JPH10254665A - Default providing device, method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In an application in which a user is required to input a plurality of setting items, a default operation and a default for providing a default value that enable the user to perform input work comfortably. Provided are a providing device, a method, and a storage medium. SOLUTION: A setting history holding unit 201 holds an operation procedure between a plurality of input fields and a setting history of an input value for the input field, and the setting history holding unit 20 stores the setting history.
The default procedure and the default value are determined by the default determination unit 202 based on the information of No. 1 and the default procedure and the default value are displayed on the setting screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an application for requesting a user to input a plurality of settings using a keyboard or a mouse on a computer. , A method, and a storage medium for providing a user with the information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a conventional method for providing a default value and a default operation to a user (hereinafter, "default" is referred to as a default).

As shown in FIG. 1, when a user is requested to input some settings, a dedicated setting screen is often used. On the setting screen, a label (1201 to 1204) indicating a normal setting item and a field (1205 to 1208) for inputting a setting value for each setting item
Are displayed.

[0004] In a field for inputting a set value,
A field for inputting characters using a keyboard (12)
05, 1206, and 1207 correspond. A field for selecting a setting value from a plurality of candidates using a pointing device such as a mouse (hereinafter, referred to as 1208; hereinafter, referred to as a selection input feed), and the like.

The user can move between a plurality of input items by directly designating an input field with a pointing device such as a mouse or by operating a keyboard in accordance with a movement rule predetermined by an application.

On the setting screen, a cancel button 1209 for canceling the setting contents and a decision button (1210) for passing the setting value as a parameter to the application processing system are usually prepared, and the user finally decides. Until the button is pressed, the set value can be changed freely.

As described above, it is necessary for the user to actually perform an input operation for the setting items requested by the application. For this reason, when a large number of items are prepared, a heavy burden is imposed on the user, so a value expected to be input by the user on the application side is prepared in advance as a default value, The default value may be provided to the user in the following manner.

A. Default value is always fixed.

B. Default value is specified by the user in advance.

C. For the same field, use the previously entered value as the new default value for the next entry.

A. Is the easiest method, and the default values are fixed in the application.
b. Discloses a rule for setting a default value used by an application to a user, and the user can set an arbitrary value as a default according to the rule. c. Is an application in which the default value is dynamically changed according to the user's input. At this time, the default value provided to the user uses the input value of the previous operation for the same input field.

The default value is displayed to the user when nothing is displayed or displayed directly in the input field (1205, 1206), displayed in a place different from the input field (1211), or selected and input. There is a reverse display (1208) in the field.

[0013]

In the conventional movement between a plurality of input items, a target input field is often directly specified using a pointing device such as a mouse. However, there are many character input fields accompanied by a keyboard operation. In the case of a certain setting screen, the use of the mouse and the keyboard is a burden on the user, so the movement by the keyboard operation is more frequently used.

However, even in a situation where a plurality of fields are permitted to be moved by keyboard operation, it is necessary to always move in accordance with a fixed order rule determined in advance by the application side. Cannot move input fields in the order intended by the user.

In a conventional method for providing default values, a. Such a fixed system cannot meet the demands of many users for default under various use conditions. B. In the method (1), it is possible to set a default value according to the user's use conditions and the like, but the user has to learn the published rules and perform the actual setting work, which imposes a heavy burden on the user. Also, it is not usually possible to dynamically change the default value during application startup. c. In the method described above, there may be a case where the input frequency is set as a default value even if the input frequency is extremely rare.

In any case, there are a number of problems that the user is not provided with a more comfortable input work environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. In an application that requires a user to input a plurality of setting items, the user can comfortably perform an input operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a default providing device, a method and a storage medium for displaying a default operation and a value which can be displayed to a user.

[0018]

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a default providing device according to the present invention. As shown in this figure, in the present invention, a setting history holding unit 201 that manages history of information such as a procedure for moving to an input field and an input value accompanying a user's input operation, and information based on the setting history holding unit 201 A default determining unit 202 that determines a more appropriate default and sends a determination result to a display input unit 203 where a user performs an operation. Further, a setting history registration unit 204 that receives information associated with a user's input operation and registers the information in the setting history holding unit 201 is provided.

The user can perform a more effective setting input operation based on highly appropriate defaults obtained through the default determining unit 202.

