JP2018124889A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce improper information to be displayed for a user.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus 1 has a skill level calculating unit 35 for calculating each user's skill level as to an operation of the printing apparatus 1 based on use history of the printing apparatus 1 by each user and an error history as a history of errors occurred in the printing apparatus 1, a display unit 16, and a display control unit 34 for display, on the display unit 16, guidance information according to a skill level of each user. The skill level calculating unit 35 calculates the skill level based on the errors occurred in the printing apparatus 1 except for errors resulting from machine failure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that displays guidance information for a user operation.

  It is known to present guidance information for assisting a user's operation in an electronic device such as a printing apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for selecting and presenting information according to a proficiency level for a user's operation when guidance information (help information) for assisting the user's operation is presented. . Here, the proficiency level of the user is calculated based on the number of times the system is used for each user, the number of error occurrences, and the number of times help information is referenced.

  Like the technique of patent document 1, by showing guidance information according to a user's proficiency level, presentation of unnecessary information can be reduced and convenience can be improved.

JP 2011-238004 A

  However, the number of error occurrences used for calculating the proficiency level in the technique of Patent Document 1 may include errors caused by machine failures in addition to errors caused by user operations. For this reason, the user's proficiency level may not be calculated properly, and inappropriate guidance information may be presented to the user. That is, guidance information for users with a low level of proficiency is actually presented to users with a high level of proficiency, and it may take a long time for the device to start operating by operating according to the guidance information.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can reduce presentation of inappropriate guidance information to a user.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first feature of the electronic device according to the present invention is that the device for each user is based on the usage history of the device for each user and the error history that is the history of errors that have occurred in the device. A proficiency level calculation unit that calculates a proficiency level for the operation of the user, a display unit, and a display control unit that displays guidance information according to the proficiency level of the user on the display unit, and the proficiency level calculation unit includes: It is to calculate the proficiency level by excluding an error of a machine failure factor among errors generated in the device.

  A second feature of the electronic device according to the present invention is that the proficiency level calculation unit calculates the proficiency level of each user for each operation mode or function in the device.

  According to the first feature of the electronic device according to the present invention, the proficiency level calculation unit calculates the proficiency level by excluding the error of the machine failure factor among the errors generated in the device. Thereby, since the user's proficiency level for the operation of the device is appropriately calculated and guidance information corresponding to the proficiency level is displayed, it is possible to reduce presentation of inappropriate guidance information to the user.

  According to the second feature of the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the proficiency level calculation unit calculates the proficiency level of each user for each operation mode or function. This makes it possible to display guidance information according to the proficiency level for each operation mode or function, so that appropriate guidance information can be presented to the user.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the utilization log | history table in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the error log | history table in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the error factor definition table in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the failure information table in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the proficiency level table in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a home screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a guidance screen. It is a figure which shows the other example of a guidance screen. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus. It is a flowchart of a repair corresponding process. It is a figure which shows an example of the utilization log | history table in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the error log | history table in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the proficiency level table in 2nd Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same or equivalent parts and components are denoted by the same or equivalent reference numerals.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A printing apparatus (corresponding to an electronic device in claims) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a print mode, a copy mode, and a scan mode as operation modes. The print mode is a mode that operates as a printer that performs printing based on print data transmitted from an external PC (personal computer) or the like. The copy mode is a mode that operates as a copier for copying a document. The scan mode is a mode that operates as a scanner that reads a document and converts it into data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes a paper feeding unit 2, a printing unit 3, a paper discharge unit 4, a post-processing unit 5, an image reading unit 6, an IC card reader 7, and an operation panel 8. A communication processing unit 9, a storage unit 10, and a control unit 11.

  The paper feeding unit 2 feeds paper to the printing unit 3. The paper feed unit 2 includes a paper feed base partially exposed from the casing of the printing apparatus 1, a plurality of trays (none of which are shown) arranged in the casing, and the like. Paper is printed.

  The printing unit 3 prints an image on a sheet by a printing mechanism (not shown) such as an inkjet method while conveying the sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit 2.

  The paper discharge unit 4 has a paper discharge table (not shown), and discharges the paper printed by the printing unit 3 to the paper discharge table. Further, when using the function of performing post-processing on the printed paper, the paper discharge unit 4 conveys the paper printed by the printing unit 3 to the post-processing unit 5.

  The post-processing unit 5 performs post-processing such as stapling, punching, paper folding, and booklet creation on the printed paper.

