JPH04153723A - Operation manual preparing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the necessary capacity of a storage part stored with explanation data by providing an editing control means which edits and creates an operation manual required to realize a target function by incorporating system information stored in a system information storage means. CONSTITUTION:At a request for the operation manual, the editing control means 23 analyzes data stored in a data storage part 19 and judges the kind of the operation manual that an opposite operator requests, the degree of skillfulness of the operator, etc. Then explanation data on operation in each process step required to realize the function of a target facsimile mail device 1 is read out of an instruction information storage part 21 and edited and generated as the operation manual in a manual generation buffer 14. At this time, when the system information storage part 22 is stored with the system information required to realize the function, the system information is incorporated to create the operation manual. Consequently, the necessary capacity of the storage part stored with the explanation data is reduced.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an operation manual creation device, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an operation manual creation device that edits and creates an operation manual necessary for executing the functions of equipment according to an operator's request. The present invention relates to an operation manual creation device that outputs an operation manual.

[Conventional technology]

As the functions of ○A devices such as information processing devices and word processors, and communication devices such as facsimile mail devices become more sophisticated, the operations become more complex. knowledge is required. For this reason, devices have traditionally been accompanied by detailed operating manuals, and operators operate the devices while referring to the operating manuals.

However, as the functions of equipment become more sophisticated, operation manuals also become more detailed and thick, making it difficult to make full use of the operation manuals.

Therefore, conventionally, the equipment itself has a so-called help function, and when the operator becomes unable to understand how to operate the equipment, by inserting a help key, etc., the meaning of the key and the information requested by the operator are displayed on the display. It is being displayed on the

In such conventional help functions, when the help key is pressed, regardless of the operating state of the device,
Help information created in advance is displayed on the display. However, simply displaying such pre-prepared help information on a display does not provide help information appropriate to the operator's proficiency level and stage of operation.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-243518, the user's input history information and the output information from the application system are analyzed to narrow down the help items and display them as a help item table. Then, when the user selects several items that he/she wants to know in sequence, help information most suitable for the item that the user wants to know is retrieved and displayed based on the user's selection. This help information is created and stored in the storage unit for each help item that the user may request, and if there is no help information corresponding to the help item selected by the user, the user can select the help item. Expand the range appropriately and decide which help information to display. Also, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-262120,
When the same operator or operators belonging to the same group perform an operation a certain number of times, or when the operator indicates that certain guidance information is unnecessary, the display of this guidance information is prohibited during the next operation process. Accordingly, systems have been proposed that display only appropriate and necessary guidance information in accordance with the operator's proficiency level. The guidance information in this case is also prepared in advance assuming the proficiency level of the operator, and is appropriately selected from the plurality of guidance information and displayed.

Furthermore, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-666:23, data about the user's personal data and operation history, and data about the installation environment and operation history of the terminal device, A method has been proposed that detects an operating method that allows the user to reach a service that is likely to be available in the shortest time and provides it to the user via a display, thereby providing help information that corresponds to the individual's level of proficiency.

The help information in this case is also prepared in advance assuming the user's proficiency level, and is appropriately selected from the plurality of help information and output.

Furthermore, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-280821, there has been conventionally provided a means for storing a series of operation procedure sequences for each operation of an application program, and a means for storing guide help information for each unit of state and operation. A means for storing guide help messages as a set, a means for identifying a guide request from a user or an application program, and a means for completing a request operation between posted materials based on the application program status and operation procedure sequence at the time of a guide request. , a means for creating a series of operation steps from the state at the time of request to the end of the operation, a means for searching from the guide help information for a message corresponding to each of the series of operation steps described, and a means for searching by the same means. means for synthesizing and displaying guide help information, which stores the content of the guide request (question), the state and state flow of the application program in advance, and uses a state flow table to display the desired state from the state at the time of the guide request. It has been proposed to create a string of operating procedure states up to the point of processing, then search for guidance messages for each of the strings of operating procedure states, and finally synthesize and display the messages in the same order as the procedure. . In this case, the guide help information is synthesized as a set of guide help messages for each unit of status and operation, but the guide help messages for each unit are not freely edited to suit the application program, but are a set of guide help messages for each unit of status and operation. It is synthesized according to a set sequence of steps.

In addition, when using these help functions from a communication terminal in a remote location, the connection is made via a public line, so it is usually necessary to limit the use to specific users and prohibit connection from other terminal users. The user is identified by prompting the user to enter a password etc. upon connection.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, such conventional help functions, particularly, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-243518 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-2621,
In the help function described in Publication No. 20 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 63-66623, even if help information corresponding to the proficiency level of the individual is output, such help information is created in advance and stored in the storage section. etc., and the information was selected and outputted based on the individual's proficiency level from among these multiple help information, which not only made it impossible to adequately respond to a wide range of requests, but also made it difficult to meet a wide range of requests. There is a problem in that the more support there is, the more a storage unit with a larger capacity is required to store the help information, resulting in higher costs.

