Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that ensures the output of communication-related reports as needed, while easily avoiding the wasteful consumption of media and other resources due to the output of unnecessary reports. [Solution] A communication management report related to fax communication is output (S1). If a predetermined interface is accessed within a predetermined time after the output of the communication management report, it is presumed that the user has requested to turn off the output setting (S2, Yes). In this case, an output setting switching screen is displayed on the touch panel display, and when the user inputs to turn off the output setting through this screen (S5, Yes), the output setting for the communication management report is turned off (S6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the outside, there is one that forms a communication report image regarding past communication with the outside on a medium. The facsimile apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is an example thereof, and a communication management report displaying information regarding communication is described on a recording paper (medium).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Output of a report regarding past communication as described above is important from the viewpoint of determining the fact of past communication. On the other hand, for a user who does not need such a report, recording the report may waste consumables such as a medium.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily avoid unnecessary consumption of a medium or the like due to output of an unnecessary report while ensuring output of a report regarding communication as needed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the outside world, and comprises an image forming unit that performs an image forming operation to form an image on a medium, a notification unit that notifies information, and a control unit, wherein the control unit includes a storage unit that stores setting contents that selectively take on an on state and an off state, a setting change process that changes the setting contents stored in the storage unit based on user access to the interface, a report output switching process that causes the image forming unit to perform a report forming process, which is the image forming operation that forms a communication report image related to past communications with the outside world on a medium, when the setting contents stored in the storage unit are in the on state, and does not cause the image forming unit to perform the report forming process when the setting contents stored in the storage unit are in the off state, and a guidance information notification process that causes the notification unit to notify guidance information that guides the user to the access that changes the setting contents stored in the storage unit from the on state to the off state when the first access occurs within a predetermined time after the report forming process has been executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] When the setting is enabled, a communication report image related to external communication is created on the media. Therefore, for users who require report output through the report generation process, report output is properly ensured as long as the setting is enabled. On the other hand, if the first access to the interface is made within a predetermined time after the report generation process is completed, there is a high probability that the user wishes to switch off report output. Accordingly, in such cases, guidance information on accessing the interface to turn off report output is provided. This makes it easier for users who do not wish to waste media or other resources due to report output to take appropriate measures to turn off report output. In this way, a device is realized that ensures the output of communication-related reports as needed, while easily avoiding the wasteful consumption of media or other resources due to the output of unnecessary reports. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]This is a block diagram showing the outline configuration of a multifunction printer system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows an example of a communication management report image formed on the printed paper by the multifunction printer. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows an example of a GUI image for switching the output of the communication management report on and off. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the multifunction printer after the output of the communication management report. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows an example of a GUI image that the multifunction printer displays on the touch panel display during the process shown. [Figure 6] This figure shows the relationship between access to a predetermined interface that occurs around the time a reference time elapses from the output of the communication management report in Figure 2, and the display of the image in Figure 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A printer system 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The printer system 1 comprises a multifunction device 100 (corresponding to the "image forming apparatus" of the present invention) and a PC 200 that are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate data via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the multifunction printer 100 includes an image forming unit 10, a scanner unit 20, a fax communication unit 30, a touch panel display 40, and a control unit 50. The image forming unit 10, scanner unit 20, fax communication unit 30, and touch panel display 40 are operated under the control of the control unit 50.

[0011] The image forming unit 10 houses the printing paper for image formation and performs an image forming operation to form an image on the printing paper by adhering coloring materials such as ink or toner to the printing paper. Any method may be used for the image forming operation by the image forming unit 10, including inkjet and laser methods.

[0012] The scanner unit 20 has a reading surface on which a document is placed. The document is, for example, a sheet-like medium such as printed paper, paper, or cloth on which an image is formed or on which characters or figures are handwritten. The scanner unit 20 reads the characters, figures, images, etc. formed on the reading surface side of the document placed on the reading surface, and generates scanned image data that shows the scanned image.

