Image forming apparatus, control method, and system

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and the like that improves operability during remote operation. [Solution] An image forming apparatus that can be remotely operated by an information processing device having a first display unit that displays a first operation image as an image for remote operation, comprising: a second display unit that displays a second operation image as an image forming apparatus operation image for operating the image forming apparatus; a communication unit that communicates with the information processing device; a display storage unit on which the first operation image is displayed; and a control unit that, when the resolution of the first display unit is higher than the resolution of the second display unit, transmits the first operation image, which includes the second operation image as part of the first operation image, to the information processing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a remote operation system has been used to remotely operate a device (such as a multifunction machine or an information processing device) installed at a remote location by another device (such as an information processing device or a portable information terminal) connected via a network.

[0003] A remote operation system is known that includes an information processing device and a portable information terminal, and the portable information terminal receives image information displayed on a display screen of the information processing device and displays it on the display screen of the portable information terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a remote operation system, when remotely operating a multifunction machine from another device, the remote operation application executed by the other device generally displays an operation screen similar to the operation screen displayed on the operation panel of the multifunction machine as a remote operation panel on the display of the other device. However, when the operation panel of the multifunction machine is small and the displayed operation screen is made for a small operation panel, if an operation screen similar to the operation screen displayed on the operation panel of the multifunction machine is directly displayed as a remote operation panel on the display of the other device in one screen, the amount of information displayed is small, so there is a risk that screen switching will occur frequently and the operation will become complicated.

[0006] Furthermore, in the remote control system described in Patent Document 1, the size of the display screen of the mobile information terminal receiving the screen information is smaller than the size of the display screen of the information processing device being remotely controlled. While the remote control system described in Patent Document 1 aims to improve operability in such cases, it does not consider the case where the size of the display screen of the mobile information terminal receiving the screen information is larger than the size of the display screen of the information processing device being remotely controlled.

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure aims to provide an image forming apparatus, etc., that improves operability during remote operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus that can be remotely operated by an information processing device having a first display unit that displays a first operation image as an image for remote operation, comprising: a second display unit that displays a second operation image as an image forming apparatus operation image for operating the image forming apparatus; a communication unit that communicates with the information processing device; a display storage unit on which the first operation image is displayed; and a control unit that, when the resolution of the first display unit is higher than the resolution of the second display unit, transmits the first operation image, which includes the second operation image as part of the first operation image, to the information processing device.

[0009] A control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for an image forming apparatus that is remotely controllable by an information processing device having a first display unit that displays a first operation image as a remote operation image, and having a second display unit that displays a second operation image as an image forming apparatus operation image for operating the image forming apparatus, the method comprising: communicating with the information processing device, unfolding the first operation image, and, if the resolution of the first display unit is higher than the resolution of the second display unit, transmitting the first operation image, which includes the second operation image as part of the first operation image, to the information processing device.

[0010] A system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a system comprising an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus capable of remotely controlling the image forming apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus comprises a first communication unit that receives a first operation image as a remote operation image for remotely controlling the image forming apparatus, a first display unit that displays the first operation image, and a processing unit that remotely controls the image forming apparatus via the first operation image, and the image forming apparatus comprises a second display unit that displays a second operation image as an image forming apparatus operation image for operating the image forming apparatus, a second communication unit that communicates with the information processing apparatus, a display storage unit where the first operation image is displayed, and a control unit that, if the resolution of the first display unit is higher than the resolution of the second display unit, transmits the first operation image, including the second operation image as part of the first operation image, to the information processing apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The image forming apparatus and the like of the present disclosure can improve operability during remote operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the system configuration according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of an MFP according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram of a PC according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of screen data loaded into the display memory unit. [Figure 5] This is an example of an image used for operating the actual device, which is displayed on the MFP's display. [Figure 6] This is an example of an image displayed on a PC screen for remote control. [Figure 7] This is an example of an image displayed on a PC screen for remote control. [Figure 8] This is an example of an image displayed on a PC screen for remote control. [Figure 9] This is an example of an image displayed on a PC screen for remote control. [Figure 10] It is a sequence diagram showing a control method of the system according to the embodiment.