For example, when there are a plurality of input fields to be set on a specific setting screen, the input order is provided to the user with a pattern of the input order which is the most frequent in the operation history so far. It is possible to approach the input procedure requested by the user.

Also, in the selected input field, for example, the most frequent input value from the past input value history for the field is provided. And if the input values are the same value, the input value is provided as the highest priority input value that the user is expected to input this time, and so on. Thus, the burden on the input setting work actually performed by the user can be greatly reduced, so that highly efficient work can be performed.

That is, in the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the default providing device is provided as described in the following (1) to (11), the default providing method is provided as described in the following (12), and the storage medium is provided as follows. The configuration is as shown in the following (13).

(1) A setting history holding means for holding a setting history of an operation procedure between a plurality of input fields and a setting history of an input value for an input field, and a default operation and default based on information of the setting history holding means Default determining means for determining a value, setting screen displaying means for displaying a default operation and a default value determined by the default determining means, operating procedures and input fields between a plurality of input fields performed by the setting screen displaying means A setting history registering unit that updates information of the setting history holding unit based on an input value to the device.

(2) The default input device according to (1), wherein the setting history holding means is attached to a setting screen having input fields and individual input fields.

(3) The default providing device according to the above (1), wherein the default determining means invalidates data older than a predetermined period from the information of the setting history holding means.

(4) The default providing device according to the above (1), wherein the default determining means determines a default operation and a default value based on information of recent several times out of information of the setting history holding means.

(5) The setting history holding means has a buffer for temporarily storing all information of operation and input on the setting screen, and the default value determining means refers to the information in this buffer. ) Described default provision device.

(6) The default providing device according to (1), wherein the setting history holding means manages the history information in a distributed manner for each user.

(7) The default providing device according to the above (1), wherein the setting history holding means manages the history information at appropriate divisions of year, month, day, hour, minute and second.

(8) The setting history registering means is a default providing device having a function of deleting history information.

(9) The default providing device according to (1), wherein the operation procedure between a plurality of input fields includes an operation procedure between setting screens.

(10) The default providing device according to (1), wherein the setting history holding means has a default operation and a default value when there is no setting history.

(11) The default providing device according to (1), wherein the default determining means determines a plurality of default operations and default values for each operation procedure and each input value.

(12) preparing a setting history of an operation procedure between a plurality of input fields and a setting history of an input value for the input field; and performing a default operation based on the setting history of the operation procedure and the setting history of the input value. And a step of determining a default value, and a step of displaying the default operation and the default value on a setting screen.

(13) A storage medium storing a program for implementing the default providing method described in (12).

[0036]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to an embodiment of a "data processing apparatus" and its modifications. The present invention is not limited to the apparatus, and can be implemented in the form of a storage medium storing a default providing method and a program for implementing the method.

[0037]

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a "data processing apparatus" according to an embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 301 denotes a screen device, which is a setting screen on which a user actually performs an input operation, and a display screen for displaying an input focus and a cursor. 302 is a CP
U, a pointing device 304 and a keyboard 3 based on a control program stored in a ROM (not shown).
05 is controlled. The pointing device 304 and the keyboard 305 are used for moving between input fields and inputting values as input operations. The memory 303 mainly stores information necessary for inputting work and data necessary for drawing and creating a setting screen.

The operation of the default providing device of this embodiment will be described. Here, the input setting screen shown in FIG. 1 displayed on the screen device 301 shown in FIG. 3 will be described as an example.

The user inputs values to all the input items shown in FIG. 1 in an arbitrary order using a keyboard or a pointing device. Character input field 1
In 01, 102, and 103, when the return key is pressed in each input field, it is considered that the input in that field is determined. In the selection input field 104, it is considered that the value is determined when any one of the selection candidates is designated by clicking the mouse button.

In the initial state, default values determined to be valid according to the present embodiment are displayed in advance in each input field (“abc” in 105, “Ai” in 106, 1
07 "ABC", 108 candidate "1" is highlighted).
Further, based on the selection of the input field determined to be valid according to the present embodiment, the current input focus is indicated in which input field (double frame display of the input field 105). During the input operation, when the user confirms the input on the input field, the “next input field” is determined according to the present embodiment, the input focus is moved to the input field, and the user is prompted for the input. Repeat until all the input fields are set or the Enter button is pressed. If the enter button is pressed during the input, the value set at that time and the default value are set.

