Image forming system

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, it has been widely known that an image forming apparatus has a display unit for displaying an image and an operation unit for inputting information. In this image forming apparatus, a user can operate the operation unit to set settings related to image formation such as paper size, or the status of the image forming apparatus can be displayed on the display unit.

[0003] Patent Document 1 also discloses a configuration in which the operation display unit, which integrates the above-mentioned display unit and operation unit, is a remote control unit that can be removed from the image forming device, and the image forming device and the remote control unit that operates the image forming device via wireless communication are included. In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, information input from the remote control unit by a user at a location away from the image forming device is transmitted to the image forming device via wireless communication, and the status of the image forming device is displayed on the remote control unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-366287 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the field of commercial printing, one user may operate multiple image forming apparatuses. In this case, if the display unit and operation unit are installed in the image forming apparatus, even if the status of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display unit, the user must check the display unit of each image forming apparatus.

[0006] On the other hand, even if the status of the image forming device displayed on the remote control unit can be checked from a location away from the image forming device as in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the remote control unit for each image forming device must be checked. Even if the remote control units corresponding to each image forming device are located in one place, it is necessary to compare the status of the image forming device displayed on each remote control unit in order to check the status of each image forming device.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration that allows easy checking of the status of multiple image forming devices in an image forming system in which image forming devices are operated via wireless communication from a remote control unit at a location away from the image forming devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A representative configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on input image data, and a remote control unit that has a display unit capable of displaying information based on image data received from the image forming apparatus via wireless communication and operates a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus, wherein the remote control unit includes an input unit for instructing acquisition of the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus, and a controller that acquires the statuses of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus via wireless communication in response to the instruction given through the input unit, and causes the acquired statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be collectively displayed on the display unit. death , setting one image forming apparatus as an image forming apparatus to be operated, transmitting the acquired statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to the image forming apparatus set as the operation target via wireless communication, receiving image data corresponding to the acquired statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses from the image forming apparatus, and displaying the image data on the display unit. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, in an image forming system capable of wireless communication between image forming devices and remote control units, the statuses of multiple image forming devices can be displayed collectively on a single remote control unit by operating the single remote control unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming system. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system. [Diagram 3] 1A, 1B, and 1C are schematic perspective views of a remote control panel. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a remote control panel. [Figure 6] 1A is a diagram showing communication transition between an image forming apparatus and a remote control panel, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing coordinate display on the touch panel of the remote control panel. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on a display of a remote control panel. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display of a remote control panel. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a collective status display process of the remote operation panel. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on a display of a remote control panel. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on a display of a remote control panel. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on a display of a remote control panel. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on a display of a remote control panel. [Figure 14] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on a display of a remote control panel. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on a display of a remote control panel. [Figure 16] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on a display of a remote control panel. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for setting a collective status display of the remote control panel. [Figure 18] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on a display of a remote control panel. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a table showing operation modes of the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the following embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those alone.

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

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

[0014] <Image forming device> 1, a reader 14 that optically reads an image of an original placed on a glass surface (not shown) and converts it into image data is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 also has a processing device 16 that performs processes such as stapling, punching, and bookbinding on the sheet S on which the image has been formed.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a seesaw or tactile main power switch 79 for switching the main power on and off. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a display panel 71 for displaying lamps and error codes to inform a user of the status of the image forming apparatus 1, such as when the image forming process is in progress, when it is stopped due to an error, or when it is in standby mode. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a tower-type lamp 72 for notifying a user at a remote location of the status of the image forming apparatus 1 by turning on, off, or blinking the light source.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a panel mounting section 73 to which a remote control panel 50 (remote control section) is detachably mounted. The remote control panel 50 will be described later.

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

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

[0019] Meanwhile, in the image forming unit 15, the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y is first charged by the charging device 2Y. After that, the laser scanner unit 3Y irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y with laser light in accordance with image data of the document read by the reader 14 or image data transmitted from an external device (not shown) via a network, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y.

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

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

[0022] Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 6 rotates, whereby the full-color toner image is sent to a secondary transfer section. Then, in the secondary transfer section, a secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 7, whereby the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 6 is transferred to the sheet S. The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 70 by the conveyor belt 95. Then, in the fixing device 70, the toner image is fixed to the sheet S by heat and pressure treatment.

[0023] Next, the sheet S on which the toner image has been fixed passes through a discharge path 97 and is sent to the processing device 16. If the user has specified a process such as stapling, punching, or bookbinding, the sheet S sent to the processing device 16 is discharged to the discharge tray 16a after the specified process is performed. If the user has not specified a process, the sheet S sent to the processing device 16 is discharged directly to the discharge tray 16b without being processed.

[0024] <Remote control panel> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the remote operation panel 50 (remote operation unit) is detachably mounted on a panel mounting portion 73 of the image forming apparatus 1. The remote operation panel 50 is configured to be capable of wirelessly communicating information with the image forming apparatus 1. Since the remote operation panel 50 is not connected by a cable (wired connection), the user can freely carry it around and can operate the image forming apparatus 1 from a position away from the image forming apparatus 1. When the remote operation panel 50 is mounted on the panel mounting portion 73, a charging connector 55 (see FIG. 3(b)) of the remote operation panel 50 is connected to a power supply connector 73a (see FIG. 5) of the panel mounting portion 73. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 detects the connection of the remote operation panel 50, and the image forming apparatus 1 charges a battery 57 (see FIG. 5) of the remote operation panel 50.

