JP2006120021A - Device, method, and program for supporting problem solution - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to efficiently retrieve his/her desired function. <P>SOLUTION: This problem solution supporting device for supporting problem solution when the user uses electronic equipment is provided with an icon storing part for storing relevant character strings related to functions belonging to the electronic equipment and a set of icons, an icon display control part for displaying the icons, an icon selecting part for selecting the icon, a character string inputting part for receiving the input of a relevant character string, a function storing part for associating a function identification character string with a retrieval keyword for specifying a function to store them, a function identification character string retrieving part for retrieving the function identification character string of a function specified by first and second relevant character strings by comparing the first relevant character string corresponding to the selected icon and the second relevant character string whose input is received with the retrieval keyword, and a function identification character string display control part for displaying the retrieved function identification character string. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a problem solving support apparatus, a problem solving support method, and a problem solving support program. In particular, the present invention relates to a problem solving support apparatus, a problem solving support method, and a problem solving support program that support problem solving when a user uses an electronic device based on an input from the user.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electronic device such as a mobile phone terminal, when a user searches for a function possessed by the electronic device, a technique for displaying an icon associated with each function on the screen and selecting the icon by the user is known. It has been. And the said electronic device is supporting the problem solution at the time of a user using an electronic device by displaying the description of the function corresponding to the icon selected by the user, or performing the said function. .

  In addition, there is known an electronic device that improves operability for a user by classifying a large number of functions in a hierarchical manner (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, in a mobile phone terminal, “telephone”, “mail”, “camera”, “communication”, “folder”, etc., which are major classifications of functions of the mobile phone terminal, are displayed on the initial screen as higher-level functions. . When the user selects the “Mail” icon, the lower-level functions include “Mail reception”, “Mail transmission”, “New mail creation”, “Mail history”, “Chat mail”, “Mail setting”, etc. Functions are displayed with icons and strings. Then, the user selects one of the displayed functions and causes the mobile phone terminal to execute the selected function.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-108280 (FIG. 5)

  However, according to the conventional electronic device, the user cannot efficiently search for the function unless the user understands the hierarchical structure of the function set by the manufacturer of the electronic device. For this reason, as the functions of the electronic device increase, the efficiency of the function search decreases, and the user does not know which icon can be selected to execute the desired function. I was spending time.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a problem solving support apparatus, a problem solving support method, and a problem solving support program that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a problem solving support apparatus that supports problem solving when a user uses an electronic device based on input from the user, the problem solving For storing a plurality of sets of icons that are related character strings related to at least a part of a plurality of functions of an electronic device and an image having an appearance conceptually related to the related character strings An icon display control unit that displays at least some of the plurality of icons stored in the icon storage unit on the same screen, and an icon selection unit that selects at least some of the icons displayed by the icon display control unit A character string input unit that accepts input of a related character string by the user, a function identification character string that identifies the function for each of a plurality of functions, A function storage unit that stores a plurality of search keywords that specify a function in association with each other, a first related character string that is stored in the icon storage unit in association with the icon selected by the icon selection unit, and a character string A plurality of function identifications are made by comparing the second related character string received by the input unit with a plurality of search keywords corresponding to each of the plurality of function identification character strings stored in the function storage unit. A function identification character string search unit that searches for a function identification character string that identifies a function specified by the first and second related character strings, and a function searched by the function identification character string search unit A function identification character string display control unit for displaying the identification character string.

  The character string input unit may accept the input of the related character string by the user when an icon predetermined to indicate that the input of the related character string by the user is started is selected by the icon selection unit. . The character string input unit displays an input area for the user to input a related character string when a predetermined icon is selected by the icon selection unit to indicate that input of the related character string by the user is started. May be.

  The function storage unit further stores an execution program for executing the function in association with the function identification character string for identifying each of the plurality of functions. The problem solving support apparatus is searched by the function identification character string search unit. A function execution unit that reads and executes an execution program corresponding to the function identification character string from the function storage unit may be further provided. The problem solving support apparatus includes a parameter character string indicating an operation parameter required for execution of a function corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit. Further comprising a parameter character string extraction unit for extracting from the character string, the function execution unit, when the function corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit requires an operation parameter for execution, An execution program corresponding to the function identification character string may be read from the function storage unit, and the read execution program may be executed according to the operation parameter indicated by the parameter character string. The character string input unit may accept an input of a related character string from the user when a function corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit requires an operation parameter for execution. .

  The problem solving support apparatus may further include a related character string adding unit that stores the related character string input by the user in association with any of a plurality of icons and added to the icon storage unit. When the related character string received by the character string input unit matches the related character string stored in the icon storage unit, the problem solving support apparatus displays an icon corresponding to the related character string to the user. An operation guide unit that notifies that the input related character string can be replaced by selecting the icon by presenting may be further provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a problem solving support method for supporting problem solving when a user uses an electronic device based on an input from the user, wherein the icon storage unit Therefore, a plurality of sets of related character strings related to at least a part of a plurality of functions possessed by an electronic device and an icon having an appearance conceptually associated with the related character strings are stored and stored. The unit stores a function identification character string that identifies the function and a plurality of search keywords that identify the function in association with each other, and the problem storage support method is stored by the icon storage unit. An icon display control stage that displays at least some of the icons to be displayed on the same screen, and at least a part of the icons displayed in the icon display control stage An icon selection stage, a character string input stage for accepting input of a related character string by the user, a first related character string stored in the icon storage unit in association with the icon selected in the icon selection stage, and a character A plurality of functions can be obtained by comparing the second related character string received in the column input stage with a plurality of search keywords corresponding to each of the plurality of function identification character strings stored in the function storage unit. A function identification character string search stage for searching for a function identification character string for identifying a function specified by the first and second related character strings, and a function identification character string search stage. A function identification character string display control stage for displaying the function identification character string.

  Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, problem solving for causing an electronic device to function as an electronic device including a problem solving support device that supports problem solving when the user uses the electronic device based on an input from the user. A support program, the electronic device having a related character string related to at least a part of a plurality of functions of the electronic device for solving a problem, and an appearance conceptually related to the related character string Displayed by an icon storage unit that stores a plurality of sets of icons that are images, an icon display control unit that displays at least some of the plurality of icons stored in the icon storage unit on the same screen, and the icon display control unit An icon selection unit that selects at least a part of the icon, a character string input unit that accepts input of a related character string by the user, and a plurality of functions. For each, a function storage unit that stores a function identification character string that identifies the function and a plurality of search keywords that identify the function, and stores an icon in association with the icon selected by the icon selection unit The first related character string stored in the unit and the second related character string received by the character string input unit are stored in each of the plurality of function identification character strings stored in the function storage unit. A function identification character that searches for a function identification character string that identifies a function specified by the first and second related character strings from among a plurality of function identification character strings by comparing with a plurality of corresponding search keywords. An electronic apparatus including a problem solving support device having a column search unit and a function identification character string display control unit that displays the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit To function.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently search for a function desired by a user.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an electronic apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, as an example of the electronic device 10, a mobile phone terminal as shown in this figure is used. However, the electronic device 10 is not limited to a mobile phone terminal, and may be another device such as a remote control device for operating an information home appliance such as a digital television.

  The electronic apparatus 10 includes a display device 20, an input device 30, and a problem solving support apparatus 40. The display device 20 is a liquid crystal panel, for example, and displays various information such as characters and images and provides them to the user. The input device 30 includes a plurality of keys, and provides a user with means for controlling the operation of the electronic device 10 and performing input operations such as characters. The plurality of keys may include, for example, a key for inputting characters and a function key to which functions such as “select” and “confirm” are assigned. In the electronic device 10 shown in the figure, the display device 20 and the input device 30 are provided in the same device. For example, the display device 20 is provided in a digital television and the input device 30 is Each may be provided in different devices such as provided in a remote control device of a digital television. The problem solving support device 40 is incorporated in the electronic device 10 and supports problem solving when the user uses the electronic device.

  In a conventional mobile phone terminal, when a user searches for a desired function from a plurality of functions of the mobile phone terminal, the user displays an icon associated with each function and allows the user to select it. . In recent years, mobile phone terminals have more abundant functions, and the number of icons that a user can select has greatly increased. For this reason, the cellular phone terminal is designed to improve operability for the user by managing hierarchized functions. In such a mobile phone terminal, when an icon included in a higher hierarchy is displayed on the screen, the user moves to a lower hierarchy corresponding to the icon by selecting the icon. Thus, icons and character strings included in the lower hierarchy are displayed on the screen. Then, the user can move through the hierarchy to search for a desired function and execute the searched function. However, the hierarchical structure of icons in such a conventional mobile phone terminal may differ depending on the manufacturer and model of the mobile phone terminal. Therefore, it is difficult to search for a desired function when the user does not grasp a predetermined hierarchical structure in the mobile phone terminal to be used.

  Therefore, the problem solving support apparatus 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention searches the function based not only on the icon selected by the user but also on the character string input by the user, thereby improving the function desired by the user. The purpose is to search automatically.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the problem solving support apparatus 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The problem solving support device 40 supports problem solving when the user uses the electronic device 10 based on an input from the user. The problem solving support apparatus 40 includes an icon storage unit 100, an icon display control unit 105, an icon selection unit 110, a character string input unit 115, a function storage unit 125, a dictionary storage unit 130, a function identification character string search unit 135, a parameter character string. It has an extraction unit 140, a function identification character string display control unit 145, and a function execution unit 150.

  The icon storage unit 100 includes a set of a related character string related to at least a part of a plurality of functions of the electronic device 10 and an icon that is an image having an appearance conceptually related to the related character string. Store multiple items. The icon display control unit 105 displays at least some of the plurality of icons stored in the icon storage unit 100 on the same screen in the display device 20. In addition, the icon display control unit 105 outputs information indicating the displayed icon to the icon selection unit 110. The icon selection unit 110 selects at least a part of the displayed icon based on the information received from the icon display control unit 105 and indicating the icon displayed by the icon display control unit 105. Here, the icon selection unit 110 may select an icon based on an operation of a key provided on the input device 30 by the user. Then, icon selection unit 110 outputs information indicating the selected icon to function identification character string search unit 135. The character string input unit 115 accepts input of a related character string using the input device 30 by the user. Then, the character string input unit 115 outputs the related character string that has received the input to the function identification character string search unit 135 and the parameter character string extraction unit 140.

