Patent Publication Number: US-2022232135-A1

Title: Operation assistance system for image forming apparatus, operation assistance method, and computer-readable recording medium recording operation assistance program

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an operation assistance system, an operation assistance method, and a computer-readable recording medium recording an operation assistance program for assisting with making operation settings of an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a multifunction peripheral, a printer, and a facsimile machine. 
     Description of the Background Art 
     Image forming apparatuses can roughly be classified into: high-segment machines (high-speed machines: expensive high-functional machines) having various functions; and low-segment machines (low-speed machines: low-cost, low-functional machines) with smaller number of functions than the high-segment machines. Of these, the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine often has a smaller display screen of a display in the image forming apparatus than a display screen of a display in the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine from a viewpoint of cost reduction. In this case, information that can be displayed on a single screen is limited. In addition, an operation setting is usually made by displaying each setting in a hierarchy. Thus, it is difficult for a user to make the operation setting. Furthermore, various detection functions are limited in the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine from the viewpoint of the cost reduction. Accordingly, various setting items without detection functions cannot be set automatically, and the user has to set the various setting items without the detection functions on the display screen of the display, which is difficult to operate for setting, in the image forming apparatus. As a result, the operation setting is complicated. Here, as an example of the various detection functions, a detection function such as detection of size of a sheet stored in a sheet storage (a paper feed cassette or a paper feed tray), which stores the sheet such as recording paper, can be exemplified. As the operational settings that are made by the user, the size and a type of the sheet for the sheet storage (the paper feed cassette or the paper feed tray) can be exemplified in regard to the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine, and the type of the sheet for the sheet storage (the paper feed cassette or the paper feed tray) can be exemplified in regard to the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
     In this regard, a technique of assisting with making the operation settings of the image forming apparatus by using a mobile communication terminal has conventionally been known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-192739 discloses a system that sets sheet attribute information for a sheet storage in a sheet processor by using a mobile terminal. 
     However, in the system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-192739, an operation screen of the mobile communication terminal is merely operated instead of the display screen of the display in the image forming apparatus. Thus, operability of making the operation settings of the image forming apparatus by the user is not improved. 
     In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation assistance system, an operation assistance method, and a computer-readable recording medium recording an operation assistance program for an image forming apparatus, the operation assistance system, the operation assistance method, and the computer-readable recording medium recording the operation assistance program being able to improve operability of making an operation setting of the image forming apparatus by a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an operation assistance system, an operation assistance method, and a computer-readable recording medium recording an operation assistance program for an image forming apparatus, which will be described below. 
     (1) Operation Assistance System for Image Forming Apparatus 
     An operation assistance system for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an operation assistance system that assists with making an operation setting of an image forming apparatus by using a mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal wirelessly communicates with the image forming apparatus, and, on an operation screen of the mobile communication terminal, at least two types of setting items among plural types of the setting items for the image forming apparatus are simultaneously set by a single touch operation. 
     (2) Operation Assistance Method for Image Forming Apparatus 
     An operation assistance method for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an operation assistance method that assists with making an operation setting of an image forming apparatus by using a mobile communication terminal. The operation assistance method includes: causing the mobile communication terminal to wirelessly communicate with the image forming apparatus; and on an operation screen of the mobile communication terminal, simultaneously setting at least two types of setting items among plural types of the setting items for the image forming apparatus by a single touch operation. 
     (3) Computer-Readable Recording Medium Recording Operation Assistance Program for Image Forming Apparatus 
     A computer-readable recording medium recording an operation assistance program for an image forming apparatus causes a computer to execute each step in the operation assistance method for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to improve operability of making the operation setting of the image forming apparatus by a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an example of an operation assistance system that implements an operation assistance method for an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus as a low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 2B  is a plan view illustrating an example of a display and an operation device in the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus as a high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of the operation assistance system according to this embodiment. 
         FIG. 5A  is a front view illustrating a transition state where a setting item in a matrix table is set by a touch operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 5B  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 5C  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 5D  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 5E  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 6A  is a front view illustrating a transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation and a drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 6B  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation and the drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 6C  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation and the drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 6D  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation and the drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 7A  is a front view illustrating a transition state where setting of the setting item in the matrix table by the touch operation and the drag operation is disallowed at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 7B  is a front view illustrating the transition state where setting of the setting item in the matrix table by the touch operation and the drag operation is disallowed at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 7C  is a front view illustrating the transition state where setting of the setting item in the matrix table by the touch operation and the drag operation is disallowed at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 8A  is a front view illustrating a transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation and the drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 8B  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation and the drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 8C  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation and the drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 8D  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation and the drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 8E  is a front view illustrating the transition state where the setting item in the matrix table is set by the touch operation and the drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 9A  is a front view illustrating a transition state where setting of the setting item in the matrix table by the touch operation and the drag operation is disallowed at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 9B  is a front view illustrating the transition state where setting of the setting item in the matrix table by the touch operation and the drag operation is disallowed at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 9C  is a front view illustrating the transition state where setting of the setting item in the matrix table by the touch operation and the drag operation is disallowed at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 10A  is a front view illustrating an example of a display pattern of a first matrix table at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 10B  is a front view illustrating another example of the display pattern of the first matrix table at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine. 
