Patent ID: 12250349

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified in detail with reference to the drawings. However, dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of components described in the following embodiments should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of an apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. It is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to those only.

First Embodiment

An image forming system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS.1to3C.FIG.1is a schematic perspective view of the image forming system.FIG.2is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming system.FIGS.3A to3Care schematic perspective views of a remote control panel.

<Image Forming System>

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the image forming system A includes an image forming apparatus1that forms an image on a sheet S, and the remote control panel50(wireless operation unit) that controls the image forming apparatus1.

<Image Forming Apparatus>

As illustrated inFIG.1, an upper portion of the image forming apparatus1is provided with a reader14that optically reads an image of an original placed on a glass surface (not illustrated) and converts the image into image data. Further, the image forming apparatus1is provided with a processing device16that performs processes such as a stapling process, a punching process, and a bookbinding process on the sheet S on which the image is formed. The processing device16is an example of an optional device connected to the image forming apparatus1. In addition to the processing device16provided as an example of the present embodiment, as an optional device, a cooling device may be used, which cools the sheet S on which the image is formed. That is, the optional devices referred to here refer to all devices that can be retrofitted to the image forming apparatus1.

Further, the image forming apparatus1includes a seesaw type or tactile type main power switch79that switches a main power supply on and off. Further, the image forming apparatus1includes a display panel71that displays a lamp or an error code to notify a user of the status of the image forming apparatus1, such as the image forming process being performed, stopped due to an error, or in the standby state. Further, the image forming apparatus1includes a tower type lamp72that notifies the user at a distant position of the status of the image forming apparatus1by turning on and off and blinking a light source.

Further, the image forming apparatus1includes a panel mounting portion73to which the remote control panel50(wireless operation unit) is detachably attachable. The remote control panel50will be described later.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the image forming apparatus1includes an image forming unit15that forms an image on the sheet S based on input image data. The image forming unit15includes a photosensitive drum9Y,9M,9C,9K, a charging device2Y,2M,2C,2K, and a developing device4Y,4M,4C,4K. The image forming unit15includes a primary transfer roller5Y,5M,5C,5K, a laser scanner unit3Y,3M,3C,3K, an intermediate transfer belt6, a secondary transfer roller7, and a secondary transfer counter roller8.

In the case where an image is formed by the image forming apparatus1, an image forming job is first input to a controller10(seeFIG.4). As a result, the sheet S stored in either a sheet cassette75aor75bis conveyed to a transport path94. After that, the sheet S passes through the transport path94and is conveyed to a secondary transfer portion formed by the secondary transfer roller7and the secondary transfer counter roller8.

On the other hand, in the image forming unit15, first, the surface of the photosensitive drum9Y is charged by the charging device2Y. After that, the laser scanner unit3Y irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum9Y with laser light according to the image data of the original read by the reader14or the image data transmitted from an external device (not illustrated) via a network, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum9Y. The image data sent from the external device is sent to a network connection portion84, which will be described later, via a wireless LAN router.

Thereafter, yellow toner is caused to adhere to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum9Y by the developing device4Y to form a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum9Y. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum9Y is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt6by applying a primary transfer bias to the primary transfer roller5Y.

By a similar process, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are also formed on the photosensitive drums9M,9C, and9K. By applying the primary transfer bias to the primary transfer rollers5M,5C, and5K, these toner images are transferred and superimposed on the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt6. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt6.

After that, the intermediate transfer belt6moves around to convey the full-color toner image to the secondary transfer portion. In the secondary transfer portion, a secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller7, whereby the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt6is transferred to the sheet S. The sheet S to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to a fixing device70by a conveying belt95. Then, the fixing device70heats and pressurizes the toner image to fix the toner image onto the sheet S.

Next, the sheet S on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed to the processing device16through a discharge path97. When the user specifies a process such as the stapling process, the punching process, or the bookbinding process, the sheet S conveyed to the processing device16is discharged to a discharge tray16aafter the specified process is performed. If the user does not specify the process, the sheet S conveyed to the processing device16is discharged to a discharge tray16bwithout being processed as it is.

<Wireless Operation Unit>

As illustrated inFIGS.1and3C, the remote control panel50(remote control portion) is detachably attachable to the panel mounting portion73of the image forming apparatus1. The remote control panel50is configured to wirelessly communicate information with the image forming apparatus1. Since the remote control panel50is not connected via a cable (wired connection), the user can freely carry it around and can control the image forming apparatus1at a position away from the image forming apparatus1. In this case, the remote control panel50according to the present embodiment is an operation unit that issues an instruction to perform image formation to the image forming apparatus1. That is, the image data of the original is not sent from the remote control panel50to the image forming apparatus1. The image data is sent from an external terminal to the image forming apparatus1via the wireless LAN router, or is generated in the image forming apparatus1by reading the original by the reader14. In this way, the external terminal and the image forming apparatus1are connected to each other via the wireless LAN router, whereas the remote control panel50is connected to the image forming apparatus1without a wireless LAN router. When the remote control panel50is mounted on the panel mounting portion73, a charging connector55(seeFIG.3B) of the remote control panel50is connected to a power supply connector73a(seeFIG.5) of the panel mounting portion73. As a result, the image forming apparatus1detects the connection of the remote control panel50, and the image forming apparatus1charges a battery57(seeFIG.5) of the remote control panel50.

Although the configuration in which the remote control panel50(remote control portion) is detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus1is exemplified, the remote control panel50(remote control portion) may not be detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus1and may be separate from the image forming apparatus1and configured to control the image forming apparatus1via wireless communication.

As illustrated inFIGS.3A and3B, the remote control panel50includes a power switch52for switching a power supply of the remote control panel50on and off, and a speaker portion53for outputting a sound. Further, the remote control panel50has a status display portion54that is turned on and off and blink to notify the user of the status of the remote control panel50In this case, the status display portion54includes an LED, but is not limited to this configuration.

Further, the remote control panel50has a touch panel type display51(display portion) in which a display portion capable of displaying information based on image data and an operation portion for detecting a touch operation from a user are integrated. By touching a key displayed on the display51with a finger to perform inputting, the user can set a setting relating to image formation, such as a setting for the number of sheets on which an image is to be formed and a setting for the size of the sheet S, and can set a setting relating to image reading, such as a setting for the size of the original. Further, the remote control panel50has a collective status display button66(acquisition icon, seeFIG.7A) for instructing to acquire statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus1. The collective status display button66is displayed on the display51. The user touches the collective status display button66(seeFIG.7A) displayed on the display51with a finger to collectively display the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses wirelessly connected to the remote control panel50. The collective status display by the remote control panel50will be described in detail later.

Further, in the present embodiment, as an operation display portion included in the remote control panel50, the touch panel type display51in which the display portion and the operation portion are integrated is exemplified. That is, the configuration in which the touch panel type display51is mounted on the remote control panel50is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the remote control panel50may have a configuration in which a hardware key such as a numeric keypad or a reset key is provided as a key operation input portion separately from the display51(operation display portion) described above.

Further, the remote control panel50may have a configuration in which a collective status display key68(input portion, hardware key, or key operation input portion) is independently provided on the display51described above in addition to the collective status display button66(FIG.3C). Further, the remote control panel50can be provided with the independent collective status display key68(input portion, hardware key, key operation input portion) without displaying the collective status display button on the display51(seeFIG.7B).

<System Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>

Next, a system configuration of the image forming apparatus1will be described with reference toFIG.4.FIG.4is a block diagram illustrating the system configuration of the image forming apparatus1.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the image forming apparatus1includes a controller10having a CPU11, a ROM12, and a RAM13. The reader14, the image forming unit the processing device16, the display panel71, and the like are connected to the controller10. Further, the controller10is connected to the network connection portion84that connects to the external device (not illustrated) via the network.

The ROM12(storage portion) stores various programs and various image data relating to the control of the image forming apparatus1. The CPU11performs various arithmetic processing based on a control program stored in the ROM12. The RAM13temporarily stores data. That is, the CPU11controls the reader14, the image forming unit15, the processing device16, and the like connected to the controller10to perform the above-mentioned image forming operation while using the RAM13as a work area based on the control program stored in the ROM12.