  The function storage unit 125 stores, for each of a plurality of functions of the electronic device 10, a function identification character string that identifies the function and a plurality of search keywords that identify the function in association with each other. The function storage unit 125 may further store an execution program that executes the function in association with a function identification character string that identifies each of the plurality of functions. The dictionary storage unit 130 stores at least one part of the search keyword stored in the function storage unit 125 in association with at least one related character string related to the search keyword for each search keyword.

  The function identification character string search unit 135 acquires a related character string stored in the icon storage unit 100 in association with the icon selected by the icon selection unit 110 as a first related character string. In addition, the function identification character string search unit 135 inputs the related character string received from the user by the character string input unit 115 as the second related character string. Then, the function identification character string search unit 135 performs a plurality of searches corresponding to each of the plurality of function identification character strings stored in the function storage unit 125 by using the first related character string and the second related character string. Compare with keywords. Then, the function identification character string search unit 135 includes at least a part of a plurality of corresponding search keywords among the plurality of function identification character strings stored in the function storage unit 125 as the first and second related characters. Search for the function identification string that matches the column. Then, the function identification character string search unit 135 sets the searched function identification character string as a function identification character string that identifies the function specified by the first and second related character strings. Here, the function identification character string search unit 135 may directly compare the first and second related character strings with each of the search keywords. Alternatively, the function identification character string search unit 135 may be stored in the dictionary storage unit 130. Each of the first and second related character strings is converted into a corresponding search keyword based on the association between the search keyword and the related character string, and the function storage unit 125. You may compare with the search keyword stored in. Then, the function identification character string search unit 135 outputs the searched function identification character string to the function identification character string display control unit 145 and the function execution unit 150.

  The parameter character string extraction unit 140 receives a parameter character string indicating an operation parameter required for execution by the function corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit 135, and the character string input unit 115 inputs the parameter character string. Extract from the received related character string. Then, the parameter character string extraction unit 140 outputs the extracted parameter character string to the function identification character string display control unit 145 and the function execution unit 150.

  The function identification character string display control unit 145 displays the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit 135 using the display device 20. Here, the function identification character string display control unit 145 displays the parameter character string indicating the operation parameter received from the parameter character string extraction unit 140 when the retrieved function identification character string requires an operation parameter for execution. May be further displayed. The function execution unit 150 reads the execution program corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit 135 from the function storage unit 125 and executes it. Here, when the function corresponding to the searched function identification character string requires an operation parameter for execution, the function execution unit 150 displays an execution program corresponding to the function identification character string as a parameter character string extraction unit. The operation may be performed according to the operating parameter indicated by the parameter string received from 140.

  The problem solving support apparatus 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention can search for a function identification character string based not only on a related character string corresponding to an icon selected by the user but also on a related character string input by the user. . Thereby, the user can efficiently search and execute a desired function. In addition, this eliminates the need to associate icons with all necessary functions. For example, an icon is associated only with a frequently used function, or an operation target among functions and target operations. It is possible to support the user's problem solving by using only a smaller number of icons, such as associating icons only with each other. Therefore, since the user can easily grasp the entire image of the selectable icons, the problem solving support apparatus 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a conventional problem solving support for searching for a function based only on the icon selection. Compared to the device, it is possible to provide a user-friendly interface in terms of selecting an icon and searching for a function.

  Note that the problem solving support apparatus 40 may further include an operation guide unit 155. When the related character string received by the character string input unit 115 matches the related character string stored in the icon storage unit 100, the operation guide unit 155 displays an icon corresponding to the related character string, For example, by displaying it on the display device 20 and presenting it to the user, it is notified that the input related character string can be replaced by selecting the icon. Thus, even when the user inputs the related character string without knowing that a certain related character string is already associated with the icon, the function is next searched based on the related character string. In some cases, instead of entering a character string, an icon can be selected to search for a function.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the icon storage unit 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The icon storage unit 100 stores a plurality of sets of related character strings related to at least a part of a plurality of functions of the electronic device 10 and icons having an appearance conceptually related to the related character strings. . For example, the icon storage unit 100 stores a set of a related character string such as “mail”, “read”, “history”, and “send” and an icon indicating mail.

  Further, the icon storage unit 100 may store a character string input icon 300 that is a predetermined icon to indicate that the input of the related character string by the user is started. When the character string input icon 300 is displayed by the icon display control unit 105 and selected by the user via the icon selection unit 110, the character string input unit 115 allows the user to input a related character string. May be accepted. Specifically, when the character string input icon 300 is selected, the character string input unit 115 displays an input area in which the user inputs a related character string on the display device 20, so that the related character string by the user is displayed. Input may be accepted. In this way, by selecting the character string input icon 300 and starting the input of the related character string, the user can use the unified interface of selecting the icon and the function of the input related character string can be selected. Search can be performed. Further, when the character string input icon 300 is selected, an interface that is easy to understand for the user can be provided by displaying the input area.

  In addition, the icon storage unit 100 may store the related character string received from the user by the character string input unit 115 in association with the character string input icon 300. In this case, the function identification character string search unit 135 does not acquire the related character string used for the function identification character string search from each of the icon storage unit 100 and the character string input unit 115, but only the icon storage unit 100. Can be obtained from. Thereby, the search process of the function identification character string in the function identification character string search unit 135 can be simplified, and the efficiency of the search process can be improved.

