Image forming system

Abstract

To return only an object image forming apparatus to a normal mode from a power saving mode.SOLUTION: An image forming system comprises an image forming apparatus that can make a transition to a normal mode and a power saving mode with less power consumption than that of the normal mode, and a remote control part that has a display, can make a transition to a first power mode and a second power mode with less power consumption than that of the first power mode, and operates a plurality of image forming apparatuses. The remote control part has a wireless communication part that can be connected with the plurality of image forming apparatuses through wireless communication, a storage part that stores in advance information on the image forming apparatuses that can be connected through the wireless communication, and a controller that, when the remote control part is in the second power mode, detects input to the remote control part to cause the remote control part to transition to the first power mode, in response to the transition, displays, on the display, a list of the image forming apparatuses that can be connected through the wireless communication part stored in advance in the storage part, and transmits an instruction to return to the normal mode from the power saving mode to an image forming apparatus selected from the list displayed on the display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

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] Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and an operation unit detachably attached to the image forming apparatus. This image forming system has two operating modes: a normal mode in which the image forming system operates normally, and a power saving mode in which the power consumption of the image forming system is lower than the power consumption in the normal mode.

[0003] The operation unit has a power-saving key (hard key) that accepts input of instructions to switch to or return from power-saving mode, and the operation mode of the operation unit is synchronized with the operation mode of the image forming apparatus. In Patent Document 1, when the operation unit is set to power-saving mode, key operations other than the power-saving key are disabled, thereby reducing the power consumption of the image forming system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-106369 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the commercial printing industry, one user may operate multiple image forming devices. A portable control unit may be used to operate multiple image forming devices, rather than a conventional control unit dedicated to a specific image forming device. In this case, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 would synchronize with the return of the control unit from power-saving mode and cause all connectable image forming devices to return from power-saving mode, resulting in image forming devices unintended by the user returning from power-saving mode.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a configuration in an image forming system in which an image forming device is operated via wireless communication from an operation unit, which allows a user to return only the target image forming device from power saving mode to normal mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A typical configuration of the present invention is capable of switching between a normal mode in which an image can be formed on a sheet and a power saving mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode. Each of them is equipped with a lamp that notifies the user of an error state in which image formation has stopped due to an error. An image forming system comprising: a plurality of image forming apparatuses; and a remote control unit having a touch panel display capable of wireless communication with each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, accepting user operations, and displaying the plurality of wirelessly connectable image forming apparatuses, wherein the user can select at least one image forming apparatus from the plurality of image forming apparatuses displayed on the touch panel display by touch operation, and the remote control unit controls the at least one image forming apparatus selected by the user. When the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus wirelessly connects to the at least one image forming apparatus, and the at least one image forming apparatus a transition signal instructing the at least one image forming apparatus to transition to the power mode, and the at least one image forming apparatus that has received the transition signal transitions to the normal mode if it is in the power saving mode; the remote control unit does not transmit the transition signal and wirelessly connects to the at least one image forming apparatus when the at least one image forming apparatus selected by the user is in the normal mode, and the remote control unit does not transmit the transition signal when the at least one image forming apparatus selected by the user is in the error state; It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are operated by a remote control unit via wireless communication, a user can return only the target image forming apparatus from the power saving mode to the normal mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an image forming system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a remote control panel. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a remote control panel. [Figure 6] 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing the overall configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 7] 1A is a diagram showing the communication transition between the image forming apparatus and the remote control panel, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing coordinates displayed on the touch panel of the remote control panel. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the remote control panel. [Figure 9] 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) are diagrams showing examples of operation screens displayed on the display of the remote control panel. [Figure 10] 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) are diagrams showing examples of operation screens displayed on the display of the remote control panel. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on a display of a remote operation panel. [Figure 12] 1A is a table showing the operation modes of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a table showing the operation modes of the remote control panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail 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 these alone.

[0011] An image forming system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the image forming system. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming system. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a remote control panel.

[0012] <Image forming system> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming system A includes an image forming apparatus 1 that forms an image on a sheet S, and a remote control panel 50 (remote control unit, remote control device) that operates the image forming apparatus 1.

[0013] <Image forming device> 1, a reader 14 that optically reads an image of a document placed on a glass surface (not shown) and converts it into image data is provided on the top 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 binding on the sheet S on which the image has been formed.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 also has a seesaw or tactile main power switch 79 that switches the main power on and off. The image forming apparatus 1 also has a display panel 71 that notifies the user of the status of the image forming apparatus 1, such as when image formation processing is in progress, when it has stopped due to an error, or when it is in standby mode, by displaying lamps or error codes. The image forming apparatus 1 also has a tower-type lamp 72 that notifies a user at a remote location of the status of the image forming apparatus 1 by turning its light source on, off, or blinking.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes image forming units (image forming sections) 15 that form images on sheets S. The image forming units 15 include 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 units 15 also include 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.

