Image forming system

Abstract

To provide, in an image forming system that operates an image forming apparatus from a remote control part through wireless communication, a configuration that can easily check the state of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.SOLUTION: An image forming system comprises an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a remote control part that displays image data received from the image forming apparatus through wireless communication and operates a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus. The remote control part has an input part for instructing acquisition of the state of the plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus, and a controller that, in response to issuance of the instruction through the input unit, acquires the state of the respective image forming apparatuses from the plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus through wireless communication, and collectively displays the acquired state of the plurality of image forming apparatuses on a display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system including an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), and a remote operation unit that operates the image forming apparatus by wireless communication.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a configuration in which an image forming apparatus has a display unit that displays an image and an operation unit that inputs information has been widely known. In this image forming apparatus, the user can set image formation-related settings such as paper size by operating the operation unit, or can display the state of the image forming apparatus on the display unit.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration including an image forming apparatus and a remote operation unit that can operate the image forming apparatus by wireless communication, where the operation display unit integrating the above-described display unit and operation unit can be removed from the image forming apparatus as a remote operation unit. In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, information input by the user from the remote operation unit at a position away from the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus by wireless communication, and the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the remote operation unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the commercial printing field and the like, there are cases where one user operates a plurality of image forming apparatuses. In this case, in the configuration in which the display unit and the operation unit are installed in the image forming apparatus, even if the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display unit, the user has to check the display unit for each image forming apparatus.

[0006] On the one hand, even if the state of the image forming apparatus displayed on the remote operation unit can be confirmed at a position away from the image forming apparatus as in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the remote operation unit for each image forming apparatus must be confirmed. Even if a remote operation unit corresponding to each image forming apparatus is provided in one place, in order to confirm the state of each image forming apparatus, it is necessary to compare the states of the image forming apparatuses displayed on each remote operation unit.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration capable of easily confirming the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses in an image forming system that operates an image forming apparatus by wireless communication from a remote operation unit at a position away from the image forming apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A typical configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on input image data, and a display unit capable of displaying information based on the image data received from the image forming apparatus via wireless communication, and a remote operation unit that operates a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus, wherein the remote operation unit includes an input unit for instructing acquisition of the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus, and a controller that, in response to the instruction being made through the input unit, acquires the states of the plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus via wireless communication and collectively displays the acquired states of the plurality of image forming apparatuses on the display unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, in an image forming system capable of wireless communication between an image forming apparatus and a remote operation unit, the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be collectively displayed on one remote operation unit by an operation from one remote operation unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the following embodiments should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, and the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited only thereto.

[0012] (First Embodiment) An image forming system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of the image forming system. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the image forming system. FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) are perspective schematic views of the remote control panel.

[0013] <Image Forming System> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming system A includes an image forming apparatus 1 that forms an image on a sheet S, and a remote control panel 50 (remote operation unit, remote operation device) that operates the image forming apparatus 1.

[0014] <Image Forming Apparatus> As shown in FIG. 1, on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1, a reader 14 is provided that optically reads the image of a document placed on a glass surface (not shown) and converts it into image data. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a processing device 16 that performs processing such as stapling, punching, and binding on the sheet S on which the image is formed.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a seesaw-type or tactile-type main power switch 79 for switching the main power supply on and off. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a display panel 71 that notifies the user of the state of the image forming apparatus 1, such as during image forming processing, during a stop due to an error, or in a standby state, by displaying a lamp or an error code. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a tower-type lamp 72 that notifies the user of the state of the image forming apparatus 1 by lighting, extinguishing, or blinking a light source at a remote location.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a panel mounting portion 73 for detachably mounting a remote operation panel 50 (remote operation unit). The remote operation panel 50 will be described later.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 15 that forms an image on a sheet S based on the input image data. The image forming unit 15 includes photosensitive drums 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K. The image forming unit 15 also includes primary transfer rollers 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, laser scanner units 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, an intermediate transfer belt 6, a secondary transfer roller 7, a secondary transfer opposing roller 8, and the like.

[0018] When forming an image by the image forming apparatus 1, first, an image forming job is input to the control unit 10 (see FIG. 4). As a result, the sheet S stored in either of the sheet cassettes 75a and 75b is sent to the conveyance path 94. Thereafter, the sheet S passes through the conveyance path 94 and is fed into a secondary transfer portion formed by the secondary transfer roller 7 and the secondary transfer opposing roller 8.

[0019] On the other hand, in the image forming unit 15, first, the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y is charged by the charging device 2Y. Thereafter, the laser scanner unit 3Y irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y with laser light according to the image data of the document read by the reader 14 or the image data transmitted from an external device (not shown) via the network, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y.

[0020] Next, yellow toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y by the developing device 4Y, and a yellow toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 6 by applying a primary transfer bias to the primary transfer roller 5Y.

[0021] Through the same process, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are also formed on the photosensitive drums 9M, 9C, and 9K. Then, by applying a primary transfer bias to the primary transfer rollers 5M, 5C, and 5K, these toner images are superposed and transferred onto the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 6. Thereby, a full-color toner image corresponding to the image signal is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6.

[0022] Thereafter, as the intermediate transfer belt 6 moves in a circular motion, the full-color toner image is sent to the secondary transfer section. Then, by applying a secondary transfer bias to the secondary transfer roller 7 in the secondary transfer section, the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 6 is transferred onto the sheet S. The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 70 by the conveying belt 95. Then, heating and pressing processes are performed in the fixing device 70, and the toner image is fixed onto the sheet S.

[0023] Next, the sheet S onto which the toner image has been fixed passes through the discharge path 97 and is sent to the processing device 16. When the user designates processes such as stapling, punching, and bookbinding for the sheet S sent to the processing device 16, the designated processes are performed and then the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 16a. Also, when the user does not designate a process, the sheet S sent to the processing device 16 is directly discharged to the discharge tray 16b without any processing.

[0024] <Remote operation panel> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the remote operation panel 50 (remote operation unit) is detachably attached to the panel mounting portion 73 of the image forming apparatus 1. The remote operation panel 50 is configured to enable information communication by wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 1. Since there is no cable connection (wired connection) for the remote operation panel 50, the user can freely carry it and operate the image forming apparatus 1 at a position away from the image forming apparatus 1. When the remote operation panel 50 is attached to the panel mounting portion 73, the charging connector 55 (see FIG. 3(b)) of the remote operation panel 50 is connected to the power supply connector 73a (see FIG. 5) of the panel mounting portion 73. Thereby, the connection of the remote operation panel 50 is detected by the image forming apparatus 1, and the battery 57 (see FIG. 5) of the remote operation panel 50 is charged by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0025] Here, the remote operation panel 50 (remote operation unit) has been exemplified as being detachable from the image forming apparatus 1. However, it may be configured to be provided separately from the image forming apparatus without being detachable from the image forming apparatus and to operate the image forming apparatus via wireless communication.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the remote operation panel 50 includes a power switch 52 for switching on and off the power of the remote operation panel 50, and a speaker unit 53 for outputting sound. The remote operation panel 50 also includes a status display unit 54 for notifying the status of the remote operation panel 50 by lighting, extinguishing, or blinking. Here, the status display unit 54 is composed of LEDs, but is not limited to this configuration.

[0027] The remote operation panel 50 also has a touch panel type display 51 (operation display unit) in which a display unit capable of displaying information based on image data and an operation unit for detecting touch operations from the user are integrated. By touching and inputting keys displayed on the display 51 with a finger, the user can perform settings related to image formation such as the number of images to be formed and the size setting of the sheet S, and settings related to image reading such as the size setting of the document. Furthermore, the remote operation panel 50 has a batch status display button 66 (input unit, see Fig. 7(a)) for instructing the acquisition of the status of a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus 1. The batch status display button 66 is displayed on the display 51. By touching and inputting the batch status display button 66 (see Fig. 7(a)) displayed on the display 51 with a finger, the user can display the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses wirelessly connected to the remote operation panel 50 in a batch. The batch status display by the remote operation panel 50 will be described in detail later.

