IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SYSTEM

摘要

An image forming apparatus in an image forming apparatus development support system includes an apparatus control section and an output section. Upon receiving virtual apparatus information from a development computer, the apparatus control section perceives the image forming apparatus as if an unattached optional device were attached to the image forming apparatus despite the fact that the unattached optional device is not attached. The apparatus control section then controls an apparatus storage section to store the virtual apparatus information as apparatus information indicating the current apparatus state. Upon receiving an instruction for outputting a report indicating the state of the image forming apparatus while the virtual apparatus information is stored in the apparatus storage section, the output section outputs the report based on the virtual apparatus information in accordance with a report outputting program.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus development support system comprising:
a development computer; and an image forming apparatus that is a development target to which an optional device is attachable, wherein the development computer includes
a computer communication section configured to communicate with the image forming apparatus and transmit virtual apparatus information to the image forming apparatus, the virtual apparatus information indicating an apparatus state of the image forming apparatus perceived as if an unattached optional device that is not attached to the image forming apparatus were attached to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus includes:
an apparatus storage section configured to store therein apparatus information indicating an apparatus state of the image forming apparatus and a report outputting program for outputting a report indicating the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus;an apparatus communication section configured to communicate with the development computer and receive the virtual apparatus information from the development computer;an apparatus control section configured to perceive, upon the apparatus communication section receiving the virtual apparatus information, the image forming apparatus as if the unattached optional device were attached to the image forming apparatus and control the apparatus storage section to store the virtual apparatus information as the apparatus information; andan output section configured to output the report based on the virtual apparatus information in accordance with the report outputting program upon receiving a report output instruction while the virtual apparatus information is stored in the apparatus storage section.