[0017] When an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1, an image formation job is first input to the control unit 10 (see FIG. 4). As a result, a sheet S stored in either of the sheet cassettes 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.

[0018] Meanwhile, in the image forming unit 15, the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y is first charged by the charging device 2Y. Thereafter, 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, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y.

[0019] Next, the developing device 4Y causes yellow toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9Y, 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 6 rotates, thereby sending the full-color toner image to the secondary transfer section. Then, at the secondary transfer section, a secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 7, thereby transferring the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 6 to the sheet S. The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported by the transport belt 95 to the fixing device 70. Then, at the fixing device 70, the toner image is fixed to the sheet S by heat and pressure treatment.

[0022] 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 subjected to the specified process before being discharged to the discharge tray 16a. 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.

[0023] <Remote control panel> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the remote control panel 50 (remote control unit) is detachably mounted on a panel mounting portion 73 of the image forming apparatus 1. The remote control panel 50 is configured to be capable of wirelessly communicating information with the image forming apparatus 1. Because the remote control 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 location away from the image forming apparatus 1. When the remote control panel 50 is mounted on the panel mounting portion 73, a charging connector 55 (see FIG. 3) of the remote control panel 50 is connected to a power supply connector 73a (see FIG. 5) of the panel mounting portion 73. This allows the image forming apparatus 1 to detect the connection of the remote control panel 50, and the image forming apparatus 1 charges a battery 57 (see FIG. 5) of the remote control panel 50.

[0024] Here, the remote control panel 50 (remote control unit) is exemplified 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.

[0025] 3, 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 that indicates 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.

[0026] The remote control panel 50 also has a touch panel display 51 (operation display unit) that integrates a display unit that can display information based on image data and an operation unit that detects touch operations from the user. By touching the keys displayed on the display 51 with a finger, the user can make 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 original document.

[0027] 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 touch panel display 51 is mounted on the remote operation panel 50 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 display 51 (operation display unit) described above.

[0028] <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.

[0029] 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. The control unit 10 is also connected to a network connection unit 84 that establishes a connection with an external device (not shown) via a network.

[0030] 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. That is, 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.

[0031] Although the control unit 10 is illustrated as having a ROM 12 as a storage unit, the present invention is not limited to this and the control unit 10 may have a storage unit separate from the ROM 12 as a storage unit. The storage unit may be, for example, an HDD or SSD, and is used to store various data. Data stored in the storage may include, for example, images to be displayed on the remote operation panel 50 and data to be printed.

[0032] The network connection unit 84 is used to receive print instructions and print data from the image forming apparatus via the network. The network connection unit 84 is also used to receive user instructions, such as changing settings or turning off the power of the image forming apparatus, from a remote location via the network using the remote operation panel 50, a PC, a tablet, etc. In this case, the network to which the network connection unit 84 is connected may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0033] Also connected to the control unit 10 is a panel connection unit 80 that establishes a connection with the remote operation panel 50. 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 power supply connector 73a of the panel mounting unit 73 is connected to the charging connector 55 of the remote operation panel 50.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Furthermore, 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, is not possible. Furthermore, the connection is via a normal network (via an access point), and print data, command communication, and screen data are communicated over the same route. This increases the amount of communication data, which may slow the response of the screen display on the remote operation panel or 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.

[0036] 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 electricity used by each device, and supplies the electricity 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, based on instructions from the control unit 10, the power supply device 17 supplies power to the reader 14, the image forming unit 15, the processing device 16, the display panel 71, the remote operation panel 50 mounted on the panel mounting unit 73, the wireless communication unit 81, the network connection unit 84, and the like.

[0037] Furthermore, when the main power switch 79 is turned off, the power supply device 17 stops the supply of power 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 supply of power based on an instruction from the control unit 10 (CPU 11) and turn off the main power switch 79. Examples of when 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 a power-off instruction is received from a user via the network connection unit 84.

[0038] The image forming apparatus 1 can be switched between a normal mode and a power-saving mode, which consumes less power than the normal mode. The control unit 10 (CPU 11) controls the power consumption reduction. Specifically, when a user selects image scanning, power is supplied to the reader 14 but not to the image forming unit 15 or the processing device 16. Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus is not in use, the control unit 10 stops supplying unnecessary power. Examples of when the image forming apparatus is not in use include when the image forming apparatus has not been used for a certain period of time or when a user instructs the apparatus to switch to the power-saving mode via the remote control panel 50. When the image forming apparatus switches to the power-saving mode, power is supplied only to the components that accept user input, such as the network connection unit 84 and the panel connection unit 80. To further reduce power consumption, the power supply to the panel connection unit 80 may be turned off, limiting user input to input via the network connection unit 84. In this case, it is necessary to change the control so that the network connection unit 84 and the remote control panel 50 communicate with each other. When an input from the user is detected in the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus 1 is returned from the power saving mode to the normal mode via the control unit 10 (CPU 11).

