JPH05307351A - Information support system for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an integrated information support system for providing training information for a user, as for a photographic copying machine. CONSTITUTION: A mass storage memory device such as an optical disk memory device 3 is connected to a controller in the copying machine. Bit map image data and audio data to be separately displayed by a display device 11 such as a CRT screen and a speaker 7 are stored by the memory device 3. The bit map image data is sent to a display controller 13, then, a video quality graphic image is presented by the display controller 13. The user can train to master a copying machine using method and a method for correcting the fault and the error state by using the image. Besides, the display controller 13 is provided with the ability of presenting character tile information already existing in most copying machines. By incorporating the training information and the fault correcting information into the copying machine, a time and a cost for training an unskilled person who wants to use the copying machine are saved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to improved user interfaces for copiers, and more particularly,
A user interface comprising a video screen and a mass memory device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photographic copying machines are becoming more and more complex, and it is necessary to train unskilled users of the copying machines in order to effectively utilize the advanced features thereof. ing. The cost of this training makes the copier more expensive for its users. In addition, training unskilled users of complex copiers costs a significant amount of time for both the user and the trainee.

An access control system is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,868,736. That is, by entering a key or code value, the user is given access to data on a storage device such as a compact disc. The information on this disc (eg music, software and video) is first transferred to a display device,
Then, it is presented to the user for a predetermined time. Alternatively, the valid code value can be stored directly on the compact disc.

An expert information system is described in US Pat. No. 4,835,683. That is, a microcomputer is provided to present the information from the storage device. Auxiliary video means display video frames based on the control signals generated by this microcomputer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,419 describes a navigation planning device. This device is a compact disc read only memory (CD-RO) for storing data records including map images and database information.
M). The information stored in this CD-ROM includes
It can be accessed via user input.

US Pat. No. 4,803,643 describes a system for storing large amounts of graphical and textual information on a CD-ROM. The information stored on this CD-ROM is later retrieved for presentation to the user.

[0006]

To be effective, the use of mass memory devices (such as Compact Disc (CD) technology) in copiers and the like ensures that the information is available when the user needs it. It is required to be presented to the user. Therefore, this information needs to be presented not only when requested by the user, but also when an error or other event occurs in the photocopier. Also, many photocopiers are already adapted to present status and error information to photographs in character tile or bitmap image formats. Therefore, the integrated information support system needs to be able to present appropriate information from the copying machine and image data from the CD.

Therefore, there is a demand for an integrated information support system that clearly provides training information to an unskilled user of a photocopier. There is also a need for an information support system that presents training information based on user initiated inputs, user equipment, and events that occur within the photocopier. There is also a need for a support system that presents both original photocopier status and error information along with text and graphic data stored in a mass memory device such as a compact disc.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an information support system that meets the above demands.

[0009]

In order to meet the above demands, the present invention provides an integrated information support system for a copying machine. The support system comprises a control system, which comprises a central processing unit and several components for controlling the input and output of status, errors, controls and information data. A mass memory device, such as an optical disk memory, is provided for storing software code, bitmap images, and audio data. A controller, such as an optical disk memory controller, controls an optical disk memory device connected to the controller. This optical disc memory device is, for example, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-RO).
M).

A digital / analog audio converter converts the digital audio data from the CD-ROM device into an analog signal for a speaker connected to the controller. The controller also has a memory, such as a RAM, for storing the operating program of the controller as well as the bitmap image and audio data from the CD-ROM device. A user input device, such as a button matrix, provides user input which is used by the control system to select which bitmap image and audio data to display.

The control system is connected to a display controller, such as a video engine, which is, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which is connected to a display device such as a video or CRT screen. It The video engine of the copier displays normal copier / printer information (such as character tile information) as well as bitmap image data sent from the bitmap controller at the controller. Both the video engine and the controller are connected to the network bus in the copier. The copier subsystem attached to this bus sends status and error information on this bus. The controller can display status information on the video screen. Also, based on the error condition, the controller can present a stepwise procedure for correcting the error condition.

The control unit also has an expert system, which presents the desired information to the user with as few inputs as possible. That is, the integrated information support system of the present invention displays training information and expert information for special tasks to the user in the simplest possible manner. In this way, time and money are saved to train unskilled users of the copier.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings.

