JP2019106625A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to check the behavior of a function owned by an option device in an unusable state and change the settings related to the function.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises a display control unit 104 that, when an instruction receiving unit 101 receives an instruction to display a function owned by an option device in a unusable state, displays the function owned by the option device recognized as a unusable state on a display unit 473 according to a result of detection performed by a detection unit 102, and when the instruction receiving unit 101 does not receive the display instruction, does not display the function owned by the option device recognized as unusable state on the display unit 473.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of connecting optional devices.

  Among image forming apparatuses, there is an apparatus capable of upgrading the apparatus configuration as a multifunction peripheral capable of executing a facsimile function by connecting an optional apparatus such as a FAX board. In the image forming apparatus, a home screen for individually calling functions (for example, a copy function and a printer function) of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display unit. The functions possessed by the optional device for connection are not displayed on the display unit. And, as a matter of course, it is not possible to execute the function possessed by the optional device which is not available. In some image forming apparatuses, when the user performs job editing work, a warning screen appears frequently if the editing matches an unexecutable condition called a prohibition condition, but the warning screen appears frequently. And the operability is reduced. Therefore, in Patent Document 1 below, it is proposed to avoid the frequent display of the warning screen by canceling the prohibition condition appropriately.

JP, 2011-043889, A

  However, until the optional device is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the behavior (for example, the operation procedure) of the function of the optional device can not be confirmed or the setting change related to the function can not be performed. It is inconvenient. For example, although the main body of the image forming apparatus has already arrived, the FAX board as an optional device has not arrived, so the operation procedure of the facsimile function can not be confirmed or the telephone number can not be registered. Is inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the user can confirm the behavior of the function or change the setting regarding the function even if the function is possessed by the optional device which is not available. The purpose is to

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus to which one or more optional devices can be connected, and an instruction receiving unit that receives an operation instruction from a user, a display unit, and a main image forming. The display control unit displays on the display unit a setting screen for displaying a function executable by the apparatus on the display unit and receiving a setting change request for each of the various functions, and the display screen displays the setting screen. A change unit that changes setting contents when the instruction reception unit receives the change request, a control unit that executes the function instructed to execute when the instruction reception unit receives an execution instruction of the function, and various types A detector for detecting whether or not the optional device is available, and software for the optional device for operating the optional device are stored separately for each optional device. A storage unit, and the display control unit is configured to, according to the optional device software stored in the storage unit, the function of the optional device being detected as being usable by the detection unit; If the instruction receiving unit receives a display instruction for a function of the optional device which is displayed on a display unit and is not detected as being usable by the detection unit, the instruction receiving unit is not in the usable state. The function of the optional device being detected is displayed on the display unit.

  According to the present invention, when the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to display a function of an optional device that is not available (for example, when the user desires to display a function of an unconnected optional device) The function of the optional device which is not available is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, even for the function possessed by the optional device which is not in the usable state, it is possible to confirm the behavior of the function and change the setting regarding the function based on the display.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) and (B) are figures which showed an example of the operation screen which shows each function which can be performed with an image forming apparatus. It is a figure showing an example of the operation screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure showing an example of the operation screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure showing an example of the operation screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure showing an example of the operation screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure showing an example of the operation screen displayed on a display part. (A) and (B) are the figures which showed an example of the operation screen displayed on a display part.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as, for example, a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, and an operation unit 47. The optional devices (for example, the facsimile communication unit 71 and the network interface unit 91) can be connected. Here, although the network interface unit 91 is connected to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the case where the facsimile communication section 71 is not connected to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

  The case where the document reading operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document conveyed by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on a platen glass, and generates image data. Image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory or the like (not shown).

  The case where the image forming operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. As a recording medium fed from the paper feed unit 14 based on the image data generated by the document reading operation, the image data received from the computer as the external device 20 connected to the network, etc. A toner image is formed on a recording sheet.

  The fixing unit 13 fixes the toner image on the recording sheet by thermocompression bonding, and the recording sheet subjected to the fixing process is discharged to a discharge tray. The sheet feeding unit 14 includes a sheet feeding cassette.

  The operation unit 47 receives, from the operator, an instruction such as an image forming operation execution instruction for various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance and the like to the operator. The display unit 473 is a touch panel, and the operator can operate the image forming apparatus 1 by touching a button or a key displayed on the screen.

