Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To solve a problem where each operation screen cannot be displayed in each operation unit.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes an image formation unit for forming an image on a sheet, and a radio communication unit for radio-communicating with each of a first operation unit which has a display and is operated so as to allow the image formation unit to perform the image formation, and a second operation unit which has a display, is operated so as to allow the image formation unit to perform the image formation, and is different from the first operation unit, and has a memory storing a plurality of operation screens of the image formation device, wherein in a state where the operation screen is displayed on the display of the first operation unit, the radio communication unit can transmit an operation screen that is different from the operation screen displayed on the display of the first operation unit and is stored in the memory, to the second operation unit, through radio communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of wireless communication with a plurality of operation units.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine has an operation unit for a user to operate for switching operations, detailed settings in each operation, and the like. Even in a system (image forming system) in which optional devices such as a paper feeding unit, a conveyance unit, and a post-processing unit are also connected to the image forming apparatus, the user performs setting work for various optional devices by the operation unit.

[0003] By the way, in the case of a large-sized image forming system in which a plurality of optional devices are connected as described above and the overall length is long, the user may perform work on the optional devices at a location away from the image forming apparatus where the operation unit is provided. It is troublesome to go back and forth between these optional devices every time the optional devices and the operation unit are operated.

[0004] In view of such circumstances, an image forming system provided with an operation unit wirelessly communication-connected to an image forming apparatus is known. Since the operation unit can be carried around to an arbitrary location, there is no need to go back and forth between these optional devices every time the optional devices and the operation unit are operated.

[0005] In addition, there may be a case where a plurality of wireless communication type operation units are wirelessly communication-connected to an image forming apparatus. In this case, the operation screens displayed on the displays of the operation units of each user are the same screen. Each user looks at the display of his or her own operation unit, and all of them share the same information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

[0007] However, with the configuration described above, each user cannot perform operations independently. This is because a common operation screen is displayed on the display of each operation unit. In other words, even if, for example, two users want to divide maintenance work or setting image formation conditions and perform them simultaneously, they cannot display individual operation screens on multiple operation units at the same time, which inevitably leads to a decrease in productivity.