[0025] Note that, here, the remote control panel 50 (remote control unit) is illustrated as being detachable from the image forming apparatus 1, but it may not be detachable from the image forming apparatus, but may be provided separately from the image forming apparatus and used to operate the image forming apparatus via wireless communication.

[0026] 3(a) and 3(b), the remote control panel 50 has a power switch 52 for turning the power of the remote control panel 50 on and off, and a speaker unit 53 for outputting sound. The remote control panel 50 also has a status display unit 54 for notifying the status of the remote control panel 50 by turning on, off, or blinking. Here, the status display unit 54 is configured with an LED, but is not limited to this configuration.

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

[0028] In the present embodiment, the touch panel display 51 in which the display unit and the operation unit are integrated has been exemplified as the operation display unit of the remote operation panel 50. That is, the configuration in which the remote operation panel 50 is equipped with the touch panel display 51 has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the remote operation panel 50 may be configured such that hard keys such as a numeric keypad and a reset key are provided as a key operation input unit separately from the above-mentioned display 51 (operation display unit).

[0029] The remote operation panel 50 may be configured such that an independent all-state display key 68 (input section, hard key, key operation input section) is provided on the display 51 (operation display section) in addition to the all-state display button 66 (see FIG. 3(c)). The remote operation panel 50 may also be configured such that an independent all-state display key 68 (input section, hard key, key operation input section) is provided on the display 51 without displaying the all-state display button (see FIG. 7(b)).

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

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

[0032] ROM 12 (storage unit) stores various programs related to the control of image forming apparatus 1 and various image data. CPU 11 performs various arithmetic processing based on the control programs stored in ROM 12. RAM 13 temporarily stores data. In other words, CPU 11 uses RAM 13 as a working area based on the control programs stored in ROM 12, and controls reader 14, image forming unit 15, processing device 16, and the like connected to control unit 10 to perform the image forming operation described above.

[0033] In addition, the control unit 10 is illustrated as having a configuration including the ROM 12 as a storage unit, but is not limited thereto, and may have a storage unit separately from the ROM 12 as a storage unit. The storage unit is, for example, an HDD or SSD, and is used to store various data. Data stored in the storage unit is, for example, images to be displayed on the remote operation panel 50, data to be printed, and the like.

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

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

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

[0037] The network connection unit 84 and the wireless communication unit 81 may be shared, but in that case, a connection using the Wi-Fi Direct method, which is a communication format that directly connects the image forming apparatus and the remote operation panel, cannot be made. Furthermore, the connection is via a normal network (via an access point), and print data, command communication, and screen data are communicated via the same route. This increases the amount of communication data, which may slow down the response of the screen display on the remote operation panel and may take a long time for the image forming apparatus to receive print data. For this reason, in this embodiment, the network connection unit 84 and the wireless communication unit 81 are configured separately.

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

[0039] Furthermore, when the main power switch 79 is turned off, the power supply device 17 stops the power supply based on an instruction from the control unit 10 (CPU 11). Even if the main power switch 79 is not turned off, the power supply device 17 can stop the power supply based on an instruction from the control unit 10 (CPU 11) and turn off the main power switch 79. Examples of cases in which the main power switch 79 is turned off based on an instruction from the control unit 10 (CPU 11) include when an abnormality occurs or when an instruction to turn off the power is received from a user via the network connection unit 84.

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

[0041] <Various power modes of image forming devices> 19 is a table showing the types of components to which power is supplied by the power supply device 17 in the image forming apparatus 1 for each of the various modes. Hereinafter, the various power modes of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

[0042] When the power mode of the image forming apparatus is the "normal mode", the state of the image forming apparatus, which will be described later, is "standby". When the power mode of the image forming apparatus is the "power saving mode", the state of the image forming apparatus, which will be described later, is "sleep".

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

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

[0045] <Remote control panel system configuration> Next, the system configuration of the remote control panel 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the remote control panel 50.

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

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

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

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

[0050] The image receiving unit 93 receives image data transmitted from the image transmitting unit 83 of the image forming apparatus 1 via an antenna (not shown), converts the image data into image data to be displayed on the display 51, and displays the image data on the display 51. Note that, although the command communication unit 92 and the image receiving unit 93 are configured separately in the present embodiment, they may be configured to be integrated into a single communication line.

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

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

[0053] As described above, the display 51 is a touch panel type display (operation display unit) in which the display unit and the touch panel 59, which is an operation unit that detects touch operations from the user, are integrated. The touch panel 59 is arranged on top of the display 51, and the user operates the display 51 by touching it with his or her finger through the touch panel 59.

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

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

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

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

[0058] <Wireless communication between image forming device and remote control panel> 6A, a description will be given of wireless communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50. FIG. 6A is a communication transition diagram between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50.

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

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

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

[0062] The remote control panel 50 is capable of establishing wireless communication with not only one image forming apparatus, but also multiple image forming apparatuses through the transmission and reception described above for each image forming apparatus, and performing the wireless communication described below.

[0063] Once this setting is complete, in response to an instruction from CPU 11 of image forming apparatus 1, image data stored in ROM 12 of image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted from image transmitting unit 83 of image forming apparatus 1 to image receiving unit 93 of remote control panel 50 (S14).