  The problem solving support apparatus 40 may further include a related character string addition unit 160 illustrated in FIG. The related character string adding unit 160 adds the related character string input by the user to one of the plurality of icons, and stores it in the icon storage unit 100. For example, the related character string adding unit 160 may store the related character string in the function of “display user's telephone number” in association with the icon indicating the telephone directory. In recent years, functions of electronic devices such as mobile phone terminals have increased in complexity, and functions associated with a user from a generalized image such as an icon may vary from user to user. Therefore, the user may not be able to search for the function efficiently due to the difference between the function associated with the icon by the user and the function predetermined for the icon. However, according to the problem solving support apparatus 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a related character string associated with an icon can be added according to the user's need. It is possible to search for a function more efficiently by making the difference from the associated function smaller.

  Further, the related character string addition unit 160, when instructed by the user, for each of the plurality of icons stored in the icon storage unit 100, the related character string corresponding to the icon, for example, the electronic device 10 It may have a function of setting only to a related character string that is predetermined as an initial setting or the like. Thereby, even when the problem that the efficiency of the search process is reduced due to the excessive increase of the related character strings added by the user, the association between the icon and the related character string is restored to the original, The search process can be executed normally.

  The related character string adding unit 160 not only adds a new related character string input by the user in association with an existing icon, but also adds a new icon input by the user to the icon storage unit 100. May be. Note that the problem solving support apparatus 40 includes a search mode for searching for a function based on an icon selected by the user or an input related character string, and a new related character string corresponding to the icon stored in the icon storage unit 100. There may be two operation modes, that is, a related character string addition mode to be additionally stored, and the processing described above may be executed when the operation mode is the related character string addition mode. In addition, the icon storage unit 100 may not store the character string input icon 300. In this case, the character string input unit 115 may always accept an input of a related character string by the user regardless of which icon the user has selected.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the function storage unit 125 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The function storage unit 125 stores a function identification character string for identifying the function of each of the plurality of functions of the electronic device 10. In addition, the function storage unit 125 stores a plurality of search keywords that specify the function identified by the function identification character string in association with each function identification character string. The function storage unit 125 may store an execution program that executes a function identified by the function identification character string in association with each function identification character string. Here, instead of the execution program itself, the function storage unit 125 stores an execution program identifier for identifying each execution program stored in a location different from the function storage unit 125, as shown in the figure. May be.

  Further, the function storage unit 125 may store information related to operation parameters required for execution by the function identified by the function identification character string in association with each function identification character string. Specifically, the function storage unit 125 stores information indicating whether each function requires an operation parameter for execution, and if the function requires an operation parameter, the type of the operation parameter May be stored. Here, the information indicating the type of the operation parameter may be, for example, information indicating that the operation parameter is either on or off, or information indicating that the operation parameter is a numerical value. For example, in the figure, the function identified by the two function identification character strings “Manner mode” and “Set alarm” requires an operation parameter, and the operation parameter in “Manner mode” is ON or It is indicated that the operation parameter in “set an alarm” is a numerical value while being either one of OFF.

  When the function corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit 135 requires an operation parameter for execution, the character string input unit 115 stores the information stored in the function storage unit 125. When the determination is made based on this, for example, an input area for inputting a related character string may be displayed on the display device 20 to accept an input of the related character string from the user. In this case, the character string input unit 115 determines which type of parameter should be input to the user based on the type of operation parameter required for the function stored in the function storage unit 125. You may be notified. Then, the parameter character string extraction unit 140 extracts a parameter character string indicating an operation parameter from the related character string received from the character string input unit 115. For example, the parameter character string extraction unit 140 uses a well-known word analysis technique to determine a predetermined character string such as “ON”, “ON”, “OFF”, or “OFF” included in the related character string, A character string indicating a numerical value may be extracted as a parameter character string. It should be noted that the parameter character string extraction unit 140 extracts the related character string from the input only when the function corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit 135 requires an operation parameter for execution. The parameter character string may be extracted. Alternatively, the parameter character string may always be extracted from the input related character string regardless of the search result in the function identification character string search unit 135.

  Searching for functions that require operating parameters such as on, off, or numerical values based only on the selection of icons can be efficient because the number of icons increases or the operation by the user becomes complicated. It may be difficult to perform a search. However, according to the problem solving support apparatus 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a parameter character string is extracted from a related character string input by the user, and the extracted parameter character string is displayed as a function identification character string or a function is executed. By using it, it is possible to support the user's problem solving without increasing the number of icons. In addition, when the searched function requires an operation parameter, the user is prompted to input a related character string, so that the user has knowledge about whether the desired function is a function that requires an operation parameter. Even if not, the function can be searched and executed.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the dictionary storage unit 130 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The dictionary storage unit 130 stores at least one part of the search keyword stored in the function storage unit 125 in association with at least one related character string related to the search keyword for each search keyword. For example, the dictionary storage unit 130 may store a synonym of each search keyword as a related character string in association with the search keyword.

