JP2017103528A - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a program that, when an image forming apparatus to be remotely controlled is remotely controlled from a terminal, enables a user to control the apparatus without causing the user to be aware of a control screen displayed on the image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: There is provided an image forming system 1 comprising a remote terminal and image forming apparatuses that can communicate with the remote terminal, wherein the remote terminal includes a terminal-side display part 206 that displays a terminal-side display screen, and a terminal-side communication part 208 that transmits, to the image forming apparatuses, operation information based on the details of a remote-side operation performed through the terminal-side display screen displayed on the terminal-side display part 206; the image forming apparatuses each include a body-side display part 161 that displays a body-side display screen, and a body-side control pat 111 that makes a transition of the body-side display screen to be displayed on the body-side display part 161 according to the operation information transmitted from the terminal-side communication part 208.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

  Conventionally, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) and a terminal are connected via a network to realize various services (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-239563 A

  The conventional technique as described in Patent Document 1 remotely operates a terminal from an MFP functioning as an image forming apparatus. The operation screen displayed on the MFP and the operation screen displayed on the terminal are the same. The operation screen on the MFP side and the operation screen on the terminal side do not change in conjunction with each other.

  Therefore, even if an attempt is made to remotely operate the MFP from the terminal, since the operation screen on the terminal side and the operation screen on the MFP side are different, the service person on the operation screen on the terminal side displays the operation screen on the MFP side. It is necessary to grasp in advance.

  However, the operation screen on the MFP side may be different for each customer due to the panel customization function. Therefore, in the related art, even if it is attempted to remotely operate the image forming apparatus that is a target for remote operation from the terminal side, it is difficult to perform remote operation unless the operation screen displayed on the image forming apparatus is grasped in advance.

  Therefore, in the related art as described in Patent Document 1, even if an attempt is made to remotely operate the MFP from the terminal, the image forming apparatus is displayed on the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus that is a remote operation target is remotely operated from the terminal side. There is a possibility that it cannot be operated without being aware of the operating screen.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and the object of the present invention is to be displayed on the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus which is a remote operation target is remotely operated from the terminal side. It is an object to provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a program that can be operated without being conscious of an operation screen.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system including a remote terminal and an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the remote terminal, and the remote terminal displays a terminal-side display screen. A terminal-side display unit for displaying, and a terminal-side communication unit for transmitting operation information based on remote-side operation contents operated via the terminal-side display screen displayed on the terminal-side display unit to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main body side display unit that displays a main body side display screen, and the main body side display screen that is displayed on the main body side display unit in accordance with the operation information transmitted by the terminal side communication unit. And a main body side control unit for making a transition.

  According to this image forming system, when the image forming apparatus which is a remote operation target is remotely operated from the terminal side, the operation can be performed without being aware of the operation screen displayed on the image forming apparatus.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the main body side display unit can display at least one of a native screen which is a default setting and a customized screen obtained by editing the native screen as the main body side display screen. And each of the native screen and the customization screen includes a plurality of operation screens that are correlated with each other, the operation screen includes an operation item that receives an operation, and the main body-side control unit includes the operation item When the operation item selected via the terminal side display screen exists as the operation item included in the customization screen, the operation corresponding to the main body side operation content that can be operated via the main body side display screen Among the items, until the operation item corresponding to the content of the remote operation performed most recently is reached, Transitioning the operation screen included in the customization screen, it is preferable.

  According to this image forming system, it is possible to match the contents of the remote side operation content with the main body side operation content.

  Further, in the image forming system according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus cannot operate the operation items that exist on the native screen and do not exist on the customization screen when a remote access request is received from the remote terminal. It is preferable that the operation screen included in the native screen including the setting content in the state is transmitted to the remote terminal.

  According to this image forming system, it is possible to visualize operation items similar to those on the customization screen.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus transmits the operation screen included in each of the native screen and the customized screen to the remote terminal when a remote access request is received from the remote terminal. It is preferable to do.

  According to this image forming system, it is possible to visualize the difference between the operation screen included in the native screen and the operation screen included in the customization screen, and to call attention to those remotely operated from the remote terminal. it can.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus transmits tree information of the customization screen to the remote terminal, and the tree information includes a path of the operation item, and a path of the operation item. Preferably represents a correlation through the operation screen of the operation items associated with the transition of the operation screen among the operation items.

  According to this image forming system, it is possible to visualize the route to reach the operation item corresponding to the remote operation performed most recently.

  Further, in the image forming system according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus transmits the tree information including the fact that the operation item corresponding to the remote side operation content is operated to the remote terminal, and the terminal The side display unit preferably displays the tree information.

  According to this image forming system, it becomes easy to specify a failure factor during maintenance.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a main body side display unit that displays a main body side display screen, and the main body side display screen is displayed on a terminal side display screen of a remote terminal. And a main body side control unit that transitions the main body side display screen to be displayed on the main body side display unit according to operation information based on the remote side operation content operated through the side display screen. Is.

  In this image forming apparatus, as in the above image forming system, when the image forming apparatus that is a remote operation target is remotely operated from the terminal side, the user can operate without being aware of the operation screen displayed on the image forming apparatus. Can be made.

  In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention includes a computer that controls an image forming apparatus, a main body side display unit that displays a main body side display screen, and the main body side display screen is a terminal side display of a remote terminal. A main body-side control unit that transitions the main body-side display screen to be displayed on the main body-side display unit in accordance with operation information based on the remote-side operation content that is displayed on the screen and operated via the terminal-side display screen; It is a thing for making it function as.

  In this program, as in the image forming system described above, when the image forming apparatus as a remote operation target is remotely operated from the terminal side, the operation screen displayed on the image forming apparatus can be operated without being conscious of it. Can do.

  According to the present invention, when an image forming apparatus that is a remote operation target is remotely operated from the terminal side, the operation can be performed without being conscious of the operation screen displayed on the image forming apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an image forming system 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the information terminal 20 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an MFP according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of the information terminal 20 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. In Embodiment 1, it is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence table of the main menu of a native screen, and a customization screen. In Embodiment 1, it is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence table of the copy menu of a native screen, and a customization screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table between a paper setting menu of a native screen and a customization screen in Embodiment 1. FIG. In Embodiment 1, it is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence table of the application setting menu of a native screen, and a customization screen. In Embodiment 1, it is a figure which shows the hierarchy of the operation screen contained in a native screen, and the hierarchy of the operation screen contained in a customization screen. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining customization screen transition processing according to the first embodiment. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a native screen according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the customization screen which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of the image forming system 1 according to the second embodiment. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a native screen according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control example of the image forming system 1 according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a main body side operation screen transition process according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating remote terminal side operation screen transition processing according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control example of the image forming system 1 according to the fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the tree information which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 10 a to 10 c that function as image forming apparatuses and information terminals 20 a and 20 b, each of which is connected to a communication medium 3. The image forming system 1 includes a wireless station 30, and the wireless station 30 is connected to the communication medium 3.