[0013] The fax communication unit 30 is the part that performs fax communication with external devices via a fax communication line connected to the multifunction printer 100.

[0014] The touch panel display 40 (corresponding to the "notification unit" of the present invention) displays characters, images, etc. on the screen (corresponding to "notifying information" of the present invention). The touch panel display 40 also detects the contact position when a finger or the like touches the screen and outputs the detection result to the control unit 50. This allows the touch panel display 40 to accept various user inputs. For example, when a user touches a screen displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image (hereinafter referred to as "GUI image") with their finger or the like, the GUI image at the contact position is manipulated. The control unit 50 then receives the input of information corresponding to that operation.

[0015] The control unit 50 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a storage unit 52 consisting of storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and other electronic devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The storage unit 52 stores program data executed by the CPU 51 and ASIC, image data used for the graphical user interface, and the like. The storage unit 52 also stores data indicating output settings, setting change history, communication history, reference time, and hidden settings related to the output of communication management reports. Of these, the content of the output settings (corresponding to the "setting content" of this invention) indicates either an ON state or an OFF state. The output setting is ON by default. The setting change history indicates whether the output setting remains at the default or not. The communication history, reference time, and hidden settings will be described later.

[0016] The hardware CPU 51 performs various processes independently or in cooperation with the ASIC, according to the program data and other software stored in the memory unit 52. Hereinafter, the CPU 51 performing various processes may be described as the control unit 50 performing various processes.

[0017] One of the processes executed by the control unit 50 is fax-related processing. Fax-related processing includes processing related to sending and receiving faxes and processing related to outputting communication management reports.

[0018] As a fax transmission process, the control unit 50 causes the scanner unit 20 to read a document, and causes the fax communication unit 30 to transmit the image indicated by the read image data generated thereby to an external device through a fax communication line. Alternatively, the control unit 50 causes the fax communication unit 30 to transmit the image indicated by the image data generated in the PC 200 as described later to an external device through a fax communication line. As a fax reception process, the control unit 50 causes the fax communication unit 30 to receive an image from an external device through a fax communication line, and causes the image forming unit 10 to perform an image forming operation based on the image data indicating the received image.

[0019] Each time fax transmission and reception are performed, the control unit 50 stores information such as (1) the date and (2) time of transmission and reception, (3) the fax number of the communication partner, (4) the number of pages related to the read document or image forming operation, (5) the result of the communication, and (6) the distinction between transmission / reception as communication history in the storage unit 52.

[0020] As an output process of the communication management report, the control unit 50 causes the image forming unit 10 to perform an image forming operation related to the image representing the communication history stored in the storage unit 52. FIG. 2 is an example of an image of the communication management report formed on a printing paper. (1) to (6) in FIG. 2 correspond to the above (1) to (6) related to the information stored in the storage unit 52.

[0021] In addition, as described later, when various instructions related to fax communication are transmitted from the PC 200, the control unit 50 executes processing based on the instructions.

[0022] The control unit 50 can switch the output of the communication management report on and off via a GUI using a GUI image displayed on the touch panel display 40. The on and off status of the communication management report output corresponds to the output settings stored in the storage unit 52. Image IM1 in Figure 3 is an example of a GUI image that accepts input to switch the output of the communication management report on and off. Image IM1 in Figure 3 is displayed by selecting the appropriate menu item from the menu list displayed on the touch panel display 40. This menu list has a hierarchical structure. That is, the entire list consists of multiple levels, such as the first-level menu list, the second-level menu list, the third-level menu list, and so on, and when a menu item is selected in the menu list of a certain level, the menu list of the next level is displayed on the screen. In this case, in order to reach the appropriate menu item that displays image IM1 on the screen, it is necessary to traverse the multiple levels of menu lists in the correct order.

[0023] In addition, the output settings may be switched by operating physical menu buttons instead of, or in addition to, selecting a menu item from a menu list displayed on the touch panel display 40. In this case, for example, the multifunction device should be configured so that the appropriate menu item can be selected from the menu list displayed on the display by operating a menu button located on the front of the device.

