JP2019116067A - Operating device and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An operation device and a printing device that can be attached to and detached from the printing device and that can perform wireless communication with the printing device and that can improve the operability of the printing device are provided. A multifunction peripheral as an example of a printing apparatus includes an operation display as an example of an operation device which is a part of the multifunction peripheral and is detachable from an apparatus main body. The operation display 30 enables the user to perform an operation on the information terminal 100 and an operation for giving a setting or an instruction to the multifunction peripheral 11 when the information terminal 100 is connected to the display unit 14 that receives an operation from the user. And a first communication unit 31 for receiving settings or instructions from the information terminal 100. When the operation display 30 is not attached to the multifunction peripheral 11 and is connected to the information terminal 100 via the first communication unit 31, the operation display 30 transmits the setting or instruction received by the communication I / F 31 to the multifunction peripheral 11. And a wireless communication unit 32 that is an example of a second communication unit that transfers the data to the wireless communication unit. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operating device and a printing apparatus that can be attached to and detached from a printing apparatus main body and wirelessly communicate with the printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been an apparatus capable of making an operation panel detachable from an apparatus body and performing various settings and remote control of the apparatus body using the operation panel at a place different from the installation place of the apparatus body.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a facsimile apparatus that includes an operation key provided in the apparatus main body and a display unit that is detachable from the apparatus main body, and in which operation input can be performed from both the operation key and the display unit. In this device, the operation keys of the device body and the valid / invalid of the display unit are switched depending on whether or not the display unit is attached to the device body.

Further, in Patent Document 2, a removable operation panel is applied to a printing apparatus, and even when the operation panel is removed, some functions of the printing apparatus main body can be operated.
In recent years, with the miniaturization of the printing apparatus main body, miniaturization of the operation display as an example of an operating device that can be detached from the printing apparatus main body is also required. In view of the above, the miniaturization of the device body is remarkable.

JP 2003-345500 A JP, 2013-180480, A

  However, as miniaturization of the detachable operation display progresses, recognition of display characters and display figures becomes difficult regardless of whether or not they are attached to the main body of the printing apparatus. In addition, as the size of the operation display advances, the number of selection items per screen decreases, and the screen scrolls or switches more, or the operation button of the touch panel becomes smaller, and the setting or instruction is given to the printing apparatus There is a problem that the operability of the operation is reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an operating device and a printing device capable of enhancing the operability of the printing device performed using the operating device which is detachable and capable of wireless communication with the printing device.

Hereinafter, the means for solving the above-mentioned subject and its operation effect are described.
An operating device which solves the above-mentioned subject is an operating device which constitutes a part of a printing device and which can be detached from an apparatus main body of the printing device, and is connectable with a display unit receiving an operation from a user and an information terminal When it is connected to the information terminal, it enables the user to operate the information terminal to give settings or instructions to the printing apparatus and to receive the settings or instructions from the information terminal When the first communication unit and the operation device are not attached to the printing apparatus and the operation device and the information terminal are connected via the first communication unit, the first communication unit is And a second communication unit configured to transfer the setting or the instruction received from the information terminal to the printing apparatus.

  According to this configuration, when the controller device is connected to the information terminal via the first communication unit, the user can perform an operation on the information terminal in order to give a setting or an instruction to the printing device. The controller device receives the setting or the instruction based on the operation of the information terminal by the user from the information terminal via the first communication unit. In addition, when the operating device is not attached to the printing device and the operating device and the information terminal are connected via the first communication unit, the setting or instruction received from the information terminal via the first communication unit Is transferred to the printing apparatus by the second communication unit. Therefore, the operating device and the information terminal which are detachable and capable of wirelessly communicating with the printing apparatus can be connected, and the printing apparatus can be operated on the information terminal. Therefore, the operability of the operation of giving the setting or instruction to the printing apparatus performed using the operating device can be enhanced.

It is preferable that the operation device further includes a control unit for displaying an operation screen for giving a setting or an instruction to the printing apparatus on a display unit of the information terminal.
According to this configuration, the user can perform an operation for giving a setting or an instruction to the printing apparatus to the information terminal while viewing the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal. Thus, the user can provide the printing apparatus with appropriate settings or instructions.

In the control device, it is preferable that a display size of the control screen in the display unit of the information terminal is larger than that of the control screen displayed on the display unit of the control device.
According to this configuration, the user sees the operation screen with a display size larger than the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the operating device on the display unit of the information terminal and performs an operation for giving a setting or an instruction. it can. Thus, the user can give more appropriate settings or instructions to the printing apparatus.

  In the operating device, the control unit receives the setting or the instruction performed on the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal from the information terminal via the first communication unit, Preferably, the setting or the instruction is transferred to the printing apparatus via the second communication unit.

  According to this configuration, the control unit receives the setting or instruction made on the operation screen from the information terminal via the first communication unit, and transfers the setting or instruction to the printing apparatus via the second communication unit. . Therefore, it is possible to give a setting or an instruction to be performed by the user operating the information terminal to the printing apparatus, and cause the printing apparatus to perform predetermined processing such as printing.

  In the operation device, the control unit causes a program to be installed in the information terminal via the first communication unit, generates a display control unit based on the program in the information terminal, and transmits the display control unit to the display control unit. It is preferable to perform display control to display the operation screen on the display unit of the information terminal.

  According to this configuration, the program is installed in the information terminal from the control unit via the first communication unit, and the display control unit is generated in the information terminal. The control unit performs display control to cause the display control unit to display the operation screen on the display unit of the information terminal. The user can display the operation screen on the display unit of the information terminal without installing the print driver in the information terminal.

  In the above operating device, preferably, the control unit performs display control to cause the display control unit to change the display content of the operation screen according to the setting for the information terminal or an operation for giving the instruction. .

  According to this configuration, the display content of the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal is changed according to an operation of setting or instructing the information terminal by the user. Therefore, the user can view the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal and confirm from the display content of the operation screen whether the setting or instruction operation has been appropriately performed.

  In the above operating device, the display control unit acquires image data designated by an operation on the information terminal by a user, and the control unit is performed on the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal. Receives the setting or the instruction together with the image data from the information terminal via the first communication unit, and transfers the image data to the printing apparatus via the second communication unit, and the printing apparatus is based on the image data It is preferable to print the image.

According to this configuration, the user can operate the information terminal to cause the printing apparatus to print an image based on the designated image data.
In the control device, it is preferable that the first communication unit includes a connection terminal, and the information terminal and the connection terminal can be connected via a communication cable.