  The image reading unit 6 includes a document table, a light source, a light receiving element, a scanning mechanism, an automatic document feeder (not shown), and the like, and optically reads an image of a document and generates image data. The image reading unit 6 reads a document in the copy mode and the scan mode.

  The IC card reader 7 reads a user ID, which is user identification information, from an IC card (not shown).

  The operation panel 8 accepts user input operations and displays various screens. The operation panel 8 includes a display unit 16 and an input unit 17.

  The display unit 16 displays various screens such as a guidance screen for presenting guidance information to the user. The display unit 16 includes a liquid crystal display panel and the like.

  The input unit 17 receives an input operation by a user and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation. The input unit 17 includes various operation keys, a touch panel, and the like.

  The communication processing unit 9 connects the printing apparatus 1 to a network such as a LAN. Thereby, the printing apparatus 1 can communicate with an external PC or the like.

  The storage unit 10 includes a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage unit 10 stores various programs. The storage unit 10 includes a user information storage unit 21, a table storage unit 22, and a guidance information storage unit 23.

  The user information storage unit 21 stores user information. The user information includes the user ID, user name, password, and the like of each user registered in the printing apparatus 1.

  The table storage unit 22 stores a usage history table 26, an error history table 27, an error factor definition table 28, a failure information table 29, and a proficiency level table 30.

  The usage history table 26 is a table that holds a usage history of the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the usage history table 26 includes a job type, a job ID, a job name, a user ID, a job processing start time, a job processing end time, and a print start time for each job executed by the printing apparatus 1. The print end time and the number of print pages are recorded. Here, the job type in the usage history table 26 indicates whether the job is a print mode, a copy mode, or a scan mode. The user ID in the usage history table 26 is the user ID of the user who has instructed execution of the job.

  The error history table 27 is a table that holds a history of errors that have occurred in the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the error history table 27 includes an error code, an error name, an error occurrence time, a user who has used the printing apparatus 1 at the time of the error, and an error occurrence time for each error that has occurred in the printing apparatus 1. The operation mode and error cause are recorded. Here, the error occurrence factor in the error history table 27 indicates whether each error is a user operation factor error or a machine failure factor error.

  An error of a user operation factor is an error that occurs due to a user's erroneous operation. As an error of the user operation factor, for example, the size and orientation mismatch between the document on the document table of the image reading unit 6 and the sheet of the sheet feeding unit 2, or the document table cover of the image reading unit 6 is open There is an operation start at.

  The machine failure factor error is an error other than the user operation factor error, and is an error caused by a machine failure or the like in the printing apparatus 1. As an error of a machine failure factor, there are an error due to paper jam, an error due to malfunction of various sensors and motors, and the like.

  The error factor definition table 28 is a table that defines various error occurrence factors in the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the error factor definition table 28 holds error codes, error names, and error factors of various errors that can occur in the printing apparatus 1 in association with each other.

  The failure information table 29 is a table that holds errors of user operation factors that can be detected due to the influence of a machine failure that occurs and is repaired in the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the failure information table 29 includes an error code of an error of various user operation factors that are affected by a machine failure generated and repaired in the printing apparatus 1, a failure start date of the machine failure, a failure Holding an end date. Here, an error of a user operation factor that is affected by a mechanical failure includes, for example, an error of a user operation factor that may be detected due to a sensor malfunction.

  The proficiency level table 30 is a table that holds the proficiency level of each user for each operation mode with respect to the operation of the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the proficiency level table 30 holds the user ID of each user registered in the printing apparatus 1 and the proficiency level of each user for each operation mode in association with each other. Here, in the example shown in FIG. 6, “5” indicates the highest proficiency level, and “1” indicates the lowest proficiency level.

  The guidance information storage unit 23 holds guidance information for assisting the user's operation in selecting each operation mode, setting various functions, and canceling various errors. The guidance information is information displayed on the display unit 16 as a guidance screen. Guidance information is prepared for each proficiency level when selecting each operation mode, setting various functions, and canceling various errors.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and performs control processing in the printing apparatus 1. The control part 11 implement | achieves the authentication part 31, the printing control part 32, the image reading control part 33, the display control part 34, the proficiency level calculation part 35, and the table management part 36, when CPU runs a program.

  The authentication unit 31 performs user authentication when the user logs in.