[0008] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to enable each operation unit to display its own operation screen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit for forming an image on paper; a first wireless operation unit having a display and operated to cause the image forming unit to perform the image forming; a second wireless operation unit having a display and operated to cause the image forming unit to perform the image forming, and a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with each of these, wherein the wireless communication unit has a memory that stores a plurality of operation screens for the image forming apparatus, and when an operation screen stored in the memory is displayed on the display of the first wireless operation unit, the wireless communication unit can transmit an operation screen stored in the memory that is different from the operation screen displayed on the display of the first wireless operation unit to the second wireless operation unit via wireless communication. The image forming apparatus further comprises a control unit that controls the timing for causing each wireless operation unit to perform wireless communication with the respective wireless operation unit, and the control unit causes the wireless communication unit to sequentially perform wireless communication connections with each wireless operation unit at predetermined time intervals. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, each operation unit can display its own operation screen. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] An example of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] An example of a wireless control unit. [Figure 3] An example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] An example of the hardware configuration of a wireless control unit. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating the communication flow between the image forming apparatus and the wireless control unit. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the communication flow between the image forming apparatus and the wireless control unit. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the different operating screens of an image forming apparatus, as displayed on different wireless control units. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the different operating screens of an image forming apparatus, as displayed on different wireless control units. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described below are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to those unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0013] Figure 1 shows an image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device equipped with various functions such as copying, scanning, and printing. A post-processing device 6 for binding and other operations, and an inspection device (not shown) for reading and inspecting printed images can also be connected. The post-processing device 6 and the inspection device are examples of optional devices. Optional devices are units that can be retrofitted to the image forming apparatus 1. For example, after purchasing the image forming apparatus 1, a user can purchase these optional devices as optional parts and retrofit them to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0014] The main power switch SW2 is a switch that can turn the power of the image forming apparatus 1 ON and OFF. For example, a seesaw type or tactile type switch is common. The image forming apparatus 1 also has a function to inform the user when printing is in progress or when it has stopped due to an error. Units that have this function include a display panel 5 that can display lamps and error codes, and a tower-type lamp 4 attached to the outer cover of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a wireless operation unit (also called a remote control panel) 11 for inputting user operation instructions, as shown in Figure 2. The wireless operation unit 11 can communicate wirelessly with the image forming apparatus 1. The wireless operation unit 11 may be configured to connect wirelessly with the image forming apparatus 1 via a wireless LAN router, or it may be configured to use a direct communication method such as Wi-Fi Direct communication without going through a wireless LAN router. With the direct communication method, it is not possible for the image forming apparatus 1 and multiple wireless operation units 11 to be simultaneously connected wirelessly at any given time, but it can improve security and reduce the effort required to introduce network equipment. Regardless of which wireless communication method is used, the wireless operation unit 11 is a dedicated terminal for operating the image forming apparatus 1. In other words, it is different from electronic terminals such as smartphones and tablet terminals that are primarily designed for operating image forming apparatuses. The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 using the wireless operation unit 11 in this embodiment is not a remote operation that simply displays the operation screen of an operation unit fixed to the image forming apparatus 1. This is different from an operation method in which the operation screen on the terminal side changes in conjunction with the operation screen of the control unit fixed to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0016] The wireless operation unit 11 has an operation input unit (an example of a touch panel) 13 for a user to input operation instructions, and an operation sound generation unit 15 such as a speaker that generates sound according to the user's operation. Further, a status display unit 14 that notifies the user of the status of the image forming apparatus 1 or the wireless operation unit 11 with an LED or the like, and an operation panel power supply SW12 for turning on and off the power of the wireless operation unit 11 are provided. Note that the wireless operation unit 11 in FIG. 2 has a display unit (display) 16 for displaying an operation screen. In FIG. 2, the operation input unit 13 is arranged to cover the surface of the display unit 16. Note that the operation input unit 13 and the display unit 16 together are referred to as a touch panel display.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The reading unit 23 reads a document and generates image data. The paper feeding unit 24 supplies recording paper to be printed, and the printing processing unit 25 executes a printing process on the recording paper. The post-processing unit 26 performs processes such as binding and stapling.

[0018] Here, the printing processing unit (image forming unit) 25 is specifically a known image forming unit required for an electrophotographic process, such as a photosensitive drum, an optical scanning device that emits light for forming a latent image on the photosensitive drum, an LED exposure head, and a developing device that develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum into a toner image. Note that the present invention may be applied not only to an image forming apparatus that employs an electrophotographic process but also to an inkjet type image forming apparatus. In the case of an inkjet type image forming apparatus, the printing processing unit 25 refers to a known image forming unit such as an inkjet head and a drying device. The printing processing unit 25 starts image formation based on a signal for executing image formation sent from the wireless operation unit 11.

[0019] The control unit 27 is a controller that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 27 controls the operations of a CPU (control unit) 28, a ROM 29, a RAM 30, a storage 31, a NIC 32, and a wireless operation unit connection part (wireless communication unit) 34 that performs wireless communication with the wireless operation unit 11. Here, the wireless operation unit connection part 34 shown in FIG. 3 can perform wireless communication with a plurality of wireless operation units 11. Specifically, it is possible to transmit the operation screen stored in the storage 31 to each of the plurality of wireless operation units 11. As an example of a method of performing wireless communication with a plurality of wireless operation units 11, for example, a method of sequentially executing wireless communication connections with each wireless operation unit (first wireless operation unit, second wireless operation unit) 11 at predetermined intervals with a short one-time wireless connection time is conceivable. By doing so, the image forming apparatus 1 can reply to communications from the plurality of wireless operation units 11 within a predetermined time. Regarding the timing of switching the wireless communication connection, it is controlled based on a timer built in the CPU 28.

[0020] The ROM 29 is a memory in which the startup program and various settings of the image forming apparatus are stored. The RAM 30 is used for temporary data storage. The storage (an example of a memory) 31 is, for example, an HDD or an SSD, and is used for storing various data. The data stored in the storage 31 is, for example, an image to be displayed on the wireless operation unit 11, print data, etc. A plurality of operation screens necessary for the user to operate the image forming apparatus 1 are stored in the storage 31. The NIC 32 controls reception of print instructions and print data to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network, and is connected to the LAN 33. At this time, the LAN 33 to which the NIC 32 is connected may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0021] The CPU 28 reads the image to be displayed on the wireless control unit 11 from the storage 31 and transmits it to the wireless control unit 11 via the wireless control unit connection unit 34. The wireless control unit connection unit 34 also performs command communication for controlling the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, the wireless control unit connection unit 34 performs image transmission and command communication on a single communication line, but these may be separated.