  According to this configuration, the operating device can be connected to the information terminal via the communication cable, so when the operating device is connected to the information terminal, the operating device is recognized by the plug-and-play function of the information terminal and is automatically or A predetermined process such as installation is advanced semiautomatically. Therefore, when connecting the control device to the information terminal, the user is not forced to perform troublesome operations.

In the controller device, preferably, the first communication unit includes a wireless communication unit, and can be connected to the information terminal by wireless communication.
According to this configuration, the operating device can wirelessly communicate via the first communication unit even to the information terminal that does not have the connecting terminal connectable to the connecting terminal of the operating device, and thus the information that can not be connected to the connecting terminal It is possible to perform an operation to give settings or instructions to the terminal.

  A printing apparatus which solves the above-mentioned subject is provided with the above-mentioned operating device and a device main part which has a mounting part which can attach and detach the above-mentioned operating device. According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same function and effect as the above operating device by connecting the information processing terminal to the information terminal by removing the operating device from the mounted portion of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction peripheral according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the multifunction machine with the operation display removed. The perspective view which shows an operation display. The perspective view which looked at the operation display from the back side. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printing system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printing system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a printing system. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the processing procedure of the printing system. The schematic diagram which shows a copy setting screen. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a print setting screen. The schematic diagram which shows the screen for preservation | save, and an image list screen. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a print preview screen. The schematic diagram which shows a network setting screen. The top view which shows the operation display in imaging | photography mode. The schematic diagram which shows the screen for image processing. The schematic diagram which shows the setting screen in the example of a change.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing apparatus provided with an operating device will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral 11 as an example of a printing apparatus includes an apparatus main body 12 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The device body 12 has an operation panel 13 on the front. The operation panel 13 includes a touch panel display unit 14 and an operation unit 15 including a plurality of operation switches. The touch panel type display unit 14 can perform an input operation for setting settings such as selection and confirmation of items and the like and instructing printing and the like to the multifunction peripheral 11 by touching the screen with a finger. The display unit 14 is configured of a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The operation panel 13 may be pivotable to an angle that is easy for the user to visually recognize.

  As shown in FIG. 1, at a lower position of the operation panel 13 on the front of the apparatus main body 12, a feeding cassette 16 capable of storing a plurality of media M such as paper is mounted detachably (retractable) There is. The plurality of media M stored in the feeding cassette 16 are fed one by one by a feeding roller (for example, a pickup roller) not shown. The fed medium M is conveyed in the conveyance direction Y along a predetermined conveyance path by a conveyance mechanism (not shown) provided with at least one of a conveyance roller for conveying a medium and a conveyance belt. As shown in FIG. 1, at one end in the width direction X in the apparatus main body 12, the feed motor 17 serving as the power source of the feed roller described above and the transport motor 18 serving as the power source of the transport mechanism are disposed. It is set up.

  Further, a print head 20 is provided in the main body 12 of the apparatus. The print head 20 intermittently ejects ink droplets to the medium M conveyed in the conveyance direction Y at a predetermined conveyance speed, and prints an image or a document on the medium M. The printed medium M is discharged in the transport direction Y from a discharge port (not shown) exposed in an open state of a cover 21 provided openably and closably at the front of the apparatus main body 12, for example, the lower side of the operation panel 13 The cover 21 is opened and loaded on a slide-type stacker (a discharge tray) (not shown) which can be withdrawn and retracted. The printing method of the multifunction machine 11 is not limited to the line printing method in which the print head 20 discharges ink droplets all over the medium M in the width direction X at the same time to print, and a carriage for holding the print head 20 (shown (Not shown) may be a serial printing method in which ink droplets are ejected onto the medium M for printing while reciprocating in the width direction X.

  The multifunction machine 11 of the present embodiment is rechargeable and incorporates the battery 19 in the apparatus body 12. In addition, a controller 22 is provided in the device body 12 of the multifunction machine 11. The controller 22 performs display control of the display unit 14, scan control and print control based on an instruction accepted by the user touching the screen of the display unit 14, and various communication controls. The multifunction device 11 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the rechargeable type, and may have a structure using an external power supply when the multifunction device 11 is used.

  A menu screen is displayed on the display unit 14. When the user selects and operates a desired item on the menu screen, a setting screen of the item is displayed on the display unit 14. The user operates the selection screen of the display unit 14 to select a desired item from among the options of the desired item, thereby instructing the MFP 11 to scan, copy, and print the conditions. Set Then, after setting the conditions, the user can give an instruction to the multifunction machine 11 by operating the setting screen.

  In the present embodiment, a part of the operation panel 13 including the display unit 14 is an operation display 30 as an example of an operation device that can be attached to and detached from the base 13 A of the operation panel 13. That is, the operation display 30 constitutes a part of the multifunction machine 11 and is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body 12. The apparatus body 12 includes a base 13A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user operates the operation display 30 removed from the operation panel 13 from a position away from the multifunction machine 11 and instructs the multifunction machine 11 to copy, scan and print. Setting and its instruction can be given by wireless communication. The device body 12 is provided with a wireless communication unit 26 for performing this wireless communication. In addition to the power switch 15A operated when the power of the multifunction machine 11 is turned on / off, the operation unit 15 may be set at least in the multifunction machine 11 even when the operation display 30 is removed from the multifunction machine 11 An operation switch 15B capable of giving an instruction of The operation switch 15B has, for example, a function of instructing execution or cancellation (cancellation) of scanning, copying, and printing.

  The base 13A of the operation panel 13 is provided with a mounting portion 13B which is a recess for mounting the operation display 30. An electrode terminal 23 for electrically connecting the controller 22 or the like on the apparatus body 12 side to the operation display 30 and a power feeding terminal 24 for charging the operation display 30 are provided on the inner wall surface of the mounting portion 13B. And are provided. The controller 22 inputs an operation signal when the user touches the screen of the display unit 14 via the electrode terminal 23 when the operation display 30 is attached to the attached portion 13B of the apparatus body 12, and the display unit 14 Perform display control of. In addition, when the operation display 30 is removed from the mounted portion 13B of the apparatus main body 12, the controller 22 performs an operation signal when the user touches the screen of the display unit 14 by wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 26. The input control of the display unit 14 is performed.

