Image forming apparatus

Abstract

This makes it easy for users to replace the control panel. [Solution] An image forming apparatus 1 for printing images onto a sheet, comprising an operation panel 2 having a display (21). The operation panel 2 is interchangeably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The display (21) shows the procedure for replacing the operation panel 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a configuration in which an operation panel can be replaced.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium includes an operation panel having a display for displaying the progress of the image forming operation and setting screens for various conditions. The operation panel (display) tends to increase in size in response to an improvement in visibility and an increase in the amount of information to be displayed. In addition, image forming apparatuses of different sizes are prepared according to the usage environment, but there is a desire to provide an equivalent operation panel (display) for any size of image forming apparatus. In Patent Document 1, a technique has been proposed in which a plurality of operation panels of different sizes can be attached according to the installation space of the image forming apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When replacing the operation panel in an image forming apparatus after shipment, a service technician will perform the work while checking a manual or the like. Such a manual is usually displayed on a terminal or the like held by the service technician. However, when a user replaces the operation panel, the user cannot check such a manual. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to replace the operation panel.

[0005] In view of the above problems, a main object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that enables easy replacement of the operation panel by the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for printing an image on a sheet, and is characterized by comprising an operation panel having a display and being replaceable and attached to the main body, wherein the display shows the procedure for replacing the operation panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the user can easily replace the control panel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Diagram of the image forming system. [Figure 2] System configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] (a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the control panel. [Figure 4] (a) to (c) are perspective views showing the control panel attached to the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] System configuration diagram of the control panel. [Figure 6] (a) to (d) are illustrative images showing the procedure for the replacement work. [Figure 7] (a) to (d) are illustrative images showing the procedure for the replacement work. [Figure 8] (a) to (d) are illustrative images showing the procedure for the replacement work. [Figure 9] (a) to (d) are illustrative images showing the procedure for the replacement work. [Figure 10] A flowchart illustrating the process of displaying images for the replacement of the control panel. [Figure 11] (a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the display process of images for the procedure of replacing the control panel. [Figure 12] A diagram illustrating the power supply status. [Figure 13] A diagram illustrating the power supply status. [Figure 14] A diagram illustrating the power supply status. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. However, unless otherwise specifically stated, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described below are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to those components alone.

[0010] (Image forming apparatus) Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system according to this embodiment. The image forming system 1000 comprises an image forming apparatus 1 that forms an image on a recording medium sheet S, and a reader 14 that is an image reading device. The reader 14 optically reads an image of a document placed on a glass surface (not shown) and converts it into image data. The image forming system 1000 can optionally be fitted with a processing device 16 that performs processing such as stapling, punching, and binding on the sheet S on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a seesaw-type or tactile-type main power switch 121 for switching the main power on and off. The image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with an operation panel 2 as a user interface having an input interface and an output interface. Details of the operation panel 2 will be described later, but the user can use the operation panel 2 to make settings related to image forming, such as the number of images to be formed and the size of the sheet S, and settings related to image reading, such as the size of the original document. The operation panel 2 is equipped with a status display unit 24 that informs the user of the status of the image forming apparatus 1 (job execution, error occurrence such as jam).

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 15 for forming an image on a sheet S. The image forming unit 15 includes photosensitive drums 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K, chargers 151Y, 151M, 151C, 151K, and developing units 152Y, 152M, 152C, 152K. Further, the image forming unit 15 includes primary transfer rollers 153Y, 153M, 153C, 153K, a laser scanner unit 154, an intermediate transfer belt 155, a secondary transfer roller 156, etc.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1 includes sheet cassettes 19a, 19b for storing the sheet S. Sheets are fed one by one from either of the sheet cassettes 19a, 19b and conveyed to a secondary transfer portion constituted by the intermediate transfer belt 155 and the secondary transfer roller 156.

[0014] Regarding the operation of the image forming unit 15, the case of forming an image on the photosensitive drum 150Y will be described. A yellow (Y) image is formed on the photosensitive drum 150Y. The photosensitive drum 150Y is a drum-shaped photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer on its surface. The charger 151Y uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 150Y. The laser scanner unit 154 irradiates the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 150Y with laser light according to the image data of the document read by the reader 14 or the image data transmitted via a network from an external device (not shown). Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 150Y.

