JPH0614280B2 - Help screen generator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention provides a method of operating a computer such as a word processor or a personal computer on a display screen when the operating method becomes unclear. The present invention relates to a help screen generation device for displaying a help mode.

(B) Conventional Technology Conventionally, in a large computer, when an error occurs, this error state is displayed as a message on a display screen. In a word processor, etc., when you operate a particular key, only while you are operating that key,
There is known one having a help mode capable of displaying on a screen an explanation of a valid key when the particular key is operated.

(C) Problems to be solved by the invention However, in the former case, various error messages for various errors are programmed in advance in a series with the operation program, and therefore, even if the operator does not need a message , It is output regardless of unnecessary. Therefore, in such a device, it is not possible to select the presence or absence of a message according to the skill level of the operator,
The message is always output even when the operator does not need the message, which is troublesome for a skilled operator in operation. Also, the error status message display only shows what kind of error the error is, and I do not know how to do the correct operation (I do not know the next process easily), and it is inconvenient in operation. there were. Also, in the latter case, the key functions are merely explained, and the device is stopped in the presence of an error due to an error or the like, and the next action instruction as to what action (operation) should be taken next. It was something I couldn't get.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. After operating the help key twice in succession, information for explanation such as a function of a desired term or an operation method for executing the function is selectively selected. The present invention intends to provide a help screen generation device that can be obtained.

(D) Means for Solving Problems As shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of the present invention is such that a help key a for activating a help mode and a term index composed of initials of a plurality of terms are stored. A first storage means b, a second storage means c for storing a plurality of terms included in each acronym, and a storage for explaining a function of each term and an explanation for explaining an operation method for executing the function. 3 storage means d, display means e for displaying the storage contents of the storage means b, c, d when the storage contents are read out, and help key a are operated twice consecutively. Determining means f for determining that the term index is read out from the first storage means b by the signal output from the determining means f, and displaying means e
The first reading means g displayed on the display means, the cursor moving means h for moving the cursor displayed on the display means e, and one initial character in the term index displayed on the display means e are designated by the cursor moving means h. By this, the term of the floating number included in the designated initials is read from the second storage means c and displayed on the display means e, and the display means e read by the second read means k. When one of the plurality of terms displayed on the screen is designated by the cursor moving means h, the explanatory note of the designated term is read from the third storage means d and displayed on the display means e. Means l
A help screen generation device comprising:

(E) Action When the determining means f determines that the help key a has been operated twice consecutively, it outputs a signal to the first reading means g.
As a result, the first reading means g reads the term index by the first storage means b and displays it on the display means e. When one initial letter is designated by the cursor moving means h from the displayed term index, the second reading means k reads the plurality of terms contained in the designated initial letter from the second storage means c and the display means e. To display. 1 of the displayed terms
When one term is specified by the cursor moving means h, the third
The reading means l reads the explanation of the designated term from the third storage means d and displays it on the display means e. Therefore, the user can selectively obtain the explanation of necessary terms when necessary.

(F) Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a word processor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
0 is a keyboard equipped with alphabet / kana (character) keys and function keys, 11 is a display unit such as a dot matrix type liquid crystal display, 12 is a printer for printing prepared sentences, and 13 is a position away from the keyboard. This is a help key provided independently.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. Reference numeral 14 denotes a key input selection processing unit, which determines how to process a character string (data) and a function signal input from the keyboard 10, The input character string and function signal are transferred to any of the function processing unit 15, the kana-kanji conversion processing unit 16, and the state determination processing unit 17a. The function processing unit 15 is a unit that executes editing processing functions (for example, right claw, centering, copying and printing) defined in the keyboard 10, and the Kana-Kanji conversion processing unit 16 mixes Kana-Kanji with a character string such as kana to be transferred. The unit for converting to a character string, the state determination processing unit 17a is a unit that constantly monitors the input state at the time when the character string is input, in order to operate the processing in the help mode. It is activated by a help signal issued when the help key 13 sent is operated. An edit processing unit 17b edits a character string containing kana-kanji and stores it in the sentence memory 18. The text string stored in the text memory 18 is converted into bit image data for display by the text memory development processing unit 19 of the editorial office, and the image buffer 20 is converted.
Stored in. The bit image data stored in the image buffer 20 is stored in the display buffer 22 via the buffer switching unit 21 and sequentially displayed on the display unit 12. A help memory unit 23 is a help screen in the case of a certain function process selection screen (status help), a character string that cannot be accepted in the current process and a function signal (error help), and a normal kana-kanji conversion input process state. A signal is emitted,
Following this, when a defined function signal is sent to the keyboard 10 (key explanation help), when a help signal is further issued after the help signal in the normal kana-kanji conversion input processing state (term explanation help) The description (message) corresponding to each is memorized. Each description stored in the help memory unit 23 is read by the help data expansion processing unit 24 and expanded into bit image data and stored in the image buffer 25 when the help mode is activated in each case. To be done. The bit image data stored in the image buffer 25 is stored in the buffer switching unit 21,
It is displayed on the display unit 12 via the display buffer 22.