  Next, the configuration of the operation display 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation display 30 includes a main body 30A of a square plate shape, the above-described display unit 14 disposed substantially at the center of the main body 30A, and a communication interface 31 (an example of a first communication unit) , And simply described as “communication I / F 31” and the wireless communication unit 32 as an example of the second communication unit. The communication I / F 31 includes a connection terminal 31A connectable to the connection terminal 106A (see FIG. 5) of the information terminal 100. The communication I / F 31 is, for example, a USB communication interface. The communication I / F 31 is of the same type (same communication standard) as the communication interface provided in many of the information terminals 100. The communication I / F 31 may be another known communication interface other than the USB communication interface. Further, the wireless communication unit 32 can communicate with the wireless communication unit 26 of the multifunction peripheral 11 by wireless. Further, the main body 30A is provided with a display light 33 and a speaker 34.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation display 30 has an electrode terminal 35 and a power receiving terminal 36 for battery charging on the back surface opposite to the display unit 14. In addition, the operation display 30 incorporates a battery 37 in the main body 30A. Then, in a state where the operation display 30 is attached to the attached portion 13B of the operation panel 13 of the multifunction machine 11, the electrode terminals 23 and 35 are electrically connected, and the power supply terminal 24 and the power reception terminal 36 are electrically connected. Connected to In this state, the power supply terminal 24 and the power reception terminal 36 are electrically connected, and a direct current from the battery 19 of the multifunction device 11 or an AC / DC converter when the multifunction device 11 is connected to a commercial AC power supply. The battery 37 of the operation display 30 is charged by direct current output from the provided power supply device (all not shown).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation display 30 has a card reader / writer 38 having a slot 38A into which the memory card 38M can be inserted. Further, the operation display 30 has a camera 39 capable of photographing. In addition, on the back surface of the operation display 30, a slide type operation unit 30B for moving the connection terminal 31A with respect to the main body 30A is provided.

  Next, how to use the operation display 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, when the operation display 30 removed from the multifunction machine 11 is connected to the information terminal 100, the printing system 10 is configured by the multifunction machine 11, the operation display 30, and the information terminal 100. Although FIG. 5 shows an example of a personal computer (PC) as the information terminal 100, it may be, for example, a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a portable information terminal (PDA (Personal Digital Assistants)). The PC is not limited to a notebook PC, and may be a desktop PC, a tablet PC, or the like.

  The information terminal 100 includes a main body 101, a display unit 102, and an input device 103. The display unit 102 is electrically connected to the main body 101. The input device 103 includes a keyboard 104 provided on the main body 101 and a mouse 105 connected to the main body 101. In addition, the information terminal 100 includes a communication interface 106 (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F 106”) (see FIG. 6) of the same communication standard as the communication I / F 31 of the operation display 30, and connects the communication I / F 31. It has a connection terminal 106A connectable to the terminal 31A.

  The multifunction peripheral 11 displays a setting screen G1 such as a selection screen for selecting a desired one from among the menu screen and options of various items on the display unit 14 having a relatively small display screen. Therefore, the setting screen G1 displayed on the display unit 14 may have small display figures such as display characters and icons, and may be difficult to visually recognize. In addition, the setting screen G1 may have a relatively small number of selection items per screen, a large number of screen scrolls and switches, or the operability of the touch panel may be relatively low. In particular, for a user who is not familiar with the multifunction machine 11, there is a possibility that it is difficult to use from the viewpoint of small screen and operability. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by connecting the operation display 30 removed from the device main body 12 of the multifunction machine 11 to the information terminal 100, the setting screen G2 for giving settings and instructions to the multifunction machine 11 is displayed on the display unit 102. It is possible to display on At this time, it is possible to display the setting screen G2 on the display unit 102 in a display size in which the setting screen G1 to be displayed on the operation display 30 is enlarged. In the example of FIG. 5, the menu screen MG2 is displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 in a display size in which the menu screen MG1 to be displayed on the display unit 14 of the operation display 30 is enlarged at a predetermined magnification. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the connection terminal 31A of the operation display 30 and the connection terminal 106A of the information terminal 100 are connected via a communication cable 70 in a wired manner. It is also possible to directly connect the connection terminal 31A of the operation display 30 and the connection terminal 106A of the information terminal 100.

  Here, when the connection terminal 31A of the operation display 30 is connected to the connection terminal 106A of the information terminal 100, the information terminal 100 communicates with the connection destination by the function of plug and play, and recognizes and recognizes the other party. If the other party (operation display 30) is permitted to connect, communication is established. Then, the information terminal 100 permits access including installation of a program from the operation display 30 and the like. The information terminal 100 displays a setting screen G2 of a display size obtained by enlarging the setting screen G1 to be displayed on the display unit 14 of the operation display 30 on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 by access from the operation display 30 by plug and play. It is possible to display.

  That is, when the operation display 30 is attached to the multifunction machine 11, the display unit 14 displays a menu screen MG1 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 as an example of the setting screen G1. The screen size of the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 is larger than the screen size of the display unit 14 of the operation display 30. Therefore, a menu screen MG2 in which the menu screen MG1 to be displayed on the display unit 14 is enlarged is displayed on the display unit 102. The user can appropriately perform setting operation and give an appropriate instruction to the multifunction peripheral 11 by looking at a character size, an icon, etc. larger than that of the setting screen G1 displayed on the display unit 14 in the setting screen G2. it can. The menu screen MG2 displays a plurality of items including a copy K1, a print K2, a scan K3 and a network K4. In the present embodiment, in a state where the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100, the setting screen G1 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 is not displayed on the display unit 14.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the printing system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 shows an electrical configuration for realizing the printing system 10, and FIG. 7 shows a functional configuration including software of the printing system 10. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the multifunction machine 11 includes a CPU 25 mounted on a circuit board (not shown) constituting the controller 22, a wireless communication unit 26, a memory 27, a scan engine 28, and a print engine 29. The CPU 25, the wireless communication unit 26, and the memory 27 are connected via a bus in the multifunction machine 11. The wireless communication unit 26 is for wireless communication with the operation display 30. The memory 27 stores at least a control program PR0 for causing the multifunction device 11 to function and a first program PR1 for causing the operation display 30 to be installed in the information terminal 100.

  The operation display 30 includes a CPU 41, a communication I / F 31 for wired communication with the information terminal 100, a wireless communication unit 32 for wirelessly communicating with the multifunction machine 11, a wireless communication unit 42, a display control circuit 43, and a display unit 14. , Memory 44, battery 37, card reader / writer 38, camera 39, indicator light 33 and speaker 34. The memory 44 of the operation display 30 stores a second program PR2 for realizing the function of the operation display 30, in addition to the above-described first program PR1 given for activating the information terminal 100.

  In addition, the information terminal 100 includes a CPU 111, a communication I / F 106 communicably connected to the operation display 30, a wireless communication unit 107, a display control circuit 112, a storage unit 113 including a memory and a hard disk, and an input interface 114. . The information terminal 100 further includes an input device 103 such as a keyboard 104 and a mouse 105 connected to the input interface 114.

