Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The settings that specify the operational conditions for job execution will be made easier for users to see if they have been changed from their default settings. [Solution] An image forming apparatus 1 that executes a job according to the settings of a setting item, comprising: a display unit 473; an operation unit 47 that receives input instructions from a user; a setting change unit 101 that changes the setting content of a setting item according to the user instructions received by the operation unit 47; and a control unit 100 that controls the display of the display unit 473 and causes the display unit 473 to display a setting change list consisting of setting content different from a predetermined default content.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes jobs according to set contents.

Background Art

[0002] Image forming apparatuses such as copiers and multifunction peripherals have setting items for specifying the operating conditions of job execution. For example, the setting items for specifying the operating conditions of a copy job include paper size selection, image magnification, color selection, and the like. As the number of configurable setting items increases, it becomes troublesome for users to make desired settings, so default contents are set for the setting items.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Even if default contents are set for the setting items, users can change the setting contents of the setting items as needed. For example, the user may change the default "A4" to "A3" for paper size selection, change the default "100%" to "120%" for image magnification, or change the default "Full color" to "Black and white" for color selection.

[0005] At this point, users may want to check what changes they have made from the default settings. If there is only one change, the user can easily remember the details, but if there are many changes, it is not easy to check the details of the changes. Patent documents 1 and 2 above describe displaying a list of past operation history information, but the inventions described in patent documents 1 and 2 do not display the changes made from the default settings for the setting items.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to allow users to easily confirm changes made to setting items from their default values. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a control unit that executes a job according to the settings of a setting item, a display unit, an operation unit that receives instructions from a user, and a setting change unit that changes the settings of the setting item according to the instructions from the user received by the operation unit, wherein when the settings of the setting item are changed to settings different from predetermined default settings, the control unit causes the display unit to display a setting change list listing the changed settings that differ from the default settings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when the settings of a setting item are changed to something different from the default settings, a setting change list listing the changed settings that differ from the default settings is displayed on the display unit, so that the user can easily check the settings that have been changed from the default settings for each setting item. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the operation screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 3] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of operation screens displayed on the display unit. [Figure 4] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of pop-up screens displayed on the display unit. [Figure 5] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of pop-up screens displayed on the display unit. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of processing performed by the control unit of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of pop-up screens displayed on the display unit. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of processing performed by the control unit of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a pop-up screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 10] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of pop-up screens displayed on the display unit. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a pop-up screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 12] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of pop-up screens displayed on the display unit. [Figure 13] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of pop-up screens displayed on the display unit. [Figure 14] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of operation screens displayed on the display unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device that combines multiple functions, such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeder 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a network interface unit 9, and a storage unit 8.

[0012] The document feeder 6 is configured to be openable and closable by hinges (not shown) on the upper surface of the document reading unit 5. When reading a document placed on a platen glass (not shown), the document feeder 6 functions as a document pressing cover. The document feeder 6 is also called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), includes a document placement tray (not shown), and supplies the documents placed on the document placement tray to the document reading unit 5.

[0013] The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner or the like, reads the document fed from the document feeder 6, or reads the document placed on the platen glass. The document reading unit 5 can sequentially read a plurality of document images sent from the document feeder 6.

[0014] The case where the document reading operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The document reading unit 5 optically reads the image of the document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeder 6 or the document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

[0015] The case where the image forming operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming unit 12 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a primary transfer device for each color, and is a mechanism for forming an image on a recording paper as a recording medium by secondary transfer via an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on the recording paper fed from the paper feeding unit 14 to create a printed matter based on the image data generated by the document reading operation, the image data stored in an image memory or the like, the image data received from a computer connected to the network, and the like.

[0016] The fixing unit 13 is a fixing device equipped with a heating roller, a pressure roller, and a drive mechanism for rotating them. It heats and pressurizes the recording paper on which a toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12 using the nip created by the two rollers, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording paper. The fixing process is then discharged into an output tray (not shown).

