JP2019086936A - Information apparatus, function displaying method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a user to find a function of an image forming device easier than conventional technologies.SOLUTION: An image forming device 1 is provided with a sequence determining unit 103 and a list data transmitting unit 104. This sequence determining unit executes: a process of, when a user is in a close state of being close to the image forming device 1 so as to be able to directly operate the image forming device 1, displaying a function name of a first function that needs to be directly operated by the user among multiple functions of the image forming device 1 on a portable terminal device 2 in preference to a function name of a second function to be utilized when an instruction is received; and a process of, when the user is in an apart state of being apart from the image forming device 1 so as to be unable to directly operate the image forming device 1, displaying the function name of the second function among the multiple functions on the portable terminal device 2 in preference to the function name of the first function.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for presenting the function of an information device such as an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses called multifunction machines or MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) are in widespread use. In recent years, image forming apparatuses have various functions.

  The user displays a description (so-called help) of the function of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus or searches for the function when using the function of the image forming apparatus. Since the image forming apparatus has many functions, the user can not easily find it.

  The following patent documents disclose techniques for determining the order and displaying information according to the order.

  In the character input mode of the search device described in Patent Document 1, when one character is input from the input unit, the search unit searches the word storage unit for a word predicted from the input character. At the same time, the search unit searches a word predicted from the input character among the regional words corresponding to the current position of the own terminal among the regional words stored in the regional word storage unit. The sorting unit sorts the words found by the search unit based on whether the same word is found by the search unit and displays the sorted words on the display unit.

  The search support apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes a search target database for holding a document or image to be a search target, search means for performing a ranking search of the search target database with respect to a search condition instructed by a user, and Search history storage means for storing the history searched by the search means, and a designated subset are constructed with respect to the search results executed a plurality of times stored in the search history, and the search order for this subset is calculated It has an order integration means to integrate and a result display means to display the result of this order integration.

  The Web search support system described in Patent Document 3 causes a client to display a search screen to input a search purpose, and executes a search process by pressing a search request button. The Web search support system displays the search results on the search result list screen in the order of evaluation results based on the received search purpose and the Web evaluation file held in the database. The page number, the evaluation value, and the summary information are displayed on the search result list screen, and the Web page and the evaluation screen are displayed based on the display request of the specific web page from the search result list screen of the client. The client refers to the content of the web page, and inputs evaluation content such as whether or not it becomes a reference from the evaluation screen. The Web search support system updates the contents of the Web evaluation file based on the input result.

JP, 2007-108971, A Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-94813 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-148741

  Even with the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents, the user may not be able to easily find the function desired by the user among various functions of the information apparatus such as the image forming apparatus.

  An object of the present invention is to make it easier for a user to find the function of an image forming apparatus than ever before.

  An information apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an information apparatus which is directly operated by a user, receives an instruction via a terminal device possessed by the user, and has a plurality of functions, and the user is the information The first identification information of the first function of the plurality of functions that needs to be operated directly by the user when the apparatus is in a near state close to the information apparatus enough to directly operate the apparatus; A first display processing unit that performs a first display process for causing the terminal device to display, in preference to second identification information of a second function used by receiving the instruction; The second identification information is given priority over the first identification information to the terminal device when the user is away from the information device so that the user can not operate the information device directly. Display Performing a second display processing for having a second display processing unit.

  Preferably, when the user is in the near state when the second display information is displayed on the terminal device prior to the first identification information, the first display processing means And the second display processing means performs the first display process when the first identification information is displayed on the terminal device prior to the second identification information. When the display is in the released state, the second display process is performed.

  Alternatively, in the second state, the second display processing means is in the middle state in which the user is in the separated state and the terminal device can communicate with the information device according to the short-distance wireless standard as the second display processing. Among the second identification information, the third identification information of the third function to be used when the instruction is received by the information device communicating with the standard from the terminal device, Performing processing for causing the terminal device to display in priority to the fourth identification information of the fourth function and the first identification information to be used by accepting the instruction without communicating in a standard; When the user is in the separated state and the terminal device can not communicate with the information device according to the standard, the fourth identification information corresponds to the third identification information and the first identification information. Identification information It performs processing for displaying on the terminal apparatus in preference.

  According to the present invention, the function of the image forming apparatus can be made easier for the user to find than before.

