JP2018050173A - Guidance reproduction device, reproduction time specification support method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To search or specify a place, where a guidance is reproduced by a progress bar, more easily than before.SOLUTION: An image formation device 1 for reproducing the guidance of a work consisting of multiple processes has a guidance reproduction unit 108 for reproducing the guidance, reproduced image display means 109 for displaying a progress bar 802 representing an origin and representing a certain amount therefrom graphically, an association unit 107 for specifying an uncompleted process, i.e., a process not yet completed out of the multiple processes, and a specified frame discrimination unit 108 for discriminating the time advanced from the beginning of the uncompleted process, by the time of the ratio of the amount between a position specified for a certain amount, of the reproduction time at a part of the uncompleted process of the guidance, as the time specified by the user, when any position in the progress bar 802 was specified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for reproducing guidance such as maintenance.

  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 determining means switches the operation guide information displayed on the guide information display means in real time when the equipment status information creating 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

  In a moving image site on the Internet or the like, a progress bar may be displayed in which a user decides where to play a moving image by tapping. If a progress bar is displayed when the maintenance guidance is reproduced, the user can use the progress bar when the user wants to reproduce the guidance from a point related to a predetermined process in the maintenance.

  However, when searching for or specifying a playback location using a progress bar, the user may not be able to operate well.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to make it easier to search or specify a location where guidance is reproduced by a progress bar than in the past.

  A guidance reproduction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention reproduces a guidance for work consisting of a plurality of steps, and represents a reproduction means for reproducing the guidance, a starting point, and a fixed amount from the starting point. Display means for displaying a graphical image representatively, specifying means for specifying an incomplete process that is an uncompleted process among the plurality of processes, and any position in the schematic image is designated In addition, the time that the reproduction time of the part of the unfinished process in the guidance advances from the head of the unfinished process by the time of the ratio between the specified position and the starting point with respect to the certain amount. And determining means for determining that it is a specified time designated by the user.

  Preferably, the guidance is a moving image, and the display means displays a thumbnail of an image at a time advanced by the designated time from the beginning of the incomplete process in the guidance at or near the designated position. Is displayed.

  Preferably, the guidance is a moving image, and the reproduction unit reproduces the guidance by jumping to the designated time or a time shifted by a predetermined time before or after the designated time. Preferably, the display means displays a bar-shaped image as the graphical image.

  A guidance reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention reproduces guidance for work consisting of a plurality of steps, and reproduces the guidance, and represents a starting point and a certain amount from the starting point. Display means for displaying a diagrammatically represented graphic image; identifying means for identifying an incomplete process of which the degree of importance is greater than or equal to a predetermined value among the plurality of processes; When any position in the image is designated, the ratio of the amount of the reproduction time of the unfinished process portion of the guidance between the designated position and the starting point with respect to the certain amount And determining means for determining that the time advanced from the beginning of the incomplete process is the specified time designated by the user.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to more easily search or specify a location where guidance is reproduced by a progress bar than in the past.

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 one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame of the moving image reproduced | regenerated with step data. It is a figure which shows the example of the one part flame | frame 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 a progress bar and an area | region. It is a figure which shows the example of the form of the reproduction | regeneration screen before reproducing | regenerating a moving image. It is a figure which shows the example of the display form of a thumbnail image. It is a figure which shows the example of the transition of matching of the flame | frame to an area | region. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus.

  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 and the finisher 10j. 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 a 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. And a modem 10m.

  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 modem 10m exchanges image data with a fax terminal using a protocol such as G3.

  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 printed material conveyance path sensor 201, a front door sensor 202, and toner sensors 203a to 203d. Composed. 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 or the modem 10m 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, toner cartridges 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, and exposure scanning units 33a, 33b, and 33c. 33d, the transfer belt 35, and the like.

  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 toner cartridges 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d are disposed in the vicinity of the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, respectively. The toner cartridge 32a contains yellow toner, the toner cartridge 32b contains magenta toner, the toner cartridge 31c contains cyan, and the toner cartridge 32d contains black toner. Toner is supplied from the toner cartridges 32a to 32d to the photosensitive drums 31a to 31d.

  The exposure scanning units 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d respectively expose the electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d by performing exposure according to the image to be printed based on the signal from the CPU 10a. Create an 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 and a lever. 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.

  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 upper door 26 closed. Maintenance such as error cancellation or replenishment of consumables is performed with the front door 26 being appropriately opened.

  The printed material conveyance path sensor 201 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 202 is installed near the front door 26 and detects the open / closed state of the front door 26. The toner sensor 203 a is disposed near the place where the toner cartridge 32 a is inserted, and detects whether the toner cartridge 32 a is inserted in the image forming apparatus 1. Similarly, the toner sensors 203b to 203d detect whether the toner cartridges 32b to 32d are inserted.

  The finisher 10j includes a staple kit 41, a punch kit 42, an upper conveyance path 43, a middle conveyance path 44, a lower conveyance path 45, an upper door 46, an upper member 47, a front door 48, a lever 49, an upper conveyance path sensor 211, and a middle conveyance. A path sensor 212, a lower conveyance path sensor 213, an upper surface door sensor 214, an upper member sensor 215, a front door sensor 216, a lever sensor 217, and the like. With such a configuration, post-processing is performed as necessary on the printed matter obtained by the print unit 10i. The post-processing includes a staple binding process, a punch hole punching process, and the like.