[0017] The paper feeding unit 14 includes a paper feeding cassette (not shown), and further comprises a pickup roller, a transport roller, a transport path, and a rotational drive mechanism for each roller, which pick up recording paper from the paper feeding cassette and feed it to the image forming unit 12.

[0018] The control unit 47 is equipped with various hard keys operated by the user, and in response to the operation of the hard keys, it receives instructions from the user, such as instructions to execute image forming operations, regarding various operations and processes that the image forming apparatus 1 can perform.

[0019] The control unit 47 is equipped with a display unit 473 that displays operating instructions and other information to the operator. The control unit 47 also accepts user input based on user operations (touch operations) on the screen displayed on the display unit 473 via the touch panel of the display unit 473.

[0020] The display unit 473 consists of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. When an operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction corresponding to the touched location. In this case, the touch panel functions as an operation unit.

[0021] The network interface unit 9 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various types of data with external devices (e.g., personal computers) within the local area network or on the internet.

[0022] The storage unit 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various control programs and the like. The storage unit 8 also includes a setting item hierarchical structure storage unit 81, a default content storage unit 82, and a setting change content storage unit 83.

[0023] The setting item hierarchical structure storage unit 81 stores information about the hierarchical structure (parent-child relationships) of setting items that specify the operating conditions for executing a job (e.g., copy function). For example, setting items belonging to the copy function are divided into multiple categories (e.g., simple settings, original / paper / finishing, layout / editing, color / image quality, application / other). The category "simple settings" includes setting items such as "paper selection," "reduction / enlargement," and "color selection." The category "original / paper / finishing" includes setting item such as "original size." The setting item hierarchical structure storage unit 81 stores the setting item ID, setting item name, and the category ID to which the setting item belongs for each setting item.

[0024] The "Paper Selection" setting allows you to select the desired paper size. The "Reduce / Enlarge" setting allows you to change the image magnification, reducing or enlarging the image. The "Color Selection" setting allows you to select the color mode (full color, black and white, auto color). The "Document Size" setting allows you to set the size of the document to be scanned.

[0025] The default content storage unit 82 stores predetermined default content for each setting item. The setting change content storage unit 83 stores changed settings that have been modified from the default content.

[0026] The control unit 10 comprises a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and dedicated hardware circuitry. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100 and a setting change unit 101.

[0027] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100 and a setting change unit 101 through operation by the processor in accordance with the control program stored in the memory unit 8. However, the control unit 100 and others can also be configured by hardware circuits, rather than by operation in accordance with the control program by the control unit 10. The same applies to each embodiment below unless otherwise specified.

[0028] The control unit 100 is responsible for the overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feeding unit 6, document reading unit 5, image forming unit 12, fixing unit 13, paper feeding unit 14, operation unit 47, network interface unit 9, and storage unit 8, and performs drive control of each of these units and executes various processes necessary for image forming by the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the control unit 100 executes jobs according to the settings of the setting items.

[0029] Furthermore, the control unit 100 controls the display of the display unit 473 and displays an operation screen G1, as shown in Figure 2. The operation screen G1 shown in Figure 2 is an operation screen that can receive user instructions to change the settings of setting items belonging to the copy function.

[0030] The operation screen G1 has tags TG1 to TG5 that indicate each category and receive instructions to switch categories. When a user taps a tag TG1 to TG5, the control unit 100 receives an instruction to switch to the category indicated by one of the tapped tags TG1 to TG5 via the touch panel on the display unit 73.

[0031] The operation screen G1 shown in Figure 2 represents the state when the category "Easy Settings" has been switched. In the center of the operation screen G1, operation buttons B1 to B6 are displayed, which accept user changes to the settings of setting items belonging to the "Easy Settings" category, such as "Paper Selection," "Reduce / Enlarge," and "Color Selection." When the user taps operation buttons B1 to B6, the control unit 100 receives an instruction via the touch panel to switch the setting of the setting item indicated by the tapped operation button B1 to B6.