It is a figure which shows the example of a help display system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a portable terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a portable terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a search screen. It is a figure which shows the example of function data. It is a figure which shows the example of a search screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a search screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a search screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the flow of the whole process of a portable terminal device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a help display system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal device 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the mobile terminal device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the help display system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 1, a portable terminal 2, and a communication line 4.

  The image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2 can communicate via the communication line 4. As the communication line 4, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like is used. Alternatively, direct communication can be performed according to the short distance wireless standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or ad hoc.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that integrates basic functions such as copying, PC printing, faxing, scanner, and box, and application functions combining basic functions such as copying storage and PC printing storage. It is. In general, it may be called "multi-functional peripheral" or "MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)".

  The PC print function is a function of printing an image on paper based on image data received from a terminal device or the like provided in the same LAN as the image forming apparatus 1. It may be called "network printing" or "network printing".

  The box function is a function for providing storage areas called "boxes" or "personal boxes" for each user, and for each user to store and manage image data and the like by his / her storage area. A box can be provided for each group and shared by members of the group. A box corresponds to a "folder" or "directory" in a personal computer.

  The copy storage function is a function of printing an image on a sheet by the copy function and storing image data of the image (that is, image data acquired by scanning) in a box.

  The PC print storage function is a function of printing an image on a sheet by the PC print function and storing image data of the image (that is, image data received from a terminal device or the like) in a box.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 10a, a random access memory (RAM) 10b, a read only memory (ROM) 10c, an auxiliary storage device 10d, a touch panel display 10e, and an operation key panel 10f. , NIC (Network Interface Card) 10g, wireless LAN communication unit 10h, short distance communication unit 10i, scan unit 10j, and print unit 10k.

  The touch panel display 10e displays a screen showing a message for the user, a screen for the user to input a command or information, a screen showing a result of processing executed by the CPU 10a, and the like. Further, the touch panel display 10 e sends a signal indicating the touched position to the CPU 10 a.

  The operation key panel 10f is a so-called hardware keyboard, and includes a ten key, a start key, a stop key, a function key, and the like.

  The NIC 10g communicates with other devices using a protocol such as Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP).

  The wireless LAN communication unit 10 h performs communication based on a wireless LAN standard, that is, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard.

  The short distance communication unit 10i performs short distance (several meters) wireless communication with another portable terminal device or the like according to a standard such as Bluetooth.

  The scan unit 10 j reads an image written on a sheet (original) set on an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) or a platen glass to generate image data.

  The print unit 10k prints the image received from the other device by the NIC 10g, the wireless LAN communication unit 10h, or the short distance communication unit 10i, in addition to the image read by the scan unit 10j.

  The ROM 10 c or the auxiliary storage device 10 d stores a program for realizing each function such as the above-mentioned copying. Further, position data 6A indicating the latitude and longitude of the image forming apparatus 1 (that is, the position of the image forming apparatus 1) is stored. The position data 6A is input by a user or a system engineer when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed. Alternatively, when a so-called GPS (Global Positioning System) application is installed in the auxiliary storage device 10d, this application acquires information of one or more wireless base stations nearby, and the acquired information is the Internet The position of the image forming apparatus 1 may be inquired by transmitting to the position information service above. Then, data indicating the position returned from the position information service may be stored as position data 6A.

  Furthermore, a help distribution program 10P (see FIG. 3) is stored in the ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d. The help distribution program 10P is a program for transmitting information (so-called help) for explaining each of a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus 1 to the portable terminal device 2. The details of the help distribution program 10P will be described later.

  These programs are loaded into the RAM 10b as needed, and executed by the CPU 10a. A hard disk drive or a solid state drive (SSD) is used as the auxiliary storage device 10d.

  According to the help distribution program 10P, the function data storage unit 101, the function data search unit 102, the order determination unit 103, the list data transmission unit 104, the help data storage unit 105, and the help data search unit 106 shown in FIG. The apparatus 1 is realized.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the portable terminal device 2 displays the help of the function of the image forming apparatus 1. As the portable terminal device 2, a notebook computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or the like is used. Hereinafter, a case where a tablet computer is used as the portable terminal device 2 will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the portable terminal device 2 includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a ROM 20c, an auxiliary storage device 20d, a touch panel display 20e, a wireless LAN communication device 20f, a GPS unit 20g, a short distance communication unit 20h, and the like.

  The wireless LAN communication device 20 f communicates with another device by a protocol such as TCP / IP.