  The staple kit 41 automatically binds a plurality of printed materials. The punch kit automatically punches holes in the printed material.

  The upper conveyance path 43 is constituted by a pair or a pair of rollers or the like, and conveys the printed matter to an upper discharge port of the finisher 10j. At this time, a plurality of printed materials may be bound by the staple kit 41. The middle conveyance path 44 is constituted by a pair or a pair of rollers or the like, and conveys the printed matter to the discharge port at the center of the finisher 10j. At this time, the printed material may be perforated by the punch kit 42. The lower conveyance path 45 is constituted by a pair or a pair of rollers or the like, and conveys the printed material to a discharge port below the finisher 10j.

  The upper surface door 46 is a door installed on the upper surface of the finisher 10j. A job such as printing is executed with the top door 46 closed. Maintenance such as error cancellation is executed in a state where the top door 46 is appropriately opened.

  The upper member 47 is a member such as a lid installed on the upper part of the finisher 10j. A job such as printing is executed with the upper member 47 closed. Maintenance such as error cancellation is performed with the upper member 47 appropriately opened.

  The front door 48 is a door installed in front of the finisher 10j. A job such as printing is executed with the top door 46 closed. Maintenance such as error cancellation or supply of consumables is performed with the front door 48 being opened as appropriate.

  The lever 49 sets the state of each pair of rollers in the middle conveyance path 44. The pair of rollers are pressed against each other when they are raised, and the pair of rollers are separated when they are lowered.

  The upper conveyance path sensor 211 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper conveyance path 43 and detects the presence or absence of printed matter at this position. The middle conveyance path sensor 212 is disposed in the vicinity of the middle conveyance path 44 and detects the presence or absence of printed matter at this position. The lower conveyance path sensor 213 is disposed in the vicinity of the lower conveyance path 45, and detects the presence or absence of printed matter at this position.

  The upper surface door sensor 214 is installed near the upper surface door 46 and detects the open / closed state of the upper surface door 46. The upper member sensor 215 is installed in the vicinity of the upper member 47 and detects the open / closed state of the upper member 47. The front door sensor 216 is installed near the front door 48 and detects the open / closed state of the front door 48. The lever sensor 217 detects the state of the lever 49, that is, whether the lever is raised or lowered.

  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 conveyed to the image forming unit 11 again.

  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 reproduction 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 correspondence state storage unit 104, the completion detection unit 105, the guidance reproduction unit 106, the correspondence processing unit 107, shown in FIG. The designated frame determination unit 108 and the reproduction screen display unit 109 are realized in the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, operations of the related information storage unit 101 to the reproduction screen display unit 109 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state change information 6A. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the guidance data 6B.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B11. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B12. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B13.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B21. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B22. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B23. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B24. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B25.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B31. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B32. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B33. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B34. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B35.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B41. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B42. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B43. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B44.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B51. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B52. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B53. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a frame of a moving image reproduced by the step data 6B54.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of the completion flag 6C. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the playback screen 80. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of the progress bar 802 and the area 87. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of the form of the playback screen 80 before playing back a moving image. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display form of the thumbnail image 89. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of association of frames to the area 87.

  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 by a user performing a plurality of steps 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 printed material conveyance path”.

  According to the state change information 6A1, the change to be detected first is “change from the closed state of the front door 27 to the open state” as the step change information 6A11. This is detected by the front door sensor 202.

  The second change to be detected is “change from a state in which the paper is present in the printed material conveyance path 25 to a state in which there is no paper” as the step change information 6A12. This is detected by the printed material conveyance path sensor 201.

  The last change to be detected is “change from the opened state of the front door 26 to the closed state” as the step change information 6A13. This is detected by the front door sensor 202.

  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.

  The state change information 6A indicates a handling 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 maintenance of “clearing a paper jam in the printed material conveyance path” needs to be performed when an error “paper jam in the printed material conveyance path” occurs.

  Further, the state change information 6A indicates the priority order 6AN when performing maintenance. When a plurality of errors occur at the same time, it is determined according to this priority order 6AN which order the user should handle the error, that is, the maintenance.

  For example, the priority order 6AN1 of the state change information 6A1 is “1”, and the priority order 6AN2 of the state change information 6A2 is “2”. Therefore, when the errors of “paper jam in the printed material conveyance path” and “paper jam in the upper part of the finisher” occur at the same time, the maintenance of the state change information 6A1 (resolving the paper jam in the print material conveyance path) is the state change information 6A2. This is done prior to maintenance (clearing the paper jam at the top of the finisher).

  Returning to FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 6, the reproduction data storage unit 102 stores in advance the number of frames (frames) of guidance data 6 </ b> B corresponding to the state change information 6 </ b> A and step data moving images for each maintenance. doing. The frame is identified by the time in the guidance. That is, in the guidance of the moving image at 20 frames / second, the time of the 1261st frame is 1261/20 = 63.05, so “1 minute 3 seconds 05”.

  The guidance data 6B is guidance data explaining a series of state changes indicated in the state change information 6A, that is, moving image and sound data for explaining the work to be performed by the user at the time of maintenance. . A guidance playback unit 106, which will be described later, uses the guidance data 6B to play back a moving image and sound.

  The guidance data 6B is composed of step data for reproducing a moving image and sound for each step change information. It can be said that the step data is data for reproducing a chapter. Further, a moving image composed of a plurality of frames is reproduced based on the step data.

