JPH0630180A - Picture forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] The external device can directly determine the content of the message displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Composition] When the communication control means 900 receives the display data transmitted from the external device, the communication control means 900 transmits the display data to the control means 800. And CPU
801 is configured to transfer desired screen display data to the RAM 803 based on the display data transmitted from the external device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of processing data transferred from an external device via an external interface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus of this type is provided with communication control means for processing data transferred from an external device through an external interface. The communication with the device is mutually controlled, and the transferred data can be transferred to the work memory of the main body.

On the other hand, the main body of the image forming apparatus is provided with a display means for instructing various operations, for example, a message and graphical data can be displayed to guide an operator to an appropriate instruction by a message or the main body. Status, such as the number of sheets of image currently being formed, a trouble occurred, and the message such as paper supply, can be displayed at an appropriate timing by the main body control unit. Often managed in.

[0004]

Since the conventional image forming apparatus is configured as described above, for example, message information transferred from an external device, for example, a message regarding the maintenance of the main body is displayed as a message from the external device. There is a problem in that the message cannot be displayed based on the request instruction and only a very limited message can be displayed.

As described above, the message display in the image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the external device is centrally managed by the display control means on the main body side, so that the message content is fixed. There is also a problem that composite display processing such as displaying transferred message information in combination cannot be performed, and extension processing in display processing such as appropriately creating and displaying fine service information becomes difficult.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the external device controls the display processing on the display means of the main body based on the display request or the display data from the external device so that the external device forms an image. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of directly determining the content of a message displayed on the display unit of the apparatus.

[0007]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit, a control unit for controlling the image forming unit, a display data holding unit for holding data to be displayed, and a display data holding unit. Display means for displaying the display data held by the means, communication control means for controlling communication between the external device and the control means, and display data holding means based on the display data transmitted from the external device by the communication control means And a transfer means for transferring desired screen display data.

The transfer means is configured to transfer desired screen display data to the display data holding means based on the bit information or character code information for one screen transmitted from the external device.

Further, the image forming means, the control means for controlling the image forming means, the display data holding means for holding the data to be displayed, and the display means for displaying the display data held in the display data holding means. A communication control means for controlling communication between the external device and the control means, and a transfer means for transferring desired screen display data to the display data holding means based on the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device by the communication control means. And have.

Further, the transfer means is configured to transfer desired screen display data and variable data to the display data holding means based on the variable information added to the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device. is there.

[0011]

In the present invention, when the communication control means receives the display data transmitted from the external device, the communication control means transmits the display data to the control means. Then, the transfer unit transfers the desired screen display data to the display data holding unit based on the display data transmitted from the external device, thereby making it possible to display the message requested by the external device on the display unit. .

Further, the transfer means transfers desired screen display data to the display data holding means based on the bit information or character code information for one screen transmitted from the external device, so that the display device holds the screen display data from the external device. Allows the requested message to be displayed.

Further, when the communication control means receives the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device, the communication control means transmits the display screen selection information to the control means. Then, the transfer means transfers the desired screen display data to the display data holding means based on the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device, thereby displaying a message according to the display screen selection instruction from the external device on the display means. It is possible to display.

Further, the transfer means transfers the desired screen display data and variable data to the display data holding means based on the variable information added to the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device, so that the external device can It is possible to display on the display means a message in which a message according to the display screen selection instruction and additional information are freely combined.

[0015]

1 and 2 are block diagrams for explaining the configuration of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter also referred to as image forming means). , 800 is a control means for controlling the image forming operation,
Reference numeral 900 is a communication control means for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external communication line, 908 is a public line that is an external communication line, and 999 is a management base for managing the image forming apparatus main body 100. A CPU 901 which is a host computer and controls the communication control means 900, a memory (RAM) 903 for temporarily holding communication data, a modem (demodulator) 905 for placing digital communication data on the public line 908, a network -It is composed of a control unit (NCU) 906 and the like.

FIG. 3 shows the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
It is sectional drawing explaining the hardware constitutions of 00.