[0028] In this embodiment, as the operation display unit included in the remote operation panel 50, a touch panel type display 51 in which the display unit and the operation unit are integrated is exemplified. That is, a configuration in which a touch panel type display 51 is mounted on the remote operation panel 50 is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the remote operation panel 50 may have a configuration in which hard keys such as a numeric keypad and a reset key are provided as a key operation input unit separately from the aforementioned display 51 (operation display unit).

[0029] Also, the remote operation panel 50 may have a configuration in which a batch status display key 68 (input unit, hard key, key operation input unit) is provided independently from the batch status display button 66 on the aforementioned display 51 (operation display unit) (see Fig. 3(c)). Further, the remote operation panel 50 may have a configuration in which an independent batch status display key 68 (input unit, hard key, key operation input unit) is provided without displaying the batch status display button on the display 51 (see Fig. 7(b)).

[0030] <System Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> Next, the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10 having a CPU 11, a ROM 12, and a RAM 13. A reader 14, an image forming unit 15, a processing device 16, a display panel 71, etc. are connected to the control unit 10. Further, a network connection unit 84 for connecting to an external device (not shown) via a network is connected to the control unit 10.

[0032] The ROM 12 (storage unit) stores various programs related to the control of the image forming apparatus 1 and various image data. The CPU 11 performs various arithmetic processes based on the control programs stored in the ROM 12. The RAM 13 temporarily stores data. That is, the CPU 11 controls the reader 14, the image forming unit 15, the processing device 16, etc. connected to the control unit 10 while using the RAM 13 as a work area based on the control programs stored in the ROM 12, and executes the above-described image forming operation.

[0033] Note that the control unit 10 is exemplified as having a ROM 12 as a storage unit, but is not limited thereto, and may have a configuration having a storage separate from the ROM 12 as a storage unit. 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 operation panel 50 or print data.

[0034] The network connection unit 84 is used to receive a print instruction or print data for the image forming apparatus via the network. The network connection unit 84 is also used to receive user instructions such as setting changes or power-off of the image forming apparatus from a remote location via the network using the remote operation panel 50 or a PC, a tablet, etc. At this time, the network to which the network connection unit 84 is connected may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0035] The control unit 10 is also connected to a panel connection unit 80 that connects to the remote operation panel 50. The panel connection unit 80 has a power supply connector 73a, and includes a panel mounting unit 73 to which the remote operation panel 50 is connected and a wireless communication unit 81 that performs wireless communication with the remote operation panel 50. The charging connector 55 of the remote operation panel 50 is connected to the power supply connector 73a of the panel mounting unit 73.

[0036] The wireless communication unit 81 has a command communication unit 82 and an image transmission unit 83. The CPU 11 reads out an image stored in the ROM 12 (or storage) and transmits the image to the remote operation panel 50 via the image transmission unit 83 of the wireless communication unit 81. The CPU 11 also generates an instruction for the remote operation panel 50 and transmits the instruction to the remote operation panel 50 via the command communication unit 82. The CPU 11 also receives notifications and instructions generated on the remote operation panel 50 via the command communication unit 82. In this embodiment, although the command communication unit 82 and the image transmission unit 83 are configured separately, they may be combined into a single communication line.

[0037] The network connection unit 84 and the wireless communication unit 81 may be shared. However, in that case, a connection in the Wi-Fi Direct method, which is a communication form for directly connecting between the image forming apparatus and the remote operation panel, cannot be made. Furthermore, it becomes a connection via a normal network (via an access point), and print data, command communication, and screen data are communicated through the same path. Therefore, since the amount of communication data increases, the response of the screen display of the remote operation panel may become slow, and it may take time to receive print data by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in this embodiment, the network connection unit 84 and the wireless communication unit 81 are configured separately.

[0038] The control unit 10 is also connected to a power supply device 17. The power supply device 17 receives power supply from a commercial power supply via an AC outlet plug 19, converts it into electric power used by each device, and supplies the electric power to each device. Specifically, first, when the main power switch 79 is switched from off to on, the power supply device 17 supplies power to the control unit 10. After that, based on an instruction from the control unit 10, the power supply device 17 supplies power to the reader 14, the image forming unit 15, the processing device 16, the display panel 71, the remote operation panel 50 mounted on the panel mounting unit 73, the wireless communication unit 81, the network connection unit 84, and the like.

[0039] Also, when the main power switch 79 is turned off, the power supply device 17 stops power supply based on an instruction from the control unit 10 (CPU 11). Even if the main power switch 79 is not turned off, it is also possible to stop power supply based on an instruction from the control unit 10 (CPU 11) and have the power supply device 17 turn off the main power switch 79. The case of turning off the main power switch 79 based on an instruction from the control unit 10 (CPU 11) is, for example, when an abnormality occurs or when a power-off instruction is received from a user via the network connection unit 84.

[0040] The image forming apparatus 1 is capable of shifting between a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and the control unit 10 (CPU 11) performs control to reduce power consumption. Specifically, when the user selects image reading, power is supplied to the reader 14, but not to the image forming unit 15 or the processing device 16. Also, when the image forming apparatus is not in use, unnecessary power supply is stopped within the control unit 10. Here, the case where the image forming apparatus is not in use means, for example, when the image forming apparatus has not been used for a certain period of time or when a shift instruction to the power saving mode is received from the user through the remote operation panel 50. Then, when shifting to the power saving mode, power is supplied only to parts where user input is made, such as the network connection unit 84 and the panel connection unit 80. In order to further reduce power consumption, the power supply to the panel connection unit 80 may be turned off and user input may be limited to input from the network connection unit 84. In that case, it is necessary to change the control so that the network connection unit 84 communicates with the remote operation panel 50. When an input from the user is detected in the power saving mode, the control unit 10 (CPU 11) is used to return the image forming apparatus 1 from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

[0041] <Various Power Modes of the Image Forming Apparatus> FIG. 19 is a table showing, for each mode, the types of components to which the power supply 17 supplies power in the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, various power modes of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to this FIG. 19.

[0042] Note that when the power mode of the image forming apparatus is the "normal mode", the state of the image forming apparatus to be described later is "standby". Also, when the power mode of the image forming apparatus is the "power saving mode", the state of the image forming apparatus to be described later is "sleep".

[0043] <Normal Mode (Standby Mode)> When the image forming apparatus is in the normal mode, the power supply device 17 supplies power to the control unit 10. Thereafter, the power supply device 17 supplies power to the reader 14, the image forming unit 15, the processing device 16, the display panel 71, the wireless communication unit 81, and the network connection unit 84 based on an instruction from the control unit 10. Note that when the remote operation panel 50 is mounted on the panel mounting unit 73, the power supply device 17 supplies power to the remote operation panel 50 mounted on the panel mounting unit 73.

[0044] <Power Saving Mode> On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus shifts from the normal mode to the power saving mode, the power supply device 17 supplies power to the wireless communication unit 81 and the network connection unit 84 based on an instruction from the control unit 10. However, the power supply device 17 stops supplying power to the reader 14, the image forming unit 15, the processing device 16, and the display panel 71, which were supplied with power in the normal mode, based on an instruction from the control unit 10. Note that when the remote operation panel 50 is mounted on the panel mounting unit 73, the power supply device 17 supplies power to the remote operation panel 50 mounted on the panel mounting unit 73.

[0045] <System Configuration of Remote Operation Panel> Next, the system configuration of the remote operation panel 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the remote operation panel 50.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the remote operation panel 50 includes a panel control unit 20 having a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, and a timer 24. The timer 24 measures time when the panel control unit 20 performs various processes.

[0047] The ROM 22 (memory unit) stores data such as various programs related to the control of the remote operation panel 50. The CPU 21 performs various arithmetic processes based on the control programs stored in the ROM 22. The RAM 23 temporarily stores data. That is, the CPU 21 (controller) controls the display 51, the speaker unit 53, the status display unit 54, etc. connected to the panel control unit 20 while using the RAM 23 as a work area based on the control programs stored in the ROM 22.