  For example, the guidance data 6B1 of the state change information 6A1 “Clear paper jam in the printed material conveyance path” is configured by step data 6B11 to step data 6B13 and the like.

  Based on the step data 6B11 corresponding to the step change information 6A11, as shown in FIG. 7, the frame 7B111 for notifying that the front door 26 is handled, the frame 7B112 in which the front door 26 is closed, and the front door 26 are slightly opened. A moving image including the frame 7B113 as it is and the frame 7B114 as if the front door 26 is completely opened is reproduced. The number of frames of the moving image of step data 6B11 is N11.

  Based on the step data 6B12 corresponding to the step change information 6A12, a moving image including the frame 7B121 in which the printed material is present in the printed material conveyance path 25 and the frame 7B122 in which the printed material is removed is reproduced as shown in FIG. The The number of frames of the moving image of the step data 6B12 is N12.

  Based on the step data 6B13 corresponding to the step change information 6A13, as shown in FIG. 9, the frame 7B131 in which the front door 26 is completely opened, the frame 7B132 in which the front door 26 is slightly opened, and the front door 26 A moving image including the frame 7B133 that is closed is reproduced. The number of moving image frames of the step data 6B13 is N13.

  The guidance data 6B2 of the state change information 6A2 “Clear paper jam at the top of the finisher” is composed of step data 6B21 to step data 6B25 and the like.

  Based on the step data 6B21 corresponding to the step change information 6A21, as shown in FIG. 10, the frame 7B211 for notifying that the upper door 46 is handled, the frame 7B212 in which the upper door 46 is closed, and the upper door 46 are slightly opened. The moving image including the frame 7B213 as it is and the frame 7B214 as the top door 46 is completely opened is reproduced. The number of moving image frames of the step data 6B21 is N21.

  Based on the step data 6B22 corresponding to the step change information 6A22, as shown in FIG. 11, the frame 7B221 with the upper member 47 lowered, the frame 7B222 with the upper member 47 slightly raised, and the upper member 47 completely A moving image including the frame 7B223 that has been raised to is reproduced. The number of frames of the moving image of the step data 6B22 is N22.

  Based on the step data 6B23 corresponding to the step change information 6A23, a moving image including the frame 7B231 in which the printed material is present on the upper conveyance path 43 and the frame 7B232 in which the printed material is removed is reproduced as shown in FIG. The The number of moving image frames in the step data 6B23 is N23.

  Based on the step data 6B24 corresponding to the step change information 6A24, as shown in FIG. 13, the frame 7B241 with the upper member 47 completely raised, the frame 7B242 with the upper member 47 slightly raised, and the upper member 47 A moving image including the frame 7B243 that is lowered is reproduced. The number of frames of the moving image of the step data 6B24 is N24.

  Based on the step data 6B25 corresponding to the step change information 6A25, as shown in FIG. 14, the frame 7B251 in which the upper door 46 is completely opened, the frame 7B252 in which the upper door 46 is slightly opened, and the upper door 46 A moving image including the frame 7B253 that is closed is reproduced. The number of moving image frames in the step data 6B25 is N25.

  The guidance data 6B3 of the state change information 6A3 “Clear paper jam at the center of the finisher” is composed of step data 6B31 to step data 6B35 and the like.

  Based on the step data 6B31 corresponding to the step change information 6A31, as shown in FIG. 15, a frame 7B311 for notifying that the front door 48 is handled, a frame 7B312 in which the front door 48 is closed, and the front door 48 are slightly opened. The moving image including the frame 7B313 as it is and the frame 7B314 as if the front door 48 is completely opened is reproduced. The number of moving image frames of the step data 6B31 is N31.

  Based on the step data 6B32 corresponding to the step change information 6A32, as shown in FIG. 16, the frame 7B321 with the lever 49 fully raised, the frame 7B322 with the lever 49 slightly raised, and the lever 49 completely A moving image including the frame 7B323 in a lowered state is reproduced. The number of moving image frames of the step data 6B32 is N32.

  Based on the step data 6B33 corresponding to the step change information 6A33, a moving image including the frame 7B331 in which the printed material is present on the middle conveyance path 44 and the frame 7B332 in which the printed material is removed is reproduced as shown in FIG. The The number of moving image frames of the step data 6B33 is N33.

  Based on the step data 6B34 corresponding to the step change information 6A34, as shown in FIG. 18, the frame 7B341 in which the lever 49 is completely lowered, the frame 7B342 in which the lever 49 is slightly raised, and the lever 49 are completely A moving image including the frame 7B343 that has been raised is reproduced. The number of moving image frames in the step data 6B34 is N34.

  Based on the step data 6B35 corresponding to the step change information 6A35, as shown in FIG. 19, the frame 7B351 in which the front door 48 is completely opened, the frame 7B352 in which the front door 48 is slightly opened, and the front door 48 A moving image including the frame 7B353 that is closed is reproduced. The number of frames of the moving image of the step data 6B35 is N35.

  Guidance data 6B4 of the state change information 6A4 “replacement of yellow toner cartridge” is composed of step data 6B41 to step data 6B44.

  Based on the step data 6B41 corresponding to the step change information 6A41, as shown in FIG. 20, the frame 7B411 for notifying that the front door 26 is handled, the frame 7B412 in which the front door 26 is closed, and the front door 26 are slightly opened. A moving image including the frame 7B413 as it appears and the frame 7B414 as if the front door 26 is completely opened is reproduced. The number of moving image frames in the step data 6B41 is N41.

