JPH04184555A - Device for preparing operating manual - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve a man-machine interface by outputting an operating manual in response to an inquiry about operation and, at the time, simplifying a series of complicated operations on the basis of operating history information. CONSTITUTION:This operating manual preparing device is provided with an edition control section 23, instructing information storing section 21, manual preparing buffer 14, etc. The device discriminates the function required by an operator from input operation data, prepares the operations executed in each processing step for realizing the function as an operating manual by freely combining the explanation data of the operations in each processing step, and outputs the operating manual. In addition, the device stores a series of input operating information in a system information storing section 22 as operating history information by users after number information is added to the information, provides the operating history information in response to an inquiry about number information, and makes the input of a series of operation data corresponding to number information by inputting the number information. Therefore, it can be easily realized to make aimed equipment to exert its function without operating manual attached to the equipment.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present inventions relate to an operation manual creation device, and more specifically, the present invention relates to an operation manual creation device for editing and creating 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.

(Prior Art) As the functions of OA equipment such as information processing equipment and word processors, and communication equipment such as facsimile mail equipment become more sophisticated, the operations become more complex, and it is difficult to fully utilize the functions of the equipment. Detailed knowledge of the equipment is required.For this reason, equipment has traditionally been accompanied by detailed operating manuals, and operators operate the equipment while referring to the operating manuals.

However, as the functions of devices 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,
Pre-created loop information is displayed on the display. However, simply displaying such pre-prepared help information on a display does not provide help information that is appropriate for the operator's proficiency level and operation stage.

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 in advance for each help item that the user may request and is stored in the storage unit, and if there is no help information corresponding to the help item selected by the user, the help item selection will be disabled. Expand the range as appropriate and decide which help information to display. Furthermore, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-262120, when the same operator or operators belonging to the same group perform a certain number of operations, or when the operator determines that certain guidance information is unnecessary, By prohibiting the display of this guidance information during the next operation process when instructed,
A system has been proposed that displays only appropriate and necessary guidance information depending on the operator's proficiency level. The guidance information in this case is also prepared based on the proficiency level of the operator, and is appropriately selected from the plurality of pieces of guidance information and displayed.

Furthermore, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 63-66623, data regarding the user's personal data and operation history, as well as data regarding the installation environment and operation history of the terminal device, can be used to determine what the user wants. A method has been proposed that detects an operating method that allows the user to reach a desired service 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 the requesting materials based on the state of the application program and the operation procedure sequence at the time of a guide request. means for creating a series of operation procedures from the state at the time of request to the end of the operation; means for searching the guide help information for a message corresponding to each of the series of operation procedures for raising; A means for synthesizing and displaying the retrieved guide help information is provided, and the content of the guide request (question), the state and state flow of the application program are stored in advance, and a state flow table is used to display the result from the state at the time of the guide request. A proposed method is to create a string of operating procedure states until the desired process is performed, then search for guidance messages for each of the operating procedure state strings, and finally synthesize and display the messages in the same order as the procedure. has been done. 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.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, such conventional help functions, especially 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 help information was selected and outputted from these multiple sources according to the individual's proficiency level, etc., which not only made it impossible to adequately respond to a wide range of requests, but also made it difficult to respond to a wide range of requests. The problem is that the more you try to do this, the more you need a storage unit with a larger capacity to store the help information, which increases the cost.

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 conventional method does not synthesize guide information by freely combining help messages for each unit. Even in this 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 operation manual attached to the device, and it was assumed that the user had thoroughly read the operation manual to some extent, so all (beginners) There is a problem in that when operating the device or if the operating manual attached to the device is lost, the help function is not sufficient and the device cannot be fully utilized.

In particular, as the functions of devices become more sophisticated and diversified, their operation methods become more complex, and the operation manuals that come with devices are also thicker and more complex. It has become difficult to master how to use it. 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.

Therefore, the applicant of this application first requested the operation manual along with the input of the data necessary to create the operation manual, and then the applicant requested the operation manual for each processing step to be executed to realize the functions of the device. We have proposed an operation manual creation device that creates and outputs an operation manual by freely combining invention data of operation contents (Patent application No. 2-1).
No. 6365).

However, with this operation manual creation device, i
When requesting a service again based on the operation manual, there was no function to request the service using simplified operations or a function to refer to the contents of the operation based on the operation manual. It required repeated operations, took time, and there was room for improvement in terms of man-machine interface.