  The GPS unit 20 g acquires position data 6 B indicating the latitude and longitude of the mobile terminal device 2 as the position of the mobile terminal device 2. Since the portable terminal device 2 is possessed by the user, it can be said that the position data 6B indicates not only the portable terminal device 2 but also the position of the user.

  A program such as a web browser is stored in the ROM 20c or the auxiliary storage device 20d. Furthermore, a help display program 20P (see FIG. 5) is stored.

  The help display program 20P is a program that causes the touch panel display 20e to display a help of a function that the user of the image forming apparatus 1 wants to use. The details of the help display program 20P will be described later.

  These programs are loaded into the RAM 20b as needed, and executed by the CPU 20a.

  According to the help display program 20P, the keyword receiving unit 201, the keyword transmitting unit 202, the search screen display processing unit 203, the help receiving unit 204, and the help screen display processing unit 205 shown in FIG. .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the search screen 5A. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the function data 6D. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the search screen 5A. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the search screen 5A. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the search screen 5A.

  Hereinafter, operations of the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5 to 10.

  The user starts the help display program 20P of the portable terminal device 2 in consideration of displaying the help of the function that the image forming apparatus 1 wants to use on the portable terminal device 2. Then, in the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2, the following processing is performed.

  When the activation of the help display program 20P is completed, the keyword receiving unit 201 of the portable terminal device 2 causes the touch panel display 20e to display a search screen 5A as shown in FIG.

  The user inputs the keyword of the function to be used in the text box 5A1 of the search screen 5A. Then, the search button 5A2 is touched.

  In this example, the user inputs the keywords "file" and "save" in the text box 5A1, and touches the search button 5A2.

  When the search button 5A2 is touched by the user, the keyword transmission unit 202 requests the position data 6B from the GPS unit 20g and receives it. Then, data indicating a keyword input from the user and position data 6B received from the GPS unit 20g are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 as list request data 6C.

  In the function data storage unit 101 (see FIG. 3) of the image forming apparatus 1, function data 6D is stored for each function of the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. The function data 6D indicates "identification number", "function name", "summary", "search word" and "usable distance".

  In certain function data 6D, the “identification number” is a unique number for identifying the function indicated by the function data 6D. "Function name" is the name of the function. "Summary" is a brief description of the features of the function. The term "search word" is a term that explicitly indicates all or part of the feature of the function. The search word is used in a search by the function data search unit 102 described later. That is, it is an index.

  The “usable distance” is the distance between the image forming device 1 and the portable terminal device 2 when the user can use the function. In other words, the usable distance indicates how long the distance between the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2 allows the user to use the function.

  “Near” is, for example, a distance such that the user can directly operate the image forming apparatus 1. “Medium” is, for example, a distance at which the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2 can communicate by near field communication such as Bluetooth or ad hoc. “Far” is, for example, a distance at which the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2 can communicate via a router of the communication line 4 (see FIG. 1).

  Hereinafter, the case where “close” is 0 meter or more and less than 1 meter, “middle” is 0 meter or more and less than 10 meters, and “far” is 0 meter or more without an upper limit will be described as an example.

  When receiving the list request data 6C, the function data search unit 102 searches the function data storage unit 101 for function data 6D indicating the keyword indicated in the list request data 6C as a search word.

  In this example, the function data search unit 102 searches for function data 6D indicating the keywords “file” and “save” as search words. As a result, function data 6D1, 6D2, 6D4, 6D6 and 6D8 are found.

  When a plurality of function data 6D are found by the search, the order determination unit 103 gives the user a priority when presenting the “function name” and the “summary” indicated for each of the function data 6D. The processing to determine is performed as follows.

  When the plurality of function data 6D are found, the order determining unit 103 reads out the position data 6A of the image forming apparatus 1 stored in the ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d.

  The order determination unit 103 determines the distance between the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal 2 based on the position data 6A of the image forming apparatus 1 and the position data 6B of the portable terminal 2 indicated by the list request data 6C. Hereinafter, the “inter-apparatus distance” will be described. For example, the linear distance between the latitude and longitude (position) indicated by the position data 6A of the image forming apparatus 1 and the latitude and longitude (position) indicated by the position data 6B of the mobile terminal 2 is determined as the inter-apparatus distance.

  The order determining unit 103 classifies the function data 6D into one in which the usable distance includes the inter-apparatus distance and another in which the usable distance does not include the inter-apparatus distance.