[0048] The remote operation panel 50 also includes a connection unit 90 that makes a connection with the image forming apparatus 1. The connection unit 90 includes a charging connector 55 that is connected to the power supply connector 73a of the image forming apparatus 1 and a wireless communication unit 91 that performs wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 1.

[0049] The wireless communication unit 91 has a command communication unit 92 connected to the CPU 21 and an image receiving unit 93 connected to the display 51. The CPU 21 generates instructions and notifications for the image forming apparatus 1 and transmits them to the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 via an antenna (not shown) of the command communication unit 92. Also, the CPU 21 receives instructions and information transmitted from the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the command communication unit 92.

[0050] The image receiving unit 93 receives the image data transmitted from the image transmitting unit 83 of the image forming apparatus 1 via an antenna (not shown), converts it into image data to be displayed on the display 51, and causes the display 51 to display it. In this embodiment, although the command communication unit 92 and the image receiving unit 93 have been described as separate configurations, they may be combined into a single communication line.

[0051] The wireless communication unit 91 performs wireless communication by Wi-Fi Direct communication, which is a communication mode that directly connects between the image forming apparatus and the remote operation panel through the wireless communication unit 81 of the image forming apparatus 1. Miracast, which is a display transmission technology applying this Wi-Fi Direct communication method, is used, for example, in mobile phones, displays, projectors, and the like. Note that the communication mode for directly connecting between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50 may be configured to perform wireless communication by other methods such as Bluetooth or NFC instead of wireless communication by Wi-Fi. The wireless communication unit 91 also performs wireless communication in a communication mode that connects between the image forming apparatus and the remote operation panel 50 through the network connection unit 84 of the image forming apparatus that can be connected via an access point (for example, a Wi-Fi router). Based on an instruction from the CPU 21, the wireless communication unit 91 switches the communication mode between the image forming apparatus and the remote operation panel to either a direct connection communication mode or a communication mode that connects via an access point, and performs wireless communication.

[0052] The display 51 is a display unit capable of displaying information based on the image data received from the image forming apparatus via the wireless communication unit 91. Therefore, the display 51 outputs the image received from the image forming apparatus via the wireless communication unit 91.

[0053] As described above, the display 51 is a touch panel type display (operation display unit) in which the touch panel 59, which is an operation unit that detects touch operations from the user, is integrated with the display unit. The touch panel 59 is disposed overlapping the display 51, and the user performs operations by touching the display 51 through the touch panel 59 with a finger.

[0054] Here, when the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 detects that the user has operated the touch panel 59, the CPU 21 transmits the operation information of the touch panel 59 to the image forming apparatus 1 as coordinate information. This will be described below. FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing coordinate display on the touch panel 59 of the remote operation panel 50. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the touch panel 59 is divided in the X direction and the Y direction. The number of divisions depends on the type of the touch panel and the like. In the resistive touch panel of the present embodiment, it is divided into 2048 in the X direction and 1024 in the Y direction.

[0055] The coordinates are based on the origin (0, 0) and are represented by (X, Y) according to the distance from the origin. For example, the position P shown in FIG. 7(b) is located at a position 1024 away from the origin in the X direction and 512 away from the origin in the Y direction, and thus is represented as (1024, 512) as coordinates. The coordinate data is transmitted from the touch panel 59 (see FIG. 5) to the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50, and is transmitted from the command communication unit 92 to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the instruction of the CPU 21. In the present embodiment, the communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50 is 8-bit long, and the numerical value of the coordinate data is divided by 8 and transmitted. That is, when the coordinates are (1024, 512), they are replaced with (128, 64) and transmitted.

[0056] The remote operation panel 50 also includes a panel power supply unit 56. The panel power supply unit 56 includes a battery 57 and a power generation unit 58. The battery 57 is the main power supply of the remote operation panel 50 and is composed of a rechargeable battery. When the charging connector 55 is connected to the power supply connector 73a of the image forming apparatus 1, power is supplied from the power supply device 17 of the image forming apparatus 1 to the battery 57, and the battery 57 is charged. The power generation unit 58 adjusts the power of the battery 57 to a voltage that can be used by each device included in the remote operation panel 50. When the power of the power switch 52 is switched from off to on, the power adjusted by the power generation unit 58 is supplied to the panel control unit 20, the display 51, the speaker unit 53, the status display unit 54, and the connection unit 90.

[0057] In addition to the touch panel type display 51 which is an operation display unit, the remote operation panel 50 includes a key operation input unit 26. The key operation input unit 26 is a hard key provided in an area other than the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50. As a hard key, the key operation input unit 26 has a power switch 52 for switching on and off the power of the remote operation panel 50. Further, the key operation input unit 26 may be configured to be provided with a batch status display key 68 (input unit) for inputting the status acquisition of a plurality of image forming apparatuses wirelessly connected to the remote operation panel 50 as a hard key. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which a batch status display button 66 (see FIG. 7(a)) is displayed on the display 51 is illustrated. Therefore, in addition to the configuration in which the batch status display button 66 (see FIG. 7(a)) is displayed on the display 51, a configuration in which the batch status display key 68 is separately and independently provided may be employed. Alternatively, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the batch status display key 68 which is a hard key is provided on the remote operation panel 50 without displaying the batch status display key on the display 51 (see FIG. 7(b)). The operations of the batch status display key 68 and the batch status display button 66 will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

[0058] <Wireless communication between the image forming apparatus and the remote operation panel> Next, with reference to FIG. 6(a), the wireless communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50 will be described. FIG. 6(a) is a communication transition diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50.

[0059] When performing wireless communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50, first, the user operates the main power switch 79 to start up the image forming apparatus 1 (S11), and operates the power switch 52 to start up the remote operation panel 50 (S21).

[0060] When the remote operation panel 50 is activated, a negotiation request is sent from the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 to the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 (S22). Next, the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 sends a response signal to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 (S12). When the remote operation panel 50 receives the response signal, the connection sequence ends and wireless communication is established.

[0061] Next, wireless communication conditions such as the communication speed and the image compression ratio are mutually set between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50 via the command communication units 82 and 92 (S13, S23).

[0062] The remote operation panel 50 can establish wireless communication with not only one image forming apparatus but also a plurality of image forming apparatuses through the above-described transmission and reception for each image forming apparatus, and perform the wireless communication described below.

[0063] When this setting is completed, in response to an instruction from the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1, the image data stored in the ROM 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted from the image transmission unit 83 of the image forming apparatus 1 to the image reception unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50 (S14).

[0064] Next, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 converts the image data received through the image reception unit 93 and displays the image on the display 51. For example, a main menu screen including the batch status display button 66 shown in FIG. 7(a) or a main menu screen not including the batch status display button 66 shown in FIG. 7(b) is displayed on the display 51.

[0065] After that, when the CPU 21 of the remote control panel 50 detects that the user has operated the touch panel 59, it transmits the operation information of the touch panel 59 to the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the command communication unit 92 (S24). Here, the CPU 21 transmits the operation information of the touch panel 59 to the image forming apparatus 1 as coordinate information. As described above, the touch panel 59 is arranged overlapping the display 51, and the user operates it by touching the display 51 with a finger.

[0066] The CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines, based on the input coordinate data, the position on the touch panel 59 of the remote control panel 50 that the user has touched. Then, depending on the touched position, it gives instructions to the remote control panel 50, such as transmitting image data, instructing lighting control of the lighting unit 25, turning on and off the sound by the speaker unit 53 (S15, 16).

[0067] When the CPU 21 of the remote control panel 50 receives image data through the image receiving unit 93, it displays the image data on the display 51. For example, it displays on the display 51 a screen showing the state of one image forming apparatus or a collective state display screen that collectively displays the states of multiple image forming apparatuses.

[0068] Note that, in addition to when the image forming apparatus 1 receives the operation information of the touch panel 59 from the remote control panel 50, the image forming apparatus 1 gives the above-described instructions to the remote control panel 50 according to the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and the state of the remote control panel 50.