[0024] The user can switch the output of the communication management report on and off by touching the screen of the touch panel display 20, which displays image IM1, with their finger or the like. The control unit 50 updates the output settings stored in the memory unit 52 to reflect the above switch (corresponding to the "setting change processing" of the present invention). The control unit 50 also updates the setting change history to indicate that the output settings are not left at their default values.

[0025] The control unit 50 performs the output process for communication management reports periodically or at timings according to other conditions when the output setting stored in the memory unit 52 is in the ON state. The communication management report may be output at intervals after a predetermined period has elapsed, or at intervals after a predetermined number of transmissions and receptions have occurred. On the other hand, the control unit 50 does not perform the output process for communication management reports when the output setting stored in the memory unit 52 is in the OFF state. These correspond to the "report output switching process" of the present invention.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the PC200 (corresponding to the "external device" of the present invention) has a user input unit 60, a display 70, and a control unit 80. The user input unit 60 consists of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and accepts various user inputs. The display 70 displays characters, images, etc., on the screen. The GUI image displayed on the display 70 is operated by the user input through the user input unit 60. Then, the control unit 80 receives input of information corresponding to that operation.

[0027] The control unit 80 consists of hardware including a CPU and memory unit, and software such as program data stored in the memory unit. The memory unit consists of ROM, RAM, storage, etc. The storage unit stores program data related to various applications. When an application is instructed to start via user input through the user input unit 60, the program data related to that application is transferred from the storage unit to the RAM, and processing based on the program data stored in the RAM is executed by the control unit 80.

[0028] In this embodiment, the image generation application and the multifunction printer usage application are stored in storage. The image generation application is an application for generating various types of images. The control unit 80 processes the image generation application according to the instructions entered by the user via the user input unit 60, editing documents, charts, illustrations, etc., and generating image data that shows the editing results.

[0029] The multifunction printer utilization application (corresponding to the "application executed by an external device" in this invention) is an application for using the functions of the multifunction printer 100 from the PC 200. The control unit 80 sends an instruction to the multifunction printer 100 to fax the image data generated by the image generation application to a specified destination as part of the processing by the multifunction printer utilization application. In response to this instruction, the control unit 50 of the multifunction printer 100 controls the fax communication unit 30 to fax the image data received from the PC 200 to the specified destination.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit 80, as part of the processing by the multifunction printer user application, sends instructions to the multifunction printer 100 to configure various settings related to fax communication. For example, the control unit 80 inquires with the multifunction printer 100 about the output status of the communication management report. In response, the multifunction printer 100 sends the output settings stored in the memory unit 52 to the PC 200. The control unit 80 displays image IM1 in Figure 3 on the display 70, which reflects the output status of the communication management report indicated by the output settings sent from the PC 200. Note that in order to display image IM1 on the screen, it is necessary to select the appropriate menu item by navigating through a multi-level menu list, as described above. In addition, as part of the processing by the multifunction printer user application, the control unit 80 notifies the multifunction printer 100 of the startup of the multifunction printer user application immediately after it is launched. This notification is used to determine whether or not the user has requested that the output settings be turned off, as will be described later.

[0031] The control unit 80 receives user input via the user input unit 60 to switch the output of the communication management report on and off according to the operation of the image IM1. The control unit 80 then sends an instruction to the multifunction device 100 to switch the output of the communication management report on and off as received. The multifunction device 100 updates the output settings stored in the memory unit 52 to the content corresponding to this instruction.

[0032] Incidentally, the output of communication management reports is important from the standpoint of confirming past communication facts. On the other hand, for users who do not need such reports, outputting them may result in the wasteful consumption of consumables such as printing paper and ink. For this reason, users who do not need communication management reports can operate the touch panel display 40 of the multifunction printer 100 or launch the multifunction printer usage application on the PC 200 to switch the output setting off via image IM1 in Figure 3, thereby preventing the next communication management report from being output.