  Hereinafter, the functional data 6D in which the usable distance includes the device distance is described as "match data", and the functional data 6D in which the usable distance does not include the device distance is described as "non-match data".

  For example, when the inter-apparatus distance is 15 meters, the order determination unit 103 classifies, among the found functional data 6D, the one whose usable distance is “far” as match data and the other non-matching data. Classify into data.

  The inter-apparatus distance may be included in a plurality of usable distances. That is, there may be a plurality of function data 6D in which the usable distance includes the inter-apparatus distance. In such a case, the order determining unit 103 selects the shortest usable distance among these usable distances, and matches the function data 6D indicating the selected usable distance among the function data 6D. And functional data 6D other than that are classified as non-match data.

  For example, if the inter-apparatus distance is 50 cm, the order determination unit 103 classifies, among the found functional data 6D, one whose usable distance is “close” as match data, and non-other things. Classify as match data. Alternatively, if the inter-apparatus distance is 5 meters, the use distance of “medium” is classified as match data, and the others are classified as non-match data.

  The order determination unit 103 determines the priority of the functional data 6D such that the functional data 6D classified into the match data is prioritized over the functional data 6D classified into the non-match data. That is, the order is determined such that the functional data 6D including the inter-apparatus distance of the usable distance comes before the other functional data 6D. The smaller the numerical value is, the higher the priority is, such as “1”, “2”, “3”,.

  When multiple pieces of function data 6D are classified into the match data, the order determining unit 103 determines the priority so that, for example, the smaller the “identification number” is, the higher the priority is. When a plurality of functional data 6D is classified into non-match data, the priority of the functional data 6D is similarly determined.

  In this example, when the inter-apparatus distance is 50 cm, the order determination unit 103 classifies the functional data 6D1 and 6D2 whose usable distance is “close” among the found functional data 6D as match data. , And other functional data 6D (that is, functional data 6D4, 6D6, 6D8) are classified as non-match data. In accordance with the identification number, the priority of each of the function data 6D1 and 6D2 is determined as "1" and "2". The priority of each of the function data 6D4, 6D6 and 6D8 is determined to "3", "4" and "5" according to the identification number.

  Alternatively, if the inter-apparatus distance is 5 meters, the order determination unit 103 classifies the functional data 6D4 and 6D6 whose usable distance is "medium" among the found functional data 6D as match data. The functional data 6D other than the functional data 6D (that is, the functional data 6D1, 6D2, 6D8) are classified into non-match data. In accordance with the identification number, the priorities of the function data 6D4 and 6D6 are determined to be "1" and "2", respectively. The priority of each of the function data 6D1, 6D2 and 6D8 is determined to "3", "4" and "5" according to the identification number.

  Alternatively, if the inter-apparatus distance is 15 meters, the order determination unit 103 classifies the functional data 6D8 whose usable distance is “far” among the found functional data 6D as match data, and other than that. The functional data 6D (that is, the functional data 6D1, 6D2, 6D4, 6D6) is classified into non-match data. The priority of the function data 6D8 is determined to be "1". In accordance with the identification number, the priority of each of the function data 6D1, 6D2, 6D4, 6D6 is determined to "2", "3", "4", "5".

  The list data transmission unit 104 (see FIG. 3) transmits the found function data 6D as a list data 6E to the portable terminal device 2 by arranging the detected function data 6D in order from the one with the determined highest priority. If the number of found functional data 6D is larger than a predetermined number, only data having a priority higher than a predetermined priority may be transmitted as the list data 6E.

  When receiving the list data 6E, the search screen display processing unit 203 (see FIG. 5) of the portable terminal device 2 regenerates the search screen 5A based on the list data 6E so that the search result appears, and causes the touch panel display 20e to display it. Thereby, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the touch panel display 20e as a search screen 5A.

  In the search screen 5A, the function names and outlines shown in each of the function data 6D included in the list data 6E are arranged from the top in the order in which they are arranged by the list data transmission unit 104. That is, the function names and outlines of the respective functions are arranged from the top in the order of high priority. In the function name column 5A3, the function name of the function data 6D, in detail, the text of the function name is arranged. The outline column 5A4 is arranged with an outline of the function data 6D, and in detail, the text of the outline.