[0032] Specifically, when the touch panel, acting as the operation unit 47, receives user input for operation buttons B1 to B6, the control unit 100 displays setting fields on the display unit 473 for inputting settings corresponding to each of the operation buttons B1 to B6. The control unit 100 also displays the current settings on the operation screen G1, corresponding to each of the operation buttons B1 to B6.

[0033] The operation screen G1 shown in Figure 2 represents the default state, where the setting for "Paper Selection" is displayed as "Automatic," the setting for "Reduce / Enlarge" is displayed as "100%," and the setting for "Color Selection" is displayed as "Full Color."

[0034] Furthermore, the operation screen G1 displays a selection button B11 labeled "Preview" and a selection button B12 labeled "Numeric Keypad." When the selection button B11 labeled "Preview" is selected, the finished copy image is displayed. When the selection button B12 labeled "Numeric Keypad" is selected, a display area A1 for displaying the numeric keypad is displayed. In addition, an execution button B21 labeled "Current Change Function" is displayed in the upper right part of the operation screen G1.

[0035] The setting change unit 101 changes the setting content of the setting item in accordance with the user instructions received by the operation unit 47, and updates the content stored in the setting change content storage unit 83 according to the changed content.

[0036] For example, on the operation screen G1 shown in Figure 2, when the touch panel acts as an operation unit 47 via user operation of operation button B2, and the operation unit 47 receives a user instruction to change the setting of the setting item "Zoom In / Out" from "100%" to "200%", the setting change unit 101 changes the display of the setting of the setting item "Zoom In / Out" from "100%" to "200%", as shown in Figure 3(A), and updates the contents stored in the setting change content storage unit 83 accordingly.

[0037] Furthermore, on the operation screen G1 shown in Figure 3(A), when the touch panel acts as an operation unit 47 via user operation of operation button B3, and receives a user instruction to change the setting of the setting item "Color Selection" from "Full Color" to "Black and White", the setting change unit 101 changes the display of the setting of the setting item "Color Selection" from "Full Color" to "Black and White", as shown in Figure 3(B), and updates the contents stored in the setting change content storage unit 83 accordingly.

[0038] The control unit 100 controls the display of the display unit 473 and displays a setting change list L on the display unit 473, which lists the changed settings that differ from the predetermined default settings. The control unit 100 also generates the setting change list L by listing the changed settings according to the category to which the setting items belong. When the user operates the execution button B21, which is labeled "Current Change Function," and the operation unit 47 accepts the operation, the control unit 100 displays a pop-up screen PU on the screen of the display unit 473, which displays one of the setting change lists L1 to L3 that corresponds to the changed settings, as shown in the examples in Figures 4(A) and (B) and Figure 5(A).

[0039] If there are no changes from the default settings, the control unit 100 displays a pop-up screen PU with a predetermined message M1 on the screen of the display unit 473, as shown in Figure 5(B) as an example.

[0040] When there are no setting changes stored in the setting change storage unit 83, and the setting change unit 101 changes the setting of the setting item "Color Selection" belonging to the category "Easy Settings" from the default setting "Full Color" to "Black and White" in accordance with the user's instructions, the control unit 100 generates and displays a setting change list L1 as shown in Figure 4(A).

[0041] Furthermore, if the setting change unit 101, based on the state of the changed settings shown in Figure 4(A), further changes the setting of the setting item "Reduce / Enlarge" belonging to the category "Easy Settings" from the default value "100%" to "200%" in accordance with user instructions, the control unit 100 adds this setting change to the setting change list L1, and generates and displays the setting change list L2 as shown in Figure 4(B).

