1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for displaying information of each component that constitutes an image processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an image processing apparatus, such as a printer, includes many functions for executing image processing, image output, and the like. Since most of such functions are complex, to see the details of such complex functions, a manual (description) attached to the image processing apparatus is required. Manuals can be broadly divided into those printed on a paper medium (paper manual) and those that are electronic in the form of a Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) or World Wide Web (Web) (electronic manual).
However, for the apparatus including many functions, the paper manual requires the number of pages (sheets) corresponding to descriptions of these functions. Therefore, the manual becomes huge with increased weight, and is thus difficult to carry anytime. Moreover, since the electronic manual cannot be viewed at places where a Personal Computer (PC) or the like is not installed, a user has to go to a place where a PC or the like is installed and read the electronic manual. This lacks a real-time feature.
To get around these problems, a technology has been disclosed in which a manual is held inside an apparatus, such as a printer, and the manual is output from that apparatus, thereby allowing manual information of the image processing apparatus to be obtained even without carrying a huge manual or installation of a PC or the like, and allowing complex functions of the apparatus to be used (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open NO. H8-174967). That is, in the technology disclosed this patent gazette, the user selects from an operation panel the number of a manual desired to be viewed, thereby allowing the manual to be printed out or displayed on the operation panel for viewing.
However, in the technology disclosed in the gazette, the user has to search for and select a part of the huge manual where the information of the function desired to be viewed is located. This operation places a heavy burden on the user. Moreover, printing out the manual every time it is viewed increases cost. Furthermore, there is another problem in which, if the manual is displayed on the operation panel of the printer or the like, since the area of a displaying unit is small, it is difficult to see the manual.
Still further, it will be more convenient for the user if a manual for a portion where abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus or the like can be easily displayed on a large screen on a real-time basis.