When the user presses the cancel button at the bottom of the setting screen, all values set for the input fields from when the user opens this setting screen to when the user presses the button are invalidated, and the initial state is restored. When the enter button is pressed, the value set in the input field is passed as a valid parameter to the application processing system, and the setting screen is terminated.

FIGS. 4 to 8 show examples of information managed by the setting history holding unit in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, information is managed in the form of a “table”.

FIG. 4 shows a "setting screen input field number information table" for managing the setting screens of the application and the number of input fields present in each setting screen.
For example, the setting screen YYY has screen ID = 02, indicating that the number of input fields is 10.

FIG. 5 shows an "input field attribute information table" for managing the screen IDs, input field names, field IDs, and special notes of all the input fields on each setting screen. Each input field can be uniquely determined in all setting screens by a combination of (screen ID, field ID).

"Input operation procedure history information table" in FIG.
Then, the history of the selection order of the input fields by the user is managed for each setting screen. The management information includes a date on which the operation was performed, a setting screen ID, an input field for each selection order, and an operation ID uniquely indicating the entire operation.
For example, when the operation ID is 02, the input field is changed from (4) to (2) on the XXX setting screen on 95/02/15.
(3) → (1) (108 → 106 → 107 → 10 in FIG. 1)
It shows that it was determined in the order of 5). Also, in the table, one initial value entry is registered in advance for each setting screen when the table is created (this is a default for what is called a default, and the entry of operation ID = 00 corresponds in FIG. 6).

In the "input value history information table for each input field" shown in FIG. 7, the actual input values of each input field at a specific operation ID are history managed. For example, entry 70
1 is at operation ID = 01, that is, 95/01/10
Shows that the value "abc" has been input to the input field (1) (105 in FIG. 1) in the screen ID = 01 (XXX setting screen). In this table, similarly to the table in FIG. 6, an initial value entry is previously given to each input field when the table is created as a default for the default (in FIG. 7, the operation ID =
00 corresponds to a group of four entries).

The "current input information buffer" in FIG.
Indicates input information on the screen on which the input operation is currently performed, and is used as a temporary buffer.
The "current input information buffer" has items and input values corresponding to the operation procedure, and the information is additionally updated each time a value for each input field is determined. The information in the buffer is registered as additional information in the “input operation procedure history information table” in FIG. 6 and the “input field-specific input value history information table” in FIG. 7 when the user presses the enter button in FIG. . After the registration is completed, the information in the buffer is cleared. The information in the buffer is cleared even when the user presses the cancel button. IDs (screen IDs, field IDs, operation IDs) used in the tables of FIGS. 4 to 8 use numerical values in order to easily determine the magnitude relationship.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the default providing operation in this embodiment. S901 to S91
2 indicates each step. First, in S901, default values are determined for all input fields in the setting screen on which work is to be performed. In step S902, default values are displayed in all input fields based on the determination result in step S901. In step S903, the contents of the "current setting screen input buffer" in FIG. 8 are checked, and it is determined whether or not values are set in all the input fields in the setting screen.
If a field to be input is still left, a next field to be input is determined in the next step S904. After that, the input focus is moved to the input field obtained as a result of the determination in S905. If it is determined in step S903 that values have already been set in all input fields, the process proceeds to step S90.
Steps 4 and S905 are not executed.

In the next S906, an event waiting loop is entered. In S907, it is determined whether or not the enter button 110 has been pressed. When the enter button 110 is pressed, the “current input information buffer” in FIG.
The information of the setting history holding unit is additionally updated based on the information in (S908), and the setting screen is terminated. In step S909, it is determined whether the cancel button 109 has been pressed. If the cancel button 109 has been pressed, the input information buffer is cleared, and the process returns to step S901. In S911, it is determined whether the user has confirmed the input. If the input has not been determined, the process returns to the event waiting loop of step S906. When the input is determined, in S912,
The current input information (that is, the operation order, the input field, and the input value) is buffered in the “current input information buffer” in FIG. Then, the process returns to step S903.