Although the configuration in which the controller10has the ROM12as the storage portion is exemplified, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the controller10may have storage separate from the ROM12as the storage portion. The storage is, for example, an HDD or an SSD, and is used for storing various data. The data stored in the storage is, for example, an image to be displayed on the remote control panel50, print data, or the like.

The network connection portion84is used to receive a print instruction and print data for the image forming apparatus via the network. The network connection portion84is also used to receive user instructions to change a setting of the image forming apparatus and turn off the power supply from a remote location via the network by using the remote control panel50, a PC, or a tablet. In this case, the network to which the network connection portion84is connected may be wired connection or wireless connection.

Further, the controller10is connected to a panel connection portion80that connects to the remote control panel50. The panel connection portion80has a wireless communication portion81(first wireless communication unit, second wireless communication unit) that performs wireless communication between the panel mounting portion73, which has the power supply connector73aand to which the remote control panel50is connected, and the remote control panel50. The charging connector55of the remote control panel50is connected to the power supply connector73aof the panel mounting portion73.

The wireless communication portion81includes a command communication portion82and an image transmitting portion83. The CPU11reads an image stored in the ROM12(or storage) and transmits the image to the remote control panel50via the image transmitting portion83of the wireless communication portion81. Further, the CPU11generates an instruction for the remote control panel50and transmits the instruction to the remote control panel50via the command communication portion82. Further, the CPU11receives a notification generated by the remote control panel50and an instruction generated by the remote control panel50via the command communication portion82. In the present embodiment, the command communication portion82and the image transmitting portion83are configured separately, but may be combined into one communication line.

The network connection portion84and the wireless communication portion81may be shared, but in that case, the Wi-Fi direct method, which is a communication mode for directly connecting the image forming apparatus and the remote control panel, cannot be used. Furthermore, the connection will be via a normal network (via an access point), and print data, command communication and screen data will be communicated via the same route. Therefore, since the amount of communication data increases, the response of the screen display on the remote control panel may become slow, and it may take time to receive the print data of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the network connection portion84and the wireless communication portion81are configured separately.

A power supply device17is connected to the controller10. The power supply device17receives power from a commercial power supply via an outlet plug19, converts the power into electric power to be used by each device, and supplies the electric power to each device. Specifically, first, the power supply device17supplies power to the controller10when the main power switch79is switched from off to on. After that, the power supply device17supplies, based on an instruction of the controller power to the reader14, the image forming unit15, the processing device16, the display panel71, the remote control panel50mounted on the panel mounting portion73, the wireless communication portion81, the network connection portion84, and the like. In this case, a line connecting the power supply device17and the controller10illustrated inFIG.4is a signal line. Through this signal line, the controller10instructs the power supply device17which unit to supply power to. Further, inFIG.4, a line connecting the power supply device17to the image forming unit15is a power supply line, and power is supplied from the power supply device17to the image forming unit through this power supply line. Power supply lines are connected to units such as the reader14, the processing device16, and the display panel71from the power supply device17, but are not illustrated inFIG.4.

The power supply line extending from the power supply device17to the image forming unit15is connected to a drive source of the image forming unit15. That is, a “state in which power is supplied from the power supply device17to the image forming unit15” means that power is supplied to the drive source of the image forming unit15, for example, a motor for rotating the photosensitive drum9, a motor for rotating a charging roller of the charging device2, a motor for rotating a developing roller of the developing device4, a motor for rotating the primary transfer roller5, a motor for rotating the intermediate transfer belt6, a motor for rotating the secondary transfer roller7, and the like. In a standby mode described later, power is supplied from the power supply device17to these drive sources. On the other hand, in a sleep mode described later, power is not supplied from the power supply device17to these drive sources.

Further, when the main power switch79is turned off, the power supply device17stops the supply of power based on an instruction of the controller10(CPU11). Further, even when the main power switch79is not turned off, the power supply device17can turn off the main power switch79by stopping the supply of power based on an instruction from the controller10(CPU11). The case where the main power switch79is turned off based on the instruction from the controller10(CPU11) is, for example, when an abnormality occurs or when a power off instruction is received from the user via the network connection portion84.

The image forming apparatus1can shift to a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and the controller10(CPU11) performs control to reduce the power consumption. Specifically, when the user selects image reading, power is supplied to the reader14, but power is not supplied to the image forming unit15and the processing device16. When the image forming apparatus is not used, unnecessary power supply is stopped even in the controller10. The case where the image forming apparatus is not used means, for example, the case where the image forming apparatus is not used for a certain period of time or the case where the image forming apparatus receives, from the user via the remote control panel50, an instruction to shift to the power saving mode. Then, when the mode shifts to the power saving mode, power is supplied only to user-input portions such as the network connection portion84and the panel connection portion80. In order to reduce the power consumption, the supply of power to the panel connection portion80may be stopped to limit user input to input from the network connection portion84. In that case, it is necessary to change the control such that the network connection portion84and the remote control panel50communicate with each other. When input from the user is detected in the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus1is returned from the power saving mode to the normal mode via the controller10(CPU11).

<Various Power Modes of Image Forming Apparatus>

FIG.19is a table diagram summarizing the types of components to which the power supply device17supplies power in the image forming apparatus1for each of the modes. The power modes of the image forming apparatus will be described below with reference toFIG.19.

When the power mode of the image forming apparatus is the “normal mode”, the status of the image forming apparatus described later is “standby”. Further, when the power mode of the image forming apparatus is the “power saving mode”, the status of the image forming apparatus described later is “sleep”.

<Normal Mode (Standby Mode)>

When the image forming apparatus is in the normal mode, the power supply device17supplies power to the controller10. After that, the power supply device17supplies power to, for example, the drive source of the image forming unit15based on an instruction of the controller10. When the remote control panel50is mounted on the panel mounting portion73, the power supply device17supplies power to the remote control panel50mounted on the panel mounting portion73.

<Power saving Mode (Sleep Mode)>

On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus shifts from the normal mode to the power saving mode, the power supply device17supplies power to the wireless communication portion81and the network connection portion84based on an instruction of the controller10. However, the power supply device17stops, based on an instruction of the controller10, supplying power to the drive source of the image forming unit15to which power was supplied in the normal mode. When the remote control panel50is mounted on the panel mounting portion73, the power supply device17supplies power to the remote control panel50mounted on the panel mounting portion73. That is, in the power saving mode, the power supply device17does not supply power to the drive source of the image forming unit15, while in the normal mode, the power supply device17supplies power to the drive source of the image forming unit15.

<System Configuration of Remote Control Panel>

Next, the system configuration of the remote control panel50will be described with reference toFIG.5.FIG.5is a block diagram illustrating the system configuration of the remote control panel50.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the remote control panel50includes a panel controller20having a CPU21(controller), a ROM22, a RAM23, and a timer24. The timer24clocks when the panel controller20performs various processes.

The ROM22(storage portion) stores data such as various programs relating to the control of the remote control panel50. The CPU21performs various arithmetic processing based on a control program stored in the ROM22. RAM23temporarily stores data. That is, the CPU21(controller) controls the display51, the speaker portion53, the status display portion54, and the like connected to the panel controller20while using the RAM23as a work area based on the control program stored in the ROM22.

The ROM22can also store an SSID (identification information) and a password that are used to connect the remote control panel50to each image forming apparatus via wireless communication. For example, before the remote control panel50and the image forming apparatus are connected to each other via wireless communication for the first time, the user operates the remote control panel50and stores the SSID and the password in the ROM22in advance. Alternatively, the ROM22may automatically store the aforementioned information at the first wireless connection. The memory22stores, for example, a password (first password) required for wirelessly connecting the remote control panel50to a first image forming apparatus and an SSID (first identification information) of the first image forming apparatus in association with each other. Similarly, the memory22stores, for example, a password (second password) required for wirelessly connecting the remote control panel50to a second image forming apparatus and an SSID (second identification information) of the second image forming apparatus in association with each other.