  The facsimile communication unit 71 includes an encoding / decoding unit, a modulation / demodulation unit and an NCU (Network Control Unit), which are not shown, and performs facsimile transmission using a public telephone network or the like. The facsimile communication unit 71 is an optional device connectable to the image forming apparatus 1 and is configured of, for example, a FAX board. In the present embodiment, the facsimile communication unit 71 is not connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and is not in a usable state.

  The network interface unit 91 transmits / receives various data to / from an external device 20 such as an electronic device or a server in a local area or on the Internet. Similarly to the facsimile communication unit 71, the network interface unit 91 is also an optional device connectable to the image forming apparatus 1, and is configured of, for example, a LAN board. In the present embodiment, the network interface unit 91 is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and is in a usable state.

  The control unit 10 is configured to include a processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a micro processing unit (MPU) or the like. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100, an instruction receiving unit 101, a detection unit 102, a storage unit 103, a display control unit 104, a change unit 105, and an output unit 106.

  When the processor operates in accordance with a control program stored in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) not shown, the control unit 10 controls the control unit 100, the instruction receiving unit 101, the detecting unit 102, the storage unit 103, and the display control unit. It functions as the change unit 105 and the output unit 106. However, the control unit 100, the instruction receiving unit 101, the detection unit 102, the display control unit 104, the change unit 105, and the output unit 106 are each configured by a hardware circuit regardless of the above operation according to the control program by the processor. It is also possible. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise noted.

  The control unit 100 is in charge of overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feeding unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the sheet feeding unit 14, the operation unit 47, the facsimile communication unit 71, and the network interface unit 91. Drive control etc. For example, when the instruction receiving unit 101 receives an instruction to execute a function of the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 100 executes the instructed function.

  The instruction receiving unit 101 receives an operation instruction from a user via the operation unit 47.

  The detection unit 102 detects whether or not various optional devices (for example, the facsimile communication unit 71 and the network interface unit 91) can be used. For example, the detection unit 102 determines whether the optional device can be used by determining whether the facsimile communication unit 71 as an example of the optional device is connected to the device body of the image forming apparatus 1 or not. To detect

  The storage unit 103 is, for example, a memory incorporated in the control unit 10, and software for an optional device (control program for operating the optional device when various optional devices are connected to the device body of the image forming device 1). In order to receive from the user an operation instruction necessary for function execution, various screen data etc. to be displayed on the display section 473 are stored separately for each optional device. For example, the control unit 10 executes the optional device software, and the control unit 100 and the display control unit 104 execute the function of the optional device corresponding to the software.

  In addition, the control unit 10 uses the optional device software for the FAX board, and the behavior of the facsimile function that the FAX board has, even if the FAX board (for executing the facsimile function) is not connected to the main body of the device. The display unit 473 performs processing such as displaying (for example, an operation procedure), accepting from the user the setting content relating to the facsimile function, or displaying the accepted content on the display unit 473. As a matter of course, when the instruction receiving unit 101 receives an instruction to execute the facsimile function via the operation unit 47 when the FAX board is not connected, the control unit 10 does not execute the facsimile function. .

  The display control unit 104 controls the operation of the display unit 473. For example, the display control unit 104 causes the display unit 473 to display a screen indicating the function of the image forming apparatus 1 and displays, on the display unit 473, a setting screen for receiving a change request for setting regarding each function by various optional devices. Do.

  When the instruction receiving unit 101 receives a setting change instruction during display of the setting screen on the display unit 473, the changing unit 105 changes the setting content related to the function of the optional device according to the setting change instruction.

  The output unit 106 outputs, to the outside, setting information indicating setting contents regarding each function of the various optional devices. For example, the output unit 106 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 to print a setting content list in which the setting content is listed on a recording medium. Alternatively, the output unit 106 may transmit information indicating the setting content list to the predetermined external device 20 via the network interface unit 91, or may control the display unit 473 to display the setting content list. I do.

  FIGS. 2A and 2B show an example of an operation screen showing each function that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. When a FAX board (facsimile communication unit 71) as an optional device is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the display control unit 104 can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 2A. A screen having a copy button B1, a box save button B2, a send button B3, an external memory button B4, a fax button B5, a function setting button B6, and a display setting button B7 is displayed on the display unit 473 as the operation screen D1 showing various functions. Let Copy button B1, box save button B2, send button B3, external memory button B4, and fax button B5 are screens for setting the operation of the copy function, box save function, send function, external memory function, and facsimile function, respectively. It is a button for accepting an instruction to call.