[0042] Furthermore, if the setting change unit 101 changes the setting of the "Document Size" item belonging to the category "Document / Paper / Finishing" from the default value to "A4" in accordance with the user's instructions, based on the state of the changed settings shown in Figure 4(B), the control unit 100 adds this setting change to the setting change list L2, and generates and displays the setting change list L3 as shown in Figure 5(A).

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 100 displays the setting change list L on the display unit 473, enabling the user to select any setting from the setting change list L. When the operation unit 47 receives a user selection for a setting from the setting change list L, it displays a screen on the display unit 473 that accepts the change of the setting.

[0044] For example, the control unit 100 converts the strings "Reduce / Enlarge: 200%", "Color Selection: Black and White", and "Document Size: A4" included in the setting change list L3 shown in Figure 5(A) into icons and uses them as instruction reception images. When the operation unit 47 receives an operation from the user on the instruction reception image showing the setting "Reduce / Enlarge: 200%", it displays a setting field on the display unit 473 for entering the setting details for the setting item "Reduce / Enlarge". This allows the screen to transition directly from the setting change list L3 to the setting field for entering the setting details for the setting item "Reduce / Enlarge".

[0045] Next, an example of the display process for changed settings by the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 6. This process is performed when there are new setting changes that may be added to the setting change list L.

[0046] When the setting change unit 101 changes the setting content in accordance with instructions from the user received by the operation unit 47, it determines whether the setting item of the setting content exists in the setting change content storage unit 83 as a changed setting content, and if it determines that the setting item of the setting content does not exist in the setting change content storage unit 83, it executes the following process.

[0047] The setting change unit 101 compares the changed setting with the default setting stored in the default setting storage unit 82 to determine whether or not there is a difference between the changed setting and the default setting (S1).

[0048] If the setting change unit 101 determines that the changed setting differs from the default setting (YES in S1), it stores the changed setting as the changed setting in the setting change storage unit 83 (S2).

[0049] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the category to which the setting item of the setting belongs exists in the setting change list L (S3). If the control unit 100 determines that the category to which the setting item of the setting belongs does not exist in the setting change list L (NO in S3), it adds the category name of that category to the setting change list L (S4) and adds the setting to the added category (S5). After this, the process ends.

[0050] For example, if the setting change list L is a setting change list L1 that does not include the category "Original / Paper / Finishing" as shown in Figure 4(A), and the setting of the setting item "Original Size" belonging to the category "Original / Paper / Finishing" is changed from the default value to "A4", the control unit 100 generates a setting change list L4 with the category "Original / Paper / Finishing" and the setting "Original Size: A4" added, as shown in Figure 7(A), and updates the setting change list L.

[0051] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the category to which the setting item belongs exists in the setting change list L (YES in S3), it adds the setting item to the top of that category (S6). After this, the process ends.

[0052] For example, if the setting change list L is a setting change list L4 that includes the category "Easy Settings" as shown in Figure 7(A), and the setting of the setting item "Zoom In / Out" belonging to the category "Easy Settings" is changed from the default value to "200%", the control unit 100 will generate a setting change list L5 with the setting "Zoom In / Out: 200%" added to the top of the category, as shown in Figure 7(B), and update the setting change list L.

[0053] Furthermore, in S1, if the setting change unit 101 determines that the setting is no different from the default setting (NO in S1), the process terminates. In this case, there is no need to store the setting in the setting change storage unit 83, nor is there any need to change the setting change list L.

[0054] Next, another example of the display process for changed settings by the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 8. This process is performed when there is a change to the settings included in the setting change list L.

[0055] For example, when the setting change unit 101 changes the setting content according to instructions from the user, it determines whether the setting item of the setting content exists in the setting change content storage unit 83. If it determines that the setting item of the setting content exists in the setting change content storage unit 83, it executes the following process.

[0056] The setting change unit 101 compares the setting with the default content stored in the default content storage unit 82 to determine whether there is a difference between the setting and the default content (S11).

