JP3847968B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming apparatus control method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control method and a display method of an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as copying, facsimile, and printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, such a function that an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions transmits and displays a message corresponding to each function from an external host computer has not been realized.
[0003]
For this reason, for example, when one of a plurality of functions breaks down, it cannot be effectively communicated to the user even though other functions can actually be used. And information such as maintenance notices are pasted on the main body of the image forming apparatus or mail is sent to the user.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, conventionally, the work for transmitting a message such as a failure or a maintenance notice to the user is complicated, the burden on the administrator of the image forming apparatus is increased, and the message transmission is delayed or not reliably transmitted. There was also.
[0005]
In addition, although the image forming apparatus is equipped with various functions for reducing costs (power saving, toner saving) and the like, it is easy for the administrator to install these functions. There is also a problem in that it cannot be transmitted to the user reliably and quickly, and those functions cannot be effectively utilized.
[0006]
The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to enable easy, reliable, and quick transmission of a message such as a failure or a maintenance notice to a user.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention has a display unit that displays display contents related to an operation being executed, and displays message data and the message data from the computer in an image forming apparatus connected to the computer. Specification information to specify the area and Information indicating whether or not to erase the display of the message data in the image forming apparatus; Receiving means, and display control means for displaying the message data received by the receiving means on the display unit, the display control means being specified by the designation information received by the receiving means The message data is displayed in a predetermined display area of the display unit. The receiving means controls to accept a user instruction for erasing the displayed message data when receiving information indicating that the erasure of the message data is not prohibited, and the receiving means When receiving information indicating that the deletion of the message data is prohibited, control is performed so that an instruction from the user for deleting the display of the displayed message data cannot be accepted. It is configured as follows.
[0008]
The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus having a display unit for displaying display contents related to an operation being executed and connected to a computer Control method The message data from the computer and designation information for designating an area for displaying the message data; Information indicating whether or not to erase the display of the message data in the image forming apparatus; And a display control step for displaying the message data received in the reception step on the display unit, wherein the display control step is designated by the designation information received in the reception step. The message data is displayed in a predetermined display area of the display unit. And, when receiving information indicating that erasure of the message data is not prohibited in the receiving step, controls to accept a user instruction for erasing the displayed message data, and receiving the step When receiving information indicating that the deletion of the message data is prohibited, the user's instruction for deleting the displayed message data is controlled to be unacceptable. It is configured as follows.
[0010]
In addition, the present invention is a storage medium that has a display unit that displays display contents related to an operation being executed, and that stores a control program executed by an image forming apparatus connected to a computer, the control program being Message data from the computer and designation information for designating an area for displaying the message data; Information indicating whether or not to erase the display of the message data in the image forming apparatus; And a display control routine for displaying the message data received in the reception routine on the display unit, and the display control routine is designated by the designation information received in the reception routine. The message data is displayed in a predetermined display area of the display unit. When receiving information indicating that erasure of the message data is not prohibited in the reception routine, the reception routine controls to accept a user instruction for erasing the displayed message data, When receiving information indicating that the deletion of the message data is prohibited, the user's instruction for deleting the displayed message data is controlled to be unacceptable. It is configured as follows.
[0011]
In the present invention, The image forming apparatus has a plurality of functions, The display unit has a display screen with different display contents for each function, The receiving means / process / routine can further receive function information indicating a function associated with the message data from the computer, The display control means ・ Process / Routine Said Receive means -Corresponds to the function information received by the process / routine The message data is displayed on the display screen for functions.
[0013]
In the present invention, the display control means ・ Process / Routine Said The specified information is Specify to display the message data in a part of the display area of the display is doing The message data is confirmed by confirming that nothing is displayed in a part of the display area of the display unit. part Is displayed in the display area.
[0014]
In the present invention, the display control means ・ Process / Routine Said The specified information is Specify to display the message data in the entire display area of the display unit is doing In this case, the message data is displayed in the entire display area of the display unit.