[0069] <Collective state display screen of the remote control panel 50> Next, with reference to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the screen transition when performing collective state display by operating the touch panel 59 of the remote control panel 50 will be described. FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing an example of the image displayed on the display 51 of the remote control panel 50.

[0070] On the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50, a main menu screen, which is the image shown in Fig. 7(a) or Fig. 7(b) at first, is displayed by default. The image (main menu screen) shown in Fig. 7(a) or Fig. 7(b) is transmitted from the image transmission unit 83 to the image reception unit 93 in the process of S14 shown in Fig. 6(a) described above.

[0071] On this main menu screen, a scan button 61 for setting the reader 14, a copy button 62 for setting the image forming unit 15, a FAX button 63 for setting FAX, a status display button 64, and an arrow button 65 for switching the screen to the next page are displayed. Also, on the main menu screen, the name of the image forming apparatus 1 currently being operated on (here, MFP1) 69 and a setting button 67 are displayed. Further, on the main menu screen, a batch status display button 66 (input unit) for inputting (indicating) the acquisition of the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses wirelessly connected to the remote operation panel 50 is displayed.

[0072] In a configuration where the batch status display button 66 is displayed on the display 51, as shown in Fig. 7(a), a main menu screen including the batch status display button 66 is displayed on the display 51. The CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 reads out the image data stored in the ROM 12 and transmits the image data of the main menu screen including the batch status display button 66 to the remote operation panel 50. The transmitted image data is received by the image reception unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50 and displayed on the display 51.

[0073] Alternatively, in a configuration where the batch status display button 66 is not displayed on the display 51 and a batch status display key 68 (key operation input unit) is provided on the remote operation panel 50, as shown in Fig. 7(b), an image of a main menu screen not including the batch status display button 66 is displayed. The CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 reads out the image data stored in the ROM 12 and transmits the image data of the main menu screen not including the batch status display button 66 to the remote operation panel 50. The transmitted image data is received by the image reception unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50 and displayed on the display 51.

[0074] Alternatively, although not shown in the drawings, in addition to the configuration in which the batch status display button 66 is displayed on the display 51, a configuration may be adopted in which a hard key for the batch status display key 68 is provided on the remote operation panel 50. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the main menu screen including the batch status display button 66 is displayed on the display 51.

[0075] When the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines from the coordinate data transmitted from the remote operation panel 50 that the user has selected the copy button 62, the CPU 11 transmits an image (not shown) of the copy instruction screen to the image receiving unit 93 via the image transmitting unit 83. As a result, an image (not shown) of the copy instruction screen is displayed on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50. In this way, the user operates the image forming apparatus 1 from the remote operation panel 50.

[0076] When the user wants to change the image forming apparatus to be operated by the remote operation panel 50, the user can change it by operating the setting button 67. The setting button 67 on the main menu screen is selected to display a connection destination setting screen (not shown) on the display 51. In the connection destination setting screen (not shown), a list of image forming apparatuses that are wirelessly connected to the remote operation panel 50 is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 named "MFP1" to "MFP4" are wirelessly connected to the remote operation panel 50. In the connection destination setting screen (not shown), one of the image forming apparatuses "MFP1" to "MFP4" displayed in the list is selected as the image forming apparatus to be operated. If "MFP4" is selected as the operation target, the name 69 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7(a) is changed to "MFP4", and MFP4 can be operated. In this way, the connection destination can be switched with one remote operation panel 50, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be operated respectively.

[0077] Note that the establishment of wireless connection with a plurality of image forming apparatuses by the remote operation panel 50 and the acquisition of the states of the plurality of image forming apparatuses with which the wireless connection has been established will be described later.

[0078] <Control of collective state display> Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the control of collective state display for collectively displaying the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses by one remote operation panel will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of collective state display by the CPU 21 (controller) of the remote operation panel 50.

[0079] Here, as a plurality of image forming apparatuses, as shown in FIG. 8, four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 named "MFP1" to "MFP4" are exemplified. The four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 are in a state where their respective main power switches 79 are operated and the apparatuses are started up, and are in a state where they can be wirelessly connected to the remote operation panel 50.

[0080] Then, the user operates the power switch 52 of the remote operation panel 50 to start up the remote operation panel 50. Then, the processing of the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 is started, and the process proceeds to S151 shown in FIG. 9.

[0081] In S151, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 initializes the inside of the remote operation panel 50. Then, the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S152.

[0082] In S152, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 performs communication connection processing with the image forming apparatus 1. Here, the communication connection processing between the remote operation panel 50 and the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6(a).

[0083] That is, when the remote operation panel 50 is activated, a negotiation request is sent from the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 to the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 (S22). Next, the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 sends a response signal to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 (S12). When the remote operation panel 50 receives the response signal, the connection sequence ends, and wireless communication between the remote operation panel 50 and the image forming apparatus 1 is established. Note that the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 sets the image forming apparatus for which wireless communication has been established as the currently operated image forming apparatus of the remote operation panel 50.

[0084] Next, wireless communication conditions such as the communication speed and the image compression ratio are mutually set between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50 via the command communication units 82 and 92 (S13, S23). When this setting is completed, the image data stored in the ROM 12 is transmitted from the image transmission unit 83 of the image forming apparatus 1 to the image reception unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50 according to the instruction of the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 (S14). Here, the image data transmitted to the remote operation panel 50 is the image data of the main menu screen including the batch status display button 66 shown in FIG. 7(a).

[0085] Here, the image data transmitted to the remote operation panel 50 is not limited to the image data shown in FIG. 7(a). In a configuration in which the batch status display button 66 is not displayed on the display 51 and a hard key for the batch status display key 68 is provided on the remote operation panel 50, it is the image data shown in FIG. 7(b). In addition to the configuration in which the batch status display button 66 is displayed on the display 51 (not shown), in a configuration in which a hard key for the batch status display key 68 is provided on the remote operation panel 50, it is the image data shown in FIG. 7(a).

[0086] Next, the CPU 21 of the remote control panel 50 causes the display 51 to display the image data received through the image receiving unit 93. Here, the CPU 21 causes the display 51 to display the main menu screen including the batch status display button 66 shown in FIG. 7(a). Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S153. If there is no room to provide the batch status display button 66 in terms of screen layout, or if it is desired to inform the user of the batch status display function, a hard key for the batch status display key 68 may be provided. In a configuration where a hard key for the batch status display key 68 is provided on the remote control panel 50, the image data to be displayed on the display 51 may be the image data shown in FIG. 7(b) or FIG. 7(a).

[0087] In S153, the CPU 21 of the remote control panel 50 determines whether an operation instruction has been received from the user through the display 51 (touch panel 59) or the key operation input unit 26. If it is determined that an operation instruction has been received from the user, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S154. If it is determined that no operation instruction has been received from the user, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S152.

[0088] In S154, the CPU 21 determines whether an instruction for batch status display has been received from the user. That is, the CPU 21 determines whether an instruction to acquire the status of a plurality of image forming apparatuses (here, four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, 144) has been given through the batch status display button 66 (or the batch status display key 68). If the user operates the batch status display button 66 (or the batch status display key 68) on the touch panel 59 and it is determined that the above instruction has been given through the batch status display button 66, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S157, and a process of batch-displaying the status of a plurality of image forming apparatuses is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that an operation instruction other than the above instruction through the batch status display button 66 has been given, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S155.

[0089] Note that the acquisition of the status of each image forming apparatus does not necessarily have to be triggered only by an instruction for batch status display from the user as in the above example. For example, it may be configured to transmit the status from each image forming apparatus to the remote operation panel 50 periodically (or at an arbitrary timing), such as every 60 seconds or every 30 seconds. The information regarding the status of each acquired image forming apparatus is temporarily stored in the RAM 23. Then, when there is an instruction for batch status display from the user, the status of each image forming apparatus temporarily saved in the RAM 23 may be called. Note that when there is no instruction for batch status display from the user, the information regarding the status of each image forming apparatus newly sent from each image forming apparatus is overwritten. In this way, it is also possible to use the information regarding the status of each image forming apparatus acquired periodically from each image forming apparatus when there is an instruction for batch status display from the user.

