JP2009093312A - Operating device and operation screen control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to reach a desired operation screen, in a short time period. <P>SOLUTION: A UI processing part 32 identifies a specified keyword input by a user. A control part 31 searches for dictionary data 23 by the specified keyword and extracts setting items related to the keyword. Regardless of which hierarchy the extracted setting items belong to, the UI processing part 32 immediately switches the display screen of the display device to an operation screen for the extracted setting items. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device built in an electronic device or the like, and an operation screen control method in the electronic device or the like.

  In an electronic apparatus such as a printing apparatus, a copying machine, or a facsimile machine, a user can perform operations for executing and setting various functions on an operation panel.

  For such a device, first providing operation support information for a keyword and presenting a method for reaching a desired setting item from a hierarchical menu based on the operation support information corresponding to the specified keyword. There is a technology (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, there is a second technique in which printing is performed by setting parameters based on natural language without using a menu (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-131773 A JP 2004-199478 A

  However, in the first technique, it is necessary to prepare operation support information separately for each item and explain the operation route. The user performs the operation until the user reaches a desired setting screen. You have to go through the hierarchy menu. Therefore, it takes time to reach the desired operation screen.

  According to the second technique, printing can be started in a short time from the viewpoint of time, but since the menu is not used, the setting desired by the user may not be achieved. It is not realistic.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an operation device and an operation screen control method capable of reaching a user-desired operation screen in a short time.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

  An operating device according to the present invention specifies dictionary data storage means for storing dictionary data indicating a correspondence relationship between one or more keywords in a hierarchical structure and one or more setting items, and specifies a specified keyword input by a user. Regardless of the specified keyword specifying means, the setting item extracting means for searching the dictionary data keyword by the specified keyword and extracting the setting item related to the specified keyword, and which level of the setting item the extracted setting item is, Screen switching means for immediately switching the display screen of the display device to the operation screen of the extracted setting item;

  Thereby, since it is possible to immediately transition to the desired operation screen, it is possible to reach the user-desired operation screen in a short time.

  Further, the operating device according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to the above operating device. In this case, the operating device includes list display means for displaying a list of extracted setting items on a predetermined display device, and setting item specifying means for specifying a setting item selected by the user from the list. The screen switching unit immediately switches from the list display screen to the operation screen of the specified setting item regardless of which level the setting item specified by the setting item specifying unit is.

  Thereby, since it is possible to immediately transition from the search result list display screen to the desired operation screen, it is possible to reach the user-desired operation screen in a short time.

  The operating device according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the above operating devices. In this case, the operating device includes network communication means for communicating with the terminal device via the network. The operation screen display means displays an operation screen for each setting item on the display device on the terminal device side based on the item data selected from the menu data on the terminal device side. The designated keyword specifying means acquires the designated keyword input by the user via the network. The list display means displays the extracted list of setting items on the display device on the terminal device side via the network. The setting item specifying unit acquires the setting item selected by the user from the list via the network. Regardless of which level the setting item specified by the setting item specifying means is the setting item, the screen switching unit is configured to operate the specified setting item operation screen from the list display screen on the display device on the terminal device side. Switch to immediately.

  Thus, even when an operation is performed from the terminal device, it is possible to immediately shift from the search result list display screen to the desired operation screen, so that the user can reach the desired operation screen in a short time.

  The operating device according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the above operating devices. In this case, the operating device includes operation procedure explanation data storage means for storing operation procedure explanation data explaining an operation procedure until reaching the operation screen of the setting item when the operation input means is used for a certain setting item. . Then, when the setting item specified by the setting item specifying unit is a setting item that cannot be selected from the terminal device side, the screen switching unit is configured to display the setting item from the list display screen on the display device on the terminal device side. When the setting item specified by the setting item specifying means is a setting item that can be selected from the terminal device side, the list is displayed on the display device on the terminal device side. The display screen is immediately switched to the operation screen for the specified setting item.

  Thereby, when performing remote operation from the terminal device, when it is necessary to directly operate the operation device, it is necessary to know in advance the operation method of the operation device before going to the installation location of the operation device. As a result, the operation screen desired by the user can be reached in a short time.