  On the other hand, when the FAX board (facsimile communication unit 71) as an optional device is not connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the display control unit 104 is configured as shown in FIG. The operation screen D2 showing executable functions is a screen having a copy button B1, a box save button B2, a send button B3, an external memory button B4, a function setting button B6, and a display setting button B7, and the fax button B5 A screen not included is displayed on the display unit 473. As a result, when the FAX board (facsimile communication unit 71) is not connected to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the operation for the facsimile function can not be performed. The facsimile communication unit 71 is an optional device connectable to the image forming apparatus 1 and is configured of, for example, a FAX board. In the present embodiment, the facsimile communication unit 71 is not connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and is not in a usable state.

  Also, the function setting button B6 is a button for receiving an instruction to request a change of setting regarding each of the various functions. The display setting button B7 is a button for receiving an instruction to change the display mode of the function displayed on the display unit 473.

  The display control unit 104 receives, from the user via the operation unit 47, a display instruction of the function of the optional device for the optional device which is not connected to the main body of the device and can not be used. At this time, even if the FAX board (facsimile communication unit 71) is not connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the display unit 473 displays the operation screen D1 (FIG. 2A) having the fax button B5.

  Here, when display control button 104 is pressed by the user at the time of display of operation screen D1 or D2 and the instruction reception unit 101 receives a request for changing the display screen displayed on display unit 473, the display control unit 104 is shown in FIG. An operation screen D3 whose example is shown in 3 is displayed on the display unit 473. The operation screen D3 has a selection button B11 marked as "display only usable functions" and a selection button marked "display functions which optional devices which are not in an available state have, together with usable functions". B12, and a selection button B13 marked as "display only the function possessed by the optional device which is not in the usable state".

  The selection button B11 is a button for receiving from the user an instruction to cause the display unit 473 to display only the usable functions of the image forming apparatus 1 when displaying various functions on the display unit 473. When the selection button B11 is selected on the operation screen D3, the instruction receiving unit 101 receives from the user an instruction to cause the display unit 473 to display only the usable functions of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The selection button B12 instructs the display unit 473 to display not only the usable functions of the image forming apparatus 1 but also the functions of optional devices that are not usable when displaying various functions on the display unit 473. Is a button for accepting from the user. When various buttons are displayed on display portion 473 when selection button B12 is selected on operation screen D3, not only usable functions of image forming apparatus 1 but also functions of optional devices not in usable state are displayed. The instruction accepting unit 101 accepts an instruction to be displayed on the display unit 473 from the user.

  When displaying various functions on the display unit 473, the selection button B13 does not display available functions of the image forming apparatus 1 and causes the display unit 473 to display only functions of optional devices that are not usable. It is a button for accepting an instruction from the user. When various buttons are displayed on display portion 473 when selection button B13 is selected on operation screen D3, functions available to the image forming apparatus 1 are not displayed, and functions of optional devices not in the usable state are displayed. The instruction accepting unit 101 accepts from the user an instruction to display only the display unit 473.

  That is, depending on which of the selection buttons B11 to B13 is operated by the user, which one of the function setting screens D4 to D7 (FIGS. 4 to 6) described later is to be displayed on the display unit 473 is set. Be done.

  For example, in the case where instruction reception unit 101 receives an instruction for causing display portion 473 to display only the usable functions possessed by image forming apparatus 1 from the user, the user operates selection button B11 on operation screen D3. When the function setting button B6 in the operation screen D2 (FIG. 2) is operated by the user and the instruction receiving unit 101 receives a request to change settings relating to each of the various functions, the display control unit 104 detects the detection result by the detection unit 102. The display unit 473 does not display the function possessed by the optional device recognized as not usable by the display unit 473, and displays only the usable function possessed by the image forming apparatus 1 on the display unit 473 as usual. For example, when the facsimile communication unit 71 is not connected to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the display control unit 104 displays an operation screen D 4 as shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 473. The copy setting button B21, the printer setting button B23, the network setting button B24, the scanner setting button B25, and the common setting button B26 are displayed on the operation screen D4 prompting the user to select a function for receiving detailed settings regarding the operation content. The button indicating the facsimile function which is not in the possible state is not displayed.

  On the other hand, when the user operates selection button B12 or selection button B13 on operation screen D3 and the instruction receiving unit 101 receives an instruction to display a function possessed by an optional device that is not usable, the operation screen is thereafter displayed. When D2 (FIG. 2) is displayed on the display unit 473, when the function setting button B6 is operated by the user and the instruction receiving unit 101 receives a change request for setting regarding each of the various functions, the display control unit 104 In accordance with the detection result by the detection unit 102, the display unit 473 displays a screen that displays the function possessed by the optional device recognized as not usable, in the same manner as the usable function.