[0033] However, as mentioned above, displaying image IM1, which is used to turn off the output settings, requires navigating through a multi-level menu list in the correct order. Therefore, not all users may know how to properly access image IM1, potentially leading to situations where users are unable to turn off the output settings even if they want to.

[0034] Therefore, the multifunction printer system 1 according to this embodiment is configured to perform the processing shown in Figure 4. First, when a communication management report is output (S1), the control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has requested to turn off the output setting (S2). Specifically, the control unit 50 determines whether or not predetermined conditions are met for which it is presumed that the user has requested to turn off the output setting. The predetermined conditions are that (1) the output setting remains at the default setting, and (2) the user has accessed a predetermined interface when the elapsed time since the output of the most recent communication management report is less than or equal to the reference time. In other words, when both (1) and (2) are met, it is presumed that the user has requested to turn off the output setting, and when at least one of (1) and (2) is not met, it is presumed that the user has not requested to turn off the output setting.

[0035] Access to a predetermined interface corresponds to access to an interface that allows us to infer that the user is attempting to turn off the output setting. In this embodiment, touching the touch panel display 40 of the multifunction printer 100 with a finger, etc., and launching the multifunction printer application via the user input unit 60 on the PC 200 are examples of such access. These accesses lead to the display of image IM1 for switching the output setting. Therefore, the occurrence of these accesses indicates a high probability that the user is attempting to switch the output setting.

[0036] The reference time (corresponding to the "predetermined time" of the present invention) is stored in the storage unit 52 in advance and is set to a length such that it can be sufficiently estimated that the user's access to the predetermined interface within that time is the result of an action by the user to switch output settings. The reference time may be set to, for example, a few seconds to a few minutes. Note that the access in (2) above includes the first access related to the launch of the multifunction printer application via the touch panel display 40 and the user input unit 60, respectively. In other words, the condition in (2) above is satisfied by at least one of the first access related to the touch panel display 40 and the first access related to the launch of the multifunction printer application via the user input unit 60. For example, if the first launch of the multifunction printer application via the user input unit 60 occurs after the first access to the touch panel display 40, the condition in (2) above is satisfied by each of these first accesses. The condition in (2) above may be satisfied only when each of these first accesses occurs.

[0037] If the control unit 50 determines that the user has not requested to turn off the output setting (S2, No), the series of processes ends. On the other hand, if the control unit 50 determines that the user has requested to turn off the output setting (S2, Yes), the control unit 50 determines whether the hidden setting stored in the memory unit 52 instructs the output setting switching screen to be hidden (S3). The hidden setting is set through the output setting switching screen in S4 and is information that instructs whether or not to display the output setting switching screen next time. If the control unit 50 determines that the hidden setting instructs the output setting switching screen to be hidden (S3, Hide), the series of processes ends. If the control unit 50 determines that the hidden setting instructs the output setting switching screen to be displayed (S3, Display), the control unit 50 displays an example of the output setting switching screen shown in image IM2 of Figure 5 on the touch panel display 40 (S4; corresponding to the "guidance information notification process" of the present invention).

[0038] Image IM2, an example of an output setting switching screen, includes images IM2-1 and IM2-2. Image IM2-1 is a GUI image for selecting whether or not to switch the output setting, and displays text information such as "Do you want to switch the FAX communication management report off?", "Yes", and "No" (corresponding to "guidance information" in this invention). A user who wants to switch the output setting to the off state selects "Yes" by operating image IM2-1 through the touch panel display 40. This operation corresponds to "access to change the setting from the on state to the off state" in this invention.

[0039] Image IM2-2 is a GUI image for selecting whether or not to display the output settings switching screen next time, and it displays the text information "Do not show this screen next time," "No," and "Yes." Users who do not want to display the output settings switching screen next time select "Yes" by operating image IM2-2 through the touch panel display 40.

[0040] If the user selects to turn off the output setting by operating image IM2-1 through the touch panel display 40 (S5, Yes), the control unit 80 updates the output setting stored in the memory unit 52 to the off state (S6). On the other hand, if the user selects not to turn off the output setting by operating image IM2-1 through the touch panel display 40 (S5, No), the control unit 80 executes the process in S7.