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

[0065] Thereafter, when the user operates the touch panel 59, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 transmits operation information of the touch panel 59 to the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the command communication unit 92 (S24). Here, the CPU 21 transmits the operation information of the touch panel 59 as coordinate information to the image forming apparatus 1. As described above, the touch panel 59 is disposed so as to overlap with the display 51, and the user operates the touch panel 59 by touching the display 51 with his / her finger.

[0066] Based on the input coordinate data, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines which position the user has touched on the touch panel 59 of the remote operation panel 50. Then, depending on the touched position, the CPU 11 issues instructions to the remote operation panel 50, such as sending image data, instructing the lighting unit 25 to turn on and off the sound from the speaker unit 53 (S15, 16).

[0067] When CPU 21 of remote operation panel 50 receives image data through image receiving unit 93, it causes the image data to be displayed on display 51. For example, it causes display 51 to display a screen showing the status of one image forming apparatus, or a screen showing a collective status display that collectively displays the statuses of multiple image forming apparatuses.

[0068] In addition, even when image forming apparatus 1 receives operation information of touch panel 59 from remote operation panel 50, image forming apparatus 1 issues the above-mentioned instructions to remote operation panel 50 depending on the state of image forming apparatus 1 and the state of remote operation panel 50.

[0069] <Screen showing overall status of remote control panel 50> Next, with reference to Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 7(b), a description will be given of screen transitions when performing collective status display by operating touch panel 59 of remote operation panel 50. Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 7(b) are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on display 51 of remote operation panel 50.

[0070] First, the main menu screen shown in Fig. 7(a) or 7(b) is displayed as a default on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50. This image (main menu screen) shown in Fig. 7(a) or 7(b) is transmitted from the image transmitting unit 83 to the image receiving unit 93 in step S14 shown in Fig. 6(a) described above.

[0071] This main menu screen displays a scan button 61 for setting the reader 14, a copy button 62 for setting the image forming unit 15, a fax button 63 for setting the fax, a status display button 64, and an arrow button 65 for switching the screen to the next page. The main menu screen also displays a name (here, MFP1) 69 of the image forming apparatus 1 currently being operated, and a setting button 67. The main menu screen also displays a collective status display button 66 (input section) for inputting (instructing) acquisition of the statuses of multiple image forming apparatuses wirelessly connected to the remote operation panel 50.

[0072] 7(a), a main menu screen including the all-state display button 66 is displayed on the display 51. The CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 reads out image data stored in the ROM 12, and transmits image data of the main menu screen including the all-state display button 66 to the remote operation panel 50. The transmitted image data is received by the image receiving unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50, and displayed on the display 51.

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

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

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

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

[0077] The establishment of wireless connections with a plurality of image forming apparatuses by the remote operation panel 50 and the acquisition of the statuses of the plurality of image forming apparatuses with which the wireless connections have been established will be described later.

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

[0079] 8, four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 named “MFP1” to “MFP4” are illustrated as examples of the multiple image forming apparatuses. The four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 are in a state in which their respective main power switches 79 are operated and activated, and are in a state in which they can be wirelessly connected to the remote operation panel 50.

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

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

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

[0083] That is, when the remote operation panel 50 is started up, a negotiation request is transmitted from the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 to the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 (S22). Next, the command communication unit 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 transmits a response signal to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50 (S12). When the remote operation panel 50 receives the response signal, the connection sequence ends, and wireless communication between the remote operation panel 50 and the image forming apparatus 1 is established. The CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 sets one image forming apparatus with which wireless communication has been established as the image forming apparatus currently being operated by the remote operation panel 50.

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

[0085] Here, the image data transmitted to the remote operation panel 50 is not limited to the image data shown in Fig. 7(a). In a configuration in which the all-state display button 66 is not displayed on the display 51 and the remote operation panel 50 is provided with a hard key for the all-state display key 68, the image data is as shown in Fig. 7(b). Note that in a configuration in which the all-state display button 66 is displayed on the display 51 (not shown) and in which the remote operation panel 50 is provided with a hard key for the all-state display key 68, the image data is as shown in Fig. 7(a).

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

[0087] In S153, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 judges whether or not an operation instruction has been received from the user via the display 51 (touch panel 59) or the key operation input unit 26. If it is judged that an operation instruction has been received from the user, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S154. If it is judged that an operation instruction has not been received from the user, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S152.

[0088] In S154, the CPU 21 judges whether or not a command for collective status display has been issued from the user. That is, the CPU 21 judges whether or not an instruction to acquire the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses (four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 in this case) has been issued through the collective status display button 66 (or the collective status display key 68). If the user operates the collective status display button 66 (or the collective status display key 68) on the touch panel 59 and it is judged that the command has been issued through the collective status display button 66, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S157, where the CPU 21 performs a process for collectively displaying the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses. On the other hand, if it is judged that an operational command other than the command issued through the collective status display button 66 has been issued, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S155.

