the service provider requests the server 102 to set layout related information using browsing means that can browse the Internet on the help setting PC 101.

  In FIG. 20, the layout related information setting screen 1900 displays a layout related information setting list 1904 in which layout related information is set by the screen control unit 1433 of the help setting module 1432 under the control of the CPU 201.

  When the service provider newly sets layout-related information, a layout name 1901, an in-layout area name 1902, a lower left (X, Y) coordinate and an upper right (X, Y) coordinate 1903 for specifying the in-layout area are set. . When a “set” button 1905 is pressed after setting, the layout related information set on the screen is transferred to the help related information setting processing unit 1434 of the help setting module 1432.

  Further, the help related information setting processing unit 1434 of the help setting module 1432 can also select and correct the layout related information retrieved from the layout information table 1403 of the layout related information storage device 1402. When a “set” button 1905 is pressed, the layout related information set on the screen is transferred to the help related information setting processing unit 1434 of the help setting module 1432.

  As a result, the layout related information is registered in the layout information table 1403 of the layout related information storage device 1402. When a “cancel” button 1906 on the layout related information setting screen 1900 shown in FIG. 19 is pressed, the layout related information set on the screen is discarded.

  If the “layout related information setting” button 1803 is pressed and called by the screen control unit 1433 of the help setting module 1432, the layout related information newly set in the layout name 1801 and the layout area name 1802. Add and set. Then, a help related information setting screen 1800 is displayed based on the control of the CPU 201.

The in-layout area related information may be registered in the help information table 1443 of the help related information storage device 1442 as a part of the help related information.
Also in this embodiment, the edit screen 800 is displayed by the screen control unit 1436 of the layout edit module 1435 as shown in FIG. When the layout editor presses a help button 801 on the screen, the layout adopted by the layout editor and the number of displayed images and figures are acquired and passed to the help display processing unit 1437 of the layout editing module 1435.

  Then, the help related information search processing unit 1438 of the help display processing unit 1437 searches the layout information table 1403 of the layout related information storage device 1402 for layout related information adopted by the layout editor. Also, help related information corresponding to the number of images and graphics displayed by the layout editor is searched from the help information table 1443 of the help related information storage device 1442, and help display position calculation processing is performed from the searched help related information. The position where the help display is performed by the unit 1401 is calculated.

  The screen control unit 1436 of the layout editing module 1435 performs translucent processing on the editing screen 800 and overlays the searched panel 804 on the display position calculated by the help display position calculation processing unit 1401 in the page layout editing area. indicate.

  Hereinafter, help related information setting processing will be described in order using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, and help display processing on the layout editing screen will be described in order using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart of processing executed when the server 102 receives an instruction to set the help related information table 1700 on the screen displayed on the browsing means of the help setting PC 101. By this processing, the set help related information is stored in the help information table 1443. That is, the server 102 receives an instruction for setting help related information. And it is a flowchart of the processing until the help related information set by the service provider is stored in the help information table 1443 as a record of the help related information table 1700.

  First, it is determined whether or not setting of help related information is instructed by the browsing means of the help setting PC 101 (S2001). This determination is made by the help setting module 1432 which is a program that is read from the ROM 203 of the server 102 into the RAM 202 and can be used.

  As a result, if no instruction is given (NO), the help related information setting process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2001 that the instruction is given (YES), the set help related information is displayed (S2002). That is, a help setting screen 1800 is displayed on the browsing means of the help setting PC 101, and a help related information setting list 1807 in which help related information is set is displayed.

  After the display in step S2002, it is determined in step S2003 whether the in-layout area 1802 has been designated. As a result, if it is not designated (NO), it is determined in step S2004 whether or not the “layout related information setting” button 1803 has been pressed to instruct setting of layout related information. If the setting of layout related information is not instructed (NO), the process returns to step S2003. On the other hand, if the setting of layout related information is instructed in step S2004 (YES), layout related information setting processing is performed in step S2005. The layout related information setting process in step S2005 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the in-layout area 1802 is designated in step S2003 (YES), the help related information associated with the designated in-layout area 1802 is displayed in step S2006 (S2006). That is, a help setting screen 1800 is displayed on the browsing means of the help setting PC 101, and a help related information setting list 1907 and a help character string 1808 in which help related information is set are displayed.