  The print control unit 32 controls the paper feeding unit 2, the printing unit 3, and the paper discharge unit 4 to print and discharge the paper while conveying the paper. The print control unit 32 controls the post-processing unit 5 to perform post-processing on the printed paper when post-processing for the printed paper is set.

  The image reading control unit 33 controls the image reading unit 6 to read an image of a document in the copy mode and the scan mode.

  The display control unit 34 controls to display various screens on the display unit 16. When displaying the guidance screen on the display unit 16, the display control unit 34 displays a guidance screen according to the proficiency level of each user operation mode.

  The proficiency level calculation unit 35 calculates the proficiency level for each user for the operation of the printing apparatus 1 for each operation mode based on the usage history and error history of the printing apparatus 1 for each user. Here, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 calculates the proficiency level of each user by excluding the error of the machine failure factor among the errors generated in the printing apparatus 1.

  The table management unit 36 manages each table stored in the table storage unit 22.

  Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 1 will be described.

  When using the printing apparatus 1, the user holds the IC card over the IC card reader 7 for login. The IC card reader 7 reads the user ID from the IC card. The authentication unit 31 acquires the user ID read from the IC card by the IC card reader 7. The authentication unit 31 refers to the user information stored in the user information storage unit 21, authenticates the user corresponding to the user ID acquired from the IC card reader 7, and permits login to the printing apparatus 1.

  The authentication unit 31 can also permit login based on the input of the user name and password to the input unit 17.

  Here, a home screen 41 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 16. The home screen 41 is provided with a print mode selection button 42, a copy mode selection button 43, and a scan mode selection button 44. The print mode selection button 42 is a button for selecting a print mode as an operation mode of the printing apparatus 1. The copy mode selection button 43 is a button for selecting a copy mode as an operation mode of the printing apparatus 1. The scan mode selection button 44 is a button for selecting a scan mode as the operation mode of the printing apparatus 1. When the user performs an operation of pressing any one of the print mode selection button 42, the copy mode selection button 43, and the scan mode selection button 44, the operation mode is selected.

  When the operation mode is selected by the user operation, the display control unit 34 displays a guidance screen for selecting the operation mode according to the logged-in user.

  Specifically, the display control unit 34 refers to the proficiency level table 30 and acquires the proficiency level of the logged-in user in the selected operation mode.

  Next, the display control unit 34, based on various types of guidance information stored in the guidance information storage unit 23, corresponds to the level of proficiency in the selected operation mode of the logged-in user, and guidance for selecting the operation mode. Select information.

  Then, the display control unit 34 causes the display unit 16 to display a guidance screen corresponding to the selected guidance information.

  For example, when the copy mode is selected from the home screen 41 and the proficiency level of the logged-in user in the copy mode is “1”, the display control unit 34 displays the guidance screens 51 to 55 shown in FIG. The information is sequentially displayed on the unit 16.

  The guidance screens 51 to 55 are screens that display guidance information indicating an operation procedure for the user to execute copying. The guidance screens 51 to 54 are each provided with a determination button 56. When the determination button 56 is pressed on each screen, the screen transitions to the next screen. The guidance screen 55 is provided with a copy start button 57, and when the copy start button 57 is pressed, a document reading operation by the image reading unit 6 is started.

  In the example of FIG. 8, function buttons 58 to 61 for setting various functions such as scaling and imposition are provided on the guidance screens 53 and 54.

  When the function to be used is instructed by pressing the function buttons 58 to 61, the display control unit 34 sets the instructed function corresponding to the proficiency “1” in the copy mode of the logged-in user. Guidance information is selected from the guidance information storage unit 23. Then, the display control unit 34 causes the display unit 16 to display a guidance screen (not shown) corresponding to the selected guidance information. That is, in this case, the guidance screen displayed when the function is set corresponds to the proficiency level “1” of the logged-in user in the copy mode. Here, depending on the function, a plurality of guidance screens may be sequentially displayed as in the example of FIG.

  Also, for example, when the copy mode is selected from the home screen 41 and the proficiency level of the logged-in user in the copy mode is “5”, the display control unit 34 displays the guidance screen 71 shown in FIG. This is displayed on the part 16.

  The guidance screen 71 is obtained by adding a setting change button 72 to the guidance screen 55 of FIG. When the setting change button 72 is pressed, the display on the display unit 16 is switched to a setting change screen (not shown), and various settings can be made.

