JPH10232731A - Function instructing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain improvement in operability by setting whether a function instructing means can be used or not based on how many times respective functions are instructed. SOLUTION: The read position of command memory is defined as leading command information (S70). A value stored in the count part of command information is compared with a threshold value stored in a threshold value part (S73) and when the value stored in the count part is larger than the threshold value, a display flag is raised (S74). When the value stored in the count part is equal to the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage part or the value stored in the count part is smaller, the display flag is dropped (S75). Next, the read position of command memory is defined as the next command information (S76). The presence/absence of command information is discriminated (S77) and when there is command information, processing after S73 is repeated but when there is no command information, processing is finished.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a function instruction system for instructing a function of an apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some applications in personal computers and workstations provide a graphical user interface on a display device such as a CRT as shown in FIG.

In such a user interface, what is called a menu bar or a toolbar is implemented, and commands for instructing the functions of the application are respectively provided on the menu arranged on the menu bar and the tool buttons arranged on the toolbar. Corresponding. By selecting a menu or pressing a tool button, a user can execute a command for instructing processing of an application.

In particular, since a figure is attached to a tool button or a character is described, a process when the tool button is pressed can be intuitively determined, and execution of a command is easier than a menu. Has displayed tool buttons corresponding to commands that are expected to be used frequently, making it easier to use application commands. Also, depending on the application, the tool button can be switched between display / non-display for each tool button by a user's instruction.

[0005]

However, in the conventional application, since the display / non-display of the tool button is switched based on the user's discrimination, the user intends to display the frequently used tool button. However, in practice, useless tool buttons that are infrequently used are sometimes displayed, and in some cases, application commands are difficult to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide a function instruction system in which only frequently used tool buttons are arranged to make application commands easier to use. And

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, a function instruction system according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a function instruction system for instructing each function corresponding to each function of an apparatus. A plurality of means are provided for each function, and at least one of the plurality of kinds of function instructing means is a function instructing means capable of setting whether or not use is possible for each function. Means for storing the number of times the function is instructed by the means for each function, and increasing the number of times for storing the number of times when the function is instructed by each function instructing means First determining means for determining whether to enable the function instructing means which can set the availability of each function based on the number of instructions stored in the instruction number increasing means to be stored and the instruction number stored in the instruction number storing means; use Based on the determination result of the first availability determination means, the first availability setting means for setting the availability of the function instruction means capable of setting the availability corresponding to each function, Have.

Accordingly, the instruction count storage means stores the instruction count for each function when the function is specified by the function instruction means, and the instruction count increasing means specifies the function by the function instruction means. In the case, the number of instructions stored in the number-of-instructions storage unit is increased, and the first usability determination unit determines whether the availability corresponding to each function is based on the number of instructions stored in the number-of-instructions storage unit. Determine whether to enable the function instruction means that can set the
The first availability setting unit sets availability of a function instructing unit that can set the availability corresponding to each function based on a determination result of the first availability determination unit.

Further, the function instructing system according to claim 2 is
The apparatus further includes a first threshold storage unit that stores a first threshold for determining whether to enable the function instructing unit that can set the availability.The first availability determination unit includes the first availability determination unit. When the first threshold value stored by the first threshold value storage means is larger than the instruction count stored by the instruction count storage means, it is determined that the function instruction means capable of setting the availability can be used, If it is smaller, it is determined that it cannot be used.

Therefore, the first threshold value storage means stores a first threshold value for determining whether or not the function instructing means capable of setting the availability is enabled, and stores the first threshold value. If the first threshold value stored in the first threshold value storage means is greater than the instruction count stored in the instruction count storage means, the availability determination means can use the function instruction means capable of setting the availability. Is determined, and when it is smaller, it is determined to be unusable.

Further, the function instructing system according to claim 3 is
The first threshold storage means stores a first threshold for each function of the apparatus. Therefore, the first threshold value storage means can store a different first threshold value for each function.

Further, the function instructing method according to claim 4 is:
The apparatus further comprises usable number determining means for determining the number of functions for which the function instructing means capable of setting availability is set to be usable, wherein the first usable / impossible determining means is stored in the instruction count storing means. The number of functions determined by the usable number determining means is determined to be usable in order from the function having the largest instruction count.