[0039] <Various power modes of image forming devices> 12(a) 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, grouped by mode. Hereinafter, the various power modes of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 12(a).

[0040] <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 instructions from the control unit 10. Note that when the remote operation panel 50 is mounted on the panel mounting unit 73, the power supply device 17 supplies power to the remote operation panel 50 mounted on the panel mounting unit 73.

[0041] <Sleep Mode> On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus transitions 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 instructions 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 instructions from the control unit 10. Note that, when a remote operation panel 50 is attached to the panel attachment unit 73, the power supply device 17 supplies power to the remote operation panel 50 attached to the panel attachment unit 73.

[0042] <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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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, using the RAM 23 as a work area based on the control programs stored in the ROM 22. The ROM 22 stores not only the control program and various settings of the image forming apparatus, but also data necessary for control when returning from the second power mode to the first power mode. The necessary data includes, for example, a list of connectable image forming apparatuses and data to be output to the display 51.

[0045] The remote control panel 50 also includes a connection unit 90 for connecting 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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 this embodiment, they may be configured to be integrated into a single communication line.

[0048] The wireless communication unit 91 also performs wireless communication via the wireless communication unit 81 of the image forming apparatus 1 using Wi-Fi Direct communication, which is a communication format that directly connects the image forming apparatus and the remote operation panel (see FIG. 6(b)). Miracast, a display transmission technology that applies the Wi-Fi Direct communication method, is used in, for example, mobile phones, displays, and projectors. Note that the communication format that directly connects the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50 may be configured to perform wireless communication using other methods such as Bluetooth or NFC instead of Wi-Fi wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 91 also performs wireless communication via a network connection unit 84 of the image forming apparatus, which can be connected via an access point 86 (e.g., a Wi-Fi router), in a communication format that connects the image forming apparatus and the remote operation panel 50 (see FIG. 6(b)). Based on an instruction from the CPU 21, the wireless communication unit 91 performs wireless communication between the image forming apparatus and the remote operation panel by switching between the communication format that directly connects the image forming apparatus and the communication format that connects via the access point 86.

[0049] The display 51 is a display unit capable of displaying information pre-stored in the ROM 22 (storage unit) or information received from the image forming apparatus via the wireless communication unit 91. Therefore, the CPU 21 switches between outputting an image stored in the remote control panel 50 and outputting an image received via the wireless communication unit 91 as the image to be output on the display 51. The CPU 21 may receive and switch the output image, or an output image selector external to the CPU 21 may be provided for switching. Here, the "pre-stored information" in the ROM 22 may include, for example, the model number and name of each POD device. A typical scenario in which a user purchases the image forming system A is to first purchase the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote control panel 50 as a set. In this case, the model number and name of the image forming apparatus 1 to be purchased as a set are pre-registered in the ROM 22 of the remote control panel 50. The model number and name may be registered in the ROM 22 before the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote control panel 50 are shipped from the factory or when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in the user's workplace, etc. After the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in the user's workplace, a service person can register the model number and name of the image forming apparatus 1 in the ROM 22. Of course, these registration tasks may be performed by the user himself.

[0050] The above-described registration work may be performed while the image forming apparatus 1 is in use. Specifically, first, a user or a service technician connects the image forming apparatus 1 to the network. Then, by connecting the remote operation panel 50 to the network, it is possible to search for an image forming apparatus 1 that can be connected wirelessly. The model number, name, IP address, etc. of the searched image forming apparatus 1 are displayed on the display 51 of the remote operation panel 50. The user compares the model number and name of the image forming apparatus 1 that the user knows with the model number and name displayed on the display 51, and if they match, performs the registration work by touching the display 51, etc. The work of additionally registering the model number and name of a second or subsequent image forming apparatus purchased in ROM 22 is also performed using the above-described procedure.

[0051] 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 disposed on top of the display 51, and the user operates the display 51 by touching it with their fingers through the touch panel 59.

[0052] When a user operates the touch panel 59, the CPU 21 of the remote control 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. 7(b) is a diagram showing coordinate displays on the touch panel 59 of the remote control panel 50. As shown in Fig. 7(b), the touch panel 59 is divided into both the X and Y directions. The number of divisions depends on the type of touch panel, etc., but the resistive touch panel of this embodiment is divided into 2048 divisions in the X direction and 1024 divisions in the Y direction.

[0053] Coordinates are expressed as (X, Y) based on the origin (0, 0) and correspond to the distance from the origin. For example, position P shown in FIG. 7B is located 1024 in the X direction and 512 in the Y direction from the origin, and is therefore 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 then transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 from the command communication unit 92 in response to an instruction from the CPU 21. In this embodiment, communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote operation panel 50 is 8 bits long, and the coordinate data is transmitted after being divided by eight. That is, if the coordinate is (1024, 512), it is converted to (128, 64) and transmitted.