[0015] The developing unit 152Y attaches yellow toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 150Y and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 150Y. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 150Y is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 155 by applying a primary transfer bias to the primary transfer roller 153Y.

[0016] Through a similar process, a magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 150M, a cyan toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 150C, and a black toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 150K. By applying a primary transfer bias to the primary transfer rollers 153M, 153C, and 153K, these toner images are superimposed and transferred onto the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 155. This forms a full-color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 155 corresponding to the image data. The intermediate transfer belt 155 moves in a circular motion, transporting the carried full-color toner image to the secondary transfer section.

[0017] The secondary transfer unit applies a secondary transfer bias to the secondary transfer roller 156, thereby transferring the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 155 to the sheet S. The sheet S, on which the toner image has been transferred, is transported to the fuser 13. The fuser 13 fixes the toner image to the sheet S by, for example, heating and pressurizing.

[0018] The sheet S, on which the toner image has been fixed, is transported to the processing unit 16. The processing unit 16 ejects the sheet S to the paper output area 160. If the user has specified processing such as stapling, punching, or binding, the processing unit 16 performs the specified processing on the sheet S and then ejects it to the output tray 161a. If the user has not specified processing or if the processing unit 16 is not provided, the sheet S is ejected from the fuser 13 to the output tray 161b in the paper output area 160.

[0019] Figure 2 is a system configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main control unit 10 for controlling the image forming operation described above. The main control unit 10 is an information processing device equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100, memory 101, and timer 102. The main control unit 10 is connected to a storage unit 11, a power supply unit 12, a fuser 13, a reader 14, an image forming unit 15, and an operation panel 2, etc. An optional processing device 16 can also be connected to the main control unit 10. Furthermore, a notification unit 17 is connected to the main control unit 10. The CPU 100 of the main control unit 10 controls the operation of each connected unit.

[0020] The memory unit 11 stores various programs 110 related to the control of the image forming apparatus 1, as well as various display images, image data, etc. The various programs 110 stored in the memory unit 11 are a group of software for the main control unit 10 to perform various processes. The display images stored in the memory unit 11 are display images (image data) etc. to be displayed on the operation panel 2. The display images include, for example, images for displaying or printing images that represent the replacement procedure for the operation panel 2, which will be described later.

[0021] The CPU 100 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 by reading and executing the program 110 stored in the memory unit 11. The CPU 100 reads display images (image data) from the memory unit 11 for display on the operation panel 2 and transmits them to the operation panel 2. The operation panel 2 displays a display image corresponding to the image data acquired from the CPU 100. The memory 101 is the main memory used by the CPU 100 when executing the program 110, and is used for temporary data storage, etc.

[0022] The CPU 100 controls the operation of the reader 14, image forming unit 15, processing unit 16, etc., connected to the main control unit 10 by executing the program 110 stored in the storage unit 11 using the memory 101 as a working area. This allows for the formation of an image on the sheet S. For example, the CPU 100 controls the reader 14 to generate image data read from the original document. The CPU 100 then stores the generated image data in the storage unit 11. Subsequently, the CPU 100 transfers the image data stored in the storage unit 11 to the image forming unit 15 and executes the image forming process described above.

[0023] Timer 102 is used to time various processes performed by the main control unit 10. For example, the main control unit 10 makes a decision to switch the image forming apparatus 1 from standby mode to a low-power sleep mode based on the count value of Timer 102. Power supply unit 12 converts the power supplied from the commercial power supply via the outlet plug into power used by each device and supplies it. Notification unit 17 is a warning light or the like, and is provided so that if an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 1, it can notify users who are away from the image forming apparatus 1 that an abnormality has occurred.

[0024] (Control panel) Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the control panel 2. Multiple types of control panels 2 can be attached to the image forming apparatus 1. The control panels 2 in this embodiment are control panel 2a in Figure 3(a), control panel 2b in Figure 3(b), and control panel 2c in Figure 3(c). These control panels 2a, 2b, and 2c can be attached to the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the number of control panels 2 that can be attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to three; there may be more, or conversely, only two. In any case, multiple types of control panels 2 can be interchangeably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0025] The operation panel 2a in Figure 3(a) will now be described. The operation panel 2a has a display 21 capable of displaying images and a touch panel 22 that accepts touch operations from the user. The user can make various settings by operating the software keys (input section, buttons) displayed on the display 21 with their finger. The display 21 is the output interface, and the touch panel 22 is the input interface.