Further, the remote control panel50includes a connection portion90for connecting to the image forming apparatus1. The connection portion90includes a charging connector55connected to the power supply connector73aof the image forming apparatus1and a wireless communication portion91(third wireless communication unit) that performs wireless communication with the image forming apparatus1. The remote control panel50in the present embodiment can perform wireless communication with a plurality of image forming apparatuses. For example, an image forming system is assumed, which includes a certain image forming apparatus (first image forming apparatus), another image forming apparatus (second image forming apparatus), and the remote control panel50. In this image forming system, the wireless communication portion91(third wireless communication unit) of the remote control panel50performs wireless communication individually with each of a first wireless communication unit of the first image forming apparatus and a second wireless communication unit of the second image forming apparatus. Specifically, direct communication is performed in order using the Wi-Fi direct communication method. However, the direct communication referred to here refers to wireless communication performed without a wireless LAN router, and is not limited to the Wi-Fi direct communication method.

The wireless communication portion91has a command communication portion92connected to the CPU21and an image receiving portion93connected to the display51. The CPU21generates an instruction and a notification for the image forming apparatus1and transmits the instruction and the notification to the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1via an antenna (not illustrated) of the command communication portion92. Further, the CPU21receives an instruction and information transmitted from the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1via the command communication portion92.

The image receiving portion93receives image data transmitted from the image transmitting portion83of the image forming apparatus1via the antenna (not illustrated), converts the image data into image data to be displayed on the display51, and displays the image data on the display51. In the present embodiment, the command communication portion92and the image receiving portion93have been described as portions separate from each other, but may be combined into one communication line.

Further, the wireless communication portion91performs wireless communication via the wireless communication portion81of the image forming apparatus1by Wi-Fi direct communication, which is a communication mode for directly connecting the image forming apparatus to the remote control panel. Miracast, which is a display transmission technology that applies this Wi-Fi direct communication method, is used in, for example, mobile phones, displays, projectors, and the like. The communication mode for directly connecting the image forming apparatus1to the remote control panel50may be a mode in which wireless communication is performed by another method such as Bluetooth or NFC instead of wireless communication by Wi-Fi. Further, the wireless communication portion91performs wireless communication via the network connection portion84of the image forming apparatus that can be connected via an access point (for example, a Wi-Fi router) in a communication mode that connects the image forming apparatus to the remote control panel50. Based on an instruction of the CPU21, the wireless communication portion91switches between a communication mode in which the image forming apparatus and the remote control panel are connected directly to each other and a communication mode in which the image forming apparatus and the remote control panel are connected to each other via the access point, and performs wireless communication with the image forming apparatus.

The display51is a display portion capable of displaying information based on image data received from the image forming apparatus via the wireless communication portion91. Therefore, the display51outputs an image received from the image forming apparatus via the wireless communication portion91.

Further, as described above, the display51is a touch panel type display (operation display portion) in which the display portion and the touch panel59, which is an operation portion for detecting a touch operation from the user, are integrated. The display51is arranged such that the touch panel59overlaps the display51, and the user operates the display51by touching the display51via the touch panel59with a finger.

In this case, when the user operates the touch panel59, the CPU21of the remote control panel50transmits information of the operation of the touch panel59to the image forming apparatus1as coordinate information. This will be described below.FIG.6Bis a diagram in which coordinates are displayed on the touch panel59of the remote control panel50. As illustrated inFIG.6B, the touch panel59is divided in an X direction and a Y direction. Although the number of divided sections depends on the touch panel method or the like, the resistance type touch panel of the present embodiment is divided into 2048 sections in the X direction and 1024 sections in the Y direction.

Coordinates are represented by (X, Y) according to the distance from the origin with reference to the origin (0, 0). For example, a position P illustrated inFIG.7Bis expressed as coordinates (1024, 512) since the position P is 1024 away from the origin in the X direction and 512 away from the origin in the Y direction. The coordinate data is transmitted from the touch panel59(seeFIG.5) to the CPU21of the remote control panel50, and is transmitted from the command communication portion92to the image forming apparatus1according to an instruction of the CPU21. In the present embodiment, data that is communicated between the image forming apparatus1and the remote control panel50has an 8-bit length, and the numerical values of the coordinate data are converted into 1/8 of the values and transmitted. That is, when the coordinates are (1024, 512), the coordinates are converted into (128, 64) and transmitted.

Further, the remote control panel50includes a panel power supply portion56. The panel power supply portion56includes a battery57and a power generation portion58. The battery57is a main power supply of the remote control panel50and is a rechargeable battery. When the charging connector55is connected to the power supply connector73aof the image forming apparatus1, power is supplied from the power supply device17of the image forming apparatus1to the battery57, and the battery57is charged. Further, the power generation portion58adjusts the power of the battery57to a voltage that can be used by each device included in the remote control panel50. When the power supply of the power switch52is switched from off to on, the power adjusted by the power generation portion58is supplied to the panel controller20, the display51, the speaker portion53, the status display portion54, and the connection portion90.

Further, the remote control panel50includes a key operation input portion26in addition to the touch panel type display51. The key operation input portion26is a hardware key provided in an area other than the display51of the remote control panel50. The key operation input portion26has the power switch52that switches the power of the remote control panel50on and off as a hardware key. Further, the key operation input portion26may be provided with a collective status display key68(input portion) as a hardware key for inputting to acquire statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses wirelessly connected to the remote control panel50. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the collective status display button66(seeFIG.7A) is displayed on the display51is exemplified. Therefore, in addition to the configuration in which the collective status display button66(seeFIG.7A) is displayed on the display51, the collective status display key68may be separately provided independently. Alternatively, the remote control panel50may be provided with the collective status display key68, which is a hardware key, without displaying a collective status display key on the display51(seeFIG.7B). The operation of the collective status display key68and the collective status display button66will be described later with reference toFIG.9.

<Wireless Communication Between Image Forming Apparatus and Remote Control Panel>

Next, the wireless communication between the image forming apparatus1and the remote control panel50will be described with reference toFIG.6A.FIG.6Ais a diagram illustrating communication transition between the image forming apparatus1and the remote control panel50.

To perform wireless communication between the image forming apparatus1and the remote control panel50, the user first operates the main power switch79to activate the image forming apparatus1(S11), and then operates the power switch52to activate the remote control panel50(S21).

When the remote control panel50is activated, the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50sends a negotiation request to the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1(S22). Next, the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1transmits a response signal to the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50(S12). When the remote control panel50receives the response signal, the connection sequence ends and the wireless communication is established.

Next, conditions for wireless communication, such as a communication speed and an image compression rate, are mutually set in the image forming apparatus1and the remote control panel50via the command communication portions82and92(S13, S23).

The remote control panel50can establish wireless communication not only with one image forming apparatus but also with a plurality of image forming apparatuses via the transmission and reception described above for each image forming apparatus, and perform the wireless communication described below.

When this setting is completed, the image data stored in the ROM12of the image forming apparatus1is transferred from the image transmitting portion83of the image forming apparatus1to the image receiving portion93of the remote control panel50in response to an instruction of the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1(S14).

Next, the CPU21of the remote control panel50converts the image data received via the image receiving portion93into an image, and displays the image on the display51. For example, a main menu screen including the collective status display button66and illustrated inFIG.7Aor a main menu screen not including the collective status display button66and illustrated inFIG.7Bis displayed on the display51.

After that, when the user operates the touch panel59, the CPU21of the remote control panel50transmits the operation information of the touch panel59to the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1via the command communication portion92(S24). In this case, the CPU21transmits the operation information of the touch panel59to the image forming apparatus1as coordinate information. As described above, the touch panel59is arranged so as to overlap the display51, and the user touches the display51with a finger to operate the touch panel59.

The CPU11of the image forming apparatus1determines which position the user has touched on the touch panel59of the remote control panel50based on input coordinate data. Then, according to the touched position, the remote control panel50is instructed to transmit the image data, control lighting of a lighting unit25, and instruct the speaker portion53to turn on and off the sound output (S15,16).

Then, when the CPU21of the remote control panel50receives the image data via the image receiving portion93, the CPU21displays the image data on the display51. For example, a screen showing the status of one image forming apparatus or a collective status display screen for collectively displaying statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses is displayed on the display51.

In addition to the case where the image forming apparatus1receives the operation information of the touch panel59from the remote control panel50, the image forming apparatus1gives the above-mentioned instructions to the remote control panel50according to the status of the image forming apparatus1and the status of the remote control panel50.