[0022] In this embodiment, different images are displayed to each of the multiple wireless control units 11. Therefore, the storage 31 is configured with storage areas for the images to be displayed, equal to the number of wireless control units 11 connected by the wireless control unit connection unit 34. Then, by reading the image to be displayed from the storage area corresponding to each wireless control unit and transmitting it to the wireless control unit, a different image is displayed to each wireless control unit.

[0023] Here, the NIC32 and the wireless control unit connection section 34 may be shared, but in that case, the Wi-Fi Direct communication method cannot be used. Furthermore, the connection will be via a normal network, and print data, command communication, and control unit screen data will be communicated along the same path. As a result, the amount of data communicated will increase, which may cause the screen display response to be slower and the reception of print data to take longer.

[0024] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the wireless control unit 11. The wireless control unit 11 includes a touch panel 13 into which the user inputs operation instructions, and a touch panel controller 50 detects the user's input coordinates and notifies the CPU 46. The wireless control unit 11 further includes an operation sound generation unit 15 that generates sound in accordance with the user's operation, a status display unit 14 that informs the user of the status of the image forming apparatus, and a display unit 16. The display unit 16 displays image data, for example, an LCD. It also includes a wireless communication unit 51 for direct wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 1. Each of these units is connected via an interface to the CPU 46 in the control unit 45 that controls the operation of the wireless control unit 11.

[0025] The control unit 45 includes a CPU 46, RAM 48, and ROM 49. The CPU 46 controls the operation of each part of the wireless control unit 11 based on the program stored in the ROM 49. The RAM 48 stores temporary data associated with the CPU 46 executing the program. The ROM 49 is a memory that stores data necessary for controlling the wireless control unit 11. The RAM 48 is used to store temporary data such as image data to be displayed on the display unit 16 received from the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the reception of image data to be displayed on the display unit 16 and the transmission of user operation instruction information input from the operation input unit 13 are performed via the wireless communication unit 51. The NIC 47 performs control when connecting to an access point via the LAN 33.

[0026] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the CPU 28 when the image forming apparatus 1 communicates with the wireless control unit 11 and transmits screen data to be displayed on the display unit of the wireless control unit 11. In the flowchart of Figure 5, communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the wireless control unit 11 is described as being performed wirelessly via the wireless control unit's control panel 34.

[0027] When the image forming apparatus 1 starts communicating with the wireless control unit 11, the image forming apparatus 1 waits for communication from the wireless control unit (S501). When communication is received from the wireless control unit, the image forming apparatus 1 obtains the identification number of the wireless control unit that communicated (S502). The identification number obtained in S502 is a unique number that identifies the wireless control unit that communicated, and may be, for example, an individual number pre-assigned to each wireless control unit or the lot number of the communication IC used in the wireless communication unit 51 of each wireless control unit. The first wireless control unit is assigned a first identification number, and the second wireless control unit is assigned a second identification number. This allows the image forming apparatus 1 to know which wireless control unit's signal it is receiving and which wireless control unit to send a signal to.

[0028] Next, using the identification number obtained in S502, it is determined in 501 whether the wireless control unit that communicated has already been recognized by the image forming apparatus 1 (S503). For example, the identification number of the wireless control unit obtained when the CPU 28 started communication is stored in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 30. Then, in S503, the predetermined area of ​​RAM 30 is referenced, and if the acquired identification signal exists, it is determined that the unit is already recognized (i.e., currently being operated by the wireless control unit); otherwise, it is determined that it is a wireless control unit that has just started communication.

[0029] If it is determined in S503 that the identification number has not been recognized, an area is created in RAM30 to store the identification signal and image data to be displayed by the wireless control unit in order to start communication with a new wireless control unit (S504).