  The operating device according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the above operating devices. In this case, the screen switching means immediately switches to the operation screen of the specified setting item, and when there is a predetermined user operation, the screen switching means separates from the operation screen being displayed in the list of setting items extracted. Switch to the setting item operation screen.

  Thereby, it is possible to reach a plurality of operation screens related to the specified keyword in order in a short time.

  The operation screen control method according to the present invention also includes a step of specifying a designated keyword input by a user, and a keyword of dictionary data indicating a correspondence relationship between one or more keywords and one or more setting items. Steps to retrieve the setting items related to the specified keyword by searching in, and immediately switch the display screen of the display device to the operation screen of the extracted setting items, regardless of which level the setting item is extracted And a step of causing.

  Thereby, since it is possible to immediately transition to the desired operation screen, it is possible to reach the user-desired operation screen in a short time.

  The operation device according to the present invention uses dictionary data storage means for storing dictionary data indicating the correspondence between one or more keywords and one or more setting items, and an operation input means for a certain setting item. An operation procedure explanation data storage means for storing operation procedure explanation data for explaining an operation procedure until reaching the operation screen of the setting item, a designated keyword identification means for identifying a designated keyword input by the user, and a designated keyword The setting item extracting means for searching the dictionary data keyword and extracting the setting item related to the specified keyword and the display screen of the display device are immediately transferred to the operation procedure explanation screen based on the operation procedure explanation data for the extracted setting item. Screen switching means for switching.

  Thereby, since it is possible to immediately shift to the desired operation procedure explanation screen, it is possible to reach the user-desired operation procedure explanation screen in a short time.

  The operation screen control method according to the present invention also includes a step of specifying a designated keyword input by a user, and a keyword of dictionary data indicating a correspondence relationship between one or more keywords and one or more setting items. Refer to the operation procedure explanation data that explains the operation procedure to get to the operation screen of the setting item when the operation input means is used for each setting item and the step of extracting the setting item related to the specified keyword by searching in The display screen of the display device is immediately switched to the operation procedure explanation screen for the extracted setting item.

  Thereby, since it is possible to immediately shift to the desired operation procedure explanation screen, it is possible to reach the user-desired operation procedure explanation screen in a short time.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an operation device that can reach a user-desired operation screen in a short time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus including an embodiment of an operation apparatus of the present invention. The terminal device 2 is a device that is connected to a display device 51 such as a display and an input device 52 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and operates the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 3. The network 3 is a data communication path appropriately including a LAN, a WAN such as the Internet, and other telecommunication lines.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the UI unit 11 is a device that forms a user interface including a display device and an input device. The display device is a liquid crystal display or the like. The input device is a device having keys, a transparent touch panel arranged on the screen of a liquid crystal display, and the like capable of handwriting input and / or keyboard input. The UI unit 11 functions as an operation input unit that detects a user operation.

  The data storage device 12 is a device that stores various data. As the data storage device 12, a nonvolatile memory, a hard disk drive, or the like is used. In the data storage device 12, menu data 21, menu data 22, dictionary data 23, and remote setting disabled item data 24 are stored.

  The menu data 21 is menu data used for operations on the UI unit 11. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the menu data 21. As shown in FIG. 2A, the menu data 21 has a plurality of item data 21a for each setting item. Further, the menu data 21 has a hierarchical structure such as a large item, a medium item, and a small item as shown in FIG. The item data 21 is provided for each item such as a large item, a medium item, and a small item. For example, the print layout is set in the large item, the value of N for N-UP printing (that is, the number of original pages in one page of printing paper) is set in the medium item, and the original image in the page is set in the small item. The interval is set.

  The menu data 22 is menu data used for operations on the input device 52 of the terminal device 2. The data structure of the menu data 22 is the same as that of the menu data 21. However, some of the setting items included in the menu data 21 are not included in the menu data 22. For example, setting items not included in the menu data 22 include setting items related to a finisher (not shown) of the image forming apparatus.

  The dictionary data 23 is data indicating a correspondence relationship between one or more keywords having a hierarchical structure and one or more setting items. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the dictionary data 23. In the dictionary data 23 shown in FIG. 3, one or more keywords are associated with each setting item. In FIG. 3, keywords such as “2 in 1” and “double-sided printing” are associated with the setting item “layout setting”. Each keyword may be associated with one or more setting items.