<Collective Status Display Screen of Remote Control Panel50>

Next, screen transition when the touch panel59of the remote control panel50is operated to collectively display statuses will be described usingFIGS.7A and7B.FIGS.7A and7Bare diagrams illustrating examples of an image displayed on the display51of the remote control panel50.

The display51of the remote control panel50first displays the main menu screen, which is the image illustrated inFIG.7A or7B, by default. The image (main menu screen) illustrated inFIG.7AorFIG.7Bis transmitted from the image transmitting portion83to the image receiving portion93in the process of S14illustrated inFIG.6Adescribed above.

On this main menu screen, a scan button61for setting the reader14, a copy button62for setting the image forming unit15, a fax button63for setting a facsimile, a display status button64, and an arrow button65for switching the screen to the next page are displayed. Further, on the main menu screen, the name (MFP1 in this case)69of the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated and a set button67are displayed. Further, on the main menu screen, the collective status display button66(input unit) for inputting (instructing) to acquire statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses wirelessly connected to the remote control panel50is displayed.

In the configuration in which the collective status display button66is displayed on the display51, the main menu screen including the collective status display button66is displayed on the display51as illustrated inFIG.7A. The CPU11of the image forming apparatus1reads the image data stored in the ROM12and transmits the image data of the main menu screen including the collective status display button66to the remote control panel50. The transmitted image data is received by the image receiving portion93of the remote control panel50and displayed on the display51.

Alternatively, in a configuration in which the collective status display button66is not displayed on the display51and the collective status display key68(key operation input portion) is provided on the remote control panel50, an image of the main menu screen that does not include the collective status display button66is displayed as illustrated inFIG.7B. The CPU11of the image forming apparatus1reads the image data stored in the ROM12and transmits the image data of the main menu screen not including the collective status display button66to the remote control panel50. The transmitted image data is received by the image receiving portion93of the remote control panel50and displayed on the display51.

Alternatively, although not illustrated, in addition to the configuration in which the collective status display button66is displayed on the display51, the remote control panel50may be provided with the hardware key of the collective status display key68. In this case, as illustrated inFIG.7A, the main menu screen including the collective status display button66is displayed on the display51.

When the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1determines that the user has selected the copy button62from the coordinate data transmitted from the remote control panel50, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1transmits an image (not illustrated) of a copy instruction screen to the image receiving portion93via the image transmitting portion83. As a result, the image (not illustrated) of the copy instruction screen is displayed on the display51of the remote control panel50. In this way, the user operates the image forming apparatus1from the remote control panel50.

When the user wants to change the image forming apparatus to be operated by the remote control panel50, the user can change the image forming apparatus by operating the set button67. The set button67on the main menu screen is selected to display a connection destination setting screen (not illustrated) on the display51. On the connection destination setting screen (not illustrated), a list of image forming apparatuses that are wirelessly connected to the remote control panel50is displayed. For example, as illustrated inFIG.8, it is assumed that four image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144whose names are “MFP1” to “MFP4” are wirelessly connected to the remote control panel50. On the connection destination setting screen (not illustrated), one of the image forming apparatuses with the names “MFP1” to “MFP4” displayed in the list is selected as an image forming apparatus to be operated. When “MFP4” is selected as an apparatus to be operated, the name69of the image forming apparatus illustrated inFIG.7Ais changed to “MFP4”, and MFP4 can be operated. In this way, one remote control panel50can switch the connection destination to operate a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

The establishment of wireless connection with a plurality of image forming apparatuses by the remote control panel50and the acquisition of the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses with the established wireless connection will be described later.

<Control of Collective Status Display>

Next, the control of the collective status display for collectively displaying statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses by one remote control panel will be described with reference toFIG.9.FIG.9is a flowchart illustrating a process procedure for the collective status display by the CPU21(controller) of the remote control panel50.

In the following case, as the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the four image forming apparatuses1,142,143,144having the names “MFP1” to “MFP4” are exemplified as illustrated inFIG.8. The four image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144are in a state in which their main power switches79are operated and activated, and are in a state in which the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144can be wirelessly connected to the remote control panel50.

Then, the user operates the power switch52of the remote control panel50to activate the remote control panel50. Then, the process of the CPU21of the remote control panel50is started, and proceeds to S151illustrated inFIG.9.

In S151, the CPU21of the remote control panel50initializes the inside of the remote control panel50. Then, the process of the CPU21shifts to S152.

In S152, the CPU21of the remote control panel50performs processing for communication connection to the image forming apparatus1. The processing for the communication connection between the remote control panel50and the image forming apparatus1will be described with reference toFIG.6A.

That is, when the remote control panel50is activated, a negotiation request is transmitted from the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50to the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1(S22). Next, the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1transmits a response signal to the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50(S12). When the remote control panel50receives the response signal, the connection sequence ends and wireless communication between the remote control panel50and the image forming apparatus1is established. The CPU21of the remote control panel50sets one image forming apparatus for which wireless communication has been established as an image forming apparatus currently to be operated by the remote control panel50.

Next, conditions for wireless communication, such as a communication speed and an image compression rate, are mutually set in the image forming apparatus1and the remote control panel50via the command communication portions82and92(S13, S23). When this setting is completed, the image data stored in the ROM12is transmitted from the image transmitting portion83of the image forming apparatus1to the image receiving portion93of the remote control panel50according to an instruction of the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1(S14). In this case, the image data transmitted to the remote control panel50is the image data of the main menu screen including the collective status display button66illustrated inFIG.7A.

In this case, the image data transmitted to the remote control panel50is not limited to the image data illustrated inFIG.7A. In the configuration in which the collective status display button66is not displayed on the display51and the hardware key of the collective status display key68is provided on the remote control panel50, the image data is the image data illustrated inFIG.7B. In addition to the configuration (not illustrated) in which the collective status display button66is displayed on the display51, the image data is the image data illustrated inFIG.7Ain the configuration in which the remote control panel50is provided with the hardware key of the collective status display key68.

Next, the CPU21of the remote control panel50displays the image data received via the image receiving portion93on the display51. In this case, the CPU21displays the main menu screen including the collective status display button66illustrated inFIG.7Aon the display51. Then, the process of the CPU21shifts to S153. When there is no room to provide the collective status display button66on the screen layout, or when the user wants to be informed of a collective status display function, the hardware key of the collective status display key68may be provided. In the configuration in which the hardware key of the collective status display key68is provided on the remote control panel50, image data to be displayed on the display51may be the image data illustrated inFIG.7BorFIG.7A.

In S153, the CPU21of the remote control panel50determines whether an operation instruction has been given by the user via the display51(touch panel59) or the key operation input portion26. When the CPU21determines that the operation instruction has been given by the user, the process of the CPU21shifts to S154. When the CPU21determines that the operation instruction has not given by the user, the process of the CPU21shifts to S152.

In S154, the CPU21determines whether the user has instructed to perform collectively display statuses. That is, the CPU21determines whether or not an instruction to acquire the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses (four image forming apparatuses1,142,143,144in this case) has been given via the collective status display button66(or the collective status display key68). When the user operates the collective status display button66(or the collective status display key68) of the touch panel59and the CPU21determines that the above-mentioned instruction has been given via the collective status display button66, the process of the CPU21shifts to S157to collectively display the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatus. On the other hand, when the CPU21determines that an operation instruction other than the above-mentioned instruction has been provided via the collective status display button66, the process of the CPU21shifts to S155.

It should be noted that the acquisition of the status of each image forming apparatus does not have to be performed only when the user gives an instruction to collectively display the statuses as a trigger, as in the above example. For example, the status may be transmitted from each image forming apparatus to the remote control panel50periodically (or at arbitrary times) such as every 60 seconds or every 30 seconds. The acquired information on the status of each image forming apparatus is temporarily stored in the RAM23. Then, when the user gives an instruction to collectively display the statuses, the status of each image forming apparatus temporarily stored in the RAM23may be called. When the user does not instruct to perform the collective status display, the information regarding the status of each image forming apparatus and newly sent from each image forming apparatus is overwritten. In this way, the information regarding the status of each image forming apparatus and periodically acquired from each image forming apparatus may be used when the user gives an instruction to collectively display the statuses.