[0054] The remote control panel 50 also includes a panel power supply unit 56. The panel power supply unit 56 has a battery 57 and a power generation unit 58. The battery 57 is the main power source for 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.

[0055] The remote control 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 control 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 the power of the remote control panel 50 on and off.

[0056] The remote control panel 50 can be switched between a first power mode and a second power mode that consumes less power than the first power mode, and the control to reduce power consumption is performed by the panel control unit 20 (CPU 21). The CPU 21 stops image output and power supply to the display 51 when there is no input to the remote control panel 50 for a certain period of time or when the user instructs the remote control panel 50 to switch to the second power mode.

[0057] Alternatively, the CPU 21 may determine that pressing the power switch 52 has instructed the image forming apparatus 1 to switch to the second power mode. In this case, it is necessary to distinguish between an instruction to power off the remote control panel 50 and an instruction to switch to the second power mode, depending on the time the power switch 52 is pressed. For example, the CPU 21 may distinguish between an instruction to power off when the power switch 52 is pressed for 5 seconds or more and an instruction to switch to the second power mode when the power switch 52 is pressed for less than 5 seconds. In this case, if an instruction to power off is received, a confirmation to turn off the power may be displayed on the display 51. A method for switching communication between the CPU 21 and the image forming apparatus 1 when switching to the second power mode will be described later.

[0058] When the CPU 21 detects a user input to the remote control panel 50 while the remote control panel 50 is in the second power mode, the CPU 21 returns (transitions) the remote control panel 50 to the first power mode. The user input may be, for example, an input on the touch panel 59 or a press of the power switch 52. Even if the power switch 52 is pressed to transition the remote control panel 50 to the first power mode, if the power switch 52 remains pressed for five seconds or more (a certain period of time), the CPU 21 powers off the remote control panel 50 or displays a power-off confirmation message on the display 51. When the CPU 21 detects a user input and transitions the remote control panel 50 to the first power mode, the CPU 21 displays an image stored in the ROM 22 on the display 51. The image displayed on the display 51 at this time will be described later, and displays a list of image forming devices that can be connected to the remote control panel 50. The CPU 21 then determines the image forming device selected by the user from the coordinates input via the touch panel 59 and transmits an instruction to the selected image forming device via the wireless communication unit 91 to return from the power-saving mode to the normal mode.

[0059] <Various power modes of the remote control panel> 12(b) is a table summarizing the types of components to which battery 57 supplies power for each mode in remote control panel 50. The various power modes of remote control panel 50 will be described below with reference to FIG. 12(b).

[0060] <First power mode (Standby Mode)> When the remote control panel 50 is in the first power mode, the battery 57 supplies power to the panel power supply unit 56, the panel control unit 20 (CPU 21), the wireless communication unit 91, the touch panel 59, the display 51, the speaker unit 53, and the status display unit 54. In other words, power is supplied to all components of the remote control panel 50. When power supply starts, each component starts up and becomes ready for use.

[0061] <Second Power Mode (Sleep Mode)> When the remote control panel 50 transitions from the first power mode to the second power mode (power saving mode), the battery 57 supplies power to the panel power supply unit 56, the panel control unit 20 (CPU 21), the wireless communication unit 91, the touch panel 59, and the status display unit 54. However, based on instructions from the CPU 21, the battery 57 stops supplying power to the display 51 and the speaker unit 53, which were supplying power in the first power mode.

[0062] Here, as indicated by "△" in FIG. 12(b), in the second power mode, there are cases where power is supplied from the battery 57 to the wireless communication unit 91 and the status display unit 54, and cases where power is not supplied from the battery 57 to the wireless communication unit 91 and the status display unit 54. For example, in the second power mode, the user can change the settings to determine whether or not power is supplied from the battery 57 to the wireless communication unit 91 and whether or not power is supplied from the battery 57 to the status display unit 54. In this way, it is possible to set the power consumption in the second power mode to be further reduced.

[0063] Specific examples of when power is (is not) supplied from the battery 57 to the wireless communication unit 91 and when power is (is not) supplied from the battery 57 to the status display unit 54 will be described.

[0064] In the second power mode, whether power should be supplied to the wireless communication unit 91 is determined, for example, by whether it is desired to activate the remote operation panel 50 from the image forming apparatus 1. This is because power needs to be supplied to the wireless communication unit 91 in order to send a communication request from the image forming apparatus 1 to the remote operation panel 50 and establish a state in which wireless communication is possible.

[0065] The status display unit 54 is, for example, an LED, and indicates the ON / OFF status of the remote control panel 50 by turning it on or off. Whether power should be supplied to the status display unit 54 in the second power mode can be determined, for example, based on whether the user wants to know whether the power is ON or OFF by looking at the remote control panel 50 in an OFF state. Some users want to know whether the power is ON or OFF even in the second power mode to prevent accidentally pressing the power switch even when the power is ON. On the other hand, some users believe that the function of the status display unit 54 is unnecessary because the display 51 immediately lights up when the touch panel 59 is touched.