  When the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100 for the first time, the USB host of the information terminal 100 first recognizes the operation display 30 as a USB device. At this time, the CPU 111 of the information terminal 100 determines whether or not the device is a permitted device with the plug and play function, and if the permitted device, installs the first program PR1 from the operation display 30. To give permission. When the first program PR1 is not stored in the memory 44 of the operation display 30, but is stored in the memory 27 of the multifunction machine 11, the CPU 41 of the operation display 30 performs wireless communication between the wireless communication units 32 and 26. The first program PR1 is acquired from the multifunction machine 11 and temporarily stored in the memory 44. Then, the CPU 41 of the operation display 30 transmits the first program PR1 to the information terminal 100 via the communication I / Fs 31 and 106. The information terminal 100 installs the first program PR1 from the operation display 30.

  Next, the functional configuration of the printing system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the multifunction machine 11, the first control unit 51 is generated and activated by the CPU executing the control program PR0. When the operation display 30 is attached to the multifunction device 11, the first control unit 51 sets the electrode terminals 23 and 35 of the setting information and the instruction signal determined by the user operating the setting screen G1 of the display unit 14. Enter through. The first control unit 51 drives at least one of the scan engine 28 and the print engine 29 in accordance with the instruction signal based on the setting information, and performs the instructed processing. On the other hand, when detecting that the operation display 30 is removed, the first control unit 51 enables the wireless communication unit 26 and performs wireless communication via the operation display 30 and the wireless communication units 26 and 32.

  Further, when the CPU 41 of the operation display 30 shown in FIG. 6 executes the second program PR2, as shown in FIG. 7, the second control unit 52 as an example of a control unit is generated and activated in the operation display 30. . When the operation display 30 is attached to the device body 12, the second control unit 52 communicates with the first control unit 51 via the electrode terminals 23 and 35. When the operation display 30 is removed from the multifunction machine 11, as shown in FIG. 7, the second control unit 52 communicates with the first control unit 51 via the wireless communication units 32 and 26.

  Further, when the CPU 111 of the information terminal 100 shown in FIG. 6 executes the third program PR3 stored in the storage unit 113, as shown in FIG. The right control unit 54 is generated and activated. The access right control unit 54 is generated and activated by, for example, the CPU 111 that executes an operating system (OS) in the third program PR3.

  Further, when detecting the connection of the operation display 30, the CPU 111 of the information terminal 100 communicates with the operation display 30 to perform authentication. When the operation display 30 is authenticated by the information terminal 100, access to the information terminal 100 is permitted. The first program PR1 is transmitted from the operation display 30 to the information terminal 100 and installed in the information terminal 100. Then, by executing the first program PR1 installed by the CPU 111 of the information terminal 100, as shown in FIG. 7, the display control unit 120 is generated and activated in the information terminal 100. The display control unit 120 causes the access right control unit 54 to acquire the access right to the display unit 102 from the host control unit 53. When the display control unit 120 acquires the access right, the display control circuit 112 in the information terminal 100 temporarily loses the access right to the display unit 102. The display control unit 120 functions as a type of print driver, and temporarily performs display of a setting screen, reception of scan, print, copy instructions, transfer of image data to be printed, etc. to the multifunction machine 11. In FIG. 7, when the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100, the second control unit 52 in the operation display 30 performs display control of the display unit 102 via the display control unit 120 in the information terminal 100. The signal paths that are effective at are indicated by thick lines.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction device 11 provided with the operation display 30 will be described. In recent years, wireless communication using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like is performed on an information terminal 100 such as a personal computer, a tablet PC, or a smartphone and an apparatus main body of a printing apparatus including a multifunction peripheral. Some models allow operation. In order to perform wireless communication with the main body of the printing apparatus, installation of dedicated software such as a print driver or the like on the information terminal 100 and installation of the application are complicated, and the setting is complicated for the user. In addition, since the above-mentioned preparation is necessary in order for a guest who is not normally using a printing apparatus to perform wireless communication printing, the barrier to wireless communication printing has become even higher. Therefore, by connecting the information display 100 to the operation display 30 according to the present embodiment, an operation for giving settings and instructions to the MFP 11 even if the user does not have to perform complicated setting operations including installation of dedicated software and the like. Can be performed relatively easily while looking at the setting screen G2 displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100.

  The user can remove the operation display 30 from the apparatus main body 12 of the multifunction machine 11 and operate the operation display 30 to give an instruction to the multifunction machine 11 by remote control by wireless communication. In addition, when the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100, the setting screen G2 in which the same display content as the setting screen G1 to be displayed on the display unit 14 of the operation display 30 is enlarged is displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 It can be done. The screen of the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 is larger than that of the display unit 14 of the operation display 30. Therefore, the user can cause the display unit 102 to display the setting screen G2 in a large display size.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 and the like, a procedure for giving setting and instruction to the multifunction machine 11 from the information terminal 100 via the operation display 30 is taken as an example when the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100 for the first time. explain. When the printing system 10 is configured, the information terminal 100 functions as a type of host device that issues a predetermined instruction to the multifunction peripheral 11.

  First, the operation display 30 is removed from the multifunction machine 11, the connection terminal 31A of the communication I / F 31 is protruded from the main body 30A, and the connection terminal 31A is connected to the connection terminal 106A of the communication I / F 106 of the information terminal 100 through the communication cable 70. Connect to Then, in the information terminal 100, when the host control unit 53 detects a connection of the operation display 30, the USB host configuring the host control unit 53 recognizes the operation display 30 as a USB device, and authenticates the operation display 30 with the operation display 30. I do. The second control unit 52 in the operation display 30 responds to the request from the information terminal 100, and if the authentication is successful, communication between the information terminal 100 and the operation display 30 is established. When the authentication is successful, installation of the first program PR1 from the operation display 30 to the information terminal 100 is permitted. The second control unit 52 of the operation display 30 transmits the first program PR1 to the information terminal 100.

  The information terminal 100 installs the first program PR1 from the operation display 30. When the CPU 111 of the information terminal 100 shown in FIG. 6 executes the installed first program PR1, the display control unit 120 is generated in the information terminal 100 shown in FIG. 7 and activated. The display control unit 120 acquires the access right to the display unit 102 by the access right control unit 54 shown in FIG. 7. The display control unit 120 receives an instruction by the display control signal from the second control unit 52 in the operation display 30, and causes the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 to display the setting screen G2.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100, a setting screen G2 for giving a condition setting and an instruction to the MFP 11 is displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100. Ru. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the menu screen MG2 is displayed. In the present embodiment, the second control unit 52 in the operation display 30 switches the control target from the display unit 14 to the display unit 102. As a result, by the connection between the operation display 30 and the information terminal 100, the display unit 14 of the operation display 30 is invalidated, and the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 is effective.