  For example, when the inter-device distance is 50 cm, the function name indicated in the function data 6D1 having the priority of “1” is disposed at the top of the function name column 5A3 and the top of the overview column 5A4 At the top, the summary shown in the function data 6D1 having the priority “1” is arranged. The function name of the function data 6D2 whose order is "2" is arranged second from the top of the function name column 5A3, and the function data 6D2 whose priority is "2" is second from the top of the outline column 5A4. An overview is in place. Similarly, the function names and outlines of the remaining function data 6D4, 6D6, 6D8 are arranged according to the priority.

  Alternatively, when the inter-apparatus distance is 5 meters, the search screen display processing unit 203 displays a search screen 5A as shown in FIG. Alternatively, when the inter-apparatus distance is 15 meters, a search screen 5A as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed.

  The user touches the function name that he / she wants to use out of the function names of the respective functions arranged on the search screen 5A.

  Help accepting unit 204 searches for an identification number indicated by function data 6D indicating the function name touched by the user, and transmits data indicating the identification number to image forming apparatus 1 as help request data 6F.

  In the help data storage unit 105 (see FIG. 3), help data 6G indicating help for each of the plurality of functions is stored in association with each identification number.

  When the help data search unit 106 receives the help request data 6F, the help data search unit 106 searches the help data storage unit 105 for help data 6G associated with the identification number indicated therein. Then, the found help data 6G is transmitted to the portable terminal device 2.

  When the help screen display processing unit 205 (see FIG. 5) receives the help data 6G, the help screen display processing unit 205 generates the help screen 5B based on the data and causes the touch panel display 20e to display the help screen 5B.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the overall processing flow of the mobile terminal device 2. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Next, the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 12.

  The portable terminal device 2 executes the process shown in FIG. 11 based on the help display program 20P. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the process shown in FIG. 12 based on the help distribution program 10P.

  When the user activates the help display program 20P of the portable terminal device 2, the portable terminal device 2 displays the search screen 5A (# 601 in FIG. 11). Accept the input of the keyword of the function to be used from the user (# 602). Data indicating the input keyword is transmitted to the image forming apparatus as list request data 6C together with the position data 6B of the portable terminal 2 (# 603).

  When receiving the list request data 6C (Yes in # 701 of FIG. 12), the image forming apparatus 1 searches for function data 6D indicating a keyword indicated in the list request data 6C as a search word (# 702). The inter-apparatus distance is calculated using the position data 6A of the image forming apparatus 1 and the position data 6B indicated by the list request data 6C (# 703).

  The image forming apparatus 1 classifies the found functional data 6D using the calculated inter-apparatus distance (# 704). The priority of the functional data 6D is determined based on the classified result (# 705). The functional data 6D are arranged in the order of high priority and are put together into a list data 6E, which is sent to the portable terminal 2 (# 706).

  Upon receiving the list data 6E (# 604 in FIG. 11), the portable terminal device 2 displays the search screen 5A using the function data 6D arranged according to the priority order included in the list data 6E (# 605). Accept the selection of help for the function you want to use from the user (# 606). Data indicating the identification number of the selected function is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 as help request data 6F (# 607).

  When receiving the help request data 6F (Yes in # 707 of FIG. 12), the image forming apparatus 1 searches the help data 6G associated with the identification number shown in the help request data 6F (# 708). The help data 6G is transmitted to the portable terminal device 2 (# 709).

  Upon receiving the help data 6G (# 608 in FIG. 11), the portable terminal device 2 displays the help screen 5B based on the received help data 6G (# 609).

  According to this embodiment, the function of the image forming apparatus 1 can be made easier for the user to find than before.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, when the user touches the function name of the function to be used among the function names of the functions arranged on the search screen 5A, the help screen 5B for displaying the help of the function is the portable terminal device 2 Was displayed. However, when the user touches the function name of the function to be used, the image forming apparatus 1 may execute the job using that function.

  In this case, the portable terminal device 2 searches for an identification number indicated by the function data 6D indicating the function name touched by the user, and transmits data indicating the identification number to the image forming device 1. The image forming apparatus 1 stores a plurality of functions in association with identification numbers. When receiving the identification number from the portable terminal device 2, the image forming apparatus 1 may execute the job using the function associated with the received identification number.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 searches the function data 6D indicating the keyword input by the user as a search word, and determines the priority order for the found function data 6D. However, for example, when the search button 5A2 is touched without specifying any keyword, priority is given to all the function data 6D stored in the function data storage unit 101 without searching for the function data 6D. You may decide

  In the above embodiment, the inter-apparatus distance is determined using the position data 6A of the image forming apparatus 1 and the position data 6B of the portable terminal apparatus 2, and the function data 6D is matched data or non-matched based on the inter-apparatus distance. It was classified into data. However, the functional data 6D may be classified into match data or non-match data based on the strength of the signal received by the image forming device 1 from the portable terminal device 2.