[0066] Furthermore, the status display unit 54 may notify the user by blinking or the like whether an error has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1. In this case, even in the second power mode, power needs to be supplied from the battery 57 to the status display unit 54. In this case, power also needs to be supplied from the battery 57 to the wireless communication unit 91. This is because whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in an error state needs to be notified to the remote operation panel 50 via wireless communication.

[0067] For the reasons described above, the remote control panel 50 in this embodiment allows the user to freely change whether or not to supply power from the battery 57 to the wireless communication unit 91 and the status display unit 54, even in the second power mode.

[0068] On the other hand, in this embodiment, in the second power mode, power is not supplied from the battery 57 to the display 51 and the speaker unit 53. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the remote control panel 50.

[0069] <Communication between the image forming device and the remote control panel> Next, a communication mode between an image forming apparatus and a remote control panel that operates the image forming apparatus via wireless communication will be described with reference to Figs. 6(a) and 6(b). Figs. 6(a) and 6(b) are configuration diagrams of the entire image forming system in this embodiment. Fig. 6(a) is a diagram illustrating a communication mode between a plurality of image forming apparatuses 32-34, including the image forming apparatus 1, and a remote control panel 50. Fig. 6(b) is a diagram illustrating a communication mode between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote control panel 50.

[0070] In the communication configuration shown in Fig. 6(a), the remote operation panel 50, the image forming apparatuses 1, 32 to 34, and the PC 35 are connected via an access point 86. A user selects the image forming apparatus to be used from the image forming apparatuses 1, 32 to 34, and submits a print job to the selected image forming apparatus from a PC 87. In the communication configuration shown in Fig. 6(a), all connections are wireless, but the image forming apparatuses 1, 32 to 34, and the PC 35 may also be connected by wire using a LAN hub connectable to the access point 86.

[0071] 6(a), the remote control panel 50 is not connected to a specific image forming apparatus at startup or when returning from the second power mode to the first power mode. That is, even when the remote control panel 50 returns from the second power mode to the first power mode, it does not send a signal to return to the normal mode to an image forming apparatus in the power saving mode.

[0072] After returning to the first power mode, the remote control panel 50 displays on the display 51 a list of connectable image forming devices that are pre-stored in the internal ROM 22. Then, the remote control panel 50 connects to an image forming device selected from the list displayed on the display 51 via the access point 86 and transmits an instruction (return signal) to return from the power saving mode to the normal mode. At this time, the transmission is based on information held by the remote control panel 50. Specifically, the return signal to the normal mode is transmitted to the IP address corresponding to the image forming device selected from the list. If the image forming device selected from the list is already in the normal mode, the connection may be initiated without transmitting an instruction (return signal) to return from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

[0073] On the other hand, in the communication mode shown in Fig. 6(b), the connection between the remote operation panel 50 and the image forming apparatus is switched from the connection via the access point 86 shown in Fig. 6(a) to the Wi-Fi Direct connection shown in Fig. 6(b). Although the connection via the access point 86 may remain, the Wi-Fi Direct connection is superior in terms of image display responsiveness and operability compared to the connection via the access point 86. Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication method is switched from the connection via the access point 86 to the Wi-Fi Direct connection.

[0074] As described above, when the remote control panel 50 is started up or when it returns to the second power mode, it displays on the display a list of image forming devices that can be connected via the access point 86. The list of connectable image forming devices that is displayed on the display 51 is stored in advance in the ROM 22 of the remote control panel 50 by communication via the access point.

[0075] When the user selects an image forming apparatus to be used from the list displayed on the display 51, the selected image forming apparatus is connected via an access point and transitions from power saving mode to normal mode. Then, through a connection sequence described below, the connection between the image forming apparatus that has transitioned to normal mode and the remote operation panel 50 is switched to the Wi-Fi Direct method, and image data received from the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display 51.

[0076] Because the panel connection unit 80 of the image forming apparatus is used only for direct communication with the remote operation panel 50, power is not supplied to the panel connection unit 80 in the power saving mode, and only the network connection unit 84 is supplied. After returning to the normal mode, power is supplied to the panel connection unit 80, and the image forming apparatus connects to the remote operation panel 50 via the panel connection unit 80 via the Wi-Fi Direct method. Therefore, the list of connectable image forming apparatuses pre-stored in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 87 is not an IP address corresponding to the panel connection unit 80 when connecting via the Wi-Fi Direct method, but an IP address corresponding to the network connection unit 84 (NIC) of each image forming apparatus. The IP address of the panel connection unit 80 (wireless communication unit 81) of each image forming apparatus may be pre-stored in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 50, or may be obtained from the target image forming apparatus 1 that has returned to the normal mode.