         FIG. 11A  is a front view illustrating an example of a display pattern of a second matrix table at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 11B  is a front view illustrating another example of the display pattern of the second matrix table at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operation of the operation assistance system for the image forming apparatus by a mobile communication terminal. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A description will hereinafter be made on an embodiment according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols. Names and functions thereof are also the same. Thus, a detailed description thereon will not be repeated. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an example of an operation assistance system  100  that implements an operation assistance method for an image forming apparatus  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  is a perspective view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as a low-segment machine.  FIG. 2B  is a plan view illustrating an example of a display  15  and an operation device  16  in the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as a high-segment machine.  FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of the operation assistance system  100  according to this embodiment.  FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of the operation assistance system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The operation assistance system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes one, two, or more of the image forming apparatuses  10  [ 10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) (n is an integer of one or larger)] and one, two, or more (one in this example) mobile communication terminals  20 . In this example, the single mobile communication terminal  20  is provided. However, the operation assistance system  100  may include a plurality of the mobile communication terminals  20 . 
     Each of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) includes a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) that has an image forming function (a printer function), a scanner function, and a copier function (a document copying function). At least one of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) [for example, the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ),  10 ( 2 )] includes: an image reader  11 ; a sheet storage  12   a  with one or plural drawers on a main body side; a sheet storage  12   b  on a manual feed side; an image forming device  13 ; a sheet discharger  14  (a paper discharger); the display  15 ; and the operation device  16 . In this example, the sheet storage  12   a  on the main body side includes a first paper feed cassette  121  to a fourth paper feed cassette  124 , and the sheet storage  12   b  on the manual feed side is a manual feed tray  125 . 
     The image reader  11  reads an image of a document and is provided in an upper portion of an image forming apparatus main body  10   a . The image reader  11  includes a document conveyor  11   a  and a document reader lib. The image reader  11  conveys the document by the document conveyor  11   a  and reads the image of the document by the document reader lib. Alternatively, the image reader  11  scans and reads the document, which is placed on a document table of the document reader lib, by the document reader lib. Each of the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  conveys paper toward the image forming device  13 . The image forming device  13  forms (prints) the image on the paper, which has been sent from one of the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b , on the basis of image data. The sheet discharger  14  discharges the paper, on which the image has been formed by the image forming device  13 . The display  15  displays various types of information on a display screen  151  on the basis of display data. The operation device  16  accepts a user&#39;s input operation. 
     In this example, the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) illustrated in  FIG. 2A  is classified as the low-segment machine with the smaller number of the various functions than those of the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine. The image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine does not have a detection function that corresponds to plural types of setting items (sheet size in this example). In this example, the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) illustrated in  FIG. 3  is classified as the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine having the various functions. The image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine has the detection function that corresponds to at least one type of the setting item (the sheet size). In this example, the at least one type of the detection function is a detection function such as detection of the sheet size stored in each of the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b.    
     From a viewpoint of cost reduction, the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine has the smaller display screen  151  of the display  15  than the display screen  151  of the display  15  in the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine (see  FIG. 2B ). Accordingly, the information that can be displayed on the single screen is limited. In addition, an operation setting is made by displaying each setting in a hierarchy. Thus, it is difficult for the user to make the operation setting. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of the cost reduction, the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine has the limited number of detection functions. Accordingly, the various setting items without the detection function cannot be set automatically, and the user has to set the various setting items without the detection function on the display screen  151  of the display  15 , which is difficult for the user to operate for setting, in the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ). As a result, the operation setting is complicated. 
     In this regard, the operation assistance system  100  according to this embodiment assists with making the operation settings of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) by using the mobile communication terminal  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in the operation assistance system  100  according to this embodiment, each of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) and the mobile communication terminal  20  respectively include short-distance wireless communicators  191 ,  241 , each of which performs short-distance wireless communication, and are thereby mutually communicable. Examples of the short-distance wireless communication are wireless local area network (LAN) communication and wireless personal area network (PAN) communication. An example of the wireless LAN communication is wireless LAN communication with the IEEE 802.11 standard as a representative example of Wi-Fi standards. An example of the wireless PAN communication is wireless PAN communication with the IEEE 802.15 standard as a representative example of Bluetooth® standards. In this example, each of the short-distance wireless communicators  191 ,  241  is a communication interface that complies with the IEEE 802.11 standard. 
     The image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) and the mobile communication terminal  20  communicate with a server  30  via a predetermined communicator such as the Internet. Each of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) and the mobile communication terminal  20  respectively include a network communicator  192  and a public wireless communicator  242 . Each of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) and the mobile communication terminal  20  are mutually communicable with the server  30  via the network communicator  192  and the public wireless communicator  242 , respectively. Here, the operation assistance system  100  may include the server  30 . 
     Examples of the communicator through which the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) and the server  30  communicate with each other are a communicator via the Internet by a local network  40  (LAN) and a communicator via the Internet by the wireless LAN communication with the IEEE 802.11 standard. Examples of the communicator through which the mobile communication terminal  20  and the server  30  communicate with each other are a communicator via the Internet with a mobile phone communication standard and the communicator via the Internet by the wireless LAN communication with the IEEE 802.11 standard. 