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Regarding the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the system according to the embodiment.

[0015] The system 100 includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 101 and a PC (Personal Computer) 201. The MFP 101 and the PC 201 are connected via a network 301 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and can communicate with each other. The MFP 101 is an example of an image forming apparatus. The PC 201 is an example of an information processing apparatus.

[0016] The MFP 101 has a plurality of functions (modes) such as, for example, scanning, printing, copying, and faxing of originals. The MFP 101 receives a print job including print data such as characters, images, and print setting information to be printed from the PC 201, and executes printing based on the print data included in the print job.

[0017] The PC 201 creates print data including, for example, documents, tables, images, and print setting information, and transmits a print job including the created print data to the MFP 101. A remote operation application is installed in the PC 201, and the MFP 101 can be remotely operated by executing the remote operation application.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the MFP according to the embodiment.

[0019] The MFP101 includes a control unit 111, a reading unit 121, a display operation unit 131, a printing unit 141, a communication unit 151, a storage unit 161, and a display storage unit 171.

[0020] The control unit 111 controls the MFP 101 for functions such as scanning, printing, and copying. The control unit 111 is implemented, for example, by a processor such as one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units), or by one or more logic circuits (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit chip (IC (Integrated Circuit)).

[0021] The reading unit 121 reads documents placed on the document tray (not shown) of the MFP 101 or documents transported by the document transport device (not shown), and generates image data of the scanned documents.

[0022] The display operation unit 131 displays various information and accepts user input. The display operation unit 131 is, for example, a touch panel. The display operation unit 131 has a display unit 132 and an input unit 133. The display unit 132 displays various information according to display control signals from the control unit 111. The display unit 132 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The resolution of the display unit 132 is lower than the resolution of the display unit 231 of the PC201 described later. The resolution of the display unit 132 is, for example, 480 pixels x 360 pixels. The input unit 133 is, for example, a position input device that detects the coordinates of the contact position of a finger or stylus on the input unit 133 and outputs the detected coordinates to the control unit 111. Alternatively, the input unit 133 may be a hardware key such as an operation button.

[0023] The printing unit 141 prints characters, images, etc., onto a recording medium such as paper supplied from the paper feed unit (not shown) based on the print data included in the print job received from the PC 201 via the communication unit 151 and the print data stored in the storage unit 161.

[0024] The communication unit 151 communicates with the PC 201 under the control of the control unit 111 and performs data conversion associated with the communication. The communication unit 151 is, for example, a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface, specifically, a communication interface such as Ethernet® or Wi-Fi®.

[0025] The memory unit 161 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the MFP 101. The memory unit 161 can be composed of one or more storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0026] The display storage unit 171 stores data from the display unit 132 and the display unit 231 of the PC 201 (described later) during remote operation. In this embodiment, the resolution of the display unit 231 is greater than that of the display unit 132, and the remote operation image displayed on the PC 201 has a higher resolution than the operation image displayed on the display unit 132. Therefore, the capacity (area) of the display storage unit 171 is greater than the capacity required to unpack the operation image displayed on the display unit 132. Specifically, the capacity of the display storage unit 171 is large enough to unpack the remote operation image displayed on the PC 201.

[0027] For example, during remote operation, the control unit 111 reads a remote operation image from the display storage unit 171 and transmits it to the PC 201 via the communication unit 151, and the PC 201 displays the remote operation image on the display unit 231. Also, for example, when the control unit 111 displays an operation screen on the display unit 132, it uses the screen data (actual machine operation image) of the operation screen loaded in the display storage unit 171 to display the actual machine operation image as an operation screen on the display unit 132. The remote operation image displayed on the PC 201 is designed to include the operation screen displayed on the display unit 132, and a portion of the remote operation image loaded in the display storage unit 171 becomes the actual machine operation image displayed on the display unit 132. The display storage unit 171 can be configured by one or more storage devices such as RAM.

[0028] In this embodiment, the display storage unit 171 is provided separately from the storage unit 161, but the storage unit 161 may include the display storage unit 171, or the storage unit 161 may operate as the display storage unit 171. Also, the display operation unit 131 may include the display storage unit 171.