  In the information terminal 20a, various driver programs for controlling the MFPs 10a to 10c are installed. When the types of MFPs 10a to 10c are different, three types of various driver programs for controlling the MFPs 10a to 10c are installed in the information terminal 20a.

  Each of the MFPs 10a to 10c implements a document reading function for reading a document, an image forming function for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper based on image data, and a facsimile transmission / reception function for transmitting / receiving facsimile data. . That is, each of the MFPs 10a to 10c functions as an image forming apparatus. Each of the MFPs 10a to 10c realizes the same function, and if one of them is not particularly limited, it is referred to as an MFP 10.

  The communication medium 3 constitutes a local area network, for example, and the connection form may be either wired or wireless. The communication medium 3 is connected to a wide area network such as the Internet. Note that the communication medium 3 is not limited to a local area network, and may constitute a public switched telephone network (Public Switched Telephone Networks).

  The information terminal 20b is a terminal that realizes the function of a mobile phone, and communicates with a mobile phone base station via a radio to connect to a mobile phone network and make a call. The information terminal 20b is a terminal that implements a wireless LAN communication function.

  The wireless station 30 is a relay device connected to the communication medium 3, and connects to the information terminal 20b by communicating with the information terminal 20b that realizes a wireless LAN communication function. The MFP 10 can exchange data with the information terminal 20 a via the communication medium 3, and can exchange data with the information terminal 20 b via the communication medium 3 and the wireless station 30.

  When the wireless LAN communication function is implemented in the MFP 10, the MFP 10 can transmit and receive data with the information terminal 20 without using the wireless station 30.

  That is, the information terminals 20a and 20b can communicate with the MFP 10. For example, the information terminal 20a can establish communication with the MFP 10 to remotely operate the MFP 10 and can function as a remote terminal. The same applies to the information terminal 20b. In addition, when not distinguishing any one of the information terminals 20a and 20b, it will be referred to as the information terminal 20.

  Next, an outline of remote operation of the MFP 10 by the information terminal 20 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information terminal 20 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 10 includes a main circuit 110, an automatic document feeder 120, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a sheet feeding unit 150, and an operation panel 160. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information terminal 20 includes a CPU 201, a storage unit 203, a terminal side display unit 206, a terminal side operation unit 207, and a terminal side communication unit 208.

  In addition to the above, the information terminal 20b includes an imaging unit (not shown), a wireless communication unit, and a call unit.

  The automatic document feeder 120 conveys the document to the document reading unit 130. The document reading unit 130 reads the document transported by the automatic document transport device 120. The image forming unit 140 forms an image on a recording medium such as a sheet based on the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 130. The paper feeding unit 150 supplies a recording medium such as paper to the image forming unit 140.

  The operation panel 160 is provided on the upper surface side of the MFP 10, for example, and includes a main body side display unit 161 and a main body side operation unit 163.

  The main body side display unit 161 is a display device, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The main body side display unit 161 displays a main body side display screen including an instruction menu for the user and information on image data of the original read by the original reading unit 130.

  The main body side display unit 161 can display at least one of a default native screen and a customized screen obtained by editing the native screen as the main body side display screen. Each of the native screen and the customization screen includes a plurality of operation screens correlated with each other. The operation screen includes an operation item for receiving an operation. Details of the operation screen and operation items will be described later.

  The main body side operation unit 163 receives an instruction by a user operation. The main body side operation unit 163 includes a hard key unit 167. The hard key unit 167 includes a plurality of keys. Each of the plurality of keys accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers. The main body side operation unit 163 includes a touch panel 165. The touch panel 165 is provided on the main body side display unit 161 and detects coordinates corresponding to a place where the display screen of the main body side display unit 161 is touched. The hard key unit 167 may not be provided.

  The main circuit 110 includes a main body side control unit 111, a network connection unit 112, a ROM 113, a RAM 114, an HDD 115, a facsimile unit 116, and an external storage device 117.

  The main body side control unit 111 includes a CPU, and is connected to the automatic document feeder 120, the document reading unit 130, the image forming unit 140, the sheet feeding unit 150, and the operation panel 160, and controls the entire MFP 10. .

  The main body side control unit 111 changes the main body side display screen to be displayed on the main body side display unit 161 according to the operation information transmitted by the terminal side communication unit 208. Specifically, when the operation item selected via the terminal side display screen among the operation items exists as an operation item included in the customization screen, the main body side control unit 111 operates via the main body side display screen. The operation screen included in the customization screen is changed until the operation item corresponding to the remote operation content performed most recently among the operation items corresponding to the main body operation content that can be performed is reached. Details of the terminal-side communication unit 208 and the terminal-side display screen will be described later.

  The network connection unit 112 is an interface that connects the MFP 10 to the communication medium 3. Therefore, the main body control unit 111 transmits and receives various data by communicating with the MFPs 10 a to 10 c or the information terminal 20 via the network connection unit 112. The network connection unit 112 can communicate with various devices connected to the Internet via the communication medium 3.

  The ROM 113 stores a program executed by the main body side control unit 111 or data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the main body control unit 111 executes a program. The RAM 114 temporarily stores image data of a document continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

  The facsimile unit 116 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The facsimile unit 116 transmits facsimile data to the public switched telephone network. The facsimile unit 116 receives facsimile data from the public switched telephone network. The facsimile unit 116 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 115 or outputs it to the image forming unit 140.

  Therefore, the image forming unit 140 can print the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 116 on a sheet. The facsimile unit 116 converts the data stored in the HDD 115 into facsimile data and transmits it to a facsimile apparatus (not shown) connected to the public switched telephone network. The HDD 115 functions as a mass storage device, and includes, for example, a hard disk drive. The facsimile unit 116 may not be provided.

  The external storage device 117 is loaded with a CD-ROM 118. Thereby, the main body side control unit 111 can access the CD-ROM 118 via the external storage device 117. The main body control unit 111 loads the program stored in the CD-ROM 118 mounted on the external storage device 117 to the RAM 114 and executes it. The external storage device 117 may not be provided.

  In the image forming system 1, when data is transmitted / received between the MFP 10 and the information terminal 20, the protocol for transmitting / receiving data can be any protocol as long as the transmission source can be specified in the receiving device. Can be used. As a protocol for transmitting and receiving data, for example, HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SMPT (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), and POP (Post Office Protocol) are used.