  After the display in step S2006, it is determined in step S2007 whether help-related information has been input. As a result, if it is not input (NO), the process returns to step S2007.

  On the other hand, if help related information is input in step S2007 (YES), it is determined in step S2008 whether the “help setting” button 1809 or the “cancel” button 1810 has been pressed.

  If the “help setting” button 1809 is pressed in step S2008, the setting information is stored (S2009), and this process ends. That is, the input number of display images 1804, the designated help display position fixing check button 1805, the help display position 1806 when the help display position is fixed, and the help character string 1808 displayed on the screen are displayed in the help related information table 1700. Is stored in the help information table 1443. At the same time, the help identifier 1701, the layout identifier 1401, and the in-layout area identifier 1501 are also stored in the help information table 1443 as records of the help related information table 1700.

  On the other hand, when the “cancel” button 1810 is pressed in step S2008, the setting processing of help related information is ended without storing the setting information.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart of processing executed when the server 102 receives an instruction to set the layout related information table 1600 on the screen displayed on the browsing means of the help setting PC 101. By this processing, the set layout related information table 1600 is stored in the layout information table 1403. That is, the server 102 receives an instruction to set layout related information. The layout related information set by the service provider is stored in the layout information table 1403 as a record of the in-layout area related information table 1600.

  This processing is executed when the service provider presses the “layout related information setting” button 1803 during the setting of help related information on the help setting screen 1800 displayed on the server by using the browsing means on the help setting PC. . It is also executed when the service provider requests the server 102 to set layout related information using browsing means that can browse the Internet on the help setting PC 101.

  First, the set layout related information is displayed (S2101). That is, the layout related information setting screen 1900 is displayed on the browsing means of the help setting PC 101, and the layout related information setting list 1904 in which the layout related information is set is displayed.

  In step S2102, it is determined whether a layout name 1901 has been designated. As a result, if not specified (NO), the process returns to step S2102. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2102 that it has been designated (YES), it is determined whether layout-related information has been input (S2103).

  If it is not determined in step S2103 that layout related information has been input (NO), the process returns to step S2103. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2103 (YES), it is determined in step S2104 whether the “set” button 1905 or the “cancel” button 1906 has been pressed.

  As a result, if the “setting” button 1905 is pressed in step S2104, the setting information is stored (S2105), and this process is terminated. Specifically, the input layout area name 1902 and the lower left and upper right coordinates 1903 for specifying the layout area are stored in the layout information table 1403 as the layout related information table 1600 together with the layout identifier 1501 and the layout area identifier 1601. .

  On the other hand, when the “cancel” button 1906 is pressed in step S2104, the setting processing of layout related information is ended without storing the setting information.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart of processing (display control) from when the server 102 receives a help display instruction on the screen displayed on the browsing means of the editing PC 103 until the help character string is displayed. That is, the server 102 receives a help display instruction. Then, help related information corresponding to the layout adopted by the layout editor and the number of displayed images and figures is searched from the help related information table 1700, and the help is displayed at the help display position calculated from the searched help related information. It is a flowchart of a process until it displays a character string.

  First, it is determined whether or not help display is instructed by the browsing means of the editing PC 103 (S2201). This determination is performed by the layout editing module 1435 which is a program that is read from the ROM 203 of the server 102 into the RAM 202 and can be used.

  As a result, if not instructed (NO), other instructed work is executed (S2202), and the process returns to step S2201. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2201 (YES), the layout identifier 1501 of the currently adopted layout is searched from the layout related information table 1500 stored in the layout information table 1403 (S2203). Then, the number of images and figures currently displayed in the layout is acquired (S2204).

  The help related information table 1700 stored in the help information table 1443 is searched for help related information that has the same layout identifier 1501 obtained in step S2203 and that satisfies the condition of the number of display images 1702 obtained in step S2204. (S2205).

  From the help related information obtained as a result, help display position calculation processing is performed in step S2206. The help display position calculation process in step S2206 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  The help character string 1705 of the help related information obtained in step S2205 is displayed at the help display position obtained in step S2206 (S2207).

  After displaying the help character string 1705 in step S2207, it is determined in step S2208 whether there is help to be displayed next. This determination is performed by the help display processing unit 1437 of the layout editing module 1435 which is a program that can be used by being read from the ROM 203 of the server 102 into the RAM 202.