[0029] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of a PC according to an embodiment.

[0030] PC201 includes a processing unit 211, a storage unit 221, a display unit 231, an input unit 241, and a communication unit 251.

[0031] The processing unit 211 controls the PC201. The processing unit 211 is implemented by, for example, one or more CPUs or other processors. The processing unit 211 communicates with the MFP101 and remotely controls the MFP101 by executing a remote control application.

[0032] The memory unit 221 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the PC 201. The memory unit 221 also stores a remote control application for remotely controlling the MFP 101. The memory unit 221 can be composed of one or more storage devices, such as RAM, HDD, SSD, or ROM.

[0033] The display unit 231 displays various information. The display unit 231 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The resolution of the display unit 231 is higher than the resolution of the display unit 132 of the MFP 101. The resolution of the display unit 231 is, for example, 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels.

[0034] The input unit 241 accepts user input, including operations and various types of information. The input unit 241 can be, for example, a keyboard, mouse, or touchpad.

[0035] The communication unit 251 communicates with the MFP 101 under the control of the processing unit 211 and performs data conversion associated with the communication. The communication unit 251 is, for example, a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface, specifically, a communication interface such as Ethernet® or Wi-Fi®.

[0036] When remotely controlling the MFP101, the processing unit 211 reads and executes a remote control application from the storage unit 221, thereby communicating with the MFP101. The communication unit 251 receives a remote control image from the MFP101, and the processing unit 211 displays the remote control image on the display unit 231. The processing unit 211 then uses the remote control image to remotely control the MFP101.

[0037] Figure 4 shows an example of screen data that has been loaded into the display memory unit.

[0038] The display memory unit 171 stores operation images corresponding to the second operation image displayed on the display unit 132 of the MFP 101 (actual machine operation images corresponding to the image forming apparatus operation images) and remote operation images corresponding to the first operation image displayed on the PC 201 during remote operation. Specifically, the remote operation image 411 is stored in the area 401 shown by the solid line in the display memory unit 171. The actual machine operation image 412 is a part of the remote operation image 411, and the image in area 402 shown by the dashed line within area 401 is the actual machine operation image 412. The actual machine operation image 412 in Figure 4 is the SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​setting screen. Furthermore, the images of areas within area 401 other than area 402, which correspond to the third operation image, are images that are included in the remote control image 411 when the resolution of the display unit 231 is higher than the resolution of the display unit 132, and are images based on a different actual machine operation image than the actual machine operation image 412 of area 402.

[0039] Next, we will explain the display on the display unit 132 of the MFP101.

[0040] Figure 5 shows an example of an image for actual device operation displayed on the MFP's display unit. Specifically, Figure 5 shows the SSID setting screen displayed on the MFP 101's display unit 132. When displaying on the display unit 132, the control unit 111 reads the screen data (actual device operation image 412) that is loaded into area 402 of the display storage unit 171 and displays the actual device operation image 412 on the display unit 132. In other words, a portion of the remote control image 411 loaded into the display storage unit 171 is cropped and displayed on the display unit 132. As a result, the actual device operation image 412 shown on the left side of Figure 5 is displayed on the display unit 132. The actual device operation image 412 is provided with an edit box 501 for inputting the SSID (Service Set Identifier).

[0041] When a user touches the edit box 501 to enter the SSID, the control unit 111 loads the actual device operation image 413, which is equipped with a QWERTY keyboard for character input, into the area 402 of the display storage unit 171, and displays the actual device operation image 413 shown on the right side of Figure 5 on the display unit 132.

[0042] The user enters the SSID using the keyboard on the device operation image 413. The device operation image 413 is further provided with an OK button 502 to confirm the entered SSID and a Cancel button 503 to cancel the entered SSID. When the user touches the OK button 502 or Cancel button 503 to confirm or cancel the entered SSID, the control unit 111 expands the device operation image 412 into the area 402 of the display storage unit 171 and displays the device operation image 412 shown on the left side of Figure 5 on the display unit 132.

[0043] In this way, the image displayed on the display unit 132 switches to the actual device operation image 413 when the edit box 501 of the actual device operation image 412 is touched by the user, and switches back to the actual device operation image 412 when the OK button 502 or the cancel button 503 of the actual device operation image 413 is touched by the user.