  In this case, for example, the function data 6D may further indicate “usable strength”. The “usable strength” is the radio wave strength of the signal that the image forming apparatus 1 receives from the portable terminal device 2 when the user can use the function. That is, the usable strength indicates how much the radio wave strength of the signal received by the image forming apparatus 1 from the portable terminal device 2 allows the user to use the function.

  The usable strength includes, for example, "strong", "medium", and "weak". “Strong” is, for example, −40 decibel milliwatts or more. “Medium” is, for example, −60 dB or more. "Weak" is, for example, all values.

  Note that the strength of the received signal may be included in a plurality of usable strengths. In such a case, the strongest usable strength of these usable strengths is selected, and among the functional data 6D, the functional data 6D indicating the selected usable strength is classified as match data, and others Classify the function data 6D of into non-match data.

  For example, when the strength of the received signal is −50 decibel milliwatts, the image forming apparatus 1 classifies the functional data 6D of “medium” in the signal strength as the match data, and classifies the others as the non-match data. .

  The usable strength may be predetermined to correspond to the above-described usable distance. For example, when the distance between the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal 2 is 1 meter, the intensity of the signal received by the image forming apparatus 1 from the portable terminal 2 is measured, and the intensity is greater than the measured intensity. May be determined to be "strong" usable strength. Also, when the distance between the image forming device 1 and the portable terminal device 2 is 10 meters, the intensity of the signal received by the image forming device 1 from the portable terminal device 2 is measured, and the intensity exceeds the measured intensity. May be determined as the "medium" usable strength. Since there is no upper limit to the usable distance "far", all radio wave strengths may be determined to be "weak" usable strength.

  The portable terminal device 2 may receive a signal from the image forming apparatus 1 and notify the image forming apparatus 1 of the strength of the received signal. The image forming apparatus 1 may classify the function data 6D based on the intensity notified from the portable terminal device 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the functional data 6D having the usable distance “medium” is the match data, the functional data 6D having the usable distance “close” is prioritized over the one having the “far”. did. However, functional data 6D having a usable distance of "far" may be prioritized over "close" ones.

  In the above-described embodiment, the function name and the content of the function data 6D classified into the match data are arranged on the search screen 5A above that of the function data 6D classified into the non-match data. However, the default order (for example, the order of the Japanese syllabary, etc.) may be determined in advance, and arranged according to the order. In this case, the function names and contents of the function data 6D classified as match data may be made more prominent (for example, red or bold) than those classified as non-match data.

  In the above-described embodiment, the touch panel display 10e is removable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and the touch panel display 10e can communicate with the wireless LAN communication unit 10h or the short distance communication unit 10i by Bluetooth or ad hoc. Alternatively, the touch panel display 10 e may be used as the portable terminal device 2 as long as communication can be performed with the wireless LAN communication unit 10 h via a router.

  For example, when the touch panel display 10 e is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 may determine that the inter-apparatus distance is “close”. When the touch panel display 10 e is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and the wireless LAN communication unit 10 h or the short distance communication unit 10 i and the touch panel display 10 e communicate without passing through a router, It may be determined as “medium”. If the wireless LAN communication unit 10h or the short-distance communication unit 10i and the touch panel display 10e can not communicate with each other without passing through a router, the inter-apparatus distance may be determined as “far”.

  When the touch panel display 10 e is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the touch panel display 10 e and another hardware module (for example, the CPU 10 a) of the image forming apparatus 1 may be a short distance communication unit 10 i or a wireless LAN communication unit It may be communicated via a wired interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) instead of via 10h.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal device 2 may transmit the latest position data 6B to the image forming apparatus 1 every predetermined time (for example, every one minute). Every time the image forming apparatus 1 receives the position data 6B, it determines the inter-apparatus distance as in the above embodiment, determines the priority of the functional data 6D based on the inter-apparatus distance, and determines the functional data 6D may be arranged side by side and sent to the portable terminal device 2 as list data 6E. The portable terminal device 2 may display the search screen 5A each time the list data 6E is received.