  Here, function buttons similar to the function buttons 58 to 61 in FIG. 8 are provided on the setting change screen. When the function to be used is instructed by pressing the function button, the display control unit 34 provides guidance information when setting the instructed function corresponding to the proficiency level “5” in the copy mode of the logged-in user. Is selected from the guidance information storage unit 23. Then, the display control unit 34 causes the display unit 16 to display a guidance screen (not shown) corresponding to the selected guidance information. That is, in this case, the guidance screen displayed when the function is set corresponds to the proficiency level “5” of the logged-in user in the copy mode. Here, depending on the function, a plurality of guidance screens may be sequentially displayed as in the example of FIG.

  As described above, when the proficiency level of the logged-in user in the copy mode is “5”, the display of the guidance screens 51 to 54 when the proficiency level is “1” is omitted. Thus, the guidance information presented to the user is simplified as the user's proficiency level increases. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required to start the copying operation for a user with a high level of proficiency.

  Similarly, in the print mode and the scan mode, guidance screens corresponding to the proficiency level of each logged-in user in each operation mode are displayed.

  When an operation mode is selected and an operation start (print start, copy start, scan start) is instructed from the guidance screen by a user operation, the operation in the selected operation mode is started. The operation of the printing apparatus 1 at this time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1 of FIG. 10, the control unit 11 starts the operation in the selected operation mode.

  Specifically, when the selected operation mode is the print mode, the print control unit 32 rasterizes PDL (Page Description Language) data received from an external PC and stocked in the storage unit 10 to generate image data. The process to generate is started. When the selected operation mode is the copy mode or the scan mode, the image reading control unit 33 starts reading the document by the image reading unit 6.

  Here, in the print mode, the print control unit 32 converts the image data into a format corresponding to the printing method of the printing unit 3 after rasterizing the PDL data. The print control unit 32 controls the paper feeding unit 2, the printing unit 3, and the paper discharge unit 4 to print on the paper based on the image data while discharging the paper and to discharge the printed paper. When the post-processing function for the printed paper is set, the print control unit 32 controls the post-processing unit 5 to perform the post-processing on the printed paper.

  In the copy mode, the image reading control unit 33 converts the image data generated by the image reading unit 6 reading the document into a format corresponding to the printing method of the printing unit 3. The subsequent operation is the same as in the print mode described above.

  In the scan mode, the image reading control unit 33 stores the image data generated by reading the document by the image reading unit 6 in a predetermined format and stored in the storage unit 10.

  After starting the operation in step S1, in step S2, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation of the printing apparatus 1 in the selected operation mode is completed.

  If it is determined that the operation has not ended (step S2: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether an error has occurred in the printing apparatus 1. If it is determined that no error has occurred (step S3: NO), the control unit 11 returns to step S2.

  When it is determined that an error has occurred (step S3: YES), the control unit 11 stops the operation of the printing apparatus 1 in step S4.

  Next, in step S5, the table management unit 36 updates the error history table 27. Specifically, the table management unit 36 adds the contents of each item such as an error code corresponding to the error that has occurred this time to the error history table 27. Here, regarding the error cause, the table management unit 36 refers to the error cause definition table 28 to determine the current error cause.

  Next, in step S6, the display control unit 34 displays a guidance screen for error cancellation.

  Specifically, the display control unit 34 refers to the proficiency level table 30 and acquires the proficiency level of the logged-in user in the current operation mode.

  Next, the display control unit 34 obtains the guidance information for the current error cancellation corresponding to the proficiency level of the logged-in user in the current operation mode from the various guidance information stored in the guidance information storage unit 23. select.

  Then, the display control unit 34 causes the display unit 16 to display a guidance screen (not shown) corresponding to the selected guidance information. The user performs an error canceling operation according to the guidance screen. Here, depending on the type of error, a plurality of guidance screens may be sequentially displayed as in the example of FIG.

  Next, in step S7, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the error has been canceled. When it is determined that the error has not been released (step S7: NO), the control unit 11 repeats step S7.

  If it is determined that the error has been released (step S7: YES), in step S8, the control unit 11 resumes the operation of the printing apparatus 1. Thereafter, the process returns to step S2.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the operation of the printing apparatus 1 has ended (step S2: YES), the table management unit 36 updates the usage history table 26 in step S9. Specifically, the table management unit 36 adds the contents of each item such as the type of job executed this time to the usage history table 26.

  Next, in step S10, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 calculates the proficiency level of the currently logged-in operation mode for the logged-in user based on the latest usage history and error history.