  Thereafter, the user operates the input device 103 on the setting screen G2 displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 to set and instruct the multifunction peripheral 11. The display control unit 120 reflects the content based on the operation signal input from the input device 103 via the input interface 114 on the display content displayed on the display unit 102. The display control unit 120 performs this display control by communication with the second control unit 52 of the operation display 30. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the user operates the input device 103 after activation of the display control unit 120, the display control unit 120 that has received the operation signal sends the operation signal to the operation display 30. At this time, the display control unit 120 may transmit the operation signal from the input device 103 as it is, or may transmit the operation signal converted into a signal that can be determined on the operation display 30 side.

  Operation display 30 reads display data of display contents corresponding to the operation signal from memory 44, and transmits a display control signal including the read display data to information terminal 100. In the information terminal 100, the display control unit 120 controls the display unit 102 based on the display data in accordance with the instruction of the display control signal, and performs the display process of reflecting the change on the setting screen G2. Thus, the display control unit 120 in the information terminal 100 sends the operation signal received to the operation display 30 each time the user operates the input device 103. When the display control unit 120 receives a display control signal including display data representing display content corresponding to the operation signal from the second control unit 52 of the operation display 30, the display control unit 120 displays the content of the display data according to the display control signal. The setting screen G2 of the section 102 is reflected.

  For example, when the user selects copy K1 on the menu screen MG2 of the information terminal 100 shown in FIG. 5, a copy setting screen CG is displayed as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 9, a selection item C1 for selecting color / monochrome, a scale section C2 for selecting copy density, and the like are displayed, and the arrow button C3 is operated to scroll the copy setting screen CG up and down. Make settings and check the settings. After setting the copy conditions, the user operates the input device 103 to operate the start button C4.

  Further, when the user selects printing on the menu screen MG2 displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 as shown in FIG. 5, the print setting screen PG is displayed as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 10, a selection item P1 for selecting a paper size, a selection item P2 for selecting a paper type, a selection item P3 for selecting a paper feeding method, and the like are displayed. Scroll and set the required items or check the settings. After setting the printing conditions, the user operates the input device 103 to select a preview with the check box P5 as needed, and then operates the start button P6.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in a state where the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100, data stored in the information terminal 100 can be stored in the memory card 38M of the operation display 30. Then, after the operation display 30 is attached to the multifunction device 11, the data stored in the memory card 38M can be designated on the setting screen G1 of the display unit 14 and printed by the multifunction device 11.

  For example, after selecting the item of printing K2 on the menu screen MG2 shown in FIG. 5 displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100, and performing an operation to specify storage of the print target, the storage screen shown in FIG. SG is displayed. The storage screen SG is provided with a reference specification field 131 for the user to specify an address of a reference destination, a storage area 132 for storing desired data, and a storage destination specification button 133 for specifying a storage destination. ing. On the storage screen SG, the image list screen IG shown in FIG. 11 is displayed based on the address of the reference destination designated by the user in the reference designation field 131. A storage area 132 is an area into which image data desired to be printed is entered by a drag and drop operation using the mouse 105 by the user. The storage area 132 stores image data to be stored in the memory card 38M and image data to be printed.

  When storing image data in the memory card 38M, the user designates the memory card 38M on a sub screen (not shown) that is activated when the storage destination designation button 133 is operated using the mouse 105, and then desired from the image list screen IG. Image data is placed in the storage area 132 by drag and drop operation using the mouse 105. Further, since the storage destination for printing is designated by default, the image data to be printed is directly dragged and dropped to the storage area 132. When the user drags and drops image data using the mouse 105, the display control unit 120 receives a write operation signal from the mouse 105 based on the operation.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the display control unit 120 receives the write instruction signal, the display control unit 120 transmits the image data stored in the storage area 132 to the operation display 30 via the communication I / F 106 and 31 together with the storage destination information. . The second control unit 52 of the operation display 30 stores the received image data in the recording area designated by the storage destination information. That is, when the designated storage destination is the printing storage area, the received image data is stored in the memory 44. On the other hand, when the designated storage destination is the memory card 38M, the received image data is written to the memory card 38M.

  Then, when printing, if the setting conditions have been determined, the user operates the print button 136 shown in FIG. If the setting conditions are unconfirmed, the setting confirmation button 135 is operated to set and confirm the printing conditions as necessary on the print setting screen PG shown in FIG. 10, and then the start button P6 is operated. At this time, when a print preview is desired, an operation to instruct printing is performed after checking the check box P5, 134 of the print preview.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the display control unit 120 receives an instruction signal based on the operation of the start button P6 or the print button 136 by the input device 103, the display control unit 120 operates the instruction display 30 for instructing processing of designation such as printing. Send to When the second control unit 52 of the operation display 30 receives the instruction signal, the second control unit 52 transmits the instruction signal together with the condition information to the MFP 11 by wireless communication. Here, since this is an example of printing, the second control unit 52 transmits a print instruction signal to the MFP 11 by wireless communication together with the printing condition information.

  When a print preview is designated, as shown in FIG. 8, the designation information is also transmitted to the multifunction machine 11 together with the instruction signal. The first control unit 51 of the multifunction machine 11 generates a preview image based on the image data to be printed and the printing condition information. The first control unit 51 of the MFP 11 transmits the data of the preview image to the operation display 30 via the wireless communication units 26 and 32 by wireless communication. Furthermore, the second control unit 52 of the operation display 30 transmits the data of the preview image to the display control unit 120 of the information terminal 100 via the communication I / Fs 31 and 106. When the display control unit 120 of the information terminal 100 receives the data of the preview image, the display control unit 120 performs display processing for causing the display unit 102 to display the print preview image PRG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the print preview screen 140 is displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100. After confirming the print preview image PRG, the user operates the print button 141 if this is all right.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the display control unit 120 receives an instruction signal based on this operation, the display control unit 120 sends an instruction signal to the operation display 30, and the second control unit 52 having received this instruction signal sends the instruction signal to the multifunction device 11. And transmits an instruction signal by wireless communication. When receiving the instruction signal, the first control unit 51 of the multifunction machine 11 starts the instructed printing. That is, the first control unit 51 generates print image data in accordance with the print condition information based on the image data received earlier, and drives and controls the print engine 29 based on the print image data, whereby the image is printed on the medium M. Print.