[0089] Incidentally, acquisition of the status of each image forming device does not have to be triggered only by an instruction to display the status collectively from the user as in the above example. For example, each image forming device may transmit its status to the remote operation panel 50 periodically (or at any timing), such as every 60 seconds or every 30 seconds. Information regarding the acquired status of each image forming device is temporarily stored in the RAM 23. Then, when an instruction to display the status collectively is given by the user, the status of each image forming device temporarily stored in the RAM 23 may be called up. Incidentally, when an instruction to display the status collectively is not given by the user, the status information of each image forming device newly sent from each image forming device is overwritten. In this way, information regarding the status of each image forming device periodically acquired from each image forming device may be used when an instruction to display the status collectively is given by the user.

[0090] In S155, the CPU 21 performs a process other than the collective status display instructed by the user in S154. That is, a copy other than the collective status display and other operation instructions are performed on the image forming device 1 that is currently being operated. For example, when the status display button 64 shown in FIG. 7(a) is operated, the operation information of the touch panel 59 is transmitted via the command communication unit 92 to the command communication unit 82 of the image forming device 1. Then, the CPU 11 of the image forming device 1 acquires the status of the image forming device 1 and transmits image data related to the status of the image forming device 1 from the image transmission unit 83 of the image forming device 1 to the image reception unit 93 of the remote operation panel 50. The CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 displays the received image data on the display 51. In this way, the status of only one of the image forming devices 1 that is currently being operated is displayed on the display 51. When the instruction that the CPU 21 has operated is completed, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S156.

[0091] In S156, the CPU 21 transitions to a standby state, that is, the remote control panel 50 transitions to a standby state and waits for the next instruction from the user.

[0092] In S157, the CPU 21 performs processing for displaying the collective status of the plurality of image forming apparatuses for which the user's operation instruction was given in S154. In this embodiment, the respective statuses of the four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 are obtained.

[0093] In response to the user's instruction via the collective status display button 66 (or collective status display key 68), the CPU 21 sequentially establishes wireless connections with the multiple image forming devices to be operated and obtains the status of the multiple image forming devices to be operated.

[0094] First, when the user presses the collective status display button 66, the CPU 21 transmits a negotiation request signal to a predetermined range from the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50. Then, a response signal is transmitted from the command communication unit 82 of each image forming apparatus 1, 142, 143, 144 within the range of the signal to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50. The CPU 21 receives the response signal in order for each image forming apparatus, and establishes a wireless connection in order with each image forming apparatus that transmitted the response signal. In this way, the CPU 21 identifies multiple image forming apparatuses to which the status acquisition command is to be transmitted, and obtains a list of image forming apparatuses that are the targets of collective status display from the remote operation panel 50.

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

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

[0097] In the collective status display screen shown in FIG. 10(a), the CPU 21 collectively displays the status 101 of MFP1, the status 102 of MFP2, the status 103 of MFP3, and the status 104 of MFP4. In the collective status display screen shown in FIG. 10(a), a case is illustrated in which the status 101 of MFP1 is "printing", the status 102 of MFP2 is "standby", the status 103 of MFP3 is "sleep", and the status 104 of MFP4 is "JAM". In addition, in the screen shown in FIG. 10(a), the CPU 21 displays a button 105 for exiting from the collective status display and returning to the operation of MFP1, and an update button 107. Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S159. Here, MFP1 is the name of the image forming device 1, MFP2 is the name of the image forming device 142, MFP3 is the name of the image forming device 143, and MFP4 is the name of the image forming device 144.

[0098] In S159, the CPU 21 judges whether an instruction to end the display has been given. In this embodiment, if it is judged that the return button 105 to the operation of the MFP1, which is the image forming device 1 currently being operated, has been operated on the screen shown in Fig. 10(a), the CPU 21 ends the collective status display and proceeds to processing of S155. Also, if the user touches the status 101 of the MFP1 and selects and operates to display the status of the image forming device 1, the CPU 21 ends the collective status display and proceeds to processing of S155 to process the status display of only the image forming device 1. If not, the CPU 21 proceeds to processing of S1510.

[0099] In S1510, the CPU 21 determines whether the status re-acquisition condition is satisfied. In this embodiment, when the user operates the update button 107 on the screen shown in Fig. 10(a), when another operation is performed, or when a certain time has elapsed on the timer 24, it is determined that the status re-acquisition condition for status update is satisfied, and the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S157. If not, the processing of the CPU 21 returns to S159.

[0100] Thus, according to the first embodiment, in an image forming system capable of wireless communication between image forming devices and remote operation panels, a user can operate a single remote operation panel to display the status of multiple image forming devices on a single remote operation panel, thereby increasing convenience.

[0101] Second embodiment Next, a description will be given of an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The schematic configuration of the entire image forming system is similar to that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0102] In this embodiment, when the statuses of multiple image forming apparatuses are displayed collectively on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50, a detailed display of one selected image forming apparatus is displayed in addition to the status of each image forming apparatus. Here, the detailed display of one image forming apparatus refers to a detailed display that displays a more detailed status than the status display (simple display) of multiple image forming apparatuses.

[0103] In the second embodiment, the process is performed according to the same flowchart as in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 9. The same processes and the same reference numerals are used for overlapping parts, so the description will be omitted.

[0104] 9, in S157, CPU 21 of remote operation panel 50 transmits a status acquisition command to command communication unit 82 of each of image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 identified as targets of collective status display via command communication unit 92. Then, CPU 11 of each image forming apparatus transmits its own status to command communication unit 92 of remote operation panel 50 via command communication unit 82.