  The storage unit 203 stores a program executed by the CPU 201 or data necessary for executing the program. The CPU 201 loads a program stored in the storage unit 203 to a RAM (not shown) including the CPU 201 and executes the program.

  The terminal side display unit 206 is a display device, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The terminal side display unit 206 displays an instruction menu for the user. The terminal-side display unit 206 displays a terminal-side display screen including information on various data acquired by the terminal-side communication unit 208.

  The terminal side operation unit 207 receives an instruction by a user operation. The terminal side operation unit 207 includes a hard key unit 212. The hard key unit 212 includes a plurality of keys. Each of the plurality of keys accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers. The terminal side operation unit 207 includes a touch panel 211. The touch panel 211 is provided on the terminal-side display unit 206 and detects coordinates corresponding to the place where the display screen of the terminal-side display unit 206 is touched. The hard key unit 212 may not be provided.

  The terminal-side communication unit 208 is an interface for communicating with, for example, the wireless station 30 and connecting the information terminal 20 to the communication medium 3. By registering the IP (Internet Protocol) addresses of the MFPs 10a to 10c in advance in the information terminal 20, it is possible to communicate with each of the MFPs 10a to 10c and to transmit and receive data. Note that the terminal-side communication unit 208 can communicate not only with the wireless station 30 but also with various devices, and realizes communication between the information terminal 20 and the MFP 10.

  The terminal-side communication unit 208 transmits operation information based on the remote-side operation contents operated via the terminal-side display screen displayed on the terminal-side display unit 206 to the image forming apparatus.

  Next, a functional configuration for remotely controlling the MFP 10 by the information terminal 20 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the MFP 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information terminal 20 according to the first embodiment.

  When the main body side control unit 111 executes various programs stored in the ROM 113, HDD 115, or CD-ROM 118, various functions including the remote operation control unit 51 and the operation screen control unit 53 as shown in FIG. Realized.

  The remote operation control unit 51 has a function of performing a remote operation, for example, as a program module. The remote operation control unit 51 includes an operation screen notification unit 61 and an operation information reception unit 62.

  The operation screen control unit 53 has a function of controlling the operation screen, for example, as a program module. The operation screen control unit 53 includes a native screen control unit 71 and a customization screen control unit 72.

  When there is a remote access request from the remote terminal, the remote operation control unit 51 acquires customization screen information of the currently displayed customization screen, and notifies the native screen control unit 71 of a corresponding operation screen creation request.

  The remote operation control unit 51 transmits the native screen created by the native screen control unit 71 to the remote terminal. In this way, on the remote terminal, the native screen is displayed by the terminal side display unit 206. Therefore, the terminal side operation unit 207 can accept an operation via the native screen displayed by the terminal side display unit 206.

  Therefore, the remote operation control unit 51 determines which operation screen is operated among the plurality of operation screens included in the native screen based on the operation information based on the remote operation content by the remote terminal, and the operated operation screen. It is determined which of the plurality of operation items included in the operation item has been operated. These determination results are notified to the customization screen control unit 72.

  Thereby, the customization screen control unit 72 can perform transition of the customization screen based on the notification result.

  Next, the functions of the operation screen notification unit 61, operation information reception unit 62, native screen control unit 71, and customization screen control unit 72 will be described.

  The operation screen notification unit 61 notifies the remote terminal of the operation screen created by the native screen control unit 71 or the customization screen control unit 72 via the communication medium 3.

  The operation information receiving unit 62 receives operation information from the remote terminal. The operation information receiving unit 62 determines the operation content based on the received operation information. The operation information receiving unit 62 notifies the operation screen control unit 53 of the operation content determination result.

  For example, the native screen control unit 71 performs display control of an operation screen created by the firmware. Each of the operation screens created by the firmware is a native screen that is a default setting of the display screen on the main body side. That is, the native screen control unit 71 generates a native screen and outputs a generation result. Note that the default setting of the main body display screen is configured as native screen information.

  The customization screen control unit 72 performs display control of the operation screen arbitrarily created by the user. Each of the operation screens arbitrarily created by the user is a customized screen in which the native screen is edited. That is, the customization screen control unit 72 generates a customization screen, outputs the generation result, and causes the main body side display unit 161 to display the customization screen. Information obtained by editing the native screen is configured as customized screen information.

  In short, the customization screen is a subset of the native screen. The customized screen is customized within the range of the native screen. What can be customized is to change the arrangement of the operation items, the size of the operation items, the operation screen including the operation items, and the like.

  Further, the operation screen has a hierarchical structure extending from the upper level to the lower level. Accordingly, among the operation screens included in the customization screen customized by the customization function, for example, a higher-level operation screen can include operation items that are frequently used. Further, for example, operation items with low usage frequency can be included in the lower operation screen. That is, the location including the operation item can be changed at the hierarchical level.

  The operation screen and operation items included in the native screen can be changed according to the specifications of the MFP 10 to be used. In this case, the customization screen can be customized within the range of the changed native screen.

  Although not shown, functions including the image processing unit are realized by the main body side control unit 111 executing various programs.

  The image processing unit outputs an image formation command to the image forming unit 140 in accordance with various commands. The image processing unit executes processing related to the image based on the received operation signal. The operation signal is transmitted from the information terminal 20 that can be a subject of remote operation. For example, when an operation screen displayed on the information terminal 20 is operated, an operation signal is generated, and the operation signal is transmitted to the MFP 10 that is a remote operation target.

  The image processing unit performs an operation via the operation screen based on the operation item position information and the screen identification information included in the operation signal triggered by the reception of the operation signal when executing processing related to the image. The operation details thus made are associated with the operation details that can be operated via the operation screen.

  Further, the CPU 201 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 203 and the like, whereby a terminal-side display control unit 81, a coordinate detection unit 83, a calculation unit 84, and an operation information notification unit 85 as shown in FIG. Various functions including are realized.

  The terminal side display control unit 81 causes the terminal side display unit 206 to display the data stored in the storage unit 203. The storage unit 203 holds an operation screen acquired via the terminal side communication unit 208. That is, the terminal side display control unit 81 causes the terminal side display unit 206 to display the operation screen stored in the storage unit 203.

  When the terminal-side operation unit 207 receives the operation content on the operation screen displayed by the terminal-side display unit 206, the coordinate detection unit 83 detects the position information at which the terminal-side operation unit 207 is operated as coordinate information. For example, when a plurality of operation items are displayed on the operation screen and any one of the plurality of operation items is operated, the coordinate detection unit 83 detects the operated operation item position information as coordinate information.

  The computing unit 84 generates operation information based on the operation content operated via the operation screen. The operation information includes operation screen identification information and operation item position information.