  Based on the step data 6B42 corresponding to the step change information 6A42, as shown in FIG. 21, the frame 7B421 in which the toner cartridge 32a is completely inserted, the frame 7B422 in the state in which the toner cartridge 32a is being removed, Then, a moving image including the frame 7B423 in which the toner cartridge 32a is completely removed is reproduced. The number of moving image frames of the step data 6B42 is N42.

  Based on the step data 6B43 corresponding to the step change information 6A43, a frame 7B431 in which a new toner is shaken, a frame 7B432 in the middle of the toner cartridge 32a being attached, and a toner cartridge 32a as shown in FIG. A moving image including the frame 7B433 that is completely inserted is reproduced. The number of moving image frames of the step data 6B43 is N43.

  Based on the step data 6B44 corresponding to the step change information 6A44, as shown in FIG. 23, the frame 7B441 in which the front door 26 is completely opened, the frame 7B442 in which the front door 26 is slightly opened, and the front door 26 A moving image including the frame 7B443 that is closed is reproduced. The number of moving image frames of the step data 6B44 is N44.

  Guidance data 6B5 of the state change information 6A5 “replacement of magenta toner cartridge” is composed of step data 6B51 to step data 6B54 and the like. As shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, it is almost the same as the case of the above-described guidance data 6B4, except that the toner cartridge 32b, not the toner cartridge 32a, is the work target. The step change information 6A51 to the step change information 6A54 correspond to the step data 6B51 to the guidance data 6B54, respectively. The number of frames of each of the step data 6B51 to 6B54 is N51 to N54.

  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 print job is being executed, if the paper remains detected by the printed material conveyance path sensor 201 for a certain time or longer, the error detection unit 103 causes the printed material conveyance path 25 to detect a paper jam. Detect that an error has occurred. A paper jam error in the printed material conveyance path 25 may be detected by another method.

  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.

  The correspondence state storage unit 104 stores a completion flag 6C. The completion flag 6C is stored for each step change information of the state change information 6A as shown in FIG. Then, it indicates whether or not the state change indicated in the step change information has occurred.

  For example, the completion flags 6C11, 6C12, and 6C13 are stored as the completion flags 6C of the step change information 6A11, 6A12, and 6A13 of the state change information 6A1. If the completion flag 6C is “1”, it means that a change has occurred. “0” means no change has occurred. The initial value of the completion flag 6C is “0”.

  The completion detection unit 105 detects which step has been completed in accordance with the detection result of each sensor, and updates the completion flag 6C of the detected step based on the state change information 6A.

  For example, it is assumed that the front door sensor 202 detects that the front door 26 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 105 updates the completion flag corresponding to the step change information 6A11, that is, the completion flag 6C11 to “1” as shown in FIG. Alternatively, when the printed material conveyance path sensor 201 detects that the paper remaining in the printed material conveyance path 25 has been removed, the completion flag 6C12 is set to “1” as shown in FIG. 28B based on the step change information 6A12. Update.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the reproduction screen display unit 109, the designated frame determination unit 108, and the guidance reproduction unit 106 perform a process of reproducing guidance based on a user instruction as follows.

  The reproduction screen display unit 109 displays a reproduction screen 80 as shown in FIG. 29 on the touch panel display 10e. On the playback screen 80, a guidance window 801, a progress bar 802, a cursor 803, a playback button 804, a chapter button 805, and the like are arranged.

  In the guidance window 801, a moving image of guidance to be reproduced (hereinafter referred to as “target guidance”), that is, a moving image in which the image forming apparatus 1 is maintained is displayed.

  The progress bar 802 indicates how much the target guidance has been played, that is, the progress of playback. Sometimes called “seek bar”.

  As a general rule, the horizontal length of the progress bar 802 corresponds to the time taken to reproduce the guidance from the beginning to the end at a normal speed (single speed). The left end of the progress bar 802 corresponds to the beginning of the target guidance, and the right end corresponds to the end. However, this association changes after the start of maintenance, as will be described later.

  Hereinafter, the horizontal width of the progress bar 802 is referred to as “horizontal width L0”. The lateral width L0 is constant. In addition, the time taken to reproduce the target guidance from the beginning to the end at a normal speed is referred to as “reproduction time T0”.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the horizontal length L0 is represented by the number of dots in the horizontal direction of the progress bar 802 on the touch panel of the touch panel display 10e. For example, when the resolution of the touch panel is 2 millimeters and the lateral width of the progress bar 802 is 10 centimeters, the lateral length L0 is 500 dots as follows: 10 centimeters / 2 millimeters = 500.

  Further, the progress bar 802 is vertically divided as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, an area constituting the progress bar 802 is referred to as an “area 88”. In the present embodiment, the boundary between two adjacent regions 87 does not appear as an image. Hereinafter, a case where the horizontal width of one area 87 is 1 dot will be described as an example.

  Each area 87 is associated with any one frame of the target guidance. The association of the frame with the area 87 will be described later.

  The cursor 803 is arranged on the progress bar 802 and moves according to the current playback time of the target guidance (hereinafter referred to as “playback time Pg”). Accordingly, the cursor 803 also indicates the progress of reproduction of the target guidance. For example, when the playback time T0 is “3 minutes 30 seconds” and the playback time Pg is “1 minute 10 seconds”, the cursor 803 is moved from the left end of the progress bar 802 before the maintenance is started. It is arranged at a position advanced to the right by L / 3.