[Purpose of the invention]

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 stores, for each processing step of a device having a function of realizing various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, explanatory data of the operation contents necessary for that processing step, When various system information necessary to realize the functions of the equipment is input in advance, the function requested by the operator is determined from the input operation data and the processing steps to be executed to realize that function are determined. Freely combine the explanation data of the operation contents for each processing step, incorporate system information, create and output as an operation manual, and add number information to the input series of operation information as operation history information for the user. There is a need for a storage unit that stores explanatory data separately, provides operation history information to the operator by querying the number information, and eliminates the need to input a series of corresponding operation data by inputting the number information. It reduces the capacity and provides an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of operator requirements, and allows even beginners to realize the desired equipment functions even without the attached operation manual. In addition, the present invention aims to simplify a series of complicated service request operations using operation history information, thereby improving the man-machine interface and making it possible to fully utilize the functions of the equipment. The described invention is a device equipped with a communication function, which accepts operation inquiries from a communication terminal, and when various system information necessary for realizing the functions of the device is inputted in advance.
Incorporating this system information, we create operating manuals necessary to achieve the intended functions of the equipment, and
A series of received operation data is stored as operation history information with number information added thereto for each user, and the operation history information is transmitted to a communication terminal by an inquiry of the number information, and
By inputting number information from a communication terminal, it is no longer necessary to input a series of corresponding operation data, and system information can also be input and operated by operating the operation manual according to its contents. Even if the operator has forgotten or does not know the information, by performing the operations according to the operation manual, the device can realize the desired communication function. To further improve the man-machine interface by simplifying the complicated service-reliant operations of devices, and to make it possible to more easily and fully utilize the functions of devices equipped with communication functions from communication terminals. The invention as set forth in claim 3 provides a facsimile mail device that receives operation inquiries from the facsimile device itself and a communication terminal;
In addition to creating and transmitting to the communication terminal an operation manual for the operations necessary to realize the functions of the facsimile machine itself intended for the operator and to use the services of the facsimile mail machine, a series of operation data for each user of the communication terminal is prepared. is stored as operation history information with number information added, the operation history information is sent to the communication terminal by querying the number information, and the corresponding series of operation data is input by inputting the number information from the communication terminal. The purpose is to make it possible to easily and fully utilize the services of the facsimile mail device from a communication terminal by eliminating the need for input.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an apparatus for creating an operation manual for a device that realizes a plurality of functions by combining a plurality of processing steps executed by performing a predetermined operation, An input means for importing the operation contents as operation data when an operation is performed on the above-mentioned equipment; A data storage means for storing a series of captured operation data as operation history information, an instruction information storage means for storing explanation data of operation contents required for each of the above processing steps, and realizing each function of the device. a system information storage means for storing various system information that has been manually operated in advance for the purpose of operation, and adding predetermined number information to the operation history information stored by the data storage means and storing it for each user; Analyze the data and combine the explanatory data of the operation contents at each processing step stored in the instruction information storage means, and incorporate the system information stored in the system information storage means to perform the operations necessary to realize the desired function. an editing control means for editing and creating a manual; and an outputting means for outputting the operation manual created by the editing control means in a predetermined expression format and operation history information stored in the system information storage means; In addition to preparing and outputting an operation manual in response to an operation inquiry, the system also reads and outputs the operation history information of the corresponding user from the system information storage means in response to an inquiry about the number information added to the operation history information. Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that inputting the number information makes it unnecessary to input a series of corresponding operation data, When a predetermined operation is performed on the communication terminal, the content of the operation is changed. An operation manual creation device for a device having a communication function that receives corresponding operation data from the communication terminal and performs a plurality of processing steps in combination according to the operation data to realize a plurality of functions, the above-mentioned a reception control means for receiving operation data from a communication terminal; and a reception control means for extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data received by the reception control means, and for storing a series of operation data received by the reception means. data storage means for storing information as operation history information; instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of operation contents required for each of the above processing steps; a system information storage means for storing various system information stored in the data storage means and adding predetermined number information to the operation history information stored by the data storage means for each user; It combines the explanatory data of the operation contents for each processing step stored in the tract 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. Editing control means; Transmission control means for transmitting the operation manual created by the editing control means to the communication terminal in response to a request from the communication terminal, and also transmitting the operation history information stored in the system information storage means. , creates an operation manual in response to an operation inquiry from a communication terminal and sends it to the communication terminal,
In response to an inquiry about the number information added to the operation history information from the communication terminal, read the operation history information of the corresponding user from the system information storage means and transmit it to the communication terminal, and also transmit the number information from the communication terminal. The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that by doing so, it becomes unnecessary to transmit a series of corresponding operation data. In the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2, the device is a facsimile mail device. It is characterized by:

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile mail device 1 to which the operation manual creation device of each invention of the present application is applied.
The facsimile mail device l includes a system control ear part 2, a disk system i]if part 3.4, and a floor b disk device 5.
, a hard disk device 6.7, a host interface unit 8, communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn, and the like.

The system control unit 2 controls the facsimile mail device l 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 each communication processing unit FCU1=PCIJ.
The facsimile mail device l executes the sequence by controlling the facsimile mail device l. The facsimile mail device 1 has various functional services such as a proxy communication function, a broadcast function, a confidential communication function, a specified time transmission function, a bulletin board service function, a post office box function, and a serial mail function. , each communication processing unit PC executes and controls these functions.
This is performed by controlling UI to FCUn.

In addition, in order to use each of these functions of the facsimile mail device, a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine) connected to the facsimile mail device must perform a certain li operation to the facsimile mail device to request a service. In the present invention, as described below,
The communication terminal can request the facsimile mail device 1 for an operation manual indicating 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 store basic programs and various data as a facsimile mail device. In particular, it stores 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 1, and a communication control section that connects the host device and the facsimile mail device 1 via a line. etc. are used.

Communication processing units FCU1=FCUn are provided as many as the number of storage lines, and each communication processing unit FCU1"FCUn has network control unit 11, modem 12, communication control, as shown in the figure for its communication processing units FCUI and FCIJn. unit 13, manual generation buffer 14, encoding/decoding unit 15, channel control unit 16, control program storage unit 17, OMR
Processing section 18, data storage section 19, storage memory 20, instruction information storage section 21, system information storage section 22
, an editing control section 23, a lotus control section 24, and the like.

Lines L1 to Ln are connected to the network control unit 11, and the line L
For example, telephone lines are connected to 1 to 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 the lines L1 to Ln, and executes a facsimile communication procedure.

In the manual generation buffer 14, operation manuals for various inventions of the present invention, 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~
It stores the basic program as FCUn and the operation manual generation/output processing program for each invention of the present application, etc.
The channel control unit 16 controls each unit of the communication processing units ECUI to FC1in according to the program in the control program storage unit 17 to execute a sequence as the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn, and also performs operation manual generation/output processing of each invention of the present application. Execute.

The OMR 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, the OMR processing unit 18 detects the marks and markings on the OMR sheet from the received OMR sheet message. 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
Out 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, and the data necessary for creating the operation manual is, for example, the operation manual. the requested command, the type of operation manual requested (i.e. the type of service function that the other operator requests from the facsimile mail equipment engineer), the type of the other operator (e.g. ID of the other party's terminal, operator ID, etc.), and the other operator. This is data related to data showing the level of proficiency. The data storage unit 19 also stores a series of operation data received from communication terminals for various service requests as operation history information.

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

The instruction information storage unit (instruction information storage means) 21 stores explanatory 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 l, 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 the processing steps necessary to realize 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) 22 stores predetermined system information required to realize the functions of the facsimile mail device 1, and this system information includes, for example, user IDs, , N, etc. o, destination ID, No. and destination phone number (Te1.No)
etc. Further, the system information storage unit 22 stores the operation history information stored in the data storage unit 19 with number information added for each user.

When there is a request for an operation manual, the editing control unit (editing control means) 23 analyzes the data stored in the data storage unit 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 functions of the facsimile mail device 1 and the operator's proficiency level. , 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.