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

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

[0107] That is, the remote control panel 50 displays, on the display 51, a simplified display (101-104) showing the status of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and a detailed display (110) showing a more detailed status of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses than the simplified display.

[0108] On the collective status display screen shown in Fig. 10(b), the CPU 21 displays a detailed display 110 of the MFP 1 which is the selected image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, beside the detailed display 110 of the MFP 1, a status 101 of the MFP 1, a status 102 of the MFP 2, a status 103 of the MFP 3, and a status 104 (simplified display) of the MFP 4 which are the multiple image forming apparatuses to be operated are displayed side by side from the top to the bottom of the screen. The detailed display 110 of the selected MFP is displayed larger than the status (simplified display) of each of the MFPs to be operated. Furthermore, on the screen shown in Fig. 10(b), the CPU 21 displays a button 105 for exiting from the collective status display and returning to the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, and an update button 107.

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

[0110] The other configurations and processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0111] Thus, according to the second embodiment, a user can operate a single remote control panel to display the status of multiple image forming devices all at once on a single remote control panel, while also being able to refer to a detailed display of a selected device, thereby improving convenience.

[0112] Third embodiment Next, a description will be given of an image forming system according to a third embodiment. The schematic configuration of the entire image forming system is similar to that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0113] In this embodiment, the statuses of a plurality of image forming devices are displayed collectively on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50. At that time, among the acquired statuses of the image forming devices, an image forming device in an important status that requires the user's attention is displayed in a different manner from that of the other image forming devices.

[0114] In this embodiment, the image forming device in the important state is displayed on the display 51 in a caption display. Here, caption display refers to displaying characters so that they scroll horizontally across the screen. Caption display is achieved by transmitting the next still image, which is slightly different from the previous still image, from the image forming device in sequence and displaying it on the display of the remote control panel, so that the images (displayed characters) scroll on the display.

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

[0116] In the third embodiment, the process is performed according to the same flowchart as in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 9. The same processes and the same reference numerals are used for overlapping parts, so the description will be omitted.

[0117] 9, CPU 21 of remote operation panel 50 transmits a status acquisition command to command communication unit 82 of each of image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 identified as targets of collective status display via command communication unit 92. Then, CPU 11 of each image forming apparatus transmits its own status to command communication unit 92 of remote operation panel 50 via command communication unit 82.

[0118] 9, CPU 21 updates the display on display 51 using status information acquired from each image forming apparatus identified as a target for collective status display. Specifically, CPU 21 transmits status information acquired from image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 to command communication unit 82 of image forming apparatus 1, which is the currently targeted operation target, via command communication unit 92. Then, CPU 11 of image forming apparatus 1, which is the currently targeted operation target, reads image data from ROM 12, and transmits the read image data to image receiving unit 93 of remote operation panel 50 via image transmission unit 83.

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

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

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

[0122] As a result, on display 51 of remote operation panel 50, in addition to the collectively displayed status of each MFP, the status of the MFP determined to be an important status (here, a jam has occurred in MFP4) is displayed as a caption. That is, on the screen shown in Fig. 11(a), the status of each MFP is displayed collectively, and the occurrence of a jam in MFP4, which is an important status, is displayed as a caption. On the screen shown in Fig. 11(b), a detailed display of the selected MFP and the status of each MFP are displayed collectively, and the occurrence of a jam in MFP4, which is an important status, is displayed as a caption.

[0123] The other configurations and processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0124] Thus, according to the third embodiment, a user can display the status of multiple image forming devices all at once by operating a single remote control panel, and can be notified of important status of the image forming devices, thereby improving convenience.

[0125] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a description will be given of an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment. The schematic configuration of the entire image forming system is similar to that of the above-described embodiments, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0126] In this embodiment, the statuses of a plurality of image forming devices are displayed collectively on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50. At that time, of the acquired statuses of the image forming devices, important statuses that require the user's attention are displayed in a different manner from the other status display areas. Specifically, the status display areas of the image forming devices that require the user's attention are displayed in a different color, blinking, or with a symbol (mark) that calls attention, or in a different position.

[0127] Here, blinking the status display area means that, similar to the caption display, the next still image, which is slightly different from the previous still image, is transmitted in sequence from the image forming device and displayed on the display of the remote control panel, so that the image blinks on the display.

[0128] Among the acquired states of the image forming apparatus, important states that require the user's attention are the same as those in the third embodiment. The CPU 21 of the remote control panel 50 stores in advance in the ROM 22 a response that is determined to be an important state, and if the response obtained in response to a state acquisition command matches the response stored in the ROM 22, it is determined to be an important state. This is also the same as in the third embodiment.

[0129] In the fourth embodiment, the process is performed according to the same flowchart as in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 9. The same processes and the same reference numerals are used for overlapping parts, so the description will be omitted.

[0130] 9, CPU 21 updates the display on display 51 using status information acquired from each image forming apparatus identified as a target for collective status display. Specifically, CPU 21 transmits status information acquired from image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 to command communication unit 82 of image forming apparatus 1, which is the currently targeted operation target, via command communication unit 92. Then, CPU 11 of image forming apparatus 1, which is the currently targeted operation target, reads image data from ROM 12, and transmits the read image data to image receiving unit 93 of remote operation panel 50 via image transmission unit 83.