Note that the help mode here means that the user does not know how to operate, so if the user does not know the operation method or if the user does not know what to do when an error occurs, the user will be given the operation method and coping method. This is a mode for notifying.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of this embodiment. First, the operation in the case of the above status help will be described.

When the user is inputting a desired sentence and the document input mode is switched to the function mode (steps 100 and 101), the function key required at that time is operated to enter the function mode. Next, it is judged whether or not the acceptable key is operated in this state (step 102). Switching to the function mode means that the state determination processing unit 17
The state determination processing unit 17a is detected by a, and the state determination processing unit 17a is in a state of holding the help signal. Help key 1 in this state
When 3 is operated (step 103), a help signal is input to the status determination processing unit 17a, a status explanation message corresponding to the operated function key is read from the help memory unit 23, and the status explanation message is a help. The data is processed by the data expansion processing unit 24, stored in the image buffer 25, and then transferred to the display buffer 22 via the buffer switching unit 21. The bit image data stored in the display buffer 22 is sequentially displayed on the display unit 12 (step 104). The displayed status explanation message is
A text explaining the function of the operated function key, in other words, which function function is selected, and a description of the key that can be executed with the status explanation message displayed and the function of that key. It is configured. FIG. 5A shows an example sentence of a status explanation message displayed by operating the help key 13 when the normal print is selected on the print selection screen by operating the “print” function key. Is a display screen showing. Similarly, FIGS. 5B and 5C are display screens showing example sentences of the state explanation message in the state where the standard print and the one-line print are selected on the print selection screen. Then, in the state in which the state explanation message is displayed, the executable key shown in the state explanation message (in the case shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the execution key,
It is determined whether the release key and the cursor movement key) have been operated (step 105), and if the key is an executable key, the function of that key is executed. In other words, the executable key is
If it is an execution key, the function function in that state is executed, if it is a release key, the help mode and function mode are released, and if it is a cursor movement key, the cursor is moved to the next item. If the executable key is not operated in step 105 and the help key 13 is further operated (step 106), the initial state of the function mode is returned to the state where the key input is available.

If the "print" function key is operated and the help key 13 is operated on the print setting screen shown in FIG. 6A, the state explanation message shown in FIG. 6B is displayed in step 104. In the print setting screen shown in FIG. 6A, since the cursor 26 is located at the print start page designation position, the state explanation message shows numeric keys and execution keys as executable keys. In this state, the user may operate the execution key if the printing is to be executed immediately, or the numeric key for setting the print start line. If it is desired to set the items after the th, the help key 13 can be operated again to return to the print setting screen. As described above, there are two methods for exiting the status help screen display: operating the executable key shown on the screen display or operating the help key 13.

If the help key is not operated in the above step 103, it is judged whether or not the execution key is operated (step 107), and if the execution key is operated, the function process is executed, and the release key is operated instead of the execution key operation. If so (step 108), the function mode is released and the initial state is restored.

Next, the operation of the error help that is activated when the keyboard 10 is erroneously operated will be described.

It is determined in step 100 that the mode is the document input mode, and then it is determined whether or not a key that cannot be accepted (a key that cannot be executed even if operated at that time) has been operated (step 109). When the unacceptable key is operated and the help key 13 is operated (step 110), the error reason message is read from the help memory unit 23 and displayed in the display unit 12 in the same manner as in the case of the above status help.
Is displayed (step 111). The displayed error reason message is composed of a description of the reason for the error and a description of the keys and their functions that can be accepted. Then, in order to end the explanation of the error help, it is judged whether or not the help key 13 is operated (step 11
2) If the help key 13 is further operated, the next key input is awaited.

In addition to the above, if an error occurs in the function mode, that is, it is determined in step 102 that a key that cannot be accepted has been operated, and then it is determined whether the help key 13 has been operated (step 113). When the help key 13 is operated, the error reason message is displayed on the display unit 12 as in the above (step 11).
Four). Display screens showing example sentences of error reason messages in this function mode are shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, respectively. FIG. 7A is a display screen showing an example sentence when a key error occurs on the selection screen of the address book list in the function mode of “address management”. Fig. 7B
FIG. 7C is a display showing an example sentence displayed when the address list printing is stopped in the above-mentioned function mode, and FIG. It is a screen. Then, following step 112, help key 1
It is determined whether 3 has been operated (step 115),
When the help key 13 is further operated, the next key input is awaited.

The occurrence of an error in each of the above cases is notified to the user by a sound emitted from an electronic buzzer or the like, and the character "error" may be displayed on the display unit 12 at the same time.

Next, the function of the help mode and the operation of terminology will be described.