     Image Forming Apparatus 
     Each of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) further includes a controller  17  and a storage  18 . The display  15 , the operation device  16 , the storage  18 , the short-distance wireless communicator  191 , and the network communicator  192  are electrically connected to the controller  17 . 
     Controller 
     The controller  17  is constructed of a computer including a central processing unit (CPU), and governs control of respective one of the entire image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ). The controller  17  stores the plural types of the setting items in the storage  18 . Here, representative examples of the plural types of the setting items are sizes (for example, B5, B5R, A4, A4R, B4, A3, and postcard) and types (for example, plain paper, thick paper, an OHP film, glossy paper, and the like) of sheets such as recording paper for each of the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b . Here, the plural types of the setting items can be set when the user performs the input operation to the operation device  16 . However, as will be described below, the plural types of the setting items can also be set by using the mobile communication terminal  20 . Meanwhile, in the image forming apparatus  10  ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine, of the plural types of the setting items, the setting item that corresponds to the detection function (for example, the sheet size detected by size detection) is automatically detected by the detection function. 
     Storage 
     Under instructions of the controller  17 , the storage  18  is subjected to writing control in which information is written and reading control in which the information is read. In this example, the setting items are written in and read from the storage  18 . In addition, the storage  18  stores, in advance, attribute information of respective one of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ). Examples of the attribute information of each of the image forming apparatuses  10  ( 1 ) to  10  ( n ) are: a segment of respective one of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) (whether the high-segment machine or the low-segment machine); identification information (for example, a drawer number) of the sheet storage  12   a  (the paper feed cassette); the printable sheet sizes by the image forming device  13  (for example, postcard, A5, B5, B5R, A4, A4R, B4, A3, letter, envelope, and the like); and the printable sheet types by the image forming device  13  (for example, thin paper, plain paper, recycled paper, thick paper, glossy paper, embossed paper, label, OHP, index, and the like). Meanwhile, in the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine, the attribute information further includes: the setting item that corresponds to the detection function (for example, the sheet size detected by the size detection); and the setting item (for example, the sheet type) that is set by the user for the image forming apparatus main body  10   a  through the operation device  16 . 
     Mobile Communication Terminal 
     The mobile communication terminal  20  is a multifunctional mobile communication terminal (for example, a smartphone or a tablet-type terminal), and further includes a display operation device  21 , a controller  22  (an example of a computer), and a storage  23 . The display operation device  21 , the storage  23 , the short-distance wireless communicator  241 , and the public wireless communicator  242  are electrically connected to the controller  22 . 
     The display operation device  21  includes a display  211  (a display panel) and a touch operation device  212  (a touch panel). The display operation device  21  accepts the user&#39;s touch operation by the touch operation device  212  and displays the various types of the setting items on an operation screen  211   a  on the basis of display data. Here, the touch operation is a concept that includes a drag operation. The drag operation is an operation in which a finger moves while maintaining the touch operation on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . 
     Controller 
     The controller  22  is constructed of a computer including a central processing unit (CPU). The controller  22  is configured to set the various types of the setting items for the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) by executing an operation assistance program, which is stored (installed) in the storage  23  in advance. The controller  22  executes various types of processing by loading and executing the operation assistance program, which is stored in read only memory (ROM) of the storage  23  in advance, on random access memory (RAM) of the storage  23 . The operation assistance program assists with making the operation settings of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( 2 ) by using the mobile communication terminal  20 . 
     The controller  22  also executes data exchange during communication, various types of input/output control, and calculation processing control. When accepting the touch operation by the user&#39;s finger on the touch operation device  212  in the display  211 , the controller  22  reads an operation position by the touch operation device  212 , recognizes a part that is displayed at the operation position on the display  211 , and executes the processing. 
     Storage 
     The storage  23  has non-volatile memory such as the ROM and a volatile memory such as the RAM. Under instructions of the controller  22 , the storage  23  is subjected to writing control in which information is written and reading control in which the information is read. In this example, a matrix table, which will be described below, is written in and read from the storage  23 . 
     In addition, the operation assistance program is stored (installed) in advance in the storage  23 . In this example, the operation assistance program is a program that is referred to as a so-called application and is used in the multifunctional mobile communication terminal such as the smartphone, and is either installed in advance or downloaded and installed from a program server, which is not illustrated, via the communicator such as the Internet. 
     The short-distance wireless communicator  241  is communicable by the same communication protocol as the short-distance wireless communicator  191  in each of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ). 
     Software Configuration of Mobile Communication Terminal 
     Next, a description will hereinafter be made on a software configuration of the operation assistance program that is executed by the mobile communication terminal  20 . 
     The controller  22  functions as a device that includes a communication controller P 1 , a setting controller P 2 , a selection controller P 3 , a creation controller P 4 , and a registration controller P 5 . More specifically, the operation assistance program causes the controller  22  to execute steps including a communication control step corresponding to the communication controller P 1 , a setting control step corresponding to the setting controller P 2 , a selection control step corresponding to the selection controller P 3 , a creation control step corresponding to the creation controller P 4 , and a registration control step corresponding to the registration controller P 5 . 
