User interface processing method, and image processing apparatus

Abstract

To identify and present information useful for management of an apparatus from a number of pieces of information on situations of operation made by a plurality of users.SOLUTION: A processor 51 records, in a non-volatile storage 6, operation history information representing a history of operation performed on an operating device 3a corresponding to a plurality of setting screens for every user on each of a plurality of functions (S103). The processor 51 identifies a plurality of characteristic operation situations on each of the plurality of functions for every user on the basis of the operation history information (S201-S205). The processor 51 generates operation analysis information representing a distribution on each of the plurality of characteristic operation situations on each of the plurality of functions for all the users (S207). The processor 51 transmits the operation analysis information to a destination of a manager through a communication device 4 (S208).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a user interface processing method and an image processing device capable of presenting an operation proficiency level for each user. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Image processing devices such as printers, copiers, and multifunction peripherals are equipped with user interface devices that include an operation device and a display device.

[0003] The image processing device has a guidance function for displaying on the display device a screen selected from a plurality of guidance screens in response to an operation on the operation device, each of the guidance screens being a screen presenting explanatory information for each of a plurality of functions of the image processing device.

[0004] It is also known that in the multifunction peripheral, the user interface device changes the display priority of a plurality of guidance items in accordance with the operation history of each user (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-224767 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The administrator of the image processing device is responsible for adjusting the image processing device to a state where it is easy to operate for as many users as possible. It is desirable for the image processing device to be able to identify and present useful information to the administrator from a large amount of information regarding operation statuses by multiple users.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a user interface processing method and an image processing device that can identify and present information useful for managing the device from a large amount of information about the operating conditions of a plurality of users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A user interface processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for executing processing related to a user interface in an image processing device including an operation device that accepts operations and a display device that displays information. The user interface processing method includes a processor executing setting screen control for displaying on the display device a screen selected from a plurality of setting screens including information regarding operations for setting processes to be performed by the image processing device for each of a plurality of functions of the image processing device, for a user authenticated by a user authentication process, in response to an operation on the operation device. The user interface processing method further includes the processor recording operation history information representing a history of operations on the operation device corresponding to the plurality of setting screens for each of the plurality of functions for each of the plurality of functions in a non-volatile storage device. The user interface processing method further includes the processor identifying a plurality of pre-set feature operation situations for each of the plurality of functions for each of the users based on the operation history information. The user interface processing method further includes the processor generating operation analysis information representing a distribution of each of the plurality of feature operation situations for each of the plurality of functions for all users. The user interface processing method further includes the processor transmitting the operation analysis information to a destination of an administrator through a communication device.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing device including the operation device, the display device, the processor for implementing the user interface processing method, and an image processing unit, the image processing unit executing image processing set by an operation on the operation device. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a user interface processing method and an image processing device that can identify and present information useful for managing the device from a large amount of information about the operation statuses of a plurality of users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a screen output process in the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an operation analysis process in the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a supplementary analysis process in the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of an instruction response process in the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen in the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a guidance screen in the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of operation history data in the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the first analysis data and the first supplementary data in the report data transmitted by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment are displayed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which second analysis data and second supplementary data in report data transmitted by the image processing device according to the embodiment are displayed. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the third analysis data and the third supplementary data in the report data transmitted by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment are displayed. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen after a wizard is registered in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for supplementary analysis processing in the image processing device according to the application example. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the third analysis data and the third supplementary data in the report data transmitted by the image processing device according to the application example are displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0013] [Configuration of image processing device 10] The image processing device 10 according to the embodiment is capable of executing various types of image processing such as image formation processing, image reading processing, image transmission processing, etc. For example, the image processing device 10 is a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, or the like.

[0014] 1, the image processing device 10 includes an image forming device 1, an image reading device 2, a user interface device 3, a control device 5, and a secondary storage device 6. The image processing device 10 further includes a communication device 4, a card reader 71, and a USB interface 72. Note that USB is a registered trademark.

[0015] The image processing device 10 is capable of communicating with other devices such as a host device 8 through a network 80. The network 80 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 1 executes the image forming process in a predetermined manner such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The image forming process is a process of forming an image on a sheet 91.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a sheet transport mechanism that transports a sheet 91 and a printing device that forms an image on the sheet 91 .

[0018] The image reading device 2 executes the image reading process. The image reading process is a process of reading an image from an original 92. The image reading device 2 includes an optical scanning mechanism that scans the original 92 with light, and an image sensor that receives light reflected from the original 92.

[0019] The image sensor outputs data of the read image. The read image is an image read from an original 92.

[0020] The user interface device 3 includes an operation device 3a and a display device 3b. The operation device 3a is a device that accepts operations by a person. For example, the operation device 3a includes an operation button and a touch panel. The display device 3b is capable of displaying information. For example, the display device 3b includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel.

[0021] The communication device 4 is a communication interface device that communicates with other devices such as a host device 8 through a network 80. The control device 5 performs all data transmission and reception between the control device 5 and the other devices through the communication device 4.

[0022] The image forming apparatus 1 executes the image forming process based on the data of the scanned image or the received print data. The received print data is data included in a print request received from the host apparatus 8 via the communication device 4.

[0023] The communication device 4 is also capable of executing the image transmission process. The image transmission process is a process for transmitting the data of the scanned image to a specified destination via the network 80.

[0024] The card reader 71 reads authentication data from a user's ID card. For example, the ID card is a contactless IC card that stores the authentication data. For example, the contactless IC card is a card with an embedded RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag.

[0025] The USB interface 72 is an interface to which a USB device 72x such as a USB memory can be connected. The process of recording image data obtained by the image reading device 2 in the USB memory is also an example of the image processing that can be performed by the image processing device 10. Furthermore, the image formation process based on the image data stored in the USB memory is also an example of the image processing.

[0026] The control device 5 executes various calculations, data processing, and control of various electric devices included in the image processing device 10. The control device 5 includes a CPU 51, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, and the like.

[0027] The secondary storage device 6 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. The secondary storage device 6 can store computer programs and various data. For example, one or both of an SSD (Solid State Drive) and a hard disk drive are adopted as the secondary storage device 6.

[0028] The secondary storage device 6 stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 51 and data referenced by the CPU 51. The CPU 51 is an example of a processor.

[0029] The CPU 51 is a processor that executes the computer programs stored in the secondary storage device 6 to perform various types of data processing and control.

[0030] It is also contemplated that another processor, such as a DSP, may execute the data processing and control instead of the CPU 51 .

[0031] The RAM 52 is a computer-readable volatile storage device that temporarily stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 51 and data output and referenced in the process of the CPU 51 executing the computer programs.

[0032] The CPU 51 includes a plurality of processing modules that are realized by executing the computer programs, including an authentication unit 5a, a job control unit 5b, and a UI control unit 5c.

[0033] The authentication unit 5a executes a user authentication process. In the user authentication process, the authentication unit 5a compares input authentication data with registered user data D0 stored in the secondary storage device 6 (see FIG. 1). The input authentication data is authentication data input via the card reader 71 or the communication device 4. The registered user data D0 includes the authentication data of the user.