[0057] If the setting change unit 101 determines that the setting differs from the default setting (YES in S11), it changes the setting stored in the setting change storage unit 83 based on the setting (S12). Since the category to which the setting item of the setting belongs already exists in the setting change list L, the control unit 100 places the setting at the top of that category (S13). After this, the process ends.

[0058] For example, if the setting change list L is the setting change list L2 shown in Figure 4(B), and the setting of the setting item "Color Selection" is changed from "Black and White" to "Automatic Color," which is different from the default setting, the control unit 100 will generate a setting change list L6 in which the setting "Color Selection: Automatic Color" is placed at the top of the category "Easy Settings," as shown in Figure 9, and update the setting change list L.

[0059] On the other hand, if the setting change unit 101 determines that the setting is no different from the default setting (NO in S11), it deletes the previous setting corresponding to the setting change (the setting that has been reverted to the default) from the setting change storage unit 83 (S14). This is because the setting item of the setting has been reverted to its default state. After this, the control unit 100 determines whether the setting of another setting item related to the category to which the setting item of the setting belongs exists in the setting change list L (S15).

[0060] If the control unit 100 determines that a setting item related to the category to which the setting item in question belongs exists in the setting change list L (YES in S15), it deletes the previous setting item corresponding to the setting item in question from the setting change list L (S16). After this, the process ends.

[0061] For example, if the setting change list L is the setting change list L3 shown in Figure 5(A), and the setting item "Zoom In / Out" belonging to the category "Easy Settings" is changed to the default value of "100%", the control unit 100 will generate a setting change list L7, as shown in Figure 10(A), by deleting the previous setting value "Zoom In / Out: 200%" that corresponds to the changed setting value, and update the setting change list L.

[0062] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that there is no setting content for another setting item related to the category to which the setting item in question belongs in the setting change list L (NO in S15), it determines whether there is any setting content related to another category other than the one in question in the setting change list L (S17).

[0063] If the control unit 100 determines that a setting related to another category exists in the setting change list L (YES in S17), it deletes the category to which the setting item of that setting belongs from the setting change list L (S18). After this, the process ends.

[0064] For example, if the setting change list L is the setting change list L7 shown in Figure 10(A), and the setting item "Color Selection" belonging to the category "Easy Settings" is changed to "Full Color," which is the same as the default setting, the control unit 100 generates a setting change list L8, as shown in Figure 10(B), by deleting the category "Easy Settings" to which the setting item belongs, and updates the setting change list L.

[0065] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that there are no settings related to a category other than the category in question in the setting change list L (NO in S17), it discards the setting change list L (S19). This is because all settings have returned to their default state. After this, the process ends.

[0066] According to the above embodiment, a setting change list L, which lists settings different from the default settings, is displayed on the display unit 473, so that the user can easily check the changes made to the setting items from the default settings.

[0067] In another embodiment, the setting change unit 101 may, in accordance with instructions from the user received by the operation unit 47, restore the setting content of the setting item specified by the user, the setting content of all setting items belonging to the category specified by the user, or the setting content of all setting items to the default state indicated by the default content.

[0068] For example, as shown in Figure 11, the control unit 100 displays a pop-up screen PU with a delete button B31 labeled "Delete All" on the display unit 473. When the operation unit 47 receives a user operation for operation button B1 via the touch panel, the setting change unit 101 deletes all the setting contents stored in the setting change content storage unit 83. The control unit 100 displays a pop-up screen PU with message M1 displayed on the display unit 473, as shown in Figure 5(B).

[0069] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12(A), the control unit 100 displays a pop-up screen PU on the display unit 473, which has delete buttons B32 and B33 labeled "Delete Category" corresponding to each category name. For example, when the operation unit 47 receives a user operation for operation button B32, the setting change unit 101 deletes the setting contents of the setting items belonging to the category specified by the user, for example, the category "Easy Settings," from the setting change content storage unit 83. In other words, the setting contents of the setting items are deleted for each category by operation from the pop-up screen PU. At this time, the control unit 100 displays a pop-up screen PU on the display unit 473 as shown in Figure 12(B).