[0014]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below.
The present invention is not limited to this, and various substitutions, modifications and equivalent uses are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in the claims. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system of the present invention. Integrated information support system 1
Is a compact disc read-only memory (CD-RO
M) It has a mass storage device such as the device 3. CD-RO
A compact disc (not shown) loaded into the M-device 3 is capable of storing compressed and uncompressed video frames, audio and text data. A system controller, such as the control device 5, is provided, which performs most of the control functions of the information support system 1.
To provide. Control device 5 controls (eg, address)
It has a CD-ROM controller 50 for sending signals to the CD-ROM device 3. The CD-ROM controller 50 also receives from the CD-ROM device 3 the data stored therein. CD-ROM controller 50
Is a standard controller specified by the manufacturer of the CD-ROM device 3, for example.

An audio device such as a speaker 7 is provided to output audio data from the CD-ROM 3. The control device 5 has a digital-analog (D / A) audio converter 51 for converting the digital audio data from the CD-ROM device 3 into an analog audio signal for the speaker 7. The button matrix 9 is connected to the control device 5 via the interface 52. The button matrix 9 has a keypad for user input to the information support system 1. A button interpreter 53 connected to the control device 5 transfers this user input information to the interface 5
Receive from 2.

A video display 11 such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) screen is provided for displaying text and pictorial data from the CD-ROM device 3.
The CRT screen 11 is a display controller 13
It is connected to the. This display controller is
In this embodiment, an application specific integrated circuit (ASI) is used.
C). The display controller 13
It has a video engine (VE) board.
The board is capable of manipulating the data provided by the bitmap data from the copier / printer and controller. Using character tile data is the usual way to display standard copier / printer information. The display controller 13 is connected to the control device 5 via some lines. The bitmap controller 54 in the controller 5 sends the bitmap data to the display controller 13 and at the same time receives the control data from the display controller 13. Basically, the bitmap controller 54 receives the addressing data from the display controller 13 and retrieves the requested bitmap image from memory (such as RAM 58 described below). The display controller 13 also has a button matrix 9
Is connected to the interface 52 so that the push button input from is directly received. The controller 5 and the display controller 13 are connected to the network bus 15. The bus 15 is further connected to a plurality of sensors (not shown) in the photocopier, which sensors provide status and error information to the components. The controller 5 has a bus interface 55 for receiving data from the bus 15. The display controller 13 is provided with a similar bus interface.

The controller 5 also includes a read-only memory (R
OM) 59, which has an ixpart system 56 and firmware 57 programmed according to the following operation. A microprocessor-based central processing unit (CPU) 100 provides overall control of the controller 5. The operating software for the control device 5 can be stored in the CD-ROM device 3. During the startup phase, this operating software is loaded into RAM memory 58 and executed.

Status Output The photocopier has a plurality of sensors and other status devices connected to the network bus 15. The system code of the photocopier is designed so that blocks of relevant data are sent over the network 15 to the controller 5 via the bus interface 55. That is, all necessary status data is sent to the controller 5. If necessary, two-way communication on the network bus 15 is given to the control device 5.

Control Output To make the information support system an integral part of an existing photocopier, it is necessary to share the CRT screen 11. The user is usually a button matrix 9
To control the functions of the photocopier. The same input device is also used to control the information support system 1. To prevent the photocopier and control device 5 from controlling the CRT screen 11 at the same time,
The interface 52 is provided with the switching means 17. The switching means 17 is, for example, a microprocessor. During normal operation of the photocopier, the button matrix input is sent directly to the display controller 13. Controller 5
When searching for display information on the CRT screen 11, the button interface 53 is connected to the display controller 13 via the switching means 17. User inputs in the button matrix 9 and conditions or error conditions present on the network bus 15 are examples of events that cause the controller 5 to control the CRT display screen 11. In addition, the control device 5 may periodically control the CRT screen 11.