This facsimile mail device 1 includes each communication processing unit FCU.
Lines Ll to Ln are housed for each of I to FCUn, and facsimile communication is performed with a 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 OM'R sheet, the facsimile mail device 1
The R 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 memo 1J20, decodes it in the encoding/decoding section 15, and then sends the message again to the specified time. After re-encoding with the encoding method, or as it is, the lotus control unit 24
The data is stored on the floppy disk 5 or hard disk device 6.7 via the floppy disk 5 or the hard disk device 6.7. Thereafter, at the specified transmission time, the message is read from the floppy disk 5 or hard disk device 6.7 and sent to the vacant communication processing unit FC.
It is transferred to UI to FCUn via the lotus control unit 24. The communication processing units FCUI to FCUn temporarily store the transferred message in the storage memory 20, and re-encode it using a predetermined encoding method in the encoding/decoding unit 15, or
Send as is to the specified 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 operate when an operation is performed on the facsimile mail device 1 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, Accepts a manual request, creates an operation manual corresponding to the service (function of facsimile mail device 1) requested by the operator and sends it to the communication terminal, and performs operations corresponding to the service request from the communication terminal. When there is a service request for history information, the corresponding operation history information is transmitted to the communication terminal, and when the number information added to the operation history information is received from the communication terminal, the corresponding service is executed.

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, you may be asked to confirm that the OMR sheet created for requesting an operation manual (
(See Figure 3) 30 to request an operating manual. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, this OMR sheet 30 for requesting an operation manual includes a start mark 30a, an initial inclination permissible limit determination mark 30b, a guide mark 30c, a mode switching mark 30, and the like, as shown in FIG.
d, field number 30e, free area division designation mark 30f,
It has an end mark 30g, etc., as well as marks specially provided for requesting an operating manual, such as an inquiry mark 30h, and a voice guidance required/unnecessary mark 3.
01, Mail type (service type) mark 30j,
Whether or not the time is specified and the specified time mark 30 are included.

When an operator of a communication terminal requests an operation manual using the OMR notebook 30, he/she calls the facsimile mail device 1 and sends an OM to the communication terminal (for example, a 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 S1), it receives a user ID (step S2), and checks whether the received user ID is registered (step S3). ). This user ID is for using the facsimile mail device 1 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 S5). If re-input is to be performed, the process returns to step S2 to receive the user ID; if re-input is not to be performed, error handling and line disconnection are performed, and this flow ends (steps S6, S
7).

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 S39).
. When the reception of the PB ordering is completed, it is checked whether the ordering is normal or not (step 5IO), and when the ordering is performed normally, a process is executed to store the received ordering data (operation data) as operation history information ( Step 5ll).

Here, storage processing of operation history information will be explained based on FIG. 5.

The series of ordering data received in step S9 and SIO is temporarily stored as operation history information in the data storage section 19 and transferred to the system information storage section 22, where the ordering data is transferred from the data storage section 19. The operation history information obtained is stored in the corresponding area for each user as shown in FIG. 6, and the operation history information is stored with a current history number (number information) added (step Tl).
. This current history number indicates the area where the oldest operation content is stored. Next, the current history number is incremented, and it is checked whether the incremented current history number is larger than the maximum number of stored operation contents N (steps T2 and T3). If the current history number is not greater than N, this process is terminated; if it is greater than N, the current history number is reset to 1 and this process is terminated (step T4).

Next, when the storage process of this operation history information is completed, the process returns to the process after step Sll and starts receiving the message (step 512). When the reception of all the messages is completed (step 13), it is checked whether the messages were received normally (step 514), and if the messages were received normally, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected. Then, the reception process ends (step 515). If the message is not received normally in step S14, error processing is performed and then the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected (step SI6.515). Also, step S1
0 and if the ordering using the PB tone was not performed normally, error handling (for example, feedback to the communication terminal that the ordering was not performed normally) is performed (step 517), and the re-input is performed. (step 518). If re-input is to be performed, the process returns to step S9 to receive the ordering by PB tone, and if re-input is not performed, error processing (for example, feedback to the communication terminal to disconnect the line, etc.) ), the lines L1 to L
n cuts are made (step S16.515).

Steps S9 to S18 described above are the flow of normal service request reception processing of the facsimile mail device 1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the order is not by PB), the message is received (step 519).
), it is checked whether the received message is an OMR sheet message, an inquiry about the operation history, and an OMR sheet for inquiry, that is, for requesting an operation manual (steps 320 to 522). Inquiry request (
If there is no request for an operation manual, ordering processing using the OMR sheet is performed (step 523). That is, the OMR processing unit 18 reads the mark position of the OMR sheet from the message of the received OMR sheet and develops it in the storage memory 20, and the channel control unit 16 analyzes the contents of the OMR sheet developed in the storage memory 20. to determine the contents of the order.