[0030] Subsequently, image data for the initial screen to be displayed on the control panel is generated (S505), and the generated image data is stored in the image data storage area created in S504 (S506).

[0031] In S503, if it is determined that the identification number has already been recognized, the wireless control unit that received the communication in S501 is operating the image forming apparatus 1, and therefore an image data storage area already exists in RAM 30. Therefore, the operation instruction information sent from the wireless control unit is acquired (S506), and image data that will be generated when the acquired operation instruction information is performed is generated (S507). Furthermore, when generating image data in S507, if the image data currently displayed on the wireless control unit is needed, the image data stored in the image data storage area corresponding to the identification signal in RAM 30 is referenced.

[0032] When image data to be displayed on the wireless control unit is generated in S505 or S507, the generated image data is stored in the image data storage area in RAM 30 corresponding to the identification signal (S508). Then, the created image data is transmitted to the wireless control unit having the identification number acquired in S502 (S509).

[0033] As described above, upon receiving communication from the wireless control unit 11, the image forming apparatus 1 generates predetermined image data and transmits the image data to be displayed on the display unit to the wireless control unit 11. This makes it possible to display different operation screens from among multiple operation screens on the displays of different wireless control units.

[0034] When image data is sent to the wireless control unit in S509, the system returns to S501 to wait for communication from the wireless control unit.

[0035] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 46 when the wireless control unit 11 communicates wirelessly with the image forming apparatus 1. In the flowchart of Figure 6, the explanation assumes that the wireless control unit 11 communicates with the image forming apparatus 1 via the wireless communication unit 51.

[0036] When the wireless control unit 11 initiates wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 1, the wireless control unit 11 initiates the communication (S601). Methods for initiating communication by the wireless control unit 11 include, for example, using the WiFi-Direct communication method, selecting the SSID (Signal SID) which is the connection name representing the image forming apparatus, and sending the wireless control unit's identification information and password. Alternatively, when using a wireless LAN, the wireless control unit transmits its IP address, the IP address of the image forming apparatus to be connected to, and the password for access.

[0037] In S601, when the wireless control unit 11 initiates wireless communication, it waits for communication from the image forming apparatus 1 regarding the start of communication (S602). When communication is received from the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 sends image data for display to the wireless control unit 11.

[0038] The wireless control unit 11 stores the image data received from the image forming apparatus 1 in the RAM 48 (S603). When the reception of the image data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 is complete, the image data stored in the RAM 48 is displayed on the display unit 16 (S604).

[0039] When the image data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed on the display unit 16, the system waits for the user to operate the wireless control unit. In this embodiment, user operation is detected by the touch panel 13, so the system waits for an operation instruction to be input from the touch panel 13 (S605). When an operation instruction is given by the user, the system acquires the user's input information (specifically, the coordinates on the operation input unit 13 that the user touched) from the touch panel controller 50 and stores it in the RAM 48 (S606).

[0040] Subsequently, the coordinates stored in RAM48 in S606 are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (S607), and the process returns to S602 to wait for image data to be sent from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0041] Based on the operations described above, the wireless control unit 11 initiates communication with the image forming apparatus 1 in S601, and then transmits the input operation instruction information to the image forming apparatus 1 each time the user operates from the touch panel in S605. Furthermore, it receives image data generated by the transmitted operation instruction information from the image forming apparatus 1 and displays it on the display unit, thereby displaying image data corresponding to the user's operation instruction. By having multiple wireless control units simultaneously perform the operations described in Figure 6, each wireless control unit can display a different image on its display unit than the other control panels, allowing for operation.

[0042] Figure 7 shows the state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is being operated by two wireless control units 11-1 and 11-2 in this embodiment. In Figure 7, the wireless control units 11-1 and 11-2 have already communicated with the image forming apparatus 1 and are displaying the image data sent from the image forming apparatus 1 on the display unit 16.