  The remote setting disabled item data 24 is displayed on the setting item operation screen when the UI unit 11 is used for each of the setting items that cannot be operated from the terminal device 2 (hereinafter referred to as remote setting disabled items). This is data having operation procedure explanation data for explaining an operation procedure until it arrives. Setting items that are included in the menu data 21 but are not included in the menu data 22 are items that cannot be remotely set. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the remote setting impossible item data 24. In FIG. 4, the operation procedure explanation data is associated with the items that cannot be remotely set. The operation procedure explanation data appropriately includes text data and image data.

  The data storage device 12 functions as menu data storage means, dictionary data storage means, and operation procedure explanation data storage means.

  Further, the image reading unit 13 in FIG. 1 is a device that reads a document and outputs the image data. The image storage unit 14 is a device that temporarily stores the image data output from the image reading unit 13. For example, a hard disk drive is used as the image storage unit 14. The data storage device 12 may be used as the image storage unit 14. The printing unit 15 is a device that prints an image on printing paper.

  The network communication unit 16 is a device that functions as a network communication unit that communicates with a terminal device via a network. As the network communication unit 16, a network interface card, a modem, or the like is used.

  The arithmetic processing unit 17 is a processing unit realized by executing various programs by a computer. The arithmetic processing unit 17 includes a control unit 31, a UI processing unit 32, and a web server 33.

  The control unit 31 is a processing unit that controls internal devices such as the image reading unit 13 and the printing unit 15. In addition, the control unit 31 functions as a setting item extracting unit that searches for a keyword in the dictionary data 23 using a specified keyword input by a user and extracts one or a plurality of setting items related to the specified keyword.

  The UI processing unit 32 controls the UI unit 11 to acquire user operation information on an input device (not shown) in the UI unit 11 and display various information on a display device (not shown) in the UI unit 11. Part.

  In addition, the UI processing unit 32 functions as a specified keyword specifying unit that specifies a specified keyword input by the user. In addition, the UI processing unit 32 functions as a setting item specifying unit that specifies a setting item selected by the user from the list of setting items extracted by the control unit 31.

  In addition, the UI processing unit 32 displays an operation screen for each setting item on the display device of the UI unit 11 based on the item data 21 a selected from the menu data 21 by a user operation on the input device of the UI unit 11. Function as. The UI processing unit 32 functions as a list display unit that displays a list of setting items extracted by the control unit 31 on the display device of the UI unit 11. In addition, the UI processing unit 32 is a screen switching unit that immediately switches from the list display screen to the operation screen of the specified setting item regardless of which level the setting item selected by the user is the setting item. Function.

  The web server 33 is a processing unit that communicates with the web client 41 of the terminal device 2 via the network communication unit 16 and the network 3 using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).

  In addition, the web server 33 functions as a designated keyword specifying unit that specifies a specified keyword input to the input device 52 by the user through communication with the web client 41. The web server 33 functions as a setting item specifying unit that specifies a setting item selected by the user from the list of setting items extracted by the control unit 31 through communication with the web client 41.

  Further, the web server 33 communicates with the web client 41 to display an operation screen for each setting item on the display device 51 based on item data selected from the menu data 22 by a user operation on the input device 52. Function as. In addition, the web server 33 functions as a list display unit that causes the display device 51 to display a list of setting items extracted by the control unit 31 through communication with the web client 41. In addition, the web server 33 communicates with the web client 41 from the list display screen to the operation screen of the specified setting item regardless of which level the setting item selected by the user is the setting item. It functions as screen switching means for switching immediately.

  In the terminal device 2, the web client 41 is a processing unit realized by executing a web browser program by a computer. The web client 41 is a processing unit that performs HTTP communication with the web server 33 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the network communication unit 16 and the network 3.

  Next, the operation of the above apparatus will be described.

  In this device, when performing a setting operation, “normal mode” in which a hierarchical menu is followed to display an operation screen for a desired setting item, a keyword is specified, and a setting item is selected from a list of search results. A “search mode” for displaying an operation screen for a desired setting item can be selected. For example, this apparatus operates in “normal mode” by default, and shifts to “search mode” when a predetermined user operation is performed.