In S155, the CPU21performs processing other than the collective status display for which the operation instruction was given by the user in S154. That is, copying other than the collective status display and other operation instructions are performed on the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated. For example, when the display status button64illustrated inFIG.7Ais operated, the operation information of the touch panel59is transmitted to the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1via the command communication portion92. Then, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1acquires the status of the image forming apparatus1, and transmits image data regarding the status of the image forming apparatus1from the image transmitting portion83of the image forming apparatus1to the image receiving portion93of the remote control panel50. The CPU21of the remote control panel50displays the received image data on the display51. In this way, the status of only one image forming apparatus1currently to be operated is displayed on the display51. When the operation instructed is completed, the process of the CPU21shifts to S156.

In S156, the CPU21shifts to its standby state. That is, the remote control panel50shifts to its standby state and waits for the next instruction of the user.

In S157, the CPU21performs the process of collectively displaying statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses according to the operation instruction given from the user in S154. In the embodiment, the statuses are acquired from the four image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144.

The CPU21establishes wireless connection with a plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated (connection process) in response to an instruction given by the user via the collective status display button66(or the collective status display key68) and sequentially acquires the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated (acquisition process).

First, when the user presses the collective status display button66, the CPU21transmits a negotiation request signal to a predetermined range from the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50. Then, a response signal is transmitted from each of the command communication portions82of the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144within the range of the above-mentioned signal to the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50. The CPU21sequentially receives the response signal from each image forming apparatus, and sequentially establishes wireless connection to each image forming apparatus that has transmitted the response signal. For example, to perform Wi-Fi direct communication, the wireless communication portion91(third wireless communication unit) of the remote control panel50(wireless operation unit) connects to the wireless communication portion (corresponding to the first wireless communication unit) of the first image forming apparatus1via wireless communication without a wireless LAN router. Then, after the wireless communication connection between the wireless communication portion91and the first wireless communication unit is disconnected, the wireless communication portion91connects to the wireless communication portion (second wireless communication unit) of the second image forming apparatus142via wireless communication. In a method for communication without a wireless LAN router, such as Wi-Fi direct communication, the wireless communication portion91connects individually to each image forming apparatus. Therefore, to wirelessly communicate with another image forming apparatus, it is necessary to disconnect wireless communication connection to an image forming apparatus that was originally in a connected state.

The process of connecting the image forming apparatuses to each other via wireless communication in this way is referred to as a connection process. When the wireless communication portion91and the first wireless communication unit connect to each other via wireless communication in the connection process, the wireless communication portion91acquires status information (first status information) of the first image forming apparatus via wireless communication. This process corresponds to a first acquisition process. After that, the wireless communication portion91and the second wireless communication unit connect to each other via wireless communication again, and the wireless communication portion91acquires status information (second status information) of the second image forming apparatus via wireless communication. This process corresponds to a second acquisition process.

That is, when the collective status display button66is pressed by the user, the remote control panel50acquires status information of each image forming apparatus according to the following procedure.(1) In the connection process (first connection process), the wireless communication connection between the wireless communication portion91and the first wireless communication unit is established.(2) In the first acquisition process, the wireless communication portion91(acquiring unit) acquires the status information (first status information) of the first image forming apparatus via wireless communication.(3) The connection process (second connection process) is resumed, and the wireless communication connection between the wireless communication portion91and the second wireless communication unit is established.(4) In the second acquisition process, the wireless communication portion91(acquiring unit) acquires the status information (second status information) of the second image forming apparatus via wireless communication.

After that, the first status information and the second status information are displayed side by side on the display51(display process).

In this way, the CPU21identifies a plurality of image forming apparatuses to which a status acquisition command is transmitted, and acquires a list of the image forming apparatuses to be collectively displayed from the remote control panel50.

Next, the CPU21of the remote control panel50transmits the status acquisition command to each of the command communication portions82of the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144identified as targets of the collective status display via the command communication portion92. Then, the CPU11of each of the image forming apparatuses transmits the status of the image forming apparatus to the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50via the command communication portion82. In this way, the remote control panel50can acquire the status of each of the image forming apparatuses that are the targets of the collective status display. In the present embodiment, the case where any one of “printing”, “standby”, “sleep”, and “JAM” is acquired as the status of each of the image forming apparatuses is exemplified. However, the status of each of the image forming apparatuses that is to be acquired is not limited thereto, and can be appropriately set to a status such as “out of paper” when there is no remaining sheet or “out of toner” when there is no remaining amount of toner. Then, the process of the CPU21shifts to S158.

In S158, the CPU21updates the display on the display51by using the status information acquired from each of the image forming apparatuses identified as the targets of the collective status display. Specifically, the CPU21transmits the status information acquired from the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144to the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated via the command communication portion92. Then, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated reads image data from the ROM12, and transmits the read image data to the image receiving portion93of the remote control panel50via the image transmitting portion83. Then, the CPU21of the remote control panel50updates the display on the display51by displaying the image data received via the image receiving portion93on the display51. That is, the CPU21of the remote control panel50switches the screen displayed on the display51from the main menu screen illustrated inFIG.7A or7Bto the collective status display screen in which the statuses of the image forming apparatuses illustrated inFIG.10Aare displayed side by side.

The CPU21collectively displays the status101(first status information) of MFP1, the status102(second status information) of MFP2, the status103of MFP3, and the status104of MFP4 on the collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.10A. A case is exemplified in which, on the collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.10A, the status101of MFP1 is “printing”, the status102of MFP2 is “standby”, the status103of MFP3 is “sleep”, and the status104of MFP4 is “JAM”. As in this example, the “status information” includes information indicating whether or not image formation based on a job input to each image forming apparatus is being performed, the state of the power supply of each image forming apparatus, error information of each image forming apparatus, and the like. In addition, the “status information” also includes information indicating the number of jobs accepted by each image forming apparatus, and information indicating the type of an optional device connected to each image forming apparatus. Further, on the screen illustrated inFIG.10A, the CPU21displays a button105for exiting the collective status display and returning to the operation of MFP1, and an update button107. Then, the process of the CPU21shifts to S159. In this case, MFP1 is the name of the image forming apparatus1, MFP2 is the name of the image forming apparatus142, MFP3 is the name of the image forming apparatus143, and MFP4 is the name of the image forming apparatus144.

In S159, the CPU21determines whether a display end instruction has been given. In the embodiment, when the CPU21determines that the button105for returning to the operation of MFP1, which is the image forming apparatus1and currently to be operated, has been operated on the screen illustrated inFIG.10A, the CPU21ends the collective status display and causes the process to shift to S155. When the user touches the status101of MFP1 and selects and operates the status display of the image forming apparatus1, the CPU21ends the collective status display and the process shifts to S155to perform a process of displaying only the status of the image forming apparatus1. Otherwise, the CPU21causes the process to shift to S1510.

In S1510, the CPU21determines whether a condition for status reacquisition is satisfied. In the present embodiment, when the user operates the update button107on the screen illustrated inFIG.10A, when another operation is performed on the screen illustrated inFIG.10A, or when a certain time elapses from the time when the timer24starts counting time, the CPU21determines that the condition for the status reacquisition is satisfied, and the process of the CPU21shifts to S157. Otherwise, the process of the CPU21returns to S159.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the image forming system in which wireless communication can be performed between an image forming apparatus and the remote control panel, a user can operate the one remote control panel to collectively display statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses on the one remote control panel, and the convenience can be improved.

Second Embodiment

Next, an image forming system according to the second embodiment will be described. Since the schematic configuration of the entire image forming system is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted here.

In the present embodiment, in the case where statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are displayed on the display51of the remote control panel50, a detail of one selected image forming apparatus is displayed in addition to the status of each image forming apparatus. In this case, the detailed display of the one image forming apparatus is a more detailed status than the displayed statuses (simple display) of the plurality of image forming apparatus.

In the second embodiment, a process is performed according to the same flowchart illustrated inFIG.9as in the first embodiment. Since the overlapping parts have the same processing and the same reference signs, the description thereof will be omitted.