[0090] In S155, the CPU 21 performs processing other than batch status display for which there was an operation instruction from the user in S154. That is, copy or other operation instructions other than batch status display are performed on the image forming apparatus 1 that is currently the operation target. For example, when the status display button 64 shown in Fig. 7(a) is operated, the operation information of the touch panel 59 is transmitted to the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the command communication unit 92. Then, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the status of the image forming apparatus 1 and transmits the image data regarding the status of the image forming apparatus 1 from the image transmission unit 83 of the image forming apparatus 1 to the image reception unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50. The CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 displays the received image data on the display 51. In this way, the status of only one image forming apparatus 1 that is currently the operation target is displayed on the display 51. When the operation instruction is completed, the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S156.

[0091] In S156, the CPU 21 shifts to the standby state. That is, the remote operation panel 50 shifts to the standby state and waits for the next instruction from the user.

[0092] In S157, the CPU 21 performs the process of collectively displaying the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses for which an operation instruction has been given by the user in S154. In this embodiment, the states of four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 are acquired respectively.

[0093] In response to an instruction given by the user through the collective state display button 66 (or the collective state display key 68), the CPU 21 sequentially establishes a wireless connection with a plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated on and acquires the states of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated on.

[0094] First, when the collective state display button 66 is pressed by the user, the CPU 21 transmits a signal for a negotiation request from the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 within a predetermined range. Then, a response signal is transmitted from the command communication unit 82 of each of the image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 within the range of the above signal to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50. The CPU 21 sequentially receives the above response signals and sequentially establishes a wireless connection with each of the image forming apparatuses that transmitted the response signals. In this way, the CPU 21 identifies a plurality of image forming apparatuses that are destinations for transmitting the state acquisition command and acquires a list of image forming apparatuses that are targets for collective state display from the remote operation panel 50.

[0095] Next, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 transmits a status acquisition command to the command communication unit 82 of each of the image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 specified as the target of the batch status display via the command communication unit 92. Then, the CPU 11 of each image forming apparatus transmits its own status to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 via the command communication unit 82. In this way, the remote operation panel 50 can acquire the status of each image forming apparatus that is the target of the batch status display. In the present embodiment, the case where any one of "printing", "standby", "sleep", and "JAM" is acquired as the status of the image forming apparatus is illustrated. However, the status of the image forming apparatus to be acquired is not limited to these, and may be appropriately set such as "paper out" when there is no remaining sheet amount, "toner out" when there is no remaining toner amount, and the like. Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S158.

[0096] In S158, the CPU 21 updates the display of the display 51 using the status information acquired from each image forming apparatus specified as the target of the batch status display. Specifically, the CPU 21 transmits the status information acquired from the image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 to the command communication unit 82 of the currently operated image forming apparatus 1 via the command communication unit 92. Then, the CPU 11 of the currently operated image forming apparatus 1 reads out the image data from the ROM 12 and transmits the read image data to the image receiving unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50 via the image transmitting unit 83. Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 updates the display of the display 51 by displaying the image data received through the image receiving unit 93 on the display 51. That is, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on the display 51 from the main menu screen shown in FIG. 7(a) or FIG. 7(b) to the batch status display screen that collectively displays the statuses of each image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10(a).

[0097] On the batch status display screen shown in Fig. 10(a), the CPU 21 collectively displays the status 101 of MFP 1, the status 102 of MFP 2, the status 103 of MFP 3, and the status 104 of MFP 4. In the batch status display screen shown in Fig. 10(a), an example is given where the status 101 of MFP 1 is "printing", the status 102 of MFP 2 is "standby", the status 103 of MFP 3 is "sleep", and the status 104 of MFP 4 is "JAM". Also, in the screen shown in Fig. 10(a), the CPU 21 displays a button 105 to return to the operation of MFP 1 by exiting the batch status display and an update button 107. Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S159. Here, MFP 1 is the name of the image forming apparatus 1, MFP 2 is the name of the image forming apparatus 142, MFP 3 is the name of the image forming apparatus 143, and MFP 4 is the name of the image forming apparatus 144.

[0098] In S159, the CPU 21 determines whether there is an indication to end the display. In this embodiment, when it is determined that the button 105 to return to the operation of MFP 1, which is the currently operated image forming apparatus 1, is operated on the screen shown in Fig. 10(a), the CPU 21 ends the batch status display and proceeds to the process of S155. Also, when the user touches the status 101 of MFP 1 and selects the status display operation of the image forming apparatus 1, the CPU 21 ends the batch status display and proceeds to the process of S155 to perform the status display process only for the image forming apparatus 1. Otherwise, the CPU 21 proceeds to the process of S1510.

[0099] In S1510, the CPU 21 determines whether the status re-acquisition condition is satisfied. In this embodiment, when the user operates the update button 107, when there is another operation, or when a certain time has elapsed with the timer 24 on the screen shown in Fig. 10(a), it is determined that the status re-acquisition condition is satisfied for status update, and the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S157. Otherwise, the process of the CPU 21 returns to S159.

[0100] According to the first embodiment as described above, in an image forming system capable of wireless communication between an image forming apparatus and a remote operation panel, a user can collectively display the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses on one remote operation panel with an operation from one remote operation panel, thereby enhancing convenience.

[0101] (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.

[0102] In the present embodiment, when collectively displaying the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50, in addition to the states of each image forming apparatus, a detailed display of one selected image forming apparatus is displayed. Here, the detailed display of one image forming apparatus is a detailed display that displays a state more detailed than the state display (simple display) of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0103] In the second embodiment, processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 which is the same as that in the first embodiment. For overlapping parts, the same processing and the same reference numerals are used, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0104] In S157 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 transmits a status acquisition command to the command communication unit 82 of each image forming apparatus 1, 142, 143, 144 specified as the target of the collective status display via the command communication unit 92. Then, the CPU 11 of each image forming apparatus transmits its own status to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 via the command communication unit 82.

[0105] At this time, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 21 acquired any one of "printing", "standby", "sleep", and "JAM" as the state of the image forming apparatus to be acquired. In contrast, in the present embodiment, for the selected one image forming apparatus, in addition to the above-described state of the image forming apparatus, the size, type, remaining amount of the sheets stored in the sheet cassette, and the remaining amount of the processing apparatus are acquired as the state of the image forming apparatus. Here, the selected one image forming apparatus is set as the detailed display target for the one image forming apparatus (MFP) selected as the currently operated image forming apparatus in S152 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9.

[0106] Then, in S158 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 21 updates the display of the display 51 using the state information acquired from each image forming apparatus specified as the target of the batch state display. Specifically, the CPU 21 transmits the state information acquired from the image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 to the command communication unit 82 of the currently operated image forming apparatus 1 via the command communication unit 92. Then, the CPU 11 of the currently operated image forming apparatus 1 reads out the image data from the ROM 12 according to the acquired state information of each image forming apparatus, and transmits the read image data to the image receiving unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50 via the image transmitting unit 83. Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 updates the display of the display 51 by displaying the image data received through the image receiving unit 93 on the display 51. That is, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on the display 51 from the main menu screen shown in FIG. 7(a) or FIG. 7(b) to the batch state display screen shown in FIG. 10(b).

[0107] That is, the remote operation panel 50 collectively displays on the display 51 a simple display (101 to 104) for displaying the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a detailed display (110) for displaying a state more detailed than the simple display of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0108] In the batch status display screen shown in FIG. 10(b), the CPU 21 displays the detailed display 110 of the MFP1, which is the selected one image forming apparatus 1. Further, on the lateral side of the detailed display 110 of the MFP1, the statuses 101 of the MFP1, the status 102 of the MFP2, the status 103 of the MFP3, and the status 104 (simple display) of the MFP4, which are a plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated, are arranged and displayed from the upper side to the lower side of the screen. The detailed display 110 of the selected one MFP is displayed larger than the status (simple display) of each MFP to be operated. Also, in the screen shown in FIG. 10(b), the CPU 21 displays a button 105 to return to the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and an update button 107 after exiting the batch status display.