  First, the operation of the operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention when the UI unit 11 is operated in the “search mode” will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention when the UI unit 11 is operated in the “search mode”. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the UI unit 11 of the operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When the operation screen in the “normal mode” having the menu display area 61 as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed on the display device 11 a of the UI unit 11 and the search mode button 62 is pressed on the operation screen, The operation mode of the apparatus shifts to “search mode”. When the operation mode of the device shifts to the “search mode”, a field 63 for inputting a keyword is displayed on the display device 11a of the UI unit 11 as shown in FIG. When there is a keyword input operation to the UI unit 11, the UI unit 11 detects it, and the UI processing unit 32 identifies the keyword specified by the user and supplies it to the control unit 31 (step S1).

  The control unit 31 searches the dictionary data 23 with the designated keyword, and acquires setting items associated with the keyword including the designated keyword (step S2). The control unit 31 supplies a list of found setting items to the UI processing unit 32.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the UI processing unit 32 displays the list on the display device 11a of the UI unit 11 (step S3). Thereby, a search result is presented to the user. In FIG. 6C, a list of three found setting items is displayed.

  Thereafter, the process waits until an operation for selecting one setting item from the list on the search result display screen occurs (step S4). When the selection operation occurs, the UI unit 11 detects the selection operation and performs UI processing. The unit 32 specifies the selected setting item (step S5).

  The UI processing unit 32 reads the item data 21a of the specified setting item, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 6D, based on the item data 21a, the screen of the display device 11a of the UI unit 11 operates the setting item. Switch to the screen (step S6). In FIG. 6D, “Set ΔΔΔΔ” in FIG. 6C is selected, and the “Set ΔΔΔΔ” operation screen is displayed. This “△△△△ setting” operation screen is the same operation screen as the “△△△△ setting” operation screen when traced in the “normal mode”. It should be noted that, regardless of the “normal mode” or “search mode”, the search mode button 62 is displayed as shown in FIG. 6D, for example, as shown in FIG. Search can be performed.

  As a result, the user can reach the operation screen for a desired setting item by two operations of keyword input and selection from the list.

  Next, the operation of the operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention when the input device 52 of the terminal device 2 is operated in the “search mode” will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention when the input device 52 of the terminal device 2 is operated in the “search mode”.

  In this case, when the operation mode of the device shifts to the “search mode”, a field for inputting a keyword is displayed on the display device 51. When there is a keyword input operation to the input device 52, the input device 52 detects it, and the web client 41 identifies the keyword specified by the user and transmits it to the web server 33 via the network 3 or the like (step). S11). When the web server 33 receives the designated keyword, the web server 33 supplies it to the control unit 31.

  The control unit 31 searches the dictionary data 23 with the designated keyword, and acquires setting items associated with the keyword including the designated keyword (step S12). The control unit 31 supplies the web server 33 with a list of found setting items.

  The web server 33 transmits the list to the web client 41 of the terminal device 2 via the network 3 or the like, and displays it on the display device 51 (step S13). The web client 41 receives the list and causes the display device 51 to display the list. The web server 33 transmits the list to the web client 41 as HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data. Thereby, a search result is presented to the user.

  Thereafter, the process waits until an operation for selecting one setting item from the list on the search result display screen occurs (step S14). When the selection operation occurs, the input device 52 detects the selection operation, and the web client 41 transmits the selected setting item to the web server 33 via the network 3 or the like. The web server 33 receives and specifies the setting item (step S15).

  When receiving the setting item, the web server 33 refers to the remote setting disabling item data 24 and determines whether or not the setting item is registered as a remote setting disabling item (step S16).

  If the web server 33 determines that the setting item is not registered as a remote setting impossible item, the web server 33 reads the item data of the setting item from the menu data 22 and transmits it to the web client 41 via the network 3 or the like. Then, the screen of the display device 51 is switched to the operation screen for the setting item (step S17). When receiving the item data, the web client 41 causes the display device 51 to display an operation screen for the setting item. The web server 33 transmits the item data to the web client 41 as HTML data.