[0077] <Wireless communication between image forming device and remote control panel> Next, wireless communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote control panel 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 7(a). Fig. 7(a) is a communication transition diagram between the image forming apparatus 1 and the remote control panel 50. Note that this example illustrates a configuration in which the wireless communication units 81 of the image forming apparatus are integrated into a single communication line, and a configuration in which the wireless communication units 91 of the remote control panel 50 are integrated into a single communication line.

[0078] As described above, when the CPU 21 of the remote control panel 50 detects a user input to the remote control panel 50 while the remote control panel 50 is in the second power mode, it returns (transitions) the remote control panel 50 to the first power mode.

[0079] Then, when the CPU 21 returns the remote control panel 50 to the first power mode, the CPU 21 displays on the display 51 a list of the image forming apparatuses 1, 32 to 34 that can be connected via the wireless communication unit 91, which is stored in the ROM 22 in advance.

[0080] Then, the CPU 21 receives a selection instruction for the image forming apparatus selected by the user from the list displayed on the display 51 .

[0081] Then, the CPU 21 of the remote operation panel 50 transmits an instruction (return signal) to the image forming apparatus selected from the list from the wireless communication unit 91 of the remote operation panel 50 to the access point 86 to return from the power saving mode to the normal mode (S1). The instruction transmitted from the wireless communication unit 91 of the remote operation panel 50 is transmitted via the access point 86 to the network connection unit 84 of the image forming apparatus selected from the list (S2).

[0082] The CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus transmits a response signal to the instruction (indicating that the image forming apparatus has returned to normal mode from power saving mode) from the network connection unit 84 of the image forming apparatus to the access point 86 (S3). The response signal transmitted from the network connection unit 84 of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the wireless communication unit 91 of the remote operation panel 50 via the access point 86 (S4).

[0083] When the CPU 21 of the remote control panel 50 receives the response signal and detects that the image forming apparatus selected from the list has returned from power saving mode to normal mode, it executes a connection sequence with the panel connection unit 80 of the image forming apparatus. First, a negotiation request is sent directly from the wireless communication unit 91 of the remote control panel 50 to the panel connection unit 80 of the image forming apparatus without going through the access point 86 (S5). If there is no problem with the negotiation request received from the panel connection unit 80, the image forming apparatus sends a response signal from the panel connection unit 80 to the wireless communication unit 91 (S6). When the wireless communication unit 91 of the remote control panel 50 receives the response signal from the panel connection unit 80 of the image forming apparatus, communication between them is established. Next, the panel connection unit 80 of the image forming apparatus and the wireless communication unit 91 of the remote control panel 50 mutually set communication conditions such as communication speed information and image compression rate (S7, S8).

[0084] When both sides are ready to communicate, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus transmits the image stored in the ROM 12 (or storage) from the panel connection unit 80 to the wireless communication unit 91 (S9). At this time, the image transmitted from the target image forming apparatus selected from the list to the remote control panel 50 is an operation screen for operating the target image forming apparatus via the remote control panel 50. The wireless communication unit 91 of the remote control panel 50 receives the image. When the wireless communication unit 91 receives the image from the target image forming apparatus, the CPU 21 switches the image displayed on the display 51 from the image stored in the ROM 22 to the image received from the target image forming apparatus and displays it on the display 51. The remote control panel 50 then transmits coordinate information of the touch panel 59 operated by the user and information on the status of the remote control panel 50 from the wireless communication unit 91 to the panel connection unit 80 (S10). The CPU 11 of the target image forming apparatus performs an action based on the received information from the remote control panel 50, changes the image to be transmitted as appropriate via the panel connection unit 80, and transmits the image to the wireless communication unit 91 (S11). Furthermore, the CPU 11 of the target image forming apparatus transmits command signals to turn on / off the lighting or blinking of the LED of the status display unit 54 and to turn on / off the sound from the speaker unit 53 in addition to the image (S12).

[0085] <Mode transition process of image forming system> Next, the mode transition process of the image forming system will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process from when the remote control panel 50 transitions to the second power mode, which consumes less power than the first power mode, to when it connects to the target image forming apparatus and switches the output image.

[0086] The CPU 21 (controller) of the remote control panel 50 transitions the remote control panel 50 to a power saving mode, which is a second power mode (S71). That is, the CPU 21 stops supplying power to the display 51 and speaker unit 53 of the remote control panel 50, which were supplied with power in the first power mode. Furthermore, the CPU 21 appropriately stops supplying power to the wireless communication unit 91 and status display unit 54.

[0087] When the CPU 21 switches the remote operation panel 50 to the power saving mode, the process proceeds to S72, where it establishes a Wi-Fi connection (wireless connection) with the access point 86. When the CPU 21 connects to the access point 86, the process proceeds to S73, where it determines whether or not there has been a user input to the remote operation panel 50. User input to the remote operation panel 50 includes input to the touch panel 59 and input from the power switch 52. If the CPU 21 determines that there has been no user input, the process proceeds to S72, where it maintains the connection to the access point 86 until there is a user input. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that there has been a user input, the process proceeds to S74, where it switches the remote operation panel 50 from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, which is the first power mode, and then the process proceeds to S75.