       FIG. 5A  to  FIG. 5E  are front views each illustrating a transition state where the setting item in a matrix table MT (a first matrix table MT 1 ) that is displayed on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20  is set by the touch operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine.  FIG. 6A  to  FIG. 6D  are front views each illustrating a transition state where the setting item in the matrix table MT (MT 1 ) that is displayed on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20  is set by the touch operation and the drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine.  FIG. 7A  to  FIG. 7C  are front views each illustrating a transition state where setting of the setting item in the matrix table MT (MT 1 ) that is displayed on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20  by the touch operation and the drag operation is disallowed at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine. 
       FIG. 8A  to  FIG. 8E  are front views each illustrating a transition state where the setting item in the matrix table MT (a second matrix table MT 2 ) that is displayed on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20  is set by the touch operation and the drag operation at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine.  FIG. 9A  to  FIG. 9C  are front views each illustrating a transition state where setting of the setting item in the matrix table MT (MT 2 ) that is displayed on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20  by the touch operation and the drag operation is disallowed at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine. 
     By the way, in the conventional image forming apparatus as the low-segment machine, in particular, the image forming apparatus that has the smaller display screen than the display screen of the image forming apparatus as the high-segment machine, for example, in the case where only one type of the setting item can be displayed on the display screen and the operation settings are to be made for the plural types of the setting items, each of the operation settings is hierarchical, which complicates each of the operation settings. This degrades operability of making the operation setting of the image forming apparatus by the user. 
     In this regard, in this embodiment, in the communication control step, the mobile communication terminal  20  wirelessly communicates with each of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ). In the setting control step, at least two types of the setting items (for example, the sheet sizes and the sheet types for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b ) among the plural types of the setting items for respective one of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) are simultaneously set by the single touch operation on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . 
     In detail, in the setting control step, the matrix table MT (the first matrix table MT 1  and the second matrix table MT 2 ) with cells is displayed on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . In the matrix table MT (the first matrix table MT 1  and the second matrix table MT 2 ) with cells, the two types of the setting items (the sheet sizes and the sheet types for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  in this example) are sorted into rows and columns. Then, by accepting the touch operation of the cell where the row and the column intersect each other, the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet for each of the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  in this example) are simultaneously set. 
     A format of the matrix table MT (MT 1 , MT 2 ) is set in advance as a preset value (a default value) in the storage  23 . Here, shapes of the formats of the first matrix table MT 1  and the second matrix table MT 2  are similar to each other. In this way, it is possible to place each of the setting items at the same position or the substantially same position in both of the first matrix table MT 1  and the second matrix table MT 2 . This allows the user to make the operation setting without feeling any sense of discomfort (without being confused about the setting position). 
     The controller  22  reads the format of the matrix table MT (MT 1 , MT 2 ) from the storage  23  and displays the matrix table MT (MT 1 , MT 2 ) on the operation screen  211   a . The controller  22  also reads the attribute information of respective one of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) from the storage  23 , and displays the attribute information in the format of the matrix table MT (MT 1 , MT 2 ) on the operation screen  211   a  (see  FIG. 5A ). Examples of the attribute information are the segment, the identification information of the sheet storage  12   a  (the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  in this example), the printable sheet sizes by the image forming device  13  (B5, B5R, A4, A4R, B4, A3, and postcard in this example), the printable sheet types by the image forming device  13  (plain paper, thick paper, OHP, and glossy paper in this example). Meanwhile, in the case where the image forming apparatus  10  is the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine, the attribute information further includes: the setting item that corresponds to the detection function (in this example, the sheet size detected by the size detection); and the setting item (in this example, the sheet type) that is set by the user for the image forming apparatus main body  10   a  through the operation device  16 . 
     More specifically, the rows in the matrix table MT (MT 1 , MT 2 ) include the sheet sizes (B5, B5R, A4, A4R, B4, A3, and postcard) for the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125 , and the columns in the matrix table MT include the sheet types (plain paper, thick paper 1, thick paper 2, OHP, and glossy paper). 
     Here, the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine does not have the predetermined detection function (for example, the detection function of the sheet size). Thus, in the case where the mobile communication terminal  20  communicates with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine, setting values in the first matrix table MT 1  are initially displayed null (See  FIG. 5B ). In this case, the controller  22  accepts the selection operations for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  (the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125 ) by the user one by one (see  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B ), and makes the operation setting of the setting item (the sheet type), which corresponds to the non-existent detection function, for accepted one of the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  or the manual feed tray by the user&#39;s touch operation and drag operation ( FIG. 5C  to  FIG. 7C ). 
     Meanwhile, in the case where the mobile communication terminal  20  communicates with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine, the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine has the detection function (for example, the detection function of the sheet size). According, the controller  22  receives, from the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ), setting values (the sheet sizes for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b ) corresponding to the detection function and setting values (the sheet types) set by the user through the operation device  16 . The setting values in the second matrix table MT 2  are the setting values (the sheet sizes for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b ) that correspond to the detection function and received from the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ). The controller  22  displays the setting values, which correspond to the detection function and are received from the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ), in the format of the second matrix table MT 2  on the operation screen  211   a . In this case, the user does not have to select the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  (the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125 ) one by one. Accordingly, the controller  22  does not make the selection operations for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  (the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125 ), and displays setting statuses (the sheet sizes) of the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125  (see  FIG. 8A ). The controller  22  also displays the setting values (the sheet types for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b ), which are set by the user and received from the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ), in the format of the second matrix table MT 2  on the operation screen  211   a  (see  FIG. 8B ). The controller  22  makes the operation setting of the setting item (the sheet type) for each of the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  (the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125 ) by the user&#39;s touch operation and drag operation ( FIG. 8C  to  FIG. 9C ). 