In S157of the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9, the CPU21of the remote control panel50transmits a status acquisition command to the command communication portion82of each of the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144identified as targets of collective status display via the command communication portion92. Then, the CPU11of each of the image forming apparatuses transmits the status of the image forming apparatus to the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50via the command communication portion82.

In this case, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU21acquires any one of “printing”, “standby”, “sleep”, and “JAM” as the status of each image forming apparatus that is to be acquired. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, for one selected image forming apparatus, not only the status of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, but also the size, type, and remaining amount of a sheet stored in a sheet cassette and a remaining amount of a processing device are acquired as the status of the image forming apparatus. In this case, the one selected image forming apparatus sets the one image forming apparatus (MFP) selected as the image forming apparatus currently to be operated as a detailed display target in S152of the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9.

Then, in S158of the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9, the CPU21updates the display on the display51by using the status information acquired from each of the image forming apparatuses identified as the targets of the collective status display. Specifically, the CPU21transmits the status information acquired from the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144to the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated via the command communication portion92. Then, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated reads image data from the ROM12according to the acquired status information of each image forming apparatus, and transmits the read image data to the image receiving portion93of the remote control panel50via the image transmitting portion83. Then, the CPU21of the remote control panel50updates the display on the display51by displaying the image data received via the image receiving portion93on the display51. That is, the CPU21of the remote control panel50switches the screen displayed on the display51from the main menu screen illustrated inFIG.7A or7Bto a collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.10B.

That is, the remote control panel50collectively displays, on the display51, the simple display (101to104) indicating the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the detailed display (110) indicating a more detailed status of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses than the simple display.

The CPU21displays the detailed display110of the MFP1, which is one selected image forming apparatus1, on the collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.10B. Further, the status101(simple display) of MFP1, the status102(simple display) of MFP2, the status103(simple display) of MFP3, and the status104(simple display) of MFP4 are displayed side by side next to the detailed display110of MFP1 from the upper side to the lower side of the screen. MFP1 to MFP4 are the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated. The detailed display110of the one selected MFP is displayed in a larger region than a region in which the status (simple display) of each MFP to be operated is displayed. Further, the CPU21displays a button105for exiting the collective status display and returning to the operation of the image forming apparatus1, and an update button107on the screen illustrated inFIG.10B.

As illustrated inFIG.10A, status information of each image forming apparatus has an item. InFIG.10A, an example of the status information of MFP1 has only one item. However, the number of items displayed in this case is not limited to one, and may be two or more. As illustrated inFIG.10B, a plurality of items constituting the status information is present on a detailed display screen. At least, the number (second number) of items that constitute the status information displayed on the detailed display screen is greater than the number (first number) of items that constitute the status information displayed on a simple display screen. By displaying the details in this way, the status information of each image forming apparatus can be displayed in detail.

Further, in S1510of the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9, when the user touches and selects any of the statuses101to104of the four MFPs on the screen displayed on the display51and illustrated inFIG.10B, the CPU21determines that the condition for reacquiring the status of the image forming apparatus is satisfied. That is, when the user touches and selects any of the statuses101to104of the MFPs displayed on the display51, the one selected MFP is set as a target for the detailed display. In that case, the process of the CPU21shifts to S157. Then, the detailed status of the MFP selected in S157is acquired, and the detailed status of the MFP selected in S158is changed to be a status displayed in the detailed display110in the larger region. For example, the user touches the status104of MFP4, which is the name of the image forming apparatus144, among the statuses101to104of the four MFPs on the screen illustrated inFIG.10B. Then, the screen displayed on the display51is switched from the collective status display screen including the detailed display110of MFP1 illustrated inFIG.10Bto a collective status display screen including the detailed display110of MFP4 illustrated inFIG.14B.

Other configurations and processes are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the user can collectively display statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses on one remote control panel by operating the one remote control panel, and refer to detailed display of one selected apparatus, and the convenience can be improved.

Third Embodiment

Next, an image forming system according to the third embodiment will be described. Since the schematic configuration of the entire image forming system is the same as those of the above-described embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted here.

In the present embodiment, the display51of the remote control panel50is used to collectively display statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses. In this case, among the acquired statuses of the image forming apparatuses, the status of an image forming apparatus in an important status that needs to be called to the user's attention is displayed by a method different from that for the other image forming apparatuses.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus in the important status is displayed on the display51as telop display. In this case, the telop display means that characters to be displayed are displayed so as to flow in the horizontal direction of the screen. In the telop display, the next still image, which is slightly different from the previous still image, is sequentially transmitted from the image forming apparatus and displayed on the display of the remote control panel, so that the image (characters to be displayed) is displayed to flow on the display.

It is defined that the response (that is, the status of the image forming apparatus) of the image forming apparatus that receives a status acquisition command from the remote control panel50is one of “printing”, “standby”, “sleep”, and “JAM”. Further, among the acquired statuses (responses) of the image forming apparatuses, a response, which indicates an important status that needs to be called to the user's attention, is defined as “JAM”. In this case, the CPU21of the remote control panel50causes a response (“JAM” in this case) determined to indicate the important status to be stored in the ROM22and determines the response in advance. When the response obtained in response to the status acquisition command matches the stored response, the CPU21determines that the image forming apparatus is in the important status. The type of response of the image forming apparatus to the status acquisition command and the important status indicated by the response are not limited thereto, and should be set as appropriate.

In the third embodiment, a process is performed according to the same flowchart illustrated inFIG.9as in the first embodiment. Since the overlapping parts have the same processing and the same reference signs, the description thereof will be omitted.

In S157of the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9, the CPU21of the remote control panel50transmits a status acquisition command to the command communication portion82of each of the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144identified as targets of the collective status display via the command communication portion92. Then, the CPU11of each of the image forming apparatuses transmits the status of the image forming apparatus to the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50via the command communication portion82.

Then, in S158of the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9, the CPU21updates the display on the display51by using the status information acquired from each of the image forming apparatuses identified as the targets of the collective status display. Specifically, the CPU21transmits the status information acquired from the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144to the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated via the command communication portion92. Then, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated reads image data from the ROM12, and transmits the read image data to the image receiving portion93of the remote control panel50via the image transmitting portion83.

In this case, the CPU21of the remote control panel50causes a response determined to indicate the important status to be stored in the ROM22and determines the response in advance. When the response obtained in response to the status acquisition command matches the response stored in the ROM22, the CPU21determines that the image forming apparatus is in the important status. Then, the CPU21of the remote control panel50transmits information according to this determination to the image forming apparatus1, and acquires image data corresponding to the information from the image forming apparatus1.

Then, the CPU21of the remote control panel50updates the display on the display51by displaying the image data received via the image receiving portion93on the display51. That is, the CPU21of the remote control panel50switches the screen displayed on the display51from the main menu screen illustrated inFIG.7A or7Bto a collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.11A.

Alternatively, when one selected image forming apparatus is set, the screen displayed on the display51may be switched to a collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.11B.

As a result, on the display51of the remote control panel50, the status of the MFP determined to be in the important status (JAM of MFP4 occurs in this case) is displayed as a telop in addition to the collectively displayed statuses of the MFPs. That is, on the screen illustrated inFIG.11A, the statuses of the MFPs are collectively displayed, and the occurrence of JAM of MFP4 in the important status is displayed as a telop. On the screen illustrated inFIG.11B, the detailed display of one selected MFP and the status of each MFP are collectively displayed, and the occurrence of JAM of MFP4in the important status is displayed as a telop.

Other configurations and processes are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the user can be notified of the important status of the image forming apparatus while collectively displaying the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses by operating from the one remote control panel, and the convenience can be improved.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, an image forming system according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Since the schematic configuration of the entire image forming system is the same as those of the above-described embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted here.

In the present embodiment, the display51of the remote control panel50is used to collectively display statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses. In this case, a status display region for an important status that is among the acquired statuses of the image forming apparatuses and needs to be called to the user's attention is displayed in a method different from that of other status display regions. Specifically, the status display region of the image forming apparatus that needs to be called to the user's attention is displayed by changing a color of the status display region, blinking the status display region, displaying a symbol (mark) that is called to the user's attention, or changing the position of the status display region.

In this case, blinking the status display region means that, similarly to the telop display, the next still image slightly different from the previous still image is sequentially transmitted from the image forming apparatus and displayed on the display of the remote control panel, and blinks on the display.