[0026] The display 21 is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The touch panel 22 is placed on top of the display 21 and accepts user operation instructions by detecting operations on the display 21. The display 21 displays images by passing through the touch panel 22. In this embodiment, the display 21 and the touch panel 22 are made of separate components, but a touch panel display that combines the functions of both the display 21 and the touch panel 22 may also be used.

[0027] As described above, the status display unit 24 of the control panel 2 indicates whether the image forming apparatus 1 is executing a job or if an error has occurred. The status display unit 24 has multiple illuminated parts, such as red and green. The illuminated parts are, for example, LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes). The status of the image forming apparatus 1 is communicated to the user by the color and pattern of the illuminated parts. The status display unit 24 is also an example of an output interface.

[0028] The control panel 2b in Figure 3(b) will now be explained. Compared to control panel 2a, control panel 2b is larger in size, and the display 21 is larger. The larger display size offers advantages such as making the screen easier to see and operate for some users. In addition, control panel 2a and control panel 2b have different components for connecting to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The components for connecting control panel 2 to the main body must be installed in an appropriate position according to the size of control panel 2.

[0029] The operation panel 2c in Figure 3(c) will now be described. The operation panel 2c has the same configuration as the operation panel 2a, but with the addition of a key operation input section 25 for the user to set the image forming apparatus 1 and issue job commands. The key operation input section 25 is a hardware key located in an area of ​​the operation panel 2 other than the display 21. The key operation input section 25 is also an example of an input interface.

[0030] The key operation input section 25 has a start key for starting a job on the image forming apparatus 1, a numeric keypad, a power saving key for instructing the transition to power saving mode, and is an operation panel for users who prefer to operate using hardware keys. In addition, the operation panel 2c, like the operation panel 2b, differs from the operation panel 2a in the components for connecting to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0031] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the operation panel 2 attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation panel 2 is located on the upper part of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, in front of the reader 14. Figure 4(a) shows the operation panel 2a attached. Figure 4(b) shows the operation panel 2b attached. Figure 4(c) shows the operation panel 2c attached.

[0032] Figure 5 is a system configuration diagram of the operation panel 2. The operation panel 2 includes a panel control unit 20 which has a CPU 200, ROM (Read Only Memory) 201, RAM (Random Access Memory) 202, and a timer 203. The timer 203 is used to time various processes performed by the panel control unit 20. The panel control unit 20 is connected to a touch panel control unit 220, an interface (IF) unit 26, a display 21, a speaker unit 23, a status display unit 24, and a key operation input unit 25. The IF unit 26 controls communication with the main unit control unit 10. The panel control unit 20 transmits input information received by the touch panel 22 to the main unit control unit 10 via the IF unit 26. The panel control unit 20 also receives instructions from the main unit control unit 10 via the IF unit 26 to display images on the display 21, output sound from the speaker unit 23, and control the illumination of the status display unit 24. The touch panel control unit 220 is connected to the touch panel 22.

[0033] The CPU 200 controls the operation of the control panel 2 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 201. The RAM 202 provides a workspace for the CPU 200 when it performs processing and stores temporary data, etc. By executing the control program, the CPU 200 controls the touch panel control unit 220, the IF unit 26, the display 21, the speaker unit 23, the status display unit 24, and the key operation input unit 25.

[0034] ROM201 also stores control-related information. In addition to the control program for the operation panel 2, ROM201 stores identification information for the operation panel 2 and information related to the connection with the image forming apparatus 1. Control-related information includes information on the establishment of the connection with the image forming apparatus 1 and information obtained from the image forming apparatus 1. Information obtained from the image forming apparatus 1 includes information on the status of the image forming apparatus 1, such as standby mode, sleep mode, and error detection, as well as count information such as the number of printed pages.