[0034] The authentication unit 5a permits the execution of image processing corresponding to a request input via the operation device 3a or the communication device 4 for a user authenticated by the user authentication process.

[0035] The job control unit 5b executes job control on the condition that the user authentication process is successful. The job control is a process of making each device of the image processing device 10 execute the image processing corresponding to a request input through the operation device 3a or the communication device 4.

[0036] The job control unit 5b controls the image forming apparatus 1, the image reading apparatus 2, and the communication apparatus 4. The job control unit 5b causes the image forming apparatus 1, the image reading apparatus 2, and the communication apparatus 4 to execute some or all of the requested image processing.

[0037] The image forming device 1, the image reading device 2, and the communication device 4 are examples of an image processing unit capable of executing the image processing set by an operation on the operation device 3a. In this embodiment, the image processing includes the image forming process, the image reading process, and the image transmission process.

[0038] The UI control unit 5c executes screen control for the user authenticated by the user authentication process. In the screen control, the UI control unit 5c selects a target screen from a plurality of candidate screens in response to an operation on the operation device 3a, and causes the display device 3b to display the selected target screen.

[0039] The plurality of candidate screens include a plurality of setting screens. The plurality of setting screens include information regarding an operation for setting a process to be executed by the image processing device 10 for each of a plurality of functions of the image processing device 10.

[0040] For example, each of the setting screens includes one or more operation icons corresponding to operations for setting the type, conditions or start of processing to be performed by the image processing device 10 for various functions such as an image forming function, a copy function, an image transmission function or a facsimile transmission function.

[0041] The plurality of candidate screens further includes a plurality of guidance screens. The plurality of guidance screens are screens that present explanatory information for each of a plurality of functions of the image processing device 10. The UI control unit 5c realizes a guidance function of causing the display device 3b to display a screen selected from the plurality of guidance screens in response to an operation on the operation device 3a.

[0042] Meanwhile, the administrator of the image processing device 10 is responsible for adjusting the image processing device 10 so that it is easy to operate for as many users as possible. It is desirable for the image processing device 10 to be able to identify and present useful information to the administrator from a large amount of information about the operation status of multiple users.

[0043] The image processing device 10 has a function for identifying and presenting information useful for managing the device from a large amount of information about the operation status of multiple users. This function will be described below.

[0044] In this embodiment, the plurality of processing modules in the CPU 51 further includes a UI analysis unit 5d (see FIG. 1). User interface processing by the UI control unit 5c and the UI analysis unit 5d will be described below.

[0045] In this embodiment, the user interface process includes a screen output process and an operation analysis process. The screen output process is a process for controlling the screen output on the display device 3b.

[0046] The operation analysis process is a process of analyzing the operation status of all users for the functions of the image processing device 10, and transmitting report data R1 including information on the analysis results to the administrator (see FIG. 3).

[0047] The user interface processing is an example of a processing for realizing a user interface processing method. The CPU 51 for executing the user interface processing is an example of a processor for realizing the user interface processing method. The user interface processing method is a method for executing processing related to a user interface.

[0048] [Screen output processing] An example of the procedure of the screen output process will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0049] The UI control unit 5c executes the screen output process when the user authentication process by the authentication unit 5a is successful. That is, the UI control unit 5c executes the screen output process for the user authenticated by the user authentication process.

[0050] In the following description, S101, S102, ... represent identification codes of a plurality of steps in the screen output process. In the screen output process, the process of step S101 is executed first.

[0051] <Process S101> In step S101, the UI control unit 5c selects a target setting screen from the plurality of setting screens, and causes the display device 3b to display the selected target setting screen.

[0052] 3 shows an example of a main menu screen G1, which is one of the multiple setting screens. The main menu screen G1 is the first screen selected from the multiple setting screens after the user authentication process is completed.

[0053] The main menu screen G1 includes a plurality of setting operation icons g11, a logout icon g12, and a help icon g20.

[0054] The multiple setting operation icons g11 are operation icons for setting the type, condition, or start of processing to be executed by the image processing device 10. The multiple setting operation icons g11 on the main menu screen G1 correspond to operations for setting the type of the image processing to be executed by the image processing device 10.

[0055] Some of the setting screens include a manual input icon (not shown), which is an example of the setting operation icons g11. The manual input icon is an icon corresponding to an operation of inputting a numerical value or a character that specifies a condition of a process to be executed by the image processing device 10.

[0056] In this embodiment, setting the type of image processing to be executed by the image processing device 10 means selecting one of the multiple functions of the image processing device 10.

[0057] The logout icon g12 is an operation icon that accepts an operation to cancel a logged-in state in which the user is authenticated.

[0058] The logout icon g12 may be included in some or all of the setting screens other than the main menu screen G1 among the plurality of setting screens. Also, the logout icon g12 may be included in some or all of the guidance screens.

[0059] The plurality of guidance screens include the guidance selection screen G2 and a plurality of individual guidance screens (not shown). The help icon g20 is an operation icon that accepts an operation to request that the guidance selection screen G2 be displayed on the display device 3b (see FIG. 6).

[0060] The guidance selection screen G2 includes a plurality of guidance selection icons g21 and a guidance end icon g22.

[0061] The guidance selection icons g21 correspond to the individual guidance screens, each of which includes information explaining an operation method corresponding to the setting screen.

[0062] The multiple guidance selection icons g21 are operation icons that accept an operation of selecting a target guidance screen to be displayed on the display device 3b from the multiple individual guidance screens.

[0063] The guidance end icon g22 is an operation icon that accepts an operation to instruct the end of the process of displaying any one of the plurality of guidance screens on the display device 3b.

[0064] After executing the process of step S101, the UI control unit 5c executes the process of step S102.

[0065] <Process S102> In step S102, the UI control unit 5c checks the status of the operation on the operation device 3a, and further selects the next process to be executed according to the status of the operation on the operation device 3a.

[0066] When one of the plurality of setting screens is displayed on the display device 3b, the UI control unit 5c executes the processing of step S103 when a setting operation corresponding to any of the plurality of setting operation icons g11 in the target setting screen is performed on the operation device 3a.

[0067] Moreover, in a state where the main menu screen G1 is displayed on the display device 3b, the UI control unit 5c executes the process of step S104 when an operation corresponding to the help icon g20 is performed on the operation device 3a.

[0068] In addition, when the guidance selection screen G2 is displayed on the display device 3b, the UI control unit 5c also executes the processing of step S104 when a guidance selection operation corresponding to any one of the multiple guidance selection icons g21 is performed on the operation device 3a.

[0069] In addition, when one of the multiple guidance screens is displayed on the display device 3b, the UI control unit 5c executes the processing of step S101 when an operation corresponding to the guidance end icon g22 is performed on the operation device 3a.

[0070] For example, when an operation corresponding to the guidance end icon g22 is performed on the operation device 3a, the UI control unit 5c causes the display device 3b to display the main menu screen G1 in step S101.

[0071] Furthermore, when an operation corresponding to the logout icon g12 is performed on the operation device 3a, the UI control unit 5c ends the screen output process.

[0072] Furthermore, the UI control unit 5c executes the process of step S105 when an operation corresponding to the screen displayed on the display device 3b is not performed on the operation device 3a.

