Operation support system, image processing device, and operation support method

Abstract

To provide an operation support system which makes it easy for a user to reach a setting screen of a desired setting item, and an image processing system.SOLUTION: When a setting menu is selected (S11) and thereafter a manual display request is inputted (S12), a control unit of a composite machine displays a manual moving image on a display panel (S14). Furthermore, when an operation support request is inputted (S16), the control unit acquires setting item information indicating a specific setting item corresponding to a reproduction position of the manual moving image (S18, S19) and displays an operation guide corresponding to the setting item information on an operation display panel 12 (S20).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation support system, an image processing device, and an operation support method for supporting the input of settings for predetermined setting items. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known image processing devices such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, image readers, and multifunction devices that incorporate the functions of each of these devices. The image processing devices are provided with an operation panel for inputting setting values ​​for each function and inputting instructions for performing maintenance processes for the device.

[0003] Conventionally, a user taps a setting menu displayed on the display unit of an operation panel to cause the setting menu screen to be displayed on the display unit, selects a setting item for a desired function or a setting item for a maintenance process, and inputs a setting value or inputs an execution instruction from the setting screen for the selected setting item (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-012040 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when an image processing device is provided with many setting items due to its multi-functionality, a problem occurs in that a user cannot easily find a desired setting item from the setting menu, and cannot easily reach an input screen for inputting the desired setting item. This problem is particularly noticeable when a plurality of setting items are managed in a hierarchical structure.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an operation support system and an image processing device that enable a user to easily arrive at a setting screen for a desired setting item. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An operation support system according to one aspect of the present invention is an operation support system that supports an operation input of setting contents of a predetermined setting item in an image processing device. The operation support system includes a screen display processing unit that displays a setting input screen on a predetermined display unit where the setting contents of the setting item can be input, a setting item acquisition unit that acquires specific setting item information indicating a specific explanatory item corresponding to a playback position of a manual video including multiple explanatory information related to various setting methods, and an operation guide display processing unit that displays, on the display unit, an operation guide indicating multiple operation procedures for switching the display screen displayed on the display unit to a specific setting input screen where the setting contents of the specific setting item can be input when the specific setting item information is acquired by the setting item acquisition unit.

[0008] An image processing device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a screen display processing unit that displays on a specified display unit a setting input screen on which setting contents for specified setting items related to image processing can be input, a setting item acquisition unit that acquires specific setting item information indicating specific explanatory items corresponding to a playback position of a manual video including multiple explanatory information relating to various setting methods, and an operation guide display processing unit that, when the specific setting item information is acquired by the setting item acquisition unit, displays on the display unit an operation guide indicating multiple operation procedures for switching the display screen displayed on the display unit to a specific setting input screen on which setting contents for the specific setting items can be input.

[0009] An operation assistance method according to another aspect of the present invention is an operation assistance method for assisting an operation input of setting contents of a predetermined setting item in an image processing device. The operation assistance method is a method executed by one or more processors, the steps being: a screen display step of displaying, on a predetermined display unit, a setting input screen on which the setting contents of the setting item can be input, a setting item acquisition step of acquiring specific setting item information indicating a specific explanatory item corresponding to a playback position of a manual video including multiple explanatory information related to various setting methods, and an operation guide display step of displaying, on the display unit, an operation guide indicating multiple operation procedures for switching the display screen displayed on the display unit to a specific setting input screen on which the setting contents of the specific setting item can be input, when the specific setting item information is acquired by the setting item acquisition step. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the user can easily reach the setting screen for the setting item he or she desires. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a multifunction peripheral and an operation support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction peripheral and the operation support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a home screen as an example of an operation input screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a setting menu screen, which is an example of an operation input screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a language setting screen, which is an example of an operation input screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an adjustment / maintenance menu screen, which is an example of an operation input screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a silent mode setting screen, which is an example of an operation input screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a density adjustment screen, which is an example of an operation input screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a drum refresh screen, which is an example of an operation input screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a reference table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a first processing example of the manipulation guide display processing executed in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of the playback state change process included in the first processing example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a second processing example of the manipulation guide display processing executed in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an operation support system to which the second processing example of the operation guide display processing is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0013] An operation support system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system that supports the input of settings (such as setting values ​​and execution instructions) for predetermined setting items in a multifunction peripheral 1 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the operation support system 100 is configured with a multifunction peripheral 1 (an example of an image processing device of the present invention). The multifunction peripheral 1 is broadly equipped with an image forming device 2 and a sheet processing device 3. Note that in this embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 1 is illustrated as an example of an image processing device of the present invention, but, for example, either the image forming device 2 or the sheet processing device 3 may be an example of the image processing device of the present invention.

[0014] [Image forming device 2] The image forming device 2 is a multi-function device equipped with various functions such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile. As shown in Fig. 1, a sheet processing device 3 is connected to the side of the image forming device 2. The image forming device 2 prints an image based on input image data onto a printing paper (recording sheet) using toner. The image forming device 2 is not limited to a multi-function device, and may be a device having a single function such as a printer, a facsimile, or a copier.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 2 prints an image on a printing sheet based on image data input from an external source or image data read by an image reading device 11 disposed above the image forming apparatus 2.

[0016] 2, the image forming apparatus 2 mainly includes an image reading device 11, an operation display panel 12, an image forming section 13, a fixing section 14, a paper feed section 15, a paper discharge section 16, a control section 17, a communication I / F 18, and a storage section 19. These components are provided in a housing 2A that constitutes an outer cover and an internal frame of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0017] The communication I / F 18 is a communication interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 2 to a specified communication network via a wired or wireless connection, and for performing data communication in accordance with a specified communication protocol via the communication network with an external device such as a mobile terminal 4 (see FIG. 16) such as a smartphone or tablet used by a user.

[0018] The storage unit 19 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory that stores various information. The storage unit 19 stores various control programs such as a program for causing the control unit 17 to execute a manipulation guide display process (see FIGS. 11 to 15) described later, reference tables 110 and 111 (see FIG. 10) used in the manipulation guide display process described later, data of a manual video to be displayed on a display panel 20 described later, and various other data.

[0019] The manual video is a video including multiple pieces of explanatory information regarding the setting methods of various setting items in the multifunction device 1. The manual video is a video of the contents of the instruction manual for the multifunction device 1, and serves to visually convey to the user how to use, set, and maintain the multifunction device 1. The manual video is divided into multiple sections according to the contents of each of the multiple setting items, and a table of contents according to the contents of the sections corresponding to each setting item is set based on a well-known chapter function.

[0020] The manual video may be a slide video that can sequentially output a plurality of slides on which a plurality of pieces of explanatory information are described.

[0021] A plurality of paper feed units 15 are provided at the bottom of the image forming device 2. In this embodiment, four paper feed units 15 are provided in the image forming device 2. The four paper feed units 15 are arranged in a line in the vertical direction. The paper feed unit 15 has a paper feed cassette capable of storing a plurality of sheets of printing paper, and takes out the printing paper stored in the paper feed cassette one by one and feeds it to the image forming unit 13. The printing paper fed by the paper feed unit 15 to the image forming unit 13 has a toner image transferred onto its surface by the image forming unit 13, and is then transported to the fixing unit 14.

[0022] The image forming unit 13 performs image forming processing to form a toner image on a print sheet according to an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 13 has an optical scanning device, a photosensitive drum, a developing unit, a charging unit, a transfer unit, etc. Each of these units is a well-known mechanism, so detailed explanations will be omitted here.

[0023] The fixing unit 14 has a heating unit such as an IH heater, and fixes the toner image transferred to the print paper to the print paper by heat. The print paper with the image fixed by the fixing unit 14 is sent out to a transport path formed downstream in the print paper transport direction from the fixing unit 14. The print paper sent out to the transport path is further transported downstream in the print paper transport direction by multiple transport roller pairs provided along the transport path.

[0024] The transport path is continuous with a transport path in the sheet processing device 3. The recording paper after the fixing is transported to the sheet processing device 3. Note that the recording paper after the fixing may be discharged to a paper discharge tray provided in the image forming device 2 through a discharge path branched off from the transport path.

[0025] The operation display panel 12 is a user interface in the multifunction device 1 for displaying various types of information to the user and accepting various types of inputs from the user. The operation display panel 12 is an example of a predetermined display unit of the present invention. The operation display panel 12 is, for example, a liquid crystal display having a touch panel as an operation unit. The operation display panel 12 displays various types of information in accordance with control instructions from the control unit 17. Note that the operation display panel 12 may be provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and an operation unit including a plurality of operation keys separately.

[0026] In this embodiment, various operation input screens D10 to D16 (see Figs. 3 to 9) are displayed on the display unit 12A of the operation display panel 12. The operation input screens D10 to D16 are input screens for inputting execution instructions for each function in the multifunction device 1, inputting setting values ​​for setting items for each function in the multifunction device 1, and inputting execution instructions for maintenance processing in the multifunction device 1. The operation input screens D10 to D16 are examples of setting input screens of the present invention. A user can input execution instructions for each function and setting values ​​for setting items for each function, and can also input execution instructions for maintenance processing, by operating operation keys and the like that appear on the operation input screens D10 to D16.

[0027] The image reading device 11 is a device that reads an image of a document. The image reading device 11 optically reads an image of a document placed on a contact glass (document table) (not shown) or an image of a document transported by the ADF 111. The image reading device 11 is mainly composed of a light source that scans the reading surface of the document, and an image sensor such as a CCD or CIS that receives reflected light from the reading surface and converts it into an electrical signal.

[0028] The control unit 17 performs overall control of the multifunction device 1. Specifically, the control unit 17 controls the image forming process in the image forming device 2, the image reading process by the image reading device 11, and post-processing such as stapling and punching in the sheet processing device 3. The control unit 17 also controls various operations in the operation display panel 12. The control unit 17 also executes an operation guide display process (see FIGS. 11 to 15) which will be described later. The operation guide display process will be described later.

[0029] [Sheet processing device 3] The sheet processing device 3 is a device that performs post-processing such as stapling and hole-punching (punching) on ​​the print paper conveyed from the image forming device 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the sheet processing device 3 is used while being connected to the image forming device 2. Note that the sheet processing device 3 may be a device that performs at least one of stapling, punching, and sorting on the print paper.

[0030] 1, the sheet processing device 3 includes an upper body 31 constituting the upper side of the housing of the sheet processing device 3, and a lower body 32 constituting the lower side of the housing. A staple unit 34 that performs stapling, a punch unit 35 that performs hole punching, and a sorting unit 36 ​​that performs sorting are provided in the upper body 31. The operations of these units 34, 35, and 36 are controlled by the control unit 17. Since each of these units is a well-known mechanism, detailed explanations will be omitted here.

[0031] After performing a predetermined process on the sheet conveyed from the image forming device 2, the sheet processing device 3 discharges the recording paper to either the upper tray 36A or the lower tray 36B.

[0032] A touch panel type display panel 20 is provided on the upper part of the sheet processing device 3. The display panel 20 is a user interface for displaying various information to the user and accepting various inputs from the user in the multifunction device 1. The display panel 20 is, for example, a liquid crystal display having a touch panel as an operation unit. The display panel 20 displays various information on its display unit 20A in accordance with a control instruction from the control unit 17. For example, when a manual display icon A10 (see FIG. 3) displayed on the operation display panel 12 is tapped, a display request for the manual video is input to the multifunction device 1. As a result, the control unit 17 causes the display unit 20A of the display panel 20 to display the manual video so that it can be played back.

[0033] [Configuration of control unit 17] The control unit 17 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 17 controls the multifunction device 1 by executing various control programs stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 19 by the CPU.

[0034] Specifically, the control unit 17 includes a reception processing unit 171, a setting item acquisition unit 172, a screen display processing unit 173, an operation guide display processing unit 174, an operation input determination unit 175, a playback state change unit 176, etc. The setting item acquisition unit 172 is an example of a setting item acquisition unit of the present invention. The screen display processing unit 173 is an example of a screen display processing unit of the present invention. The operation guide display processing unit 174 is an example of an operation guide display processing unit of the present invention. The operation input determination unit 175 is an example of an input determination unit of the present invention. The playback state change unit 176 is an example of a playback state change unit of the present invention.

[0035] The control unit 17 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes according to the control program in the CPU. The control unit 17 may also include an electronic circuit that realizes a part or a plurality of processing functions of each of the processing units.

[0036] The reception processing unit 171 performs at least a process of receiving operations by a user. The operations received by the reception processing unit 171 include operations for setting various setting items in the multifunction device 1, operations for issuing instructions to execute maintenance processing in the multifunction device 1, and the like.

[0037] Specifically, when the user performs a tap operation (touch operation) on the operation display panel 12, the reception processing unit 171 receives an operation signal generated on the operation display panel 12, thereby receiving the operation by the user. When the user performs a tap operation, an operation signal corresponding to the operation is input to the reception processing unit 171, and the reception processing unit 171 receives the operation. The operation signal includes, for example, identification information for identifying the icon tapped by the user and information for specifying the content of the operation.

[0038] The screen display processing unit 173 controls the display contents of the display unit 12A of the operation display panel 12, the display contents of the display unit 20A of the display panel 20, and the like.

[0039] The screen display processing unit 173 displays, for example, the home screen D10 shown in FIG. 3 as an initial screen on the display unit 12A.

[0040] For example, when the reception processing unit 171 receives an operation by a user, the screen display processing unit 173 can switch the information to be displayed on the operation display panel 12 to other information. As an example, when the reception processing unit 171 receives an operation to select a setting item, the screen display processing unit 173 causes the display unit 12A of the operation display panel 12 to display an operation input screen corresponding to the setting item in response to the operation.

[0041] For example, when the user taps the setting menu icon A1 on the home screen D10 shown in Fig. 3, the screen display processing unit 173 displays the setting menu screen D11 shown in Fig. 4 on the display unit 12A. The setting menu screen D11 is an operation screen for selecting various setting items. By displaying the setting menu screen D11, the user can select a desired setting item on the setting menu screen D11, and a setting screen corresponding to the desired setting item can be displayed.

[0042] Furthermore, when the user selects any one of the setting items on the setting menu screen D11 shown in FIG. 4, the screen display processing unit 173 causes the display unit 12A to display an operation input screen corresponding to the selected setting item.

[0043] For example, when the user selects the setting item A2 of "Language Setting" on the setting menu screen D11, the screen display processing unit 173 displays the language setting screen D12 shown in Fig. 5 on the display unit 12A. The language setting screen D12 is a setting screen for setting the language to be used on the operation display panel 12 and the display panel 20 of the multifunction device 1. The user can set the type of language to be displayed on the multifunction device 1 on the language setting screen D12.

[0044] Also, for example, when the setting item A3 of "adjustment and maintenance" is selected on the setting menu screen D11, the screen display processing unit 173 displays the adjustment and maintenance menu screen D13 shown in Fig. 6 on the display unit 12A. The adjustment and maintenance menu screen D13 is an operation screen for selecting various setting items related to adjustment and maintenance. In other words, the setting menu screen D11 and the adjustment and maintenance menu screen D13 form a hierarchical structure, with the setting menu screen D11 located at the top and the adjustment and maintenance menu screen D13 located at a lower level than the setting menu screen D11.

[0045] By displaying the adjustment / maintenance menu screen D13, the user can select the desired setting item on the adjustment / maintenance menu screen D13, and can display a setting screen corresponding to the desired setting item related to adjustment / maintenance.

[0046] For example, when the user selects setting item A4 of "quiet mode setting" on adjustment / maintenance menu screen D13, screen display processing unit 173 displays quiet mode setting screen D14 shown in Fig. 7 on display unit 12A. Quiet mode setting screen D14 is a setting screen for setting a quiet mode that reduces noise in multifunction device 1. The user can set the quiet mode in multifunction device 1 on quiet mode setting screen D14.

[0047] Also, for example, when the user selects the setting item A5 of "density adjustment" on the adjustment / maintenance menu screen D13, the screen display processing unit 173 causes the display unit 12A to display a density adjustment screen D15 shown in Fig. 8. The density adjustment screen D15 is a setting screen for setting the toner density in the image forming process executed by the multifunction device 1. The user can set the toner density in the image forming process on the density adjustment screen D15.

[0048] Also, for example, when the setting item A6 for drum refresh is selected by the user on the adjustment / maintenance menu screen D13, the screen display processing unit 173 displays a drum refresh screen D16 shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 12A. The drum refresh screen D16 is an operation screen for inputting an instruction to execute a drum refresh process for the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit 13. The user can tap an execution icon A7 on the drum refresh screen D16, and can input an instruction to execute the drum refresh process by tapping the execution icon A7. The drum refresh is a process for improving defects such as bleeding or fading of characters or images printed on a printing paper.

[0049] Note that the setting menu screen D11 in Fig. 4 is merely an example, and the setting items selectable on the setting menu screen D11 are not limited to those shown in Fig. 4. For example, the setting items may include setting items related to the reading process by the image reading device 11 (e.g., reading resolution, format of image data after reading, etc.), setting items related to the network settings, date, and facsimile transmission / reception of the multifunction device 1 (e.g., setting of sender information, transmission / reception resolution, etc.), setting items related to post-processing such as stapling and punching in the sheet processing device 3 (stapling position, punching position, etc.), etc.

[0050] When the manual video is being played on the display panel 20, the setting item acquisition unit 172 performs a process of acquiring setting item information (an example of the specific setting item information of the present invention) indicating an explanatory item (hereinafter referred to as a specific setting item) corresponding to the playback position of the manual video.

[0051] The setting item information may be any information that provides a clue for the user to identify the content of the manual video being played on the display panel 20, such as index information indicating the setting item corresponding to the section being played, or playback time indicating the playback position of the section being played.

[0052] For example, when a user selects a desired setting item from the table of contents of the manual video displayed on the display panel 20, the setting item acquisition unit 172 acquires index information of the selected setting item. The setting item acquisition unit 172 also acquires a time code indicating the playback position of the section being played back, and acquires information on the setting item corresponding to the time information indicated by the time code by referring to the reference tables 110 and 111 shown in FIG.

[0053] 10 is table data in which setting items corresponding to each section included in the manual video are associated with time information indicating the playback position of the section. The time information is the playback time range from the start point (playback start position) to the end point of the section. The reference tables 110 and 111 also include information (operation procedure information) indicating the operation procedure corresponding to each setting item.

[0054] When the setting item information is acquired by the setting item acquisition unit 172, the operation guide display processing unit 174 displays, on the operation display panel 12, an operation guide for switching the display screen displayed on the operation display panel 12 to a specific setting input screen. Here, the specific setting input screen is a setting input screen on which the setting contents of the setting item corresponding to the setting item information can be input. Also, the operation guide indicates a plurality of operation procedures for switching the display screen of the operation display panel 12 to the specific setting input screen.

[0055] The operation guide is, for example, to sequentially highlight operation icons as operation buttons or operation keys on the display screen of the operation display panel 12 according to the operation sequence of the operation procedure. The highlighting method is, for example, to display only the operation icon with high brightness or high density, or to blink it. The operation guide is also to display a hand icon imitating fingers on the display screen of the operation display panel 12, and to move the hand icon from the operation icon to be operated first to the next operation icon according to the operation sequence. The operation guide may also be a procedure list in which the operation icons are arranged in ascending order of the operation sequence.

[0056] It is preferable that the control unit 17 displays the operation guide in conjunction with the reproduction of the explanation of the operation procedure in the manual video. Specifically, the operation guide display processing unit 174 matches the highlighting timing of the operation icon to be highlighted first with the start timing of the explanation of the operation procedure in the manual video, and then highlights the operation icons sequentially according to the operation order of the operation procedure. Alternatively, the operation guide display processing unit 174 matches the timing of displaying the hand icon on the operation icon to be operated first with the start timing of the explanation of the operation procedure in the manual video, and then moves the hand icon sequentially to the next operation icon.

[0057] In addition, it is preferable that the control unit 17 synchronizes the speed at which the highlighting of the operation icon changes or the speed at which the hand icon moves with the speed at which the explanation of the operation procedure in the manual video progresses. For example, the operation guide display processing unit 174 sets the speed at which the highlighting changes and sequentially highlights the operation icons so that the time required for the explanation of the operation procedure in the manual video matches the time from when the first highlighting of the operation icon begins to when the last highlighting is made. In addition, the operation guide display processing unit 174 sets the moving speed of the hand icon and sequentially moves the hand icon so that the time required for the explanation of the operation procedure in the manual video matches the time from when the hand icon is displayed on the operation icon to be operated first to when it moves to the operation icon to be operated last.

[0058] As described later, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the operation guide display processing unit 174 may change the speed at which the highlighting of the operation icon changes or the moving speed of the hand icon depending on the degree of change in the speed of the manual action.

[0059] The operation input determination unit 175 determines whether or not an appropriate operation in accordance with the operation procedure has been input on the setting input screen. The appropriate operation is an operation in which the operation icon is tapped by the user as indicated by the operation guide. The operation input determination unit 175 also determines whether or not an erroneous operation different from the operation procedure has been input. The erroneous operation is an operation in which the operation icon is not tapped as indicated by the operation guide, but a different operation icon is tapped by the user.

[0060] The playback state changing unit 176 performs processing to change the playback state of the manual video when the operation input determining unit 175 does not determine that the appropriate operation has been input. Specifically, when the input of the erroneous operation is determined after the operation guide is displayed, the playback state changing unit 176 changes the playback state of the manual video. Alternatively, when the appropriate operation is not input within a predetermined set time T2 after the operation guide is displayed, the playback state changing unit 176 changes the playback state of the manual video.

[0061] In this embodiment, the playback state change unit 176 pauses the playback of the manual video when the operation input determination unit 175 determines that the appropriate operation has not been input.

[0062] In addition, when the operation input determination unit 175 determines that the erroneous operation has been input, the playback state change unit 176 pauses the playback of the manual video, and when the operation input determination unit 175 subsequently determines that the appropriate operation has been input, resumes the playback of the paused manual video.

[0063] Furthermore, when the operation input determination section 175 does not determine that the appropriate operation has been input, the playback state change section 176 slows down the playback speed of the manual video.

[0064] Furthermore, if the appropriate operation has not been determined for the set time T2 or more since the operation guide was displayed, the playback state change unit 176 returns the playback position of the manual video to a position going back at least the set time T2 or more.

[0065] However, as the multifunction device 1 becomes more multifunctional, a large number of setting items for the functions are provided in the multifunction device 1. This causes a problem that the user cannot easily reach the input screen for inputting the desired setting item. This problem is particularly noticeable when multiple setting items are managed hierarchically.

[0066] In this embodiment, the control unit 17 executes an operation guide display process (see Figs. 11 to 15) described later, whereby the operation guide is displayed on the display screen of the operation display panel 12. Therefore, the user can easily reach the setting screen for the desired setting item.

[0067] [Operation guide display processing] 11 to 15, an example of the procedure of the operation guide display process executed in the multifunction device 1 will be described below, along with an operation support method for supporting operation input of a predetermined setting item in the multifunction device 1. Note that the present invention can be understood as an invention of a method for executing one or more steps included in the operation guide display process.

[0068] One or more steps included in the operation guidance display process described below may be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the steps in the operation guidance display process may be executed in a different order as long as the same operational effects are achieved.

[0069] The operation guide display process is mainly executed by the control unit 17 of the multifunction device 1. For example, the operation guide display process is executed by one or more processors corresponding to the control unit 17 executing a control program stored in the storage unit 19 or the like.

[0070] Hereinafter, the procedure of the first processing example of the manipulation guide display processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0071] First, in step S11, the control unit 17 determines whether or not a setting menu is selected on the home screen D10. Specifically, the control unit 17 determines that the setting menu is selected when a setting menu icon A1 is tapped. When the setting menu is selected, the control unit 17 causes the operation display panel 12 to display a setting menu screen D11.

[0072] In the next step S12, the control unit 17 determines whether or not a manual display request has been input. Specifically, the control unit 17 determines that the manual display request has been input when the manual display icon A10 has been tapped.

[0073] If the user completes the setting input through the setting operation after the setting menu screen D11 is displayed, the series of processes ends (S13). Note that the user can display a desired setting screen from the setting menu screen D11, select the desired setting content on the setting screen, or input the desired setting value, and then tap the OK button A8 to complete the setting input.

[0074] When the manual display request is input, the control unit 17 causes the display panel 20 to display the manual video so as to be reproducible (S14).

[0075] The manual video includes a plurality of sections divided according to the contents of a plurality of setting items, and a table of contents in which link icons associated with each section are set. The control unit 17 first displays the table of contents on the display panel 20. After that, when one of the link icons is selected by a selection operation (tap operation) by the user on the display panel 20, the playback position of the manual video is set to the playback start position of the section corresponding to the selected link icon, and playback starts from the playback start position of the section. The section selected by the user is an explanatory video for a setting item for which the user desires an explanation of how to operate it.

[0076] Furthermore, the control unit 17 causes the display panel 20 to display a guide message regarding operation support (S15). The guide message is, for example, a message that guides the user to tap the operation support icon A11 when the user cannot display a desired operation input screen on the operation display panel 12. The operation support icon A11 is an operation button for displaying the operation guide to an operation input screen on which the user can set a desired setting item, etc.

[0077] In step S16, the control unit 17 determines whether or not an operation support request has been input. Specifically, the control unit 17 determines that the operation support request has been input when the operation support icon A11 has been tapped.

[0078] If the user completes the setting input through the setting operation without inputting the operation support request, the series of processes ends (S17).

[0079] When the operation support request is input, the control unit 17 acquires the current playback position of the manual video being played on the display panel 20 (S18). The control unit 17 can acquire the current playback position from the time code of the manual video being played.

[0080] In the next step S19, the control unit 17 refers to the reference tables 110 and 111 to extract a setting item including the time code acquired in step S18. For example, when the control unit 17 acquires the time code of "00:05", it extracts "copy setting" as a setting item from the reference table 110. When the control unit 17 acquires the time code of "00:12", it extracts "adjustment / maintenance" as a setting item from the reference table 110, and further extracts "print density" from the reference table 111 as a setting item in a lower layer than "adjustment / maintenance".

[0081] In the next step S20, the control unit 17 displays on the operation display panel 12 the operation guide corresponding to the setting item extracted in step S19.

[0082] When the operation guide is to highlight the operation icons sequentially according to the operation order of the operation procedure, the control unit 17 refers to the reference tables 110, 111, extracts the operation procedure information in the reference tables 110, 111, and sequentially highlights the operation icons corresponding to the operation procedures according to the operation order included in the operation procedure information.

[0083] In addition, when the operation guide is to move the hand icon sequentially in accordance with the operation order of the operation procedure, control unit 17 refers to reference tables 110, 111, extracts the operation procedure information in reference tables 110, 111, and moves the hand icon sequentially from the operation icon to be operated first to the next operation icon in accordance with the operation order included in the operation procedure information.

[0084] Moreover, when the operation guide is the procedure list, the control unit 17 displays the procedure list on the operation input screen displayed on the operation display panel 12.

[0085] In the next step S21, the control unit 17 judges whether or not the appropriate operation has been input. When it is judged in step S21 that the appropriate operation has been input, the control unit 17 displays an operation input screen specified by the appropriate operation on the operation display panel 12 (S23). After that, when the setting input by the user's setting operation is completed, the series of processes ends (S24).

[0086] If the appropriate operation is not input in step S21, that is, if the erroneous operation is input or the appropriate operation is not input until the set time T2 has elapsed, the control unit 17 performs a process of changing the playback state of the currently played manual video (playback state change process) (S22). After that, when the playback state change process ends, the processes from step S21 onwards are repeated.

[0087] The playback state change process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0088] In step S221, the control unit 17 judges whether or not the erroneous operation has been input. If it is judged in step S221 that the erroneous operation has been input, the control unit 17 pauses the playback of the manual video (S222). Thereafter, if a playback instruction is input by the user (S223), the control unit 17 resumes the playback of the manual video (S225). Furthermore, if the pause time has elapsed for a predetermined set time T1 without the playback instruction being input (S224), the control unit 17 resumes the playback of the manual video (S225). The set time T1 is a time that can be arbitrarily determined, and is, for example, a time (for example, several seconds) that is sufficient for the user to recognize the operation procedure. Then, the processes from step S21 onwards are repeated.

[0089] In addition, in step S223, when the first operation icon in the appropriate operation is tapped, the control unit 17 may accept the tap operation as the playback instruction and resume playback of the manual video.

[0090] If the post-operation is not input in step S221, the control unit 17 slows down the playback speed of the manual video (S226), and also slows down the display speed of the operation guide in accordance with the degree of reduction in the playback speed of the manual video (S227).

[0091] In the next step S228, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the elapsed time from when the manual video was played to the present time has exceeded the set time T2 (S228). If the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the set time T2, the control unit 17 returns the playback position of the manual video to a position going back the set time T2, and continues the playback (S229). Then, the processing from step S21 onwards is repeated.

[0092] It should be noted that in step S229, the position to which the playback position is returned is not limited to a position going back by the set time T2, but may be any position going back by at least the set time T2 or more.

[0093] As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the setting item information indicating the specific setting item corresponding to the playback position of the manual video is acquired in the operation support system 100, the operation guide is displayed on the operation display panel 12. This allows the user to easily reach the setting screen of the desired setting item on the operation display panel 12 while looking at the operation guide.

[0094] Next, the procedure of the second processing example of the operation guide display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 13. In the second processing example, the same procedures as those in the first processing example are indicated by the step numbers used in the first processing example, and the description of the corresponding procedures will be omitted.

[0095] The second processing example is applied to an operation support system 101 shown in FIG.

[0096] The operation support system 101 is a system that supports the operation input of setting values ​​for specific setting items in the multifunction device 1, and as shown in FIG. 14, is composed of the multifunction device 1 and a mobile terminal 4 (an example of a user terminal device of the present invention) that is communicatively connected to the multifunction device 1.

[0097] The mobile terminal 4 is a terminal device carried by a user who performs setting operations on the multifunction device 1. The mobile terminal 4 is used by the user and may be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet, or may be a PC (personal computer), etc.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 14, the mobile terminal 4 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, an operation display unit 43, a communication I / F 44, and the like.

[0099] The communication I / F 44 is a communication interface for connecting the mobile terminal 4 to a predetermined communication network in a wired or wireless manner and for executing data communication with the multifunction device 1 via the communication network in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0100] The operation display unit 43 is a user interface that includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that displays various information, and an operation unit such as an input key or a touch panel that accepts user operations. The operation display unit 43 includes, as the operation unit, for example, a send button (not shown), a manual display button (not shown) for displaying the manual video, and a support button (not shown) for inputting the operation support request.

[0101] The storage unit 42 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory that stores various information. For example, the storage unit 42 stores various control programs such as a program for causing the control unit 41 to execute the operation guide display process (second processing example) shown in Fig. 13, the manual video to be displayed on the operation display unit 43, and various other data.

[0102] The control unit 41 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 41 controls the mobile terminal 4 by executing various control programs stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 42 with the CPU.

[0103] Specifically, the control unit 41 includes a reception processing unit 411, a display processing unit 412, an extraction processing unit 413, a transmission processing unit 414, etc. The control unit 41 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes according to the control program in the CPU. The control unit 41 may also include an electronic circuit that realizes a part or a plurality of processing functions of each of these processing units.

[0104] The reception processing unit 411 performs a process of receiving operations by a user. The operations received by the reception processing unit 411 include at least an operation for displaying manual data such as an electronic manual on the operation display unit 43, an operation for receiving an instruction to transmit the specific key to the multifunction device 1, and the like.

[0105] The display processing unit 412 controls the display content of the display unit of the operation display unit 43. For example, when the display processing unit 412 receives a manual display operation by the user, it causes the display unit of the operation display unit 43 to display the manual video.

[0106] The extraction processing unit 413 performs a process of extracting the time code indicating the playback position of the manual video displayed on the display unit of the operation display unit 43 .

[0107] The transmission processing unit 414 performs processing to transmit the time code extracted by the extraction processing unit 413 to the multifunction device 1 .

[0108] As shown in FIG. 13, in the multifunction device 1, when it is determined in step S11 that the setting menu has been selected, the control unit 17 determines in the next step S168 whether or not the time code indicating the current playback position of the manual video has been received.

[0109] In the mobile terminal 4, the control unit 41 determines whether or not a manual display request has been input by the user (S51). Specifically, the control unit 41 determines that the manual display request has been input when the manual display button on the operation display unit 43 has been operated.

[0110] In the next step S52, when the manual display request is input, the control unit 41 plays the manual video on the display unit of the operation display unit 43. After that, the control unit 41 causes the display unit of the operation display unit 43 to display the guide message regarding operation assistance support (S53).

[0111] In step S54, the control unit 41 determines whether or not the operation support request has been input. Specifically, the control unit 17 determines that the operation support request has been input when the support button has been operated.

[0112] If the user completes the setting input through the setting operation without inputting the operation support request, the series of processes ends.

[0113] When the operation support request is input, the control unit 41 extracts the time code of the manual video being played back on the display unit of the operation display unit 43 (S55).

[0114] Thereafter, the control unit 41 transmits the extracted time code to the multifunction device 1 (S56).

[0115] When the time code is received in the multifunction device 1 (Yes in S168), the control unit 17 refers to the reference tables 110 and 111, extracts the setting item including the time code received in step S168 (S19), and displays the operation guide corresponding to the extracted setting item on the operation display panel 12 (S20). Then, the process from step S21 onward is executed.

[0116] In this way, in the operation guide display process, it is also possible to use the time code extracted by the mobile terminal 4. This allows the user to easily arrive at a desired setting screen while viewing the operation guide showing the operation procedure up to the desired setting screen, simply by displaying the manual video on the mobile terminal 4 and operating the support button.

[0117] [Notes on the invention] The following is a summary 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.

[0118] <Appendix 1> An operation support system for supporting input of setting contents of predetermined setting items in an image processing device, comprising: a screen display processing unit that displays a setting input screen on a predetermined display unit on which the setting contents of the setting items can be input; A setting item acquisition unit that acquires specific setting item information indicating a specific explanatory item corresponding to a playback position of a manual video including multiple pieces of explanatory information regarding various setting methods; an operation guide display processing unit that displays, when the specific setting item information is acquired by the setting item acquisition unit, an operation guide on the display unit, which indicates a plurality of operation procedures for switching the display screen displayed on the display unit to a specific setting input screen on which setting contents of the specific setting item can be input; An operation support system comprising:

[0119] <Appendix 2> an input determination unit that determines whether or not an appropriate operation in accordance with the operation procedure has been input on the setting input screen; a playback state change unit that changes a playback state of the manual video when the input determination unit determines that the appropriate operation has not been input; 2. The operation support system of claim 1, further comprising:

[0120] <Appendix 3> the playback state change unit pauses playback of the manual video when the input determination unit determines that the appropriate operation has not been input. 3. An operation assistance system as described in appendix 2.

[0121] <Appendix 4> The input determination unit further determines whether or not an erroneous operation different from the operation procedure has been input, the playback state change unit, when the input determination unit determines that the erroneous operation has been input, suspends playback of the manual video, and, when the input determination unit subsequently determines that the appropriate operation has been input, resumes playback of the paused manual video. 3. An operation assistance system as described in appendix 2.

[0122] <Appendix 5> the playback state changing unit slows down the playback speed of the manual video when the input determination unit determines that the appropriate operation has not been input. 5. An operation assistance system according to any one of appendix 2 to 4.

[0123] <Appendix 6> when the input determination unit has not determined that the appropriate operation has been input for a predetermined period of time or longer, the playback state change unit returns the playback position of the manual video to a position that is at least the predetermined period of time earlier. 6. An operation assistance system according to any one of appendix 2 to 5.

[0124] <Appendix 7> A user terminal device for use by a user, The user terminal device plays the manual video and transmits the specific setting item information indicating the specific explanation item corresponding to the playback position of the manual video to the image processing device; the setting item acquisition unit is provided in the image processing device, the setting item acquisition unit acquires the specific setting item information transmitted from the user terminal device to the image processing device. 7. An operation support system according to claim 1.

[0125] <Appendix 8> a screen display processing unit that displays on a predetermined display unit a setting input screen on which settings for predetermined setting items related to image processing can be input; A setting item acquisition unit that acquires specific setting item information indicating a specific explanatory item corresponding to a playback position of a manual video including multiple pieces of explanatory information regarding various setting methods; an operation guide display processing unit that displays, when the specific setting item information is acquired by the setting item acquisition unit, an operation guide on the display unit, which indicates a plurality of operation procedures for switching the display screen displayed on the display unit to a specific setting input screen on which setting contents of the specific setting item can be input; An image processing device comprising:

[0126] <Appendix 9> 1. An operation assistance method for assisting an input of setting contents of a predetermined setting item in an image processing device, comprising: a screen display step of displaying a setting input screen on a predetermined display unit on which the setting contents of the setting items can be input; A setting item acquisition step of acquiring specific setting item information indicating a specific explanatory item corresponding to a playback position of a manual video including a plurality of explanatory information regarding various setting methods; an operation guide display step of displaying, when the specific setting item information is acquired by the setting item acquisition step, an operation guide on the display unit, which shows a plurality of operation procedures for switching the display screen displayed on the display unit to a specific setting input screen on which setting contents of the specific setting item can be input; An operation support method executed by one or more processors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1:Multifunction device 2: Image forming device 3: Sheet processing device 4: Mobile devices 12: Operation display panel 12A: Display section 17: Control section 20: Display panel 41: Control section 43:Operation display section 100, 101: Operation support system 110,111: Reference tables 171: Reception processing unit 172:Setting item acquisition section 173: Screen display processing unit 174: Operation guide display processing unit 175: Operation input determination unit 176: Playback state change section

Claims

1. An operation support system for supporting operation input of setting contents of predetermined setting items in an image processing device, comprising: a screen display processing unit that displays a setting input screen on a predetermined display unit on which the setting contents of the setting items can be input; A setting item acquisition unit that acquires specific setting item information indicating a specific explanatory item corresponding to a playback position of a manual video including multiple pieces of explanatory information regarding various setting methods; an operation guide display processing unit that displays, when the specific setting item information is acquired by the setting item acquisition unit, an operation guide on the display unit, which indicates a plurality of operation procedures for switching the display screen displayed on the display unit to a specific setting input screen on which setting contents of the specific setting item can be input; An operation support system comprising:

2. an input determination unit that determines whether or not an appropriate operation in accordance with the operation procedure has been input on the setting input screen; a playback state change unit that changes a playback state of the manual video when the input determination unit determines that the appropriate operation has not been input; The operation support system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. the playback state change unit pauses playback of the manual video when the input determination unit determines that the appropriate operation has not been input. The operation support system according to claim 2 .

4. The input determination unit further determines whether or not an erroneous operation different from the operation procedure has been input, the playback state change unit, when the input determination unit determines that the erroneous operation has been input, suspends playback of the manual video, and, when the input determination unit subsequently determines that the appropriate operation has been input, resumes playback of the paused manual video. The operation support system according to claim 2 .

5. the playback state changing unit slows down the playback speed of the manual video when the input determination unit determines that the appropriate operation has not been input. The operation support system according to claim 2 .

6. when the input determination unit has not determined that the appropriate operation has been input for a predetermined period of time or longer, the playback state change unit returns the playback position of the manual video to a position that is at least the predetermined period of time earlier. The operation support system according to claim 2 .

7. A user terminal device for use by a user, The user terminal device plays the manual video and transmits the specific setting item information indicating the specific explanation item corresponding to the playback position of the manual video to the image processing device; the setting item acquisition unit is provided in the image processing device, the setting item acquisition unit acquires the specific setting item information transmitted from the user terminal device to the image processing device.

3. The operation support system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. a screen display processing unit that displays on a predetermined display unit a setting input screen on which settings for predetermined setting items related to image processing can be input; A setting item acquisition unit that acquires specific setting item information indicating a specific explanatory item corresponding to a playback position of a manual video including multiple pieces of explanatory information regarding various setting methods; an operation guide display processing unit that displays, when the specific setting item information is acquired by the setting item acquisition unit, an operation guide on the display unit, which indicates a plurality of operation procedures for switching the display screen displayed on the display unit to a specific setting input screen on which setting contents of the specific setting item can be input; An image processing device comprising:

9. 1. An operation assistance method for assisting an input of setting contents of a predetermined setting item in an image processing device, comprising: a screen display step of displaying a setting input screen on a predetermined display unit on which the setting contents of the setting items can be input; A setting item acquisition step of acquiring specific setting item information indicating a specific explanatory item corresponding to a playback position of a manual video including a plurality of explanatory information regarding various setting methods; an operation guide display step of displaying, when the specific setting item information is acquired by the setting item acquisition step, an operation guide on the display unit, which shows a plurality of operation procedures for switching the display screen displayed on the display unit to a specific setting input screen on which setting contents of the specific setting item can be input; An operation support method executed by one or more processors.

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