  Specifically, first, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 detects, from the usage history table 26, the number of times of use (number of jobs) N of the currently executed operation mode of the logged-in user.

  When the number of uses N is less than a prescribed number (for example, 20 times), the proficiency level calculation unit 35 sets the proficiency level of the logged-in user in the operation mode to “3”.

  When the usage count N is equal to or greater than the specified count, the proficiency level calculating unit 35 detects the error count E of the user operation factor when using the currently executed operation mode for the logged-in user from the error history table 27.

  Next, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 calculates an error occurrence rate R (%) by the following equation (1).

R = (E / N) × 100 (1)
When the error rate R is 25% or more, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 sets the proficiency level to “1”. When the error occurrence rate R is 20% or more and less than 25%, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 sets the proficiency level to “2”. When the error occurrence rate R is 10% or more and less than 20%, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 sets the proficiency level to “3”. When the error occurrence rate R is 5% or more and less than 10%, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 sets the proficiency level to “4”. When the error occurrence rate R is 0% or more and less than 5%, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 sets the proficiency level to “5”.

  As described above, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 calculates the error rate R based on the number of uses N and the error number E of the user operation factor, and calculates the proficiency level according to the error rate R. The proficiency level is calculated by excluding errors that are the cause of failure.

  When the proficiency level is calculated, the table management unit 36 updates the proficiency level table 30 in step S11. Specifically, the table management unit 36 changes the proficiency level of the logged-in user in the operation mode executed this time, which is held in the proficiency level table 30, to the proficiency level calculated in step S10. If there is no change in the proficiency level, the proficiency level is maintained. Thereby, a series of operation | movement is complete | finished.

  Next, repair handling processing in the printing apparatus 1 will be described.

  The repair handling process is a process executed when a mechanical failure occurs in the printing apparatus 1 and the repair is performed. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the repair handling process.

  In step S <b> 21 of FIG. 11, the table management unit 36 determines whether or not the repair of the mechanical failure in the printing apparatus 1 has been completed. Here, the repair of the machine failure is performed by a service person. When the repair is completed, the service person operates the input unit 17 to input a failure location in the machine failure repaired this time. When it is determined that the repair has not been completed (step S21: NO), the table management unit 36 repeats step S21.

  If it is determined that the repair has been completed (step S21: YES), in step S22, the table management unit 36 determines whether there is an error of a user operation factor that affects the current machine failure based on the failure location in the current machine failure. Judge whether or not. Here, with respect to a machine failure that affects an error of a user operation factor, the failure location and an error of a user operation factor that affects the machine failure are associated in advance.

  When the table management unit 36 determines that there is no user operation factor error that affects the current machine failure (step S22: NO), the repair handling process is terminated.

  When it is determined that there is an error of a user operation factor that affects the current machine failure (step S22: YES), the table management unit 36 updates the failure information table 29 in step S23. Specifically, the table management unit 36 determines the error code of the error of various user operation factors affected by the current machine failure, the failure start date of the current machine failure, and the failure end date as the repair date. It adds to the information table 29.

  Here, the failure start date is input by the service person. In the case where there is an error of a user operation factor that is affected by the current machine failure, for example, the service person refers to the error history stored in the error history table 27 and estimates and inputs the failure start date.

  Next, in step S24, the table management unit 36 determines whether an error of a user operation factor that affects the current machine failure has occurred during the failure period of the current machine failure. Specifically, the table management unit 36 includes errors that occurred during the failure period from the failure start date to the failure end date of the current machine failure among the errors of the user operation factors held in the error history table 27. Judge whether there is.

  If the table management unit 36 determines that an error due to a user operation factor affecting the current machine failure has not occurred during the failure period of the current machine failure (step S24: NO), the repair handling process is terminated as it is. .

  If it is determined that an error of a user operation factor that affects the current machine failure has occurred during the failure period of the current machine failure (step S24: YES), the table management unit 36 in step S25, the error history table 27 The error occurrence factor of the error is corrected from the user operation factor to the machine failure factor.

  Next, in step S26, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 acquires the proficiency in the operation mode at the time of occurrence of the error of the user who has used the printing apparatus 1 at the time of occurrence of the error whose error cause has been corrected in step S25 described above. Calculate the degree.

  Specifically, first, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 determines from the usage history table 26 the operation mode at the time of occurrence of the error of the user who has used the printing apparatus 1 at the time of occurrence of the error in which the error occurrence factor is corrected. The number of uses N is detected.