[0044] Next, we will explain the display on the display unit 231 of PC201 during remote operation.

[0045] Figure 6 shows an example of a remote control image displayed on the PC's screen. Specifically, Figure 6 shows an example of the SSID settings screen.

[0046] When remotely controlling the MFP101, the processing unit 211 first reads and executes the remote control application from the storage unit 221, sends a connection request to the MFP101, and connects to the MFP101. The processing unit 211 sends the resolution of the display unit 231 to the MFP101, and the control unit 111 compares the resolution of the display unit 231 with the resolution of the display unit 132 to determine which resolution is higher. As described above, in this embodiment, the resolution of the display unit 231 is higher than the resolution of the display unit 132, so the control unit 111 determines that the resolution of the display unit 231 is higher.

[0047] Since it was determined that the resolution of the display unit 231 was higher than that of the display unit 132, the control unit 111 read the remote control image 411 which was stored in area 401 of the display storage unit 171 and transmitted the remote control image 411 to the PC 201 via the communication unit 151.

[0048] The communication unit 251 receives the remote control image 411 from the MFP 101, and the processing unit 211 displays the remote control image 411 on the display unit 231. As a result, the remote control image 411, which is the SSID setting screen as shown in Figure 6, is displayed on the display unit 231.

[0049] The remote control image 411 includes an edit box 601 for entering the SSID, a copy button 602 for switching to copy mode, a scan button 603 for switching to scan mode, a fax button 604 for switching to fax mode, a logout button 605 for the logged-in user to log out, and a QWERTY keyboard for text input. The copy button 602, scan button 603, and fax button 604 are examples of switch buttons for switching between multiple modes.

[0050] The user uses a mouse or stylus to input the SSID into the edit box 601 using the keyboard on the remote control image 411. Since the remote control image 411 has a keyboard, there is no screen switching during remote operation, unlike when directly operating the MFP101 as described in Figure 5.

[0051] Furthermore, the remote control image 411 includes a copy button 602, a scan button 603, a fax button 604, and a logout button 605, which are not present in the actual device operation image 413. This allows the user to switch from the SSID settings screen (remote control image 411) to the operation screen for other functions (copy mode, scan mode, or fax mode) by selecting the copy button 602, scan button 603, or fax button 604, without having to return to the home screen or other screens used for switching modes. Additionally, the user can log out by selecting the logout button 605 from the SSID settings screen (remote control image 411) without having to return to the home screen or other screens.

[0052] Figure 7 shows an example of a remote control image displayed on the PC's screen. Specifically, Figure 7 shows an example of the operation screen in copy mode.

[0053] When the system switches to copy mode during remote operation, the control unit 111 expands the remote operation image 701 for copy mode into area 401 of the display storage unit 171 and transmits the remote operation image 701 to the PC 201. The communication unit 251 receives the remote operation image 701 from the MFP 101, and the processing unit 211 displays the remote operation image 701 on the display unit 231. As a result, the remote operation image 701, which is the operation screen in copy mode as shown in Figure 7, is displayed on the display unit 231.

[0054] The remote control image 701 includes a scan button 703, a fax button 704, a logout button 705, a paper selection button 711, a button 712 for selecting single-sided and double-sided copies, a magnification setting button 713, an edit box 714, and a start button 715, among others. The remote control image 701 also includes a numeric keypad for entering numbers into the edit box 714. The scan button 703 and fax button 704 are examples of toggle buttons for switching between multiple modes. The control unit 111 changes the toggle buttons displayed on the remote control image 701 according to the currently set mode. Specifically, since the MFP 101 is currently set to copy mode and the operation screen for copy mode is displayed, the remote control image 701 does not include a copy button to switch to copy mode, which is less likely to require selection. However, a copy button may be included on the remote control image 701, in which case it may be displayed in a grayed-out or otherwise unselectable state.