  The chapter button 805 is arranged on the progress bar 802 at a position corresponding to the start time of the chapter, one for each chapter. As described above, the progress bar 802 is divided into a plurality of sections by the chapter button 805. However, when the maintenance is started, the arrangement of the chapter buttons 805 is appropriately changed.

  The progress bar 802 is displayed in a different form on the left and right of the cursor 803. For example, the left side is displayed in red and the right side is displayed in white. That is, the progress of reproduction of the target guidance is indicated by the difference between the left and right forms. On the other hand, the cursor 803 indicates the progress of reproduction of the target guidance according to the position on the progress bar 802 as described above. Note that the default position of the cursor 803 is the left end of the progress bar 802.

  The user can move the cursor 803 to an arbitrary position on the progress bar 802 by dragging the cursor 803. Alternatively, by tapping any position on the progress bar 802, the cursor 803 can be moved to the tapped position. Alternatively, by tapping the chapter button 804, the cursor 803 can be moved to the same position as the chapter button 804. The user can reproduce the target guidance from the frame corresponding to the destination area 87 by moving the cursor 803 in this way. That is, the target guidance can be reproduced by jumping to an arbitrary time. Which time (frame) to jump to is determined by the designated frame determination unit 108 described later.

  The play button 804 is a button for instructing to start playing the target guidance.

  When an error is detected by the error detection unit 103, the guidance reproducing unit 106 performs maintenance for eliminating the detected error in the guidance window 801 while viewing the guidance as shown in FIG. 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 user touches the play button 804, the guidance playback unit 106 uses the maintenance guidance corresponding to the error detected by the error detection unit 103 as the target guidance, and the guidance data of the guidance stored in the playback data storage unit 102. Playback based on 6B. Then, a guidance moving image is displayed in the guidance window 801. Furthermore, the voice of guidance is output from the voice unit 10k.

  Note that the guidance reproduction unit 106 may not reproduce a chapter whose completion flag (see FIG. 28) is “1” among the chapters of the target guidance.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 28B, when only the completion flags 6C11 and 6C12 of the completion flags 6C11 to 6C13 are “1”, the maintenance guidance “resolving paper jam in the printed material conveyance path” is reproduced. In this case, the guidance reproduction unit 106 reproduces a moving image and sound based on the step data 6B13.

  When the target guidance is reproduced to the end, the guidance reproduction unit 106 may repeatedly reproduce the target guidance. At this time, only the chapters for which the completion flag 6C is “0” may be reproduced in order.

  Alternatively, when the user performs a predetermined operation when no error is detected, the guidance reproducing 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 reproduction unit 106 selects the selected maintenance guidance as the target guidance based on the guidance data 6B of the guidance stored in the reproduction data storage unit 102. Reproduce.

  Then, the moving image of the guidance data 6B is displayed on the guidance window 801, and the voice of the target guidance is output from the voice unit 10k. The reproduction method is the same as the method for reproducing the maintenance guidance corresponding to the error.

  In addition, when any area 87 of the progress bar 802 is long tapped when the target guidance is being reproduced or stopped, the reproduction screen display unit 109 is long tapped as shown in FIG. The thumbnail image of the frame corresponding to the area 87 is displayed on or near the area 87.

  Here, the process of associating the frame of the target guidance with the area 87 by the association processing unit 107 will be described by taking as an example a case where the maintenance guidance “resolving a paper jam at the top of the finisher” is the target guidance.

The association processing unit 107 performs association so that all of the following conditions_1 to condition_4 are satisfied.
(Condition_1) Frame candidates to be associated with the region 87 are uncompleted step frames. The frame of the completed step is excluded from the candidates. Hereinafter, a frame corresponding to a candidate is referred to as a “candidate frame”.
(Condition_2) The earlier (earlier) candidate frame is associated with the region 87 closer to the head (left end).
(Condition_3) When the number Na of regions 87 is smaller than the number Nb of candidate frames, Na candidate frames are associated with any region 87, but the remaining candidate frames are not associated.
(Condition_4) When the number Na of regions 87 is larger than the number Nb of candidate frames, a part or all of candidate frames are associated with a plurality of continuous regions 87.

  For example, when the number Na is “500” and the number Nb is “1500”, the association processing unit 107 associates only candidate frames whose order from the beginning is a multiple of 3. That is, the 3Mth candidate frame from the head is associated with the Mth area 87 from the head.

  Alternatively, when the number Na is “500” and the number Nb is “250”, the association processing unit 107 associates one candidate frame with two consecutive regions 87. That is, the M-th candidate frame from the head is associated with the (2M−1) -th region 87 and the 2M-th region 87 from the head.

  The association between the region 87 and the candidate frame when the number Na and the number Nb do not match can be performed by a known method.

  In accordance with the completion flag 6C (see FIG. 28) and the condition_1 of each maintenance step, the association processing unit 107 selects a frame of an uncompleted step as a candidate frame.

  Therefore, if maintenance has not yet started when the playback screen 80 is displayed, the frames of all the steps of the maintenance are candidates. That is, in this example, (N21 + N22 + N23 + N24 + N25) frames are candidate frames. The number of frames in each step is shown in this maintenance guidance data 6B (in this example, guidance data 6B1) in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the case where the number Na is “500” and the numbers N21 to N25 are “1800”, “900”, “1300”, “500”, and “700” will be described as an example. In this case, the number Nb is “5200”.