[0015]
In the present invention, The receiving means, step, and routine can further receive information specifying a display interval when displaying the message data from the computer. The display control means ・ Process / Routine Is displaying the message data in a part of the display area of the display unit specified by the specification or the entire display area at the display interval of the specification.
[0016]
In the present invention, the display control means, the process, and the routine may display the message data being displayed in a partial display area of the display unit or the entire display area by a predetermined operation of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus. It is erased.
[0017]
In the present invention, the display control means ・ Process / Routine Deletes the message data being displayed in a partial display area of the display unit or the entire display area by a predetermined operation of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, Specified by information specifying the display interval The display interval is redisplayed.
[0019]
In the present invention, the display unit is configured by a liquid crystal touch panel, and has both an input operation function and a display function.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reader unit 1 is connected to the image input / output control unit 3, reads an original image, and outputs image data corresponding to the original image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to the image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet. The image input / output control unit 3 includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a magneto-optical disk drive unit 6, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, a core unit 10, and hard disks 12 and 13. Yes.
[0022]
The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and conversely compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10, and compresses the compressed image data. Image data is transmitted via a telephone line. A hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4, and the received compressed image data can be temporarily stored.
[0023]
A magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file unit 5, and the file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10, and a magneto-optical disk together with a keyword for retrieving the compressed image data. -Store in a magneto-optical disk set in the drive unit 6. Further, the file unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads the decompressed compressed image data, decompresses the decompressed image data, and decompresses the decompressed image data. The image data is transferred to the core unit 10.
[0024]
The computer interface unit 7 is an interface between a personal computer or workstation (PC / WS, hereinafter referred to as a computer) 11 and the core unit 10. The formatter unit 8 develops code data representing an image transferred from the computer 11 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. The formatter unit 8 is connected to a hard disk 13 and can temporarily store code data representing an image transferred from the computer 11 or image data.
[0025]
The image memory unit 9 temporarily stores data transferred from the computer 11. Although the details of the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9. Is.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. The document feeder 101 of the reader unit 1 feeds documents one by one on the platen glass 102 sequentially from the last page, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 102 after the document reading operation is completed. When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the original 103 is exposed and scanned by turning on the lamp 103 and moving the scanner unit 104.
[0027]
The reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 109 by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108. As described above, the image light of the original that has been exposed and scanned is incident on the CCD 109, subjected to photoelectric conversion, and output as image data. Image data output from the CCD 109 is transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 after being subjected to predetermined processing.
[0028]
The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201 and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by the developing unit 203. Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. To do.
[0029]
The recording sheet to which the developer has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed to the recording sheet by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by the discharge roller 208, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper. Note that the sorter 220 stores recording paper in the uppermost bin when sorting is not set.
[0030]
If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the position of the discharge roller 208, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed and guided to the re-feed conveyance path by the flapper 209 in an inverted state. When multiple recording is set, the flapper 209 guides the recording sheet to the refeed conveyance path so that the recording sheet is not reversed, so that the recording sheet is not conveyed to the position of the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the reader unit 1. The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and shading correction. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 through the image processing unit 111 and also transferred to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 through the interface unit 113. The
[0032]
The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 according to the setting content set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode for performing copying by performing trimming processing at the operation unit 115 is set, the trimming processing is performed by the image processing unit 111 and transferred to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set in the operation unit 115, the control command corresponding to the image data and the set mode is transferred from the interface 113 to the core unit 10. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. The memory 116 is also used as a work area for the CPU 114.
[0033]
The operation unit 115 includes a liquid crystal touch panel, and has both an input operation function and a display function. That is, on the display screen of the operation unit 115, a start key SK for starting a process, a reset key RK for stopping a currently executed process or mode, a mode setting key for setting a mode such as a copy mode, a facsimile mode, and a printer mode. A numeric key TK and the like for inputting a numeric value such as MK and the number of copies to be printed are displayed. Various message data transmitted from the administrator computer 11 are also displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 115. The display screen of the operation unit 115 displays different display contents corresponding to the function being executed or designated (copy function, facsimile function, printer function).