  If there is no help to be displayed next in step S2208 (NO), the process returns to step S2201. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2208 that there is help to be displayed next (YES), in step S2209, help related information to be displayed next is acquired from the help related information obtained in step S2205.

  Returning to step S2206 from the help related information obtained as a result, help display position calculation processing is performed.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a series of processing from when the server 102 receives a help display position calculation instruction on the screen displayed on the browsing means of the editing PC 103 to when the help display position is calculated. That is, the server 102 receives an instruction for help display position calculation processing. Then, when the help display position is not fixed, a flowchart of processing until the coordinates of the left end, the right end, the upper end, the lower end, and the center of the image or figure area (layout area) displayed by the layout editor are calculated. It is.

This process is started when a help display position calculation instruction is received from the server 102 in the layout editing process.
First, it is determined whether or not to fix the help display position from the help display position fixing flag 1703 of the help related information (S2301). This determination is made by the help display position calculation unit 1401 of the help display processing unit 1437 of the layout editing module 1435, which is a program that can be used by being read from the ROM 203 of the server 102 into the RAM 202.

  As a result, when the help display position is fixed, the help display position is acquired from the help display position 1704 of the help related information (S2302), and this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2301 that the help display position is not fixed, a series of processing from step S2304 to step S2312 is executed, and the left and right edges of the image and graphic areas displayed by the layout editor are displayed. Calculate the coordinates of the top and bottom edges.

  Hereinafter, a series of processes for calculating the left end coordinate of the displayed image or figure area will be described.

In step S2303, the number of display images 1702 obtained in step S2204 is substituted into the variable N.
In step S2304, 1 is substituted into variable I for initialization.
In step S2305, the X coordinate of the right end of the area in the layout is substituted for the variable L.

  It is determined whether the variable I is smaller than or equal to the variable N (S2306). If the variable I is larger than the value of the variable N (NO), the X coordinate assigned to the variable L in step S2311 is set as the X coordinate of the left end of the displayed image or figure area. Next, the process returns to step S2304 according to the determination in step S2312, and the same processing is executed to sequentially obtain the coordinates of the right end, the upper end, and the lower end.

  If it is determined in step S2306 that the variable I is smaller than or equal to the variable N (YES), the left end of the I-th display image (or figure) is displayed in the array variable L (I) in step S2307. The X coordinate of is substituted. In step S2308, it is determined whether the X coordinate assigned to the array variable L (I) is smaller than or equal to the X coordinate assigned to the variable L. When the X coordinate assigned to the variable L is larger than the value of the X coordinate assigned to the array variable L (I) (NO), the variable I is updated by 1 in step S2310 and steps S2306 to S2310 are performed. Repeat the process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2308 that the X coordinate assigned to the array variable L (I) is smaller than or equal to the X coordinate assigned to the variable L, in step S2309 the array variable L The X coordinate assigned to (I) is assigned to the variable L.

  In step S2310, the value obtained by adding 1 to variable I is substituted for variable I, and the process returns to step S2306. If the left end coordinate is obtained in step S2311, the process returns to step S2304 based on the determination in step S2312, and the same processing is repeated to sequentially obtain the right end, upper end, and lower end coordinates.

  That is, in step S2305, the X coordinate of the left end of the area in the layout is substituted for variable L, and in step S2307, the X coordinate of the right end of the I-th display image (or figure) is substituted for array variable L (I). A series of processing from S2306 to step S2311 is executed. As a result, the coordinates of the right end of the displayed image or figure area are obtained. In step S2305, the Y coordinate of the lower end of the area in the layout is substituted for variable L. In step S2307, the Y coordinate of the upper end of the I-th display image (or figure) is substituted for array variable L (I). A series of processing from S2304 to step S2311 is executed. Thus, the coordinates of the upper end of the displayed image or figure area are obtained. Further, in step S2305, the Y coordinate of the upper end of the area in the layout is substituted for variable L, and in step S2307, the Y coordinate of the lower end of the I-th display image (or figure) is substituted for array variable L (I). A series of processing from S2304 to step S2311 is executed. Thus, the coordinates of the lower end of the displayed image or figure area are obtained.