[0073] <Process S103> In step S103, the UI control unit 5c records operation history data D1 indicating the history of the setting operations confirmed in step S102 in the secondary storage device 6 (see FIGS. 1 and 8).

[0074] The setting operation confirmed in step S102 is one of a plurality of unit operations corresponding to the plurality of setting screens.

[0075] For example, the UI control unit 5c includes a user code D11, a time stamp D12, an operation code D13, and a function code D14 in the operation history data D1 (see FIG. 8).

[0076] The user code D11 is data for identifying a user authenticated by the user authentication process. In other words, the user code D11 is an identifier for a user who is currently logged in. For example, a user ID used in the user authentication process is recorded as the user code D11.

[0077] The time stamp D12 is data indicating the date and time when the setting operation was performed on the operation device 3a. In this embodiment, the time stamp D12 includes data of the year, month, and date and data of the time.

[0078] The operation code D13 is data for identifying the setting operation confirmed in step S102. The operation code D13 indicates which of the multiple setting operation icons g11 on the multiple setting screens has been operated by the user.

[0079] The function code D14 is data for identifying a target function among a plurality of image processing functions of the image processing device 10, which corresponds to the setting operation confirmed in step S102.

[0080] For example, the function code D14 is a code for identifying the image forming function, the copy function, the image transmission function, the facsimile transmission function, or the like.

[0081] In this embodiment, each of the image forming function, the copy function, the image transmission function, and the facsimile transmission function is further classified into more detailed functions according to differences in the input source of image data, etc.

[0082] The setting operation icons g11 on the setting screens are each previously associated with an operation code D13 and a function code D14.

[0083] The UI control unit 5c executes the process of step S103 and then executes the process of step S101. In step S101 after step S103, the UI control unit 5c causes the display device 3b to display the new target setting screen corresponding to the setting operation confirmed in step S102.

[0084] The processing in steps S101 and S102 is an example of setting screen control for causing the display device 3b to display a screen selected from the plurality of setting screens in response to an operation on the operation device 3a.

[0085] Then, with the new target setting screen being displayed on the display device 3b, the process of step S102 is executed again.

[0086] Each time the setting operation is performed on the operation device 3a, the process of step S103 is executed. As a result, operation history data D1 representing the history of operations on the operation device 3a corresponding to the multiple setting screens is recorded in the secondary storage device 6.

[0087] The operation history data D1 includes a user code D11 and a function code D14, and thereby represents the operation history of each of the plurality of functions of the image processing device 10 for each user.

[0088] <Process S104> In step S104, the UI control unit 5c selects the target guidance screen corresponding to the operation confirmed in step S102 from among the plurality of guidance screens, and causes the display device 3b to display the selected target guidance screen.

[0089] If the operation confirmed in step S102 is a help operation, the UI control unit 5c displays the guidance selection screen G2 on the display device 3b. The help operation corresponds to the help icon g20 on the main menu screen G1 (see FIG. 6).

[0090] On the other hand, if the operation confirmed in step S102 is the guidance selection operation, the UI control unit 5c causes the display device 3b to display one of the guidance screens corresponding to the guidance selection operation. The guidance selection operation is an operation corresponding to one of the guidance selection icons g21 in the guidance selection screen G2 (see FIG. 5).

[0091] The processing of steps S102 and S104 is an example of guidance screen control for causing the display device 3b to display a screen selected from the plurality of guidance screens in response to an operation on the operating device 3a.

[0092] <Process S105> In step S105, the UI control unit 5c determines whether or not a predetermined logout condition is met.

[0093] For example, the logout condition is that the duration of no operation on the operation device 3a exceeds a first set time that is set in advance.

[0094] In the case where the image processing device 10 includes a human presence sensor, the logout condition may be a condition that the duration of a state in which no person is detected by the human presence sensor exceeds a preset second set time.

[0095] The human presence sensor detects a person in front of the image processing device 10. For example, an infrared sensor is adopted as the human presence sensor.

[0096] If the UI control unit 5c determines that the logout condition is not met, it repeats the process from step S102.

[0097] On the other hand, if it is determined that the logout condition is met, the UI control unit 5c ends the screen output process.

[0098] Step S103 is an example of a step in which the CPU 51 records the operation history information for each of the users authenticated by the user authentication process for each of the plurality of functions of the image processing device 10 in a non-volatile storage device.

[0099] The operation history information indicates a history of operations on the operation device 3a corresponding to the plurality of setting screens. The operation history data D1 is an example of the operation history information.

[0100] Step S103 is also an example of a step in which the CPU 51 includes information on the operation date and time in the operation history information. The time stamp D12 is an example of information on the operation date and time.

[0101] [Operational Analysis Processing] Next, an example of the procedure of the operation analysis process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0102] For example, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the operation analysis process every time the image processing device 10 executes the image processing corresponding to an operation on the operation device 3a. Moreover, the UI analysis unit 5d may execute the operation analysis process when an analysis request is received from the host device 8 of the administrator through the communication device 4.

[0103] The UI analysis unit 5d executes the operation analysis process to generate report data R1, and transmits the report data R1 to the destination of the administrator (see FIG. 3). The UI analysis unit 5d includes operation analysis data R2 in the report data R1.

[0104] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include one or more of the first supplementary data R3, the second supplementary data R4, and the third supplementary data R5 in the report data R1 depending on the analysis result.

[0105] For example, in the operation analysis process, the UI analysis unit 5d includes the first analysis data R21, the second analysis data R22, and the third analysis data R23 in the operation analysis data R2 (see FIGS. 9 to 11).

[0106] Fig. 9 shows an example of a screen on the administrator's host device 8, on which the first analysis data R21 and the first supplementary data R3 are displayed. Fig. 10 shows an example of a screen on the administrator's host device 8, on which the second analysis data R22 and the second supplementary data R4 are displayed. Fig. 11 shows an example of a screen on the administrator's host device 8, on which the third analysis data R23 and the third supplementary data R5 are displayed.

[0107] In the following description, S201, S202, ... represent identification codes of a plurality of steps in the operation analysis process. In the operation analysis process, the process of step S201 is executed first.

[0108] <Process S201> In step S201, the UI analysis unit 5d analyzes the status of condition changing operations for each of the plurality of functions for each user based on the operation history data D1, and generates first analysis data R21 including the analysis results (see FIG. 9).

[0109] The condition change operation is an operation for changing a processing condition in a process to be executed by the image processing device 10 from a preset initial state. In step S201, the UI analysis unit 5d identifies a frequency at which the condition change operation is performed for each of the plurality of functions for each user as a condition change frequency (see FIG. 9).

[0110] In the following description, a series of operations for setting one process to be executed by the image processing device 10 will be referred to as a series of operations.

[0111] The series of operations is specified by a user code D11, a time stamp D12, an operation code D13, and a function code D14. The UI analysis unit 5d extracts a series of operation data corresponding to the series of operations from the operation history data D1.

[0112] In this embodiment, a series of operation master data corresponding to each of the plurality of functions is registered in advance. The series of operation master data represents a start operation and a final operation of the series of operations.