  On the other hand, when the web server 33 determines that the setting item is registered as the remote setting disabled item, the web server 33 reads the operation procedure data for the setting item from the remote setting disabled item data 24, and sets the network 3 and the like. To the web client 41 to switch the screen of the display device 51 to the operation procedure explanation screen for the setting item (step S18). The web server 33 transmits the operation procedure data to the web client 41 as HTML data.

  As a result, the user can reach the operation screen for a desired setting item by two operations of keyword input and selection from the list. In addition, regarding the items that cannot be remotely set, the user can know the operation procedure in the “normal mode” in the UI unit 11 in advance.

  As described above, according to the above embodiment, the data storage device 12 stores the dictionary data 23 indicating the correspondence between one or more keywords and one or more setting items. The UI processing unit 32 or the web server 33 specifies the designated keyword input by the user. The control unit 31 searches the dictionary data 23 with a specified keyword and extracts one or more related setting items. The UI processing unit 32 or the web server 33 displays the extracted setting item list on the UI unit 11 or the display device 51, and specifies the setting item selected by the user from the list. Then, the UI processing unit 32 or the web server 33 immediately switches from the list display screen to the operation screen of the specified setting item regardless of which level the setting item is the specified setting item.

  Thereby, since it is possible to immediately transition from the search result list display screen to the desired operation screen, it is possible to reach the user-desired operation screen in a short time.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, when the specified setting item is a setting item that is not selectable from the terminal device 2 side, the web server 33 starts from the list display screen on the display device 51 on the terminal device 2 side. Then, the screen is immediately switched to the operation procedure explanation screen based on the operation procedure explanation data for the setting item.

  As a result, when remote operation is performed from the terminal device 2, when it is necessary to directly perform an operation directly on the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is moved before going to the installation place of the image forming apparatus 1. As a result, it is possible to reach the user-desired operation screen in a short time.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  For example, the item data in the menu data 22 and the operation procedure data in the remote setting impossible item data 24 may be HTML data in advance.

  In the embodiment described above, a link to another setting item in the list may be displayed in the operation screen selected and displayed from the search result list. In this case, when an operation to the link is detected, the UI processing unit 32 or the web server 33 reads the item data of the setting item at the link destination, and in the list of setting items extracted from the operation screen being displayed. You may make it switch to the operation screen of another setting item.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the data 21-24 are stored in the same data storage device 12, you may each store in a different data storage device.

  The present invention is applicable to, for example, an operation device built in an image forming apparatus.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of menu data. It is a figure which shows an example of dictionary data. It is a figure which shows an example of remote setting impossible item data. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention when there is an operation on the UI unit in the “search mode”. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen of UI part of the operating device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the operating device which concerns on embodiment of this invention when there exists operation to the input device of a terminal device in "search mode."

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming device (operation device)
2 Terminal device 3 Network 11 UI unit (operation input means, display device)
12 Data storage device (menu data storage means, dictionary data storage means, operation procedure explanation data storage means)
16 Network communication unit (network communication means)
21, 22 Menu data 21a Item data 23 Dictionary data 31 Control unit (setting item extraction means)
32 UI processing unit (operation screen display means, specified keyword specifying means, list display means, setting item specifying means, screen switching means)
33 Web server (operation screen display means, specified keyword specifying means, list display means, setting item specifying means, screen switching means)
51 Display device

Claims (8)