  If it is determined in step S2312 that the coordinates of the left, right, top, and bottom edges have been obtained, the center of the image or graphic area displayed in step S2313 is calculated. That is, the value obtained by dividing the value obtained by subtracting the X coordinate at the left end from the X coordinate at the right end and dividing the value by adding the X coordinate at the left end to the value obtained by dividing the value by 2 The value obtained by adding the Y coordinate of the lower end to the value divided by 2 is calculated as the center Y coordinate, and the help display position calculation process is terminated.

  The method for calculating the display position of the help information is not limited to the present embodiment, and the display position may be changed as appropriate in consideration of, for example, the amount of help information.

  In addition, the present embodiment can also be applied to the display processing when there is an instruction to display help information in the first embodiment. In this case, the help information to be displayed can be determined according to the configuration of the first embodiment, and the display position can be determined according to the configuration of this embodiment according to the layout information being edited.

  According to the second embodiment described above, it is possible to display help information related to the layout being edited at an appropriate position determined according to the layout configuration, and information editing that is convenient for the operator. A system can be provided.

  In addition, the objective of this invention is achieved by performing the following processes. That is, a storage medium storing a program code for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a program code (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. Is a process of reading.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Moreover, the following can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, the present invention includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Cases are also included.

  Furthermore, the present invention includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the following processing. That is, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

Claims (20)