[0131] At this time, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 predetermines a response that determines that the state is important by storing it in the ROM 22, and determines that the state is important if the response obtained in response to the state obtainment command matches the response stored in the ROM 22. Then, the CPU 21 of the remote control panel 50 transmits information according to this determination to the image forming apparatus 1, and obtains image data according to the information from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0132] Then, CPU 21 of remote operation panel 50 updates the display on display 51 by displaying the image data received through image receiving unit 93 on display 51. That is, CPU 21 of remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on display 51 from the main menu screen shown in Fig. 7(a) or 7(b) to the all-in-one status display screen shown in Fig. 12(a). Here, CPU 21 changes the color of the status display area of ​​MFP4 for important statuses to a different color (red) from the other status display areas and displays them.

[0133] Alternatively, CPU 21 of remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on display 51 to a collective status display screen shown in Fig. 12(b). Here, CPU 21 displays an important status by adding a warning symbol (! mark) before the name of the JAM of MFP 4 in the status display area of ​​MFP 4.

[0134] Alternatively, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on the display 51 to the collective status display screen shown in Fig. 13(a). Here, the CPU 21 displays important status by blinking the status display area of ​​the MFP 4.

[0135] Alternatively, CPU 21 of remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on display 51 to the collective status display screen shown in Fig. 13(b). Here, CPU 21 changes the order of the status display areas of the MFPs, changing the status display area of ​​MFP4, which is in an important status, to a prominent position on the screen (here, the upper left side of the screen), and changes and displays the status display areas of the other MFPs in subsequent positions. In other words, CPU 21 gives priority to the status display area of ​​MFP4, which is in an important status, over the status display areas of the other MFPs, and displays them in order starting from the status display area of ​​MFP4, which is in an important status.

[0136] Alternatively, CPU 21 of remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on display 51 to a comprehensive status display screen shown in Fig. 10(a), and then switches to a detailed display screen of an MFP in an important status shown in Fig. 14(a). Here, CPU 21 collectively displays the status of each MFP as shown in Fig. 10(a). After that, for the status of MFP4, which is an important status among the collectively displayed MFPs, the screen is switched to a screen displaying detailed display 118 of MFP4 and button 105 for returning to operation of image forming apparatus 1 as shown in Fig. 14(a).

[0137] The other configurations and processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0138] Thus, according to the fourth embodiment, when a user is operating a single remote control panel to display the status of multiple image forming devices all at once, the user can be notified of important statuses of the image forming devices, thereby improving convenience.

[0139] Fifth embodiment Next, a description will be given of an image forming system according to a fifth embodiment. The schematic configuration of the entire image forming system is similar to that of the above-described embodiments, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0140] The fifth embodiment is a combination of the configuration described in the second embodiment and the configuration described in the fourth embodiment.

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

[0142] Moreover, in the fifth embodiment, the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are displayed collectively on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50. At that time, as described with reference to Figs. 12(a) to 13(b) and 14(a), among the acquired statuses of the image forming apparatuses, for a status that requires the user's attention, the status display area is displayed differently from the other status display areas.

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

[0144] That is, the remote control panel 50 displays, on the display 51, a simplified display (101-104) showing the status of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and a detailed display (110) showing a more detailed status of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses than the simplified display.

[0145] The all-at-once display screen shown in Fig. 15(a) displays a detailed display 110 of MFP1, which is one selected image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, to the side of the detailed display 110, status 101 of MFP1, status 102 of MFP2, status 103 of MFP3, and status 104 (simplified display) of MFP4, which are the multiple image forming apparatuses to be operated, are displayed side by side. Furthermore, for important statuses, the status display area of ​​MFP4 is displayed in a different color (red) from the other status display areas. Here, an important status is, as described above, a status that requires the user's attention among the acquired statuses of the image forming apparatuses.

[0146] 15(b), a detailed display 110 of the MFP1, which is the selected image forming device 1, and statuses 101-104 (simplified display) of the multiple image forming devices MFP1-MFP4 to be operated are displayed side by side from top to bottom of the screen. Furthermore, for important statuses, a warning symbol (! mark) is added before the name of the JAM of the MFP4 in the status display area of ​​the MFP4 to indicate the status.

[0147] 16(a), a detailed display 110 of the MFP1, which is the selected image forming device 1, and statuses 101-104 (simplified display) of the MFP1-MFP4, which are the multiple image forming devices to be operated, are displayed side by side from top to bottom of the screen. Furthermore, for important statuses, the status display area of ​​the MFP4 is displayed by blinking.

[0148] 16(b), a detailed display 110 of MFP1, which is the selected image forming apparatus 1, and statuses 101-104 (simplified display) of MFP1-MFP4, which are the multiple image forming apparatuses to be operated, are displayed side by side from top to bottom of the screen. Furthermore, the order of the MFP status display areas is changed so that the status display area of ​​MFP4, which is in an important state, is displayed in a prominent position on the screen (the upper side of the screen), and the status display areas of the other MFPs are displayed in subsequent positions. In other words, the status display area of ​​MFP4, which is in an important state, is displayed in order starting from the status display area of ​​MFP4, which is in an important state, in preference to the status display areas of the other MFPs.