  When the designation process is copy, the second control unit 52 transmits a copy instruction signal together with the copy condition information. In addition, when the designation process is a scan, the second control unit 52 transmits a scan instruction signal together with the scan condition information. In these cases, since generation and display of the print preview image PRG are unnecessary, the first control unit 51 of the multifunction machine 11 executes copying or scanning based on the first instruction signal. For example, when copying is instructed, the first control unit 51 drives the scan engine 28 and the print engine 29 to copy the medium M. When a scan instruction is issued, the first control unit 51 drives the scan engine 28 to scan an original.

  Also, the user can print the image data stored in the memory card 38M from the information terminal 100 later. For example, when the user finishes storing the image data in the memory card 38M, the user removes the operation display 30 from the information terminal 100 and mounts the operation display 30 on the multifunction machine 11. In this state, it is possible to designate an image stored on the setting screen G1 displayed on the display unit 14 of the operation display 30 and instruct printing. That is, the user performs a touch operation on the setting screen G1 displayed on the display unit 14 to select desired image data in the memory card 38M, and then operates the start button. Then, the second control unit 52 reads the image data from the memory card 38M, processes the image data according to the designated printing condition information to generate print image data, and drives the print engine 29 according to the print image data. Print an image based on the image data on the medium M.

  Then, the user removes the operation display 30 from the information terminal 100 when the multifunction machine 11 finishes predetermined processing such as printing. At this time, when the display control unit 120 of the information terminal 100 detects disconnection of the connection with the operation display 30, the display control unit 120 returns the access right to the OS of the information terminal 100, and ends the activation state. The installed first program PR1 is left in the information terminal 100, and the CPU 111 of the information terminal 100 executes the first program PR1 to start the display control unit 120 when the connection of the operation display 30 is detected again from the next time onwards. Let

  When the information terminal 100 can not connect the connection terminal 31A of the operation display 30, the operation display 30 and the information terminal 100 are connected by wireless communication. That is, the operation display 30 establishes communication between the wireless communication units 42 and 107 for the information terminal 100. When the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100 for the first time by wireless communication, the user selects the network K4 from the menu screen MG1 displayed on the display unit 14 of the operation display 30 (see FIG. 5). Then, the network setting screen NWG shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display unit 14. The user operates the access point button 161 on the network setting screen NWG to connect to the access point or operates the direct connection button 162 to connect to the information terminal 100. At this time, if the user who is not familiar with the operation regarding the wireless communication connection operates the explanation button 163, an explanation screen (not shown) is displayed. Therefore, according to the setting procedure shown on the explanation screen, the wireless communication is relatively easy. You can make a connection. The wireless communication is, for example, a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). After wireless communication connection, processing is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 8 as in the case of wired communication between the communication I / Fs 31 and 106 described above.

  Furthermore, data of a photo image taken by the camera 39 of the operation display can be stored in the memory card 38M. As shown in FIG. 14, the user selects a camera (not shown) on the menu screen MG1 of the operation display 30, sets it as a shooting mode, and operates the shutter button 61 to shoot a photo. Then, the second control unit 52 stores the image data of the picture in the memory card 38M. The user can mount the operation display 30 on the multifunction machine 11, select a photo on the screen of the display unit 14, and cause the multifunction machine 11 to print.

  In addition, the user connects the operation display 30 to the information terminal 100, selects a picture on the screen of the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100, stores the image data of the picture in the storage unit 113 of the information terminal 100, Image data of a photo can be transmitted from the information terminal 100 to the multifunction device 11 via the operation display 30, and the multifunction device 11 can print the photo.

  That is, the user designates the memory card 38M of the operation display as the reference destination on the storage screen SG shown in FIG. 11 displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100, and displays the picture stored in the memory card 38M Display on screen IG. The user moves the image data of the desired photograph in the image list screen IG to the storage area 132 by a drag and drop operation using the mouse 105.

  When the user wants to process the image of the photo, the user causes the display unit 102 to display an image processing screen 150 shown in FIG. 15 from the menu screen MG2. The image processing screen 150 is provided with a selection button 151, a read button 152, a save button 153, and a print button 154 capable of specifying a plurality of image processes including trimming. The user can display the storage screen SG shown in FIG. 11 on the display unit 102 by operating the read button 152. Desired image data is acquired from the operation display 30 to the information terminal 100 according to the above-described procedure. As shown in FIG. 15, the photograph PH based on the read image data is displayed in the display area 155 shown in FIG. FIG. 15 shows an example when the user selects trimming as one of image processing by operating the selection button 151, and the trimming frame TF is displayed superimposed on the photograph PH in the display area 155. The user operates the mouse 105 to adjust the position and size of the trimming frame TF, thereby trimming the photo PH. The user can operate the save button 153 to save the image data after image processing, for example, in the memory card 38M of the operation display 30 or the storage unit 113 by designating the save destination.

  Further, when it is desired to print the image of the photo PH after image processing on the multifunction device 11, the user confirms the setting contents with the setting confirmation button 135 as needed, and then operates the print button 136 or the start button P6. When the display control unit 120 receives the operation signal, the display control unit 120 transmits the instruction signal to the MFP 11 with the image data of the photograph and the condition information attached in accordance with the processing procedure for printing shown in FIG. When receiving the instruction signal, the first control unit 51 of the multifunction machine 11 generates a print preview image when the print preview is selected, and the data of the print preview image is transmitted to the display control unit 120 via the second control unit 52. Send to The display control unit 120 displays the print preview screen 140 (see FIG. 12) on the display unit 102 based on the received data. When the user operates the print button 141, the display control unit 120 transmits an instruction signal based on the operation to the MFP 11 via the second control unit 52. The first control unit 51 of the multifunction machine 11 receiving the instruction signal drives the print engine 29 to print a photo based on the image data on the medium M. Thus, the photograph taken by the camera 39 of the operation display 30 can be printed on the multifunction machine 11 by the operation of the operation display 30, and the image is processed by connecting the operation display 30 to the information terminal 100 as necessary. Then, the MFP 11 can print. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of data transfer which is required in the case of causing the MFP 11 to print a photograph taken by a camera or a smartphone.

  Further, since the operation display 30 is removable with respect to the multifunction machine 11, there is a concern that it may be left behind or lost when it is removed. Therefore, when the remaining amount of the battery 37 decreases below the threshold value, the second control unit 52 causes the indicator light 33 to light or blink, or causes the speaker 34 to generate a warning sound. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from removing the operation display 30 when the operation display 30 is removed from the apparatus body 12.