An input means for inputting a user operation;
A first storage unit that stores the operation performed by the user with respect to the input unit and another operation inferred from the operation in association with each other;
Second storage means for storing a history of operations performed by the user on the input means;
Third storage means for storing help information corresponding to the operation;
When an operation for displaying the help information is input to the input means, based on the history stored in the second storage means (S1203), the input is input to the input means immediately before Determining means for determining whether or not the user operation is an operation for returning the result of the information processing executed in response to the user operation input to the input means before that; ,
As a result of the determination, the user's operation input to the input unit immediately before the operation for displaying the help information is input to the input unit is performed before the input unit. If it is determined that the operation is to restore the result of the information processing executed in response to the user operation input in response to the input operation, the input unit stored in the first storage unit Help information stored in the third storage unit corresponding to another operation inferred from the user operation input to the input unit immediately before an operation for displaying help information is input. A search means for searching for,
An information processing apparatus comprising display means for displaying the searched help information.   The determination unit determines whether or not the user operation input to the input unit immediately before an operation for displaying the help information is input to the input unit is an UNDO operation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The operation relates to the layout editing of content on the screen,
The determination means is the user's operation input to the input means immediately before an operation for displaying the help information is input to the input means and further to the input means before that. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input operation of the user determines whether or not the same content arranged on the screen is replaced with each other. The operation relates to the layout editing of content on the screen,
The determination means is the user's operation input to the input means immediately before an operation for displaying the help information is input to the input means and further to the input means before that. 4. It is determined whether or not the input combination of the user operations is a combination of an operation for inserting the content into the screen and an operation for deleting the content from the screen. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above. The operation relates to transition of a plurality of screens,
The determination unit is configured such that the user's operation input to the input unit immediately before an operation for displaying the help information is input to the input unit is further performed to the input unit. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus determines whether or not the input is a transition in a direction opposite to the user's operation.   As a result of the determination, the user's operation input to the input unit immediately before the operation for displaying the help information is input to the input unit is performed before the input unit. If it is determined that the result of the information processing executed in response to the input user operation is not an operation to restore the original, the search means does not perform the search, and the display means The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information processing apparatus is displayed.   Further, the date and time of the user's operation input to the input unit immediately before the operation for displaying the help information is input to the input unit, and further to the input unit before that The information processing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein if the time between the input date and time of the user's operation is shorter than a predetermined time, the search means performs the search. apparatus.   The date and time of the user's operation input to the input means immediately before the operation for displaying the help information is input to the input means, and further input to the input means before that. 2. If the time between the date and time of the user's operation is longer than a predetermined time, the search means does not perform the search, and the display means displays general help information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 7. Entering user actions; and
Associating an operation performed by the user and another operation inferred from the operation in association with each other in a first table;
Storing a history of operations performed by the user in a second table;
Storing help information corresponding to the operation in a third table;
When an operation for displaying the help information is input, based on the history stored in the second table, the user operation input to the input unit immediately before is further Determining whether it is an operation to restore the result of information processing executed in response to the user operation input to the input means;
As a result of the determination, the user's operation input to the input unit immediately before an operation for displaying the help information is input, and the user input to the input unit further before that If it is determined that the result of the information processing executed in response to the operation is an operation to restore the original result, immediately before the operation for displaying the help information stored in the first table is input. Searching for help information stored in the third table corresponding to another operation inferred from the user's operation input to the input means;
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising the step of displaying the searched help information. On the computer,
Entering user actions; and
Associating an operation performed by the user and another operation inferred from the operation in association with each other in a first table;
Storing a history of operations performed by the user in a second table;
Storing help information corresponding to the operation in a third table;
When an operation for displaying the help information is input, based on the history stored in the second table, the user operation input to the input unit immediately before is further Determining whether it is an operation to restore the result of information processing executed in response to the user operation input to the input means;
As a result of the determination, the user's operation input to the input unit immediately before an operation for displaying the help information is input, and the user input to the input unit further before that If it is determined that the result of the information processing executed in response to the operation is an operation to restore the original result, immediately before the operation for displaying the help information stored in the first table is input. Searching for help information stored in the third table corresponding to another operation inferred from the user's operation input to the input means;
A program for executing the step of displaying the searched help information.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 10. An input means for inputting a user operation;
In relation to the type of information processing layout, the number of images displayed in the layout, the information processing area information of the layout, the control information of the display position of help information, and the information of other layouts related to the type of layout Setting means for setting display control information including:
Storage means for storing the display control information set by the setting means;
Help storage means for storing help information corresponding to the type of layout of the information processing;
Help information is displayed based on the number of display images, information processing area information, and display position control information included in the set display control information when an instruction to display help information is input by operating the input means. An information processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit that determines a display position of the information, searches for help information from the help storage unit, and displays the searched help information on the display unit according to the determined display position.   The display position control information is information for instructing whether or not to change the display position of help information, and the display control means is configured to display the set display control when the display position control information is an instruction to change. The position set by the setting means when the display position of the help information is determined by calculating the display position of the help information from the number of display images included in the information and the information in the information processing area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the information is determined as a display position of help information.   The display control means determines the position of the layout area of the display image from the number of display images and the information processing area information included in the set display control information when the display position control information is an instruction to change. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: determining a predetermined position of the determined layout area as a display position.   The display control information further includes help information related to the other layout, and the setting means displays a setting screen for displaying each display control information on the display means according to an operation of the input means, The display control means retrieves and displays other layout information and help information related to the display control information displayed on the setting screen according to the operation of the input means from the storage means and the help storage means, 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the setting unit displays an instruction unit for storing display control information in the storage unit on the setting screen.   13. The display control unit retrieves help information from the help storage unit according to the number of display images and the type of layout, and displays the help information on the display unit according to the determined display position. Information processing apparatus as described in any one of thru | or 15.   The input means is a pointing device including a mouse and a keyboard, and the contents of the plurality of operations that can be performed by the user include a mouse operation and a keyboard key operation. The information processing apparatus according to item.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the input unit is connected to the setting unit, a storage unit, a help storage unit, and a display control unit via a network. In a control method of an information processing apparatus including an input unit for inputting a user operation,
In relation to the type of information processing layout, the number of images displayed in the layout, the information processing area information of the layout, the control information of the display position of help information, and the information of other layouts related to the type of layout A setting step for setting display control information including
A storage step of storing the display control information set in the setting step in a storage unit;
A help storing step of storing help information corresponding to the type of layout of the information processing by a help storing means;
Help information is displayed based on the number of display images, information processing area information, and display position control information included in the set display control information when an instruction to display help information is input by operating the input means. And a display control step of searching for help information from the help storage means and displaying the searched help information on the display means according to the determined display position. Computer
In a control method of an information processing apparatus including an input unit for inputting a user operation,
In relation to the type of information processing layout, the number of images displayed in the layout, the information processing area information of the layout, the control information of the display position of help information, and the information of other layouts related to the type of layout Setting means for setting display control information including:
Storage means for storing the display control information set by the setting means;
Help storage means for storing help information corresponding to the type of layout of the information processing;
Help information is displayed based on the number of display images, information processing area information, and display position control information included in the set display control information when an instruction to display help information is input by operating the input means. A program for functioning as a display control means for determining a display position of the information, searching for help information from the help storage means, and displaying the searched help information on the display means according to the determined display position.

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