  For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives the position data 6B from the portable terminal 2 at time T1, if the calculated inter-apparatus distance is 2 meters, the image forming apparatus 1 has a usable distance of “medium”. The functional data 6D is sent to the mobile terminal device 2 in order of priority over the use distance of “near” and “far”. And the portable terminal device 2 arranges the function name and the outline name of the function data 6D whose usable distance is "medium" in the search screen 5A arranged in the upper direction than those whose usable distances are "close" and "far". Display

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the position data 6B from the portable terminal 2 at time T2 when a predetermined time has elapsed from time T1, if the calculated inter-apparatus distance is 50 cm, the image forming apparatus 1 uses The functional data 6 D having the possible distance “near” is arranged and given priority to the usable distance over those having the “medium” and “far” and transmitted to the mobile terminal device 2. The portable terminal device 2 displays a search screen 5A in which the function name and the outline name of the function data 6D having a usable distance of "near" are arranged in the upper direction than the usable distances of "medium" and "far". Do.

  In the above embodiment, as an example of the function in which “near” is indicated as the usable distance in the function data 6 D, that is, the function requiring the user to directly operate the image forming apparatus 1, the document is scanned and the image forming apparatus 1 is The function to save (scan save), the function to save the file saved in the USB memory to the image forming apparatus 1 (USB save), and the function to scan and print the document (copy) are mentioned (see FIG. 7) . However, it is not limited to these functions.

  For example, the function of registering an address book etc. by direct operation of the user, the function of printing by direct operation of the user by images and the like stored in a box or USB memory, and electronic by direct operation of the user The function of sending and receiving emails is also a function that requires the user to directly operate the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, function data 6D may be stored in function data storage unit 101 for these functions. In these function data 6D, "near" is shown as the usable distance.

  In the above embodiment, as an example of a function in which “medium” is indicated as a usable distance in function data 6D, that is, a function realized by short-distance wireless communication between image forming apparatus 1 and portable terminal 2 1 and a function to connect the portable terminal device 2 by Bluetooth and receive and save the image stored in the portable terminal device 2 by the image forming device 1 (Bluetooth reception and storage), the image forming device 1 and the portable terminal device 2 by Bluetooth And the function of transmitting the image stored in the image forming apparatus 1 to the portable terminal 2 (Bluetooth transmission). In addition, a function (Wi-Fi reception and storage) in which the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2 are connected by Wi-Fi and the image forming device 1 receives and stores the image stored in the portable terminal device 2; And the function (Wi-Fi transmission) of connecting the image forming device 1 and the portable terminal device 2 by Wi-Fi and transmitting the image stored in the image forming device 1 to the portable terminal device 2 (see FIG. 7) ). However, it is not limited to these functions.

  For example, near field communication is performed between the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal 2 or another image forming apparatus 1, and the image forming apparatus 1 receives an address book or the like from the portable terminal 2 or the like and registers it. When the short range wireless communication is performed between the image forming device 1 and the portable terminal device 2, the image forming device 1 receives the electronic mail text or an image attached to the electronic mail from the portable terminal device 2, The printing function is also a function realized by near field communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2. Therefore, function data 6D may be stored in function data storage unit 101 for these functions. In these function data 6D, "Medium" is indicated as the usable distance.

  In the above-described embodiment, the function in which “far” is indicated as the usable distance in the function data 6D, that is, the function executed by the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2 communicating via the router of the communication line 4 As an example, the function of connecting the image forming device 1 and the portable terminal device 2 via the Internet and receiving and storing the image stored in the portable terminal device 2 (Internet reception and storage), image formation The function (Internet transmission) of connecting the device 1 and the portable terminal device 2 via the Internet and transmitting the image stored in the image forming device 1 to the portable terminal device 2 has been mentioned (see FIG. 7). However, it is not limited to these functions.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 1 also has a function of performing communication via the communication line between the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable terminal device 2 and receiving and registering the address book and the like from the portable terminal device 2 and the like. And the portable terminal device 2 via the communication line 4. Therefore, function data 6D may be stored in function data storage unit 101 for these functions. In these function data 6D, "far" is indicated as the usable distance.

  In addition, the help display system 100, the configuration of the whole or each part of the image forming apparatus 1, the portable terminal device 2, the contents of processing, the order of processing, the data configuration, the screen configuration, etc. It can be changed.