  Since Nb / Na = 10.4, the association processing unit 107 selects candidate frames from the top every 10.4 frames (that is, every 10 or 11 frames) and associates them sequentially from the top area 87.

  Then, the playback screen display unit 109 arranges a chapter button 805 on the progress bar 802 as shown in FIG. 33A to 33E, the ranges indicated by (1) to (5) are ranges in which the first to fifth chapter frames are associated with each other. For example, the third chapter frame is associated with the range indicated by (3).

  Thereafter, when the first step is completed, the completion flag 6C of the first step is updated to “1”. Then, the association processing unit 107 selects frames of the second to fifth steps as candidate frames, and performs association again. In this example, the number Nb changes to “3400”.

  Since Nb / Na = 6.8, the association processing unit 107 selects candidate frames from the top every 6.8 (that is, every 6 or 7) and associates them sequentially from the top area 87.

  Each time association is newly performed by the association processing unit 107, the position of the progress bar 802 corresponding to the reproduction time Pg may change. Further, the position corresponding to the start (start) time of a certain chapter also changes, and the remaining chapters do not appear on the progress bar 802.

  Therefore, the playback screen display unit 109 moves the cursor 803 as appropriate according to these changes, and moves or deletes each chapter button 805.

  When the first step is completed, the playback screen display unit 109 moves the cursor 803, deletes the chapter button 805 of the first chapter, and deletes the second and subsequent chapters as shown in FIG. The chapter button 805 is moved.

  Each time the second to fourth steps are completed, the number Nb sequentially changes to “2500”, “1200”, and “700”, and each completion flag 6C is updated to “1”. Then, when the second step is completed, the association processing unit 107 selects candidate frames for every five frames from the top and associates them in order from the top area 87. At the completion of the third step, every 2.4 pieces (that is, every two or three pieces) are selected and associated. Upon completion of the fourth step, selection is made every 1.4 pieces (that is, every one or two pieces).

  Then, the playback screen display unit 109 changes the cursor 803 and the chapter button 805 as shown in FIGS. 33C, 33D, and 33E according to the result of the association processing.

  The designated frame discrimination unit 108 discriminates a frame corresponding to the region 87 tapped or long tapped by the user based on the result of association by the association processing unit 107. When the user moves the cursor 803, the frame corresponding to the movement destination area 87 is determined based on the result of association by the association processing unit 107. Thereby, the time designated by the user with the progress bar 802 or the cursor 803 can be determined. The determination result is used by the guidance playback unit 106 or the playback screen display unit 109.

  In addition, when the top of any one of the areas 87 is long-tapped, the playback screen display unit 109 associates with the area 87 determined by the designated frame determination unit 108 (that is, the area 87 long-tapped at this time). The thumbnail image 89 of the displayed frame is displayed on or near the area 87 as shown in FIG.

  For example, when the area 87a is long-tapped in the state shown in FIG. 33A, the playback screen display unit 109 displays the thumbnail image of the frame 7B212 in FIG. Alternatively, when the area 87a is long-tapped in the state shown in FIG. 33B, the thumbnail image of the frame 7B222 in FIG. Alternatively, when the region 87a is long-tapped in the state shown in FIG. 33C, a thumbnail image of a frame in the vicinity between the frame 7B231 and the frame 7B232 in FIG. Alternatively, when the area 87a is long-tapped in the state shown in FIG. 33D, the thumbnail image of the frame 7B242 in FIG. Alternatively, when the region 87a is long-tapped in the state shown in FIG. 33E, the thumbnail image of the frame 7B252 in FIG.

  The playback screen display unit 109 may display the thumbnail image 89 even when the finger is stopped without releasing the finger during the long tap, that is, even when the finger is still touched on the touch panel display 10e.

  Furthermore, when the progress bar 802 is dragged while being touched, the playback screen display unit 109 may transition the thumbnail image 89 according to the movement of the finger. That is, the thumbnail image of the frame corresponding to the touched area 87 may be displayed as the thumbnail image 89 instead of being replaced.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Next, the overall processing flow in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 1 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 34 based on the guidance reproduction program 10P.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives a predetermined operation from the user (Yes in # 11 in FIG. 34), the image forming apparatus 1 displays the reproduction screen 80 (see FIG. 31B) (# 15). In this case, a maintenance list is displayed in the guidance window 801 in the guidance window 801. In addition, the maintenance guidance selected by the user in the list is a reproduction target (target guidance).

  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 job execution (Yes in # 14), the playback screen 80 (see FIG. 31A) is displayed (# 15). In this case, a message prompting maintenance to be performed while viewing the guidance is displayed on the guidance window 801. Further, maintenance guidance for eliminating the detected error is the target guidance.

  When the target guidance is determined, the image forming apparatus 1 performs processing for associating the frame of the target guidance with the area 87 of the progress bar 802 as follows.

  Based on the guidance data 6B corresponding to the target guidance and the completion flag 6C of each step, the image forming apparatus 1 identifies the number of chapter frames, that is, the number Nb, of the steps for which completion has not been detected (# 16). Then, a frame is associated with each region 87 based on the number of regions 87 (number Na), the number Nb, the lateral width L0, and the above-described conditions_1 to 4 (# 17).

  The image forming apparatus 1 reproduces the moving image and the sound by using the step data one after another (# 18).

  The user can change the playback location (time) by tapping the progress bar 802 or dragging the cursor 803. When the user taps a certain area 87 or drags the cursor 803 to that area 87 (Yes in # 19), the image forming apparatus 1 determines the time of the frame corresponding to that area 87, and to that time. Jump (# 20) and play the moving image and sound (# 18).