[0149] The collective display screen shown in Fig. 14(b) is switched as follows. CPU 21 of remote operation panel 50 switches the screen displayed on display 51 from the main menu screen shown in Fig. 7(a) or 7(b) to the collective status display screen shown in Fig. 10(b), and then switches to a detailed display screen of MFPs in an important status shown in Fig. 14(b). After displaying the detailed display of the selected MFP and the status of each MFP collectively as shown in Fig. 10(a), CPU 21 switches to a screen displaying detailed display 118 of MFP4 as shown in Fig. 14(b) for the status of MFP4, which is an important status among them.

[0150] In the fifth embodiment, the process is performed according to the same flowchart as in the first embodiment, shown in Fig. 9. The process flow from sending a status acquisition command from the CPU of the remote control panel to switching to the collective status display screen shown in Fig. 15(a) to Fig. 16(b) and Fig. 14(b) is almost the same as in the above-mentioned embodiments, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0151] Thus, according to the fifth embodiment, when a user is operating a single remote control panel to display the status of multiple image forming devices all at once, the user can be notified of important statuses of the image forming devices, thereby improving convenience.

[0152] Sixth embodiment Next, a description will be given of an image forming system according to a sixth embodiment. The schematic configuration of the entire image forming system is similar to that of the above-described embodiments, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0153] In the sixth embodiment, a process is added to set a multiple-device display mode in which the statuses of multiple image forming devices are displayed collectively, or a single-device detailed display mode in which the statuses of multiple image forming devices are displayed collectively and a detailed display of one selected from the multiple devices is displayed. The display mode set here is stored in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 50. The CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 displays the statuses of the multiple image forming devices collectively on the display 51 immediately after starting up the remote operation panel 50, in accordance with the display mode stored in the ROM 22. Here, the detailed display of one image forming device refers to a detailed display that displays a more detailed status than the status display (simple display) of multiple image forming devices.

[0154] Fig. 17 shows a flowchart of the setting process of the collective status display of the remote control panel in the sixth embodiment. Processing other than the mode setting described using Fig. 17 is performed according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 9 of the first embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, a series of additional processes for setting the display mode shown in Fig. 17 will be described by taking as an example a case in which the series of additional processes is performed in the initialization routine of S151, which is the first step of the flowchart shown in Fig. 9.

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

[0156] <Additional processing for controlling batch status display> Next, additional processing for the control of collective status display (FIG. 9) in which the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are collectively displayed by one remote control panel will be described with reference to FIG.

[0157] 8, four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 named “MFP1” to “MFP4” are illustrated as examples of the multiple image forming apparatuses. The four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 are in a state in which their respective main power switches 79 are operated and activated, and are in a state in which they can be wirelessly connected to the remote operation panel 50.

[0158] Then, the user operates the power switch 52 of the remote control panel 50 to start up the remote control panel 50. Then, processing by the CPU 21 of the remote control panel 50 is started, and the process proceeds to S151 shown in Fig. 9. In the initialization routine of S151 shown in Fig. 9, a series of processes shown in Fig. 17 are performed, and after the execution, the process proceeds to S153 shown in Fig. 9. The series of additional processes shown in Fig. 17 will be described below.

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

[0160] In S162, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 performs a process for establishing a communication connection with the image forming apparatus 1. The process for establishing a communication connection between the remote operation panel 50 and the image forming apparatus 1 has been described in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 6(a), and will not be described here. After performing the process for establishing a communication connection, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S163.

[0161] In S163, CPU 21 of remote control panel 50 refers to the display mode setting stored in ROM 22 of remote control panel 50 to determine whether the display mode has already been set. When remote control panel 50 is started for the first time, the display mode is not set, so CPU 21 proceeds to S164. When remote control panel 50 is started after the display mode has been set, the display mode has already been set, so CPU 21 proceeds to S169.

[0162] In this embodiment, the CPU 21 acquires the status from each of the four image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144.

[0163] First, the CPU 21 transmits a negotiation request signal to a predetermined range from the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50. Then, a response signal is transmitted from the command communication unit 82 of each of the image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 within the range of the signal to the command communication unit 92 of the remote operation panel 50. The CPU 21 receives the response signal in order for each image forming apparatus, and establishes a wireless connection in order with each image forming apparatus that transmitted the response signal. In this way, the CPU 21 identifies multiple image forming apparatuses to which the status acquisition command is to be transmitted, and obtains a list of image forming apparatuses that are the targets of collective status display from the remote operation panel 50.

[0164] Next, CPU 21 of remote operation panel 50 transmits a status acquisition command to command communication unit 82 of each of image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144 identified as targets of the collective status display via command communication unit 92. Then, CPU 11 of each image forming apparatus transmits its own status to command communication unit 92 of remote operation panel 50 via command communication unit 82. In this manner, remote operation panel 50 can acquire the status of each image forming apparatus that is the target of the collective status display.

[0165] In this embodiment, the case where any one of "printing", "standby", "sleep", and "JAM" is acquired as the state of the image forming device is exemplified. However, the state of the image forming device to be acquired is not limited to these, and may be appropriately set to "out of paper" when there is no sheet remaining, "out of toner" when there is no toner remaining, or the like. Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S165.

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

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

[0168] In S166, the CPU 21 determines whether the user has set the single unit detailed display mode (single unit detailed display setting) and branches the process accordingly. If it is determined that an instruction has been given by operating the single unit detailed display button 120 on the touch panel 59, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S168. On the other hand, if it is determined that an instruction has been given by operating the multiple unit display button 121 on the touch panel 59, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S167.