In addition, the help function described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-280821 searches for and displays guides on specific operating procedures to perform the desired process from the point when the user has difficulty with the operation. For this purpose, guide information is synthesized as a set of guide help messages for each unit of status and operation, but this is because guide information is not synthesized by freely combining help messages for each unit. Even in the conventional example, there is a problem that it does not sufficiently meet a wide range of demands, and that a large capacity storage unit is required to meet a wide range of demands, which increases costs.

Furthermore, conventional help functions were positioned as supplementary functions to the operating manual that came with the device, and it was assumed that the user had thoroughly read the operating manual to some extent, so complete beginners could not use the device. When operating the device or if the operating manual attached to the device is lost, there is a problem in that the help function is not sufficient and the device cannot be fully utilized.

Particularly today, as the functions of devices become more sophisticated and diversified, their operation methods become more complex, and the operation manuals attached to devices are also thicker and more complex. It has become difficult to read and master the operating procedures. Therefore, unlike conventional help functions, there is a need for an improved man-machine interface that allows users to fully utilize the device without having to read the operating manual attached to the device.

Additionally, when users of communication terminals in remote locations use the help function, they are required to enter a password, so if an authorized user forgets their password, they will no longer be able to use the help function. To put it away,
Improvement is desired in this respect as well.

[Purpose of the invention]

Therefore, the present invention stores explanatory data for each processing step of a device that realizes various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, and explains the operation contents required for that processing step. Determine the required function, and create an operation manual by freely combining the operations in the processing steps that should be executed to realize the function by freely combining the explanation data of the operation contents for each processing step. When various necessary system information has been input in advance, when creating an operation manual, by incorporating this system information and providing it to the operator, the required capacity of the storage unit for storing explanatory data can be reduced. In addition, we provide an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of operator demands, and also make it easy for even beginners to realize the desired equipment functions even without the attached operation manual. The machine interface has been improved to allow full use of the equipment's functions, and if a password is not entered when creating an operation manual, the password can be temporarily released in response to predetermined operation information. By requesting the input of a temporary password, it is possible to output an operation manual even if an authorized user forgets the password, and the purpose is to further enhance the help function of the operation manual creation device.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an apparatus for creating an operation manual for a device that realizes multiple functions by combining a plurality of processing steps executed by performing a predetermined operation. an input means for capturing the operation contents as operation data when an operation is performed; a password storage means for storing a password necessary to start creating an operation manual and a temporary password for temporarily canceling the password; Extracts the password from the imported data, compares the extracted password with the memorized password, and outputs the temporary password when the password is not input and predetermined operation information requesting the temporary password is input. a temporary password requesting means for extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data imported by the input means; an instruction information storage means for storing; a system information storage means for storing various system information inputted in advance to realize each function of the device; and an instruction information storage means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means. Editing that combines the explanatory data of the operation contents in each processing step stored in the information storage means and incorporates the system information stored in the system information storage means to edit and create an operation manual necessary for realizing the desired function. a control means; and an output means for outputting the operation manual created by the editing control means in a predetermined form of expression, requesting input of the password when starting creation of the operation manual, and outputting the operation manual when the input passwords match. When the password is not inputted and the predetermined operation information is inputted, the temporary password for temporarily canceling the password is outputted.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given based on examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile mail device l to which the operation manual creation device of each invention of the present application is applied.
The facsimile mail device 1 includes a system control section 2, a disk control section 3.4, a Freonbi disk device 5, a hard disk device 6.7, a host interface section 8, and communication processing sections FCU1 to FCUn.

The system control section 2 controls the facsimile mail device 1 according to a program stored in the internal memory, floppy disk device 5, or hard disk device 6.7.
In particular, the writing and reading of image data to and from the floppy disk device 5 and hard disk device 6.7, as well as the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn.
control, etc., and executes the sequence as the facsimile mail device l. The facsimile mail device 1 is
It has various functional services such as proxy communication function, simultaneous broadcast function, confidential communication function, time specified transmission function, bulletin board service function, post office box function, serial communication function, etc., and the system control unit 2
The communication processing unit FCU executes and controls each of these functions.
I to FCUn are controlled and performed.

In addition, in order to use each of these functions of the facsimile mail device 1, a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine) connected to the facsimile mail device 1 performs certain operations on the facsimile mail device 1 to request a service. If necessary, in the present invention, as will be described later, the communication terminal can request the facsimile mail device 1 for an operation manual showing the operation contents of this service request.

The disk control section 3 and the disk control section 4 control the drive of the floppy disk device 5 and the hard disk device 6.7, and the floppy disk device 5 and the hard disk device 6.7 have basic programs as a facsimile mail device and various other programs. It stores data, especially messages sent from communication terminals and messages sent from a host device (described later).