Check whether the ordering was performed normally (step 524); if the ordering was not performed normally, after performing error handling,
n (step S25.515). 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 312-316
).

In step 322, in the case of an inquiry request (operation manual request), inquiry processing using the OMR sheet (
Step S26.527) checks whether the operation manual request (operation manual request) was performed normally. If not, after performing error processing, the line L1 to
Cut Ln (step S6.37).

If the inquiry request is successfully made, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected - step 328).

Analysis of inquiries (analysis of request contents of operation manual)
(Step 529). Next, check whether the content of the inquiry request is normal or not in step 530.
). 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 531).

If the content of the inquiry is normal, operation manual editing processing and operation manual output processing are performed, and this flow is ended (step S32.533). 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 sent to a post office box of the facsimile mail device 1 and the operation manual may be sent to the communication terminal that has requested the output. May be sent at any time.

On the other hand, if it is an operation history inquiry request in step S21, an operation history inquiry process is executed (step 534).

Here, the operation history information inquiry process will be explained based on FIG. 7.

First, the area corresponding to the user who made the inquiry is stored in the system information storage unit 22 through the operation history information storage process.
, and starts editing the operation history information from the latest area immediately before the area indicated by the current history number (step Ul). The order of this editing is
Edits shall be made in order starting from the latest operation contents.
As shown in FIG. 8, the type of service is determined from the operation history number, operation details, and service code of the operation details. Next, the operation history information edited in step U1 is sent to the communication terminal that made the inquiry, and the process ends (step U2).

After the operation history information inquiry process is completed, the process returns to step S27 and subsequent steps.

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

Each of the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn reads the mark position of the OMR sheet 30 from the received message of the OMR sheet 30 for requesting an operation manual in the OMR processing unit 18 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 content expanded 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 center aO in step R2), OM
If it is determined that the voice guidance mark 30i on the R sheet is located at the ``no'' 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. 10, is stored in a system parameter storage space 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 dld2 and d3 are for selecting a post office box or bulletin board, whether or not to specify the time, and the destination ID.
, and the selection of whether to input by No or telephone number (Tel, No), and d4 stores a parameter indicating whether or not to broadcast the broadcast.

After setting the necessity of voice guidance and its system parameters, the channel control unit 16 then determines whether or not it is a post office box service (step R4). If it is not a post office box service, set the system parameter d1 to b2 and use the post office box number.

(Serial number given to the message that the user puts in the post office box). (Step R)
5, R6). If there is a post office box No. 8, the system stores the post office box No. 8 in the system information storage section 22 and proceeds to the next step (step R7), and if there is no post office box No. 8, 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 number (a serial number given to the message that the user submits to the bulletin board). If there is a bulletin board number, the bulletin board number is stored in the system information storage unit 2.
2 and proceed to the next step (step R11).
If there is no bulletin board No. 1, the process directly advances to the next step.

In step R4, if it is not a bulletin board service, a check is made to see if it is a normal message (step R12); 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 have been set according to whether it is a post office box, a bulletin board, or an ordinary message, a check is then made to see if the time is specified (step R15), and if the time is not specified, the system parameter d2 is set to d3. (Step R16). This system parameter d3 will be set again in later processing. When specifying the time, set the system parameter d2 to b3 in step R.
17) Check 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. N.

Check whether it is specified by (step, b R20, R
21). The destination is Te1. If the designation is No, the system parameter d3 should be set to b4 in step R22.
), proceed to the next process. The destination is Tel.

If no is specified, the destination is ID, N.

It is checked whether it is specified by (step R25).

If the destination is not specified by Tel, No. or ID, No., it may be determined that it is an error.

Next, this operation manual creation process will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. 11.

The editing control unit 23 first sets the counters n, m, and l to '0'.
The code of processing step Pn is stored in the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q2). That is, first, processing step P
The code of O is stored in the manual generation buffer 14.

Next, the editing control section 23 reads the instruction information storage section 21.
to the system parameters of this processing step Pn (system parameters do-d4 set in Figure 9.10 above)
etc.), and checks whether the system parameter is "0" (step Q4).