1 Image forming apparatus (information equipment)
2 Mobile terminal device (terminal device)
103 Order Determination Unit (First Display Processing Means, Second Display Processing Means)
104 List Data Transmission Unit (First Display Processing Means, Second Display Processing Means)

Claims (10)

An information apparatus that is directly operated by a user, receives an instruction via a terminal device owned by the user, and has a plurality of functions,
When the user is in a near state close to the information device so as to be able to directly operate the information device, the first function that needs to be directly operated by the user among the plurality of functions A first display process is performed to cause the terminal device to display first identification information with priority over second identification information of a second function used by receiving the instruction. Display processing means,
When the user is separated from the information device such that the user can not directly operate the information device, the terminal device gives priority to the second identification information over the first identification information. Second display processing means for performing a second display process for displaying
An information device characterized by having: The first display processing means, when the user is in the near state when the second identification information is displayed on the terminal device prior to the first identification information, Perform the first display process,
The second display processing means is configured such that the user is in the separated state when the first identification information is displayed on the terminal device prior to the second identification information. Do a second display process,
An information device according to claim 1. The second display processing unit is in the middle state in which the user is in the separated state and the terminal device can communicate with the information device according to the short distance wireless standard as the second display processing. In the second identification information, the third identification information of the third function used when the information device receives the instruction from the terminal apparatus by communication according to the standard is the second identification information according to the standard. A process is performed to cause the terminal device to display, prior to the fourth identification information of the fourth function used by accepting the instruction without communication and the first identification information, and the user The fourth identification information is the third identification information and the first identification information when the terminal device is in the far state where the terminal device can not communicate with the information device according to the standard. than Previously to perform processing for displaying on the terminal apparatus,
An information device according to claim 1 or claim 2. The second display processing means is in the middle state in which the user is in the separated state and the terminal device can communicate with the information device without passing through the router as the second display processing. And, among the second identification information, third identification information of a third function used when the information device receives the instruction without passing through the router, receives the instruction via the router. Processing is performed to cause the terminal device to display, prior to the fourth identification information of the fourth function used and the first identification information, and the user is in the separated state and the terminal device Is in the far state where it can not communicate with the information device via the router, the fourth identification information is prioritized over the third identification information and the first identification information, and the terminal To the device Cause shown,
An information device according to claim 1 or claim 2. When the second display processing means displays the fourth identification information on the terminal device prior to the third identification information and the first identification information, and the user is in the separated state And the second display process is performed again when the terminal device is in the middle state or in the far state.
An information device according to claim 3 or 4. The first display processing means determines whether or not the user is in the near state based on the position of the terminal device and the position of the information device, and determines that the user is in the near state. Perform the first display process when
An information device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The first display processing means may determine whether the user is in the near state based on the strength of the signal received from the terminal device, and may determine that the user is in the near state. If possible, perform the first display process,
An information device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The terminal device;
The terminal device can be attached to or removed from the main body of the information device.
Among the plurality of functions, the first function is a function that needs to be directly operated by the user in a state where the terminal device is attached to the main body,
The second function is a function used by receiving the instruction in a state where the terminal device is detached from the main body among the plurality of functions, and the first display processing means When the terminal device is attached to the main body, the user is determined to be in the near state, and the first display process is performed.
An information device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A function display method for displaying all or a part of a plurality of functions provided to an information device that is directly operated by a user and receives an instruction via a terminal device possessed by the user,
When the user is in a near state close to the information device so as to be able to directly operate the information device, the first function that needs to be directly operated by the user among the plurality of functions Displaying the first identification information on the terminal device prior to the second identification information of the second function used by receiving the instruction;
When the user is separated from the information device such that the user can not directly operate the information device, the second identification information is given priority over the first identification information, and the terminal Display on device,
A function display method characterized by; A computer program for directly operating a user, receiving an instruction via a terminal device possessed by the user, and controlling an information device having a plurality of functions,
In the information device,
When the user is in a near state close to the information device so as to be able to directly operate the information device, the first function that needs to be directly operated by the user among the plurality of functions Processing for causing the terminal device to display the first identification information prior to the second identification information of the second function used by receiving the instruction;
The second identification information of the plurality of functions is the first identification information when the user is separated from the information device such that the user can not directly operate the information device. Allowing a process to be displayed on the terminal device prior to execution
A computer program characterized by

Images