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13(A), the control unit 100 displays a pop-up screen PU on the display unit 473, which has delete buttons B34 to B36 labeled "Delete" corresponding to each setting. For example, when the operation unit 47 receives a user operation for operation button B34, the setting change unit 101 deletes the setting specified by the user, for example, the setting "Reduce / Enlarge: 200%", from the setting change storage unit 83. In other words, the setting content of each setting item is deleted by operation from the pop-up screen PU. At this time, the control unit 100 displays a pop-up screen PU on the display unit 473 as shown in Figure 13(B).

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case in which the control unit 100 displays the setting change list L on the display unit 473 by displaying a pop-up screen PU has been described, but the setting change list L may be displayed on the display unit 473 permanently.

[0072] For example, as shown in Figure 14(A), the control unit 100 displays a selection button B13 labeled "Current Change Function" and a display area A1 on the operation screen G2, and when the selection button B13 is selected, it displays the setting change list L1 in the display area A1. Also, if there are no changes from the default settings, the control unit 100 displays a message M1 in the display area A1, as shown in Figure 14(B).

[0073] The image forming apparatus 1 may have a function that automatically returns the settings to their default state when a predetermined reset condition, such as an auto-reset, is met. In this case, when the control unit 100 determines that the reset condition has been met, the setting change unit 101 returns the settings to their default state based on predetermined default settings. Examples of such reset conditions include the elapsed time since the last operation by the user or the completion of job execution.

[0074] Furthermore, there are cases where the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is switched from on to off, and then switched back from off to on. In this case, it is unclear whether the user wants to return to the default state or not. Therefore, in another embodiment, if the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off before the settings are returned to the default state, and then the power supply is turned on from off, the control unit 100 displays a selection screen on the display unit to accept a choice between returning the settings to the default state or maintaining the modified settings that were set when the power was turned on. When the selection screen is displayed, the setting change unit 101 returns the modified settings to the default state indicated by the default settings, or maintains the modified settings, according to the selection instruction from the user received by the operation unit 47. This further improves user convenience.

[0075] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiments and various modifications are possible. Furthermore, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiments using Figures 1 to 14 are merely one embodiment of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to such configuration and processing. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1. Image forming apparatus 47 Operation section 100 Control Unit 101 Settings Change Section 473 Display section

Claims

1. A control unit that executes jobs according to the settings of the configuration items, Display unit and An operating unit that receives input instructions from the user, The system includes a setting change unit that changes the setting content of the setting item in accordance with instructions from the user received by the operation unit, The control unit, when the setting content of the setting item has been changed to a setting content different from a predetermined default content, causes the display unit to display a setting change list showing the changed setting content that differs from the default content.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the setting change list, which arranges the changed setting contents separated by category to which the setting item belongs, on the display unit.

3. The display unit includes a touch panel that functions as the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives an instruction from the user to select a setting from the setting change list, the control unit causes the display unit to display a reception screen for accepting the change of the setting selected by the instruction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting change unit, in accordance with instructions from the user received by the operation unit, returns the setting content of the setting item specified by the user, the setting content of all setting items belonging to the category specified by the user, or the setting content of all setting items to the default state indicated by the default content.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the power to the image forming apparatus is turned on again after being turned off from on, the setting change unit returns the setting to the default state indicated by the default content when a predetermined reset condition is met.

6. When the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on again after being turned off from the on state, the control unit displays a selection screen on the display unit to accept a choice between maintaining the modified settings that were changed from the default state indicated by the default settings at the time of the previous power-on, or returning the modified settings to the default settings. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting change unit, when the selection acceptance screen is displayed, returns the changed setting content to the default state indicated by the default content, or maintains the changed setting content, in accordance with the selection instruction from the user received by the operation unit.

Images