The host interface unit 8 includes a host device, for example,
A computer device or the like is connected, and the host interface unit 8 executes communication control with the host device. What is connected to this host interface section 8 is not limited to host devices such as computer devices,
For example, it may be another facsimile mail device. The host interface section 8 includes a DMAC (direct memory access controller) that directly connects the host device and the facsimile mail device l, and a communication control section that connects the host device and the facsimile mail device l via a line. etc. are used.

The communication processing units FCUI to FCUn are provided as many as the number of storage lines, and each communication processing unit FCUI to FCIJn is
As shown in the figure, the communication processing units FCIJI and FCIJn include a 5s control unit 11, a modem 12, and a communication control unit 1.
3. Manual generation buffer 14, encoding/decoding section 1
5, channel control section 16, control program storage section 17,
OMR processing unit 18, data storage unit 19, storage memory 2
0, instruction information storage section 21, system information storage section 22, editing control section 23, bus control section 24 and temporary ID
It includes a requesting section 25 and the like.

Lines L1 to Ln are connected to the network control unit 11, and the line L
For example, a telephone line is connected as l-Ln. The network control unit 11 is what is called an AA-NCU, and performs automatic call origination and call termination processing.

Modem 12 modulates the transmitted signal and demodulates the received signal.

The communication control unit 13 exchanges facsimile control signals with a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine) connected via lines iL1 to Ln, and executes facsimile communication procedures.

In the manual generation buffer 14, operation manuals for each invention of the present application, which will be described later, are developed.

The encoding/decoding unit 15 encodes the message using a predetermined encoding method, and also decodes the encoded message.

The control program storage unit 17 includes communication processing units FCIJI~
The basic program as FC1ln and the operation manual generation/output processing program of each invention of the present application are stored, and the channel control unit 16 controls each part of the communication processing unit FC[11 to FCIn according to the program in the control program storage unit 17. It executes the sequence as the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn, and also executes the operation manual generation/output processing of each invention of the present application.

○The MR processing unit 18 detects whether or not the received message is an OMR sheet message, and when the received message is an OMR sheet message, detects the mark made on the OMR sheet from the received OMR sheet message. Then, the mark position is detected and the detection result is stored in the storage memory 20.

The data storage unit (data storage means) 19 includes lines L1 to L
Of the data (telegrams, dial tone, etc.) sent from the other party's communication terminal via n, only the data necessary for creating the operation manual is stored. For example, the operation manual request command, the type of operation manual requested (i.e.
This data is related to the type of service function that the other operator requests from the facsimile mail device l), the type of the other operator (for example, the ID of the other party's terminal, the ID of the operator, etc.), and data indicating the proficiency level of the other operator.

As described above, the storage memory 20 includes the ΩMR processing unit 18
Temporarily stores the detection result of the message on the OMR sheet detected by the OMR sheet and messages other than the OMR sheet when transferring it to the floppy disk device 5 or hard disk device 6.7, and also stores it in the floppy disk device 5 or hard disk device 6.7. - hours are stored when transmitting the message via the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn.

The instruction information storage unit (instruction information storage means) 21 stores explanation data of the operation contents on the communication terminal required for each of a plurality of processing steps to realize the service (function) provided by the facsimile mail device 1. Remember. That is, when requesting a service from the facsimile mail device 1, a certain operation is required for each processing step PO-PI3, as shown in FIG. Explanatory data explaining the operation details required at the communication terminal for each pH is stored in advance. Therefore, the instruction information storage unit 21 stores processing steps PO to pH necessary for realizing each function of the facsimile mail device 1.
It is only necessary to store explanatory data for each function, and there is no need to store multiple types of help information corresponding to the individual's proficiency level for each function, unlike in the past.

The system information storage unit (system information storage means, password storage means) 22 stores predetermined system information required to realize the functions of the facsimile mail device 1, and this system information includes, for example, an operation manual. User ID, No. (password), destination D, No., and destination phone number (Te
l, No), etc. Further, the system information storage unit 22 is a user ID, a temporary ID for temporarily canceling NO.

I also remember No.

When there is a request for an operation manual, the editing control section (attribution control means) 23 analyzes the data stored in the data storage section 19 and determines the type of operation manual requested by the other operator (i.e., the purpose of the operator). The instruction information storage unit 21 stores explanatory data for each processing step PO-pH necessary to realize the desired function of the facsimile mail device 10 and the proficiency level of the operator. , and edit and create it as an operation manual in the manual generation buffer 14. Further, at this time, if the system information storage unit 22 stores system information necessary to realize the function, the operation manual is created by incorporating this system information.