FIG. 10 shows "determining the next input field (step S904 in FIG. 9)" in this embodiment.
It is a flowchart of FIG. S1001 to S1105
Indicates each step. First, in S1001, a variable j for determining the input order is prepared, the current input order is obtained from the “current input information buffer” in FIG. 8, and j is initialized in the order. In S1002, it is determined whether or not the value of j is 1, that is, whether it is the first input operation or the second or later operation on the setting screen. If j = 1, that is, the first input operation, an entry group including the screen ID of the setting screen is extracted from the “input operation procedure history information table” information in FIG. 6 in S1003, and the “first input” of the entry group is extracted. Column, the input field having the highest appearance frequency is obtained as the first input field that prompts the user to input (S1003). If j = 1 is not satisfied, the current input status (order, input field, input value) is acquired in S1004 by referring to the “current input information buffer” in FIG. In S1005, S1004
From the “input operation procedure history information table”, an entry group that satisfies all the entries of the current input status (order, input fields) obtained in (1) is extracted. For example, when two entries of (order = 1, field ID = 02) (order = 2, field ID = 01) exist in the current input status, the “input operation procedure history information table” in FIG. Of the entry group for the relevant setting screen,
An entry group that satisfies the condition of “the second input = 02 and the second input = 01” is extracted. If there is no entry that satisfies the condition, the field ID of the unentered fields
Is smaller than the j-th input field. If an entry exists, the "j-th input" of the entry
The input field with the highest appearance frequency for the column is determined as the j-th input field. In this way, a default operation consistent with the current input situation is provided.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of "determining a default value for an input field (step S901 in FIG. 9)" in this embodiment. S11
01 to S1107 indicate each step. First, S110
In FIG. 4, the field ID and the total number of all input fields for which the default value is to be determined on the current setting screen are set in the "input field number information table for each setting screen" in FIG.
And "input field attribute information table" in FIG. In S1102, variables m and n are prepared,
In m, the number of all input fields obtained in S1101 is set. n is used to count the number of processed fields, and is initialized with n = 0. In S1102, the magnitude relationship between the value of n and the value of m is determined. n ≧ m, that is, S11
If there is no input field to be processed among the processing target input fields obtained in 01, the process is terminated. n
<M, that is, if there is an unprocessed input field among the input fields to be processed determined in S1101, S1
At 104, one unprocessed input field is selected. Next, in S1105, an entry that satisfies the input field selected in S1104 as a condition is extracted from the “input value history information table for each input field” in FIG. Next, in S1106, the input value having the highest appearance frequency is obtained for the “input value” of the entry extracted in S1105, and this is output as a default value provided to the user. S
In step 1107, the value of n is increased by 1, and the process returns to step S1103.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
The user can perform the setting operation comfortably and efficiently by referring to the default operation and the default value displayed on the setting screen.

(Modification of Embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 9, once values are set in all the input fields in a specific setting screen, information relating to subsequent input operations is stored in the history. Excluded without treating as information. However, all the input information until the decision button is pressed is buffered in the “current input information buffer”, and when the decision button is pressed, the operation procedure history and the input value on the setting screen which are valid again are obtained. After that, it is also possible to register it in the setting history holding unit.

In step S1106 of FIG. 11 "Default value judgment processing" of the embodiment, all the entries obtained in S1105 are subjected to the default value judgment. Then, among the “input value” information of the entry,
The one with the highest appearance frequency is output as the default value.

However, in step S1106, the following may be considered as another default value judging method.

A. First, the entries obtained in S1105 are sorted in order of date. Receiving the result sorted in order of date, entries that are older than a certain period of time from the current time are deleted from the entries for judging default values, and the remaining entries are used as entries for judging new default values. However, an entry registered in advance as an initial value (default for default) is not to be deleted.

B. Further, when there are a plurality of entries that are new candidates for the default value judgment in the above a, the default value can be obtained as follows without immediately obtaining the maximum appearance frequency input value.

First, the last two input values of the entries sorted by date are obtained (they may be two or more). If the input values are the same value, the input value is determined to be the most likely value expected to be input next by the user, and the input value is output as a default value. If they are not the same value, the maximum appearance frequency input value is obtained for all the entries, and this is output as a default value. When there are a plurality of different maximum appearance frequency input values, the latest input value is output as a default value.

The method of determining the default value described in b above can be extended to a method of providing a default operation.

In the above embodiment, the movement between a plurality of input fields in the same setting screen has been described. However, the present invention can be extended to the movement of the input fields in the plurality of setting screens.