[0041] If the user selects to hide the output setting switching screen next time by operating image IM2-2 through the touch panel display 40 (S7, Yes), the control unit 50 updates the hide setting stored in the memory unit 52 to instruct the user to hide the output setting switching screen next time (S9). Then the series of processes ends. On the other hand, if the user selects to display the output setting switching screen next time by operating image IM2-2 through the touch panel display 40 (S7, No), the control unit 50 updates the hide setting stored in the memory unit 52 to instruct the user to display the output setting switching screen next time (S8).

[0042] Next, the control unit 50 determines whether the elapsed time since the output of the communication management report in S1 is less than or equal to the reference time (S10). If it determines that the elapsed time is less than or equal to the reference time (S10, Yes), the control unit 50 executes the process in S2. As a result, the processes in S2 to S8 are repeated until the elapsed time exceeds the reference time or until "hide" is selected in S7. If the control unit 50 determines that the elapsed time has exceeded the reference time (S10, No), the series of processes ends.

[0043] According to the embodiment described above, a communication management report is output when the output setting stored in the memory unit 52 indicates an ON state. Therefore, for users who require the output of a communication management report, the output of the communication management report is appropriately ensured as long as the output setting is ON. On the other hand, when the first access to a predetermined interface is made when the elapsed time since the output of the communication management report is less than or equal to the reference time, there is a high probability that the user wishes to switch the report output to OFF. Accordingly, in such cases, image IM2 in Figure 5 is displayed on the touch panel display 40. Image IM2 includes image IM2-1. As shown in Figure 5, image IM2-1 includes text information that guides the user to the operation of image IM2-1 to change the output setting from an ON state to an OFF state. This ensures that users who do not wish to waste paper or other resources by outputting communication management reports have the opportunity to turn off the output of communication management reports. As a result, a device is realized that ensures the output of communication management reports as needed while easily avoiding the wasteful consumption of paper or other resources by outputting unnecessary communication management reports.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there are multiple types of predetermined interfaces that allow access to switch the output of the communication management report on and off. Specifically, touching the touch panel display 40 of the multifunction printer 100 with a finger, etc., and launching the multifunction printer application via the user input unit 60 on the PC 200 correspond to access to these multiple types of interfaces. Of these accesses, the image IM2 in Figure 5 is displayed on the touch panel display 40 when the earliest access occurs within a period in which the elapsed time since the communication management report output was executed is less than or equal to the reference time. Therefore, the image IM2 is displayed under appropriate conditions where there is a high probability that the user wishes to switch the output of the communication management report off.

[0045] In this embodiment, an image IM2 containing text information guiding the user to access the option to switch the output settings to the off state is displayed on the touch panel display 40. Alternatively, the text information guiding the user to access the option to switch the output settings to the off state may be printed by forming an image on paper. For example, an image representing the procedure for selecting a menu item from a menu list displayed on the touch panel display 40 may be formed on the paper. However, in this case, paper would be consumed. In contrast, in this embodiment, the consumption of paper is avoided by displaying the image IM2 on the touch panel display 40. In addition, it is possible to directly turn off the output of the communication management report through the GUI using the image IM2. Therefore, it is highly convenient for users who wish to turn off the output of the communication management report.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the processing in S2 to S8 is repeated in S7 unless "hide" is selected, until the elapsed time from the output of the communication management report exceeds the reference time. In other words, as shown in Figure 6, until the reference time has elapsed from the output of the communication management report, the image IM2 in Figure 5 is displayed on the touch panel display 40 in response to both access to the touch panel display 40 on the multifunction printer 100 and the launch of the multifunction printer application on the PC 200. In this way, guidance to turn off the output setting is provided for multiple accesses to a predetermined interface within a predetermined time. Therefore, an appropriate opportunity to turn off the output of the communication management report is ensured. Note that, as shown in Figure 6, once the reference time has elapsed from the output of the communication management report, the image IM2 in Figure 5 is not displayed on the touch panel display 40 in response to either access to the touch panel display 40 on the multifunction printer 100 or the launch of the multifunction printer application on the PC 200.