Menu data storage means for storing menu data including item data for a plurality of setting items in a hierarchical structure, operation input means for detecting user operation, and selection from the menu data by user operation detected by the operation input means In an operating device comprising operation screen display means for displaying an operation screen for each setting item on a predetermined display device based on the item data that has been set,
Dictionary data storage means for storing dictionary data indicating the correspondence between one or more keywords and one or more setting items;
A designated keyword identifying means for identifying a designated keyword input by a user;
A setting item extracting means for searching a keyword of the dictionary data with the specified keyword and extracting a setting item related to the specified keyword;
Screen switching means for immediately switching the display screen of the display device to the operation screen of the extracted setting item, regardless of which level the extracted setting item is the setting item;
An operating device comprising: A list display means for displaying the extracted list of setting items on the predetermined display device; and a setting item specifying means for specifying a setting item selected by the user from the list,
The screen switching unit immediately switches from the display screen of the list to the operation screen of the specified setting item regardless of which level the setting item specified by the setting item specifying unit is. thing,
The operating device according to claim 1. Network communication means for communicating with a terminal device via a network,
The operation screen display means displays an operation screen for each setting item on the display device on the terminal device side based on the item data selected from the menu data on the terminal device side,
The specified keyword specifying means acquires a specified keyword input by a user via the network,
The list display means displays a list of the extracted setting items on the display device on the terminal device side via the network,
The setting item specifying means acquires a setting item selected by the user from the list via the network,
The screen switching means is specified from the display screen of the list in the display device on the terminal device side, regardless of which level the setting item specified by the setting item specifying means is a setting item. Immediately switching to the operation screen of the setting item;
The operating device according to claim 2. An operation procedure explanation data storage means for storing operation procedure explanation data explaining an operation procedure until reaching the operation screen of the setting item when the operation input means is used for a certain setting item;
When the setting item specified by the setting item specifying unit is a setting item that cannot be selected from the terminal device side, the screen switching unit is configured to display the list display screen on the display device on the terminal device side. When the setting item specified by the setting item specifying unit is a setting item selectable from the terminal device side, the terminal device is immediately switched to the operation procedure description screen based on the operation procedure description data for the setting item. Immediately switching from the list display screen to the operation screen of the specified setting item in the display device on the side,
The operating device according to claim 3.   The screen switching unit immediately switches to the operation screen of the specified setting item, and when there is a predetermined user operation, the screen switching means is configured to select another item in the list of the setting items extracted from the displayed operation screen. The operation device according to claim 2, wherein the operation screen is switched to an operation screen for the setting item. Menu data storage means for storing menu data including item data for a plurality of setting items in a hierarchical structure, operation input means for detecting user operations, and selection from the menu data by user operations detected by the operation input means In an operation screen control method in an operation device, comprising an operation screen display means for displaying an operation screen for each setting item on a predetermined display device based on the item data that has been set,
Identifying specified keywords entered by the user;
Searching for a keyword of dictionary data indicating the correspondence between one or more keywords and one or more setting items with the specified keyword, and extracting setting items related to the specified keyword;
Regardless of which setting item the extracted setting item is, the step of immediately switching the display screen of the display device to the operation screen of the extracted setting item;
An operation screen control method comprising: Menu data storage means for storing menu data including item data for a plurality of setting items in a hierarchical structure, operation input means for detecting user operations, and selection from the menu data by user operations detected by the operation input means In an operating device comprising operation screen display means for displaying an operation screen for each setting item on a predetermined display device based on the item data that has been
Dictionary data storage means for storing dictionary data indicating the correspondence between one or more keywords and one or more setting items;
An operation procedure explanation data storage means for storing operation procedure explanation data explaining an operation procedure until reaching the operation screen of the setting item when the operation input means is used for a certain setting item;
A designated keyword identifying means for identifying a designated keyword input by a user;
A setting item extracting means for searching a keyword of the dictionary data with the specified keyword and extracting a setting item related to the specified keyword;
Screen switching means for immediately switching the display screen of the display device to an operation procedure explanation screen based on the operation procedure explanation data for the extracted setting item;
An operating device comprising: Menu data storage means for storing menu data including item data for a plurality of setting items in a hierarchical structure, operation input means for detecting user operations, and selection from the menu data by user operations detected by the operation input means In an operation screen control method in an operation device, comprising an operation screen display means for displaying an operation screen for each setting item on a predetermined display device based on the item data that has been set,
Identifying specified keywords entered by the user;
Searching for a keyword of dictionary data indicating the correspondence between one or more keywords and one or more setting items with the specified keyword, and extracting setting items related to the specified keyword;
When the operation input means is used for the setting item, the operation screen explanation data for explaining the operation procedure until reaching the operation screen of the setting item is referred to, and the setting screen extracted from the display screen of the display device is referred to A step for immediately switching to the operation procedure explanation screen for the item;
An operation screen control method comprising:

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