     Next, a description will hereinafter be made on a procedure for simultaneously setting the two setting items (the sheet sizes and the sheet types for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b ) by the user&#39;s touch operation and drag operation. 
     Regarding First Matrix Table 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5A  to  FIG. 5E , in the first matrix table MT 1 , in a state where none of the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125  is selected (see  FIG. 5A ), the user first performs the touch operation for one (the first paper feed cassette  121  in this example) of the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125  (see  FIG. 5B ). At this time, the initial setting values are displayed null. However, the sheet sizes and the sheet types for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  may be stored as preset values (default values) in the storage  23  in advance. In this case, the initial setting value of the preset value (for example, the size: A4, the type: plain paper for the first paper feed cassette  121 ) is displayed in the format of the first matrix table MT 1 . 
     Next, when the user performs the touch operation to the cell, where the row and the column corresponding to the desired sheet size and the desired sheet type intersect each other, an index (a symbol) (a circle in this example) is displayed in the cell touched by the user (see  FIG. 5C ). At this time, the user can also move the index (the circle) to a setting position of another cell by performing the touch operation of the another cell or by performing the drag operation of the index (the circle). Next, when the user touches and operates an “OK” button (see  FIG. 5D ), the set sheet size and the set sheet type (A4 and plain paper for the first paper feed cassette  121  in this example) are stored in the storage  23 . 
     Similarly, the user makes the similar operation settings for another (the second paper feed cassette  122 ) of the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  (the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125 ) (see  FIG. 5E ). In this way, the set sheet size and type (B5 and thick paper 1 for the second paper feed cassette  122  in this example) are stored in the storage  23 . 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A  to  FIG. 6D , in the first matrix table MT 1 , when the user performs the touch operation of another cell or performs the drag operation of the index (the circle) (see  FIG. 6B ), the operation setting (a setting change) can simultaneously be made for the sheet size and the sheet type (“A4: plain paper”→“A4: thick paper 1”) (see  FIG. 6C ). Next, when the user touches and operates the “OK” button (see  FIG. 6D ), the set sheet size and the set sheet type (A4 and thick paper 1 for the first paper feed cassette  121  in this example) are stored in the storage  23 . In this example, only the sheet type is changed. However, only the sheet size or both of the sheet size and the sheet type can be changed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7A  to  FIG. 7C , the first matrix table MT 1  has: a setting allowed cell area α where setting of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type) is allowed; and a setting disallowed cell area ß where setting of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type) is disallowed. A display mode differs between the setting allowed cell area α and the setting disallowed cell area ß. In this example, the setting disallowed cell area ß is displayed in light gray and has grayed-out display. 
     In the first matrix table MT 1 , when performing the touch operation of another cell or performing the drag operation of the index (the circle), the user performs the touch operation or the drag operation to the setting disallowed cell area ß (A4 and glossy paper for the third paper feed cassette  123  in this example) (see  FIG. 7A ), and releases his/her finger from the operation screen  211   a  to cancel the touch operation. Consequently, the controller  22  issues a warning that indicates a reason why setting of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type) is disallowed (see  FIG. 7B ). More specifically, as the reason for disallowing the setting, the controller  22  displays a message, “GLOSSY PAPER CANNOT BE LOADED INTO PAPER FEED CASETTE.” on a pop-up screen PG (see  FIG. 7B ). Then, the pop-up screen PG is closed when a “CLOSE” button is touched and operated or after a lapse of a predetermined time (see  FIG. 7C ). 
     Regarding Second Matrix Table 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8A  to  FIG. 8E , in the second matrix table MT 2 , first, the setting values (the sheet sizes for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b ) that correspond to the detection function and are received from the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine are displayed in the format of the second matrix table MT 2 . In this example, the setting values are the sizes (B5, A4, B4, A3, and A4) that are automatically set for the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125 . In this case, the user does not have to select the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  (the first paper feed cassette  121  to the fourth paper feed cassette  124  and the manual feed tray  125 ) one by one (see  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B ). In addition, the setting values (the sheet sizes for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b ), which are set by the user and received from the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ), are displayed in the format of the second matrix table MT 2  on the operation screen  211   a  (see  FIG. 8A ). At this time, in the case where the setting value by the user&#39;s operation setting does not exist, null display is provided (see  FIG. 8B ). Here, the sheet types for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  may be set as preset values (default values) in the storage  23  in advance. In this case, the setting values of the preset values are displayed in the format of the second matrix table MT 2 . 