  The operation screen identification information is identification information for identifying an operation screen at the time of operation among a plurality of operation screens. For example, when numbers are given to a plurality of operation screens in ascending order as identification information, the operation screen at the time of the most recently performed operation can be specified by the number. Therefore, even when communication between the information terminal 20 and the MFP 10 is interrupted during remote operation of the MFP 10 by the information terminal 20, the remote operation can be resumed from the state at the time of communication disconnection by referring to the number. it can. The operation screen identification information is not limited to the above example. For example, time may be used as a reference. Moreover, although the operation screen at the time of the operation performed most recently has been described, the operation immediately before one of the operations performed in the past may be used. That is, among the operations performed in the past, an operation screen at the time of a preset timing may be identified as an operation screen at the time of operation.

  The operation item position information is information generated based on the coordinate information of the operation item included in the operation screen. For example, the operation items included in the operation screen include copy, scan, and FAX operation command functions, and when the copy operation command function is selected, information including coordinate information corresponding to the selected location Is generated as the operation item position information.

  The operation information notification unit 85 transmits the operation information generated by the calculation unit 84. For example, the operation information notification unit 85 transmits the operation information to the MFP 10 via the terminal side communication unit 208.

  Next, the correspondence between the native screen and the customization screen will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table between the main menu of the native screen and the customization screen in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table between a copy menu of a native screen and a customization screen in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table between a native screen paper setting menu and a customization screen in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table between the application setting menu of the native screen and the customization screen in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, the customization screen is edited so that only some of the options included in the main menu of the native screen are included. In FIG. 7, the customization screen is edited so that only some of the functions and options included in the copy menu of the native screen are included.

  In FIG. 8, the customization screen includes only some of the functions and options included in the paper setting menu of the native screen, and includes the above functions and options on a screen different from the screen of the native screen. It has been edited as follows. In FIG. 9, the customization screen includes only some of the functions and options included in the application setting menu of the native screen, and includes the above functions and options on a screen different from the screen of the native screen. It has been edited as follows.

  In this way, in the correspondence table between the native screen and the customization screen, if each item such as a screen, function, and option is an operation item, the operation item is included in the operation screen, and the operation screen includes a plurality of operation screens. It can be regarded as consisting of layers. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchy of operation screens included in the native screen and a hierarchy of operation screens included in the customization screen in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, on the native screen, when the operation items are operated in the order of “main”, “copy”, “paper setting”, “punch”, and “no”, the operation screen is the operation screen. No. 1-No. Transition to 3.

  When the operation content on the native screen in FIG. 10 is performed, the operation content on the customization screen in FIG. 10 is assumed. That is, on the customization screen, when the operation items can be operated in the order of “main”, “copy”, “other settings”, “punch”, and “no”, the operation screen is displayed with the operation screen No. 1-No. 3 can be transitioned to.

  In this way, when remote operation is performed via the native screen, the screen transition of the operation screen included in the customization screen can be performed in order from the current operation screen to the corresponding operation screen and the corresponding operation item. It becomes.

  In short, the customization screen includes a plurality of operation screens, and each of the plurality of operation screens includes a plurality of operation items. Similarly, the native screen includes a plurality of operation screens, and each of the plurality of operation screens includes a plurality of operation items. The customized screen is a subset of the native screen. Therefore, the operation item on the operation screen included in the customization screen is one of the operation items on the operation screen included in the native screen.

  Next, a series of processes described above will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining customization screen transition processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a native screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a customization screen according to the first embodiment.

(Image forming device side processing)
(Step S11)
The customization screen is displayed on the main body side display unit 161, and the process proceeds to step S12. For example, after the MFP 10 is turned on, the customization screen edited in advance is displayed on the main body side display unit 161 through an initialization process or the like.

(Step S12)
It is determined whether a remote access request has been received from the remote terminal. If a remote access request is received from the remote terminal, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, when the remote access request is not received from the remote terminal, the process remains at step S12. For example, the MFP 10 determines whether a remote access request is received from the information terminal 20a or the information terminal 20b.

(Step S13)
The customization screen information of the customization screen currently displayed is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S14.

(Step S14)
An operation screen included in the native screen corresponding to the acquired customization screen information is generated, and the process proceeds to step S15.

(Step S15)
The operation screen included in the native screen is transmitted to the remote terminal, and the process proceeds to step S16.

(Step S16)
It is determined whether operation information has been received from the remote terminal. When the operation information is received from the remote terminal, the process proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, when operation information is not received from a remote terminal, it remains as step S16.

(Step S17)
The operation content is determined based on the received operation information, and the process proceeds to step S18.

(Step S18)
The customization screen transition process is executed, and the process ends. The customization screen transition process will be described later.

  The end of the above processing is the end of the image forming apparatus side processing shown in FIG. 11, and does not mean that the operation of the MFP 10 itself functioning as the image forming apparatus is ended.

(Remote terminal processing)
(Step S31)
The remote access request is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the process proceeds to step S32. For example, the information terminal 20 a or the information terminal 20 b transmits a remote access request to the MFP 10.

(Step S32)
It is determined whether an operation screen transmitted from the image forming apparatus has been received. When the operation screen transmitted from the image forming apparatus is received, the process proceeds to step S33. On the other hand, when the operation screen transmitted from the image forming apparatus is not received, the process remains at step S32.

(Step S33)
The operation screen is received, and the process proceeds to step S34. For example, in response to a remote access request from the information terminal 20, the MFP 10 establishes a session of the information terminal 20 and transmits an operation screen included in the native screen corresponding to the currently displayed customization screen to the information terminal 20. As a result, the information terminal 20 receives the native screen that is the editing source of the customization screen displayed on the MFP 10.

(Step S34)
The received operation screen is displayed on the terminal side display unit 206, and the process proceeds to step S35. For example, the information terminal 20 displays an operation screen included in the native screen of the MFP 10 on the terminal-side display unit 206, so that the MFP 10 can be remotely operated. It is assumed that the connection state between the information terminal 20 and the MFP 10 is maintained while the operation screen is displayed on the terminal side display unit 206.

(Step S35)
It is determined whether or not the operation screen has been operated. When the operation screen is operated, the process proceeds to step S36. On the other hand, when the operation screen is not operated, step S35 remains. For example, when the operation is performed as shown in FIG. 13, the process proceeds to step S36. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the copy of the main menu is selected via the terminal side display unit 206, the paper setting of the copy menu is selected, and “no” is selected among the punch options of the paper setting menu. A series of operation contents for which is selected becomes remote operation contents.

(Step S36)
The operation information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the process ends. For example, the information terminal 20 transmits operation information including operation screen identification information for specifying the operated screen and operation item position information for specifying the operated operation item to the MFP 10.