In the figure, reference numeral 200 is a recycle automatic document feeder (RDF) that automatically feeds documents, 300 is a sorter for sorting sheets that have undergone image forming processing, and 400 is an automatic computer form feeder (CFF). The RDF 200, the sorter 300, and the CFF 400 are configured to be systematically combined with the image forming apparatus main body 100.

In the image forming apparatus main body 100, 101
Is an original table glass as an original table. Reference numeral 102 denotes an optical system as an image reading means, which includes a document illumination lamp (exposure lamp) 103, a scanning mirror, a lens, and a motor 1.
04, etc., the original is illuminated by the original illumination lamp 103 while being scanned by the motor 104, and the light reflected from the original is reflected by the scanning mirror and lens on the photosensitive drum 105.
To irradiate. It should be noted that an optical sensor or a mechanical sensor serving as a detecting means is arranged at a predetermined position.

Around the photosensitive drum 105, a high voltage unit 106, a blank exposure unit 107, and a potential sensor 1
08, developing device 109, transfer charger 110, separation charger 1
11, a cleaning device 112 and the like are provided, and these constitute image recording means.

The photosensitive drum 105 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3 by the main motor 113, is corona-charged by the high voltage unit 106, and when the optical system 102 irradiates the reflected light of the document, the electrostatic latent image is generated. An image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 109 and visualized as a toner image. On the other hand, the upper cassette 114
Alternatively, from the lower cassette 115 to the pickup roller 1
The transfer paper sent to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 100 by the paper feed rollers 118 and 119 via 16, 117 is timed so that the leading end of the toner image and the leading end of the transfer paper coincide with each other by the registration roller 120. After that, the toner image is fed to the photosensitive drum 105, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 110. After this transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 105 by the separation charger 111, and the transfer belt 121
Then, the toner is guided to the fixing device 122 to be fixed by pressing and heating, and then discharged by the discharging roller 123 to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 100. The surface of the photosensitive drum 105 is cleaned by the cleaning device 112.

Further, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is equipped with a deck 124 capable of accommodating 4000 transfer sheets, for example. The lifter 125 of the deck 124 ascends according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 126.

In FIG. 3, 127 is a paper discharge flapper, which is a double-sided recording side or multiple recording side and a discharge side (sorter 3).
00) is switched. The transfer sheet sent from the discharge roller 123 is switched to the double-sided recording side or the multiplex recording side by the discharge flapper 127. Also, 12
A lower conveyance path 8 guides the transfer paper sent from the discharge roller 123 to the re-feed tray 130 by reversing the transfer paper via the reversing path 129. Reference numeral 131 denotes a multiple flapper that switches between double-sided recording and multiple recording paths. By tilting the flapper to the left, the transfer paper is directly guided to the lower conveyance path 128 without passing through the reverse path 129. 132 is a route 133
It is a paper feed roller that feeds the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 105 through the through. Denoted at 134 is a discharge roller which is arranged in the vicinity of the discharge flapper 127 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the discharge flapper 127 to the outside of the machine.

During double-sided recording (double-sided copying) or multiplex recording (multiplex copying), the ejected flapper 127 is raised and the recorded (copied) transfer sheet is turned over again via the paths 129 and 128. It is stored in the paper feed tray 130. At this time,
When recording on both sides, tilt the multiple flapper 131 to the right,
In addition, the multiple flapper 131 is tilted leftward during multiple recording. When performing back side recording or multiplex recording next time,
The transfer sheets stored in the re-feed tray 130 are guided one by one from the bottom to the registration rollers 120 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 via the path 133 by the sheet feeding roller 132.

When the transfer sheet is reversed and discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100, the discharge flapper 127 is raised and the multiple flapper 131 is tilted to the right to convey the recorded transfer sheet to the reverse path 129 side. , The trailing edge of the transfer paper is first
After passing through the feed roller 140 of the
Is conveyed to the second roller 141 side by the discharge roller 1
The transfer paper is turned over by 34 and discharged to the outside of the machine. Note that reference numeral 150 is a multi-bypass tray, and 210 is a reservation tray.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed arrangement of the control means 800 and the communication control means 900 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 801 denotes the image forming apparatus main body 1
CPU for controlling 00, 802 is the image forming apparatus main body 1
00 is a read-only memory (ROM) that stores a control procedure (control program) of 00, and the ROM 80 of the CPU 801.
According to the control procedure stored in No. 2, each constituent device connected via the bus is controlled. A random access memory (RAM) 803 is a main storage device used as a storage area for input data, a work storage area, and the like. 804 is an input / output port, 805 is an interface,
Reference numeral 806 denotes a ROM, which stores font data and graphical data to be displayed on the LCD display 701 described later.