[0113] The UI analysis unit 5d extracts, from the operation history data D1, consecutive data by function that have a common user code D11 and function code D14 and consecutive time stamps D12.

[0114] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d extracts, from the function-specific continuous data arranged in the order of timestamp D12, data including the operation code D13 representing the start operation to data corresponding to the operation code D13 representing the end operation as the series of operation data.

[0115] For example, the UI analysis unit 5d identifies, for each of the functions of the image processing device 10, the ratio of the number of times the condition changing operation is performed to the total number of the series of operations as the condition changing frequency.

[0116] Alternatively, the UI analysis unit 5d may identify the number of times the condition changing operation is performed for each of the plurality of functions of the image processing device 10 as the condition changing frequency.

[0117] In this embodiment, the UI analysis unit 5d identifies, as the condition change frequency, the same change frequency R211, which is the frequency of the condition change operation that changes the processing condition to the same condition, based on the operation history data D1.

[0118] The UI analysis unit 5d also identifies an initial condition adoption frequency R212, which is the frequency of an initial condition adoption operation for adopting the initial state of the processing condition without changing it, for each of the plurality of functions (see FIG. 9).

[0119] The UI analysis unit 5d includes information on the same change frequency R211 and the initial condition adoption frequency R212 in the first analysis data R21 (see FIG. 9).

[0120] The UI analysis unit 5d may include data of the change operation distribution graph R210 in the first analysis data R21 (FIG. 9). The change operation distribution graph R210 is a graph that represents the distribution of the same change frequency R211 and the initial condition adoption frequency R212.

[0121] The UI analysis unit 5d may include a list R213 of users who performed the condition changing operation or the initial condition adopting operation in the first analysis data R21 (see FIG. 9). Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include information on the number of times the condition changing operation and the initial condition adopting operation were performed for each user in the first analysis data R21.

[0122] The UI analysis unit 5d further executes the process of step S202.

[0123] <Process S202> In step S202, the UI analysis unit 5d analyzes the operation interval status for each of the plurality of functions for each user based on the operation history data D1, and generates second analysis data R22 including the analysis result.

[0124] The operation interval is an interval between a plurality of operation dates and times corresponding to the series of operations. The operation dates and times are specified by a time stamp D12.

[0125] For example, the UI analysis unit 5d derives, as the operation interval, one or both of an average value and a maximum value of the time interval of the time stamps D12 in the series of operation data.

[0126] In this embodiment, the UI analysis unit 5d identifies an operation interval failure frequency R221, which is a frequency of operation interval failure, based on the operation history data D1 (see FIG. 10). The operation interval failure frequency R221 is a situation in which the length or variation of the operation interval in the series of operations exceeds a reference value.

[0127] For example, the UI analysis unit 5d identifies the average or maximum value of the time interval of the time stamps D12 in the series of operation data as the length of the operation interval. Alternatively, the UI analysis unit 5d identifies the difference between the maximum value and the average value as the variation of the operation interval.

[0128] The UI analysis unit 5d identifies, for each of the functions of the image processing device 10, the ratio of the number of times the operation interval failure occurs to the total number of the series of operations as an operation interval failure frequency R221.

[0129] Alternatively, the UI analysis unit 5d may identify the number of times the operation interval failure occurs as the operation interval failure frequency R221. The UI analysis unit 5d includes information on the operation interval failure frequency R221 in the second analysis data R22.

[0130] The UI analysis unit 5d may include a list R222 of users who have experienced the poor operation interval in the second analysis data R22 (see FIG. 10). Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include information on the number of times the poor operation interval occurred for each user in the second analysis data.

[0131] The UI analysis unit 5d further executes the process of step S203.

[0132] <Process S203> In step S203, the UI analysis unit 5d analyzes the situation of hesitant operations for each of the plurality of functions for each user based on the operation history data D1, and includes data representing the analysis result in the second analysis data R22.

[0133] At least some of the setting screens include one or both of a stop icon and a back icon. The stop icon is an operation icon that accepts an operation to instruct the image processing device 10 to stop setting the process to be executed. The back icon is an operation icon that accepts an operation to instruct the image processing device 10 to go back to the previous step in setting the process to be executed.

[0134] The hesitation operation corresponds to one or both of the stop icon and the back icon, that is, the operations corresponding to the plurality of setting screens include the hesitation operation.

[0135] The UI analysis unit 5d identifies the number of hesitation operations for each of the series of operations based on the operation history data D1. The UI analysis unit 5d derives the number of hesitation operations by counting the number of operation codes D13 representing the hesitation operations included in the series of operation data extracted from the operation history data D1.

[0136] Here, a situation in which the number of hesitant operations exceeds the reference number is referred to as a "many hesitant operations." The UI analysis unit 5d identifies a large hesitant operation frequency R223, which is the frequency at which the large number of hesitant operations occurs, based on the operation history data D1.

[0137] The UI analysis unit 5d identifies, for each of the plurality of functions of the image processing device 10, the ratio of the number of times of the multiple hesitant operations to the total number of the series of operations as a multiple hesitant operation frequency R223.

[0138] Alternatively, the UI analysis unit 5d may identify the number of times the hesitant operation occurs as the hesitant operation frequency R223. The UI analysis unit 5d includes information on the hesitant operation frequency R223 in the second analysis data R22.

[0139] The UI analysis unit 5d may include a list R224 of users who have experienced the many hesitant operations in the second analysis data R22 (see FIG. 10). Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include information on the number of times the many hesitant operations occurred for each user in the second analysis data R22.

[0140] The UI analysis unit 5d further executes the process of step S204.

[0141] <Process S204> In step S204, the UI analysis unit 5d analyzes the operation proficiency status of all users based on the analysis results obtained in steps S202 and S203, and includes the analysis results in the second analysis data.

[0142] Specifically, the UI analysis unit 5d identifies an immature operation frequency R225 that is a combination of the poor operation interval frequency R221 and the frequent hesitation operations frequency R223 (see FIG. 10). The immature operation frequency R225 is the sum of the poor operation interval frequency R221 and the frequent hesitation operations frequency R223.

[0143] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d also identifies a mastery operation frequency R226, which is the frequency of the series of operations in which neither the poor operation interval nor the large number of hesitation operations occurred (see FIG. 10). The UI analysis unit 5d includes information on the unskilled operation frequency R225 and the mastery operation frequency R226 in the second analysis data R22.

[0144] The UI analysis unit 5d may include an inexperienced user list R227 in the second analysis data R22 (see FIG. 10). The inexperienced user list R227 is a list of users who have the poor operation interval or the large number of hesitant operations.

[0145] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include a skilled user list R228 in the second analysis data R22. The skilled user list R228 is a list of users who have not experienced either the poor operation interval or the large number of hesitant operations.

[0146] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include information on the occurrence frequency of the poor operation intervals and the multiple hesitant operations for each user in the second analysis data R22. Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include the number of times the series of operations is performed by each user included in the skilled user list R228 in the second analysis data R22.

[0147] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include data of a mastery state distribution graph R220 in the second analysis data R22 (FIG. 10). The mastery state distribution graph R220 is a graph that represents the distribution of a mastery operation frequency R226, an unskilled operation frequency R225, a poor operation interval frequency R221, and a large number of hesitant operations frequency R223.