     Next, in the second matrix table MT 2 , when the user performs the touch operation of another cell or performs the drag operation of the index (the circle) (see  FIG. 8C ), the operation setting (the setting change) can simultaneously be made for the sheet size and the sheet type (“A3: plain paper”→“A3: thick paper 2”) (see  FIG. 8D ). Then, when the user touches and operates the “OK” button (see  FIG. 8E ), the set sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  and the set sheet size and the set sheet type (A3 and thick paper 2 for the fourth paper feed cassette  124  in this example) are stored in the storage  23 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9A  to  FIG. 9C , the second matrix table MT 2  has: the setting allowed cell area a where setting of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type) is allowed; and the setting disallowed cell area ß where setting of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type) is disallowed. The display mode differs between the setting allowed cell area α and the setting disallowed cell area ß. In this example, the setting disallowed cell area ß is displayed in light gray and has the grayed-out display. 
     In the second matrix table MT 2 , when performing the touch operation of another cell or performing the drag operation of the index (the circle), the user performs the touch operation or the drag operation to the setting disallowed cell area ß (B5 and glossy paper for the first paper feed cassette  121  in this example) (see  FIG. 9A ), and releases his/her finger from the operation screen  211   a  to cancel the touch operation. Consequently, the controller  22  issues a warning that indicates a reason why setting of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type) is disallowed (see  FIG. 9B ). More specifically, as the reason for disallowing the setting, the controller  22  displays a message, “GLOSSY PAPER CAN ONLY BE LOADED INTO MANUAL FEED TRAY.” on the pop-up screen PG (see  FIG. 9B ). Then, the pop-up screen PG is closed when the “CLOSE” button is touched and operated or after the lapse of the predetermined time (see  FIG. 9C ). 
     When setting of the two types of the setting items (the sheet sizes and the sheet types for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b ) is terminated in the mobile communication terminal  20 , the controller  22  reads the two types of the setting items stored in the storage  23 , and sends the two types of the setting items to respective one of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ). Respective one of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) receives the two types of the setting items (the sheet sizes and the sheet types for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b ), which have been sent from the mobile communication terminal  20 , and sets the received two types of the setting items. 
     As it has been described so far, according to this embodiment, the mobile communication terminal  20  wirelessly communicates with each of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ). Then, on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 , the at least two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example) among the plural types of the setting items for the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) can simultaneously be set by the single touch operation. Thus, the at least two types of the setting items can be set at once. For example, the sheet sizes (A4 size, A3 size, and the like) and the sheet types (plain paper, thick paper, and the like) can be set for the sheet storages  12   a ,  12   b  at once. This can improve the operability of making the operation settings for the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) by the user. In particular, in the case where the mobile communication terminal  20  communicates with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine, it is possible for the user to set the various types of the setting items without the detection function on the operation screen  211   a , which is easily operated for setting by the user, in the mobile communication terminal  20  without setting such setting items on the display screen  151  of the display  15 , which is difficult for the user to operate for setting, in the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ). 
     By the way, it has been requested to easily implement such a configuration that the user simultaneously sets the various types of the setting items on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . In addition, in regard to the conventional hierarchical setting, there is a hassle of performing the setting again after the setting is advanced. 
     In this regard, in this embodiment, in the setting control step, the matrix table MT (MT 1 , MT 2 ) with the cells, in which the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example) among the plural types of the setting items are sorted into the rows and the columns, is displayed on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . Then, the touch operation of the cell in which the row and the column intersect each other is accepted. 
     In this way, with the simple configuration, it is possible to simultaneously set the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example). As a result, it is possible to easily adopt such a configuration that the user simultaneously sets the various types of the setting items on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . In addition, the matrix table MT (MT 1 , MT 2 ) allows the user to easily recognize the setting items in a list, and it is thus possible to reduce the hassle of performing the hierarchical setting again after such a setting is advanced as in the related art. 
     First Embodiment 
     By the way, in the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ), there is a combination of the two types of the setting items that should not be set specification-wise and/or functional-wise. In this case, the user possibly sets the combination that should not be set specification-wise and/or functional-wise. 
     In this regard, in this embodiment, the matrix table MT (MT 1 , MT 2 ) has, according to the combinations of the two types of the setting items: the setting allowed cell area a (see  FIG. 7A  to  FIG. 7C ) where setting of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example) is allowed; and the setting disallowed cell area ß (see  FIG. 9A  to  FIG. 9C ) where setting of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example) is disallowed. 
     In this way, even when the user attempts to set the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example) in the setting disallowed cell area ß, it is possible to disallow setting of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example) in the setting disallowed cell area ß. As a result, the user can avoid setting the combination that should not be set specification-wise and/or functional-wise. 
     By the way, in the case where the display mode is the same between the setting allowed cell area α and the setting disallowed cell area ß, it is difficult for the user to easily recognize a difference between the setting allowed cell area a and the setting disallowed cell area ß. 
     In this regard, in this embodiment, in the setting control step, the display mode of the setting allowed cell area α differs from the display mode of the setting disallowed cell area ß on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20  (see  FIG. 7A  to  FIG. 7C  and  FIG. 9A  to  FIG. 9C ). The display mode of the setting disallowed cell area ß is not limited to the illustrated display mode. Examples thereof are the grayed-out display, display in a different color from the setting allowed cell area α, display of the blinking setting disallowed cell area ß. In this example, the display mode of the setting disallowed cell area ß is the grayed-out display. 