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the core unit 10. Image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and a control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. Image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is transferred from the reader unit 1 via the interface 120. Depending on the transferred control command, it is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, or the computer interface unit 7.
[0035]
Further, code data representing an image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be developed into image data. After being transferred to 121, it is transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2. Image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7. The image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, and computer interface unit 7.
[0036]
The CPU 123 performs the above control according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 124 is also used as a work area for the CPU 123.
[0037]
As described above, with the core unit 10 as a core, it is possible to perform processing that combines functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, transmission / reception of an image, storage of an image, and input / output of data from a computer. .
[0038]
When code data representing an image transferred from the computer 11 is received via the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8 notifies the core unit 10 of the start of the job. Then, after receiving the job start receipt from the core unit 10, the formatter unit 8 develops the code data into bitmap image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2 and temporarily stores it in the hard disk 13. At this time, output operation setting information such as the paper feed stage, the number of output copies, and single-sided / double-sided printing is also temporarily stored in the hard disk 13. Thereafter, the image data and the output operation setting information are transferred to the printer unit 2 via the bus, and printing is executed. The printing of a plurality of copies is realized, for example, by outputting three copies of three pages by repeating the printing of one to three pages three times.
[0039]
Message data specific to the present invention transmitted from the computer 11 to the image forming apparatus can be created by a GUI (Graphical User Interface) as shown in FIG. That is, the message display screen of FIG. 5 is displayed by a predetermined operation of the computer 11. On this message display screen, a copy key 51, a printer key 52, and a FAX key 53 are displayed as keys (or icons) for designating which mode (function) the message is displayed in. A designation operation such as designation and click with a desired key mouse is performed. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the copy key 51 is designated.
[0040]
The area 56 in the status line in FIG. 5 is an area for inputting message data to be displayed only on a part (one line) of the display screen of the operation unit 115 of the image forming apparatus. Enter short message data such as “Press the reset key after use”. In the status line area 56, an erase key 58 is also displayed. This delete key 58 is displayed in the future when the message data input to the status line input area 57 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus and displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 115 and then the role of the message is finished. This is a key for instructing the image forming apparatus not to make it happen.
[0041]
The pop-up area 59 is an area for inputting message data to be displayed on the entire display screen of the operation unit 115 of the image forming apparatus. In the input area 60, long message data as illustrated is input.
[0042]
The notification key 61 is a key indicating that the message data in the input area 60 is message data related to notification. When the notification key 61 is turned on, message data related to notification is arbitrarily selected on the image forming apparatus side. It cannot be erased. The emergency key 62 is a key indicating that the message data in the input area 60 is urgent message data. When the urgent key 62 is turned on, the urgent message is arbitrarily given on the image forming apparatus side. Data cannot be erased.
[0043]
The display time designation area 63 is an area for inputting a display interval when the message data in the input area 60 is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 115 of the image forming apparatus. In this display time designation area 63, for example, when 0 minute is input, it is always displayed, and when 1 minute is input, it is displayed at predetermined time intervals at intervals of 1 minute.
[0044]
Note that the delete key 64 in the pop-up area 59 plays the same role as the delete key 58 in the status line area 56 for the message data in the input area 60. The OK key 54 is a key for confirming the setting contents, and the cancel key 55 is a key for canceling the setting contents.
[0045]
Further, the setting / transmission function such as the message data as described above of the computer 11 is realized by, for example, an application program recorded on a floppy disk, a CDROM or the like (not shown). Further, the contents of FIG. 5 correspond to the first embodiment described later, and in the second embodiment described later, the display time designation area 63 is deleted from the contents of FIG.