The temporary ID requesting unit (temporary password requesting means) 25 is the line LL.
= Executes the process of receiving the user ID sent from the user of the other party's communication terminal connected via Ln, and compares it with the user ID stored in the system information storage unit 22 to determine whether to start creating an operation manual. At the same time, when predetermined operation information is input without a user ID, a temporary ID stored in the ID information storage section 25 that temporarily releases the user ID is output.

This facsimile mail device 1 includes each communication processing unit FCU.
1=Line lines Ll to Ln are stored for each FCUn, and facsimile communication is performed with a partner communication terminal connected via these lines L1 to Ln. When the facsimile mail device 1 receives a service request from a communication terminal connected via the lines L1 to Ln, it analyzes the requested service and provides the service. This service request can be made using an OMR sheet, or can also be made using a tone signal or the like.

When the other party's communication terminal makes a service request using the OMR sheet, the facsimile mail device 1
The processing unit 18 reads the mark position on the OMR sheet and develops the reading result in the storage memory 20. The channel control unit 16 analyzes the contents of the storage memory 20, determines the contents of the service request, and executes the requested service.

For example, when the service request is for a time-specific transmission service, the facsimile mail device 1 temporarily stores the received encoded message in the storage memory 20, encodes and
After decoding in the decoding unit 15 and re-encoding using a predetermined encoding method, or directly via the bus control unit 24 to the floppy disk 5 or hard disk 6.
．． Accumulates to 7.

After that, at the specified sending time, the message is read from the Fronbi disk 5 or hard disk 6.7,
The data is transferred to the vacant communication processing unit FCUl=FC[Jn via its bus control unit 24. Communication processing unit FCU1=F
CUn temporarily stores the transferred message in storage memory 20.
The data is stored in the data, and is re-encoded by the encoding/decoding unit 15 using a predetermined encoding method, or is transmitted as is to a designated destination.

Note that the network control section 11, modem 12, communication control section 13
The OMR processing unit 18 constitutes a reception control unit that receives operation data from a communication terminal, and although not shown, the keyboard of the facsimile mail device 1 and its control unit are used when an operation is performed on the facsimile mail device l as a device. It constitutes an input means that takes in operation details as operation data.

Next, the effect will be explained.

As described above, when a service request is received from a communication terminal, the facsimile mail device 1 provides the requested service, but if the operator of the communication terminal does not know how to operate it, A manual request is accepted, an operation manual corresponding to the service (function of facsimile mail device 1) requested by the operator is created and sent to the communication terminal.

That is, when the operator of the communication terminal requests the facsimile mail device 1 for an operating manual, he first calls the facsimile mail device 1 and requests the operating manual. This request for the operation manual can be made using a tone signal by performing key operations according to voice guidance from the facsimile mail device 1, or the request for the operation manual can be made using an OMR sheet. You can also do that. For example, when requesting an operation manual using an OMR sheet, the OMR sheet (
(See Figure 3) Use 30 to request an operating manual. This operation manual request OMR sheet 30 is
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, like a normal OMR sheet, there is a start mark 30a, an initial permissible inclination limit determination mark 30b, a guide mark 30C, a mode switching mark 30d, a field number 30e, and a free area division designation mark. 3
0f, end mark 30g, etc., and a mark specially provided for requesting an operation manual, that is,
Inquiry mark 30h1 Voice guidance required/unnecessary mark 301, mail type (service type) mark 3
0j, whether or not the time is designated, and the designated time mark 30.

When the operator of the communication terminal requests an operation manual using the OMR sheet 30, he/she calls the facsimile mail device l and sends the OM to the communication terminal (e.g., facsimile device).
All you have to do is read the R sheet 30 and send it.

Next, we will discuss the process in the facsimile mail device 1 in the fourth section.
This will be explained based on FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the facsimile mail device 1 receives an incoming call (step Sl), the temporary ID request unit 26 performs the user ID receiving process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12.13, which will be described later. S2), it is checked whether the received user ID is registered (step 33). This user ID is for using the facsimile mail device l, and is stored in the system information storage section 22. If the received user ID is not registered, error processing is performed (step S4), and a check is made to see if the user ID should be re-entered (step 35).

If re-input is to be performed, return to step S2 and
A user ID reception process is performed, and if re-input is not required, error processing and line disconnection are performed, and this flow ends (steps S6 and S7).

If the received user ID is registered in step S3, it is checked whether the ordering is by PB tone (step S8), and if it is PB ordering, the PB ordering is received (step S8).
9). Upon completion of receiving the PB ordering, check whether the ordering is normal (step 510);
When the ordering is performed normally, reception of the message is started (step 511). When the reception of all the messages is completed (step 12), check whether the messages were received normally (step 513), and if the messages were received normally, disconnect the lines Ll to Ln. The reception process ends (step 514). In step S13, if the message is not received normally, after performing error processing,
(steps 315.514). In addition, in step SIO, if the ordering by the PB)-on is not performed normally, error handling (for example, feedbanking to the communication terminal indicating that the ordering was not performed normally) is performed (step SIO). 516), and checks whether it is re-entered (step 517). If re-input is to be performed, return to step S9 and enter PB)
- If an ordering request is received and re-input is not performed, after performing error handling (for example, feedback to the communication terminal that the line will be disconnected), the line will be disconnected.
1 to Ln are cut (step S15.514).