Further, the input / output port 804 inputs the output of the control signal of the CPU 801 to the load of the main motor 113 and the like and the signal of the fixing device 122 and the like to the CPU 801. Further, reference numeral 900 is a communication control means of the public line 908, and the CPU 901 controls the communication control means 900. The image forming apparatus main body 100 is RS-232C.
When the data transfer is performed from the image forming apparatus via the interface 907 when a data transfer request is made, the transfer data is transferred to the RAM provided in the communication control means 900.
After the data is transferred from the image forming apparatus, the NCU 906 is controlled to establish a communication line connection with the outside, and after the line connection, the data is transferred to the outside through the modem 905 and the NCU 906. When data is transferred from the outside, the transferred data is stored in the RAM 903.
, And data is transferred to the image forming apparatus via the interface 907 in response to a request from the image forming apparatus. Here, the data means data stored inside the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the data transfer request means that the image forming apparatus main body 100 side causes abnormal image forming apparatus control or frequent paper jams. Alternatively, the above request may occur when the regular report time comes, or a data request from an external management side may occur. In addition,
902 is a ROM, 904 is an input / output port, and 909 is an RA
It is M.

The control means 800 and the communication control means 900 are connected via the interfaces 805 and 907,
Control means 800 of image forming apparatus main body 100 and public line 9
Control data is exchanged with the communication control means 900 of No. 08.

In the image forming apparatus thus constructed, when the communication control means 900 receives the display data transmitted from the external device (host computer 999),
The communication control means 900 sends the display data to the control means 800. Then, the transfer means (CPU 801) transfers the desired screen display data to the display data holding means (RAM 803) based on the display data transmitted from the external device, so that the external device displays the display means (LCD display 701). Allows the requested message to be displayed.

Further, the transfer means transfers the desired screen display data to the display data holding means based on the bit information or character code information for one screen transmitted from the external device, so that the external device can display the display means. Allows the requested message to be displayed.

Further, when the communication control means 900 receives the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device (host computer 999), the communication control means 900 transmits the display screen selection information to the control means 800. Then, the transfer means (CPU 801) uses the display data selection means (RAM 80) based on the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device.
By transferring the desired screen display data to 3), it is possible to display a message according to the display screen selection instruction from the external device on the display means (LCD display 701).

Furthermore, the transfer means transfers desired screen display data and variable data to the display data holding means based on the variable information added to the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device, so that the external device can It is possible to display on the display means a message in which a message according to the display screen selection instruction and additional information are freely combined.

FIG. 5 shows the image forming apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG.
It is a top view explaining the structure of the operation part arrange | positioned at the upper surface of 00.