[0055] Furthermore, since the remote control image 701 has a logout button 705 in the upper right area, there is no logout button in the lower area, as in the remote control image 411 in Figure 6. However, a logout button may also be provided in the lower area of ​​the remote control image 701, in which case it may be displayed in a grayed-out or otherwise unselectable state. Also, if a logout button is provided in the lower area of ​​the remote control image 701, it may be displayed as a logout button containing only a logout icon, similar to the logout button 705, or, as shown in Figures 6 and 9, a logout button containing both a logout icon and a string indicating the logged-in username may be displayed.

[0056] Furthermore, in copy mode, the display unit 132 of the MFP101 displays the actual device operation image corresponding to the area 721 enclosed by the dashed line in the remote control image 701 as the actual device operation screen. Also, when the edit box 714 is touched, the display unit 132 displays a numeric keypad as the actual device operation screen. Note that the actual device operation screen, including the numeric keypad, displayed on the display unit 132 does not have scan buttons or fax buttons.

[0057] On the other hand, the remote control image 701 is equipped with a scan button 703 and a fax button 704. This allows the user to switch from copy mode to scan mode or fax mode by selecting either the scan button 703 or the fax button 704 during remote operation, without having to return to the home screen or other screens used for switching modes.

[0058] Figure 8 shows an example of a remote control image displayed on the PC's display. Specifically, Figure 8 shows an example of the operation screen in scan mode.

[0059] When the system switches to scan mode during remote operation, the control unit 111 expands the remote operation image 801 for scan mode into area 401 of the display storage unit 171 and transmits the remote operation image 801 to the PC 201. The communication unit 251 receives the remote operation image 801 from the MFP 101, and the processing unit 211 displays the remote operation image 801 on the display unit 231. As a result, the remote operation image 801, which is the operation screen in scan mode as shown in Figure 8, is displayed on the display unit 231.

[0060] The remote control image 801 includes a copy button 802, a fax button 804, a logout button 805, a document size selection button 811, a resolution selection button 812, a document type / density selection button 813, and a start button 815, among others. Furthermore, the remote control image 801 is also equipped with a QWERTY keyboard for text input.

[0061] The control unit 111 changes the toggle button displayed on the remote control image 801 according to the currently set mode. Specifically, since the MFP 101 is currently set to scan mode and the operation screen for scan mode is displayed, the remote control image 801 does not have a scan button to switch to a scan mode that does not require selection. However, a scan button may be provided on the remote control image 801, in which case the scan button may be displayed in a grayed-out or otherwise unavailable state.

[0062] Furthermore, since the remote control image 801 has a logout button 805 in the upper right area, there is no logout button in the lower area, as in the remote control image 411 in Figure 6. However, a logout button may be provided in the lower area of ​​the remote control image 801, in which case it may be displayed in a grayed-out or otherwise unselectable state. Also, if a logout button is provided in the lower area of ​​the remote control image 801, it may be displayed as a logout button containing only a logout icon, similar to the logout button 805, or as shown in Figures 6 and 9, it may be displayed as a logout button containing both a logout icon and a string indicating the logged-in username. The copy button 802 and fax button 804 are examples of toggle buttons for switching between multiple modes.

[0063] Furthermore, in copy mode, the display unit 132 of the MFP101 displays the actual device operation image corresponding to the area 821 enclosed by the dashed line in the remote control image 801 as the actual device operation screen. In addition, when the destination display area before setting the destination (Figure 8 shows the state where "hogeexample.com" is set as the destination) or the destination add button ("+" button) located to the left of the logout button 805 is touched, the display unit 132 displays a QWERTY keyboard as the actual device operation screen. Note that the actual device operation screen displayed on the display unit 132, including the numeric keypad, does not have copy buttons or fax buttons.

[0064] On the other hand, the remote control image 801 is equipped with a copy button 802 and a fax button 804. This allows the user to switch from scan mode to copy mode or fax mode by selecting either the copy button 802 or the fax button 804 during remote operation, without having to return to the home screen or other screens used for switching modes.

[0065] Figure 9 shows an example of a remote control image displayed on the PC's screen. Specifically, Figure 9 shows an example of the operation screen in fax mode.