  First, the case where the selection button B12 (FIG. 3) is pressed will be described. When selection button B12 is pressed, instruction accepting portion 101 displays on the display portion 473 the first mode (available functions of image forming apparatus 1 as well as functions of optional devices that are not available. Accept the setting of the display mode). When the operation screen D2 (FIG. 2) is displayed on the display unit 473 in the state where it is received as described above, when the function setting button B6 on the operation screen D2 is pressed, a change request for setting regarding each of various functions When the instruction receiving unit 101 receives the command, the display control unit 104 displays an operation screen D5 as shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 473.

  For example, even if the FAX board (facsimile communication unit 71) is not connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the display control unit 104 causes the display unit 473 to display the operation screen D5 having the fax setting button B22. The display control unit 104 may display the fax setting button B22 in a different form from the other buttons, for example, by graying out, in order to differentiate the other buttons.

  Subsequently, a case where the selection button B13 (FIG. 3) is pressed will be described. When selection button B13 is pressed, instruction accepting unit 101 does not display the second mode (displayable functions of image forming apparatus 1 are available, and displays functions of optional devices not in usable state on display 473). Accept the setting of the display mode). When the operation screen D2 (FIG. 2) is displayed on the display unit 473 in the state of such reception, when the function setting button B6 on the operation screen D2 is pressed, the display control unit 104 forms an image. The display unit 473 does not display the usable functions of the device 1 and displays, on the display unit 473, the functions of the optional device recognized as not usable by the detection result of the detection unit 102.

  For example, when the only option device not connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is the FAX board (facsimile communication unit 71), the display control unit 104 causes the display unit 473 to display the operation screen D7 whose example is shown in FIG. Display. Only the fax setting button B22 is displayed on the operation screen D7.

  Here, when the fax setting button B22 on the operation screen D5 (FIG. 5) or the operation screen D7 (FIG. 6) is pressed, and the instruction receiving unit 101 receives a change request for setting regarding the facsimile function, the display control unit 104 selects the facsimile function. The display unit 473 displays a fax setting screen related to the. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the fax setting screen.

  The operation screen D8 as a fax setting screen is a screen for receiving settings of transmission source information, redial on / off, and communication speed. When the instruction receiving unit 101 receives a setting change via the operation unit 47 while the operation screen D8 is displayed, the changing unit 105 changes the setting content of the facsimile function in accordance with the received setting change instruction. The changed content is stored, for example, in the storage unit 103. That is, even if the optional device is not connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the changing unit 105 changes the setting change regarding the function of the optional device and stores the changed setting in the storage unit 103.

  In addition, since the setting change regarding the option apparatus which can not be used is a thing which was not able to be made conventionally, confusion may occur if a general user can freely. Therefore, the instruction accepting unit 101 accepts the setting change by the user having the administrator authority regarding the function possessed by the optional device which is not in the usable state, but does not accept the setting change by the general user who does not have the administrator authority. The changing unit 105 may perform the above-described change only in accordance with a setting change instruction from a user having administrator authority. The instruction receiving unit 101 determines whether the user has administrator authority or a general user based on identification information input at login.

  When the selection button B12 or B13 (FIG. 3) is pressed, and the instruction receiving unit 101 receives the setting of the first mode or the second mode, the display control unit 104 displays the home screen (FIG. When B) is displayed on the display unit 473, even if the FAX board (facsimile communication unit 71) is not connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the display control unit 104 is shown in FIG. Instead of the operation screen D2, the operation screen D1 shown in FIG. At this time, the display control unit 104 may form gray-out to differentiate the fax button B5 from other buttons.

  Next, when the operation screen D1 is displayed, a screen for setting the operation of the facsimile function by the facsimile communication unit 71 which is an optional device that is not available in the image forming apparatus 1 by the operation of the operation screen D1 is described. A case where an instruction to call is given will be described.

  When operation screen D1 is displayed on display portion 473, when fax button B5 on operation screen D1 is pressed and instruction accepting portion 101 accepts an instruction to call a screen for setting the operation of the facsimile function, The display control unit 104 causes the display unit 473 to display an operation screen D9 as a fax execution screen, an example of which is shown in FIG. 8A by the above-described software for option device (for facsimile function).