Steps S9 to S17 described above are the flow of normal service request reception processing of the facsimile mail device l.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the ordering is not by PB tone, the message is received (step 518).
), it is checked whether the received message is an OMR sheet message or an OMR sheet for inquiry, that is, for requesting an operating manual (step S19.520).

If it is not an inquiry request (operation manual request), ordering processing using the OMR sheet is performed (step 521). That is, the OMR processing unit 18 reads the mark position of the OMR sheet from the message of the received ○MR sheet and develops it in the storage memory 20, and the channel control unit 16 reads the contents of the OMR sheet developed in the storage memory 20. Analyze and determine the contents of the ordering. Check whether the ordering was performed normally (step 522); if the ordering was not performed normally, after performing error handling,
(Step 323.514). If the ordering is performed normally, the message is received. If all the messages are received normally, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected and this flow ends. (Steps Sll to S15
).

In step S20, when the inquiry request (operation manual request) is made, the inquiry processing using the OMR sheet (
Steps 324 and 525) check whether the operation manual request (operation manual request) was performed normally. If not, after performing error processing, the line L1 to
Cut Ln (steps S6, S7).

If the inquiry request is successfully made, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected - step 326).

Analysis of inquiries (analysis of request contents of operation manual)
(Step 527). Next, step 528 checks whether the content of the inquiry request is normal.
). If the content of the inquiry request is not normal, this flow is terminated by performing error processing, such as notifying the communication terminal that the content of the inquiry request is not normal (
step 529).

If the content of the inquiry is normal, operation manual editing processing and operation manual output processing are performed, and this flow is ended (steps 530 and 531). As for this operation manual output process, the created operation manual may be sent directly to the communication terminal that has requested the operation manual, or it may be placed in a post office box of the facsimile mail device l and the user may send the created operation manual directly to the communication terminal that has requested the operation manual. May be sent at any time.

Next, the inquiry analysis process in step S27 will be explained.

Each communication processing unit FCUI-FCUn uses the OMR processing unit 18 to read the mark position of the OMR sheet 30 from the message of the received OMR sheet 30 for requesting a fraud manual, and develops it in the storage memory 20. The channel control unit 16 analyzes the contents of the OMR sheet and determines the contents of the operation manual request.

That is, the channel control unit 16 analyzes the contents developed in the storage memory 20, and as shown in FIG.
Determine whether voice guidance is necessary (step R1)
. If it is determined that there is a mark at the key position of the voice guidance mark 30i on the OMR sheet, set the system parameter dO to aO in step R2), O.
If it is determined that the voice guidance mark 30i on the MR sheet is located at the negative position, the system parameter dO is set to al (step R3). Here, the system parameters are parameters that determine which processing step PO-pH to move to next when moving from each processing step PO-pH shown in FIG. 2 to the next processing step PO-pH. , as shown in FIG. 6, is stored in a buffer for storing system parameters formed in the instruction information storage section 21. The system parameter dO is the parameter for whether voice guidance is required, and the system parameters dl, d2, and d3 are for selecting a post office box or bulletin board, whether or not to specify the time, and the destination I.
D, No. or telephone number (Te1.NO) is selected, and d4 stores a parameter as to whether broadcast is to be made or not.

After setting whether or not voice guidance is necessary and its system parameters, the channel control unit 16 then determines whether or not it is a post office box service (step R4), and if it is not a post office box service, sets the system parameter d1 to b2. P.O. Box No.

(Serial number given to the message that the user puts in the post office box). (Step R)
5, R6). If the post office box No. 1 exists, the post office box No. 0 is stored in the system information storage section 22 and the process proceeds to the next step (step R7), and if the post office box No. 0 does not exist, the process directly proceeds to the next step.

In step R4, if it is not a post office box service, check whether it is a bulletin board service (step R8); if it is a bulletin board service, set the system parameter d1 to bl.
It is checked whether there is a bulletin board N00 (a serial number given to a message that a user submits to a bulletin board) by setting it to the bulletin board (steps R9 and R10). If there is a bulletin board No. 0, the bulletin board No. 1 is stored in the system information storage unit 2.
2 and proceed to the next step (step R11).
, when there is no bulletin board No. 9, the process directly advances to the next step.

If it is not a bulletin board service in step R4, a check is made to see if it is a normal message (step R12), and if it is not a normal message, an error process is performed and the flow ends (step R13). If it is a normal message, the system parameter d1 is set to d2 and the process moves to the next step (step R14).