  Since the operation display 30 includes the card reader / writer 38, data can be stored in the operation display 30 by inserting the memory card 38M into the card reader / writer 38. Further, since the operation display 30 includes the memory 44, data can be stored in the operation display 30. In these cases, after the operation display 30 is connected to the device main body 12 of the multifunction machine 11, an operation for instructing printing on the operation display 30 is also possible. Therefore, a configuration in which the card reader is not provided in the device body 12 of the multifunction machine 11 is also possible. In addition, the battery 37 of the operation display 30 is charged from the device body 12 via the power supply terminal 24 when the operation display 30 is attached to the device body 12, and the communication cable 70 is connected to the connection terminal 31A such as a USB connector. It is also possible to charge by the power supply from the information terminal 100 by being connected to the information terminal 100 via

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The operation display 30 as an example of the operation device constitutes a part of the multifunction device 11 as an example of the printing device, and is configured to be removable from the device main body 12 of the multifunction device 11. The operation display 30 includes a display unit 14 which receives an operation from a user, and a communication I / F 31 which is an example of a first communication unit connectable to the information terminal 100. When the communication I / F 31 is connected to the information terminal 100, the communication I / F 31 is an operation on the information terminal 100 by the user and enables the operation for giving the setting or instruction to the multifunction device 11, and setting or Receive instructions. Furthermore, when the operation display 30 is not attached to the multifunction machine 11 and the operation display 30 and the information terminal 100 are connected via the communication I / F 31, the communication I / F 31 is an information terminal. A wireless communication unit 32 is provided as an example of a second communication unit that transfers the setting or instruction received from 100 to the MFP 11. For this reason, the operation display 30 and the information terminal 100 which are detachable and capable of wirelessly communicating with the multifunction machine 11 can be connected, and the operation of the multifunction machine 11 becomes possible on the information terminal 100. Therefore, the operability of the operation of giving the setting or instruction to the multifunction device 11 performed by the user using the operation display 30 can be enhanced.

  (2) The second control unit 52 is further provided to display a setting screen G2 for giving a setting or an instruction to the multifunction peripheral 11 on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100. Therefore, the user can perform an operation for giving a setting or an instruction to the multifunction peripheral 11 with respect to the information terminal 100 while viewing the setting screen displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100. Thus, the user can give the multifunction machine 11 appropriate settings or instructions.

  (3) The display size of the setting screen G2 in the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 is larger than the setting screen G1 displayed on the display unit 14 of the operation display 30. Therefore, the user performs an operation for giving a setting or an instruction by viewing the setting screen with a display size larger than the setting screen displayed on the display unit 14 of the operation display 30 on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 it can. Thus, the user can give the MFP 11 appropriate settings or instructions.

  (4) The second control unit 52 causes the information terminal 100 to install the first program PR1 as an example of the program via the communication I / F 31, and the display control unit 120 based on the first program PR1 is installed in the information terminal 100. Are generated, and display control is performed to cause the display control unit 120 to display the setting screen G2 on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100. Therefore, the first program PR1 is installed in the information terminal 100 from the second control unit 52 via the communication I / F 31, and the display control unit 120 is generated in the information terminal 100. The second control unit 52 performs display control to cause the display control unit 120 to display the setting screen G2 on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100. The user can display the setting screen G2 on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 without installing the print driver in the information terminal 100.

  (5) The second control unit 52 performs display control to cause the display control unit 120 to change the display content of the setting screen G2 in accordance with an operation for giving a setting or an instruction to the information terminal 100. Therefore, the display content of the setting screen G2 displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 is changed according to an operation of giving a setting or an instruction to the information terminal 100 by the user. Therefore, the user can view the setting screen G2 displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 and confirm from the display content of the setting screen G2 whether the setting or instruction operation has been appropriately performed.

  (6) The second control unit 52 receives the setting or instruction performed on the setting screen displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 from the information terminal 100 via the communication I / F 31, and the wireless communication unit 32 The setting or instruction is transferred to the multifunction peripheral 11 via the interface. Therefore, the setting or instruction made by the user operating the information terminal 100 can be given to the MFP 11 to cause the MFP 11 to execute predetermined processing such as printing.

  (7) The display control unit 120 acquires the image data designated by the operation on the information terminal 100 by the user. The second control unit 52 receives the setting or instruction performed on the setting screen G2 displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 together with the image data from the information terminal 100 through the communication I / F 31, and the wireless communication unit 32 , And the MFP 11 causes the MFP 11 to print an image based on the image data. Thus, the user can operate the information terminal 100 to print the designated image on the multifunction device 11.

  (8) The communication I / F 31 includes the connection terminal 31A, and the information terminal 100 and the connection terminal 31A can be connected via the communication cable 70. Therefore, since the operation display 30 can be connected to the information terminal 100 via the communication cable 70, when the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100, the operation display 30 can be connected to the information terminal 100 with a plug and play function, for example. It is recognized and predetermined processing such as installation is advanced automatically or semi-automatically. Therefore, when the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100, the user is not forced to perform troublesome operations.

  (9) The operation display 30 includes the wireless communication unit 42 forming an example of the first communication unit, and can be connected to the information terminal 100 by wireless communication. Therefore, the operation display 30 can wirelessly communicate via the wireless communication unit 42 as an example of the first communication unit even to the information terminal 100 which does not have the connection terminal connectable to the connection terminal 31A of the operation display 30. By using the information terminal 100 which can not connect the connection terminal 31A, an operation to give setting or an instruction to the multifunction machine 11 can be performed.

  (10) The multifunction peripheral 11 as an example of the printing apparatus includes the operation display 30 as an example of the operation device, and the apparatus main body 12 having the mounted portion 13B to which the operation display 30 can be attached and detached. Therefore, the effects of the above (1) to (9) can be similarly obtained by removing the operation display 30 from the mounted portion 13B of the apparatus main body 12 and connecting it to the information terminal 100.

  The above embodiment may be modified as shown below. The configuration included in the above embodiment and the configuration included in the following modification may be combined optionally, or the configurations included in the following modification may be combined arbitrarily.

  The setting screen G2 similar to the display content of the operation display 30 is displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100, but a setting screen based on a print driver displayed when the print driver is temporarily installed on the information terminal 100 A setting screen of display contents close to that may be displayed on the display unit 102. The display control unit 120 may display, for example, the setting screen G3 illustrated in FIG. 16 on the display unit 102. On the setting screen G3, pull-down menus 171 to 175 for selecting options regarding paper type, print quality, color, sheet feeding method, and sheet size, radio buttons 176 for color correction, and visually showing the remaining amount of ink by color A scale unit 177, a print preview check box 178 and an OK button 179 are provided. The setting screen G3 shown in FIG. 16 has a large number of selection items per screen for the user who is used to the setting screen displayed by the print driver when printing from the information terminal 100 such as a personal computer, etc. In addition, the setting operation can be easily performed using the mouse 105. As described above, display contents different from the display contents of the operation display 30 may be displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100.