  The end of the above process is an end of the remote terminal side process shown in FIG. 11 and does not mean that the operation of the information terminal 20 itself functioning as the remote terminal is ended.

(Customized screen transition process)
(Step S51)
Reference is made to the correspondence between the native screen and the customization screen. For example, when the correspondence tables shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are referred to, it is referred whether or not the operation items included in the native screen correspond to the operation items included in the customization screen.

(Step S52)
It is determined whether or not the operation screen and operation items included in the operation information exist on the operation screen included in the customization screen. When the operation screen and the operation item included in the operation information exist on the operation screen included in the customization screen, the process proceeds to step S53. On the other hand, if the operation screen and the operation item included in the operation information do not exist on the operation screen included in the customization screen, the process proceeds to step S54.

(Step S53)
From the current operation screen to the corresponding operation screen and the corresponding operation item, the screen transition of the operation screens included in the customization screen is performed in order, and the process ends.

(Step S54)
The current operation screen is held, and the process proceeds to step S55.

(Step S55)
It is determined whether or not there is an unconfirmed correspondence among the operation screens and operation items included in the operation screen. When there is an unconfirmed correspondence among the operation screens and operation items included in the operation screen, the process returns to step S51. On the other hand, if there are no unconfirmed correspondences among the operation screens and operation items included in the operation screen, the processing ends.

  For example, the operation screen is changed as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, when the paper setting is selected after the copy menu is selected via the native screen, as shown in FIG. Item does not exist.

  However, as shown in FIG. 13, when “not to punch” is selected via the native screen, there are operation items corresponding to other setting menus as shown in FIG. The operation screen changes.

  Specifically, when the operation is performed in the order of “main menu” and “copy” on the native screen, the native screen transitions to the “copy menu”. At this time, it is determined that the operation is performed in the order of “main menu” and “copy” on the customization screen.

  When the operation is performed in the order of “copy menu” and “paper setting” on the native screen, the native screen transits to “paper setting menu”. At this time, since there is no corresponding operation screen in the customization screen, the current operation screen is held without transitioning the operation screen.

  When the “paper setting menu”, “punch”, and “no” are operated in this order on the native screen, the “punch” setting is changed to “not” on the native screen. At this time, it is determined that the operation is performed in the order of “Other setting”, “Punch”, and “No” on the customization screen, and the operation screen is changed to “Other setting menu”, and the setting of “Punch” is not set. To "".

  In the series of processes described above, when the operation screen is transmitted to the remote terminal, the correspondence table between the native screen and the customized screen may be transmitted together.

  Further, the end of the above process is the end of the customization screen transition process shown in FIG. 12, and does not mean that the operation of the MFP 10 itself functioning as the image forming apparatus is ended.

  Further, in the above example of processing, the processing from step S11 to step S18 and the processing from step S31 to step S36 have been described with respect to an example in which each is sequentially executed while communication is performed as appropriate. Is not limited to this as described in the specific example.

  For example, the process of determining whether or not the operation screen has been operated in step S35 is actually determined at a predetermined timing, and the processes of steps S36 and S16 to S18 are executed each time. After the process of step S18, the processes after step S35 are executed again.

  As described above, the MFP 10 functioning as the image forming apparatus changes the main body side display screen to be displayed on the main body side display unit 161 according to the operation information based on the remote operation content operated by the information terminal 20 functioning as the remote terminal. Therefore, in remote operation by the remote terminal, there is no awareness of the difference between the operation screen on the remote terminal side and the operation screen on the image forming apparatus side.

  Therefore, the image forming system 1 can be operated without being conscious of the operation screen displayed on the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus which is a remote operation target is remotely operated from the terminal side.

  In other words, the image forming system 1 changes the main body side display screen to be displayed on the main body side display unit 161 according to the operation information based on the remote operation content on the remote terminal side, so that the remote terminal side at the time of remote operation Because the difference between the operation screen of the image forming apparatus and the operation screen on the image forming apparatus side is concealed, the operation screen displayed on the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus that is the remote operation target is remotely operated from the terminal side Can be operated without being aware of

  In the image forming system 1, the operation screen included in the customization screen is changed until the operation item corresponding to the remote operation content performed most recently is reached, so that the customization screen is displayed according to the remote operation content. Since the operation screen included in is followed by the operation screen included in the native screen, it is possible to match the contents of the remote side operation content with the main body side operation content.

  As described above, according to the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the image forming system 1 includes the remote terminal and the image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the remote terminal. A terminal-side display unit 206 that displays the information, and a terminal-side communication unit 208 that transmits operation information based on the remote-side operation contents operated via the terminal-side display screen displayed on the terminal-side display unit 206 to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main body side display unit 161 that displays a main body side display screen, and a main body side display screen that is displayed on the main body side display unit 161 according to operation information transmitted by the terminal side communication unit 208. And a main body side control unit 111 for transition.

  As a result, the image forming system 1 can be operated without being aware of the operation screen displayed on the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus which is a remote operation target is remotely operated from the terminal side.

  Further, according to the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the main body side display unit 161 displays, as the main body side display screen, at least one of a default native screen and a customized screen obtained by editing the native screen. Each of the native screen and the customization screen includes a plurality of operation screens that are correlated with each other, the operation screen includes an operation item that receives an operation, and the main body-side control unit 111 includes, among the operation items, a terminal When the operation item selected via the side display screen exists as an operation item included in the customization screen, the operation item corresponding to the content of the operation on the main body side that can be operated via the main body side display screen is performed most recently. The operation screen included in the customization screen is changed until the operation item corresponding to the remote operation content is reached.

  As a result, the image forming system 1 can match the contents of the remote side operation content with the main body side operation content.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the main body side display unit 161 that displays the main body side display screen and the main body side display screen are displayed on the terminal side display screen of the remote terminal, and the terminal side display screen is used. And a main body side control unit 111 that transitions the main body side display screen to be displayed on the main body side display unit 161 in accordance with the operation information based on the remote side operation content operated.

  As a result, as in the case of the image forming system 1 described above, the image forming apparatus is made aware of the operation screen displayed on the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus that is the target of remote operation is remotely operated from the terminal side. Can be operated without any problems.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the second embodiment, descriptions of configurations and functions similar to those of the first embodiment are omitted. In the second embodiment, a function for setting an operation item that exists in the native screen and does not exist in the customization screen to an inoperable state will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the image forming system 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a native screen according to the second embodiment.