When the system parameters are set according to whether it is a post office box, a bulletin board, or an ordinary message, it is then checked whether the time is specified (step R15), and if the time is not specified, the system parameter d2 is changed to d3.
(step R16). This system parameter d3 will be set again in later processing. When specifying the time, the system parameter d2 is set to b3 (step R17), and it is checked whether the specified time is normal (step R18). If the specified time is not normal, perform error processing and end this flow (Step R19); if the specified time is normal, the specified time is stored in the system information storage unit 22 and the destination is Te1. It is checked whether the designation is NO (steps R20, R21), and the destination is 'l'e1. When specified as No, set the system parameter d3 to b4 (step R22),
Proceed to the next process. If the destination is not specified by Te1 or No, the destination is ID.

Check whether it is specified by No (step R25).
), the destination is Te1. If it is No, or if the ID or NO is not specified, it can be determined that it is an error.

Next, this operation manual creation process will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

The editing control unit 23 first sets the counters n, m, and l to “O”.
is set (step Ql), and the code of processing step Pn is stored in the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q2). That is, first, processing step PO
The code is stored in the manual generation buffer 14. Next, the editing control unit 23 reads out the system parameters of this processing step and 71Pn (system parameters dO to d4, etc. set in FIG. 5.6 above) from the instruction information storage unit 21 (step Q3). Check whether it is "0" (step Q4).

If the system parameter is “0”, processing step P
At n, read the address of the explanatory data corresponding to the system parameter 0'' and the code of the next processing step Pn,
Stored in manual generation buffer 14 (step Q5)
). On the other hand, when the system parameter is not 0'',
Read the value of the system parameter dm from the system information storage unit 22 (step Q6), read the processing step Pn, the address of the explanatory data corresponding to the system parameter dm, and the code of the next processing step Pn from the installation information storage unit 21. Manual generation buffer 14
Address, A [close and enter (step Q7). That is, the processing step Pn and the system parameters correspond to each other as shown in FIG. 8, and when the processing step Pn and the system parameters are determined, the next processing step Pn is determined, and the corresponding The processing step Pn
Explanatory data is determined. Therefore, by freely combining the processing step Pn and the system parameters, the next processing step Pn can be freely set, and the explanatory data necessary for the operation at this processing step Pn can be freely combined.

In this way, first, when the address setting of the explanation data of the processing step PO, the next processing step Pn corresponding to the system parameter aQ, and the system parameter dm is completed, m+1 is set as the parameter m, and step Q8
), it is checked whether it is the final processing step Pn (step Q9).

If it is not the final processing step Pn, the process returns to step Q3 and similarly stores the address of the next processing step Pn and explanatory data in the manual generation buffer 14 based on the system parameters for each processing step Pn (step Q3 ~Step Q8). When the above processing is repeatedly executed up to the final processing step Pn, the manual generation buffer 14 contains the code of the processing step Pn necessary for executing the service requested by the operator in the order of address settings and its processing steps. Pn
The address of the explanation data is expanded.

Therefore, by freely setting system parameters, processing steps Pn corresponding to each of the multiple functions of the facsimile mail device can be set, and explanatory data for each processing step Pn corresponding to the desired function can be freely set. Can be combined.

Next, the service code stored in the system information storage unit 22 is read out (step Qll), a part of the corresponding header is taken out, and as shown in FIG. (Step Q12).

Here, the counter l should be set to "0" in step Q13.
), reads out the explanatory data stored at address Al and develops it in the character data area 40b of the operation manual of the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q1
4). In addition, explanatory figures (stored in advance in the instruction information storage unit 21 in association with the explanatory data of the processing step Pn, or independently regardless of the explanatory data) and the explanatory figures stored in the system information storage unit 22 The system information (Te1.No, ID, No., etc.) is read out, and the image area 40 of the manual generation buffer 14 is read out.
c (step Q15). When the expansion of each data at the corresponding address to the manual generation buffer 14 is completed, a check is made as to whether the data is the final data or not in step Q1.
6) If it is not the final data, increment the counter l by 1 (1=ffi+1) and step Q14.
Return to Similarly, explanatory data, explanatory figures, and system information for each address AI entered in the manual generation sofa 14 are expanded to the manual generation sofa 14, and when the processing is completed for all addresses Aff, the operation manual editing/generation process is finished. do.

The operation manual developed in the manual generation sofa 14 in this way is output from the facsimile mail device 1 to the communication terminal that has requested the operation manual, and the communication terminal does not receive the operation manual 50 as shown in FIG. You can take it. The operator of the communication terminal who has received the operation manual can receive the intended service of the facsimile mail device 1 by looking at the transmitted operation manual and performing the operations as described in the operation manual. I can do it.