[0109] Also, in S1510 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, assume that the CPU 21 satisfies the condition for reacquiring the status of the image forming apparatus by the user touching and selecting any one of the statuses 101 to 104 of the four MFPs in the screen shown in FIG. 10(b) displayed on the display 51. That is, by the user touching and selecting any one of the statuses 101 to 104 of each MFP displayed on the display 51, the selected one MFP is set as the target for detailed display. In that case, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S157. Then, the detailed status of the MFP selected in S157 is acquired, and in S158, the detailed status of the selected MFP is changed to be displayed largely in the detailed display 110. For example, the user touches the status 104 of the MFP4, which is the name of the image forming apparatus 144, among the statuses 101 to 104 of the four MFPs in the screen shown in FIG. 10(b). Then, the screen displayed on the display 51 is switched from the batch status display screen including the detailed display 110 of the MFP1 shown in FIG. 10(b) to the batch status display screen including the detailed display 118 of the MFP4 shown in FIG. 14(b).

[0110] Since other configurations and processes are the same as those of the first embodiment, they are omitted here.

[0111] According to the second embodiment as described above, the user can display the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses collectively on one remote operation panel with an operation from one remote operation panel, and refer to the detailed display of the selected one apparatus, thereby enhancing convenience.

[0112] (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 that of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0113] In this embodiment, a collective state display of a plurality of image forming apparatuses is performed on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50. At that time, among the states of the acquired image forming apparatuses, for the image forming apparatuses in an important state that needs to prompt the user's attention, they are displayed in a different manner from other image forming apparatuses.

[0114] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatuses in the important state are displayed on the display 51 in a telop display. Here, the telop display refers to a display in which the characters to be displayed flow in the horizontal direction of the screen. The telop display is achieved by sequentially transmitting from the image forming apparatus the next still image that is slightly different from the previous still image and displaying it on the display of the remote operation panel, so that the image (characters to be displayed) flows on the display.

[0115] It is defined that when the response of the image forming apparatus (i.e., the state of the image forming apparatus) received from the remote operation panel 50 to the status acquisition command is any one of "printing", "standby", "sleep", and "JAM". Also, among the acquired states (responses) of the image forming apparatus, a response that is an important state that requires prompting the user's attention is defined as "JAM". Here, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 stores in the ROM 22 a response (here, "JAM") determined to be the important state in advance, and if the response obtained for the status acquisition command matches the stored response, it is determined to be the important state. Note that the types of responses of the image forming apparatus to the status acquisition command and the important states among those responses are not limited to these and should be set as appropriate.

[0116] In the third embodiment, processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, which is the same as that in the first embodiment. For overlapping parts, the same processing and the same reference numerals are used, so the description is omitted.

[0117] In S157 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 transmits a status acquisition command to the command communication unit 82 of each of the image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, 144 specified as the target of the batch status display via the command communication unit 92. Then, the CPU 11 of each image forming apparatus transmits its own state to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 via the command communication unit 82.

[0118] Then, in S158 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 21 updates the display of the display 51 using the status information acquired from each image forming apparatus specified as the target of the batch status display. Specifically, the CPU 21 transmits the status information acquired from the image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, 144 to the command communication unit 82 of the currently operated image forming apparatus 1 via the command communication unit 92. Then, the CPU 11 of the currently operated image forming apparatus 1 reads out the image data from the ROM 12 and transmits the read image data to the image receiving unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50 via the image transmitting unit 83.

[0119] At this time, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 stores in the ROM 22 in advance a response for determining that it is in the important state, and if the response obtained for the status acquisition command matches the response stored in the ROM 22, it determines that it is in the important state. Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 transmits information corresponding to this determination to the image forming apparatus 1, and obtains image data corresponding to the information from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0120] Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 updates the display on the display 51 by displaying the image data received through the image receiving unit 93 on the display 51. That is, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on the display 51 from the main menu screen shown in FIG. 7(a) or FIG. 7(b) to the batch status display screen shown in FIG. 11(a).

[0121] Alternatively, if one selected image forming apparatus is set, the screen displayed on the display 51 may be switched to the batch status display screen shown in FIG. 11(b).

[0122] As a result, on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50, separately from the statuses of the MFPs displayed in a batch, the status of the MFP determined to be in the important state (here, the occurrence of a JAM in MFP4) is displayed as a caption. That is, on the screen shown in FIG. 11(a), the statuses of the respective MFPs are displayed in a batch, and the occurrence of a JAM in MFP4, which is an important state, is displayed as a caption. On the screen shown in FIG. 11(b), the detailed display of one selected MFP and the statuses of the respective MFPs are displayed in a batch, and the occurrence of a JAM in MFP4, which is an important state, is displayed as a caption.

[0123] Since other configurations and processes are the same as those of the first embodiment, they are omitted here.

[0124] According to the third embodiment as described above, the user can collectively display the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses with an operation from one remote operation panel, and can notify the user of important states of the image forming apparatuses, thereby enhancing convenience.

[0125] (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 that of the above-described embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0126] In this embodiment, a collective state display of a plurality of image forming apparatuses is performed on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50. At that time, among the acquired states of the image forming apparatuses, for important states that need to prompt the user's attention, the state display area is displayed in a manner different from other state display areas. Specifically, the state display area of the image forming apparatus that needs to prompt the user's attention is displayed by changing the color, or blinking, or displaying a symbol (mark) to prompt attention, or changing the position for display.

[0127] Here, blinking the state display area means that, similar to the telop display, by sequentially transmitting from the image forming apparatus the next still image that is slightly different from the previous still image and displaying it on the display of the remote operation panel, the image is displayed as blinking on the display.

[0128] Also, among the acquired states of the image forming apparatuses, the important states that need to prompt the user's attention are the same as those in the above-described third embodiment. Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 stores in the ROM 22 a response determined in advance as being the important state, and determines that it is the important state if the response obtained for the state acquisition command matches the response stored in the ROM 22. This is also the same as in the above-described third embodiment.

[0129] In the fourth embodiment, processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, which is the same as that in the first embodiment. For overlapping parts, since the same processing and the same reference numerals are used, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0130] And in S158 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 21 updates the display on the display 51 using the status information acquired from each image forming apparatus specified as the target of the batch status display. Specifically, the CPU 21 transmits the status information acquired from the image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 to the command communication unit 82 of the currently operated image forming apparatus 1 via the command communication unit 92. Then, the CPU 11 of the currently operated image forming apparatus 1 reads the image data from the ROM 12 and transmits the read image data to the image receiving unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50 via the image transmitting unit 83.

[0131] At this time, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 stores in the ROM 22 in advance a response determined to be the important state, and if the response obtained for the status acquisition command matches the response stored in the ROM 22, it determines that it is the important state. Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 transmits information according to this determination to the image forming apparatus 1, and obtains image data according to the information from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0132] Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 updates the display on the display 51 by displaying the image data received through the image receiving unit 93 on the display 51. That is, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on the display 51 from the main menu screen shown in FIG. 7(a) or FIG. 7(b) to the batch status display screen shown in FIG. 12(a). Here, the CPU 21 changes the color (red) of the status display area of the MFP 4 for the important state to be different from other status display areas and displays it.

[0133] Alternatively, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on the display 51 to the batch status display screen shown in FIG. 12(b). Here, the CPU 21 adds a symbol (! mark) prompting attention before the name of the JAM of the MFP 4 in the status display area of the MFP 4 for the important state and displays it.

[0134] Alternatively, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen to be displayed on the display 51 to the batch status display screen shown in Fig. 13(a). Here, the CPU 21 blinks and displays the status display area of the MFP 4 for important statuses.