     In this way, it is possible to clarify the difference between the display mode of the setting allowed cell area a and the display mode of the setting disallowed cell area ß. As a result, the user can easily recognize the difference between the setting allowed cell area α and the setting disallowed cell area ß. 
     By the way, the user cannot set the two types of the setting items when operating (performing the touch operation or the drag operation of) the cell, setting of which is disallowed. However, the user cannot recognize a reason why the setting item in the cell cannot be set. 
     In this regard, in this embodiment, in the setting control step, depending on the combination of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example), in the case where the operation (the touch operation or the drag operation) of the cell, in which setting of the two types of the setting items is disallowed, is accepted on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 , the warning is issued to indicate the reason why setting of the two types of the setting items is disallowed (see  FIG. 7B  and  FIG. 9B ). 
     In this way, although the user cannot set the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example) by operating the cell, in which setting of the two types of the setting items is disallowed, the user can recognize the reason why the setting items in the cell cannot be set. 
     Second Embodiment 
     By the way, there is a case where plural types of display patterns exist for the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example). 
       FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  are front views respectively illustrating an example and another example (MT 1   a , MT 1   b ) of the display pattern of the first matrix table MT 1 , each of which is displayed on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20  at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) as the low-segment machine.  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  are front views respectively illustrating an example and another example (MT 2   a , MT 2   b ) of the display pattern of the second matrix table MT 2 , each of which is displayed on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20  at the time of communicating with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) as the high-segment machine. 
     As the plural matrix tables MT, in the first matrix table MT 1  (MT 1   a ) illustrated in  FIG. 10A  and the first matrix table MT 1  (MT 1   b ) illustrated in  FIG. 10B , the rows and the columns are switched from each other. Similarly, in the second matrix table MT 2  (MT 2   a ) illustrated in  FIG. 11A  and the second matrix table MT 2  (MT 2   b ) illustrated in  FIG. 11B , the rows and the columns are switched from each other. The plural matrix tables MT (the first matrix tables MT 1  (MT 1   a , MT 1   b ) and the second matrix tables MT 2  (MT 2   a , MT 2   b )] are registered in the storage  23  in advance. 
     In this embodiment, in the selection control step, any one of the matrix tables MT [(MT 1   a , MT 1   b ), (MT 2   a , MT 2   b )] in the plural (two in this example) types of the display patterns, which are registered in the storage  23  in advance, is selected on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . In the setting control step, the matrix table MT [(MT 1   a , MT 1   b ), (MT 2   a , MT 2   b )] in the display pattern that is selected in the selection control step is displayed on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . 
     In this way, the user can select the matrix table MT in the desired display pattern that is selected from the matrix tables MT [(MT 1   a , MT 1   b ), (MT 2   a , MT 2   b )] in the plural types of the display patterns. 
     By the way, there is a case where the is desired to freely layout the matrix tables MT in the plural types of the display patterns. 
     In this regard, in this embodiment, in the creation control step, the user creates the matrix tables MT [(MT 1   a , MT 1   b ), (MT 2   a , MT 2   b )] in the plural types of the display patterns on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . In the registration control step, the matrix tables MT [(MT 1   a , MT 1   b ), (MT 2   a , MT 2   b )] in the plural types of the display patterns, which are created in the creation control step, are registered in advance. Then, in the selection control step, any one of the matrix tables MT [(MT 1   a , MT 1   b ), (MT 2   a , MT 2   b )] in the plural types of the display patterns, which are registered in the registration control step, is selected on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . 
     In this way, the user can freely create the matrix tables MT [(MT 1   a , MT 1   b ), (MT 2   a , MT 2   b )] in the plural types of the desired display patterns. As a result, the user can make the operation settings in the matrix table MT in the desired display pattern. 
     Third Embodiment 
     By the way, the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ), each of which communicates with the mobile communication terminal  20 , include: the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) that does not have the detection functions (the detection function of the sheet size in this example) corresponding to the plural types of the setting items; and the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) that has the detection function (the detection function of the sheet size in this example) corresponding to at least one of the plural types of the setting items. Of these, when the mobile communication terminal  20  communicates with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) with the detection function, the user does not have to set the setting item (the sheet size in this example) that corresponds to the detection function. 
     In this regard, in this embodiment, the matrix tables MT include the first matrix table MT 1  and the second matrix table MT 2 . The first matrix table MT 1  is configured that the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type) can be set therein in the case where the mobile communication terminal  20  communicates with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) that does not have the detection functions (the detection function of the sheet size) corresponding to the plural types of the setting items. The second matrix table MT 2  is configured that the setting item (the sheet size) corresponding to the detection function (the detection function of the sheet size) among the two types of the setting items (sheet size and the sheet type) cannot be set therein in the case where the mobile communication terminal  20  communicates with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) that has the detection function (the detection function of the sheet size) corresponding to at least one setting item of the plural types of the setting items. Then, in the setting control step, when the mobile communication terminal  20  communicates with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) that does not have the detection function (the detection function of the sheet size) in the communication control step, the first matrix table MT 1  is displayed. Meanwhile, when the mobile communication terminal  20  communicates with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) that has the detection function (the detection function of the sheet size) in the communication control step, the second matrix table MT 2  is displayed. 