  When the usage count N is less than the specified count, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 acquires the proficiency in the operation mode at the time of occurrence of the error of the user who has used the printing apparatus 1 at the time of occurrence of the error whose error cause has been corrected. The degree is “3”.

  When the usage count N is equal to or greater than the prescribed count, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 determines that the error of the user who has used the printing apparatus 1 at the time of the occurrence of the error whose error cause has been corrected from the corrected error history table 27. The number of errors E of the user operation factor when using the operation mode at the time of occurrence of is detected.

  Next, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 calculates the error rate R according to the equation (1), and then obtains the proficiency level corresponding to the error rate R, as in step S10 of FIG.

  As described above, by calculating the proficiency level based on the error history in which the cause of error was corrected, the error that was actually the cause of machine failure was excluded from the error detected as the error of the user operation factor. The proficiency level is calculated.

  When the proficiency level is calculated, the table management unit 36 updates the proficiency level table 30 in step S26. Specifically, the table management unit 36 operates when the error occurred by the user who has used the printing apparatus 1 when the error that has been corrected in the error occurrence factor is held in the proficiency level table 30. The proficiency level in the mode is changed to the proficiency level calculated in step S26. If there is no change in the proficiency level, the proficiency level is maintained. As a result, the repair handling process ends.

  As described above, in the printing apparatus 1, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 calculates the proficiency level for each user by excluding errors due to mechanical failure. Accordingly, the user's proficiency level for the operation of the printing apparatus 1 is appropriately calculated, and guidance information (guidance screen) corresponding to the proficiency level is displayed, so that inappropriate guidance information is presented to the user. Can be reduced.

  In the printing apparatus 1, the proficiency level of each user is calculated for each operation mode in the printing apparatus 1. This makes it possible to display guidance information according to the proficiency level for each operation mode, so that appropriate guidance information can be presented to the user for each operation mode.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment in which a part of the first embodiment described above is changed will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the table storage unit 22 stores a usage history table 26A illustrated in FIG. 12 instead of the usage history table 26 of the first embodiment described above. In the usage history table 26A, functions used in each job for each job executed by the printing apparatus 1 are additionally recorded in the usage history table 26 of the first embodiment. The function used in the job indicates a function used in each job among functions such as scaling and imposition that can be set in the printing apparatus 1.

  Further, the table storage unit 22 stores an error history table 27A shown in FIG. 13 instead of the error history table 27 of the first embodiment described above. The error history table 27A is obtained by replacing the operation mode when an error occurs in the error history table 27 of the first embodiment with a function when an error occurs.

  Further, the table storage unit 22 stores a proficiency level table 30A shown in FIG. 14 instead of the proficiency level table 30 of the first embodiment described above. The proficiency level table 30A is obtained by changing the proficiency level for each user operation mode in the proficiency level table 30 of the first embodiment to a proficiency level for each function.

  In the second embodiment, the display control unit 34 displays a guidance screen according to the proficiency level of each user for each function when displaying a guidance screen for setting various functions on the display unit 16. In the second embodiment, when the operation mode is selected and various errors are canceled, the display control unit 34 displays a guidance screen prepared according to each operation content regardless of the user's proficiency level. .

  The table management unit 36 updates the usage history table 26A when the operation of the printing apparatus 1 is completed. At this time, the table management unit 36 adds the contents of each item including the function used in the current job to the usage history table 26A. In addition, when an error occurs in the printing apparatus 1, the table management unit 36 updates the error history table 27A. At this time, the table management unit 36 adds the contents of each item including the function at the time of error occurrence to the error history table 27A.

  When the job is completed and the usage history table 26A is updated, the proficiency level calculating unit 35 calculates the proficiency level of the logged-in user for the function used in the current job based on the latest usage history and error history. To do.

  Specifically, first, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 detects the usage count N of the function used in the current job of the logged-in user from the usage history table 26A.

  When the number of uses N is less than the specified number, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 sets the proficiency level of the logged-in user for the function to “3”.

  When the usage count N is equal to or greater than the specified count, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 determines from the error history table 27A the number of errors of user operation factors during the previous use of the function used in the current job by the logged-in user. E is detected.

  Next, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 calculates the error rate R according to the formula (1), and then determines the proficiency level corresponding to the error rate R, as in the first embodiment described above.