[0035] The display 21 is a display unit capable of displaying information pre-stored in the ROM 201 or information received from the main unit control unit 10. The CPU 200 can switch the image output to the display 21 between an image stored in the operation panel 2 (ROM 201) and an image acquired from the main unit control unit 10.

[0036] The touch panel control unit 220 controls the operation of the touch panel 22 under the control of the CPU 200. The touch panel 22 detects the position of the user's touch operation. The speaker unit 23 outputs warning sounds, etc., under the control of the CPU 200. The status display unit 24 lights up its indicator lights in response to a lighting request from the CPU 100 to notify that the image forming apparatus 1 is executing a job or that an error has occurred.

[0037] (Control panel replacement) In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the operation panel 2 is replaceable. When the operation panel 2 is being replaced, a step-by-step image of the replacement procedure is displayed on the display 21. Figures 6 to 9 are illustrative diagrams of the step-by-step image of the replacement procedure. Figures 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the display process of the step-by-step image for replacing the operation panel 2. Here, we will explain the procedure for replacing the operation panel 2a in Figure 3(a) with the operation panel 2c in Figure 3(c). In other words, the operation panel 2a is replaced from the state in Figure 4(a) to the state in Figure 4(c).

[0038] The user selects a button to begin the operation panel replacement process. This button is a software key displayed on the display 21 and is selected from a menu image which is the initial image. Upon this, the main control unit 10 begins displaying the procedure images for replacing the operation panel 2.

[0039] The main control unit 10 displays the selected image shown in Figure 6(a) on the display 21 of the operation panel 2a (700). In this embodiment, there are three types of operation panels 2 that can be attached to the image forming apparatus 1: operation panel 2a, operation panel 2b, and operation panel 2c. The selection screen displays buttons for selecting these panels and a cancel button. On the selection screen, operation panel 2a is displayed as "operation panel A", operation panel 2b as "operation panel B", and operation panel 2c as "operation panel C".

[0040] If the "Cancel" button is selected (pressed) (S701:Y), the main control unit 10 displays the image shown in Figure 9(c) on the display 21. The operation panel replacement process is interrupted when the user presses the "OK" button on the image shown in Figure 9(c). If the user presses the "Cancel" button on the image shown in Figure 9(c), the main control unit 10 displays the selected image shown in Figure 6(a) on the display 21 again.

[0041] If the button for "Operation Panel A" is selected (pressed) (S701:N, S702:Y), the main unit control unit 10 stores the information of the operation panel 2 to be replaced as operation panel A in the memory 101 (S703). If the button for "Operation Panel B" is selected (pressed) (S701:N, S702:N, S704:Y), the main unit control unit 10 stores the information of the operation panel 2 to be replaced as operation panel B in the memory 101 (S705). If the button for "Operation Panel C" is selected (pressed) (S701:N, S702:N, S704:N, S706:Y), the main unit control unit 10 stores the information of the operation panel 2 to be replaced as operation panel C in the memory 101 (S707). The selected image will be displayed until one of the following buttons is selected: the "Cancel" button, the "Control Panel A" button, the "Control Panel B" button, or the "Control Panel C" button (S701:N, S702:N, S704:N, S706:N).

[0042] In this embodiment, as described above, operation panel 2a (operation panel A) is replaced with operation panel 2c (operation panel C). To do this, the process in S707 is performed, and the image in Figure 6(b) is displayed on the display 21. Figure 6(b) is a confirmation image that includes a photograph of operation panel C and allows the user to confirm the operation panel after replacement. The user confirms the operation panel after replacement using the confirmation image and presses the "Next" button. If the "Previous" button is pressed, the selected image in Figure 6(a) is displayed on the display 21.

[0043] When the "Next" button on the confirmation image is pressed, the main control unit 10 displays the image in Figure 6(c) on the display 21 (S708). Figure 6(c) is an instruction image to indicate whether or not to print the operation panel replacement procedure. If the "Print" button is pressed (S708:Y), the main control unit 10 prints all subsequent work procedures and sets the replacement flag for the operation panel 2 to ON (S709). After that, the main control unit 10 automatically turns off the power to the operation panel 2 (S712). The power supply status when the power is off will be described later. If the "Next" button is pressed (S708:Y), the main control unit 10 displays the replacement procedure on the display 21. The main control unit 10 executes the pre-replacement procedure processing (S710). If the "Previous" button is pressed, the confirmation image in Figure 6(b) is displayed on the display 21.