  Note that the processing in steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 11 and the processing in steps S71 to S73 in FIG. Moreover, since the process of step S15-S18 in FIG. 11 and the process of step S75-S78 in FIG. 15 are the same, it abbreviate | omits about the description. Further, since the processes in steps S31 to S33, S35, and S36 in FIG. 11 and the processes in steps S91 to S93, S95, and S96 in FIG. 15 are the same, the description thereof is omitted.

(Image forming device side processing)
(Step S74)
When an operation screen included in a native screen corresponding to the acquired customization screen information is generated, an operation screen that does not exist in the customization screen is set in an inoperable state. For example, when the native screen of FIG. 13 is compared with the customization screen of FIG. 14, among the operation items of the main menu, “FAX”, “Browser”, and “Application” are in the native screen and are in the customization screen. not exist. Such an operation item becomes an operation item in an operation impossible state on the customization screen.

  Further, when comparing the native screen of FIG. 13 and the customization screen of FIG. 14, among the operation items of the application setting menu, “automatic erase outside document” and “book continuous shooting” are in the native screen and the customization screen. Does not exist. Such an operation item is an operation item in an inoperable state on the customization screen.

  When the native screen of FIG. 13 is compared with the customization screen of FIG. 14, among the operation items of the paper setting menu, “staple” is in the native screen and does not exist in the customization screen. Such an operation item is an operation item in an inoperable state on the customization screen.

(Remote terminal processing)
(Step S94)
The received operation screen is displayed on the terminal side display unit 206. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, among the operation items included in the operation screen, the operation items in the inoperable state are displayed in a shaded state, for example.

  As described above, in the image forming system 1 according to the second embodiment, the remote terminal includes the inoperable state by transmitting the operation screen included in the native screen including the setting contents in the inoperable state to the remote terminal. Since the operation screen can be displayed, the same operation items as the customization screen can be visualized.

  As described above, according to the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, when there is a remote access request from the remote terminal, the image forming apparatus displays an operation item that exists on the native screen and does not exist on the customization screen in an inoperable state. The operation screen included in the native screen including the setting contents is sent to the remote terminal.

  Thereby, the operation item similar to a customization screen can be visualized.

Embodiment 3. FIG.
In the third embodiment, descriptions of configurations and functions similar to those of the first and second embodiments are omitted. In the third embodiment, a function of transmitting not only a native screen but also an operation screen including a customization screen to a remote terminal will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the image forming system 1 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a main body side operation screen transition process according to the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating remote terminal side operation screen transition processing according to the third embodiment.

  Note that the processing in steps S11 to S17 in FIG. 11 is the same as the processing in steps S101 to S107 in FIG. Moreover, since the process of step S31-S36 in FIG. 11 and the process of step S131-S136 in FIG. 17 are the same, it abbreviate | omits about the description.

  In the main body side operation screen transition process, the default value of the remote terminal side customization screen transition flag may be a value other than zero.

(Image forming device side processing)
(Step S108)
The main body side operation screen transition process is executed, and the process ends. Details of the main body side operation screen transition process will be described later.

  The end of the above processing is the end of the image forming apparatus side processing shown in FIG. 17 and does not mean that the operation of the MFP 10 itself functioning as the image forming apparatus is ended.

(Remote terminal processing)
(Step S137)
It is determined whether or not the operation screen of the main body side display unit 161 has been changed. When the operation screen of the main body side display unit 161 is changed, the process proceeds to step S138. On the other hand, when the operation screen of the main body side display unit 161 is not changed, step S137 remains.

(Step S138)
The remote terminal side operation screen transition process is executed, and the process ends. The details of the remote terminal side operation screen transition process will be described later.

  The end of the above process is an end of the remote terminal side process shown in FIG. 17 and does not mean that the operation of the information terminal 20 itself functioning as the remote terminal is ended.

(Main unit operation screen transition process)
(Step S151)
It is determined whether or not the operation screen included in the operation information corresponds to the native screen. When the operation screen included in the operation information corresponds to the native screen, the process proceeds to step S160. On the other hand, if the operation screen included in the operation information does not correspond to the native screen, the process proceeds to step S152.

(Step S152)
The correspondence relationship between the customization screen and the native screen is referred to, and the process proceeds to step S153. For example, when the correspondence tables shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are referred to, it is referred whether or not the operation item included in the customization screen corresponds to the operation item included in the native screen.

(Step S153)
The native screen information of the native screen corresponding to the customization screen is updated, and the process proceeds to step S154.

(Step S154)
The updated native screen information is transmitted to the remote terminal, and the process proceeds to step S155. Specifically, an operation screen included in the native screen corresponding to the updated native screen information is generated, and the generated operation screen is transmitted to the remote terminal.

(Step S155)
The customization screen transition process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S156. The customization screen transition process is the process described above with reference to FIG.

(Step S156)
It is determined whether or not the remote terminal side customization screen transition flag is 0. If the remote terminal customization screen transition flag is 0, the process proceeds to step S157. On the other hand, when the remote terminal side customization screen transition flag is not 0, the processing ends.

(Step S157)
The customization screen information of the customization screen currently displayed is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S158.

(Step S158)
An operation screen included in the customization screen is generated based on the acquired customization screen information, and the process proceeds to step S159.

(Step S159)
The operation screen included in the customization screen is transmitted to the remote terminal, and the process ends.

(Step S160)
The remote terminal side customization screen transition flag is set to 0, and the process proceeds to step S155.

  The end of the above process is the end of the main body side operation screen transition process shown in FIG. 18 and does not mean that the operation of the MFP 10 itself functioning as the image forming apparatus is ended.

(Remote terminal side operation screen transition process)
(Step S171)
It is determined whether the updated native screen information has been transmitted. If the updated native screen information has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S172. On the other hand, when the updated native screen information is not transmitted, the process proceeds to step S173.

(Step S172)
The operation screen included in the native screen is transitioned, and the processing ends.

(Step S173)
The operation screen included in the customization screen is transitioned, and the processing is terminated.

  The end of the above process is the end of the remote terminal side operation screen transition process shown in FIG. 19 and does not mean that the operation of the information terminal 20 itself functioning as the remote terminal is ended.

  In the above-described example process, the process from step S101 to step S108 and the process from step S131 to step S138 have been described as being executed sequentially. As it was, it is not limited to this.

  For example, the process for determining whether or not the operation screen has been operated in step S135 is actually determined at a predetermined timing, and the processes in steps S136 to S138 and S106 to S108 are performed each time. After the process of step S108, the process after step S135 will be performed again.

  As described above, in the image forming system 1 according to the third embodiment, the operation screen included in each of the native screen and the customization screen is transmitted to the remote terminal, so that the remote terminal can operate both the native screen and the customization screen. Because it can be displayed, it is possible to visualize the differences between the operation screen included in the native screen and the operation screen included in the customization screen, and can call attention to those remotely operated from the remote terminal .