[0046]
[First Embodiment]
Next, message display processing unique to the present invention will be described. First, message display processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0047]
The formatter unit 8 receives message data from the computer 11 via the computer interface unit 7. The formatter unit 8 stores the received message data in the hard disk 13. Here, the received message data is analyzed and displayed according to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0048]
That is, the message data is taken in step S1 of FIG. 6, and it is determined whether or not the message data is related to the entire screen display in step S2. If the entire screen is not displayed, in steps S3 to S5, It is determined whether the message data is to be displayed on a part of the copy screen, the message data to be displayed on a part of the facsimile screen, or the message data to be displayed on a part of the printer screen.
[0049]
The message data to be displayed on a part of the copy screen will be described below, but it goes without saying that the message data is the same whether it is displayed on a part of the facsimile screen or a part of the printer screen.
[0050]
If the message data is to be displayed on a part of the copy screen, the display screen of the operation unit 115 is currently a copy screen in step S6, and a message can be displayed on the copy screen. Whether or not (step S6). As a result, when it is not a copy screen, or when it is a copy screen but cannot be displayed because other data is displayed, it waits until it can be displayed on the copy screen.
[0051]
On the other hand, if it can be displayed on the copy screen, as shown in FIG. 8, the message received from the computer 11 is displayed in a predetermined display area on the display screen of the operation unit 115 (step S7). This message continues to be displayed until an erase command is received from the computer 11 or a message with a higher priority is displayed. Since the message is stored in the hard disk 13 as described above, it is stored even when the power is turned off, and is displayed again when the power is turned on next time.
[0052]
If it is determined in step S2 that the display is on the entire screen, whether the message data is to be displayed on the entire copy screen or the message data to be displayed on the entire facsimile screen in steps S8 to S10. It is also determined whether the message data is displayed on the entire printer screen.
[0053]
The messages displayed on the entire copy screen will be described below. Needless to say, the message is the same whether displayed on the entire facsimile screen or the entire printer screen.
[0054]
If the message data is to be displayed on the entire copy screen, it is determined in step S11 whether the message data is to be displayed immediately. As a result, when the display interval is not 0 minutes and the message data is not to be displayed immediately, in step S12, the time specified as the display interval is set in the timer, and the specified display interval time is set. Just wait for the display. Then, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if the display interval is 0 minutes and the message data is to be displayed immediately, the process immediately proceeds to step S13, and the message is displayed on the copy screen as shown in FIG. This message is always displayed on the copy screen of FIG. 9 until the user designates deletion (pressing the OK key 91) (step S14).
[0055]
If there is an erasure designation, the time designated as the display interval is set in the timer in step S15. Then, by returning to step S13, the message as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed again after the designated time has elapsed. This message redisplay allows a plurality of users to confirm the message while saving power consumption.
[0056]
Even if the emergency key in FIG. 5 is not turned on, if 0 minute is designated as the display interval, even if the user designates erasure (pressing the OK key 91), the important message is almost completely displayed. The state is always displayed, and the erasure is prohibited.
[0057]
This flow is repeated until a message deletion instruction is received from the computer 11. Further, since the message is stored in the hard disk 13 as described above, it is stored even when the power is turned off, and is displayed again when the power is turned on next time. A message can be transmitted to the user.
[0058]
[Second Embodiment]
Next, message display processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0059]
The formatter unit 8 receives message data from the computer 11 via the computer interface unit 7. The formatter unit 8 stores the received message data in the hard disk 13. Here, the received message data is analyzed and displayed according to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0060]
That is, the message data is taken in step S21 of FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the message data is related to the entire screen display in step S22, and if it is not the entire screen display, in steps S23 to S25, It is determined whether the message data is to be displayed on a part of the copy screen, the message data to be displayed on a part of the facsimile screen, or the message data to be displayed on a part of the printer screen.
[0061]
The message data to be displayed on a part of the copy screen will be described below, but it goes without saying that the message data is the same whether it is displayed on a part of the facsimile screen or a part of the printer screen.
[0062]
If the message data is to be displayed on a part of the copy screen, in step S26, the key that is the display trigger of the operation unit 115 and the display trigger is currently displayed (this display). As the trigger key, for example, a key that is always operated, such as the start key SK, is used).