[0044] Figure 11(a) is a flowchart representing the pre-replacement procedure. In the pre-replacement procedure, the main unit control 10 displays the images of Figures 6(d), 7(a), (b), and (c) sequentially on the display 21 to show the procedure for removing the currently installed operation panel 2a (S720). The images of Figures 6(d), 7(a), (b), and (c) show the procedure (steps 1 to 4) for removing the operation panel 2 from the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, since the operation panel 2a is installed, the procedure for removing the operation panel 2a is displayed here. If operation panels 2b and 2c are installed, the procedure for removing operation panels 2b and 2c will be displayed.

[0045] If the user presses the "Cancel" button in "Step 1" of Figure 6(d) (S721:Y), the main control unit 10 displays the image of Figure 9(c) on the display 21. The operation panel replacement process is interrupted when the user presses the "OK" button from the image of Figure 9(c). If the user presses the "Cancel" button from the image of Figure 9(c), the main control unit 10 displays the image of Figure 6(d) on the display 21 again.

[0046] If the "Cancel" button is not pressed in "Step 1" in Figure 6(d), and the process proceeds to Step 4 as shown in Figure 7(c) (S721:N), the main control unit 10 displays the image of Step 5 in Figure 7(d) on the display 21. This presents the user with the procedure for removing the operation panel 2a. The work from Step 5 onward is performed after the power is turned off, but after the images for Steps 6-8 are sequentially displayed on the display 21, the main control unit 10 automatically turns off the power. For this reason, the images presenting Steps 5-8 include comments to alert the user. Subsequently, the main control unit 10 presents the installation work for the operation panel 2 according to Steps 6-8 by sequentially displaying the images in Figures 8(a)-(c) on the display 21 (S722). The operation panel 2 to be installed here is the operation panel selected in the selected image.

[0047] In this embodiment, since the replacement is for control panel 2c, the installation procedure for control panel 2c is displayed here. If control panel 2b is the one to be replaced, the installation procedure for control panel 2b is displayed. In this case as well, cautionary comments are displayed on the image.

[0048] After the images for steps 6-8 are displayed, the main control unit 10 displays the image shown in Figure 8(d) on the display 21. The image in Figure 8(d) shows a confirmation message asking whether to print the work procedure, as steps 5 and 6 are performed while the power is off (S723). If the "Print" button is pressed (S723:Y), the main control unit 10 presents the option to print some of the steps (in this case, steps 5 and 6) (S724). If the "Previous" button is pressed (S725:N), the main control unit 10 returns to the process in S720. If the "OK" button is pressed (S723:N, S725:Y), the main control unit 10 sets the replacement flag on the operation panel 2 to ON (S726). This completes the pre-replacement procedure processing.

[0049] Once the pre-replacement procedure is complete, the main control unit 10 checks whether the replacement flag for the operation panel 2 is set to ON (S711). If the replacement flag is not set to ON (S711:N), the main control unit 10 determines that the replacement of the operation panel 2 has been interrupted and terminates the process. If the replacement flag is set to ON (S711:Y), the main control unit 10 automatically turns off the power to the operation panel 2 (S712). The power supply status when the power is off will be described later.

[0050] The user performs the above procedure 5.6 after turning off the power. In other words, the operation panel 2 is replaced. In this embodiment, operation panel A (operation panel 2a) is removed from the image forming apparatus 1 and a new operation panel C (operation panel 2c) is installed. After procedures 5 and 6, the main unit control 10 automatically turns on the power to operation panel 2 (S713:Y). Once the power is turned on, the main unit control 10 executes the post-replacement procedure for operation panel 2 (S714). Note that Figures 9(a) and (b) show procedures 7 and 8 after procedure 6, so the installed operation panel 2 is operation panel C (operation panel 2c).