In the figure, 601 is an asterisk (*).
A key, which is pressed by an operator (user) in a setting mode such as setting a binding amount or setting a size for erasing a document frame. A cursor key 627 is pressed to select a setting item in the setting mode. An OK key 628 is pressed to confirm the setting item in the setting mode. 60
An all reset key 6 is pressed when returning to the standard mode. The all reset key 606 is also pressed when returning from the auto shutoff state to the standard mode. A clear / stop key 604 functions as a clear key during standby (standby) and as a stop key during image recording. This clear / stop key 60
4 is also used when releasing the set number of copies.
The clear / stop key 604 is also pressed when interrupting continuous copying, and after the copying at the time of pressing is completed,
The copy operation stops. Reference numeral 605 is a copy key. 60
Reference numeral 3 is a ten-key pad which is pressed when setting the number of copies.
It is also pressed when setting the asterisk key (*) mode. A memory key 619 allows the user to register modes that are frequently used. Here, M1
It is configured so that four modes of M4 can be registered. Image forming density keys 611 and 612 are pressed when manually adjusting the image forming density. An AE key 613 is pressed when the image forming density is automatically adjusted according to the original density, or when the AE (automatic density adjustment) is canceled and the density adjustment is switched to manual (manual). 607
Is a copy paper selection key, which is pressed when selecting the upper cassette 114, the lower cassette 115, the deck 124, and the multi-manual feed tray 150. In addition, RDF200
When the copy paper selection key 607 is pressed while the original is placed on the paper, automatic paper cassette selection (APS) is selected, and a cassette having the same size as the original is automatically selected. 6
Reference numeral 10 denotes a 1x key, which is pressed when forming an image of 1x (actual size). An automatic scaling key 616 is pressed when automatically reducing or enlarging the image of the original according to the designated transfer paper size. Reference numeral 626 denotes a double-sided key, which is a single-sided original to double-sided recording, a double-sided original to double-sided recording,
This button is pressed to take one-sided recording from a two-sided original. A binding margin key 625 can create a binding margin of a designated length on the left side of the transfer sheet. Reference numeral 624 denotes a photographic key, which is pressed when forming an image on a photographic original. Reference numeral 623 denotes a multiple key, which is pressed when an image is created (combined) from the two originals on the same surface of the transfer paper. Reference numeral 620 denotes an original frame erasing key, which is pressed when the user erases the frame of a fixed-size original, and at that time, the size of the original is set by the asterisk key 601. A sheet frame erasing key 621 is pressed to erase the original frame according to the copy paper size. 615 is a folding key, and 617 and 618 are zoom keys.

Reference numeral 629 denotes a cover mode setting key, which is pressed when the front and back covers are created and the slip sheet is inserted. 6
A page continuous copy key 30 is depressed when the left and right sides of a two-page spread book are continuously copied. Reference numeral 614 denotes a sheet discharge method selection key for selecting a staple sort, sort, group discharge method. When the stapled sorter is connected to the sheet after recording, the staple sort mode, the sort mode,
You can select or cancel the group mode. Reference numeral 631 denotes a reservation key, which is pressed when starting the setting of the copy mode for the reserved document placed on the reservation tray 210 and when canceling the reservation setting. 632
Is a reservation setting key, which is used as an enter key when setting the reservation mode. Reference numeral 633 is a guide key, which is used when displaying explanations of functions corresponding to various keys on the message display. Reference numeral 701 denotes L for displaying information regarding image formation.
CD (liquid crystal) type message display (LCD
It is a display device) and displays characters and figures with 96 × 192 dots. For example, the number of images to be formed set with the ten key 603, the fixed size scaling keys 608 and 609, the same size key 610, the copy magnification set with the zoom keys 617 and 618, the paper size selected with the copy paper selection key 607, and the state of the main body 100 are shown. Displays messages, guide messages that show operating procedures, and other settings for various modes. 704
Is an AE display, which lights up when AE (automatic density adjustment) is selected by the AE key 613. Note that 634 is an interrupt key and 635 is an ID key. Reference numeral 709 denotes a preheat indicator, which lights up in the preheat state. Note that when using the RDF200 in standard mode, the number of image formations is 1
Sheet, density AE mode, automatic paper selection, normal size, single-sided original to single-sided image formation. In the standard mode when the RDF 200 is not used, the number of images to be formed is one, the density is manual, the same size, and one-sided image formation is performed from one-sided original. The difference between using and not using RDF200 is RDF20.
It is determined by whether or not the original is set to 0.

Next, the exchange of data between the image forming apparatus and the communication control apparatus will be described.

The current state of the image forming apparatus main body 100, such as the power ON / OFF state of the image forming apparatus, whether the image can be formed, how many images are formed, and whether the image is being formed, is always displayed on the communication control means 900. The report is also made when a paper jam occurs and an abnormality occurs that makes it impossible to perform an image forming operation. Further, if the communication control means 900 has a predetermined transfer condition and is set to report when an abnormality occurs, for example, when the abnormality is reported from the image forming apparatus main body 100, the data is automatically transferred to the outside. I shall. Here, the data to be transferred is common data composed of an image forming apparatus ID, a reason for transfer, a paper jam history, a color counter, a size-between-details counter, and the like, regardless of the reason for transfer. , The total number of image formations at the time of occurrence, and a paper jam code, and each time the image forming apparatus reports a paper jam, a maximum of 30 held in the communication control means 900 is added. Is.