[0066] When switching to fax mode during remote operation, the control unit 111 expands the remote operation image 901 for fax mode into area 401 of the display storage unit 171 and sends the remote operation image 901 to the PC 201. The communication unit 251 receives the remote operation image 901 from the MFP 101, and the processing unit 211 displays the remote operation image 901 on the display unit 231. As a result, the remote operation image 901, which is the operation screen in fax mode as shown in Figure 9, is displayed on the display unit 231.

[0067] The remote control image 901 includes a copy button 902, a scan button 903, a logout button 905, an address book button 911, a transmission history button 912, a direct input button 913, and a start button 915, among others. Furthermore, the remote control image 901 also includes a fax keypad for entering fax numbers.

[0068] The control unit 111 changes the toggle buttons displayed on the remote control image 901 according to the currently set mode. Specifically, since the MFP 101 is currently set to fax mode and the operation screen for fax mode is displayed, the remote control image 901 does not have a fax button to switch to fax mode, which is less likely to need to be selected. However, a fax button may be provided on the remote control image 901, in which case the fax button may be displayed in a grayed-out or otherwise unavailable state. The copy button 902 and scan button 903 are examples of toggle buttons for switching between multiple modes.

[0069] Furthermore, in fax mode, the display unit 132 of the MFP101 displays the actual device operation image corresponding to the area 921 enclosed by the dashed line in the remote operation image 901 as the actual device operation screen. In addition, when the direct input button 913, the destination display area before setting the destination (Figure 9 shows the state where "01234567" is set as the destination), or the destination add button ("+" button) located at the top of the image is touched, the fax keypad is displayed on the display unit 132 as the actual device operation screen. Note that the actual device operation screen, including the fax keypad displayed on the display unit 132, does not have copy, scan, or logout buttons.

[0070] On the other hand, the remote control image 901 is equipped with a copy button 902, a scan button 903, and a logout button 905. This allows the user to switch from fax mode to copy mode or scan mode by selecting the copy button 902 or scan button 903 without having to return to the home screen or other screens used for switching modes during remote operation. Furthermore, in fax mode during remote operation, the user can log out by selecting the logout button 905 without having to return to the home screen or other screens.

[0071] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing the control method of the system according to the embodiment.

[0072] In step S1001, the control unit 111 loads the remote control image, including the mode switching button and the logout button, into the display storage unit 171. The control unit 111 may also display a portion of the remote control image loaded into the display storage unit 171 as an image for actual device operation on the display unit 132. Alternatively, the control unit 111 may load only the image for actual device operation into the display storage unit 171. In that case, for example, in step S1005 described later, if it is determined that the resolution of the display unit 231 is higher than the resolution of the display unit 132, the remote control image, including the mode switching button and the logout button, is loaded into the display storage unit 171.

[0073] In step S1002, the processing unit 211 executes the remote control application and sends a connection request to the MFP 101 via the communication unit 251.

[0074] In step S1003, the communication unit 151 receives a connection request from PC201, and the control unit 111 establishes a connection with PC101.

[0075] In step S1004, the processing unit 211 transmits information from the PC 201, including the resolution of the display unit 231, to the MFP 101 via the communication unit 251.

[0076] In step S1005, the communication unit 151 receives information from the PC 201, including the resolution of the display unit 231, and the control unit 111 determines which has a higher resolution, the display unit 132 or the display unit 231. As described above, in this embodiment, the resolution of the display unit 231 is higher than that of the display unit 132, so it is determined that the display unit 231 has a higher resolution. Since it has been determined that the display unit 231 has a higher resolution, the control unit 111 transmits the remote control image deployed in the display storage unit 171 to the PC 201 via the communication unit 151. If it is determined that the resolution of the display unit 132 is higher or that the resolutions of the display unit 132 and the display unit 231 are the same, the control unit 111 may transmit a part of the remote control image deployed in the display storage unit 171 (for example, an image for actual machine operation) to the PC 201 via the communication unit 151 so that the operation images displayed on the display unit 132 and the display unit 231 are the same.

[0077] In step S1006, the communication unit 251 receives the remote control image, the processing unit 211 displays the remote control image on the display unit 231, and remotely controls the MFP 101 using the remote control image.