     As described above, when the mobile communication terminal  20  communicates with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 1 ) that does not have the detection function (the detection function of the sheet size in this example), the user has to set the setting item (the sheet size) that corresponds to the detection function (the detection function of the sheet size in this example). Thus, it is possible to set the setting item (the sheet size) corresponding to the detection function (the detection function of the sheet size in this example) in the first matrix table MT 1 . Meanwhile, when the mobile communication terminal  20  communicates with the image forming apparatus  10 ( 2 ) with the detection function, the user does not have to set the setting item (the sheet size) that corresponds to the detection function (the detection function of the sheet size in this example). Thus, it is possible to disallow setting of the setting item (the sheet size) corresponding to the detection function (the detection function of the sheet size in this example) in the second matrix table MT 2 . 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     In this embodiment, in the setting control step, the drag operation for the cell, in which the row and the column intersect each other, is accepted on the operation screen  211   a  of the mobile communication terminal  20  (see  FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 8C ). 
     In this way, it is possible to improve the operability at the time of making the operation settings of the two types of the setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type in this example). 
     Regarding Operation Example of Operation Assistance for Image Forming Apparatus by Mobile Communication Terminal 
     Next, a description will hereinafter be made on an operation example of operation assistance for each of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) by the mobile communication terminal  20 . 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operation of the operation assistance system  100  for the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) by the mobile communication terminal  20 . 
     Mobile Communication Terminal 
     In the operation example illustrated in  FIG. 12 , first, in the mobile communication terminal  20 , when the controller  22  starts the application (S 1 ), the controller  22  communicates with any image forming apparatus  10 ( i ) (i is an integer from 1 to n) of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ) (S 2 ). 
     Image Forming Apparatus 
     Next, in the image forming apparatus  10 ( i ), the controller  17  sends the attribute information to the mobile communication terminal  20  (S 3 ). Here, the attribute information includes the segment of the image forming apparatus  10 ( i ), the number of the drawers in the paper feed cassette, the sheet sizes, and the sheet types when the sheet types are set. 
     Mobile Communication Terminal 
     Next, in the mobile communication terminal  20 , the controller  22  determines whether the image forming apparatus  10 ( i ) is the low-segment machine (S 4 ). If determining that the image forming apparatus  10 ( i ) is the low-segment machine (S 4 : Yes), the controller  22  accepts the user&#39;s selection operation of any one of the first matrix tables MT 1  (MT 1   a , MT 1   b ) in the two types of the display patterns (S 5 ), and displays the two setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type) in the first matrix table MT 1 , which has been selected by the user in S 5  (SG). On the other hand, if determining that the image forming apparatus  10 ( i ) is the high-segment machine (S 4 : No), the controller  22  accepts the user&#39;s selection operation of any one of the second matrix tables MT 2  (MT 2   a , MT 2   b ) in the two types of the display patterns (S 7 ), and displays the two setting items (the sheet size and the sheet type) in the second matrix table MT 2 , which has been selected by the user in S 7  (S 8 ). 
     Next, the controller  22  accepts the touch operation or the drag operation of the cell, in which the row and the column intersect each other, in the displayed first matrix table MT 1  or the displayed second matrix table MT 2  (S 9 ), and determines whether the operation position of the touch operation or the drag operation is located in the setting disallowed cell area ß (S 10 ). If determining that the operation position of the touch operation or the drag operation is located in the setting disallowed cell area ß (S 10 : Yes), the controller  22  displays the reason for disallowing the setting on the pop-up screen PG (S 11 ), and the processing proceeds to S 9 . On the other hand, if determining that the operation position of the touch operation or the drag operation is located in the setting allowed cell area a (S 10 : No), the controller  22  determines whether the operation setting is completed (S 12 ). 
     Next, if the controller  22  determines that the operation setting continues (S 12 : No), the processing proceeds to S 9 . On the other hand, if determining that the operation setting is completed (S 12 : Yes), the controller  22  sends a content of the operation setting to the image forming apparatus  10 ( i ) (S 13 ), and the processing proceeds to S 14 . 
     Image Forming Apparatus 
     Next, in the image forming apparatus  10 ( i ), the controller  17  sets the content of the operation setting, which has been made by the mobile communication terminal  20 , to the image forming apparatus  10 ( i ) (S 14 ). 
     Other Embodiments 
     In the embodiment that has been described so far, the sheet size and the sheet type are exemplified as the two types of the setting items. However, other two types of the setting items may also be used. In addition, the content of the operation setting that is made by the mobile communication terminal  20  is stored in the storage  23  of the mobile communication terminal  20 . However, the content of the operation setting may be stored in the storage  18  of the image forming apparatus  10  or in the storage  31  of the server  30 . Furthermore, the image forming apparatus that is configured to have a centimeter specification is used as each of the image forming apparatuses  10 ( 1 ) to  10 ( n ). However, it is needless to say that an image forming apparatus that is configured to have an inch specification may also be used. 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiments that have been described so far, and may be implemented in various aspects. Therefore, such embodiments are merely examples in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is not limited to the foregoing description. Further, all modifications and variations belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.