The transfer conditions are the above-described occurrence of an abnormality, occurrence of paper jam every set number of times, occurrence of continuous paper jam of the same paper jam code, and external request.

Next, the control operation when a paper jam occurs during the operation of the image forming apparatus main body 100 will be described.

When the CPU 801 determines that a paper jam has occurred during the operation of the image forming apparatus main body 100, a paper jam code generated through the interfaces 805 and 907,
Paper jam information such as the time of occurrence and the current total number of copies is transferred to the RAM 903 of the communication control unit. These pieces of paper jam information are held in the RAM 903. Then, the CPU 901 makes a transfer condition determination based on a predetermined transfer condition, and when it is determined that a report should be made, it is transferred to the outside via the modem 905 and the NCU 906. The data transferred at this time is the image forming apparatus main body 1
00, transfer reason, paper jam information, color-specific information, size-specific information, number of detailed image formations, and the like.

In this way, a backup possible RAM for holding the transmission data in the communication control unit, for example, the RAM 9
03, the internal data of the image forming apparatus main body 100, the information about the paper jam that has occurred, the history of the image forming operation abnormality that has occurred, etc. are held.
By returning the data held in the AM 903 to the outside, each image forming apparatus is diagnosed and managed outside.

However, if the contents of the RAM data are corrupted due to a decrease in the backup battery voltage or the like, the external diagnosis and management described above cannot be performed accurately.

Therefore, as will be described later, the operation status of the RAM 903 that can be backed up is monitored, and when an abnormality is detected, it is automatically reported to the outside as shown in FIG. 6 and recognized by the host computer 999 at the management base. Can be made.

The message display control operation based on an external instruction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 shows the LCD display 701 shown in FIG.
Is a plan view showing an example of a message display for, and is composed of a dot matrix of 128 dots in the vertical direction and 256 dots in the horizontal direction, for example, and a maximum of 8 × 16 characters or graphical information can be displayed.

As shown in this figure, for example, when a message "Next maintenance is July 30th." Is displayed, data for one screen is displayed based on message information (code information) transferred from the outside. The CPU 801 selects from the ROM 806 and transmits the dot data to the LCD display 701, or the CPU 801 transmits a message (dot data) transferred from the outside to the LCD display 701 as described later. By.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a first message display control procedure based on an external instruction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (3) indicate each step.

External host computer 999 to FIG.
The message "Next maintenance is 7
It is the 30th of the month. 6 is displayed on the LCD display 701, first, it is determined whether or not one screen worth of data for displaying the screen shown in FIG. 6 is externally requested to be transferred via the communication control means 900 (1). , NO, the processing is ended, and if YES, RA constituting the display data holding means.
Transfer to M802 (2). The data for one screen here may be dot information or character code information.

Next, the CPU 801 transmits the data to the LCD display 701 based on the display data held in the RAM 802 to display the screen (see FIG. 6) (3), and the processing is completed.

In the above embodiment, the case where a desired message is displayed on the LCD display 701 based on the display data transferred from the outside has been described.
By registering external message screen data that may be requested from the outside in 806, a message similar to the above may be displayed according to screen number data transferred from the outside as shown in FIG. 8 described later. good.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a second message display control procedure based on an external instruction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (3) indicate each step.

External host computer 999 to FIG.
The message "Next maintenance is 7
It is the 30th of the month. 6 is displayed on the LCD display 701, it is first judged whether or not the screen number data of the screen shown in FIG. 6 is requested to be transferred from the outside through the communication control means 900 (1). When the processing is completed and YES, the screen number data is transferred to the RAM 802 which constitutes the display data holding means (2).

Next, the CPU 801 transmits to the LCD display 701 based on the display data read from the ROM 806 based on the screen number data and displays the screen (see FIG. 6).
Then (3), the process ends.