[0148] The UI analysis unit 5d further executes the process of step S205.

[0149] <Process S205> In step S205, the UI analysis unit 5d analyzes the process completion status for each of the plurality of functions based on the operation history data D1, and generates third analysis data R23 including the analysis result.

[0150] The processing completion status is a status related to the frequency of completion or incompletion of the target processing. The target processing corresponds to an operation for setting a processing to be executed by the image processing device 10.

[0151] For example, the incompletion of the target process may include an error end, which is a situation in which the target process has ended due to an error, or a process abort, which is a situation in which the setting of the target process has been aborted by an operation corresponding to the abort icon.

[0152] In this embodiment, the UI analysis unit 5d identifies a process abort frequency R231 and an error end frequency R232 based on the operation history data D1 (see FIG. 11). The process abort frequency R231 is the frequency of the process abort. The error end frequency R232 is the frequency of the error end.

[0153] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d identifies a processing incompletion frequency R233 that is a combination of the processing stop frequency R231 and the error end frequency R232 (see FIG. 11). The processing incompletion frequency R233 is the sum of the processing stop frequency R231 and the error end frequency R232. The processing incompletion frequency R233 is the frequency at which the target processing is incomplete.

[0154] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d also identifies a process completion frequency R234, which is the frequency of the situation in which the target process is completed (see FIG. 11). The process completion frequency R234 is the frequency at which the target process is completed.

[0155] The UI analysis unit 5d includes information on the processing abort frequency R231, the error end frequency R232, the processing incomplete frequency R233, and the processing completion frequency R234 in the third analysis data R23 (see FIG. 11).

[0156] The UI analysis unit 5d may include an incomplete user list R235 in the third analysis data R23 (see FIG. 11). The incomplete user list R235 is a list of users for whom the target process has not been completed.

[0157] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include a completed user list R236 in the third analysis data R23. The completed user list R236 is a list of users who have not yet completed the target process.

[0158] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include information on the number of times the target process is incomplete and completed for each user in the third analysis data R23.

[0159] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include data of a completion status distribution graph R230 in the third analysis data R23 (FIG. 11). The completion status distribution graph R230 is a graph that represents the distribution of a processing abort frequency R231, an error end frequency R232, a processing incomplete frequency R233, and a processing completion frequency R234.

[0160] The UI analysis unit 5d further executes the process of step S206.

[0161] <Process S206> In step S206, the UI analysis unit 5d executes a supplementary analysis process, which generates first supplementary data R3, second supplementary data R4, and third supplementary data R5 to be included in the report data R1 depending on the situation.

[0162] The supplementary analysis process will be described later. The UI analysis unit 5d further executes the process of step S207.

[0163] <Process S207> In step S207, the UI analysis unit 5d generates report data R1 including operation analysis data R2. The operation analysis data R2 includes first analysis data R21, second analysis data R22, and third analysis data R23.

[0164] Furthermore, when the first supplementary data R3, the second supplementary data R4, and the third supplementary data R5 are partly or entirely generated by the supplementary analysis process, the UI analysis unit 5d includes the generated data in the report data R1.

[0165] The operation analysis data R2 is an example of operation analysis information that represents a distribution of each of the feature operation situations of each of the functions for all users. The UI analysis unit 5d further executes the process of step S208.

[0166] <Process S208> In step S208, the UI analysis unit 5d transmits the report data R1 generated in step S207 to the destination of the administrator via the communication device 4. The administrator can check the contents of the report data R1 on the administrator's host device 8 (see FIGS. 9 to 11).

[0167] After executing the process of step S208, the UI analysis unit 5d ends the operation analysis process. Note that the process of step S208 is an example of a process of transmitting each of the operation analysis data R2, the first supplementary data R3, the second supplementary data R4, and the third supplementary data R5 to the destination of the administrator through the communication device 4.

[0168] The same change frequency R211, the initial condition adoption frequency R212, the operation interval failure frequency R221, the multiple hesitant operation frequency R223, the unskilled operation frequency R225, the skilled operation frequency R226, the processing stop frequency R231, the error end frequency R232, the processing incomplete frequency R233, and the processing completion frequency R234 are examples of the plurality of characteristic operation situations. The plurality of characteristic operation situations are preset situations for each of the plurality of functions of the image processing device 10 for each user.

[0169] The processing of steps S201 to S205 by the UI analysis unit 5d is an example of processing for identifying the plurality of characteristic operation situations for each of the plurality of functions for each user based on the operation history data D1.

[0170] [Supplementary analysis processing] Next, an example of the procedure of the supplementary analysis process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0171] In the following description, S301, S302, ... represent identification codes of a plurality of steps in the supplementary analysis process. In the supplementary analysis process, the process of step S301 is executed first.

[0172] <Process S301> In step S301, the UI analysis unit 5d determines whether or not a high same change frequency has occurred based on the operation history data D1. The high same change frequency is a situation in which the same change frequency R211 exceeds a preset standard frequency SV1.

[0173] The UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S302 when it determines that the same change frequency has occurred. On the other hand, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S303 when it determines that the same change frequency has not occurred.

[0174] <Process S302> In step S302, the UI analysis unit 5d generates first supplementary data R3 including change inquiry information R30 (see FIG. 9). The change inquiry information R30 is information having contents for inquiring of the administrator about the necessity of a condition change process.

[0175] The condition change process is a process of changing the initial state of the processing condition to a condition corresponding to the same change frequency.

[0176] For example, the change inquiry information R30 includes an inquiry message R31 and one or more change instruction icons R32 corresponding to a change instruction operation (see FIG. 9). The change instruction icon R32 is associated with the initial state after the processing condition is changed.

[0177] When the administrator's host device 8 detects an operation on the change instruction icon R32, it transmits to the image processing device 10 change instruction information corresponding to the change inquiry information R30.

[0178] Furthermore, in step S302, the UI analysis unit 5d includes data of the high frequency mark R214 in the first analysis data R21 (see FIG. 9). The data of the high frequency mark R214 is an example of information indicating that the same change frequency has occurred.

[0179] After executing the process of step S302, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S303.

[0180] <Process S303> In step S303, the UI analysis unit 5d determines whether or not a high immature operation frequency has occurred based on the operation history data D1. The high immature operation frequency is a situation in which the immature operation frequency R225 exceeds a preset standard frequency SV2.

[0181] In this embodiment, a situation in which it is determined that the high frequency of immature operations occurs is a situation in which it is determined that the poor operation interval frequency R221 or the multiple hesitant operation frequency R223 exceeds the standard frequency SV2.

[0182] The UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S304 when it determines that the high frequency of immature operations has occurred. On the other hand, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S305 when it determines that the high frequency of immature operations has not occurred.

[0183] <Process S304> In step S304, the UI analysis unit 5d generates second supplementary data R4 including advice sending inquiry information R40 (see FIG. 10).

[0184] The advice transmission inquiry information R40 is information having contents inquiring as to whether or not a process for transmitting advice information regarding the first specific function is required.

[0185] The first specific function is a function corresponding to the high frequency of unskilled operations among the plurality of functions of the image processing device 10. For example, the UI analysis unit 5d sets one or both of first advice information and second advice information shown below as the advice information.

[0186] The UI analysis unit 5d can set information corresponding to the first specific function from the explanation information included in the plurality of guidance screens as the first advice information.

[0187] On the other hand, the UI analysis unit 5d may extract the series of operation data corresponding to the learning operation frequency R226 for the first specific function from the operation history data D1. In this case, the UI analysis unit 5d can generate information on the operation procedure represented by the extracted series of operation data as the second advice information. The second advice information is information on an operation example for the first specific function.

[0188] The advice transmission inquiry information R40 includes an inquiry message R41 and a transmission instruction icon R42 corresponding to a transmission instruction operation (see FIG. 10).

[0189] When the manager's host device 8 detects an operation on the transmission instruction icon R42, it transmits to the image processing device 10 advice instruction information corresponding to the advice transmission inquiry information R40.

[0190] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include, in the second supplementary data R4, the advice information and a confirmation icon R43 corresponding to a confirmation instruction operation for instructing the presentation of the contents of the advice information (see FIG. 10).

[0191] When detecting an operation corresponding to the confirmation icon R43, the manager's host device 8 displays a screen presenting the advice information included in the second supplementary data R4.

[0192] Furthermore, in step S304, the UI analysis unit 5d includes data of the high frequency mark R229 in the second analysis data R22 (see FIG. 10). The data of the high frequency mark R219 is an example of information indicating that the high frequency of the immature operation has occurred.

[0193] After executing the process of step S304, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S305.

[0194] <Process S305> In step S305, the UI analysis unit 5d determines whether or not a high incompletion frequency has occurred based on the operation history data D1. The high incompletion frequency is a situation in which the process incompletion frequency R233 exceeds a preset standard frequency SV3.

[0195] When the UI analysis unit 5d determines that the high incompletion frequency has occurred, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S306. On the other hand, when the UI analysis unit 5d determines that the high incompletion frequency has not occurred, the UI analysis unit 5d ends the supplementary analysis process.

[0196] <Process S306> In step S306, the UI analysis unit 5d generates third supplementary data R5 including registration inquiry information R50 inquiring about the necessity of registering a wizard for the second specific function (see FIG. 11).

[0197] The second specific function is a function that corresponds to the high incompletion frequency among the plurality of functions of the image processing device 10. The wizard is an example of an application program that guides or automates an operation for setting a process to be executed by the image processing device 10.

[0198] The registration inquiry information R50 has contents inquiring as to whether or not the process of registering the wizard for the second specific function in the image processing device 10 is necessary.

[0199] For example, the UI analysis unit 5d can extract the series of operation data corresponding to the processing completion frequency R234 for the second specific function from the operation history data D1. In this case, the UI analysis unit 5d can automatically generate the wizard that executes processing in accordance with the operation procedure represented by the extracted series of operation data.

[0200] The registration inquiry information R50 includes an inquiry message R51 and a registration instruction icon R52 corresponding to a registration instruction operation (see FIG. 11).

[0201] When the administrator's host device 8 detects an operation on the registration instruction icon R52, it transmits to the image processing device 10 registration instruction information corresponding to the registration inquiry information R50.

[0202] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include wizard explanation information and a confirmation icon R53 corresponding to a confirmation instruction operation for instructing the presentation of the contents of the wizard in the third supplementary data R5 (see FIG. 11). The wizard explanation information is information that explains the contents of the wizard for the second specific function.

[0203] When the administrator's host device 8 detects an operation corresponding to the confirmation icon R53, it displays a screen presenting the wizard explanatory information included in the third supplementary data R5.

[0204] Furthermore, in step S306, the UI analysis unit 5d includes data of the high frequency mark R237 in the third analysis data R23 (see FIG. 11). The data of the high frequency mark R237 is an example of information indicating that the high frequency of incomplete tasks has occurred.

[0205] After executing the process of step S306, the UI analysis unit 5d ends the supplementary analysis process.

[0206] [Instruction response processing] Next, an example of a procedure for an instruction response process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0207] The UI analysis unit 5d executes the instruction response process when it receives instruction information corresponding to the transmitted report data R1 from the manager's host device 8. Hereinafter, the manager's host device 8 will be simply referred to as the host device 8.

[0208] In the following description, S401, S402, ... represent identification symbols of a plurality of steps in the instruction response processing. In the instruction response processing, the processing of step S401 is executed first.

[0209] <Process S401> In step S401, the UI analysis unit 5d selects the next process depending on whether the instruction information received from the host device 8 is the change instruction information (step S302, see FIG. 9).

[0210] The UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S402 when the instruction information received from the host device 8 is the change instruction information. On the other hand, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S403 when the instruction information received from the host device 8 is not the change instruction information.

[0211] <Process S402> In step S402, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the condition change process to change the initial state of the processing condition corresponding to the same change frequency.

[0212] By executing the condition change process, the operation of setting the processing conditions is simplified for many users.

[0213] After executing the process of step S402, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S403.

[0214] <Process S403> In step S403, the UI analysis unit 5d selects the next process depending on whether the instruction information received from the host device 8 is the advice instruction information (step S304, see FIG. 10).

[0215] The UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S404 when the instruction information received from the host device 8 is the advice instruction information. On the other hand, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S405 when the instruction information received from the host device 8 is not the advice instruction information.

[0216] <Process S404> In step S404, the UI analysis unit 5d transmits, via the communication device 4, the advice information about the first specific function to a destination of the user corresponding to the high frequency of unskilled operations.

[0217] By transmitting the advice information to the users corresponding to the high frequency of unskilled operations, it is expected that the level of proficiency in operating the image processing device 10 will improve for many users.

[0218] After executing the process of step S404, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S405.

[0219] <Process S405> In step S405, the UI analysis unit 5d selects the next process depending on whether the instruction information received from the host device 8 is the registration instruction information (step S306, see FIG. 11).

[0220] The UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S406 when the instruction information received from the host device 8 is the registration instruction information. On the other hand, when the instruction information received from the host device 8 is not the registration instruction information, the UI analysis unit 5d ends the instruction response process.

[0221] <Process S406> In step S406, the UI analysis unit 5d executes a process of registering the wizard for the second specific function in the image processing device .

[0222] Specifically, the UI analysis unit 5d generates the wizard for the second specific function and records the generated wizard in the secondary storage device 6. The UI analysis unit 5d may generate and record the wizard in step S306 of FIG.

[0223] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d adds a wizard execution instruction icon g13 to some of the setting screens (see FIG. 12). The wizard execution instruction icon g13 is an example of a menu item that accepts an operation to instruct the image processing device 10 to execute the wizard for the second specific function.

[0224] By registering the wizard for the second specific function in the image processing device 10, it is expected that the frequency of the image processing not being completed will be reduced.

[0225] After executing the process of step S406, the UI analysis unit 5d ends the instruction response process.

[0226] As described above, the image processing device 10 can identify and present information useful for managing the image processing device 10 from a large amount of information about operation situations by multiple users.

[0227] [Application example] Next, an application example of the image processing device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Below, differences between this application example and the image processing device 10 will be described.

[0228] In this application example, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the supplementary analysis process in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG.

[0229] The supplementary analysis process shown in FIG. 13 has a procedure in which step S306 of the supplementary analysis process shown in FIG. 4 is replaced with step S307.

[0230] When it is determined that the high frequency of unskilled operations occurs, the UI analysis unit 5d executes the process of step S307. The process of step S307 will be described below.

[0231] <Process S307> In step S307, the UI analysis unit 5d generates third supplementary data R5 including advice transmission inquiry information R54 related to the second specific function, similarly to step S304.

[0232] The advice transmission inquiry information R54 is information having contents inquiring as to whether or not a process for transmitting advice information regarding the second specific function is required.

[0233] The UI analysis unit 5d sets the advice information regarding the second specific function, similarly to the process in step S304.

[0234] The advice transmission inquiry information R54 includes an inquiry message R55 and a transmission instruction icon R56 corresponding to an operation for instructing transmission of advice (see FIG. 14).

[0235] When the manager's host device 8 detects an operation on the transmission instruction icon R56, it transmits to the image processing device 10 the transmission instruction information corresponding to the advice transmission inquiry information R54.

[0236] Furthermore, the UI analysis unit 5d may include, in the third supplementary data R5, the advice information and a confirmation icon R57 corresponding to a confirmation instruction operation for instructing the presentation of the contents of the advice information (see FIG. 14).

[0237] When the administrator's host device 8 detects an operation corresponding to the confirmation icon R57, it displays a screen presenting the advice information included in the third supplementary data R5.

[0238] Furthermore, in step S307, the UI analysis unit 5d includes the data of the high frequency mark R237 in the third analysis data R23 (see FIG. 14). This process is similar to the process in step S306.

[0239] In this application example, after executing the process of step S307, the UI analysis unit 5d ends the supplementary analysis process.

[0240] In this application example, the UI analysis unit 5d executes a process of transmitting the advice information when the advice instruction information corresponding to the advice transmission inquiry information R54 is received from the host device 8. This process is similar to the process of step S404 in Fig. 5. However, the destination of the advice information is the address of the user corresponding to the high incomplete frequency.

[0241] When this application example is adopted, the same effects as when the image processing device 10 is adopted can be obtained.

[0242] [Notes on the invention] The following will provide an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0243] <Appendix 1> 1. A user interface processing method for executing processing related to a user interface in an image processing device including an operation device that accepts operations and a display device that displays information, comprising: a processor executes a setting screen control for displaying on the display device a screen selected from a plurality of setting screens including information regarding an operation for setting a process to be executed by the image processing device for each of a plurality of functions of the image processing device, for a user authenticated by a user authentication process, in response to an operation on the operation device; The processor records operation history information representing a history of operations on the operation device corresponding to the plurality of setting screens for each of the plurality of functions for each of the users in a non-volatile storage device; The processor identifies a plurality of preset characteristic operation situations for each of the plurality of functions for each of the users based on the operation history information; generating operation analysis information representing a distribution of each of the plurality of feature operation situations of each of the plurality of functions across all users; and transmitting the operation analysis information to an administrator destination via a communication device.

[0244] <Appendix 2> The plurality of feature operation situations include: A condition change status relating to a frequency of a condition change operation for changing a processing condition in a process to be executed by the image processing device from a preset initial state; and A hesitation operation status regarding a frequency of occurrence of a large number of hesitation operations in which the number of hesitation operations instructing the cancellation or reversal of a setting exceeds a reference number during a series of operations for setting one process to be executed by the image processing device; and An operation interval defect status regarding a frequency of occurrence of an operation interval defect in which the length or variation of an operation interval, which is a time interval between a series of operations that sets one process to be executed by the image processing device, exceeds a reference value; and A user interface processing method as described in Appendix 1, including some or all of the following: a processing completion status regarding the frequency of completion or incompletion of a target process corresponding to an operation that sets a process to be executed by the image processing device.

[0245] <Appendix 3> When the plurality of feature operation situations includes the condition change situation, the processor identifies an identical change frequency, which is a frequency of the condition change operation that changes the processing condition to the identical condition, based on the operation history information; The user interface processing method of claim 2, further comprising: the processor including information of the frequency of identical changes in the operation analysis information.

[0246] <Appendix 4> The processor determines whether a high frequency of identical changes occurs, which is a situation in which the frequency of identical changes exceeds a preset reference frequency; and when it is determined that the high frequency of identical changes has occurred, the processor includes information of the high frequency of identical changes in the operation analysis information.

[0247] <Appendix 5> When it is determined that the same change frequency occurs, the processor transmits change inquiry information to a destination of the administrator via the communication device, the change inquiry information inquiring whether or not a condition change process is required to change the initial state of the processing condition to a condition corresponding to the same change frequency; The user interface processing method of claim 4, further comprising: when change instruction information corresponding to the change inquiry information is received through the communication device, the processor executing the condition change process.

[0248] <Appendix 6> When the plurality of characteristic operation situations includes the hesitant operation situation, the processor determines whether or not a high immature operation frequency, in which the occurrence frequency of the hesitant operations exceeds a reference frequency, occurs based on the operation history information; When it is determined that the high frequency of the immature operation occurs, the processor transmits advice transmission inquiry information to a destination of the administrator via the communication device, the advice transmission inquiry information inquiring whether or not a process for transmitting advice information regarding a specific function corresponding to the high frequency of the immature operation among the plurality of functions is required; The user interface processing method of any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 5, comprising: when advice instruction information corresponding to the advice sending inquiry information is received through the communication device, the processor transmits the advice information to a user destination corresponding to the high frequency of immature operations through the communication device.

[0249] <Appendix 7> When the plurality of characteristic operation situations includes the improper operation interval situation, the processor determines whether or not a high immature operation frequency, in which the occurrence frequency of the improper operation interval exceeds a reference frequency, occurs based on the operation history information; When it is determined that the high frequency of the immature operation occurs, the processor transmits advice transmission inquiry information to a destination of the administrator via the communication device, the advice transmission inquiry information inquiring whether or not a process for transmitting advice information regarding a specific function corresponding to the high frequency of the immature operation among the plurality of functions is required; The user interface processing method of any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 6, comprising: when advice instruction information corresponding to the advice sending inquiry information is received through the communication device, the processor transmits the advice information to a user destination corresponding to the high frequency of immature operations through the communication device.

[0250] <Appendix 8> When the plurality of feature operation states includes the processing completion state, the processor determines whether or not a high incompletion frequency occurs for each of the plurality of functions, which is a state in which the frequency of incompletion exceeds a reference frequency, based on the operation history information; The user interface processing method of any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 7, further comprising, when it is determined that the high frequency of incompletion has occurred, including information of the high frequency of incompletion in the operation analysis information by the processor.

[0251] <Appendix 9> when it is determined that the high frequency of incompletion has occurred, the processor transmits advice transmission inquiry information to a destination of the administrator via the communication device, the advice transmission inquiry information inquiring whether or not a process for transmitting advice information regarding a specific function corresponding to the high frequency of incompletion among the plurality of functions is required; The user interface processing method described in Appendix 8, comprising: when advice instruction information corresponding to the advice sending inquiry information is received through the communication device, the processor transmits the advice information through the communication device to a user destination corresponding to the high incompletion frequency.

[0252] <Appendix 10> when it is determined that the high frequency of incompletion has occurred, the processor transmits, via the communication device, to a destination of the administrator, registration inquiry information inquiring whether or not it is necessary to register an application program that guides or automates an operation for setting a process to be executed by the image processing device for a specific function among the plurality of functions that corresponds to the high frequency of incompletion; the processor generates the application program for the specific function and records the application program in the non-volatile storage device; The user interface processing method described in Appendix 8, comprising: when registration instruction information corresponding to the registration inquiry information is received through the communication device, the processor adds a menu item to a portion of the plurality of setting screens, the menu item accepting an operation to instruct the image processing device to execute the application program for the specific function.

[0253] <Appendix 11> An operation device that accepts operations; A display device for displaying information; A processor implementing the user interface processing method of any one of claims 1 to 10; an image processing unit that executes image processing set by an operation on the operation device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0254] 1: Image forming device 2: Image reader 3: User interface device 3a: Operating device 3b:Display device 4: Communication equipment 5: Control device 5a: Authentication section 5b: Job control section 5c:UI control section 5d:UI analysis department 6 :Secondary storage device 8: Host device 10: Image processing device 51: CPU 52: RAM 71: Card reader 72: USB interface 72x: USB device 80: Network 91: Sheet 92: Manuscript D0: Registered user data D1: Operation history data G1: Main menu screen G2: Guidance selection screen

Claims

1. 1. A user interface processing method for executing processing related to a user interface in an image processing device including an operation device that accepts operations and a display device that displays information, comprising: a processor executes a setting screen control for displaying on the display device a screen selected from a plurality of setting screens including information regarding an operation for setting a process to be executed by the image processing device for each of a plurality of functions of the image processing device, for a user authenticated by a user authentication process, in response to an operation on the operation device; The processor records operation history information representing a history of operations on the operation device corresponding to the plurality of setting screens for each of the plurality of functions for each of the users in a non-volatile storage device; The processor identifies a plurality of preset characteristic operation situations for each of the plurality of functions for each of the users based on the operation history information; generating operation analysis information representing a distribution of each of the plurality of feature operation situations of each of the plurality of functions across all users; and transmitting the operation analysis information to an administrator destination via a communication device.

2. The plurality of feature operation situations include: A condition change status relating to a frequency of a condition change operation for changing a processing condition in a process to be executed by the image processing device from a preset initial state; and a hesitation operation status relating to a frequency of occurrence of a large number of hesitation operations in which the number of hesitation operations instructing the cancellation or reversal of a setting exceeds a reference number during a series of operations for setting one process to be executed by the image processing device; An operation interval defect status regarding a frequency of occurrence of an operation interval defect in which the length or variation of an operation interval, which is a time interval between a series of operations that sets one process to be executed by the image processing device, exceeds a reference value; and 2 . The user interface processing method according to claim 1 , further comprising: a processing completion status relating to a frequency of completion or incompletion of a target process corresponding to an operation for setting a process to be executed by the image processing device.

3. When the plurality of feature operation situations includes the condition change situation, the processor identifies an identical change frequency, which is a frequency of the condition change operation that changes the processing condition to the identical condition, based on the operation history information; The user interface processing method of claim 2 , further comprising: the processor including information of the frequency of identical changes in the operation analysis information.

4. The processor determines whether a high frequency of identical changes occurs, which is a situation in which the frequency of identical changes exceeds a preset reference frequency; The user interface processing method according to claim 3 , further comprising, when it is determined that the high frequency of identical changes has occurred, including information of the high frequency of identical changes in the operation analysis information by the processor.

5. When it is determined that the same change frequency occurs, the processor transmits change inquiry information to a destination of the administrator via the communication device, the change inquiry information inquiring whether or not a condition change process is required to change the initial state of the processing condition to a condition corresponding to the same change frequency; The user interface processing method according to claim 4 , further comprising: when change instruction information corresponding to the change inquiry information is received through the communication device, the processor executes the condition change process.

6. When the plurality of characteristic operation situations includes the hesitant operation situation, the processor determines whether or not a high immature operation frequency, in which the occurrence frequency of the hesitant operations exceeds a reference frequency, occurs based on the operation history information; When it is determined that the high frequency of the immature operation occurs, the processor transmits advice transmission inquiry information to a destination of the administrator via the communication device, the advice transmission inquiry information inquiring whether or not a process for transmitting advice information regarding a specific function corresponding to the high frequency of the immature operation among the plurality of functions is required; The user interface processing method of claim 2, further comprising: when advice instruction information corresponding to the advice sending inquiry information is received through the communication device, the processor transmits the advice information to a user destination corresponding to the high frequency of unskilled operations through the communication device.

7. When the plurality of characteristic operation situations includes the improper operation interval situation, the processor determines whether or not a high immature operation frequency, in which the occurrence frequency of the improper operation interval exceeds a reference frequency, occurs based on the operation history information; When it is determined that the high frequency of the immature operation occurs, the processor transmits advice transmission inquiry information to a destination of the administrator via the communication device, the advice transmission inquiry information inquiring whether or not a process for transmitting advice information regarding a specific function corresponding to the high frequency of the immature operation among the plurality of functions is required; The user interface processing method of claim 2, further comprising: when advice instruction information corresponding to the advice sending inquiry information is received through the communication device, the processor transmits the advice information to a user destination corresponding to the high frequency of unskilled operations through the communication device.

8. When the plurality of feature operation states includes the processing completion state, the processor determines whether or not a high incompletion frequency occurs for each of the plurality of functions, which is a state in which the frequency of incompletion exceeds a reference frequency, based on the operation history information; The user interface processing method according to claim 2 , further comprising, when it is determined that the high frequency of incompletion has occurred, including information on the high frequency of incompletion in the operation analysis information by the processor.

9. when it is determined that the high frequency of incompletion has occurred, the processor transmits advice transmission inquiry information to a destination of the administrator via the communication device, the advice transmission inquiry information inquiring whether or not a process for transmitting advice information regarding a specific function corresponding to the high frequency of incompletion among the plurality of functions is required; The user interface processing method of claim 8, further comprising: when advice instruction information corresponding to the advice sending inquiry information is received through the communication device, the processor transmits the advice information to a user destination corresponding to the high incomplete frequency through the communication device.

10. when it is determined that the high frequency of incompletion has occurred, the processor transmits, via the communication device, to a destination of the administrator, registration inquiry information inquiring whether or not it is necessary to register an application program that guides or automates an operation for setting a process to be executed by the image processing device for a specific function among the plurality of functions that corresponds to the high frequency of incompletion; the processor generates the application program for the specific function and records the application program in the non-volatile storage device; The user interface processing method of claim 8, further comprising: when registration instruction information corresponding to the registration inquiry information is received through the communication device, the processor adding a menu item to a portion of the plurality of setting screens that accepts an operation to instruct the image processing device to execute the application program for the specific function.

11. An operation device that accepts operations; A display device for displaying information; A processor implementing the user interface processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10; an image processing unit that executes image processing set by an operation on the operation device.

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