[0043] Figure 7 shows an example of an operation screen displayed on the display unit of the wireless control unit 11-1, which is a paper selection screen for setting the type of recording paper to be stored in the tray of the image forming apparatus 1 (indicated as 714 in the figure). Similarly, an example of an operation screen displayed on the display unit of the wireless control unit 11-2 is a color adjustment screen for adjusting the color tone when the image forming apparatus 1 performs printing (indicated as 724 in Figure 7). In this way, even though it is the same image forming apparatus 1, different operation screens can be displayed on the displays of each wireless control unit. Therefore, multiple users can perform maintenance and image forming condition setting work on the same image forming apparatus 1, which is expected to improve productivity.

[0044] At this time, the RAM 30 of the image forming apparatus 1 contains image data storage areas for the wireless control units 11-1 and 11-2, which were generated in S504 of Figure 5. In Figure 7, the image data storage areas for the wireless control units 11-1 and 11-2 are indicated by 71 and 72, respectively. The image data storage area consists of an identification number storage unit, an information storage unit, and an image data storage unit. The identification number storage unit stores the identification number assigned to the wireless control unit, and the information storage unit stores the information for generating the image data. The image data storage unit stores the image data to be displayed on the display unit of the wireless control unit.

[0045] In Figure 7, the RAM 30 contains two image data storage areas: 71 for wireless control unit 11-1 and 72 for wireless control unit 11-2. In Figure 7, the image data storage area 71 consists of an identification number storage unit 711, an information storage unit 712, and an image data storage unit 713. Similarly, the image data storage area 72 consists of an identification number storage unit 721, an information storage unit 722, and an image data storage unit 723.

[0046] The identification number storage unit 711 stores the identification number (1 in Figure 7) assigned to the wireless operation unit 11-1. The information storage unit 712 stores information for generating image data to be displayed on the display unit of the wireless operation unit 11-1. Specifically, it stores the setting values ​​for the types of recording paper to be stored in trays 1, 2, 3 and the manual feed tray in the paper selection screen shown in 714. The image data storage unit 713 stores image data generated based on the information stored in the information storage unit 712. Here, the image data stored in the image data storage unit 713 represents the image to be displayed on the display unit in 714.

[0047] The identification number storage unit 721 stores the identification number (2 in Figure 7) assigned to the wireless control unit 11-2. The information storage unit 722 stores information for generating image data to be displayed on the display unit of the wireless control unit 11-2. Specifically, it stores the current settings for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in the color adjustment screen shown in 724. The image data storage unit 723 stores image data generated based on the information stored in the information storage unit 722. Here, the image data stored in the image data storage unit 723 represents the image displayed on the display unit in 724.

[0048] Figure 8 illustrates the case where the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is started anew using the wireless control unit 11-3, starting from the state shown in Figure 7.

[0049] In Figure 8, when the wireless control unit 11-3 starts operating the image forming apparatus 1, the wireless control unit 11-3 starts communicating with the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in S601. At this time, the wireless control unit 11-3 communicates with the image forming apparatus 1 along with information that serves as its own identification signal (3 in Figure 8).

[0050] The image forming apparatus 1 receives a communication sent from the wireless control unit 11-3 (S501) and obtains an identification number (S502).

[0051] In S503, it is determined whether the identification signal acquired in S502 has already been recognized. Specifically, the identification number stored in the identification number storage section of the image data storage area created in RAM30 is referenced, and the determination is made based on whether a value matching the identification number acquired in S502 exists. In the state shown in Figure 7, the wireless operation unit 11-3 has not started communication with the image forming apparatus, and therefore does not operate the image forming apparatus 1. As a result, there is no image data storage area in the identification number storage section that stores the identification signal of the wireless operation unit 11-3, so the image forming apparatus creates an image data storage area for the wireless operation unit 11-3 (shown as 81 in Figure 8) in S504.

[0052] Then, the identification signal 3 of the wireless operation unit 11-3 is stored in the identification number storage unit (shown as 811 in Figure 8) of the image data storage area 81, and the image data for the initial screen is created in S505. The created image data for the initial screen is stored in the image data storage unit (shown as 813 in Figure 8) of the image data storage area 81 in S508.

[0053] Furthermore, since the image data stored in the image data storage unit 813 of the data storage area 81 is the image data of the initial screen, there is no information yet to be stored in the information storage unit (shown as 812 in Figure 8).

[0054] In S508, the image data (image data of the initial screen) is stored in the image data storage unit 813, and in S509, the created image data is transmitted to the wireless control unit 11-3.