  The function identification character string search unit 135 compares each of the first related character strings corresponding to the selected icon with each of the related character strings stored in the dictionary storage unit 130. When the first related character string includes the related character string stored in the dictionary storage unit 130, the function identification character string search unit 135 uses the first related character string as the related character string. Are converted into search keywords stored in the dictionary storage unit 130 in association with. Similarly, the function identification character string search unit 135 compares each of the second related character strings received from the character string input unit 115 with each of the related character strings stored in the dictionary storage unit 130. . When the second related character string includes the related character string stored in the dictionary storage unit 130, the function identification character string search unit 135 uses the second related character string as the related character string. Are converted into search keywords stored in the dictionary storage unit 130 in association with. Here, when each of the first and second related character strings includes a plurality of related character strings stored in the dictionary storage unit 130, the function identification character string search unit 135 performs the first and second related character strings. Each of the second related character strings may be converted into a plurality of search keywords corresponding to the plurality of related character strings. The function identification character string search unit 135 compares the search keyword converted from each of the first and second related character strings with the search keyword stored in the function storage unit 125. Then, the function identification character string search unit 135 includes at least a part of a plurality of corresponding search keywords among the plurality of function identification character strings stored in the function storage unit 125 as the first and second related characters. The function identification character string that matches the search keyword converted from the column is searched. In this way, the function identification character string search unit 135 searches for a function identification character string corresponding to the function specified by the first and second related character strings. As a result, even if various expressions are used in the related character string input by the user or the related character string associated with the icon, the fluctuation of the expression is reduced and the function desired by the user can be accurately obtained. You can search.

  The problem solving support apparatus 40 may not include the dictionary storage unit 130. In this case, the icon storage unit 100 may store the icon and the search keyword in association with each other. In this case, the function identification character string search unit 135 directly compares the search keyword corresponding to the selected icon and the character string input from the user by the character string input unit 115 with the search keyword, A function identification character string for identifying a function desired by the user may be searched. Thereby, since the search process is simplified, even if the processing capability of the electronic device 10 is relatively low, the user can efficiently search for the function.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow in the problem solving support method using the problem solving support apparatus 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, the icon display control unit 105 displays at least a part of the icons stored in the icon storage unit 100 on the same screen in the display device 20 (S1000). Here, when all the icons to be displayed do not fit on the same screen in the display device 20, the icon display control unit 105 may display the icons to be displayed using scrolling or page switching. . Subsequently, the icon selection unit 110 selects at least a part of the displayed icons based on a user instruction (S1010). For example, the icon selection unit 110 displays, using the display device 20, a cursor that points to any of the displayed icons with a frame. And the icon selection part 110 switches the icon pointed by a cursor based on operation of the cursor movement key provided in the input device 30 by the user. Then, the icon selection unit 110 selects the icon pointed to by the cursor when the “selection confirmation” key is input by the user. In addition, the icon selection unit 110 selects an icon by moving a cursor, confirming selection, or the like based on a user's voice input using sound collection means such as a microphone provided in the electronic device 10. May be.

  Subsequently, the character string input unit 115 determines whether or not the icon selected by the icon selection unit 110 is a character string input icon predetermined to indicate that the input of the related character string is started. (S1020). When the selected icon is a character string input icon (S1020: Yes), the character string input unit 115 displays an input area in which the user inputs a related character string on the display device 20, and the related character string by the user is displayed. The input is accepted (S1030). Here, the input related character string may be, for example, a word such as “image”, or may be a sentence such as “I want to send an image by e-mail”. In addition, the character string input unit 115 uses a sound collecting unit such as a microphone provided in the electronic device 10 instead of allowing the user to input a related character string using the input device 30, and outputs a voice uttered by the user. A word or sentence spoken by the user obtained by inputting and performing a known voice recognition process on the input voice may be input as a related character string.

  Subsequently, the function identification character string search unit 135 associates the first related character string stored in the icon storage unit 100 in association with the selected icon and the second related character string input by the user. The function identification character string for identifying the function specified by the first and second related character strings from among the plurality of function identification character strings by comparing with the search keyword stored in the function storage unit 125. Search is performed (S1050). Here, when the first or second related character string includes a plurality of related character strings, the function identification character string search unit 135 includes a plurality of function identification character strings stored in the function storage unit 125. A function identification character string in which at least a part of a plurality of corresponding search keywords matches the plurality of related character strings may be searched. Alternatively, the function identification character string search unit 135 replaces at least some of the plurality of corresponding search keywords with at least some of the plurality of related character strings from the plurality of function identification character strings. You may search for the function identification character string. Note that which method the function identification character string search unit 135 uses to perform the search may be determined in advance by the manufacturer or the user of the electronic device 10, and the first related character string and the second related character string may be determined. It may be determined that a different method is used for each of the character strings.

  Subsequently, the problem solving support apparatus 40 determines whether or not the number of function identification character strings searched by the function identification character string search unit 135 is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value (S1060). Here, the predetermined reference value is, for example, the maximum number of function identification character strings that can be displayed on one screen when displaying a list of searched function identification character strings on the display device 20. It's okay. If the number of searched function identification character strings is not less than or equal to the reference value (S1060: No), the problem solving support apparatus 40 is instructed by the user to confirm the search with the currently searched function identification character strings. It is determined whether or not (S1070). Specifically, the problem solving support apparatus 40 may determine whether or not a “confirm” key indicating that the search is to be confirmed has been input by the user. If the instruction to confirm the search is not given (S1070: No), the problem solving support apparatus 40 returns the process to S1010 and causes the user to select an icon or input a related character string again. .

  On the other hand, when the number of searched function identification character strings is equal to or less than the reference value (S1060: Yes), or when it is instructed to confirm the search (S1070: Yes), the function identification character string display control unit 145 The searched function identification character string is displayed using the display device 20 (S1080). Here, if all of the searched function identification character strings cannot be displayed on one screen in the display device 20, the function identification character string display control unit 145 uses scrolling or page switching to search for the function identification searched. You may display a string. Further, the function identification character string display control unit 145, when at least some of the plurality of functions of the electronic device 10 are classified into a plurality of groups, each of the plurality of functions included in the same group. Instead of the function identification character string to identify, a group identification character string for identifying the group may be displayed. In this case, the function identification character string display control unit 145 displays the group identification character string only when the number of retrieved function identification character strings exceeds the maximum number that can be displayed on one screen on the display device 20. May be. Information indicating which group each of the plurality of functions of the electronic device 10 is included in may be stored in the function storage unit 125 in association with a function identification character string that identifies each function. .

  Subsequently, the function execution unit 150 determines whether or not the user has instructed the execution of the function identified by the searched function identification character string (S1090). For example, the function execution unit 150 may input a number associated with each of the function identification character strings displayed by the function identification character string display control unit 145 by the user, or may select one of the function identification character strings. It may be determined whether or not a “selection confirmation” key for instructing execution has been input in a state where the cursor is pointing. When an operation for confirming the selection of the group identification character string is performed in a state where the group identification character string is displayed instead of the function identification character string, the function identification character string display control unit 145 The display contents on the display device 20 may be updated so as to list and display the function identification character strings included in the group among the searched function identification character strings. When the execution of the function is instructed by the user (S1090: Yes), the function execution unit 150 reads the execution program corresponding to the function instructed to execute from the function storage unit 125, and executes the read execution program (S1100).

  In the processing flow shown in this figure, the function identification character string search unit 135 searches for the function identification character string based on both the selected icon and the input related character string. Alternatively, the function identification character string may be searched based on only one of the related character string corresponding to the selected icon and the input related character string. In addition, when the number of searched function identification character strings is one, the problem solving support apparatus 40 displays an execution program corresponding to the searched function identification character string without displaying the searched function identification character string. May be executed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed by the display device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the flow of the process illustrated in FIG. 6 will be described based on the transition of the screen displayed by the display device 20. FIG. 7A shows a screen 700 a that is a first example of a screen displayed by the display device 20. FIG. 7B shows a screen 700 b that is a second example of the screen displayed by the display device 20. FIG. 7C shows a screen 700 c that is a third example of the screen displayed by the display device 20. FIG. 7D shows a screen 700 d that is a fourth example of the screen displayed by the display device 20. In this figure, the screen displayed by the display device 20 changes in the order of the screen 700a, the screen 700b, the screen 700c, and the screen 700d.

  The screen 700a includes an icon display area 710, an explanation display area 720, a selection display area 730, and a search number display area 740. In the icon display area 710, the icon display control unit 105 displays at least a part of the icons stored in the icon storage unit 100. In the explanation display area 720, the icon selection unit 110 displays the explanation of the icon pointed to by the cursor in the icon display area. Here, the description of the icon may be, for example, a related character string stored in the icon storage unit 100 in association with the icon or a related character string input by the user. In the selection display area 730, icons already selected by the icon selection unit 110 are displayed. Here, when the selected icon is an icon indicating “character string input”, the input related character string may be reduced and displayed inside the icon. In addition, when a predetermined key such as a “return” key or a “delete” key is input, the problem solving support apparatus 40 deletes the already selected icons, for example, in the reverse order of the selection order. You can do it. In the search number display area 740, the number of function identification character strings searched by the function identification character string search unit 135 based on the already selected icon and the input related character string is displayed.

  Screen 700a shows a state in which the user has selected an icon indicating “mail” from the displayed icons. In this case, the function identification character string search unit 135 selects “Receive mail”, “Mail” based on the related character string stored in the icon storage unit 100 in association with the selected icon indicating “Mail”. Search for 28 function identification character strings such as “send mail”, “create new mail”, and “set mail”. In the search number display area 740, the search number of 28 is displayed.

  Screen 700b shows a state in which the user has selected an icon indicating “send” from the displayed icons. In this case, the function identification character string search unit 135 associates the icon storage unit 100 with the icon indicating “mail” and the related character string stored in the icon storage unit 100 and the icon indicating “send”. 16 function identification character strings are searched based on both of the related character strings stored in. In the search number display area 740, the search number of 16 is displayed.

  Screen 700c shows a state in which the user has selected an icon indicating “character string input” from the displayed icons. When the icon indicating “character string input” is selected, the character string input unit 115 displays the explanation display area 720 as an input area for the user to input a related character string, thereby inputting a related character string. Prompt the user. Then, as shown in the figure, the user inputs a related character string “image”. Thereby, the function identification character string search unit 135 performs the function identification based on the related character string associated with the icons indicating “mail” and “send” and the input related character string “image”. Search for a string. As a result, the function identification character string search unit 135 searches for one function identification character string “transmit image by e-mail”. Here, since one item, which is the number of function identification character strings searched by the function identification character string search unit 135, is smaller than a predetermined reference value (for example, 8), the problem solving support apparatus 40 updates the user. The function identification character string searched is displayed by using the function identification character string display control unit 145 without selecting the icon or inputting the related character string.

  The screen 700d shows a state in which the searched function identification character string is displayed. In the function identification character string display area 750, a function identification character string “send image by e-mail” searched by the function identification character string search unit 135 is displayed. Here, when a plurality of function identification character strings are displayed, the function identification character string display control unit 145 may display a function identification character string for identifying a previously executed function at a higher level. Thereby, when executing a frequently used function, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user required for an operation instructing the execution. Then, the user selects the displayed function identification character string and causes the function execution unit 150 to execute a function of transmitting an image by mail.

  The problem solving support device 40 may assist the user in selecting an icon so that the icon is not selected in such a combination that the number of function identification character strings to be searched is zero. Specifically, the icon selection unit 110 selects, for example, a gray color for an icon for which the number of searches for the function identification character string is 0 when the icon is selected in combination with the already selected icons. The user may be notified that the icon should not be selected, for example, by changing the display state by displaying the icon or by prohibiting the selection operation of the icon. In this case, for example, the icon selection unit 110 is a table indicating whether or not the number of function identification character strings to be searched is zero for all combinations of icons in a predetermined total number such as two or three. May be prepared in advance and the user may be notified of whether or not an icon should be selected by referring to the table. Alternatively, the icon selection unit 110 simulates a function identification character string in the function identification character string search unit 135 using a combination of the already selected icon and the currently displayed icon. The user may be notified of whether or not the icon should be selected based on the search result.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 1500 according to the embodiment of the present invention. A computer 1500 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a host peripheral having a CPU 1505, a RAM 1520, a graphic controller 1575, and a display device 1580 connected to each other by a host controller 1582, and to the host controller 1582 by an input / output controller 1584. An input / output unit having a communication interface 1530, a hard disk drive 1540, and a CD-ROM drive 1560, and a legacy input / output unit having a ROM 1510, a flexible disk drive 1550, and an input / output chip 1570 connected to the input / output controller 1584. Prepare.

  The host controller 1582 connects the RAM 1520 to the CPU 1505 and the graphic controller 1575 that access the RAM 1520 at a high transfer rate. The CPU 1505 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 1510 and the RAM 1520 and controls each unit. The graphic controller 1575 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1505 or the like on a frame buffer provided in the RAM 1520 and displays the image data on the display device 1580. Alternatively, the graphic controller 1575 may include a frame buffer that stores image data generated by the CPU 1505 or the like.

  The input / output controller 1584 connects the host controller 1582 to the hard disk drive 1540, the communication interface 1530, and the CD-ROM drive 1560, which are relatively high-speed input / output devices. The hard disk drive 1540 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1505 in the computer 1500. The communication interface 1530 communicates with the electronic device 10 via the network, and provides programs and data to the electronic device 10. The CD-ROM drive 1560 reads a program or data from the CD-ROM 1595 and provides it to the hard disk drive 1540 and the communication interface 1530 via the RAM 1520.

  The input / output controller 1584 is connected to the ROM 1510, the flexible disk drive 1550, and the relatively low-speed input / output device of the input / output chip 1570. The ROM 1510 stores a boot program executed when the computer 1500 is started up, a program depending on the hardware of the computer 1500, and the like. The flexible disk drive 1550 reads a program or data from the flexible disk 1590 and provides it to the hard disk drive 1540 and the communication interface 1530 via the RAM 1520. The input / output chip 1570 connects various input / output devices via the flexible disk drive 1550 and, for example, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, and the like.

  The problem solving support program provided to the communication interface 1530 via the RAM 1520 is stored in a recording medium such as the flexible disk 1590, the CD-ROM 1595, or an IC card and provided by the user. The problem solving support program is read from the recording medium, provided to the communication interface 1530 via the RAM 1520, and transmitted to the electronic device 10 via the network. The problem solving support program transmitted to the electronic device 10 is installed and executed in the electronic device 10. The problem solving support program installed and executed in the electronic device 10 causes the electronic device 10 to function as an electronic device including the problem solving support device 40 described with reference to FIGS.

  The program shown above may be stored in an external storage medium. As the storage medium, in addition to the flexible disk 1590 and the CD-ROM 1595, an optical recording medium such as a DVD or PD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card, or the like can be used. Further, a storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet may be used as a recording medium, and the program may be provided to the computer 1500 via the network.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows an example of the electronic device 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of the problem-solving assistance apparatus 40 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the icon storage part 100 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the function storage part 125 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the dictionary storage part 130 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process in the problem-solving support method using the problem-solving support apparatus 40 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed by the display device 20 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer 1500 concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 electronic devices, 20 display devices, 30 input devices, 40 problem solving support devices, 100 icon storage units, 105 icon display control units, 110 icon selection units, 115 character string input units, 125 function storage units, 130 dictionary storage units, 135 function identification character string search unit, 140 parameter character string extraction unit, 145 function identification character string display control unit, 150 function execution unit, 155 operation guide unit, 160 related character string addition unit, 300 character string input icon, 700a to d Screen, 710 Icon display area, 720 Explanation display area, 730 Selection display area, 740 Search number display area, 750 Function identification character string display area

Claims (10)

A problem solving support apparatus that supports problem solving when a user uses an electronic device based on an input from the user,
A plurality of sets of icons that are related character strings related to at least a part of a plurality of functions of the electronic device for solving the problem and an image having an appearance conceptually related to the related character strings. An icon storage unit to store;
An icon display control unit for displaying at least a part of the plurality of icons stored in the icon storage unit on the same screen;
An icon selection unit for selecting at least a part of the icons displayed by the icon display control unit;
A character string input unit that accepts input of the related character string by the user;
For each of the plurality of functions, a function storage unit that stores a function identification character string that identifies the function and a plurality of search keywords that identify the function in association with each other;
The first related character string stored in the icon storage unit in association with the icon selected by the icon selection unit, and the second related character string received by the character string input unit Is compared with the plurality of search keywords corresponding to each of the plurality of function identification character strings stored in the function storage unit, and from among the plurality of function identification character strings, A function identification character string search unit for searching for the function identification character string for identifying the function specified by the second related character string;
A problem solving support apparatus comprising: a function identification character string display control unit that displays the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit.   The character string input unit, when the icon selected in advance to indicate that the input of the related character string by the user is started is selected by the icon selection unit, the related character string by the user The problem-solving support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the problem-solving support apparatus accepts the input of the input.   The character string input unit is configured such that when the icon selected in advance to indicate that the input of the related character string by the user is started is selected by the icon selection unit, the user selects the related character string. The problem solving support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an input area for inputting is displayed. The function storage unit further stores an execution program that executes the function in association with the function identification character string that identifies each of the plurality of functions.
The problem solving support device
The problem solving support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a function execution unit that reads out and executes the execution program corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit from the function storage unit. The related character string in which the character string input unit receives an input of a parameter character string indicating an operation parameter required for execution by the function corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit A parameter string extraction unit for extracting from
The function execution unit, when the function corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit requires an operation parameter for execution, the execution corresponding to the function identification character string The problem solving support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a program is read from the function storage unit, and the read execution program is executed according to the operation parameter indicated by the parameter character string.   The character string input unit, when the function corresponding to the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit requires an operation parameter for execution, The problem solving support apparatus according to claim 5, which receives an input.   The problem solving method according to claim 1, further comprising: a related character string addition unit that stores the related character string input by the user in association with any of the plurality of icons and adds to the icon storage unit. Support device.   When the related character string received by the character string input unit matches the related character string stored in the icon storage unit, the icon corresponding to the related character string is presented to the user The problem solving support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation guide unit that notifies that the input related character string can be replaced by selecting the icon. A problem solving support method for supporting problem solving when a user uses an electronic device based on an input from the user,
The icon storage unit is an image having a related character string related to at least a part of a plurality of functions of the electronic device for solving the problem and an appearance conceptually related to the related character string. Store multiple sets of icons,
The function storage unit stores, for each of the plurality of functions, a function identification character string that identifies the function and a plurality of search keywords that identify the function in association with each other,
The problem solving support method is as follows:
An icon display control step of displaying at least a part of the plurality of icons stored in the icon storage unit on the same screen;
An icon selection step of selecting at least a part of the icons displayed in the icon display control step;
A character string input stage for receiving input of the related character string by the user;
The first related character string stored in the icon storage unit in association with the icon selected in the icon selection step, and the second related character string received in the character string input step Is compared with the plurality of search keywords corresponding to each of the plurality of function identification character strings stored in the function storage unit, and from among the plurality of function identification character strings, A function identification character string search stage for searching for the function identification character string for identifying the function specified by the second related character string;
A problem solving support method comprising: a function identification character string display control step of displaying the function identification character string searched in the function identification character string search step. A problem-solving support program for causing an electronic device to function as an electronic device including a problem-solving support device that supports problem solving when a user uses the electronic device based on an input from the user,
The electronic device,
A plurality of sets of icons that are related character strings related to at least a part of a plurality of functions of the electronic device for solving the problem and an image having an appearance conceptually related to the related character strings. An icon storage unit to store;
An icon display control unit for displaying at least a part of the plurality of icons stored in the icon storage unit on the same screen;
An icon selection unit for selecting at least a part of the icons displayed by the icon display control unit;
A character string input unit that accepts input of the related character string by the user;
For each of the plurality of functions, a function storage unit that stores a function identification character string that identifies the function and a plurality of search keywords that identify the function in association with each other;
The first related character string stored in the icon storage unit in association with the icon selected by the icon selection unit, and the second related character string received by the character string input unit Is compared with the plurality of search keywords corresponding to each of the plurality of function identification character strings stored in the function storage unit, and from among the plurality of function identification character strings, A function identification character string search unit for searching for the function identification character string for identifying the function specified by the second related character string;
A problem-solving support program that functions as an electronic apparatus including a problem-solving support device that includes a function identification character string display control unit that displays the function identification character string searched by the function identification character string search unit.

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