[0063]
When the display trigger key is operated in the copy screen display state (in the copy mode), the message received from the computer 11 is displayed in a predetermined display area on the display screen of the operation unit 115 as shown in FIG. (Step S27). Next, it waits for the operation of a key that is an erase trigger (for example, a key that is always operated such as the reset key RS is used as this erase trigger key) (step S28). If the delete trigger key is operated, the message displayed in step S27 is deleted (step S29). Then, by returning to step S26, the message is redisplayed based on the operation of the next display trigger key. This message redisplay allows a plurality of users to confirm the message while saving power consumption.
[0064]
If it is determined in step S22 that the display is on the entire screen, whether the message data is to be displayed on the entire copy screen or the message data to be displayed on the entire facsimile screen in steps S30 to S32. It is also determined whether the message data is displayed on the entire printer screen.
[0065]
The messages displayed on the entire copy screen will be described below. Needless to say, the message is the same whether displayed on the entire facsimile screen or the entire printer screen.
[0066]
If the message data is to be displayed on the entire copy screen, in step S33, the display screen of the operation unit 115 is currently a copy screen and is a display trigger key (this display trigger key). For example, a key that is always operated, such as a start key SK, is used).
[0067]
When the display trigger key is operated in the copy screen display state (in copy mode), the message received from the computer 11 is displayed on the entire display screen of the operation unit 115 as shown in FIG. 9 (step S34). . Next, it waits for the operation of a key that is an erase trigger (for example, a key that must be operated such as the reset key RS is used as this erase trigger key) (step S35). If the delete trigger key is operated, the message displayed on the entire screen in step S34 is deleted (step S36). Then, by returning to step S33, the message is redisplayed based on the operation of the next display trigger key. This message redisplay allows a plurality of users to confirm the message while saving power consumption.
[0068]
This flow is repeated until a message deletion instruction is received from the computer 11. Further, since the message is stored in the hard disk 13 as described above, it is stored even when the power is turned off, and is displayed again when the power is turned on next time. A message can be transmitted to the user.
[0069]
As described above, in the first and second embodiments, message data such as failure and maintenance notice corresponding to each function is transmitted from the computer to the image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as copying, facsimile, and printer. Thus, when each function is executed, a message corresponding to the function is displayed at a desired timing. Therefore, the administrator does not need to perform a sticker or the like on the image forming apparatus main body for a failure or a maintenance notice, and the burden on the administrator can be reduced.
[0070]
In addition, it is possible to call attention to cost reduction by means of a message, it is possible to reduce the burden on the administrator when performing cost reduction, and the administrator can reduce the cost by verbal or sticker. Since it is more effective to call attention by calling a message than to call attention, it is possible to reliably reduce costs.
[0071]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, for a plurality of multifunctional image forming apparatuses connected by a network such as a LAN, each function can be performed from one computer on the network. It is also possible to send and display message data such as failure notifications and maintenance notices.
[0072]
Even when message data is displayed on a part of the display screen, the display interval can be set or the displayed message data can be erased by user key operations, etc., as in the case of displaying the entire display screen. Is possible.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus connected to the computer, the message data and the message data are displayed from the computer in the image forming apparatus connected to the computer. Specified information to specify the area to be Information indicating whether or not to erase the display of the message data in the image forming apparatus; Receiving means, and display control means for displaying the message data received by the receiving means on the display unit, the display control means being specified by the designation information received by the receiving means The message data is displayed in a predetermined display area of the display unit. The receiving means controls to accept a user instruction for erasing the displayed message data when receiving information indicating that the erasure of the message data is not prohibited, and the receiving means When receiving information indicating that the deletion of the message data is prohibited, control is performed so that an instruction from the user for deleting the display of the displayed message data cannot be accepted. With this configuration, it is possible to easily, reliably, and promptly transmit a message such as a failure or maintenance notice to the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of a reader unit and a printer unit of the image processing apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a reader unit.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a core unit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a message display setting screen when creating message data on the computer side.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a message display operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a message is displayed on a part of the screen of the operation unit.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a message is displayed on the entire screen of the operation unit.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a message display operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 10;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Reader part
2 ... Printer section
3. Image input / output control unit
4. Facsimile part
5 ... File part
7. Computer interface part
8 ... Formatter section
9 ... Image memory section
10 ... Core part
12, 13 ... Hard disk
51 ... Copy key
52 ... Preta key
53 ... FAX key
57 ... Short message input area
58, 6 ... delete key
60 ... Input area for long messages
63 ... Display interval force area
114, 123 ... CPU
115 ... operation unit (LCD touch panel)
116, 124. Memory.