[0088] The CPU 21 determines whether the number of image forming apparatuses registered in the remote operation panel 50 is one (S75). That is, the CPU 21 determines whether the number of connectable image forming apparatuses via the wireless communication unit 91, which is pre-stored in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 50, is one. If the number of connectable image forming apparatuses pre-stored in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 50 is one, the CPU 21 automatically transmits an instruction to the target image forming apparatus to return from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode (S76), and proceeds to S80. The CPU 21 connects to the panel connection unit 80 of the target image forming apparatus via Wi-Fi Direct communication (S80), and proceeds to S81, where the CPU 21 displays an image received from the target image forming apparatus and enables operation of the target image forming apparatus.

[0089] On the other hand, if the number of connectable image forming devices pre-stored in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 50 is more than one in S75, i.e., if there are multiple image forming devices, the process proceeds to S77. The CPU 21 displays a list of the connectable image forming devices pre-stored in the ROM 22 of the remote operation panel 50 on the display 51 (S77), and then the process proceeds to S78.

[0090] The CPU 21 determines whether or not the user has instructed the user to select an image forming apparatus to use from the list, and waits until the user inputs. If the CPU 21 determines that the user has instructed the user to select an image forming apparatus to use, the process proceeds to S79. The CPU 21 transmits an instruction to the target image forming apparatus selected in S78 to return to normal mode from power saving mode (S79), and the process proceeds to S80. The CPU 21 connects to the panel connection unit 80 of the target image forming apparatus via Wi-Fi Direct communication (S80), and the process proceeds to S81, where the CPU 21 displays the image received from the target image forming apparatus and enables the operation of the image forming apparatus.

[0091] By performing such control, in an image forming system in which multiple image forming apparatuses are operated via wireless communication from a remote control panel, only the image forming apparatus used from the remote control panel can be returned from power saving mode to normal mode.

[0092] <Example of remote control panel image display> Next, a display example of the list of connectable image forming apparatuses pre-stored in ROM 22, which is displayed on display 51 of remote operation panel 50, will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. Figures 9 to 11 are diagrams showing display examples of an operation screen (a list of connectable image forming apparatuses pre-stored in ROM 22) which is displayed on display 51 of remote operation panel 50 and which is pre-stored in ROM 22.

[0093] The list displayed on the display 51 of the remote control panel 50 shown in FIG. 9(a) is an operation screen that displays an array of buttons for each of the multiple image forming apparatuses that can be connected via the wireless communication unit 91.

[0094] The list displayed on the display 51 of the remote control panel 50 shown in FIG. 9(b) is an operation screen having a display configuration that allows scrolling when the display 51 cannot display the list in one screen.

[0095] When a button for an image forming device to be used is selected from the operation screen, the remote control panel 50 shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b) sends an instruction to the image forming device corresponding to the selected button to return from power saving mode to normal mode.

[0096] The list displayed on the display 51 of the remote control panel 50 shown in Figure 9(c) is an operation screen that displays buttons for each of the multiple image forming devices that can be connected through the wireless communication unit 91, and a decision button that is used to confirm the selection of one of the buttons.

[0097] When the button of the image forming device to be used is selected from the operation screen and the decision button is pressed, the remote control panel 50 shown in Figure 9(c) sends an instruction to the image forming device corresponding to the selected button to return from power saving mode to normal mode.

[0098] The list displayed on the display 51 of the remote control panel 50 shown in Fig. 10(a) is an operation screen in which, among the multiple image forming devices that can be connected via the wireless communication unit 91, the buttons of image forming devices that cannot be used are displayed as unselectable, and the buttons of image forming devices that can be used are displayed as selectable. On the operation screen of the remote control panel 50 shown in Fig. 10(a), the buttons of image forming devices that cannot be used are displayed as grayed out, and the buttons of image forming devices that can be used are displayed in white, so that only image forming devices that can be used can be selected. An image forming device that cannot be used includes, for example, an image forming device that is not turned on or that has a malfunction such as an error.

[0099] When a button for an image forming apparatus to be used is selected from the available image forming apparatuses on the operation screen, the remote control panel 50 shown in Fig. 10(a) transmits an instruction to the image forming apparatus corresponding to the selected button to return from power saving mode to normal mode. Note that the remote control panel 50 shown in Fig. 10(a) does not transmit the instruction even if a button for an unavailable image forming apparatus is selected on the operation screen.

[0100] The list displayed on the display 51 of the remote control panel 50 shown in Figure 10(b) is an operation screen in which, of the multiple image forming devices that can be connected through the wireless communication unit 91, the button of the image forming device that was used last time is displayed in a selected state, and the buttons of the other image forming devices are displayed in a deselected state.