  As described above, according to the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, when there is a remote access request from the remote terminal, the image forming apparatus transmits the operation screen included in each of the native screen and the customized screen to the remote terminal. .

  As a result, the difference between the operation screen included in the native screen and the operation screen included in the customization screen can be visualized, and a user who is remotely operated from the remote terminal can be alerted.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, descriptions of configurations and functions similar to those of the first to third embodiments are omitted. In the fourth embodiment, a function for displaying the tree information of the customization screen will be described.

  The image forming apparatus transmits tree information of the customization screen to the remote terminal. The tree information includes the route of the operation item. Such a path of operation items indicates a correlation through operation screens of operation items associated according to the transition of the operation screen among the operation items.

  The image forming apparatus transmits tree information including that the operation item corresponding to the remote operation content has been operated to the remote terminal. In the remote terminal, the terminal side display unit 206 displays tree information.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the image forming system 1 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a display example of tree information according to the fourth embodiment. Note that the processing in steps S16 and S17 in FIG. 11 is the same as the processing in steps S183 and S184 in FIG. Further, since the processes in steps S35 and S36 in FIG. 11 and the processes in steps S203 and S204 in FIG. 20 are the same, the description thereof is omitted.

(Image forming device side processing)
(Step S181)
Based on the correspondence table between the native screen and the customization screen, tree information of the operation items included in the customization screen is created, and the process proceeds to step S182.

(Step S182)
The created tree information is transmitted to the remote terminal, and the process proceeds to step S183. For example, the MFP 10 transmits tree information to the information terminal 20 that is the subject of remote operation among the plurality of information terminals 20.

(Step S185)
Tree information including the fact that the operation item corresponding to the operation content has been operated is transmitted to the remote terminal, and the processing ends.

  The end of the above processing is the end of the image forming apparatus side processing shown in FIG. 20, and does not mean that the operation of the MFP 10 itself functioning as the image forming apparatus is ended.

(Remote terminal processing)
(Step S201)
Tree information is received, and the process proceeds to step S202. For example, the information terminal 20 receives tree information transmitted from the MFP 10 that is the target of remote operation among the plurality of MFPs 10.

(Step S202)
The received tree information is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S203.

(Step S205)
The updated tree information is received, and the process proceeds to step S204.

(Step S206)
The received tree information is displayed, and the process ends. Specifically, the tree information received via the terminal side communication unit 208 is displayed by the terminal side display unit 206.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 21, “punch” is shaded to indicate that the operation item corresponding to the operation content has been operated. Note that when other operation items are operated, the other operation items are similarly displayed in a shaded manner. For example, when the “color mode” operation item is operated, the “color mode” is shaded.

  In the customization screen shown in FIG. 21, an operation screen including operation items “scan”, “setting”, and “copy” is provided below the “main menu”. The “copy” operation screen includes operation items of “color mode”, “single / double-sided”, “paper size”, “image quality”, “combination”, and “other settings”. The operation screen for “other settings” includes operation items for “punch” and “background removal”.

  In short, the tree information is obtained by visualizing operation items at a hierarchical level for each operation screen. In the example of FIG. 21, as it goes to the left side, it represents an upper hierarchy, but the arrangement configuration to be visualized is not particularly limited. For example, it may be an arrangement that represents a higher hierarchy as it goes upward. Moreover, the arrangement | positioning structure showing an upper hierarchy may be sufficient as it goes to the center from the outer side.

  The end of the above process is an end of the remote terminal side process shown in FIG. 20, and does not mean that the operation of the information terminal 20 itself functioning as the remote terminal is ended.

  As described above, in the image forming system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the tree information including the route of the operation item can visualize the route until the operation item corresponding to the remote operation content performed most recently is performed. It becomes easier to identify the cause of failure.

  As described above, according to the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus transmits tree information of the customization screen to the remote terminal, and the tree information includes the path of the operation item, and the path of the operation item is Of the operation items, the correlation through the operation screen of the operation items associated according to the transition of the operation screen is shown.

  As a result, it is possible to visualize the route to the operation item corresponding to the content of the remote operation performed most recently.

  Further, according to the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus transmits tree information including the fact that the operation item corresponding to the remote operation content is operated to the remote terminal, and displays the terminal side display. Unit 206 displays tree information.

  Thereby, it becomes easy to identify the cause of failure during maintenance.

  As described above, the image forming system 1 according to the present invention has been described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, an example of the image forming system 1 in which a network by the MFP 10 functioning as an image forming apparatus is configured has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the components of the network constituting the image forming system 1 function as an image forming apparatus. Anything is acceptable. For example, a printer or a facsimile functioning as an image forming apparatus may be a component of a network constituting the image forming system 1.

  Further, although an example in which each of the main body side display unit 161 and the terminal side display unit 206 is formed of a liquid crystal display device has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be formed of an organic ELD (Electro-Luminescence Display).

  Further, although an example in which the CD-ROM 118 is used as a recording medium for storing a program executed by the main body side control unit 111 has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an optical disc, an IC card, an optical card, a mask ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Disc), Also, a semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically EPROM) may be used.

  Further, although an example in which the program executed by the main body side control unit 111 is a program stored in the CD-ROM 118 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program stored in the HDD 115 may be loaded into the RAM 114 and executed. Good. In this case, another computer (not shown) connected to the communication medium 3 may rewrite the program stored in the HDD 115 of the MFP 10 or may write a new program. Further, the MFP 10 may download a program from another computer (not shown) connected to the communication medium 3 and store the downloaded program in the HDD 115. Such a program is not limited to a program directly executable by the main body side control unit 111 but may be a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, or the like.

  Further, although an example in which the storage unit 203 is used as a recording medium for storing a program executed by the CPU 201 has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the optical disk, IC card, optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Disc), and EEPROM (Electrically). It may be a semiconductor memory such as an EPROM.

  Further, another computer (not shown) connected to the communication medium 3 may rewrite the program stored in the storage unit 203 of the information terminal 20 or may write a new program in addition. Further, the information terminal 20 may download a program from another computer (not shown) connected to the communication medium 3 and store the downloaded program in the storage unit 203. Such a program is not limited to a program that can be directly executed by the CPU 201, but may be a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, or the like.

  Further, although an example has been described in which the information terminal 20 can communicate with each of the MFPs 10a to 10c by using the terminal-side communication unit 208, the present invention is not limited to this, and other communication forms may be used. For example, when each of the information terminal 20 and the MFPs 10a to 10c is equipped with a short-range wireless communication device such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), the information terminal 20 communicates with any one of the MFPs 10a to 10c on a one-to-one basis. May be. Further, for example, the information terminal 20 is connected to any one of the MFPs 10a to 10c by connecting the information terminal 20 and any one of the MFPs 10a to 10c with a wire such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. One-to-one communication may be performed.