Therefore, the usable number determining means determines the number of functions for which the function instructing means capable of setting the availability is set to be usable, and the first availability determining means stores the designated number of times. It is determined that the number of functions determined by the usable number determining means is enabled in order from the function having the largest number of instructions stored in the means.

The function instructing system according to claim 5 is
In correspondence with each function of the apparatus, a plurality of types of function instruction means for instructing each function are provided for each function, and at least one of the plurality of types of function instruction means determines whether or not each function can be used. An operation number storage unit for storing the number of times each function instruction unit corresponding to each function is operated, for each function instruction unit corresponding to each function. An operation number increasing unit that increases the number of operations stored in the operation number storage unit when each of the function instruction units is operated; and the use number based on the number of operations stored in the operation number storage unit. A second usability judging unit for judging whether or not the function instructing unit capable of setting the usability is usable, and a function capable of setting the usability based on the judgment result of the second usability judging unit Instructions And a second availability setting means for setting whether to use the stage.

Therefore, the operation number storage means stores the number of times each function instruction means corresponding to each function is operated for each function instruction means corresponding to each function, and the operation number increase means includes When each of the function instruction units is operated, the number of operations stored in the number-of-operations storage unit is increased, and the second availability determining unit determines the number of operations based on the number of operations stored in the number-of-operations storage unit. And determining whether to enable the function instructing means capable of setting the availability. The second availability setting means determines the availability based on the determination result of the second availability determination means. Is set to enable or disable use of the function instructing means capable of setting.

The function instructing method according to claim 6 is:
The second usability determining unit compares the number of operations stored in the number-of-operations storage unit with respect to the plurality of types of function instruction units for each function, and based on the comparison result,
It is determined whether or not the function instructing means capable of setting the availability is enabled.

Therefore, the second usability determining means includes:
The function instructing means, which can set the availability, determines whether the function is usable when the frequency of use of each function is relatively high, and determines that the function is unavailable when the frequency is low.

The function instructing method according to claim 7 is:
The apparatus further includes a second threshold value storage unit that stores a second threshold value for determining whether to enable or disable the function instruction unit that can set the availability, wherein the second availability determination unit includes the second availability determination unit. If the second threshold value stored by the second threshold value storage means is greater than the number of operations stored by the operation number storage means, determine that the function instruction means capable of setting the availability is usable, If it is smaller, it is determined that it cannot be used.

Therefore, the second threshold value storage means stores a second threshold value for determining whether or not the function instructing means capable of setting the availability is enabled, and stores the second availability. When the second threshold value stored in the second threshold value storage means is greater than the number of operations stored in the operation number storage means, the determination means determines that the function instructing means capable of setting the availability is usable. Is determined, and when it is smaller, it is determined to be unusable.

Further, the function instructing method according to claim 8 is:
The second threshold storage unit stores a second threshold for each function instruction unit corresponding to each function.
Therefore, the second threshold value storage means can store a different second threshold value for each function instruction means corresponding to each function.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a personal computer according to the present embodiment.

The personal computer according to the present embodiment basically includes a microcomputer unit 1, a CRT 27, a mouse 26, and a keyboard 28.

The microcomputer unit 1 is a unit that performs data processing such as execution of a program.
, A program ROM 21, a command memory 22,
And a work memory 30, which are connected by a bus 25.

The CPU 20 performs control for realizing the functions of the personal computer in the present embodiment.

The program ROM 21 stores the CPU 20
Is a memory for storing a program for executing the control performed by the control unit.

The command memory 22 is a rewritable memory that stores command information 55 corresponding to processing of a program for realizing the functions of the personal computer of the present embodiment.

The work memory 30 is a memory for temporarily storing data while the CPU 20 executes a program.

The CRT 27 is a device for displaying image data such as characters and figures based on instructions from the microcomputer unit 1.

The mouse 26 and the keyboard 28 are devices for a user to input data to the microcomputer unit 1.

The CRT 27, mouse 26, and keyboard 28 are electrically connected to the microcomputer 1 via the bus 25.

Next, a detailed configuration of the command memory 22 will be described with reference to FIG.

The command information 55 includes a list section 51, a count section 52, a display flag section 53, a corresponding function section 54, and a threshold section 56.