[0135] Alternatively, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen to be displayed on the display 51 to the batch status display screen shown in Fig. 13(b). Here, the CPU 21 changes the order of the status display areas of the MFPs, moving the status display area of the MFP 4, which is an important status, to a prominent position on the screen (here, the upper left side of the screen), and changing the status display areas of the other MFPs to follow it. That is, the CPU 21 preferentially displays the status display area of the MFP 4, which is an important status, in order from the status display area of the MFP 4 over the status display areas of the other MFPs.

[0136] Alternatively, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen to be displayed on the display 51 to the batch status display screen shown in Fig. 10(a), and further switches to the detailed display screen of the MFP in an important status shown in Fig. 14(a). Here, the CPU 21 batch - displays the statuses of each MFP as shown in Fig. 10(a). Then, regarding the status of the MFP 4, which is an important status among the batch - displayed MFPs, it switches to the screen on which the detailed display 118 of the MFP 4 and the button 105 to return to the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 are displayed, as shown in Fig. 14(a).

[0137] Since other configurations and processes are the same as those of the first embodiment, they are omitted here.

[0138] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when the user makes the remote operation panel display the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a batch from one remote operation panel with one operation, the user can be notified of the important statuses of the image forming apparatuses, improving convenience.

[0139] (Fifth Embodiment) Next, the 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 that of the above-described embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0140] The fifth embodiment combines the configuration described in the second embodiment and the configuration described in the fourth embodiment.

[0141] That is, in the fifth embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 10(b), when the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50 performs a batch status display of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, in addition to the status of each image forming apparatus, a detailed display of one selected image forming apparatus is displayed. Here, the detailed display of one image forming apparatus is a detailed display that displays a status more detailed than the status display (simple display) of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0142] In addition, in the fifth embodiment, the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50 performs a batch status display of a plurality of image forming apparatuses. At that time, as described with reference to FIGS. 12(a) to 13(b) and FIG. 14(a), among the acquired statuses of the image forming apparatuses, for the statuses that need to prompt the user's attention, the status display areas are made to be displayed differently from the other status display areas.

[0143] Specifically, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen to be displayed on the display 51 from the main menu screen shown in FIG. 7(a) or FIG. 7(b) to the batch status display screen shown in FIGS. 15(a) to 16(b) and FIG. 14(b).

[0144] That is, the remote operation panel 50 collectively displays on the display 51 a simple display (101 to 104) that displays the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a detailed display (110) that displays a status more detailed than the simple display of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0145] On the batch display screen shown in Fig. 15(a), the detailed display 110 of the selected one image forming apparatus 1, i.e., MFP1, is displayed. Further, on the side of the detailed display 110, the states 101 of MFP1, 102 of MFP2, 103 of MFP3, and 104 of MFP4 (simple display) of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be operated are arranged and displayed. In addition, for important states, the state display area of MFP4 is displayed in a color (red) different from that of other state display areas. Here, as described above, the important state means a state among the acquired states of the image forming apparatus that requires prompting the user's attention.

[0146] On the batch display screen shown in Fig. 15(b), the detailed display 110 of the selected one image forming apparatus 1, i.e., MFP1, and the states 101 to 104 (simple display) of the plurality of image forming apparatuses MFP1 to MFP4 to be operated are arranged and displayed vertically on the screen. In addition, for important states, in the state display area of MFP4, a symbol (! mark) for prompting attention is added before the name of JAM of MFP4 and displayed.

[0147] On the batch display screen shown in Fig. 16(a), the detailed display 110 of the selected one image forming apparatus 1, i.e., MFP1, and the states 101 to 104 (simple display) of the plurality of image forming apparatuses MFP1 to MFP4 to be operated are arranged and displayed vertically on the screen. In addition, for important states, the state display area of MFP4 is displayed in a blinking manner.

[0148] On the batch display screen shown in Fig. 16(b), the detailed display 110 of the selected one image forming apparatus 1, i.e., MFP1, and the states 101 to 104 (simple display) of the plurality of image forming apparatuses MFP1 to MFP4 to be operated are arranged and displayed vertically on the screen. In addition, the order of arrangement of the state display areas of the MFPs is changed such that the state display area of MFP4, which is an important state, is placed at a prominent position (upper side of the screen) on the screen, and the state display areas of other MFPs are placed in subsequent positions. That is, the state display area of MFP4, which is an important state, is preferentially displayed in order from the state display area of MFP4, which is an important state, over the state display areas of other MFPs.

[0149] The batch display screen shown in Fig. 14(b) is switched as follows. The CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen to be displayed on the display 51 from the main menu screen shown in Fig. 7(a) or Fig. 7(b) to the batch status display screen shown in Fig. 10(b), and further switches it to the detailed display screen of the MFP in the important state shown in Fig. 14(b). After the CPU 21 displays the details of the selected one MFP and the statuses of each MFP in a batch as shown in Fig. 10(a), for the status of MFP 4 which is an important state among them, it switches to the screen on which the detailed display 118 of MFP 4 is displayed as shown in Fig. 14(b).

[0150] In the fifth embodiment, the processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 9 which is the same as that in the first embodiment. Also, after sending a status acquisition command from the CPU of the remote operation panel, the flow of processing until switching to the batch status display screen shown in Figs. 15(a) to 16(b) and Fig. 14(b) is substantially the same as that in the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

[0151] As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, when the user makes the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses be displayed in a batch on one remote operation panel by operating from one remote operation panel, the important status of the image forming apparatus can be notified to the user, and the convenience can be improved.

[0152] (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 that in the above-described embodiments, the description is omitted here.

[0153] In the sixth embodiment, a process for setting a multiple-unit display mode for collectively displaying the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, or a single-unit detailed display mode for collectively displaying the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses and displaying a detailed display of a selected one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is added. The display mode set here is stored in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 50. The CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 performs a collective state display of a plurality of image forming apparatuses on the display 51 immediately after the remote operation panel 50 is activated according to the display mode stored in the ROM 22. Here, the detailed display of one image forming apparatus means a detailed display that displays a state more detailed than the state display (simple display) of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0154] Note that FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of the setting process for the collective state display of the remote operation panel in the sixth embodiment. For processes other than the mode setting described with reference to FIG. 17, the processes are performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, a case where a series of additional processes for setting the display mode shown in FIG. 17 are performed in the initialization routine of S151, which is the first step of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, will be exemplified and described.

[0155] In the remote operation panel 50 according to the sixth embodiment, a screen for setting the display mode is displayed to prompt the user to set the display mode, the set display mode is stored in the ROM, and a collective state display is performed according to the setting of the display mode stored in the ROM immediately after the remote operation panel 50 is activated.

[0156] <Additional Process for Control of Collective State Display> Next, with reference to FIG. 17, an additional process for the control (FIG. 9) of the collective state display for collectively displaying the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses by one remote operation panel will be described.

[0157] Here, as shown in FIG. 8, four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 named "MFP1" to "MFP4" are exemplified as a plurality of image forming apparatuses. The four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 are in a state where their respective main power switches 79 are operated and activated, and are in a state where they can be wirelessly connected to the remote operation panel 50.

[0158] Then, the user operates the power switch 52 of the remote operation panel 50 to activate the remote operation panel 50. Then, the processing of the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 starts and proceeds to S151 shown in FIG. 9. In the initialization routine of S151 shown in this FIG. 9, a series of processes shown in FIG. 17 are performed, and after the performance, the process proceeds to S153 shown in FIG. 9. Hereinafter, a series of additional processes shown in FIG. 17 will be described.

[0159] In S161, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 initializes the inside of the remote operation panel 50. Then, the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S162.

[0160] In S162, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 performs communication connection processing with the image forming apparatus 1. Here, since the communication connection processing between the remote operation panel 50 and the image forming apparatus 1 has been described with reference to FIG. 6(a) in the above-described first embodiment, it is omitted here. After performing the communication connection processing, the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S163.

[0161] In S163, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 refers to the setting of the display mode stored in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 50 and determines whether or not the display mode has been set. At the first startup of the remote operation panel 50, the display mode is not set, so the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S164. At the startup of the remote operation panel 50 after setting the display mode, since the display mode has been set, the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S169.

[0162] In S164, the CPU 21 acquires the state from the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, the CPU 21 acquires the respective states from the four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144.