  Further, the number of MFPs 10 that are remotely operated by the information terminal 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the information terminal 20a may remotely operate five MFPs 10, and the information terminal 20b may remotely operate three MFPs 10. Further, the same MFP 10 may be remotely operated by the information terminal 20a and the information terminal 20b.

  In this case, for example, when the information terminal 20a remotely operates the MFP 10a, the information terminal 20b is set to the remote operation prohibited state of the MFP 10a, and when the information terminal 20b remotely operates the MFP 10a, the information terminal 20a is disabled to the remote operation of the MFP 10a. It only has to be set. That is, it is only necessary to perform exclusive control.

  In addition, since the control at the time of accessing the same resource from the some information terminal 20 can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art, the description about the detail is abbreviate | omitted.

  In this embodiment, an example in which one information terminal 20 communicates with the MFP 10 with which communication is directly established has been described, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the MFP 10c may be remotely controlled from the information terminal 20b by the information terminal 20b communicating with the MFP 10c via the information terminal 20a. In this case, the information terminal 20a functions as a relay to relay communication between the information terminal 20b and the MFP 10c.

  Similarly, for example, the information terminal 20a may be configured to be remotely controlled from the information terminal 20a by communicating with the MFP 10c via the information terminal 20b. In this case, the information terminal 20b functions as a relay to relay communication between the information terminal 20a and the MFP 10c.

  In other words, any device that can communicate with the remote operation subject and the remote operation target and that can be remotely operated is acceptable, and in the network configuration, there is a logical connection between the remote operation subject and the remote operation target. Is not particularly limited.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which operation items in an inoperable state are shaded has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the brightness of the operation items in the inoperable state and the operation items in the inoperable state may be reduced and displayed so that the two can be clearly distinguished. That is, any display that clearly visualizes the operation items in the inoperable state may be used.

  Although not described in the present embodiment, when the information terminal 20 and the MFP 10 start communication, authentication processing using a password or the like is executed, and connection authentication between the information terminal 20 and the MFP 10 is permitted. In such a case, communication between the information terminal 20 and the MFP 10 may be established.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the operation item has already been operated when the tree information is displayed has been described as being shaded. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a coloration different from other operation items may be used to indicate that the operation item has already been operated. Further, the corresponding operation item may be blinked to indicate that the operation item has already been operated.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which operation items not related to the corresponding operation item are displayed when the tree information is displayed has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the display of operation items not related to the corresponding operation item may be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the tree information has been described as an example that is displayed every time the operation content is updated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tree information may always be displayed together with the operation screen, or the tree display button may be displayed by the terminal side display unit 206 of the remote terminal, and may be displayed when the tree display button is operated.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the tree information is based on the customization screen has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, both tree information based on the customization screen and tree information based on the native screen may be displayed in conjunction with each other, or one of them may be selectively displayed.

  Further, the various flags described in the present embodiment are examples, and are not limited to these. In short, it is only necessary that the conditional branch as described above can be performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 3 Communication medium 10, 10a-10c MFP
110 Main circuit 111 Main body side control unit 112 Network connection unit 113 ROM
114 RAM
115 HDD
116 Facsimile part 117 External storage device 118 CD-ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Automatic document feeder 130 Document reading part 140 Image forming part 150 Paper feed part 160 Operation panel 161 Main body side display part 163 Main body side operation part 165 Touch panel 167 Hard key part 20, 20a, 20b Information terminal 201 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 203 Memory | storage part 206 Terminal side display part 207 Terminal side operation part 208 Terminal side communication part 211 Touch panel 212 Hard key part 30 Radio station 51 Remote operation control part 53 Operation screen control part 61 Operation screen notification part 62 Operation information reception part 71 Native screen Control unit 72 Customized screen control unit 81 Terminal-side display control unit 83 Coordinate detection unit 84 Calculation unit 85 Operation information notification unit

Claims (8)

A remote terminal,
An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the remote terminal,
The remote terminal is
A terminal-side display unit for displaying a terminal-side display screen;
A terminal-side communication unit that transmits operation information based on remote-side operation contents operated via the terminal-side display screen displayed on the terminal-side display unit to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A main body side display unit for displaying the main body side display screen;
A main body side control unit that transitions the main body side display screen to be displayed on the main body side display unit according to the operation information transmitted by the terminal side communication unit,
Image forming system. The main body side display section is
As the display screen on the main body side, at least one of a native screen which is a default setting and a customized screen obtained by editing the native screen can be displayed.
Each of the native screen and the customization screen is
Includes multiple operation screens that are correlated with each other,
The operation screen is
Including operation items that accept operations,
The main body side controller is
Main body side operation content that can be operated through the main body side display screen when the operation item selected through the terminal side display screen among the operation items exists as the operation item included in the customization screen The operation screen included in the customization screen is transitioned until the operation item corresponding to the remote side operation content performed most recently is reached among the operation items corresponding to
The image forming system according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus includes:
When there is a remote access request from the remote terminal, the operation screen included in the native screen including the setting contents in which the operation items that are present on the native screen and are not present on the customization screen are set in an inoperable state To the remote terminal,
The image forming system according to claim 2. The image forming apparatus includes:
When there is a remote access request from the remote terminal, the operation screen included in each of the native screen and the customization screen is transmitted to the remote terminal.
The image forming system according to claim 2. The image forming apparatus includes:
Send the customization screen tree information to the remote terminal;
The tree information is
The route of the operation item is included,
The route of the operation item is
Of the operation items, showing a correlation through the operation screen of the operation items associated according to the transition of the operation screen,
The image forming system according to claim 3 or 4. The image forming apparatus includes:
Sending the tree information including the fact that the operation item corresponding to the remote side operation content has been operated to the remote terminal;
The terminal side display unit
Displaying the tree information;
The image forming system according to claim 5. A main body side display unit for displaying the main body side display screen;
The main body display screen is displayed on a terminal side display screen of a remote terminal, and the main body side display unit displays the main body side display screen according to operation information based on the remote side operation content operated via the terminal side display screen. Including a main body side control unit for transitioning the side display screen,
Image forming apparatus. A computer for controlling the image forming apparatus;
A main body side display unit for displaying the main body side display screen;
The main body display screen is displayed on a terminal side display screen of a remote terminal, and the main body side display unit displays the main body side display screen according to operation information based on the remote side operation content operated via the terminal side display screen. A main body side control unit for transitioning the side display screen,
Program to function as.