  The user can view the thumbnail image 89 by long-tapping the progress bar 802. When the user taps a certain area 87 for a long time (Yes in # 21), the image forming apparatus 1 determines a frame (image) corresponding to the area 87 and generates a thumbnail image 89 by reducing the frame. The image is displayed on or near the area 87 (# 22).

  Alternatively, when the completion of the step is detected (Yes in # 23), the image forming apparatus 1 updates the completion flag 6C of that step to “1” (# 24). If there is a step that has not yet been detected (No in # 25), the number of chapter frames in those steps is identified (# 16), and the process of associating those frames with the region 87 is performed again. (# 17).

  The image forming apparatus 1 appropriately executes the above processing until the power is turned off (No in # 26).

  According to this embodiment, the association of the frame with the area 87 of the progress bar 802 is performed by excluding the frame of the completed step from the target. Thereby, the user can search or specify the time (location) for reproducing the guidance by the progress bar 802 more easily than in the past.

  In this embodiment, the case where one guidance is reproduced has been described as an example. However, a plurality of guidances may be continuously reproduced by the image forming apparatus 1 as target guidance. For example, when a plurality of errors occur at the same time, maintenance guidance for resolving each of these errors may be continuously reproduced.

  When the corresponding processing unit 107 continuously reproduces each of the plurality of maintenance guidances as the target guidance, that is, when these guidances are collectively reproduced as one target guidance, one of the respective frames is What is necessary is just to match | combine with the area | region 87 of the progress bar 802 according to above-mentioned conditions_1-condition_4.

  In some cases, the user starts the maintenance of the guidance reproduced later than the maintenance related to the guidance reproduced first. For example, the maintenance (first maintenance) gun dance of “Clearing a paper jam in the printed material conveyance path” is played back first, and the maintenance (second maintenance) guidance of “Clearing a paper jam at the top of the finisher” is given later. In the case of reproduction, the user may start the second maintenance first. That is, the user may open the top door 46 first.

  Then, the completion flag 6C of the step of opening the top door 46 is updated to “1”. Therefore, although the chapter of this step is an intermediate section, the association processing unit 107 performs the association process by excluding the frame of this step from the candidate frame.

  In the present embodiment, the association processing unit 107 excludes the frame of the completed step from the candidate frames and associates the frame with the region 87. However, one of the frames whose importance is lower than the threshold is used. The association may be performed by excluding some or all of them. Further, the association may be performed by excluding the frame of the completed step.

  The importance may be given for each frame, or a plurality of frames may be grouped and given for each group. A group may be a step or a chapter. For example, an importance level lower than the threshold value may be attached to the following frame.

  In the first example, the last frame of the guidance (frame 7B133 in FIG. 9, frame 7B253 in FIG. 14, frame 7B353 in FIG. 19, frame 7B443 in FIG. 23, frame 7B543 in FIG. 27) and a predetermined time ( For example, the frame is 5 seconds). These frames indicate a state where the maintenance is completed, and indicate a state where the image forming apparatus 1 can be used. In other words, none of the doors are open and it makes little sense to show the user. Therefore, an importance level lower than the threshold may be given to these frames.

  The second example is a frame that is the same as or similar to the content of other guidance frames.

  For example, the contents of the frame of the first step of the “replacement of yellow toner cartridge” and the contents of the frame of the first step of the “replacement of magenta toner cartridge” are shown in FIGS. As can be seen from the comparison, they are the same. The contents of the frame of each fourth step are the same as can be seen by comparing FIG. 23 and FIG.

  Further, the contents of the frames of the second steps are similar as can be seen by comparing FIG. 21 and FIG. The same applies to the third (see FIGS. 22 and 26).

  Therefore, what is necessary is just to attach the importance lower than a threshold value to these steps. However, in this case, a pair code for identifying a pair is attached so that a plurality of (two in this example) steps that are the same or similar are paired. For example, a pair code “P01” is attached to the first step of each of these two maintenances. Similarly, pair codes “P02” to “P04” are also attached to the second to fourth steps.

  Then, when the association processing unit 107 continuously reproduces a plurality of maintenance guidances, there are a plurality of steps having the same pair code, and the importance of these steps is lower than a threshold value. Of these steps, the frame of the step whose reproduction order is the second or later is excluded from the candidate frames, and the association process is performed.

  As a result, in the case of the above example, the frame of each step of replacing the magenta toner cartridge is excluded from the candidate frames, and the association process is performed.

  When the importance level of all frames in the uncompleted step is less than the threshold value, these frames may be handled as candidate frames regardless of the importance level.

  Whether the contents of the frames in the two steps are the same or similar may be determined by the creator of the guidance, or the computer calculates and determines the difference between the frames by known image processing. Also good.

  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 data stored in the related information storage unit 101, the reproduction data storage unit 102, or the correspondence state storage unit 104 from the image forming apparatus 1. The result of detection by the sensor may also be received from the image forming apparatus 1. The terminal device may be provided with functions corresponding to the error detection unit 103, the completion detection unit 105, the guidance reproduction unit 106, and the association processing unit 107. Moreover, what is necessary is just to use the touch panel display and audio | voice unit with which a terminal device is provided instead of the touch panel display 10e and the audio | voice output unit 10k.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 associates frames with all the regions 87 in advance before the progress bar 802 is operated. However, each time the area 87 of the progress bar 802 is designated, only the frame corresponding to the designated area 87 may be obtained by the above-described method.