If the system parameter is “0”, processing step P
At n, the address of the explanatory data corresponding to the system parameter 0" and the code of the next processing step Pn are read out,
Store in manual generation buffer 14 (step Q5
). On the other hand, when the system parameter is not “0”, the system parameter d is stored in the system information storage unit 22.
Step Q6) to read the value of m, processing step Pn
The address of the explanatory data corresponding to the system parameter dm and the code of the next processing step Pn are read from the instruction information storage unit 21 and stored in the manual generation buffer 14 at address A! (Step Q7). That is, the processing step Pn and the system parameters are:
As shown in FIG. 12, the processing step P
Once n and the system parameters are determined, the next processing step Pn is determined, and the explanatory data for that processing step Pn is determined accordingly. 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 processing step PO, the next processing step Pn corresponding to the system parameter aO, and the explanatory data of 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 codes and processing steps of the processing step Pn necessary for executing the service requested by the operator in the order of address setting, as shown in FIG. Pn
The address of the explanation data is expanded.

Therefore, by freely setting the system parameters, the processing step knob Pn corresponding to each of the multiple functions of the facsimile mail device can be set, and the explanatory data of each processing step Pn corresponding to the desired function can be set. Can be freely 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 A2, and develops it in the operation manual character data area 40b 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, IO, 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 of the corresponding address into the manual generation buffer 14 is completed, step Q1 is performed to check whether the data is the final data.
6) When the data is not final, the counter! is incremented by 1 (j21+1) and returns to Stella 7''Q14.Similarly, explanatory data, explanatory figures, and system information for each address Al stored in the manual generation buffer 14 are expanded to the manual generation buffer 14, and all addresses When the processing for Al is completed, the operation manual editing/generation processing is completed.

The operation manual developed in the manual generation buffer 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 desired 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.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in processing step χ1 in FIG. 2 above, the operation history number and "'#" shown in the operation history information transmitted from the facsimile mail device 1 are transmitted from the communication terminal Then, the facsimile mail device 1 recognizes the series of operation contents corresponding to the received operation history number and executes the service. That is, when reordering service content that has been previously ordered from a communication terminal to a facsimile mail device, the input operation can be simplified by omitting the input of a series of ordering data and only inputting an operation history number. I can do it. Furthermore, when entering this simplified ordering data, preliminary operation history information is sent from the facsimile mail device 1 to the communication terminal, so it is possible to avoid requesting the wrong service content. can.

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 and operation history are requested for the operation of a service request.

Therefore, the facsimile mail device 1 as a device edits an operation 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 means. In addition, it is possible to provide an operation manual for the series of operations necessary to realize the functions of the device, from the beginning to the completion of the operation. functions can be reliably realized. 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 create 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.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a series of operation data input at the time of a service request for each user of a communication terminal is stored as operation history information with an operation history number added,
In addition to transmitting the corresponding operation history information in response to a user's operation history request, the system also eliminates the need to input a series of ordering data by inputting an operation history number for the same order. The man-machine interface function of the facsimile mail system K during ordering can be further improved.

[Effect] According to the invention set forth in claim 1, for each processing step of a device having a function of realizing various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, explanatory data of the operation contents necessary for that processing step is stored. At the same time, when various system information necessary to realize the functions of the equipment is input in advance, the function requested by the operator is determined from the input operation data, and the processing that should be executed to realize that function is determined. Process operations in steps. Freely combine explanatory data of the operation contents for each step, incorporate system information, create and output as an operation manual, and add number information to the input series of operation information as operation history information. The system stores information for each user, provides operation history information to the operator by inquiring about the number information, and eliminates the need to input a series of corresponding operation data by inputting the number information.
It reduces the required capacity of the storage unit that stores explanatory data, and provides an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of operator requirements. In addition, a series of complicated service request operations can be simplified using operation history information. As a result, the man-machine interface of the device can be improved and the functions of the device can be fully utilized.

According to the invention set forth in claim 2, when a device with a communication function receives an operation inquiry from a communication terminal and various system information necessary for realizing the function of the device is inputted in advance, ,
Incorporating this system information, we create operating manuals necessary to achieve the intended functions of the equipment, and
A series of received operation data is stored as operation history information with number information added thereto for each user, and the operation history information is transmitted to a communication terminal by an inquiry of the number information, and
By inputting number information from a communication terminal, it is unnecessary to input a series of corresponding operation data, so by operating the operation manual according to its contents, system information can also be input and operated. Even if the operator has forgotten or does not know the information, by operating according to the operation manual, the device can realize the desired communication function. A series of complicated service request operations can be simplified. As a result, the man-machine interface of the device equipped with the communication function can be further improved, and the functions of the device equipped with the communication function can be more easily and fully utilized from the communication terminal.