[0163] First, the CPU 21 sends a negotiation request signal to a predetermined range from the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50. Then, a response signal is sent from the command communication unit 82 of each image forming apparatus 1, 142, 143, 144 within the range of the above signal to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50. The CPU 21 sequentially receives the above response signals for each image forming apparatus, and sequentially establishes a wireless connection with each image forming apparatus that has sent the response signal. In this way, the CPU 21 identifies a plurality of image forming apparatuses that are destinations for sending the status acquisition command, and acquires a list of image forming apparatuses that are targets for batch status display from the remote operation panel 50.

[0164] Next, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 sends a status acquisition command to the command communication unit 82 of each image forming apparatus 1, 142, 143, 144 specified as a target for the batch status display via the command communication unit 92. Then, the CPU 11 of each image forming apparatus sends its own status to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 via the command communication unit 82. The remote operation panel 50 can thus acquire the status of each image forming apparatus that is a target for batch status display.

[0165] In this embodiment, an example is given of the case where any one of "printing", "standby", "sleep", and "JAM" is acquired as the status of the image forming apparatus. However, the status of the image forming apparatus to be acquired is not limited to these, and may be appropriately set such as "paper out" when there is no remaining sheet amount, "toner out" when there is no remaining toner amount, etc. Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S165.

[0166] In S165, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 performs selection input processing for the display mode. The CPU 21 transmits the status information acquired from the four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 to the currently operated image forming apparatus 1 via the command communication unit 92. Then, the CPU 11 of the currently operated image forming apparatus 1 reads the image data from the ROM 12 and transmits the read image data to the image receiving unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50 via the image transmission unit 83. And the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 displays the image data received through the image receiving unit 93 on the display 51. Specifically, the display 51 displays a setting screen on which a single-unit detailed display button 120 for selecting the single-unit detailed display mode shown in FIG. 18(a) and a multi-unit display button 121 for selecting the multi-unit display mode are displayed, prompting the user to select the batch status display setting. When the CPU 21 detects that any button has been selected by the user, the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S166.

[0167] Alternatively, in the standby state of the image forming apparatus, the user may operate the setting button 67 on the screen shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) to perform the selection input processing of S165 described above.

[0168] In S166, the CPU 21 determines whether there is a setting (single-unit detailed display setting) in the single-unit detailed display mode from the user and branches the processing. If it is determined that there is an operation instruction for the single-unit detailed display button 120 on the touch panel 59, the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S168. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an operation instruction for the multi-unit display button 121 on the touch panel 59, the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S167.

[0169] In S167, the CPU 21 stores the multi-unit display mode corresponding to the operation instruction of the multi-unit display button 121 in the ROM 22 as a display setting. And the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S169.

[0170] In S168, the CPU 21 stores, in the ROM 22 as a display setting, a one-device detailed display mode corresponding to an operation instruction of one detailed display button 120. At this time, the CPU 21 transmits the state of the image forming apparatus acquired in S164 to the image forming apparatus 1 which is currently the operation target. Then, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the image data shown in Fig. 18(b) from the image transmission unit 83. The CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 displays, on the display 51, a screen in which the states 101 to 104 of the four MFPs 1 to 4 and the button 105 for returning to the operation of the MFP 1 after exiting the collective state display are shown, and prompts the user to make a selection input for the image processing apparatus to be detailedly displayed. If, from the screen shown in Fig. 18(b), the user selects the MFP 4 as the detailed display target, the CPU 21 stores, in addition to the display setting of the one-device detailed display mode, the image forming apparatus to be detailedly displayed as a display setting in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 50. Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S169.

[0171] In S169, the CPU 21 acquires the state from the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, the CPU 21 acquires the respective states from the image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144. Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S1610.

[0172] In S1610, the CPU 21 refers to the display setting stored in the ROM 22 and switches the screen to be displayed on the display 51 to a screen corresponding to the display setting. The CPU 21 refers to the display setting stored in the ROM 22 and transmits, via the command communication unit 92, to the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1, information on which display mode it is operating in.

[0173] Here, if the display setting is the multi-device display mode, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the image data shown in Fig. 10(a) to the remote operation panel 50. Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 collectively displays the states 101 to 104 of the four MFPs 1 to 4 as shown in Fig. 10(a).

[0174] On the one hand, if the display setting is the one-device detailed display mode, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the image data shown in Fig. 10(b) to the remote operation panel 50. Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 largely displays the detailed display of the selected one MFP 1 as shown in Fig. 10(b), and arranges and displays the states 101 to 104 of four MFPs in a small tag shape beside it. Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S1611.

[0175] In S1611, the CPU 21 shifts to the standby state. That is, the remote operation panel 50 shifts to the standby state and waits for the user's next instruction. Thereafter, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S153 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 9, and a series of additional processes shown in Fig. 17 are terminated.

[0176] Since the other configurations and processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, they are omitted here.

[0177] As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the user can select and save a display setting (display mode) for collectively displaying the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Then, referring to the display setting stored at the time of activation of the remote operation panel, a collective state display screen corresponding to the stored display setting can be displayed on the display 51. By setting the display in advance, the collective state display is performed first without user operation, so that the user can grasp the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses at the time of activation of the remote operation panel, and the convenience can be improved.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0178] A … Image forming system 1, 141, 142, 143 … Image forming apparatus 10, 20 … Control unit 11, 21 … CPU 12, 22 … ROM 13, 23 … RAM 14 … Reader 16 … Processing device 24 … Timer 26 … Key operation input unit 50 … Remote operation panel 51 … Display 52 … Power switch 59 … Touch panel 66 … Bulk status display button 68 … Bulk status display key

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on input image data; a remote control unit that has a display unit capable of displaying information based on image data received from the image forming apparatus via wireless communication and that operates a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus; An image forming system comprising: The remote control unit includes: an input unit for instructing acquisition of statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus; a controller that acquires a status of each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus via wireless communication in response to the instruction being given through the input unit, and causes the display unit to collectively display the acquired statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

1. An image forming system comprising:

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when a power switch is operated and started, the remote control unit sends a signal to the image forming device to establish wireless communication with the image forming device, receives image data of a main menu screen including the input unit from the image forming device, and displays the main menu screen including the input unit on the display unit.

3. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the remote control unit sets one image forming device as the image forming device to be operated, transmits the acquired statuses of the multiple image forming devices to the image forming device set as the image forming device to be operated via wireless communication, receives image data corresponding to the acquired statuses of the multiple image forming devices from the image forming device, and displays it on the display unit.

4. the remote control unit has a touch panel type operation display unit in which the display unit and an operation unit that detects a touch operation from a user are integrated, 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the input section is displayed on the operation display section.

5. The remote control unit has a key operation input unit separate from the operation display unit, 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the key operation input unit includes the input unit.

6. The image forming system described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the remote control unit has a memory unit that stores a response that determines that the status obtained from the image forming device is an important status that requires attention, and when the statuses of the multiple image forming devices obtained match the responses stored in the memory unit, the image forming device in the important status is displayed on the display unit in a manner different from that for other image forming devices.

7. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the controller displays the image forming device in an important state on the display unit in the form of a caption.

8. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein said controller displays said image forming apparatus in the important state on said display unit in a color different from that of other image forming apparatuses.

9. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the controller displays the image forming apparatus in the important state on the display unit with a mark.

10. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the controller displays the image forming apparatus in the important state on the display unit in order of the image forming apparatus in the important state, prior to other image forming apparatuses.

11. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the remote control unit displays on the display unit a screen for setting a multiple-unit display mode that displays the status of multiple image forming devices, or a single-unit detailed display mode that displays the status of multiple image forming devices and displays the detailed status of one image forming device selected from the multiple devices, and displays the acquired status of the multiple image forming devices on the display unit depending on the setting of the display mode.

12. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the remote control unit displays, on the display unit, a simplified display showing the status of a plurality of image forming devices and a detailed display showing a more detailed status of one of the plurality of image forming devices than the simplified display.

Images