In the method described in the above embodiment, the data of the "setting history holding unit" (201 in FIG. 2) is stored in the memory shown in FIGS.
As described in, it is assumed that the setting history information on all the setting screens and all the input fields is centrally managed, but the operation procedure history and input value history etc. are attached to each setting screen itself and the input fields themselves as additional information. A method of providing history information and performing distributed management is also possible.

In the above embodiment, the flow of time in the history information is separated by "date". However, information of "hour / minute / second" is added to "date", and a plurality of input operations performed on the same day are performed. It is also possible to divide and manage operations.

In the above embodiment, even if the "operation procedure" and "input value" in the history information are information indicating the same procedure or the same value, they are all managed as different pieces of history information. It is also possible to manage only the frequency for each input value and reduce the redundancy of data in the operation history holding unit.

In the above-described embodiment, the default of the input value provided to the user is set to one. However, a plurality of default values are obtained in the order of priority in the "default determining unit" (202 in FIG. 2), and the default value is given priority. It is also possible to provide to the user in order. As a specific example of the providing method, a method of preparing a “next default button” in the setting screen and sequentially displaying the next candidate of the default value for the input field every time the user presses the button is also possible. In addition, instead of "pressing the next default button", a method of sequentially displaying the next candidates in the input field by using a specific keyboard operation (such as pressing the "N" key while holding down the control key) in the input field is also possible. . Furthermore, a double-click operation of a mouse, a candidate display by a menu, and the like are also possible.

In the above embodiment, the default of the input values for all the input fields is obtained and displayed when the setting screen is opened. However, when the user selects the input field, the default of the input fields is set. It is also possible to obtain and display input values.

Further, by storing the history information in a different place for each user, it is possible to provide a default suitable for the usage environment of each user.

In the above-described embodiment, the "setting history registration unit" (204 in FIG. 2) for registering the setting history information has only an additional updating function. It is also possible to give a function such as partial deletion or complete deletion of the history information to the “section”.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In applications that require the user to enter multiple settings, automatically use the appropriate default operation for moving between input fields and the default value that is appropriate for input fields without burdening the user. Setting work can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a setting screen in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an input field number information table for each setting screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an input field attribute information table;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an input operation procedure history information table.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an input value history information table for each input field.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing contents of a current setting screen input information buffer;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 201 setting history holding unit 202 default determination unit 203 display input unit 204 setting history registration unit

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A setting history holding means for holding a setting history of an operation procedure between a plurality of input fields and a setting history of an input value for an input field, and a default operation and a default value based on information of the setting history holding means. A setting screen displaying means for displaying a default operation and a default value determined by the default determining means, and an operation procedure between a plurality of input fields and an input field performed by the setting screen displaying means. A default providing device, comprising: setting history registration means for updating information of the setting history holding means based on an input value. 2. The default input device according to claim 1, wherein the setting history holding means is attached to a setting screen having input fields and individual input fields. 3. The default providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the default determining means invalidates data that is older than a predetermined period from the information of the setting history holding means. 4. The default providing device according to claim 1, wherein the default determining means determines a default operation and a default value based on information of recent several times out of information of the setting history holding means. 5. The setting history holding means has a buffer for temporarily storing all operation and input information on the setting screen, and the default value determining means refers to the information in the buffer. The default providing device according to claim 1, wherein 6. The default providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting history holding means manages the history information in a distributed manner for each user. 7. The setting history holding means stores history information by year,
2. The default providing device according to claim 1, wherein the default providing device manages the data at appropriate intervals of month, day, hour, minute, and second. 8. A default providing device, wherein the setting history registering means has a function of deleting history information. 9. The default providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation procedure between a plurality of input fields includes an operation procedure between setting screens. 10. The default providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting history holding means has a default operation and a default value when there is no setting history. 11. The default determining means comprises:
2. The default providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of default operations and default values are determined for each input value. 12. A step of preparing a setting history of an operation procedure between a plurality of input fields and a setting history of an input value for the input field; and performing a default operation and a setting operation based on the setting history of the operation procedure and the setting history of the input value. A default providing method, comprising: determining a default value; and displaying the default operation and the default value on a setting screen. 13. A storage medium storing a program for realizing the default providing method according to claim 12.