Apparatus having a help function, image-forming apparatus, and method and program for displaying help information

An apparatus having a help function, the apparatus being comprised of:

• means for detecting a given status of the apparatus;
• means for connecting the apparatus, based on results of detection by said status detection means, to a specific information source via a communications line;
• help information displaying means for acquiring information on said given status from said specific information source and displaying it as help information;
• and
• connection request indicating means for indicating, based on the results of detection by said status detection means, a request to initiate connection by said connection means.

A method for displaying help information in an apparatus having a help function, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting the apparatus via a communications line to an information source containing help information that includes at least operating instructions or troubleshooting instructions;
• selecting desired help information from said information source connected via said communications line;
• acquiring from said information source and displaying on a display help information selected in said help information selecting step;
• and
• displaying on the display secondary help information which is already stored in a memory provided in said apparatus if the connection to said information source is unsuccessful.

A method for displaying help information in an apparatus having a help function, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting a given status of said apparatus;
• based on results of said given status detecting step, connecting the apparatus to a specific information source via a communications line;
• acquiring information on said given status from said specific information source and displaying it as help information;
• and
• displaying on the display secondary help information which is already stored in a memory provided in said apparatus if the connection to said information source is unsuccessful.

A method for displaying help information in an apparatus having a help function, the method comprising the steps of:

• based on a help request, attempting to access and connect to an information source containing as help information at least operating instructions or troubleshooting instructions;
• determining whether access is successful;
• if access is successful, displaying a list of help information on a display and allowing desired help information to be selected;
• acquiring from said information source help information relating to a selected item;
• and
• if access to said information source is unsuccessful, displaying on the display secondary help information which is already stored in a memory provided in said apparatus.

A program for displaying help information in an apparatus having a help function, which program executes on a computer the steps of:

• connecting the apparatus via a communications line to an information source containing help information that includes at least operating instructions or troubleshooting instructions;
• selecting desired help information from said information source connected via said communication line;
• acquiring help information selected in said help information selecting step from the information source and displaying it on a display;
• and
• displaying on the display secondary help information which is already stored in a memory provided in said apparatus if the connection to said information source is unsuccessful.

A program for displaying help information in an apparatus having a help function, which program executes the steps of:

• detecting a given status of said apparatus;
• based on results of said given status detecting step, connecting the apparatus to a specific information source via a communications line;
• acquiring information on said given status from said specific information source and displaying it as help information;
• and
• displaying on the display secondary help information which is already stored in a memory provided in said apparatus if the connection to said information source is unsuccessful.

An apparatus having a help function, the apparatus being comprised of:

• communication means for connecting via a communications line to an information source containing help information that includes at least operating instructions or troubleshooting instructions;
• first help information selecting means for selecting desired help information from said information source connected via said communication means;
• first help information displaying means for acquiring from said information source and displaying help information selected by said first help information selecting means;
• and
• section indicating means that allows an input to be made indicating the section of said apparatus for which specific help information is desired, wherein said section indicating means displays a structural diagram of the apparatus which is divided into a plurality of zones and allows the section in question to be selected.