In the second message display control, the case where the screen number displayed by the external host computer 999 is simply transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body 100 via the communication control means 900 has been described. In terms of the contents, the message part that is constantly changing is configured so that screen display can be performed by combining basic screen data similar to the above with display data coded from an external host computer 999. The display content may be flexibly rewritten.

FIG. 9 shows the LCD display 701 shown in FIG.
It is a plan view showing another example of a message display for
For example, it is composed of a dot matrix of 128 dots in the vertical direction and 256 dots in the horizontal direction, and a maximum of 8 × 16 characters or graphical information can be displayed.

In the figure, D1 is basic screen data corresponding to invariant data, D2 and D3 are variable screen data, and display data designated by a code additionally transferred from the external host computer 999 together with the screen number. (Code data described below).

The display data from the outside in this embodiment is, for example, "40h, 50h, 07h, 0dh, 0".
ah ”data structure, and each code corresponds to the information shown below.

40h: Command indicating screen display data 50h: Screen number 40h: Command indicating screen display data 07h: Variable 1 (determines the variable screen data D2)
Data to be displayed on 0dh: Variable 2 (determines the above-mentioned variable screen data D3)
Data to be displayed in 0dh: Delimiter indicating the end of data 0ah: Delimiter indicating the end of data In this way, the desired variables 1 and 2 can be added to the screen number. , 50h, 07h, 0dh, 0ah ”is transferred, the CPU 801 reads out screen data corresponding to 50h from the ROM 806, reads out character data corresponding to variables 1 and 2, and displays them on the LCD display 701. It is possible to externally display a message with desired characters added to the basic screen, and to notify the user of a detailed message.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the communication control means receives the display data transmitted from the external device, the communication control means transmits the display data to the control means.
Then, since the transfer means transfers the desired screen display data to the display data holding means based on the display data transmitted from the external device, the message requested by the external device can be displayed on the display means. .

Further, since the transfer means is configured to transfer the desired screen display data to the display data holding means based on the bit information or character code information for one screen transmitted from the external device, the transfer means is external to the display means. The message requested by the device can be displayed.

Further, when the communication control means receives the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device, the communication control means transmits the display screen selection information to the control means. Since the transfer unit transfers the desired screen display data to the display data holding unit based on the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device, the message corresponding to the display screen selection instruction from the external device is displayed on the display unit. Can be displayed on.

Further, the transfer means is configured to transfer desired screen display data and variable data to the display data holding means based on the variable information added to the display screen selection information transmitted from the external device. A message corresponding to a display screen selection instruction from the device and a message in which additional information is freely combined can be displayed on the display means.

Therefore, the contents of the message displayed on the display means of the image forming apparatus can be directly determined by the external device, and the user can be notified of an appropriate message from the outside.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus main body illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a control unit and a communication control unit shown in FIG.

5 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body shown in FIG.

6 is a plan view showing an example of a message display on the LCD display shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a first message display control procedure based on an external instruction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a second message display control procedure based on an external instruction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

9 is a plan view showing another example of message display on the LCD display shown in FIG. 5. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 main body of image forming apparatus 800 control means 801 CPU 802 RAM 806 ROM 900 communication control means 999 host computer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming unit, a control unit for controlling the image forming unit, a display data holding unit for holding data to be displayed, and a display unit for displaying the display data held by the display data holding unit. A communication control means for controlling communication between an external device and the control means, and a transfer for transferring desired screen display data to the display data holding means based on the display data transmitted from the external device by the communication control means An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The transfer means is 1 that is transmitted from an external device.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein desired screen display data is transferred to the display data holding means based on bit information or character code information for the screen. 3. Image forming means, control means for controlling the image forming means, display data holding means for holding data to be displayed, and display means for displaying the display data held in the display data holding means. A communication control means for controlling communication between an external device and the control means, and the communication control means transfers desired screen display data to the display data holding means based on display screen selection information transmitted from the external device. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 4. The transfer means transfers desired screen display data and variable data to the display data holding means based on variable information added to display screen selection information transmitted from an external device. An image forming apparatus having the characteristics described.