  The operation screen D9 is a screen for receiving from the user an instruction to set transmission destination information, redial on / off, and a communication speed. Further, the operation screen D9 has an execution time designation button B41 described as "timer transmission". The execution time designation button B41 is a button for receiving a display instruction of the operation screen D10 for designating the execution time of the facsimile function.

  In a state where the operation screen D9 as a fax execution screen is displayed on the display unit 473, the control unit 100 operates the facsimile communication unit when the operation unit 47 is operated and the instruction reception unit 101 receives a facsimile transmission execution instruction. Since the 71 is not connected, the facsimile function is not executed. At this time, the display control unit 104 causes the display unit 473 to display an error screen.

  When the execution time designation button B41 is pressed and the instruction reception unit 101 receives a designation request for the execution time of the facsimile function, the display control unit 104 displays an operation screen D10 as shown in FIG. 8B. In the operation screen D10, a field for setting a "transmission time" which is an execution time of the facsimile function is displayed. Based on the user's operation on this field, the instruction receiving unit 101 receives the setting of the transmission time. That is, the control unit 100 stores, for example, the setting of the transmission time accepted in this manner in the storage unit 103.

  Then, when the transmission time (execution time) for the function of the optional device which is not in the usable state is reached, control unit 100 receives instruction reception unit 101 in advance from the user. According to a selection instruction to select one of the four processes, one of the first to fourth processes shown below is performed.

  The first process for deleting the execution instruction of the function (facsimile function in this example) accepted at this time and not leaving a record indicating that the function is not performed as a log

  The second process of deleting the execution instruction of the function accepted at this time and leaving a record indicating that the function is not executed as a log

  While notifying a predetermined contact that execution of the function accepted at this time has not been completed, while the optional device for executing the function continues to be in an unusable state, A third process for periodically sending a notification to the contact,

  While notifying a predetermined contact that the execution of the function accepted at this time has not been completed, if the optional device that executes the function continues to be in an unusable state, 4th process of canceling execution instruction

  When the fourth process is performed, when the FAX board (facsimile communication unit 71) is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 later, facsimile transmission is immediately performed according to the contents stored in the storage unit 103. Becomes possible.

  The notification to the predetermined contact address is performed by the control unit 100 transmitting an e-mail to an external computer indicated by a predetermined e-mail address via the network interface unit 91, the Internet, or the like.

  Further, since the specification of the execution time for the function possessed by the optional device which is not in the usable state can not be performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the first place, confusion may occur if general users can freely perform it. It is not desirable that general users can freely specify. Therefore, it is preferable that the instruction accepting unit 101 accepts specification of the execution time by a user having administrator authority but does not accept specification of the execution time by a general user who does not have administrator authority. The instruction receiving unit 101 determines whether the user has administrator authority or a general user based on identification information input at login.

  According to the above-described embodiment, when the instruction receiving unit 101 receives a display instruction of the function possessed by the optional device which is not in the usable state (that is, when the user desires the display of the function possessed by the unconnected optional device). Even in this case, the function possessed by the optional device which is not in the usable state is displayed on the display unit 473, and the setting of the operation of the function is accepted. Therefore, with respect to the function possessed by the optional device which is not available, even if the optional device is not yet connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 if the user desires, the optional device has The behavior of the function (for example, the operation procedure) can be confirmed, and the setting change related to the function can be performed.

  As a result, part of the operation (setting for operation etc.) which could not be done until the option device was connected can be performed before connection of the option device in the prior art. Work can be reduced, and work efficiency can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, when the instruction receiving unit 101 receives a display instruction of a function of an optional device not in the usable state, the function of the optional device not in the usable state is displayed on the display unit 473. However, the image forming apparatus 1 may further perform the following processing together with this.

  For example, when the instruction receiving unit 101 receives a display instruction of a function possessed by an optional device not in the usable state, the output unit 106 can be used together with setting information indicating setting contents regarding the function possessed by the available optional device. Outputs the setting information indicating the setting contents of the function of the optional device which is not in the abnormal state to the outside.

  For example, (i) the output unit 106 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 to set information indicating the setting contents of the function of the usable optional device and the function of the optional device which is not available. Print the setting content list in which the setting contents indicated by the setting information indicating the setting contents relating to the list are recorded on the recording medium (ii) the output unit 106 is a predetermined external device via the network interface unit 91 20. The setting content list is sent to the display 20, or (iii) the output unit 106 performs control such as displaying the setting content list on the display unit 473, etc. to perform the output to the outside.