[0051] Figure 11(b) is a flowchart showing the post-replacement procedure. The main control unit 10 checks the information of the currently connected operation panel (S740). The main control unit 10 detects the occurrence of an abnormality by checking whether the information of the operation panel checked in the process of S740 matches the information of the operation panel 2 to be replaced stored in memory 101 (S741). The main control unit 10 performs the process of S741, for example by checking the identification information assigned to the operation panel. The main control unit 10 detects the occurrence of an abnormality by obtaining identification information from the ROM 201 of the panel control unit 20, for example, and checking whether it is the same as the identification information stored in memory 101. Identification information is stored in memory 101 through the processes of S703, S705, and S707. Identification information of the installed operation panel 2 is stored in ROM 201.

[0052] If control panel 2 is not connected, or if it has been replaced with a different control panel, the information on the control panel confirmed in the S740 process does not match the information on the replacement control panel 2 stored in memory 101, and an abnormality is detected. In this case (S741:Y), the main unit control 10 notifies the user of the abnormality and terminates the process (S742). Figure 9(d) is an example of the notification image displayed on the display 21 when an abnormality is notified. Figure 9(d) is the notification image when a different control panel has been replaced. If control panel 2 is not connected, the main unit control 10 notifies the user of the abnormality using, for example, the notification unit 17 in Figure 3.

[0053] If no abnormality is detected (S741:N), the main unit control unit 10 displays the images of Figure 9(a) and (b) sequentially on the display 21 of the operation panel C, presenting steps 7 and 8 for installing the operation panel C (S743). After completing step 8, when the user presses the "OK" button in the image of Figure 9(b) (S744:Y), the post-replacement procedure for the operation panel 2 is completed (S745). This also completes the process shown in Figure 10.

[0054] An example of the power supply status of the image forming apparatus 1 during the replacement of the control panel 2 will be described. Figures 12 to 14 are explanatory diagrams of the power supply status. In Figures 12 to 14, the shaded areas indicate parts where the power supply has been cut off.

[0055] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram of the power supply status during the replacement of the operation panel 2. In this case, scanning operations by the reader 14 and image forming operations by the image forming unit 15, fuser 13, and processing unit 16 are unnecessary. For this reason, it is possible to cut off the power supply to the reader 14, image forming unit 15, fuser 13, and processing unit 16. On the other hand, even when the operation panel 2 is being replaced, the operation panel 2, main unit control unit 10, power supply unit 12, memory unit 11, and notification unit 17 are powered. The main unit control unit 10 controls the operation panel 2. The power supply unit 12 operates the main unit control unit 10. The notification unit 17 is used when there is an abnormality. However, if the "Print" button is pressed to print the work procedure in Figure 6(c) or Figure 8(d), the image forming unit 15, fuser 13, and processing unit 16 are powered, as shown in Figure 13.

[0056] Furthermore, during the power-off period between Figures 7(d) and 8(a), it is sufficient that the power supply to the control panel 2 is cut off. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14, the power supply to the control panel 2 is cut off in addition to the power-off period shown in Figure 12.

[0057] In this embodiment, the procedure for removing the operation panel 2 attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and the procedure for installing the replacement operation panel 2 are displayed on the display 21 of the operation panel 2. This makes it easy for the user to replace the operation panel 2.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for printing an image onto a sheet, It features a control panel with a display that can be attached to the main unit in a replaceable manner, The display is characterized by showing the procedure for replacing the operation panel. Image forming apparatus.

2. The image forming apparatus has multiple types of interchangeable operation panels. The display shows a selection image for selecting the replacement control panel from the multiple types of control panels. The aforementioned control panel is characterized by accepting the selection of an control panel from the selected image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The image forming apparatus is characterized by printing replacement procedures for the selected control panel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The display is characterized by displaying the procedure for replacing the selected control panel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The display is characterized by displaying an image representing the removal procedure for the currently installed control panel, and displaying an image representing the installation procedure for the selected control panel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The image forming apparatus is characterized by printing an image representing the installation procedure of the selected operation panel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The image representing the installation procedure for the selected control panel is characterized by including an image that instructs the work to be done while the power to the control panel is off. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned control panel is characterized by comprising notification means for notifying of an abnormality when it is replaced with a control panel different from the selected control panel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

9. The abnormality is detected by using the identification information of the control panel selected from the selected image and the identification information of the replaced control panel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

Images