In the document input mode, after the judgment in step 109, it is judged twice whether or not the help key 13 is operated (steps 116 and 117). That is, help key 13
If is operated twice in succession, the display switches to the help mode selection screen display as shown in FIG. 8 (step
118). In this help mode selection screen display, use the cursor movement keys to move the cursor 26 to "Explanation of help keys" and operate the execution key (step 11
9), a help function explanation message as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C is displayed on the display unit 12 (step 12).
0). The help function explanation message is a sentence that explains when to operate the help key,
The help function in the three cases shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C is explained. When "Explanation of help key" is selected, the screen shown in FIG. 9A is first displayed. Then, by operating the cursor movement key, the screen is sequentially scrolled on the display unit 12 and shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C. The contents are displayed. Then, following step 120, it is judged whether or not the release key has been operated (step 121). If the release key has been operated, the next key input is awaited in the document input mode.

The operation of explaining the terms will be described below.

First, on the help mode selection screen displayed in step 118, the cursor 26 is moved to the "Explanation of terms" display with the cursor movement key and the execute key is operated. As a result, the display screen of the term explanation message is displayed (step 122). As shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, the display screen of the term explanation message includes a term explanation index search screen,
It consists of an index selection screen for the terms included in the line with the initial letter of the term selected on the index search screen, and an explanation screen explaining the function and operation method of the term selected on the index selection screen. . In the index search screen, the initial letters of the terms are displayed as, for example, a, ka, sa, ta, na ... And the cursor movement key is operated to move the cursor 26 to the display of the desired character for retrieval. And press the enter key to switch to the index selection screen. Here, it is assumed that the row is selected. Next, when the cursor 26 is moved to the desired term display on the index selection screen by operating the cursor movement key and the execute key is operated, the explanation screen is switched to the explanation screen of the desired term. Here, it is assumed that “address printing” is selected, and an example of the index selection screen and the explanation screen in that case are shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C. Following step 122, it is determined whether or not the release key has been operated (step 123). If the release key has been operated, the next key input wait state is set in the document input mode.

If it is determined in step 116 that the key is not the help key 13, it is determined whether the operated key is a character key (step 124), and if it is a character key, the character code corresponding to the character key is stored in the text memory. The data is stored in step 18 (step 125) and the next key input is awaited.

If the help key 13 is not operated in step 117 after the help key 13 is operated in step 116, it is determined whether or not the key is operated next (step
126). If the key corresponding to step 126 is operated, a key explanation message is displayed on the display unit 12 (step 12
7), if no key is operated, return to step 117.
The key explanation message, as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, is composed of sentences explaining the function of the operated key and the operation method for executing the function.
FIG. 11A is a display screen showing an example sentence of a key explanation message when the print stop key is operated. Similarly, FIG. 11B is a half-width key and FIG. 11C is a key explanation message of a double-width key. It is an example sentence. Then, following step 127, it is determined whether or not the release key has been operated (step 12
8) If the release key is operated, the next key input is awaited.

Although the embodiment of the word processor has been described above, it goes without saying that the embodiment can be implemented by a device using another microprocessor, such as a personal computer or an office computer.

(G) Effect of the Invention According to the present invention, when the user requires it, the explanation of the function of the necessary term and the key operation method for executing the function is displayed on the display means by a simple key operation. It is possible to improve the usability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram clearly showing the constitution of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the constitution of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows the operation of the embodiment. Flow charts, FIGS. 5A to 5C are display screen views of the status explanation message in the embodiment respectively, FIG. 6A is a screen view showing a print explanation screen in the embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a status of the print setting screen in the embodiment. 7 is a display screen diagram of a status explanation message when the help key is operated in FIG. 7, FIGS. 7A to 7C are display screen diagrams of error reason messages in the embodiments, and FIG. 8 is a screen showing a help mode selection screen in the embodiment. FIGS. 9A to 9C are display screen diagrams of help function selection messages in the embodiments, FIGS. 10A to 10C are display screen diagrams of term explanation messages in the embodiments, and FIGS. It is a display screen view of the key description messages in respective Examples. a ... Help key, b ... first storage means, c ... second storage means, d ... third storage means, e ... display means, f ... determination means, g ... first reading means, h ... cursor moving means, k ... second reading means, l ... third reading means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A help key for activating a help mode, a first storage means for storing a term index consisting of acronyms of a plurality of terms, and a second storage means for storing a plurality of terms included in each acronym.
Storage means, a third storage means for storing a description of a function of each term and an operation method for executing the function, and a third storage means for storing the contents stored in the storage means. Display means for displaying the stored contents, judging means for judging that the help key has been operated twice in succession, and a term index read from the first storing means by the signal output from the judging means and displayed on the display means. 1 reading means, cursor moving means for moving the cursor displayed on the display means, and one initial character in the term index displayed on the display means designated by the cursor moving means Of the plurality of terms included in the second reading means for reading out the plurality of terms from the second storage means on the display means, and the plurality of terms read by the second reading means and displayed on the display means. And a third reading means for displaying an explanation of the specified term from the third storage means on the display means by designating one of the terms by the cursor moving means. Screen generator.