[0101] 10(b) already has a button selected if the image forming apparatus to be used is the one used last time, so when the confirm button is pressed, a command to return from power saving mode to normal mode is sent to the image forming apparatus used last time. Also, on the remote control panel 50 shown in FIG. 10(b), the selection can be cancelled by pressing the button corresponding to the image forming apparatus used last time again from the operation screen, and a new selection can be made by selecting the button corresponding to another image forming apparatus.

[0102] 10(c) is an operation screen on which buttons for each of the image forming apparatuses connectable through the wireless communication unit 91 are arranged in accordance with the layout information. The layout information for the image forming apparatuses connectable through the wireless communication unit 91 is stored in advance in the ROM 22, which is a storage unit.

[0103] 10(c) is an operation screen in which buttons corresponding to the sizes of the multiple image forming devices connectable through the wireless communication unit 91 are displayed. The sizes of the multiple image forming devices connectable through the wireless communication unit 91 are stored in advance in ROM 22, which is a storage unit. In the operation screen of the remote operation panel 50 shown in FIG. 10(c), MFPs 1, 6, 8, and 10 are lined up at the front, and MFPs 5, 3, and 9 are lined up at the back. Note that the different sizes of the buttons indicate the different sizes of the image forming devices (MFPs), but the buttons may be displayed as the same size.

[0104] 11 is an operation screen in which the configuration and product name are displayed on buttons corresponding to each of the multiple image forming apparatuses that can be connected via the wireless communication unit 91. The configurations and product names of the multiple image forming apparatuses that can be connected via the wireless communication unit 91 are stored in advance in the ROM 22, which is a storage unit.

[0105] In this way, it is possible to make it possible to select an image forming apparatus according to the conditions of use by making the layout, configuration, and product name clear. Also, a display that makes it possible to identify usable image forming apparatuses from a simple list display may be displayed.

[0106] When a button for the image forming device to be used is selected from the operation screen, the remote control panel 50 shown in Figures 10(c) and 11 sends an instruction to the image forming device corresponding to the selected button to return from power saving mode to normal mode.

[0107] In this way, when the remote control panel 50 returns from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, it displays a list of connectable image forming devices, allowing the user to select only the image forming devices to be used from the remote control panel and return from the power saving mode to the normal mode. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] A...Image formation system 1, 32, 33, 34 ...Image forming device 9...Photosensitive drum 10...Control unit 11...CPU 12...ROM 13...RAM 14...Leader 15...Image forming unit 16... Processing equipment 17...Power supply 20...Panel control unit 21...CPU 22...ROM 23...RAM 24...Timer 26...Key operation input section 50...Remote control panel 51...Display 59...Touch panel 80...Panel connection 81... Radio communication section 84...Network connection 86...Access point 91... Radio communication section

Claims

1. a plurality of image forming apparatuses, each of which can switch between a normal mode in which an image can be formed on a sheet and a power saving mode in which power consumption is lower than that of the normal mode, and each of which is equipped with a lamp that notifies a user of an error state in which an image forming operation has stopped due to an error; a remote control unit capable of wirelessly communicating with each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the remote control unit having a touch panel display that receives user operations and displays the plurality of image forming apparatuses that can be wirelessly connected; An image forming system comprising: a user can select at least one image forming apparatus from the plurality of image forming apparatuses displayed on the touch panel display by a touch operation; the remote control unit, when the at least one image forming apparatus selected by a user is in the power saving mode, wirelessly connects to the at least one image forming apparatus and transmits a transition signal to the at least one image forming apparatus to instruct the at least one image forming apparatus to transition to the power saving mode; Upon receiving the transition signal, the at least one image forming apparatus transitions to the normal mode if it is in the power saving mode, the remote control unit, when the at least one image forming apparatus selected by the user is in the normal mode, does not transmit the transition signal and wirelessly connects to the at least one image forming apparatus; the remote control unit does not transmit the transition signal when the at least one image forming apparatus selected by a user is in the error state; An image forming system comprising:

2. the remote control unit is capable of transmitting an execution instruction for instructing at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to form an image, each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses accepts the execution instruction when in the normal mode, and does not accept the execution instruction when in the power saving mode; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

3. the remote control unit is capable of switching between a first power mode, which is a predetermined power state, and a second power mode, which consumes less power than the first power mode; When the remote control unit is in the second power mode, the remote control unit transitions from the second power mode to the first power mode in response to a user's operation on the touch panel display.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

4. The first power mode is a state in which the touch panel display is turned on, and the second power mode is a state in which the touch panel display is turned off.

4. The image forming system according to claim 3.

5. the touch panel display displays, among the plurality of image forming devices displayed on the touch panel display, an unavailable image forming device in a first display and an available image forming device in a second display; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

6. the remote control unit further includes a storage unit that stores names of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that can be connected via a wireless communication unit; the touch panel display displays the plurality of wirelessly connectable image forming devices in association with the names of the plurality of image forming devices stored in the storage unit.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

7. each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses wirelessly communicates with the remote control unit via Wi-Fi Direct communication; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

Images