This output process can be sent directly when the generation of the operation manual is completed, or it can be sent to the post office box of the facsimile mail device 1 and sent when there is a request from the communication terminal to send the operation manual of the post office box. You may
The output method is not limited.

The user ID receiving process described in step S2 of FIG. 4 above will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart when the user ID (password) is correctly input.

Normally, when a user of a communication terminal is connected to the facsimile mail device 1 via lines L1 to Ln, he or she first inputs a user ID and number by operating keys on the communication terminal (steps U1 and U2).

When the temporary ID request unit 25 of the facsimile mail device 1 confirms that the input user ID and No. match the user ID and No. stored in the system information storage unit 22, the temporary ID request unit 25 of the facsimile mail device 1 communicates the creation and withdrawal of the operation manual. Permit the terminal user and proceed to steps 81~ in Figure 4.
After creating and outputting the operation manual as shown in S31, the line is disconnected and the process ends (step U3,
U, 4).

However, when attempting to input the user ID sent from the destination terminal user, the user does not know the ID.

Previously, if you forgot No, you could not proceed to the next step. The user will request the administrator of the facsimile mail device 1 to re-notify the ID and number, but it will take some time to obtain the ID and number for reasons such as ensuring system security. However, during this time, the communication terminal user will not be able to use the facsimile mail device 1, reducing the usability and convenience of the facsimile mail device 1.

Therefore, in this embodiment, by providing a temporary ID for the purpose of retrieving the operation manual, the original user ID is
This temporarily cancels the input of D and No to permit withdrawal of the operation manual. However, since it is difficult for the user to remember the temporary ID, we propose a method for obtaining the temporary ID through simple operations. In this embodiment, the above function will be tentatively referred to as the 110th function.

As this 110 number function, for example, users rD, N
It is assumed that a temporary ID is obtained from the facsimile mail device 1 by the operations shown in (1) to (4) below that everyone can remember at the time of inputting o.

■Enter “110”.

■Enter “119”.

■Enter "104".

■Input "1" 10 times within a certain period of time.

■Enter "1" continuously for more than 10 seconds.

etc., the user can access the facsimile mail device 1.
Notify the person that you have forgotten your ID and number. The facsimile mail device 1 outputs a temporary ID and number to the user based on these notifications.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart for outputting the temporary ID and No. After the line is connected, the temporary ID requesting unit 25
When D and No are not input and it is notified that the ID and No have been forgotten by the above input operation (Step ■1
, V2), outputs the temporary ID and number stored in the system information storage unit 22, notifies the user to allow withdrawal of the operation manual, disconnects the line, and ends the process (step v3, V4).

However, by using the temporary ID and No., the following conditions shall be set for the user.

(b) If the user's authority to access the facsimile mail device 1 is limited and the temporary ID is not stored in the facsimile mail device 1, the temporary ID is sent to the host device via the host interface unit 8.
can be requested.

(b) If the facsimile mail device 1 or the host device provides user attributes (date of birth, employee number 1 driver's license number 1 date of employment, affiliation, etc.) for each ID, any of the above 110 functions may be used. The user is prompted to operate one item, and the user inputs one item according to the instructions.

In cases like (b) above, there is a possibility that duplicate numbers may occur for each input item, but the purpose of the temporary ID is to provide relief to authorized users in emergency situations. .

The temporary ID and No. are output by facsimile communication in the case of a facsimile terminal, and are displayed in characters in the case of a CRT.

Therefore, even if the user forgets the ID and number, by using the temporary ID, it is possible to temporarily cancel the ID input and use the manual creation function of the facsimile mail device 1, and the facsimile mail The usability of the device l for authorized users is improved.

In the above embodiment, a case is explained in which an operation manual is requested from a communication terminal, but the operator of the facsimile mail device itself can operate the facsimile mail device itself or operate the facsimile mail device from the keyboard etc. The same can be applied to the case where an operation manual is requested regarding the operation of a service request.

Therefore, the facsimile mail device l is a device that compiles an operating manual for the operations necessary to realize the functions of the device requested by the operator, by freely combining explanatory data for each processing step necessary to realize the functions. -Can be created and output. As a result, it is possible to generate and provide an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of operator demands without using a large-capacity storage device. In addition, it is possible to provide an operation manual for a series of operations from the beginning to the completion of the operation necessary to realize the functions of the device. , N
Even if you forget o, you can reliably realize the intended function of the device. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be improved and the functions of the equipment can be fully utilized.

In addition, for facsimile mail devices that are equipped with communication functions, we accept requests for operation manuals from communication terminals, and edit and create operation manuals necessary to realize the functions desired by the requesting operator. The function of the facsimile mail device as a device equipped with a communication function can be easily and fully utilized from the communication terminal.