Professional Coach A software program is provided to support some of the functions performed by controller 5. The purpose of this software is to provide the user with as much information as possible with as little user input as possible. This software guides the user according to the information entered by the user and the required procedure based on the status and error data found in the controller 5. This expert coach provides task information such as step-by-step instructions on how to perform complex copier functions. This expert coach also provides fault correction by providing the user with information about what fault is present in the copier and what action to take to correct this fault. .. The expert coach also monitors the user's treatment to ensure that the proper procedures are being taken. The expert coach also provides customer call assistance for copier failures that the user cannot repair. CD-ROM Controller The CD-ROM controller 50 is, for example, a microprocessor, which controls the CD-ROM device 3 and processes the information stored therein. CD-RO
The M controller 50 recognizes three different types of data stored in the CD-ROM device 3, namely, a control program, video, and audio. CD-ROM
The controller 50 is also for sending data to the appropriate components within the controller 5. When the video data is retrieved from the CD-ROM device 3, this data is sent to the bitmap controller 54. Similarly, the audio data is sent to the D / A audio converter 51. To preserve space in the CD-ROM device 3, bit signals and audio signals such as verbal messages are compressed using, for example, pulse code conversion (PCM).

The display controller 13 is configured to operate both the bitmap image and the character tile image (when the copier / printer normally displays the character tile image). In the bitmap image, each pixel in the CRT 11 has a plurality of bits (for example, 3 bits).
It is an image formed by 5) with respect to a gray image having a two-level gray level. The character tile image is
This is an image in which each group of pixels on the CRT 11 (for example, each 8 × 8 pixel square) displays one character. Character tile data is typically a series of binary numbers representing one of several characters, such as ASCII characters. Most display controllers manipulate character tile data for the CRT 11. The video engine of the display controller 13 is 5100 manufactured by Xerox Corporation.
By slightly modifying the 6845 display controller in the model copying machine, it is possible to modify it so as to operate both the character tile data and the bitmap image data. Interactive Design Many of the standard features provided by conventional user interfaces are included in the integrated information support system of the present invention. Special frames such as idle time or warm up displays are provided. The special frame may also include support for administrative tasks such as listing supplies (eg, toner and paper) in the copier and directions for copier usage.

When an error occurs, the fault correction display is automatically presented to the user. The expert system 56 controls the display of information on the speaker and CRT 11 and guides the user to correct fault conditions. This failure condition includes insufficient paper or toner, and
There is a jam condition in the RDH, finishing device or paper path. For example, if there is a jam in the finishing device, the CRT will open the finishing room in the copier to display the user clearing the jam. At the same time, a voice message on the speaker assists the user in following the necessary actions to correct the fault. It is also possible to tabulate the occurrence of fault conditions. For example, an excessive amount of paper jams in the finishing machine indicates that customer assistance is needed.
In such a case, the CRT 11 displays assistance in making external repairs to the finishing equipment.

The CRT 11 can also be used to display an electronic information flip card found in many copiers and, in this manner, to display all features of the copier. Further, it is possible to generate a pre-programmed attachment material for advertisement and use it as a selling means. By using the displayed menu, the user can be guided through a huge amount of task information stored in the CD-ROM device 3. The expert system 56 presents task information to the user. This task information is CR
It includes the stepwise procedure found on T11, which is accompanied by the voice message of speaker 7. This step-by-step procedure can be shown one step at a time, waiting for the user to complete each step before presenting the next step.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an integrated information support system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 CD-ROM 5 System Controller 11 Video Display 13 Display Controller 50 CD-ROM Controller 100 Central Processing Unit

Front Page Continued (72) Inventor William Earl Hartman, New York, USA 14618 Fairport Pilgrim Circle 7 (72) Inventor, Mark Abayes, New York, USA 14450 Fairport Boxbourne Drive 76 (72) Inventor, Michael Beanie, United States California State 90266-6017 Manhattan Beach House Aviation Boulevard 113

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An information support system for a copying machine, the information support system comprising a large capacity memory device for storing training information for unskilled users of the copying machine, a central processing unit and a central processing unit. A system controller comprising a memory controller connected to the processing device,
A system controller in which the memory controller can send a control signal to the mass memory device and receive training information stored in the mass memory device; and a mass memory device connected to the system controller. An information support system in a copying machine, comprising: a display controller that receives the training information from the display controller; and a display device that is connected to the display controller and receives the training information from the display controller and displays the training information.