Claims (10)

In an image forming apparatus having a display unit for displaying display contents related to an operation being executed and connected to a computer,
Receiving means for receiving message data, designation information for designating an area for displaying the message data, and information indicating whether or not to erase the display of the message data in the image forming apparatus;
Display control means for displaying message data received by the receiving means on the display unit,
The display control means causes the message data to be displayed in a predetermined display area of the display unit designated by the designation information received by the receiving means, and the receiving means does not prohibit the deletion of the message data. When receiving information indicating that the message data is displayed, control is performed so that a user instruction for deleting the displayed message data can be received, and information indicating that the receiving unit prohibits deletion of the message data is received. In such a case, an image forming apparatus is controlled so that an instruction from a user for deleting the display of the displayed message data is not accepted. The image forming apparatus has a plurality of functions, the display unit has a display screen having different display contents for each function, and the receiving unit further receives function information indicating functions associated with the message data. Can be received from
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the message data on a display screen for a function corresponding to the function information received by the receiving unit.   When the designation information designates the message data to be displayed in a partial display area of the display unit, nothing is displayed in the partial display area of the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the message data is displayed on the partial display area after confirming that there is no message.   The display control means causes the message data to be displayed on the entire display area of the display unit when the designation information designates the message data to be displayed on the entire display area of the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The receiving means can further receive information specifying a display interval when displaying the message data from the computer, the display control means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the message data is displayed in a part of the display area or the entire display area according to the designation at a display interval according to the designation.   2. The display control means for erasing the message data being displayed in a partial display area of the display unit or the entire display area by a predetermined operation of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus described. The display control unit erases the message data being displayed in a part of the display area or the entire display area by a predetermined operation of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, and designates the display interval. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the image is redisplayed at the display interval designated by the information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a liquid crystal touch panel and has both an input operation function and a display function . In a control method of an image forming apparatus having a display unit for displaying display contents related to an operation being executed and connected to a computer,
A receiving step for receiving message data, designation information for designating an area for displaying the message data, and information indicating whether or not to erase display of the message data in the image forming apparatus is received from the computer;
A display control step of displaying the message data received in the reception step on the display unit,
The display control step displays the message data in a predetermined display area of the display unit designated by the designation information received in the reception step, and does not prohibit the deletion of the message data in the reception step. When receiving information indicating that the message data is displayed, control is performed so that a user instruction for deleting the displayed message data can be received, and information indicating that the message data is prohibited from being deleted is received in the reception process. If so, a control method for the image forming apparatus, wherein an instruction from the user for deleting the display of the displayed message data is disabled. A storage medium having a display unit for displaying display contents related to an operation being executed and storing a control program executed by an image forming apparatus connected to a computer, wherein the control program is
A reception routine for receiving message data, designation information for designating an area for displaying the message data, and information indicating whether or not to erase display of the message data in the image forming apparatus is received from the computer;
A display control routine for displaying the message data received in the reception routine on the display unit,
The display control routine displays the message data in a predetermined display area of the display unit designated by the designation information received in the reception routine, and does not prohibit erasure of the message data in the reception routine. When receiving the information indicating that the message data is being displayed, control is performed so that a user instruction for deleting the displayed message data can be received, and information indicating that the message data is prohibited from being deleted in the reception routine is received. And a storage medium that controls to prevent acceptance of an instruction by a user for deleting the display of the displayed message data.

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