Furthermore, for facsimile mail devices that are equipped with communication functions, we receive inquiries from communication terminals regarding operations using OMR sheets, and edit and create operation manuals necessary to realize the functions desired by the requesting operator. The information can be transmitted to the communication terminal using the communication terminal, making it easier to inquire about operations from the communication terminal to the facsimile mail device, which is a device equipped with a communication function. As a result, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of devices equipped with communication functions can be more easily and fully utilized from the communication terminal.

Further, in the above embodiment, when creating an operation manual, the system information stored in the system information storage unit 22 is incorporated in advance to edit and edit the operation manual.
Since it has been created, the operator can request the desired service from the facsimile mail device by operating the contents described in the operation manual as they are.

Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the equipment can be used even more easily and fully.

〔effect〕

According to the present invention, for each processing step of a device that realizes various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, explanatory data of the operation contents necessary for that processing step is stored, and an operator's explanation data is stored based on the data input to the device. Determine the required functionality, and create an operation manual by freely combining explanatory data for each processing step to describe the operations to be performed in the processing steps to achieve that functionality.
When the various system information necessary to realize the functions of the equipment has been entered in advance, when creating the operation manual, this system information is incorporated to create an i-made manual and provided to the operator, so explanatory data can be easily accessed. We provide operation manuals that can reduce the required capacity of the storage unit and fully meet the wide range of operator requirements. In addition to improving the man-machine interface, it is possible to fully utilize the functions of the device.Furthermore, if the specified operation information is entered without a password when creating the operation manual, the password can be temporarily changed. Since the help function allows the use of the help function by requiring the user to enter a temporary password to unlock the password, it is possible to output the operation manual even if the authorized user forgets the password, and the help function of the production manual creation device can be further enhanced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 13 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the operation manual creation device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile mail device to which the operation manual creation device is applied, and FIG. A transition diagram of the processing steps of the facsimile mail device. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the OMR sheet for requesting the operation manual. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the basic processing of the facsimile mail device. Fig. 5 is the operation manual. Flowchart showing the request analysis process, Figure 6 is a diagram showing the system parameter storage buffer, Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation manual editing/creation process, and Figure 8 is stored in the instruction information storage unit. Figure 9 shows the state of processing steps and system parameters. Figure 9 shows the address settings for processing steps and explanatory data stored in the manual generation buffer. Figure 10 shows the operation manual expanded in the manual generation buffer. Figures showing each data, Figure 11 is a diagram showing the output operation manual, Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the reception process when the password is entered normally, Figure 13 is a diagram showing the reception process when the password is not input. 12 is a flowchart showing reception processing when 1.--Facsimile mail device, 2.--
・System control unit, 3...-disk control unit, 4...-disk control unit, 5...floppy disk device, 6...-
・Hard disk device, 7...-Hard disk device, 8...--Host interface section, 11...
...-Network control unit, 12...Modem, 13...Communication control unit, 14...Manual generation buffer, 15...
... Encoding/decoding section, 16... Channel control section, 17...-- Control program storage section, 18...-
OMR processing section, 19--Data storage section, 20--Storage memory, 21--Instruction information storage section, 22--
...System information storage unit, 23...Edit control unit, 24...Bus control unit, 25...Temporary ID request unit, 30...Operation manual OMR sheet for request,
3Qh・-・・Inquiry mark, 30i・・・・
・-Pois guidance required/unnecessary mark, 30j ・・-
...Mail type (service type) mark, 30k...Time designation presence/absence and designated time mark 40a...---Heng part, 40b...Character data area, 40c・・・
...Image data area. Substitute Patent Attorney Agagun Partial Figures Figures Figures Figures Figures Figures Figures Figures Figures Figures Figures Figures Figures

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A device for creating an operation manual for a device that realizes multiple functions by combining a plurality of processing steps that are executed when a predetermined operation is performed, the device comprising: an input means for importing the operation details as operation data; a password storage means for storing a password necessary to start creating the operation manual and a temporary password for temporarily canceling the password; and among the data imported by the input means. Temporary password requesting means that extracts a password, compares the extracted password with the stored password, and outputs a temporary password when a password is not input and predetermined operation information requesting the temporary password is input. , a data storage means for extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data taken in by the input means, and instruction information for storing explanatory data of the operation contents required for each of the above processing steps. a storage means; a system information storage means for storing various system information entered in advance to realize each function of the device; and an analysis of the data stored in the data storage means and storage in the instruction information storage means. an editing control means for editing and creating an operation manual necessary for realizing a desired function by combining explanatory data of operation contents at each processing step and incorporating system information stored in a system information storage means; an output means for outputting the operation manual created by the control means in a predetermined expression format; the method further comprises: requesting input of the password when starting creation of the operation manual; and starting creation of the operation manual when the input passwords match; Additionally, when the predetermined operation information is input without the password being input, the operation manual creation device outputs the temporary password for temporarily canceling the password.