[0055] When the wireless control unit 11-3 receives image data from the image forming apparatus 1 in S602, it temporarily stores the received image data in RAM 48 in S603. The stored image data is then read from RAM 48 and sent to the display unit 16 for display. Figure 814 shows an example of the initial screen displayed on the display unit of the wireless control unit 11-3. Buttons for selecting operations such as copy, scan, and SEND (to send the image to a specified destination), as well as buttons for preparing and maintaining the image forming apparatus 1, such as paper selection, maintenance, and service, are displayed.

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 1 is operated by multiple wireless control units as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the image forming apparatus 1 has an image data storage unit inside that stores the image data to be displayed on each wireless control unit.

[0057] This allows different image data to be displayed to each wireless control unit connected to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0058] Figures 5 and 6 describe the operation to initiate communication between the wireless control unit and the image forming apparatus 1, and the operation to send and receive data during communication, but the method for terminating communication between the wireless control unit and the image forming apparatus 1 is omitted.

[0059] Methods by which the wireless control unit terminates communication with the image forming apparatus 1 include, for example, pressing the power switch 12 of the wireless control unit, or a predetermined period of time or longer during which the wireless control unit does not communicate with the image forming apparatus 1 (no user operation).

[0060] If the wireless control unit is in the state described above, the image forming apparatus 1 detects the identification number of the wireless control unit whose power switch 12 has been pressed or which has not communicated for a predetermined period of time. Then, it releases the image data storage area in RAM 30 that corresponds to the detected identification number. This allows the image forming apparatus 1 to disconnect the wireless control unit whose communication has ended.

[0061] In the embodiments described above, the image data to be displayed on the wireless control unit was described as being stored in RAM 30, but it is not limited to RAM 30. For example, it may be stored in the storage 31 of the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, the image data may be stored in a server (not shown) connected to LAN 33, and the wireless control unit may retrieve it via NIC 47.

[0062] Furthermore, while the image forming apparatus 1 communicated with all wireless control units via the wireless control unit connection unit 34, some of the multiple wireless control units could also communicate via the LAN 33 through the NIC 32. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Image forming apparatus 2. Main unit power switch 6. Post-processing equipment 11. Wireless control unit (remote control panel) 13. Operation Input Section (Touch Panel) 16 Display Unit 33 LAN 34 Wireless control unit connection section

Claims

1. An image forming unit that forms an image on paper, An image forming apparatus comprising: a first wireless operation unit having a display and operated to cause the image forming unit to perform the image forming; and a second wireless operation unit having a display and different from the first wireless operation unit and operated to cause the image forming unit to perform the image forming; and a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with each of these, The image forming apparatus has a memory that stores multiple operation screens, The wireless communication unit is capable of transmitting, via wireless communication, to the second wireless communication unit an operation screen stored in the memory, which is different from the operation screen displayed on the display of the first wireless communication unit, when the operation screen stored in the memory is displayed on the display of the first wireless communication unit. The image forming apparatus further comprises a control unit that controls the timing for instructing each wireless operation unit to perform wireless communication with the respective wireless operation unit. The control unit causes the wireless communication unit to sequentially establish wireless communication connections with each wireless operation unit at predetermined intervals. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the wireless communication is communication that does not go through a wireless LAN router, and the wireless communication unit communicates wirelessly with either the first wireless operation unit or the second wireless operation unit at any given time.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the control unit performs wireless communication with at least one of the first wireless operation unit or the second wireless operation unit, it obtains the identification number of the wireless operation unit with which it performs wireless communication.

4. The control unit generates an image data storage area in the memory in which image data is stored in association with the identification number, The control unit stores image data relating to the operation screen displayed by the first wireless operation unit or the second wireless operation unit in the image data storage area. The image forming apparatus according to feature 3.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit releases the image data storage area associated with the identification number when communication between the wireless communication unit and at least one of the first wireless operation unit and the second wireless operation unit is terminated.

6. The image forming apparatus further comprises a network interface for performing network communication, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the first wireless operation unit and the second wireless operation unit communicates with the image forming apparatus via the network interface, and the other communicates with the image forming apparatus via the wireless communication unit.

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