  Furthermore, when the instruction receiving unit 101 receives a display instruction of the function of the available option device, the output unit 106 outputs the setting information indicating the setting content of the usable function to the outside for use. The setting information indicating the setting contents regarding the function of the optional device which is not in the possible state may not be output to the outside.

  For example, (i) the output unit 106 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 to list the setting contents based only on the setting information indicating the setting contents regarding the function of the available optional device. (Ii) the output unit 106 causes the network interface unit 91 to print the content list on the recording medium, and the setting content list for the function of the optional device that can be used for the predetermined external device 20 And (iii) the output unit 106 performs the output to the outside by performing control such as displaying on the display unit 473 the setting content list for the function of the available optional device.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Further, in the above embodiment, although the multifunction machine is described as one embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, this is merely an example, and, for example, another image such as a copier, a printer, or a facsimile It may be a forming device.

  Further, the configurations and processes described in the above embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 8 are only embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the configurations and processes.

1 image forming apparatus 100 control unit 101 instruction reception unit 102 detection unit 103 storage unit 104 display control unit 105 change unit 106 output unit 473 display unit

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus capable of connecting one or more optional devices, comprising:
An instruction receiving unit that receives an operation instruction from a user;
A display unit,
A display control unit that displays on the display unit functions that can be executed by the image forming apparatus, and displays on the display unit a setting screen for receiving a setting change request related to each of the various functions;
A change unit that changes setting contents when the instruction receiving unit receives the change request while the setting screen is displayed;
A control unit that executes the function instructed when the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to execute the function;
A detection unit that detects whether or not various optional devices are available;
A storage unit for storing optional device software for operating the optional device separately for each optional device;
The display control unit causes the display unit to display a function of an optional device detected as being usable by the detection unit based on the optional device software stored in the storage unit. When the instruction receiving unit receives a display instruction on a function possessed by the optional device that is not detected as being usable by the detection unit, the optional device is detected as not being usable. An image forming apparatus for displaying the function of the display unit on the display unit. The instruction receiving unit selectively receives, from the user, an instruction to set a first mode or a second mode for a display mode in which the display unit displays the function of the optional device not in the usable state,
When the instruction receiving unit receives the setting of the first mode, the display control unit includes, in the display unit, the function of the optional device which is not in the usable state, together with the function of the optional device which is usable. Display
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the instruction receiving unit receives the setting of the second mode, only the function of the optional device which is not in the usable state is displayed on the display unit.   The instruction accepting unit accepts a setting change by a user having administrator authority and does not accept a setting change by a general user who does not have administrator authority with respect to the function possessed by the optional device which is not in the usable state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The apparatus further includes an output unit that performs control to externally output setting information indicating setting contents of each of various functions,
The output unit is
When the instruction accepting unit receives an instruction to display a function of the optional device not in the usable state, the instruction not in the usable state together with the setting information indicating the setting content of the function of the usable optional device. Output the setting information indicating the setting contents of the function of the optional device to the outside,
When the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to display a function of the usable optional device, the setting information indicating the setting content of the function of the usable optional device is output to the outside, and can be used. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the setting information indicating setting contents regarding the function possessed by the optional device is not output to the outside. The instruction accepting unit accepts from the user an instruction to execute each function of the optional device in the usable state and the optional device not in the usable state and a specification of an execution time to execute the function.
The control unit executes the function possessed by the optional device in the usable state at the designated time, and does not execute the function possessed by the optional device not in the usable state. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   The instruction accepting unit is configured to accept specification of an execution time by a user having administrator authority and not to specify an execution time by a user not having administrator authority with respect to a function possessed by the optional device which is not available. 6. An image forming apparatus according to item 5. When the execution time for the function of the optional device which is not in the usable state comes, the control unit follows the selection instruction from the user accepted by the instruction accepting unit.
A first process of deleting the execution instruction of the function and not leaving a record not performing the function as a log.
A second process of deleting the execution instruction of the function and leaving a record not performing the function as a log;
In addition to notifying a predetermined contact that execution of the function has not been completed, the notification is periodically sent to the contact while the optional device continues to be unavailable. Third treatment,
Informing a predetermined contact that execution of the function has not been completed, and executing the function of the optional device which is not available when the optional device continues to be unavailable. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one of a fourth process of canceling an instruction and designation of an execution time for executing the function is performed.