  When the proficiency level is calculated as described above, the table management unit 36 updates the proficiency level table 30A. Specifically, the table management unit 36 changes the proficiency level of the function used in the current job of the logged-in user held in the proficiency level table 30A to the proficiency level calculated this time. If there is no change in the proficiency level, the proficiency level is maintained.

  Also in the second embodiment, the repair handling process is performed as in the first embodiment described above. In the second embodiment, in the repair handling process, when an error of a user operation factor that affects the current machine failure has occurred during the failure period of the current machine failure, the table management unit 36 stores the error in the error history table 27A. The error occurrence factor of the error is corrected from the user operation factor to the machine failure factor.

  When the error occurrence factor is corrected, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 obtains the proficiency level of the function of the user who has used the printing apparatus 1 when the error occurrence factor is corrected. calculate.

  Specifically, first, the proficiency level calculating unit 35 determines, from the usage history table 26A, the function of the user who has used the printing apparatus 1 at the time of occurrence of the error whose error cause has been corrected when the error occurred. The number of uses N is detected.

  When the usage count N is less than the specified count, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 acquires the proficiency level of the function of the user who used the printing apparatus 1 at the time of occurrence of the error when the error occurrence factor is corrected. Is “3”.

  When the usage count N is equal to or greater than the specified count, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 determines that the error of the user who has used the printing apparatus 1 when the error whose cause of error has occurred is generated from the corrected error history table 27A. The number of errors E of the user operation factor at the time of using the function at the time of occurrence is detected.

  Next, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 calculates the error rate R according to the formula (1), and then determines the proficiency level corresponding to the error rate R, as in the first embodiment described above.

  When the proficiency level is calculated as described above, the table management unit 36 updates the proficiency level table 30A. Specifically, the table management unit 36 has a function at the time of occurrence of the error of the user who has used the printing apparatus 1 at the time of occurrence of the error that is held in the proficiency level table 30A and whose error occurrence factor is corrected. The proficiency level in the game is changed to the proficiency level calculated this time. If there is no change in the proficiency level, the proficiency level is maintained.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the proficiency level calculation unit 35 calculates the proficiency level of each user for each of various functions. This makes it possible to display guidance information (guidance screen) according to the proficiency level for each function, so that appropriate guidance information can be presented to the user for each function.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the present invention has been described according to the first and second embodiments. However, it should not be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  In the first embodiment described above, the proficiency level of each user is calculated for each operation mode in the printing apparatus 1. In the second embodiment, the proficiency level of each user is calculated for each function in the printing apparatus 1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a proficiency level for the overall operation of the printing apparatus 1 may be calculated for each user, and various guidance screens may be displayed according to the proficiency level. Further, it may be possible to select and set whether to calculate the proficiency level of each user for each operation mode or to calculate the proficiency level of each user for each function.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the error occurrence rate R is calculated, and the proficiency level is calculated based on the error occurrence rate R. However, the method for calculating the proficiency level is not limited to this. For example, when the initial proficiency level is “3” and the number of continuous usages in which no user operation factor error has occurred reaches a specified level increase number (for example, 10 times), the proficiency level is increased by “1”. The proficiency level may be determined by lowering the proficiency level by “1” when the number of times of continuous use in which the error has occurred reaches a specified level down count (for example, 5 times).

  In the first and second embodiments described above, examples of the printing apparatus have been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be applied to an electronic device that presents guidance information for a user operation.

  As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing apparatus 2 Paper feed part 3 Printing part 4 Paper discharge part 5 Post-processing part 6 Image reading part 7 IC card reader 8 Operation panel 9 Communication processing part 10 Storage part 11 Control part 16 Display part 21 User information storage part 22 Table storage Unit 23 Guidance information storage unit 26, 26A Usage history table 27, 27A Error history table 28 Error factor definition table 29 Failure information table 30, 30A Proficiency level table 31 Authentication unit 32 Print control unit 33 Image reading control unit 34 Display control unit 35 Proficiency calculation unit 36 Table management unit 51-55, 71 Guidance screen

Claims (2)

A proficiency level calculation unit that calculates a proficiency level for operation of the device for each user based on an error history that is a history of errors that have occurred in the device and the usage history of the device for each user;
A display unit;
A display control unit that displays guidance information according to the user's proficiency level on the display unit,
The proficiency level calculating unit calculates the proficiency level by excluding an error of a machine failure factor from errors generated in the device.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the proficiency level calculation unit calculates the proficiency level of each user for each operation mode or function of the device.