[0078] The control unit 111 operates the MFP 101 in response to remote control from the PC 201, and performs the operation of loading a new remote control image corresponding to the remote control into the display storage unit 171 and transmitting the new remote control image to the PC 201. Thereafter, remote control between the MFP 101 and the PC 201 and the transmission of new remote control images corresponding to the remote control are repeated until a disconnection request is sent.

[0079] In step S1007, the processing unit 211 sends a remote disconnection request to the MFP 101.

[0080] In step S1008, the communication unit 151 receives a disconnection request from the PC 201, and the control unit 111 disconnects communication with the PC 201.

[0081] For example, when a user is operating the MFP101 using the display unit 131 and wants to switch from the currently used function to another mode such as copy, scan, or fax, they need to touch a button to switch to the other mode. However, because the resolution of the MFP101's display unit 132 is low, there is no space on the operation screen, including the keyboard, to display a button to switch to another mode, and the button to switch to another mode is not always displayed. Therefore, when operating the MFP101 using the display unit 131, the user needs to perform an operation such as returning to the home screen, which is the screen for switching modes, in order to switch to another mode. Similarly, when the user logs out, an operation such as returning to the home screen is also necessary. The same applies when displaying the same screen as the MFP101's display unit 132 on the PC201's display unit 231 during remote operation.

[0082] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the PC201 always displays buttons for switching modes such as copy, scan, and fax on the remote control screen, along with the keyboard or numeric keypad, eliminating the need to return to the home screen or perform other operations to switch modes. Furthermore, since a logout button is always displayed on the remote control screen, the user does not need to return to the home screen or perform other operations to log out. Thus, the system according to this embodiment can improve operability during remote operation.

[0083] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and is modifiable; the above configurations can be replaced with substantially identical configurations, configurations that produce the same effects, or configurations that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 100 Systems 101 MFP 111 Control Unit 121 Reading Unit 131 Display operation section 141 Printing section 151 Communications Department 161 Storage section 171 Display memory section 201 PC 211 Processing Unit 221 Storage section 231 Display section 241 Input section 251 Communications Department

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus that can be remotely controlled by an information processing device having a first display unit that displays a first operation image as an image for remote control, A second display unit that displays a second operation image as an image forming apparatus operation image for operating the image forming apparatus, A communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned information processing device, A display storage unit on which the first operation image is displayed, If the resolution of the first display unit is higher than the resolution of the second display unit, the control unit transmits the first operation image, which includes the second operation image as part of the first operation image, to the information processing device. An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

2. The first operation image includes the second operation image and a third image based on an image forming apparatus operation image different from the second operation image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The image forming apparatus has multiple modes, The control unit, The third image is an image for operating the image forming apparatus, which is different from the second operation image, and includes a switch button for switching between the multiple modes. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The control unit, Depending on the currently running mode among the multiple modes, the toggle button included in the image forming apparatus operation image, which is different from the second operation image, is changed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The control unit, The third image is an image for operating the image forming apparatus, which is different from the second operation image, and includes a logout button for the user to log out. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

6. A control method for an image forming apparatus, which is remotely controllable by an information processing device having a first display unit that displays a first operation image as an image for remote operation, and which has a second display unit that displays a second operation image as an image forming apparatus operation image for operating the image forming apparatus, The information processing device communicates with the aforementioned information processing device, Expand the operation image from the above 1, If the resolution of the first display unit is higher than the resolution of the second display unit, the first operation image, which includes the second operation image as part of the first operation image, is transmitted to the information processing device. A control method that includes processing.

7. A system comprising an image forming apparatus and an information processing device capable of remotely controlling the image forming apparatus, The aforementioned information processing device is A first communication unit receives a first operation image as a remote operation image for remotely controlling the image forming apparatus, A first display unit that displays the first operation image, The system includes a processing unit that remotely controls the image forming apparatus via the first operation image, The image forming apparatus is A second display unit that displays a second operation image as an image forming apparatus operation image for operating the image forming apparatus, A second communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned information processing device, A display storage unit on which the first operation image is displayed, If the resolution of the first display unit is higher than the resolution of the second display unit, the control unit transmits the first operation image, which includes the second operation image as part of the first operation image, to the information processing device. A system equipped with these features.

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