According to the invention of claim 3, the facsimile mail device receives operation inquiries from the facsimile device itself and a communication terminal;
In addition to creating and transmitting to the communication terminal an operation manual for the operations necessary to realize the functions of the facsimile machine itself intended for the operator and to use the services of the facsimile mail machine, a series of operation data for each user of the communication terminal is prepared. is stored as operation history information with number information added, the operation history information is sent to the communication terminal by querying the number information, and the corresponding series of operation data is input by inputting the number information from the communication terminal. Since no input is required, the service of the facsimile mail device can be easily and fully utilized from the communication terminal.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 15 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the operation manual creation device of each invention of the present application, 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, and FIG. 5 is its operation. Flowchart showing the storage process of history information; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure stored in the system information storage unit of FIG. 1 by the storage process of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the transmission of the operation history information Flowchart showing the process; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of operation history information transmitted by the sending process in FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation manual request analysis process; FIG. 10 is the system parameter storage. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation manual editing/creation process, and FIG. 12 is stored in the instruction information storage section. Figure 13 shows the processing steps and the status of system parameters. Figure 13 shows the address settings of the processing steps and explanatory data stored in the manual generation buffer. Figure 14 shows the operation manual expanded to the manual generation buffer. A diagram showing each data, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the output operation manual. 1... Facsimile mail device, 2...
- System control unit, 3...Disk control unit, 4...Disk control unit, 5...Frombie 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 unit, 19...Data storage unit, 20...Storage memory, 21...Instruction information storage unit, 22...
...System information storage unit, 23...Edit control unit, 24...Bus control unit, 30...OMR sheet for operation manual request,
30h...Inquiry mark, 30i...
-・Voice guidance required/unnecessary mark, 30j...
...Mail type (service type) mark, 30k...Time specification and specified time mark, 40a...Part of header, 40b...Character data area, 40c・・・
...Image data area.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) 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, wherein when an operation is performed on the device, the operation details an input means for taking in the data as operation data; and extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data taken by the input means, and storing a series of operation data taken by the input means as operation history information. an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation content required for each of the above-mentioned processing steps; and an instruction information storage means for storing various system information inputted in advance to realize each function of the device. At the same time, system information storage means adds predetermined number information to the operation history information stored in the data storage means and stores it for each user, and the system information storage means analyzes the data stored in the data storage means and stores it 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 form and operation history information stored in the system information storage means; At the same time, in response to an inquiry about the number information added to the operation history information, the operation history information of the corresponding user is read out from the system information storage means and outputted, and the corresponding series of information is output by inputting the number information. An operation manual creation device characterized by eliminating the need to input operation data. (2) When a predetermined operation is performed on a communication terminal, operation data corresponding to the content of the operation is received from the communication terminal, and multiple processing steps are executed in combination according to the operation data to perform multiple functions. A device for creating an operation manual for a device equipped with a communication function to achieve this, comprising a reception control means for receiving operation data from the communication terminal, and a device for creating an operation manual from among the data received by the reception control means. data storage means for extracting and storing data and storing a series of operation data received by the receiving means as operation history information; and instruction information for storing explanatory data of operation details required for each of the above processing steps. A storage means, and a system that stores various system information entered in advance to realize each function of the device, and adds predetermined number information to the operation history information stored by the data storage means and stores it for each user. The information storage means is combined with the explanation data of the operation contents in each processing step stored in the instruction information storage means by analyzing the data stored in the data storage means, and the system information stored in the system information storage means is combined. an editing control means that edits and creates an operation manual necessary to implement the desired function by incorporating it; and a system information storage means that transmits the operation manual created by the editing control means to the communication terminal in response to a request from the communication terminal; a transmission control means for transmitting operation history information stored in the communication terminal;
In response to an inquiry about the number information added to the operation history information from the communication terminal, read the operation history information of the corresponding user from the system information storage means and transmit it to the communication terminal, and also transmit the number information from the communication terminal. An operation manual creation device characterized by eliminating the need for transmitting a series of corresponding operation data. (3) The operation manual creation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is a facsimile mail device.