Further, among the acquired statuses of the image forming apparatuses, the important status that needs to be called to the user's attention is the same as that in the third embodiment described above. Then, the CPU21of the remote control panel50causes a response determined to indicate the important status to be stored in the ROM22and determines the response in advance. When the response obtained in response to the status acquisition command matches the response stored in the ROM22, the CPU21determines that the image forming apparatus is in the important status. This is also the same as the third embodiment described above.

In the fourth embodiment, a process is performed according to the same flowchart illustrated inFIG.9as in the first embodiment. Since the overlapping parts have the same processing and the same reference signs, the description thereof will be omitted.

Then, in S158of the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9, the CPU21updates the display on the display51by using the status information acquired from each of the image forming apparatuses identified as the targets of the collective status display. Specifically, the CPU21transmits the status information acquired from the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144to the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated via the command communication portion92. Then, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated reads image data from the ROM12, and transmits the read image data to the image receiving portion93of the remote control panel50via the image transmitting portion83.

In this case, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1stores a response determined to indicate the important status to be stored in the ROM22and determines the response in advance. When the response obtained in response to the status acquisition command matches the response stored in the ROM22, the CPU11determines that the image forming apparatus is in the important status. Then, the CPU21of the remote control panel50transmits information according to this determination to the image forming apparatus1, and acquires image data corresponding to the information from the image forming apparatus1.

Then, the CPU21of the remote control panel50updates the display on the display51by displaying the image data received via the image receiving portion93on the display51. That is, the CPU21of the remote control panel50switches the screen displayed on the display51from the main menu screen illustrated inFIG.7A or7Bto a collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.12A. In this case, the CPU21changes the status display region of MFP4 to a color (red) different from other status display regions and displays the status display region of MFP4.

Alternatively, the CPU21of the remote control panel50switches the screen displayed on the display51to a collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.12B. In this case, the CPU21displays the important status by adding a caution symbol (mark !) in front of the name of MFP4 in the status JAM in the status display region of MFP4.

Alternatively, the CPU21of the remote control panel50switches the screen displayed on the display51to a collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.13A. In this case, the CPU21blinks the status display region of MFP4 and displays the important status.

Alternatively, the CPU21of the remote control panel50switches the screen displayed on the display51to a collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.13B. In this case, the CPU21changes the order of the status display regions of the MFPs and displays the statuses of the MFPs such that the status display region of MFP4 in the important status is at a noticeable position (on the upper left side of the screen in this case) on the screen and the status display regions of the other MFPs are at positions following the noticeable position. That is, the CPU21displays the status display regions of the MFPs in order from the status display region of MFP4 in the important status while prioritizing the status display region of MFP4 in the important status over the status display regions of the other MFPs.

Alternatively, the CPU21of the remote control panel50switches the screen displayed on the display51to the collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.10A, and further switches the screen to a detailed display screen of the MFP in the important status as illustrated inFIG.14A. In this case, the CPU21collectively displays the status of each MFP as illustrated inFIG.10A. After that, as illustrated inFIG.14A, the CPU21switches the screen to a screen in which the detailed display110of MFP4 and the button105for returning to the operation of the image forming apparatus1are displayed as illustrated inFIG.14Afor the status of MFP4 in the important status among MFPs collectively displayed.

Other configurations and processes are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when the user collectively displays statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses on one remote control panel by operating from the one remote control panel, the important status of the image forming apparatus can be notified to the user, and convenience can be improved.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, an image forming system according to the fifth embodiment will be described. Since the schematic configuration of the entire image forming system is the same as those of the above-described embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted here.

The fifth embodiment is a combination of the configuration described in the second embodiment and the configuration described in the fourth embodiment.

That is, in the fifth embodiment, as described with reference toFIG.10B, in the case where statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are collectively displayed on the display51of the remote control panel50, the status of each image forming apparatus and detailed display of one selected image forming apparatus are displayed. In this case, the detailed display of the one image forming apparatus is a more detailed status than the displayed statuses (simple display) of the plurality of image forming apparatus.

Moreover, in the fifth embodiment, the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are collectively displayed on the display51of the remote control panel50. In this case, as described with reference toFIGS.12A to13B and14A, a status display region for displaying a status that is among the acquired statuses of the image forming apparatuses and needs to be called to the user's attention is displayed in a different manner from the other status display regions.

Specifically, the CPU21of the remote control panel50switches the screen displayed on the display51from the main menu screen illustrated inFIG.7A or7Bto a collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.15A,15B,16A,16B, or14B.

That is, the remote control panel50collectively displays, on the display51, the simple display (101to104) indicating the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the detailed display (110) indicating a more detailed status of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses than the simple display.

On the collective display screen illustrated inFIG.15A, the detailed display110of MFP1, which is the one selected image forming apparatus1, is displayed. Further, the status101(simple display) of MFP1, the status102(simple display) of MFP2, the status103(simple display) of MFP3, and the status104(simple display) of MFP4 are displayed side by side next to the detailed display110. MFP1 to MFP4 are the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated. Moreover, the status display region of MFP4 is changed to a color (red) different from the other status display regions and the important status is displayed. In this case, as described above, the important status is a status that needs to be called to the user's attention among the acquired statuses of the image forming apparatuses.

On the collective display screen illustrated inFIG.15B, the detailed display110of MFP1, which is the one selected image forming apparatus1, and the statuses101to104(simple display) of MFP1 to MFP4, which are the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated, are displayed side by side from the top to the bottom of the screen. In addition, the important status is displayed by adding a caution symbol (mark !) in front of the name of MFP4 in the status JAM in the status display region of MFP4.

On the collective display screen illustrated inFIG.16A, the detailed display110of MFP1, which is the one selected image forming apparatus1, and the statuses101to104(simple display) of MFP1 to MFP4, which are the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated, are displayed side by side from the top to the bottom of the screen. In addition, the status display region of MFP4 is blinked and the important status is displayed.

On the collective display screen illustrated inFIG.16B, the detailed display110of MFP1, which is the one selected image forming apparatus1, and the statuses101to104(simple display) of MFP1 to MFP4, which are the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated, are displayed side by side from the top to the bottom of the screen. In addition, the order of the status display regions of the MFPs is changed such that the status display region of MFP4 in the important status is at a noticeable position (upper side of the screen) on the screen, and the status display regions of the other MFPs are at positions following the noticeable position. That is, the status display regions of the MFPs are displayed in order from the status display region of MFP4 in the important status, while the status display region of MFP4 is prioritized over the status display regions of the other MFPs.

The collective display screen illustrated inFIG.14Bcan be switched as follows. The CPU21of the remote control panel50switches the screen displayed on the display51from the main menu screen illustrated inFIG.7A or7Bto the collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.10B, and further switches the screen to the detailed display screen of the MFP in the important status illustrated inFIG.14B. After displaying the detailed display of the one selected MFP and collectively displaying the statuses of the MFPs as illustrated inFIG.10A, the CPU21switches the screen to the screen in which the detailed display110of MFP4 in the important status among the MFPs is displayed as illustrated inFIG.14B.

In the fifth embodiment, a process is performed according to the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9, which is the same as in the first embodiment. Further, a process procedure from the transmission of a status acquisition command from the CPU of the remote control panel to switching to the collective status display screen illustrated inFIG.15A,15B,16A,16B, or14B is almost the same as the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted here.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, when the user collectively displays statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses on one remote control panel by operating from the one remote control panel, the important status of an image forming apparatus can be notified to the user, and the convenience can be improved.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, an image forming system according to the sixth embodiment will be described. Since the schematic configuration of the entire image forming system is the same as those of the above-described embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted here.

In the sixth embodiment, a process of setting a multiple apparatus display mode or a single apparatus detailed display mode is added. In the multiple apparatus display mode, statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are collectively displayed. In the single apparatus detailed display mode, the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are collectively displayed and detailed display of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is displayed. The display mode set in this case is stored in the ROM22of the remote control panel50. The CPU21of the remote control panel50collectively displays statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses on the display51immediately after the remote control panel50is activated according to the display mode stored in the ROM22. In this case, the detailed display of the one image forming apparatus is a more detailed status than the displayed statuses (simple display) of the plurality of image forming apparatus.