  When the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100, the display unit 102 displays a screen (not shown) asking the user whether to permit the installation of the first program PR1, and the user operates the input device 103. The information terminal 100 may be configured to install the first program PR1 only when installation is permitted. Even with this configuration, the user is not forced to perform troublesome operations.

  The second control unit 52 of the operation display 30 remotely controls the display control circuit 112 in the information terminal 100 by communication via the communication I / Fs 31, 106, and the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100 displays the setting screen G2, G3 and the like may be displayed. Also in this configuration, the setting screens G2 and G3 can be displayed on the display unit 102 of the information terminal 100, and the user can operate the input device 103 to perform setting and instruction on the multifunction peripheral 11.

  In the embodiment, when the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100, the function of operating the input device 103 of the information terminal 100 is a function that allows the user to perform an input operation by touching the screen of the display unit 14 of the operation display 30. You may replace it or add it. That is, in FIG. 7, when the operation display 30 is connected to the information terminal 100, the second control unit 52 also performs display control of the display unit 14 via the display control circuit 43. The second control unit 52 causes the display unit 14 to also display the setting screen G1 via the display control circuit 43, and when the user performs an operation on the setting screen G1, the information in the information terminal 100 is displayed based on the operation signal. The display control unit 120 changes the display content of the setting screen G2. According to this configuration, the user can confirm the content of the operation of touching the display unit 14 of the operation display 30 on the large setting screen G2 of the information terminal 100. Therefore, the user appropriately performs the setting and instruction operation on the setting screen G1. be able to. In addition, the user does not have to wonder which key of the input device 103 to operate when performing setting and instructing operations on the setting screen G2. In addition, if the network setting has been made, the operation display 30 itself establishes wireless communication with the information terminal 100 via the wireless communication units 42 and 107, which allows operations from any convenient point for the user. .

The operation performed on the information terminal 100 to which the operation display 30 is connected is not limited to setting and instruction, and may be setting or instruction.
The input device 103 is not limited to the keyboard and the mouse of the information terminal 100, and may be a pointing device other than the mouse connected to the information terminal 100. Examples of this type of pointing device include a touch pad, a touch panel, and a stylus pen. Further, the input device of the information terminal 100 may have the display unit 102 as a touch panel.

The charging of the battery 37 when the operation display 30 is mounted on the mounting portion 13B of the device main body 12 is not limited to contact type, and may be non-contact type.
The printing apparatus is not limited to the multifunction machine 11, and may be a printer mainly having only the printing function without the scanner function and the copying function. The printing apparatus may be a three-dimensional inkjet printer that discharges a liquid such as a resin liquid to produce a three-dimensional object. Furthermore, the printing method of the printing apparatus is not limited to the inkjet method, and a wire impact method or an electrophotographic method may be used.

  The present invention may be applied to electrical devices other than printing devices. For example, the electric device may be an electric device having an operation display as an example of an operating device which constitutes a part of the electric device and can be attached to and detached from the device body. Examples of this type of electric device include household appliances such as a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a washing machine, an audio device, a vacuum cleaner, and a cooker.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... printing system, 11 ... multifunction machine as an example of a printing apparatus 12: apparatus main body 13: operation panel 13A: base 13B: mounting part 14: display part 20: printing head 22: controller 22 Reference Signs List 26 wireless communication unit (multifunction machine side) 27 memory 28 scan engine 29 print engine 30 operation display as an example of an operation device 31 communication interface as an example of a first communication unit (operation Display side), 31A: connection terminal, 32: wireless communication unit (operation display side) as an example of the second communication unit, 33: indicator light, 34: speaker, 37: battery, 38: card reader writer, 38M: memory Card, 41: CPU, 42: Wireless communication unit as an example of the first communication unit, 43: Display control circuit, 44: Memory, 5 ... first control unit, 52 ... second control unit as an example of the control unit, 53 ... host control unit, 54 ... access right control unit, 70 ... communication cable, 100 ... information terminal, 102 ... display unit, 103 ... input Device 104 104 keyboard 105 mouse 106 communication interface (information terminal side) 107 wireless communication unit (information terminal side) 111 CPU 112 display control circuit 113 storage unit 120 display control Part, 140: print preview screen, 150: image processing screen, 160: setting screen as an example of operation screen, PR0: control program, PR1: first program as an example of program, PR2: second program, PR3: PR3: Third program, G1 ... setting screen, G2 ... setting screen as an example of operation screen, G3 ... setting screen as an example of operation screen, PG Print Settings screen as an example of the operation screen, CG ... copy setting screen as an example of the operation screen, SG ... save for the screen, IG ... image list screen.

Claims (10)

An operating device which constitutes a part of a printing apparatus and is detachable from the apparatus main body of the printing apparatus,
A display unit that receives an operation from the user;
It is connectable with an information terminal, and when connected to the information terminal, enables the operation for the information terminal by the user to give the setting or instruction to the printing apparatus, and from the information terminal A first communication unit that receives the setting or instruction;
The first communication unit received from the information terminal when the operation device is not attached to the printing device and the operation device and the information terminal are connected via the first communication unit A second communication unit that transfers the setting or the instruction to the printing apparatus;
An operating device comprising:   The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to display an operation screen for giving a setting or an instruction to the printing apparatus on a display unit of the information terminal.   The display device of the said operation screen in the said display part of the said information terminal is larger than the operation screen displayed on the said display part of the said operating device, The operating device of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The control unit receives the setting or the instruction performed on the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal from the information terminal via the first communication unit, and the setting or the instruction 4. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the operating device is transferred to the printing device via the second communication unit.   The control unit causes a program to be installed in the information terminal via the first communication unit to generate a display control unit based on the program in the information terminal, and the display control unit transmits the display control unit to the information terminal The display control which displays the said operation screen on a display part is performed, The operating device as described in any one of the Claims 2-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The control unit performs display control to cause the display control unit to change the display content of the operation screen according to an operation for giving the setting or the instruction to the information terminal. The operating device as described in. The display control unit acquires image data designated by an operation on the information terminal by a user.
The control unit receives the setting or the instruction performed on the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal together with the image data from the information terminal via the first communication unit, 7. The operating device according to claim 5, wherein the operating device is transferred to the printing apparatus via the communication unit, and the printing apparatus is made to print an image based on the image data.   The operation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first communication unit includes a connection terminal, and the information terminal and the connection terminal can be connected via a communication cable. apparatus.   The controller according to claim 8, wherein the first communication unit includes a wireless communication unit and is connectable to the information terminal by wireless communication. An operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9;
An apparatus body having a mounting portion to which the operating device can be attached and detached;
A printing apparatus comprising: