JP2018042140A - Guidance playback device, guidance playback method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user with guidance on work, such as maintenance including a plurality of steps more suitably than the prior art.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 plays back guidance on maintenance including a plurality of steps (for example, maintenance to resolve paper jam in image forming apparatus 1) in such a way that the apparatus plays back only part of completed steps being steps that are completed in the plurality of steps and plays back uncompleted steps being steps that are not completed yet without thinning out the steps.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for outputting a guidance for a user to browse when performing maintenance or the like of an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses in which various functions such as copying, network printing, faxing, scanning, and file servers are integrated have become widespread. Such an image forming apparatus is called a “multifunction machine” or “MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)”. Since various functions are aggregated, the structure is complicated, and the user needs to perform complicated work when dealing with an error that has occurred or when performing maintenance.

  For example, the following techniques have been proposed for the purpose of easily presenting complicated work guidance to the user.

  An image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 acquires sensor information from guide information display means for displaying operation guide information stored in an operation guide information storage means, and sensors arranged at each location. Device status information creating means for creating device status information for identifying the device status, a status screen specifying table in which the device status information and operation guide information displayed in each device status are associated, and device status information Screen information determination means for comparing the device status information created by the creation means with the device status information registered in the status screen specification table and determining operation guidance information to be displayed on the guidance information display means, The information determination means switches the operation guidance information displayed on the guidance information display means in real time when the equipment status information creation means updates the equipment status information.

  The image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 2 is capable of reproducing a moving image, and includes moving means for moving the moving image reproduction position to an arbitrary position in accordance with a user's operation. It is determined whether the position has been rewound from the playback position before the movement. If it is determined that the playback position after moving is a position rewinded from the playback position before movement, the playback position after movement is saved as the start position of the loop playback section, and the playback position before movement is loop-played. Operation means is provided that stores an end position of a section and gives an instruction to control loop reproduction of the section from the start position to the end position.

JP 2014-203001A JP2013-135404A

  While unfamiliar with the handling of the image forming apparatus, the user browses the presented guidance to every corner. However, as the user gets used to handling the image forming apparatus, the user does not carefully read the guidance. Even if the guidance is presented in detail to such a user, the user may sometimes feel detoured. When the user feels that way, he / she browses the guidance casually or interrupts the browsing itself. As a result, the user overlooks important points in the guidance or cannot understand how to work, and it takes more time to finish the work than if it was carefully viewed There is.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide guidance to a user more suitably than before.

  A guidance playback device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a guidance playback device that plays back work guidance that includes a plurality of steps, and only a part of the completed steps that are completed steps of the plurality of steps is included. Reproducing means for reproducing the guidance so as to be reproduced.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus includes detection means for detecting the completion step, and the reproduction means reproduces the guidance based on a result of detection by the detection means.

  Alternatively, the guidance includes a first image representing a state before execution of each of the plurality of steps, a second image representing a state being executed, and a third image representing a completed state, The reproduction means reproduces only one or two of the first image, the second image, and the third image for the completion step.

  Alternatively, the reproduction unit skips reproduction of the step when the step related to the portion being reproduced in the guidance among the plurality of steps is detected as the completion step by the detection unit. To do.

  Alternatively, the guidance includes: a printing unit that performs printing; a tray that stores paper; a pair of rollers that conveys the paper from the tray to the printing unit; and a door that hides the pair of rollers. Is a first guidance explaining a method of clearing a paper jam (jam) error in the pair of rollers, a second guidance explaining a method of exchanging consumables used for the printing, or the paper It is a 3rd guidance explaining the method to supply to the said tray.

  Alternatively, the guidance is a first guidance, and the plurality of steps include a first step of opening the door, a second step of separating the pair of rollers, and a third step of removing paper from the pair of rollers. A step, a fourth step of pressing the pair of rollers, and a fifth step of opening the door.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide guidance to a user more suitably than before.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram mainly illustrating an example of a configuration of a print unit. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of state change information. It is a figure which shows the example of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of a completion flag. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of a reproduction | regeneration screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the form of the reproduction | regeneration screen before reproducing | regenerating a moving image. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a guidance display process.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram mainly showing an example of the configuration of the print unit 10i. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that integrates functions such as copying, PC printing, cloud printing, fax, scanner, and box. Generally, it is sometimes called “multifunction machine” or “MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)”.

  The PC print function is a function for printing an image on a sheet based on image data received from an external terminal device. It may also be called “network printing” or “network printing”.

  The cloud printing function is a function for receiving image data from an external terminal device via a server on the Internet and printing an image on paper.

  The box function is a function for giving a storage area called “box” or “personal box” for each user, and for each user to store and manage image data and the like in his / her storage area. A box can be provided for each group and shared by the members of the group. A box corresponds to a “folder” or “directory” in a personal computer.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11, a touch panel display 10e, an operation key panel 10f, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 10g, a scan unit 10h, a print unit 10i, a finisher 10j, and an audio unit. 10k or the like.

  The touch panel display 10e displays a screen showing a message for the user, a screen for the user to input a command or information, a screen showing a result of processing executed by the control unit 11, and the like. Further, a moving image of guidance for operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed. In addition, the touch panel display 10 e sends a signal indicating the touched position to the control unit 11.

  The operation key panel 10f is a so-called hardware keyboard, and includes a numeric keypad, a start key, a stop key, a function key, and the like.

  The NIC 10g communicates with other devices using a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The scan unit 10h reads an image written on a sheet set on the platen glass and generates image data.

  The print unit 10i includes an image forming unit 21, a paper feeding unit 22, a paper feeding cabinet 23, a fixing unit 24, a printed material conveyance path 25, a front door 26, a side door 27, a first conveyance path sensor 201, and a second conveyance path sensor. 202, a front door sensor 203, a side door sensor 204, and a lever sensor 205. With such a configuration, in addition to the image read by the scan unit 10h, an image received from another device by the NIC 10g is printed on a sheet.

  The image forming unit 21 is a tandem and electrophotographic color printing engine, and includes photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, exposure scanning units 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, a transfer belt 33, and the like. Is done.

  The photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are photosensitive drums corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Similarly, the exposure scanning units 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d are exposure scanning units corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively.

  The exposure scanning units 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d are electrostatically applied to the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d by performing exposure according to an image to be printed based on a signal from the control unit 11, respectively. Create a latent image. Then, toner of each color adheres.

  On the transfer belt 33, toner images of respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are overlaid. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the transfer belt 33.

  The paper feed unit 22 is a unit that is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 as a standard and supplies paper to the image forming unit 21. The paper feed unit 22 includes one or a plurality of paper feed cassettes 22a and pickup rollers 22b. The paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 22a. The pickup roller 22b picks up one sheet at a time from the sheet feeding cassette 22a and carries it out to the image forming unit 21.

  The paper feed cabinet 23 is a unit that supplies paper to the image forming unit 21 similarly to the paper feed unit 22, but is provided as an option in the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet fed from the sheet feeding cassette 23 a of the sheet feeding cabinet 23 by the pickup roller 23 b is supplied to the image forming unit 21 via the sheet feeding unit 22.

  The fixing unit 24 includes two heating rollers 24a and 24b, a lever 24c, and the like. Then, the toner image formed on the transfer belt 33 is transferred to the paper carried out from the paper supply unit 22 or the paper supply cabinet 23 by the two heating rollers 24a and 24b. The two heating rollers 24a and 24b are separated by lowering the lever 24c, and the two heating rollers are pressed against each other by raising the lever 24c.

  The printed material conveyance path 25 conveys the printed material on which the toner image is transferred by the fixing unit 24 to the finisher 10j.

  The front door 26 is a door installed in front of the image forming apparatus 1. A job such as printing is executed with the front door 26 closed. Maintenance such as error cancellation or supply of consumables is performed with the front door 26 being appropriately opened.

  The side door 27 is a door installed on the right side of the image forming apparatus 1. A job such as printing is executed with the side door 27 closed. Maintenance is performed with the side doors 27 being opened as appropriate.

  The first transport path sensor 201 is disposed in the vicinity of the fixing unit 24 and detects the presence or absence of paper at this position. Further, a paper jam (jam) that has occurred in the fixing unit 24 is detected.

  The second conveyance path sensor 202 is disposed near the printed material conveyance path 25 and detects the presence or absence of the printed material at this position.

  The front door sensor 203 is installed near the front door 26 and detects the open / closed state of the front door 26. The side door sensor 204 is installed near the side door 27 and detects the open / closed state of the side door 27.

  The lever sensor 205 detects the state of the lever 24c, that is, whether the lever 24c is raised or lowered.

  The finisher 10j performs post-processing as necessary on the printed matter obtained by the print unit 10i. The post-processing includes a staple binding process, a punch hole forming process, a folding process, and the like.

  In the case of double-sided printing, a sheet on which an image is printed on one side is switched back in the vicinity of the finisher 10j and is fed again to the image forming unit 11.

  The voice unit 10k includes a sound board, a speaker, and the like, and outputs a guidance voice.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10c, an auxiliary storage device 10d, and the like, and mainly controls the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole. I do.

  The ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d stores a program for realizing each function such as copying described above. Further, a guidance reproduction program 10P (see FIG. 4) is stored.

  The guidance reproduction program 10P is a program for reproducing moving image and audio guidance that explains to the user how to perform maintenance such as error cancellation or supply of consumables. Details of the guidance program 10P will be described later.

  These programs are loaded into the RAM 10b as necessary and executed by the CPU 10a. A hard disk drive, SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like is used as the auxiliary storage device 10d.

  According to the guidance reproduction program 10P, the related information storage unit 101, the reproduction data storage unit 102, the error detection unit 103, the completion detection unit 104, the correspondence state storage unit 105, and the guidance reproduction unit 106 illustrated in FIG. Realized. Hereinafter, the operation of the related information storage unit 101 or the guidance reproduction unit 106 will be described.

[Guidance data]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state change information 6A. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B11. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B12. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B13. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B14. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B15.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the related information storage unit 101 stores state change information 6 </ b> A in advance for each maintenance.

  By the way, in general, maintenance is completed when a user performs a plurality of steps (processes, phases) according to a predetermined procedure, that is, a correct procedure.

  In the present embodiment, it is confirmed based on the result of detection by any one sensor of the image forming apparatus 1 that one step has been performed correctly.

  The guidance is composed of chapters that explain each of the plurality of maintenance steps. For example, when the maintenance consists of five steps, the maintenance gun dance is composed of five chapters.

  The state change information 6A indicates the contents of changes in the state of the image forming apparatus 1 detected by any of the sensors of the image forming apparatus 1 when the maintenance is performed in the correct procedure (each state before and after the change). This is information shown in the order of steps.

  Hereinafter, the state change information 6A for each maintenance may be described separately as “state change information 6A1”, “state change information 6A2”,. In addition, information on the contents of changes in each step indicated in the state change information 6A1 is described as “step change information 6A11”, “step change information 6A12”,. Similarly, the state change information 6A2, the state change information 6A3,... Are composed of a plurality of step change information.

  For example, the state change information 6A1 is the maintenance state change information 6A “resolving a paper jam in the fixing unit”.

  According to the state change information 6A1, the change to be detected first is “change from the closed state of the side door 27 to the open state” as the step change information 6A11. This is detected by the side door sensor 204.

  The second change to be detected is “change from the state where the lever 24c is raised to the state where it is lowered” as the step change information 6A12. This is detected by the lever sensor 205.

  The third change to be detected is “change from a state in which the paper is in the fixing unit 24 to a state in which there is no paper” in the step change information 6A13. This is detected by the first transport path sensor 201.

  The fourth change to be detected is “change from the state in which the lever 24c is lowered to the state in which it is raised” as the step change information 6A14. This is detected by the lever sensor 205.

  The last change to be detected is “change from the opened state of the side door 27 to the closed state” as the step change information 6A15. This is detected by the side door sensor 204.

  The change in the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is caused by the user's work, that is, the user's operation on the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, it can be said that the state change information 6A is also information indicating a user's work necessary for execution of maintenance.

  Further, the state change information 6A indicates a correspondence error 6AH. For example, the state change information 6A1 indicates the correspondence error 6AH1 as the correspondence error 6AH. The “corresponding error” is an error that requires maintenance related to the state change information 6A. That is, for example, the handling error 6AH1 indicates that the maintenance of “clearing the paper jam of the fixing unit” needs to be performed when the “paper jam of the fixing unit” error occurs.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the reproduction data storage unit 102 stores guidance data 6B and thinning guidance data 6C corresponding to the state change information 6A in advance for each maintenance.

  The guidance data 6B is a moving image and audio data for explaining a series of state changes indicated in the state change information 6A, that is, a moving image and an audio for explaining the work to be performed by the user during maintenance. It is data.

  The guidance data 6B is composed of step data for reproducing a moving image and sound for each step change information.

  For example, the state change information 6A of the “clearing paper jam of the fixing unit”, that is, the guidance data 6B1 of the state change information 6A1 is composed of five step data 6B11 to 6B15.

  Specifically, in the guidance data 6B1, as step data corresponding to the step change information 6A11, a chapter step for explaining how the side door 27 changes from a closed state to an open state and how to open the side door 27 is described. Data 6B11 is included.

  Step data corresponding to the step change information 6A12 includes chapter step data 6B12 for explaining how the lever 24c changes from the raised state to the lowered state and how the lever 24c is lowered.

  Step data corresponding to the step change information 6A13 includes chapter step data 6B13 for explaining how the fixing unit 24 changes from a state where there is a sheet to a state where there is no sheet and how to remove the sheet.

  Step data corresponding to the step change information 6A14 includes chapter step data 6B14 for explaining how the lever 24c changes from the lowered state to the raised state and how to lift the lever 24c.

  Step data corresponding to the step change information 6A15 includes a chapter step guidance 6B15 for explaining how the side door 27 changes from an open state to a closed state and how the side door 27 is closed.

  According to the step data 6B11, a moving image is reproduced as shown in FIG. That is, from the state where the side door 27 is closed (image 7A1), the state where the side door 27 is slightly opened (image 7A2), the state where the side door 27 is opened by about two thirds (image 7A3), and the side door 27 Is reproduced in a state of transitioning to a fully open state (image 7A4). The images 7A1 to 7A4 are one frame (frame) of the moving image. The same applies to images 7B1 to 7B3, 7C1 to 7C4, 7D1 to 7D3, and 7E1 to 7E4 described later.

  Further, according to the step data 6B11, sound corresponding to the moving image is reproduced. The same applies to step data to be described later.

  According to the step data 6B12, a moving image is reproduced as shown in FIG. That is, the state in which the side door 27 is fully opened and the lever 24c is raised (image 7B1), the lever 24c is lowered to the middle (image 7B2), the heating rollers 24a and 24b are separated, and the lever 24c is completely A moving image transitioning to a state lowered to (image 7B3) is reproduced.

  According to the step data 6B13, a moving image is reproduced as shown in FIG. That is, the state in which the paper between the heating rollers 24a and 24b is slightly pulled out (image 7C2) from the state where the heating rollers 24a and 24b are separated and the paper is sandwiched therebetween (image 7C1), the heating rollers 24a and 24b. A moving image is reproduced that transitions to a state in which the sheet between them is considerably pulled out (image 7C3) and a state in which the sheet is not sandwiched between the heating rollers 24a and 24b (image 7C4).

  According to the step data 6B14, a moving image is reproduced as shown in FIG. That is, the state where the heating rollers 24a and 24b are separated and the lever 24c is completely lowered (image 7D1), the lever 24c is raised to the middle (image 7D2), and the lever 24c is completely raised (image). 7D3) is reproduced.

  According to the step data 6B15, a moving image is reproduced as shown in FIG. That is, from the state in which the side door 27 is completely open (image 7E1), the state in which the side door 27 is slightly closed (image 7E2), the state in which the side door 27 is closed by about two thirds (image 7E3), A moving image transitioning to a state where the door 27 is completely closed (image 7E4) is reproduced.

  Similarly to the guidance data 6B, the thinning guidance data 6C is moving image and audio data explaining a series of changes in state indicated by the state change information 6A. However, the thinning guidance data 6C is data for reproducing by omitting a part of the explanation (guidance) by the guidance data 6B to the extent that the user can understand. The thinning guidance data 6C is constituted by thinning step data for each step change information.

  For example, the thinning guidance data 6C1 of the state change information 6A, that is, the state change information 6A1 of “clearing the paper jam of the fixing unit” is composed of five thinning step data 6C11 to 6C15.

  The thinning step data 6C11 to 6C15 are data for thinning and reproducing a part of the guidance (moving image and sound) by the step data 6B11 to 6B15, respectively. The same applies to other thinning-out step data. That is, the thinned-out step data is data for thinning and reproducing the corresponding step change information.

  The following four forms are mentioned as examples of the form of the thinning step data. The first mode is for reproducing only the moving image of the last part of the description (chapter) by the step data. The second mode is for reproducing only the moving image of the first part of the description by the step data. The third mode is for reproducing only the moving image of the first part and the moving image of the last part of the description based on the step data. The fourth mode is for reproducing only the moving image of the portion of the guidance data 6B where the state of the image forming apparatus 1 changes.

  The “last part” is the last section when the description by step data is divided into a predetermined number (for example, five) sections. Further, the “first part” is the first section when divided in the same manner.

  Or it is good also considering the area from the end of description by step data to predetermined time (for example, 10 second) before as the last part. The last part only needs to include at least the moving image after the state has changed. Similarly, a portion from the beginning of the description by the step data to a predetermined time later may be set as the first portion. The first part only needs to include at least the moving image before the state changes.

  As the thinning step data preferable for the first embodiment, for example, there is thinning step data 6C11. The reason why the thinning step data 6C11 is preferable as the first form is as follows.

  As described above, when the reproduction process is performed by the step data 6B11 corresponding to the thinning step data 6C11, as shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus transitions from the closed state to the fully opened state as shown in FIG. One moving image (image 7A1 to image 7A4) is reproduced.

  If the thinning step data 6C11 is in the first form and the reproduction process is performed by the thinning step data 6C11, the moving image in which the side door 27 is opened among the moving images of the images 7A1 to 7A4. Only the image (image 7A4 and an image having a predetermined number of frames immediately before it) is reproduced. Even if only such a moving image is seen, it is difficult for the user to understand what kind of work should be performed. However, when the reproduction process by the step data 6B12 is performed following the reproduction process by the thinning-out step data 6C11, the lever 24c is maintained with the side door 27 opened as shown in FIG. 7 following the image 7A4. A moving image (image 7B1 to image 7B3) that transitions from a state in which the image is raised to a state in which the image is lowered is reproduced. By viewing the images 7B1 to 7B3 following the image 7A4, the user can understand that the operation of opening the side door 27 is necessary and the connection of the operations.

  Even when the thinning step data 6C12 is used instead of the step data 6B12, it is possible to show the user the work in the state where the side door 27 is opened. Therefore, also in this case, it is necessary to open the side door 27 and understand the connection of the work.

  In addition, the thinning step data 6C12 and the thinning step data 6C14 are preferable as the thinning step data of the first form for the same reason.

  The thinning step data 6C15 is also preferable as the thinning step data in the first form. This is because at least one of the images 7D1 to 7D3 can be shown to the user by reproducing the moving image of the previous step. That is, the user can confirm that the side door 27 is open. Subsequently, it is necessary to close the side door 27 even if only the moving image (the image 7E4 and the image having a predetermined number of frames immediately before it) with the side door 27 closed is reproduced, and This is because the user can understand the connection of work.

  Note that the thinning-out step data 6C13 is not so preferable for the first form. The reason is as follows.

  When the reproduction process by the step guidance 6B14 is performed following the reproduction process by the thinning-out step data 6C13, the image in which the sheet has already been removed from the fixing unit 24 among the moving images of the images 7C1 to 7C4 in FIG. Only the image 7C4 and an image with a predetermined number of frames immediately before it appear. That is, the user cannot confirm the target of work. Although the paper may be confirmed by the moving image of the previous step, it may not be confirmed depending on the thinning mode in the previous step. Therefore, after viewing the image 7C4 and the image of the predetermined number of frames immediately before the image, the user should perform the moving image (images 7D1 to 7D3) in which the lever 24c transitions from the lowered state to the raised state. It is difficult to understand the details of the work.

  As described above, when the moving image of the last part cannot be understood even if the moving image of the last part is viewed together with the moving image based on the immediately preceding step data, the second form, the third form, or the first form The form 4 is desirable.

  As thinning step data preferable for the second embodiment, for example, there is thinning step data 6C11. The reason why the thinning-out step data 6C11 is preferable as the second form is as follows.

  As described above, when the reproduction process is performed using the step data 6B11, the images 7A1 to 7A4 (see FIG. 6) are reproduced.

  On the other hand, when the reproduction process is performed by the thinned-out step data 6C11 corresponding to the step data 6B11, the moving image (the image 7A1 and immediately after it) in the state in which the side door 27 is closed among the moving images of the images 7A1 to 7A4. Only an image having a predetermined number of frames) is reproduced. Even if only such a moving image is seen, the user cannot understand what kind of work should be performed. However, when the reproduction process by the step data 6B12 is performed following the reproduction process by the thinning step data 6C11, the image 7B1 to the image 7B3 are reproduced following the image 7A1 (see FIG. 7). That is, the images 7A2 to 7A4 are skipped. Even if the images 7A2 to 7A4 are skipped, the user needs to open the side door 27 by seeing the images 7B1 to 7B3 following the image 7A1 and can understand the connection of the operations. it can.

  In addition, the thinning step data 6C12 and 6C13 and the thinning step data 6C14 are preferable as the thinning step data of the second form for the same reason.

  As thinning step data preferable for the third embodiment, for example, there is thinning step data 6C13. The reason why the thinning-out step data 6C13 is preferable as the third form is as follows.

  As described above, the step data 6B13 corresponding to the thinning-out step data 6C13 is data for reproducing the moving image of the work for removing the paper. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to understand the work unless the paper that is the work target is shown in the moving image.

  According to the third form, since both the frame where the paper is shown and the frame where the paper is not shown can be shown to the user, the third form is suitable for the thinning-out step data 6C13.

  For the same reason, the fourth mode is also suitable for the thinning step data 6C13. Further, for the thinning step data 6C11, 6C12, 6C14, and 6C15, both the third form and the fourth form are suitable.

  Note that which part of the step data is omitted to generate the thinned-out step data is determined in advance for each step data. The formats of the guidance data 6B and the thinning guidance data 6C include MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), AVI (Audio Video Interleave), or SWF (Shockwave Flash File).

  When there are a plurality of suitable forms for the thinning-out step data, any one form may be used according to the contents of the step work. For example, the movement of the side door 27 is larger than the movement of the lever 24c and is easily understood by the user.

  Therefore, the thinning step data 6C11 may be in the first form or the second form. The thinning step data 6C15 may be in the first form. On the other hand, the thinning step data 6C12 and the thinning step data 6C14 are preferably in the third form or the fourth form rather than the first form or the second form.

  Further, the thinning step data 6C13 is preferably in any one of the second form, the third form, and the fourth form, but for the reason described above, the third form or the fourth form is desirable. In particular, the third form is desirable.

  The sound may be thinned out according to each form. For example, when the moving image form of the thinning step data 6C15 is the second form, data for reproducing the sound of only the first part of the chapter may be prepared as the thinning step data 6C15.

  Alternatively, sound corresponding to the moving image after thinning may be recorded separately for each step, and thinning step data may be prepared.

[Guidance playback process]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the completion flag 6D. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the playback screen 80. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the form of the playback screen 80 before playing back a moving image.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the error detection unit 103 detects what kind of error has occurred in which part of the image forming apparatus 1 based on the state detected by each installed sensor.

  For example, when a paper is detected by the first transport path sensor 201 for a certain time or longer during execution of a print job, the error detection unit 103 causes the fixing unit 24 to jam the paper. Detect that an error occurred. A paper jam error in the fixing unit 24 may be detected by other methods.

  Note that what kind of error has occurred in which part may be detected by an operating system or firmware. Then, the error detection unit 103 may only acquire the result detected by the operating system or firmware.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the correspondence state storage unit 105 includes a completion flag indicating whether or not a change related to the step change information has occurred for each step change information of the state change information 6A (6A1, 6A2,...). Store 6D.

  For example, the completion flags 6D11, 6D12,..., 6D15 are stored as the completion flags 6D of the step change information 6A11, 6A12,.

  If the completion flag 6D is “1”, it means that a change has occurred. “0” means no change has occurred. Note that the initial value of any completion flag 6D is “0”.

  The completion detection unit 104 detects which step has been completed according to the detection result of each sensor, and updates the completion flag 6D of the detected step based on the state change information 6A.

  For example, it is assumed that the side door sensor 204 detects that the side door 27 changes from a closed state to an open state. This change is shown in step change information 6A11 of state change information 6A1. Therefore, the completion detection unit 104 updates the completion flag corresponding to the step change information 6A11, that is, the completion flag 6D11 to “1” as shown in FIG. Alternatively, when the lever sensor 205 detects that the lever 24c changes from the raised state to the lowered state, the completion flag 6D12 is updated to “1” as shown in FIG. 11B based on the step change information 6A12. .

  The guidance reproducing unit 106 executes a process for reproducing guidance based on a user instruction as follows.

  The guidance reproduction unit 106 displays a reproduction screen 80 as shown in FIG. 12 on the touch panel display 10e. The playback screen 80 includes a guidance window 81, a progress bar 82, a cursor 83, a playback button 84, and the like.

  In the guidance window 81, a moving image of guidance is displayed. The progress bar 82 indicates the progress of the guidance reproduction. Sometimes called “seek bar”. The cursor 83 is arranged on the progress bar 82 and moves according to the current playback position. The progress bar 82 is displayed in different forms on the left and right of the cursor 83. For example, the left side is displayed in red and the right side is displayed in white.

  The play button 84 is a button for the user to instruct to start playing the guidance. The user can change the playback position by moving the cursor 83.

  When an error is detected by the error detection unit 103, the guidance reproduction unit 106 performs maintenance for eliminating the detected error while viewing the guidance on the guidance window 81 as shown in FIG. 13A. Display a message prompting The maintenance for eliminating the error can be specified by the “corresponding error” indicated in the state change information 6A.

  When the playback button 84 is touched, the guidance playback unit 106 sends maintenance guidance corresponding to the error detected by the error detection unit 103 from the playback data storage unit 102 to the guidance data 6B or thinning guidance data 6C. Is read and played. Then, a guidance moving image is displayed on the guidance window 81.

  At this time, the guidance reproduction unit 106 refers to the correspondence state storage unit 105, and among the step change information of the guidance, the step change information in which the state change is detected is determined based on the thinned-out step data. And play audio. On the other hand, for step change information in which no change in state is detected, a moving image and sound are reproduced based on the step data.

  For example, when only the completion flags 6D11 and 6D12 out of the completion flags 6D11 to 6D15 are “1” as shown in FIG. 11B, the maintenance guidance “Resolving jammed fixing unit” is reproduced. The guidance reproduction unit 106 reproduces the moving image and sound of the first step based on the thinning step data 6C11, and reproduces the moving image and sound of the second step based on the thinning step data 6C12. However, the moving image and sound of the third and subsequent steps are reproduced based on the step data 6B13 to 6B15.

  Alternatively, when the user performs a predetermined operation when no error is detected, the guidance reproduction unit 106 performs maintenance in which the state change information 6A is stored in the related information storage unit 101 as illustrated in FIG. Display a list of.

  When the user selects any maintenance from the list, the guidance playback unit 106 reads the guidance for the selected maintenance from the playback data storage unit 102 and plays back the guidance data 6B or thinning guidance data 6C of the guidance. To do. Then, a maintenance moving image is displayed on the guidance window 81, and sound is output by the sound unit 10k. The reproduction method is the same as the method for reproducing the maintenance guidance corresponding to the error.

  When the completion detecting unit 104 detects that the step of reproducing the moving image and the sound is completed, the reproduction of the moving image and the sound at that step is finished. For example, while the moving image and sound of the second step of the maintenance “clearing the paper jam of the fixing unit” is being reproduced based on the step data 6B12, the lever 24c is changed from the raised state to the lowered state. If it is detected that this has been done, the reproduction of the moving image and the sound is terminated.

  Further, even after the moving image and the sound of the step are reproduced based on one step data, the moving image and the sound of the step are repeatedly reproduced until the completion detecting unit 104 detects that the step is completed. Alternatively, the pause (pause) may be performed while only the last frame is displayed.

[Overall process flow]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of guidance display processing.

  Next, the overall processing flow in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15.

  The image forming apparatus 1 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 14 based on the guidance reproduction program 10P.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives a predetermined operation from the user (Yes in # 11 of FIG. 14), the image forming apparatus 1 executes a process of reproducing the guidance (# 15).

  Alternatively, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a job from the user (# 12), the image forming apparatus 1 executes the job (# 13). If an error is detected during the execution of the job (Yes in # 14), a process for reproducing the guidance is performed (# 15).

  The image forming apparatus 1 executes the process of reproducing guidance in step # 15 according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 1 sets “N”, which is a variable indicating the order of the step change information, to “1” (# 601 in FIG. 15), and displays the reproduction screen 80 (# 602).

  In the guidance window 81 of the playback screen 80, when a predetermined operation is received from the user, a maintenance list is shown as shown in FIG. When the user selects any maintenance from the list, the selected maintenance guidance becomes the target of reproduction. When an error is detected, as shown in FIG. 13A, a message that prompts the user to perform maintenance for eliminating the error while viewing the guidance is displayed. When the user touches the playback button 84, the maintenance guidance for eliminating the error becomes the target of playback.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 detects a change in the Nth state (Yes in # 603), that is, when a change related to the Nth step change information is detected, the Nth completion flag 6D (see FIG. 11A). Is updated to “1” (# 604), and “1” is added to “N” (# 605), that is, step change information to be detected next is set.

  When the user selects one of the maintenance items from the list or touches the play button 84 (Yes in # 606), the image forming apparatus 1 performs the following process of reproducing the target guidance (guidance reproduction process). Run like so.

  Note that the user may make a selection or touch without the image forming apparatus 1 detecting any change in state. Therefore, the guidance reproduction process may be started without performing steps # 604 to # 605. In addition, before receiving a predetermined operation (see step # 11 in FIG. 14), the processing of steps # 603 to # 605 may be started.

  The image forming apparatus 1 reads the completion flag 6D of the target guidance (# 607). When there is a completion flag 6D indicating “1” (Yes in # 608), that is, when one or more changes in the state of the image forming apparatus 1 are detected, the detected changes are described in the order of the maintenance steps. The moving image to be reproduced is reproduced based on the thinning guidance data 6C (# 609). That is, the moving images of the first to (N−1) th steps are reproduced based on the first to (N−1) th thinning guidance data 6C.

  The image forming apparatus 1 reproduces the Nth and subsequent moving images, that is, the moving image at the step of the completion flag 6D indicating “0” as follows.

  The image forming apparatus 1 reproduces the Nth step moving image based on the Nth guidance data 6B (# 610). When a change in the Nth state is detected (Yes in # 611), the Nth completion flag 6D is updated to “1” (# 612), and “1” is added to “N” (# 613). .

  If a change is detected during reproduction, the process of step # 610 may be interrupted and the process may proceed to step # 612. Alternatively, the process may proceed to step # 612 after detecting the change in the Nth state.

  If there is still a step in which the moving image is not reproduced (Yes in # 614), the process returns to step # 610 to reproduce the moving image of the Nth step.

  Returning to FIG. 14, the image forming apparatus 1 appropriately performs the above-described processing until the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off (No in # 16).

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide guidance to the user more suitably than in the past.

  In this embodiment, the guidance thinning method has been described using guidance for eliminating a paper jam generated in the fixing unit 24 as an example. However, guidance regarding other maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1 can be thinned out similarly. For example, the operation guidance for exchanging consumables such as toner or the operation for replenishing paper can also be thinned out.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 detects a change in the state related to the sheet passing through the fixing unit 24, but detects a change in the other state according to the maintenance. For example, a change in the opening / closing state of a door installed in the image forming apparatus 1, a change in the attachment / detachment state of various parts used in the image forming apparatus 1, and residual consumables such as toner and paper. A change in the state may be detected.

  In the present embodiment, four types of data have been described as examples of thinning guidance data for one step. However, other forms of data may be used. For example, data that reproduces only frames that are multiples of K may be used. “K” is a predetermined natural number. In this case, the sound may be reproduced at a speed of K times.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 reproduces the guidance, but a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer that can communicate with the image forming apparatus 1 may reproduce the guidance.

  In this case, the terminal device may download the information or data stored in the related information storage unit 101 or the reproduction data storage unit 102 from the image forming apparatus 1. The result of detection by the sensor may also be received from the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the error detection unit 103, the completion detection unit 104, the correspondence state storage unit 105, and the guidance reproduction unit 106 may be provided in the terminal device.

  In addition, the configuration of the entire image forming apparatus 1 or each unit, the content of processing, the order of processing, the configuration of data, and the like can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

1 Image forming device (guidance playback device)
104 Completion detection unit (detection means)
106 Guidance playback unit (playback means)
21 Image forming unit (printing means)
22 Feeder (tray)
23 Paper feeding cabinet (tray)
24a, 24b Fixing roller (roller)
27 Side door (door)

Claims (8)

A guidance playback device for playing back a guidance of work consisting of a plurality of processes,
Reproduction means for reproducing the guidance so that only a part is reproduced for a completed process that is a completed process of the plurality of processes.
A guidance reproducing apparatus comprising: Detecting means for detecting the completion step,
The reproduction means reproduces the guidance based on a result of detection by the detection means;
The guidance reproduction device according to claim 1. The guidance includes a first image representing a state before execution of each of the plurality of steps, a second image representing a state being executed, and a third image representing a completed state;
The reproduction means reproduces only one or two of the first image, the second image, and the third image for the completion step.
The guidance reproducing device according to claim 1 or 2. The reproduction means skips reproduction of the process when a process related to a reproduction part of the guidance among the plurality of processes is detected as the completion process by the detection means.
The guidance reproducing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Printing means for performing printing;
A tray for storing paper,
A pair of rollers for conveying the paper from the tray to the printing means;
A door for hiding the pair of rollers;
Have
The guidance includes a first guidance for explaining a method of clearing a paper jam error in the pair of rollers, a second guidance for explaining a method of exchanging consumables used for the printing, or the paper It is the 3rd guidance explaining the method of replenishing a tray.
The guidance reproduction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The guidance is first guidance,
The plurality of steps include a first step of opening the door, a second step of separating the pair of rollers, a third step of removing paper from the pair of rollers, and a fourth step of pressing the pair of rollers. And a fifth step of sequentially opening the door,
The guidance reproducing apparatus according to claim 5. A guidance playback method for playing back a work guidance consisting of a plurality of steps,
The guidance is reproduced so that only a part of the completed process, which is a completed process of the plurality of processes, is reproduced.
A guidance reproduction method characterized by the above. A computer program for use in a computer that reproduces work guidance consisting of a plurality of processes,
Causing the computer to execute a reproduction process for reproducing the guidance so that only a part of the plurality of processes is completed is reproduced.
A computer program characterized by the above.

Images