[0047] <Other variations> Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description of embodiments, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0048] For example, in the embodiment described above, image IM2 is displayed on the touch panel display 40 as an output setting switching screen. It is possible to directly turn off the output of the communication management report through the GUI using this image IM2. Alternatively, an image representing text information that guides the user on how to access an interface for switching the output setting to the off state may be displayed on the touch panel display 40. As an example, an image representing the procedure for selecting a menu item from a menu list displayed on the touch panel display 40 or display 70 and displaying image IM1 may be displayed on the touch panel display 40.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, until a reference time has elapsed from the output of the communication management report, the image IM2 in Figure 5 is displayed on the touch panel display 40 for both access to the touch panel display 40 on the multifunction printer 100 and the launch of the multifunction printer application on the PC 200. Alternatively, the image IM2 in Figure 5 may be displayed on the touch panel display 40 only for the first access to the touch panel display 40 and the launch of the multifunction printer application that occurs within the reference time elapsed from the output of the communication management report.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, there is no upper limit set on the number of times the image IM2 in Figure 5 is displayed on the touch panel display 40 until a reference time has elapsed from the output of the communication management report. Alternatively, an upper limit may be set on the number of times the image IM2 in Figure 5 is displayed on the touch panel display 40.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image IM2 in Figure 5 is displayed on the touch panel display 40 when the multifunction printer application is launched on the PC200. Alternatively, the image IM2 in Figure 5 may be displayed on the display 70 when the multifunction printer application is launched on the PC200. In this case, user input is made to turn off the output setting through a GUI using the image IM2 displayed on the display 70. The result of this user input is transmitted from the PC200 to the multifunction printer 100 and reflected in the output setting stored in the storage unit 52 of the multifunction printer 100.

[0052] In addition, although the embodiments described above have described the application of the present invention to a multifunction printer, the invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may also be applied to other image forming devices such as inkjet or laser printers that eject ink from a head, such as printers, copiers, fax machines, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Multifunction printer system 10 Image forming unit 20 Touch panel displays 30 Control Unit 31 Storage section 40 User Input Section 50 displays 60 Control Unit 100 MFPs

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the outside world, An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation to form an image on a medium, The information dissemination department, It includes a control unit, The control unit, A memory unit that stores settings for selectively switching between an on state and an off state, A setting change process that modifies the settings stored in the storage unit based on user access to the interface, If the setting is in the ON state, the report output switching process causes the image forming unit to perform the report forming process, which is the image forming operation that forms a communication report image related to past communications with the external on a medium; if the setting stored in the storage unit is in the OFF state, the report forming process is not performed by the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by performing a guidance information notification process in which, when the first access is made within a predetermined time after the report formation process is executed, the notification unit notifies the notification unit of guidance information that guides the user to make the access that changes the setting stored in the storage unit from the ON state to the OFF state.

2. There are multiple types of interfaces that allow access to perform the aforementioned configuration change process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the initial access corresponds to the earliest access among the multiple types of interfaces for executing the setting change process, which is executed within the predetermined time after the report formation process is executed.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the plurality of types of interfaces include at least one of an interface provided by an external device capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and an interface provided by the image forming apparatus.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the interface provided by the image forming apparatus is at least one of a touch panel display and a menu button.

5. The touch panel display is used as both an interface and a notification unit of the image forming apparatus. The notification of the aforementioned guidance information is performed by displaying a graphical user interface image on the touch panel display. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit, in the setting change process, turns off the setting content based on the selection of the graphical user interface image by user input through the touch panel display.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the interface provided by the external device is provided by an application executed by the external device.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, in each case where one or more of the accesses following the first access occur within a predetermined time after the report formation process is executed, the notification unit is made to notify the guidance information.

Images