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

  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)
106 Guidance playback unit (playback means)
802 Progress bar (schematic image)
109 Playback screen display section (display means)
107 Corresponding processing unit (specifying means)
108 Designated frame discriminator (discriminating means)
89 Thumbnail image (thumbnail)

Claims (14)

A guidance playback device for playing back a guidance of work consisting of a plurality of processes,
Playback means for playing back the guidance;
Display means for displaying a graphical image representing a starting point and schematically representing a certain amount from the starting point;
A specifying means for specifying an unfinished process that is not completed among the plurality of processes;
When any position in the schematic image is designated, the amount of the reproduction time of the unfinished process portion of the guidance between the designated position and the starting point with respect to the certain amount Discriminating means for discriminating that the time progressed from the beginning of the incomplete process by the proportion of time is the designated time designated by the user;
A guidance reproducing apparatus comprising: The guidance is a moving image,
The display means displays a thumbnail of an image at a time advanced by the designated time from the beginning of the unfinished process in the guidance at or near the designated position.
The guidance reproduction device according to claim 1. The display means displays the thumbnail when a long tap is made on the designated position.
The guidance reproducing apparatus according to claim 2. The display means displays a thumbnail of an image at a time that has been advanced or returned from the designated time according to the amount and direction of the drag when a drag is made from the designated position.
The guidance reproducing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. The guidance is a moving image,
The playback means jumps to the specified time or a time shifted by a predetermined time before or after the specified time and plays the guidance.
The guidance reproduction device according to claim 1. The display means displays a rod-like image as the schematic image.
The guidance reproduction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A guidance playback device for playing back a guidance of work consisting of a plurality of processes,
Playback means for playing back the guidance;
Display means for displaying a graphical image representing a starting point and schematically representing a certain amount from the starting point;
A specifying means for specifying an incomplete process which is a process which is not completed among the plurality of processes and whose importance is a process of a predetermined value or more;
When any position in the schematic image is designated, the amount of the reproduction time of the unfinished process portion of the guidance between the designated position and the starting point with respect to the certain amount Discriminating means for discriminating that the time progressed from the beginning of the incomplete process by the proportion of time is the designated time designated by the user;
A guidance reproducing apparatus comprising: The step in which the importance of the plurality of steps is less than the predetermined value is a step that is performed in a state where an exterior of the device that is a target of the work is not opened.
The guidance reproduction device according to claim 7. The step in which the importance of the plurality of steps is less than the predetermined value is a second or later step among two or more steps having similar contents.
The guidance reproduction device according to claim 7. The object of the work is an image forming apparatus,
The operation is replacement of toner cartridges for each of a plurality of colors in the image forming apparatus,
The two or more steps are a step of removing a toner cartridge in use for each of the plurality of colors, or a step of inserting a new toner cartridge for each of the plurality of colors.
The guidance reproduction device according to claim 9. A reproduction time designation support method for allowing a user to designate a reproduction time in a guidance reproduction apparatus that reproduces a guidance of work consisting of a plurality of steps,
Display a graphical image representing the starting point and schematically representing a certain amount from the starting point;
Identify an incomplete process that is not completed among the plurality of processes,
When any position in the schematic image is designated, the amount of the reproduction time of the unfinished process portion of the guidance between the designated position and the starting point with respect to the certain amount It is determined that the time advanced from the beginning of the unfinished process by the proportion of time is the designated time designated by the user.
A playback time designation support method characterized by the above. A reproduction time designation support method for allowing a user to designate a reproduction time in a guidance reproduction apparatus that reproduces a guidance of work consisting of a plurality of steps,
Display a graphical image representing the starting point and schematically representing a certain amount from the starting point;
Identify an incomplete process that is an uncompleted process among the plurality of processes and whose importance is a process of a predetermined value or more,
When any position in the schematic image is designated, the amount of the reproduction time of the unfinished process portion of the guidance between the designated position and the starting point with respect to the certain amount It is determined that the time advanced from the beginning of the unfinished process by the proportion of time is the designated time designated by the user.
A playback time designation support method characterized by the above. A computer program for use in a computer that reproduces work guidance consisting of a plurality of processes,
In the computer,
A process of displaying a graphical image representing a starting point and graphically representing a certain amount from the starting point;
Causing the guidance to be played back,
A process for identifying an incomplete process that is an uncompleted process among the plurality of processes is performed;
When any position in the schematic image is designated, the amount of the reproduction time of the unfinished process portion of the guidance between the designated position and the starting point with respect to the certain amount For the time of the proportion of the time, the time that has advanced from the beginning of the incomplete process is determined to be the specified time specified by the user,
A computer program characterized by the above. A computer program for use in a computer that reproduces work guidance consisting of a plurality of processes,
In the computer,
A process of displaying a graphical image representing a starting point and graphically representing a certain amount from the starting point;
Causing the guidance to be played back,
A process for specifying an incomplete process that is an uncompleted process among the plurality of processes and whose importance is a process of a predetermined value or more;
When any position in the schematic image is designated, the amount of the reproduction time of the unfinished process portion of the guidance between the designated position and the starting point with respect to the certain amount For the time of the proportion of the time, the time that has advanced from the beginning of the incomplete process is determined to be the specified time specified by the user,
A computer program characterized by the above.

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