The list section 51 stores a character string representing the name of each function. For example, the character string "Open" is used for the function "Open file", and the character string "Save" is used for the function "Save file".
Are respectively stored.

The count section 52 stores the number of times each function is instructed. For example, FIG.
For the function “n”, the count unit 52 is “5”, which means that the function is instructed five times. Similarly, for the function “Save”, the count unit 52 is “2”.
6 "means that the function has been instructed 26 times.

The display flag section 53 stores a flag indicating whether or not a tool button 44, which will be described later, is displayed on the display screen. ON indicates "display" and OFF indicates "non-display". . For example, for the function “Open”, the content of the display flag unit 54 is ON,
A tool button 44 of “Open” is displayed on the display screen.
4 is OFF, the "Cut" tool button 44 is not displayed on the display screen.

The corresponding function section 54 is a section for storing a processing program of each function. Note that in FIG.
n means that a program with a processing content of "Open File" is stored for a function called "Save", and a program with a processing content of "Save File" is stored for a function called "Save". I do.

The threshold value section 56 is a section for storing a threshold value used for determining whether or not the tool button 44 can be displayed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the threshold value is stored in advance.

The counting section 52 constitutes the designated number storage means of the present invention, and the threshold section 56 constitutes the first threshold storage means.

Next, the configuration of the display screen of the CRT 27 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of the display screen of the CRT 27.

The display screen of this embodiment includes a menu bar 40, a toolbar 41, and a view 42.

On the menu bar 40, a menu 43 is arranged.

The menu 43 indicates a first-level menu of each function. When the user moves the cursor 45 to one of the menus 43 with the mouse 26 and presses a mouse button (hereinafter, referred to as a click) to select the menu 43, a second-level menu (pull-down menu) is displayed. And cursor 4
5 is placed on one of the function names in the pull-down menu and the function is executed by pressing and selecting the mouse button.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the menu 43 "File ( F )" is selected and a pull-down menu 46 is displayed.
"n", "Save" and the like indicate respective function names. Therefore, for example, when executing the function of “opening a file”, the user first selects the menu 43 “file ( F )” to display the pull-down menu 46, and then displays the menu in the pull-down menu 46. Function name "Open
The operation of selecting "n" is performed. Similarly, by selecting the menu 43 “Edit ( E )”, “Cut” and “Past” are selected from the pull-down menu.
e, "Copy" and the like can be selected and executed.

The menu 43 corresponds to the function instructing means of the present invention.

Tool buttons 44 are arranged on the toolbar 41.

The tool button 44 has one function assigned to each button. When the user moves the cursor 45 with the mouse 26 onto the button to which a desired function is assigned and clicks, the tool button 44 is assigned to the button. Function is executed immediately. The use of the tool button 44 has the advantage that the function can be specified more quickly than selecting the function from the menu 43. In addition, since characters and pictures are displayed on the tool buttons 44 so that the functions can be visually and intuitively recognized, the functions can be easily selected. For example, functions such as “open file” and “save file” can be selected and executed from the tool button 44.

For the tool button 44, display / non-display can be set for each function, and the function cannot be executed from the tool button 44 for the non-display function. The distinction of display / non-display corresponds to the content of the display flag 53 of the command memory 22 described above.

It should be noted that the tool button 44 corresponds to a function instructing means capable of setting whether or not the present invention can be used.

The view 42 is a part for displaying the execution result of each function.

Next, the processing when the tool button 44 is pressed or the menu 43 is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The command memory 22 stores the command information 5 as shown in FIG.
5 is described as being stored.

First, the tool button 44 or the menu 4
Command information 55 corresponding to the function assigned to No. 3
From the command memory 50 (step 61,
Hereinafter, this is abbreviated as S61. The other steps are the same. ).

Next, the value stored in the counting section 52 corresponding to the list section 51 searched in S61 is incremented by 1 (S62). For example, when the tool button 44a corresponding to “Open” is pressed, the counting unit 52
Is incremented by 1 to “6”.

Incidentally, the processing of S62 functions as the instruction number increasing means of the present invention.

Next, the processing of the program stored in the corresponding function unit 54 is executed, and the processing of pressing the tool button 44 or selecting the menu 43 ends (S63).
For example, when the tool button 44 is pressed, the processing of a program “open file” stored in the function corresponding unit 54 is executed.

Next, the tool button 44 corresponding to each function
The process of determining whether or not to display is described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In this embodiment, the tool button 44
Is displayed based on whether the function is frequently used or not, and whether the function is frequently used or not is determined based on the number of times the processing of the program has been performed. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is called in the process of arranging the tool buttons 44 on the display screen. The arranging of the screen display is performed by the user of the personal computer directly instructing with the mouse 26 or the keyboard 28. Alternatively, the program may be configured to be automatically executed when the application is activated, when the application is terminated, or at predetermined time intervals. The command memory 2
2 stores command information 55 as shown in FIG.

First, the read position of the command memory 50 is set to the head command information 55 (S70).

Next, the value stored in the counting section 52 of the command information 55 is compared with a threshold value stored in the threshold value section 56 in advance (S73). And the counting section 52
Is larger than the threshold value stored in the threshold value section 56 (S73: Yes), a display flag is set (S74). On the other hand, whether the value stored in the counting unit 52 is equal to the threshold value stored in the threshold value unit 56,
Alternatively, if the value stored in the counting section 52 is smaller (S73: No), the display flag is lowered (S7).
5). Here, "set the display flag" means to turn on the contents of the display flag 53, and "to lower the display flag" means to turn off the contents of the display flag 53.

For example, if the command information 55 indicates that the list section 51 is “Open”, the value stored in the counter section 52 is “5” and the threshold value stored in the threshold section 56 is “10”. Since the value stored in the counter section 52 is smaller (S73: No), the display flag is lowered (S75). On the other hand, if the list section 51 is the command information 55 of “Save”, the value stored in the counter section 52 is “26”, the threshold stored in the threshold section 56 is “20”, and the counter section Since the value stored in 52 is larger (S73: YES), a display flag is set (S74). It should be noted that the processing of S73 functions as the first usability determining unit of the present invention, and the processing of S74 and S75 functions as the first usability setting unit.

In the process of S74, if the display flag 53 has already been turned ON, the process proceeds to the next step without doing anything. Similarly, in the process of S75, if the display flag 53 has already been turned OFF, the process proceeds to the next step without doing anything.

Next, the read position of the command memory 50 is set to the next command information 55 (S76).

Next, it is determined whether or not the command information 55 exists (S77). If there is the command information 55 (S77: Yes), the processing after S73 is repeated. On the other hand, if there is no command information (S77: N
o), the processing of the present flowchart ends.

According to the present embodiment, the tool button 44 is displayed only for frequently used functions.
Since the tool button 44 can not be displayed for a function that is not used frequently, the operability for the user is improved.

According to the present embodiment, the tool button 44 is displayed only for frequently used functions.
Since the tool buttons 44 can be left undisplayed for functions that are not frequently used, a large number of tool buttons 44 for functions that are not necessary are displayed. There is no adverse effect such as difficulty, and the operability for the user is significantly improved.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the number of times the function is instructed is stored for each function such as “open file”, and the display / non-display of the tool button 44 is determined based on the frequency of use of each function. It was a configuration to determine. In the present embodiment, the number of operations is stored for each function instruction means (ie, menu 43, tool button 44) corresponding to each function, and display / non-display is determined based on the operation frequency of each function instruction means. It is configured to be.

In this embodiment, the command memory 2
2 has the configuration shown in FIG.

The list section 51 stores a character string capable of identifying which function instructing means of the menu 43 or the tool button 44 corresponds to each function. For example, in the case of the "Open" function of the menu 43, a character string "Menu-Open" is stored, and in the case of the "Open" function of the tool button 44, "Button-O" is stored.
The character string “pen” is stored.

The counter section 52 stores the number of times the function instruction means of the list section 51 has been operated.

The display flag section 53 is a function instructing means of the list section 51, that is, the menu 43 or the tool button 4.
4 indicates display / non-display, and ON indicates display and O
FF indicates non-display.

The corresponding function unit 54 stores a program corresponding to the function instruction means of the list unit 51. Note that the same process of “opening a file” is performed in the case where the list section 51 is “menu-open” and the case where the list portion 51 is “button-open”, so that the same program is stored in both. .

The threshold section 56 corresponds to the function instructing means of the list section 51 and corresponds to the menu 43 or the tool button 44.
The threshold for discriminating the display / non-display of is stored.

Incidentally, the counter section 52 corresponds to the operation number storing means of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the process of setting the display / non-display of the tool button 44 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Further, in the present embodiment, each tool button 44 has already been displayed, and this flowchart is a process of hiding the tool buttons 44 corresponding to the functions that are used less frequently.

First, the read position of the command memory 50 is set to the head command information 55 (S88).

Next, the number of times stored in the count section 52 of the menu 43 is read (S82). In the following description, this number will be referred to as the number of operations of the menu 43. For example, if the configuration of the command memory 50 shown in FIG.
The list unit 51 reads the contents of the count unit 52 of the command information 55 of “Menu-Open”, that is, the numerical value of “5”.

The number of operations stored in the counting section 52 of the tool button 44 corresponding to the same function as the function associated with the menu 43 read in the processing of S82 is read (S83). In the following description, this number is described as the number of operations of the menu 44. For example, in the command memory 50 shown in FIG. 6, since the command information 55 of the tool button 44 corresponding to the same function is stored in the storage area next to the command information 55 corresponding to the menu 43, 55 (the list part 51 is
-Read the number of times the command information 55) "open" is stored in the count unit 52, that is, read the numerical value "11".

Next, it is determined whether or not the number of operations of the tool button 44 is larger than the number of operations of the menu 43 (S84). Menu 4 is the number of times the tool button 44 is operated
If the number of operations is larger than the number of operations of No. 3 (S84: YES),
S8 to keep the tool button 44 displayed
Proceed to step 6. On the other hand, when the number of times of operation of the tool button 44 and the number of times of operation of the menu 43 are equal or the number of times of operation of the tool button 44 is smaller (S84: N
o), the display flag of the tool button 44 is lowered (S8)
5).

Next, the read position of the command memory 50 is set to the next command information 55 (S86).

Next, the unread command information 55
It is determined whether or not there is (S87). Command information 55
If there is (S87: YES), the processing from S84 is repeated. On the other hand, when there is no command information 55 (S8
7: No), the process of this flowchart ends.

The process of S84 functions as the second usability determining unit of the present invention, and S85 functions as the second usability setting unit.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to display only the frequently used tool buttons 44 and not to display the less frequently used tool buttons 44. Since a large number are displayed, there is no adverse effect such as difficulty in searching for the necessary tool button 44, and the operability for the user is significantly improved.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the second embodiment, FIG.
Without using the threshold value stored in the threshold value unit 56 shown in FIG.
Although the display / non-display of the tool button 44 is determined by comparing the number of times of operation of the tool button 44 and the number of times of operation of the menu button 43, the threshold unit 5 is used.
If the number of operations is larger than the threshold value stored in No. 6, it may be determined that the tool button 44 can be displayed. Further, a threshold value common to all of the menu 43 and the tool button 44 may be stored in advance. Note that the threshold unit 56
Corresponds to the second threshold value storage means of the present invention.

Also, without storing the threshold value in advance, the number of tool buttons 44 to be displayed is determined in advance, and the number of the tool buttons 44 corresponding to the number is designated in order from the function with the larger designated number of times.
4 may be displayed. Here, in order to determine the number of tool buttons 44 to be displayed in advance, a configuration is conceivable in which a process (number calculating means) for calculating the number of tool buttons 44 that can be displayed on the toolbar 41 from the width of the toolbar 41 is provided. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a number storage means for storing the number of tool buttons 44 to be displayed in advance is provided, and the user may set the number of tool buttons 44 to be displayed using the keyboard 28 or the like. still,
The number calculating means or the number storing means functions as the usable number determining means of the present invention.

In each of the above embodiments, the corresponding function unit 5
4 is configured to directly store a program in which the processing of each function is actually described. However, the configuration may be such that each program is stored in a separate storage area, and a descriptor indicating each program is stored here. .

In each of the above embodiments, the threshold value 56
Although the threshold value is stored in advance, the threshold value may be set by the user using the keyboard 28 or the like.

In the above embodiments, the threshold value is stored for each function. However, a configuration may be adopted in which one threshold value common to all functions is stored.

In each of the above embodiments, the display / non-display of the tool button 44 is switched.
In short, it is sufficient that the tool button 44 with a low use frequency is disabled. For example, the tool button 44 with a low use frequency may be configured to change the display mode such as performing a negative display.

In each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to an application operating on a personal computer. However, the present invention is applied to an application operating on a computer such as a workstation, or a printer, a display, a cooler, a washing machine, or the like. For example, the present invention can be applied to any device provided with a user interface for a user to instruct the function of the device.

[0093]

As is apparent from the above description, the function instructing system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a function instructing means for instructing each function in correspondence with each function of the apparatus. A plurality of functions are provided for each function, and at least one of the plurality of types of function instructing means is intended to be a function instructing means capable of setting whether or not use is possible for each function. Instruction number storage means for storing the number of instructions for which a function has been instructed for each function, and an instruction for increasing the number of instructions stored in the instruction number storage means when a function is instructed by each of the function instruction means A first usability determining unit that determines whether to enable the function instructing unit that can set the availability corresponding to each function based on the instruction number stored in the instruction number storage unit and the instruction number storage unit; Size Means, based on the determination result of the first usability determining means, comprising a first usability setting means for setting the usability of the function instructing means capable of setting the usability corresponding to each function. I have.

Accordingly, the availability of the function instructing means capable of setting the availability is set based on the number of times of instructing each function, so that the function instructing means can be used for a frequently used function. By disabling the infrequently used functions, it is possible to provide a highly operable function instructing method in accordance with the frequency of use of the functions.

The function instructing method according to claim 2 is
The apparatus further includes a first threshold storage unit that stores a first threshold for determining whether to enable the function instructing unit that can set the availability.The first availability determination unit includes the first availability determination unit. When the first threshold value stored by the first threshold value storage means is larger than the instruction count stored by the instruction count storage means, it is determined that the function instruction means capable of setting the availability can be used, If it is smaller, it is determined that it cannot be used.

Therefore, the function instructing means capable of setting the availability can be set to be usable only for the function that has reached a certain frequency of use, and the function instructing means cannot be used for the function that does not reach the certain frequency of use. Can be.

The function instructing method according to claim 3 is:
The first threshold storage means stores a first threshold for each function of the apparatus. Therefore, the first threshold value storage means can store a different first threshold value for each function.

The function instructing method according to claim 4 is:
The apparatus further comprises usable number determining means for determining the number of functions for which the function instructing means capable of setting availability is set to be usable, wherein the first usable / impossible determining means is stored in the instruction count storing means. The number of functions determined by the usable number determining means is determined to be usable in order from the function having the largest instruction count.

Therefore, when the number of usable function instructing means is limited by the size of the display screen, the more frequently used functions can be preferentially used. it can.

The function instructing method according to claim 5 is:
In correspondence with each function of the apparatus, a plurality of types of function instruction means for instructing each function are provided for each function, and at least one of the plurality of types of function instruction means determines whether or not each function can be used. An operation number storage unit for storing the number of times each function instruction unit corresponding to each function is operated, for each function instruction unit corresponding to each function. An operation number increasing unit that increases the number of operations stored in the operation number storage unit when each of the function instruction units is operated; and the use number based on the number of operations stored in the operation number storage unit. A second usability judging unit for judging whether or not the function instructing unit capable of setting the usability is usable, and a function capable of setting the usability based on the judgment result of the second usability judging unit Instructions And a second availability setting means for setting whether to use the stage.

Therefore, the availability of the function instructing means, which can be used or not, is set based on the number of times of operation of the function instructing means corresponding to each function. By disabling the function instructing means having a low frequency of use, it is possible to provide a function instructing method with high operability in accordance with the frequency of use of the function instructing means.

The function instructing method according to claim 6 is:
The second usability determining unit compares the number of operations stored in the number-of-operations storage unit with respect to the plurality of types of function instruction units for each function, and based on the comparison result,
Function instructing means capable of setting the permission / non-permission so as to determine whether or not the permission is permitted.

Accordingly, when the function instructing means capable of setting the availability is relatively frequently used with respect to the other function instructing means corresponding to each function, the function instructing means can be used, and when it is low, the function instructing means cannot be used. It can be.

The function instructing method according to claim 7 is:
The apparatus further includes a second threshold value storage unit that stores a second threshold value for determining whether to enable or disable the function instruction unit that can set the availability, wherein the second availability determination unit includes the second availability determination unit. If the second threshold value stored by the second threshold value storage means is greater than the number of operations stored by the operation number storage means, determine that the function instruction means capable of setting the availability is usable, If it is smaller, it is determined that it cannot be used.

Therefore, it is possible to set use only when the function instructing means capable of setting the use permission reaches a certain use frequency, and to disable use when the use frequency does not reach the certain use frequency.

Further, the function instructing method according to claim 8 is as follows:
The second threshold storage unit stores a second threshold for each function instruction unit corresponding to each function.
Therefore, the second threshold value storage means can store a different second threshold value for each function instruction means corresponding to each function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a display screen.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a display screen in a state where a pull-down menu is displayed.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing contents of a command memory according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when a tool button is pressed or a menu is selected.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining whether to display a tool button according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing contents of a command memory according to the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining whether to display a tool button according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Microcomputer section 20 CPU 21 Program ROM 22 Command memory 26 Mouse 27 CRT 28 Keyboard 43 Menu 44 Tool button 51 List section 52 Counter section 53 Display flag section 56 Threshold section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of function instruction means for instructing each function corresponding to each function of an apparatus, and at least one of the plurality of function instruction means includes a function In a function instructing method in which function instructing means can be set for each function, an instruction number storing means for storing, for each function, an instruction number in which a function is instructed by each of the function instructing means; When a function is instructed by
An instruction count increasing unit that increases the instruction count stored in the instruction count storage unit, based on the instruction count stored in the instruction count storage unit,
A first usability judging unit that judges whether to enable the function instructing unit that can set the usability corresponding to each function, and a first usability judging unit based on the judgment result of the first usability judging unit. A function instructing means for setting whether or not to use the function instructing means capable of setting the usability according to the function. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first threshold storage unit configured to store a first threshold for determining whether to enable the function instructing unit that can set the availability. If the first threshold value stored in the first threshold value storage means is greater than the instruction count stored in the instruction count storage means, the availability determination means can use the function instruction means capable of setting the availability. 2. The function instruction method according to claim 1, wherein a determination is made that the user is unusable when the value is smaller. 3. The function instruction system according to claim 2, wherein said first threshold value storage means stores a first threshold value for each function of the apparatus. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising usable number determining means for determining the number of functions for which the function instructing means capable of setting the use permission is set to be usable, wherein said first usable / non-usable determining means includes: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made in such a manner that the number of functions determined by the usable number determination means is enabled in order from the function having the largest number of instructions stored in the number storage means. 3. Function instruction method. 5. A plurality of function instruction means for instructing each function corresponding to each function of the apparatus, and at least one of the plurality of function instruction means is provided with a function In a function instructing method in which function instructing means can be set for each function, an operation of storing the number of times each function instructing means corresponding to each function is operated for each function instructing means corresponding to each function A number-of-times storage unit, an operation-number increasing unit that increases the number of operations stored in the operation-number storage unit when each of the function instruction units is operated, and a number of operations stored by the operation-number storage unit. ,
A second use determining unit that determines whether the function instructing unit that can set the use is enabled or not; and the use possibility can be set based on a determination result of the second use determining unit. A second use permission setting means for setting the use permission of the various function instruction means. 6. The second usability determining unit compares the number of operations stored in the number-of-operations storage unit with respect to the plurality of types of function instruction units for each function, and based on the comparison result, 6. The function instruction method according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether or not the function instruction means capable of setting the availability is enabled. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second threshold value storage unit configured to store a second threshold value for determining whether to enable the function instructing unit that can set the availability. If the second threshold value stored in the second threshold value storage means is greater than the number of operations stored in the operation number storage means, the availability determination means can use the function instruction means capable of setting the availability. 6. The function instruction method according to claim 5, wherein a determination is made that the device is unusable if the size is small. 8. The function instruction method according to claim 7, wherein said second threshold value storage means stores a second threshold value for each function instruction means corresponding to each of said functions. .