[0169] In S167, the CPU 21 stores in the ROM 22, as a display setting, the multiple device display mode according to the operation instruction of the multiple device display button 121. Then, the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S169.

[0170] In S168, the CPU 21 stores the one-machine detailed display mode in response to the operation instruction of the one-machine detailed display button 120 as a display setting in the ROM 22. At this time, the CPU 21 transmits the status of the image forming apparatus acquired in S164 to the image forming apparatus 1 currently being operated. Then, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the image data shown in FIG. 18(b) from the image transmission unit 83. The CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 displays on the display 51 a screen showing the statuses 101-104 of the four MFPs 1-MFP 4 and a button 105 for returning to the operation of the MFP 1 from the collective status display, and prompts the user to select and input the image processing apparatus to be displayed in detail. If the user selects the MFP 4 as the image forming apparatus to be displayed in detail from the screen shown in FIG. 18(b), the CPU 21 saves the image forming apparatus to be displayed in detail as a display setting in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 50 in addition to the display setting of the one-machine detailed display mode. Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S169.

[0171] In S169, the CPU 21 acquires the status from the image forming apparatuses 1, 142, 143, and 144. Then, the process of the CPU 21 proceeds to S1610.

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

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

[0174] On the other hand, if the display setting is the one-unit detailed display mode, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the image data shown in Fig. 10(b) to the remote operation panel 50. Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 displays a large detailed display of the selected one MFP 1 as shown in Fig. 10(b), and displays the statuses 101-104 of the four MFPs side by side in small tag-like displays. Then the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to S1611.

[0175] In S1611, the CPU 21 goes into a standby state. That is, the remote control panel 50 goes into a standby state and waits for the next instruction from the user. After that, the process of the CPU 21 goes to S153 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 9, and the series of additional processes shown in Fig. 17 ends.

[0176] The other configurations and processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0177] Thus, according to the sixth embodiment, the user can select and save a display setting (display mode) for collectively displaying the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Then, the stored display setting can be referenced when the remote operation panel is started, and a collectively status display screen according to the stored display setting can be displayed on the display 51. By setting the display setting in advance, the collectively status display is performed initially without any user operation, so that the user can grasp the statuses of a plurality of image forming apparatuses when the remote operation panel is started, thereby improving convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims

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

1. An image forming system comprising:

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

3. the remote control unit has a touch panel type operation display unit in which the display unit and an operation unit that detects a touch operation from a user are integrated, 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the input section is displayed on the operation display section.

4. The remote control unit has a key operation input unit separate from the operation display unit, 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the key operation input unit includes the input unit.

5. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the remote control unit has a memory unit that stores a response that determines that the status obtained from the image forming device is an important status that requires attention, and when the statuses of the multiple image forming devices obtained match the responses stored in the memory unit, the image forming device in the important status is displayed on the display unit in a manner different from that for other image forming devices.

6. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the controller displays the image forming device in an important state on the display unit as a caption.

7. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein said controller displays said image forming apparatus in the important state on said display unit in a color different from that of other image forming apparatuses.

8. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the controller displays the image forming apparatus in the important state on the display unit with a mark.

9. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the controller displays the image forming apparatus in the important state on the display unit in order of the image forming apparatus in the important state, prior to other image forming apparatuses.

10. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the remote control unit displays on the display unit a screen for setting a multiple-unit display mode that displays the status of multiple image forming devices, or a single-unit detailed display mode that displays the status of multiple image forming devices and displays the detailed status of one image forming device selected from the multiple devices, and displays the acquired status of the multiple image forming devices on the display unit depending on the setting of the display mode.

11. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the remote control unit displays, on the display unit, a simplified display showing the status of a plurality of image forming devices and a detailed display showing a more detailed status of one of the plurality of image forming devices than the simplified display.

12. A plurality of image forming devices each forming an image on a sheet; an operation unit capable of being wirelessly connected to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the operation unit having a display unit that receives an operation by a user and displays an image; the display unit displays a first screen showing each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that are wirelessly connectable to the operation unit; the first screen includes first status information which is information regarding a status of each of the plurality of image forming devices displayed on the first screen; A user can select at least one of the plurality of image forming devices displayed on the first screen, the display unit displays a second screen showing second status information including information on a status of the image forming apparatus selected by a user from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the second screen being different from the first status information.

1. An image forming system comprising:

13. The operation unit transmits a request signal to at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to request acquisition of the first status information, the image forming apparatus that has received the request signal transmits the first status information to the operation unit; 13. The image forming system according to claim 12.

14. The image forming system described in Claim 12, characterized in that each of the multiple image forming devices has a wireless communication unit that wirelessly performs wireless communication with the operation unit, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet.

15. The image forming system described in claim 14, characterized in that each of the multiple image forming devices operates in a first power mode capable of forming an image on a sheet and a second power mode that consumes less power than the first power mode.

16. In the first power mode, power is supplied to the image forming unit and the wireless communication unit, 16. The image forming system according to claim 15, wherein in the second power mode, power is supplied to the wireless communication unit, and power is not supplied to the image forming unit.

17. The image forming system described in Claim 12, characterized in that the multiple image forming devices and the operation unit communicate via Wifi Direct communication.

Images