Note thatFIG.17illustrates a flowchart of a process of setting the collective status display of the remote control panel according to the sixth embodiment. Except for the mode setting described with reference toFIG.17, a process is performed according to the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9in the first embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the case where a series of additional processes of setting the display mode illustrated inFIG.17is performed by the initialization routine of S151, which is the first process of the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9, will be described as an example.

The remote control panel50according to the sixth embodiment displays a screen for setting the display mode, prompts the user to set the display mode, stores the set display mode in the ROM, and performs the collective status display according to the setting for the display mode stored in the ROM immediately after the activation of the remote control panel50.

<Additional Process of Controlling Collective Status Display>

Next, with reference toFIG.17, an additional process of controlling the collective status display (FIG.9) for collectively displaying statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses by one remote control panel will be described.

In the following case, as the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the four image forming apparatuses1,142,143,144having the names “MFP1” to “MFP4” are exemplified as illustrated inFIG.8. The four image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144are in a state in which their main power switches79are operated and activated, and are in a state in which the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144can be wirelessly connected to the remote control panel50.

Then, the user operates the power switch52of the remote control panel50to activate the remote control panel50. Then, the process of the CPU21of the remote control panel50is started, and proceeds to S151illustrated inFIG.9. In the initialization routine of S151illustrated inFIG.9, the series of processes illustrated inFIG.17is performed. After the series of processes is performed, the process proceeds to S153illustrated inFIG.9. The series of additional processes illustrated inFIG.17will be described below.

In S161, the CPU21of the remote control panel50initializes the inside of the remote control panel50. Then, the process of the CPU21shifts to S162.

In S162, the CPU21of the remote control panel50performs processing for communication connection to the image forming apparatus1. In this case, the processing for the communication connection between the remote control panel50and the image forming apparatus1has been described with reference toFIG.6Ain the first embodiment described above, and thus is omitted here. Then, after the processing for the communication connection is performed, the process of the CPU21shifts to S163.

In S163, the CPU21of the remote control panel50determines whether or not the display mode has been set by referring to the setting for the display mode stored in the ROM22of the remote control panel50. When the remote control panel50is activated for the first time, the display mode is not set, so the process of the CPU21shifts to S164. When the remote control panel50is activated after the display mode is set, the display mode has already been set, so the process of the CPU21shifts to S169.

In S164, the CPU21acquires the statuses from the image forming apparatuses. In this embodiment, the CPU21acquires each of the statuses from the four image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144.

First, the CPU21transmits a negotiation request signal to a predetermined range from the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50. Then, a response signal is transmitted from each of the command communication portions82of the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144within the range of the above-mentioned signal to the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50. The CPU21sequentially receives the response signal from each image forming apparatus, and sequentially establishes wireless connection to each image forming apparatus that has transmitted the response signal. In this way, the CPU21identifies a plurality of image forming apparatuses to which the status acquisition command is transmitted, and acquires a list of the image forming apparatuses to be collectively displayed from the remote control panel50.

Next, the CPU21of the remote control panel50transmits the status acquisition command to each of the command communication portions82of the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144identified as targets of the collective status display via the command communication portion92. Then, the CPU11of each of the image forming apparatuses transmits the status of the image forming apparatus to the command communication portion92of the remote control panel50via the command communication portion82. In this way, the remote control panel50can acquire the status of each of the image forming apparatuses that are the targets of the collective status display.

In the present embodiment, the case where any one of “printing”, “standby”, “sleep”, and “JAM” is acquired as the status of each of the image forming apparatuses is exemplified. However, the status of each of the image forming apparatuses that is to be acquired is not limited thereto, and can be appropriately set to a status such as “out of paper” when there is no remaining sheet or “out of toner” when there is no remaining amount of toner. Then, the process of the CPU21shifts to S165.

In S165, the CPU21of the remote control panel50performs a selection input process on the display mode. The CPU21transmits the status information acquired from the four image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144to the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated via the command communication portion92. Then, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated reads image data from the ROM12and transmits the read image data to the image receiving portion93of the remote control panel50via the image transmitting portion83. Then, the CPU21of the remote control panel50displays the image data received via the image receiving portion93on the display51. Specifically, the display51displays a setting screen in which a single apparatus detailed display button120for selecting the single apparatus detailed display mode as illustrated inFIG.18Aand a multiple apparatus display button121for selecting the multiple apparatus display mode are displayed, and prompts the user to select a setting for the collective status display. When the CPU21detects that one of the buttons has been selected by the user, the process of the CPU21shifts to S166.

Alternatively, in the standby state of the image forming apparatus, the user may operate the set button67on the screen illustrated inFIG.7A or7Bto perform the above-mentioned selection input process of S165.

In S166, the CPU21determines whether the user has set the single apparatus detailed display mode (single apparatus detailed display setting) and branches the process. When the CPU21determines that an instruction has been given by operating the single apparatus detailed display button120on the touch panel59, the process of the CPU21shifts to S168. On the other hand, when the CPU21determines that an instruction has been given by operating the multiple apparatus display button121on the touch panel59, the process of the CPU21shifts to S167.

In S167, the CPU21causes the multiple apparatus display mode corresponding to the instruction given by operating the multiple apparatus display button121to be stored as a display setting in the ROM22. Then, the process of the CPU21shifts to S169.

In S168, the CPU21causes the single apparatus detailed display mode corresponding to the instruction given by operating the single apparatus detailed display button120to be stored as a display setting in the ROM22. In this case, the CPU21transmits the statuses of the image forming apparatuses acquired in S164to the image forming apparatus1currently to be operated. Then, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1transmits image data illustrated inFIG.18Bfrom the image transmitting portion83. The CPU21of the remote control panel50displays, on the display51, a screen in which the statuses101to104of the four MFP1 to MFP4 and the button105for exiting the collective status display and returning to the operation of MFP1 are displayed, and prompts the user to select and input an image forming apparatus for which detailed display is to be performed. When the user selects MFP4 as the detailed display target from a screen illustrated inFIG.18B, the CPU21causes information of the image forming apparatus in addition to the display setting of the single apparatus detailed display mode to be stored as a display setting in the ROM22of the remote control panel50. Then, the process of the CPU21shifts to S169.

In S169, the CPU21acquires the statuses from the image forming apparatuses. In the present embodiment, the statuses are acquired from the image forming apparatuses1,142,143, and144. Then, the process of the CPU21shifts to S1610.

In S1610, the CPU21refers to the display setting stored in the ROM22and switches the screen displayed on the display51to the screen corresponding to the display setting. The CPU21refers to the display setting stored in the ROM22and transmits information indicating which display mode the CPU21is operating in to the command communication portion82of the image forming apparatus1via the command communication portion92.

In this case, when the display setting is the multiple apparatus display mode, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1transmits the image data illustrated inFIG.10Ato the remote control panel50. Then, as illustrated inFIG.10A, the CPU21of the remote control panel50collectively displays the statuses101to104of the four MFP1 to MFP4.

On the other hand, when the display setting is the single apparatus detailed display mode, the CPU11of the image forming apparatus1transmits the image data illustrated inFIG.10Bto the remote control panel50. Then, the CPU21of the remote control panel50displays the detailed display of the one selected MFP1 in a large region as illustrated inFIG.10B, and displays, side by side, the statuses101to104of the four MFPs in small tag-shaped regions next to the large region. Then, the process of the CPU21shifts to S1611.

In S1611, the CPU21shifts to its standby state. That is, the remote control panel50shifts to its standby state and waits for the next instruction of the user. After that, the process of the CPU21shifts to S153in the flowchart illustrated inFIG.9, and the series of additional processes illustrated inFIG.17is completed.

Other configurations and processes are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the user can select and save the display setting (display mode) for collectively displaying the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Then, the collective status display screen corresponding to the stored display setting can be displayed on the display51by referring to the display setting stored when the remote control panel is activated. Since the display is set in advance, the statuses are collectively displayed first without any user operation, so that the user can grasp the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses when the remote control panel is activated, and the convenience can be improved.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-007087, filed Jan. 20, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.